One Complex Whole

Truth is one complex whole. - Unknown

Have you ever heard the saying, "the truth shall make you free?" Did you know it is a direct quote of Jesus in John 8:32? I have heard these words repeated so many time that they almost sound like a cliche. Many times people use these words when they want to say something they know the other person is not going to like. It is as if they believe they can use Jesus' words to cover the harshness of their own. If it is true I can say it because truth always makes us free. Yet this is not the intention of Jesus' famous words.

When Jesus said this He was speaking of himself. He was telling the crowd that day that ultimate truth could only be found in him and in his teachings. We know this because immediately before this He told them that they could only truly be His disciples if they continued in His word (John 8:31).

Truth today is considered to be speculative. We live in a  global environment where people are exposed to more information about the world at large than ever before. Yet that information comes at a price. The media, the writers in hollywood and many others have an objective. That objective is to make the lines of truth disappear and get us to accept every other teaching out there as equal (or even superior to) the teachings of Jesus. For a Christian, this simply can't be.

Jesus claimed to have ultimate truth. We must either accept this or reject it. As C.S. Lewis said, either He was telling the truth about Himself as being the Son of God, He was a deceiver, or He was insane. Let's look at the evidence. His teachings are not the teachings of a mad man. They are some of the most awe inspiring, wisest words ever written. Neither or they the teachings of someone who was purposefully out to hurt others. The concepts he taught like forgiveness and turning the other cheek are not the writings of a conman.

That leaves only the first option; He was telling the truth. He really was and is the Son of God and in Him alone and His word can we find ultimate truth. It is that truth that will set us free. Truth is one complex whole and if we leave off any part of it we will not have it. Even a small lie makes a witness invalid in a court of law. How much more so should we apply these same rules in our spiritual lives. If you want philosophy there are many teachings in the world where one can find it. If you want a feel good religion, those are available as well. But if you want to know truth, there is only one source. As Jesus said, read the words of Moses and the prophets, for they testify of Him (John 5:39). He is the way, the truth and the life and no one can come to God any other way (John 14:6). He is the truth!

Truthfully,

Rev. Sullivan Jones 

I believe you're my healer

I woke up this morning with a song going over and over in my mind. Part of the lyrics are:

I believe you're my healer
I believer you are all I need
I believer you're my portion
I believe you're more than enough for me
Jesus you're all I need

I have been taking a Biology class and for my final paper I have chosen the topic "Why a Christian Should not Believe in Evolution". As I began to think on this topic this morning I realized something. It is is easy for me to believe that God created man but now always easy to  believe that He will heal man. The same scripture that says He formed me from the dust of the ground says He will heal me when I am anointed with oil and prayed for by the elders of the church. It is a promise. If one is true then the other is true.

I have nothing against medical science and am thankful for access to good medical care but there is always a limit to man's knowledge and abilities. God's knowledge and abilities have no end. He created the body and He knows how to repair it if something is wrong. I believe the reason we don't see more supernatural healing today is because we don't expect them. It is too easy to go to the doctor or take a pill. If we would believe for more healings we would see them.

I am determined to start a one-man mission to convince people that God can and does heal today. If you need healing, I challenge you to claim the stripes Jesus took on His back for your healing. Jesus can and does still heal.

I believe you are my healer ....

Believing,

Sullivan Jones

A New Pair of Shoes

Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The other day I went looking for a new pair of brown dress shoes. I have several pairs of nice shoes but most of them are casual. I wanted a brown pair of dress shoes. I ran into the shoe store and spent a few minutes trying on shoes. When I found the pair I wanted I paid and left. As I was leaving the store it suddenly dawned on me that I had on a comfortable pair of shoes and at least two more pair in my closet that fit good not counting tennis shoes. Then I thought about all the people around the world who would be thankful to own even one pair of shoes. Many will never own a pair of shoes in their entire lives.

When I lived in Honduras I would see all the young men at the Bible school hanging out their clothes to dry after washing them by hand. Many times their socks would have holes in them and instead of tossing them in the trash they would keep them for their mothers to repair. Money was too tight to throw away a pair of socks that could be mended. After watching that, I promised myself that I would never be unthankful again. How easily that promise was broken once I was back in the prosperous United States.  I am not feeling bad about the fact that I am blessed and I don't feel bad for buying a pair of new shoes. I believe I should look nice when I go to the pulpit. But I did take a moment to thank God for all of his blessings and to ask his for forgiveness for any complaining I had done.

What about it? Is there too much complaining in your life? Now would be a good time to think of all God has blessed us with and spend some time being thankful. We may just find that things are not as bad as we once thought they were.

Thankfully,

Spanish Pastor Jones