1/22/13
A fly in the Ointment
"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor." Ecclesiastes 10:1
Many of our colorful phrases in English came to be because they were taken directly from the King James Bible. "The apple of the eye" is a Jewish expression and was not used in English until the King James Bible was first published in 1611. Another such expression is "a fly in the ointment." It is taken from the above verse in Ecclesiastes. It means that something that appears to be good has a flaw that will undo any good that it could otherwise do. An example could be a used vehicle with a new paint job and a bad engine. Or maybe it is a person who does well in an interview but can't produce the work. These things are flies in the ointment.
As I was contemplating this another scripture came to mind. II Timothy 3:5 talks about people who have a form of godliness but deny the power of what they have. This makes me think again of that car with the pretty new paint job and a bad engine. That is a perfect picture of a church without God's power. God promised his church power to cast out devils, and heal the sick. He promised that we could see broken lives mended and marriages healed, etc. But these things do not come to a church without power. Jesus said we would be the salt of the earth. He also warned us not let our salt loose it's flavor. Can I put it another way? Perfume smells good but don't let flies get in. They will cause it to stink.
It is so easy to get caught up in the spirit of the world that we live in. Most people can talk for hours about the latest football game or what is happening in Hollywood. But we are at a loss for words when it comes to talking about the scripture or what God is doing in our personal lives. These are flies in the ointment. The ointment spoken of here is not just perfume but the word can also mean salve or medicine. The church is called to minister to a hurting world. We have the answer for which so many are searching. But are there flies in our ointment? If so we need the fresheness of God's presence to wash us anew and purify our "ointment."
This is about the time of year that many are breaking those New Year's committments made such a short time ago. I know I have already broken at least two. Rather than deciding to loose a few pounds why not decide to spend a little less time in entertainment and a little more time with God this year? Our world is hurting. It needs a church with power!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
1/18/13
Why I believe?
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
I have a pastor friend who often asks me a simple question,"what is the word?" By this he means that he wants a fresh word of inspiration from the scripture. The word for today is Faith. Faith can mean different things to different people. Some would define it as a creed or list of things that a group of people collectively believes in. Others would say it is a personal belief in God. These these things are not wrong but the Bible gives us a clearer definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." In other words it is believing in something I can't see just as if I held it in my hand.
I like to read books about Biblical authority. Because some have criticized the scripture and said it is full of contradictions, entire volumes have been written to clear up those supposed contradictions. I have read many of these books and usually enjoy them. But I don't need them to help me have faith.
I recently watched a presentation about science and the Biblical flood. The presenter used science in an effort to prove that the Bible is true. I enjoyed the presentation but I didn't need it to believe..
By it's very definition, faith is believing in something I can not see. It may not make sense on a human level but because God said it, I believe it. We live in a world of scepticism where everthing must be proved, cross-referenced, and then double and triple checked. I have no problem with "contending for the faith" as it were. But I believe it means much more to God when we simply choose to believe him without needing any outside affirmation. After all the very fist step in approaching God is believing that He is. When Moses asked God about who he was God's answer was "I am."
Why not choose to believe today? I can promise that you won't be disappointed. HE IS!
I have a pastor friend who often asks me a simple question,"what is the word?" By this he means that he wants a fresh word of inspiration from the scripture. The word for today is Faith. Faith can mean different things to different people. Some would define it as a creed or list of things that a group of people collectively believes in. Others would say it is a personal belief in God. These these things are not wrong but the Bible gives us a clearer definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." In other words it is believing in something I can't see just as if I held it in my hand.
I like to read books about Biblical authority. Because some have criticized the scripture and said it is full of contradictions, entire volumes have been written to clear up those supposed contradictions. I have read many of these books and usually enjoy them. But I don't need them to help me have faith.
I recently watched a presentation about science and the Biblical flood. The presenter used science in an effort to prove that the Bible is true. I enjoyed the presentation but I didn't need it to believe..
By it's very definition, faith is believing in something I can not see. It may not make sense on a human level but because God said it, I believe it. We live in a world of scepticism where everthing must be proved, cross-referenced, and then double and triple checked. I have no problem with "contending for the faith" as it were. But I believe it means much more to God when we simply choose to believe him without needing any outside affirmation. After all the very fist step in approaching God is believing that He is. When Moses asked God about who he was God's answer was "I am."
Why not choose to believe today? I can promise that you won't be disappointed. HE IS!
1/16/13
The Treasures of the Snow
There is an interesting scripture found in the book of Job chapter 38 verse 22. God asks Job "Have you entered into the treasures of the snow?" This is the famous discourse between God and Job where God tells Job who he is. Some have called it God's testimony of himself. It goes on for several chapters and if you have never read it, doing so will put a lot of things in perspective - But back to the snow.
We don't get much snow here in Mississippi. In fact I have only seen it snow this far south 4 or 5 times in my lifetime and then it is usually only flurries. I can only remember seeing enough snow to build a snowman twice. A friend of mine who moved from Mississippi to Europe shared this thought with me and I have been wanting to share it. So even though it doesn't snow much here I hope it blesses you.
The Treasures of the Snow
A fresh snowfall covers everything. It is so pretty and white and makes a picture perfect scene. It makes all the yards in the neighborhood seem the same. It doesn't matter if there was trash in the yard or the grass was uncut, the snowfall covered it all. The treasure of the snow is that it acts as a purifier and transforms even the ugliest scenery into a winter wonderland.
Isn't that such a perfect picture of God's grace? It doesn't matter what we have done we can come to Jesus and be washed clean. His forgiveness is available to us just for the asking. Seem too simple? Let us hear the words of Isaiah. " Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
It doesn't matter what we have done in the past there is always a fresh snowfall of God's grace and mercy ready to cover us. If your life is marred by the scars of the past let Jesus cover you with his blood and hide your past with his love. If anyone had a reason to hold a grudge against anyone it would be God. But he doesn't. He is waiting with open arms to give us all a fresh start. Why not enjoy his mercy today? He is anxious to forgive, just ask and see!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
We don't get much snow here in Mississippi. In fact I have only seen it snow this far south 4 or 5 times in my lifetime and then it is usually only flurries. I can only remember seeing enough snow to build a snowman twice. A friend of mine who moved from Mississippi to Europe shared this thought with me and I have been wanting to share it. So even though it doesn't snow much here I hope it blesses you.
The Treasures of the Snow
A fresh snowfall covers everything. It is so pretty and white and makes a picture perfect scene. It makes all the yards in the neighborhood seem the same. It doesn't matter if there was trash in the yard or the grass was uncut, the snowfall covered it all. The treasure of the snow is that it acts as a purifier and transforms even the ugliest scenery into a winter wonderland.
Isn't that such a perfect picture of God's grace? It doesn't matter what we have done we can come to Jesus and be washed clean. His forgiveness is available to us just for the asking. Seem too simple? Let us hear the words of Isaiah. " Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
It doesn't matter what we have done in the past there is always a fresh snowfall of God's grace and mercy ready to cover us. If your life is marred by the scars of the past let Jesus cover you with his blood and hide your past with his love. If anyone had a reason to hold a grudge against anyone it would be God. But he doesn't. He is waiting with open arms to give us all a fresh start. Why not enjoy his mercy today? He is anxious to forgive, just ask and see!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
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