He's Still Working On Me

He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be .....

Anyone remember that children's song from Sunday School? I woke up this morning with that song in my mind. It was a reminder to me of how much God loves me that he doesn't give up on me as easily as I give up on myself. It's confession time. Here goes. I am my own worse critic. Most of us naturally critical people are. We may find things wrong with others around us but we tend to criticize ourselves even more harshly than others do. For this reason, we are often never satisfied. We have an unrealistic idea that things are supposed to be a certain way; if they aren't that way, we get upset. Anybody recognize yourself in this photo?

The beautiful thing about this is that God is not judging us the way we judge ourselves. He is the epitome of love and patience. He can see the end from the beginning and he knows what we will be if we stay on the potter's wheel, so to speak. He has a finished product in mind for our lives and therefore is not frustrated with the process like we can tend to get.

I have heard it said that one shouldn't pray for patience because it will cause trials to come into our lives. I have come to see it another way. Trials will come whether we are impatient or not. Asking God for patience isn't asking for a trial. It is asking for him to give us peace with who we are now and who we will be. When we learn to love ourselves (and others) for who we are, then patience will be a natural outflow of that love.

 If you are having trouble with patience, why not go back to the beginning? Ask God to help you see yourself and your surroundings as he sees them. Don't get frustrated if you are not where you think you need to be. And never, never, never judge yourself by what someone else has or is doing. This isn't realistic and it only brings heartache and frustration. Just learn to thank God for what he is doing in you and leave the rest to him. In time you will find yourself with more patience than you thought possible. Yes, patience is a virtue but like everything else in life it is second to love.

God Bless,

Sullivan Jones 

Life's Road Map

The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

Jesus tells us in John 6:63 that his words are Spirit and life. That was a bold statement, considering that there were some in the crowd who considered him a charlatan. Others thought he might be a good man but didn't really see him as the Son of God. Yet he spoke with confidence and authority. Why? Because he knew and understood who he was and is. He was and is the God of all creation robed in a human body. His words were not just the words of an ordinary man but the words of God himself. When Jesus spoke, God spoke. 

Do you need to hear from God today? You may not have Jesus here in the flesh but you do have his word. The Bible is God's recorded word for humanity. It is not just the soulful writing of some great thinkers but it is the inspired writings of God himself. So if you need to hear from God you can. Open his word and begin to read. His words are alive and relevant to every situation in your life. If you have always thought the Bible to be an out of date book you will be surprised. There is something in it that is relative to every situation you might encounter in life. If you ask him to, the Spirit of God will illuminate your mind as your read and help you to understand. Before you know it, you will be so caught up into what's happening in the scripture you will think it was written especially for you. The good news is, it was. 

God had all of us in mind when he moved on the apostles and prophets to write the scripture. He knew we would need a road map in life to give us some direction. All of us reach those decision making times and simply don't know which way to go. I say to you today that you can find the direction you need within the Holy Scriptures provided you read them with prayer. Open the Bible today and began to read, It is the best road map for life. 

Thankful for God's Word,

Rev. Sullivan Jones 

An Epidemic of Smiles

There is a lot being said in the media right now about contagious illness. From flesh eating bacteria at the beach to the fear of E Bola - you name it, its out there. Now I am not mocking this but some people spend so much time worrying about catching something that they can't enjoy life.

There are other things that are contagious as well. Gossip, for one, is very contagious. One little snippet of misguided info can start a whole chain or rumors. Complaining is another one. Let me hear my co-worker say something hurts and I will have to share everything that is wrong with me. Yes, complaining is contagious.

There is something else that is contagious. Something much more positive. Laughter is contagious. We hear something funny and we have to tell it. Before you know it, the joke is all over the office. A smile can be contagious as well. We smile at someone and they may smile at someone else. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could fill our day with smiles and laughter instead of complaints.

Let's decide today that we are going to pass along a smile, a joke, a kind word, or a good deed. Who knows? It might become an epidemic.

Blessings,

Sullivan Jones