Perspective on the God I Serve

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on November 24, 2009 by James Jones

Then I saw the wicked buried.

 They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things.

This also is vanity.

 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 

 Though as sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I KNOW THAT IT WILL BE WELL WITH THOSE WHO FEAR GOD, because they fear before Him.

But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

 Ecclesiastes 8:10-13, ESV

 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong,

WHY DO YOU IDLY LOOK AT TRAITORS AND REMAIN SILENT when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

 Habakkuk 1:13, ESV

 …I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster!

 Jonah 4:2

 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,

 not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

 2 Peter 3:9

 I am proud that this is the God I am allowed to serve.

I Want to Buy MORE!!!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on November 23, 2009 by James Jones

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity (Eccl 5:10, ESV).”

One of my favorite songs by Shania Twain is “Ka Ching”.

It is very well written, and would make a great sermon just being read aloud.  The video and lyrics follow — enjoy!  Oh, and be careful on Black Friday!

“Ka-Ching”

We live in a greedy little world–
that teaches every little boy and girl
To earn as much as they can possibly–
then turn around and
Spend it foolishly
We’ve created us a credit card mess
We spend the money that we don’t possess
Our religion is to go and blow it all
So it’s shoppin’ every Sunday at the mall

All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store

[Chorus:]
Can you hear it ring
It makes you wanna sing
It’s such a beautiful thing–Ka-ching!
Lots of diamond rings
The happiness it brings
You’ll live like a king
With lots of money and things

When you’re broke go and get a loan
Take out another mortgage on your home
Consolidate so you can afford
To go and spend some more when
you get bored

All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store

[Repeat Chorus]

Let’s swing
Dig deeper in your pocket
Oh, yeah, ha
Come on I know you’ve got it
Dig deeper in your wallet
Oh

All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store

[Repeat Chorus]

Can you hear it ring
It makes you wanna sing
You’ll live like a king
With lots of money and things
Ka-ching!

Children See, Children Do

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , on November 23, 2009 by James Jones

Many thanks go to Trey Morgan for advertising this video.  It is powerful.  Please watch, internalize it, and do well.

Shaniya’s Mom Needs the Gospel

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , on November 23, 2009 by James Jones

 

            Shaniya’s lifeless 5 year old body was found off the side of the road in Sanford, North Carolina after a week long search.  Preliminary autopsy results indicate she was raped and died from asphyxiation on Tuesday, November 10th.  Her father claims Antoinette, the mother, trafficked her to pay off a drug debt.  Whatever the reason, the life of a beautiful, precious 5 year old soul has departed after a gruesome event.  Now, her mother sits in a jail cell two months pregnant.  Antoinette’s 7 year old son has been removed from her residence.

             One precious soul has departed, finally resting at peace in the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16).  Shaniya’s father raised her for the majority of her life.  He will never share another holiday with his little girl, take another picture, hear another laugh, or feel the tight embrace of her arms wrapped around his neck.  He lost her due to sin.

             Our Almighty Father has a child currently sitting in a jail cell due to sin.  Antoinette has been lost in drugs and other sins that have kept her from the fellowship of the Divine Creator.  Antoinette has been separated from the life of hope that the gospel offers every one.  She has been lost to a life so desperate that she would allegedly trade her daughter to pay her debt. 

            Jehovah had His Son die for Antoinette (John 3:16).  Jesus died, wanting nothing more than for Antoinette to be forgiven of her sins, and be reconciled to the Father (Rom 5:6-8; Luke 23:34).  Jesus wants Antoinette to know that drugs will not bring peace to her life.  Jesus wants Antoinette to know that life in this world is temporary, but life in God’s kingdom, which is now present, lasts for an eternity.  Jesus wants Antoinette to have hope in the resurrection.  He wants her to know that no matter what, His way is always better and that there is always hope. 

             Our Father wants Antoinette’s 7 year old son to know about the gospel.  The Almighty wants her precious 2 month old residing in the womb to be raised knowing the security and peace that only the life lived by the gospel can provide. God wants Antoinette to know that He WANTS to forgive her, and live with her for an eternity.  Jehovah wants Antoinette to know that drugs, prostitution, or any other sin will not bring her life back.  God wants her to know that the only way she can ever be reunited with her beautiful 5 year old daughter is to believe and submit to the gospel of Christ. 

            Shaniya’s father already lost his little girl due to sin.  Antoinette’s Father does not want her to be lost forever due to sin.  Antoinette needs the church.  She needs our prayers, as do all involved in this case.  Most importantly, Shaniya’s mom needs the gospel.   That is why the church is here.

 

It Can’t Be That Simple!!!

Posted in Uncategorized on November 16, 2009 by James Jones

math frustrated

            Have you ever made something out to be harder than it really was?  I had that trouble in my math classes.  No matter how much I studied and worked on problems, I always made solving the problems more difficult than it really was.  One math teacher repeatedly advised me to stop trying to understand it all, and just follow the formulas.  I had a hard time swallowing her advice because I did not want to believe these complex problems could be resolved so simply.  As my year with this particular teacher progressed, I began heeding her advice.  Slowly, but surely, I realized she was correct.  I began to have confidence in her simple advice, and benefitted greatly for it.

            We have all been burdened with the great problem of sin.  We know it is there.  We know it is a plague that haunts every human being (Rom 3:23).   We will never experience the eternal home with our Father as long as sin is on our record.  We can attain great successes in life, but the problem of sin remains. 

             Naaman was a commander in the Syrian army (2 Kings 5).  Even though he was a ranking officer, he was burdened with leprosy.  He was told of a great prophet in Syria that could heal him of his leprosy.  He went to see the prophet regarding his very difficult affliction that did not respect his person or status in life.  Instead of treating the leprosy as a horrible ordeal, Elisha merely sent a messenger to Naaman telling him to dip in the Jordan seven times to be healed.  Naaman was not happy with the instructions.

             Jesus made it clear in His ministry that we must submit to Him as the Son of God (John 8:24; cf. Acts 4:12).  In his parting speech to His apostles, Jesus wanted the message of faith and baptism preached to the world in order for their sins to be washed away (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).  Jesus’ instructions are easy to understand, but not necessarily easy to receive.  Sadly, belief can be highlighted, yet fail to be practiced in submitting to baptism.

             Naaman had to humble himself and submit to Elisha’s words.  He had to believe the message, no matter how simple it was.  When he did so, he evidenced faith in the instructions.  When we really have faith in Jesus as the Son of God, then we will believe what He says about believing and being baptized to be saved (Mark 16:1516).  The apostles preached this ‘simple’ cure on Pentecost (Acts 2:38), Ananias instructed Paul in this direction (Acts 22:16), and Paul taught it as an accepted fact (Rom 6:3-4; Gal 3:26-27). 

           We do not have to understand all the ins and outs and workings of baptism to believe Jesus’ instructions.  That is why faith is required.  I must trust Jesus with my salvation.  If I trust Him, I will follow His message for cleansing.  I had difficulty learning to surrender to ‘simple formulas’ in math, Naaman had to humble himself to be healed of his leprosy, and we must all believe that how to have our sins removed from our record can be ‘that simple’!

I Hate Sundays, I Do Not Like ‘Going to Church’, and, Yes, I am a Preacher

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on November 15, 2009 by James Jones

kid praying             Something was wrong.

            I had people talking about how great it was to assemble with God’s people, and I just mentally rolled my eyes and wanted them to get on with the services.  I tried to psyche myself into liking Sundays, and worshipping with the church, by quoting the positive verses about worship, putting on a smile, and telling myself how good it was to see people at church.

            And, that worked………….as long as I did not think about how I felt.  I tried to think about God and His goodness, and thank Him for His blessings and works.  I just did not want to do it with the church. 

            What was wrong with me?  I am the preacher; I should not feel this way.

            I do not like using excuses as a way out.  It does not matter what I think about others, whether my thoughts and assumptions are true or not.  It does not matter how ‘wrong’ I might think things are.  And, it should not matter how much is right.

            If I am there for the Lord, I should be thrilled.  What was blinding me from immersing myself in His goodness?

            I was thinking about others.  I was judging others.  Now, I may not have been doing it at the assembly, but how I thought about others during the week affected how I felt among the church on Sunday.  I lacked grace, mercy, patience, and forgiveness during the week.  I was not aware of the great counsel found in Ecclesiastes where it states, “Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.  Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others (7:21-22).”

            I was thinking and judging the very manner in which I would have been crushed if it were done in return.  I projected on others the very thing I was doing myself.

            Was I right about some of the facts that I thought?  Sadly, yes.  As time goes by, I was closer to correct than I care to admit.  It hurts a lot to even think about it.  However, how I chose to think about those actions, and how I thought about certain people totally messed with the greatest opportunity I have every week – worshipping God with the church.  The church that is full of redeemed, imperfect ragamuffins; people in need of grace, patience, and mercy.  People like me.

            Now, I was not thinking negatively about everyone.  Sadly, it was only a few people’s actions upon which I ruminated.  But, it was enough leaven to sour my soul.  I chose not to reflect on the goodness of my brethren, and God’s mercy on my imperfections and wicked thoughts towards my enemies.  I chose to dwell on the things that will eventually be destroyed, and that bar me from extending grace and mercy to others.  It kept me from loving, and it kept me from expressing my love to God on Sundays.

            I am starting to like Sundays again.  I am starting to really enjoy being among God’s people again. Sure, things still hurt.  Sure, I wish things could have different.  However, I need to dwell on the good truths, too.  I am among people who have experienced the mercy and grace of my Lord.  I am among imperfect people just like me.

            When I think about people’s actions during the week, I start to think about the good, too.  I still hurt, but I can still rejoice.  I can like my brothers and sisters now.  I like Sundays.  And, I like going to church.

            And, yes, I am a preacher.

Follow This Tweet

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , on November 14, 2009 by James Jones

drew olanoffI

love

insight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter how bad it may hurt, I appreciate it when someone broadcasts their thoughts in way that allows me to walk in their shoes a bit.  One person that does this in a profound way is Drew Olanoff (@drew on Twitter).  If I could recommend one person to follow to help mature one’s thoughts on a man’s crusade for cancer awareness and fundraising, it is him.

I am grateful for his bluntness and honesty.  Do yourself a favor and follow Drew!

Or, go to his website: http://www.drewolanoff.com/

I’m Simply Excited

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on November 10, 2009 by James Jones

Words cannot contain my excitement.  I am thrilled preaching the fundamentals of Christianity as the scriptures reveal them, and not the opinions of men. 

I am excited about ‘manning up’ and not allowing fear and constant slippery slope reasoning to dictate my Bible study and teaching.  Thank you, Lord, for bringing people in my life to show me the way.

I am excited about the Lord and His church.  I am glad I have removed lines drawn by men so I can follow My Lord’s will and not others’. 

This is a month known for thanksgiving.  Right now, those are some of the things for which I am thankful.

WOW — Beck and Hannity Called Out on FOX!

Posted in Uncategorized on September 30, 2009 by James Jones

Glenn Beck and Healthcare…

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on September 13, 2009 by James Jones

wow.