For the Preacher

Preaching is not the performance of an hour. It is the outflow of a life. If the preacher grows, the sermons grow

ONE WHO FOLLOWED CHRIST

 

People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink, but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall hereafter be revealed in, and for, us. I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us

One hundred seventy years ago this month David Livingstone sailed for the continent of Africa.
Dr. David Livingston was a Scottish missionary, Doctor and renowned explore. He was a fighter of the slave trade , noting the poor testimony this was for Christianity.. Some recognize him as the greatest of all African missionaries, explorers, and antislavery advocates. Livingston's work in Africa opened up an estimated one million square miles of previously uncharted land. He also searched for the source of the Nile.

As I read the biography of Livingston this fall, I was struck by the appropriateness of the book’s subtitle: One who followed Christ. As a missionary-explorer, Livingstone’s life was spent carrying the Gospel into the deep interior of the dark continent of Africa.

Livingstone preached the Gospel in hundreds of African villages, and he saw some fruit from his labor. He couldn’t have known, however, of the fruit that would come in the generations to follow. The missionaries on African soil today are there largely because of the sacrifices Livingstone made to follow Christ through unknown paths, staggering on through fever, loneliness, and even abandonment.

The quote above is one of my favorite quotes by Livingstone is his thoughts on sacrifice for Christ. Every time I read it, it challenges me to complain less and give more:

* Book: David Livingston: One who followed Christ – By Louise Houghton

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Psalm 100

Psalm 100
 1.  Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
 2.  Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
 3.  Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
 4.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
 5.  For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

THANKFUL FOR SALVATION

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

1 John 1

Undeniably the biggest blessing God's given to all of us is salvation. In this thanksgiving season I know at the top of my list of things I am thankful for is my salvation. In the fall of 1984 God sent his sweet Holy Spirit down to beckon my soul to the Cross and accept His son’s free and perfect gift of redemption . On that day I did not know what all that meant , but the more I read and grow in the Lord the more I understand why  Paul said “I thank my God for his unspeakable gift .”

If you've been in church any length of time, you've heard that salvation is the most important life decision you'll ever make. But step back and think about the provision of salvation for a minute.

 God sent His only Son to die for your sins, if that isn’t love. No matter how often you hear the story or think about Christ's death, you cannot get over the fact that were it not for Jesus' sacrifice, your life would be hopeless and aimless. Were it not for salvation, you would be wandering through life without a real purpose.

Aren't you thankful that Jesus willingly suffered the Cross for you? Imagine your life without God. What would you be doing? What would your life's craving be? What would you have to look forward to? God truly provided the greatest blessing of all when He provided salvation through His Son.

Since we realize that salvation is the most important decision someone will ever make, we truly  want our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to make that decision as well? While you can't force them into salvation, you can live a godly life, exhibit a Christ-like testimony, and share God's plan of salvation with them.

As John says, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:3-4). Share God's salvation with others so they can experience the joys you know through Christ.

Christian, don't allow this week go  quickly  by without stopping to reflect on the basis for your thankfulness-God's free gift of salvation. Without salvation, you have no reason to be thankful. But with salvation, you have forgiveness for the past, guidance for today, and hope for the future. In this we find the true joy to be thankful in all things. I am truly thankful for my Saviour and his gift of salvation

Pastor's Perception: BEHAVIOR AND BELIEF

Pastor's Perception: BEHAVIOR AND BELIEF: "Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. On three or more occasion of sharing the Gospel the person has respo..."

BEHAVIOR AND BELIEF

Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

On three or more occasion of sharing the Gospel the person has responded with the question “Do all Christians believe that?”  (Jesus is the only way to Heaven) How do you know if you really believe something is true? Is it because you say you believe it? Or is it because you are gripped with its reality to the point that it changes your behavior?

The Gospel  is so incredible , that to the lost world if Jesus truly died for our sins was buried  then resurrected and we are looking for his soon return our action , attitude and agendas should  reflect that . –Do all Christians believe that??

Is Hell real? Do I act as if I know people there today and the people I meet could be there tomorrow? Many time we are hindered by fear of individuals who oppose  the straight forward approach , but why let those who are not doing it at all tell us how to evangelize  souls ?

Jesus is our example. He was at it daily, at every encounter and at every season. Why? because he knew Hell was real and time was limited. His last command was Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Thos three dear people did not trust Christ as their Saviour as far as I know , but I’ve thought of there  question a thousand times since: “Do you really believe that?” With nearly seven billion people in the world—over half of whom have never once heard the Gospel—I’m not sure we are in a good position to answer there question.

If beliefs determine behavior, how would our behavior change if we really did believe that everyone who trusts Christ will spend eternity in Heaven and everyone who doesn’t will spend eternity in Hell? What would we do differently if we were gripped with the reality of eternal souls and Christ’s offer of salvation?  

Matt 28: 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

 18.  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

 19.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 20.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

CHRISTIAN OUR PRAYING IS OUR POWER

"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Luke 18:1


The key to resisting the devil is seeking God through prayer.
Many people remember William Cowper for his many poems, hymns, and writings. Also, Cowper spent extensive amounts of time translating Homer's Illiad and Odyssey into blank verse. But what people don't realize is the many physical and psychological battles Cowper faced throughout his life.
After recovering from his first bout of depression and a nervous breakdown, Cowper moved to Olney to live with a retired minister and his wife. Olney is where William met John Newton, who was involved in writing hymns. Together they compiled Olney Hymns (not published until 1779).
Despite a life-long battle with depression, God used Cowper to write several great hymns many churches sing today. Cowper learned from Newton that God could use anyone, no matter how weak they were. The key was a close relationship with God and a daily prayer life. Consider the following phrases from Cowper's hymns:
"Oh! for a closer walk with GOD,
A calm and heav'nly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!"
"GOD moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm."
Cowper was also quoted once as saying, "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees." The power of prayer in a Christian's life is a mighty tool. Jesus even points out the importance of prayer in Luke 18 by telling a parable that stated that "men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
Why is prayer so important? Prayer is a conscious dependence upon God. As we draw closer to God through prayer, we will realize we need Him more. Prayer shines a light on our inabilities and pushes us to rely on God's power.
Have you ever realized how weak you are compared to the devil? Even your strongest defenses are as feathers to his attacks. But when you are on your knees in prayer, seeking God's help, your defense is stronger than any attack Satan can bring. The key to resisting the devil is seeking God through prayer.
You are about to face another day of living. The devil is already poised for an attack; ready to see you fall away from God. But you don't have to fall prey to his attacks. Spend time in prayer. Seek God's help. Ask for His powerful armor of protection as you face the day, and continue in prayer throughout the day. Draw closer to God today through prayer and allow Him to protect you as His child.

* iNFO- Men who knew the God they Servied

Pastor's Perception: CRITIC

Pastor's Perception: CRITIC: "Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and..."

CRITIC

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner."
Luke 7:39

Critics are simply people who don't want to admit they need what you have.
As the woman anointed Jesus' feet and poured out her love for Him, surely many people were quieted by the actions. Who was this woman? Who was she to touch the feet of Jesus! Some probably wondered in silence, while others whispered their displeasure, but Simon, whose dinner it was, spoke out with a critical spirit.
Simon was a Pharisee, so his piety was already known among the people, but to add to it, he said, Simon first questioned Christ's deity (if he were a prophet) then went on to condemn the woman for her sins.
This wasn't the first time the religious population of Israel had questioned Christ's actions. Luke 15:1-2 tells us of another instance that Jesus reached out to the sinners and the Pharisees mocked Him, "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Jesus wasn't elitist in His ministry and He was mocked for it.
Have you ever been mocked or criticized for following God? Our world can't comprehend people who would abandon self interest and live for Someone they have never seen. They only understand what they can see-the here and now-and don't think of what will happen later in life or even in another life. So someone who believes something that hasn't been proven (in their opinion) is worthy of criticism.
Jesus faced critical people wherever He went in Israel. If the Pharisees weren't questioning His motives, people were following Him to find fault in Him. He was constantly questioned, mocked, pointed out, and tested. Yet He didn't allow His critics to keep Him from seeking out the needy.
If you haven't already, you'll soon find out that not everyone will be excited about your desire to live for God. People will question you, try to trap you, test you, and even mock you. But this reaction isn't anything new. The Psalmist faced the same treatment as he wrote in Psalm 25:19, "Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred."
Often critics can cause Christians to quiet their witness or dampen their fervor for Christ. But look to Jesus' example while He was mocked. He looked past their questions and saw people who needed His help.
How do you respond to critics? Do you lash out in anger and defensiveness? Don't allow critics to get under your skin. Realize that they are simply people who do not understand God's love and need salvation and forgiveness.
The next time someone criticizes your Christian life, thank God that your Christianity is evident enough that others can see it, and continue living for Him.

Pastor's Perception: He that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Pastor's Perception: He that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.: "Many of the event of the past 3 weeks have made me reflect on my ministry. Who am I and reminded of who I am called by. The loss of my forme..."

He that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Many of the event of the past 3 weeks have made me reflect on my ministry. Who am I and reminded of who I am called by. The loss of my former pastor and mentor made me note the company we keep does make the man. A good relationship with a wise mentor is like having personal access to a goldmine. It’s an opportunity anyone would be foolish to not take advantage of! Proverbs 1:5 reminds us, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” (See also Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 15:22; 19:20; 20:5; and 27:9.)

But just as a goldmine must be discovered, wise mentors must usually be sought out. They don’t hold a sign reading, “I am a wise mentor!” (And if they do, they likely aren’t!)

So, what do you look for in a mentor? How do you discern between truly golden wisdom and fool’s gold? The Lord has blessed me with wise and godly mentors over the years. The following characteristics are descriptive of each of their lives and are what we need to look for in a mentor:

1.      A consistent walk of integrity over a period of time

2.      A strong marriage

3.      Faithful children

4.      Joy in ministry

5.      Lack of a critical spirit

6.      Discernment

7.      Knowledge of the Bible

8.      Many years of experience beyond you

Even as a goldmine is a carefully guarded treasure, so a relationship with a wise mentor should be valued and protected. How you nurture this relationship will, to a large degree, determine the value you receive from it. Remember, too, that you have a unique opportunity to be a blessing to your mentor by appreciating him and communicating that to him. Following are some ways you can build a relationship with your mentor:

1.      Pray for your mentor.

2.      Give your mentor entrance into your heart.

3.      Be honest with your mentor.

4.      Be kind to your mentor.

5.      Be generous to your mentor.

I thank the Lord for the godly men He has placed in my life that have been willing to be my mentors. My father was my first and to this day is my number one. Both of my grandfathers (in totally different ways) my father-in law and of Corse my former pastor James E Woods ,I’ve benefited greatly through both their wise counsel and their godly testimonies. And I thank them for giving of their lives to counsel, encourage, and instruct me. They are treasures I don’t take for granted!

Coming Soon !

Yes Jesus is Coming Soon.. but this is just to let you know that I have started a blog and will soon be posting on a regular basis..

Pastor Kenneth Jones Jr