Parson To Persons Ministries, Inc.

A Dreamers Dream

2011-09-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

The Holy Communion

2011-07-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Why? When? What For?

Heart Talk - The Gospel According to BE part 3

2011-06-11T12:13:00.002-07:00

Heart Talk - The Gospel According to BE part 2

2011-06-11T12:13:00.001-07:00

Heart Talk - The Gospel According to BE part 1

2011-06-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

HEART TALK - A New Commandment Part 3

2010-11-26T20:36:00.000-08:00

HEART TALK - A New Commandment Part 2

2010-11-18T07:46:00.001-08:00

HEART TALK - A New Commandment Part 1

2010-11-10T19:34:00.000-08:00

Give Me This Mountain

2009-11-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

Ministry leader of The Salvation Army Christian Fellowship:

Caleb ask for a specific mountain as his inheritance. A mountain full of giants, yet Caleb welcomed the3 challenge. What Mountain has God call you to take over? What Giants are present in your life that God calls you to courageously face? God equips the called and prepares us for victory. Ask in faith, be specific in your request and then move forward knowing God is with you all the way.

Give Me This Mountain - Pastor Jerry Jones @ Yahoo! Video

Becomers or Stuck on Go?

2009-09-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

Its time to get to work. Stop being content with the place of our faith and long to be better and to do more for the glory of God. Sermon preach by ministry partner of the Pomona Salvation Army Christian Fellowship Pastor Jerry Jones.

Becomers or Stuck on Go? Pastor Jerry Jones @ Yahoo! Video

Heart Talk - What Do You Do When The Baby Dies

2009-09-08T15:32:00.000-07:00

Heart Talk - What Do You Do When The Baby Dies - Pastor Jerry Jones @ Yahoo! Video

The Touch of the Master's Hand - 8/23/09

2009-08-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

Sermon by Pastor Jerry Jones. Ministry partner of the Pomona Salvation Army Christian Fellowship. Join our community today and find your place in God's family!

The Touch of the Master's Hand - 8/23/09 - Pastor Jerry Jones @ Yahoo! Video

Heart Talk - Voices

2009-08-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

Latest Heart Talk form the Parson Pastor Jerry Jones. God is always speaking but are we listening?

Heart Talk - Voices - Pastor Jerry Jones @ Yahoo! Video

HEART TALK - PEACE

2009-06-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

PEACE

WHAT IS IT? HOW DO WE FIND IT?

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth,give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

(John 14:27 KJV)

“Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.”

(Psalm 119:165 KJV)

Years ago, when speaking in a Wednesday evening service on this subject, the Holy Spirit gave me the best definition of peace that I have ever come across. PEACE IS THE ABSENCE OF STRIFE. Inner turmoil and fretting over the things that transpire in one’s life is the exact opposite of what God has promised – and what God has provided – for those who put their full and unwavering trust in God. The battle lines have been drawn long ago, and have been defined as conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. Attempting to deal with life’s challenges apart from absolute dependence upon the Spirit and the promises of God’s Word is futile. PEACE ONLY COMES FROM A FAITH IN GOD AND HIS PROMISES THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN…OR FRUSTRATED…BY DEPENDENCE UPON HUMAN REASONING. Dependence upon what most people have to offer when one is called to walk through one of life’s deep and dark valleys, for example “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23) will, more often than not, create inner strife, a troubled and worried, emotional state that is not what God provides for those who seek for it. The Bible tells us to “…seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:18). It is natural, due to the fact that we are human, to have the human element, our emotions, rise up immediately to create fear, confusion, and the temptation to not run quickly to the Lord for His help, for His peace, peace that far surpasses human reasoning at its best.

On four separate occasions the Bible tells us that “the just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). We are not to walk in fear. Fear paralyzes! Fear breeds mistrust and doubt. It is impossible to walk in faith and in fear at the same time. We live by faith, we die by fear. Some years ago, I watched a newscast where a two-headed snake (at the St. Louis zoo, as I recall) was born. The gentleman said that the snake would not live very long because of the confusion caused by two brains battling with each other. In other words, confusion would kill the snake. God’s Word talks about confusion in 1 Corinthians 14:33. This is a verse that has held me steady many times, one that has helped me to quickly discern if a feeling, or a situation, was ordained of the Lord, or if it was a satanic work of the flesh to bring trouble and strife into my life. Paul wrote: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace”. I choose to put my full confidence in what is written in the Word of God…always, regardless of how painful, or how potentially devastating a situation may appear to be from the human, emotional, perspective.

Now, you may be wondering why I am addressing this issue. You are right, this preacher has been called upon to face the biggest challenge of my almost six decades in the work of the Lord. My wife of 58 years, 7 months, and 7 days passed from this life on May 31^st. She died in my arms after having told me the night before to “Please let me go…I will be with my Lord.” Everything that I have ever believed, preached and/or taught was called into question at that time. I was faced – in one of my man to Man talk with the Lord – as to how I would react to the fact that my prayers and those of many hundreds of people had seemingly not been answered. We believed that GOD would work a miracle and completely heal her from the cancer that had come back with a vengeance. In one day short of two months she was gone. Would I turn against God? Would I lose my faith? Would I question the validity of God’s Word? Would I stop praying for the sick and for miracles after having seen God work hundreds of them? I settled that matter in my car, on my way to church. His peace filled my inner being as I promised the Lord that I would not blame Him, that I would not lose my faith in His power to heal the sick and work miracles. I would not regress, but I would rather move forward in faith and in ministry. I would continue to pray for the sick and believe God for miracles. His peace filled my being, totally. Consequently, I do not “sorrow as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV). Lucille asked me to let her go so that she could be with her Lord. I honored her request. And, five days after she was laid to rest I was in the pulpit preaching God’s Word.

How could I do that? Humanly, I should be wallowing in sorrow and grief. This is not what I am taught in God’s Word and this is not what my beloved life partner would want. I will honor my God, and I will honor my wife, by allowing THE PRINCE OF PEACE to give His peace. His peace doesn’t come as humans might expect, or even attempt to give it. It comes on the wings of obedience to His Word and continuous reliance upon Him for inner strength, the strength to stay in the fight, to stay in the race, to finish the course with valor.

This topic is endless. Let me share something that one of Lucille’s nieces (Faith) in Eustis, Nebraska just e-mailed to me. It really does put this preacher’s philosophy in perspective. It is titled TODAY.

TODAY, I will delete from my journal two days: yesterday and tomorrow.

Yesterday was to learn from and tomorrow…well that will be the consequence

of what I can do today.

TODAY, I will face life with the sure knowledge that this day will never return.

TODAY, is the last opportunity I have to live intensely, as no one can

assure me that I will see tomorrow’s sunrise.

TODAY, I will be brave enough not to let any opportunity pass me by,

my only alternative is to succeed.

TODAY, I will invest my most valuable resource: my time in the most

transcendental work: my life.

TODAY, I will spend each minute passionately, to make a different and

unique day in my life.

TODAY, I will defy every obstacle that appears on my way,

trusting I will succeed.

TODAY, I will resist pessimism, and will conquer the world with a smile

and a positive attitude of always expecting the best.

TODAY, I will make of every ordinary task a sublime expression.

TODAY, I will have my feet on the ground understanding reality and the stars’ gaze, and thus will invent my future.

TODAY, I will take the time to be happy and will leave my footprints

and my presence in the hearts of others, not just in the sands of time.

TODAY, I invite you to begin a new season where we can dream

that everything we undertake is possible and we fulfill that dream, with

joy and dignity.

TODAY, why not perform a random act of kindness?

And, if there be those you love, tell them, you don’t know when it

might be your last opportunity.

Tell them, as I have just done…TODAY.

I leave you to prayerfully consider your own philosophy toward life…and death. We are all born to live, to die, to live. I have chosen to follow the example of David following the death of the child born to Bathsheba following his sin (as Nathan the prophet described it). David besought God to spare the child’s life. He didn’t! After seven days the child died. David fasted and lay in the dirt. He refused to eat. He believed that God would be gracious and change His mind. He didn’t! David’s faith could have been totally destroyed. Thankfully, he didn’t let that happen. I will not let that happen to me. When the baby died, David “arose from the earth, and washed and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and CAME INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, and WORSHIPED, then he came to his own house, and when he required (asked) they set bread (food) before him and he did eat” (2 Samuel 12:20). Those of his household, including his servants, could not understand how David could conduct himself in this manner. After all, Jewish custom called for a lot of mourning, a lot of tears, a lot of wailing (even with hired professional mourners). None of this happened. They could not understand. David explained it clearly and concisely. He said, “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live. BUT NOW he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he cannot return to me” (vv. 22, 23).

I trust that my experience with death will somehow help others to know how to deal with it when the death angel comes calling. To everything there is a time, a season, and a reason. “It is appointed unto men once to die.” This is a fact of life. How we die is much more important than when we die. How we handle death is an issue that each of us, if we haven’t before, will be called upon to deal with. Will we deal with it, leaning hard on the Lord and drawing strength from Him, bathed in THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH PASSETH – IS BEYOND HUMAN COMPREHENSION. Explain it? Impossible! Possible? Absolutely!

Should you desire to communicate directly with this preacher, please do so. Below are ways that I can be reached. And, thanks for listening.

HOW TO CONTACT DR. JERRY JONES

Post Office Box 6986 – Burbank, California 91510-6986 U.S.A.

E-mail: his2u@charter.net

Telephone: 1-818-843-2112

Web Address: http//www.parsontopersonministries.blogspot.com

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE BABY DIES?

2009-06-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

OPENING TEXTURAL READING

“To every thing there is a SEASON, and a TIME, to every PURPOSE under the heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

INTRODUCTION
There are portions of God’s Word that, although I have read them many times, and have studied them patiently, I find them difficult to wrap my mind around. I accept them because they are the inspired WORD OF GOD. I do not have to understand all of the Holy Scriptures, but for me it is required that I accept them as the Word of God and to build my faith in God, both for now and the future on them.
The sayings of Solomon could hardly be construed as anything other than having come out of his personal experience. He is saying here that THINGS HAPPEN. We can count on them happening. He has contrasted virtually every facet of life, and we should not attempt to challenge him. We have all been there. To everything there is a SEASON…A TIME…AND A PURPOSE. Please don’t tell me that you understand this, or can wrap your mind around it, especially the “purpose” part of it. Everything is but for a season and a time. We may be able to at least partially understand this, but THE PURPOSE is more difficult to grasp. Only by faith is anyone able to do so.
He…the preacher…sums his twelve chapters of ramblings – in Chapter 12 – by saying, “Then shall the dust return to the earth, as it was: and the spirit shall return to God, who gave it” (12:7). He then gives the best advice that could possibly be given after considering all that he has said: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (12:13, 14)

NOW, TO ANSWER MY QUESTION, “WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE BABY DIES?”
THE BIBLICAL SETTING IS FOUND IN 2 SAMUEL, CHAPTER 12

The chapter tells the story of David’s horrible mistakes with Bathsheba, having had her husband killed in battle so that he could take Bathsheba to wife. Out of that mess, a son is born, and God speaks to the prophet, Nathan, who confronts David with what he had done and how God planned to handle the matter. When confronted, David was immediately repentant.

“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
Howbeit, because by this deed thou has given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.” (2 Samuel 12:13, 14)

The emphasis for this message is not going to be placed upon the terrible sin that David committed…a series of sins, actually…but upon how David responded.

“David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in and lay all night upon the earth.
And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
And it came to pass on the seventh day that THE CHILD DIED. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice; how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, IS THE CHILD DEAD? and they said, HE IS DEAD,” (2 Samuel 12:16-19)

David’s reaction is swift and decisive. Notice:

1. He immediately besought God for the child…showing that he, for his own reasons, very much wanted this child in his life. He truly loved the child and wanted the best for the child.
2. He fasted and lay all night upon the earth – not your normal behavior
for someone who had everything and the finest of things.
3. He could not be persuaded by his elders to stop fasting and get up
off of the ground.
4. He would not eat bread with them.

All of this clearly shows how traumatized David was by all of this. It shows the ultimate in grieving.
NATHAN HAD ALREADY TOLD DAVID THAT THE CHILD WOULD NOT LIVE, YET DAVID DID WHAT ANY OF US WOULD DO…HE WENT TO GOD TO SEE IF GOD WOULD CHANGE HIS MIND AND STAY THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE CHILD. AFTER ALL, THE CHILD WAS NOT THE ONE WHO HAD SINNED. DESPERATE SITUATIONS DEMAND DESPERATE ACTIONS…DESPERATE FAITH! As we are about to see…his praying was to no avail. Was it wrong for David to pray? Absolutely not! God is a God of mercy. David knew this. He felt that God just might have a change of heart and let him keep the child. He did the right thing by praying, but God chose to stay with His decision and THE CHILD DIED. Now…

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE BABY DIES?

What do you do when anyone close to you dies? I honestly believe that David’s response is the right response for those of us who have, are, or will have to face the loss of a loved one. And, it doesn’t have to be because of some horrible sin, or the judgment of God. THINGS HAPPEN! PEOPLE DIE! “It is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). Everyone will eventually die either a physical death or go through the change that must take place at the time of the resurrection of the dead. We WILL die! How should we handle it? A look at how David handled it should be very helpful.

“Then David AROSE from the earth, and WASHED, and ANOINTED himself, and CHANGED HIS APPAREL, and CAME INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, and WORSHIPED: then HE CAME TO HIS OWN HOUSE; and when he required, they set bread before him, AND HE DID EAT.” (2 Samuel 12:20)

To many people, this seems almost unconscionable, not the proper course of action to take on the heels (only seven days) after the loss of someone as close as an infant son. The servants of his house did not understand David’s actions. Notice:

“Then said his servants unto him, What thing is that that thou has done? Thou didst fast and weep for the child while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.” (2 Samuel 12:21)

Clearly his servants did not understand David’s actions. He was violating all of the grieving and mourning traditions of their culture. The custom was to grieve, to weep, to even hire mourners to make loud wailings for the dead for an extended period of time. David clearly violated tradition. His response, I believe, speaks for all who understand the sovereignty of God’s actions and the hope of the future for those who are left behind, probably not to grieve and weep without end. Notice:

“And he said WHILE THE CHILD WAS YET ALIVE, I FASTED AND WEPT; for I said, WHO CAN TELL WHETHER GOD WILL BE GRACIOUS TO ME, THAT THE CHILD MAY LIVE?
But now that HE IS DEAD, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I SHALL GO TO HIM, BUT HE SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME.”
(2 Samuel 12:22, 23)

For myself having lost my wife of 58 years, 7 months and 7 days on May 31st, these words hold unbelievable meaning, and the advice that I am asking God to help me follow. Oh, that I might have the same confidence in God and the natural fortitude to do as David did. THE WILL OF GOD HAD BEEN DONE, AND AS PAINFUL AS IT WAS, DAVID ACCEPTED IT AND MOVED ON WITH HIS LIFE.

“And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her, and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: AND THE LORD LOVED HIM.” (2 Samuel 12:24)

CONCLUSION

Indeed, God had put away David’s sin (v. 13). David accepted the sovereign will of God and responded in what I believe was the right way. God had chosen NOT to answer David’s prayer. David, being the man after God’s own heart that the writer of the Book of Acts wrote about, did all the right things, including going (first) to the house of the Lord to worship God. HE GOT UP! HE CLEANED UP! HE SPRUCED UP! HE WENT TO DINNER! And, God allowed him and Bathsheba to have another chance at bearing a son. His name would be Solomon, the son that would rule in his father’s stead when David’s life came to an end. In this action we see the gracious God to whom David prayed allowing David’s legacy to continue. GOD IS GRACIOUS and HE IS A GOD OF MERCY!
So what do you do when the baby dies…when someone close to you dies…DO WHAT DAVID DID. His actions are a wonderful pattern for us all to follow.

Another Sermon by
Dr. Jerry A. Jones
Post Office Box 6986
Burbank, California 91510-6986
e-mail: his2u@charter.net

A Message from the Parson!

2009-06-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

God bless you one and all! This announcement is not an easy one to make, but it has happened and there is nothing any of us can do to bring my "First Lady" back. You deserve to know and this is my reason for sending this announcement. As you contemplate all of this, listen to that inner voice of God. Pray! Come if you can! Do whatever you are divinely led to do. Believe me, I need everyone I know as I walk through this greatest loss of my lifetime. -- Jerry Jones

A Poem of Personal Affirmation from the Parson's Heart

2009-05-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

I DON’T KNOW

I don’t know –

There are a lot of things

that I don’t know.

There are many things that

I do not understand.

There are many events in life

that I have no explanation for.

There are feelings and

emotions that I can’t explain,

But, this one thing I know –

HE IS ENOUGH

HE IS ALWAYS ENOUGH!

This one thing I know –

HE KNOWS!

He knows everything about

everything that affects my life

and that of those I love

and hold dear.

Questions…I have plenty of them.

Answers…I’m not sure that I have

a single one.

BUT, this one thing I know -

HE HAS ALL OF THE ANSWERS.

This is my absolute surrender

to Absolute God.

I have learned through more than one

deep valley experience that

HE IS THERE AND HE IS ENOUGH!

I can trust Him…I will trust Him

for it is impossible that my loving Lord

would forsake me!

On this I stake my life and my hope

for a successful solution

to every challenge, no matter

how impossible it may seem, for

HE IS THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE!

ANOTHER POEM BY THE PARSON

Dr. Jerry A. Jones

Post Office Box 6986 – Burbank, California 91510

MY AFFIRMATION AS MY PRECIOUS WIFE WALKS THROUGH THE VALLEY

OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH – MAY 4, 2009

HEART TALK - Walley Walkers

2009-04-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

“VALLEY WALKERS”

“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 KJV)

It is this preacher’s personal belief, one based on my own life experience and that of virtually every person that I have ever dealt with over almost six decades in Gospel ministry, that EVERYONE IS A VALLEY WALKER, at least once in his/her lifetime. In fact, some seem to have walked in the valley a lot more than they have walked on the mountain top. And, each person, at least I can speak for myself and hundreds who over the years have sought my prayer and counsel, has moments when we cry out in desperation, “Why me, Lord? Why is this happening to me?” Immediately, someone is going to say, “Where is your faith? Why can’t you trust God?” The truth is (at least in my case and with most that I know) we are. We are simply having those moments when in the darkness, dreariness, pain and suffering of the moment the human spirit, weary and drained, responds. I must say to myself, and to you, “IT’S OK!” He knows us a lot better than we know ourselves! He understands! He cares and He is not going to forsake a single one of His children.

This heart talk, then, is designed to help each of us grasp the assurance that the Psalmist expresses when he said (to the “Chief Shepherd”) “I will fear no evil, for THOU ART WITH ME.” No, we cannot see Him, but HE IS WITH US. We may not hear Him, BUT HE IS WITH US. As humans, it is not difficult to assume, for these reasons, that we are alone in our valley experience.

A colleague, and dear friend, Dr. David Hernandez of Sanford, Maine, tells a story that will help to add clarity to what this preacher is saying. He writes:

Joseph stood in the back of the church sanctuary filled with hurt, pain, and confusion as he stared at the large wooden cross hanging on the wall behind the pulpit. He slowly made his way up the aisle to the altar unable to look away from the cross. It had some kind of hold on him that he was not able to resist. The cross seemed to have a golden glow as the reflection of the overhead lights beamed down on the cross. Joseph knelt down and began to weep. Anger began to well up inside of him as he shouted at the cross, “Jesus, where are you? How could you let this happen to me? I’ve prayed over and over again and you have ignored my prayers! My wife doesn’t love me anymore and is leaving me for another man. My children are all living in sin and there is no hope. Where are you Jesus? Where are you?”

Dead silence filled the sanctuary. Fed up and bitter Joseph got up to leave when he heard three words, “He Is Risen!” It was then that Joseph knew Jesus had never left him but was always there especially in his time of need. New hope had filled his heart and he felt a new sense of strength enter his heart. All was not lost. He experienced the power of the resurrected Christ in his life. He was determined to press on in prayer for his wife and family. He was not going to give up or give in to the enemy of his soul. (End of story)

Joseph’s story is not an isolated one. There are many whose valley is exactly the same as his…marital and family challenges, the kind of pain that enshrouds a person, driving them to the absolute brink of despair, to “Wits End Corner.” The only person that can actually comprehend how dark is that valley and how excruciating the pain, is the person that either is going through it now, or has gone through it. As a side thought here (though it is related), someone has said (with regards to children), “when they’re small they walk on your pocketbook, but when they’re older they walk on your heart.” Someone reading this heart talk will be able to painfully relate to this statement.

There are others who walk in the valley of a failed career, a business that failed, a dream that simply never came true, a relationship that ended in heart break, the unexpected loss of a job. And how about the unexpected death of a loved one, a miscarriage, a suicide (either of a family member or close friend), a serious car accident, a home break in, a house fire…the list is endless.

THESE ALL HAPPEN TO VALLEY WALKERS, and that is all of us. The patriarch, Job, put it this way: “Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1 KJV). He had earlier stated, after having lost everything (including his ten children and all of his stock), “Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:6, 7 KJV). JOB WAS A VALLEY WALKER. Few have ever walked in such a dark and painful valley, yet Job, in the midst of his valley, would declare, “…till I die I will not remove (m. forsake) mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach (m. criticize) me so long as I live” (Job 27:5, 6 KJV).

Serious illness, such as cancer (and other incurable diseases that medical science continues to seek cures for), is a valley that many of us are called upon to walk through. And, those who walk in this valley often, like Joseph in the story that was related at the beginning of this heart talk, often react in the same way – “Jesus, where are you? How could you let this happen to me? I’ve prayed over and over and you’ve ignored my prayers.” Some have been known to shake their fist at God, screaming, “I hate you!” Desperate people often do desperate things. These are “Valley Walkers”.

My beloved wife has been a valley walker for the past twenty-five to thirty years. Brain surgery in the early 80’s to remove a tumor was the first huge valley walk that she and I had to take. God provided one of the finest neurological surgeons in Southern California and the surgery was successful and we walked out of that valley. In 2000 we had to walk through another valley. This time it was breast cancer. A mastectomy and reconstructive surgery resulted, but nine years later she is cancer-free. I shall not forget, on more than one occasion, she asked, “what are we doing wrong?” The answer is “Nothing!” We’re just valley walkers and our God has walked through both of these deep valleys with us. Now, we’re faced with a struggle with high blood pressure. Once more she and I are walking through another valley together. Thankfully, God has walked with us and although the questions have come, so have the answers and the assurance, “yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” We are valley walkers, but we do not walk alone. We know this.

Recently, a beloved friend, Evangelist Bobby Green of Pickerington, Ohio, e-mailed some encouraging words that seem appropriate as I move toward closure of this heart talk. Bobby wrote, “Jerry, you and I are VALLEY WALKERS and we have made it through before and will continue to do so because He (His grace) is with us. Glory! I just searched and found this poem from one of Phil Kerr’s old books and feel it will bless you (and I share it my friend(s) so that it may also bless you).

I know not why His hand is laid in chastening on my life

Nor why my little world is filled with toil and strife;

I know not why when faith looks up to seek release from pain --

That o’er my sky fresh clouds arise to drench my path with rain.

I know not why my prayer so long by Him is denied;

Nor why when ships sail on, mine should in port abide;

But I do know that God is love and He my burden bears –

So though I do not understand one thing I know…HE CARES.

I close with the confession that I make for myself and my wife. It is the confession that the Psalmist made as he ended the 23^rd Psalm – “The Shepherd’s Psalm” – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This preacher has prayed for thousands of people and I have seen hundreds of healings and miracles. I have seen God work them even when I was ill and in pain myself. And, yes, I wonder why God sometimes seem to be unconcerned and the answers don’t come. I wait for His voice of reassurance. Why some prayers are not answered, or at least answered to my satisfaction, I do not know. I just know that He knows what is best and that He is sovereign over all creation and creatures. I know that Mrs. Jones and I are not alone as valley walkers. We have plenty of company in life’s valley. I also know that although I can’t see Him, and although He often remains eerily silent, He is still there. Mrs. Jones and I stand resolute on the promise that He made to His disciples: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Lo, I am with thee, even to the end of the age.”

Whatever our (or your) present valley experience may be, we can be sure that God is with those who walk in the valley, even the valley of the shadow of death. And, when we stop to look back over the road we have traveled, as I wrote in a poem years ago, we should be quick to declare, “I’ve had more good days than bad.” So, child of God, walk on in faith. If you feel forsaken, remember that our Lord also felt forsaken on the cross. And, remember, WE’RE GOING TO MAKE IT! We’ve walked out of more than one valley!

“And the disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents

that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents:

but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:2, 3 KJV)

WHATEVER YOU DO, VALLEY WALKER, DO NOT LET THE DEVIL...NOR PEOPLE…PUT

A GUILT TRIP ON YOU. YOUR LOAD IS ALREADY HEAVY ENOUGH!

If you have been blessed by this heart talk, please take the time to let Dr. Jones hear from you.

Share your own valley experience with him. We are admonished in the Bible to bear one another’s

burdens. Let’s do it! Dr. Jones can be reached at:

HIS2u@charter.net

or by mail at P. O. Box 6986, Burbank, California 91510.

ALSO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS WITH

DR. JONES’ NETWORK OF PRAYER AND VISIT THE WEBSITE AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE

http//www.parsontopersonministries.blogspot.com

God bless you! Be strong! Walk on Valley Walkers!

Where do sins go?

2009-03-23T09:32:00.001-07:00

Pastor Jones reminded us of what happens to our sins when God forgives them and forgets them.

What does it mean to be born again?

2009-02-18T09:13:00.000-08:00

Sermon 1 in the Basic Christianity Series. Sermon was preached by Captain Moy Hernandez, Jr., Pastor of The Salvation Army Christian Church in Pomona. Pastor Jones and Captain Moy have joined forces to bring the changing power of God's word to the City of Pomona. We covet your prayers for this Spirit led endeavor.

What is Sin?

2009-02-18T09:12:00.001-08:00

Sermon 2 in the Basic Christianity Series.

What Does it Mean to be a Christian?

2009-02-18T08:07:00.000-08:00

Sermon 3 in the Basic Christianity Series - Part 1

What Does it Mean to be a Christian? Part 2

2009-02-17T03:09:00.000-08:00

Sermon preached by Captain Erika Hernandez, Pastor of the Pomona Salvation Army Church. Join Sermon 4 in this series.

HEART TALK - HE GIVETH MORE GRACE

2009-02-16T18:06:00.000-08:00

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, some of the words to a song by the title of this HEART TALK, will set the stage for what I wish to share with you from my heart. Please listen to my heart.
These are trying times. However, this is not the first time we have had to face such trials of our faith. This is not the first time that God’s children have had to “dig in” and depend on God to be our Jehovah Jireh – “God will provide!” This is not the first time that we have been up against a mountain that seems impossible to climb and/or to move. We stand trembling in fear, facing a situation that we can see no way out of. I want to tell you that it is in times like these that we get to see God at His best, our Heavenly Father coming to our rescue. It is in the valley that we come to appreciate every other time that God has provided the grace and wisdom to stand firm and not panic. In panic, we do crazy and unwise things, we made unwise decisions, we speak words of doubt instead of words of faith. Hear the word of the Lord:

“Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that
seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the holed of the pit whence ye are digged…fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be
ye afraid of their revilings.” (Isaiah 51:1, 7b KJV)

WHAT IS GRACE? There are certainly more than one definition, the most often used, “God’s unmerited favor.” I heard another definition recently, one that I really like. It was said, referring to the Greek meaning of the word, that “Grace is DIVINE INFLUENCE,” that is, Almighty God’s influence in our life and in the affairs of our life. Sadly, because we cannot see God, we forget that He is fully aware of all that is happening, even those things that affect each and every one of His children. Too often, we tend to take things into our own hands, or else we throw up our hands in despair and give up on God. It is sad that many, when caught in one of life’s terrible storms, forget that Christ is asleep in the hinder part of the boat. It is not possible that the boat could sink with Jesus in it. We forget to our own hurt, and by forgetting we must row harder against the storm, continuing to bail water, but to no avail. How much better it is when we awake the Master and give Him the opportunity to exercise divine influence by quieting the storm we are in. More often than not, we are nearer the shore than we realize because we are blinded by the wind, rain and darkness of the storm. Clearly what is needed in our trying times is divine influence…divine intervention. And it is available.
SOME THINGS NEED MORE FAITH

The Bible speaks of three kinds (degrees) of faith: NO FAITH…LITTLE FAITH…GREAT FAITH. A young man (teenager) wrote to me, telling me that he didn’t believe in prayers because prayers are never answered. This is your “No Faith” mentality. LITTLE FAITH is probably where most Christians are. Faith for a headache but no faith for a real miracle. Faith enough to get by as long as nobody rocks the boat or nothing really serious develops. There WILL eventually come in every person’s life the time and situation that will require GREAT FAITH…faith with bulldog in it…faith that cannot be shaken or moved…FAITH THAT KNOWS THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL GOD INTERVENES AND THE VICTORY COMES. Some things just require “more” faith.

MORE FAITH REQUIRES MORE PRAYER

People that do not pray will not stay. When tough times come they will not, because their prayer life has not been adequate enough to keep the battery of faith fully charged, will “knuckle under”. They will not have the power, or the willpower, to stand up to the challenge. PRAYER FEEDS FAITH! PRAYER BUILDS FAITH! And, FAITH EMPOWERS THE CHRISTIAN TO DEAL WITH ANY AND ALL CHALLENGES TO OUR FAITH. This includes the challenges that come because of an economy that is in serious trouble. This includes situations that arise, without warning, in families. And, we all know that family situations can become ugly, painful, and divisive. What should we do? When it becomes apparent that our faith level isn’t sufficient to deal with the challenge, we fall on our face and implore our Heavenly Father to manifest His divine influence…grace into our life, empowering us to get up from the place of prayer with confidence, with the desire to fight the good fight of faith, having received the wisdom of God to know what to do.

SOMETIMES SOMETHING MORE IS REQUIRED

Sometimes more faith and more prayer must be followed with a time of FASTING as the Holy Spirit leads. Giving up should never be an option for the child of God. We all struggle! We all wrestle with “the world, the flesh, and the devil.” We all have to deal with the Adamic nature. We all have to go into battle with the enemy of our souls. Sometimes the battle rages, hot and furious, and we must take the battle to the extreme level…FASTING, fasting for as long as the Spirit leads, until the Divine Influence – Grace, grace, God’s grace – has triumphed.

WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY?

The answer is really very simple – HUMANS SIMPLY ARE NOT CAPABLE OF HANDLING LIFE’S TRIALS ON THEIR OWN, and NEITHER IS ANY CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FORGIVENESS OF SINS FOR THEMSELVES. A fallen human race needs divine influence. We MUST have God! Why? Because He is our Creator! He, through faith in His Son, is the “Sin Forgiver.” We’re just not smart enough to keep things in divine order on our own. WE NEED JESUS! WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS IS JESUS!
Every person that has ever tried to go it alone, behaving as if they are God and don’t need divine influence, have created the mess that we’re in today, the mess that caused God to send His only begotten Son into this world to die as the “Sinless Lamb of God,” the One – the only One – that could provide reconciliation between sinful man and sinless God.
We need HIM! And, there is nothing wrong with being dependent on God as we go down life’s pathway. Christians are weak, the unbeliever says! Not so! Religion is a crutch, the unbeliever says! Not so! And besides, what is wrong with a crutch when one needs it? The sinner’s crutch is alcohol, drugs, pornography, the filth of Hollywood, gambling (and many more). Christians have “just One crutch” – HIS NAME IS JESUS! And, this is why GRACE – DIVINE INFLUENCE – IS ABSOLUTELY VITAL.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound;
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I’m found;
Was blind but now I see.

For other printed matter by Dr. Jones, please contact him
in one of the following ways:
MAILING ADDRESS:
Post office Box 6986
Burbank, California 91510-6986
E-Mail: his2u@charter.net
Telephone: (818) 843-2112
WEB:
http//www.parsontopersonministries.blogspot.com

A Genuine Born Again Believer in Christ

2009-02-16T18:01:00.000-08:00

COMPOSER AND/OR SOURCE UNKNOWN

PRINTED & DISTRIBUTED BY

Parson to Person Ministries

P. O. Box 6986

Burbank, California 91510

Dr. Jerry A. Jones. Founder/President

As a genuine, born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ:

I AM – “a new creature in Christ,” and old things have passed away, “all things are new and of God” in my life. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I AM – “separated from the world,” having responded to God’s call to “come out from among them (worldlings) and be separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)”

I AM – “a stranger and a pilgrim” here on earth, and my true citizenship is in Heaven. (Hebrews 11:13; 2 Peter 2:11, 12; Philippians 3:20, 21)

I AM – “walking by faith; not by sight,” as I journey along life’s road to Heaven, trusting the Lord and His Word. (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 1:17)

I AM – “seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” and expecting God to add all things I need in my life. (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19)

I AM – “setting my affections above” where Christ sits upon His throne, and “when He shall appear,” I shall be with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

I AM – living by Paul’s principle: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21), for it is “far better to depart and to be with Christ.”

I AM – careful not to “love the world, nor the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15), but to “overcome the world” by faith. (1 John 4:4; 5:4)

I AM – doing all things “to the glory of God” in my life. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

I AM – loving other believers “with a pure heart, fervently”. (1 Peter 1:22)

I AM – “letting my light shine” before a lost world. (Matthew 5:16)

I AM – cheerfully and regularly “giving financially” to my church as taught in the Word of God. (1 Corinthians 8:12-15; 9:6-8; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35)

I AM – looking for “the glorious appearing” of our Savior (Titus 2:13), who promised to return. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 22:12, 20)

Who is Going to Help Us?

2009-02-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

Introduction
These are troubled and frightening times in our world. Never, since “The Great Depression”, has the world been in the economic condition that it is in today. The conflicts between the Jews and Arabs are thousands of years old, and any conflict that arises is nothing new for the sons of Ishmael and the sons of Isaac. Things remain unstable in the Arab world. Afghanistan is once more becoming a serious challenge to our efforts to turn that country into a Democratic country. So is Iraq! Iran is a powder keg waiting to explode. And, now, North Korea’s maneuvers dare not be taken lightly. And, besides the economic challenges that America faces, the Church in America is both weak and worldly. Yes, there is a remnant that will be saved. Yes, there are those who strive daily to walk the narrow way that leads through the strait gate, the way that will ultimately bring this remnant – the Bride of Christ – to His throne.

Could this be the time that Jesus
spoke of in Luke’s Gospel?

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth DISTRESS OF NATIONS, with PERPLEXITY, the sea and the waves roaring:
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
And then shall ye see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:25-28 KJV)

We do not know, and though some prophecy experts take great pleasure, and with great certainty, would make us believe that what is happening today exactly fits the prophecies of these verses. I do not know, and I am not going to make such a claim. I was once young and now I am old. I have lived through a myriad of sermons that have said that what was happening at that point in time was a perfect match for such verses as this. I have lived through about a half dozen named Antichrists. I was alive when Father Divine touted himself as being God, had his compound in New York, with a harem of believers, many of them women who were at his beck and call. I was alive when an African American preacher in Chicago publicly claimed to be Jesus Christ, sat on his crimson throne, draped in royal regalia, and seduced many. I have lived long enough to have heard Pope Paul II named as the Antichrist, and John F. Kennedy, Henry Kissenger, and others. I have heard that the numerical value of the leaders on the Pope’s mitre total 666. I remember a couple of books that predicted the day Jesus would return – “77 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return in 1977,” and “88 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return in 1988.” He didn’t! Those authors frightened millions and sold millions of their books, tapes and videos.
None of the long list of prophesies that I have heard have come true. Therefore, I am not going to make any predictions, other than to say that I believe that in God’s time – when He determines their actual fulfillment – will see to it that His Word is fulfilled as far as the end of the present “Dispensation of Grace” and those things that will follow, ending ultimately with “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).
Jesus had a lot to say about world conditions as they would exist during what Christians know as “the last days” or “the endtime”. Here is what we do know:

“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark.
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:37-39 KJV)

Indeed, we do not know if what is happening today, or if the moral depravity of our world has reached the limit with God, or if the stage is set for God’s final showdown with this wicked and adulterous generation, but we do know that this could well be the time.
If this should be man’s “swan song” and if man has pushed the grace of God to the limit, and if Jesus should return at any moment, it would be the realization of the glorious hope of every believer. True Christians do not live their life paralyzed with fear as do those that have no hope We know that God, in His own time, will bring us to Himself and flying airplanes into the Twin Towers in Manhattan is not the way to Paradise.
We are all very much aware of what is going on in our world. CNN and MSNBC will not let us “not know”. Headlines are glaring! The news is nonstop about such topics as “The War on Terror,” “Anthrax” – and whether we have enough vaccine to deal with these biological threats. Now we are told that the antibiotics that have been around for a very long time easily treat the Anthrax problem. The smallpox threat is something that we are told – at least early on – we are not prepared for. And who knows what will pop up next.
For the Christian, it is certainly important to be informed, BUT it is not acceptable for us to be paralyzed with fear, and for looking on those things which are coming on the earth. We have read beyond that in our Bible and we know “it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 8:12b KJV). “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” (Proverbs 20:25 KJV). Christians should know that wisdom tells us to fear God – meaning to stand in awe of God – and that the fear of man can only entangle us in the web of anxiety and faithlessness. Our determined goal should be to stand in faith on the unfailing promises of God and let God handle endtime prophetic fulfillment in His own way and time.

Who is Going to Help us Deal with the Uncertainty
of The Days that We Now Find Ourselves In?

What does the future hold for us, for our children and grandchildren, for our businesses and the goals that have not yet been reached? The Bible is full of answers, but I would like to draw our attention to a man in the Old Testament by the name of JEHOSHAPHAT. Some verses in 2 Chronicles Chapters 18- 20 will be studied, but first…WHO IS JEHOSHAPHAT?

 Jehoshaphat was king of Judah who reigned in 853 B. C.
 He was the son and successor of Asa.
 He tried to be a model of piety and a guardian of the faith by sending teachers of the Law throughout the kingdom and closing down the shrines of Baal.
 He married his son to Athaliah, daughter of Israel’s notorious Jezebel and Ahab, and in doing so he unwittingly brought trouble and degradation to Judah.
 His 25-year reign was considered a high point in Judah’s history.

Jehoshaphat, because oif his alliance with Ahab – “the son of Omri (who) did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him” (1 Kings 16:30 KJV) – found himself involved in a battle with Ahab against Ramoth-gilead. An indication of Ahab’s lack of character and apparent disdain for his son-in-law, is seen in the way he handled this military operation – “I will disguise myself, and will go into battle, but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to battle” (2 Chronicles 18:29 KJV). In spite of his disguise, “a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness…and about the time of the sun going down he died” (2 Chronicles 18:33, 34c KJV).
Realizing that he had made a wrong decision by listening to Ahab’s false prophets and with Ahab bleeding to death in the chariot, “Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him: and God moved them to depart from him” (2 Chronicles 18:31 KJV).
Jehu – the seer – shows up in Chapter 19 and presents Jehoshaphat with a serious question – “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? Therefore is wrath come upon thee from before the Lord. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thy heart to seek God. And Jehoshaphat…went out again through the people…and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers. And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do; for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.” (2 Chronicles 19:2b, 3, 4-7, 9b KJV)
A lot of historical and biographical information has been given in order to paint a picture of a man that in very tough times made his mistakes, but made things right with God and when faced with the toughest battle of his life shows us who will help us when we have no place else to turn and don’t know what to do. The incident to which I refer is found in Chapter 20 of 2nd Chronicles. The following verses will set the stage for driving home the main lesson of this sermon.
Although Jehoshaphat was able – by divine intervention – to escape from the ill-chosen alliance with Ahab against the men of Ramoth-gilead and had returned home in peace, he was soon faced with his own battle – one of huge and frightening proportions:

“It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other besides the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side of Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is Engedi.” (2 Chronicles 20:1, 2 KJV)

The way that Jehoshaphat faced this challenge is a good example for everyone of us when we face our individual situations that seem overwhelming and impossible to us, even the fear of endtime events as Jesus spoke of them.

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
And all Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” (2 Chronicles 20:3, 4, 13 KJV)

Jehoshaphat was struck with fear just as America was struck with fear on September 11, 2001 when three planes – with more than two hundred passengers slammed into the two world trade center buildings in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. Thankfully, our president, his cabinet, and both houses of Congress immediately called our nation – and the world – to prayer. War was almost immediately declared on those that perpetrated this heinous crime against America. As Judah “gathered themselves together to ask help of the Lord:” (2 Chronicles 20:4), so did our nation, and we continue to seek God for His wisdom and empowerment to win this war over our enemies.
May I suggest to you that the god of our enemy is not the same as our God. The ecumenists, along with those who preach what is today called “the gospel of inclusion”, attempting to make us believe that there is only one God, the one that Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in, and that all of these religions will ultimately end up in heaven together, is what I am referring to. THIS IS NOT WHAT THE BIBLE…GOD’S INFALLIBLE WORD…TEACHES! Our God is the God of the Bible…not the Koran. Our God is the God of the entire Bible, not just the first five books – known as the 5 Books of Moses. There are millions of false gods in the world and the human race – in unbelievable numbers – pray to and worship them. These are gods with eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear, and hands that cannot help. These are gods that keep women and children illiterate and reduced to anonymity and the most menial servitude. These are the people whose women are second (or third) class citizens, important only for producing boy babies that will grow up to fight for an ungodly cause. This is not the same god as our God. Our God is the God that Jehoshaphat prayed to. Here are excerpts from his prayer:

“O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest
not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
Art thou not our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever?
Behold, I say, how they reward us to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2 Chronicles 20:6, 7, 11, 12 KJV)

When Jehoshaphat had finished praying, “Then upon Jehaziel…came the spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation…And he said…be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you…for the Lord will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:14, 15, 17 KJV)
Upon hearing this Spirit-inspired “Word of Knowledge” and encouragement, Jehoshaphat and all of the people did two important things. They “fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord” (20:18b) and then they “stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high” (20:19c). “And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten…they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the Valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:22, 25d, 26 KJV)

Conclusion

America is not in the best shape spiritually and certainly the world as a whole is far from giving honor to the only wise God, the Creator, but our cause is just and the freedom of choice given to all by God must be sustained and protected. Hopefully, all that is happening will cause America to do what Jehoshaphat and all of Judah did – fall down before the Lord, admit our absolute inability to fight and win on our own and to implore Him for forgiveness, mercy and empowerment to win the battle.
God wants us to win in every challenge Satan brings against us. God wants to bless us, and He will if our heart is truly repentant before HIM. This is a time to bring everyone…by family…to the place of prayer and then rise up from the worship of God to praise HIM for what we know HE wants us to have once we have emptied our hearts of our sin and selfish ambitions. The all-important question is: “Will we do it?” WHO IS GOING TO HELP US? God will…IF…if we humble ourselves, confess our sins and turn from them. This, more than meddling in endtime prophecy…and being paralyzed with fear…it is the solution.

THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD!
Hear it!

"Seeds" Sermon

2009-01-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

Sermon preached by Pastor Jerry Jones on January 25, 2009. At The Salvation Army Pomona Corps. Whats in a seed? There is so much more that meets the eye.

There is Nothing New - by Pastor Jerry Jones

2009-01-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

TEXTURAL READING

“When the son of David was king in Jerusalem, he was known to be very wise, and he said:

Nothing makes sense! Everything is nonsense. I have seen it all – nothing makes sense!

What is there to show for all of our hard work here on this earth?

People come, and people go, but still the world never changes.

The sun comes up, the sun goes down; it hurries right back to where it started from.

The wind blows south, the wind blows north; round and round it blows over and over again.

All rivers empty into the sea, one by one the rivers return to their source.

All of life is far more boring than words could ever say. Our eyes and our ears are never satisfied with what we see and hear.

Everything that happens has happened before, nothing is new, nothing under the sun.
Someone might say, Here is something new! But it happened before, long before you were born.
No one who lived in the past is remembered anymore, and everyone yet to be born will be forgotten too.”

(Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 CEV)

INTRODUCTION

No other book in the canon of the Scriptures – at least from this preacher’s viewpoint – deals more candidly with life and the way things are (and apparently always have been) than does Ecclesiastes. I have shared the first eleven verses of Chapter as my textural reading and I will use Verse 9 for my topic. But first, I need to preface that with some things that will set the stage for these words that poured out of Solomon’s heart as he evaluated his life and life in general.
For a long time the Holy Spirit has been making it clear to me that all of the conditions of this world – and in the religious community – that are so painful, distasteful, and often totally objectionable are not new at all. It is behavior that is in clear violation of God’s expectations.

None of what some of us are so disturbed over is new and apparently each generation seems to have been pressed to both live and deal with the things that cut deep into the heart of God and yet God’s efforts to bring about reconciliation between Himself and mankind has really had minimal success given the fact that there are more than six billion souls now living on planet earth.

It all started when the first parents in Eden chose to disobey God. The battle between man’s will and God’s will didn’t take long to get into an all-out conflict. Granted, we do not know how long the first pair had been in the Garden of Eden before they flew in the face of God’s clearly defined rule regarding the one tree – the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Nor do we know how long it was before Cain and Abel got into their conflict and the first recorded MURDER was committed. We may not have an accurate timeframe for these events but we do have them recorded in God’s Word and Christians accept them as factual.

The Bible is full of all the things that are so deplorable in our world today – things that every decent person is concerned with. Note:

 As early as Genesis 6 the human race had deteriorated so much (violence and corruption) that God made the decision to destroy man from off the face of the earth. Hence, the Great Flood with only eight survivors.

 Genesis Chapter 19 gives us the first recorded incidence of HOMOSEXUALITY and INCEST. Out of Lot’s incestuous relationship with his two daughters came Moab and Ammon, tribal groups that would ultimately be a thorn in Israel’s side.

 Abraham’s involvement with Hagar gave us Ishmael and his kin and Isaac’s kin continue to war with each other until this very moment in time.

 Lying was instituted when Abraham had his wife lie to Abimelech and Isaac would later do the same thing.

 Jacob would team up with his mother and lie in order to steal the birthright – jumping ahead of God because God had stated that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob).

 Fornication and adultery are also part of the ugly picture that the Bible makes no attempt to hide from us. There was Judah going to bed with what he thought was a harlot. David pulled off the “Playboy” thing with Bathsheba. Murder followed. Rape and murder plagued David’s family thereafter.

 Samson was a real “play boy”. Who knows what potential he had for being a great leader? God ultimately got the glory in dealing with the Philistines BUT it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine that things went the way God would have preferred them to go.

Such incidents continue to roll around in my mind, but I must move on. You can finish the list. I just want to make my point that THERE IS NOTHING NEW and that we need to realize that what we have to deal with on a day to day basis is just “the same old flesh at work.” There is just more of it and it is more glamorized because of the media.

JEREMIAH probably puts it all in perspective when God, speaking through him said, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV)
I submit to you that it is of the utmost importance that coming to grips with this matter, from God’s perspective, is of the utmost importance, eternal importance. For me, this has to do with what the call of God to ministry is all about. It is about how we see sin – through our eyes or through God’s eyes.

We can deplore it, give in to it – accept it as change that we cannot do anything about – or we can rise up as men and women of God in the power and might of the Holy Spirit and allow God to use us to make a difference. Indeed, we will have to pull some from the fire, but God forbid that we should fail, given the opportunity, and the opportunity is clearly ours to take.

WE DARE NOT LET THE SPIRIT OF FATALISM OVERCOME US!

WE DARE NOT GROW WEARY IN WELL DOING!

As bleak as things are there is hope. God is still alive and well! God is still on the throne! He is still in control. We dare not fall into Satan’s traps as so many have.

I have given you examples from the very start of our Bible that show that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. We see it all around us…the same sins. And, although we do not seem to recognize it, the judgment of God continues to be poured out on this wicked world. Sadly, people – in every generation – have learned to accept whatever happens as being either, chance, bad luck, or normal – shaking it off, adjusting, going right on down the same old path. This attitude is not be seen as that of sinners alone.

“GOD IS DOING A NEW THING” … or so they say!

If one listens for a while to today’s contemporary Christian element, the Charismatics, he/she will soon hear it said that GOD IS DOING A NEW THING…that the Church is enjoying a great revival, and that all of this assumed reviving is going to hasten the return of Christ. What is happening is said to be that last great revival before Christ returns.

A study of church history will show that there have been many of these so-called spiritual awakenings and each has been touted as a new thing that God is doing in the earth and each has been promoted as what might well be the last great revival before Christ returns to take His Bride – the Church – out of this earth and into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and her ultimate millennial reign with Him. Each of these awakenings has come and gone and we are still here and religious pundits continue to promote various waves of glory as some new thing that God is doing. Not so!

Jesus told His disciples quite emphatically – “in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44 KJV). Jesus warned the disciples about being deceived by false prophets (see Matthew 24:4, 11 KJV), stating clearly that these false prophets would “deceive many” (v. 11). In Verse 12 Jesus told them – and us – “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold”. Of course, Jesus talked about many other signs of the end of the age that would be in evidence as signs of His coming, all contrary to the notion that there is to be some kind of universal turning to God in preparation for Christ’s return.

The opposite is actually true if the Bible is true, and it certainly is. Paul is clear on this subject in his second letter to the Thessalonian believers. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV).

And it seems important to note that Christ’s messages to John on the Isle of Patmos – letters addressed specifically to the churches of Asia Minor, all representative of that has been in existence until now – all deal with issues that clearly point out the fact that human nature has not changed and the human race continues to chart its own course, even the churches, as they strive for acceptance in the world system. The last of this group of churches – Laodicea – certainly is a word picture of the church as it exists today.

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot.
Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22 KJV)

IN CONCLUSION

Could it be that Satan is successfully working his deception in our time in order to deceive God’s people and drag their souls with him into the Lake of Fire? Is this possible? If what is happening did not have the external evidence of being something good, spiritual, successful, etc., it wouldn’t be deception. It would not work if it didn’t look good on the surface. The challenge of this hour – and of this message – is that we would not be fooled and that we would take serious action – individually and corporately – to do what God has always called for…repent. This was His admonition to five of the seven churches in chapters two and three of Revelation. Dare we do anything short of serious soul-searching and repentance? This preacher thinks not. Eternity is a long time to be either saved…or lost.

COMPASSION Hearttalk

2008-10-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

JUST THINK ABOUT IT!

Another Heart Talk by Dr. Jerry A. Jones

PARSON TO PERSON MINISTRIES

P. O. Box 6986 – Burbank, California 91510-6986

COMPASSION

COMPASSiON

When Jesus saw the multitudes and knew that they had been with Him for three days, without food, the Bible tells us that JESUS WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION. He then proceeded to bless, break, and distribute food to them…a miracle which He worked on two different occasions (at least that we have a biblical record of). On another occasion we are told that he looked upon the multitude and was moved with compassion for he saw them as sheep not having a shepherd. COMPASSION was truly…and still is…the trademark of Christ’s ministry, His mandate, His mission…and ours.

All genuine compassion will be administered with PASSION…deep feeling, genuine concern, and a determination to perform as Jesus did. The word COMPASS has been highlighted. A compass is used to find direction. Truly, COMPASSION should be the compass by which our Christian life is guided. COMPASS also means to surround. Jesus seemed to always surround people with arms of love and genuine caring. He put on no airs. He never hid behind a false pretense. Dare we follow His example?

The third line in this message has to do with the idea that we are to PASS it ON…give it to others as Jesus gave it to people. HIS BLESSINGS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE KEPT TO OURSELVES. Every Christian is on the receiving end of God’s grace, God’s mercy, God’s blessings, etc., and it is expected that each Christian will be nothing more than a conduit through which God’s blessings flow out to others. THINK ABOUT IT! May the Holy Spirit cause this matter to light up the dark corners of your spiritual life. Pray until it happens! After all, we ARE lights in this dark world.

HE IS ENOUGH! HE IS ALL WE NEED!

NOT ONE PROMISE OF GOD HAS EVER FAILED!

HIS EYES ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS!

THE EYES OF THE LORD RUN TO AND FRO IN THE EARTH

BEHOLDING THEM THAT ARE HIS!

This is great news. Get hold of it and don’t let go! Embrace it! Let us sing the old hymn “though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved. Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved.” And how about another one? “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Church in a Coma - HEART TALK

2008-10-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

CHURCH IN A COMA

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Ephesians 5:14 KJV)

“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:35, 36 KJV)

Recently, when visiting with a colleague for mentoring and prayer, I was struck with the fact that THE CHURCH…GENERALLY…IS IN A SPIRITUAL COMA. As I have thought on this unexpected description of His Church, I am reminded that the church has a history of doing this, with sudden, but brief, bursts of renewal, revival fire, and altars where sinners come to repent of their sins and receive Christ. But then, she drifts back into her spiritual coma.

I said to my colleague, “when I walk in here I do not feel anything…it feels like a morgue.” He agreed! Why is this brother reaching out to me? He freely admits that for ten years his payer life has been almost non-existent, that he isn’t motivated, is undisciplined, etc. Thankfully, he is concerned enough to meet on a regular basis for counsel and prayer. We are united in prayer and counsel, believing GOD to set a blaze in this pastor’s heart and to let that fire spread to every member of his congregation.

Nothing in the way of the supernatural is happening in far too many churches today. Church services are predictable. The message is about as dry as corn shucks in August. The altars are empty and sinners – at least the ones that will admit it – are nowhere to be found. They would not come under conviction anyway if they were there. In line with what I just said about sinners, I am reminded of Herbert Lockyer’s book, The Sins of the Saints, in which he outlines a very long list of them.

This old-timer has been concerned for a very long time. Mrs. Jones and I knew that it would be difficult to find a church where the moment you walk in the door you know that you have walked into the presence of Almighty God. We found it on a Sunday morning a few years ago when we walked into the Assembly of God Church in Gulfport, Mississippi. We knew that we were on holy ground. God bless Pastor Norwood Seymour and his fabulous group of people. Further back than the Gulfport experience, while on vacation, we dropped into the First Church of the Nazarene in Danville, Illinois. We knew that we were on holy ground when we stepped inside a church we knew nothing about and had never been to before (or since).

You see, in these two instances, it was clear that GOD WAS IN HIS CHURCH! It is not possible to come into His presence and not know it, not feel it, or not respond to it.

We knew that it would be difficult to find a church where the pastor’s sermons were prayed down, red hot coals from off the altar of God, where God’s power was on display in every service. We knew it would be difficult, we just didn’t know that it would be this close to impossible.

Are we discouraged? Indeed we are. Is our heart crying out to God for divine intervention? It is…with passionate pleading to God. This preacher is reminded of something that the Cornish miner, Billy Bray, said. He said, “I was born in the fire and I cannot live in the smoke.” He also said, “if they should put me a barrel and nail the lid shut, I would yell ‘glory’ through the bung hole.” Please, I’m not talking about a bunch of screaming, falling out in the floor, running the aisles and jumping over pews. I am talking about people living a life that clearly and powerfully exhibits the presence and power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, lives that truly reveal a good prayer life, a life lived in the presence of God, lives that frequently visit the bush that the God of fire dwells in. Indeed, there are many bushes in the desert called life, but there is only one bush that the God of heaven dwells in. When we get there, it will be holy ground and we will gladly remove our sandals and prostrate ourselves in His awesome presence.

People who are in a coma do not respond. They just lie there motionless, as if dead, yet their heart is still beating and their vital signs are still acceptable. They are simply unresponsive. For loved ones and friends, it must be very difficult to stand by the bedside of someone in a coma, talking to the person, holding their hand, yet getting no response. Try, if you will, to see today’s church in that condition. God speaks…they do not respond. It is as if His voice is not being heard. People in a coma are often asked to “squeeze my hand if you are hearing me,” or “move your foot,” or some other instruction. Nothing happens! It is no wonder that so much discouragement prevails and loved ones and friends leave wondering if there is any hope. It is no wonder that this aged preacher leaves church wondering if there is any hope.

THERE IS HOPE! Now and then the news breaks the story of a person who has mysteriously, and suddenly, come out of a coma. Some say that they could hear what people were saying but could not respond at the time. Each is always very thankful for family and friends that came, talked to them, and prayed for them. They came out of their coma!

This doesn’t happen very often. Neither has real, heaven-sent, Holy Ghost, Hell-shaking, revival come very often…BUT…it has happened. When revival has come, it has come because of people whose heart yearned to be in His presence. When it has come, it has come because of people who were extremely burdened for lost loved one and friends, who really didn’t want to see these be eternally lost when they leave this world. When real revival has come it has come because preachers walked into the pulpit with fear and trembling, unafraid to preach the unadulterated Word of God and then open the altars for people to seek HIM. It was not uncommon to hear messages on the Second Coming of Christ, messages on being eternally lost in the fires of Hell, and certainly messages that challenged people to walk in holiness before the Lord.

How near the end of the age are we? We don’t know, but what we do know is that we live in “perilous times” and this is what Paul prophesied in his second letter to the young preacher Timothy (A. D. 66, just before his death at the hands of Nero) saying, “This know also, that in the last days perilous (m. dangerous) times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (m. without self control), fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV). Paul goes on in Verse 8 to speak of two people whose names were Jannes and Jambres “who withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds (m. without good sense), reprobate concerning the faith”.

Is it not fair that I ask if these verses paint a clear picture of conditions as they are at this time in our world? It is a fair challenge. Which one of the conditions that Paul predicted is not blatantly obvious in our world today?

It is also true that this preacher has an obligation – since the blood of the people will be required at my hands if I do not sound the warning – to speak the truth in love, caring for the souls of men and women, teens and young children, realizing that eternity is a long time to either be saved…or lost. It is still a matter of choice…HEAVEN or HELL. The destination that people reach at the end of life’s journey is clearly a matter of choice. The road to Heaven is the straight path, the narrow way. The road to Hell is the broad way, the way described by Paul to Timothy.

The message that God’s Word gives us – in my textural reading – is WAKE UP…COME OUT OF YOUR COMA, and the message is to individuals and to the church at large. To the Church at Ephesus, Paul wrote: “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Ephesians 5:14). The word light probably has a twofold meaning: LIFE and UNDERSTANDING. Look at the word REVIVAL. Let’s break it down – revival. Viva is the Spanish word for life. The re has to do with restoring, reviving, or bringing back to the original position. Thus, REVIVAL is an awakening, a return from a dead condition to a living condition. REVIVAL IS THE RESTORATION OF LIFE TO AN INDIVIDUAL OR TO THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE.

In closing, I would call your attention to the two verses noted in Mark’s gospel. The opening instructions are WATCH. Why? The answer: “for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning” (Mark 13:35). Clearly, this is a reference to the return of our Lord Jesus to receive His Bride…the Church.

The message is clearly…WAKE UP…COME OUT OF YOUR SPIRITUAL COMA. Why? Again, the answer is given in Verse 36: “lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping”.

This is a serious matter. I do not know where Mrs. Jones and I could go and hear a sermon that addresses just how serious the problems are in these perilous times. It is heart-breaking to go to church week in and week out and watch the people come in and go out…the same. They come with sin in their life and leave the same. They come with sickness and disease and leave the same way. They come befuddled, confused, and depressed and leave the same way. This is NOT the church that Christ died to establish.

I am strongly impressed to share a vision that the Lord gave me some years ago in one of my early morning prayer sessions. I saw the church full of well-dressed people. The preacher was in the pulpit well-dressed in his black suit and white shirt. As I surveyed the auditorium filled with people, I noticed that a seat was empty here and there, and elsewhere a couple of people’s seats were empty. The preacher was in the pulpit delivering his sermon, apparently oblivious to the fact that there were empty seats. The scene changed and I saw myself with a small group of people suspended in the air above this church. I had counted the empty seats in the otherwise full church. I then counted the small group that was hovering above the church. The number was the same. As I sought the Lord for an explanation, I was made to realize that many are called but few are chosen, that, percentage-wise, there are few that be saved (the words of Jesus).

It was amazing to me that nobody seemed to know what had happened. It didn’t seem to matter. The Lord had come and the remnant had been saved. It is true that the Lord “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). It is true that multitudes will, as Paul told Timothy, “have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof” and, like the five foolish virgins will be locked out when the Bridegroom cometh. The Christian life should never be taken lightly. Apart from faith in Jesus we have no life. Such persons are still dead in their trespasses and sins. Sadly, millions do not know it. These ARE dangerous times in which we live. The church should be sounding the alarm, opening the altars, and calling people to repentance. How much is a soul worth? I reminded my colleague, as we talked, that the blood of those to whom we speak each time we step into the pulpit will be on our hands and their souls required of us when we stand before the Great Judge of all the earth. I choose not to stand before my Lord with bloody hands. I have also had a vision of Hell many years ago, early in my evangelistic ministry, and this very day, as I write, I can hear the screams coming out of the place of fire and brimstone, where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. WAKE UP SAINTS! COME OUT OF YOUR COMA! The Lord is coming!

Just in case some further biblical evidence of the church being in a coma…for all practical purposes and intents…spiritually dead, let me end (it is true) by calling your attention to the final book in our Bible…The Revelation of Jesus Christ…Chapter 3. In chapters two and three of this ending book in our Bible, seven churches are listed by name. Jesus, speaking to John on the Isle of Patmos, reveals the condition of each of these churches. Five of the seven are told to repent…or else. These churches are truly reflective of the degeneration in the church world through the two millennia since Jesus left earth for heaven. The fifth church in the list is Sardis. I will share verse 1 of chapter 3 with you: “And unto the angel (pastor) of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” That there was (is) hope for that church in a coma is reflected in verse 2: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect (m. as they should be) before God.”

Church number seven in the list is Laodicea and this church is also very reflective of today’s comatose church…a living corpse. Please note: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: AND KNOWEST NOT that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked…Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (3:17, 201 KJV). How sad that the Head over the Church, the Foundation and Chief Cornerstone, is on the outside, knocking, trying to regain entrance into His church. Locked out!

Please do not argue with this preacher. Ask yourself if the Word of God is true. And, I would ask you to ask yourself, very candidly and honestly, “when I walk into my church am I walking into the awesome presence of God, feeling as if I should take off my shoes and fall prostrate at the altar, or am I walking into a church that has a name that it is alive, but if God’s verdict is to be accepted, is not alive but in a spiritual coma. And, bring it even closer to home. Ask yourself if you are really alive spiritually or personally in a spiritually comatose condition. Go ahead…this is a dare! If you feel “not so good about things” seek the Lord until HE comes back in and does His work. The message today is still the same…REPENT!

Is there hope? Let the word of God spoken by Ezekiel the prophet answer: “Dry bones, listen to what the Lord is saying to you. I, the Lord God, will put breath into you, and once again you will live. I will wrap you with muscles and skin and breathe life into you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:4-6 CEV) This will not happen against our will. We must hear the Word of the LORD and do what He says. “If my people will humble themselves and pray, and confess their sin, and turn from their wicked way…THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN…and forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). The question is, “do we want to awake from this spiritual coma?” God is able to restore that which the locust, and the canker worm, and the palmer worms have destroyed (the prophet Joel).

Strike When The Iron Is Hot - HEART TALK

2008-09-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

This preacher does a lot of thinking. My wheels are always turning. I have had more nights when sleep eluded me for hours because my mind was churning than I can remember. I’m always thinking…even when I sit in church. I can’t help it. I’m a preacher and obsessed with wanting to hear from God, to have the Spirit reveal truth to me. Such is the case with this HEART BEAT.

You have probably heard this saying before, just as I have. I have the idea that this saying came out of a blacksmith’s shop. I have watched as red hot metal has come out of the fire and the blacksmith has taken his hammer and started the process of shaping the red hot iron into exactly what he needs to make. The iron must be red hot, making it malleable, submissive to the blacksmith’s hammer. The iron will go back in the fire several times before the process is complete. The ultimate result of this process will be what the blacksmith set out to create. It could be a shoe for a horse (or a mule) used on the farm. It could be a part for a piece of machinery. The list is long.

The lesson is that the iron, until it has been put in the fire, cannot be molded and shaped into the needed and useable product. No amount of beating on the iron will be effective until the iron has been prepared for the hammer by the furnace. Our life is like the piece of raw iron…hard and unyielding. The furnace (fire) represents life and the challenges that we, as Christians, are bound to face. The apostle Peter addresses the subject in 1 Peter 1:7: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” In chapter 4 he speaks of the fiery trials of life once more – “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial (m. severe testing) which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (4:12).

One can only wonder what the iron (or any other metal requiring the softening process before it can be shaped) would say when thrust into the fire, placed in the vice, and then hammered on until the craftsman can create what he desires to create. The fire, the vice, and the hammer are vital to the craftsman being able to perform. So it is with our life. God, the craftsman, works to create in us the likeness of His Son. The fire, the vice, and the hammer are all vital to the process. We don’t like it, but this is the way it is if God is going to be able to bring us to “the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (m. mature) man, unto the measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). We do not like it, but the process is necessary if God is to create out of our fallen nature the vessel unto honor that He desires. Until we have been in the fire the dross will not be purged out. Until our stubborn will can be softened God’s hammer will not be able to effectively design that which will be pleasing to the Father. Therefore, let’s not fight the process. The finished product will be both beautiful and useful.

KNOW WHEN TO SET THE HOOK, OR WHEN TO DRAW IN THE NET

Any good fisherman will understand this statement. A good fisherman can tell what the fish is doing deep under water by “the feel”. He knows when the fish is just playing with the bait. He can tell when the fish is getting more serious about “taking the bait.” He knows when to “set the hook” and bring the fish to the boat where it can be “netted” and brought on board.

Knowing when to draw in the net is another term that is not familiar to what is known as “cane pole fishermen” or “rod and reel fishermen”. I have watched my brothers on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi toss the round net into the water. There is an art to it. I have tried it a number of times and simply have not caught on to how to effectively toss that net, getting it to open up in a near perfect circle. My brothers seem to know where to throw it.

It is exciting to watch that net settle down in the water, hopefully over a school of fish, and then to watch as Herschel and Chuck “work the net” allowing it to settle down and close at the bottom (around the fish) and then slowly work the net back to the boat. What a sight it is to behold fish thrashing around inside the net…caught because someone knew (1) how to cast the net, and (2) how and when to draw it in.

WHY IS THIS HEART TALK SO IMPORTANT?

It has been motivated because, once again, I have watched the Holy Spirit move in a service and the moment for striking the iron and drawing in the net was missed. RECOGNIZING THE MOMENT WHEN THE SPIRIT IS MOVING AND KNOWING WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IN A SERVICE…OR AN INDIVIDUAL’S LIFE…IS CRITICAL TO GOD BEING ABLE TO DO HIS WORK IN A LIFE, OR IN THE LIVES OF THOSE PRESENT IN A SERVICE. If I am grieved over these missed opportunities as I sit in church, waiting for the waters to be troubled, waiting for God to have the freedom to work HIS works of mercy, waiting for Jesus to be allowed to do what He does best…change lives, heal bodies and deliver His people, how much more is the heart of God and of Christ broken and grieved?

I have watched preachers totally miss it…talking on when it was time to shut up and call for a response. I have watched preachers totally miss it by singing on and on when it was time to call for a response. Sadly, too many just do not have the ability to discern when the iron is hot or the fish is ready to be caught. Being sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit should be at the top of every preacher’s list of what is most important in terms of his/her calling. I believe that many times just “getting on with the program” gets in the way of God being able to sovereignly invade a service. We tend to forget that it is HIS CHURCH and that we are to be nothing less than HIS BLACKSMITH…HIS FISHERMAN…eager to do His will, eager to rejoice in seeing the Spirit perfect that which God desires in terms of character development…eager to see the net drawn in with fish (souls) thrashing around in God’s net, caught by His love, ready to be saved by His grace.

Is this subject of value? It definitely is! Have I touched on a problem that needs to be solved? I have! Does this need to be fixed? Absolutely! Otherwise, why waste our time calling ourselves Christians…and especially those called of God to ministry? Why bother to open the church doors, turn on the lights, or heat and/or cool the building? Why bother? As preachers, our job is to always be sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit. That means that we will discern exactly what God is desirous of doing in the lives of the people and we will tread softly, yet resolutely, in calling the people forward and allowing God to miraculously intervene in their life. The preacher is God’s blacksmith. The preacher is God’s fisherman. We are not showmen. We are not to be actors.

In closing, I can only wonder how wounded the Savior’s heart is when His preachers fail to discern the moment when the iron is ready to come out of the furnace to be molded and shapen? I wonder how many tears have splattered on the steps to His throne as He weeps over the “ones that got away”? And, I wonder how many souls have gone into eternity…lost…because the moment was missed through a lack of discernment or being bound by the “order of service”? May God help us! May God forgive us! God help us to understand that God has a purpose for our going to church and the preaching of the Gospel. Somehow, or so it seems to me – as I have done some deep thinking – that His disciples today, like the twelve Jesus had to deal with – JUST DON’T GET IT! And, look at the great loss. Now, it is your turn to do some thinking. Now, it is your turn to make some changes. Just musing, that’s all.

As a final thought, it occurs to me that many preachers simply do not walk in the Spirit to the degree that they can discern when it is God’s time to sovereignly move in meeting the needs of the people. One cannot give what one does not have. Still musing, that’s all. – Dr. Jerry A. Jones

New Gospel of Mark Commentary

2008-09-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

Happy to announce a new commentary by Pastor Jerry Jones. Contact us to receive one and to inquire about many other available materials.

Light in the Church

2008-08-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

Several centuries ago in a mountain village in Europe, a wealthy nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. He made a good decision. He decided to build them a church. No one was permitted to see the plans or the inside of the church until it was finished. At its grand opening, the people gathered and marveled at the beauty of the new church. Everything had been thought of and included.

It was a masterpiece. But then someone said, “Wait a minute! Where are the lamps? It is really dark in here. How will the church be lighted?” The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls and then he gave each family a lamp, which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship. “Each time you are here,” the nobleman said, “the place where you are seated will be lighted. Each time you are not here, that place will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church some part of God’s house will be dark.”

That’s a poignant story, isn’t it? And it makes a very significant point about the importance of our commitment and loyalty to the church. The poet Edward Everett Hale put it like this:

I am only one,

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

But still I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do the something I can do.

What if every member of your church supported the church just as you do? What kind of church would you have? What if every single member served the church, attended the church, loved the church, shared the church, and gave to the church exactly as you do? What kind of church would you be? Think about it! Pray about it! Do something about it.

Do I Still Believe?

2008-08-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

With all of the craziness – craziness at least to this old preacher (about to reach age 75), that has grown up believing that worship should be pure and emanate from a heart that is pure and directed in absolute humility to Creator God, I openly confess that my belief system has been severely attacked and seriously questioned.

As I sat in a church service (not that long ago) with a lot of the contemporary kind of so-called worship blaring in my ears, I asked myself the question, “Do I still believe?” I took the church bulletin and on the back scribbled my response to the question. I am driven to share my response with you. By the way, from my attendance in a number of churches since retiring from full-time pastoring, Mrs. Jones and I have come to believe that senior citizens really don’t matter to church leadership very much anymore. Our worship preferences really don’t matter, or so it seems. It is no wonder that so many just drop out of church and go to church from their couch in front of the television set. Here is what I wrote down as I sat in that service with the keyboard and drums blaring and the praise leader with her microphone driving her shrill voice through my head like sharp arrows.

In spite of the “whoop and holler” – I STILL BELIEVE!

In spite of the slamming and jamming – I STILL BELIEVE!

In spite of the noise and lack of poise – I STILL BELIEVE!

In spite of the casual attire, coffee drinking in the sanctuary, and general slouch in God’s house – I STILL BELIEVE!

In spite of the absence of the hymns, replaced with 7/11 music…seven words

sung eleven times – I STILL BELIEVE!

In spite of the monotonous and repetitive music – I STILL BELIEVE!

In spite of the dance and drama – I STILL BELIEVE!

In spite of the tobacco using, social drinking, movie going, one hour a week in church people that make up most congregations today – I STILL BELIEVE!

What do I believe? I believe that GOD is still on the throne and that HE will ultimately have a people that understands what true worship is. I must remain true to my old-fashioned belief in this God.

What do I believe? I believe that there is a famine in the land, not of food and drink, but of the Word of God. I must continue to keep my faith resolute in the promises of His Word for it will not return void.

What do I believe? I believe that my old-fashioned convictions are all that will work for me and if I have to seek GOD alone and in a lonely place in order to maintain my “up close” relationship with HIM, that is what I will do.

What do I believe? I believe that it is not the whistle that pulls the train, but rather the power in the locomotive that pulls the train down the tracks, up the mountains and around the curves. Noise is not the answer! Singing louder and longer is not the answer! Wriggling and dancing, strutting and prancing, are not the signs of a penitent heart. A meek and quiet spirit God will not despise. I believe – and I know – that this is what will work for this preacher. These are some of the reasons why I STILL BELIEVE.

When will this craziness end? I do not know, but I do know that I have settled the question in my heart – I STILL BELIEVE, and I will forever believe that GOD is in control – grieved, I believe – but still in control and HE will have the final say on Judgment Day.

What do I believe? I not only believe, but I know, that most will criticize me for holding to this unwavering position, but this is quite all right. I WILL FOREVER BELIEVE IN THE GOD THAT DECLARES, “I AM THE LORD…I CHANGE NOT!” I must stay the course! I must always hold to “what thus saith the Lord” – to me personally! Yes, after more than 56 years of preaching, my faith was, is, and I believe, will continue to be attacked. I must not allow the contemporary so-called style of worship to destroy my faith. I have come too far and eternity is too long for me to lost. For myself and Mrs. Jones, we feel so out of place and rather lost as we try to find traditional music and “rock solid,” “revelation preaching” – messages direct from the heart of God, Spirit-revealed and Spirit-anointed. It hurts! But, I have settled the matter for me personally – I STILL BELIEVE! I WILL FOREVER BELIEVE! Though my faith be tested and I battle with my frustration over the carnival atmosphere in today’s praise and worship format – I WILL KEEP ON BELIEVING! Maybe, just maybe, things will turn around. Maybe we can once again find the “old paths wherein is the good way” (Jeremiah 6:16) and “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

HEART TALKS - BOOKENDS

2008-07-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that books do not stand up by themselves…THERE MUST BE BOOKENDS on both sides in order to make it possible for them to remain upright. Otherwise, they fall in both directions and normally knock some other things down as they do. As important as the books are and as much knowledge as they might contain, they are dependant upon the bookends to keep them in place. These can be medical books, legal books, financial books, school textbooks, religious resource books…it doesn’t matter…they are dependant upon the bookends to keep them together and in place.
People are like that! WE NEED BOOKENDS! We do not stand up very well without bookends to keep us from falling down and probably knocking someone else over, even breaking their spirit and causing them pain and suffering. We all require being held up, held in place. WE ARE TRULY CO-DEPENDENT! We do need each other. We’re different, all of us. It is called “individuality”. We all have different information (called talent and experience) that to the other books are important.
There is something else interesting about the books between the bookends. Everything in those books may not be the best information. Bad things happen! The human element is flawed…every one of us. And, some of what is in the books is of no real interest or value to us, but it is there. THINGS HAPPEN and everything that happens over the course of a person’s life isn’t good or beneficial. We would like to go back and undo some of the painful history in the history book (journal) of our life, for instance. We would all like to undo the hurt that we have caused others, even something as seemingly trivial as hurtful words and/or the denial of the love and affection that we did not receive. THE JOURNAL OF OUR LIFE IS BEING WRITTEN EVERY DAY! We should all be thankful that we have others in the library of life who stand side by side with us to help hold us in place when we fail, or when discouragement drives us to quit.
What about the bookmarks? From the Christian perspective (and this is really important) WE HAVE THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA AS THE BOOKENDS TO THE RECORD OF OUR LIFE…THE VOLUMES WE HAVE WRITTEN BY OUR THOUGHTS AN DEEDS. His name is JESUS! We cannot eradicate the bad things in the book of our earthly life…BUT HE CAN…and that is what really matters most. WHAT HE FORGIVES HE FORGETS…never to remember it against us anymore. Maybe the big challenge is to strive with every ounce of energy we have to be like Jesus and also FORGIVE and FORGET.
I close with the thought that we can always count on “Our Bookends” being there for us, holding us up, cleansing when called upon, and making it possible for us to endure to the end and ultimately be saved. Think on these things! -- Dr. Jerry A. Jones

Another Heart Talk

2008-07-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

It’s How You Say it that Matters

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: “I am blind, please help.” There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?” The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.”
What he had written was: “TODAY IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND I CANNOT SEE IT.”
Do you think that the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing? Of course both signs told the people they were lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be thankful for what you have. Think differently and positively. Invite people towards good with wisdom. When life gives you 100 reasons to cry, show life you have 1000 good reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future with fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don’t believe your doubts and do not doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Life is wonderful if you know how to live it.

THE DUCK AND THE DEVIL - Heart Talk

2008-06-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma’s pet duck. On an impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved.
In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.
After lunch the next day Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen. Then she whispered to him, “Remember the duck?” So Johnny did the dishes.
Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, “I’m sorry but I need Sally to help me make supper.” Sally just smiled and said, “Well, that’s all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.” She whispered again, “Remember the duck?”
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.”
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY AND EVERY DAY HEREAFTER: Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done, and whatever the devil keeps throwing in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He’s just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. How long will the devil’s “Sally” hurl what God has forgiven in your face? Sometimes the devil comes in human form (more often than not, actually). And, I wonder how long Christians will unwittingly allow Satan to use them in this unforgiving way. When will be love as HE loves, forgive as HE forgives, and forget as HE forgets? Just musing, that’s all.
The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God’s grace and mercy that we are saved. WHEN HE DIED ON THE CROSS HE WAS THINKING OF YOU.

This website is part of the worldwide ministry of
DR. & MRS. JERRY A. JONES
For information about the caring ministry of these retired pastors:
Post Office Box 6986
Burbank, California 91510-6986
e-mail: his2u@charter.net

Spit out the Shell - HEART TALK

2008-06-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

Great lessons are often learned from unusual things that happen in our life. Such is the case with a half dozen squirrels that hang out around our home. I’m not quite sure how it happened, but I have managed to become friends with these little creatures, so much so that they come looking for me. They love salted peanuts. They now eat out of my hand. Mrs. Jones, on a few occasions, has come into our kitchen and found one of my little friends looking for me (the kitchen door being open on a warm day). And, on one occasion, one of my little friends crept into my office in our garage, looking for me. They have even learned where I keep them and I have heard them rummaging in the peanut bag.
These are my friends. I have gained their trust. But, more important than the great pleasure I get from feeding them salted peanuts is a lesson that I have learned from them as I have watched them up close. The picture above is a true representation of these cute little critters eating the peanut. I watch them as they begin the process of GETTING TO THE PEANUT. They spit out the shell. They know where the peanut is. They also know the difference between the shell and the peanut. They simply spit out the shell and eat the peanuts one by one. As soon as they are finished they begin swishing their bushy tail, their nose twitches, their eyes sparkle, and it is clear that they are ready for another round. THEY SPIT OUT THE SHELL IN ORDER TO GET TO THE PEANUT. Oh, they create a mess (the shells always do), but they have brought me so much pleasure that I don’t mind cleaning up their mess.
There is another of God’s creatures that provides further impetus to the lesson that I hope will come through loud and clear. This comes from my growing up in the Deep South in a rural environment. Did you know that you can throw corn in gravel and a goose will scoop up both gravel and corn. The lesson here is that the goose has the ability to know the difference between gravel and corn. He will spit out the gravel and swallow the corn…naturally.
The spiritual lesson here is that every person who names the name of Christ needs to pray for these same God-given instincts. We need to realize that in order to get to the peanut we will have to spit out the shell. There is no food value in the shell. Yes, the peanut needed the shell in which to grow and be preserved. And, inside this shell that we call our body there is something of value…our soul. There is within each of us a yen for God, a hunger for better things, a desire to one day lay aside this old house of clay and present to God that which His Son died to redeem.
And, there is certainly a lesson to be learned from the goose. Are we as smart as a goose? Not always! We lack discernment when it comes to what is gravel and what is corn…what to swallow and what to spit out. There are many voices. There is every wind of doctrine blowing. We need to be careful when it comes to what we swallow and what we spit out. Nobody is all together right in his/her doctrine (philosophy or opinion). As God’s Word tells us, we need to use caution. We need to “prove all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and we need to follow the instruction given by John in his first epistle: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (m. examine) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Pray for wisdom! Get understanding, Solomon wrote. The human spirit is gullible. It judges books by the cover. It so easily gets caught up in the “hype” that prevails on television and in many pulpits today. Where I was raised, I often heard the old-timers say, “never buy a pig in a poke.”
In closing, let me challenge you to realize that the shell – if you hope to get the benefit of the nut inside, and your spiritual man is going to be fed – must be spit out. Paul spoke of it as crucifying the flesh with the lusts thereof. There is value inside of you. Cater not to the shell – the external – the carnal man. Life is like a gravel road. There is good and bad. The gravel is often mixed with the corn. Pray for the wisdom to know the difference. SPIT OUT THE GRAVEL!

Pastor Jerry Jones

A Charge Have I by Brian Becker

2008-06-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

PRESENTED TO PASTOR JERRY JONES
on the occasion of his 40 years in ministry celebration.
December 10, 1989

The Lord our God has charged you
with the souls of many men.
The Holy Spirit comes upon you
And you speak the message He sends.

You feel our pain and sorrow,
You see the tears we cry;
You tell us ‘worry not, for tomorrow
Will wipe the tears from our eyes.

You’re the man of God, you’re on fire;
In your hand you hold a mighty sword;
You lift us up out of the mire
And set our souls upon the Lord.

To us you’re a chosen warrior,
A defender of the cross –
Preaching the Gospel of the Risen Christ,
And salvation for the lost.

We praise our Heavenly Father
For this preacher so learned and wise;
For he preaches with love, righteousness and truth,
And does battle with the father of lies.

A personal postscript:
I have no idea what ever happened to Brian. He was a struggling child of God when he wrote this. What I do know is that I am humbled by what this young man saw in this preacher. It is still the cry of my heart and my determination, after all these years, to be this…and more…to all who need me. My heart reaches out to the LOST…the LAST…and the LEAST. – For Christ…PASTOR JERRY A. JONES

PARSON TO PERSON MINISTRIES

JUST OVERLOOK IT! - Heart Talk

2008-06-03T18:48:00.001-07:00

-Is it really that important?
-Is it worth the confusion it will cause?
-Is it worth the hurt feelings?

Someone has said, “The art of being wise is knowing WHAT to overlook.” For the sake of making the point, I would like to ask, “How much of what we don’t overlook is really important? How important is much of the trivial stuff that we make so much to do over? In my judgment, too many mole hills are turned into mountains. We react to trivial things, things that really do not amount to a hill of beans. Conversely, the important things in life are often not given the same attention, energy, or emotion.
The excuses that are given for such juvenile behavior are just that…juvenile. Unfortunately, far too many people have a very short fuse. It doesn’t take long for the fuse to hit “pay dirt” and things blow up. What follows often becomes unnecessarily hurtful. Wounds are opened that more often than not, will never heal. It is for sure that the scar tissue will always be there as an emotional reminder of the “little thing” that exploded into something destructive. Sadly, the pain will never go away. And, more often than not it is “the tongue…the little member” that kindles the fire (James 3:5). James was speaking from experience when he wrote (in the same chapter), “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God…these things ought not so to be” (James 3:8-10).
People spend too much time looking for something to “tick them off,” or so it seems. It would be so much better if words and deeds were deliberately chosen to build others up and encourage them. It would be so much better for all concerned if we would JUST OVERLOOK SOME THINGS…THE TRIVIAL THINGS…THE THINGS THAT ARE BEST LEFT UNSAID AND UNDONE. For many it seems that there is some personal pleasure in stirring up a stink and hurting someone, and more often than not it is someone we love.
In closing, I remind you that THE ART OF BEING WISE IS KNOWING WHAT TO OVERLOOK. We could all smarten up a bit, don’t you think? Think on these things! Act on these things!

Pastor & Mrs. Jerry A, Jones

HEART TALK by Pastor Jerry Jones

2008-05-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

A SUBJECT THAT DESPERATELY NEEDS
TO BE ADDRESSED

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21)

Maybe we do not take seriously enough the consequence of the words that we speak. Paul wrote to the believers at Colossae: “Let your speech be ALWAYS with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye out to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6). In other words, we need to be very cautious, selecting our words carefully, so that what we say is easily understood (margin…plain) and never with the intention of hurting another person. Sadly, or so it seems to me, our words are often either (1) deliberately designed to hurt – or upset – another person (get back at them), or (2) simply not properly weighed before spoken, without any consideration for what the consequences might be. We’ve often heard the cliché, “open mouth…insert foot.” And some people are adept and getting both feet in their mouth at the same time. And, someone has said, “the only time some people don’t have their foot in their mouth is when they are changing feet.”
The Bible also tells us that we should be “…swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). Solomon wrote: “a fool’s lips enter into contention” (Proverbs 18:6); “every fool will be meddling” (Proverbs 20:3); “a fool is full of words” (Ecclesiastes 10:14). The solution: “study to be quiet” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). “In patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19).
I have only scratched the surface on this important subject. Our job is to let our petitions be presented to the Lord in prayer. HE will work on our behalf if we don’t take things into our own hands. Remember, more times than not, “the best defense is no defense” – just keep your mouth shut and tell it to Jesus alone. THINK ON THESE THINGS!

INFIRMITIES - Heart Talk

2008-05-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

“For we have not a high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV)

In this HEART TALK I would like to talk about INFIRMITIES – or WEAKNESSES – as the margin and most versions of the Bible define the word. I thank you for taking the time to visit this web site and for spending a few minutes listening to this preacher as he shares his heart with you. I greet my colleagues, family and friends that may be listening.
WEAKNESSES…Who isn’t weak? Who doesn’t struggle? Who hasn’t – or isn’t at this time – under attack in one way or other? And, it is a fact that everyone is not weak in the same area as the next person. It is also a fact that Satan is not asleep on the job. Like boxers in the ring – each looking for the weak spot in the other – Satan knows where we are weak…where we struggle…in our Christian walk. “…your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV). Satan prowls! He is forever looking for the weak spot in our armor.
To be naïve about the human weakness issue is to court disaster. Satan WILL eventually destroy us unless we keep our guard up, our eyes open and our ears sensitive to the warning voice of the Holy Spirit.
I am reminded of what Jesus said to his disciple – Peter – when Peter spoke so adamantly that he would never deny the Lord and would even die with Him. Jesus looked at him as said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31, 32 KJV). Peter simply did not know his own heart. He meant well. His intentions were good, but good intentions are not enough to keep us from the snare of the fowler.
I would like to share the textual reading from two other versions of the Bible, the Contemporary English Version and the New King James Version:

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin!
So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with underserved kindness, and we will find help.” (CEV)

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV)

What a friend we have in Jesus! He is fully aware of each of us and of the struggles that we are involved in on a daily basis. He may seem to be far away – or not at all aware of your needs and struggles – but that is not true. We struggle because the battle between flesh and Spirit has raged since our first parents fell. Satan was cursed! Eve – and all women after her – would have “sorrow in conception…in sorrow bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband”. As far as Adam was concerned the ground would be cursed and he would eat his food in sorrow and deal with thorns and thistles, “in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (Genesis 3). This has been the curse which the human race has lived with for the thousands of years that have passed.
Thankfully, GOD chose to do something to help us in our struggles with “the world, the flesh and the devil”.
1. Christ chose to get involved. He did not remain in
His privileged position with the Father, but “passing through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14) came to earth, becoming poor in order to make us spiritually rich (2 Corinthians 8:8, 9). We cannot imagine what that move cost Him.
2. Christ faced reality. He is no stranger to real life. He never walled Himself off from what people go
through every day (Hebrews 4:15).
3. Christ empowers people. He gives us sufficient power to deal with life. He invites us to come to HIM for the help and we are told that we do not need to be bashful…”come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.
Here is good news for you as you struggle in the flesh to live the Christian life and walk the highway of holiness – “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are” – we do have a High Priest –JESUS CHRIST – who has been here and been through every possible human test and He is quite capable of sympathizing with us in our weaknesses.
The flip side of this matter is that when we bring our human struggles and failures to HIM we will not be pushed away. There is MERCY to be had and GRACE – His favor to be granted. We need not fear to come to Him – “Just as I am without one plea; but that thy blood was shed for me”. People are very quick to judge and condemn, but not Jesus, our High Priest. He continually makes intercession for us. He knows us and yet He still loves us. Forgiveness is what Jesus offers and He gives it with mercy and grace.
I would like to close with a portion of Isaiah 53, one that Matthew referred to in Matthew 8:17. Isaiah said – of the coming Messiah – “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6 KJV)
There is a dual prophecy contained in these verses. Christ would become the sacrificial Lamb in order to provide healing (forgiveness) for mankind’s sin-sick soul. He would also provide physical healing for man’s infirmities.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” – this is a fact else God’s Word is lying. The evidence – with all of us – is clear that God’s Word is true. We have ALL gone astray! We have ALL turned to his own way! God knows this! Jesus knows this! This is why GOD “hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all”. Our sins are filtered through the blood of Christ. “For there is no man that sinneth not” (I Kings 8:46 KJV).
How sad that we have such difficulty (1) acknowledging our weaknesses and that (2) we don’t do what we’re told to do and as God’s children (sinful as we are) come bravely (boldly) to His throne that we might receive what we need and must have in order to maintain a proper relationship with our Lord – MERCY IN OUR TIME OF NEED AND GRACE…GOD’S FAVOR AND BLESSING. I have often said, “I am saved…I am being saved…and I shall be saved!” How grateful this preacher is for having learned – the hard way –that my heavenly Father watches over me loves me and is always there in my infirmities. I have no trouble singing “I am weak but thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to thee.”

YOU’VE GOT TO BELIEVE -Sermon

2008-05-07T16:47:00.001-07:00

YOU’VE GOT TO BELIEVE
A Message on “Real” Faith…
FAITH THAT WORKS…THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS
WHEN THE IMPOSSIBLE IS THE ISSUE

“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)

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is
impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27; Matthew 19:26)

INTRODUCTION
The key word in this message is “BELIEVE”. The definition, according to Merriam-Webster is: “to have a firm conviction about something; accept as true.” This certainly goes well beyond mental assent, mind over matter, science of mind, yoga, or any of man’s concoctions. This is “real faith” – BULL DOG FAITH – conviction that cannot be shaken, that will not back down when Satan comes knocking, that will not flinch when the situation is hopeless, when the doctors have said, “we’ve done all we can do,” conviction that refuses to buckle when people bring their doubts to dump on you. You must BELIEVE that PEOPLE ARE NOT YOUR GOD…THEY ARE NOT YOUR SOURCE FOR THE MIRACLE THAT YOU NEED.

THE STARTING POINT

The starting point for believing as a Christian is (1) to accept as fact – not theory – that GOD IS…He does exist and I accept HIM as “my God”, and (2) to have the unwavering conviction that HE IS “a rewarder of them that diligently (earnestly) seek HIM.” (3) the unshakeable BELIEF in the Word of God as “The Word of God” – infallible and unfailing. Belief that GOD CANNOT LIE…and WILL NOT LIE…for, according to the Holy Scriptures, “it is IMPOSSIBLE for God toile” (Hebrews 6:18) – “God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it! Or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)
These verses (and there are many more) provide a great foundation upon which to build this message.

WHY IS THIS MESSAGE SO IMPORTANT?

The reasons are many:
1. There are so many Christians who do not know
what “real faith” is or how to appropriate the promises of God and therefore live in bondage to many things…bound unnecessarily.
2. It is ONLY BY FAITH that God works with the
human instrument (us). It is “by faith” that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8), and any claim to a viable relationship with God apart from the faith/grace formula is totally bogus. Those making such claims are deceived, by Satan and by their own unwillingness to “do things God’s way.”
3. It is BY FAITH that all things happen in the life
of the child of God. And none of God’s promises will “ever” take place in our life until we ACKNOWLEDGE HIM…THAT HE IS GOD…AND THAT BESIDE HIM THERE IS NO OTHER GOD THAT CAN MAKE THE CLAIMS THAT HE MAKES…AND BACK THEM UP. HE IS! He always has been! He IS right now…this moment. He WILL BE for all eternity! Our God isn’t going away! His commandment, with promise, as He was about to depart on His return to the Father is: “observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
There is GOOD NEWS: Our God isn’t going to abandon us when we take our unflinching, unwavering, stand on the promises of HIS WORD. Our position should always be, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.” I refuse to back away from the promises of God. I WILL tenaciously hold on in faith UNTIL my God comes through. I can wait on God!

DESPERATE NEED DEMANDS
DESPERATE FAITH

The woman with the issue of blood is a good example. This woman had lived with what the Bible calls “an issue of blood” for twelve years (Mark 5:25). The marginal cross-reference in my Bible is Leviticus 15:25: “And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of her issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.” Should this be the actual rendering of “the issue of blood” then there is an apparent very serious condition that ONLY JESUS could handle, for she “had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and wasw nothing bettered, but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:26). One translation defines the woman’s problem as an open sore that would not heal. You be the judge. One thing is certain she was in need of the Savior’s touch.
DESPERATE NEED DEMANDED DESPERATE FAITH, and this unnamed woman – later to be called “daughter” by Jesus – took her situation in hand and made a desperate move of faith – “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole” (Mark 5:28). Did her desperate faith work for her? Indeed it did, and Jesus acknowledged it: “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:34).
Daughter in all likelihood would indicate that she was a Jewish woman. It may well mean that by healing her Jesus also forgave her sins (as he did with the paralytic man), proving that He did have the power to both heal and to forgive sins. All sickness and disease, in the Jewish tradition, meant that the person had been punished by God for their sins and thus they deserved their punishment. The punishment was also believed to be permanent. Jesus proved their tradition to be totally in error.
DESPERATE NEED DEMANDED DESPERATE FAITH when the four men (Mark Chapter 2) cared enough about their paralyzed friend to bring him to Jesus, remove the roof tiles so they could lower him down to where Jesus was teaching…faith enough to believe that if they took desperate measures on behalf of their friend THE IMPOSSIBLE WOULD HAPPEN. And, it did! The man received a double miracle – the salvation of his soul and the gift of full deliverance from paralysis. He took up his bed and walked home. Someone carried him there, but he walked home on his own, apparently carrying his bed (mat).
DESPERATE NEED DEMANDED DESPERATE FAITH when the Syro-Phonecian woman – a Gentile (Greek) would not back down on behalf of her daughter that was demon possessed – “For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet…and she besought him that he would send forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, Let the children (Jews) first be filled: for it is not meet (m. fitting) to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs (Gentiles). And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come into the house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed” (Mark 7:25-30).

IN CONCLUSION

The Gospels are filled with MANY examples of DESPERATE PEOPLE WITH DESPERATE NEEDS AND DESPERATE FAITH, people that were not disappointed at the end of their desperate journey to the feet of the Master.
Demoniacs fell at His feet and worshiped. Lepers came and were cleansed. The blind received their sight. The deaf and dumb were made to hear and speak. OUR GOD HASN’T CHANGED! He is still the God of the impossible.
I would like to close with the story of Jairus’ daughter. Jairus was the ruler (president) of the synagogue, probably in Capernaum. This high-ranking Jew, now facing the most desperate challenge of his life – his twelve year old daughter at the point of death – comes to Jesus for help. DESPERATE NEED DEMANDS DESPERATE FAITH. Jesus was delayed a bit on the way by the act of faith demonstrated by the woman with the issue of blood. And, before Jesus could get to the home of Jairus, word came that the girl had died. JESUS IGNORED THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND PROCEEDED ON TO THE HOME OF JAIRUS.
What Jesus found was a house full of weeping and wailing people…people reacting as they were – people without faith. The need was certainly desperate, BUT these people knew nothing of the kind of faith it would take to bring this twelve year old girl back to life. “And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth inw here the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Tali-tha-cumi; which is being interpreted, Damsel, (I say unto thee,) arise. And straightway (m. immediately) the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.” (Mark 5:38-42)
There will always be people around you weeping, wailing, doubting, casting a pall over our efforts to make faith work. THE WEEPERS AND WAILERS…DOUBTING PEOPLE…MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP OUR DESPERATE MOVE TOWARD JESUS. Put those people out! Create an atmosphere in which faith can work.
Question: How desperate are you to meet Jesus and have your need met? If you are coming, make it BULL DOG FAITH…make it unwavering faith, “for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall RECEIVE anything of the Lord.” (James 1:6b, 7).

Anther sermon by Dr. Jerry Jones
P. O. Box 6986 – Burbank, California 91510-6986
E-mail: his2u@charter.net
Web: http//www.parsontoperson.blogspot.com

Guilt... Grace... Gratitude - HEART TALK

2008-04-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

In this HEART TALK I would like to talk to you about three very important components to how we should look at our life. Life, after all, is a gift from God. God’s gift was tarnished greatly by the disobedience of the first couple that God created, Adam and Eve. It is called the TARNISH OF SIN…or possibly more simply put, “DISOBEYING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS.” You see, that which is created is subject to the one that created it. Since God created man, man then is God’s property. God expects His creation to be obedient to His instructions. These instructions are given to us in written form in what we know as the Bible…the written Word of God.
Disobedience to God’s will mean that our life becomes even more tarnished with the commission of every act of disobedience. The Holy Spirit, through any number of ways, brings people to the point of feeling guilty about the sinful things they are doing. Thus, we have the first in my set of three components – GUILT.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden they were smitten with guilt and they covered and hid themselves from God…they thought. God found them. God confronted them. They confessed because they were guilty of disobedience against the stated will of God. You see, they, just as we are, were not “the boss” – GOD WAS! Clearly, Adam and Eve failed. The creature chose to rebel against the Creator – a big mistake.
Guilt for sin is a blessing. Another name is CONVICTION (not my second component, only a synonym for guilt). This must take place before any kind of reconciliation with God is possible.
It is at this point that component number two comes into play. It is called GRACE. Grace is: GOD AT HIS BEST REACHING DOWN TO MAN AT HIS WORST…GOD REACHING DOWN TO BRING US UP TO WHERE HE IS. Grace is the unmerited favor of God. At the point where we recognize our guilt…and acknowledge it to God…His amazing, saving, grace becomes the miracle working power that restores a person to fellowship with the Creator. The atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Christ…the shedding of His blood as God’s Sacrificial Lamb…became the tarnish remover. When grace does its work, the tarnished vessel is polished and shines like one’s face in the mirror. Now, the reflection of Jesus Christ is seen in that person. They have been changed because of the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and the cleansing work of grace.
Finally, the third component is GRATITUDE. A forgiven person cannot help but be grateful, thankful and happy. A forgiven person realizes that something wonderful has happened. An unbelievable gift has been given to them…ETERNAL LIFE. This can only come as a result of the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and the work of saving grace. To be polished and made clean and beautiful should be the desire of every sinful, fallen, person. There is only one way to remove the tarnish. The Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). We cannot polish ourselves. Forgiving oneself is an important thing in the process of forgiveness, but no person can be spiritually reborn…cleansed from all unrighteousness…except God do it. It is then that OBEDIENCE takes over and DISOBEDIENCE becomes the exception rather than the rule. Jesus said it, “you must be born again” (John 3:3).
Do you feel guilty? Is there an inner voice telling you that you are tarnished, sinful, and need to do something about your life? That is the Holy Spirit drawing you to the point where you will confess Jesus Christ as your Savior and the Lord of your life. It will be at that point that AMAZING GRACE will reconcile you to God, polishing your sinful life until you shine with the glory of God. And, then, you will be able to face life with assurance and with a grateful heart, able to now say, “it is well with my soul…I have been reconciled with my Creator…all my sins are washed away…I’ve been redeemed.”

THE END - POEM

2008-04-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

The End
Another Poem by the Parson
DR. JERRY A. JONES

Every road, or path that we travel,
will certainly have an end;
It may be over the next hill,
Or just around the next bend…
WE DO NOT KNOW!

Every song must surely end,
The final verse and chorus sung;
Sooner or later in the arena called life,
The final bell must be rung…
THIS WE KNOW!

Every life will one day have an end,
Each must breathe his or her last breath,
The final curtain will be rung down –
And life will end in death.
WE KNOW ‘TIS SO!

‘Tis then that each must face the Judge,
the Lord, God’s Only Son;
And each will be asked to give account
For the deeds on earth they’ve done…
WHAT THEN?

So, since none of us knows where or when
The road of life for us will end;
It seems to make a lot of sense
To turn to God, confess our sin…
FOR IT IS FOR SURE THAT EVERY
ROAD HAS AN END.

(Written April 3, 2008)

HEART TALK - Scars

2008-03-27T14:45:00.001-07:00

.
Some years ago on a hot summer day in South Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer together. In utter fear she ran toward the water yelling to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother but the mother was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard the screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms too. I have them because my Mom wouldn’t let go.”
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars too. They are not from an alligator, but are the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He’s been there holding on to you.
The Scriptures teach us that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril – and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That’s when the tug-of-war begins – and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not, and will not, ever let you go.

Never judge another person’s scars because you don’t know how they got them.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY THIS HEART TALK, PLEASE LET DR. JONES HEAR FROM YOU. IF YOU NEED PRAYER OF COUNSEL, PLEASE CONTACT DR. JONES. HIS HEART BEATS AS ONE WITH YOURS.

Post Office Box 6986
Burbank, California 91510-6986
his2u@charter.net

COURAGE

2008-03-05T17:50:00.000-08:00

March 5, 2008

Dr. David Hernandez, DBS

It is a mystery to me why there seems to be such a shyness on the part of Christians to stand their ground in dealing with the political correctness gone amuck craziness that permeates our society. There was one man who stood up to be counted. The man I speak about did not rant, he did not rave, and he did not back down from the truth of God’s Word. If you have a minute, I would like to share that story with you and pray it will encourage you to stand firm, stand strong, and stand sturdy in Christ.

One of the great American myths is that we are all a bunch of rugged individualists. We would like to think that, but it simply is not true. There are some exceptions, of course, but for the majority it is not that way at all. Chuck Mcillhenny, pastor of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in the Sunset District of San Francisco for over twenty years, has written a book titled When the Wicked Seize the City. Many expect to find this man in a chrome helmet with loaded weapons all around him and double bars on the door. Here is a man whose home has been fire-bombed, whose bedroom for the children is built like a bunker so his children can survive as he stands actively for Christ. He is now ministering a great deal in hospitals to those dying of AIDS, but standing firm for the truth, that the only hope beyond this life is a faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

He told a wonderful story of how he was sitting, reading the newspaper one day. And there was a council meeting being held the next day in San Francisco, and he thought he would go to the city council and hear this particular issue. It was a homosexual rights issue. He thought, I can’t just sit here and let that pass. He didn’t take anyone with him. He didn’t take any placards. He didn’t march against them, like many of them march against him. It is not uncommon for his services to be interrupted by lesbians and homosexuals. He just went to the city-council meeting.

He sat there and heard the legislation. The council was about to take a vote. The chairman said, “Is there anyone who has anything to say?” He walked to the platform, stated his name, that he was a citizen residing in the Sunset District, San Francisco. “What would you like to say?” He replied, “Well, I would like to say nothing for myself, but I would like to quote three individuals that I have respected for years.” In addition, he read to them from Moses in Leviticus, from one of the psalms by David, and from Paul in Romans 1. He did not preach, did not scream, and did not sermonize-just closed it.

They said, “Wait. Before you sit down, who are those people-Moses and David and Paul?” And someone said, “You are reading from the Bible, aren’t you?” “Yes,” he said, “I am.” And one of the council members then said, “I vote no,” and another and another. And it did not pass. He sat down. That is straight thinking and courage.

One man made a difference because he stood up and with courage and conviction let God’s Word speak for itself. I would encourage you to stand firm, stand strong, and stand sturdy in Christ.

Let me share with you the words of a man named Paul that I have admired for many years. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AS YOU APPLY THIS TRUTH!

Codfish Christians by Dr. David Hernandez, DBS

2008-02-27T07:55:00.000-08:00

“Codfish Christians”
{February 27, 2008}
Dr. David Hernandez, DBS

I recently read something about codfish that I found to be interesting. If you have a minute, I’d like to share it with you. I am sure you will find it as interesting as I did. Here in New England we love to fish even if we do not know the science about the diverse species that swim these waters.
In the Northeastern United States, codfish are not only delectable; they are a big commercial business. There is a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the northeast coastline. However, the public demand brought a problem to the shippers. At first they froze the cod, then shipped them elsewhere, but the freeze took away much of the flavor. Therefore, they experimented with shipping them alive, in tanks of seawater, but that proved even worse. Not only was it more expensive, but the cod still lost its flavor, and in addition, it became soft and mushy. The texture was seriously affected.
Finally, some creative person solved the problem in a most innovative manner. The codfish were placed in the tank along with their natural enemy-the catfish. From the time the cod, left the East Coast until it arrived in its westernmost destination; those ornery catfish chased the cod all over the tank! Moreover, you guessed it, when the cod arrived at the market; they were as fresh as when they were first caught. There was no loss of flavor nor was the texture affected. If anything, it was better than before.
This is how adversity and anxiety work in our lives on a spiritual level. God allows us to be confronted by our enemy the devil to keep us sharp. It helps us to stay focused and fit in dealing with the harsh realities of life. It helps us to learn how to grow stronger and better as we exercise our faith in God. We need to learn to bring all our anxieties and stresses to God in prayer. Don’t get bitter but better and realize God is making you stronger. He does not want you to be a mushy and tasteless saint.
Paul the Apostle wrote, “BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUEST BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL COMPREHENSION, SHALL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Philippians 4: 6-7)

THIS MOMENT HEART TALK VIDEO

2008-02-19T07:57:00.000-08:00

HEART TALK - We ALL Need a Tree

2008-02-11T16:25:00.000-08:00

We ALL Need a Tree
WISDOM FOR US ALL TO LIVE BY

I am very grateful to some dear friends in Lake Edward, New B Brunswick, Canada for sending this story which has prompted me to share it with you as a “Heart Talk.” Thanks Dawson and Phoebe Sawler. I believe that it will bring home to you the same lesson that it brought to me. I cannot vouch for the author, or the validity, of this story, but the lesson is clear.

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose and hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one-ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

“Oh that’s my trouble tree,” he replied. “I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.” “Funny thing is,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.” End quote.

Wouldn’t it be nice, and isn’t it a good suggestion, for each of us to have our own “trouble tree”? Anything we can do, any avenue that we may choose to take (as silly as it may seem to others)…if it works for us…is a very good “trouble tree” to have. We really should do everything in our power to keep the problems of the job…of our unsavory encounters with people…outside, away from those who already have their own concerns.

I am reminded of what a colleague said many times during our tenure together in ministry. She said, “this too shall pass,” and I realize that the saying did not originate with her. “Things aren’t as bad as they seem,” is another statement that we have all heard, and, in most cases, it is true.

So, figure out how to create your personal “trouble tree” and learn to hang the troubles of the day there. Do not “dump” them those closest to you who really don’t need to have the extra weight of concern put on them. THINGS HAPPEN! Things also work out when we learn to release them, rolling them off on JESUS…casting all of our care on HIM, for it is true…HE CARES FOR YOU!

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we
are here we might as well dance. We all need a tree!

If you have been blessed, please let me hear from you!
If you need prayer for a person(s) or a situation, please e-mail
it to me. PRAYER WORKS! And, Dr. & Mrs. Jones care!
PLEASE SHARE THIS WEBSITE WITH OTHERS.
ADD IT AS A LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE IF YOU FEEL
THAT IT WILL BLESS OTHERS.

TODAY’S THOUGHT

2008-02-07T20:24:00.000-08:00

It’s never to late…

TO SAY THANK YOU

It takes so little time, Yet it means so much.

Make the effort, No matter how late.

Mean it. Say it generously.

It lifts spirits. It maintains friendships.

And seals love.

(You can) Have a great day! (It's up to you!)

Dr. John Tisdale

HEART TALK - FORGIVENESS

2008-02-05T14:46:00.000-08:00

There are three important words that I would like to open up my heart and talk about in this HEART TALK. I was sitting in church on Wednesday evening when the Holy Spirit clearly spoke these words into my spirit. They are: FORGIVEN...FORGOTTEN and FOREVER. I will speak of each of them briefly, and in the same order.

FORGIVENESS

This preacher is convinced of several things that relate to forgiveness that I believe very few really understand. First, I doubt that we really understand the full depth of the meaning of God's forgiveness. God doesn't forgive piecemeal, or on a graduated scale as we somehow merit further forgiveness. A look at a portion of one of the psalms of David should help.

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide (margin, scold or find fault): neither will he keep (hold on to) his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:8-12 KJV)

Please...please...STOP and slowly analyze these verses...word by word...phrase by phrase. Forgiveness must be understood from the perspective of ABSOLUTENESS. From the cross, Jesus simply said: "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34 KJV). Jesus spoke deliberately and with a tone of absoluteness and finality in His voice. Thank God that Jesus recognized that people really don't know what they are doing. We're really not as smart as we think. Jesus knew that "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41 KJV). What if we could see forgiveness from God's perspective? Two things would happen (1) We would accept God's grace and not let Satan browbeat us constantly, keeping us from effectively growing and serving Christ -- in spite of our imperfections. And, (2) we would see others through Jesus' eyes and not be so hard on them in their imperfect state. Paul's approach to his own struggles seems to fit here -- "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (Romans 7:24-25 KJV).

Several things leap from Paul’s confession:

-HE SAW HIMSELF AS A WRETCHED MAN!

“Deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed…miserable…woeful…grievous” (Webster’s Concise Family Dictionary)

-HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE NEEDED DELIVERANCE.

-HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WOULD ONLY BE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD – OR BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE FOR SINS – THAT HE COULD POSSIBLY HOPE FOR DELIVERANCE.

-PAUL CLEARLY ADMITTED THAT HE WAS IN A STRUGGLE – AS WE ALL ARE – A STRUGGLE BETWEEN HIS MIND WHICH DESIRED TO SERVE GOD AND HIS FLESH WHICH CLEARLY SERVED THE LAW OF SIN.

-PAUL DESIRED TO SERVE CHRIST, AND DID IT TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY, BUT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT HIS FLESH OFTEN GOT THE UPPER HAND AND HE CAME SHORT OF GOD’S EXPECTATIONS FOR HIM.

It is absolutely vital to living the victorious life, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, that we:

ACCEPT GOD’S FORGIVENESS

SEE OURSELVES, NOT AS PERFECT, BUT FORGIVEN REFUSE TO ACCEPT SATAN’S LIES and REFUSE TO BE DOWN ON OURSELVES or ALLOW OTHERS TO CAUSE US TO BE GUILT-RIDDEN

We know who we are in Christ. We know our imperfections. We know that God has a higher standard and we desire that. We also know that we’re saved. We also know that we are being saved. We know that one day we will finally attain God’s goal of perfection. We will finally be saved, saved from “the world, the flesh and the devil.” One day we will finally take on the perfection that Christ purchased for us through His suffering and ultimate death.

WE AREN’T THERE YET!

WE WILL EVENTUALLY GET THERE!

WE WILL PRESS ON TOWARD THE MARK, FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS!

Therefore, let us accept what Christ purchased for us on the cross. Let’s join Paul in admitting that we have the same struggles that he had. Let’s not allow the Pharisees among us to put a guilt trip on us, and let’s not go around seeing everyone as “the publican” while we beat our chest about our own higher level of spirituality. The facts simply do not bear out evidence of anyone’s claim to having attained to the stature of the fullness of Christ.

FORGOTTEN

That God FORGETS what He forgives is a truth that doesn’t get enough recognition as one of the really important doctrines of the Word of God. David waxes eloquent in describing just how great God’s mercy is toward us – “as high as the heaven is above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Psalm 103:11 KJV). He takes the thought further – “as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (v. 12).

Since there is no east or west pole, it is clear that our transgressions have been totally removed from God’s mind and three is no record kept of them. ONLY PEOPLE KEEP RECORDS OF OTHER PEOPLE’S TRANSGRESSIONS, AND CHRISTIANS MAY BE THE WORST PERPETRATORS. Realistically, it is not wrong to believe that those who fit this description really don’t care what Jesus said – “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: tht your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 11:25, 26 KJV).

CHRIST IS OUR EXAMPLE AND OUR TEACHER. What part of what He said do we not understand? How dare we not DO IT THE WAY JESUS DID IT AND THE WAY HE TAUGHT IT? Hard? Indeed it is very difficult for the flesh to forgive. Impossible? No! Not if we are prepared to obey the teachings of Christ.

There are some powerful words in Psalm 130 that really fit well at this point in this message. Note:

“If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (margin, reverenced).” (Psalm 130-3-4 KJV)

The Prophet Isaiah really establishes the fact that God is good at forgetting our sins – “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness; but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” (Isaiah 38:17 KJV)

WHERE DO SINS GO? Behind God’s back…out of His sight…as far as the east is from the west…TO BE REMEMBERED AGAINST US NO MORE. GOD FORGETS WHAT HE HAS FORGIVEN! This truth is the very heart and soul of the Word of God…what GRACE and MERCY provide for us every moment of every day.

FOREVER

This final point has been carried in the background through this very important message. God is not like the woman that agreed to “bury the hatchet” but tagged her saying with, “But I left the handle sticking out so I would know where to go just in case I need it.” GOD DOESN’T PLAY GAMES WITH THE GRACE, MERCY, AND FORGIVENESS ISSUE…AND HIS FORGIVENESS COST TOO MUCH FOR US TO PLAY GAMES WITH IT! At no time in this message has this preacher had the intent of justifying sins. All I’ve done is tell you what God’s Word says…”for there is no man that sinneth not” (1 Kings 8:46 KJV).

I have told you that God knows that the flesh is weak and that every man and woman struggles and falls into Satan’s trap. I have also told you that God does not cast us away, does not retain His anger toward us, BUT IS PLENTEOUS IN MERCY. GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS AN ONGOING PART OF HOW HE EXPRESSES HIS LOVE TO US. Thank God for His grace and His mercy, otherwise none of us could ever hope to ultimately stand in His presence…FINALLY CHANGED FROM CORRUPTIBLE TO INCORRUPTION, FOR MORTAL TO IMMORTALITY.

IN CONCLUSION

Where Do Sins Go?

A little boy asked his teacher where marks on the blackboard go once they are erased. “They just disappear” she answered. “But where,” he pressed her. “They just vanish!” The boy persisted, “But where do they go?” Impatiently the teacher said, “They are blotted out.”

Have you ever wondered where our sins go once they are forgiven? It has been determined that man can live some 40 days without food, approximately 3 days without water, 8 minutes without air, but not a minute without hope. We need to know our sins are forgiven and to have the hope of Heaven. WHERE DO SINS GO ONCE WE HAVE ASKED GOD’S FORGIVENESS AND HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN? “They are buried in the depths of the sea!” (Micah 7:19 KJV) – BLOTTED OUT!

A boy who had recently become a Christian could not contain himself in class and even burst out with, “Hallelujah” from time to time. The teacher asked that he stop disturbing the class. He told her that since his conversion, certain things in his book reminded him of what had happened, causing him to praise the Lord.

This kind of joy will fill us – and often erupt from deep within us – when we contemplate the miracle of sins forgiven, forgotten, and that FOREVER!

HEART TALK - The Bum

2008-02-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

THE BUM

Everyone respects and helps the millionaire, the famous, the boss, those with beauty and brains. What about the bum on the street? This is a real story. It happened to me, the writer of MountainWings.com.

I was parked in front of the church cleaning out my Jeep. I was waiting on someone. Coming my way from across the street was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered times.”
I hope he doesn’t ask me for money, I thought. He didn’t. He came and sat on the wall in front of the bus stop to wait on the bus. After a few minutes he spoke, “That’s a very pretty Jeep,” he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blonde beard kept more than his face warm. I said, “thanks,” and continued cleaning the Jeep.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside me said, “ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure that ht would say “yes” but I held true to that inner voice.

“Do you need any help?” I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched hand.

He spoke the three words that shook me. “Don’t we all?” he said. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above the bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don’t we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to take a cab anywhere in the city and get food and shelter for the day.

Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it is just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone who appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don’t have, a different perspective on life, a glimpse of something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe it was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, “go minister to that man cleaning the Jeep, that man needs help.” Don’t we all? (End of quote)

In closing this HEART TALK I am compelled to take us to the Word of God. I will go first to the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 13. The writer tells us to “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:1-3 KJV). I am reminded of Jesus’ teaching on this subject. He spoke of being naked “and you clothed me,” hungry “and you fed me,” in prison “and you visited me.” The disciples reaction was to follow with a question: “When did we see you naked, hungry, in prison, etc.?” His response was direct: “In that you have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40, 45 KJV).

THINK ABOUT IT!

Have you had a kindness shown?
PASS IT ON!
“Twas not given for thee alone,
PASS IT ON!
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another’s tears,
‘Till in heaven the deed appears –
PASS IT ON!
(Henry Burton)

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he
treats those who can do nothing for him.”
(James D. Miles)

Finally…
If you have made mistakes, even serious ones,
there is always another chance for you.
What we call failure is not the falling down,
but the staying down.
(Source Unknown)

HOW TO REACH US:
Dr. Jerry A. Jones
P. O. Box 6986
Burbank, California 91510
E-mail: his2u@aol.com
Phone: 818-621-9927 (Cell)