CONTACT ARTICLES
These Articles were first published in
Contact Magazine and are published here with their permission
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Monday
Morning Evangelist |
Dealing with Disaster |
Nine to Noon
Attendance |
Six Ways to Minister to Your
Pastoral Family |
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Teaching Sunday School |
A Pastor´s Struggles |
Oil Change Christianity |
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Pastor Mircheal
Jones
Grace Free Will Baptist Church
P O Box 1003 348 Lawrence St
Lake City, S C 29560
(843) 394-3725
Graceglory@FTC-I.net
© Contact Magazine - October, 1984
M v wife and I were returning
from youth camp one Friday when the air conditioner on our car quit. It
probably couldn't have happened at a better time, since we were already hot and
sweaty from a week at camp and one more day wasn't so bad.
I left home at 6:00 a.m. the
next Monday so I could be in town at 7:00 a.m. when the shop opened, planning
to do my daily Bible reading and some studying while I waited.
Almost as soon as I sat down and
began to read, a lady came in, saw me reading the Bible and asked if I was a
Christian. That led to an opportunity to share with her a clear presentation of
the gospel and answer some questions that were troubling her about the Charismatics.
Someone came for her later
and as she left another lady came in and asked the same question. I was able to
help her also.
With all the interruptions, I
had just finished my Bible reading and started to work on a sermon when the
cashier called and said my car was ready. When I went to sign the papers, she
said that the secretaries in the office had been listening to me witness to
those two ladies.
I hadn't thought of them, but
the Lord gave me a large congregation Monday morning. Just goes to show that
you should always take your chance to witness because you may be doing more
than you think.
Pastor Mircheal
Jones
Grace Free Will Baptist Church
P O Box 1003 348 Lawrence St
Lake City, S C 29560
(843) 394-3725
Graceglory@FTC-I.net
©Contact Magazine - January, 1987
It all began like any other
Monday- Busy!. I had done my Hymn time program, worked
on the Newsletter, and then had to take my wife to the Doctor (She had been
battling a slight heart problem all spring). We visited one of the Church
ladies that was sick on the way home so it was almost
5:30pm when I was able to return to the office. While the Doctor was looking at
my wife he had found some moles that needed to be removed so he had scheduled surgery
on them the next day. This meant that I would have to spend another afternoon
away from the office so I was trying to do as much as I could. My wife had
Ladies Auxiliary Meeting and she was working on a new Hostess list at the
house.
Around 6pm my wife called and
told me someone was coming over to the office (My office was in the fellowship
building beside the Church) for some information. (It was standard policy with
Paula and I that she send anyone who came to the house
over to the office where I could handle them). A young black man came in and
asked if I knew a certain person that had promised him a job. I didn't but I
spent around 10 minutes looking in the local and Florence phone books trying to
locate him. I was unable to locate the name and the young man left. He was very
polite and I didn't think anything amiss because we have people coming by the
church all the time wanting help or information. We always try to help the best
we can.
I returned to work knowing
that it would not be long before the Ladies would begin arriving for Ladies
Auxiliary meeting and wanting to accomplish as much as possible before they
arrived. Unknown to me this man had returned to the parsonage where Paula,
assuming I had sent him, opened the door to him. He said he wanted some water
so she made him stand at the door while she got it. When she brought it to him
he attacked her, molested her, came within a "heartbeat" of killing
her, and dragged her from room to room to rob her.
One of the ladies came in
about that time to prepare for Ladies Auxiliary and asked me to make the coffee
for her. I was filling the coffee pot in the Fellowship building when I looked
out and saw this young man run by. I knew something was wrong but before I
could leave the phone rang. It was my wife calling for help. I immediately went
to her and the lady that was at the fellowship building came with me. This
allowed her to minister to Paula while I called the police. Soon we were in an
ambulance headed for the hospital. Some of the wonderful members of the Church
stayed and took care of things at the Parsonage while several of the Ladies
came to the Hospital (where their presence proved of tremendous comfort to me).
The next several days were
somewhat of a "blur" as I tried to spend every minute I could with
Paula, help police apprehend this man (Mug shots, sketches, reports), and allow
the hurt in my heart to heal. There is simply no way to describe the terrible
pain this brings to your heart as you try to cope--- and there is no way to
describe the Tremendous Peace that came from God's Presence during those days.
The prayers and concern of our friends and family meant more to us than we will
ever be able to express in this life.
Paula has recovered from
physically from the assault, has coped remarkably well mentally, and has shown
tremendous spiritual growth. She still does not want to be left alone but we
believe that she will cope with that more and more in the coming days (Besides,
I have no desire to leave her alone any more than I absolutely have to myself).
Right now we are learning to
cope with this life changing situation as well as deal with unfounded and false
rumors- you would not believe what some people have told me about what happened
that night. It is our hope that after the trial is completed most people will
find something else to be curious about.
There are three main things
you have to deal with after a terrible tragedy like Paula and I went through-
FEAR, FRUSTRATION, and FAITH
FEAR- (1) of another attack
(The rapist lived within a half mile of our home). His "Helper" [The
home he ran to] lives within 200 yards of our home right now! (2) Fear of
disease (How long does it take for AIDS to show up?), (3) Fear of pregnancy (We
are that "fraction" of Fundamentalist that believe that Abortion is
wrong PERIOD. That preaches much much easier than it
lives!!!), and (4) Fear of fear (We can't allow ourselves to become
"prisoners" in our own home).
Then there is the
FRUSTRATION: (1) Over people's lack of understanding (My wife is one of the
most pure and modest Christian ladies I have ever met. She did everything in
her power to prevent this; yet some [who know nothing about the facts] seems to
know exactly how she could have avoided it). Everyone seems to think that a
rapist only attacks a woman who is wearing very immodest clothing. When my wife
was assaulted she was wearing the dress she was going to wear to Ladies
Auxiliary that night- long sleeves, neck buttoned around her neck, and well
below her knees.
(2) Over the law's
unwillingness to deal with matters like this. The assailant was out on parole
after serving eight months of an 11 year sentence. The police and solicitor
tell us that no matter what his actual sentence for this crime, there's the
possibility he'll be back on the street in less than 10 years.
(3) Over the fact that we are having to pay hospital, doctor, and medicine bills for
something he did while he is coddled in a jail cell being pampered with our tax
dollars.
Finally there is FAITH. (1)
Faith to believe that ALL things do indeed work together for GOOD to them that
love the Lord (Rom 8:28). We expect God to use this to bring Glory to
Himself--otherwise it would be almost impossible to stand the heartache.
(2) Faith to allow God to
handle the punishment according to Rom 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is
mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Sometimes
when I think of what he did I feel like someone kicked me in the stomach. I
want to "kill his dog and poison his cats" but then I remember who I
belong to and who vengeance belongs to).
(3) And Faith to approach the
future with an absolute dependence on God for Strength and Direction.
In times like this, the
"rubber meets the road" as far as your Christianity is concerned. If
your Faith and Commitment to God can not stand a
trial like this then you need to reexamine it. I believe in God's Love for me
even more today than I did before this happened. I'm determined more than ever
to serve Him. I don't understand all the "whys" but I do trust God
and will continue to do so.
People often wonder what they
can do for someone facing a disaster like ours. I think 3 things have stood out
to Paula and I during this time.
I. SUPPLICATION- The presence
and comfort of the Holy Spirit during this time has been simply marvelous. The
Lord has anchored us with peace when the waves of depression and despair would
seek to overwhelm us. We believe that part of the reason for this was the fact
that literally hundreds of people were praying for us. Churches, Prayer groups,
and conferences all brought us before the throne of Grace.
When you hear of someone in
need you can Pray- and keep on Praying.
II. SUPPORT- We live on a street with 5 widows and a number of retired
people. We have said many times since this incident that if it had to happen on
our street we would much rather it happen to us than to anyone else because of
the support we have received. Our Families have loved and protected us; the
Church has been simply marvelous to uplift and encourage us (A remodeling
project for the Parsonage that was on a "back-burner" was moved up
and new carpet and paint have helped remove some of the physical memories. The
Deacons met with me and told me to make taking care of my wife my top priority
until she recovered. And the church has been very
understanding in the matter of visiting and socializing).
The support from our friends
has stood out in my mind also. Many of them would call us and say, "I
don't know what to say right now but I do want you to know that we love you and
are praying for you". They didn't know it but that was just what we needed
to hear.
Is there someone today you
should call or write???
III. SILENCE- Paula and I
determined from the beginning that we were going to use this disaster to bring
glory to God. We have not tried to sweep it under a rug; we have tried to use
it to show God's care and strength during difficult times. Yet it is not
something we want to occupy all our time or thoughts. Sometimes people need to
talk about a disaster and you should be willing to listen and encourage them;
but sometimes they simply want to forget it and go on with their lives. Blessed
is the man that knows when to talk and when to keep his mouth shut!
Your Tragedy may be different
from ours (a Child problem, a Mate problem, sickness, etc.) but I want you to
know today that you can lean on God for Strength and Help. Christianity is not
just a Church you go to; it's a life you live. It can stand the hard time; and
it is the help YOU need in hard times. Lean on the Lord today. Live for Him
with all your being and you will find real life--even in the midst of disaster.
"NINE TO NOON" CHURCH ATTENDANCE
Pastor Mircheal
Jones
Grace Free Will Baptist Church
P O Box 1003 348 Lawrence St
Lake City, S C 29560
(843) 394-3725
Graceglory@FTC-I.net
© Contact Magazine - May, 1991
LAKE CITY, SC--A one-time
experiment at a South Carolina church turned into a year-long pattern that
doubled attendance, promoted a better spirit among the people and lowered
utility bills. Pastor Mike Jones said the decision to move Sunday night
services to 9:00 Sunday morning met with an enthusiastic response from members
of Grace FWB Church in Lake City.
Pastor Jones said the
innovative idea originated when he noticed that less than half the Sunday
morning worshippers returned Sunday evenings, and that those who did return
were "tired, a little grumpy and difficult to preach to."
The congregation agreed to a
one-time experiment, so the next Lord's Day they conducted "Sunday
Night" worship services at 9:00 a.m. The idea was so well received that
they tried it for a month and have continued for more than a year.
The nine to noon format
schedules two Sunday morning worship sessions around Sunday School.
The "Sunday Night" service runs 9:00 a.m. - 9:55 a.m. After a
15-minute refreshment break, Sunday School classes
meet 10:10 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. The second morning worship runs 11:00 to noon.
Pastor Jones said, "This
format allows me to tie my 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. messages together with
greater impact. It increased Sunday School attendance
15 percent and made a number of peripheral people faithful attendees and
workers."
Members have plenty of time
for Christmas and Easter cantata practices now that their Sunday afternoons and
evenings are free.
Pastor Jones said, "I
asked the church if they wanted to change back to our old format. They
unanimously said to keep it as it is. Some said they were willing to start as
early as 8:30 a.m., if we could maintain the new format.
"Surprisingly enough,
for reasons I don't understand, it has also increased our Wednesday night
attendance."
SIX WAYS TO MINISTER
TO YOUR PASTORAL FAMILY
Pastor Mircheal
Jones
Grace Free Will Baptist Church
P O Box 1003 348 Lawrence St
Lake City, S C 29560
(843) 394-3725
Graceglory@FTC-I.net
©Contact Magazine- August, 1995
The silence sounded like
thunder as it lay heavy in the air of a stilled Prayer Meeting service. Finally
one lady said, "I think we should pray for them." I acknowledged
that, waited a few more minutes of awkward silence, and then went on with the
service.
I had just informed the
people that I had been asked to write an article about ways the Church family
could minister to the Minister's Family and was seeking some input from them to
help me see their perspective. What I learned was that the average member of
church does not spend a great deal of time and worry thinking about this
subject. They look at the Church, and, by extension, the Pastor, as someone to
minister to them; not someone they are to minister to. They aren't trying to be
hard or cruel. They just think of the Pastor as a hired employee that is
supposed to fulfill his function; and that function means meeting their needs
instead of them meeting his needs.
The night before this Prayer
Meeting Service I had counseled with a young married couple. For nearly three
hours I listened to them snap and bite at each other as I watched a marriage
dissolve before my eyes. During the entire time they failed to express love for
each other or say anything positive about the other. And I knew that unless
that changed soon this couple's marriage would not survive very long.
Then, on Wednesday morning, a
young preacher came by to talk. His church was doing well and he should have
been excited about his prospects. Instead he sat and talked with increasing
discouragement. For two years the church had shown significant growth
numerically and financially. In spite of this increased prosperity and
responsibility no one at the church had mentioned raise, reward, or recognition
for the Pastor. Unless things change, it will come as a great shock to the
church when the Pastor stands up one day and announces his resignation.
Everyone will establish their own reason for why he left; troubles (known or
unknown), burn out, greener pastures, etc. . . . But no one will ever suspect
the real reason, lack of appreciation.
This situation, and
multitudes more like it, could be avoided, however, if people would learn the
truth of Jones 3:14 (in the devised version) "Everyone needs a little bit
of encouragement every now and then." Members need encouragement,
Marriages need encouragement, and Ministers need encouragement; and the person
who protests the loudest that they don't need encouragement is the one who
seeks it most! I realize that many will immediately say that the Pastor should
get his encouragement from the Lord so they don't need to get involved in the
process. But in this matter, as in most spiritual work, God uses human
involvement to accomplish Divine purposes.
Now that we see the problem
let's find some answers. Let's look at six ways the members of a local church
can minister to their Pastor so that he can more effectively minister to them?
1. PARTICIPATION- Most Christians seem to think
Christianity is a spectator sport. What an encouragement it would be to the
Pastor if everyone in the Church began to function in their place in the Body
of Christ. Isn't that the one thing he begs and pleads for each week? And it
might even free up the Pastor to have a night a week at home with his family.
2. PRAISE- No one this side of Heaven knows how
much a card, letter, or phone call telling the Pastor about some blessing
received from his ministry means to the Pastor. I have seen many tattered and
ragged "Thank You" notes passed around at Minister's Meetings as if
they were treasure maps.
3. PAY- A tangible reward for a job well
done. Frankly, the last thing a good Pastor should have to worry about is
money. He doesn't need to live like a King but he should be able to live on the
same level as the members of his congregation.
4. PRAYER- The Lady was right, the Church can pray for
the Pastor and his family on a regular basis. But don't simply pray for God to
make him a better Pastor; pray for God to meet his physical, financial, family,
and spiritual needs (That will make him a better Pastor).
5.
PRESSURE- The Pastor is on call 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Provide the means and the method that allows him time during the year
to rest, reflect, and renew his vision. Don't just assume that the Pastor knows
he can take a vacation. Someone has to preach, visit, and keep things going
while he's gone. Set up a system that will ease the Pastor's mind as well as
his body.
6. PARTNERSHIP- One of the greatest joys I have as
Pastor is the feeling of being in partnership with God and the Church. I feel
like we are working together as a team to accomplish God's work in our area.
When my car broke down the people of the Church purchased me a good used car so
I would have reliable transportation. When my wife was assaulted, they gave me
all the time and encouragement I needed to help her in her healing. When I
wanted to start an audio ministry, they found a PA System.
When I wanted to begin a Video ministry, they donated a camera and help run it
each week. When I wanted to put our services on the radio they immediately
volunteered to pay for each weeks broadcast. On and on
I could go but you get the picture. They encourage me to grow and develop as a
Person and a Pastor; and by doing so they benefit the Church.
The way a church treats its
Pastoral family is usually a significant indication of its own spiritual
health. So keep your Pastor healthy- emotionally, physically, financially, and
spiritually; and YOU will reap the benefits.
TEACHING A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
Pastor Mircheal
Jones
Grace Free Will Baptist Church
P O Box 1003 348 Lawrence St
Lake City, S C 29560
(843) 394-3725
Graceglory@FTC-I.net
©Contact Magazine - October, 1996
In the Teaching of every
Class someone must suffer. Either the Teacher will suffer preparing the class
or the student will suffer during the class! And by the results I observe in
most Sunday School Classes it is apparent that the wrong people are doing the
suffering.
I was saved when I was 14
years old and began teaching the Adult Sunday School Class when I was 16 years
old. My training consisted of the Sunday School Superintendent handing me a
teacher's book and telling me he hoped it would help. My qualifications for
teaching the Adult Class at such a young age came from the fact that I could
read and many of the adults in that country church could not.
Sadly, this is also the only
training given to many teachers in the average church today. And their main
qualification to teach is the fact that everyone else took a big step backwards
when the Superintendent asked for volunteers and left them standing out front
all by themselves. No wonder students are beset with boredom and teachers are
defeated by burn out.
In the 32 years since that
Superintendent handed me a teacher's book I have almost continually taught a
class of some kind; from Sunday School to Bible Institute to Wednesday Bible
Studies. And along the way I have learned several key principles that MUST be
applied if you are to successfully teach those students entrusted to you.
I. TEACHING IS IMPORTANT- You must believe that when you
accept the responsibility to teach people about the Word of God and the Ways of
God you are entrusted with one of the most awesome obligation known to man. You
are not given that responsibility simply to entertain your students during the
Sunday School Hour. And you certainly were not empowered to teach in order to
allow you to get up on your soap box and tell everyone what you think about the
government, the morals of society, or any other pet peeve you may have.
A good teacher shapes the
Beliefs, the Behavior, and the eternal Abode of those whom they teach. That
means that teaching is not a position you fill but a responsibility you
fulfill. And that type of responsibility demands that you are faithful in
attendance, Prayerful in attitude, and consistent in Character.
II. TEACHING REQUIRES
PREPARATION- This
means more that getting up a half hour early on Sunday Morning and hastily
going over your lesson. You should began planning next
Sunday's lesson no later than Monday Evening. Read the Scripture text and then
the Lesson. Endeavor to grasp the truth that God is trying to convey in the
Scripture. Meditate (analyze it over and over in your head) on the lesson all
week. Seek real life applications during the week to transform the lesson from
words into a way of life. Secure and use the proper tools (Study Materials) to
enable you to build a lesson that will establish Saints and convict Sinners.
Above all, Pray
for your class and for the lesson. Each week you will enter a battle zone in
which your students are too tired to listen, your circumstances did not allow
you the time or energy you need, and the Devil is out to withstand God by
defeating you. Pray for God's Power and Purity to be in your life so you will
be effective in communicating God's word to a world that desperately needs to
hear it.
III. TEACHING MUST BE
TESTED- The only way
to determine if you are accomplishing your mission is to get feed back from those being taught. Our Church uses the
Children's Church at Eleven O'clock to re-enforce the lesson taught during
Sunday School. The response of the children to the
games and questions in Children's Church make it immediately obvious if the
teacher has done their job.
A good teacher continually
uses Review and Repetition to evaluate how well they are teaching and how much the students are learning. Otherwise, you may never
realize that the look you took for attention was in reality a cover for a
student lost in a daze or a day dream.
IV. TEACHING IS TREMENDOUS- I would rather teach than eat; and
if you know how big I am then you know I really love to teach! One of the great
joys of life is seeing the "light
bulb" go on for
someone as they realize God is able to deal with every difficulty they
encounter. That is when you comprehend that teaching is not a job you do on
Sunday Morning; it is a joy you anticipate as you share the truths God has
implanted in your soul with others.
There are many books and
courses available that will show you all the methods and mechanics of teaching,
and I recommend you get at many of them as possible. But teaching must be in
your heart before it can properly do it's
work in your head. When you really learn what that means you will understand
the difference between just leading a class and putting all you have into
teaching a message. And that is when you will find that the suffering you do
before class in order to keep your students from suffering in class is the most
joyous suffering you will ever endure.
A PASTOR'S STRUGGLES
Pastor Mircheal
Jones
Grace Free Will Baptist Church
P O Box 1003 348 Lawrence St
Lake City, S C 29560
(843) 394-3725
Graceglory@FTC-I.net
©Contact Magazine - August, 1998
A neighboring preacher and I
became friends several years ago when he first became a pastor. When he first
began coming to my office for a visit he would look at me with bewilderment
when I would tell him how tired I was and how much trouble I was having making
some of my decisions. Now, he has been a pastor himself for over 10 years, and
he barely makes it into my office before collapsing in my office recliner and
starting his tale about how hard it is to do all the little things demanded of
a pastor.
I have been preaching for 36
years and have been a pastor for over 27 years so you would think by now that
being a pastor would not be a problem. Instead, I find myself struggling to
keep going. I don=t
want to abandon God or revert to worldly amusements but I do sometimes look with
longing at those people who come to church with nothing on their minds except
getting what they can from the service before they head back home for a day of
rest and relaxation.
I am a "Filo" pastor- An army term meaning "First in, last out". I arrive at church before anyone
else and I am the last to leave. From the moment the first person arrives until
the moment the last person departs everybody wants a piece of Mike Jones. They
want to know what they are supposed to do, what someone else is supposed to do,
or why I didn't
do something that they thought I should have done. In between all of this I
must deliver my soul in a sermon to try to keep sinners out of hell and saints
on the way to heaven. I struggle with the fact that it sometimes feels that the
sponge has been squeezed as hard as it can be squeezed and still people want
more.
I struggle with "Peanut Butter" Church Members- You know the old
story. A Pastor was visiting a delinquent member and asked him why he had
missed Sunday=s
service. The man replied that he was out of Peanut Butter. The Pastor thought
about that for a minute and then had to ask what being out of Peanut Butter had
to do with missing Church. The member replied, "Preacher, when you are looking for an
excuse then anything will do!". I struggle with Christians who look for excuses not to
serve God instead of opportunities to work for the Lord and the Church. And I
struggle with men who can run million dollar companies during the week but
never feel they are adequate to teach junior boys, or do
any other job at Church.
I struggle with the little
progress that we make at Church. Over and over it seems that the very week we
finally get that new family to commit to coming to our church is the same week
that another family comes to my office to tell me that their job is
transferring them to another town. I make brave sounds from the pulpit and put
on a good front at minister's
meetings but in the loneliness of the church office I struggle with feelings of
frustration and discouragement.
I struggle with the fact that
I'm "Pooped" all the time. I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of details demanding all my
time and energy so that I am not able to do the truly important work. I know
that waiting on the Lord will renew my strength but everyone else at church
seems to think that waiting on the Lord is a waste of time when someone hasn't listened to "Aunt Susie" complain
about her bunions this week.
I struggle with members who
want me to be a Prophet of God who really "shucks
the corn" each Sunday
while at the same time wanting me to be Politically Correct so I won"t
irritate their sons and daughters or visiting friends. They want me to boldly
denounce sin and exalt God but to do so in a manner that doesn't cause any offense or embarrassment
to anyone. And they would love for me to do so as glibly and smoothly as the TV
preacher they were watching just before they came to church.
Finally, sad to say, I still
struggle with my own personal holiness. I know that to attempt to do the work
of God without the power of God is like trying to empty the ocean with a
pitchfork; you will work yourself to death and never accomplish anything. Yet,
I still find myself tempted to watch TV shows I shouldn't, visit Internet sites I know are
wrong, or enjoy gossiping about a fellow preacher at a minister's meet. The spirit longs to be
completely sold out to God but Flesh still raises its ugly head and tries to
defeat me personally and professionally.
With all these struggles how
do I keep going? How do I find the courage and conviction each Monday to start
another week? It is really not a struggle for me to give you that answer.
First of all, I know God has
called me into the ministry. Being a Pastor is not a profession I endure to pay
my bills and win some respectability. Thirty six years ago God set a fire
ablaze in my soul to preach His word; and the fire still burns! And the driving
force of this God given call is strong enough to overcome any obstacle I face.
Secondly, Victories still
happen. A note will arrive telling me how much it meant to the family that I
stood with them during the sickness and death of a loved one and that will
encourage me to keep on going when it seems I=m at the end of my rope. And some times on Sunday, when it seems that everyone is simply
going through the motions, the sweet breath of the Holy Spirit will sweep
through the Church and a sinner will come to Christ or a prodigal will come
home. That is worth any struggle I encounter.
I also realize that many of
the struggles I face are simply making me into the man God wants me to be. I
want God to sharpen the axe with a marshmallow but I have enough sense to know
that only the file will cut deep enough to make the edge as sharp as it needs
to be. I pray daily for God to make me a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet
for the master=s
use. In the flesh I struggle with the process but I know God does indeed love
me and will never allow anything in my life that is not ultimately for my good
and His glory.
I struggle in the ministry;
and will probably do so all of my life. But I know there is coming a day when
rewards will be given and I will wish I had done more instead of less. My body
wants to betray me some times but there is coming a rest to the people of God.
And one day I shall see him face to face whom so long I have known heart to
heart. On that day all the struggles will be as nothing if He will simply look
at me and say, "Well
done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of thy Lord."
Pastor Mircheal
Jones
Grace Free Will Baptist Church
P O Box 1003 348 Lawrence St
Lake City, S C 29560
(843) 394-3725
Graceglory@FTC-I.net
©Contact Magazine - October, 1998
Christianity is not just about what you believe; it is about how you behave.
Every doctrine in the Bible comes with a duty to be performed. If your worship
place does not effect your
work place then you are not learning what you should at your church.
I went to get the oil changed in my car recently. The place
was busy so I went inside to drink a cup of coffee and wait. While I was
waiting a lady came up and asked to talk to the manager. As I listened, she
explained that she had left her lights on while she was shopping in the stores
beside the oil change location and now her car wouldn’t crank.
In spite of the fact that it was obvious that the manager
was almost overwhelmed with all the paying customers he had in his
establishment, he told his men to continue working while he took his personal truck
and went to start this lady’s car. To further complicate matters, the manager
found when he got in his truck that he did not have any jumper cables. He
offered to go back to his home and get his personal set but I had a set in my
car that I loaned him.
The manager could have claimed his busy schedule or the
absence of jumper cables would not allow him to help this lady. Instead he
treated this lady the way he thought a Christian should treat her-and I am
thankful, for this man is a trustee at my Church.