Blog Archives - Vernon T. Jones MTS, Spiritual Consultant, Author

Scripture Reflection: Wisdom and Understanding!

7/30/2013

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.”
Proverbs 24:3

Wisdom and understanding are words that can be looked at from many different angles. In Proverbs wisdom is often referred to as the figure of Woman Wisdom. Some scholars believe that this wisdom refers to Proverbs’ teaching being done in the form of a woman who reaches out to humankind. The book of Proverbs has many wise saying, some that may confuse as well as help us. However, I would encourage those who are open to it, to read and reflect on them, to have a better understanding.

No matter if you are building a house, a family, a business, a career, or anything else, these words can indeed provide wisdom and understanding for the process. Some of the more challenging issues in our life can be better handled when looked at through the lens of scripture. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: The Lord’s Prayer!

7/27/2013

“He (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” Luke 11:1

In Luke 11 Jesus goes on to give his disciples the words of what is now known as the Lord’s Prayer. It is the perfect prayer that covers all areas that would be needed in a prayer. It is used during many worship services across the Christian world, and many learn it as a small child.

In my prayer practices it is used as well, and I would encourage any of you who want to start or enhance your spiritual practices to use it also. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: The Lord’s Steadfast Love!

7/24/2013

“Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” Psalm 138: 8b

Seeing God’s love when everything is going along smoothly is easy, but how about when we have pain, sorrow, or difficult times in our lives? Nowhere in the Bible that I know of does it read that our lives will be without challenges and totally perfect.

However, it is stated in many places that God will be with us and that the Lord’s love does last for eternity. When we meditate day and night on God’s ways, and practice the steps of this spiritual pilgrimage we will begin to see that God’s steadfast love does indeed endure forever. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Choose the Better Part!

7/19/2013

“But the Lord (Jesus) answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing, Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10: 41-42

Most of us are familiar with the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was concerned about getting all of her tasks done, while Mary only wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet. Looking back at this scripture with our 21st century lens, it is easy to pick on Martha and what she was doing while in the presence of Jesus.

However, while we may not have Jesus right in front of us, we may have many other things that cause us to be distracted from becoming the person God wants us to be. Whenever we put our total focus on something other than God and God’s kingdom that becomes our god. The spiritual pilgrimage that this ministry is called to proclaim encourages one to choose the better part and to strive for God’s kingdom daily, and try not to be distracted by the things of the world. Vernon T.

Book Update!

7/17/2013

As you may know in January of this year, I entered into an agreement with, Resource Publications a division of Wipf and Stock Publishers, to publish a book titled Discipleship-a Lifelong Spiritual Pilgrimage: A Disciple’s Reflection on Actively Living in God’s Kingdom Today.

Recently the manuscript made it through the format check and editorial steps at the publishers. It is now in the typesetting stage. Today I received the first draft of my typeset book for my proofing and approval. The process continues to move right along. We are still tentatively looking at a print date of from Sept. 1, to Nov. 1, 2013.

Please keep this book process and my ministry in your prayers. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Praising God!

7/15/2013

“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.” Psalm 66: 1-2

I like most any kind of music, and enjoy those songs that have a good beat with some depth of meaningful soul. My favorite type of music is gospel, which became a vital part of my life during my early years in my hometown Baptist church. No matter what type of music you like to sing or listen to, hopefully it is joyful for you, and brings joy to those around you.

When we are praising God in song, music can do the same for us, make us joyful, and bring joy to those around us. Knowing that when we praise God, we are also joining all of the creation in giving glory to God’s name, may today you find time to make a joyful noise to God. Vernon T.

Personal Reflection: Life’s Miracles!

7/11/2013

Personal Reflection: Life’s Miracles!

My late wife, Judy, passed away after a lengthy struggle with brain tumors. After her second surgery she couldn’t talk, walk, or move her left side. After several months of rehab, she regained some functions, only to slowly lose them again prior to her death. During that period I began reflecting more and more about how the human body is created, grows, and operates. I came to believe that many things couldn’t be explained, and were miracles of life.

Seeing the miracles of life and creation carried over into other areas of life such as, the changes of the seasons with all of its different colors and varieties, a beautiful sunrise or sunset; and the birth and growth of a child. Having been fortunate enough in my new blended family to again be around babies has only reinforced this sense of awe about all of God’s creation.

There are so many miracles in life that can’t be described in human terms, but only experienced and enjoyed. I pray that you are open to seeing the daily miracles of life that God has created for us to take delight in. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Looking Back!

7/9/2013

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9: 62

In Luke 9: 57-62 we have a few people who want to follow Jesus, apparently because of the miracles he has done. He told them the focus needed in order to follow him. Jesus implied that when one is opened to a call of following him, one is turned toward Jesus and the kingdom of God, versus how one used to live.

Such is the case with anything we want to achieve in our life, where we may have to give up something from the past in order to attain it. May you be open to looking ahead toward God’s kingdom in your life, versus those things which may be holding you back from becoming the person that God wants you to be. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Prayer of Deliverance!

7/5/2013

“Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent.” Psalm 140:1

“[This is] an individual prayer for help against those who have slandered and falsely accused the one who prays.” (Psalm 140 footnote--NRSV Study Bible) If you take the time to read this entire Psalm, you find that the writer is very upset with their enemies, and wants God to do something about them.

All of us at one time or the other have felt exactly like this. No matter how much we pray, study the Bible, have reflection time, and try to love our neighbor, at some point in life we will be angry and ask God to do something. May you be able to make it through the anger you may have in your life and end up praising the Lord as the psalmist did. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Direction!

7/2/2013

“I keep the Lord always before me.” Psalm 16: 8a

It is a fact of life that the direction we are facing is the way we end up going. Trying to face backwards while walking forward or putting something right in front of our eyes will only cause us to fall or stumble. The spiritual pilgrimage that this ministry expresses encourages those on it to strive for God’s kingdom on a daily basis. This can be done in many ways, and one way is through prayer, Bible study, and reflection.

When we place things that don’t last or cause us harm to be in front of us or in the direction we are going, we may not end up where God wants us to be. However, when the Lord is always before us, our life will still be a human one with all of its challenges, but we have a better chance of becoming the person that God wants us to be. Vernon T.