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

Scripture Reflection: Written on our hearts!

10/31/2013

“. . . and I (the Lord) will write it (the Law) on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31: 33

In this passage Jeremiah writes about how God will make a new covenant with God’s people which will be written upon their hearts. What is written on one’s heart is something that will last, and become part of one’s entire being. Through prayer, Bible study, and reflection we can have God’s word become part of our spiritual essence.

Another way to make this happen is by memorizing Bible verses that hold value to us. Each week I memorize and focus on a different Bible verse. Memorizing Bible verses is something that I have done most of my life, and it helps me cope with the challenges of life. Memorizing Bible verses has also helped keep my mind and heart on God's kingdom and this spiritual pilgrimage, may it do the same for you! Vernon T.

Book Signing Update:

10/29/2013

My first book signing event was held for my new book on “Discipleship” last Saturday at the Olivet Book & Gift Store in Alpena, MI. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed doing it. It was neat to talk to people about their faith walk.

This picture is from that event. June has been a real supporter of the book, and I am grateful to her and others who have shown interest in the book and the ministry to which it is expressing. My thanks to all who came out, and for Olivet Books for hosting it. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Dwelling in the house of the Lord!

10/28/2013

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! . . . Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.” Psalm 84: 1, 4

In our society today there are many challenges/barriers to attending worship with a specific community. There are also many options for one to choose from rather than attending a worship service. From sporting events, to coffeehouse type places, to people being too stressed out, to having been hurt in the past by a church community, many things keep us from community worship.

However, the writer of this Psalm rejoices in being able to be in the house of the Lord. The writer goes so far is to indicate that a person is happy by being able to be in the Lord’s house and to be able to sing God’s praises. Many spiritual mothers and fathers have expressed the concept that if one is on this pilgrimage that worshiping in community and in God’s house was an important aspect of this journey. On your spiritual walk may you find the time and right community to worship and praise the Lord in! Vernon T.

Book Signing

10/24/2013

For those who live in the Alpena, MI area there will be a book signing at the Olivet Book Store on Sat. Oct. 26 from 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Hope to see you there. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Praying always!

10/23/2013

“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.” Luke 18: 1

God wants us to keep on praying as we walk on this spiritual pilgrimage because it draws us closer to God. Sometimes God does answer our prayer in one form or the other. However, I can’t begin to count the number of times that I have fervently prayed for some outcome and it didn’t turn out the way I wanted. You can probably say the same thing.

That doesn’t mean, however, that God doesn’t love us or isn’t concerned about our daily needs. God is love and can’t help but love us, but God isn’t required to answer every request we make. However, as Jesus’ parable from Luke 18 expresses, we should continue to pray and not to lose heart. During your journey may your prayer efforts continue even when any response appears to be far off! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Where does our help come from?

10/21/2013

“I lift up my eyes to the hills–from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121: 1-2

This verse is frequently quoted to show how a person has put their faith in the Lord God who made the heaven and earth. Some may think that this is an old form of wisdom, which doesn’t have much value in our highly intelligent and sophisticated society. However, trusting in something that is gone tomorrow according to some scholars isn’t very wise.

Putting one’s faith and hope in the Lord God who made the heaven and earth, and who was, who is, and who will be in the future maybe the way to go. In your spiritual pilgrimage may your eyes remain on where the true and lasting help comes from! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Quiet places to pray!

10/17/2013

“But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.” Luke 5: 15-16

Having structured daily prayer and reflection habits are extremely important on this spiritual pilgrimage. For centuries desert mothers and fathers have set aside specific times and places to pray and reflect. Jesus often went away to pray. He knew that he needed to do that to stay connected with the Lord God, and to be renewed in his spirit and physical body.

Some of us may try and fool ourselves into believing that having a specific prayer time and place isn’t important. In our fast-paced and very noisy society one may wonder how one can take time out of a busy day for prayer, but like anything else in our lives we will find time to do the things that are really important for us. I wish you well in setting aside a time and place to spiritually stay connected with the Lord God! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Daily steps!

10/14/2013

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. . . . Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way.” Psalm 37: 3, 23

One of the challenging aspects of this faith walk, is taking daily steps when we are not sure how things will turn out. When I was in the business world, most of my time there was in the marketing department. We spent a lot of time doing short and long range planning. It was an expected practice to make plans, and to work very hard to make those plans a reality.

That, however, is not always the case with our faith journey. In our spiritual pilgrimage we can be directed to take steps that do not fit into our personal-long-range goals. These steps can also take us to new places, once unknown to us. I left a career of twenty-seven years and went to the Seminary not fully knowing why I was going, only that I was meant to go, and I did. On your journey may you commit your way to the Lord, take the daily steps as directed and trust that the Lord will make you steps firm! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: A vision for the appointed time!

10/10/2013

“Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2: 2-3

I generally hate to wait! Sometimes I can deal with it, but I mostly want to get moving, get on with the task, get it done! Of course our society doesn’t help with this issue, as we want and have instant everything, and when we (yes also Vernon T.) can’t have it, we wonder why.

However, spiritual writers and the scriptures tell us that following the spiritual pilgrimage comes without a clock or stop clock. We are told to wait for God’s vision, even when we can’t see what we are waiting for. In my own journey that has been one of the more challenging aspects of this process.

When you have moments of doubt, that things are not going fast enough, try to remember that God’s time frame isn’t ours and the vision comes at God’s appointed time. Blessings on your waiting periods! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: God’s Spirit of Faith!

10/7/2013

“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self -discipline.” 2 Timothy 1: 7

God doesn’t want us to live a life of dread and fear, but one that allows us to become the persons that God created us to be. The writer wants Timothy to not be afraid, for God’s Spirit of faith will be with him. He doesn’t have to let the issues of life keep him down indefinitely, with God’s Spirit, his fears can be overcome.

As fallible human beings we can’t help but sometimes have fears and nervous moments. That comes from living on this side of the kingdom. But God’s Spirit can help us overcome our fears. We can find ways through prayer, reflection, Bible study, and frequent worship of moving into a position where we can hear the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives. Blessings on your journey! Vernon T.