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

Scripture Reflection: Happy Thanksgiving!

11/28/2013

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” John 6: 27

Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you and your family have a great holiday, and can enjoy the many wonderful things that come with it. At some point reflect on the many things that you have to be thankful for and realize that there are many all around us that are less fortunate then we are. Also reflect on these words from the Gospel of John, where the only thing that will last into the next life is God’s love and what is done for God’s kingdom. God Bless You! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: New Birth!

11/25/2013

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, . . .” 1 Peter: 1:3

Our blended family has been fortunate enough to have had three new births over the past four plus years. All three have been born healthy and continue to be so. Even though two are far away it is so awesome to be a part of their lives and see them change and become little people. The joy we see in their lives, increases the joy in our own lives.

Many of the spiritual writers and the desert mothers/fathers have written about how when one is on this spiritual pilgrimage that there is also a new birth, or a new life that daily comes about. By taking more of the love of the Lord God into our lives on a daily basis we become new creations. The joy we feel by doing this, can be felt by those around us, and their joy is increased also. May you experience this new birth and new life on your spiritual walk! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Beginnings and endings!

11/21/2013

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” Ecclesiates 3: 1-2

This past Sunday Shirley and I were part the beginning and ending of two ministries. Sunday afternoon we attended the retirement party for pastor Richard Clapp. He retired after ten years as pastor of Leer Lutheran Church. By retiring as their pastor he was ending one phase of his life and beginning a new one.

On Sunday evening we also attended the installation of pastor Zachary Nelson as associate pastor of St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Pastor Zachary recently ended his seminary studies and now begins his new role as associate pastor.

As the writer of Ecclesiates records life holds many seasons of beginnings and endings. On you spiritual pilgrimage may you be open to these changes and be willing to follow where the Holy Spirit may be guiding you! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Trusting the Spirit!

11/18/2013

“This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.” Luke 21: 13-15

During my days in college and my time in the insurance industry, I learned to plan ahead. I still have that skill to a certain extent. Sometimes it comes in handy, but every once in a while it can drive some people, including my wife, up a tree because of it. Don’t get me wrong, we all need to plan ahead at certain times in our lives.

However, when one is on this spiritual pilgrimage, there can come times when we just have to trust the Holy Spirit for the next step, or what we are to say in a certain situation. That can take patience and faith, when everything around us wants some quick action taken or words to be spoken. On your spiritual journey may you trust the Spirit for wisdom when a certain action or word is needed! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: The Lord surrounds us!

11/14/2013

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore.” Psalm 125: 2

There is a song, Jesus Be a Fence Around Me, that I love that has been recorded by many artists, but one I especially like was done by Fred Hammond. The words ask that Jesus may be a fence all around us every day.

This fence is with us as we travel, as we fight our battles, it guides our footsteps, it helps us when we fall and during our hour of weakness. On your spiritual pilgrimage may you feel God’s fence all around you every day! Vernon T.

Thank you!

11/12/2013

Want to thank everyone who has purchased or shown interest in the Discipleship book since it has been released. An especially huge thanks to all of the people of St. Paul Lutheran in Alpena, MI and St. Paul Lutheran in Louisville, KY, who have been so supportive of my ministry and this book. Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: Calling for help!

11/11/2013

“My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.” Psalm 17: 5-6

The title of this 17th Psalm is “Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors.” This Psalm is a plea for help from someone who has tried to walk uprightly but who is set upon by persecutors. Of course in our lives we could replace persecutors with things like; cancer, the evil in the world, a death of something or someone, lack of employment, war, basically any storm of life.

Even when we try to do what we think is right in our lives, when we try to love our neighbor as ourselves, and even when we daily practice our spiritual disciplines, we will have times when we feel persecuted. I pray that you like the writer of this Psalm, can call upon God, and believe that the Lord God will answer and hear your words. May your spiritual practices give you the courage to keep on calling and believing! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: God’s kingdom!

11/7/2013

“Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming and he answered, ‘the kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, Look, here it is! or There it is! For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among (or within) you.’” Luke 17: 20-21

Much has been written about God’s future kingdom. It is our human nature to always look for what is to come, versus living in the moment. Granted there are times in our lives when we must plan and think about what is to come in our lives, in the lives of those around us, and in society as a whole. However, we may daily miss those things around us that are part of God’s kingdom.

Jesus notes that the kingdom of God is among us and within us. When we do something for someone without them knowing it, or when we help those less fortunate than us, when all these things are done out of love, that is bringing God’s kingdom among us. There are many other examples of how God’s kingdom is among and within us. May your spiritual journey allow you to experience and see God’s kingdom in this moment, right now! Vernon T.

Scripture Reflection: God is our refuge and strength!

11/4/2013

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, . . .” Psalm 46: 1-2a

Please take a moment to read this entire Psalm when you have time to reflect on it. It speaks for itself. That no matter what comes our way, the earth can change, the mountains can shake, the waters roar and foam, but the Lord God is still with us.