"It's My Treat" (Messages From The Pulpit)

     When we are told to treat others as we wish to be treated people somehow fall short of what I believe is the full extent of "the golden rule."
       Obviously avoiding doing evil is important. The golden rule has some of us "just being nice." Again that is a great goal but what if we took it farther?
      How is it that we want people to treat us? With respect. With kindness. With sincerity. With courtesy.
    These are great steps in the right direction.
       Are you selfless in your actions?
    Willing to go the extra mile for someone in need?
      Do we share the gospel? Or to put it another way do we share the good news?
       The nightly news if often filled with bad news. But what can we do to bring good news into our community?
      Here in Western New York one of our news channels celebrates kids making a difference in our city and suburbs. For example organizing a fund raiser to help those less fortunate. There was a story where people got together to help an autistic child get a special van so that he could get out of the house with his family. Something most of us take for granted.
     It wasn't done to get glory.
     God forbid a similar situation should befall any of us. But if it did wouldn't it be nice if perfect strangers gathered together to remedy such woes? Yes of course it would.
    We're not meant to just avoid evil. We are meant to be the light of the world.
     We need to bear one another's burdens.
      To treat others to the bounty of the blessings that God has given us. If you think about it God has given us more than we may be aware of. Take some time. Count your blessings.
    Then do unto others as God has done for you.
         

Jesus didn't have Facebook.

     The popularity of Jesus was not aided by technology. He didn't tweet where he was going to be. He didn't make announcements via Facebook. The buzz about Jesus spread by word of mouth.
      People were seeking contact with a miracle worker. Everywhere he went people were healed, set free of evil spirits, and he even raised the dead.
     People heard him speak the word of God and were mesmerized. Many people followed after him which included his mother Mary, the 12 Disciples, and others that found his charisma irresistible.
     People found Jesus because they were seeking God. They needed healing. Their bodies, souls, and minds were in desperate need of a divine touch. Healing that ancient remedies couldn't heal.
     It was the word of the testimony of those touched by Jesus the caught the imaginations of those who sat in the path of The Great Physician.
     Now in 2013 we do have technology. You can type anything into a search engine and you'll get an overwhelming response. Some results will have nothing to do with what you are searching for.
     People may wind up looking for God in all the wrong places.
      That is why we are told to test the spirits. To come against anything that sets itself up against the word of God.
     Ask and you shall receive.
      Remember just because someone says they're representing God doesn't mean that they are.
     When people pray there are many reasons. Overall people are seeking the assistance from God.
     God doesn't want to lead us astray. God wants to draw us closer to his loving grace and healing that comes from being in his presence.
       The Bible gives examples of being able to see a glow on the faces of those whom have been in the company of God.
     So whether people hear about God via the internet, house of worship,or maybe those who are earnestly seeking God will be able to see the light of God shining on your face.
     Then your words and actions will lead people to the God of the universe.
        The work of Christ will continue.