“Faith Healer”

 Jesus once told someone who needed healing “Go, your faith has healed you.”

Many people have trouble believing that faith alone can bring healing.

Some people beg God for healing and never see the fruit of their prayers.

I've been there. I know the feeling.

But sometimes while God is working in mysterious ways someone else who is going through a terrible trial refuses to give up.

You may see an individual who is dying from cancer give great talks about how God has blessed them despite their ordeal.

I have often been inspired by people “less fortunate” than me.

We can also take a cue from The Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 5:3)

Biblical commentary suggests that “poor in spirit” doesn't necessarily mean those who are depressed. Some say that the poor who are in the spirit rely on God for everything. Therefore “those less fortunate” have the Kingdom of God to supply all their needs.

Of course not having possessions or losing “everything” perhaps after a natural disaster can bring despair. But people somehow find strength to carry on.

Human beings are oddly resilient.

We face the most dire situations and so often keep the faith and fight the good fight.

Why is that?

Most people believe in some form of God or higher power. Most people believe that after this life we will be united with God and our loved ones.

It may be hard but not blaming God for our troubles is sound advice. Even when we face trouble from “acts of God.”

The Book of Job is a tale of great woe. In it Job says, “Are we not to expect troubles from God?” Yes God is in charge and yes he does allow troubles to fall on the just and unjust alike.

God doesn't bring us into the desert just to abandon us.

So have faith. Your faith can heal you.

"Where Have You Been?"

The Bible has many scriptures about going into the House of The Lord together. Also included is going together with joy.

What happens when we don't go to church?

We miss out on so much.

We miss out on hearing the word of God. Many inspired messages are heard when we listen to what is being preached from the pulpit.

We miss the spiritual blessing of taking communion. The Body and Blood of Christ sustain us. We know that no one can live on bread alone. No amount of money can buy everything that Jesus provides.

We are spiritually nourished when we partake of the sacrifice of our Savior. The saving grace of God is present in the Eucharist.

When we are baptized we are spiritually made one with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. All of us who are baptized (no matter what denomination we belong to) with the same elements and are forever grafted into the body of Christ which is the church.

That brings me to one other thing we miss when we skip church.

We miss meaningful contact with fellow believers as well as those being saved. I can personally attest

to this.

When I see someone that I consider a friend attend church services I light up.

When they're not their I am momentarily crestfallen.

What's more is that I am saddened and concerned when someone who has been struggling with the faith goes missing even after just one service.

Why? Because those who are genuine in their faith and devotion it's a reminder that I do not stand alone.

Iron sharpens iron. We have a powerful enemy who stalks the earth seeking whom he may devour. The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy. The devil is a stalking lion. And as with lions in the wilderness a predator will go after the weakest of prey.

If you are beat down, weak, tired, and alone you will be torn to pieces by the enemy of your soul.

So if you have found a home church by all means don't stay away.

We're a family. We are all children of God. We are all called to stretch the healing hand of Jesus to the whole world.         

"Refuse to Abuse The Good News"

     I think we've all seen messages in which people say that God hates gays. Does anything strike you as odd when you see such a statement? It should.
     Some Christians point out scripture (from The Bible) that condemns homosexuality. Some of these people use such scriptures as a way to protest gay rights. Some of these people use those words to create hate speech.
     Such people are quite short sighted. The Bible has far more scriptures about God's love and his calling all of us to repentance. God continually spared his rebellious children. Even at the cost of his son Jesus Christ.
     God didn't bring Jesus into the world to condemn it but instead that through his son we might be saved. Jesus came to teach about love. About loving our neighbors as ourselves and as Jesus has loved us to the very laying down of his life.
     There are many sins that people commit. But God chooses to forgive all who come to him with a humble and contrite heart.
     God genuinely forgives genuine repentance.      
 I'm straight. I have and had friends that are gay. I'm 100% sure that God loves them.
     God is love and in him there is no darkness.
    I pointed out that some Christians use The Bible to back up their ideas about hate.
       Like most people of faith spreading fear and hate in the name of God is just plain sick.
         Let me also point out that in my heart Christians such as myself Refuse to Abuse the Good News.
     Will you join me?

"We Have Been Called Out Of Darkness" (Messages From The Pulpit)

     As a person who identifies with the teachings of the Christian church I've come to believe that we must eventually make a decision to acknowledge that we are imperfect creatures. That we all fall into sin. That we all fall short of The Glory of God.
     When this happens we are come boldly before God and confess our sins. Some confess in the privacy of our homes and as with Catholics whom confess in our hearts as well as go to confession in which a penitent person offers themselves to a priest who listens to the confession and offers a penance (such as reflecting upon the sin and envisioning Jesus coming to us and accepting our heartfelt apology) and finally assuring the penitent solace and assurance of forgiveness.
     What ever the case may be God throws our wrongs into the sea of forgetfulness.
     Everyone who does so has come to a point in their lives that they realize that they are heeding the call into the perfect light of God.
      This is one way of God's correction. When one of us sees the light we become a light to those around us who are still in darkness.
     You see God has made the best of the fall of mankind. Our freedom becomes a ripple effect. Christ didn't come to condemn the world he came that through him we may be set free.
     We can identify with others whom have shared similar worlds of darkness, sin, and corruption. And it's with such common bonds that we can relate with others and offer ourselves as an example of how God has pulled us out of quicksand that threatens to swallow us whole.
      The church chose to celebrate the birth of our Savior on December 25th. You see December 25th is when the days grow brighter.
      We are confirmed in Christ in the sacrament of baptism as we symbolically die to our sins, our old lives are buried and are raised from death and into eternal life.
      Our conversion doesn't end when we make our vows before God at the time of our baptism. With our sins ever before us we must daily take up our cross and walk toward the light of the risen Christ.
     When we see fellow Christians falling under the cloak of darkness we should lend a helping hand.
     No longer the blind leading the blind. We are the forgiven leading the forgiven.  

"You Look Different" (Messages From The Pulpit)

     There's a passage in The Gospel According to Luke that tells of Peter and John going down to a nearby town when a man came upon them. This man heard about some huge news. Peter and John were surprised that this man hadn't heard about their great leader who had been crucified, buried, and then raised from the dead. Basically they asked the stranger, 'Have you been hiding under a rock?'
     This stranger began to tell of scriptures that pointed to Jesus being the Son of God, The Savior of all who believe in him. Peter and John were impressed by this strangers knowledge of the scripture.
     Peter and John invited this stranger to eat with them. The man broke bread, and offered up a prayer. It was then that Peter and John realized that this stranger was their beloved friend. This man was the resurrected Jesus Christ.
     Some people may ask how could you spend three years with The Son of God and not know him when you see him?
     Let me put it to you like this. Sometimes we have a friend that may get a makeover. Perhaps a new haircut, new clothing, or maybe they lose weight. Sometimes even with a new haircut we might not recognize our good friend.
     Now imagine your best friend being whipped, beaten, starved, crowned with thorns, and then nailed to a cross and eventually buried.
     Being so distraught that your friend who had promised to lead the people to a great victory over the kingdoms of the world only to be put to death.
     You may not recognize that friend. Then your friend says a prayer and breaks bread with you. Hopefully your eyes would sparkle with love and joy at being reunited with your friend who was wise, gentle, and performed miracles.
     Have you lost sight of The Son of God? Are you filled with doubt? Perhaps you don't understand why your prayers haven't been answered. Maybe you're confused as to why the wicked prosper.
     Maybe you have neglected the breaking of bread with fellow believers. Has bitterness driven you from attending church services?
     Coming together with the family of believers can change lives. Communion is the breaking of bread with your brothers and sisters. It's a coming together of a community.
     For Christians it's a special feast in which Jesus is the guest of honor. We are bound in one baptism and one mission. We are the messengers of God. We are united with one Spirit.
   Come let us break bread together and eat the bread of life and drink the water of the eternal spring.  

"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.