Text Box: Page # Text Box: Volume 16 Issue 3 Text Box: Spread the Word Imagine that you have found the most amazing restaurant has just opened in your neighborhood. The food is wonderful and satisfies your hunger like nothing you have ever experienced. The atmosphere is joyous and uplifting, and the owner really gives his all to make sure that you know how much you mean to him. Would you not tell everyone you possibly could about this wonderful place? Most of us would be singing the praises of this restaurant to family, friends, neighbors, and yes even strangers. Why is it so natural and easy for us to spread the good news about a restaurant, but so hard for us to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ? We are commanded to do nothing less. In Mark 16:15, just prior to ascending into heaven Jesus spoke these words, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Jesus didn’t say when you have some extra time on your hands, or after you get every thing done on your “to do” list, his words were very precise “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” We are currently in the season known as Eastertide on the church calendar. This is a time when we are reminded of the amazing gift we have been given. Jesus gave us everything he possibly could, even hanging on the cross in our place. He didn’t keep quiet in fear. He spoke out because he loves us so. He has given us Holy Communion a meal that satisfies hunger like no other. His words are both joyous and uplifting even in the darkest of times. Just knowing He is with us, in good times as well as bad, provides peace of mind, body and soul. Jesus loves us so much, we mean everything to Him, He gave his all for us. So why is it that many of us find any reason or excuse to keep silent and not work for the growing of His Kingdom, here and now by growing his body of believers through the works of the church. Growing up, my mom always told me that anything worth doing is worth doing to your absolute best ability. This is especially true when we are working for Kingdom growth. We must be willing to put aside our selfish wants and desires, to fulfill the commandment we have been given. In order for “all creation” to have the amazing Text Box: Message From Our Associate Pastor

opportunity to experience the peace that comes from accepting Jesus as their personal savior, we must all get busy.  No time for excuses, no time for dawdling, we must make reaching others for Jesus Christ a priority in our lives.  The gift of salvation that we were given freely comes with responsibility.  As members of the body of Christ we are responsible to keep the Good News spreading to all creation.  We can no longer sit idly by and wait for someone else to fulfill our responsibility as a steward of the kingdom.  The choice is ours.  It is time to reprioritize our lives.  No longer can we afford to do only what is easy and convenient.  We must willingly make the sacrifice required of us to grow the Kingdom.

I was talking with some youth recently and was asking how school was going.  After receiving the normal comments about how much they absolutely loved school, one youth began talking about a project that he was working on.  By his comments, I began to realize that he was planning on doing the bare minimum to pass.  Nothing more and nothing less.  Where is his commitment? Where is his pride in doing his best? Where is the pride in his accomplishment?  Is this how we view our commitment to Jesus Christ.  Do we also do only the bare minimum?  Growth of the Kingdom and preparation for the future requires more than minimal effort and commitment.  We must strive to always give our best to God.  Our faith will be renewed by our going above and beyond.  Matthew 6:21 states it best, “Where your treasure is , there your heart will be also.”  If we understand that everything we have was first given to us by God and that everything we have then is ultimately God’s, then giving to God is an act of gratitude for God’s love, expressed to us in Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit living within us. 

As we journey together through the upcoming weeks, let us remember that Jesus gave His life for us, He gave His all.  How much are we willing to give to Him and to the Kingdom of God? 

             God Bless,                    Pastor Amy