March 15, 2010 Children 1

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them."

Good Monday morning, my dear brothers and sisters. Ah, Monday and the day we pray for our earthly leaders, for our veterans, for our military, our police, our firefighters, river rescue, ambulance folks, and remember those ambulances that fly. Yes the day we pray for all those who look after are safety and security here on earth.

Over the last week I have been bedside with a 94 year old lady named "Hilda". We have placed her in God's hands for the journey home, she told me when she could still talk she wanted to see Jesus face to face. Please pray for this family and for Hilda that she gets to see Jesus, "Soon and very soon!"

Please keep praying for all those who have been on our prayer list, which I will try and update for all tomorrow.

Children 1: Mark 10:13 - People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them. (NIV)

This week I want to talk to you about little children, and heaven. Folks, Jesus is very clear about several things when it comes to children. Let's today look at why we must come to God like little children.

Our Salvation, given to us by Jesus when He died on the cross and then was risen from the dead, cannot be purchased. We cannot work our way in, although after we are saved we indeed must go to work for Jesus. Confusing, not in the least. Our salvation was a gift and we must receive it like a child receives a gift. Let us look at that for a minute... Most of you know that I play Santa and along with Mrs. Claus we get to see a lot of children and hand out a lot of very small gifts in advance of that big day for children. Although there are some exceptions, most younger children are very happy just receiving a gift and do not question the gift itself. A child walks up and we give them a stuffed animal, regardless if that stuffed toy is new or recycled, they hug it and if old enough to talk will say thank you. We have had a few who did not want the ones we gave them, but in the background we could see a parent or grandparent telling them to ask for a different one. A few have even put the child up to going to our storage place under the tree and exchange them when we were not looking. More on that later this week...

You see we must receive our salvation as a gift and we are not to be questioning it over and over again. It is by faith we have received this gift of salvation, a free gift of God. Are we to question God on this? NO, but some people will and others do not believe it at all. The only real question I would have is, why, Jesus, did you do this for a sinner such as me, for I am unworthy? And you see, a child does not even question that much. Also, when a small child is given a gift, have you ever known them to not want it? Saying, I don't want a gift at all. You see. brothers and sisters, a gift needs two things, first it needs a giver, and it needs a receiver, and when it comes to salvation, God the Father gave us His one and only Son Jesus who died for us and we are indeed the receiver of the gift. What good would it have been for Jesus to go to the cross, for God the Father to give up His one and only Son if there indeed was not any receivers?

A young couple gets married and on the gift table there are three toasters, and five or six can openers. Does the couple open the first toaster and then when opening the second and third set them aside or even ask for receipts to exchange them? Not if I were involved, for I would put the extra ones back for a later date. Or would the couple say to those who gave them a can opener, wow were you cheap. No, one should take the gift in the spirit it was given and honor that gift by receiving it. That is the same as our salvation, my brothers and sisters... You see, children would not question the gift. If on Christmas a child were to get a Lego set from his parents and then one from an Aunt and Uncle and a third from their grandparents, they would just use them all to build bigger things.

So in wrapping up today's message, the first in this series, children, we must come to Jesus as a child, take the gift of Salvation and not question it, just be very, very happy you have it and then go out working for Jesus... Amen.

Oh, Lord, make me like a child today so that I do not question the reason You went to the cross for us, for we know it was to save us from our own sinful way of life. Let us just receive the gift of this great Love and help us to spread the good news of this free gift. Help us to be children... In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen... And Dear Lord, please look over our prayer list and honor it by Your will being done... again, I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Now go forth in the name of Jesus, sharing your blessings, and being like a child when it comes to this subject... Love ya, Pastor Dan.

Carry The Light Ministries
16 Dewalt Drive
Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17050
Phones Home 717 691 8200 Cell 717 991 0754
icarrythelight4God@msn.com