December 16, 2010 The Big Trip 1-4

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

Good Thursday morning, my dear brothers and sisters. Today, being Thursday, means it is the day on this line that we center prayers on families and schools. Please today as we pray for schools, pray for all that go through the doors and please also remember to pray for the bus drivers. These wonderful men and women have the safety of your children in their hands a lot, and with the roads bad with ice and snow and the windows icing up in the bus. Oh, yes, with all the breathing of the kids on a cold day the ice forms well on the inside of the bus windows. Driving a bus is very easy, but driving it safe with children on board takes a real pro. And as we pray for families please remember to pray for the family of God. Please pray also today for Eleanor Saylor and for her family, and pray for Dolores and also for me, we have a full concert tomorrow and today I have no voice. God is good, and I have faith that my voice will be back in time for the concert.

The Big Trip 1-4: Matthew 1:19 - Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

I just want to talk to you today a bit about Joseph, Joseph the son of David, was a remarkable man. Just think about this, God, in choosing Mary, a virgin, had to also consider who our Lord Jesus would have for an earthly father. As we see in Matthew 1:19, Joseph was a righteous man. So I am very sure that God our Father in Heaven not only looked for that perfect mother which he found, but also for that perfect man to be the earthly father of Jesus. He would need to be strong and a good leader, a person that a child would look up to. It would also need to be a man who was willing not to touch his wife in a husband and wife way until after the birth of Jesus. Now think of it, ladies and gentlemen, you get married and then head off for a honeymoon and you can't, well you just can't do what you do on that wedding night. So God found the perfect couple, yes, the perfect couple to not just bear the child, our Lord Jesus, but to raise him up in those tender years.

According to scripture Joseph had really thought about ending the marriage and doing it quietly. But that old angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream, and I would think it would have been the Angel Gabriel as he seemed to be the messenger of choice for this most wonderful news.

Anyway, Joseph listened to the messenger and took on the task of taking care of Mary and his Son who is about to be born and will be King of all kings, Lord of all lords, and the Savior of you and me. He has been given the job of raising our Lord and Savior in the early years.

Now as we see what is going on in the world today we find so many women having sex with different men, and in many cases the children of one mother, have different dads or sperm donors. We have so many men and men or man is a bad term for these guys who just use the woman and then run out on their duty of raising the children and even supporting them. Then the tax payers must take over and help raise them and pay for their care. Now while I truly believe we need to help others, we also need to teach these men and women that their children who come from a few minutes of sex need to be taken care of. MEN, STEP UP AND DO YOUR JOB AS A DAD!! And Women, get a ring, a date and get married before you, dare I say this, before you "take off your pants." And women, be sure that the one you are trusting with your private parts is someone you would trust raising your children. And those who are already with children and single, as you look for a mate for life, be sure you are looking not just for a man for you, but a real man who will step in and help raise your children. Dads are so important and God showed us that in many ways, and one was with Joseph, and of course we also remember Noah, who was picked with his family to get the world moving again after the flood.

Dear Father in Heaven, You are wonderful and we are so blessed by You. You have given us strength to go forward in Your name. Lord, I pray that all men today would take a look at Joseph and how he stepped up to the plate for his Son Jesus, and that we earthly men would take care of children trusted to us. Lord, please be in our schools touching all who enter them and be on those buses with the drivers and the kids. Lord, I pray for families today and that You would touch them and bring them to their knees and that they humble in Your sight and become godly men and women to lead the families. Lord, please heal Eleanor, Charles, Dolores and the many others who have been on our prayer lists over the last month And Lord, I need You to touch me also, give me the strength I need to finish this mission for You this year, and the strength to keep it going into the new year. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Now go forth, men, stepping up to the plate for your family, and ladies doing the same. And remember to share those blessings God has lent to You. Love ya... Pastor Dan.

Carry The Light Ministries, Inc.
16 Dewalt Drive
Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17050
Phones Home and Ministry 717 691 8200 Pastor Dan's cell phone 717 991 0754