December 27, 2010 The Big Trip 3-1

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?" "We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. Gosh it is hard to remember what day of the week it is, seems like I am all mixed up. Dolores and I had a great Christmas and got a lot of needed rest. We both wore ourselves about out coming down the home stretch for Christmas and the food pantry and we still have a lot of work to get done. We are getting ready now for a New Years Eve Concert at the Bridges and then a Midnight wedding. In fact it should be the first marriage in 2011.

Ok, it is Monday and the day we pray for our leaders and for our veterans and for our military.
Also please pray for Eleanor Saylor who was admitted to the hospital on Christmas day. Also prayers for Mae Rambo, also admitted to the hospital and I believe Christmas Eve. Mae, the wife of Gospel singer Buck Rambo, is being checked for heart problems.

The Big Trip 3-1: Matthew 2:1 - After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?" "We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." (NIV)

Ok, let's settle it once and for all this morning... How many kings were at the manger right after Jesus was born? I have heard a lot of answers, and there is only one correct answer... If you are thinking three kings because you have been singing the song, We Three Kings, that is your first big mistake, because we are not sure how many kings brought the gifts, but we do know this, none of them made it to Bethlehem to the manger. This leaves just one King at the manger and that would be King Jesus, King of all kings and Lord of all lords and our Savior, the one who was born to die so we might live.

As we talked last week the shepherds came in from the fields nearby and I also brought up the fact that more than likely some from the inn, including the innkeeper came to the stable to visit the Newborn King. But again, the Bible tells us of the Shepherds, Mary, Joseph and yes, of course, there were Angels there to go to the fields to tell about Jesus. But only one King, our King, our Lord Jesus.

So how did the kings who did come with the gifts, and the gifts, three of them could have been all brought by two kings, three kings or a host of kings --how did they know how to find Jesus? The angels did not meet them in the fields nearby. The kings followed the Star of our Lord Jesus. The Bible states that "We saw His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Notice it states "We saw His star" and we is more then one. And the Bible states we saw His star... A new star went up. By the time the kings got to see the King, He was back home with Mary and Joseph.

Tomorrow we find out about the first time Jesus was presented at the Temple of the Lord. Again this story really comes to life if you take the time to read the story from your Bible. You will find it in Matthew 2:1/12. Good reading, my dear brothers and sisters, good reading.

Dear Heavenly Father we give thanks for another day, another day given to us to live as we please, but today we ask that You help us, that You guide us and that You direct us and that You help us to repent from our sins and just walk and talk with You and live our lives, one day at a time with and for You. Please watch over our leaders and I pray that they all come to You, that our leaders start to remember that an unborn baby is a child and they outlaw abortion. I pray you watch over our president and soften his heart to follow You if he does not do that now, and Lord, I am not to judge, but he believes in abortion and I cannot see in my mind how anyone can truly love you and also believe in the killing of babies. I pray today for our leaders in Washington, in our state houses across this wonderful land You lent us to care for. I pray for our veterans including those from all wars and even the peace times and I pray for those veterans right now who are but 18 years old and living in veterans hospitals with parts missing. Lord, bless them and heal them please. Lord, for our current military, please watch over them and also their families. And Lord, please heal, Eleanor, Mae, also Buck, and heal Stanley and my dear wife Dolores. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Go Forth now and share your blessings, share your love of Jesus with everyone, tell them the good news. And remember, even after that big Christmas dinner, those poor folks like to eat. Think sharing, dear brothers and sisters... Love ya, Pastor Dan.

Carry The Light Ministries
16 Dewalt Drive
Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17050
Phones 717 691 8200 Pastor Dan's Cell Phone 717 991 0754