January 3, 2011 The Big Trip 4-1

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When He was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while His parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking He was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him.

Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters, it is a beautiful day here at the Southern Location of the North Pole. What a beauty yesterday. Please pray today for the New Year, pray for peace, pray that we all fall more in love with Jesus each day. And think of this, if all this line would just lead one or two unsaved folks to the Lord, we would have a healthy number of New Christians.
Come and spread the good news. Prepare the way for the Lord! Will this be the year in which our Lord comes back for us? Let's work as if it is, in fact each day we need to work like the big event will happen today.

Prayers today for Eleanor Saylor who is in Health South for Rehab... Also pray for Dolores, she is in so much pain I really do not know how she stands it. Prayers also for the following, Pastor Tony and his wonderful wife Ruby, Pastor Charles and his dear wife Katharine. Pray also for healing for Dale and Blanch, and for Stanley. Also pray for LeaAnne and Brian Clogston, whom were married at one second past midnight on January 1, 2011.

The Big Trip 4-1: Luke 2:41 - Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When He was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the Feast was over, while His parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking He was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. (NIV)

Have you ever lost your child in a crowded place, have you every been like the family in Home Alone where they went off without the kid? I know it was instant panic for me if in a second your young one had walked away. Here we have the two very best parents ever, hand-picked by God The Father to take care of Jesus after He was born and they "lost Him". They went off without Him... Think about it, they lost Jesus, of course Jesus was not lost, He knew where He was but His parents did not. Can you picture it.... Mary to Joseph... Honey, have you seen Jesus, no dear, I thought He was with You, Joseph replies. Mary to Joseph, do you have the cell phone so we can call back? (Just kidding on that one, folks.) Just think of it this way, the one who was born to die, the one that was to save the world, was lost! How can you lose Jesus? Let's look at this a tad deeper, for each day there are people who have lost Jesus. Mind you, now, Jesus is not lost, he knows where He is and His mission, for it is still the same today. Back then, Jesus was not the one who was lost, even at the age of 12 He knew were He was and knew the mission.

So where would you go to look for your child if they got lost? If in a park, at the park police, if in town maybe the local police. Would you think about looking in your church? What would be wrong with teaching our youngsters that if they would become separated from their parents they should find a church and go in there and try and find someone to help you? Listen to these words:

Luke 2:46 - After three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him. "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." (NIV)

So it took Mary and Joseph three days of looking to find Him. Jesus was sitting listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Then His mother was cross at Him and said to Him, "Son why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

What happened next might surprise you. Was Jesus sorry for causing His parents to worry?
Tomorrow we take a look at the answer of Jesus. Did Jesus "smart mouth is mother?" Look it up and let me know what your opinion is. You will find Jesus' statement to His mother in Luke 2:49. See you tomorrow.

Dear Father in Heaven, I just want to love on You and be with You for the rest of my life. I know, Father, that You will not get lost, but I sometimes still worry about me, and I also have concern about our family and friends, and those in our flock and also those on this line, Lord. Help me to stay near You, to repent and always walk in Your light. I love You, Lord. I pray today for Brian and LeaAnne that You will bless them and keep them forever and ever. And I pray today for healing for Pastor Tony and Ruby and also for Pastor Charles and for Katharine for Kathleen and also for Ronald. For Eleanor and for Dolores. Lord, bless this line and keep it open. I pray also today for Lonewolf who has been told that she has cancer. Heal her, Lord, heal her, I pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Now go forth, and try not to lose your children, and be sure you do not let Jesus out of your life, and remember to share those blessings that Jesus has trusted to you. Love ya, Pastor Dan.