January 4, 2011 The Big Trip 4-2

When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, "Son, you why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." Why were you searching for me," He asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house? But they did not understand what He was saying to them.

Good Tuesday, let's pray for a cure for cancer day. Yes, Tuesday now the day when we pray for cures for cancer, heart problems, liver problems, kidney problems and all sorts of other problems. Pray for those who work on research, and pray that God's hand will guide their work.
Please pray also for Eleanor Saylor, who is now in Heath South, Mechanicsburg, Pa., and for my wife Dolores who was admitted yesterday to the Carlisle Medical Center in Carlisle, Pa.

The Big Trip 4-2: Luke 2:48 - When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, "Son, you why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." 49 Why were you searching for me," He asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house? 50 But they did not understand what He was saying to them. (NIV)

When you first read this scripture you think, wow, did Jesus get a tad smart mouthed with His mother? Let me put myself in that place with my mother and dad.,. I get separated from them in a park and after searching and searching they find me in the Penny Arcade (are they still called that?) Anyway, when they would find me they might have said something like Mary said to Jesus, Son your father and I were worried about you... Then if I said, why would you not look here, you know I like this place. Oops, some soap to eat... But let's look on, not stop in the middle of the scripture.

Luke 2:51 - Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (NIV)

You see, Jesus said He thought His mother should know where He would be and told her that, but then was obedient to them... to me, meaning, the boy Jesus did not do this again and more than likely would keep his parents informed. As for me, and although I had been known to smart mouth my mother once in a great while, I would have said, I am sorry, I should have left you know where I was going. And then my mother would have, like Mary, treasured this in her heart. (Just because I was her little Danny boy.)

I think that all of us in life, at some time or another, just take for granted that others know what we are doing and we just sort of do our thing. Or maybe we thought we told someone what we were going to do, or maybe we did tell them and they did not hear us. One way or the other, this to me sounds like a communication problem. Could it be that once in a while Jesus has a communication problem? ONCE IN A WHILE? I really think that our Lord Jesus has a communication problem with all of us from time to time, and it is surely not the fault of Jesus, it is our fault. I don't know about you, but the more I dig into the Bible the more I learn about Jesus. We know, we know for sure that Jesus wants to walk daily with us, and how often have we gone on without Him? Think about Jesus at 12... Did He walk away from His parents or did His parents walk away from Him?

Ok, what can we learn from this lesson that we can apply today both with ourselves and also with our children and grandchildren? First and foremost, in my opinion, we need to learn and also teach our family where to find Jesus. And while a good meeting place if out and about and we get separated from the ones we are traveling with might be the local church, the best place to find Jesus, remembering that He is not lost, the best place to find Him is right where you are at that moment. Just call on Him. Each time Dolores and I leave the house, before the car hits the street from our driveway we are talking to Jesus about a safe trip and asking Him to watch over our home, our family and our animals, and to bring us back safe. God is good, and remember our Lord Jesus really wants to hang out with us all the time, if we could just learn that, how much better we would be. Can you think of anyone you would like to hang out with more than Jesus? I can't!! Yet there are still days that I go on my own way, most often when I am doing things around the house. I start a job on a vehicle and next thing you know I am stuck, so I stop and ask Jesus for help... and so it goes. How about you, when do you ask Jesus for help? After you start the job, or before you start the job?

One other thing, out with your family, going to a park, or just going for a walk in the mall, make a meeting place. Amen.

Dear Father in Heaven, I am so happy that You are not lost, not now, not ever. And Lord Jesus, You know me, for I was once lost, and then I found You, and then I slip and fall and You help me and You do it over and over again and again. Lord I really appreciate that You never fail me, I am so sorry that I fail You. Lord, thanks for watching over this line and today we ask that You push forward a cure on those things like cancer but not limited to that. I also ask that You would heal those with cancer, and that You would hold Ron and Kathleen tight as You heal them from cancer. Also, Lord, we are not sure just what is wrong with Eleanor and also Dolores but we do know You can heal them and we ask for that healing to take place. Please, Lord, help us to repent for we all know to walk with You we must walk away from sin. Help us, Lord, help us. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Now go forth and share Your blessings and also share the love of Jesus with others, and folks, the love of Jesus is your very best blessing. And we need to tell others of this love. Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to love others in the name of Jesus... Love ya, Pastor Dan.