Manger
Have you ever considered
the manger?
Some crudely cut wood
pieced together
used as a feed box for
barnyard animals
was nothing extraordinary
after all.
A lowly, humble, crude
trough
made out of wood cut rough
to serve a purpose -
to hold hay was its use.
Nothing fancy about it,
probably quite plain.
Perhaps not even chiseled
with a plane.
Nothing that would garner
attention -
except when dinner time
came.
But maybe there was
something quite remarkable.
One, it was accessible and
two, available.
It made a convenient
bassinet or crib
for it would cradle a
baby, it did.
The manger, a word heard
once a year
when reading the first
Christmas story dear.
Though humble, this lowly
manger,
would cradle the promised
Savior.
It's purpose glorified
that night
brought the shepherds
delight
for just as the angel said
it was the Savior's bed.
In fact, “the King's
bed”,
it could be said.
God had a plan to turn
what was humble, yet available,
into something
extraordinarily wonderful!
* * * * *
Have you ever thought
you could never do that?
Is it because you feel
insecure or inferior?
Perhaps lowly like the
forgotten manger.
Do your anxieties hold you
back?
Maybe it's confidence you
lack?
Perhaps not speak in front
of a crowd
because your knees would
be knocking too loud.
Do you know God uses
what's available
and He will give you grace
that enables.
Do you suppose God could
use someone like you
if you had the courage to
ask him to?
The Bible shows us God
doesn't look at the outward stuff,
so if you think you're not
thin enough or educated enough
be aware God is more
concerned about the attitude of your heart
then he is about status
that you think might set someone apart.
Ask God to give you a
testimony bold
and he will refine you as
the choicest gold.
Notice God didn't chose
the most gifted speakers
for God's Word records
tongue-tied orators/preachers.
Moses and Jeremiah tried
to bow out
when God surprisingly
chose them to shout out
His message to His people
-
their excuses being
feeble.
God has a wonderful plan
and purpose just for you.
All you need is to see
yourself through God's loving view.
Like the manger, God has
something wonderful waiting for you.
Ask God for his holy
boldness then go out and share the Good News.
This will be a sign to
you:
You will find a baby
wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger.
Luke 2:12
Moses said to the Lord,
“O Lord, I have never
been eloquent,
neither in the past nor
since you have spoken to your servant.
I am slow of speech and
tongue.”
The Lord said to him,
“Who gave man his
mouth?
Who makes him deaf or
mute?
Who gives him sight or
makes him blind?
Is it not I, the Lord?
Now go;
I will help you speak
and will teach you what to say.”
Exodus 4:10-12
The word of the Lord
came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you
in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I
set you apart;
I appointed you as a
prophet to the nations.”
“Ah, Sovereign Lord,”
I said,
“I do not know how to
speak;
I am only a child.”
But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, 'I am
only a child.”
You must go to everyone
I send you to and say whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of
them, for I am with you and will rescue you.
Then the Lord reached
out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me,
“Now, I have put my
words in your mouth.”.
Jeremiah 1:4-9
Man looks at the outward
appearance,
but the Lord looks at
the heart.
I Samuel 16:7
Enable your servants to
speak your word
with great boldness.
Acts 4:29
I know the plans I have
for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and
not to harm you,
plans to give you hope
and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
As for you, the
anointing your received from him remains in you,
and you do not need
anyone to teach you.
But as this anointing
teaches you about all things
and as that anointing is
real, not counterfeit -
just as it has taught
you, remain in him.
I John 2:27
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