Manger- Or Kingdom-Minded?

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Today's Passage: Luke 2
Memory Verse(s): Lk 2:11-12

Where does purpose lie?  Does it lie in the way you start, or in the way you finish?  To be purposed means to have a reason for which something exists; to intend, aim or set as a goal.  So  many times, we look at the way something was started and use that as a predictor of how it will be finished.

For instance, what do you predict the end would be for a child born to parents who didn't have the means to get to a hospital?  Could a housekeeper mother and a carpenter father produce a king?  What about you?  What have YOU heard about your beginnings?  Does that beginning really have any bearing on what God is creating in you right now?

Vincent Van Gogh started a painting inspired by a loved one that he couldn't even finish.  At the time, the painting was considered to be a waste.  Art dealers struggled to find an owner for quite some time.  Today, that same portrait is worth a fortune.  That being said, we can no longer let what happened in our past determine how we will live out our future.

Why did God allow a king to be born in a manger?  The answer is because the king may have been in the manger, but the manger wasn't in the king. Jesus remained kingdom- minded throughout His life, not manger- minded.  Most of us would have used being born that way as an excuse.  As a matter of fact, many still do.  However, if we remain kingdom- minded, the barn we were born in will lead straight to the palace.

Prayer: Father, once and for all I accept that You have chosen me to point others to You.  In spite of my humble beginnings, I recognize my destiny is tied to Your purpose for my life.  May every intention for which You brought me into existence be manifested in my life. In Jesus' Name