Faithbase

Another hymn that we sing a lot during Christmas time is what seems like a simplistic song, Away in a Manger. That's about the baby in a manger describing Jesus. In the third stanza of Away in a Manger, there's a line that it's more than just talking about Jesus. It's actually a prayer, and if you look at it chronologically, it's a prayer to a newborn baby, but we know who he is for us today. We know that that newborn baby grew in the strength and knowledge of the Lord, that he lived a sinless life, that he gave his life for me and for you on the cross, and now he sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for me and for you. And I love this simple little line in Away in a Manger. It says, Be near me, Lord Jesus. I ask thee to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. This is one of the most powerful prayers that we can ask of Jesus. It isn't for stuff. It isn't even necessarily for wisdom and guidance, and it's as good as those are, to pray for wisdom and guidance. You know what we need more than wisdom and guidance? We need Jesus, because he is the source of the wisdom and guidance. He's the source of all the blessings. He's the source of our ability to love and serve others, to be good moms and dads and all those different things, titles that we have. So that little verse inside that song, Away in a Manger, speaks volumes to what we really need. Close by me forever and love me, I pray. That's one of the most powerful things that we can ask Jesus of, is simply to be present with us, to be near us. Because listen, if we have Jesus near us, that's all we need. He will guide us, and he will direct us, and all those other things will happen if we have Jesus near us. So if you're struggling today, or if you're just looking for a place to love and serve somebody else and be involved in ministry, pray that prayer. Ask Jesus to be near you, and when he's near you, and you are near him, and you are in his presence, all that other stuff will happen. So listen, if I can pray for you in any way, if I can serve you and help you out in your process of growing in your faith in Jesus, please shoot me a message, let me know. God bless, have a great day.