The Chosen Vessel

The Master was searching for a vessel to use:
On the shelf there were many, which one would He choose?
 
"Take me!" cried the gold one, "I'm shiny and bright;
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and lustre will outshine the rest,
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be best!"
 
But the Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall.
 
"I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine,
And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine.
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You."
 
Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide-mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
 
"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view."
 
"Look at me," called the goblet of crystal so clear,
"My transparency shows my contents so dear.
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide."
 
The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
 
"You may use me, dear Master," the wooden bowl said,
"But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread."
 
Then the Master looked down at a vessel of clay;
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
 
"Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is bigmouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthly vessel filled with My power and might."
 
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay,
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly, "There's work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."
~Author Known to God~
 
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of
gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth;
and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
If a man therefore purge himself from these,
he shall be a vessel unto honor,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use,
and prepared unto every good work."
2Timothy 2:19-21

Whatever your cross,

whatever your pain,

there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;

But God's always ready, to answer your call....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,

a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,

But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,

to give you His grace, and send you His love.

May God fill your day with blessings!!

Salvation
Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (Is. 45:8, 2 Tim. 2:10)

Growth in Grace
I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18 )

Love
Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them (Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:2)

Honesty and Integrity
May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection (Ps. 25:21)

Self-control
Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do (1 Thess. 5:6)

Love for God's Word
May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb (Ps. 19:10)

Justice
God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do
(Ps. 11:7, Mic. 6:8 )

Mercy
May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful (Lk. 6:36)

Respect (for self, others, authority)
Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands (1 Pet. 2:17)

Biblical Self-Esteem
Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:10)

Faithfulness
Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts (Prov. 3:3)

Courage
May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions (Dt. 31:6)

Purity
Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions (Ps. 51:10)

Kindness
Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else
(1 Thess. 5:15)

Generosity
Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

Peace-Loving
Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace (Rom. 14:19)

Joy
May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:6)

Perseverance
Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them (Heb. 12:1)

Humility
God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all (Titus 3:2)

Compassion
Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion (Col. 3:12)

Responsibility
Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load (Gal. 6:5)

Contentment
Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength (Phil. 4:12-13)

Faith
I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them (Lk. 17:5-6, Heb. 11:1-40)

Servant's Heart
God, please help my children develop servants' hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men (Eph. 6:7)

Hope
May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ro. 15:13)

Willingness and Ability To Work
Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Col. 3:23)

Passion for God
Lord, please instill in my children a soul that 'followeth hard after thee' (Ps. 63:8, KJV), one that clings passionately to you

Self-Discipline
Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair (Prov. 1:3)

Prayerfulness
Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Eph. 6:18 )

Gratitude
Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:20, Col. 2:7)

Heart for Missions

http://www.ccchristiancorner.com/Pra...rChildren.html