The Alabaster Box

The Power of Prayer

beckysbaby — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:56:09 +0000

Proverbs 15:29 says “ The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.” James 5:16 says “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” Karen Clark Sheard is a true gift to the kingdom of God! He voice is not just a voice but an instrument created for the express purpose of playing beautiful music to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we all just have the honor of listening in! Listen to the testimony of this beautiful, gifted handmaiden of God!

The bible says that the prayers of one person can put a thousand angels to flight but the prayer of two can put ten thousand angels to flight. It is vital that we stop praying soulish selfish prayers like Lord give me the job, and Lord give me the car or the house. It’s time we begin as Christians to pray for nations, it’s time we began to cover those who stand in the front on the battle grounds, like Karen, and all other Christian artists. They go before the world proclaiming the omnipotence, sovereignty and goodness of Jesus Christ with praise, and they pay a heavy price for it. It’s time we rise and do what we are called to do, Pray for one another! Be Blessed. *** If you would like to experience Karen’s amazing gift I’ve listed some of her music for you to listen to! ***

What’s In Your Alabaster Box?

beckysbaby — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:24:40 +0000

Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37 and John 11:13 each make reference to Mary and her alabaster jar. For years I identified with these accounts on the surface level of the infinite grace of God and how beautiful it was that Mary wept at his feet, never comprehending the breadth of the alabaster jar itself, until I got the revelation. In Mark 14:3-5 we see Mary with her alabaster jar which she breaks and pours the contents of oil/perfume on Jesus. We learn through the complaining of Judas that the contents of the alabaster jar was worth more than a years wages because it was made of pure spikenard. We like Mary come to Jesus with all that we have of value, ourselves. He then indwells us and becomes the costly oil. However notice that in order for the precious oil to be released the vessel had to be broken. There was no cap that screwed on, or a top that sprayed a fine mist, nor was there a stopper that could be removed so the jar could be preserved in pristine condition. That was the way the maker of the jar designed it. This is the way we are designed, we are vessels made by the hand of the Almighty God for the specific purpose of the indwelling of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. It is through trials and tribulations that we are broken and what is inside (Christ) the precious oil begins to come out. Trials and tribulations don’t come to just followers of Christ, they come to everyone. This is why we see people like Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan who have beauty, fame, and money that just seem to loose it when trials and tribulations come. Their vessels have no precious oil inside. So what happens when it is broken? What their vessel is filled with comes out! There is a place within each one of us that can only be filled by the precious Lamb of God! So no matter how many things you buy, how much money you have, drugs you do, or partners you lay down with you will always be empty! I watched an episode of a show called “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” It’s about the lives of six women who live in wealthy gated community in California. On this episode one of the women said “I have to have the designer clothes and the latest and greatest tech gadgets it’s who I am.” I looked at this woman and thought to myself this is what our nation is now, empty. I thought how sad that this woman defines herself by things , things that can be taken away from her in an instant, things that mean nothing when a tragedy occurs, things that can’t comfort you when you are broken. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not one who believes that you shouldn’t have things, I’m one who knows things shouldn’t have you! Wake up people they are just things! The bible tells us that the oil in the alabaster jar was made of pure spikenard. Spikenard or Nard is an aromatic Himalayan plant that was used for ointment. When Mary opened that jar and poured the oil on Jesus the sent must have been powerful! Have you ever known someone so broken that they reek of the oil? I have in my lifetime had the honor of knowing three people who Christ has so permeated they have a distinct smell that I don’t even believe they are aware of. One is my Pastor, Apostle Saundra Hagans, the other is an awesome man of God who is like an Uncle Apostle Joel Rudolph, and the other is a dear friend and Pastor to my husband and myself Pastor Mark Crocco. This is what we should be striving for in our lives, working 40 plus hours a week towards, not the mansion, or the fancy sports car. For the bible says seek ye first the kingdom of God and all of these things shall be added unto you, for only God can give you wealth without sorrow. So I ask you this day, what’s in your vessel, is it priceless and pure or is it filled with junk, worthless things? I say these things to you today to encourage your spirit to action, check yourself! If you find that you have lost your focus know that God is love and only wants to love not condemn you, fall back into his arms they are open wide and waiting! If you have never felt the loving arms of Jesus Christ, know that he loves you so much he suffered the cross for you and this day has been set before the forming of the earth as your day to be empty no more! Jesus has been waiting for you with arms open wide to welcome you to life everlasting! Be Blessed! ***If you would like more information about Jesus please feel free to e-mail me or call one of the churches under links ***

Husbands…Know Your Wives 101.

beckysbaby — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:22:01 +0000

I think marriage is the toughest job you’ll ever love. I speak as one who knows from experience. I have been married to the foolish galatian for 11 years now, and before marriage we were high-school sweethearts, so in total we’ve been together for 15 years. We have two children and 4 fur children (believe me dogs are no different than children they just have fur!) It’s so easy to loose each other somewhere between the children, and the finances, and the jobs that daily communication becomes no more than discussions about the finances, kids, cars and work. This post is for the fellas! A WOMAN WANTS TO BE TREASURED! We woman love the little things. The love letter on the pillow, the little gifts for no reason. If you have little ones and are unable to get out of the house the way you used to, buy a bag of tea lights from target and while she’s putting the little ones to sleep set them up all over a quiet room in the house and rent or buy a movie that you both loved and watched together while you were dating, lay out blankets and pillows, light the tea lights and have her come into the room. Tell her how beautiful she is and how wonderful she is as a wife, tell her how you appreciate her as a companion and friend. For the cost of $4.00 for a bag of tea lights and the rental or purchase of a movie you can create a Wow moment that she will brag to all her friends about and will keep her falling in love with you. Remember that there is more to the both of you then bills, work and children. Don’t bury the spark that united you under the mundane repetition of life. 100% of the fun of being married to one person for life is watching each other grow, staying connected and inventing new ways to keep your mate falling in love with you. Send your wife back on Dec 6th and I’ll have knowing your husband 101 for her! I pray that you and your wife stay connected and continue to be a blessing to the kingdom of God through your unity and by sharing with other Christian couples to help navigate the sometimes choppy waters of marriage. Keep Christ the center of your union and it will always be Blessed!