Friday, September 2, 2011

The Alabaster House - Be Blessed - September 2nd, 2011

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Beloved, carry this word deep in to your hearts - just as the house is built on on deep moorings and a bed of rock - there is a foundation to your heart and in it are many rooms. The word of God comes easily but must be applied in your life - it is a choice. The choice made, brings understanding and wisdom into the house. When the wind blows and the hard rains come, then your house (your heart) can weather the storm and not be moved. There is a stiffening and softening that occurs in the building structure as the house is built - even as sky structures are built with flexibility in its joints - or like a palm tree bends without breaking - still it is rooted deep on a firm foundation.

It is not His plan that you fail, but that you have victory in every aspect of your life. You are a testimony of His sacrifice on the cross - as each drop of blood came - the future house (your heart) became stronger and the roots went deeper. When He said, "Forgive them for they don't know what they are doing," the intent was the word that became life was infused in you (the future you). It still is left up to you to choose His words, and let it have its way within you. Otherwise, the next wind storm, rain storm, life pressures, insults that come, hard economic times, loss of friends, and the list continues - this will come. Choose wisely.

The Alabaster House - Moments Like These - September 1st, 2011

"Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."" Luke 5:17

Beloved, just before this event, a host of doubters and accusers (Pharisees and teachers of the law), had come from all over Judea, including Jerusalem. They were sitting there watching, observing Jesus. But the crowd gathered none the less.

In verse 17, Luke writes, "And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick." A smile graced my face when I read that statement - though surrounded by what would have seemed like a lack of faith - Jesus sees the faith of the men that lowered the paralytic through the roof.

It concludes with Jesus saying, "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." That is holy grace.

When you are in the presence of doubt, see the faith that is evident in yourself, in God, and in the those that do believe. Rise up to the event, heal that person next to you in line at the grocery store, walking past on the sidewalk with a limp, or in your own family. See the faith, sense the faith, ask for the faith, Faith!.

The Alabaster House - August 30th, 2011

All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area." Luke 4:36-37

Beloved, even the nonchristian, those without Christ recognized this spiritual authority, "They were amazed." Those around you will know the Christ inside of you. Your actions will lead many to ask, "What is this teaching?" Then the window to share the good news will be open; lead thousands to Christ this day. May it be, as Christ in you is released.

The Alabaster House - Desperate Joy - August 23rd, 2011

What is Desperate Joy?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

The Alabaster House - August 20th, 2011

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:16

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
...
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61:4

and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. Luke 6:19

LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. Psalm 30:2

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Mark 5:15

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2
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The Alabaster House - August 18th, 2011

In Mark 15:23 - "Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it."

At this point Jesus had been tortured beyond recognition, but was still standing. Historically, myrrh was also used to deaden pain when mixed with wine. - Jesus refused this.

Trying to imagine what Jesus was experiencing at this moment is beyond comprehension - within his body, a tsunami of pain, wave after wave - every step a forced movement - what must of been pure agony.

In the midst of your struggles beloved, He intercedes for you - allowing you to not only survive your conflict, but be victorious in it. In the middle of the pain, ask God to give you His understanding and His vision.

The Alabaster House - August 16th, 2011

His example, His choice, His life, His heart, His destiny, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness, His hope, His love:

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of... life and may go through the gates into the city.

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Rev 22:12-21
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The Alabaster House - John Elliott - A Lion at the Zoo - August 6th, 2011

A Lion at the Zoo

“. . .I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus. . . .” (Ephesians 3:1)

Paul could easily have said that he was the prisoner of Festus, the governor of Judea; or that he was the prisoner of Caesar or the Roman government. He could have considered that his confinement was due to the Jewish Sanhedrin who had accused him.

It would be easy to say that our troubles are due to a waning economy, an unfortunate turn of events, unforeseen difficulties with health, wealth, relationships and events. If we look for reasons among our surrounding circumstances, there are any number of explanations we may contrive.

Paul was a man of activity. He loved being on the move. He was a goal-oriented individual who undoubtedly despised any wasting of time. It must have been a great trial indeed, for him to spend so much time unable to leave the four walls that surrounded him, day after day after day. He must have felt like the lion at the zoo who was designed to roam the forests and jungles free and strong. Paul must have faced the temptation to feel like a great eagle who was shot down and forced into the captivity of a small cage.

Yet Paul, chose the path of faith - - - the insight of real life that reveals our lives as squarely and soundly in the hands of a living and active God; Whose plans are beyond our present ability to perceive. He saw himself as the prisoner of the Lord Jesus. This revelation caused him to see the cage as a palace; the confinement as an opportunity for some specialized assignment from heaven.

When Paul wrote several letters to fellow Christians during times of imprisonment, I seriously doubt he knew that those words would be read by millions of people for over two thousand years; that his Spirit-inspired words would bring comfort, encouragement, light and truth to so many.

Is the Lord restricted because of your circumstances? Is He limited in producing true eternal fruit (the only lasting wealth) because of the global economy? Must you seek to find reasons for your difficulties solely in what you can immediately see?

Is it not true that perfume is produced only when the rose petal is crushed? Does not the coffee bean yield its flavor only when it is ground? Can gold be produced without the furnace?

Life is essentially a matter of vantage point. It can either be interpreted from the vantage point of the world or from the vantage point of the throne room.

2011 Galestorm Music Inc

The Alabaster House - Look - August 5th, 2011

Sometimes we overlook the obvious, sometimes it is right in front of us.

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"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation.’”

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’

And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:1-10

The Alabaster House - July 30th, 2011

"But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus." Revelation 12:16-17

The phrase "hold fast their testimony about Jesus," is a valuable word today. HOLD FAST!

The Alabaster House - July 27th, 2011

Praise the LORD.
How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
...
Psalm 147:1-3

לשנה הבאה בירושלים Next year in Jerusalem

Charles Spurgeon Devotional "Morning and Evening" July 26th, 2011

"Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge, etc."

2 Peter 1:5-6

If thou wouldest enjoy the eminent grace of the full assurance of faith, under the blessed Spirit's influence, and assistance, do what the Scripture tells thee, "Give diligence." Take care that thy faith is of the right kind--that it is not a mere belief of doctrine, but a simple faith, depending on Christ, and on Christ alone. Give diligent heed to thy courage. Plead with God that he would give thee the face of a lion, that thou mayest, with a consciousness of right, go on boldly. Study well the Scriptures, and get knowledge; for a knowledge of doctrine will tend very much to confirm faith. Try to understand God's Word; let it dwell in thy heart richly.

When thou hast done this, "Add to thy knowledge temperance." Take heed to thy body: be temperate without. Take heed to thy soul: be temperate within. Get temperance of lip, life, heart, and thought. Add to this, by God's Holy Spirit, patience; ask him to give thee that patience which endureth affliction, which, when it is tried, shall come forth as gold. Array yourself with patience, that you may not murmur nor be depressed in your afflictions. When that grace is won look to godliness. Godliness is something more than religion. Make God's glory your object in life; live in his sight; dwell close to him; seek for fellowship with him; and thou hast "godliness"; and to that add brotherly love. Have a love to all the saints: and add to that a charity, which openeth its arms to all men, and loves their souls. When you are adorned with these jewels, and just in proportion as you practise these heavenly virtues, will you come to know by clearest evidence "your calling and election." "Give diligence," if you would get assurance, for lukewarmness and doubting very naturally go hand in hand.

A Devotional from John G. Elliott - A Good Fit - July 23rd, 2011

A Good Fit

“. . .My yoke is comfortable, My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30 NASB footnotes)

A legend has come down to us from the late first century and early second century about Jesus the carpenter. Jesus was a wood worker for well over twenty years of his life. He apprenticed under his earthy father, Joseph. He learned how to build tables and houses, benches and yokes. Yes, yokes. Every farmer had need of at least one of these wooden implements.

As the legend goes, there was something special about the way Jesus made yokes. When the farmer requested one, Jesus would leave the carpenter shop and travel to the farm and visit the animal whom was to receive the yoke. He would feel all around the neck and shoulders of the ox and make special note of the shape of the bones and muscles. Every animal was slightly different. Thus, Jesus would make a yoke that was just right for that animal. A custom fit. Taylor made.

Jesus did not make a standard yoke or a “one-size-fits-all.” His yoke was a good fit for one animal. Just as no two animals have the same exact shape, so also no man or woman has ever been exactly like another from the beginning of creation. Each one of us has a unique place in our Father’s business. Jesus has a “yoke” - - - a design, a calling, a purpose, a destiny- - - just for you. It is to His glory and to our benefit that we not seek to modify that design. We must not cave in to the expectations of others. Other people might tend to yoke us with a calling and purpose of their own design. But it will never fit you. (Note: parents must be very careful in this regard with our children.)

A well made yoke allows the ox to pull the weight of the plow in hard soil without extra pinching, strain or uneven pressure against the bones and muscles. He can work with all his might all day long. Oh yes, there is work to be done. The work will make us tired at the end of the day. The “yoke of the Lord” does not cause the burden to disappear. His yoke is simply far better than any yoke we could design for ourselves. We must learn how to listen to Him. We must learn how to wait for Him. We must learn how to engage ourselves fully only where He leads.

His yoke is pleasant - - - especially when compared to anything we might substitute. Jesus spoke to people who were trying to please God under the heavy yoke of the Law. Trying to be a “good person” - - - trying to please God through self-effort or self-improvement. It was too heavy - - - a girth-some load. Jesus, on the cross, provided once for all, a yoke that was easy, pleasant and comfortable (that is what the Greek word literally means). Salvation by grace- - - a gracious gift.

But Jesus was not only referring to eternal salvation. He spoke to the issue of the grind of daily life. He was pointing to a life under grace. “Blessed be the Lord Who daily bears our burden; the God Who is our salvation” (Psalm 68:19). Note here: Our salvation is a Person - - - not a plan or ritual or observance; not a ticket to heaven - - - a Person. “The Lord is my salvation.” This is why He said “Come to ME. . .”

(For more on the legend of Jesus the Carpenter see William Barclays commentary on Matthew)

A Prophetic Word from Dale Gentry - July 21st, 2011

Jeremiah 37:17

A PROPHETIC WORD FOR JULY 18TH (Dale Gentry)

A man that I had never seen before was driving my wife and I to our hotel when he abruptly said to me, "where are all of the Holy Men?" I immediately knew it was the voice of the Lord speaking through a man.

"I hear the Holy Spirit speaking today and saying that He is calling for a gathering of Holy Men, who will live holy lives, willing to keep themselves unspotted from the world. Men who will be accountable to God and to their wives. Those who have made a covenant with their eyes. Particularly those who desire to operate in the prophetic. No more inordinate mixtures. I desire for this day to be a New Demarcation Day for my Holy Men. Moving to a new dimension of freedom so I can reveal my secrets to them. I desire communion with Holy Men. I will speak my secrets to Holy Men, who in turn will speak these words to their generation. I will not compromise in this matter says the Holy Spirit. "

The Call 11 11 11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnveekUEoG8&feature=youtu.be


An excerpt from Asher Intrater's newsletter - Faithful Friend - July 19th, 2011

If you love Me, keep My commandments" – John 14:15 (13:34; 15:9; 15:10; 15:12; 15:16).

Love is something we are commanded to do. It is based on obedience, not on emotions. Love has emotions but is not dependent on them. It is not even dependent on other people. Trust is dependent on others' trustworthiness. However, we can love people before they are trustworthy. Yeshua loved the whole world (John 3:16), but He trusted no one (John 2:25).

All people are basically unfaithful in their "human" nature, but God is faithful to us in spite of our unfaithfulness to Him (Romans 3:4). Likewise to be faithful to someone is a unilateral decision on our part. Be faithful even if no one else in the world is. Choose to walk in loyalty and integrity; in humility and grace.

A good relationship demands the mutual faithfulness of both sides. However, your being faithful to that relationship is your side alone. A good husband will decide to be a good husband to his wife regardless of what kind of wife she is (and vice versa). We do what is right "as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:21, 22; 6:1, 6:7)."

"A brother is born for adversity" – Proverbs 17:17.

To be faithful is to be aware when a friend is in need or in trouble. That is the time to run to be close. It is hard to demonstrate faithfulness when everything is going well for the other. When the going gets rough is when we get going to help. Those are the choice opportunities.

"Make for yourself friends through unfaithful mammon…" – Luke 16:9.

Yeshua emphasizes here the simple point that friends are more important than money. He does not mean to "buy" friends in a manipulative, controlling manner. Rather, money can be a tool in building relationships. Anything you can buy with money is less important than friendship. Everything in this world is temporary. Only faithful relationships are eternal.

Money is not a means to purchase goods for ourselves, but a means to bless people. People are often in financial need. Money can be used to demonstrate faithfulness. When you use money to help others, you raise the opportunity to develop trust.

"Many a man declares his own loving-kindness, but a man of faithfulness, who can find?" - Proverbs 20:6.

In this world today, many people speak of love, but a person who is faithful to his friends is a rare commodity. Let's be one of them.

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If you want to receive his newsletters from Israel, go to: www. reviveisrael.org


The Alabaster House and Catch the Fire Raleigh - July 17th 2011


http://www.ctfraleigh.com/ (Cathy and I attended the Raleigh Catch The Fire church this morning. It was an exciting message on His Person; His Presence; His Power; and His Pleasure - What would happen if you had one person carrying His Person; His Presence; His Power; and His Pleasure - Now what would happen if two, three, four, twenty, a hundred, or a thousand were carrying His Person; His Presence; His Power; and His Pleasure? What Signs, Miracles, and Wonders would follow such a Bride of Christ! THIS IS WHY WE GATHER - THIS IS WHY WE MEET - THIS IS WHY WE WORSHIP CORPORATELY - THIS IS WHO WE ARE! A quote from Heidi Baker, "You can't raise the dead in heaven, it's too late! Now is the time." At the end of the service during ministry time, we (Cathy and I) were going to ask for prayer for The Alabaster House - When he asked what we needed prayer for - all Cathy could say was, "We Came to Catch the Fire" - 15 or 20 minutes later I was able to get up off the floor and Cathy a few minutes after that.) We were grateful to be there, to have the senior pastor lay his hands on us as part of the prayer support for The Alabaster House. Establishing this connection and then speaking with the Catch the Fire network administrator is providing a firm prayer covering for The Alabaster House ministry.

The Alabaster House - Love - July 16th, 2011

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

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Webster defines

faith as: belief and trust in and loyalty to

hope as: cherish a desire with anticipation / to hope without any basis for expecting fulfillment

love as: passion, devotion, or tenderness for (unfailing love)

Unfailing Love

What Kind of People we Shoud Be - July 15 2011

What Kind of People We Ought to Be

July 14, 2011

What Kind of People We Ought to Be

You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God—2 Peter 3:10-12

What Kind of People We Ought to Be

There has been a lot of speculation about the end times lately, especially in light of recent storms. I saw firsthand the devastation and carnage that accompanied the fierce, deadly tornadoes that swept across the South and the Midwest this spring.

I’ve seen lots of disasters in my lifetime, but the scenes that I witnessed in Alabama and Missouri were among the most horrific I’ve encountered anywhere.

Many are asking if the seemingly growing numbers of such catastrophes could be an indication that the return of Christ is drawing nearer. Jesus said that such tragedies—in addition to wars and persecution—are indeed the “beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8), and these certainly appear to be increasing in frequency and intensity.

Just a few months ago, the owner of a Christian radio network forecast that May 21 would be “Judgment Day” for the world. I was amazed at the extensive national coverage given to this prediction, even though the Bible says that only the Father in Heaven knows the exact date of the Savior’s return. It was hard to view a news program or read a newspaper without a prominent reference to this event.

While I’m grateful that there has been some renewed discussion given to the return of the King, I’m afraid that such a superficial focus can divert our attention from the primary thrust of Scripture regarding His coming—are we living holy, godly lives on earth, diligently waiting and working until He comes?

As Peter described the day of the Lord when the “heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire” (2 Peter 3:10), he wrote what kind of impact such news should have on us now. “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God” (2 Peter 3:10-12).

One day—and I hope it will be soon—Christ will return and establish a new Heaven and a new earth. He will come in the fullness of His glory, to execute His wrath on those who have rejected Him and to receive into His glorious presence those who have believed in Him. It will be a moment in time like no other—the final moment for the world as it is now.

Since we will be made fully like Christ at His coming, our lives on earth should be a constant process of allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into His likeness. “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

We don’t know when Christ will return, but we do know that He will come again. Are we ready to meet Him? Have our sins been washed away by the blood of the Lamb? If not, our names are not written in the Book of Life, and we will be cast forever into the Lake of Fire.

If we have trusted in His atoning work on the cross, are we cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with Him so that we may be “confident and unashamed at his coming” (1 John 2:28)? If so, then we may echo with the saints, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011.