Tuesday, May 1, 2012
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!.
