Alabaster Grace

But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 
(Jeremiah 7:23…

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others…

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV) 

As believers, we have the Holy Spirit living within us to help…

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (Colossians 3:12 ESV) 

We live in a very rural area where everyone knows each other. So far in this pandemic, we have been…

 Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. 
(Romans 12:12 GNT) 

If you look at the news today, it is almost too much to bear. We have been told to expect things…

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 
(Revelation 1:8 NIV) 

Most of us have multiple names including nicknames that we, or sometimes others, choose…

Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful; trust in the LORD and you will be happy. 
Proverbs 16:20 GNT 

Success is defined as “the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.” Many people view…

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; 
he delivers them from all their troubles. 
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted 
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 
(Psalm 34:17-18 NIV) 

God is as close to us…

O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 
Psalm 30:2 (ESV) 

These days are unprecedented. We can look back in recent times where we have had daily routines of just coasting along, not…

You are my defender and protector; 
I put my hope in your promise. 
(Psalm 119:114 GNT) 

Are you going through a difficult time right now? One day your troubles will come to an end. In the meantime, God is with…

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, (Romans 5:3-4 ESV) 

In writing to the Romans, Paul says that we should rejoice in our sufferings, because…

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1:2-3 NIV) 

In today’s verses, James reminds us that difficulties and trials can take many…

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." 
- Isaiah 30:15 (ESV) 

As the COVID-19 makes its way across the…

The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves;  (Zechariah 12:12 ESV) 

We…

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 
John 16:33 (NKJV) 

How do you overcome adversity? By…

God be merciful to us and bless us, 
And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah. 
Psalm 67:1 (NKJV) 

We have our own musical arrangement of the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:24-26. Today, we are sharing it with you…

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made…

But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 
John 20:31 (ESV) 

After Jesus was victorious over death, He reached out…

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  James 5:16 (ESV) 

It is one thing to pray, but…

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 
Philippians…

Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
Matthew 11:29 (NKJV) 

A yoke is something Jesus would have made in a carpenter’s shop…

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is…

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. 
Joshua 1:9 (ESV) 

Why would the Lord tell us to "be…

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.  Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope…