Meaning of ALABASTER

A highly-priced calcareous spar, calcium hydrosulfite, may be creamy white or even transparent.

A highly-priced calcareous spar, calcium hydrosulfate, could be creamy white or even transparent.

The ancients used it to make vessels for expensive ointments, and other uses; In the Philadelphia University Museum there is an alabaster lamp from Ur, dating back to the time of Abraham.

In the palace of Susa, of King Artaxerxes, it was part of the paving (Est. 1:6). In the gospels the anointing of Jesus' feet is only mentioned in two cases, in the house of Simon the Pharisee (Lk. 7:36-50), and shortly before being betrayed, in the house of Simon the leper (Mt. 26:6-13; Mr. 14:3-9; cp. Jn. 12:1-8).

"Breaking" the glass probably refers to the breaking of the seal.

The gospel is good news, and God will give them the peace they need to submit to Him.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Message of Christmas

Charles Stanley

One of the messages that we learn from the Christmas story is that of peace. While God might appear overwhelming at times, He always wants to give us the assurance that with Him, peace reigns, even in the announcement of His Son’s birth.

Why is this analogy important to us today? It is because we are the sheep and Jesus is the Shepherd.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Voice of the Shepherd

Charles Stanley

Have you ever seen a child who cannot find his mother in a crowd? Although she may be out of sight, the little tyke may still hear her voice. It is almost as though his inner radar scans the sounds around him, looking for that one familiar tone.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Where the Real Power Resides

Charles R. Swindoll

The great apostle Paul was just like you and me. He had a love for God blended with feet of clay. Great passion . . . and great weakness. The longer I thought about this blend, the more evidence emerged from Scripture to support it.

Faith isn’t passive. It’s active. If you don’t believe me, read Hebrews 11.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Shut Up and Get Moving

Steven Furtick

When we’re looking for God to do something big. When we’re waiting to see God bring something new and greater into our lives. Be still. Let the Lord fight the battle for you. Let go and let God.

Trust in Him No matter what you are going through in life, you can trust God to be with you.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Some Positive Thing We Can Look at or Talk

Joyce Meyer

I once read a book that was based entirely on the word. He taught the reader to take each problem in his life, look at it honestly and then say “however,” and find something compensating positive in the individual's life that would put the problem into perspective.