White As Snow

   When I woke up this morning, God had a delightful surprise waiting for me... Snow! Yes, our whole yard was wrapped in it's pure white blanket. I am always mesmerized by snow; I could simply sit and stare at it for hours. It is amazing how the bland canvas of winter can be transformed into a wonderland of soft and comforting masterpiece. It is one of God's captivating wonders.

God began to use this milky wonder to quiet and soften my heart to feel His guiding presence. What a testimony this snow is to the longings in my heart for sanctification. As I had mentioned in my last post, God has been teaching me a lot pertaining to sanctification in my life. 

I love the definition of sanctification: to make clean, render pure; to consecrate, devote, set apart from a common use to a sacred use, to regard and venerate as holy. I appreciate that definition because it beautifully describes what I want to become; clean and pure, devoted and holy, set apart for a sacred use. Snow is a precious reminder of being sanctified - this advancing work of the Spirit in our hearts.

Listen to David's prayer in Psalm 51:

"Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow ... Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." verses 6-7, 10 

Is this your heart's cry today? David is such a great example for us to see a heart abandoned and surrendered to God. He wanted purity; and he longed for an unstained heart. He wanted to be white as snow in the eyes of the Lord.

God desires (and demands) us to be white as snow in His sight. He wants our hearts to be pure, and to live holy lives. Listen to His pleading voice:

"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be a white as snow; though they be like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land." Isaiah 1:18-19

"By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10

Because of Jesus blood shed for our sins, we have been made pure and clean - white as snow. He has and is sanctifying us to become more like He is; and He is setting us apart for His sacred use.

May you be blessed this day, my Snow White sisters.

This is the view from our back yard... isn't it beautiful?!

A Work in Progress...

Hello Everyone and welcome to the newly modified Alabaster Box! 

I decided to finally make the switch to Wordpress, and I am loving it. Please bare with me as I find my way around and replace the pictures, links, etc., from my old blog. I hope you like the new look, and are encouraged by the Lord's workings in me.

A few days ago, the Lord began teaching me more about "sanctification" and the whole idea about being "a work in progress". I don't know about you, but I have many days in which I am overwhelmed and discouraged by my lack of progress, maturity, and growth in the Lord. So many areas in my life need a "makeover" and spiritual improvements! And I was having one of those days when the Lord, in His graciousness, gave me these precious verses that I have been quoting to myself:

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also bring it to pass."  1 Thess. 5:23-24

What comfort! God knew just what I needed, and these verse brought such hope to my heart. Yes, I am a work in progress, and God WILL sanctify me - spirit, soul, and body! I know this because God is faithful... so very faithful. He will bring it to pass. 

I hope this has been a comfort for you too. We all are being sanctified entirely, being conformed into the image of His Son. (Rom. 8:29) A precious thought.

Another verse of hope:

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil.1:6)