By Pastor Shana Wise
(Please read Mary's Alabaster Box Connection to the Day of Pentecost blog)
Items need for craft:
-small individual tissue pack
-scented lotion and soap set or scented oil and soap
-small empty bottle
-lemon candy (Lemonheads)
-small writing tablet to journal in. Tare pages off and place them in the jar for keepsake.
-large mason jar to individually decorate with craft items (glitter, stones, stickers, etc.). Or gift bags if you do not want to decorate jars
-Morning Glory packet of seeds (or any seeds will work). Plant in the garden to remember.
1. The tissue represents how God is going to wipe away our tears.
Q: What issues have you had lately that have caused you to use a lot of tissues?
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Meditation Scriptures:
Revelation 7:17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
2. The empty bottle represents how sometimes we can feel all cried out and empty, but God is collecting our tears in a jar in heaven.
Q: Have you ever cried so much that it just left you feeling empty or even numb? Have you cried so much that you find yourself asking God to take the pain away? Depression? Write about any current pain or struggles. Reflect on past hurts and pain and how God pulled you through those previous situations. Write down what scriptures helped you through your dark times.
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Meditation Scripture:
Psalms 56:8-9 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? 9 When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.
3. The lemon candy represents the bitter and sweet aspects of worship. When we come to God to worship Him in the midst of our pain, broken heart, frustration, struggles, fears, anger, tears, and feelings, it doesn’t always feel good. However, once we engage in worship, the sweetness of His presence overshadows the bitterness inside of us.
Q: Have you ever had to press past your feelings and worship God? What was that experience like?
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Meditation Scriptures
Judges 14:18 (a) “…. “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” …”
Matthew 26:39, He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
4. The scented lotion and soap pack have several meanings. The scented lotion represents the oil of the Holy Spirit (you can use real scented oil for the craft, but lotion is less messy). Also, scented lotion costs more than regular lotion. It has more value. When worn by you, everyone who comes in contact/near with you will be able to smell it.
The scented body wash represents the cleansing power that worship has on our souls. When we worship God in Spirit and Truth, cleansing and refreshing come to our spirits. Whatever is hindering our body, mind, and soul is released in his presence.
Q: Our worship should change the atmosphere like Mary’s broken alabaster box. The bible declares that the smell filled the whole room! When was the last time “your room” was filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit? What was that experience like?
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Worship has the power to shift the atmosphere internally and externally. When Mary broke her alabaster box (sacrifice), cried tears on Jesus’ feet, and wipe them with her hair (worship), it caused everyone else in the room to notice. The smell of the expensive oil and her posture towards Jesus affected everyone in the room.
Judas did not get the memo in the Spirit. Instead of looking at her worship, he criticized her. Worship brings out the best or worse of those in the room, however, we must not let that distract us from the feet of Jesus, because at His feet is a blessing tailor-made for us!
Meditation Scriptures:
Read John 12:1-3, Acts 2:2
John 4:23-24, 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
5. The “Morning Glory” seeds represent the good seeds that we sow every time we worship God in Spirit and in Truth. When we are able to press past our flesh and get into His presence, forget about ourselves, circumstances, and situations: that’s where the transformation takes place! A seed does not stay a seed if it is planted on good ground, it transforms into something beautiful. Worship is a place that is “good ground” and is available to us wherever we find ourselves in life.
Q: What seeds of faith have you been planting recently? What are you believing God for that has not come to pass yet?
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Meditation Scriptures:
Read Matthew Chapter 13
Psalm 30:5, For His anger, is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotional, Acts of Intercession, and The Impact of Your Election (available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets and television. Shana is married to Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
Books available on Amazon at:
Acts of Intercession
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1721143629/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BuKbFb8FMZHEB
The Impact of Your Election
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1792003307/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vvKbFbA33J669
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