PURE HEART: Devotion for Tuesday October 6, 2015

PURE HEART                      Tuesday October 6, 2015                                 

Text: Matthew 5:8           Memory verse: v 8

Here is a duty and an incentive for Christians. The incentive follows after the duty. The duty is to have a pure heart which is cultivated. It is a result of concerted effort as Proverbs 4:23 admonished. Such heart is a heart that is free from the dominion and pollution of sin; one whose minds, motives, and principles are pure. It is one who seeks not only to have the external actions correct, but who desires to be holy in heart also. We may wash our bodies but if the inward parts are filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our bodies. The very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within (Proverbs 4:23).

There are many today who wash the outside of cup by their attire or religious regalia; by their dos and don’ts which do not reflect the state of their heart. With what do you occupy your heart – bitterness, anger, hatred, resentment, evil thought, lust, etc? They will defile you. To maintain a pure heart, we should always meditate on the word of God, sing praises and hymns, and be mindful of what we read, watch and accept into our hearts.

Food for Thought: “By two things a man is lifted up from things earthly: they are by simplicity and by purity” – Thomas Kempis

Prayer: A heart that is not pure can’t see you, O God. Help me to guard my heart always so as not to allow any defilement in Jesus name.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR HIS BLESSINGS: Devotion for Sunday August 23, 2015

QUALIFICATION FOR HIS BLESSINGS      Sunday August 23, 2015                      

Text: Psalm 24:3 – 6                   Memory verse: v 4

Our scriptural reading today tells us that people who shall stand as courtiers in the palace of the living God are not distinguished by race, but by character. The Psalmist desires to know what is required of him for entrance into the God’s presence. The essential things are moral order and purity which are embedded in clean hands (deeds), pure heart (thoughts), and undefiled tongue (speech). Compare Psalms15:1.

Purity of heart and life are essential to our enjoying the presence and favor of God and they are evidence of our profession as Christians. Do you have any of these qualifications? How pure is your heart? We should always ask for grace to guard our thoughts and order our deeds to glorify God.

Food for Thought: Matthew 5:8

Prayer: Grant me a pure heart O Lord, that I will see you at last in Jesus name.