Monday, Mar 03, 2008

March 3, 2008

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March 3 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Ezekiel 6; Genesis 1; Titus 1

Today is March 3 this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. Together we are strong. As we walk though the word together we help each other grow

Yesterday was the Lord’s day. And a good Lord’s day it was. In the morning I shared a message on one of the 7 deadly sins: lust. We talked about the perils of pornography, co-habitation, adultery & homosexuality and the need to fill our mind with Jesus Christ. During Sunday School our Discovery Class talked about how we got the Bible. Then in the evening we had a great pre-awana meeting. Thanks to those who showed an interest in reaching children and families for Christ. During our Evening service we watched a video on Dinosaurs and the Bible. It is astounding how much evidence there is that Dinosaurs and humans lived together! After that we had an Elder meeting and it was home again to finish out a nice long day.

This week’s theme verse. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the pure in heart. Oh to have a pure heart. A Pure Heart is one that is both cleansed and undivided. The Greek word for Pure is Catharsis which is a purification, purging or cleansing. It indicates that the heart was once not cleansed but can be. It was once impure and polluted but can be clean. Jesus used this phrase “pure in heart” in contrast to the outward ritual of bodily purification or washing which the Jews followed meticulously. Jesus was saying that it is more important to purify the heart than the body. Cleanliness is good, but it is not anywhere near as good as godliness. We need a pure heart, a heart which is free from impure thoughts and urges. A pure heart is one which is sincerely seeking God. The second insight into a pure heart is that it is undivided. James 4:8 demands, “purify your hearts you double minded…” a double minded man is unstable. A pure heart is one which has only one focus – purity. A divided heart vacillates between doing what is right and the urge to do what is wrong. A pure motive is one which has no covert agenda. As Joshua challenged, “choose this day whom (your heart) will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!”

Dear Father, I crave a pure heart. A heart that loves you sincerely, genuinely and has it’s complete and undivided focus on you and your kingdom. Father, I do not want to be a double minded man. I want a singular focus. I want clean thoughts and a pure mind. I want to be pure. Please remove from me the lusts and impure desires that draw my heart away from communion with you. I love you truly!

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