Matthew 5:8
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
In the Beatitudes, Jesus names certain qualities and experiences which may bring a person closer to God. When I seek God, and try to be more and more like Jesus, I hope that my heart is becoming more pure and more as God intended it to be. This, in turn, should allow me to better see God in the world, and in others.
Holy Lord, help me to have and to keep a pure heart. This is not easy , and is not an automatic result of following Christ. I need to continue to work at keeping my heart as clean and as pure as I can, and with your help, I can do better. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 5:8
Pure is a difficult word as it is used here. Most of us do not consider ourselves as pure. We all have aspects of our lives that need improving, but if we think of a pure heart being made that way through the Word and the Holy Spirit, maybe He will guide us toward have a pure heart. Something to work for.
Prayer: Gracious God, I pray that my time spent with you and your words leads me closer to a pure heart. Amen
Friday, February 9th, 2024
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
To be pure in heart means to be totally devoted to God. Jesus wanted everyone to know how to be blessed by God. As believers being pure in heart is not easy. Worldly values ignore His words. He knew that there were believers and unbelievers in the crowds. He told the disciples not to be surprised by difficulties such as mourning, hunger, and persecution. We must put God first in our thoughts, word, and action. Sin will try and enter. Staying in God's Word, acknowledging our sins, repenting when we sin, and asking for His forgiveness will guide us to a pure heart.
Matthew 5:8
I have mentioned Brother Lawrence numerous times in our Transformer conversations. He was a 17th century monk who wrote The Practice of the Presence of God. What shines through in this little book is Brother Lawrence’s purity of heart. He doesn’t openly state it or brag about it, but his writing, and more importantly, his life reflects a pure heart that allowed him to discern the presence of God in all things from repairing the sandals of his brothers to washing pots and pans in the monastery kitchen. We don’t have to do what the world considers “great things” to see God. God can be seen in very simple things for those whose purity of heart is open…