Look at the stars, or the ocean, or an expectant mother’s ultrasound. One day we will see Him there, but we can also see Him here today. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. The promise of God keeps us going! Job suffered and yet he persevered knowing that one day he would see God (Job 19:25-26). Some think if I just believe right or behave right, but the essence of Christianity is your heart. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. In fact, when God sent Samuel to anoint David as King, we read, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. David did not have a sinless heart, but he loved God with singleness of heart. David was not perfect, but he was a man after God’s own heart. Psalm 78:72 says David had integrity of heart. James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Can you imagine marrying someone and they bring their boyfriend or girlfriend to the altar? That would be crazy! In the same way, we are to love God with our whole heart (Mt. ![]() Give Him the good, the bad, and the ugly. ![]() “Miss” Tammy and I have no trouble telling each other how we really feel. God is looking for authentic respectful, real, raw relationship. How can we have holy hearts while living in this world? We can stay in the Word (Jn. Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the real world. The Monastic movement had benefits but it made two classes of Christians: those who lived in monastery and those who lived in the real world. Some would live alone as a hermit in the desert or in caves. Throughout history there have been those who would give their wealth to the poor and go live in a monastery. The Pharisees burdened people with legalistic interpretations and man-made laws. They will receive blessing from the Lord” (Ps. “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. Those with a holy heart are the ones who receive blessing. The problem with the human heart is that it is sinful (Gen. In Proverbs we read, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Pr. Daniel 1:8 says, “Daniel purposed in his heart….” When you put this all together, the human heart refers to the innermost being. Finally, the word heart can also refer to the will. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Hebrews 4:12 talks about the thoughts and intents of the heart. Jesus said in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled.” This means we don’t need to worry or freak out! The word heart can also refer to the intellect. The Bible uses the word heart to refer to the emotions. As we examine passages of Scripture where “heart” is mentioned, we will understand further what it means to be pure in heart. When the Bible talks about the heart, it is not talking about the muscular organ in your chest that pumps blood through your arteries and veins. The more you know of God’s character, the more you will realize the need to wash your hands and purify your heart before you can get close to Him.As Jesus is giving His famous sermon on the mount, He says is, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt. The closer you get to holy God, the more obvious even your smallest sins become. If, however, you are like the psalmist and understand the holiness of God, you will adjust your life to His standards and respond to His prompting so that you may have deeper fellowship with Him. If you follow only God’s basic commandments but resist every time God gives you specific, personal directions, you will never fully experience the depths of God’s Person. However, if you persist in your sin, sin will separate you from God and keep you from enjoying close fellowship with Him. The moment you become a Christian you begin a relationship with the Lord. Priests washed their hands before serving in the temple to symbolize that only those who were cleansed could worship holy God. ![]() In Old Testament times, one’s hands represented one’s activities. It is an affront to holy God to assume that we can indulge in our sin and blatantly disobey His word, then brazenly enter the holy of holies. There is no easy access to God for those with unclean hands or an impure heart. God has rigid requirements for those who want to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.
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