In the Sermon on the Mount there stands out, such a precious line, One little sentence. Eleven little words that create the greatest possible joy in the life of a Christian man or woman. It simply says..."Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." For years I have cried out to see God. I love God. I want to fellowship with God. I want to be with God. I want to kneel before Him and offer Him the worship He deserves for the salvation He purchased for me.
Focusing on the "key" thought in this verse, I look at it as being the phrase "pure in heart" even though we all are in a continual state of sin and disappointment for God. Am I "pure in heart?" I don't believe so for a minute. Just like the Apostle Paul, (the things I should be doing I do not do and those things I shouldn't be doing are always at the top of my "to do" list ((paraphrased)).
Seems like every other step, is a step in the WRONG direction where God is concerned. However, God made this one thing very clear to me and it became the greatest reality upon being diagnosed with cancer. "I sent my Son to die for you so you would be pure in heart." God sacrificed Jesus so I would be pure in heart. I am, indeed, A CHILD OF THE KING, pure in heart with a love for God that is unending. And every time I fall down He reaches down and picks me up and says to me, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see Me!"
What a precious promise. If your reading this devotion, I'd like to know if you can say the same. I AM A CHILD OF THE KING! Looking for your feedback!
Dave
Crazy Papa
I'll make 'um an offer
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Your Word Is Your Bond!
In Matthew 12:37, Jesus speaking says..."For by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned." Is this true in your life? If you tell someone that you will do something, can they depend on you to see that it is done? So many times in our lives we make promises we cannot keep, not because that is our desire but rather because we "over-extend" ourselves. Most of the time when someone asks me to pray for them, I try my best to do it at that very moment because our lives are SO FULL OF EVERYTHING that anything can be forgotten and when our brothers and sisters need prayer, most times they need it NOW!
Jesus wants to help develop character in our lives so He encourages us to let our word be our bond. If you make a commitment, make every effort to see it through. I read a great book a few years back by Bill Hybels and it was "Who You Are When No One Is Looking." I enjoyed and learned a great deal from this writing.
Just one verse earlier Jesus makes a very hard statement. "And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment."
Let your "Yes" be Yes and your "No" be no. Is your word your bond? As you speak, you are developing character. Thanks for listening.
Maranatha Lord Jesus,
Dave
Jesus wants to help develop character in our lives so He encourages us to let our word be our bond. If you make a commitment, make every effort to see it through. I read a great book a few years back by Bill Hybels and it was "Who You Are When No One Is Looking." I enjoyed and learned a great deal from this writing.
Just one verse earlier Jesus makes a very hard statement. "And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment."
Let your "Yes" be Yes and your "No" be no. Is your word your bond? As you speak, you are developing character. Thanks for listening.
Maranatha Lord Jesus,
Dave
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Day Of Christ
I was very glad to come to this passage of scripture tonight. It is Philippians 1:6 and it says..."For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians is the most personal of Paul's writings. You can feel it "breathe" confidence and strong personal attachment. What is dominant in this letter is Paul's joy. It reveals the apostle Paul as being radiant in the midst of the storms and stresses of life. And this is what he wishes for us.
He is confident of the "good work began in us" and feels strongly that it will continue to grow until Christ comes for us. And with his teachings, he believes that no matter what trial we face, with the Love of Christ in our hearts, we can overcome.
Some of us, as we grow, get sick, have financial problems, and face a multitude of other difficulties in life that "throw us for a loop" from time to time. But Paul says, "I have confidence...in Christ's work in you." Sometimes I "yearn" for Christ to return. Sometimes I actually ask Him to come and take us to our reward and away from these tribulations, but it is the good work that is being perfected in us that keeps us going.
In just a couple verses down he says "For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:8). It is the "good works He began in us" that gives us the love that Paul expresses here. What is important to you today? I am trying, always, to make that most important thing in my life, my love for Christ.
God's Peace...Dave
Philippians is the most personal of Paul's writings. You can feel it "breathe" confidence and strong personal attachment. What is dominant in this letter is Paul's joy. It reveals the apostle Paul as being radiant in the midst of the storms and stresses of life. And this is what he wishes for us.
He is confident of the "good work began in us" and feels strongly that it will continue to grow until Christ comes for us. And with his teachings, he believes that no matter what trial we face, with the Love of Christ in our hearts, we can overcome.
Some of us, as we grow, get sick, have financial problems, and face a multitude of other difficulties in life that "throw us for a loop" from time to time. But Paul says, "I have confidence...in Christ's work in you." Sometimes I "yearn" for Christ to return. Sometimes I actually ask Him to come and take us to our reward and away from these tribulations, but it is the good work that is being perfected in us that keeps us going.
In just a couple verses down he says "For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:8). It is the "good works He began in us" that gives us the love that Paul expresses here. What is important to you today? I am trying, always, to make that most important thing in my life, my love for Christ.
God's Peace...Dave
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Seek Him With All Your Heart
Did you know that Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible? It has a lot to say and 176 verses to say it in. But what I noticed tonight was the first two verses that say..."How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart" (Psalm 119:1,2).
It was the phrase "Who seek Him with all their heart" that caught my eye. As believers is Christ we all try our best to remain blameless, even if it is just moment by moment. And when we are trying, we are loving walking in the law "with" the Lord. What a special time in our lives when we are one with our Creator. And it is this walk with God, that will eventually bring us to our reward from the Lord. Heaven and our reward awaits us when we arrive.
But do you ever see those who are seeking their reward here or earth? Sorry to sound negative but there are some Christians (true Christians) who are seriously and constantly seeking the approval of man and looking for their reward from mankind. Jesus Himself says that they have "indeed" received their reward (Matt. 6:2,6,16).
As you seek God, seek Him "with all your heart" and when you finally arrive home to your eternity, I assure you that you will NOT be sorry that you did.
Dave
It was the phrase "Who seek Him with all their heart" that caught my eye. As believers is Christ we all try our best to remain blameless, even if it is just moment by moment. And when we are trying, we are loving walking in the law "with" the Lord. What a special time in our lives when we are one with our Creator. And it is this walk with God, that will eventually bring us to our reward from the Lord. Heaven and our reward awaits us when we arrive.
But do you ever see those who are seeking their reward here or earth? Sorry to sound negative but there are some Christians (true Christians) who are seriously and constantly seeking the approval of man and looking for their reward from mankind. Jesus Himself says that they have "indeed" received their reward (Matt. 6:2,6,16).
As you seek God, seek Him "with all your heart" and when you finally arrive home to your eternity, I assure you that you will NOT be sorry that you did.
Dave
Friday, January 9, 2009
Freedom In Christ
In 2 Corinthians 3:17, the Word of God says..."Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." What a precious statement of fact. You know where the Spirit is? In our hearts! What does that mean? It means we have "liberty" in Christ Jesus! "Praise The Lord." We have liberty in Christ.
I looked up the word liberty in the dictionary tonight and one of the definitions is "freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint" and an example of the use of liberty is "The prisoner regained his liberty." That's what we gained when we accepted Christ. Our liberty!
What gift can be more precious to each one of us? Thank God and rejoice in the "Liberty" you have in Christ Jesus. That is the best indicator that the Spirit dwells within you.
Hope your day is great. Mine will be.
Dave
I looked up the word liberty in the dictionary tonight and one of the definitions is "freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint" and an example of the use of liberty is "The prisoner regained his liberty." That's what we gained when we accepted Christ. Our liberty!
What gift can be more precious to each one of us? Thank God and rejoice in the "Liberty" you have in Christ Jesus. That is the best indicator that the Spirit dwells within you.
Hope your day is great. Mine will be.
Dave
Thursday, January 8, 2009
"Do you know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you" (1 Corinthians 3:16)? How do we wrap our heads around that passage of scripture? Is it true? Is it possible for our bodies to be the temple of God? WITHOUT A DOUBT! When a person recognizes his or her sin, repents of it, the next step is to invite Christ to dwell within our hearts; and wouldn't you want it that way?
The God of the Universe resides within my heart. He prompts me to minister to those in need. He leads me toward righteousness, and He CONVICTS me when I find myself knee deep in sin. Isn't that what we want? A presence that will watch out for our every need and immediately supply solutions for those needs?
You (if you truly know Christ as your Savior and Lord) are a dwelling place (sanctuary) for Jesus Christ to be the centerpiece of your life. This should bring you great joy. And of course it should drastically affect the way you lead your life. And if you are not a true believer, you should be very concerned. Because in life there is only "Good & Evil" which naturally backs the theory of a "Heaven & Hell."
Consider these comments very carefully because they could mean the difference between Heaven & Hell for you. This is very serious business. And if you believe there is nothing waiting for you after your death, all I can say is you better hope your right. Otherwise your eternity might just get a "little warm".
Dave
The God of the Universe resides within my heart. He prompts me to minister to those in need. He leads me toward righteousness, and He CONVICTS me when I find myself knee deep in sin. Isn't that what we want? A presence that will watch out for our every need and immediately supply solutions for those needs?
You (if you truly know Christ as your Savior and Lord) are a dwelling place (sanctuary) for Jesus Christ to be the centerpiece of your life. This should bring you great joy. And of course it should drastically affect the way you lead your life. And if you are not a true believer, you should be very concerned. Because in life there is only "Good & Evil" which naturally backs the theory of a "Heaven & Hell."
Consider these comments very carefully because they could mean the difference between Heaven & Hell for you. This is very serious business. And if you believe there is nothing waiting for you after your death, all I can say is you better hope your right. Otherwise your eternity might just get a "little warm".
Dave
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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