Pure Heart – James 4:7-8

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

– James 4:7-8 (NLT)

James noticed that worldliness was pervading the Christian community in the early church. He urged them to resist the devil and repent from their sinful ways. Telling them to wash their hands, a symbol of repentance, and turn away from being double-minded, serving self and God. For them to turn away from sin and serve God.

We need to obey God, be humble, and come close to God. When we move toward God, He moves closer to us. We need to live according to Jesus’ teaching. Purifying our hearts, letting go of worldly ways, and loving the Lord your God with all our hearts.

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Matthew 22:37 (NIV)

A pure heart characterized by an absence of impurity and contamination. A pure heart has openness and integrity, which are essential for a deep relationship with God.

It is time to quit playing in the worldly field, to repent from sin, purify our hearts, and love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.

7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.

James 4: 7-8 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, help us to realize what is important in life. Guide our steps and teach us to rely on Your guidance. Thank You for Your love, grace, and forgiveness. Help us to turn away from worldliness and sin and have a pure heart. As Dianthus flowers are gathered close together, turning toward the sun, let us draw close to You and follow Your Son, Jesus. Amen

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Simply Love – 1 Timothy 1:5

5 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love – love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.
1 Timothy 1:5 (MSG)

Timothy was left in Ephesus to make sure teaching stayed on track. False preaching was leading to bickering over pointless issues and meaningless speculations. They were so caught up in controversy that they missed the importance of loving God and others.

Paul explains that false teachers are not motivated by love; instead, they raise controversy by pushing false doctrines and dwelling on spiritual pedigrees. A true Christian leader needs to be motivated by love, simply love. Love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

Christians should exhibit a love of God and love for others, a life open to God.

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Do you radiate love, simply love in all you do?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father guide us and protects us from false teachers. Help us not to be self-centered but have our actions and behaviors, radiate love, simply love. Teach us to have a pure heart and sincere faith. Like the bright and beautiful flower of the bleeding heart plant, let us shine with your brightness and flower with Your love. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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Come Close to God: James 4:8

7So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
James 4:7-8 (NLT)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. God is waiting for you to knock on the door, to reach out to Him. God is waiting, ready to accept us with open arms. When we reach out to God, He welcomes us and draws near to us. Pride causes resistance to God; being humble brings us close to God.
Washing; cleaning our hands means reforming our ways, ceasing to do evil, and amending our actions. A pure heart is free of evil desires and false teachings and is focused on God. It is a heart full of love, compassion, purity.
Our prayer should be; “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Our loyalty is to God. Our hearts are not pure when divided between God and worldly things. A pure heart fully trusts in God.

Will you come close to God, follow His word, praise Him, and go to Him in prayer with a pure heart?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, guide us in Your truth. Help us to come close to You, and cease to do evil. Create in us a pure heart, O God focused on You. Like the open and bright flower of the Gerbera Daisy, may our hearts be open and shine brightly with Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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I believe in the power of prayer. If you need prayer, I would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

Teach Me: Psalm 86:11

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
Psalm 86: 11 (NLT)

Often we stumble and fall because we are lost in our plans, trying to go it alone. God’s truth is in the Bible, His guide for us, His word to us. God is waiting and reaching out welcoming, wanting to teach us to follow His path. When we let go of our self direction and rely on God’s foundation, His word, we find peace and live according to His truth. This truth will purify our hearts and set us free from worldly woes.

A common prayer for me is to ask the Lord to teach me His ways, and to open my heart. Where in your life do you need instruction from God?

Prayer: O Lord, teach us Your ways, guide us with Your truth. Help us to purify our hearts. Let us live together in unity as the plants grow together in the planter. Like the vines help us to reach out and spread Your love. We honor, worship, and praise You. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen

Pure Heart: Psalm 51: 9-10

Montauk Daisy

9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51: 9-10 New American Standard Bible

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Psalm 51:10 The Message

When we make ourselves available to God’s direction, and start afresh, with a renewed spirit and open hearts. Then God will blot out our iniquities and create in us a pure heart. God is waiting to build us anew have a Genesis (creation) week to transform our lives. So we are a new creation transformed by God.

Where do you need to start fresh, with a pure heart and be renewed with God’s steadfast spirit?

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your grace and forgiveness help us to make a fresh start create in us a pure heart. Like the Montauk daisy reaches toward the sun, let us reach out to You and be renewed with a steadfast spirit and shine in Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen