If I’m honest, there were stubborn sins in my life that
I thought would never come out until I saw Jesus face to face.
Having a really positive relationship with an administrative assistant
seemed out of reach.
Losing the twenty pounds I gained during grief also seemed impossible.
It still amazes me that God’s cleansing power purified me, in my sixties,
in both of those areas through opening my eyes to idolatry,
the sin beneath all sins.
And though I know I could fall again in these areas, and have
slipped, both in manipulating others and in grazing on junk food,
I now am confident I don’t have to be forever in their cruel grip.
Not only is there Holy Spirit power to cleanse me positionally,
but actually.
It also gives me hope for other besetting sins.
Not only am I relieved of the pain those sins brought,
but I am experiencing more frequently the sense of God’s presence.
Is that what this Beatitude means?
Indeed, though He will purify us completely and permanently
when we see Him face to face,
we can have an increased sense of His presence as idols are diminished
in our lives right now.
Colin Smith says that many Christians do not think
God can really change them.
They have surrendered to being forever bound to impure fantasies,
a destructive temper, anxiety, or some other besetting sin.
Just recently I heard a sister in Christ in her seventies say,
“It’s just too late to change in this area.”
I hear it in prison too,
yet we are seeing God dramatically change hard and impure hearts.
This week there is real hope and help for being set free!
To give you a taste, one way we cooperate with the process of sanctification
is by being immersed in His Word, as Psalm 119 says:
Colin Smith compares it to very dirty clothes immersed in a sudsy washing machine. Slowly,
as the machine churns and churns, the dirt is released. It made me think of how every
summer my king-sized white duvet cover is filled with stains after my grandchildren visit.
They love to pile all together on its fluffy white cover and shams and play.
Often, they snack as well, which I probably wouldn’t allow if I were a mother and not a
grandmother, but I know it is for a short time, and then I can wash the spread.
One grand-daughter, who persuades me with Anne of Green Gables enthusiasm, quipped:
“Oh, thank you, Grandma! We’re picnicking in the clouds!”
But this year grape juice bars made their way there, and when I saw the stains I thought:
“That’s the end of that spread.”
I let the stains stay until they left ten days later, as I thought it was hopeless to wash it.
But before I bought a new spread, I gave it a try in the machine with plenty of Clorox.
To my happy surprise — it came out as good as new!
And so can we be if we cooperate in the cleansing power of sanctification.
It really can happen for us too.
Not only will be cleansed of nasty stains that have haunted us for years,
we will “see” God.
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours?
Monday: Pure in Heart
3. Meditate on Matthew 5:8.
-
- Read this in more than one translation and share anything you see.
- What is the promise that goes with this?
Pure in heart doesn’t mean sinless. Thomas Watson said:
“A face with some freckles may be said to be fair.”
Scripture tells us we all are sinners, and those who say they have no sin make God a liar!
Yet we also have a power that world does not know to be cleansed.
4. Colin Smith says purity of heart comes through single-mindedness. How does Jesus
express this a little later in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:22?
5. What does Paul say in Philippians 3:3-4?
6. How would you describe the life of someone who is single-minded?
7. If purity in heart leads to the increased presence of God, when is the last time you sensed the
presence of God?
Tuesday: Confessing our Sins
8. Meditate on the above verse.
A. What is the promise?
B. Why do you think it says “and just?”
C. Remembering what we learned about “Blessed are those who mourn,” what should
confessing include?
9. Meditate on James 5:16. What does it say and what do you think the promise means?
It can also be a great encouragement to hear people share of deliverance from sins and shame. One of the most powerful testimonies in The Jesus Who Surprises came from such a woman. We then followed that testimony from exhortation from woman to make ourselves vulnerable in small groups. Click here, and then look at “Video 3” scrolling to 11:14 and listen to the end.
https://deebrestin.com/the-jesus-who-surprises/
10. Comments on the above?
11. Pray about sharing a besetting sin with a trusted friend and asking for prayer.
Wednesday: Everyone Who Has This Hope in Him
12. Read carefully 1 John 3:1-3
A. John bursts out in joy in verse 1. What amazes him?
B. What, according to verse 2 do we know — what is still a mystery?
C. Embracing this causes what response according to verse 3? Is this true for you?
13. We can participate in the process of sanctification through the riches we have in Christ. How
can you purify yourself according to the following? Meditate and share everything you
discover.
A. James 4:8
B. 2 Corin. 7:1
C. 1 Peter 1:22
14. How have you spied God in the last few days?
Thursday-Friday: Message
15. Listen to the following from Colin Smith and share your notes and comments.
16. How have you become purer in heart?
Saturday: Message
17. What is your take-a-way and why?
120 comments
What stood out. How God grew your trust in Him, and hope for more cleansing, after cleansing the two hardest besetting sins of your life-even though you still can slip up, they won’t have a destructive hold on you. Also The story of your grandchildren. The stain that you thought would never come out-and how crucial it is that we cooperate with His Spirit in order for Him to cleanse us for He will.
I am hopefully not saying this in a falsely humble way but oh boy does he have so much more cleaning to do for me for in my present life circumstances it is every day I can and do stumble. That said, the chaos of my life presents great opportunities to turn and choose time with Him rather than running to my idols. The primary way is staying in His Word but other ways are sharing with other trusted sisters in Christ and meeting with them. Since my time is constrained in this season, choosing who I will spend time with wisely is important. Then, most importatnly-just cooperating with His Spirit inside to turn from temptation toward my idols.
You are so purposeful in your wanting to grow, Rebecca!
Your comment about staying in the Word-so true. At church today, a friend reminded us to spend extended time reading many chapters on occasion- more than what is usually ‘scheduled ‘ for your devotions. She recently spent extended time reading God’s Word while her mother was in the hospital and was amazed at the peace she had afterwards. We do need time with Him 🙂
Simmchris, What a good friend you have! 🙂 Yes..and I used to have a very rich scripture memory discipline but seem to struggle with making that more consistent in my life with the chaos. It is certainly a hunger inside that I so want to quench.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? Hope. Just last night my mom and I were talking of how we assume in our prayers that things “that have always been” will probably “always be.” And so we yearn for solution but do not expect nor look nor truly pray for the change from God’s hand that would bring solution or freedom or resolution or …. but in Dee’s book The Jesus Who Surprises I am learning about praying specifically, submitted to God’s will, humbly, and in-tune with God’s desires for our lives. So the thing that stands out to me is HOPE – not to get what I want but that He walks with me and actively desires good change in me (with me) and my circumstances.
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours? I hope Nila won’t mind me sharing here … I now live close to Nila (a couple hours away) and Nila lives very close to my mom (less than a mile). Last night Nila and I planned to get together and catch up. The Lord stayed the rain that would have interrupted us meeting and the Lord worked out timing for my mom to come walking with us. My mom and Nila both shared some of their story with each other and we all had a lovely conversation. But God’s hand in this is more than just delightful fellowship … my mom NEEDED a sister to come alongside her for a minute… she is in a hard circumstance and isolated … Nila mentioned an author and now this morning my mom has looked into her resources … I am praying that perhaps this is the beginning of the change God would desire and orchestrate. I am in awe and grateful this morning of how He gave us all a kiss from King to sustain for another day encouraged in Christ by sisters that have walked similar paths.
I wrote and submitted my answers for 1 and 2 and then noticed that you, Jill, had also shared about our time yesterday evening. Thinking this morning of how our God uses Dee as a bridge for fellowship and friendship among women and how she served as a bridge to our friendship. How else might we have ever met? And now, how you, Jill, are serving as a beautiful bridge between your mama and I. You are a blessing to your mom 🙂
Jill this is amazing — and soooooo very much has all the fingerprints of God!
Wow, Jill! And Nila! This gives me goosebumps to think of the beautiful timing God is orchestrating for you both and your Mom.
Love this Jill!
Jill and Nila, Yes! This is sooo obviously God’s arrangement..what a huge kiss-He is so involved in the details of our life. So much more than we realize.
Oh Jill, how the Lord has answered your prayers for a close friend who is a sister in Christ….I’m so glad that you and Nila had this time together, and how your mom was ministered to as well!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? Dee, what stood out was this statement: It still amazes me that God’s cleansing power purified me, in my sixties. For I am in my 60’s and I’ve got to know that Jesus will not give up on me when I get discouraged and disheartened about specific stubborn sin in my life.
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours? I’ve been studying with Dee on this blog for five years now. It is beautiful how we have this bond with other blog participants across the miles. Another blog sister, Jill, recently moved from the East coast to Montana 🙂 Jill and I went for a long walk yesterday evening. Some significant ground work to our friendship was laid in our interaction here on the blog. So, as we walked, it was astonishingly natural to dive deep into conversation. My heart was strangely warmed as I sensed the Lord’s orchestration in our friendship. Grateful.
Sweet friendships brought about by this blog! So happy for both of you!
Very sweet Nila!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
His power to cleanse, restore, renew. His power in us so powerful it brings new birth. I was thinking this morning, it would be such a frightening thought for that kind of power to be in anyone else’s (or my own!) hands. But ALL power lies in the Hands worthy of all trust. Hands that are all pure, all good, all love. Also just the truth that we are never too old, it is never too late. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours?
Sorry if this is long but it’s what is most on my heart today. A few days ago God reminded me of a prayer I made when I was newly married, 1998. I had heard a sermon called “what is your Isaac?”, and I came back to our tiny apartment and told my husband that my Isaac was my womb and I thought we should give up birth control and our control over my womb. Years of infertility passed, I forgot my prayer, and eventually our family was built through adoption. But just a few days ago, God reminded me of that prayer and I realized that I had heard Him, He had asked me to give up my womb, but it wasn’t about giving up birth control, but letting go of my womb as the way He would build my family. For some reason, connecting the dots like that after all these years, has given me such a sweet peace. To see His hand all along and how He purposed this in my life.
Wow — Lizzy. God can be so fascinating.
Wow, Lizzy! Isn’t that just like God to remind you now? His timing is always perfect and just like you said, “sweet peace”.
This is so sweet. My daughter is working through infertility. She has adopted twin girls, 2 years old and is awaiting approval for foster care parenting. Interesting that she has always had a deep desire for motherhood and has talked about a desire for adoption since she was a teen.
Lizzy-just love this and isn’t it wonderful how God gives us this when we connect the dots. How He has answered but not in the way we would expect-truly a surprise.
This is amazing, Lizzy….I’m glad He helped you “connect the dots”!
1. What stood out? The ability of the Holy Spirit to bring health, wholeness and healing to any area of our lives at any age. Every year my husband and I pray back through the Christmas greetings we received the previous year. The theme of this year’s prayers is that God will bring the hurts, scars, disappointments (and sins) to mind so that in Him they can find what God promises , which is an abundant joy filled life.
2. God hunt from the past day. My boss took her entire staff and their families for an overnight to a resort. The time with her there gave me new areas in which to pray for her so that she might see her need of Jesus and turn to Him.
Dee, This is to prepare you for more tea parties to come. Any juice stain can be removed by boiling water poured through the fabric so the stain goes back out of the fabric the same way it came in. Works on clothing, table clothes, rugs.
(You can keep this to yourself, but it is an easy way to remove stains)
Thanks, Becky! 🙂
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? Psalm 119: 9-11…have been spending time in this Psalm for a while now and had just st read these words recently!
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours? Our son got married yesterday and God was in the whole weekend…
Congratulations, Becky — such a big God Hunt!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“I now am confident I don’t have to be forever in their cruel grip. Not only is there Holy Spirit power to cleanse me positionally but actually. It also gives me hope for other besetting sins. Not only am I relieved of the pain those sins brought, but I am experiencing more frequently the sense of God’s presence.” “…we can have an increased sense of His presence as idols are diminished in our lives right now.”
So many golden nuggets, Dee, in what you shared here. I have been experiencing more of His presence lately and it gives me so much joy to know He is near and that my idols do not have to have a grip on me.
What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours?
A well-loved brother in Christ from our congregation lost his battle with cancer this past Wednesday. Despite our busyness this week, Richard and I were able to coordinate our schedules so we can minister to the bereaved family. This man has a big extended family as well as many friends from other parts of the country. His funeral is tomorrow and we are expecting a big crowd. We had to move things around at church to accommodate everything plus the luncheon for the family. I see God working out the details. Although Rick has been sick for about 6 months, we did not expect him to go so quickly. He was still up and about Tuesday but went downhill Wednesday. My husband missed seeing him by 20 minutes but he stayed with the family for several hours. I will miss the funeral since I will be at school.
Please pray for our congregation as we all love Rick and his family. His wife is holding up okay. They have three children and 10 grandkids. He was 67 years old.
Praying peace and comfort for your church and Rick’s family.
I will pray Bing.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? If we cooperate in the power of sanctification, we will be cleansed of stubborn stains that have plagued us for years.
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours? My husband agreed to start marriage counseling after we went through a challenging repeat of unhealthy behavior. This is something long overdue. I’m happy to have the opportunity to make our strong marriage better, more healthy.
The Lord has amazed me by how perfectly applicable this summer study has been in my current circumstances:)
That’s huge, your husband agreeing to counseling. I will pray that your marriage will only grow more healthy and stronger through this!
Thank you both! Counseling has always seemed like a weak thing for him. He’s hurting and I know that’s where the anger comes in. Hopeful now that he’s of a mindset to make changes. 🙂
Oh Lord — please work through this counselor, and give Chris’ husband a tender heart and favor toward this counselor. Be with both of them and strengthen their marriage! In Your Powerful Name!
Amen.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I have failed miserably this year in taking care of myself. It is devastating and I have had those thoughts that I can never change it; it’s too late. Oh Lord! Let it not be so. Please help me. Dee you have given me a slither of hope.
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours?
I had to drive 6 hours today. I put on some awesome worship music, the weather was gorgeous, and God met me in that time!
3. Meditate on Matthew 5:8.
Read this in more than one translation and share anything you see.
What is the promise that goes with this?
All translations I read pretty much said the same thing. If you are pure in heart (the amplified Bible defines pure as having integrity, moral courage, and godly character) then you will see God.
4. Colin Smith says purity of heart comes through single-mindedness. How does Jesus express this a little later in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:22?
Your eye is like a lamp that sees light or darkness. Seeing light means your whole body is filled. I’ll be honest, I don’t really get this. The Message says if you are filled with light then your will receive God’s “precepts.” The NIV says healthy means generous.
5. What does Paul say in Philippians 3:3-4?
If we worship by the spirit of God then we are circumcised…ummm what does that mean?? Looking up the word circumcised I see that it is a circular cutting of the flesh. So does that mean we get rid of some of our flesh? Like being cleansed? Going on in the passage it says we are relying on Jesus, not humans. He mentions his being born with such a pedigree as his but that it doesn’t matter because that’s not what saves us.
Laura, some thoughts on circumcision. While Jews did it as a physical cutting for all males, marking them as set apart as God’s people, we are called as believers to be marked as God’s people by a different kind of cutting. A self imposed cutting away from our affections and behaviors anything that leads us away from the throne of a Grace. So when Paul says to ‘put away’ malice, evil thoughts, selfishness and others, those are the ways we are circumcised.
Thanks Mary, that helped!
I like this idea of circumcision. Often I have used cultural examples with my kids but not this one. Thank you. I often pray with them, help us be kind to one another, yet daily we fail. Always our selfish needs creep in or unforgiveness/anger. This idea may help.
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours?
My old friend, Joy, who I haven’t seen in 20 plus years invited me to her church’s Women’s Fall Ministry kick off night, so I went last night. (This is GEPC, Dee’s church when she lived near by me-also my brother’s church). Joy and I go way back as roommates-even being discipled by the same sister who really challenged us with verse memory-I so remember my favorite verse memory game..one of us says a word and the other says a verse that God brings to mind (Ex: like “world” then the other would quote, “for God so loved the world that He….”) Sorry-getting to the point now. So Last night I sensed His presence in Joy-it was like time never passed. Let me tell you I have never been at a Women’s ministry event and spent that much time worshipping in the Word and song. I always sense God’s presence in my friend Joy. Being with friends like her is like a drink of fresh water for she loves so well. Talk about blessed are the poor in spirit.
Sweet, Rebecca!
3. Seeing God. I saw cross references to:
John 14:19. We see Him, but the world does not. Makes me think of our God hunts.
Psalm 15:2. Purity leads to dwelling with God.
1 Cor 13:12. We see only in part now, but then we shall see Him face to face.
Heb 12:14. No one sees God without holiness and purity.
1 John 3:2-3. The hope of seeing Him helps keep us in the path of purity.
4. Compare to Matthew 6:22. Both speak of spiritual vision, of eyes that have made the choice to dwell on God’s goodness instead of on selfish sin.
5. Phil 3:3-4. We are the promised, set apart ones, who don’t depend on flesh (ourselves) but instead worship, trust and look to Jesus.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Maybe everything – I feel like all of this is for me, right where I am; right where I was this morning, sitting in the early morning darkness, looking at a sliver of crescent moon, wondering out loud if there is any hope for me. I have had that mindset, that God cannot really change ME – the victories are for others, the Christians whose transformations are written about in books. One of my besetting sins that I’ve struggled with off and on is mentioned in your list above. I know that idolatry is the sin beneath that sin, just as I know that idolatry is the reason why I feel so lost at being an empty-nester.
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours?
I still feel glimmers of hope. I stubbornly told God recently that “I’m not going away”, even if He seems silent. I sensed a bit of His comfort; for the first time in my life my dad forgot my birthday, but I have a lot to be thankful for.
How I pray, dear Susan, that this year will surprise you with new intimacy with Him!
Praying for you:)
Susan ~ Feeling for your this morning. My baby (youngest of my five) just got married and is moving from our city here in Montana to California. None of our children or grandchildren live near us. I know that our Lord understands our mama-hearts.
This song for you this morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjF9IqvXDjY
A few of the lyrics:
I know it’s all you’ve got to just be strong
And it’s a fight just to keep it together
I know you think that you are too far gone
But hope is never lost
Hope is never lost
Hold on, don’t let go
Hold on, don’t let go
Just take one step closer
Put one foot in front of the other
You’ll get through this
Just follow the light in the darkness
You’re gonna be ok
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Not only will we be cleansed from nasty stains that have haunted us for years, we will “see” God. I long to believe this and looking forward to studying this Beatitude.
Dee, can you elaborate on the meaning of sanctification?
2. What is one way you have sensed God in your life in the last 24 hours?
Seeing God work in my daughters life. Her mother-in-Law has been staying with her and her husband and angry words from her mother-in-Law came out towards her, words were exchanged but my daughter realized she needed to work on her own anger and took it before the Lord, seeking His Word. She did this as a first resort which I have always challenged her to do when she would come to me with conflicts she was facing. I need to remember this in my own life as well.
I would define sanctification as the process of becoming actually holy. We are immediately holy in God’s sight upon salvation, but the process of becoming actually holy so that we do not sin is continuing and will be completed when we see Him face to face. How would you define it, Sharon?
Dee, I totally agree with your definition. I’m sure you know there are other thoughts on sanctification. I won’t go into them but just wanted to know what your thought was. Thanks!
3. Meditate on Matthew 5:8
The Message translation says that you’re blessed when you get your inside world (your mind and heart) put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. This makes sense to me; in order for me to see clearly, what I’m looking through has to be clear, clean, and if my eyesight is bad, then I need glasses to correct my vision. So there’s some work to be done before I can see clearly. If I’m not working on keeping my heart pure (my insides) then everything else is going to be wrong. The promise is that the pure in heart will see God.
4. Colin Smith says purity of heart comes through single-mindedness. How does Jesus express this a little later in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:22?
Jesus uses the metaphor of our eyes being the lamp of the body; if our eyes are “good”, then we will be filled with light. So I think this means that what we choose to focus on? We can’t have a divided mind, like James talks about in James 1:8 (“double-minded”). So Colin Smith thinks of this as being single-minded, meaning that our primary focus should be on God and on the things of God, and seeking after God to know Him more and more would be a single-minded purpose.
5. What does Paul say in Philippians 3:3-4?
Paul is talking here about circumcision. It was circumcision that marked God’s people, literally marked them in their flesh. But Paul is saying here that physical circumcision isn’t what makes you right with God, because some were trying to make the new believers get circumcised.
6. How would you describe the life of someone who is single-minded?
It could be good or bad; a person who is single-minded about achieving success, money, and power may do anything it takes to get those things, including hurting others, and might sacrifice his family on the altar of that pursuit. It means one thing has most of your attention, time, and devotion.
7. If purity in heart leads to the increased presence of God, when is the last time you sensed the presence of God?
I sense Him most when I’m out in nature, but also when I’ve come clean about my sin. But I seem to be in a dry season right now, so maybe it is because my heart is not pure enough for God’s presence to be with me.
I liked the twist you put on single-minded — it can be bad if you are single-minded about the wrong thing. And loved your glasses analogy too.
6. How would you describe the life of someone who is single-minded?
I’m guessing it would mean a focus on only one thing; Jesus.
7. If purity in heart leads to the increased presence of God, when is the last time you sensed the presence of God?
Wow, I’m not sure I can answer this one. Yesterday I fasted to focus on praying for Sarah and her boyfriend; I have been doing this several times over the summer. I had a purpose, a single mindedness if you will. I found myself praying over and over all throughout the day yesterday. I’m not sure I felt His presence any more than I have other days. I did have a peaceful day though, and the weather was absolutely heavenly! Thank You Father for that!
Laura, I love that you are fasting and praying for your daughter. I don’t hear much of people in my church fasting. Maybe they don’t talk about it. I’m trying to understand this discipline more. I have fasted in January the last 3 years for my marriage. It can give a singleness of mind when done properly, with focus. Each time has been a little different for me. I’m looking forward to doing this again. Maybe I should consider doing this more often. I also think that to sense more of God we need to be in His Word more. He reveals Himself to us in His Word, in Creation, and through other people. We need to always have a lens of interpretation on to look for this or we can miss it.
Fasting is my hardest discipline to accomplish! So I’m impressed. I’m sure it really does help with single-mindedness!
Chris, my husband and I do the Daniel fast each January for three weeks. It is difficult. But, it is good too! His cholesterol numbers are phenomenal after the three weeks (he always does his blood work then). My fast is liquid only and really only through the day. When my stomach growls I pray. I kind of like it; it’s weird! I have heard recently that fasting for 14 hrs once a week is supposed to heal your brain…..nurses…what do you think?
Laura, the most recent thing I read on intermittent fasting when used as a weight control method is that it is useless unless other more important changes are also done. I haven’t heard of anyone doing it for any other reason. Most of the digestive ‘cleansing’ you hear about is likewise useless. Seems like God made our bodies to run on fuel, and we tamper with that at our own peril unless it is for His purposes. That’s my take on it anyway.
For eight years, my husband and I fasted for 24 hrs once a month from everything but water. It was in order to pray very specifically, and initially it was OK, but the longer we did it the harder it became. Toward the end I could hardly do eight hours because of headaches and weakness. I’ve not been successful in fasting since then. But I’ve never tried the Daniel fast.
3.Meditate on Matthew 5:8.
Read this in more than one translation and share anything you see.
What is the promise that goes with this?
The pure in heart shall be happy and shall see God. I love Susan looking at the message for that helped me dig a bit deeper too. When we desire more the delights of Him rather than the delights of this world we can see Him more around us. When He is what matters over the things of this world the things of this world won’t distract us from Him. I will see them more as gifts, not things that will bring satisfaction to my soul-or pain, or make me significant, etc. I think what I need most is to have my pride broken down more so I can clearly see my heart in juxtaposition with His and only then can I even see my poverty, my need-in a real way-not self condemnation way, but the truth.
I like the picture you have drawn here, Rebecca. When I grew up, my parents were not walking with the Lord, and instead their focus was on living a moral life. We were taught not to swear, lie, or steal and to be kind to others. I was quiet and non-confrontational and so my parents were always telling me what a good girl I was. I did what I was told and performed well in school. Living this way, my parents believed and taught that we were good people. Until I attended Young Life in high school, I had never heard that all had sinned. I still fight that self-righteous attitude even now. Interestingly, my husband deals with just the opposite, self-condemning. Seeing the truth about ourselves really has to happen in scripture and in prayer:)
Interesting testimony, Chris. Thanks for sharing that — and for being such a Barnabas here!!!!
Yes! Thank you!
3.Meditate on Matthew 5:8. Read several versions. The promise is that the pure in heart will SEE God! The Message puts it this way…8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world!
4. Colin Smith says purity of heart comes through single-mindedness. How does Jesus express this a little later in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:22? If your eye is good then the whole body will be full of light.
5. What does Paul say in Philippians 3:3-4? We are those who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh…even though we are often tempted to put our confidence in our flesh.
6. How would you describe the life of someone who is single-minded? Someone whose mind is “stayed on Christ” or whose only confidence is Christ.
7. If purity in heart leads to the increased presence of God, when is the last time you sensed the presence of God? I think I sense His presence best when I spend time in prayers of praise or times of deep repentance.
6. I’d describe someone who is single minded as focused, persistent, goal driven, and not pulled off course by the flesh.
7. When is the last time you sensed the presence of God? Last night, while praying with my mentee.
I wonder. Can we grow used to the presence of God? Moses spent time with God and came away with a glowing face, but he wasn’t aware of it. Can we have that glow but not be sensing it?
8.a. The promise is that He will cleanse us from our sins and unrighteousness.
b. It says He is just because He didn’t flippantly say it was OK; He paid for those sins.
c. Confessing needs to include the attitudes of our hearts, our omissions of good as well as our commissions of evil.
Monday
3. Meditate on Matthew 5:8
Read this in more than one translation and share anything you see.
I found this in looking up the word “pure”…Physically, purified by fire or like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit. The verse 1 Peter 1:7 and the passage in John 15 come to mind. It seems to me that being “pure in heart” may sometimes come by way of trials and how we come through those trials. The last part of the verse, “for they will see God” makes me realize that the trials I have gone through in my life have brought me closer to Him and have given me glimpses of who He is. That He is faithful, sovereign and trustworthy!
What is the promise that goes with this?
We’ll be blessed and we’ll see God.
4. Colin Smith says purity of heart comes through single-mindedness. How does Jesus express this a little later in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:22?
I think of the song “Oh Be careful little eyes what you see”…keeping our focus on things above, on Him! When our focus is right, our whole body is right.
5. What does Paul say in Philippians 3:3-4?
Those who have had a circumcision of the heart (the truly born again), spiritually transformed and renewed…rely on what Christ has done for them, putting no confidence in their own efforts.
6. His would you describe the life of someone who is single-minded?
I would describe it as living out Romans 12:1-2
”I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.”
7. If purity in heart leads to the increased presence of God, when is the last time you sensed the presence of God?
Just now, focusing on His Word
Love this from Sharon who just moved back into her home after a year out due to a hurricane:
The last part of the verse, “for they will see God” makes me realize that the trials I have gone through in my life have brought me closer to Him and have given me glimpses of who He is. That He is faithful, sovereign and trustworthy!
9. James 5:16 confess your sins to each other, pray for each other, that you may be healed. Then it says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Does that mean that confession and restoration lead to righteousness, and then our prayers are more effective, or that the person who is righteous and has powerful, effective prayers will help heal us in our journey??
10. Comments on the clip from The God Who Surprises.
Janine says she missed opportunities to be used by God by covering herself and not letting Him use her and her story. Lisa says we need to be honest in our sharing of prayer requests. Not just asking for someone else, but about our own needs as well.
11. It is important and good to pray for a besetting sin with another.
Mary — good questions on the end of James. I think both are true, though I have always thought of it as the latter — but surely keeping a clean slate before the Lord is part of that.
8. Meditate on the above verse. 1 John 1:9 says “On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.” 1 John 1:9 | MSG
A. What is the promise? IF we confess our sins THEN we will be forgiven and cleansed.
B. Why do you think it says “and just?” I think it is because it is only as we confess, or as Colin Smith puts it…begin to repent, that He can begin to express His true nature of love and forgiveness and reveal the justice that was purchased for us through the blood of Jesus.
C. Remembering what we learned about “Blessed are those who mourn,” what should confessing include? It should include a deep sorrow and mourning over our sin. It dawned on me one day as I was praying about forgiveness that I can’t be forgiven “specifically” unless I confess “specifically”. All too often I find my prayers of confession to be general and nonspecific…Lord, please forgive me for all the wrong things I have done, blah, blah, blah. I hide from any sense of culpability. It is hard to forgive someone who offers a weak apology…I think because it often indicates a lack of true repentance.
9.Meditate on James 5:16. What does it say and what do you think the promise means? Therefore, (go back to verse 13), confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Again, The Message version is helpful…it says…make it your common practice to confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together while and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. I think that the promise is that if we want to be truly whole we must confess our own sins to another who can agree with us in prayer and extend restoration to us.
10.Comments on the video. The Message came through powerfully that our attempts to cover up our shame can deny another the healing that they need. How can I be a trophy of God’s grace when I refuse to share my past? How can God use others in the body to minister to me when I refuse to make my needs known?
11. Pray about sharing a besetting sin with a trusted friend and asking for prayer. I have recently sought out a friend to confide in and ask for prayer for a difficult and ongoing battle I am facing. This is a good reminder to reach out again as it has been about a month since we met.
So good from Lucy on being specific in confession with the Lord:
It is hard to forgive someone who offers a weak apology…I think because it often indicates a lack of true repentance.
12.a. John has great joy because God has so lavished- I like that word! – lavished His love on us as to claim us as His children.
b. While we don’t know now what we will be like, we know that it will be like Him.
c. This truth leads to hope that brings purity. I have found this true, that when my hope is securely in Him, the world has less pull on me. And it is hope in Him that stirs within me the desire to be more pure.
13.a. James 4:8 says to come near, or pull closer to God, and He will come closer to you. Wash your hands, which I take to mean my actions- and purify your hearts, which I take to mean my attitudes.
b. 2 Cor 7:1 God’s promises should lead us to greater purity of both body and spirit, proceeding from reverence for God, which circles back to wanting more purity in our lives.
c. 1 Peter 1:22 obedience to God’s truth brings us purification and that leads us to a deeper love for one another. Not just a surface love, but a deep love from the heart.
8. Meditate on the above verse.
A. What is the promise?
God will be faithful and just to forgive us.
B. Why do you think it says “and just?”
I looked up the word just and it said “equitable, fair, even-minded, impartial, unbiased.” I suppose it means that He will forgive no matter what.
C. Remembering what we learned about “Blessed are those who mourn,” what should confessing include?
We should be humble and actually sorry for what we did. Humility, repentive.
Hi Laura,
Thinking about faithful and just- I’m considering that Christ died so that we can be forgiven and that His death was for our sin. It would hardly be just if the Lord went back on that promise. Then Christ would have died in vain.
I heard an interesting story this morning relating to the fact that we have victory in Christ. It was about a Japanese soldier who lived in hiding during an invasion during WWII in order to avoid capture and disgracing the emperor. He lived in fear for 27 years because he was hiding in the jungle and hadn’t heard the war was over- something like that. The comparison was to Christians who continue to live without joy even though our battle against sin and death has been won. Made me think about how great our God is and how I’m not living my life in reflection of His awesome power.
Have a great day 🙂
8. Meditate on the above verse.
A. What is the promise?
That God will forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness, IF I confess my sins. So it’s a conditional promise.
B. Why do you think it says “and just”?
Is the word “just” alluding to how we are forgiven, that the justice of God had to be satisfied in order for us to be forgiven? The justice of God requires that sin results in the death of the sinner, but Jesus took our place. So when it says that God is faithful to forgive our sins, it’s not just a “that’s okay” kind of forgiveness; we are reminded of God’s justice.
C. Remembering what we learned about “Blessed are those who mourn”, what should confessing include?
True sorrow over our sin.
9. Meditate on James 5:16. What does it say and what do you think the promise means?
It says that we should confess our sins to each other (other believers) and pray for each other, and then we may be healed. The promise is about healing. The previous verses talk about a person who is sick, and it may be that he is sick due to sin. So this seems to be talking about a person whose sin has caused physical illness (is the sickness an act of discipline from God?) and how confession of sin can bring physical healing.
I do think this verse about confession and healing are somewhat mysterious. We do know that sometimes God does allow physical sickness as discipline — Herod was eaten by worms, once Jesus told the man he healed: “See, you have been made well. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Of course we don’t know and it is a terrible thing to assume someone’s sickness is a direct result of sin — for Jesus also clarified that was not the case with the man born blind.
So I haven’t disappeared, rather I have been having amazing quiet times doing this study every morning!! So this isn’t an issue with the blog but with me. I posted yesterday morning and boy was God speaking to me but it didn’t take because someone entered a comment at the exact same time on one of my posts when I entered my comment. lol! Then this morning, I tried to post and accidentally pressed too hard on my laptop pad and it went to another screen and I lost it. The good news is God is speaking to me every morning- I am sensing Him here. Woe is me compared to Him. It just seems like minute by minute my heart can bend to darkness in my thoughts, then God helps me turn and truly only by His Spirit revealing it through His Word and empowering me can i!
Love you, Rebecca!
8. Meditate on the above verse.
A. What is the promise? If we confess our sins He is faithful and just – He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
B. Why do you think it says “and just?”
That is a great question. I haven’t thought about that. I am thinking it is referring to the fact that I can have confidence that when I come to Him confessing my sin that He will forgive via the blood of Jesus. So if I walk away still carrying that sin against myself then I haven’t truly believed and released it to Him.
C. Remembering what we learned about “Blessed are those who mourn,” what should
confessing include? Confessing should include true repentance-feeling deeply sorry for my sin. Not still justifying it in my heart.
Good answer!
I confess..I love it here so much I take too much time in the morning and I skimp on getting completely ready for work so I have been just putting my hair up but I have to wash it today. lol. Woe is me. 🙂 I just saw this and thought I would share (if I can refrain from losing this post.) I haven’t tried to paste a picture on the blog before. Wonder if it will take.
Oh well..It is an A.W. Tozer quote: “Trying to be happy without a sense of God’s presence is like trying to have a bright day without the sun.”
Love this quote!
Great quote!
9. Meditate on James 5:16. What does it say and what do you think the promise means?
It says to confess your sins to each other. It also says to pray for one another.
The promise is we will be healed.
That’s an interesting paraphrase to meditate on.
Like Dee said, this is an interesting paraphrase. I like it because it points to the tangible results of praying for each other, and how much we need this in order to live “whole and healed”. Thanks so much for sharing this….
Tuesday
8. Meditate on the above verse.
A. What is the promise.
The promise is God will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The condition to this promise is we must confess our sins, but the all makes me wonder if He even forgives sins that maybe we are unaware of when we confess?
B. Why do you think it says “and just?”
The Greek word is dikaios which means righteous. Translated…without prejudice or partiality The Vines dictionary…”it designates the perfect agreement between His nature and His acts (in which He is the standard for all men).”
C. Remembering what we learned about “Blessed are those who mourn “ what should confessing include?
Repentance. Asking God to break our heart with the things that break His.
9. Meditate on James 5:16. What does it say and what do you think the promise means?
We’re to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another that we may be healed and restored.
When we pray according to God’s will, when we’re right before Him, there will be power in our prayers.
10. Comments on the above?
Being more personal in prayer requests, sharing what you may be struggling with and in doing so, God may use someone in their prayer for you, to answer that pray.
This hit me because what we may be asking of God may not be according to His will, but someone else, used by God, could be.
Is this showing up?
It took a while for this post to go through…thus the above comment. :-/
Thanks for the Vine’s Dictionary definition and explanation!
You’re welcome Lucy, you are such an encouragement to me on this blog…thanks!!!
10. Comments on the above?
I’m not sure that I listened to the correct video; however both videos I watched had women who were compelling in their thoughts. One woman talked about relationships in the church and how we need each other. One women was absolutely convicted by your study and broke down in tears due to her newfound recognition of Jesus and His love for her. The other was a woman who found this church as a young adult. She was a cutter (10+ years) and stopped that when she found the church. Your study must have been a whopper! You must have cut to their cores, Dee. When I read the book I scanned the questions at the end of each chapter, and noticed how many questions there were and how deep they went. So good! Confessing our sins to others means we can be carried in this fallen world by those around us who care. Thank You Jesus for asking us to care for each other in fellowship.
9. Meditate on James 5:16. What does it say and what do you think the promise means?
To confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we can be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. The promise means that by confessing our sins to one another and then praying for one another we can be healed. I think of the opposite-if we don’t. The sin will eat us alive and then eventually affect us physically. The part i love is that the prayer of another believer is powerful and effective for I have experienced this myself in regard to my sin and in loved ones.
9. James 5:16- 16Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
I shared this scripture with my husband yesterday and we had a talk where we were able to share struggles with each other, both personal and relational, moving us one step closer towards healing. Praise God!
Keep working, Dee. The Lord is using your studies in a mighty way. Life is soooo busy right now that I hardly have the time, but I can’t NOT take the time, with the way He is working through this study. 🙂
Chris — you are such a blessing here too!
10. Comments on the above?
I so love this study and the videos are amazing! The first testimony she covered over her deeper sin instead of letting others know to pray and it left her in a spot where she kept it covered and missed out on opportunities to help others who might be struggling in the same way. The second testimony was an encouragement when in prayer with other women to offer prayer requests that are more about us-our struggles and sin issues for sometimes God answers in the group circle.
I will never forget how I did that once when we broke out into small groups. I was co-leading the study. Usually the requests are about others issues, travel mercies, health; or the women’s struggles in taking care of others because they are hard to care for. All important indeed, however when we broke up into small groups and the deeper questions were asked, I thought..I am going to be the first..So I confessed and asked for prayer. The rest began asking for salvation of a family member, better management of time, health, etc..Then before we prayed one woman looked at me and said, I am surprised you struggle with that and then went silent-it was said in a judgmental way. She is a fairly new believer and I was like her when I was new so I understood. 🙂 But it was eye opening, how no one wanted to open up. So I go to my brothers church and woe! They had a big group of women praying as God leads, my friend Joy said, “Thank you that you are faithful when I am not.” Then later that day she said as we ate snacks, “I enjoy being around women who are honest about their sin and brokenness.” She certainly is and a very godly young woman. This is the face to face fellowship I long for.
Oh Rebecca — what a story! Yet you ARE faithful. I think so often we cannot even see our sin to confess it.
10. Comments on the above?
I love how the woman who struggled with cutting saw that she could help others that possibly no one else could reach and how she had used the church as a fig leaf!!
I have often thought recently of how our family might appear to be healthy and vibrant to the church and to others, but that perhaps during ‘God at work’ in our service I need to share how although we may appear vibrant and healthy, we DO have struggles and work really hard at our relationships and offer to pray with others who are struggling as well.
I also see how we all work to maintain an image to the public, yet how wonderful and beautiful it can be to share our struggles in an appropriate way privately towards healing.
Wednesday
12. Read carefully 1 John 3:1-3
A. John bursts out in joy in verse 1. What amazes him?
He calls us His children (that is what we are) because He, our Father, loves us very much!
B. What, according to verse two do we know – what is still a mystery?
He has not shown us yet what we will be like when Christ appears.
C. Embracing this causes what response according to verse three? Is this true for you?
All who have this expectation or hope of Christ’s return will keep themselves pure, just as He is pure.
Oh, yes…to see glimpses of God in my life now is amazing but to think of seeing Him face to face is beyond description and I long for that day! What hope, what joy! Please know that striving to keep myself pure is a day by day process…I definitely haven’t arrived.
13. We can participate in the process of sanctification through the riches we have in Christ. How can you purify yourself according to the following? Meditate and share everything you discover.
A. James 4:8
Drawing near to God with a contrite heart and He’ll draw near to me. Be cleansed from the defilement of sin, purify my heart morally and don’t be double-minded. James 1:8 says a double-minded man is unstable and restless in all his ways.
B. 2 Corinthians 7:1
Cleansing myself from all action that defiles my flesh and spirit (the sentiment element in man, that by which he perceives, feels and desires; Vines), perfecting or bringing through to an end, holiness in the fear (a controlling motive of the life, in matters spiritual and moral, not a mere “fear” of His power and righteous retribution , but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him, a “fear” which banishes the terror that shrinks from His presence; Vines) of God.
C. 1 Peter 1:22
Showing sincere love to my brothers and sisters in Christ, loving them deeply with all my heart.
14. Have you spied God in the last few days?
This verse was a good reminder for me in all that is going on the world…”For kingship belongs to the LORD, and He rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:28 Amen!
12. Read carefully 1 John 3:1-3
A. John bursts out in joy in verse 1. What amazes him?
We are God’s children!
B. What, according to verse 2 do we know — what is still a mystery?
We are to be like Him, but we don’t know what that will be like or how it will be when He appears.
C. Embracing this causes what response according to verse 3? Is this true for you?
We shall keep ourselves pure. I fear not.
13. We can participate in the process of sanctification through the riches we have in Christ. How can you purify yourself according to the following? Meditate and share everything you discover.
A. James 4:8
We have to purify our hearts by coming close to God. When we do this He will come close to us.
B. 2 Corin. 7:1
We should cleanse ourselves from anything that is filthy. We need to try to be completely holy. If we do that God says we will be His people and He will be our Father (previous verse).
C. 1 Peter 1:22
We were cleansed from the filth when we became Christians and are called to love each other sincerely (genuinely). When we do this we gain a new life that will last forever (verse 23).
14. How have you spied God in the last few days?
Well, we have all started school this week and whoa! What a week it has been! I am completely exhausted! Babies are as well; Grace is having to get up at 6 and be at school by 7. Cooper now does not take a nap and hits the hay around 7 (!). I pray before the students come in and think He is with me; boy will I need His presence today! I have just realized that not only I have the boy I described before (challenging who failed last year), I have two others who also failed. One was a student I had last year who does nothing (not a behavior problem more of a very sad case in his life), and the other whose name I heard all the time and apparently is “really smart” but also very immature. Ugh. Why do administrators think we are super human??? I can only do so much. They set them up for failure by putting them in the same class with 11 other boys and only 4 girls. God be with me! Thank you for prayers and thank You Lord for being my “right hand.” How can I do anything without You?
Father,
I pray You will give Laura both strength and wisdom – go before her, on either side of her, behind her. May her light shine and will You give her favor with these boys.
In Jesus Mighty Name I pray.
Praying for you today, Laura. We are not super, but God is- Praise His Holy Name.
Love your tender heart for these kids.
Laura, I’m sure you’ve seen some of the movies that I have, the ones about a teacher or a principal who inspires a group of tough students, the ones who everybody else has given up on; the ones who are unmotivated, or so it seems; doomed to failure, often with terrible conditions at home. But this teacher finds the key that unlocks their potential; finds a way to touch their hearts. In my mind, I see YOU as that teacher…plus, you have God!
Amen to Susan’s encouragement, Laura!
Thanks for the encouragement Susan; it wasn’t as bad as I thought and with our new schedule I don’t see them until Wednesday next week (holiday). Every other day gives healing time if problems do arise.
12. Read carefully 1 John 3:1-3
A. John bursts out in joy in verse 1. What amazes him? That we are called children of God!
B. What, according to verse 2 do we know — what is still a mystery? What we will be when Christ returns
C. Embracing this causes what response according to verse 3? Is this true for you? I want to please God-Trying again each new day.
13. We can participate in the process of sanctification through the riches we have in Christ. How can you purify yourself according to the following? Meditate and share everything you discover.
A. James 4:8- 8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. —when I am near to God, He draws near to me, I see His influences in my life and remember to be careful in speech and action.
B. 2 Corin. 7:1- 1Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. —-This seems like something impossible, every defilement?? But nothing is impossible with God.
C. 1 Peter 1:22– 22Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, ——I want this for my family. This is going on my kitchen wall.
14. How have you spied God in the last few days?
He is working mightily in the hearts of those I love and even provided a way for my 90 year old friend from church to get new carpet for free 🙂
3. Meditate on Matthew 5:8.
The pure in heart shall see God. I love what Spurgeon says of this verse: “When the heart is washed, the dirt is taken from the mental eyes. The heart that loves God is connected with an understanding that perceives God. There is no way of seeing God until the heart is renewed by sovereign grace. It is not greatness of intellect, but purity of affection that enables us to see God. “
4. Colin Smith says purity of heart comes through single-mindedness. How does Jesus express this a little later in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:22?
If your eye is healthy—your whole body is full of light. What we look at, focus on, let into our minds, fills us and guides us.
5. What does Paul say in Philippians 3:3-4?
True circumcision, not just physical, involves the heart and is true of those who follow Jesus and worship God, putting no confidence in their flesh.
6. How would you describe the life of someone who is single-minded?
They have one most important driving focus in life, and all other things complement that desire. I love Psalm 27:4 “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”
Also Acts 20:24 “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
These verses help me—when I am serving my family in mundane ways, it helps me remember it is all for my one goal of serving Him, knowing Him more, dying to self and that One Day I will gaze upon His beauty.
7. If purity in heart leads to the increased presence of God, when is the last time you sensed the presence of God?
I sense Him now, in my reading His Word, for I know I would not be doing this without His drawing me in. Sunday worship and prayer with other believers.
8. Meditate on the above verse. A. What is the promise?
If we confess our sins, He promises to forgive and cleanse us, make us righteous.
B. Why do you think it says “and just?”
I love this part. Because God is just, He accepts Jesus as the full payment for our sin and there is no more payment to be made. Keller says: “ When Jesus goes before the Father he is not actually asking for mercy for us. Of course it was infinitely merciful of God to send Christ to die for us, but that mercy has now been granted, so Jesus does not need to beg for it. 1 John 1: 9 says that ‘if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.’ Notice it does not say that if Christians confess their sins God forgives because he mercifully gives them another chance. No, it says he forgives because he is faithful and just. To not forgive us would be unjust.”
C. Remembering what we learned about “Blessed are those who mourn,” what should confessing include?
True repentance, grieving over what my sin has done to the Father. Recognizing how far I fall short, how desperately I need His forgiveness.
9. Meditate on James 5:16. What does it say and what do you think the promise means?
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Sin causes damage, it hurts us and others. When I confess my sin to others, and allow them to pray for me, the Spirit moves in my pain, removing guilt and blame and things that bring bitterness and hinder growth. Confessing sin brings me into the light, restores fellowship with Him, and allows His work in my heart, His healing in me.
12. Read carefully 1 John 3:1-3 A. John bursts out in joy in verse 1. What amazes him?
That we have been called children of God!
B. What, according to verse 2 do we know — what is still a mystery?
We will one day be like Him, and see Him as He is!
C. Embracing this causes what response according to verse 3? Is this true for you?
My hope rests in Him and His cleansing for me, and He makes my hope secure! I love 1 Peter 1:3-4 “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you”
10. Comments on the above?
I see in this woman’s testimony that she was delivered from the shame of having cut herself. She found it easy to hide the scars and nobody knew, and then God emboldened her to tell others and in so doing, she could help those that others might not have been able to reach out to.
12. Read carefully 1 John 3:1-3
A. John bursts out in joy in verse 1. What amazes him?
John is amazed at the lavish love of God, that we should be called His children.
B. What, according to verse 2 do we know – what is still a mystery?
We know that we are God’s children, but what we “will be” is still a mystery; that we shall be like Him, but we still don’t really know what that means.
C. Embracing this causes what response according to verse 3? Is this true for you?
These truths and looking forward to this mystery makes us want to purify ourselves now. Yes, I want to be more pure and to be rid of besetting sins.
13. We can participate in the process of sanctification through the riches we have in Christ. How can you purify yourself according to the following? Meditate and share everything you discover.
A. James 4:8
I can purify myself by drawing near to God, and then He will draw near to me. I suppose that the nearer I draw to Him, the more I will see my own sin compared to His holiness and perfection. That should lead me to repentance and turning.
B. 2 Cor 7:1
By reverencing God, I am inclined to purify myself from things that contaminate not only my physical body, but my spiritual self as well.
C. 1 Peter 1:22
I can purify myself by obeying God and having sincere love for other Christians.
14. How have you spied God in the last few days?
Going on long walks with two of my good friends, and having good conversation. I have sensed the love and support of many who are praying for me and encouraging me during this difficult time (many of you here on our FB site!).
13. We can participate in the process of sanctification through the riches we have in Christ. How can you purify yourself according to the following? Meditate and share everything you discover.
A. James 4:8- “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
There is action on my part—draw near, I can draw near to Him, knowing He draws near to me.
Cleanse my hands, purify my heart-confess my sin, focus my thoughts on Him.
B. 2 Corin. 7:1- “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
Cleanse myself “from every defilement”—ridding my time, actions from things that do not please Him, remembering the promise I have, my future Home.
C. 1 Peter 1:22- “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart”
Obedience to the truth, submitting myself under God’s authority, is purifying, and gives me sincere love for others. Love one another, sincerely, putting others needs before mine, serving.
Sharon,
just thinking of you and wondering if you are in the path for the hurricane? Have you evacuated if so?
Laura, thank you and so sweet of you to ask. As of now they have it coming straight for us in NC as a Cat 2. But we’re praying it takes a further turn east before it hit us. Just appreciate prayers!!
Just had to share. Was awake in the night and reading from Leviticus. There are a number of instructions about cleansing or purifying various things. When I got to 14:52, it jumped at me. “He -(the priest) shall purify…. with the blood of one of two doves, cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet yarn….
I’ve always found it strange that these specific things would be needed, the dead and the living, the fresh water, cedar wood, hyssop and red yarn. It seems to very much resemble what God the Father did in purifying us from sin. Jesus is both dead and living. The Holy Spirit is often referred to either as pure water or a dove. The cross Jesus hung on may have been cedar. Hyssop was the tool that moved the blood of the sacrifice by the hand of the priest onto whatever it was that needed cleansing. We often refer to the scarlet thread that goes from Genesis to Revelation, showing us the gospel of our salvation.
The priest was the one doing the work and pronouncing the done cleansing, but the ‘sinner’ had to admit guilt and come to the priest. And it cost something to do that – the price of what he brought to sacrifice and how it had to humble the person. God the Father has done all the work of our purification, but we are still called on to admit our need and come to Him. And it still costs us our pride.
Thinking further to the Day of Atonement, there were two goats to bear sin. One died there and one was sent into the wilderness to bear sin. Has not Jesus done both for us? Died for our sins yet lives to carry it on Himself?
Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but it was so exciting for me, and fit so well with our talk of purity this week.
Mary, thanks for sharing. I think it’s so awesome that God gave you that. People think I’m crazy but Leviticus is one of my favorite books…it speaks of purity and holiness!!
Mary, I don’t think you are reading too much into this. All of the things in Leviticus, the sacrificial system, are pictures of the greater mystery of Jesus and how He atoned for our sins. Thanks for sharing this.
Fascinating parallels, Mary.
Mary this is so fantastic to me! Thank you for sharing. I have learned a little of what you speak of through bible study (specifically Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth). I appreciate you pointing this out as it makes complete sense to me!
15. Listen to the following from Colin Smith and share your notes and comments.
I think this was my favorite part so far in this series. I listened several times and so much of it resonated with me, and also left me with a lot of questions.
First, he said that you CAN become pure in heart, and clarified that purity of heart does NOT mean sinlessness of life, or that you never have a bad thought.
That was a relief to me, or otherwise, I would think that I have no hope of ever being pure.
He defined purity of heart as follows:
1) It is an UNDIVIDED HEART (James 4:8) meaning “Purity of heart is to will one thing.” So Jesus means that blessed is the person whose heart is undivided.
2) A pure heart is a heart that is WASHED CLEAN. Jesus can wash a heart messed-up by any sin.
Many people believe in a Christ who forgives, but struggle to believe in a Christ who CLEANSES. He then gave the example of the man coming into his office for pastoral counseling, who explains that he has so much baggage from all of the things he’s seen and done, and says that these things are inside of him, and while he knows he’s been forgiven, he can’t imagine ever being clean.
Colin Smith explains how we would answer this man: As long as you continue to believe that nothing can be done about the baggage in your mind and heart, you don’t yet know the Christ of the Bible, Who washes, cleanses, and purifies messed-up minds and hearts. You may say that you believe in a Jesus who forgives, but if you persist in this deeply held conviction that nothing can be done about the accumulated twistedness that has come from your past decisions and behaviors, you are not yet trusting the Savior who came not only to forgive your sins, but also to wash your heart and to cleanse your life. Hope will begin for you when you trust this Savior to cleanse your heart.
He uses Titus 3:5 as a reference to how Jesus saves us by washing.
Smith continues: If trusting Christ seems further away than you’re able to stretch right now, here is a stepping stone that can help you to move forward: the beginning of faith is to say, “If I was in Christ and He was in me, I believe that He could make this heart clean.”
He gives the example of how God changed the heart of Saul of Tarsus, and says if God could change his heart, He could do the same for you. Settle this truth in your mind: my heart could be made clean, and I believe that if I was in Christ and He was in me, He could make me clean. Once you’re on this stepping stone, you’re ready to take the next step, and to ask Him to do this for you.
My questions about the above are: there is a great emphasis on asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins, so couldn’t a person possibly not understand about the cleansing because they haven’t ever heard that or been taught or discipled? I also personally have struggled with this, believing that God forgives, but still carrying the baggage of some of my sins from the past and still not feeling clean. Does that mean that I have never really trusted in the Jesus of the Bible and am not really a Christian? Also, Smith doesn’t talk about God’s part in all of this. If a person is truly not born again, how can they ever really trust in Jesus by trying to convince or talk themselves into believing these truths? Doesn’t God have to first open their heart and mind?
Smith then explains three practices that promote purity of heart:
1) Immersing yourself in the Word of God, because He washes us with the Word.
2) Worshipping, which is gazing on the glory of God. He also explained, which I really liked, that worshipping is more than a Sunday worship at church. It is THE GAZE OF THE SOUL ON THE GREATNESS AND GLORY OF GOD. That means I can worship anytime, anywhere, and I don’t have to “do” a prescribed thing, like try to “stage” a worship experience at home. It’s about the inner life.
I really liked this part where he touched on idolatry: He said that if you are struggling with an addiction or behavior that has become habitual, ask yourself: How did I get here? How did this thing gain such a power in my life?
Here’s the answer: YOU MADE AN IDOL OUT OF THIS THING AND YOU SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THE IDOL. YOU WENT TO THE IDOL FOR COMFORT AND YOU LOOKED TO IT FOR HAPPINESS. YOU WORSHIPPED YOUR WAY INTO THIS ADDICTION/SIN. NOW, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET FREE FROM THE POWER OF THIS IDOL? YOU WORSHIPPED YOUR WAY IN, AND NOW YOU MUST WORSHIP YOUR WAY OUT. YOU DO THIS AS YOU PRACTICE GAZING ON THE GLORY OF GOD IN WORSHIP.
So that means that when I am tempted to run to my idol for comfort/security, or affirmation/approval, that I need to shift the gaze of my soul to Jesus, and reflect on how He is greater than my idol. This is helpful if I can actually put this into practice, which is hard, because the idol always offers immediate satisfaction….yet must tell myself that it doesn’t last.
3) Persevering: this is the practice of getting up when you have fallen down and not quitting. He uses the analogy of a football game; keep moving the ball forward. Sometimes you are on the offense, and other times you are on the defense.
Every time you say yes to a sin, you increase its power in your life, making your next temptation harder. When you say no, you weaken its power. Purity of heart is something you gain as you grow spiritually.
I definitely will be reviewing my notes on this one as there is so much that speaks to me here.
Susan — I see such a hunger for God in you, and I love it that you are humble but don’t realize it.
Thank you, Susan, for your notes here. I will take the time to listen to Colin Smith.
3. Meditate on Matthew 5:8.
o Read this in more than one translation and share anything you see.
Most translations say “pure in heart”. The MESSAGE says “heart and mind made clean another says “clean heart”.
I liked the MESSAGE ”; because it denotes that something or Someone made it clean. I am positionally clean because of what Jesus has done for me
o What is the promise that goes with this?
o I will see God.
4. Colin Smith says purity of heart comes through single-mindedness. How does Jesus express this a little later in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:22?
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
5. What does Paul say in Philippians 3:3-4?
No confidence in the flesh
6. How would you describe the life of someone who is single-minded?
Focus is on Christ and in His will
7. If purity in heart leads to the increased presence of God, when is the last time you sensed the presence of God?
In my classroom when I realize that I have been trusting myself- the reality of my sins and acknowledging it, and confessing it before the Lord and “seeing” Him through the cleansing of my heart and thereby sensing His presence.
8. Meditate on the above verse.
A. What is the promise?
B. Why do you think it says “and just?”
“Just” is justice based on the finished work of Jesus Christ.
C. Remembering what we learned about “Blessed are those who mourn,” what should confessing include?
Mourning my sins and not just mouthing them out before the Father. My sins grieve the Father.