To The Pure All Things Are Pure

Here is a devotional that I received from NLT...

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15, NLT

Some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil. What is the difference? Our souls become filters through which we perceive goodness or evil. The pure (those who have Christ in control of their lives) learn to see goodness and purity even in this evil world. But corrupt and unbelieving people find evil in everything because their evil minds and hearts color even the good they see and hear.

Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. Turn your thoughts to God and his Word, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world. A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil.

My thoughts....
I had a very wise pastor tell me that what you see in others and are emotionally charged about is really a reflection of what you see in yourself. If you are always accusing others of selfishness it's probably because there is selfishness in your own heart.

I have found that those who are most focused on purity and holiness are generally least pure and holy. Those who constantly see the worst in people and see every action in the most severe light are generally acting out of their own shame and guilt for something that they've done or has been done to them.

This is the power of the gospel. God so loves us that He gives us grace and mercy - not only to forgive, but to transform our lives into the very image of Himself. He exchanges the faulty lens that we see each other through and gives us His lens... His perspective.

That is the difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. The flesh points out weakness, the Spirit points out Jesus. When the Spirit points out Jesus, the natural response is gratitude.

Is your heart full of accusations and pain for something that has happened to you? Then why don't you bring it to the cross and allow Jesus to give you His perspective. What is His perspective? To forgive those who did harm to Him and even provide for them a way of salvation. You might say... this is too hard. Let me say this... it's not too hard, it's impossible!!! But God empowers us by His Spirit to extend forgiveness and peace even to those who intend to harm us... for what they meant for evil, God means for good. As you allow Jesus to power through your life in forgiveness... watch gratitude and thanksgiving overflow from your life.

The Seven I AM Statements Of Jesus

The seven I AM statements being….
1. I Am the bread of life (John 6:35)
2. I Am the light of the world (John 8:12)
3. I Am the door for the sheep (John 10:7)
4. I Am the good shepherd (John 10:11)
5. I Am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
6. I Am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)
7. I Am the true vine (John 15:1)

In the gospel of John, Jesus makes seven powerful statements that describe who He is and what He came to do.

He is the bread of life... the One who sustains us and nourishes us

He is the light of the world... the One who guides, directs and exposes darkness

He is the door for the sheep... He's the way in and the way on

He is the good shepherd... the One who leads us to safe places, who protects and cares for us

He is the resurrection and the Life... the One who brings life to us, who enlivens us with resurrection life

He is the way, the truth and the life... His Word alone is true, He defines us, directs us and empowers you

He is the true vine... we can't live without the constant flow of life from His Spirit

I want to encourage you to meditate on these I AM Statements over the next seven weeks as we move into the New Year. Do a little private study and let's go into 2010 with an accurate view of Jesus who loves us with an everlasting love.

Blessings...

HD

Men's Breakfast - November 21 @ 7:30 am

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2