“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

God creates my pure heart, not me. It is his spirit within me that cleanses and “re-creates” my heart. It is his power, his grace, his hand, his works, his abilities, his strength that creates this pure heart. My heart becomes pure not because of what I can do, but because of what God has done through the blood of Jesus Christ – and what God can do in transforming my heart into what he wants it to be.

God speaks my pure heart into existence; this is a Genesis moment, where God speaks into the chaos, the darkness, the void, and from this creates a pure heart within me (Psalm 51 MSG).

God can create something from nothing; he can take a heart that is broken, impure, failed and create in its place a heart that is whole, pure, and purposeful.

God loves me and wants to pour his grace into my heart. He wants to see me pure, and he wants to see me succeed – so much so, that he takes an active role in creating my new, cleansed heart. My role – my job – is to submit, humble myself before him, ask for his help.

Think like this: God is the one who purifies my heart. My heart is not purified by me, by my noble efforts, by my good thoughts, by my ability to follow the rules. Rather –

· My heart is purified by God creating a pure heart within me.

· My heart is cleansed by the living water flowing through me.

· My heart is cleansed by the blood of Christ scrubbing away the stains of my sin.

· My heart is cleansed by God breathing his spirit into me.

· My heart is purified solely, and wholly, by the power of God – and not by anything extra that I can do.

That is why the only path to a pure heart is to confess my sin and acknowledge my need.

The heart God creates, then, is no longer cynical or distrustful. It is no longer damaged or broken. It is a pure heart.

So what?

· A pure heart produces faith – “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.’” (Mark 11:23)

· A pure heart matches God’s heart – Syncing with God’s heartbeat means you focus your heart on those things that matter most to God (Colossians 3:1-2) and you let go of anything that hinders your ability to align with God’s heart (Hebrews 12:1). Jesus matched his heart with the Father’s heart (John 5:23; 6:38; 16:17-18).

· A pure heart is undivided – God wants your whole heart committed wholly to him: “To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33)

· A pure heart is a fresh start – Ask God to create in you a fresh start. (Psalm 51:10).

Question: What does it mean to have a “pure heart”?

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:9-10)

A few years ago I put on a new identity by becoming a Canadian citizen. To qualify I was required to account for my whereabouts since moving to Canada, produce a birth certificate proving my United States origin, study a booklet about Canadian history, culture, and geography, take and pass a test, and stand before a judge to promise to be the best Canadian I could be. Soon I held official papers indicating my new status as a Canuck.

But in my other pocket, I still held a U.S. passport. That’s right. U.S. law allows its citizens to hold multiple citizenships. But it wasn’t always this way. For several decades Americans were required to revoke their U.S. citizenship if they became a citizen of any other country. During that era I chose not to become Canadian because I valued my American roots too much to let them go.

I kind of liked it that old way.

The old way required one to commit, to engage, to embrace. It required you to declare if you were one or the other, American or Canadian, and to put your legal identity where your heart was. The old way didn’t allow you to waffle, to play one identity today, and the other tomorrow.  By contrast, the new law allows you to flip flop. Today, when border crossing into the U.S., I can show my U.S. passport. Upon returning I can flash my Canadian one. Just who am I really?

While the parallel isn’t exact, the similarity to our identity as humans is unavoidable. We all begin with the baseline identity of being made in God’s image (imago dei) yet we are still in desperate need for renewal because of sin. The Good News is that when we recognize our failures, welcome God’s forgiveness, and embrace a new identity in Christ, we begin to shrug off the old self and take on the new. I like how Paul says it in Colossians as he explains why we should speak truthfully. Why? Because “you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Paul understands that this shifting and shaping of identity is a journey; we are being renewed. It’s a process. Knowing we are in a new relationship with God is a sure thing, yet growing in a new relationship with God requires us to commit, engage, and embrace his ways, study his book, stand strong when tested, and act on God’s promise of new life.

You will never find a lost passport and wonder whose it is. Their name is right there on the first page.  The question is, Where is that person on their journey? Are they embracing and acting on their new identity, or are they clinging to the old one?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Who does God say you are?

Question: Have you welcomed God’s forgiveness in your life to enjoy new identity in him? If so, where are you now on your journey?

Please open your Bible and read John 15:1-11

The spiritual pruning process of our lives includes cutting away all that reflects our earthly passions that are in opposition to God’s holiness.

A. B. Simpson writes:

“Before the Holy of Holies can be fully opened to our hearts and we can enter into . . . communion of God, the veil upon our hearts must be rent asunder, and this comes as it came on Calvary – by the death of our flesh.

“It is when we yield our own natural self to God to die and He slays us by the power of His Spirit that the obstruction to our communion with God is removed and we enter into its deeper fullness. The greatest hindrance to our peace and victory is the flesh. Whenever the consciousness of self rises vividly before you, and you become absorbed in your own troubles, cares, rights or wrongs, you at once lose communion with God, and a cloud of darkness falls over your spirit.

“There is really nothing else that hurts or hinders us but this heavy weight of evil, this seed of Satan. . . . We can never rend it asunder, but the Holy Spirit can. It dies only on the cross of Jesus . . . under the fire of His descending Spirit. Bring it to Him, give Him the right to slay it, and then the veil will be rent asunder. The Holy of Holies will open wide, the light of the Shekinah will shine through all the house of God, and the glory of heaven will be revealed in your life.”

Question: Have you been “pruned” before in your spiritual walk? How did that experience end up shaping you to have a closer and purer relationship with God?

About the Author: Charles Stanley

“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

These are the words spoken by Jesus to His Mother, after she had anxiously been looking for Him. It was their custom to go to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover every year.  At that time, Jesus was only twelve years old.  His parents, not knowing that Jesus had stayed behind, began their journey back home.

An entire day went by, when they discovered He wasn’t with them.  When their own relatives and acquaintances also didn’t know where he was, they went back. After seeking Him for three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

I can only imagine the look on Mary’s face, when she finally found Him, and asked, (I’m sure with a stern voice) “Son, why have You done this to us?  Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously”.

Jesus answered her and with words they couldn’t understand. His words held a profound truth. If we can understand and take it to heart it will have a great impact on us.

When Jesus said “I must be about My Father’s business”, He was not referring to Joseph, but to His Heavenly Father.  In John 5:19 Jesus said that He can do nothing by himself but only what he sees His Father doing.  Again, in John 6:38 He says that He came down from heaven, not to do His will, but to do the will of the One who sent Him.

Jesus did nothing apart from His Father and longed only to live the purpose His Heavenly Father had for Him.  Only He truly knew what it entailed and all He was called too, likewise, only you know your Father’s purpose for your own life.

Do you know that God created you with purpose? You are His Workmanship and He prepared works for you even before the foundation of the earth was laid. I believe that if we take the stance Jesus took – living out of a heavenly perspective, being aligned with the will of God our Father, knowing His thoughts towards us for our lives – His purpose will prevail and succeed through us, giving Him glory!

Nothing could stop Jesus from fulfilling His purpose to destroy the works of the devil, set the captives free, bring good news to the people and heal all those who were oppressed by the devil.   No, not even His own earthly parents.

We must be about our Father’s business.  We must ask Him what it is He created us for and be obedient walking into His perfectly chosen destiny for our lives.

Heavenly Father, I ask that you show me what Your will is for my life.  I ask that You reveal to me what You have prepared for me to do, Lord, and that You would open my eyes to see as Jesus saw what You had for Him to do, and that You would open my ears to hear Your voice speaking to me the truth of Your will.  Strengthen me to do what you have called me to do.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Find your purpose

Questions: Do you know that God created you with purpose?  How have you sought to live out that purpose by God’s power and the Spirit’s strength today?

About the Author: Brigitte Straub

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for January 7th, AM.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

“For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21

A Christian did not always live for Christ. He or she began to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinced them of their sin, and when by grace he or she was brought to see the dying Savior substituting Himself in their place on the cross. Then, from the moment of our new and spiritual rebirth, we begin to live for Christ.

Jesus is to believers the one pearl of great price for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love that it beats alone for Him. To His glory we strive to live, and in defense of His gospel we would even die. He is the pattern of our life, and the model after which we aim to sculpt ourselves.

Paul’s words “For me to live is Christ” mean more than most people think. They imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ. His life itself attempted to embody Jesus. Jesus was his every breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life.

Can you say, as a professing Christian, that you live up to this idea?

Can you honestly say that for you to live is Christ?

Consider your job: Are you doing it for Christ? Or is it done only for self-benefit and family advantage? If we profess to live for Christ, how can we live for another object without committing spiritual adultery?

While many carry out the principle of living for Christ halfheartedly, few would dare say that they live wholly for Christ as the apostle Paul did. Yet this alone is the true life of a Christian. This life’s source and nourishment are all gathered up in Christ Jesus.

Lord, accept me. I present myself, praying to live only in You and for You. Let my life be a ready sacrifice to you, and let my motto be, “For me to live is Christ.”

Question: What does Paul mean when he says “For me to live is Christ”?

About the Author: Charles Spurgeon

I feel I’m out dated in their eyes and that they wouldn’t give me the time of day.”

My friend is wrong. Every day teens write to TruthMedia with questions about life and faith. Everyday there are opportunities to encourage a teen, be their sounding board and listen when no one in their world seems to hear them.

Teens are facing many of the same things we faced as young adults: peer pressure, moral decisions, career choices, falling in love, questions about God and faith, relationship struggles. Though they often face these things at a younger age, the heart issues have not changed and our stories and experience can encourage them.

Passing the stories of our faith on to the next generation is a strong theme in the Bible.  In Psalm 78 the history of God’s people is recorded and it is noted in verse 4

“we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done.”

Kids are on their computers. More and more they are writing in with their questions and seeking a caring, listening ear.  TruthMedia has a unique opportunity to link these young people with a mentor who can share his or her own faith journey and offer encouragement and resources. We need more mentors to keep up with the demand!

You have the life experience and the faith journey that can encourage these kids. You are not too old or too unqualified. Your own walk with God is the most essential thing you have to offer to these seeking teens. TruthMedia will train you and give you the resources you need. It can take as little as a week to go through the application and training process.  If you are matched with a teen question that you feel is not for you then you can return it to the pool and receive a different one.

You can have a fresh new opportunity to reach the next generation and tell the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD. May I encourage you to try it? You can take as little as one question a week.  You can impact the life journey of a young man or woman seeking some guidance today.  Won’t you prayerfully consider it?

Lord God, I ask that You would spur the hearts of those who You want to reach out to a teen today. Don’t let the opportunity be pushed to the background in the lives of those You want to bless through sharing. Grant courage to those who You are calling. I pray this in the name of our praiseworthy savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

Thank you for checking out teen mentoring here:
http://truthmedia.com/mentoring/what-is-online-teen-mentoring/

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9

The Bible says there are several things we need to do to receive guidance from God, but the very first thing is this: I need to admit I need a guide!

Sheep, by nature, tend to wander off the path. The Prophet Isaiah says, “All of us like sheep have strayed away! We have left God’s paths to follow our own.” (Isaiah 53:6, NLT)

This is why we often don’t know God’s will. The truth is most of the time we don’t want to follow God or anybody else. We want to go our own way. We don’t want to admit we need direction or that we need a guide.

Another thing about sheep is that they have poor vision. They can’t see very far ahead. That’s why, on a path, they don’t know if it is heading toward a cliff, and that’s why they need a shepherd. We can’t see the future. We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, much less next year or ten years from now. We don’t even know what’s going to happen this afternoon.

God made you so that you would not be able to see into the future no matter how much you try. Even with all the gimmicks to predict the future, you don’t really know what’s going to happen. Why did God do this? He did it so you would depend on Him.

Because we can’t see into the future, we often stumble.  Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” We’ve all made decisions that at the time seemed right but later on turned out to be wrong. Some paths lead to dead ends and we end up off track. That’s why we need to admit, “God, I need help.”

Question: Which of the biblical books do you find helps you most when you are in need of guidance?

About this Author: Rick Warren

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20

The man who stepped forward to preach at Pentecost was flawed and impetuous. He had disagreed with Jesus and even denied knowing Him. But Peter developed into a man whose impact for the kingdom surpassed his impulsiveness.

When studying Peter’s life, believers often focus on his negative actions – the doubt that nearly drowned him when he walked on water, and his aforementioned rebuke and denial of Jesus. But Peter is also an example of triumphant living. An uneducated fisherman who likely had few other skills, Peter put down his nets and followed Jesus the instant he was asked.

He was the first to acknowledge Christ as the Son of God. (Matthew 16:16) And after the Lord’s resurrection, Peter’s spontaneous nature led him to leap into the water and swim for shore when he noticed his Savior waiting there. (John 21:7) The disciple’s devotion cannot be questioned.

Peter is an inspiration for us today. God does not choose servants who are solid rocks with no cracks or crevices. Instead, He selects people who have weaknesses, failures, and a need to be forgiven repeatedly. The Lord looks for believers who are teachable, willing to repent, and prepared to surrender to God’s greater will – folks who are a lot like Peter.

Too many Christians have already decided how much the Lord can do with them, based on education, personality, or talent. But God isn’t interested in qualifications. He seeks willing followers who echo Isaiah’s call, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) That’s triumphant living.

Question: In what ways do you see elements of Peter’s life and challenges mirrored in your own?

About this Author: Charles Stanley

Whenever we find ourselves eaten up with worry, fear, anxiety, or devoured by the pressures of the day, God tells us to take note. Being consumed is a red flag and God gives us directions for just such times.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  Be self controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:7)

There is an enemy of our souls and his goal is to devour us. God tells us to be alert. Take note when you are being consumed by something. Scripture tells us the enemy of our soul comes to kill, steal and destroy and we are to be watchful. Being consumed by fear, worry, gossip, a particular temptation or the pressures of the day will, at best, steal from you and rob you of peace in your soul and joy in the moment. At worst it can destroy health and relationships and your fellowship with the God who wants to help you.

So what do you do when you realize something is just eating you up? You resist as the scripture says. How do you resist? You begin to see worry as a call to prayer, inviting God into your circumstance to direct you and give you wisdom.  You resist worry through prayer. (Philippians 4:6)  You resist fear through Scripture, knowing God has said that He has not given us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). You stand firm in your faith knowing that the consuming downward spiral you find yourself in is not your Heavenly Father’s plan for you.

God cares about you. Remember: Your worry is a call to prayer. List the things that tend to devour you. Release them from your heart and mind by giving them to God in prayer.

Ask God to take the things on your heart and to give you His peace in return. Be prepared to ask for His strength to resist your worries each time they threaten to overwhelm you. Exchange your worries, in prayer, for God’s peace.

~Father in Heaven, Thank you for showing me that worry is really a call to prayer. Help me to be alert and to run to You when I am being eaten up with worry or fear. Thank you that I can throw my cares into Your lap and stand firm in Your promises. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Questions: As mentioned in the devotional, what do you do when you realize something is just eating you up? Discuss Philippians 4:6-9.

About this Author: Gail Rodgers

“James, a bond – servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:1-4

The Christian life is an awesome journey that is meant to bring fulfillment and contentment, along with great rewards. Of course, if someone asked me about the Christian life, I would also have to say that it is full of hardship, difficulty, misunderstanding, rejection, doubt, and failure. It is not all pain, suffering, and heartache, but neither is it all happiness. More than likely, someone is going to ask, “Why would I want to be Christian if it’s going to hurt?”

The simple answer is that we will never be what God intends until we trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. No amount of riches, power, or success will satisfy us like an intimate relationship with God. Becoming a Christian does not suddenly dry up all the present or future suffering in our life. The difference is that we now know the loving Father, who has absolute control over everything we endure. He promises to love us through it all and care for us. And He promises to limit every trial so that we can bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

With each trial, we mature in our walk. While none of us likes pain, difficulty produces the character qualities that enable us to stay on the path God chooses. We will not become discouraged to the point of quitting if we respond with endurance. The result of endurance is that we learn to look above the things that distract us – like criticism, rejection, and setbacks – and we increasingly find ourselves able to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.

Question: When you are explaining your trials to others, how do you frame them? Can we attempt to frame our struggles in a way that reflects our Christian hope and sanctification?

About the Author: Charles Stanley