SOAP Devotional 2015-01-30

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SOAP Devotional 2015-01-30

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

Scripture:

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ NLT)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ NASB)

Observation:

In the time that these words were spoken, the focus was on ceremonial purification. Being pure was more about being faithful in all the rituals and actions of the law and had even taken on all the additional requirements the Pharisees had come up with. Today that has translated into those who call themselves Christians and are careful to keep all the outward expectations of the church. Instead, Jesus refers to those whose minds, motives, and principles are pure. These whose desire to be holy in their heart rather than to only seek to have their external actions correct are the ones who will see God.

Application:

Man tends to look on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. Our thoughts, motives, and principles are important. We need to keep them in line with what God's word teaches. We cannot so that without studying and learning what His word teaches. Our outward actions are then purified by the Spirit through the inner man. Let's face it, what is on the inside eventually comes out no matter how hard we try to keep it in., good or bad. The reward is that we will see God. I do not think that is just a future promise. We will see him in our lives and be aware of His moving through both good and bad circumstances. That brings hope into our lives especially in difficult times.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be the man on the inside that you want me to be. Let your purity be what motivates me from the inside out. Clean me of any impurities by your word and empower me by your Spirit to have the right thoughts, motives, and principles so that the man that others see will be an honest representation of who You have made me on the inside.

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