#822 Beatitudes – Seeing God

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Jesus is promising us that having a pure heart will allow us to see God, and that is one of the greatest hopes of our people.  As we have learned from our Scriptures, seeing God is in righteousness, seeing His likeness.[1]  When we know God intimately and personally, it can only be done so with purity of heart that comes from a conscience that has been purged from evil.  With the conscience having been purged and the heart pure, there is a light within that enables us to see God.  To the Hebrews, being in the presence of kings or priests is considered a great honor, especially to see them personally; therefore, seeing God is to know Him and fellowship with Him in an intimate and personal manner.  But those who have this hope of seeing Him will purify their hearts in order to see Him clearly.

With a pure heart, you can not only see God with the perception of faith, but can look forward to spending eternity with Him!

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?  Or who shall stand in His holy place?  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up His soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”   (Psalm 24:3-4)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] Psalm 17:15 – NIV

#602 Worship – Going Through the Motions of Church

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we look at worship it is important to realize that it is much more than going through the motions of church on Sunday mornings.  Many Christians who have dropped out of going to church say they are “bored” with church and have a desire for a more meaningful experience with God, not finding it in churches that just go through the motions.  Genuine Christians want to not just know who God is, but know Him in a more personal way, to put Him first, and to have fellowship with Him in corporate worship settings.  As Creator, sustainer, and author of our salvation, God is worthy of our worship, and the Holy Spirit speaks to us personally as we join in worship with fellow Christians.  As we learn more and more about true worship, we will experience more and more of the richness of being one of God’s followers.

As you attend your local congregation the next time, think about whether it is truly worshipping God in the service or just going through the motions of church!

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!  Your incense is detestable to Me.  New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.”  (Isaiah 1:13 – NIV)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#600 Deeper Christian Life – God’s Desire

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With many different aspects involved in a deeper Christian life, we often lose sight of the One for whom we are living that deep life, our Lord.  Before we can commit to this deeper life, we must know God, who He is and the reason we worship and live for Him.  When we think about whom God is, the first thing we should remember is that He is the Creator of all things, and we are His, having been formed and redeemed by Him.  We were created for fellowship with Him, and when sin ruined that fellowship, redemption was needed to regain that fellowship.  It was because of God’s love that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die on the cross for our sins, and when we accept Christ by faith we can have the relationship and fellowship with God that He desires.  Is there any better reason for us to strive to live a deeper Christian life?

As a Christian, is our fellowship with God superficial or based on a deep relationship with Him?

“Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him;” (Job 36:26a)

May God Richly Bless You Today