10-20-20   THOUGHTS

When it comes to our relationship with God, there is no place, no room for the unreal!  
Jesus began his teaching with some powerful characteristics of those who would be his people.
Matt 5:8   “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
I’ve always thought that Jesus issued a high compliment to Nathaniel.
John 1:47  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"
"Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."  NIV
"There’s a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body."  Message Bible
Barnes:   “He does not say that Nathanael was without guilt or sin, but that he had no disguise, no trick, no deceit — he was sincere and upright. This was a most honourable testimony. How happy would it be if he, who knows the hearts of all as he did that of Nathanael, could bear the same testimony of all who profess the religion of the gospel!”
In a book I’m reading [The Weight Of Glory -Introduction, C.S.Lewis ], the term
“WIN WORSHIP”   was used.  It was defined as good deeds designed to increase one’s REPUTATION!    RIGHT DOING...  WRONG MOTIVATION!
Each day brings opportunity for self-examination doesn’t it?

Ps 73:1   Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart!
Ps 32:2  How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!
Rev 14:5  And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.
Rom 2:28-29   For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  29  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
1Pet 2:1-3   Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,  2  like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3  if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
Our humanness wants reputation.  The SELF clamors inside us for its place.
Luke 9:23  And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
John 12:24   "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

My Prayer:
Oh Lord, help me to keep myself from discounting my relationship with you.  Teach me to die daily.  I need your strength to get out of the way so that my heart might ever be pure.  Take away the deceit that springs from improper motivation.  I would have a pure heart Oh God,  please.
In the name of Jesus my savior                         Amen