Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are those who understand that what's on the inside ultimately determines what happens on the outside.
Blessed are those who are honest with themselves. Blessed are those who won't trade their character for popular opinion.
Blessed are those who choose the right thing consistently, even when no one is watching.
A woman was traveling through the woods and found a valuable stone.
The next day she ran into another traveler who noticed the stone in her possession. He demanded that she give it to him. And she did so without hesitation.
The traveler left rejoicing, knowing the stone would give him enough fortune for the rest of his life.
However, the next day, he found the woman and gave the stone back to her. She asked why he wanted to give it back. He said, "I was hoping you could give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within your heart that allowed you to give me the stone freely."
Blessed are those who are not possessed by their possessions, for their heart is pure.
A person's character affects how they see the world and how they see the world affects who they become.
Blessed are those who see God in places where we don't because of the state of our hearts.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
The Psalmist asks, "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?"
And then the Psalmist answers, "Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation" (Psalm 24: 3 - 5).
Blessed are those for whom what comes from their mouths matches what lives in their hearts.
Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard says, "Purity of the heart is to will one thing."
Blessed are those who love God with an undivided heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are those who claim to be followers of Jesus and live the way of Jesus in the world, for they shall see God.
Or, as James, the brother of Jesus, puts it, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8).
The pure in heart are those who feel what God feels. They are the ones who are grieved by what grieves God and allow the grief to move them to acts of compassion.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they are the ones who see God all around them.
Gainesville First UMC host week for Family Promise is April 10 - 17. We are grateful for our partnership with Family Promise. We are collecting gift cards for gas, chick fill, and Wal-Mart to support the families at Family Promise. You can drop off gift cards with Misty Leach in the church office. Email Misty Leach at mleach@gfumc.com if you have any questions.
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
This will be an Easter that you do not want to miss!
Fabulous song!
What a beautiful reminder! Thank you pastor!