Cup of Faith - Day 7

Scripture of the Day

 

Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Devotion of the Day

Today's devotion is taken from the devotional Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham.  

Why does Jesus say we should be "pure in heart"? The reason is because our heart - our inner being - is the root of all our actions. From our hearts come our motives, our desires, our goals, our emotions. If our hearts aren't right, neither will be our actions.

Jesus put it this way: "From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness" (Mark 7:21-22). Not a very pretty picture!

But God wants to give us a pure heart - and He will. He does this first of all when we turn to Christ in repentance and faith, for "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). But He does it also day by day, as we submit to the Holy Spirit and - with His help - flee from evil and seek what is good. "Blessed are the pure in heart."

Focus Points for Today

Question -Are there times in your day that you need to flee from evil? Flee from thoughts of envy, pride,  or jealousy?

Action - Today your challenge is to give someone else the benefit of the doubt. When that car cuts you off or when someone makes a rude comment try not to jump to conclusions. Maybe that driver is headed to a special event for their child and they are late... maybe that co-worker had a fight with their spouse last night and is just trying to hold back tears at work. We never know the whole story. Instead of moving to evil thoughts...STOP and give them the benefit of the doubt.