Just when you think you have endured enough - - too much, here comes something else to take your breath away and cause your heart to beat harder and faster. And with every beat you wonder - can I make it through this one? Can I forgive him for this? That thief, violator of your child's rights, lying co-worker, cheating spouse, and murderous daughter. Can you - - will you - - take your broken heart and hand it to our tenderhearted God who will touch it, comfort, strengthen it, correct, tenderize, and then place it again in you, and send you out of your secret place with Him, into a still cruel, deceptive and evil world. How do we do this day after day - look into the faces of those who seek to crush us, to destroy our character, our work, our lives? We walk in pureness of heart.
When we "lose it" and display what is far short of the "Glory of God", how do we keep our hearts tender? When it's "just-not-fair" and we hear the laughter and snide remarks after we've served them well? How do we find our footing after a fall and return repentant to the Lord, who abundantly pardons? Where do we find the love for that One with whom we entrusted our deepest treasures and greatest dreams, and then find that they have betrayed us... sold us out... because the grass looked far greener on the other side? And while we yet ponder these thoughts... the world gets darker and darker. My Heart, Lord...My Heart! #HLPAA
You have heard me share the acronym HLPAA. In 2014, the Lord gave me this Acronym and Delivery to share His standard of living that we need for these last days that will help us be - yes, "BE" - always remaining in a state of readiness - for the Lord Jesus Christ's return for us in the Rapture. (Matthew 25.) "H" in that Acronym stands for "Pureness of Heart".
Okay, so, we know there are no stones that we can cast against anyone, because none of us are without sin. (John 8:7; Romans 3:23.) But how can we keep short accounts with God? How can we have hearts that are pure - that quickly turn from retaliatory plans, hearts that instead, seek God's pure justice and not our own? How can we quiet ourselves - shut our mouths - when rehearsing what happened seems to be what's needed to get things off our chest and get the support we deserve? We take hold to the Word of God and BE found DOING it.
1 Peter 3:8-16 reads this way - "8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."
We cannot please God when we seek to give back evil for the evil that was done to us. I am not saying that justice is not in order, I am saying that we must seek the heart of God for the answers, the responses, and the timing and outcomes of whatever steps we should take to resolve any matter. Let your steps BE ordered by the Lord. And even as you forgive, which is absolutely essential, do so, as quickly "as you 'will'" - and Friend, make it as quickly as possible so that your heart will not be hardened by memories associated with the emotional, physical or mental pain you have experienced. Having been abused, I do not suggest that you remain in a place of danger. I am saying that even in forgiving, you will want to seek peace and run after it. The Bible says if it is at all possible, as much as it lies in you - as much as you have the capacity to do - live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18.)
Don't think I find this "pureness of heart to be an easy state to "BE" in. Well... shhhh... don't tell anyone, but it was just last week that my neighbor - who goes from 0 to 10 within the first second of speaking (and) without pursuit of truth, reason or understanding - began screaming accusations at me. And while I attempted to remain in a "state of glory - extending God's Glory to her (that was the plan) each and every word that I attempted to get in (between her screams) became elevated... well - - until I found myself to have reached her pitch - - equally matching it, with the same degree of rage. Dear Jesus! My Heart, Lord...My Heart! Yes, I repented. I prayed for and I blessed her. Romans 12:14 (NLT) "Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them."
These short accounts with God for the errors and sins that we commit, are to be achieved by us all who name the Name of Christ. The more quickly we cleanse our thoughts and our ways, the sooner we will be found to be a "living sacrifice" to the Lord. There is a song I want you to meditate on that I believe that in a quiet setting and intimate time between you and Holy Spirit, He will speak to you, and minister His heart to you, concerning the things that I have shared. Cry out to Holy Spirit - My Heart, Lord... My Heart, and ask Him to cleanse, forgive, heal and deliver you of all that is in your heart that does not reflect His Glory. Ask Him to make you a Living Sacrifice - holy, acceptable to Him. It is your reasonable service to a God that has given you, His all. Romans 12:1, 2 (NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." I am praying for you now, my Friend. I want to ask you to go now to visit the page Selia Darlene Bervine Ministries on the website Arts Culture Connect. When you arrive there scroll down to the song - "Living Sacrifice". Listen to it and be Blessed. Take time with the Lord - don't rush through this time. Instead, confess, pray, and cry out to God. Listen to Holy Spirit - allowing Him to speak to you concerning... whatever He Will. Go here: https://www.artscultureconnect.com/selia-darlene-bervine-ministries I Love You. Be Continually Blessed!