Zer0 Is G00d

Yesterday, I attended the Women's Conference at my church.  The theme was "Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God".  The speaker was Georgene Rice.  She beautifully shared what a pure heart looks like according to God's Word.  She talked about repentance, humility, an eternal perspective, faithfulness, obedience, Biblical worldview, unity, surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, total devotion, contentment, faith, and more.

I'd like to share what I wrote awhile ago about this same theme with a twist :).
 
Usually, when we think of "zero," we think of something negative such as zero points on a score board, zero on a test, zero dollars in our checkbook, etc. But "zero" can be good, very good!

Do you know what’s in your water? It’s not easy to find water that’s just water.  We bought "ZeroWater," a water filtration system that completely removes organic contaminants and metals. The kit included an electronic water tester TDS. This TDS meter is a very cool gadget! It’s the same testing tool used in labs to check for the presence of contaminants. We had lots of fun testing water from different sources. Our tap water showed 031 (parts per million), our filtered water that we had been using (Pur) showed 020, and bottled water showed 038. But when we tested the water that was filtered by our new system, the meter showed 000 (hence the name "ZeroWater"). As pure as it gets, folks! The reading 000 indicates that the tester detects no traces of dissolved solids and chemicals that are usually found in your tap and bottled water. We joked about taking this meter with us when we go eat out at restaurants and using it to test their water. We the Water Inspectors :)!!!

Now…wouldn’t it be interesting to have a heart tester that could detect if there are any contaminants (jealousy, envy, bitterness,….sins)? We all would hope/desire to get the reading 000 which reflects a "pure" heart! I told you, "Zer0 is g00d!"

The test: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

The result: "Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?" Proverbs 20:9

The solutions:
1. Pray and ask God to cleanse our heart. "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

2. Confess our sins and repent.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1John1:9

3. Live our life according to God’s Word. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word." Psalm 119:9

The benefits:
"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior." Psalm 24:3-5

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

"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1Timothy1:5

Just as water needs a water filtration system to remove contaminants, our heart needs God to remove our sins/our desire to sin and purify it.
"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
"God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith." Acts 15:8-9
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14


~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Thankful Thursday #14

 
This week...
1. I am thankful that the best Gift in the world is free to all.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)  No gifts can ever compare to Jesus, the greatest Gift of all!

2. I am thankful for any gifts or abilities the Lord has blessed me with.  I desire to use them wisely and for His glory.

3. I am thankful that God never leaves me nor forsakes me (Deuteronomy 31:6).  Praise Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)!  God is with us and in us!

4. I am thankful for running water and clean water.  Water is very important; however, we don't really think about it until we have to live without it.  One of my friends has had no water because of broken pipes.  Daily living has become difficult for her and her family.  Now think about those people in some countries who have no clean water.  Please do all you can to help.

5. I am thankful for Christian writers who are willing to share their stories to help and encourage others.  I am hosting 12 Pearls of Christmas.  Each day until Dec. 25th, I post different inspiring and touching stories written by Christian female authors.  Please scroll down to read what I have posted so far.

P.S. I'm having a book giveaway on my HSB blog. You can win a copy of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day by C.D. Baker.