blessed are the pure in heart!

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL RECEIVE MERCY.

My main takeaway from this sermon was the idea of begging for mercy from God while refusing to give mercy to those who ask of it from you. I love what DJ said about mercy always involving risk. Mercy does not care about the loss of a name, mercy instead sets the individuals understanding of mercy aside and allows God's truth of mercy to intercede for them. One who does not extend mercy to others when mercy has been freely given by God has lost touch with the Truth of God. 

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD.

How I long to be pure in heart. The biggest thing that stood out to me in this sermon was the absolute truth that the pure in heart has to be seen in light of the other beatitudes prior to it. The pure in heart does not mean perfect, it does not mean that they have arrived at their destination, it does not meant that they can make it on their own, and it does not mean that they believe themselves to be righteous. To be pure of heart is to have integrity and to be transparent; it is to seek Truth in all aspects of life. To seek the truth, to crave the truth, to face the truth, to tell the truth, and to live out the truth! 

Lastly, holiness is not to be understood as fullness. It is to be perceived as an emptiness that you discover, in light of Christ, that you recognize as a space for God to take residence.

Praying for everyones safety and well being during this season!