Purity of Heart {a free printable resource}

August 27, 2014 by Patti Brown 1 Comment

All that we are called to as children of God can be distilled into one word: love.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

Love is the reason to pursue purity. When you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, body and mind, you are choosing to put everything of yourself into being His.

We can not do this alone. No one can be pure by sheer force of will. Yes, you have to make the choice to pursue purity moment by moment. But it is only because of the loving mercy and tender care of Jesus that any of stands a chance.

Every single one of us struggles. Jesus knows your struggle to love Him with all of yourself.

Love Him With…

When I find myself battling in a certain area, scripture helps my heart and mind focus where God wants me to.

Love Him with your body.

There are many scriptures addressing physical purity. The Lord cares what we do with our bodies. Not only is it is a reflection of our hearts, but it is also taking care of His own possession – you!

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Love Him with your mind.

Faulty thinking often gets us in trouble. Maybe we have not fully aligned our worldview with His, or we’ve allowed our thoughts to wander down inappropriate trails.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5

Love Him with your heart.

There are over 1000 scriptures about our hearts. Jesus really really cares about your heart. It is the wellspring of life.

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

Help in the Word

Today we have a free resource for you. You can print these Purity of Heart memory verse cards to keep with you, or to put them in strategic places around your home, helping you keep your mind fixed on God’s truth.

Download Purity of Heart verses

Join us tomorrow to learn about more verses specifically focused on purity of mind and body.

All that we are called to as children of God can be distilled into one word: love. #ChristianPurity

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Free resource – Purity of Heart memory verse cards #ChristianPurity

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No one can be pure by sheer force of will. You need Jesus. #ChristianPurity @becomingjoyful

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If they did it to Jesus – John 15:20 {Memory verse}

August 25, 2014 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

As the world treated Jesus back then, so it will treat His followers now.

Remember the word that I said to you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
John 15:20

Think about this verse daily August 25 – August 31. See how it plays out in your own life. If you’d like to share, we’d love to hear what you think.

A hard verse but one Jesus told His followers. Memorize John 15:20 with us. #HideHisWord

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10+ Resources for Purity in Today’s World

August 21, 2014 by Caroline 2 Comments

So far this month, we’ve been diving in to why purity is important and looking at biblical examples of purity.

We know remaining pure in various aspects of life and relationships rests on focusing our hearts on honoring God. And maintain (or regaining) a pure life centers on sharing God’s love more.

But how do we find reliable resources to help guide us in implementing the Bible’s truths into today’s culture? What about resources to help teach our kids?

The Bible is our first and best resource. (Stayed tuned for Lindsey’s post next week with a list of verses about purity.) Read below for a list of other great websites and books to assist you and your family in the steadfast challenge for sustaining purity.

Resources for Adults about Purity

Sheila Wray Gregoire at To Love, Honor, and Vacuum writes mainly to married couples about the married relationship and various forms of purity within it. All readers might not always agree with her opinions, but her posts get you thinking and starting discussions with your spouse.
[amazon_link id=”0800723139″ target=”_blank” ]Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control[/amazon_link] by Elisabeth Elliot (Revell, 1997, 2013)
[amazon_link id=”0802473156″ target=”_blank” ]The 5 Love Languages[/amazon_link] by Gary Chapman (Northfield Publishing, 2010)
[amazon_link id=”0736937773″ target=”_blank” ]12 Questions to Ask Before You Marry[/amazon_link] by Clayton and Charie King (Harvest House, 2011)
Focus on the Family has multiple marriage and parenting articles.
John Piper’s website, Desiring God, has many resources on purity.
The Gospel Coalition wrote about fleeing impurity.
If you’re unsure if you can ever turn back from a broken past, read this article at People of the Second Chance.
A Deeper Story has several thought-provoking articles on purity and relationships, including this one about purity extending beyond just sexual expression.

Resources for Families about Purity

We Are THAT Family is a phenomenal blog on sharing thoughts, perspectives, and tips for discussing purity with teens and kids. I love Kristen’s realistic and loving approach.
[amazon_link id=”1433684330″ target=”_blank” ]True Love Project: How the Gospel Defines Your Purity[/amazon_link] by Clayton and Charie King (B&H Kids, 2014) – Clayton King doesn’t mess around when discussing serious topics. He adds a dash of humor into his speeches and writing, but remains relevant and powerfully shares biblically-based truth. This new book of his is geared towards teens.
If you’re unsure about your child seeing a certain movie or reading a specific book, take a look at the media reviews at Crosswalk. While you might have differing standards as those expressed at times, the reviews can give you an open idea of what themes are discussed within a movie or book.

What are some of your favorite family resources for purity? Please share in the comments!

Resources for adults and families about #ChristianPurity in today’s world:

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We might know why we need to sustain purity, but where are solid resources to help guide us?

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15 Verses to Pray for Personal Purity

August 20, 2014 by Julie 2 Comments

Our personal purity has a purpose. To live God’s way in an ungodly world, we need to engage the power of prayer in our lives. Not only do we need help to resist temptation, but we need God’s work in us to give us a truly pure heart. We only have to look to God’s own Word to find powerful verses to pray for Personal Purity. At the end of this post you’ll find an easy printable list to make these verses part of your prayer time.

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. (Psalm 101:3a) ~ Help me choose things of value for my learning and entertainment.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) ~ May my words & thoughts please You.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23, 24) ~ Please show the true condition of my heart and lead me to being pure of heart.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9,11) ~ Help me to know, remember, and obey the truth of Your word.
They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (Ephesians 4:19) ~ Keep me from becoming callous to sensuality and impurity.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
(Romans 12:2) ~ Renew my mind daily so I will know what is acceptable to You.
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
(Psalm 119:37) ~ When I am tempted to look at worthless things, help me turn away and find life in Your ways.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
(Proverbs 16:2) ~ Please weigh my spirit and show me how to be pure in Your eyes.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
(2 Timothy 2:22) ~ Help me flee temptation & pursue righteousness, faith, love & peace.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) ~ Create a clean heart in me.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) ~ Give me a desire to glorify You with my body.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
(Romans 6:12) ~ Help me to be obedient with my passions.
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (Proverbs 25:28) ~ Teach me to have self-control that comes from your Spirit.
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 16:41) ~ Give me a desire to be a person of prayer so I will refuse temptation.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) ~ When I am tempted, show me clear ways of escape and show me Your faithfulness.

Download your printable copy of 15 Verses to Pray for Personal Purity

Chosen out of the world – John 15:19 {Memory verse}

August 18, 2014 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

Jesus had enemies when He was here in the flesh. Now that He lives in us, He still has enemies here. But take heart: we’ve been chosen to rise above, just as He did.

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:19

We invite you to memorize this verse with us this week, August 18 – August 24. Leave a comment here with your thoughts and visit our Facebook group for more conversation.

Live above the world; Jesus chose you for that. John 15:19 #HideHisWord

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You are God’s good china

August 14, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 22 Comments

You’re encouraged often to be pure. To abstain from this. To avoid that. You know what not to do. And rightly so.

But why? What’s the point of maintaining purity? Is it only about what you don’t do? What about what you should do? And what happens when you’re already impure?

PURITY’S PURPOSE: TO LOVE

Purity’s purpose, like all else Jesus taught, is so you can love others more and reflect the glory of God (1 Timothy 1:5).

We’ve been reading over and over in John 15 (and memorizing) where Jesus clearly states His intentions for all: Love one another (John 15:12).

He’s declared you clean for that reason (John 15:3).
He abides in you for that reason (John 15:5).
He laid down His very life for that reason (John 15:13).

So you can love. Out of a pure heart can come pure love. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Once you’ve seen Him, you can show Him to others.

He wants to use you around His table to love another.

You are God’s good china.

BUT IF YOU’RE DIRTY

If you, like each of us, have dirt on your plate (Proverbs 20:9), know this: You’re still a valuable dish!

No one is pure by his own doing; you are only pure because God says so.

Don’t stay hidden on a shelf behind cabinet doors because you think you’re too stained. Maybe you think you lack energy or beauty or skills to love others the way God wants you to. You’ve got a damaged past that brings consequences. And hidden temptations even now that are hard to beat. Welcome to humanity. Everybody lacks. Too tired tonight, too mad tomorrow, too insecure right now to send out a party invitation.

Does that mean you give up altogether on purity? Certainly not. Don’t sin more so grace can abound more (Romans 6:1). Keep doing the dishes and wiping off the table.

But rest in knowing that even though God sees the inside of your cup as well as the outside, He still chooses you anyway (John 15:16). He loves you anyway. He will love through you anyway.

SERVE UP GRACE

Jesus—grace personified—did maintain a completely pure life so that through His purity, you are clean. Abide in His love to more purely love others (1 Peter 1:22).

You keep throwing the party; trust God to multiply the fish and loaves. As He loves you as you are, learn to love others as they are.

So set the table and invite another to gather around. Let go of any shame over your broken pieces and let God use you to nourish another. A nicked plate can still serve great food. Something greater, higher, bigger.

It’s not about the dishes anyway. It’s about the fellowship around the table. Jesus is the host, the bread, and the wine.

It’s a serving of grace; is there anything sweeter or purer?
Grace, dished out even on chipped china, is an irresistible meal.

You are God’s good china. Set the table and throw a party.

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Grace, dished out even on chipped china, is an irresistible meal.

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Do you allow your past to prevent you from loving in the present?
Who needs you today to serve a meal of grace?
Please share in the comments.

Raising Little Kids with Big Love

August 13, 2014 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

We welcome Lori Wildenberg of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting to Do Not Depart today. Lori is sharing about her new book [amazon_link id=”0991284240″ target=”_blank” ]Raising Little Kids with Big Love[/amazon_link].

10 Typical Parenting Questions Answered in One Place

Faith-filled parents of little kids (toddler to eight years old) share similar concerns. Here are some typical questions:

How can I increase my child’s self-worth?
How do I build family unity?
How can I encourage my kids to be friends?
What do I do when my child lies or steals?
How can I effectively deal with tantrums and whining?
How can I control my own temper?
What can I do to be a good advocate for my special needs or gifted child in the school setting?
What limits should I establish on media?
What makes my child act the way he does?
How can respect be put back into my family?

Each of these questions would require at least a chapter’s worth of words to effectively answer. That is why Becky Danielson and I wrote [amazon_link id=”0991284240″ target=”_blank” ]Raising Little Kids with Big Love[/amazon_link]. It has just been published and is available on [amazon_link id=”0991284240″ target=”_blank” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] and Barnes and Noble (coming to brick and mortar stores soon).

The book is geared for parents and grandparents of kids, toddler to eight. It can also be read in a book club or small group setting. There is a companion study guide that accompanies the book. So if a family ministry leader, mentor, or children’s pastor wanted to lead a parenting class the material is provided.

Becky and I know this book will be a blessing to parents of young kids because it provides practical and easily applicable faith-based tools and tips to assist moms and dads to be the parents they want to be. Short term behavior and long term character building are both addressed in [amazon_link id=”0991284240″ target=”_blank” ]Raising Little Kids with Big Love[/amazon_link]. Parents feel satisfied because they can immediately utilize the short term behavior strategies and be intentional in shaping their child’s heart and character.

And… if you have a tween or teen, our book Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love is coming soon.

Please help Becky and me spread the word to those with young families.

Tweetable:

Raising Little Kids With Big Love – new Christian parenting book by @LoriWildenberg. #LetTheChildrenCome http://wp.me/p1Su7F-33d tweet this

Lori Wildenberg knows full well the struggles a parent with little kids experiences. At one point, she had four kids, ages five and under! Lori is passionate about coming alongside parents to encourage, empower, strengthen, and support them. She communicates effectively with transparency, warmth, and gentle humor. Her straight-forward, realistic approach engages her audience and assists moms and dads in their quest to parent well.

Lori has more than twenty-five years’ experience working with parents and kids in both secular and faith-based settings. She is a licensed parent and family educator who shares her personal and professional experience. Lori and her ministry partner, Becky Danielson, are founders of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting. Together they have authored three faith-based parenting books. The Wildenbergs live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. A perfect day in Lori’s world is hiking with her husband, Tom, four kids, and labradoodle. Lori is available for speaking, parent consulting, and teacher in-service training. Contact her at www.loriwildenberg.com or 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.

The World’s Way or God’s Way?

August 12, 2014 by Kathy Howard 5 Comments

Purity for Today's Christian Woman When I look at my three grown children I see hints of both my husband and me. My daughters have Wayne’s dark eyes. My son Mark’s eyes are green like mine. Sometimes when Mark speaks he sounds exactly like his dad. And occasionally the girls move in a way that mirrors one of my mannerisms.

Physically we are all a mix of our parents – good traits and less desirable ones too. But unfortunately, the character and behavior of believers are also often a mix. In some ways we reflect our heavenly Father and sometimes we look just like the world.

This month at Do Not Depart we are focusing on sexual purity for today’s Christian woman. The gap continues to grow between the world’s sexual standards and God’s. If we truly desire to follow Jesus, we must dare to ask ourselves: “Are my values and behavior in the area of purity being shaped by God or the world?”

God commands us to turn away from the world’s values and standards and instead be shaped by His thinking. His character. His ways.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2, NLT

Sadly, many of us are shaped more by the world than we even realize. We live in a culture that is saturated with sex, sexual overtones, and sexual undertones. It is pervasive. Our society has “lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Ephesians 4:19).

But God calls us to “put off” that way of life, “which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires,” and to be “made new in the attitude of our minds” and to live a holy life (Ephesians 4:20-24).

Today, let’s lay the world’s standards alongside God’s and see where we stand. The table below compares God’s truth with the world’s viewpoint on a number of sexual issues. As you review it, ask God to show you whether He or the world most shapes your attitude and behavior.

TOPIC	WORLD’S VIEW	GOD’S TRUTH	SCRIPTURE
Sex Before Marriage	At the worst: Anytime, anyone. At the best: Okay if you’re “in love”	God created sex. But He designed it to be for one man and one woman within the context of a marriage relationship.	Genesis 1:27-28, 2:20-25;Matt 19:4-9
Adultery	Still frowned upon in some circles, but easily justified – loveless marriage, marriage problems, etc.	The principle above also applies to the married man and woman. Sex should be reserved for the married couple.	Exodus 20:14;Matt 15:16-20, 19:4-9; 1 Tim 1:8-10
Pornography –Defined as “obscene writings, drawings, photographs, etc.”	Not only has our culture increasingly accepted pornography, our culture’s definition of what is “obscene” has also changed. So much so, Christian women read books like “Fifty Shades of Grey” without hesitation.	Reading & viewing sexually graphic material fosters sexual desire & even creates a physical response. Since Jesus said lusting after a woman is the same as the physical act of adultery, we must guard our hearts & minds from anything that causes this kind of reaction.	Matt 5:27-30Phil 4:8
Personal Appearance	Women dress to be sexually desirable. Even clothing for young girls reflects this. Edgy, sexy, flirtatious is the goal.	God is the author of beauty. But our culture has replaced beauty with “sexy.” Christian women must be careful not to cause anyone to stumble by the way we dress. Our conduct in every area must be for the glory of God.	1 Peter 3:3-4;1 Cor 8:9;1 Cor 10:31-33
General Role of Sex	We live in a hyper-sexualized culture. Sex pervades every area of our society. Advertisers know that “sex sells.” We give condoms to middle-schoolers and “Teen Moms” grace the cover of supermarket tabloids.	God created sex as good, enjoyable, & productive. But He also created limits. Our limits are to be one man with one woman inside the bounds of marriage. Sin has warped it and made it vulgar.	Eph 4:17-24

Print PDF version.

What’s the verdict? Did you discover any areas that need to be transformed by God’s truth? Which areas do you think Christians struggle with most?

Are my values of purity and behavior being shaped by God or the world?

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Love one another – John 15:17-18 {Memory verse}

August 11, 2014 by Lisa Burgess Leave a Comment

What is important to Jesus? That we love one another. Over and over we read it in His words. As we memorize John 15, we see it again in this weeks’ verses, as well as a foreshadowing of why we’ll need that love.

17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
John 15:17-18

What does Jesus want us to do? Love one another. #HideHisWord

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Lessons from Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife – Purity and Temptation

August 7, 2014 by Ali Shaw 4 Comments

So, what could an ancient male slave teach today’s Christian woman about purity? Remember Joseph’s story? He was the Israelite boy sold by his brothers into slavery, and then bought by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, to be one of his personal household servants. (Story found in Gen 39.)

Time hasn’t altered God’s views of holiness because God doesn’t change. So here, thousands of years later, we modern Christian women can learn much about purity and restraint from Joseph’s brief encounter with Potiphar’s wife.

Joseph

The Lord prospered Joseph until he became the overseer of all Potiphar had. Nothing was held back from Joseph, except, of course, Potiphar’s wife. (Gen 39:9)

7And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her. Gen 39:7-10

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife - Purity and Temptation at www.donotdepart.com — Painting by Guido Reni c. 1631

When approached with the opportunity to sin, Joseph refused. The Bible shows us that Joseph’s immediate responses were verbal and physical refusal, and acknowledgement that this sin would be both wicked and directly against God.

Yet, Potiphar’s wife was persistent and continued to try to lure Joseph.

12she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.

Joseph not only refused with words and actions, but took things one step further by refusing Potiphar’s wife of his presence.

When sin attempts to lure us, like Joseph, we can reject it by:

Saying we reject it
Not listening to or heeding it
Rejecting it with our actions
Removing ourselves from it entirely

It was Joseph’s heart for honoring God that kept him pure. When we have a pure heart and pure motives, pure actions follow.

“If we mean not to do iniquity, let us flee as a bird from the snare, and as a roe from the hunter.” ~Matthew Henry

Before these words were penned by Paul, Joseph lived them out: “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Cor 6:18)

Potiphar’s Wife

Potiphar’s wife, on the other hand, did not have a heart for honoring God. Rather, she lived to please herself. Her motives were all about self-indulgence and temporary pleasure, and she had no moral boundaries already in place.

Joseph was a handsome man (Gen 39:6) and she noticed it. Not only did she notice Joseph, she took what could have been innocent observation to another level when she “cast her eyes” on him.

After noticing, and then lusting after Joseph, Potiphar’s wife then showed complete disregard for personal restraint when she invited him to sleep with her, again and again, day after day. (Gen 39:10)

Potiphar’s wife continued to intensify the situation when she then grabbed Joseph and demanded what she wanted. And when he fled, she lied. (Gen 39:14-18)

Although Potiphar’s wife was not a follower of God, we can use her sin as a warning.

Stop observation before it turns into lust.
Stop lust, and repent, before a desire to act upon it develops.
Stop the action, and repent, before it leads to other sin. (In Potiphar’s wife, dishonesty.)

Christian Women Today

Christian women today can also be confronted with temptations of impurity. Unholy movies, novels, internet activities, worldly expectations, and even unholy relationships are all around us. Thankfully, learning from both Joseph and Potiphar’s wife can both warn and encourage us to live with a pure heart set on honoring God.

Here are a few verses for your edification: