Today's Devotions

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7

Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

    This is the second part of three talks by NT Wright at Harvard University in November, 2008 on the topic Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

bonhoeffer 3Who is pure in heart? Only those who have completely given their hearts to Jesus, so that he alone rules in them. Only those who do not stain their hearts with their own evil, but also not with their own good.

A pure heart is the simple heart of a child, who does not know about good and evil, the heart of Adam before the fall, the heart in which the will of Jesus rules instead of one's own conscience.... A pure heart is pure of good and evil; it belongs entirely and undivided to Christ; it looks only to him, who goes on ahead. Those alone will see God who in this life have looked only to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Their hearts are free of defiling images; they are not pulled back and forth by the various wishes and intentions of their own. Their hearts are fully absorbed in seeing God. They will see God whose hearts mirror the image of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Wisdom

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

Questions to Ponder

How is it possible to live in our complex world and still give your heart "completely" to Jesus?
What does it mean to say that people can "stain their hearts...with their own good"?
How would those whose "hearts mirror the image of Jesus Christ" relate to other people, both friends and strangers?
Psalm Fragment

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the Lord,
and vindication from the God of their salvation. Psalm 24:3-5

Journal Reflections

Bonhoeffer wrote that: "A pure heart is the simple heart of a child..." Think back to when you were a child. How did you see things differently as a child than you do now as an adult?
What, if any, are the "defiling images" that stand between you and the vision of God? How might you begin to cleanse your heart of them?
What, if any, are your various "wishes and intentions" that pull you "back and forth" and prevent you from seeing God? How might you begin to become free of them?
Intercessions

Pray for all the children that you know (and then pray for all children) that they would be protected from the "defiling images" culture tries to entice them with.

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to will one thing: to belong entirely and undividedly to you.

40-Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Copyright © 2007 Augsburg Books, imprint of Augsburg Fortress.

http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/40-day-journey-dietrich-bonhoeffer/2012/06/13

Reflections to Consider

  • 1

Publications

  • 1

Music

  • 1

Audio & Video

  • 1

Favorites

  • Eat This Book, Eugene Peterson +

    Eugene Peterson’s book, Eat This Book gets its name from Revelation 10:9-10 when John asks for the scroll containing God’s Read More
  • Interview with Eugene Peterson +

    On March 6, 2011, Eugene Peterson was interviewed on NPR concerning his new memoir, Pastor. In the book, Peterson described Read More
  • God is Personal: Eugene Peterson on prayer +

    The following is from Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight on Jesus and Orthdox faith in the 21st century. There is a Read More
  • The Working Pastor-Eugene Peterson +

    Eugene Peterson spends a few minutes discussing the importance of the pastor in communicating the gospel. He asks "How does Read More
  • 1

Hidden Blessings

  • Difficult People to Love +

    Loving others is not easy, Read More
  • The Surprise of His Love: Psalm 90 +

    Surprise us with love at daybreak; Read More
  • Does God Control Everything?: Tim Keller sermon +

    Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, has an insightful discussion about free will, pre-destination and God's omnipotence, Read More
  • Christ In Everything +

    Do we care about each other as much as Christ does? Am I willing to love others, and sacrifice my Read More
  • 1