Lori Freeland Christian Blog and Commentary

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A New Spin on Purity: Day Ten

  • Lori Freeland

    Lori Freeland headshotLori Freeland, an encourager at heart, believes everyone has a story to tell and wants to help make those stories as strong as possible. An author, editor, and writing coach, she holds a BA in…

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  • Published Oct 16, 2012

 

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

 

 

"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever" (I Chronicles 28:9 NIV).

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Dear Alek,

Over on Prayer for Freedom's website, the topic is purity. I'm going to steal that theme but not in the way that just raced through your teenage-boy head. When I read the word purity this morning, what popped into my heart was this question.

What is the purest thing I can focus my thoughts on? Not in the sense that I'm avoiding certain images, but rather that I want to actively choose what my mind dwells on today.

Only one answer to this question came to mind--God.

He is Holy and Righteous and Perfect. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the One who began everything else.

When I don't know what to do next, which happens more often than I'd like you to believe, I turn away from myself and look to the Lord. For me, that takes the form of worship songs and praying scripture out loud.

Removing the focus off me and off my confusion somehow wipes away the smear that blurs my future and then suddenly I'll know what God has for me.

Turn your thoughts to the Lord today, and every day, and see what awesome things He wants to show you.

Prayer:

Father, give Alek an understanding of who You are in his life today. Speak words that he can understand that mean something deep and lasting in his heart. Meet him more than half-way and reach out so he gets what turning to You really entails. Forge a bond that is pure and right. A bond he can turn back to repeatedly, no matter how often he strays. Because he will stray. We all do. We're human. Thank you for understanding that.

The Journey

 Who are YOU praying for today?

Even Jesus prayed.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,

Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place,

where he prayed” (Mark 1:35 NIV).

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If you missed any posts, you can find them here.

Take a Spin Down Intercession Lane and Change the Life of a Child

Prayer Moves Mountains: Day One

Look to the Hills: Day Two

You Must Ask: Day Three

Take Captive Every Thought: Day Four

You Are Not Alone: Day Five

Quit Looking at the Old: Day Six

Revisit Your Blessings: Day Seven 

What Does God Have For You? Day Eight