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Wholeness Journey V: The Seven Steps to the Life of God

2. Prayer. Blessed and Holy Father, speak to us in Thy love and let us see the beauty of Thy holiness. Open Thy Word to our hearts, and open our hearts to Thy Word, we pray. We ask for the witness of the Holy Spirit in every one who receives this study, that they may see that Thou are really guidin

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Wholeness Journey V: The Seven Steps to the Life of God

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    1. 1 Wholeness Journey V: The Seven Steps to the Life of God This presentation is not designed to give you the formula that will get you whole, but to put you on the journey to discover God’s custom made plan for your individual wholeness

    2. 2 Prayer Blessed and Holy Father, speak to us in Thy love and let us see the beauty of Thy holiness. Open Thy Word to our hearts, and open our hearts to Thy Word, we pray. We ask for the witness of the Holy Spirit in every one who receives this study, that they may see that Thou are really guiding into a life of full triumph over all the works of the devil and of the flesh. O Jesus, take over in every life and show each one how to lose his own life, too. In His dear name Who led the way through death into life - Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Amen Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    3. 3 There are seven steps down and out of the knowledge of God Seven steps mankind has followed down, and out, from the God-knowledge into the flesh lust-love and works which are in the world - and in ourselves by being born into it Seven steps that have landed mankind in the anti-God, and anti-Christ realm called the “lusts of their own hearts,” and “the spirit of this world” The purpose of this study is to set out on a journey to retrace these seven steps back up and into the lost knowledge of the living God Jesus called that knowledge, “eternal life” Retracing Mankind’s Descent Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    4. 4 NKJ Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. NKJ Hosea 4:6a My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [of God]*. * “of God” added to show that it is the knowledge of God or rather “knowing God intimately” that is the issue contextually (see Hosea 4:1 above) and not simply knowing about things. Knowing God intimately will reveal the truth that He is Mercy Himself! The Knowledge of God Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    5. 5 NAU Romans 1:21a For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God Why has mankind refused to honor (glorify) God? Because there was something about Him which they did not like Therefore, they would not glory in that which He gloried in It is God’s will that the first Adam’s race detests, despises, and refuses It is His will which causes the reaction in the human heart, to refuse Him as God God Himself is what His will is - they are one First Step Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    6. 6 What the Bible teaches about Mercy is the Knowledge of God or said another way - knowing God intimately When you know God intimately, will you glorify Him as God - as the God who reveals Himself as He is? NLT Hosea 6:6 I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices. I want you to know God; that's more important than burnt offerings. First Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    7. 7 Genesis Chapter 1 Why are most Christians bored? They view the Bible from a people-centered view of the Scriptures Most don’t get excited until Genesis 3, then they have something to live for…saving the lost world! They have nonverbally communicated to themselves and God that the Bible is all about people

    8. 8 Genesis Chapter 1 (cont.) Two views on the main character of the Bible: God is the main character of the Bible and lives to radiate His glory; therefore, God lives for God Humanity is the main character of the Bible and God lives to provide for us; therefore, God lives for humanity The average true believer says the Bible is all about God, but lives as if humanity is … Consequently, humanity often replaces God as the main character of the Bible

    9. 9 Genesis Chapter 1 (cont.) Let’s look at two examples: First example: What did God get out of Jesus’ death? Most Christians want to say “He got us” but that is jumping straight back into a people-centered perspective! He also received glory, honor, praise, adoration and obedience. Most Christians overlook this Second example: Why don’t you want others to go to hell? Most people don’t want others to go to hell because they’ll suffer (back to a people centered perspective) David talks about the praise God wouldn’t receive NKJ Psalm 30:9 "What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?

    10. 10 Cat and Dog Theology These two views on the Bible’s main character have “birthed” two types of Christianity These two differences are seen in the different attitudes between a dog and a cat A dog says: “You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, You must be God.” A cat says: “You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, I must be God.” It’s very hard to differentiate between a Dog and a Cat in church They both look and act “Christian” but there is a huge difference in their heart attitude

    11. 11 Getting to Heaven Cats have a tendency to walk away from hell. Their sole focus is on themselves Dogs walk toward heaven having fallen in love with God Many Christians today are joyless simply because they are still focused on themselves and are walking away from hell NKJ Matthew 13:44 " Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

    12. 12 Guarantee of Salvation Cats are sure they are Christians because they “prayed a prayer” some time in their lives Dogs are sure they are Christians because they hunger for God in their lives. This is how they know they are believers whether or not they prayed a prayer at some time in their lives

    13. 13 Obedience School Both Cats and Dogs want obedience in their lives. Dogs want to obey God. Cats want God to obey them You usually see this reflected in the motive for their prayer requests: Cats pray for a more Christ-like spouse in order to have a better quality of life for themselves and children Dogs pray for a more Christ-like spouse in order for the name of Jesus to no longer be reproached by their poor behavior

    14. 14 Quiet Times Both Cats and Dogs have quiet times Dogs focus on God’s glory (they think, “How is God’s reputation being affected by my life?”) Cats focus on themselves (how can they better their life…?)

    15. 15 Prayer NKJ Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Dogs pray to establish God’s kingdom Cats pray to establish their own kingdom

    16. 16 Blessing and Responsibilities Cats want all the blessings and none of the responsibilities As a result, two major problems arise in Cat Theology: An incomplete gospel comes about, and Cats have mixed-up priorities

    17. 17 Incomplete Gospel Over time, Cat Theology develops into an incomplete gospel Cats are saved from hell and it stops there This is not incorrect, but it is incomplete Dogs are saved from hell, FOR WORSHIP

    18. 18 In Our Prayers Praying “Father, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins” is not incorrect, but it is incomplete He died on the cross for our sins SO THAT we might point to God and glorify Him

    19. 19 In Our Blessings Cats focus on gathering all of God’s blessings with a bucket. And once they have them, they keep them Dogs gather as many blessings as they can from God and pass them on to others. They know that the blessings are meant to go through them to others

    20. 20 Mixed up Priorities: Blessings and Glory Both Cats and Dogs want to see God glorified and want to be blessed by God Dogs hunger more for God’s glory Whereas Cats hunger more for the blessings

    21. 21 Worship Dogs worship God primarily for who He is Cats worship God primarily for what He’s done for them

    22. 22 Tessara Why all these differences? Dogs study “Theology” while Cats study “MEology” Dogs see God’s glory like a stained glass window Each piece of glass is called a “tessera.” Each tessera uniquely displays God’s glory, such as the animal kingdom, the family unit, taste, the stars “Glory is any revelation or expression of His excellency in His presence, creativity and/or character” One way God chooses to reveal His glory is through blessing us!

    23. 23 Satan’s Strategy Satan doesn’t want Christians to focus on God’s glory His strategy is to get humanity to focus in on something “safe” and “close to God’s heart” so their focus is off of God’s glory As a result, we begin to think that life is all about us. Because of this, we make a foundational shift in our theology Our focus goes off of God glorifying Himself through blessing us Our focus is on receiving the blessings from God, and we become primary; God’s glory becomes secondary

    24. 24 Cat’s are Living for Themselves Cats are basically living for themselves in a Christian context They’ve rejected other “ways” of life and have chosen Christianity as the best way to live for themselves Therefore, Life is still all about them

    25. 25 WDGG Dogs ask one key question as they go through life: What Does God Get? As a result, they realize that life is for God, it is not for us They see the joy God had in Genesis 1 while He was creating!

    26. 26 A Prayer of Repentance Heavenly Father please forgive us: For thinking life was about us and not You For advancing our kingdom and not Yours For seeking Your blessings more than You For an incomplete Christianity For mixed-up priorities For living for ourselves in a Christian context For not seeing Your glory all around us I repent (i.e., change my mind and heart) Please fill me again with your Holy Spirit that I might live to make You famous

    27. 27 Seek Only our Heavenly Father’s Glory NKJ James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Our motive in prayer must be only for our Father’s glory; it is not enough just to pray for good things For example, you may be praying for revival in your church so that we might have more people born again, that we would be better parents, or that the world would not influence our children These are noble requests that are in God’s will but are selfish in motive The only motive that is free from selfishness is the desire to see our Heavenly Father glorified in the things we ask of Him

    28. 28 Seek Only our Heavenly Father’s Glory (cont.) The proper motive in asking for revival would be because we can not endure God seeing the blood of Jesus trampled underfoot by the worldliness of the church, by the sins of our children, or by the lack of Christ-likeness of our spouse We may be praying for the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives so that we can have a victorious Christian life This again has the selfish motivation of something to make our life easier or more pleasurable The proper motive would be that God would no longer be dishonored by our low level of Christian service and poor testimony but rather be glorified by the inward beauty in our lives and the power in our service that comes by the Holy Spirit’s presence

    29. 29 Seek Only our Heavenly Father’s Glory (cont.) NKJ 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. NKJ Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. The reason we stay on Earth after being saved is to show forth our Heavenly Father’s glory Our Heavenly Father is glorified by the revelation of His Son in our lives by the Holy Spirit The revelation of Jesus shows the world that He was God’s Son who died and now lives resulting in their salvation

    30. 30 Seek Only our Heavenly Father’s Glory (cont.) NKJ Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Our Heavenly Father is glorified through our verbal and nonverbal (i.e., our actions) confession of Jesus Christ’s Lordship The confession of Jesus Christ’s Lordship is testimony that God is merciful! This is the glory of God - that He is merciful! The revelation of Jesus is the revelation of Mercy!

    31. 31 Seek Only our Heavenly Father’s Glory (cont.) NKJ Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power,... NKJ John 14:9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? When the world sees Jesus, they see the Heavenly Father They then realize that He is for them and not against them That Satan has lied to them about God That He came to save the world and not to condemn it

    32. 32 Seek Only our Heavenly Father’s Glory (cont.) NKJ Exodus 33:18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." Recall that Moses asked to see God’s glory (His most magnificent attributes and power) and God answered: NKJ Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, This truth was known by King David the man after God’s Heart (1Samuel 13:14) NKJ Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

    33. 33 Seek Only our Heavenly Father’s Glory (cont.) NKJ Psalm 117:2 For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! NKJ Luke 6:36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. We glorify the Heavenly Father when we act like Him by being merciful However, we can only give what we have received NKJ Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Mercy, all mercy!

    34. 34 Seek Only our Heavenly Father’s Glory (cont.) Again, we honor God as God when we chose to reveal that He is merciful by being merciful The more we understand from His word that He is merciful the more merciful we become Heavenly Father please FLOOD us with mercy that we might be merciers and not judgers NKJ Luke 6:36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37 " Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 "Give [mercy], and it [mercy] will be given to you [by God]: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will [mercy] be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Words in “[]” added by author

    35. 35 NKJ Romans 1:21b nor were thankful Ungratefulness for the mercy-of-life produces a very visible result - unthankfulness Gratitude for His mercy produces a very visible result - thankfulness Our thankfulness is really the only thing we have to give God that He has not given us Second Step Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    36. 36 NKJ Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things. Second Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    37. 37 NKJ Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. You become like what you think about in your heart for good or for bad NKJ Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; NKJ 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. NKJ Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Second Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    38. 38 NKJ Colossians 2:6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. NKJ Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name As you thank God for His name, God will become that name to you (e.g. as you confessed Jesus’ Lordship over your life He became your Lord) As you thank Him for being the God of Mercy He will become Mercy to you Second Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    39. 39 NKJ Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. We are to give thanks rather than filthy talk, foolish talk, or coarse jesting Give thanks that He is merciful! Second Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    40. 40 NKJ Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls --18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Having an attitude of gratitude will keep our hearts tender towards God Consequently, we will have a heart through which God’s mercy can pour to meet the needs of others and ourselves Will you give Him thanks for the mercy freely given? Second Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    41. 41 NKJ Romans 1:21c but became futile in their thoughts Imagination is the creative faculty by which we can form thoughts or ideas in the mind These ideas are images, produced by the ruling love Self-love produces self-images - futile or vain things Ideas which are forms of desire - desire for wants for self satisfaction - all vain, all futile Vain or futile means empty, worthless, especially that which disappoints hope Third Step Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    42. 42 The higher degrees of vainness are found in the idea-images of one’s own greatness of intellect Pride of intellect is such an immersion in vanity as to leave one blind, and almost helpless to break down and destroy the self images which are for the gratification of self Realize, arrogance is the precursor to ignorance! Vain imaginations, or thoughts, are the beginning of idolatry and idolatry is covetousness Covetousness is a lusting after something to exalt, and satisfy, and complete self These are thoughts of things that please the flesh Third Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    43. 43 The mind of this world, no matter how brilliant intellectually it may be, is a reprobate mind apart from the understanding of repentance and faith The Science and wisdom of this world is still foolishness with God, and a reprobate mind may be full of all such knowledge and wisdom Opposite to vain imaginations are merciful thoughts which arise from the ruling love of Jesus Christ, in the blood washed heart and mind Your imagination is no longer vain when you live to do His mercy-will for Him Third Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    44. 44 NKJ Isaiah 55:8 " For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. God thinks and does things differently than we think and do However, we are commanded to learn to think as God thinks and learn to understand His ways NKJ Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. God has given us the Helper – the Holy Spirit in order to learn God’s thoughts and ways Third Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

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    46. 46 Third Step (Cont’d.) We change the way we think by meditating on the scriptures until we know them by heart (i.e., in our hearts) NKJ Proverbs 4:20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    47. 47 NKJ Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. NKJ 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. NKJ 2 Peter 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Third Step (Cont’d.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    48. 48 NKJ Romans 1:21d and their foolish hearts were darkened. Darkness is the result of not doing what God has said to do A wise heart is an enlightened heart Jesus said that the wisdom in man is to hear His words and do them The thoughts of the wise of heart arise from the love of giving life to others The giving of life is mercy - this is the wisdom of God! A heart full of the wisdom of God is full of light! Fourth Step Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

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    53. 53 NKJ Romans 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, There are many forms of the self-profession of wisdom Nearly every darkened heart on Earth has some sort of profession of self-wisdom Ranging from trifling things to the folly of belief in one’s own intellectual superiority In Jesus we see the lost wisdom of of living a simple, lowly life consisting of doing God’s desire - DOING MERCY! The Fifth Step Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    54. 54 Professing to be a fool, and to have nothing of of your own, you become wise! NKJ 1 Corinthians 4:10a We are fools for Christ's sake, NKJ Proverbs 3:34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. NKJ James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” It is the humble that receive God’s grace (i.e., favor freely given) The Fifth Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    55. 55 NKJ 2 Samuel 22:26 "With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; NKJ Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. NKJ James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. NKJ Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. NKJ Proverbs 22:11 He who loves purity of heart [purity of heart only comes by being a continual giver of mercy - a mercier] And has grace on his lips [undeserved favor for all], The king [God] will be his friend [not just a son, not just a bond servant, but a friend of God!] Words in “[]” added by author The Fifth Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    56. 56 NKJ Psalm 67:1 To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. God be merciful to us and bless us [mercy], And cause His face to shine upon us [grace]. Selah 2 That Your way [mercy] may be known on earth, Your salvation [mercy] among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously [mercy], And govern the nations on earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 6 Then the earth shall yield her increase [mercy]; God, our own God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him. Words in “[]” added by author The Fifth Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    57. 57 NKJ Romans 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man -- and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Think of it! Changed God’s glory into something else - a corruptible something else God is seen as a monster of destruction and force However, God’s glory is being merciful By becoming givers of mercy (merciers) we can change our love of corruption back into a true love of His glory The Sixth Step Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    58. 58 When our eyes being single on God as our wisdom then we exchange all images of corruptible things for the glory of God Christ-in-you, the hope of glory releases our eyes from their bondage to self-desires We see the need of others as He sees them God then takes over to separate you to the holiness of the zeal of His own love in your heart The dishonor disappears as you honor your redeeming God in all relations to all creatures We can do it in the will of mercy God’s love and will is to give life The giving of life is MERCY The Sixth Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    59. 59 NKJ Matthew 6:22 " The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! We either see God as He revealed Himself - Merciful - leading to being full of the light of mercy or we make God in our image - judgmental - leading to being deceived into thinking that the darkness of legalism we have is light NKJ Matthew 23:24 "Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! The Sixth Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    60. 60 Remember that we are not seeking the presents of God but rather God’s presence However, in order to see Him as He is we must have the veils of deception removed from our lives I am referring to the mask(s) that we wear to keep others from seeing who and what we really are – our personas The same mask(s) that we wear to keep others from seeing what we are really like also keep(s) us from seeing what God is really like The Sixth Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    61. 61 NKJ Psalm 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: 7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. We become like what we worship; therefore, it is paramount that we see God accurately in order to become just like Him NKJ 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. The Sixth Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    62. 62 NKJ 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Furthermore, we must realize how great is our God NKJ Acts 4:24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, As we realize how great our God is then giving Him glory becomes a natural response and faith becomes easy The Sixth Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    63. 63 NKJ Romans 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, Lusts (strong desires) of our heart cause us to change the truth of God into a lie and to worship the creature more than the creator Mercy is a zeal, a controlled fire, a divine passion, to effect the proof and image of God’s love by filling the need of others The mercying heart finds a power working within, a holy fire, that destroys the need-to-sin There is no lust or power of the devil which that holy zeal (i.e., mercy) cannot destroy The Seventh Step Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    64. 64 NKJ Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NKJ Matthew 19:17a So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. Evil is overcome by God as we yield our lives to His mercy in extending mercy to those wronging us NKJ Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Holy love is holy fire and mercy is love in action The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    65. 65 NAU John 7:24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." There are two types of judgment, according to: appearance and accusation of evil (condemnation) truth and mercy (righteous judgment) NAU Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. The measure which you use for others is the very same measure which will be used for you The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    66. 66 NKJ Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. This is the Spirit of Holiness, which is the Spirit of purifying, fire, separation from all that is not God NKJ Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. The blessedness of the understanding open and alive in the knowledge of God is is the ability to see God as He really is The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    67. 67 To see God, means to be opened to Him, and alive in His light, and to see as He sees - in LOVE We view others the way we view ourselves Without a purified heart we will see God in our image We must submit to God’s cleansing fire, becoming merciers, in order to have our hearts purified NKJ Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. NKJ 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    68. 68 NKJ Matthew 15:18 "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. The scribes and Pharisees were offended by Jesus, because His disciples did not ceremonially wash their hands when they ate their food They were offended because He did not “keep” the tradition of the elders However, Jesus pointed out that they transgressed God’s commandments by their traditions One such tradition was that they could designate support that should go to their parents as “corban” (Hebrew for gift, offering, or oblation) and give it to the Religious Leaders The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    69. 69 By declaring it corban they could supposedly be exempt from honoring their father and mother as stated in the Ten Commandments (5th Command) NKJ Exodus 20:12 " Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Their tradition rendered the Word of God of no effect NKJ Mark 7:13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." They were hypocrites, RELIGIOUS ACTORS The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    70. 70 They honored God with their lips but their heart was far from Him Such worship was and is vain, empty, useless It was teaching, as rules for life, the commandments of men - their heart was wrong These religious actors (hypocrites) were scrupulously attentive in seeing ceremonial observances, but stone blind to the one important thing which they were doing - making the Word of no effect The reason for this level of blindness is a defiled heart The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    71. 71 Jesus corrected their error concerning eating with ceremonially unclean hands by stating that it was what came out of the person that defiled not what goes into them NKJ Matthew 15:11 "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Jesus later explained that it was what came out of the heart of person that defiled them NKJ Matthew 15:18 "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. Point 1 of a purified heart: It is what comes out of the heart that defiles the heart The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    72. 72 A defiled heart is caused by what proceeds out of it What does proceed out of a defiled heart? NKJ Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 "All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Covetousness is the central name on the list Covetousness is lust (Romans 7:7) Lust, or coveting, is the source of the corruption which is in the world (2 Peter 1:4) Covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5) The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    73. 73 Idolatry is the love and worship of something in God’s place Therefore, coveting is the root of all evils The breaking of the tenth commandment is what causes the other nine to be broken NKJ Exodus 20:17 " You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.” Point 2 of a purified heart: covetousness-lust proceeds out of the heart and defiles the man The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified HeartAdapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 30, The Purified Heart

    74. 74 NKJ Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 "Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    75. 75 Jesus declares four times, in these four verses, that those directly named (the religious leaders or clergy) are defiled WITHIN However, this was not truth without mercy for in Christ Jesus mercy and truth have met together Jesus was not venting an overflow of aggravation or angry like we regular humans get angry He was pointing to the one and only hope left to them and by so doing was extending mercy The mercy is found in the words, “Cleanse first that which is WITHIN…” The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    76. 76 Again, four times with unerring aim, Jesus points to the ONE thing wrong: they were unclean WITHIN Any one of them, then or now, who would be willing to ACKNOWLEDGE the truth of what He said, AND appeal to Him for deliverance, would find that the truth was with MERCY, for that was what He had come to do He was not just closing the matter but rather was opening the way out: CLEANSE FIRST THAT WHICH IS WITHIN The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    77. 77 It is true that “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7b) It is equally true that if we walk IN THE LIGHT, as He is in the light, we have fellowship” with Him (1 John 1:7a) THEN, in that WALK, there is a continual purifying, cleansing of the heart from all sin, by the blood of Jesus This is how the heart may be cleansed (cleansed within) and kept free from defilement The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    78. 78 NKJ Luke 11:37 And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat. 8 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner. 39 Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. 40 "Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41 "But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you. 42 "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    79. 79 The Pharisee was faultfinding with the True Light because he did not conform to one of their ceremonials of exterior holiness This holiness in forms (e.g., ceremonials and symbols) is “that which is outside” and is the way the whole world worships The world ascribes holiness to the office of priests, symbols, vestments, writings, etc. - THINGS OUTSIDE However, there can never be any deliverance of mankind from the power of the devil (i.e., deception) except as the heart is opened up and exposed God’s Kingdom must come WITHIN - Lord Jesus reign! The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    80. 80 Jesus stated, directly, in words, that their inward part - their heart - was full of lust, uncleanness and all wickedness They did not refute that directly but wanted to kill Jesus People do not like having their heart exposed But Jesus said that He who made the outside, made also that which is WITHIN Jesus sought to focus their attention on the heart, by the expressions “inward part” and “that which is within” Then He declared the MERCY The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    81. 81 NKJ Luke 11:41 "But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you. The Greek phrase for “such things as you have” is “ta enonta” where “ta” means “the things” and “enonta” is a compound word meaning “within” NAU Luke 11:41 "But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you. Jesus was talking about things outside and inside, without and within The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    82. 82 Jesus was talking about what they have and do WITHIN the heart, and what a terrible condition of defilement they were in This was true even though they were exceedingly religious - Jesus called them religious “ACTORS” A “hypocrite” is an actor - one who performs outwardly what they are not within However, Jesus shows them the key to overcoming this inward defilement The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    83. 83 Give alms from the heart (from within) and you are truly cleansed, and are not defiled by things outside of you Jesus has declared that as truly as the evil thoughts defile from within that from within can come forth cleansing This cleansing will clean the inside (the heart) and the outside (our relation to all things) of the man This giving must be of “things that you have” The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    84. 84 There are three vital keys here: Such as you have (you can not give what you do not have) What you have WITHIN We are to give that NKJ 1 Corinthians 4:7b And what do you have that you did not receive? NKJ 2 Corinthians 4:1b as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. NKJ Titus 3:5 according to His mercy He saved us The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    85. 85 What we have received freely from God we are to give freely NKJ Matthew 10:8b Freely you have received, freely give. Mercy is what we have all received and it is within us by the Spirit of Mercy (the Holy Spirit)! Jesus is saying that if we give mercy it will cleanse us on the inside and purify our view of things without The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    86. 86 The evil heart pours out that which defiles the man The good heart pours out that which purifies the man Our hearts are purified by faith, we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we are made holy and righteous by His grace, and through Jesus Christ - we are made a new creature And it is all, literally all, MERCY! The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    87. 87 What does the new heart do which purifies instead of defiles? It gives that which it has received - MERCY! How can we abide in a purified heart? By doing that which purifies! NAU Luke 11:41 "But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you. However, you can not understand this teaching except by doing it The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    88. 88 God earnestly desires you to be “more than conquerors through Him that loved us” However, you can not be this apart from a purified heart NKJ Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    89. 89 NKJ John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39a But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, NKJ 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? NKJ 1 John 2:27a But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, NKJ Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    90. 90 NKJ Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 "All these evil things come from within and defile a man." Evil thoughts are from evil desires of “anti-mercy” Evil thoughts are the images of those evil desires Evil desires are made strong and able by the thoughts which make a place for them and a way for them What we think about grows in our heart to become intentions and then actions - for good or bad The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    91. 91 We are to stop thinking anti-mercy thoughts and start thinking mercy thoughts NAU Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Thoughts of good are from desires of mercy Mercy is: a passion to do the good that another needs the infinite supply of pure love for every need Again, this giving of mercy purifies the giver The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    92. 92 For every case of the works of evil thoughts, mentioned by Jesus the purifying opposite is found in the thought and prayer of mercy Flood them with mercy fulfilling all their need The strength of this prayer is the BLOOD of Jesus Our very knowledge of what mercy is comes by the blood of Jesus The power of the blood of Jesus is God’s mercy overcoming evil! NKJ Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb [mercy] and by the word of their testimony [mercy], and they did not love their lives to the death [all mercy]. (Words in “[]” added by author) The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    93. 93 The evil thoughts and temptations of adulteries and fornication’s can all be overcome by persistently praying the mercy prayer Again, it is the giving of what we have within - MERCY - that purifies and overcomes evil with good NKJ Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. That is God’s truth, God’s method, God’s plan God’s way to overcome evil is to overcome it WITH GOOD The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    94. 94 Adulteries and fornication's are covetous desires of evil Do the opposite good and it (i.e., mercy) overcomes them We can overcome evil with good because it is the Holy Spirit who does the doing through us NKJ Ezekiel 36:27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Just as the evil spirit does the evil through us NKJ Ephesians 2:2c the spirit [Satan] who now works in the sons of disobedience, The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    95. 95 When the thoughts of adultery and fornication come we must learn to pray instead of think That is, we oppose the evil thoughts by turning to the Lord in prayer Turning to the Lord is turning AWAY from the evil desire Praying to Him is putting Him and His pleasure before our eyes in place of that which tempts us to evil Flood them with mercy fulfilling all their need That means, GIVE instead of GET Help, strengthen, BLESS, instead of defile The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    96. 96 The opposite of looking on a woman or man to lust after her or him is to look on them with the desire and prayer for their best good Sometimes you may have to pray the Mercy prayer repeatedly for it to take hold in your heart But the turning to God, and the thinking of His GOoD thoughts, robs the evil spirit of its power The answer to the Mercy prayer destroys the evil KJV Isaiah 10:27b and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing [mercy]. The angels go forth and separate the evil from the good The Holy Spirit pours from us and defeats and casts down the unclean spirit and all its lusts The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    97. 97 The whole Kingdom of God goes into action, and into motion to accomplish that mercy and to fill the need WHEN THE BELIEVER PRAYS True lowliness prays so, and triumphs, for the Holy Spirit is the SPIRIT of prayer NLT Zechariah 12:10 "Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on all the people of Jerusalem. NKJ Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. The lowliness is the Holy Spirit, and the mercy is the passion of the Holy Spirit to do good The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    98. 98 Murders are obliterated by the Mercy prayer upon the one you hate-and-want-dead We murder in the heart just as truly as committing adultery in the heart The opposite of looking on someone with destroying lust in the heart is to look on that one with desire and prayer, in the heart, for their best good (God knows just what that is) What we know is that they, like us, need MERCY We ask God to pour abundantly overflowing floods of mercy on the object-of-evil-thoughts-and-temptation and all things become clean to us It is the purified heart overcoming evil with good The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    99. 99 Thefts, covetousness, and wickedness are all workings of desire to take away what belongs to another in order to satisfy and please ourselves Lust is coveting desire If you pray the Mercy prayer then God is in all your thoughts and the evil is overcome and destroyed If you pray to give instead of steal, the theft is destroyed It is the same way with all covetousness and wickedness The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    100. 100 Lasciviousness is the maggot like pleasure of enjoying all kinds of unclean thoughts One of the most certain proofs that the world is “DEAD in trespasses and sins” is lasciviousness - an internal pleasure in uncleanness, especially in sexual things The Holy Spirit will purify and cleanse all things before you if you will persist in the Mercy Prayer Mercy is a passion just as truly as lasciviousness is a passion but mercy is a passion to do good to another It is God’s clean and holy passion of heavenly love, to GIVE instead of GET The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    101. 101 An evil eye desires to see evil happen to another and often is the retaliating spirit at work It means to project evil from the heart What will pluck out the evil eye, as Jesus said? Changing it at the root by projecting good Praying the Mercy Prayer upon whom your eye is set will cause it to be swallowed up in the GOoD eye - MERCY God’s eye is not an evil eye for that is the devil’s eye, the destroyer and the thief: NKJ John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    102. 102 God’s eye is good NLT Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. If you will pray God’s thoughts and His ways, by praying the Mercy Prayer, then Your eye will become good We ask God to project good - floods - and when we do so we are seeing in His light as He sees NKJ Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    103. 103 Blasphemy, pride, and foolishness are all much the same thing All blasphemy is both proud and foolish All pride is both blasphemous - in character - and utterly foolish in truth Foolishness is the working of folly, and the love of it Foolishness is blasphemous in character, because it is exalting folly in place of giving thanks The opposite of foolishness is giving of thanks and praise to God NKJ Ephesians 5:4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    104. 104 Foolishness, foolish talking, and jesting are full of pride (i.e., the desire to show off) Foolishness is a love of the pleasure of folly Folly is wisdom dead In all cases the character of blasphemy, pride, and foolishness is the complete opposite of both lowliness and mercy Giving thanks is clean and wise and light from heaven Giving thanks is lowly Giving of thanks is the very spirit of lowliness and mercy The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    105. 105 In all cases the character of blasphemy, pride, and foolishness is the complete opposite of both lowliness and mercy Giving of thanks is the very spirit of lowliness and mercy The prayer for FLOODS of Mercy from Heaven, is the exact opposite of the flooding, pushing, overbearing quality of blasphemy, pride, foolishness, for they operate in a flooding way, too NKJ Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory [mercy] from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard [mercy for us] against him. (Words in “[]” added by Author) The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    106. 106 You cannot blaspheme God, or its equivalent against man, when you are praying for floods of mercy to fulfill his need You cannot remain in the devilish exalting of pride when you are carrying through the lowliness of the prayer of mercy You will lose the love of foolishness, and all delight in it, if you occupy your mind with the wise-praying for floods of mercy to fill needs The needs are all around us The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    107. 107 In this triumphing in mercy and goodness over evil, there comes also the desire to give thanks, because you know God answers your prayer Mercy is free The freedom and triumph of mercy over everything in this list of evil thoughts, and the proceedings of evils which defile the man, brings you to a new viewpoint That by GIVING of THANKS you could likewise triumph over ALL of those evils But we will not give such thanks apart from the flowing of mercy Why? Because apart from mercy we will not think to give thanksgiving and praise The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    108. 108 It is only a purified heart that thinks to give thanks For only the purified heart dwells in love and triumphs in mercy The purified heart is perfect the same way that God is perfect The purified heart is pure in the same way God is pure For the purified heart knows God’s mercy and gives it freely of that which is within - MERCY The purified heart lives unto God as His child The purified heart wants to see Him as He is NKJ 1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    109. 109 NKJ Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. The Holy Spirit will sanctify you in the sanctifying will of God, when you do God’s mercy for Him Even as light destroys darkness, so good removes evil However, you need to literally live in the Word of God as your strength is there The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    110. 110 NKJ 1 John 5:18b but he who has been born of God keeps himself [in mercy]*, and the wicked one does not touch him. * Words in “[ ]” added by author NKJ Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. The Seventh Step (cont.) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

    111. 111 Prayer Blessed Father, we leave it all to You. For though we may utter these things, and though they may be truly a testimony, yet only You can impart the Spirit of Truth. We ask that every willing heart may find great abundance of Your wonderful Spirit flowing in, and through, and over them as they walk in the pathway of the scriptures which we have been considering. In the Name of Jesus, the Son of God. Amen Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985. Chapter 31, The Purified Heart (cont'd)

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