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Pure Intentions

Speak to the children of Israel, and have them take for Me an offering; from every person whose heart inspires him to generosity, you shall take My offering (Shemos 25:2).

Rashi explains: “and have them take for Me” means dedicated to My name (Midrash Tanchuma).

If you were asked to give a donation to help rebuild the 3rd Temple wouldn’t you give with a full heart and for the sake of the mitzva? Why does Chazal need to tell us that the giving of the money for the mishkan needed to be with such pure intentions?

Rav Henach Leibowitz learns that even when the evil inclination cannot stop us from doing a mitzva he can corrupt our intentions and degrade our service to our Creator.

We need to be constantly on guard that we do not perform the mitzvoth for honor, prestige, or other side motivations. Since we are spending much time and energy to do the mitzvoth anyway, it makes sense that we should work on purifying our motives. One mitzva done with a truly pure heart can upgrade and change the quality of our entire being.

Application:
Choose one mitzva that you are going to do with absolute purity.

Give 10 quick answers to the following sentence stem:
If I could do this mitzva with absolute purity, I would …

Rabbi Eliyahu Mitterhoff is the director of the Global Yeshiva. The Global Yeshiva is devoted to creating a warm and friendly yet serious place for people of all levels to share and discuss Torah and Orthodox Judaism. He envisions this as a great and unprecedented historic opportunity to share, learn, teach and spread Torah on a global level.

Contempt

We have all ask this question from time to time, (what were they thinking), or were they thinking at all. It makes you wonder what was the motive to there actions? The dictionary explains the meaning of contempt as humiliation, disgrace, dishonor, disfavor, and hate. Well let’s see what the Bible say about contempt. Look at Proverbs 14:31 it says He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Now look at Proverbs 17:5 it says He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Now look at Daniel 12:2 it says Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness. Like the stars forever and ever.

Look at Romans 2:3 it says So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgement? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself or the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile, but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous, (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Look at 1Thessalonians 5:19 it says Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and will do it.

Look at Ephesians 4:29 it says Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Now look at 1Thessalonians 5:12 it says Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

In closing look at 1Thessalonians 5:16 it says Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Your Sister in Christ,
Mellody Davis

Mellody Davis - EzineArticles Expert Author

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Is God Trying To Tell You Something

GOD’S TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING By Pastor David Walker

Behold, I stand at the door and: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and
he with me.

Do you think God is trying to tell you something? I believe God
is always trying to get our attention. God desires our attention
no matter our social, economical or educational background. Our
ethical heritage, gender and age do not stop God from knocking
at our door. He still wants our attention if we are saved or
unsaved.

Often we are so caught up in the world around us we don’t take
the time to seek or hear from God. There is no doubt about it
life can be challenging and overwhelming. Many times we become
mindful of God during our times of struggles. Isn’t it wonderful
that God is still mindful of us even though were not mindful of
Him.

How often has God prompted you with a soft knock at the door of
your heart and you ignored Him. The Bible shares with us, not to
harden our hearts when we hear His voice. I believe God is
always prompting us to receive His salvation. He is always
trying to give us a way of escape from our struggles and sins.
It is up to us to listen and obey.

God is not a God that needs to use disasters and death for us to
turn to Him. He is a God that is always extending his mercy to
help us through our struggles. If it were not for God and His
son Jesus Christ where would we be? It is through His son Jesus
Christ that we have away back to God. It is because of God’s
mercy that evil hasn’t destroyed us.

Listen, friend, take some time today to talk with God about your
struggles and life. He is standing at the door of your heart
wanting to talk with you. Today is the day to open up your heart
and let Him in.

Visit Pastor Walker online at http://hcoc.bizhosting.com/