Your Daily Slice

TISHRI 23

What is Pure

“In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is … PURE …” (Phi 4:8 CJB, emphasis mine)

For many years, my husband and I kept a big stock tank for our horses to drink water out of.  The tank that we had at that time was round, made from fiberglass, and big.  During the winter, we would drop an electric ‘tank heater’ into it, to prevent the water from freezing – it is not unusual in our part of the country for winter temperatures to reach 20 or 30 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit).

When we first put that particular tank in, I had bought a dozen or so baby goldfish from a local pet store, and had thrown them in the tank; past experience had shown me that the fish help keep the sides of the tank clean, and the water 'pure'.  As we were constantly adding fresh water to replace what the horses were drinking, we only needed to clean the tank about once a year – a suitable arrangement.  And no, the horses never swallowed any fish.

In 2010, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was of a major concern to us living in the United States, as are many other environmental issues on the board today.  ‘Pure’ water and ‘pure’ air are two critical issues for all of mankind.  However, what of our minds?  The Scriptures tell us that “as a man thinks, so is he” (Pro 23:7).  If our minds are polluted, then it stands to reason that the rest of the person will be as well.  What then, is the “filtration system” that will clean up the whole man?

“ב (Bet) How can a young man keep his way pure? BY GUARDING IT ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD. I seek you with all my heart; don't let me stray from your mitzvot.” (Ps 119:9-10 ISR, emphasis mine)

Purity is no longer in style; it is no longer popular.  One only has to turn on satellite of cable TV, listen momentarily to a satellite radio talk show, or even surf the internet, and it is easy enough to find evidence to verify this statement.  We, as children of a holy and set-apart Father, must pick and choose what we entertain in our minds.  Just as I made the choice to drain my stock tank of all of the debris and filth that had accumulated over the winter, etc., and re-fill it with fresh, clean, pure (as much as was possible) water.  And I chose to watch over it to make sure that it stayed clean …

“Blessed are those who are pure in their hearts, for they shall see God.” (Mat 5:8 LamsaNT)

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