Sheryl Brady - The Power of a Pure Heart

For the next few moments, I am going to discuss the subject of «The Power of a Pure Heart.»

Spirit of God, I know You have a right now word in this place for Your people. Today, I am asking You to touch me and to speak through me. Touch every listener in this building, and Lord, even those who say, «I don’t want to hear,» let Your word penetrate the hardness of their hearts. Let the seed go in, and let the harvest come forth from this word today. We give You glory for it in Jesus' name. Somebody shout, «Amen!»

On your way down, just look at someone and tell them, «The Power of a Pure Heart.» Tell your other neighbor, «A Pure Heart is Powerful.» Periodically, I find myself doing an inventory of my own life. I look at Cheryl’s life; I don’t look at everybody else, but I focus on my life. When I consider where I have been and what I have been blessed to accomplish, as well as where I am right now, and the promises of God that indicate where I could potentially be in my future—without a doubt, the first thing that comes to my mind is that I realize God is real, sovereign, and also a good, good Father. It didn’t have to work for me as well as it did. When I take inventory of my life, excluding everyone else from the equation, and reflect on the goodness of God and all that He has done for me, my soul cries out. That’s why I don’t need anyone to teach me how to worship God; my soul will cry out.

For years, I have told praise and worship leaders to just take us there, to lead us because if you clear the path and point the way, those who truly understand how good God has been will follow you into His presence. We recognize what God has done in our lives. He has been far better to me than I have been to myself, and He has been far better to me than I have been to Him. He has been faithful to me, and much—if not all—of what has happened in my life has not been due to my talent or education. It has not been because I am particularly smart, intellectual, studious, or scholarly. The truth is that in all of those areas, I come up short. But when I think about God and how He has blessed my life, I can honestly stand firm and say that He has blessed me not because of my intellect, but because of my heart. I can assure you that if I stand today, I am not bragging on myself or my heart, but I will tell you there is something in my heart that God saw. He didn’t see great abilities or talents; He didn’t see anything to persuade Him, but He did see my heart and said, «I’m going to bless that girl right there.» She has made mistakes and poor choices, but I’m choosing to bless her.

Most of my life’s opportunities, my open doors, the favor He has given me with people in both high and low places, all my blessings—God’s goodness toward me, which we sang about today—has provided me access to places, platforms to stand on, anointing, relationships, and the space that others have created for me. All of that influence and favor that God has lent to me has not been due to my intellect; it has been due to my heart. And while you are trying—and I’m going to say this to everyone aiming for something specific in God or in the Kingdom, which is wonderful—I want you to remember that you need a dream and to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling. While you are trying to gain the edge in your skill set, the excellence of your intellect, your ability to communicate, while you’re working on your smile so that it looks just right, or refining your presentation to be perfect, while you’re ensuring your resume or bio is polished and getting your wardrobe ready for the next level that God has for you, please make sure that your heart is getting ready too. I am a living witness that people will open doors for you simply because they sense that you have a good heart.