![\"IMAG1492\"](\"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/IMAG1492.jpg\")
<\/a>I was at the information area during the service, so I didn\u2019t get into the worship auditorium, but I was still able to worship through the monitors in the lobby. We sang several encouraging songs, but the one that caught my heart was \u201cGive Us Clean Hands.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It\u2019s so easy for us to do the opposite of what this song expresses. We hold onto parts of our heart that we don\u2019t want to change. We bow our knees to things and people that we put before God. Our hands are not clean and our hearts are not pure. We don\u2019t look away from evil things. We are prideful. We don\u2019t seek God. And we have given our souls to the ways of this world.<\/p>\n
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I suspect instead of using terms like \u201cour\u201d and \u201cwe,\u201d I should have used personal terms like \u201cI\u201d or \u201cmy.\u201d But if I know anything about human nature, I\u2019m sure you can say the same thing.<\/p>\n
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So what are we (or what am I) going to do about it?<\/p>\n
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If we want to truly have clean hands, pure hearts and a humble spirit, we must truly seek God. He must be the focus for our hearts, minds and bodies. His ways must become our ways. His thoughts must become our thoughts. Our lives must be His.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m reading a book on leadership and in her book, \u201cThe 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership,\u201d Jenni Catron says that \u201cLeading with your soul means living your life with the convictions of your faith as guiding principles for the decisions you make and the actions you take.\u201d[i]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is how we are to live our lives. Faith must direct our thoughts and actions. And when it does, we are able to stand before our Creator with clean hands and pure hearts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we read through these lyrics and listen to this song, I pray that the Holy Spirit will show us the holes that the evil one is using to infiltrate our lives. I pray that we will allow the Holy Spirit to plug up those holes with God\u2019s grace and unfailing love. And I pray that we will turn from all that is evil and run to the arms of our heavenly Father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSearch me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.\u201d<\/em> (Psalm 139:23-24 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGive Us Clean Hands\u201d[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We bow our hearts, we bend our knees <\/p>\n So give us clean hands and give us pure hearts <\/p>\n Oh God let this be a generation that seeks <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can listen to this song by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donna<\/p>\n
\nOh Spirit come make us humble
\nWe turn our eyes from evil things
\nOh Lord we cast down our idols<\/p>\n
\nLet us not lift our souls to another
\nOh give us clean hands and give us pure hearts
\nLet us not lift our souls to another<\/p>\n
\nWho seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob
\nOh God let us be a generation that seeks
\nWho seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob<\/p>\n