Search the Scriptures

I have a part-time job grading high school math exams from a correspondence school. I receive exams from all across the country and even oversees. Most exams arrive in good condition but on occasion I have to grade papers that we call "soiled". That is, they may have suffered water damage, contained coffee stains, or been dirtied up in some other way. Sometimes I wonder what I am looking at and hesitate to touch them withour wearing plastic gloves. When this occurs students are notified and occasionally they have to resend their work.

Though not perfect, King David was said to be a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). When he committed sin he was quick to repent and ask the Lord's forgiveness. Read Psalm 51. In verse nine David asked God to hide His face from his sin and to blot out all of his iniquities. God answerd his contrite prayer. There were consequences for his actions (see 2 Samuel 12:1-14) but David was forgiven.

Just like soiled papers ruin otherwise good exams, sins mar God's work on our behalf. Let us be like David. If we confess our sins the Lord promises to cleanse and forgive us (1 John 1:9). Our lives, "soiled by sin" (see Isaiah 1:18) are then made pure and whole.

HEART EXAM

In this puzzle you will find fifteen words describing thoughts or attitudes you must guard against. Circle them as you discover them, either backwards, forewards, across, down, or diagonal. After you are finished, the remaining letters will spell out a simple way to keep your hear pure before God (Philippians 4:8). Read these scriptures if you need help: Philippians 2:14, James 3:16, 1 John 4:18, Romans 1:29, Revelation 2:9, Preverbs 15:27, 1 Timothy 4:2, 1 John 2:16, 1 Samuel 15:23, John 15:18, Hebrews 12:15.

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