Welcome
Greetings and welcome!
Thank you for taking time to join me here on the Pursuing Purity Project.
The entire project includes a three books: Pursuing Purity (a non-fiction book for women), Pursuing Purity: A Bible Study for Women, and Pursuing Purity: A Devotional for Women. Please feel free to download the study and go through the lessons individually or in your bible study group. Many devotions are also listed here.
Why am I writing this three book project? Because there are many good books on the subject of purity but most limit discussion of purity to simply sexual purity. A discussion or teaching on sexual purity is such a wide topic, it could fill the pages of many books. But this project is not focused on just sexual purity. Purity includes far more areas that simply sex.
There is a short verse in Matthew that packs such a punch that most people read it and then, because it almost incompressible, they skill over to the next verse.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
- Matthew 5:8
My question is ‘should we skim over it?’ If this is the formula for seeing God, to be pure in heart, then shouldn’t we pursue that? Shouldn’t we set our hearts on path to have this purity of heart?
There was at time in my life when purity of heart was the absolute last thing on my mind. But, God in His infinite wisdom and grace, took me through ten years of learning, ten years of communion with Him, ten years of ‘quiet desperation’ that when it was all over, it was if I woke up and discovered I was simply not the same person.
God is like that you know. If you dare to take Him at His word, He will fill your life with such adventure and incredible awe that you simply cannot contain it. How did God do this with me? The answer is not easy to hear. He broke me. He gave me a hint of fellowship so sweet, that I pursue Him to this day. But do not feel as though this is an easy ride. The road gets bumpy, some days are lonely, many times despair filled me so I felt I could hardly breathe.
Was it worth it? Take the bible study and you decide. My answer ‘I have seen God.’ And, I’d like to share with you how to get to this purity of heart. In John 3:8, Jesus tells us that ‘The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh.’
God is like that.
Though I cannot see Him physically, I can see and I do know where the Lover of my soul has been in my life. With all the things that contaminate and pollute your life are removed (or are in the process of being removed) – you will see Him too. What a gift! What a promise! What a God!
So, journey with us as we make our way through the bible study and devotions. I will post more about my story as I compile it. It is a good story, so check back here from time to time or sign up for email updates.
Again, thank you for dropping by and please take part in the discussions and exchange of ideas on this site.
Keiki Hendrix
“Practice Three Person Teaching – Learn from God, Teach Another”
This site includes:
Bible Study Lessons
- Pondering Purity (Questionnaire and Discussion)
- Purity in Order (Power, Protection, and Peace)
- Purity in the Obvious (Flirting, Flattery, and Foolishness)
- Purity in the Obscure (Meandering, Modesty, and Meekness)
- Purity in the Oblivious (Authority, Appearance, and Appetite)
- Purity in the Obedient (Status, Satisfaction, and Substance)
Class Notes
- Notes from Lesson One
- Notes from Lesson Two
- Notes from Lesson Three
- Notes from Lesson Four
- Notes from Lesson Five
- Notes from Lesson Six
Devotions
- The Captive and the Silly
- Purity in the eye of the Beholder
- Tending the Garden
- The Purity of Full Assurance
- The Wherewithal of God
- Small Powder
Resources
Other Sites of Interest
I am very excited about this! After years of youth ministry, and having mostly girls in the group, I feel God leadinge to work with women of all ages! Purity is the topic I have felt led to investigate further. Thank you for working on and putting together a complete study on this! God bless you and guide you through this! I will share whatever I can.
Robin – Many kind thanks for your encouraging words. I am building a quick list of those interested. Please look for an email from me later today.
Keiki
Did you write this book/Bible Study? I think this is a great topic! Usually issues of purity are pointed towards the men, but my experience as a pastor is that the sin nature isn’t limited to just one side of the X/Y chromosome chasm. And neither is this specific temptation.
Greeting Pastor Baker! Yes, I am writing it now along with the complete book and a book of devotions.
What a worthy project. I’ll post a link on my Web site – maybe you could give me a write up about it for our ezine Single!
Also, not sure if you knew, I have a book coming out in May 2011: Purity’s Big Payoff/Premarital Sex is a Big Rip-off. It’s an anthology of 16 stories from both sides of the fence. I’ll mention this study as a place to get more on the topic.
Donna – how very kind of you. I would be happy to write something up for you. Send me the requirements at keiki dot hendrix at gmail dot com and I will get started on it. Also, I’d love to review your new book on the Vessel Project Book Blog as well – http://vesselproject.com
Wow great subject and talk about one that the “church” don’t want to hear. Purity is what God requires did He not say be ye holy as I AM Holy Again present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God.For me it was and is very hard to live a holy life. But I know that through the power of the Holy Spirit all things are possible. Thank you for visiting our blog and congratulations on such a wonderful and Godly ministry. May the Lord continue to draw those wishing to press in and know Him as they are known by Him.
http://intimatemomentswiththefather.com/blog/
Many kind thanks to you for your encouraging words. I look forward to finishing these three book projects and pray that God is glorified in it all.
Great Idea! Our (at least for Americans) puritan roots probably have some influence here. My understanding is that they were preoccupied with sexual purity.
So then, what are other meanings for “purity” in addition to sexual?
There are so many other areas, often overlooked. Purity in our minds, our actions and our beliefs. We do a disservice when we only approach a life of purity by focusing only on sexual purity.
Purity brings freedom from gossip, from backbiting, from fantasizing, from idleness, from idolatry – and many others.
If you have time, please read through the bible study to learn more.
Many thanks to you for visiting and may God be glorified in and through you all of your days.
See Also:
Absolutely, I’d be interested in looking at this. I’d present it to our women’s ministry team leader as an option for one of their weekly Bible study series, and would do it myself if circumstances led to that. I think it is an amazing topic. Well chosen and one that women definitely need to hear.
My future ministry will be public speaking to women and teen girls, I would love to be able to include this as a resource for them.
Please let me know how I can participate.
Darlene – so kind of you to drop by. When I have completed the study (around mid September), I will put it in a printable format. I will be submitting it for publication then as well (prayers welcomed.) I will email you when it is complete.
Keiki, I am glad you are addressing purity with women in the church. The issue of purity is huge for the church today.
Without purity, future spouses will reduce the quality of available suitors, will be more likely to dishonor their wedding vows, and will increase the chances of failure in their marriages.
Without purity, parents will be more likely to fall to temptation and will be blinded to attacks from the enemy on their spouse and children.
I pray that many believers will be impacted by your excellent study!
Many thanks to you Alan. Blessings to you and all those who you minister to.
Hi Keiki,
Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner on your request. I just saw it today …
http://giannina3.wordpress.com/purity/
Blessings,
Cathy
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
- Matthew 5:8 One of my favorite scriptures! Thanks again for the reminder. Blessings on your project! kj
Karen – One of my favorites as well.
Wow Keiki –
What a wonderful topic to delve into. I can’t wait to delve into all these studies.
Kathi – Many thanks for dropping by and for your advice. Much appreciated.
Wow, Keiki! You’ve done an amazing job! I can’t wait to see what God does through you and your efforts. These are such needed resources!
Vonda – You are too kind. Many thanks for dropping by. We have one more lesson to complete and then the proposal can go out for the book and the devotional. Prayers appreciated.
Hi Keiki,this is so nice,the devotional I mean.The books in amazon that are free are a bit hard to get because to register,amazon needs a master card which some people don’t have.Is there no other way of downloading these books? Thanks
i think there should be more purity resource aimed at teen boys.
i’m a 14-year-old christian who definitely regards purity as important in my walk with God but there’s not as much support for boys as there is with girls IMO.
Matthew 5:8 has always been one of my favorite verses, to meditate on, to yearn to know all the realities of….I am excited to participate in this Bible Study.
Thank you for making it available. May the LORD bless you abundantly with Himself.
Josh, as a mom of a tween boy I have to agree! There is a ton for girls but not boys. I wish there was more!
I am so happy to have found this website. I know this is going to be a huge blessing. May our Lord continue to use you as a vessel in His kingdom! Blessings =)