A FEW THOUGHTS ON TODAYS READING...
We see this emptiness exemplified in Isaiah 58:3-7 concerning fasting, “‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord? “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every time? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;...”. Fasting was something beautiful given by God to His people to sharpen their focus onto Him. It was never intended to become an empty ritual or responsibility to get through as dictated by their religion. They were going through the motions devoid of the emotion and the purpose. But God’s desire for His people has been made evident throughout Scripture. We read in Hosea 6:6, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” We read from David in Psalm 51:16-17, “For you do not desire sacrifice or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise.” In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches the people how to give, how to pray, and how to fast. In each occasion, He tells them to not do it like the “hypocrites”, who do these things to receive recognition and glory from their fellow man, rather than what they were intended for, which was to be done for God, to be seen by God, so that we could enjoy and deepen our relationship with God.
Our hearts should break for all of those who surround us who simply do not know God as Lord and Savior. This is true for those who deem themselves religious, “spiritual” or openly admit unbelief. Unfortunately all three of them are on the same wide road to the wrong destination. But, we who know Christ, are not told to simply shake our heads, we read in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” There are really only two groups designated in this passage: conformers and transformers. Conformers are like thermometers which change according to the temperature of the culture. Transformers are like thermostats which change the climate of the culture. We, the chosen of God are called to be transformers or thermostats. Empowered by the Holy Spirit and armed with the truth of His Word, we are not to assimilate into the impoverished state of our culture, but instead being saints, or set apart ones, we are to separate ourselves and bring glory to God, as we read in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE
'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways' ~Isaiah 55:8-9

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
A foolish physician he is, and a most unfaithful friend, that will let a sick man die for fear of troubling him; and cruel wretches are we to our friends, that will rather suffer them to go quietly to hell, then we will anger them, or hazard our reputation with them.
— Richard Baxter (1615-1691)








"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
.png)

