THOUGHT OF THE DAY

August 02,2020

Isaiah 1:10-20 AMP
[10] Hear the word of the LORD [rulers of Jerusalem], You rulers of [another] Sodom, Listen to the law and instruction of our God, You people of [another] Gomorrah. [11] “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me [without your repentance]?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of [your] burnt offerings of rams And the fat of well-fed cattle [without your obedience]; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls or lambs or goats [offered without repentance]. [12] “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires this of you, this trampling of My [temple] courts [by your sinful feet]? [13] “Do not bring worthless offerings again, [Your] incense is repulsive to Me; [Your] New Moon and Sabbath [observances], the calling of assemblies- I cannot endure wickedness [your sin, your injustice, your wrongdoing] and [the squalor of] the festive assembly. [14] “I hate [the hypocrisy of] your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. [15] “So when you spread out your hands [in prayer, pleading for My help], I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you offer many prayers, I will not be listening. Your hands are full of blood! [16] “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Get your evil deeds out of My sight. Stop doing evil, [17] Learn to do good. Seek justice, Rebuke the ruthless, Defend the fatherless, Plead for the [rights of the] widow [in court].
~ [18] “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.
~ [19] “If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the best of the land;
[20] But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Matthew 3:8-12 AMP
~ [8] So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin];
[9] and do not presume to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [so our inheritance assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham. [10] And already the axe [of God’s judgment] is swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [11] “As for me, I baptize you with water because of [your] repentance [that is, because you are willing to change your inner self-your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life], but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove [even as His slave];
~ He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit
and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire (judgment). [12] His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”

~ CONFESSION without REPENTANCE is MEANINGLESS to God!!!