Bible Discussion Thread

When I was a little girl, Bible study instilled in me that JESUS is a personal Saviour. Unfortunately, through life, my spirituality faltered on a dismal failure from being disobedient. But one day, when I was truly crying out for light in my darkness, the HOLY SPIRIT guided me to Isaiah 58. In that reading, comfort was administered with a deeper understanding of the relationship I could have with my FATHER. It is indeed a one-on-one, personal relationship made possible by the suffering and great sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST.



I understand verses 1-5, simply as redirection from GOD through Isaiah to stop our public and ceremonial fasting, which misses the point altogether of personally and meaningfully communicating our love to our FATHER.

GOD speaks to the hearts of all who are seeking HIM in Verses 6-8. HE makes plain what HE truly wants from HIS children -to love HIM and to love our neighbors - which of course is the precursor to the two great commandments of HIS only begotten SON, JESUS. ( Matthew 22:36-40)"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.")

In Verses 9-12, GOD clarifies that to fill our lives with loving and giving to others, is loving HIM - and in return, HE rewards us breathtakingly and powerfully.

But as a humbled child of GOD, it is in verses 13-14, that GOD reveals to me the sacred urgency of keeping the 4th commandment, "Remember the SABBATH DAY and keep it HOLY." HE tenders to my spirit how very much it means to HIM personally when I accept in my heart the sanctity of HIS (our Creator's) chosen day of rest.

For obeying HIM out of love and gratefulness, not fear, the blessings upon blessings, I receive from the vastness of HIS power, grace and mercy, empower me in ways mere words cannot express.