Dear Church Family, Sometimes you have to get the bad news out of the way before you get to the good news. I just started the book of Isaiah in my quiet times and the first chapter starts with some bad news. Isaiah opens with this critique of his people: Isaiah 1:2-3 (ESV)
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared brought up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
Isaiah goes on to detail their sin and rebellion against the Lord and the coming consequences. One shocking thing is, even though they were living very sinfully, they were still going through the motions of religious activity. So, what did God think about their religious activity? Isaiah 1:15-19 (ESV)
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. 12 “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? 13 Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
When our hearts and lives don’t match our religious activity, God is not impressed. In fact, He actually hates it when we “fake” our worship and praise. How is your heart today? How is your living? Does your daily living throughout the week match your worship and praise on Sunday? Are you expecting God to hear your prayers while you know you have unconfessed sin? So, the bad news is out of the way, what about the good news? Isaiah concludes the section with this hope: Isaiah 1:18-20 (ESV)
“Come now, 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 become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
The solution is simple, bring your sin to God. He is faithful to forgive and nothing is beyond His help. No matter how bad your sin is, God can make it as white as snow. Don’t continue to pretend things are okay. Come to Him and ask Him to forgive you! What’s Happening at Gospel Life:Church Budget: We are so thankful to God for His provisions. On Sunday, February 5th, we will take a few minutes at the end of the service to go over financials from 2022 and vote to approve the budget for 2023. Elder Training: Our next training will be Tuesday, February 7th at 7 pm at the Bronleewes’ house. Whether you’re interested in training towards Eldership or simply want to grow in your relationship with Christ, we would love to see you there. If you need a copy of the homework from last month, contact Pastor Dave. Outreach Meeting: One of our core values as a church is reaching out. Let’s be praying about how God would have us reach the community around us with the Gospel. Please bring any ideas God gives you to a meeting at the Bronleewes’ house on Thursday, February 16th at 7 pm. | 
