May you all have peace!
In addition to another discussion, this morning I was having my "daily bread" and I was running late for work so I kind of rushed through my "thanks." Of course, I felt horrible, so I offered an apology. I wasn't reprimanded or chided, however; rather, my Lord reminded me of the verse that is the title of this thread... and then he showed me several scenarios of "religious" people giving thanks. One was standing in a pulpit giving a rather long-winded "thanks." Another was prostrated on a little rug, facing a particular direction... and also giving quite long-winded "thanks." Another was sitting at a spread table... and given another long-winded version of "thanks." And another was at some kind event attended by thousands... all with heads bowed... as he gave (yet another long-winded version of) "thanks."
THEN... he showed me those same men, but in other scenarios: on a battlefield, in a bedroom not their own, stealing, and lying to the crowd in front of them, and said:
"Do you not recall Isaiah, child, when he as sent to Israel with the words -
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says JaHVeH. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening."
And why?
"Your hands are full of blood!" Isaiah 1:11-15
He then said, "My father wants mercy, child, not sacrifice. It is not of any value for one to say many words [of thanks], yet neither their hands nor their heart is clean. The Father cannot hear the words of such ones. The words of one who is clean... in hands and heart, however, those words, even though few... are a soothing odor to His nostrils. Tell the children of Israel... do not be misled: it is not the amount of words or length of prayers... but the cleanliness of the heart that utters them... that has value.:
I, SA, share that with you just as I received it this day from my dear Lord, the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah).
Servant to the Household of God, Israel, and all those who with... and a slave of Christ,
SA
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