Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 7
Sunday


WELCOME
TO ALL!

READ:
Isaiah 55:1-9
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Man looks at the
outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at
the heart.
__1 Samuel 16:7
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A beautifying project on the main road of my town prompted the demolition of a church built in the 1930's. Although the windows of the empty church had been removed, the doors remained in place for several days, even as bulldozers began knocking down walls. Each set of doors around the church building held a message written in giant, fluorescent-orange block letters: KEEP OUT!

Unfortunately, some churches whose doors are open convey that same message to visitors whose appearance doesn't measure up to their standards. No fluorescent, giant-size letters needed. With a single disapproving glance, some people communicate: "You're Not Welcome Here!"

How people look on the outside, of course, is not an indicator of what is in their hearts.. God's focus is on the inner life of people. He looks far below the surface of someone's appearance (1 Sam. 16:7) and that's what He desires for us to do as well. He also knows the hearts of those who appear to be "righteous" but are "full of hypocrisy" on the inside (Matt. 23:28).

God's message of welcome, which we are to show to others, is clear. He says to all who seek Him: "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters" (Isa. 55:1). __Cindy Hess Kasper

````````Thank You, Lord, that You welcome all into Your family,``````````````
`````````````and you have welcomed me. Show me how```````````````````
``````````````to be as accepting of others as You are.`````````````````````
`````````````````May I reveal Your heart of love.````````````````````````
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No one will know what you mean when you say,
"God is love" __unless you show it.

*****************Today's bible Reading __ Isaiah 55:1-9********************

1 "Ho! Everyone who
thirsts, come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat. Yes,
come, buy wine and milk
without money and without
price. 2 Why do you spend
money for what is not bread,
and your wages for what
does not satisfy? Listen
carefully to Me, and eat what
is good, and let your soul
delight itself in abundance.

3 Incline your ear, and come
to Me. Hear, and your soul
shall live; and i will make an
everlasting covenant with
you__the sure mercies of
David. 4 Indeed I have given
him as a witness to the
people, a leader and
commander for the people.

5 Surely you shall call a
nation you do not know, and
nations who do not know
you shall run to you, because
of the LORD your God, and
the Holy One of Israel; for
He has glorified you."

6
seek the LORD while He
may be found, call upon Him
while He is near. 7 Let the
wicked forsake his way, and
the unrighteous man his
thoughts; let him return to
the LORD, and He will have
mercy on him; and to our
God, for He will abundantly
pardon.

8 "For My thoughts are not
your thoughts, nor are your
ways My ways," says the
LORD. 9 "For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so
are MY ways higher than
your ways, and My thoughts
than your thoughts."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Isaiah expresses God's salvation invitation to all people. The free
offer of salvation is expressed in the ability to buy, eat, and drink
of it without money. This incredible offer is rooted in God's wisdom
(vv.8-9). Buying without "money and without cost" (vv.1-2) is only
possible because of God's abundant grace.