St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 28; The Body.

 Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of the last day) Part 10.  

What is truth?  Christ is telling his disciples truths they can rely upon before the last day.  They need to know.  They need to understand what will happen when things start to go awry.  Fear will come upon the people, and many will not know what to do.  Many will panic and create lies and theories that suit their own thinking.  But Christ wants to strengthen those who will listen and believe his words.

We believe in what we can see, what we can touch with our senses.  These are the truths that we rely upon to help us survive.  Christ tells us truths to help us know when the last day is coming, great signs and wonders, false prophets, tales of Christ appearing in different places.  These are all truths that will happen that the people can see and witness with their senses to know and not be fearful of what is happening.  He tells them another truth that they know:  "Wherever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together."  

They have seen this truth.  They know this truth.  They believe this truth.  They trust this truth.  They understand this truth.  They can take comfort in knowing that once they see this truth that there is meaning in what they see and believe.  Christ has told them.  The world has given them proof of it and they can believe him and his words because he has called upon what they know and believe. 

What do you know and believe today?  Will you see the last day?  Will you be alive when it comes?  Will you see the great signs and wonders that are to come?  Will you experience the tales of Christ being called in different locations?  Or will your transition take place before this time?  No one knows the time or place when it will happen.  We only know that it has been given to us that it will happen.  It has been given to us to believe or not to believe.  It has been given to us to expect the worse or not to expect it.  It has been given to us to prepare for it or not to prepare for it.  It has been given to us to pray for his help that we may be worthy to receive his grace or not to receive it.  The choice is ours to make.  Where are you?  What do you believe.  What is your truth? 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 19b; Those with infants.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 6.  

Infants and children, those we are, by nature, given to protect, we will do all to save from harm.  We will give our own lives that they might live.  For they are our hearts and souls and to see them suffer or endure harm tears at the very fabric of our humanity.  Yet Christ made his prediction that those with infants would suffer most because of the destruction of Jerusalem.

He spared no one the horror of the coming evil.  He wanted all to know, to become aware.  He, the gentle man of compassion, told the world that Jerusalem would suffer and see destruction.  Imagine the horror and the despair that spread throughout the populace when the people heard of his prediction.  Woe to those with child:  "Or have infants at the breast in those days!"

 Attack the defenseless and the innocent children.  Make them the basis, the foundation of the coming destruction and everyone will understand.  Everyone will believe and know the effect of what was to come.  Prepare now or suffer the little children.  Hear the words of peril; listen and learn or disbelieve and know the truth of the prediction of the words of God.

These were the words of Christ to the people and his disciples that they should know what was coming to their precious city of Jerusalem.  They were proud of their city.  They were proud of what their religion had given them.  The Jews were a proud race of people guided by the hand of God throughout the centuries.  He watched over them, protected them, guided them for many years.  So how could this man, this Christ, say that their city would be destroyed.  They did not know.  They did not believe.  They did not see the writing on the wall that was before them.  The Messiah had come down from heaven just as it had been written by the prophets of old and they did not believe.  It was all there for them to see.  It was there for them to know if they only looked.  But they were a proud people who did not want to give up what they had.  They did not want to change.  And Christ came to bring about change.

Even today we need change, change in our hearts and minds, change in our thoughts and how we live, change in what we believe.  We believe there is a heaven and a hell but we don't know it.  We do not live it.  We do not feel it in our hearts.  We are but shells that carry the true self of who we are but our shells control us and not that which is within us.  

Christ came to give us life, a new life, a more abundant life.  He came that we might not die if we only believe.  And what we believe is life that is within us that is eternal, not physical, not flesh and blood, but created in the image of God the Father.  The light of life is within us if we only believe.  The light of life is within us if we only see.  The light of Christ is given us if we only know that he is with us always.  This is the truth that is with us today, tomorrow and always if we believe. Let nothing or no one change your belief from the life that is within you. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 7d; Earthquakes.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 11.  

Do not be led astray.  Do not panic.  Do not follow others in their fear to escape what they believe is the coming doom.  For they do not know the truth of what you know, what you are given, the wisdom and knowledge that the Lord has given you.  Christ told his disciples beforehand what would happen, so they knew what to expect.  They had some idea of what was coming and how to deal with the unknown.  They were at peace.

He told them there would be rumors of war, that nations would turn against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms.  He told them that there would be pestilences and famines coming, so beware.  He also warned them:  "And earthquakes in various places."

So these would be the events they would look for, the events they would see that would give them the indication that maybe the end was approaching.  They were the witnesses to the truth of his words.  They were the scribes to what was spoken by him of what was to happen.  The disciples are the living witnesses of what is to happen at the coming of the end.

Has it happened already?  If not when will it happen?  Will we know?  Can we stand by these words of wisdom spoken by Christ written by the disciples?  Do we believe in these words?  Do we believe what is written of the coming of the end and will we as readers be led astray?  The words are written for all to read for themselves.  Do you know the signs?  Do you believe that they will come during your time?  I pray that if they do you will be ready.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 5b; Lead many astray.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 3.  

They were proud but now they are saddened by the news that Christ is telling them.  The disciples don't know what to think about what they were hearing.  They listened intently and take every word in as though their lives depended upon what they were hearing.  Do not be led astray, Christ tells them, for many will come and say that they are the Christ after I leave, but this will be a warning sign that it is not I.

They listen and believe all that he says.  He is the Christ.  He has spoken the truth many times before.  He has performed many miracles, raised the dead, healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, cured the lame and performed many miracles that no other prophet has done before.  He is the Messiah.  They listen intently as he tells them: "And they will lead many astray."

He wanted his disciples to know.  He needed them to hear the prophesy of the future so that they will not be deceived and misled like so many others.  They might try to tell others.  They might try to show others the truth but persuade as they might, others will be led astray.  But because Christ has foretold it to them they now know the future and what will happen.  They now know what to look for, what to see, what will happen when it comes and how to deal with the truth of what will happen.

That is something that we must ask ourselves today.  Will we be ready when it comes?  Will we be led astray or will we know the truth of what is happening before our eyes.  How will we feel?  How will we respond?  What will we say or do when we see these things happening?  Will we be afraid or will we know that we have knowledge of it foretold to us and do not have to be
fearful.  

No one wants to feel pain or to suffer.  We all want to live long lives, be happy, free, joyous, and live in peace.  We have our dreams and desires of what life should be for us, for our children, our families, our communities.  Yet life has its ups and downs and we know not when the lows are coming in advance.  Otherwise we would make every effort to prepare for them as best as we can.  But we have a heavenly father who protects and provides for us, who watches over us and loves us.  If we believe in him and acknowledge his love for us he will take care of us.  We are his children and he is our father, our creator and we have nothing to fear.

Christ Jesus came down from heaven to redeem us from the grasp of death.  We were in prison.  Locked up for eternity until he came to pay the jailor for our release.  The price was his life.  The cost was death on the cross.  The pain and suffering was nails in his hands and feet, the suffering of innocence for a charge he did not commit.  Yet he willingly gave himself up that we might have freedom, that we might not suffer for eternity, that we might know joy, and happiness, and peace.  He is our Savior.  He is our Hero.  He is our Lord.  For his passion was so great that he gave of his life that we might have life eternal. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses: 43b-44; Thy Enemies thy footstool.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The son of David) Part 4.  

Here they were all gathered together, the Pharisees, with the intent of questioning Christ.  But their gathering presented an opportunity for Christ to question them, an opportunity to open their minds, an opportunity to help them see what they failed to see before.  What did they think of the Christ?  Whose son was he?  

Obviously they believed that he was the son of David.  This was their belief all along.  It was written in their history and their ancestry.  But in the scriptures there was another interpretation for them to see and Christ had the chance to open their eyes to this new reading.  So he asked them how is it that David in the spirit is:  "Saying,  ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thy enemies thy footstool? "  

And that was the paradox of the question, the Lord of my Lord.  If my son is born of my flesh how can he be my Lord unless he is greater than I?  Is that something that I, we, can concede?  Can the Pharisees believe this in their doctrine of beliefs?  Is this possible?  Is the Christ, son of David greater than David himself?  Can this be true?  This would take some study and review to determine the nature of the truth for the Pharisees.  

What is the nature of the truth for us today?  Can we believe in the Christ?  Can we believe in his words as handed down through the centuries of writings of the many bibles available today? Or do we need to do our own research, go on our own quest in search of the truth to find the God of our beliefs.  He is out there waiting for you to find him, waiting for you to search for him.  Most of all he is in you waiting for you to look within to see him in yourself and in others.  He is a God of Love.  He is a God of faith.  He is a God of forgiveness.  He is a God of mercy.  He is a God seeking you.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in. 

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses: 41; Jesus questions the Pharisees.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The son of David) Part 1.  

Christ was merciful.  He was kind.  He was gentle.  He was forgiving in that the Pharisees constantly tried him time and time again.  They came at him every way they could because they wanted to show that he was a fraud, a charlatan.  They could not allow themselves to be embarrassed before the people the way that Christ made them feel.  

But that was not the intention of Christ.  He wanted to open their eyes.  He wanted to heal them.  He wanted them to know him for who he really was and not for who they thought that he was.  He wanted to love them but they would not let him.  He taught the people and they were open to him but the Pharisees were not.  Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus questioned them.  

Before it had been that they had came to him with their questions seeking to find ways to trick him.  He played their game each time giving them the opportunity to understand the truth of who in him.  And each time they came away lacking the understanding but filled with anger and hatred that their plans had failed.  So this time Christ decided that he would turn the table and question them attempting to pull the truth out that they might see with their own eyes who stood before them.

Who stands before you today?  Do you walk by the ways of the world or do you walk by your faith?  Today your faith is challenged and hard pressed for direction.  Strick the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.  Where do you go?  Who do you follow?  What do you believe?  Do you still have the strong faith that you had yesterday?  Your church is under attack and is infected by a disease.  Christ said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church but he did not say that it will not suffer attacks.

Evil exists in the world both inside and outside of the church.  Just like the human body has an immune system to fight diseases so the church body must have the same.  Our faith keeps us strong and it is that faith that we must nourish and protect.  Christ gave us a new life, a new beginning.  It is that newness within that we must protect and nourish.  We are the light of the world placed of a lamp stand for all the world to see.  Now is the time for our little lights to shine together for the world is watching.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.   

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses: 40; The Whole Law.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The great commandment) Part 7.   

Here they were the great scholars and the masters of the Law before Christ attempting to trick him with their knowledge of the Law which was handed down to their forefathers from God on one side and there was Christ teaching them from the mouth of God the truth of the Law on the other side.  What a contradiction it was.  They could not see or understand who stood before them, Christ giving them every opportunity to have their eyes opened.

It is said that some people  even when faced with the truth refuse to allow themselves to believe what reality presents to them.  Instead they create false reasons and rationales to continue to support their internal belief systems they have created for themselves.  The Pharisees had the first commandment.  They knew and understood it well.  It was Christ who had to introduce them to the second commandment upon which the Law is based.  And he told them:  "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."  

Love was the basis for the Law.  Love the Lord with thy whole heart and soul and mind.  Love thy neighbor as thyself.  Be good to one another.  For the life we live today we will live in heaven with our heavenly father.  There will be no strife.  There will be no anger, no hatred, no fear, no doubt, no darkness as we know it on earth.  We will live in the light of the Lord our God and he will provide all our needs.  Our happiness comes from and flows through him.  We will be fulfilled in peace and harmony with the Lord.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.  

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses: 30a; At the Resurrection.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Christ's answer) Part 2.  

They came to him with the question of the resurrection.  They did not believe that there was life after death.  They did not believe in the resurrection of the soul.  They only believed that after life you die and there was nothing else.  So they wanted to hear what Christ had to say since he was the up and coming preacher of the day.  He was the person that everyone was talking about.  Some called him a prophet, some called him the Messiah.

So to get their answer they conceived a question about life and death, marriage and heirs that would address the question of the resurrection.  Christ told them that they erred in their assumption of marriage and ownership after death, after the resurrection.  He said:  "For at the resurrection they will neither marry nor be given in marriage." 

Imagine that!  Christ gave them insight into the kingdom of heaven.  He told them that there will be no earthly ties in heaven.  God created man and woman, gave them the garden, and told them to be fruitful and multiply.  But in heaven man and woman will be free of those earthly ties.  They will be free of those physical bonds that held them to the pain and suffering in the physical realm.  They will be able to experience freedom in the kingdom of heaven.  In the spiritual realm created by God there will be no marriage, no physical as on earth.

Christ came that we could know what to do, how to live, what to believe, and how to love one another.  He came as an example for us to live by, as an example to love by, as an example to believe and to hope by in our daily lives.  He created his church to continue his message and to be witnesses to his message for those who did not see him or did not hear his words personally.  He is the living word of God the Father.  He is the eternal love of the creator of the universe, our hope and our passion for life today and tomorrow.

We struggle each day with the trials and tribulations of this world that we live in seeking to maintain a sense of peace amongst all that is not peaceful.  To look around and see the world in its true form only leads to discouragement.  Yet peace comes from within, from the connection with the living soul of life given us through the sacrifice of Christ's passion.  The Spirit abides with us.  The Spirit guides us.  The Spirit lives with us daily to help us along the way when we become weary of life.  Thank you Christ for that which you have given us.  Thank you Father for all that you provide for us.  Thank you Holy Spirit for your guidance. 

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.  

St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses:31b; The publicans and harlots.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the two sons) Part 4. 

After telling them the parable of the two sons, Christ asks them the question:  "Who did the father's will?"  They answered, the first son.  He gave them the opportunity to understand this simple parable on their a level that they were familiar with.  He wanted them to know.  He wanted them to understand, to have the knowledge and the opportunity for their eyes to be opened that they might be healed.

This parable led them down the path to that knowledge.  They had to open the door.  They had to see.  They had to allow themselves to come to know what was right in front of their eyes.  Could they do this?  Were they open enough?  Could they break through the darkness that blinded them?  So:  Jesus said to them , "Amen I say to you, the
publicans and harlots are entering the kingdom of God before you." 

And there it was, right in front of their faces.  They were so blind that they could not see what was happening.  Others were accepting and entering the kingdom but they were not.  The kingdom of heaven was at hand.  The kingdom of heaven had come to them here on earth.  The kingdom of heaven had come down from heaven and was now here on earth that all might have the opportunity to see and believe.  But the chief priest and the elders could not see.  They could not understand.  They could not hear the truth of the word.  They were blind.

Are we blind today?  Are those with the wisdom and the knowledge unable to see the opportunity?  Has the knowledge of the world so influenced their inner life that it is dimmed and turned to darkness?  Can they not believe?  Can they not see?  Can they not know that we are human beings but more than that we are spiritual beings created in the image and likeness of God himself.

He gave us life.  He created us from dust.  He provided the earth, the air, the water, the sun that we might have the right environment to grow and prosper.  Yet we in our finite wisdom have converted the truth to our own interpretation and liking, that it might make sense to us.  Yet we, not knowing, can not comprehend the knowledge and wisdom of our Father who created us.  Even more we are not supposed to understand but to take a leap beyond our own wisdom and knowledge to exercise the wisdom and knowledge of the spiritual being within us.

Christ came that we would have the truth.  He came that what was lost through deceit could be regained through truth.  We were dead, without a spiritual being, according to God's decree.  Christ came to give us life again.  And that life is open to all who seek it.  It is open to all who want to know the truth.  It is open to the young and the old, the wise and the dumb, the sick and the able, it is open to all.  Let us become like the publicans and the harlots, regain our spiritual light, and enter into the kingdom of heaven, now.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in. 

St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verse:20; Seeing is believing.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Power of faith) Part 1. 

Christ cursed the fig tree because it had no purpose.  It had leaves but no fruit.  It had leaves but no seed bearing fruit.  It had life but no purpose.  So he cursed it and it withered up.  It had life but upon the spoken words it withered up immediately.  The life that was in it was no more.  It ceased to exist.

The disciples heard the words spoken by Christ.  They heard him speak the curse.  They saw the effect of his words.  And they were in disbelief.  And upon seeing this the disciples marveled, saying, "How did it come to wither immediately?"

They saw it but marveled at how it happened.  They saw it but did not understand how.  They saw it but were in disbelief.  Christ was hungry and wanted something to eat.  God gave life to all the world and provided all kinds of fruit bearing trees.  The trees have a purpose.  We have a purpose.  But this tree did not have a purpose.  It existed without bearing fruit.  So Christ cursed it and it ceased to exist. 

Can you see?  Can you believe?  Can you understand that we have a purpose here on this earth?  Can you know that we will not be cursed?  Can you trust that you are loved?  There is something more than just to exist without a purpose.  There is something more than to just live and then to die with no conscience of what lies beyond death.  There is more to the life that we are given than to wither up and cease to exist after death.

Stop and think.  Stop and get off the merry-go-round of life.  Stop and open your mind and your heart and receive the love that awaits you.  For you are loved.  You are alive.  You are filled with the light of life.  Believe and you shall receive.  Accept and you shall know.  Trust and you shall see the miracles that will come to you from the one who loves.  There are those who would destroy.  There are those who would deny.  There are those who would deceive and blind you and take away your ability to understand.  Be not turned by the lust of the world for it is death.  Instead seek that which you know in your heart is truth and life and love.  For he awaits your call.  He awaits your open heart.  He awaits your opening the door that he may come and be with you.  Come!  Join the living and the love of Christ will come upon you that you may live forever.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.