St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 26b; In the Chamber.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The sign of the last day) Part 7.  

He has given us all the signs and signals to look for at the end of days.  We know what to expect.  It is written for those who seek.  Do not be fooled by the fake shows that we see today that may appear real.  There will be many that will lead us astray.  He has told us so.  He has given us all the knowledge that we need to survive the deception that will come.  

Christ tells us in his own words, handed down through the disciples, what to expect.  Do not be deceived, he tells us.  Do not be misled.  They will tell you that he is in the desert, do not go there.  They will say to you: " 'Behold, he is in the inner chambers,' do not believe it."  We Know how he will come.  We know how he will appear.  We know how he has told us that he will come on a cloud with his angels for all to see.  So, it is not for us to rush to judgment to see him when we know that he will appear for all to see and not in some place for only a few to see.

We are his children, and he is our Lord and Savior.  From him and through him and with him we have our life, eternal.  We are one with him as he is one with the Father.  For those who love him life without him is meaningless.  He is the source of all our happiness, all our joy, all our peace, all our grace.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all that you have given us.  

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: 26a; In the desert.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (The sign of the last day) Part 6.  

He has told us beforehand what to expect when the last day comes.  He has told us what to look for on the last day, what the signs will be, what will happen, who to believe and who not to believe.  Christ has given us all that we need to know.  Believe it or not.  It is written for all to see, for all to read, for all to know for their own knowledge.  The words have been spoken from the mouth of spokesperson of God.

Christ came that we might believe that he came from the Father.  He came so that we would know that there is one true God above all other gods that we might think or believe.  He gave examples.  He showed miracles that no other person before him had completed.  He cured the lepers, made the lame walk, healed the sick, raised the dead, forgave sins of those who transgressed, and he challenged the rulers of the day to stop the corruption.  Yet many did not believe, and evil was well engrained in the rulers and the people.

Jerusalem will be destroyed.  The last days are coming.  Great tribulation will be upon the people.  He has told them beforehand.  These were the words of Christ Jesus to his disciples letting his disciples know what was coming in the future.  He wanted them to be aware of the corruption they could not see now that would lead to the destruction later.  If they tell you that Christ was coming, "Do not believe," he told them.  There would be false prophets, and false christs.  There would be all kinds of false signs in order to lead many astray.  Be careful of what you see and what you hear, he told them.  "If therefore they say to you, 'Behold, he is in the desert,' do not go forth."

Each day be watchful.  No one knows when the end will come.  Only the Father knows of that day and of that time.  So, each day, rise, and watch, for the signs as though you were expecting the end to come.  Know that time is limited, and no day is given to you as eternal.  Expect not to live one day as though it were the same as the next.  For we know not when it may be our last.  Christ calls and we must go, weather we want too or not.  He is our Lord and Savior who paid the price for our sins.  He it is who gave us new life if we choose to accept it.  He will come to call us, and the last day will come.   

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: 16; Flee to the mountains.

 Our paragraph topic is:  (The destruction of Jerusalem) Part 2. 

Time was an important factor in those days.  Where you lived, and worked, meant a great deal in terms of status and well being.  Yet for the coming destruction, location was also important.  It meant whether you had time to escape the oncoming slaughter.  It meant whether you had time to outrun the danger that was coming.  It meant whether you would live or die.

The farther away you were from the center of destruction meant that you had the time to get away from it all, to outrun death itself before it came knocking at your door.  This is what Christ was telling his disciples.  Do not hesitate.  Do not stop to take worldly belongings.  Run for your lives because death was coming and it would be swift.  He told them:  "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."

Jerusalem, the sacred place for the Jews, was not a place to flee from but a place to go to, a place of sanctity.  The Israelites did not believe that their city would be destroyed.  They believed that they were protected by their god.  They were a sacred people delivered by the hand of God from the bondage of Egypt to the sacred land of Jerusalem.  Why would their city be destroyed?   Why would their temple be torn down?  Why would death ravage their land when God  himself had protected them for all these years?

This is what Christ was telling his disciples, warning them of the destruction to come.  He was the Messiah.  He was the word of God come down from heaven to walk among the people as an example of the one true God.  He came to redeem the people, to show the way to the kingdom of heaven.  He came to pay the price for the sins of all that all might have new life eternal if they believed in him.  He is the key.  He is the gate keeper, the shepherd, the Lord of all.  

God the Father made him human that he might be with us, teach us, show us how to live, how to love, how to follow the commandments that we may be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Let him who reads understand.  The knowledge is here for those who seek to know.  The door is open for those who wish to find it.  His love is fulfilling for those who need.  For there is everlasting peace in the knowledge of his wisdom and love.  Come!  Peace awaits your finding.

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: 11b; Many led astray.

Our paragraph topic is:  (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 8.  

He told them of trials, tribulations, and hard times to come.  He foretold the future to them so they would know what would happen.  Christ knew all things and he wanted his disciples to know also.  More importantly he wanted them to know so they could prepare their followers for what was to come.  He gave them the knowledge so they could pass that knowledge down to their followers and to generations to come.  It is written for us today to know and believe what will follow.

Trials and tribulations and hard times.  These are the things that we will face as followers of Christ.  Yet we have the Advocate to help us.  We have the writings from the witnesses to tell us what happened during their walk with Christ.  And we have the words of Christ to carry with us in our hearts and minds, to keep us on the path to his kingdom.  He told his disciples:  "False prophets will arise, and will lead many astray."

Do not be led astray by false prophets of today.  There are many who would have you believe that they have the spirit of God within them and speak the truth.  One must ask oneself if this is true.  One must question what one hears and what one believes about the prophet that preaches the gospel to you.  The word is written for all to see, for all to believe, for all to know.  There is no need for interpretation.  One can understand by oneself if one desires.  One can know for oneself if one seeks.  One can find for oneself if one has a heart to know the truth of who the true God is and the love that he bears for all.

Christ came to open the door that all may know the Father.  He came to pay the price that all might have the opportunity to share in the kingdom of heaven if one believes in him and the father that sent him.  Love is the key to open the heart and the mind to the truth of who you are in him.  We are but clay vessels waiting to be born into our true selves.  To live is to die for we die everyday that we live.  And when our time comes that our clay vessels brake we burst forth into our spiritual selves be it either the light of life or the darkness of death.  

Christ awaits us with open arms.  His love is boundless.  His charity is endless. His mercy is forgiving.  His passion conquers all.  He is the fulfillment of all our needs and desires if we but believe.  

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: 10a; Those who leave.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 4.  

It was like a movie.  Christ was foretelling the future and the disciples were visualizing it all taking place before their eyes.  Christ seeing what the Father was seeing and knowing what he knew walked through time as all these things were happening.  It was like he was standing still and time was fast forwarding around him.  He could see and understand all that was happening.  He could stop, reverse, go from one point in time to another, move from one place to another to see and hear all that occurred at that point at that place in time.

And he spoke to his disciples about all that happened.  Reading a book only gives a general idea of what happens and is incapable of describing in detail what is happening.  But if you are there at the time and place that an event took place you are able to give detail information that would take many pages to describe.  This is why Christ wanted to tell his disciples what would happen because he was able to see first hand in detail the events that would take place.  So he told his disciples after all the tribulation and their deaths, he said:  "And then many will fall away."

Christ could see the great increase in the number of new members coming into the church.  But after the church suffered torture and death of the disciples, many of the so called believers would turn from the church for fear.  They did not have the same belief, the same hope, the same faith, the same spirit as those who were first to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  And so as the persecutions began to spread the members began to scatter for fear of same.

Today we live in a different world where we do not have religious persecution in most of the free world.  However, in some parts of the world religious persecution is still practiced.  Freedom to believe and practice your choice of religion is not allowed in those parts of the world and must be hidden and practiced underground away from the public.

Most religions as a whole are free to practice in the open, free from persecution.  But there is also internal persecution or pressure from within our society as a whole.  Ask a person to attend church with you and you might get push back or even disassociation.  We evangelize everywhere in an attempt to bring new members into our churches.  This is what we are given to do by our religious leaders, to go out and carry the message to others so that they can become new members, new believers. 

Christ came to spread the good news.  He went from village to town talking about the kingdom of heaven because the people did not know during those times.  They knew that there was a God but did not fully believe in life after death and the kingdom of heaven.  He came to show us the truth of who we are and to demonstrate to us the truth of our Father in heaven.  So today we have witnesses to the truth.  We have knowledge of the truth.  We have faith and trust as to the truth of his words.  Today we are the children of the light created in his image.  Ours is the kingdom of heaven if we choose to accept and believe in the word.

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: 9b; Put to Death.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 2.  

The disciples are all sitting around listening to the things that Christ is recounting to them of the events to come as though he was telling them a bedtime story.  Their minds intently absorbing all that is said without understand fully the meaning of how it will impact their lives.  It is almost as if they are in a dream listening to him speak not knowing what he is saying but taking it in for later reference.

Christ spoke to their souls.  He spoke to things that would happen in the future.  He spoke of things that they did not completely understand.  Yet they listened, they heard, they remembered, they recalled all that was said and put to written word what they witnessed, saw, and what was said.  The spirit works in ways that they did not understand yet it was within them and came forth from them for us today.  He told them they will deliver you:  "And will put you to death."

And death was the word that brought them back to reality because it was something that they all understood.  They lived it daily.  They saw it regularly.  They knew it at the hands of the Romans frequently.  It was something that brought both anger and fear.  Anger because it came at the hands of an outside invader and fear because no one wanted to suffer the brutal consequences of death by Roman torture.

This was the way of life during the life of Christ.  The people did not know or believe in life after death.  They did not completely believe in heaven and the God of their ancestors.  They read the Torah on Sundays as part of their ritual and heard from their elders but mostly were forced to follow the Law by the scribes, the elders, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  Christ came to change all that.  He came to bear witness to the truth, to open the gates of heaven, to allow all the waiting souls to enter, to pay the price for the sins of the world.  He was the sacrificial lamb, the innocent one, the one born without sin.

Today we live our lives in pursuit of happiness.  We seek to have those things and those ones in our lives that will give us pleasure and joy and make us feel good about ourselves.  We care not about others as long as we are satisfied in our own world.  We seek to surround ourselves with like individuals of the same mindset to create a circle of friends that make up our world.  And as long as our world is complete we are happy.  Death is the final goal in life and time is the gate keeper.  And when that time comes the door opens and we must enter whether we are ready or not. 

So life ultimately is about a choice.  We have so many years to come to a knowledge and to make a decision based on that knowledge of who we are.  Christ came that we would have the truth of that knowledge.  He came that we could have life and have it more abundantly.  For life is temporary here and permanent, eternal, there.  Which we choose is up to us.  Death is only the doorway to the truth.  Christ awaits our choice.  He has open arms for those who love him and want to be with him for eternity.  The choice is ours to make.  Make the choice to accept his open arms of love.   

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 23, verses: 26a; Blind Pharisees!

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their hypocritical purity) Part 3.  

The God of all truth and knowledge came to them.  The God of all wisdom was in their presence.  The God of all creation walked with them, talked with them, attempted to give them insight into his understanding and the mysteries of the universe but they could not see.  They could not hear.  They could not understand what was transpiring before them.  They were lost in their own beliefs and desires.  They were lost in their own religious purity.

We can look back upon all this and wonder how frustrating this must have been, the king of wisdom dressed as a pauper seeking to give wisdom to the wise men who are supposedly learned beyond all wisdom.  The wise men are so puffed up in their own knowledge that they have no room for the wisdom of a simple pauper who has the wisdom of all ages.  Christ called them: Thou blind Pharisee!"  For surely they were without spiritual sight and could not see what and who was before them.

Are we the same today, blind without sight?  Can we not see the truth of who we are?  Do we not know our own nature or are we just asleep with our eyes open not able to see what is within.  The darkness prevails if we look.  But we are given the knowledge to look deeper beyond the darkness in search of the light of life given to us by Christ himself.

He came down from heaven that he might show us how to live a new life.  He came down from heaven that he might walk with us, talk with us, eat with us, laugh with us, dance with us, cry with us, feel the emotions of our sorrows and our pains.  He brought joy and happiness to those whom he healed and restored physically.  He touched the hearts and minds of those who were with him day in and day out throughout his life.  What a joy and a pleasure it must have been to be in his presence during those times.

Yet evil creeps in and takes hold of those on the fringe of life.  It corrupts and distorts the meaning of life.  It steals the life light within and covers it with darkness such that one looses the way and walks in darkness.  Time passes and life becomes meaningless except for those moments when carnal pleasures takes one deeper into darkness.  The light of life is snuffed out unless the call of God is heard through some tragedy.  

God is loving and forgiving.  He is merciful.  He knows we are week and because he is full of mercy he is willing to forgive if we are honestly seeking his forgiveness.  His love is boundless.  His mercy is endless.  His patience is enduring.  He loves all his children he created.  He wants all to be with him in his heavenly kingdom.  Come!  Take your place.  Seek his forgiveness and it will be yours.

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 23, verses: 25b; Robbery and Uncleanness.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their hypocritical purity) Part 2.  

They knew they were correct in their beliefs, their teachings, and their preaching to the people.  They had years of experience.  They had years of knowledge.  They had years of teachings from those who came before them to guide them along the way.  Did they heed the messages from the prophets handed down from God?  Did they completely understand the mysteries hidden in the writings of the Gospels?  Had they strayed away from the true meaning of the message of love given by Christ?  Were the Scribes and the Pharisees deserved of the critical scorn given by Christ? 

Something was truly wrong for them to have such public scrutiny made of their character and honor.  What had they done?  What was wrong with them?  The people did not really like them.  They knew that something was wrong because of the harsh treatment that they received, but did not know why.  But Christ looked deep beyond the surface of their exterior and saw the ugliness of what was inside.  He told them: "Because you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but within they are full of robbery and uncleanness."

They were full of robbery and uncleanness inside.  The things they did while no one else was looking only Christ could see the ugliness inside and the uncleanness that they carried which made them hypocrites.  

What lessons can we learn from them today?  Are we living the same hypocritical lives as the Pharisees?  Do we dress up the outside and leave the inside full of ugliness and uncleanness, full of robbery and iniquity?  We dress up on Sunday and go to church to sing and shout to God in praise and then go out on Monday through Saturday and do the same iniquities all over again.  What are we living for?  What do we go to church for?  Truly we are human and week in our sins but we have a God who is forgiving if we are truly seeking forgiveness hoping to try not to commit the same sin again.  We want to clean the inside that we may present ourselves presentable to our Father in Heaven.

We acknowledge that we are sinners.  We accept that we are week.  We ask for help and the strength to withstand the trials and temptations of evil for surely they will come daily.  But we must assure ourselves that with the help of our Father and the help of his Holy Spirit that we can overcome the temptations we face.  He will guide us.  He will walk with us.  He will show us the way.  He will carry us until we can walk for ourselves.  And when we gain our strength and can stand on our own, he will empower us to fight with him to show others how to become one with him.  For together we are one spirit, one body, one person in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us the spirit of new 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 23, verses: 23d; Things you ought to have done.

Our paragraph topic is:  (They overstress the nonessential part of religion) Part 4.  

They were blessed to have known their God.  He spoke to them through the prophets.  He sent messengers to the leaders giving directions and instructions.  He guided them through hard times and he chastised them when they did not listen to his words of wisdom.  Yet they were a hardened people, prone to their own ways.  They had the Law handed down to them by their forefathers to guide their daily lives.  But they had the desires to live in a world of riches like other men.

The Romans ruled over them so they had to obey Roman Law.  They had to keep the peace or suffer the heavy hand of Roman justice or punishment.  Some of the people did not like it and would have rebelled.  But it was up to the leaders of the synagogue to keep the people in line and prevent any uprising.  So the Scribes and the Pharisees, out of fear, found every way to clamp down on the people to keep them in line.  Christ called them hypocrites because they did not believe in their faith.  They only knew the positions of power they wanted to keep.  They did whatever was necessary to rule over the people to keep the Romans happy.

They had a God who created the universe and yet they feared the Romans.  They had a God who separated the Red Sea for their people to cross over yet they gave up their belief and faith in him for fear of the Romans.  They had a God who brought plague upon the Egyptian nation but they stopped having mercy and forgiveness as their God had instructed them.  Right judgment was a thing of the past in the face of the Imperial Roman Cohort even though their God was the God of all mankind.  Christ told them:  "These things you ought to have done, while not leaving the others undone."

Faith, right judgment, mercy Christ tells us are an essential part of our religion, what we believe.  Despite all that happens in the world around us today, we should have a solid foundation in the knowledge and belief that we have a God and Father who cares for us.  He will provide and protect us no matter what happens in the world.  If all else fails, if the world comes to an end, if the sun explodes and the moon crashes into the sea, we will always have our Father to rely upon to take care of us.  We are his children and he is our Father and his love is ours to count on.

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 23, verses: 22; The Throne of God.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their distorted religion) Part 13.  

You see, it had come to this, gold and silver, precious metals, and jewels were more valuable in the eyes of the religious than the kingdom of heaven.  They did not place much value on the temple and the sacred items in it.  They did not value the altar but they placed value on the gold and silver placed on the altar.  They did not place value upon the temple itself but on the gold that the temple was made of which is how their religious beliefs had become so distorted.

These were the leaders who taught the people what to believe!  How wrong could they be?  They despised Christ for telling them that their beliefs were distorted and that they had it all wrong.  This is why he had to tell them also:  "And he who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it."

They had no idea that they were swearing by God himself.  They had no idea that they were telling their followers that their bond with God was nothing when they swore by the temple.  They had no idea that they were encouraging the people to break their vows that they were making with God himself, thereby bringing forth the wrath upon themselves.  The people only knew that they were following the rules and the laws that were handed down by their religious leaders.

They were sheep being led by their shepherds.  And we prey today that God has given us a true shepherds to lead us along the right path to the kingdom of heaven.  Of course the ultimate choice is up to us to follow.  The ultimate decision is within ourselves if we want to believe what we hear each Sunday.  And the choice is up to us if we want more than what we hear each week.  If our hearts desire to know more about our heavenly Father, it is up to us to seek him out.  If our hearts yearn to feel the truth of his love it is up to us to delve deeper into the knowledge that is available for us.  All we have to do is knock on the door to have it opened to us.  

And if we truly want to know him all we need do is get on our knees and ask him.  We have to be patient to get his response.  We have to listen quietly to hear his voice.  We have to know that he speaks when he calls us in that soft voice that fills us with joy and happiness.  We have to rejoice in his presence when he comes to us with the gifts that he gives us each and every day through the spirit of his heart.  For he is a loving Father, and he is a devoted Savior, and they have an everlasting Guide that will be with you until your time to return home.

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 23, verses: 5b - 7; The things they do to be seen.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 5.  
The Scribes and the Pharisees walked among the people.  They talked to the people.  But they considered themselves above the common people.  They were learned.  They had knowledge that was not available to the common man.  So they portrayed themselves as better than everyone else.  They expected recognition from the common man.  

They liked to be seen and acknowledged in the markets and on the streets.  They liked to be heard in the synagogues.  They wanted first places at table.  They were above everyone else.  As Christ told the people:  "For they widen their phylacteries, and enlarge their tassels,  and love the first places at suppers and the front seats in the synagogues,  and greetings in the market place, and to be called by men 'Rabbi.' "

All their works they do to be seen.  This is what Christ was telling the people about the Scribes and the Pharisees.  He told them all things that they command you, observe and do, but do not act according to their works.  For they do everything to be seen, to bring praise to themselves, to gain recognition to their position.  

And we can see examples of this behavior today.  We can find many in our circle of experience who seek to be seen and heard.  Humility is not a trait to practice.  Pride is their moto.  Recognition is their game.  Persuasion and influence is the rules by which they operate for it is required for them to succeed.  This is the picture that Christ wants the people and the disciples to see, to open their eyes that they might understand how not to be.

Yet it is a natural tendency for us to observe and to emulate those who seek to be seen.  We want to be like them.  We want to be liked.  We want to be loved so that we can have the front seats, be recognized, be called by all.  For we are but human and we do what we see.  But Christ wants us to have another example to follow, another example to see.  He wants us to know that despite what we see, as a model to follow in life, this is not the road to travel.  

We are all sisters and brothers, born from the same father.  All are alike in the same spirit.  We are all sinners in the eyes of God, seeking forgiveness, acceptance, justification, and sanctification.  Christ came that we might be transformed in the eyes of God.  He came to be our example.  He came to be our sacrifice.  He came that we can have new life instead of death.  He came because of his passion and love for all mankind.

His love is overflowing.  His love is ever forgiving.  His love is fulfilling.  Tread not the ways of the world but the path of Christ.  For he will lead you.  He will guide you.  He will protect you and provide for you all the days of your life.  Open the door and let him in.

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 22, verses: 39; The Second great Commandment.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The great commandment) Part 6.  

They stood before him burning with pride thinking that they knew the Law.  They were the scholars, the ones who had studied the Law for years from the masters.  They were the Pharisees, the religious ones that the people revered for their knowledge and wisdom.  Yet here was Christ who had not formal training of the Law who knew what they knew and more.  

They came time and time again asking questions to trick him before the crowds.  And the went away time and time again having failed in their endeavors.  The crowds saw their failures and were amazed at the knowledge and wisdom of Christ.  They thought that they knew the great commandment of the Law, but they did not know the second great commandment.  So Christ told them:  "And the second is like it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' "  

These are two powerful commandments upon which the whole Law is built upon.  Love your God with your whole heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as you love yourself, concepts which are completely contrary to the beliefs we live by today.  It is given to us from birth that every man should be for himself when the time comes.  If it comes down to who lives and who dies between to people most would choose themselves.  In the world of getting ahead we would do most anything to our neighbor to promote ourselves and downplay our co-workers.  So these principles that are given to us from Christ requires practice and work to accomplice in today's world.

But there is something more to the picture than meets the eye if we look beyond the words and understand the truth of who we are in Christ.  We are spiritual beings not physical persons even though we occupy the physical shell for the moment.  For those who know themselves, the light within tells them that they are created in the image and likeness of God our creator.  And he has given us a home, a place more beautiful, more wonderful than anything that this world could ever offer.  Nothing in this world can fulfill our wants and desires except his love.  And his love is so overwhelming that it fills us with everlasting joy and happiness.  

It is that love that we would like to share.  It is that love that we would like to give to others.  It is that love that we would like others to know for themselves, if they choose.  For love is freely given and not forced.  Love is shared and not demanded.  Love is open to all who would accept and those who will not accept, love is still there.  For God is love and he would love all his creation but he gave free will to accept or reject.  And those who reject, pray that their eyes are opened that they may see the truth of who they are in Christ before the thief comes and takes away their choice.

God is merciful.  God is loving.  God is forgiving.  God is patient until the end.

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.