St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 4; Led astray.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ warns them not to be led astray) Part 1.  

So they wanted to know.  Their hearts and minds were curious as to the how and the wherefore of the coming doom.  It was burning inside of them to know.  But they could not know.  They were not ready to know.  It was not the time or the place for them to know.  The panic would have taken hold and led them astray.

They were like little children who had to be protected if they were told of the boogie man without no one to keep them from harm, no father or mother, or sister or brother.  They were not ready to hear the truth of what was coming.  Christ had to prepare them for the truth.  He had to first fill their minds and hearts and spirits with the truth of who they were in him so that nothing could harm them before they could receive the message.  And in answer Jesus said to them, "Take care that no one leads you astray."

Our message today also is to take care not to be led astray.  It is easy in this world of hype, glamour, and glitz to be led astray, to be hypnotized, to be mesmerize by all that we see, hear and come to believe.  We are raised in a protected environment that our parents and guardians try to give us to put us on the right path to life.  But as we grow older we examine that path and want to change it believing that it needs to be changed to fit what we see as our wants, needs and desires.  And as we enter the world on our own we have to make our own decisions as to what is right and wrong for us, as a path to take in life which will lead us in the direction that we want to go.

Many times we find ourselves, later on in life, along a path that we want to change or that we wish we had not taken, a path that led us astray.  And in every attempt we make an effort to turn our lives around  to go in a different direction.  Christ directed his disciples not to be led astray.  He wanted them to stay on the path that he had given them, the path that makes them his disciples, his preachers and teachers of the gospel.  The church must be built and must spread throughout the land after he leaves.  It will be up to the disciples to complete his work.  They must not be led astray.

We have a purpose also, not to be led astray.  Our purpose is to choose to live or to die in Christ, to accept him as our savior, to be born again into a new life or to die into the darkness of death.  And with that choice comes the joy of living a life that he has shown us how to live, sharing the love of the new life he has given us with others that they too may know the truth of new life in Christ.  It is a joyous life, a happy life, a life of peace and love, a life of fulfillment in him who fulfills all.  Come!  Know the truth of who you are in him!

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: 3b; What signs?.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The disciples question Christ) Part 2.  

They wanted to know the when and where the destruction was to take place, the disciples.  Christ had told them that the Temple would be destroyed, that no stone would be left unturned one upon another.  They wanted to know when this was going to take place.  Their minds were full of questions and bewilderment.  

Now was not the time for them to know.  Now was not the time for all to be revealed to them the full knowledge of what was to happen.  There minds were not ready to accept the fullness of what was to happen.  There hearts were not filled with the spirit to be at peace with the knowledge of what was to happen.  And their faith and trust in God was not strong enough at this time for them to know that they would be secure in the protection of the Holy Spirit in what was to happen.  This is why they came to Christ asking:  "And what will be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?" 

If you drive around today you are liable to see corner preachers with signs proclaiming the end of the world is near.  In many large cities this may be the case to get people to turn from their ways back to church and back to God.  Telling people that the end is near may be true for some for who knows when their time may come.  Anyone could die today or tomorrow.  Anyone could leave their house walk out to the street and get hit by a car, a falling airplane, or even a meteor.  One never knows.  We all take our life as though we will live for a long time, at least until the end of our life expectancy.  We do not prepare as though that day may be the next minute or the next hour.

God is merciful and loving, kind and patient.  He gives each of us the opportunity to come to know him, time to cleans ourselves, time to repent of our sins.  But when that time comes it is final.  Thank you Father for the many opportunities that you have given me to come to know you.  Thank you for giving me the chance to repent of my sins and ask for forgiveness.  Thank you Father for holding my hand and walking with me to let me know the love that you have for me this day and every day.  I pray that I may be able to share that love with others that they too may also come to know you.  In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen.

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: 27b; Whited Sepulchres.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Their hypocritical purity) Part 6.  

They had come together to trick him, to trap him in lies and deceit so that they could bring him before the chief priest and accuse him.  The Scribes and the Pharisees had a plan.  They wanted to stop the spread of his popularity with the people.  Christ performed miracles, healed the blind, the lame, cured the lepers, raised the dead and taught the people a new way to live, a new way to love.  He taught them of the Father, God in heaven, different from the structured manner taught by the leaders of the synagogue.

And the leaders hated him for what he was doing.  They did not like that crowds were following him, turning away from them.  Everywhere he went the crowds came to listen to his words.  The sick and the lame came to be cured.  The possessed of demons were released and a new day was coming about that swept through the land wherever he went.  But the Scribes and the Pharisees did not like what was happening and wanted to put a stop to this new feeling of joy and happiness.  Christ called them hypocrites: "Because you are like whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear to men beautiful."  

They were beautiful.  They were shinny.  They were attractive.  They were desirable to the naked eye.  This was the appearance of the Scribes and the Pharisees.  Their dress, their clothes, their manner, their demeanor,  all very attractive.  And all the people believed that they were the best of the best to be desired by all.  They were to be admired, listened to, followed, and respected in all things.  But Christ saw through all of this to what was really on the inside.

Who are we?  Do we wear masks in public and the real self in private?  We are not perfect beings so everyone has something that they keep from the public eye.  But ask yourself if our hearts are open to the public?  Do we truly love out neighbor?  Do we have love for the beggar sitting on the corner asking for a handout or do we see a drunkard asking for another dime to by his next drink?  Where is our heart?  Where is our love for one another?  Where is our love for God?

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: 24; The gnat vs the camel.

Our paragraph topic is:  (They overstress the nonessential part of religion) Part 5. 

They were so concerned about the minutiae of the Law so they looked for every little detail they could find to burden the people.  The Scribes and the Pharisees were the police of the people.  They were supposed to be the religious leaders, helping the people understand their God, giving praise and glory.  But instead they policed the people in every way they could, making sure that no one transgressed any small detail of what was written or spelled out.

Christ came and called them blind guides because they knew not what they were doing.  They had no idea where they were leading the people.  They thought they were doing the right thing but instead they were moving the people in the opposite direction away from God.  Christ told them they were:  "Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel!"  

They were zealous in their desire to do right for the Lord and their Synagogue.  They wanted to impress their leaders, the high priest, and the Roman rulers to show that they were in control of the people to maintain their positions of power and influence.  

These were hard times for the people.  They were oppressed all around.  For years they had known no hope, only fear and oppression.  But times were changing and a new wind was in the air.  A prophet, John the Baptist, was calling for repentance saying that the Messiah was coming.  This gave the people hope that change was coming.  Maybe the Messiah would come and bring about a change to the oppression of the Roman rule and the oppression of the Scribes and the Pharisees.

What do we look for today?  Are we happy with our current condition or do we seek change?  The nation cries out for a change in the gun laws.  The immigrants seek asylum.  The people seek jobs that pay a living wage.  The students want education without lifelong debt.  The elderly seek the promise of security in retirement with medical care.  What do you seek today?  Does it all matter?  

Will it all make sense to cry out about those things that we need to those who may not care about our needs?  Why do we suffer and worry about what tomorrow will bring when we have a God who will take care of all our needs?  Why are we not at peace?  Why are we not like little children, joyous about today?  Do we trust?  Do we know?  Do we believe?  If we put our faith in him who promised to provide for us, him who promised to be with us throughout all time, what worry do we have?  If we live, if we die, if we suffer, we suffer in his name.  We suffer for his name to demonstrate our love, our faith in him who loved us first.  God is ever-living.  Christ is our savior.  The Holy Spirit is our guide.  Live in peace and joy. 

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: 16a; Blind Guides.

Our paragraph topic is: (Their distorted religion) Part 1.  

These were scary times and they did not realize or recognize the nature of it.  The Scribes and the Pharisees were gathered together to trick Christ.  But while they were gathered together he had the opportunity to address them as one.  He scolded them for their hypocrisy.  He told them of their false pretenses.  He showed them how they made converts for Satan.  And told them that they shut the doors of heaven for themselves and for others who wanted to enter.

These were indeed scary times to have the Son of God speak those words to the leaders of the people.  We would today shake to our very core and cry for repentance given the opportunity, but not the Scribes and the Pharisees.  Their core was filled with anger and rage as they listened to those words from Christ.  They did not believe.  They did not think.  They did not even consider the possibility that this man could be the Messiah.   He told them:  ''Woe to you, blind guides."

Some of us know but most don't.  Some submit to the temptation and ask for forgiveness knowing within that what was committed was against their beliefs.  But there are those who do not know and are influenced internally and externally to commit wrongs that go against man and God.  And yet God is a forgiving god because he knows that for those who ask he is willing to forgive.  Evil must have doers to commit its wrongs and it is the influence that it works within the mind and the hearts of men that brings about the evil that we experience today.

Blind guides, indeed they were, influenced by the ways of evil.  So pervasive had evil become rampant in the time of Christ that men were not only influenced by evil but they were possessed by demons also.  And the people cried out for help everywhere he went.  He came to put a stop to the storming of mankind.  He came to pay the price for our sins.  He came to set us free from death and dominion of evil.  And he arose to open the doors of heaven for all.

Christ is our Savior.  He is our Lord.  He is our life and our love.  Through him we have a new life, a new opportunity, a hand to hold, an ear to listen to our cries, an understanding heart to know our suffering.  He is with us.  His love fills us if we open ourselves to his heart.  He provides and protects.  His Holy Spirit will be our guide in daily life to show us the way.  He is yours for the asking.  Ask and receive!     

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: 15b; Sons of Hell

Our paragraph topic is:  (Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 9.  

How do you reach a lost soul?  How can you show them the error of their ways?  How is it possible to shock them back to a sense of justice that they might be able to see the mistakes that they made?  We all are human.  We all make mistakes.  We all are subject to the influences of evil.  In the time when Christ came, evil was rampant.  Evil was with men.  Evil was within the hearts of men and they had forgotten the God of their forefathers.

And this is why Christ called out the leaders, the Scribes and the Pharisees.  They were the ones who set the rules.  They were the ones who enforced the laws.  They were the ones who taught the people how to follow the laws of their forefathers, because they had the books written by the prophets.  They could enforce the laws the way that they saw fit and understood.  Christ called the hypocrites.  He told them:  "Because you traverse sea and land to make one convert; and when he has become one, you make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves."

He called them hypocrites.  They were masquerading as religious men but underneath the masks they were creating evil in the hearts of men.  They were creating sons of hell, doing the work of the devil, not the work of God.  

 How appropriate is this message for us today.  We go out and evangelize to bring others into the church so that they may be saved.  The church is something new for them in that there are guidelines that we live by to help us follow the life that God wants us to live.  These may be difficult for a new comer to follow or even comprehend if they see others who do not follow the same guidelines.

God our father gave us basic commands to follow to keep us away from harm, out of the way of evil.  He loves us and does not want us to be harmed, just as we love our own children.  We would tell our own children not to put their hands in the fire because it will burn them.  God wants to do the same for us.  We can not base our experience upon that which we see others do.  It is up to each one of us though, to seek a personal relationship with our Father so that we know in our hearts what his will is for us.  His love for us is the key.

Christ is our Lord and Savior.  It is through his passion that we were reborn into a new life.  He came down from his thrown in heaven to be with us, to walk with us and talk with us to leave a legacy that we might know that he is with us.  It is through him and with him that we have a spokesperson to the Father. He knows our faults and failures.  He knows our pains and our sorrows.  He knows our hopes and our fears.  He is with us and in us, if we open ourselves to him through the Holy Spirit.  His love is endless.  His love is boundless.  His love is fulfilling.  He is the be all and the end all of all our needs.  To be with him is to be at rest for all eternity.  

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: 12a; The Lowly.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 10.  

The hypocrisy of the Scribes and the Pharisees presented an opportunity for Christ to teach the people and his disciples an important lesson.  He used the Scribes and the Pharisees as an example to show their pride and arrogance and to teach the people of their hidden nature.  They practiced piety on the surface but underneath they did not practice the laws that they enforced upon the people.  They were hypocrites.

Christ saw through their false piety and instructed the people to do the same.  They wanted all the praise and glory but did not do the work to obtain it.  They were not servants of the people but served their own purpose.  Christ told the people, the disciples, the Scribes and the Pharisees:   "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled."

We live in a physical world where we see the individual exalted.  We are shown on a daily basis all the stars, singers, athletes, business moguls, millionaires and billionaires, that are paraded before us in the media.  Everywhere we turn someone is raised up, someone has just become a hero, a star, a person who has achieve something that we all want to become.  This is news, worthy of feeding to the people who will buy it so they can read how they did it.  Maybe they too can achieve the same success.

We wish, we desire, we dream of being the one.  We would do anything to reach a level of importance that we should be in the news, in the media, before the public eye.  We don't know the meaning of humility, we only know praise.  And most would do anything to achieve that goal.  

Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled.  We know nothing of ourselves or who we are as a person.  We know even less of where we fit in the cosmic scheme of things.  We search the heavens in a constant desire to know that we are not alone.  We live in our own self awareness of the world knowing nothing of that which is inside of ourselves.

Christ came that we could began to know who we are.  He came to teach us how to live in a physical world that fits within the realm of the spiritual world.  For there are powers and principalities far beyond our understanding, far greater than ourselves, that we know nothing of and have not understood.  Yet we proclaim ourselves masters and lords within the small realm of the world that we live.  How little do we know.

His love provides.  His love protects.  His love fulfills all desires, all passions, all wants.  He is forgiving, merciful, patient, all knowing, all seeing, ever living.  He is our Father, God.  

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 23, verses: 3; Their works.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees) Part 2.  
Jesus has spoken to the Pharisees, now he speaks to his disciples and to the crowd.  He tells them about the burdens that they face from the rules and regulations made by the scribes and the Pharisees.  Moses was their leader and he made judgements from the judgement seat.  But since his death the scribes and the Pharisees have taken over the judgement seat of Moses and declared many new rules and laws.

So Jesus tells the disciples and the crowd to obey the commands given from the judgement seat of Moses because it is a sacred chair.  He tells them:  "All things, therefore, that they command you, observe and do.  But do not act according to their works; for they talk but do nothing."  

What examples do we have today of all talk and no action?  Who gives us instructions on how to do something but no practical examples of how we may go about it?  We try to follow the example but fail to have the success implied.  We do everything that is given us but still without the results that we are shown.  Get rich!  Follow my lead!  Do it this way; I have laid out all the step by step instructions.  Pay this amount and you will get these results.  They have figured out how to do it or at least tell us that it can be done.

Christ was a doer and not a talker.  He came, leaving his high throne and his crown.  He walked among us.  He talked with us, danced with us, drank with us, suffered oppressions with us, and died for us.  He didn't just talk the talk, he walked it also.  He left the disciples with us as witnesses of the truth that he brought.  They saw it all, witnessed it all, and spoke to us about it all.  These books of the testament are not just writings of the disciples about some fictitious events that they saw.  They are the writings of the word of God become man.

He is our example of how we should become in this time and age.  We should be doers and not just talkers.  We should show our faith in the works that we do for others.  If there is love in our hearts for Christ, then there should be love in our hearts for others.  We are children of God, all are the same.  God is our Father who gave us life.  Christ is our Lord who restored us to life.  The Holy Spirit is our guide who leads us through life until we reach our home in the kingdom of heaven.  

Be not like the Pharisees and the Scribes who do nothing.  Live the life of Christ.  Follow his example and spread the love that is so freely given to you.  Let your heart be filled with that which comes from heaven and pass it own to everyone you meet.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that we might have life eternal with him.  Help others to have it also.

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: 42b-43a; Whose son is the Christ?

Our paragraph topic is:  (The son of David) Part 3.  

They knew the answer to the question.  They knew their history and their ancestry, for Jesus was from the tribe of David and this was written for all to know.  But they did not know the meaning of this answer.  They were the scholars of the scriptures.  They had studied the books all their lives, but they had not made the connections.  Or maybe they had made the connections but refused to see the truth in them.

Christ was the son of David but he was also the son of God and that was also written.  They, the scholars, did not want to believe that this man was the Messiah.  They did not want to believe that the Christ would come from such a lowly means, that God would send his son in the place of a man with such low standing.  So when they answered: They said to him, "David’s."   Christ responded:  He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord."  

Here was the mind twister, the rattler, the thought that could give them the opportunity to see the truth and be opened.  Christ wanted them to see.  He wanted the Pharisees to understand the truth and be healed.  He had the opportunity to have them all together before him in a group so he posed the question that would make them all think at once.  It would give them the chance to think together, on the same level, to resolve a problem among themselves in his presence.

We are like the Pharisees.  God presents us with problems, issues, that will make us think about the consequences of our actions, of our lives.  He allows things to happen, either to us or for us that we may open our eyes and see who we are.  We are fragile.  We are human.  We are flesh and blood that can easily be destroyed, or injured, where our life is taken away in an instant.  Yet it is not that which is flesh and blood that is of value that we should treasure but that which is of the spirit that is permanent.  We live most of our lives not knowing it and yet it exist within us.  Most times it is not until we come close to loosing it that we realize that it is there.

We are given a choice how to live.  Christ gave us that choice through his love, through his passion.  Thank you Lord for your fulfilling love, for your overwhelming passion.  Thank you for your the sacrifice that you made for me and for mankind.  May we come to understand and know the truth of what you have given us.  Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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.