St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 13; Perseverance.

 Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 10.  

Christ was planting his seeds in his disciples and those who would follow.  He gave them the knowledge they needed to survive the onslaught of hard times.   He wanted them to survive the winds of fate, the coming storm.  He wanted them to have something to pass on to those who would follow after them in years to come so that they also would be strengthened by the words of Christ.  They would become the future witnesses.  The disciples were the ones who walked and talked with him.  They were the ones who lived in his presence day in and day out.  They lived and breathed the essence of holiness from Christ Jesus even though they did not realize it at the time.

The effect he had upon them did not show until after he ascended.  And even then his presence was still felt through the Holy Spirit that was given them after he ascended.  True, they faced hard times.  True they faced trials and tribulations.  True all the things that he told them would happen came true.  Iniquity abound and charity grew cold.  False prophets arose and led many astray.  Many who were weak in the faith fell to the wayside and betrayed others who stayed true to their belief and faith.  And Christ told them:  "But whoever perseveres to the end, he shall be saved."

How strong are we today?  Can we stand the test of trials and tribulations that may come our way?  Will our faith withstand the onslaught of what evil may test us with?  Will we falter?  Will we stumble?  Will we get up and continue to hold on to that faith which Christ has given us?  Or will we give in and go along with the rest of humanity not believing in what Christ paid so dearly for with his own life?  

To persevere is something that is difficult to do if it is not in you to believe.  It is easy to say but difficult to do if you have not been tested to the limits of your ability and then some.  This is what it means to persevere, to not give up, to not give in, to continue to try even with that last burst of energy that you dug up from the depths of your soul that you did not know that you had, to continue a few more inches, to still try because you refuse to give up.  That is perseverance.  

And that is what Christ wants from us, not to give up, to persevere, even in the face of hopelessness, because he is our strength, he is our hope, he is our rock of salvation that nothing should be able to shake.  And our belief and our knowledge, and our faith should rest upon this one fact that no matter what happens in our lives, come life or death, he will always be by our side as long as we are with him and do not surrender, do not give up, as long as we persevere.  May we live our lives and love according to the example that he has given us, Christ our Savior, 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 21, verse:13a; It is Written.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Cleansing of the Temple) Part 3. 

Christ entered the temple with anger, horror, and frustration at what he saw.  They were selling and buying of gifts for sacrifice.  They were changing of monies and lying and deceiving the purchasers of their money, money that is meant for the purchase of gifts for the praise of God.  The thieves and the robbers had entered the holy place used for prayer and thanksgiving and Christ was horrified at what he saw.

He saw evil.  He saw those who were influenced by evil practicing greed and deceit.  Their only goal was to make money and revel in the praise of mammon for the wealth that it brought to them.  They were not concerned that it was a house of prayer.  They were not concerned that it was a house of worship to the creator.  They were only concerned with greed and deceit, how much could they cheat the customer out of their money meant for God the Father.  And he said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'." 

The word is written for all to see.  The word is patient for the time for completion.  The word is fulfilled for all to know that the time had come.  And it came to pass that evil was overturned in the temple.  It came to pass that evil would not take by force the house of God.  It came to pass that the time for redemption was at hand and no longer would evil be allowed to rule the day.

He came to walk among us.  He came to show us his love.  He came that we would have a witness as to the truth.  He came that we would have forgiveness and a new life.  He came and he is our Lord and Savior.  The word is written.  The word is truth.  The word awaits for completion.  The word will be fulfilled.  The choice is ours to believe.  The choice is ours to accept.  The choice is ours to know the truth of who we are in Christ.

Let not the world deceive you as it did me.  Let not the world turn you away from the truth of who you are.  Let not the world turn you away from the life that is freely given you by the sacrifice of his love.  It is written for you to believe.  It is written for you to accept freely.  It is written for you to see and know him in truth and honesty.  The word will be fulfilled.  The word will be completed.  The word will return to the Father having finished it's purpose.  Will you receive the word and be renewed?  I do, I have, I am, I know.  Do 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.