Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday October 10, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Matthew, please read chapters 23-24 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-10

Today's Message: Are You Ready?
We may not know the exact time when Jesus will come, but we do know what we can do to be prepared for that day. Are you ready for Jesus to return?

There were three prominent religious societies of Judaism at the time of Christ, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes, but the Pharisees were the most highly respected. Jewish scribes were a class of learned men who made the systematic study of the Law and its exposition, their professional occupation. The scribes were copiers of the Law and other documents. They held undisputed sway as the recognized interpreters of the Law and were the representatives of Judaism. Jesus confronted these men, “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren............ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” - Matthew 23:3-8,13-15. The Pharisees and scribes are charged with hypocrisy. They speak the Law, yet make up their own as they go and they exalt themselves above all others, making them appear to be righteous, yet are far from it. They want to show off and be recognized for knowing the Word of God, yet do not follow, creating their own views on what the Law actually is. It is very honorable and commendable to show respect for those who teach us the Word of God, but it is very prideful and selfish for us teachers to demand recognition and exalt ourselves above those whom we are teaching and this is what Jesus was speaking out against.

Following the cleansing of the Temple and the denouncing of the religious leaders as hypocrites, Jesus sat with His disciples on the Mount of Olives, they asked Jesus questions that we all would like to know. “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” - Matthew 24:3-13. Jesus is warning us of the things that need to come to pass before He comes, many will come claiming to be Him, they will show many signs of wonder, but it will not Him. However, many will be deceived and when they find out the truth nation to rise against nation, even brother against brother. However, those who are true to Christ through it all will be saved. This is when the truth comes out, all those whom are True followers of Christ will not be deceived by the too good to be true signs.

While Jesus did not specify when He will come, He did tell us what we need to know to be prepared and ready for that time. “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only..........Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh............ The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,” - Matthew 24:34-36,42-44, 50. Look around the world today, we are literally seeing many of these things come to pass. False prophets are everywhere claiming they know Christ and people are buying into it. Nations are lining up against each other, just waiting for the sign of attack. The economy is spiraling down quickly, poverty is everywhere, yet our own president (US) is recognized as a savior around the world. These things are coming to pass in our very own back yard, and just wait, things are going to turn around, the economy will go back up and all these amazing miracles will begin to take place. However, those who are True to Christ will not be deceived and will endure all to join the True Christ. Praise God!

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, because there have always been false prophets and teachers among us, we want to stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around our waist. We seek spiritual discernment as we process that which we see, hear, and pass on to others. May we determine truth and error, not by the popularity of the message or messenger, but by the standards set forth in Your Holy Word by Your holy messengers. Help us to spread the good news of the True Gospel to all who seek truth, life, and desire to have purpose for their lives. In Jesus' Name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

P.S. I apologize for this being posted late, still not feeling well, but praise God I am getting much better.

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