Psalms 141
Ezekiel 43.1-12
Matthew 23.17-24.14
How easy it is to get distracted from the important things in life. In this last election the news was not what the candidates were proposing to do but rather accusations against each other of evil doing, a distraction from what we needed to hear. In our lives we get distracted by what we are told is important rather than what we know is important. Bigger, brighter, faster, cleaner, shinier, newer, cooler, plus the places we need to go to and see, and experience. The place I find solace from this distracting world is the Word of God. Believe me when I say I believe the Word of God. Many Christians I come across don’t. Isn’t that unbelievable.
Our reading today starts with Psalms 141, which is a prayer for protection from evil doers, protection from eternal death, victory over evil men, standing with the righteous, and victory over sin. Hear my prayer O LORD, hear my prayer.
In chapter 43 of Ezekiel, Ezekiel is still in the spirit being shown the temple of the LORD, where God fills the inner room with His Shekinah Glory and Ezekiel is told that the LORD will return there to dwell forever, at a time in the future.
Finally in Matthew 23 and 24 we find Jesus lowering the boom on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. What phonies they turned out to be, though keeping the law so religiously. Everything about these guys was on the outside appearance, there was no love for God or man, only themselves, there was never mercy, forgiveness, kindness, no fruit of the Spirit, for there was no spiritual life happening. Then the disciples ask Jesus, “Tell us when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus simply said there will be hatred, lying, stealing, wars, famines, floods, betrayals, Christian persecution, they will deliver you to be persecuted, and killed. Your so called friends will turn you in, your so called brothers will turn away from the faith, and love of many will grow cold. But he that endures to the end will be saved. Sounds kind of like the year 2016, or so.
Friends, the Word of God is true, the signs of the times are everywhere, it doesn’t matter if the Cubs win the World Series, or the Bears fail, or who wins the presidency. What matters is, do you know the saving and keeping power of Jesus. He alone matters, are you actively following Him, is the Spirit of God leading you in righteousness? I hope so.
Karl
First Pres Joliet 
November 19, 2016 at 9:30 am
Karl. a major part of the difficulty folk have with the Bible is that it has to be believed to be understood. Any other book is just the opposite, it must be understood to be believed. This is because that one’s understanding of the Bible is dependent on one’s spiritual condition (1 Cor. 2:14, 2 Cor. 3:14-15, James 1:5-6, Mark 4:11-12). Additionally, not all scripture is easily understood (2 Pet. 1:20, 3:15-16), although the Bible does, in places (Deut. 6:6-7, Ps. 119:130, Matt. 22:29) attempts to explain it’s value and that of those who scholastically study and stick to it (1 Cor. 12:28, Eph. 4:11, Titus 1:7-9,).