Tag Archives: Christ

Marching into Mark, Passage, Meditation, Coloring, Music and Video

Marching into Mark Chapter Sixteen

Marching into Mark Chapter Sixteen

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 90, March 31 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Sixteen

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 16 (cross referenced with Matthew 28 and Luke 24)
    • then the looked up, they saw that the stone was already rolled back, for it was very large, and they were utterly amazed.
    • Mk 16:1-8 Mary, Mary and Salome at the Tomb
      • Mk 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 
      • They got there, and the stone was moved
      • a young was there in the tomb, they were alarmed
      • Mk 16“Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.’”
      • Mk 16So they went out and started running from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.
      • THEY SAID NOTHING????
    • Mk 16:9-11 Mary Magdalene meets Jesus
      • Mk 16Early on the first day of the week, after He had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. 11 Yet, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.
    • Mk 16:12-13 Men on a country road meet Jesus
      • Mk 1612 Then after this, He appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country. 13 And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either.
    • Mk 16:14 Jesus Appeared to the Eleven
      • Mk 1614 Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected.
    • Mk 16:15 Great Commission
      • Mk 1615 Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
    • Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
    • Mk 16:16-18 The Christian Life Evidenced
      • Mk 1616 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 
        • John 316 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
        • John 318 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
      • 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 
      • 18 they will pick up snakes;[b] if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”
    • Mk 16:19 Jesus Ascends
      • Mk 1619 Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
    • Mk 16:20 The Apostles’ Ministry Walk
      • Mk 1620 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

More discussion about these stories in Mindfully Meditating in Matthew Chapter 28.

A good place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 16:16
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • Mk 1616 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 
  • WHOEVER believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
  • Whoever BELIEVES and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

The Easter Song – Keith Green

Then Came the Morning – Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris

Was It a Morning Like This? – Sandi Patty

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. What are you going to do with Jesus Resurrected?
    1. Answers in Genesis discusses infallible proofs.
    2. Crossway discusses this from various other scholars.
    3. ReasonstoBelieve discusses a dozen proofs.

Choose to Believe!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Marching into Mark, Passage, Meditation, Coloring, Music and Video

Marching into Mark Chapter Fifteen

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 89, March 30 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Fifteen

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 15 ( Cross Referenced with Matthew 27, Luke 23 and John 18 & 19)
    • Mk 15:1- 15 Before Pilate and the crowd
    • Mk 1:As soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin. After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.
    • Lent Day 31 – Court Affairs 
    • Pilate – ARE YOU THE KING OF THE JEWS?
    • Jesus – You have said it.
    • Accusations
    • Mk 15But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed.
    • For Passover, Pilate releases one prisoner
    • Mk15So Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?”
    • Pilate knew it was a trumped up charge
    • Mk 1511 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.
    • Mk 1512 Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”
    • Mk 1513 Again they shouted, “Crucify Him!”
    • Pilate – WHY?
    •  Mk 15:14 But they shouted, “Crucify Him!” all the more.
    • Mk 1515 Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged,[b] he handed Him over to be crucified.
    • Crowd bowed to Chief Priests, Pilate bowed to crowd, all for false accusations.
    • Mk 15:16-20 The Soldiers
    • Lent Day 30 – Mocked and Beaten
    • Mk 1516 Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters) and called the whole company together.
    • They dressed him up, crafted a crown of thorns, hit him, mocked him.
    • Mk 1520 When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
    • Mk 15:21- 32 Crucifixion
    • Mk 1521 They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’ cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus.
    • Watch the Lamb – Ray Boltz
    • Golgotha
    • Mk 1524 Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get.
    • NINE am
    • The King of the Jews
    • 2nd Sunday of Lent – Today in Paradise
    • Crucified Between Two Criminals
    • Mocked
    • Mk 1532 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him were taunting Him.
    • Mk 15:33-39 Jesus’ Death
    • NOON to THREE
    • Mk 1533 When it was noon,[h] darkness came over the whole land[i] until three in the afternoon.[j]
    • THREE
    • My God My God why have you forsaken me with a sunset, and a cross with the image of a man on it.
    • Mk 1534 And at three[k] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lemá[l] sabachtháni? which is translated, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?[m]
    • 3rd Sunday of Lent – Father why hast thou forsaken me
    • 1st Sunday of Lent – Father Forgive Them
    • 4th Sunday of Lent – I thirst
    • Mk 1537 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last.
    • Temple Veil torn from the TOP to the bottom
    • Mk 1539 When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He[o] breathed His last, he said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[p]
    • Lent Day 8 – Believe
    • Mk 15:40-41 The Women
    • Mk 1540 There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they would follow Him and help Him. Many other women had come up with Him to Jerusalem.
    • Mary that Annoints – Lent day 3
    • Mary the Mother of Jesus – Advent Day 19
    • Mk 15:42-47 The Burial
    • Evening of the Preparation Day – Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the Body
    • Wrapped him in fine linen and put him in a cut rock grave.
    • He rolled the rock over it
    • Mk 1547 Now Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where He was placed.
    • Lent Day 39 – Good Friday
    • Lent Day 40 Holy Saturday

More discussion about these stories in Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Chapter 27

A good place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 15:39
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • Mk 1539 When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He[o] breathed His last, he said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[p]
  • THIS man really was God’s Son!
  • This MAN really was God’s Son!
  • This man REALLY was God’s Son!
  • This man really WAS God’s Son!

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

Then Came the Morning – Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris

Broken and Spilled out – Steve Green

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Jesus on the Cross by Super Coloring

Jesus on the Cross Coloring pages by ColoringHome

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. Who was Pontius Pilate?
    1. Crosswalk goes into all of the history of this man, at this time in Christ’s life.
  2. What was crucifixion like? Where did it come from?
    1. GotQuestions goes into the details of this horrific death.
  3. What of the Women of the Cross – who were they?
    1. Cross Walk discusses the women, Faithful to the end.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Marching into Mark, Passage, Meditation, Coloring, Music and Video

Marching into Mark Chapter 13

Marching into Mark Chapter Thirteen

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 86, March 27 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Thirteen

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 13 (Parallel Stories in Matthew 24)
    • Mk 13:1-2 The Temple
    •  As He was going out of the temple complex, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!”
    • Mk 13Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!”
    • Mk 13:3-13 The End Times
      • Mk 13Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and they will deceive many.
      •  Mk 13For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.[a] These are the beginning of birth pains.
      • But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to sanhedrins,[b] and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of Me, as a witness to them.
      •  11 So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say. On the contrary, whatever is given to you in that hour—say it. For it isn’t you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
      • 13 And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
    • Mk 13:14-22 Great Tribulation
    • Mk 13 14 “When you see the abomination that causes desolation[e] standing where it should not” (let the reader understand[f]), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! 15 A man on the housetop must not come down or go in to get anything out of his house. 16 And a man in the field must not go back to get his clothes. 17 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! 
    • Mk 1319 For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn’t been from the beginning of the world,[h] which God created, until now and never will be again!
    • Mk 1320 Unless the Lord limited those days, no one would survive.[i] But He limited those days because of the elect, whom He chose.
    • Mk 1322 For false messiahs[j] and false prophets will rise up and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
    • Mk 13:24-27 AFTER THE TRIBULATION
    • Mk 1324 “But in those days, after that tribulation:
    • Mk 13:24 The sun will be darkened,
      and the moon will not shed its light;
    • Mk 13:25 the stars will be falling from the sky,
      and the celestial powers will be shaken.
    • But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Mark 13:32
    • Mk 1326 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
    • Mk 13 27 He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
    • Mk 13:28-31 Parable of the Fig Tree
    • Mk 1329 In the same way, when you see these things happening, know[k] that He[l] is near—at the door!
    • Mk 1331 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
    • Mk 13:32-37 No One Knows
    • Mk 1332 “Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—except the Father. 
    • Mk 1333 Watch! Be alert![m] For you don’t know when the time is coming.
    • Mk 1335 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. 36 Otherwise, he might come suddenly and find you sleeping. (Remember the 10 Virgin Parable)
    • Mk 1337 And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!”
    • WATCH AND BE ALERT!

More discussion about these stories in Mindfully Meditating in Matthew 24.

A good place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 13:33
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • Mk 1333 Watch! Be alert![m] For you don’t know when the time is coming.
  • WATCH! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.
  • Watch! BE ALERT! For you don’t know when the time is coming.
  • Watch! Be alert! FOR you don’t know when the time is coming.
  • Watch! Be alert! For YOU don’t know when the time is coming.

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

I wish we’d all been Ready – Larry Norman

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Jesus Returns in the Clouds – Sermons4Kids

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. What does this discussion about the tribulation and collecting of the chosen tell us about the end?
    1. NeverThirsty gives a few views on the Rapture and Tribulation. They maintain a PreTribulation Rapture.
    2. GotQuestions discusses the aspects of MidTribulation Rapture
    3. GotQuestions goes over a general understanding of the four views of when the Rapture happens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Marching into Mark, Passage, Meditation, Coloring, Music and Video

Marching into Mark Chapter Twelve

Marching into Mark Chapter Twelve

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 82, March 23 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Twelve

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 12 (parallel stories in Matthew 21 and 22)
    • Mk 12:1-12  The Vineyard Owner and Tenants
    • Mk 12“But those tenant farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’
    • Mk 12“Therefore, what will the owner[c] of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers and give the vineyard to others.
    • Have you not read the scripture, the stone the builders rejected, this became the Chief Corner Stone.
    • The Stone the Builders Rejected
      • The stone that the builders rejected
        has become the cornerstone.[
      • This came from the Lord
        and is wonderful in our eyes?”
    • Mk 1212 Because they knew He had said this parable against them, they were looking for a way to arrest Him, but they were afraid of the crowd. So they left Him and went away.
    • Mk 12:13-17 God and Taxes
    • Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay, or should we not pay?”
    • Mk 1216 So they brought one. “Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them.
    • Caesar’s
    • Mk 1217 Then Jesus told them, “Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him.
    • Mk 12:18- 27 Resurrection? Yes or No?
    • Mk 1218 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and questioned Him:
    • Man had a wife and died, brother married her, no offspring
    • Times seven brothers
    • Woman died
    • Whose wife is she in the resurrection?
    • Mk 1225 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven. (-Jesus said)
    • Mk 1226 Now concerning the dead being raised…
    • Mk 1227 He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are badly deceived.”
    • Mk 12: 28-34 Greatest Commandments
    • You shall love the Lord your God with all your Heart and with all Your Soul and with all your Mind and with all Your Strength. Mark 12:30
    • Mk 1228 One of the scribes approached. … he asked Him, “Which command is the most important of all?”
    • Mk 1230 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
    • Mk 12 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.[r] There is no other command greater than these.”
    • Scribe replied
    • Mk 1233 And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding,[s] and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
    • Jesus said
    • Mk 12:34 “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
    • Mk 12: 35-37 David’s son the Messiah?
    • Mk 12:38- 40 Beware of the Scribes
    • Mk 1240 They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher punishment.”
    • Mk 12:41-44 The Widows Gift
    • Mk 1243 Summoning His disciples, He said to them, “I assure you: This poor widow has put in more than all those giving to the temple treasury. 44 For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she possessed—all she had to live on.”

More discussion about these stories in Mindfully Meditating in Matthew 21 and MMM22

A good place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 12:34
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • Mk 12:34 “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
  • YOU are not far from the kingdom of God.
  • You ARE not far from the kingdom of God.
  • You are NOT far from the kingdom of God.
  • You are not FAR from the kingdom of God.

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

The Greatest Commandment – Integrity Worship

Greatest Commandment – Seeds Family Worship

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

No coloring page for the Greatest Commandment, I’m sorry.

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. What is up with the Sadducees and the resurrection? Who are they?
    1. Crosswalk has an article, 8 things to know about the Sadducees – it’s very interesting.
  2. How do you feel about God and paying taxes?
    1. GotQuestions has some input on what Jesus meant when he said this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Marching into Mark, Passage, Meditation, Coloring, Music and Video

Marching into Mark Chapter 11

Marching into Mark Chapter Eleven

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 82, March 23 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Eleven

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 11
    • Mk 11:1-11 Triumphal Entry
    • Mk 11and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.
    • and they did
    • Mk 11 Then they brought the donkey to Jesus and threw their robes on it, and He sat on it.
    • Hosanna, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord
    • Mk 11Then those who went ahead and those who followed kept shouting:
      • Hosanna!
        He who comes in the name
        of the Lord is the blessed One![b]
      • The coming kingdom
        of our father David is blessed!
        Hosanna in the highest heaven!
    • Mk 1111 And He went into Jerusalem and into the temple complex. After looking around at everything, since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
    • Mk 11:12-14 Cursing the Fig Tree
    • Mk 1114 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples heard it.
    • Mk 11:15-19 Tables Turned
    • Mk 1117 Then He began to teach them: “Is it not written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?[c] But you have made it a den of thieves!”
    • Mk 11:20-26 Two Lessons from the Fig Tree
    • Have Faith
    • Mk 1120 Early in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.
    • Mk 1122 Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God.
    • Mk 1124 Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received[e] them, and you will have them.
    • Forgive and be forgiven
    • Mk 1125 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. [26 But if you don’t forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your wrongdoing.]”[f][g]
    • Mk 11: 27- 33 By Whose Authority
    • Priests, Scribes and Elders ask – by what Authority
    • Jesus asks “by what authority did John baptize?”
    • Priests, Scribes and Elders fear the people – “we don’t know.”
    • Mk 11:33 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

More discussion about these stories in Mindfully Meditating in Matthew 21

A good place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 11:24
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • Mk 1124 Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received[e] them, and you will have them.
  • THEREFORE I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for – believe that you have received them and you will have them.
  • Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for – believe that you have received them, and you will have them.
  • Therefore I TELL you, all the things you pray and ask for – believe that you have received them, and you will have them.

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Jesus cleansing the Temple Coloring Page – SuperColoring

Jesus Clears the Temple – ColoringHome

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. Why did people put branches and stuff on the path before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem?
    1.  GotQuestions talks about the significance of the triumphal entry.
  2. What is the point about cursing the fig tree?
    1. The Gospel Coalition has a great explanation about what we can learn from the fig tree.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Marching into Mark Chapter 10

Marching into Mark chapter 10

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 80, March 21 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Ten

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 10(cross referencing – Matthew 19)
    • Mk10:1He set out from there and went to the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Then crowds converged on Him again and, as He usually did, He began teaching them once more.
    • Mk 10:2-12 Jesus’s opinion on Divorce
    • Mk 10:Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
    • But from the beginning of creation God[a] made them male and female.
      • For this reason a man will leave
        his father and mother
        [and be joined to his wife],
      • and the two will become one flesh.
      • So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
    • Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate.”
    • 11 And He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 
    • 12 Also, if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
    • Mk 10:13 -16 Welcome the Children
    • Mk 1014 When Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me. Don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
    • Mk 1015 I assure you: Whoever does not welcome[e] the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
    • 16 After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them.
    • Mk 10:17-22 The Rich Young Ruler
    • Mk 1017 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
    • Jesus – Why do you call me Good? And Keep the commandments
    • 20 He said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.”
    • Jesus – You must go and sell all and give to the poor.
    • Mk 1022 But he was stunned[h] at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.
    • Mk10:23-31 The continuation of Riches
    • Mk 1023 Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
    • Stunned the disciples –
    • Mk 10:24…Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is[i] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
    • The Who Can be Saved????
    • Mk 1027 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”
    • But we’ve left all to follow you!
    • Mk1029 “I assure you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house, brothers or sisters, mother or father,[j] children, or fields because of Me and the gospel, 30 who will not receive 100 times more, now at this time—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
    • Mk 10:32-34 Jesus Tells of His Death a Third time
    • Mk 10:35-45 James and John ask to sit at Christ’s Right Hand
    • Mk 1043 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”[l]
    • Mk 10:46-52 Blind Bartimaeus
    • Mk 10:51 Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
    • “Rabbouni,”[m] the blind man told Him, “I want to see!”
    • 52 “Go your way,” Jesus told him. “Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Him on the road.

More discussion about these stories in Mindfully Meditating in Matthew 19

A good place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 10:31
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  •  31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
  • BUT many who are first will be last, and the last first.
  • But MANY who are first will be last, and the last first.
  • But many WHO are first will be last, and the last first.
  • But many who ARE first will be last, and the last first.

or

  • 52 “Go your way,” Jesus told him. “Your faith has healed you.”
  • GO your way, Jesus told him. Your faith has healed you.
  • Go your way, Jesus told him. YOUR faith has healed you.
  • Go your way, Jesus told him. Your FAITH has healed you.
  • Go your way, Jesus told him. Your faith HAS healed you.

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Jesus heals the Blind man – Super Coloring

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. What does Jesus mean by the first shall be last and the last shall be first?
    1. Got Questions explains this from Matthew’s Gospel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Marching into Mark, Passage, Meditation, Coloring, Music and Video

Marching into Mark Chapter Nine

Marching into Mark chapter Nine

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 75, March 16 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Nine

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 9
    • Mk 9:1  And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
    • Mk 9:2-13 Mount of Transfiguration
    • Mk 9After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
    •  His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
    • And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
    • Peter puts his foot in his mouth again – let us make tents for each of you!
    • Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
    • As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
    • 11 says Why do they say that Elijah must first come?
    • 13 Jesus says He did – (John) and they did whatever they wanted to him.
    • Mk 9:14-29 Casting Out Demons
    • Jesus, James John and Peter met back up with the other Apostles
    • 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
    • Man – I asked your disciples to save my son and they couldn’t
    • 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
    • Man – if you can, deliver my boy
    • 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
    • 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
    • 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.(Other places and versions add fasting.
    • Mk 9:30-32 Teaching HIs disciples
    • 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
    • Mk 9:33 – Capernaum Childish and Childlike
    • arguing about who was the greatest
    • 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
    • 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
    • Mk 9:38- Who is with me?
    • Someone was casting out demons in your name, but is not with us.
    • 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.
    • Mk 9:41 Cup of Water
    • 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
    • Mk 9:42Stumbling blocks
    • 42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
    •  43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. 
    • 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble,
    •  Mk9:48-49 Be Salty
      • 50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

A good place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 8:29
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. What does it mean that salt is salty but if it loses it’s saltiness it’s worthless?
    1. your answer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Marching into Mark Chapter Eight

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 76, March 17 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Eight

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 8 (cross referenced with Matthew 15 & 16)
    • Mk 8:1-10 Feeding Repeat!
      • In a deserted place
      • folks are hungry
      • Jesus – “Feed them”
      • Apostles – we don’t have enough money
      • Jesus ‘ “what DO you have?”
      • Blesses the seven loaves, and feeds 4000 with 7 baskets of leftovers.
      • 10 and immediately got into the boat with His disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.[b]
    • Mk 8:11-13 No sign but Jonah (Mt 12:38-41)
    • Mk 8:14- 21 Beware the  Yeast of Pharisees
    • Apostles forgot bread
    •  Jesus – “Beware of the yeast of Pharisees”
    • Apostles – because we forgot bread
    •  17 Aware of this, He said to them, “Why are you discussing that you do not have any bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Is your heart hardened? 18 Do you have eyes, and not see, and do you have ears, and not hear?[c] And do you not remember?
    • 5000 – 12 baskets
    • 4000 – 7 baskets
    • 21 And He said to them, “Don’t you understand yet?”
    • Mk 8:22- 26 Healing a blind man that took two attempts
    • Partial sight – I see men as trees walking
    • Full sight25 Again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and he saw distinctly. He was cured and could see everything clearly.
    • Mk 8: 27- 30 Who do you say that I am?
    • Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah!”
    • Mk 8:31-33
    • 31 Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be killed, and rise after three days.
    • Peter Rebukes Him
    • He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan, because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns,[e] but man’s!”
    • whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
    • Mk 8:34-38 Count the Cost
    • He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.
    • 36 For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? 37 What can a man give in exchange for his life?
    • 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
    • Jim Elliot – ‘He is no fools who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
    • Mindfully Meditating in Matthew 15,  MMM16

A place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 8:29
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 29 “But you,” He asked them again, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah!”
  • WHO do you say that I am? You are the Messiah!
  • Who DO you say that I am? You are the Messiah!
  • Who do YOU say that I am? You are the Messiah!
  • Who do you SAY that I am? You are the Messiah!

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

Who do Say that I am – David Phelps

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Jesus heals the Blind Man coloring page by ColoringHome

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. What is the sign of Jonah?
    1. GotQuestions discusses this is Sign of Jonah
    2. I have an Itty Bitty Bible Study on Jonah starting with this Introduction
  2. What do you think about the Apostles forgetting about the feeding of the 5000, when they needed to feed the 4000?
    1. Your answer
    2. Leaven of the Pharisees by GotQuestions

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Grape arbor - green leaves and purple grapes

Lent Day 20 – The True Vine

grapes on the vine with a sunset glow

Image by Felix Wolf from Pixabay

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Three – for Catch up.
Lent Week Four started March 5, 2018, March 23, 2019, and Feb 22, 2023

Lent Day Twenty
The True Vine

Music

You are the Vine – True Vine Music

Scripture Passage

John 15:1-19

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.

Devotion

Actually, we are going to discuss John 15:1-19.

  • 1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper.
  • “I am the vine; you are the branches.
    •  Jesus is speaking, so HE is the true vine.
  • Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.
  • My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be[a] My disciples.
    • Branches are to produce fruit
  • Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.
  • …The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.
    • Branches need to remain in the Vine
  • Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes,
  •  If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 
    • Not remaining in Him is disastrous.
  • Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.
  •  If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 
    • There are benefits to remaining in the Vine

How do we ‘get into’ the vine?

Romans 11: 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[b] of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

Romans 11: 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

Romans 11:24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Yes, the Romans passages are talking about an olive tree, and the John passage is talking about a Vine, but I believe they are talking about the same concept.

  • There were those that were part of the Vine/Tree.
  • The disobeyed/unbelief
  • The vinedresser, husbandman found other healthy branches
  • They were grafted in

Now – just as in the John passage, if you don’t remain in the Vine you will be cut out, there is the warning to these branches that if they, the grafts, were to fall into unbelief, they would not be spared the outcome of the natural branches.

Once we are engrafted into the Vine or tree, it is our responsibility to remain in the vine/tree.  IT IS OUR CHOICE!

How do we remain in the Vine?

In yesterday’s Lent, Day 19, we looked at how believing was a condition for receiving the Spirit of Truth.

Romans 11:20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith.

In The Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 2, I talk about how

Ephesians 2For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.

This bears repeating:

Romans 11: 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

We are IN the Vine/Tree because of God’s grace!

We love because HE first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Lent Day 19 talks about how we show our love to God  – John 14 15 “If you love me, keep my commands.

And then, we produce much fruit.  John 15My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be[a] My disciples.

Matthew 1323 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We have been given the opportunity to be engrafted into the Vine, by grace through faith so that we can do good works and produce much fruit.  It’s up to us to stay there – to remain – to abide.

There’s one more point – but I don’t know how to make it fit into this devotion. I do want to point it out.  Jesus says:

John 15 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

YOU ARE ALREADY CLEAN because of the word I have spoken to you!

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word,27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

This says that husbands should follow Christ’s example, loving the church, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.  If there’s no earthly husband, we have the heavenly Bridegroom that will still wash us, as we go to Him in prayer and study.

Let’s stay engrafted!

Let’s stay clean!

Worship

I am the Vine – ILP Music

Remain in Me, I am the Vine – Steve Angrisano

~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Marching into Mark Chapter 7

Marching into Mark Chapter Seven

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 75, March 16 )

On Facebook, you can join us at Itty Bitty Bible Study Group.

Passage
Mark Chapter Seven

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 7(With cross referencing to Matthew 15)
    • Mk 7:1-23 – What causes defiling
    • 1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Him.
    • They observed the disciples eating with unclean hands which went against the teachings of the Leaders
    • Then the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why don’t Your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders, instead of eating bread with ritually unclean[b] hands?”
    • Jesus calls them on their hypocrisy
    • Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men.”[d] He also said to them, “You completely invalidate God’s command in order to maintain[e] your tradition!
    • The leaders had made it  so that a son could say his wealth was for God and therefore didn’t need to take care of his parents, invalidating Honor your Father and Mother command.
    • The point –
    • 15 Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.
    • 18 And He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don’t you realize that nothing going into a man from the outside can defile him? 19 For it doesn’t go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated.”[i] (As a result, He made all foods clean.[j])
    • That which proceeds out of the man is what defiles the man
    • What actually defiles
    • 20 Then He said, “What comes out of a person—that defiles him. 21 For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess,[k] blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”
    • Mk7:24-30  Greek woman asking for healing
    • Jesus – “…because it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
    • Woman – “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
    • Jesus –  “Because of this reply, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
    • Her faith wouldn’t take a NO answer, and it seems she understood the heart of God.
    • Mindfully Meditating in Matthew Chapter 15
    • Mk 7:31-35 Deaf man with a speech difficulty
    •  35 Immediately his ears were opened, his speech difficulty was removed,[o] and he began to speak clearly.
    • Mk 7:37 They were extremely astonished and said, “He has done everything well! He even makes deaf people hear, and people unable to speak, talk!”

A place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 7:37
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 37 They were extremely astonished and said, “He has done everything well! He even makes deaf people hear, and people unable to speak, talk!”
  • HE has done everything well! He even makes deaf people hear,
  • He HAS done everything well!
  • He has DONE everything well!
  • He has done EVERYTHING well!
  • He has done everything WELL!

and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Songs for Meditation

All Things Well – A’Men Quartet

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.  Some thoughts to dig deeper.

  1. Why do you think Jesus went from talking about unclean hands to talking about honoring your Mother and Father?
    1. GotQuestions answers what is CORBAN?
  2. Why did Jesus call the woman a dog?
    1. GotQuestions discusses this from the Matthew account.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.