Tag Archives: faith

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 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 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.

Marching into Mark Chapter Six

Marching into Mark Chapter Six

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 73, March 14 )

 

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

Passage
Mark Chapter Six

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 6 (cross referenced to Matthew 9, 10 and 14)
    • Mk 6:1-6 Rejected
      • Hometown Boy – Nazareth
      • Preached – they dismissed him
        • When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these things?” they said. “What is this wisdom given to Him, and how are these miracles performed by His hands? 
        • Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t His sisters here with us?” So they were offended by Him.
        • They also probably remembered the whole mess about Mary’s pregnancy – but that’s not Bible.
      • And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. Mark 6:5
      • Because of their unbelief – few miracles were done there.
        • So He was not able to do any miracles[a] there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He was amazed at their unbelief.
    • Mk 6:7-13 Commissioning the Twelve
      • He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs
      • and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
      • He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a walking stick: no bread, no traveling bag, no money in their belts.
      • They were to wear sandals, but not put on an extra shirt.
      • 11 If any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
      • 12 preached that people should repent.
      • 13 And they were driving out many demons,
      • anointing many sick people with olive oil, and healing them.
    • Mk 6:14-29 Death of John the Baptist in Detail
      • 29 When his disciples[i] heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.
    • Mk 6:30- 34 The Apostles returned
      • Come ye yourselves into a desert place, and rest awhile.
      • and Jesus tried to get them to a quiet place
      • People found them and surrounded them
      • 34 So as He stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then He began to teach them many things.
    • Mk 6:35-44 Feeding the 5,000
      • Got late
      • Master – send them away so they can eat
      • 37 “You give them something to eat,” He responded.
      • What DO you have?
      • five loaves and two fish
      • Jesus sat the people down in an orderly fashion
        • 41 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to His disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.
        • 42 Everyone ate and was filled.
        • 43 Then they picked up 12 baskets full of pieces of bread and fish. 
        • 44 Now those who ate the loaves were 5,000 men.
    • Mk 6:45 -52 Sent the Apostles ahead in a boat
      • 46 After He said good-bye to them, He went away to the mountain to pray.
      • 48 He saw them being battered as they rowed,[l] because the wind was against them.
      • Around three in the morning[m] He came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them.
      • 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified.
      • Immediately He spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
      • 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded,
    • Mk 6:53 – 56 Healings all around
      • 56 Wherever He would go, into villages, towns, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him that they might touch just the tassel of His robe. And everyone who touched it was made well.

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 6:50
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
  • HAVE courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.
  • Have COURAGE! It is I. Don’t be afraid.
  • Have courage! IT IS I. Don’t be afraid.
  • Have courage! It is I! Don’t be afraid.

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

Little is Much if God is in It – Bible Baptist Church

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 Walking on the Water – SuperColoring

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 that Jesus was rejected by his hometown?
        1. is this the answer”
          1. Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household.”
      2. How can we apply Jesus asking the disciples What do YOU have? YOU feed them?
        1. Got Questions discusses it from both Matthew and Mark.

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

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.

The Cavern

 

On March 8th, some things happened that really shook me, in the middle of my shook life.  It was like a straw that threatened to break this camel’s back.  But with the prayers of friends, and the voices from a mental health group I am part of, I got through it.

Psalm 23:Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Here’s my poem, The Cavern

They say don’t move.
They say we’re going to turn out the lights
They say everything will be alright
Just don’t move.

Darkness hits.
Darkness that surrounds and envelopes your flesh
Darkness that can be felt
Just don’t move.

This is a cavern.
This is a cave.
This is  a place so deep and down
Just don’t move.

No one is near, 
or that is my fear.
Or am I afraid I might spin out and fall
Where was that edge after all?

Cold seeping in
It envelopes my skin
The screams I screamed in the night 
Are pushed down within.

The lights will come back
The day will arise
But right now, I can’t trust my eyes
Just don’t move.

Where is that rail?
Where is that edge?
Did I place myself in the center of 
This death defying ledge?

I hear someone
“Turn on the light’
We have seen what we came for,
Now just stop this fright.”

But the tour guide is gone
He’s left us alone
We realize that we are now on our own.

Where is that switch?
Where can it be?
And do I risk death to move, try to see?

Someone starts to cry
Someone else says “I’m cold”
We reach out to touch each other, to give us some hope.

Where is the light?
Where is the guide?
Why is this tour turning into a fright?

What did I do?
What did I say
That made the tour guide leave us that day?

“I have the rail” says someone in dark,
I think this is where we can get a spark.”
“I’m right behind you, I’ll hold you on land”
“We’ll do this together, and move hand by hand.”

Single file
We walked slowly along
Then someone broke into a song

But it’s dark!
It’s so damp and cold.
Being afraid to move is getting very old.

We know we are here
Together as one
The song lifted up, and 
Marching on, one by one.

“I feel wires behind the rail”
The excitement caused a rustle,
 “Maybe we will get out of this jail!
And some began to tussle

“The thing we need to remember, 
Is we are in this all together.
Calm down, and steady on.”
While the one continued song.

It’s so dark
It’s so damp,
You can’t see your hand, 
not even where you should stand.

The guide let us down.
In the cavern alone
Deep down in the ground
 No idea if we’ll be found.

The tension is rising,
The hope to despair
With each adding moment
Doubts that we’ll be spared.

“Wait! I think I’ve got it,” 
Says the one in the front,
And with that we hear a click,
And the light is on

The guide stood there
Looking proud as could be
“You took on the challenge
From your fears you are free.”

I stood in amazement
Full of anger, and dread
What was he saying, 
Did he get in my head.

I didn’t ask for a challenge
I just paid for a tour
What is this freedom he speaks of
Terror du jour? 

But wait, all those people.
Where are they, I said.
“You were the one walking
This valley of death.”

I was alone the whole time,
So who did I hear?
Did the dark point out parts of me t
That i didn’t know near?

What is this valley, 
This cavern of death?
Where I could hear every heart beat
And taste every breath.

“Your heart that is wounded,
Your thoughts of the end.
 You are stronger together
And over darkness you’ve won.”

“I’ll guide you and teach you,
But I’ll test you to see
If you have been listening
And following me.”

“I know where you are healed,
I know where you are strong.
You were never near the edge
You were in front of me all along.”

“I sent you those voices 
To encourage your walk
And I timed the tests specifically,
So alone you won’t walk.”

“Now rest, my little one
Enjoy the sun
I’m always with you, 
Even when I seem gone.”

“The cavern is your heart
With the wounds oh so deep,
But I have built a path
That will, with time, set you free.”

It was me that walked bravely
It was me that held strong
It was me that spoke encouragement
And from my mouth was the song.

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman, all rights reserved.

I have written about suicide, but here’s my thoughts on what’s the big deal.

If you have come to this page because you are contemplating suicide, please dial 988 or 1-800-273-TALK or visit the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine. Some other Suicide Hotlines are on this page. 

~~~~~~~

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.

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 24 or MMM24

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Chapter Twenty Four

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 55, Feb 24)

Passage Matthew Chapter Twenty-Four

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.

  • Matthew 24
    • Mt 24:1-2 Destruction of the Temple foretold
      • Then He replied to them, “Don’t you see all these things? I assure you: Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!”
    • When will these things happen and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age Matthew 24:3Mt 24:3- 35 When are these things going to happen?
      • Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 
        • wars and rumors of wars
        • nation rise against nation
        • famines
        • earthquakes
      • BIRTHPAINS
        • . All these events are the beginning of birth pains.
      • PERSECUTIONS
        • “Then they will hand you over for persecution,[b] and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name.
        • false prophets
        • lawlessness
        • love of many grow cold (believers)
        • 1 Peter 4:14
          • If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
        • MMM5
      • 13 But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
        • 14 This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world[d] as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.
      • ABOMINATION THAT CAUSES DESOLATION
        • Flee to the mountains
      • GREAT TRIBULATION
        • 21 For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again! 
        • 22 Unless those days were limited, no one would[i] survive.[j] But those days will be limited because of the elect.
      • FALSE PROPHETS AND FALSE MESSIAHS
        • 24 False messiahs[k] and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note: I have told you in advance. 
      • RETURN OF CHRIST
        • 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
      • AFTER TRIBULATION
        • The sun will be darkened,
          and the moon will not shed its light;
          the stars will fall from the sky,
          and the celestial powers will be shaken.
        • 30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth[m] will mourn;[n] and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
        • 31 He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
        • This passage alone supports the post tribulation rapture of the saints.
      • Heaven and earth will pass away but my word will never pass away. Matthew 24:35The Fig Tree lesson
        • 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize[o] that He[p] is near—at the door!
        • 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
    • Mt 24:36-44 No one knows the time
      • 36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son[q] —except the Father only.
      • I wish we’d all been ready tells this passage of scripture
      • 42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day[s] your Lord is coming.
      • Be ready for the Son of Man is co ming at an hour when you do not think he will come. Matthew 24:44 This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
    • Mt 24:45-51 be the faithful Slave/Servant
      • Faithful
        • 46 That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded. 47 I assure you: He will put him in charge of all his possessions. 
      • Evil
        •  50 that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. 51 He will cut him to pieces[u] and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
    • One place where I’ve written my thoughts on the end times is in IBBS Habakkuk , about the tribulation and signs of the End.
    • When I had Covid, I wrote about whether it was one of the final plagues of the End – Covid and Me

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 24:13
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 13 But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
  • NIV but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
  • BUT the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
  • But THE one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
  • But the ONE who stands firm to the end will be saved.
  • But the one WHO stands firm to the end will be saved.
  • But the one who STANDS firm to the end will be saved.
  • But the one who stands FIRM to the end will be saved.

…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.

Coloring

Matthew the Book coloring page by Ministry to Children

no tribulation coloring pages, sorry

Song to Meditate upon

I wish we’d all been ready – Larry Norman

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

  1. What do you think Jesus meant by the temple being torn down?
    1. Bible Ref gives some historical information about this being true.
  2. Have you heard of false Prophets of those calling themselves Messiah?
    1. your answer
  3. Have you done much reading on the Great Tribulation?
    1. In IBBS Habakkuk I talk about some theories.
  4. How do you feel about the second coming of Christ?
    1. In Covid and Me I talk about fear and faith

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

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.

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 16 or MMM16

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 47, Feb 16)

Passage Matthew 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.

  • Matthew 16
    • Mt 16:1-4 Signs
      • A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.
      • Itty Bitty Bible Study on Jonah
    • Mt 16:5-12 Yeast discussions
      • When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
      • Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
      • 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
    • Mt 16:13-17 The Son of Man
      • 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
      • 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
      • 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
    • Mt 16:18-20 Peter and keys to kingdom
      • 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it.
        • see question below
      • I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.”
    • Mt 16:21-23 – Jesus reveals Jerusalem events
      • Jesus is going to be killed
      • Peter says no, never
      • 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
      • Poor Peter!
    • Mt 16:24-28
      • 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
      • Jim Elliott – He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 15:18
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.”
  • I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
  • I WILL give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
  • I will GIVE you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
  • I will give YOU the keys of the kingdom of heaven

…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.

A Matthew Coloring Page by Ministry to Children  – though it can be good for adult meditating.

I’m sorry, no coloring pages for Who do you say that I am, or the yeast of the pharisees.

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

  1.  Is Peter the Rock or his confession the Rock?
    1. GotAnswers explains it this way.
    2. More on Peter from my Lent Story.
  2. To whom are the keys to the Kingdom given?
    1. Christianity.com sees it this way.
    2. GotQuestions discusses it as well.

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

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.

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew chapter 15 or MMM15

(C) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 46, Feb 15)

Passage Matthew 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.

 

  • Matthew 15
    • Mt 15:1-20 Clean hands or clean hearts?
      • 1-9 Reprimanding the Pharisees
        • make rulings to undermine the point of the law and benefit themselves.
        • “‘These people honor me with their lips,
              but their hearts are far from me.
          They worship me in vain;
              their teachings are merely human rules.’[c]
      • 10-20what washing hands was a foreshadowing of:
        • 10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
        • 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
    • Mt 15:21-28  The Faith of the Canaanite Woman – how to press in for answers
      • Came to Jesus – request #1
        • 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
      • Ignored
        • 23 Jesus did not answer a word.
        • So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
        • 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
      • Request #2
        • 25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
      • Rebuked – potentially a denial
        • 26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
      • Request/Response #3
        • 27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
      • Rewarded for persistent Faith
        • 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
    • Mt 15:29-31 Jesus Healing multitudes
      • 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
    • Mt 15:32 – 38 Feeding the Four Thousand
      • Jesus’ practical compassion
        • 32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
      • disciples forget previous miracles
        • 33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
      • What DO you have?
        • “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
      • Prayer of Thanksgiving
        • 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.
      • How many ate?
        • They all ate and were satisfied.
        • 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children.
      • Exceedingly Abundantly above what you ask or think:
        • Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
        • NO WASTE – LEFTOVERS!
    • Mt 15:39 – Moving on to the next place
        • 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
    • Here is an excellent comparison between  the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 15:18
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them
  • BUT the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
  • But THE things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them,
  • But the THINGS that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart
  • But the things THAT come out of a person’s mouth come fr0m the heart

Life and death are in the power of the tongue! Prov 18:21

…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.

A Matthew Coloring Page by Ministry to Children  – though it can be good for adult meditating.

Various coloring pages of Jesus feeding the 5000 to choose from by Coloring Home

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

  1. How does the whole conversation about words and hands defiling you make you feel?
    1. Your Answer
  2. Does this irradicate the Laws that the Pharisees made that ruled their every day?
    1. Your Answer
  3. A very interesting Article in BibleAsk about the Clash between Jesus and Pharisees.

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

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.

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 12 or MMM12

 

(C) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 43, Feb 12)

Passage
Matthew 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.

  • Matthew 12
    • Mt 12:1-8 Lord of the Sabbath
      • But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here! If you had known what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice,[c] you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
        • 1 Sam 15:22,Heb 10:6, Ps 40:6
        • Mark 12:33
          • To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
        • Ps 51:16-17
          • You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
                you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
            17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
                a broken and contrite heart
                you, God, will not despise.
    • Mt 12:9-14 Lawful to heal on the Sabbath
          • 12 A man is worth far more than a sheep, so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.”
    • Mt 12:15-21  Fulfilled
      • Here is My Servant whom I have chosen,
        My beloved in whom My soul delights;
        I will put My Spirit on Him,
        and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
        19 He will not argue or shout,
        and no one will hear His voice in the streets.
        20 He will not break a bruised reed,
        and He will not put out a smoldering wick,
        until He has led justice to victory.[f]
        21 The nations will put their hope in His name.[g]
    • Mt 12:22-30House Divided
      • 28 If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
      • 30 Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.
      • Luke 11:23
    • Mt 12:31-32 Respect the Holy Spirit
      • 31 Because of this, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against[i] the Spirit will not be forgiven.[j] 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.
    • Mt 12:33-35, tree and it’s fruit
    • Mt 12:36-37 judged by your words
      • 36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.[m] 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
    • Mt 12:38-42 Sign of Jonah
      • 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.
    • Mt 12:43- 45 The return of an unclean sprit
      • 44 Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ And returning, it finds the house vacant, swept, and put in order.
    • Mt 12:46-50 Eternal Relationships
      • https://images.knowing-jesus.com/Matthew/12

        48 But He replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, that person is My brother and sister and mother.”

Mindful Meditating

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

example:

  • 12 A man is worth far more than a sheep, so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.”
  • A MAN is worth far more than a sheep, so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.
  • A man IS worth far more than a sheep, so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.
  • SO it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath..
  • so IT is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath
  • so it IS lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.

…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.

A Matthew Coloring Page by Ministry to Children  – though it can be good for adult meditating.

A coloring page of Hope from a collection, scroll down for Matt 12:21

 

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

  1. Who is the servant of the Lord?
    1. Got Answers says it this way  about the Servant of the Lord in general.  Who do you think it is in THIS passage?
  2. What do you think Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is?
    1. Got Questions explains it thus.
    2. Do you agree or disagree?

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

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.

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 7 or MMM7

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew, the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 38, Feb 7)

Passage
Matthew 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.

  • Matthew 7
    • Mt 7:1 don’t judge
      •  “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with the judgment you use,[a] you will be judged, and with the measure you use,[b] it will be measured to you. 
        • John 7:24
          • 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
      • We have to make judgements. Proverbs is full of judgements. This is talking about judging without checking out your own heart first. Harsh judging just to put someone down. Judging to lift yourself up. Judging that doesn’t need to be done.
        • Luke 6:37, Luke 6:41, Romans 2:1, Romans 14:10, Romans 14:13,
        • Determine the difference between God’s hand and the enemy’s hand –
          • Ephesians 6:12
            • 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
        • Matthew 10:16 Christ did give a warning to watch for those without good intentions.
          • “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.
      • When in doubt, don’t. Because we can trust God to take care of us.
        • Romans 12:18- 20 Our response to perceived evil:
          • 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
            In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
    • Mt 7:2-6 Hypocrites and Pigs
    • Mt 7:7-12 Ask, Seek, Knock, give as you would be given
      • What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
      • 12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets.[h]
    • Mt 7:13-14 Where to Enter
      • 13 Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
    • Mt 7:15-20
      • 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
    • Mt 7:21-23 To be known
      • 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.
      • 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers![i][j]
    • Mt 7:24-27 Build your house on THE Rock
      • 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock.
    • Mt 7:28-29
    • 28 When Jesus had finished this sermon,[k] the crowds were astonished at His teaching, 29 because He was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 7:13
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.
  • ENTER through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction
  • Enter THROUGH the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction.
  • Enter through THE narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction.

…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.

A Matthew 7 color page by Mary Jo:

by Mary Jo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life on the rock thoughts and Coloring page by Mary Dean

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

  1. Do you find yourself judging in a critical way? What do you do then?
    1. your answer
  2. Does the log scripture go along with the judge scripture?
    1. Why or why not? if no, what does it say to us?
  3. Is there anything that you need to Ask, Seek, and Knock about?  What does this mean?
    1. GotQuestions handles this very well, though I believe that we can apply this to any need.
  4. Do you understand the narrow path and wide path?
    1. GotQuestions does well in explaining this as well.

 

 

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

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