Tag Archives: salvation

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 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.

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 Two

Marching into Mark Chapter two

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 65, March 6)

Passage
Mark Chapter Two

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 2 (cross referenced with Matthew 9)
    • Mk 2:1-12 – Paralytic Man comes through the roof
      • When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home.
        • So many people gathered together that there was no more room,
        • Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men.
        • THEY CLIMBED ON THE ROOF, TORE IT OPEN ENOUGH FOR A MAN AND A MAT AND LOWERED HIM DOWN!!!
        • Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven.”
      • Scribes and Pharisees got upset
        •  “Why does He speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
        • IT WENT AGAINST EVERYTHING THEY WERE TAUGHT
        • 10 But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, He told the paralytic, 11 “I tell you: get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
    • Mk 2:13 Levi called – went immediately
    • Mk 2:15-17 Dinner at Levi’s – snooping Sadducees and Pharisees
      • 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees[e] saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat[f] with tax collectors and sinners?”
      • “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
    • Mk 2:18- 22 Why don’t they fast?
      • 18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees[g] were fasting. People came and asked Him, “Why do John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ disciples fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”
      • “The wedding guests[h] cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast.
      •  20 But the time[i] will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
        • Then the wineskin analogy – hitting the OLD religious ways again.
    • Mk 2:23-28 What’s the Sabbath about
      • disciples pick some grain on the sabbath –
        • 24 The Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
      • Jesus brought up the AMAZING KING DAVID – and reminded them he ate the bread for priests.
      • 27 Then He told them, “The Sabbath was made for[k] man and not man for[l] the Sabbath. 
      • 28 Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

For more information go to Mindfully Meditating in Matthew chapter 9

Mindful Meditating

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

example:

  • Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
  • SEEING their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, Son your sins are forgiven.
  • Seeing THEIR faith, Jesus told the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven.
  • Seeing their FAITH, Jesus told the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven.
  • Seeing their faith, JESUS told the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven.

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 paralytic man by Connect Us

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

    1. Why did Jesus call the paralytic man Son?
      1. Biblical Hermeneutics has a very good explanation on this.
    2. What did Jesus mean with “I didn’t call the righteous but sinners”?
      1. BibleRef gives a clear observation as well as tying it back into the paralytic’s forgiveness.

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

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 28 or MMM28

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Chapter Twenty-eight

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 57, Feb 26)

Passage Matthew Chapter Twenty-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.

  • Matthew 28 He is risen
    • Mt 28:1- 10 Mary and Mary head to the tomb
      • After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
      • Earthquake – Angel rolled back the stone
        • There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
        • His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
        • The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
      • He is not here, for he is risen just as He said. Come see the place where the Lord Lay.Angel Meeting
        • The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
        • He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
        • Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
      • Jesus Meeting and Mission
        •  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
    • Mt 28:11- 15 Guards told to and paid to lie
      • 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’
    • Mt 28:16- 17 Another Jesus Meeting
      • 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
    • teaching them to observe everything I have commanded. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age.Mt 28:18- 20 All Authority – The Great Commission
      • 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 
      • 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
      • I am with you always even to the end of the age20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matthew 28:6
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
  • HE is not here; HE has risen, just as HE said.
  • He IS NOT here; He has risen, just as He said.
  • He is not HERE; He has risen, just as He said.
  • He is not here, HE HAS risen, just as He said.

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

He’s Alive – Dolly Parton

Was it a Morning like This? – Sandi Patty

Coloring

Matthew the Book coloring page by Ministry to Children

Jesus is Risen – ColoringHome

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 about the guards going to the high priests?
    1. The chief priests devised a story to hide the facts.
      1. 2 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,
    2. If they were known to sleep on their watch, they could be killed.
      1. 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
  2. Have you given your life to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that rose from the dead?
    1. several tools are below to help you if you have not.
    2. Call out to Jesus
    3. Repent of your sins
    4. As for forgiveness
    5. and rejoice that you have been given new life.

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

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 27 or MMM27

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew Chapter Twenty-seven

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 58, Feb 27)

Passage Matthew Chapter Twenty-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 27
    • Mt 27:1-2 to Pontius Pilate
    • Mt 27:3-8 Judas’ guilt, Priest’s guilt
      • Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
      • cast the silver on the temple floor
      • Priests used it to by a field
        • Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: They took the 30 pieces of silver, the price of Him whose price was set by the Israelites, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.[d]
    • Mt 27:9- 26 Jesus before Pilate
      • Are you the King of the Jews?
        • Jesus answered, “You have said it.”
      • Jesus or Barabbas
        • chose Barabbas
        • cried Crucify Him about Christ
        • claimed the responsibility of His blood
          • 25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
        • Jesus was flogged then handed over to the soldiers
    • Mt 27:27-31 Jesus and the Soldiers
      • 28 They stripped Him and dressed Him in a scarlet military robe.
      • crown of thorns- they twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and m9kec him saying this is the King of the Jews29 They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and placed a reed in His right hand.
      • Then they spit on Him, took the reed, and kept hitting Him on the head.
      • When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
    • Mt 27:32-44 Jesus’s Crucifixion
      • carried the cross – but when too weak
        • Simon of Cyrene
          • Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced this man to carry His cross.
      • wine and gall
      • cast lots for clothing
      • THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
      • 38 Then two criminals[n] were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.
      • Mocked
    • Mt 27:45-56  Jesus’ Death
      • 45 From noon until three in the afternoon[s] darkness came over the whole land.[
      • Elí, Elí, lemá[u] sabachtháni?
      • 50 Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit
      • 51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary[x] was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split.
      • Temples were opened when Christ resurrected
      • when the centurian and those who were withg Him saw truly this was the son of God54 When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[y]
      • Women followed – Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of Jesus, and Peter’s Mom
    • Mt 27:57-61 Jesus’ Burial
      • when it was even8ing there came a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, who himeself had become a disciple of JesusJoseph of Arimathea got the body, wrapped Him, and laid Him in His tomb.
    • Mt 27:62-66 Jesus’ tomb sealed and guarded

 

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 25:23
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

Today, choose your own scripture verse that helps you meditate on the crucifixion of Christ.

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

Crucifixion of  Christ by SuperColoring

Songs for Meditation

Broken and Spilled Out – Steve Green

Watch the Lamb – Ray Boltz

Watch the Lamb with official video

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

  1. What was the significance of the thirty pieces of silver?
    1. GotQuestions explains how it relates to the prophet Zechariah.
    2. Crosswalk explains that and gets into personal application.
  2. Do you know how may prophecies Christ’s death fulfilled?
    1. Got Questions has a great chart with all of these.
  3. What were the words that Christ called out from the cross?
    1. when you pull all the gospels together, you get Seven Last words, and Crosswalk goes into the meanings.

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

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 23 or MMM23

MIndfully Meditating on Matthew Chapter Twenty-three

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 54, Feb 23)

Passage Matthew Chapter Twenty-three

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 23
    • Mt 23:1-7 Do as they say, not as they do
      • the principle of the authority of a position
        •  “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses.[a] Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do,[b] because they don’t practice what they teach. 
      • Performing for praise
        • They do everything[e] to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries[f] and lengthen their tassels.[g]
        • Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
        • Matthew 6:1-18
        • MMM6
      • Love the Place of Honor
        • They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.
    • do not call anyone on earth father for you have one father and He is in heavenMt 23:8-12 How you should be
      • Not “Rabbi”
        • “But as for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher,[h] and you are all brothers.
      • Not “Father”
        • Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.
      • Not “Master”(Teacher)
        • 10 And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master,[i] the Messiah.
          • Mt 20:26-28 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
          • MMM18
          • MMM19
      • The Greatest
        • 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
    • Mt 23:13-36 WOES
      • “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in.
      • 14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses and make long prayers just for show.
      • 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell[l] as you are!
      • 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the sanctuary, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by his oath.
        • Blind people![p] For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
      • “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of[q] mint, dill, and cumin,[r] yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith.
      •  24 Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel!
      • 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed[s] and self-indulgence!
      • You outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity.
      • decorate prophet tombs but don’t live what they taught
      • 33 “Snakes! Brood of vipers! How can you escape being condemned to hell?
      • 34 This is why I am sending you prophets, sages, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and hound from town to town.
        • this one goes with the parable of the King and the vineyard dresser – killed servants and killed the son. MMM21
      • JUDGEMENT
        • 35 So all the righteous blood shed on the earth will be charged to you,[y] from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
    • Mt 23:37-39  Oh Jerusalem
      • 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! She who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks[z] under her wings, yet you were not willing!
    • Second Coming foretold
      • 39 For I tell you, you will never see Me again until you say, ‘He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One’!”

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 23:12
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
  • WHOEVER exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
  • Whoever EXALTS himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
  • Whoever exalts HIMSELF will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

…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

 

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

  1. What is Moses’ seat? and why should they obey?
    1. Got Questions explains the “seat” concept.
  2. What does the word ‘woe’ mean?
    1. I found a page by Frank Nelte that explains Woe.

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

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.