2018 Lent day 3 – 2/24/2023

Lent Week One

We have a facebook group set up to follow and discuss – 40 days of Lent!

Lent Day 3 – What can I give?

What Can I give Him? a sweet version!
Broken and Poured out – Steve Green

Scripture
The Story of “Mary” needs to be seen from all four gospels in my opinion.

From freebibleimages

John

John 12:1-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Anointing at Bethany
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil—pure and expensive nard—anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
(snip)
7 Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Mark

Mark 14:8-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body in advance for burial. 9 I assure you: Wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Luke

Luke 7:36-50 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Much Forgiveness, Much Love
36 Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil
38 and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.

Then, the heart of the pharisee is exposed!

39 When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him—she’s a sinner!”
40 Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Teacher,” he said, “say it.”
41 “A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50. 42 Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.”
“You have judged correctly,” He told him.
44 Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair.
45 You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in.
46 You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil, but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.
47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

This one is a little different – pouring the oil on his head…and it’s not at the house of Mary, Martha and Lazarus…though, it is at the house of Simon…one who had a serious skin issue…is this the same Simon that Luke tells us is the pharisee that has an issue with her gift?
Matthew

Matthew 26:6-13

Devotion:
1. FORGIVEN! Whether this is two women, or both Mary – the woman was a sinner. Even more important, she was a forgiven sinner!
Jesus talks about how much does one love? Gratitude depends on the value placed upon the gift. Outwardly, this woman was a prostitute, a very outward sinner. Some say this could be Mary Magdalene…I don’t know. That’s not the point of my devotion. Inwardly, she was an adoring follower, and that love demanded action!

2. The cost – Luke 14:25-35, Luke 18 – the rich young ruler, Phil 3:7-8 – Paul.
Jesus tells us to count the cost…to give everything. This woman gave probably her most expensive possession.  I think perfumed oil is probably a tool of the trade of a prostitute.(Proverbs 7:17). This woman gave up her livelihood to anoint Jesus in appreciation for what HE had done for her!
This could also be a statement that she was never going to go back into that business again…a statement of a life change. Not easy for a woman in Jesus’ day that has no other options! She gave it ALL!

I’ve been asked “should we tithe now, or is that old testament?” My response?
“Oh, no, we don’t tithe 10%, because yes, that is Old Testament. Now, we have to give 100%! Now we know it’s ALL His!
I thought this verse fit here very nicely!

1 John 2:15-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A Warning about the World
15 Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.

3. Humility and Gratitude.
This woman, known to be a prostitute and used to haveing control over the men, humbles herself before Jesus, not only uses her expensive perfume, but BREAKS the alabaster jar that contains it. She is so intent on showing her gratitude to Jesus, she can’t even wait for the oil to run out! Is she aware of those around her making comments? OF COURSE! She is used to being ridiculed in public (possibly by the very same ones that came to her in secret). She doesn’t care. She just wants to be at Jesus’ feet, and thank Him, and give him all that she has.
Remember that Jesus showed humility by washing the feet of the disciples in the Upper Room. This is the position of a servant, who is considered less than human. This woman, in her gratitude, put herself in this HUMBLE position.

I am drawn to all the women named Mary, because my first name is Mary. One thing that I have drawn from all of them is to say YES to no matter what God calls you to do, no matter how much it costs, and no matter how others respond.

  1. What does this devotion speak to you? Are you a sinner and need to come to Christ? Wiki How gives a very clear understanding of How to Accept Jesus.

2. Are there possessions in your life that are more important than Jesus? I don’t think that Jesus was saying that everyone has to sell all that they have to come follow him, when he spoke to the Rich Young Ruler(Luke 18) – he could see his heart. What is in YOUR heart? Matthew 10:37-39

3. How can you show Jesus Gratitude for all HE has done for you? here’s an idea:

And, here’s a sweet song….
Broken Beautiful by Ellie Holcomb

 

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.

“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.

2018 Lent Day 2 – 2/15/2018 Zacchaeus and Children

Lent Week One

We have created a facebook group to follow and discuss, please join! – 40 days of Lent!

Lent Day 2 – How to come to Jesus!

Do you remember the song Zacchaeus was a wee little man?

Pass Me not, O Gentle Savior – Don Moen
Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus – Phil Driscoll
Open My eyes Lord – I want to see You. – Michael W. Smith

Zacchaeus and the Children.

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus Visits Zacchaeus
19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house.”
6 So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully.

The Little Children

Luke 18:15-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Blessing the Children
15 Some people were even bringing infants to Him so He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

I see a very similar theme in these two stories.
Zacchaeus was too small to see Jesus, so he climbed a tree.
The children were too small to go up to Jesus, so their parents brought them.
JESUS WELCOMED BOTH!

In a way, I can see Zacc as a child, climbing a tree! His innocent desire to SEE Jesus – and that heart is what JESUS saw!
Not what the others saw!
I konw that the parents were probably wanting Jesus to bless the children, but I think the children must have wanted to see Jesus also. Or he would not have stated that we need to come to him as a little child.

When Jesus went to Zacc’s house, those religious folk said “he’s gone to the house of a sinner!”(Luke 19:7)
We know that Jesus let them know elsewhere that he didn’t come for the well, but for the sick! (Mark 2:17)

Zacc’s response to Jesus coming to his house was this:

Luke 19:7-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man!”
8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give[a] half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay[b] back four times as much!”
9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham.

Jesus’s response was SALVATION!!!

In Matthew 19, we are told that Jesus said this about the children and heaven!

14 Then Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this.”

In Mark 10, we see Jesus show love to the children!

16 After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them.

I think that Jesus speaking to Zacchaeus, while he was in the tree, and then going to his house was just as wonderful to Zacc as being welcomed onto the lap of Jesus, and prayed over.

In the beginning of the book In His Steps, the church is confronted with a sick, homeless man. How they treat him leads them down the path to what we know as the WWJD movement. What Would Jesus Do? this book transformed my attitude about people, and helped me to see things a bit more from Jesus’s POV.

There is a movie that is NOT a reproduction of the book, but has the same premise. What Would Jesus Do.
If you are looking for something to help you reflect on your life and how to be more like Jesus, I suggest any of the WWJD movies!

Is there any people group that you are repulsed by? Or maybe just uncomfortable with? I confessed to my small group that I have trouble with Rick people. I always have. I can sit in the gutter, but I have trouble relating to those that have – a lot! I heard a quote, from Tommy Nelson, about Billy Graham’s first talk at Cambridge as a young preacher. CS Lewis came up to him and said “Don’t look at us as Cambrdge men. Look at us as sinners. We all need Christ.”

Do you have an idea of what Jesus would do in any circumstance? Do you know you have access to HIM, to ask for the wisdom, if you do not! James 1:5 Whether I know or not in the moment, I am without excuse, because God has promised to give me whatever wisdom I need at any moment!

How can we welcome others to Christ? I envision us doing it just like the children – if they do not have a reason, they welcome anyone with open arms! No judgement.

How should we come to Jesus? As a child, with all of our preconceived notions set aside, just fully engaged with HIM! And HE will inturn, welcome us with open arms!

Let’s pray! and Worship!

Jesus Loves me – great worship version by the Barrett Sisters
An Adult version of Jesus Loves me -by Chris Tomlin

How to become a Child of God:
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation
 

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.

“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.

2018 – Lent day 1 – Or Ash Wednesday

Lent Week One

facebook to follow and discuss – 40 days of Lent!

Ash Wednesday – the day when many liturgical churches burn the palm fronds from last year, and mark themselves with the ashes to designate that they are committing to repent, and that by reflection to glorify Christ in their bodies.

Psalm 51 is a great psalm for repentant reflection to pray to the Father!

Create in Me a Clean Heart by Keith Green
Just as I am – Aaron Shust

Devotion:
Jesus did give his followers warning that he was going to die.

John 12:20-33 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion
20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”

22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24 “I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop.25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

27 “Now My soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!”

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him.

30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for Me, but for you. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” 33 He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.

If someone you had been with every single day for several years told you that they were going to die soon…and not just die, die a horrible death, what would you do?

Would you possibly respond as Peter did?

Matthew 16:21-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
His Death and Resurrection Predicted
21 From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “Oh no,[a] Lord! This will never happen to You!”
23 But He turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns,[b] but man’s.”

I think that the only reason that Peter is the one that said something was that he was normally the one that said something…as in, open mouth before the brain is in gear! The others were probably shocked! This is their KING! He’s come to save them from the horrible Romans! Die???? There’s been a mistake!

We have the benefit of knowing that Jesus ROSE again!
We have the benefit of knowing the end of that part of the story!
And still – Jesus explained it to them, and now to us that WE ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE UP OUR CROSS!

Matthew 16:24-28 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Take Up Your Cross
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.
26 What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done.
28 I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Lent is remembering the first part of Easter…that Jesus suffered and died. FOR US. To pay the price for our sins. Jesus was born that He would die.
Ash Wednesday – or the whole concept of Lent – is that we reflect on ourselves, and our lives, and recommit to walk the walk that Christ has asked us to walk. Good Friday is coming, but so is SUNDAY! HE conquered sin and death!

1. What does Christ’s death mean to you? It means that I do not have to suffer the penalty of my sins, and that by Christ, I can enter into the Kingdom of GOD – not just when I die and go to heaven, but NOW as I pray!

2. Is there anything in your life that you know that Jesus does not like? Are you willing to lay it down on the altar? For me, it’s complaining. I need to give up whining and disputing and do all things with joy.

3. Is there anything that often comes between you and what Christ wants you to do? For me – I’ve had difficulty with turning to food for comfort rather than turning to Christ. This is something that turns into an idol by me replacing Christ with the food.

tomorrow – Zacchaeus!

 

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.

“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.

Lent Devotions – Week One

What is LENT? (a link to all of the LENT devotions)
Wikipedia has a very complete explanation for many of the Christian denominations that observe LENT.
Short and simple, it’s making oneself prepared through humility to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the Christian equivalent to Passover for the Jews.
We’ve created a face book group to follow and discuss, please join us! – 40 days of Lent!

2023 Lent dates – week one!
2/21 – Shrove Tuesday – you are on your own! Eat pancakes, do whatever!
2/22 – Ash Wednesday – the beginning of self reflection
2/27 – Orthodox Clean Monday

1 – (2/22) preaching on his upcoming death – Luke 18:31-34 (egg rocks – black cloth)
2 – (2/23) Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10; Let the Children Come – Luke 18:15-17 (egg rocks – tree branch or children photos)
3 – (2/24) Mary anoints Jesus’ feet – John 12:1-11, Mk 14:1-9 (egg rocks -small bottle of perfume)
4 – (2/25) Donkey provided – Luke 19: 28-35 (egg rocks – donkey)

(2/26) 1st Sunday of Lent – SUNDAY WORSHIP – REMEMBER THE RESURRECTION – Father forgive them – Lk 23:34

the not quite done Lenten cross

I want these to be family activities, therefore, I’m going to list a few free coloring page websites here:

 

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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 Name of the Lord! VICTORY!

THE BASE CAMP – Foundation

JESUS!

1 Corinthians 3:11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower….the Righteous run into it and are safe….

Proverbs 18:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are protected.

name above all names

Philippians 2:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
9 For this reason God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name
that is above every name,

REFUGE

Psalm 91:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV)
91 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 32:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 You are my hiding place;
You protect me from trouble.
You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah

THE POWER IN HIS NAME

Philippians 2:10-11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
of those who are in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 14:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 For it is written:
As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to Me,
and every tongue will give praise to God.

Isaiah 45:23-25 ESV

THE POSITION
JESUS – raised above all principality and power

Ephesians 1:20-22 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens— 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church,

We are raised up IN HIM! –

Ephesians 2:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens,

EVEN WHILE WE WERE STILL DEAD IN OUR SINS!

Ephesians 2:4-5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, 5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

NOW – Fellow citizens – members of the household of God

Ephesians 2:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household,

AN INHERITANCE IN CHRIST….to the praise of HIS glory!

Ephesians 1:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 We have also received an inheritance[a] in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.

Colossians 1:12 HCSB

WE ARE LOOKED UPON AS SONS…IN THE BELOVED!

Romans 8:14-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

Galatians 4:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our[a] hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”

Ephesians 1:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will,

THE POWER
access in one Spirit to the Father…..through Jesus Christ – THAT NAME!!!!

John 14:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Ephesians 2:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Romans 5:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 We have also obtained access through Him by faith[a] into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Confidence…. with BOLDNESS

Ephesians 3:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 In Him we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

Hebrews 10:19-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh),

WE ARE LOOKED UPON AS JESUS BY THE FATHER!!!!
By Christ’s death, covering our sins, when the Father looks upon us, HE SEES JESUS!
We cannot do anything in ourselves:

Matthew 19:26 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Not even our good works!

Ephesians 2:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Not even our salvation!

Ephesians 2:8-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

But NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GOD!
Jeremiah 32:17 & 27; Zech 8:6; Genesis 18:14; Luke 1:37 & 18:27, Mark 10:27; Numbers 11:23

So –

Romans 8:31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
31 What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?

Psalm 118:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

FEAR NOT!

Isaiah 41:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

JESUS IS THE WHOLE PACKAGE!!!! Our refuge, our strength, stronghold,

Psalm 46:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
For the choir director. A song of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.[a]
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with its turmoil.Selah

Psalm 46:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 The Lord of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.Selah

THE BATTLE
Ephesians 3:10 – wisdom of God knowns to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places.

1 Peter 5:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

James 4:7-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

ANY OTHER PRINCIPALITY AND POWER – our battle is not flesh and blood…..

Ephesians 6:12-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

WEAPONS – He’s given us weapons in Ephesions 6! Even more so –
HE FIGHTS FOR US!

The Battle Belongs to the lord!

1 Samuel 17:47 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
47 and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s. He will hand you over to us.”
2 Chronicles 20:15

And not dependent upon US!

Zechariah 4:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts.

IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?
What can man do to me? Several scriptures are above…but it deserves restating!

Psalm 118:5-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me
and put me in a spacious place.[a]
6 The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is my helper,
Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.

NO WEAPON can prosper against me!

Isaiah 54:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

IN CHRIST – we are given authority!

Luke 10:19 King James Version (KJV)
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

WE ARE NOT ALONE!

Jeremiah 1:19 English Standard Version (ESV)
19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

THE VICTORY!

Psalm 27

1 John 4:4 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Psalm 84:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield.
The Lord gives grace and glory;
He does not withhold the good
from those who live with integrity.
12 Happy is the person who trusts in You,
Lord of Hosts!

how?

1 John 5:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Revelation 12:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 They conquered him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not love their lives
in the face of death.

SO, YES, WE ARE IN A BATTLE! But our General has a name that is above all names! He already won! We are seated with HIM in the heavenlies, and we have access to HIM any time, any where to ask for Help!

IN CHRIST JESUS – WE ARE VICTORIOUS!
It does not matter what the evidences around us look like….

Hebrews 11:1 King James Version (KJV)
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

We can’t see Him – but WE KNOW HIM! and it’s IN HIM that we trust!

Psalm 20:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Therefore, let us walk in the victory that has been purchased for us at the cross…and look towards the celebration of the overcomers as described in Revelation 2 and 3. Because HE has won the victory, WE can overcome by the word of our testimony, and the blood of the Lamb!

Revelation 12:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Let’s worship!

 

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.

“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.

A Day to Remember Love – a photographic journey


dedicated to my two greatest loves:

Jesus Christ – no photos please.

Jim Wildman

 

God gives me a check list for LOVE:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind;
love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant
5 or rude.
It does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,
but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
8 Love never ends.

God Inspires me to Love:

1 John 4:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 We love[a] because He first loved us.

Jesus Commands me to Love:

John 13:34-35 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

God enables me to LOVE

1 John 4:7-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Knowing God through Love
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

God Shows me how to Love:

1 John 4:9-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way:
God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
10 Love consists in this:
not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God.
If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us.

God led me to MY LOVE:

Song of Solomon 3:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go,

We were created for each other:

Genesis 2:23-24 King James Version (KJV)
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Jesus confirms that we have become ONE:

Matthew 19:4-6 King James Version (KJV)
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Paul Confirms we have become one.

Ephesians 5:31 King James Version (KJV)
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

 

 

 
And our marriage is to exemplify the coming marriage of Jesus and the church…..
Ephesians 5:22-32

 

Jesus is creating HIS bride!

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her with the washing of water by the word. 27 He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.

 

 

And, we are preparing for the GREAT WEDDING FEAST!

Revelation 19:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

 

I am so thankful that My Husband loves Jesus as much as I do.

I am so thankful that we will spend eternity together, celebrating the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Jim Wildman – it’s been a wild ride…but I’m so thankful it’s been with YOU! I Love YOU!
wrinkles, warts, scabs and scars….and all things that are beautiful, too!

 

Here’s some of our wedding and love songs:

AND

AND

I prefer Jim Wildman singing this! 😉

This version of Longer with scriptures added is very worshipful!

Maranatha kids – 1 John 4:7-8

 

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.

“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

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

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.

Lenten Candle Cross ideas, instructions

I had the idea to create a Lenten Cross, based on my Advent Log from my Advent Devotionals.

Christmas on the Advent Log

It starts with darkness, then each candle leads up to the Light that comes into the World on Christmas Morning.

In the reverse, the Lenten Cross starts with the Light that was in the world, and goes slowly dark, towards Good Friday, when Jesus hung on the cross.

First, I designed it – based on 4.5 inch boards.  There were various upgrades along the way.


My husband cut the boards (multiple times, because of his patience with me) and drilled the candle votive spaces. I did a vinegar/steelwool wash to distress the wood.

I did a little bit of research on burial herbs and oils, and came up with cedarwood and balsam wood – and Yankee Candle has a very nice smelling votive! Cinnamon could also be used.

I wanted to keep the candles separate from the board, and I found a company that makes votive glass on Amazon. You can find whatever you like! You just need to make sure that the spots are cut to the correct dimension!

I realize that not everyone has a handy husband, or their own woodworking skill or tools, so, here is another idea. Buy some votive candles – these are ones I have around the house – and place them in a cross shape.

Here are two other ideas for votive holders, from canning jars you can purchase many places, but there are large selections at craft stores!

These are the blue 8oz mason jars. I purchased these at Walmart.


These are 4 ounce – I think I found these at World Market, though I think I’ve seen them at Hobby Lobby.


Other thoughts I’ve had…red candles for the hands and feet.
I have some heart shaped, battery powered, red, led lights from Valentines day – I may wrap them around the cross for Good Friday.

Whatever you choose to do – do what helps you, and your family, reflect on the last days of Jesus’s life here on earth, and why He went to the cross for us!

 

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.

“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.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah 3

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!) The conversation started Monday, February 5th.

Jonah 3

YET 40 DAYS AND NINIVEH SHALL BE OVERTHROWN!

 

NLT says DESTROYED
CSV says DEMOLISHED

I admit that I don’t know greek or hebrew, therefore I rely on Strongs, Vines or other references.
The BlueLetterBible has this to say about this word:

hâphak, haw-fak’; a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert:—× become, change, come, be converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary, every way).

There’s one word here that gets my attention…RETURN…and BLB’s Bible usage shows this:

to turn, overthrow, overturn

(Qal)

to overturn, overthrow
to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around
to change, transform

(Niphal)
to turn oneself, turn, turn back
to change oneself
to be perverse
to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against
to be reversed
to be overturned, be overthrown
to be upturned

(Hithpael)

to transform oneself
to turn this way and that, turn every way

I can’t help but see those as words that could, in English, be used for repentance!

Jonah3:5
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

To me, this is one of the greatest evidences that it is NEVER too late to repent and turn to GOD! GOD HAD PRONOUNCED JUDGEMENT! and He heard their cry! Isn’t that exciting???!!!

EVEN THE KING REPENTED! There’s hope for the government leadership of any country!

Jonah 3:6-9
6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

Jonah 3:10
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Oh Thank God for being a merciful God!
Here, I’m going to compare myself to the Ninevites…I have never been that sinful…so, that helps me to know that NO MATTER HOW BADLY one is going the wrong way – GOD WILL HEAR THE PRAYER OF REPENTANCE!

My story –
While I was in the hospital, I attended church. I have no idea why, as I look back, other than God was keeping my heart warm…I was keeping it lukewarm! Friends would come and take me to church and I can see the little chapel that help the church services in my mind’s eye. I don’t remember if I spent time in the word…I’m sure that would have brought about much needed repentance, but, I just don’t remember it. In fact, I have not much memory of what transpired during those times in the hospital.

In the Psych Ward, I was the only female, dressed in men’s PJ’s with nothing on under (so I could not harm myself with my undergarments, I think). I know I talked about Jesus, and I’m appalled now as to what kind of witness I was(not). I know that there were times that I was talking about Jesus, I believed in Him, still, and I considered myself a follower of Christ. I believed I was good enough, I suppose. I had not turned my heart back to the Lord yet. I had not chosen to obey. My life had been changed from being a sailor to being a civilian. Even so, in the face of this ‘judgement’ or consequence upon my life, I did not repent, or turn around. I just accepted this discharge from God’s hand as inevitable.

There is a principle that repentance brings about evidences.  There was no evidence of repentance in my life. I am saddened when I look back upon my life at that point.

THE KING of Nineveh heard the words of Jonah and declared a fast! in sackclothes and ashes! HE showed evidences of repentance!

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry by saying:

Matthew 3:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’”

The Lord spoke to Solomon:

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

verse 14 is a promise that follows God’s judgement in verse 13:

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 King James Version (KJV)
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

God gave Cain an opprtunity to repent:

Genesis 4:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)
6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Instead of turning, Cain took the life of his brother Abel …the first murder.
Then, he lied to God…an even greater sin, and he was cast away from his family.
These were evidences to the contrary of repentance.

When God came walking through the Garden, he called out to Adam and Eve. Where are you?
Adam confessed his nakedness – but not his sin. When given a chance to repent, he points his finger to Eve AND God!

Genesis 3:12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”

They were cast out of the garden.

We’re no better:

Romans 3:23 English Standard Version (ESV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

BECAUSE:

Isaiah 64:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Peter announced on the day of Pentecost that repentance is part of the salvation process:

Acts 2:38 English Standard Version (ESV)
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Got questions has a great article on Repentance and Salvation!

Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ…we have a promise!

1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 2: 1- 6
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

That last verse is speaking of evidences of repentance…walking in the same way Jesus walked…or at least trying to!

Dear James lets us know that:

James 5:14-16 English Standard Version (ESV)
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

REPENTANCE!
DELIVERANCE FROM JUDGEMENT!
GOD HEARS US!

These are the points that Jonah 3 speaks to me.

Have you recognized that your sins get in the way of your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?

Have you repented of your sins, put them under the blood of Jesus Christ, and asked Him to be the Lord of your life?

Got Questions has a great explanation on how to do just this, and know that you will spend eternal life with Jesus!

To be honest, while I know that my initial salvation was in 1969, in a little church across the street from my house, there have been other times in my life that I needed to repent of my path, and turn again to Christ. I didn’t get RE-saved – I just RE-dedicated my life to Christ. In my life, at least, repentance isn’t a one time deal! It’s a daily deal, sometimes hourly, do I dare admit there are times that it’s minute by minute? If we turn our hearts towards the Lord…well, I’ll let Isaiah say it!

Isaiah 55:6-7 King James Version (KJV)
6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

And this beautiful promise:

Isaiah 55:1-3 King James Version (KJV)
55 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

AND WE CAN BELIEVE:

Lamentations 3:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

here’s some prayer and some comfort!
Create in me a clean heart

Next – Jonah 4
 

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.

“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.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah 2

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!) The conversation started Monday, February 5th.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah – introduction
Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah chapter 1

Jonah 2

Jonah is in the fish

Now, Jonah starts to pray.

It sounds like this:

Psalm 18:3-6 King James Version (KJV)
3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

and this:

Psalm 116 King James Version (KJV)
116 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Really, the whole of Psalm 116.

and this:

Psalm 34:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Foxhole Prayers are NOT unusual.

More of my story:
I was laying in the Recruit Training Center infirmary – not able to put weight on my right leg. Everything was stark white…cold, antiseptic, lonely. Recruits don’t usually get sick, so, I was the only one there. Recruits are treated like non people, so I was ignored except when they needed to care for me. I don’t know if it was three days in there…or when, but I asked the Lord, why?….and he said “I told you not to go to the navy, but to go to college.”

yes, I know…but…

now, I’m paralyzed for all intents and purposes.
I knew that there was probably no way I was going to get out of the navy, or I was going to be sent home without completing boot camp….and, I still had not learned my lesson. what logical thing did I do? I negotiated with God.
“so, if you can work it out that they cannot find what is wrong with me, but they know that something is wrong with me, I can graduate with my unit, and they discharge me honorably, I’ll leave the Navy.”

As I read what I just wrote, I just cannot imagine how arrogant I was to negotiate with God! And this wasn’t like Abraham negotiating with God about how many it would take to save Sodom and Gomorrah. I am so thankful that God is a merciful God. Those folks in the infirmary don’t know how close they came to having God strike me dead, like any normal parent would have!

Within a few days, the anti-inflammatories took down the swelling, and I was able to walk again, though I was on pain meds. I had to do PT twice a day – running in the morning, then PT exercises in the evening, or PT with the unit, and running in the evening. I was scoring fine on everything, and I graduated with my unit.

Next stop was NTC San Diego – for Radioman school. I felt fine, I enjoyed my time as a sailor…going to bars, drinking, and having a great time. I aced my A school, and even caught the eye of my Chief Petty Officer. I was given a scholar promotion…and chosen to be the first female radio shack operator on an actual IN SERVICE ship(rather than on land or a supply ship). I had forgotten all about my deal with God, and honestly, I thought he had, too. Then My leg started hurting again. I went to sick call. again and again.
They did multiple tests – one, the dyd couldn’t show the discs because of the wideness of the space between my cord and bones. The other, they couldn’t complete the test because I had an anaphylactic reaction to the dye, and they had to pump me full of ephedrine to bring me back…the dye had not reached the area they were aiming to view.
Xrays were non conclusive.
The nuero surgeon KNEW something was wrong, and wanted to open up my back so he could see.
But, GOD.…
While I was spending months in Balboa naval hospital because of my leg and lower back, and one month in convalescent leave (where a chiropractor was able to xray my low back while standing, and found five discs bulging…and provide traction that enabled me to ambulate with crutches), there were other things going on of which I was unaware.
I said no to exploratory surgery…so, I was sent to the psych ward.
They harassed me until I said, FINE – GET ME OUT OF THE NAVY!

I was given a honorable discharge – stating that I was never to be reconsidered for enlistment. And, I was discharged at 11 months…which meant no education benefits. My medical papers disappeared for 30 years(the typical pattern was that the person carried their med papers back to their station, and took them home with them…but, I was told that they had to finish the papers).

I was dumber, or slower than Jonah….I didn’t go home. I stayed in San Diego, living with two other sailors, taking in laundry, and being a beach bum. I knew God had kept his end of the bargain. I was out of the Navy. And yet…I was not sure of my end of the bargain!

I’ll write about that next week.

Jonah prayed!

One commentary says that Jonah died and was raised from the dead…I don’t know that I quite agree with that…but I’m sure he was close to death…or was wishing for death!

7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.

When My soul fainted within me…oh how I know that feeling!
Often, I know that feeling.
And still – I am only delivered by remembering the Lord!

The Amplified doesn’t add much –

7
“When my soul was fainting within me,
I remembered the Lord,
And my prayer came to You,
Into Your holy temple.
8
“Those who regard and follow worthless idols
Turn away from their [living source of] mercy and lovingkindness.
9
“But [as for me], I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving;
I shall pay that which I have vowed.
Salvation is from the Lord!”

What it does do, is explain part of verse 8 – following worthless idols.
The worthless idol I was following was myself – thinking I knew better than God.
The worthless idol that Jonah was following was thinking he was able to get away from God…Kind of putting himself in a position of more power than God.

God said Go – Jonah said NO.
God said Go – Christi said No.
If I say that God is my God, and I say no to him…is he really my God?
Who I my God?
If I think that I have the right to contradict the God of creation…oh wait…someone did that….SATAN!

Satan decided that he wanted to call the shots…which meant, he wanted to be Like God…equal to God…above God?
Got Questions has a great set of articles on the fall of Satan.

The scary thing to me is that I was acting just like Satan!

Back to Jonah!

Jonah 2:9 AMP
But I with the voice of thanksgiving
will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

A voice of thanksgiving…in the midst of trials! Great point! and, it can sometimes be a sacrifice!

Steps of turning….
1. Jonah recognized he was underthe wrath of God – and repents.

Romans 1:18 – 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

2. He avoided the trap of ingratitude that God hates:

Romans 1:21 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

3. Jonah remembered what he’d vowed when he became a follower….with a voice of thanksgiving…I will sacrifice to you.
How could he sacrifice in the belly of a fish? This was him putting his heart on the altar…sacrificing his fear, or his control(as if he had any) – he was sacrificing himself.

Psalm 116:17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

4. and he agreed to do God’s will – “what I have vowed, I will pay.”

Psalm 116:18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

5. and he declares SALVATION belongs to THE LORD! He recognized and declared his salvation is from God – NO ONE ELSE!

Romans 10:9-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
And then God spoke…and the fish obeyed…and lo and behold, Jonah is vomited up right where he needs to be!

Here is where Jonah and My stories start to separate…but there are still similarities. I’ll tell you more when I write about chapter 3.

The story so far, in my artwork:

I hope you are enjoying my little artistic additions…I hope to scan it in at the end and have a decent copy!

So – foxhole prayers – have you prayed any?

Have you needed to repent for saying No to God, and turn around to go the other way?

Isn’t that the perfect illustration of Salvation? We tell God no, until we come to the end of ourselves, and when we pray, he’s right there, ready to save us!

Let me know what you have seen in Jonah 1 & 2 in the comments!
See you next week for Jonah 3!

 

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.

“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

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

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.

Depression Journal – Feb 6, 2018

author’s note – this post is a bit depressing…but if you hold on until the end, there is hope! I promise! ~C

It’s February.
my seriously difficult time for depression is between September and February.

This year, I’ve made it to February – though last month, I did ask my doc if we should up my medicine. He said no…to see if I could make it to the end of this season.

And yet, the season of trials is just beginning.
We find out Saturday about what treatment I should be looking at for the kidney cancer.
Jim is looking at what treatment he should be looking at for the prostate cancer.
And, I’m looking at a moody man that will be taking a shot that is supposed to make him moody, have more anger issues, and such like.
I think I need more medicine.

I’m applying the scriptures…
God will not give you any more than you can handle…but the other part of that scripture is often ignore….

1 Corinthians 10:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Where is my escape….?
Getting in the presence of the Lord – I should be being filled with the strength of His joy…maybe I am, and that is why I’m not suicidal right now!

Entering into His gates with thanksgiving….Ps 100:4
I am so filled with gratitude for all the things he has done for me…I go to sleep thanking God and I wake up thanking God and I am amazed at how many ways his hand is upon me during the day, and I am grateful for those as well!

He is my hiding place….Ps 32:7
The name of the Lord is a strong tower – the righteous run into it and are safe. Pr 18:10
He will not leave me nor forsake me. 1 Kings 8:57, deut 31:6, heb 13:5
All things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purposes. Romans 8:28
In this world ye shall have tribulation, but, be of good cheer – I have over come the world. John 16:33

In the Beginning….God which goes with the ending:

Revelation 22:16-17
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The End – the end of all suffering.
the end of all sorrow.
the end of all tears.

The end of struggle – a glorified body for eternity.
No more pain
no more shame
no more guilt
no more …. no more.

I’ve found a diary from 12/2013 leading up to the suicide attempt on Christmas of 2014.
The heart cry is the same as today.
The issues causing the heart cry are the same today.
The mental hospitals are the same today.
My husband is the same today.
God is the same today.
What is different?

I am.

It’s 3 plus years since those days….the hospital stay, the inpatient stay at the resident treatment.
I’d had surgery on my neck…and now I’m looking at surgery on my kidney.
I’ve done much work on applying scriptures to the negative voices in my head.
I’ve done much work on applying principles I’ve been taught to help myself to not degrade into the despair that drags me down, down, down into the devastating quagmire of suicidal depression.
Each day, I fight something.
Sometimes, each minute.
But I am fighting….

Yet, there are times that I’m just exhausted.

Where is my escape button?
Where is my release?
When do I get released from this valley of the shadow of death?
I am truly grateful that YOU, oh Lord, are with me!
Yes – truly, your rod and your staff they comfort me, because I know you are there.
Where is the table, though?
Where is the anointing of my head?

Why am I not certain of where are the green pastures and the still waters?
Where are you leading me, Oh Lord?

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Psalm 51:
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Psalm 37:
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

and

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

I know these truths to be true…
My wounded heart is bleeding.
My wounded soul is screaming…
and, I know that I have to walk through this darkness to get through to the light.

I can’t make it, Lord.
I can’t do it, Lord.
I have no strength in me.

You promised to finish the work you began in me. phil 1:6
You promised that you would hold me in the palm of your hand. John 10:29, Psalm 95:7
You promised that my enemies would fall at my side. Psalm 91:7
You promised that I would never be alone…that you would never leave me nor forsake me. Heb 13:5
You promised that I am seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus! Ephesians 2:6
You promised me that you would make an escape.

I cry out, Lord, for you to make good on your promises….
I humble myself before you,
I confess my sins before the brothers and sisters that read this,
I declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and that HE redeemed me from the pit!
I declare that My God is an awesome God!

Secrets will be revealed.
Darkness will be lightened.
Hidden things will be exposed.

But Thou oh Lord are a shield for me, the glory and the lifter of My head!Psalm 3:3
I will dwell in the secret place of the most high, Psalm 91
and abide under the shadow of HIS wings…
This is my hiding place…You are my hiding place…Psalm 32:7
you shall preserve me from trouble!
You will comfort me, with songs of deliverance!
What time I am afraid, I will trust in you! Psalm 56:3

Psalm 32:8
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Psalm 56:1-5
56 1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

Psalm 64:1-4
64 1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Psalm 27:1-4
27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

Confession
Prayer
Bible Verses….
These are the tools that have brought me thus far….
and they have NO power, except for the ONE that wrote them down and instructed us…and taught us to pray and confess our sins.

I don’t feel like it’s a way to escape the temptation…but, on the other hand, it’s worked so far!
Each day that I do not take my own life is one day stronger to not take my own life.
Each day that I don’t think about suicide is one day stronger to be free from those voices.

Many quote this verse…Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – and yet, ignore the previous verses…Paul is talking about being flexible in want or plenty, in weakness or in strength. He’s talking about being strong in trials.

Even those verses apply now…to my being content in whatever place I find myself.
Whether in sorrow or rejoicing
whether in pain or in health
whether in weakness or in strength.

Just like the downward suction of depression is like the spiral of a powerful whirlpool…to climb up out of the depression takes a spiral turn, like the spiraling staircase that seems to go on forever. Maybe it does…but, each step up is another not taken downward!

I was praying as I wrote this, and after the draft…while going through the day, and I was reminded of

Psalm 16:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

God promises to show me the path of life…and this…is also where my joy is sourced…HIS PRESENCE!
This is one of Jesus’s promises, one of His goals for his time here.

John 17:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

While driving, the Song In the eye of the storm came on the radio.

We are the body of Christ – and the most wonderful thing about being part of a body is that other members get to know you….and notice, or are led to touch your heart when it’s hurting.

Here are some of the things that dear sisters in Christ did for me yesterday, as I continued to struggle with my heart:

Dear Sister Tori sent me an article from Daily Devotionals written by Sheila Walsh. It reminded me of Project SemiColon, and the Christian movement against suicide. It’s based on the concept that when an author could end a sentence, but chooses not to, she uses a semi-colon.

There are tattoo semicolon projects – this youtube is filled with less than perfect language…beware.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Sister Melinda sent me a song to listen to. Fighting Words by Ellie Holcomb.

This led me to The Broken Beautiful, and Wonderfully Made.

Here is the prayer I’m ending this blog with – He’s a Chain Breaker!

My confession of Victory is Mandisa’s Overcomer!

I’ve written a Basic plan for understanding how to obtain Joy in Oil of Joy.
I’ve written other things about depression. If you want to read more, please do a search on my blog for depression.

I’ve also written about Suicide – my major piece being about the Day I committed Suicide.

There is another ministry for helping – To Write Love On Her Arms.

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

 

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.

“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

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

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.