Tag Archives: Father

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew chapter 11 or MMM11

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue, the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 42, Feb 11)

Passage
Matthew 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.

  • Matthew 11
      • Mt 11:1-6 John the Baptist’s questions
        • Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed,[a] the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”
      • Mt 11:7-15  Who was John the Baptist?
        • Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You;[b]
          he will prepare Your way before You.
        • 15 Anyone who has ears[f] should listen!
      • Mt 11:16-19 What’s Up?
        • 18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated[h] by her deeds.”[i]
      • Mt 11:20- 24 Towns that didn’t believe
        • 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago!
        • 24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
      • Mt 11:25-27 Who knows the Father? Who knows the Son?
      • 27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows[l] the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires[m] to reveal Him
      • Mt 11:28-30
      • https://images.knowing-jesus.com/Matthew/11

        28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

    Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 11:28
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 
  • COME to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
  • Come TO Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
  • Come to ME, all of you who are weary and burdened , and I will give you rest

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

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

Come to Me on Pinterest

 Come Unto me coloring page by Flanders Family Homelife

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

  1. Why do you think John asked about Jesus when he knew him in the womb, and knew him at baptism?
    1. your answer
  2. Why do you think that it would be better for Old Testament cities than those that didn’t believe Jesus?
    1. Your Answer
  3. How do you come to Jesus when you are weak and heaven laden?
    1. Your Answer

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

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

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

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

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 6 or MMM6

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew chapter six

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew, the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 37, Feb 6)

Passage
Matthew Chapter Six

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

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

  • Matthew 6
    • Mt 6:1-4  Quiet Giving
      • So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward!
    • Mt 6:5-8 Privately Pray
      • But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you
    • Mt 6:9-13 The Lord’s prayer
    • Mt 6:14-15 Forgiveness
      • 14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing,[i] your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive people,[j] your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.[k]
        • Matthew 18:21-35
          •  35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
        • Luke 6:37
          • “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
        • Mark 11:25
          • And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
        • Ephesians 4:32
          • Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
        • Colossians 3:13
          • Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
    • Mt 6:16- 18 Secret Fasting
      • 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, 18 so that you don’t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[
    • Mt 6:19-24 Treasures, The Eye and Masters
      • 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
      • 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
      • 24 “No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.
        • Choose today whom you will serve –
          • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
        • MMM19
    • Mt 6:25-34 Anxieties
      • 25 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?
      • 27 Can any of you add a single cubit to his height[o] by worrying?
      • 33 But seek first the kingdom of God[q] and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
      • 1 Peter 5:7
        • Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
      • Mt 10:30-31

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 6:33
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 33 But seek first the kingdom of God[q] and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
  • BUT seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
  • but SEEK first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
  • but seek FIRST the Kingdom of G0d and His righteousness
  • but seek first THE Kingdom of God and His righteousness

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

A lovely color page of the Lord’s Prayer

A set of many different coloring pages for the Lord’s prayer

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

  1. Consider your giving and if it is in secret
    1. your answer
  2. Do you know the Lord’s Prayer? Is it the same as is written in your Bible?
    1. your answer
  3. Do you pray the Lord’s prayer?
    1. Your answer
  4. What is the key to being forgiven?
    1. your answer – and Open Bible has a list of verses that go along with 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 10

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew, the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 41, Feb 10)

Passage

Matthew Chapter 10

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 Homan Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

  • Matthew 10
    • Mt 10:1-4 Commissioning the Twelve
      • Summoning His 12 disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every[a] disease and sickness.
    • Mt 10:5-15 The pattern for ministering
      • stay away from Samaria (right now)
      • Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. You have received free of charge; give free of charge.
      • don’t take money – for the worker is worthy of his food.
      • hosting missionaries – 11 “When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy, and stay there until you leave.
    • Mt 10:16- 25 Persecution is coming – be prepared
      • 16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.
      • 20 because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.
      • 22 You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.[g]
    • Mt 10:26-31 Don’t fear, worth more than sparrows
    • Mt 10:32-39 The division cost by belief
      • 32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.
      • 37 The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow[m] Me is not worthy of Me. 39 Anyone finding[n] his life will lose it, and anyone losing[o] his life because of Me will find it.
    • Mt 10:40– 42Welcoming Christ Welcomes the Father
      • 40 “The one who welcomes you welcomes Me, and the one who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 5:48
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
  • BE perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
  • Be PERFECT, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
  • Be perfect, THEREFORE, as your heavenly Father is perfect

…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.

Various 12 Apostles of Jesus coloring pages to print out.

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 job of th disciples? what were they sent to do?
    1. Your answer
  2. Can we do what the disciples did? why or why not?
    1. your answer
  3. Why does Christ bring a sword to families and churches?
    1. I like how GotAnswers deals with this question.
  4. How can you apply the welcoming bit to your own life?
    1. Your answer

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

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

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

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 4 or MMM4

 

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew, the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 35, Feb 4)

Passage

Matthew Chapter 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 Homan Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

  • Matthew 4
    • Mt 4:1-11 The Temptation of Christ
      • But He answered, “It is written:
      • Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.[
      • 10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away,[f] Satan! For it is written:
        • The basis for spiritual warfare – knowing the Word of God
    • Mt 4:12-17 Ministry Begins
      • 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”
    • Mt 4:18-22 Calling Peter, Andrew, James and John
      •  20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
      • 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
    • Mt 4:23- 25 Teaching and ministry
      • 24 Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to Him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And He healed them.

Image by Scottish Guy from Pixabay

Mindful Meditating

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

example:

  • Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.
  • JESUS told him, it is also written…
  • Jesus TOLD him, it is also written…
  • Jesus told HIM, it is also written…

…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.

Temptation of Christ- digital or print it out (right click, choose save image and put it in your pictures folder to print out)

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 the three temptations stand for?
    1. Biblical Christianity says this, which I agree with, but my answer relates to 1 John 2:16
  2. Who else preached “repent”, and why do you think this is what Jesus was preaching?
    1. your answer
  3. What does the calling of the four disciples tell us about how we should respond?
    1. your answer

~~~~~~~

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

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

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

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

young woman with blonde hair sitting at a tree playing guitar

2023 First 100 days – Wisdom and Praise – Day 24

2023 First 100 days day 24 – Wisdom and Praise January 24

woman at sunset with arms outstretchedWisdom and Praise Collection

Psalms 24, 54, 84, 114, 144 and Proverb 24

 

1/27/23   The Bible Study notes will be added as soon as possible.

~~~~~~~ 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.

“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.

Praise and worship

2023 The First 100 Days – Reading Wisdom and Praise – Day 7

2023 First 100 days day 7, January 7

Day 7 discussed by Chris Wildman from The WildBerry Patch

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

Wisdom and Praise Collection
Psalms 7, 37, 67, 97, 127 and Proverbs 7

Today’s readings were so fun.  I really focused on Psalm 37 in the video, and it has songs!  I also put Psalm 67 at the end as a prayer, but here, I’ll put them all in order.

 

  • Thanks for joining me in this study of Wisdom and Praise.  Would you like to help others to be touched by this? 
  • Please go to the Facebook “The WildBerry Patch” page and join, and like and comment. 
  • Also, The WildBerry Patch site you can add a comment. 
  • Just for fun, you can join me at ChristArtist on Twitter. 
  • Thank you.  
prayer

Image by reenablack from Pixabay

  • Psalm 7 – David’s Prayer Journal
    • Ps 7:1-2
      • Yahweh my God, I seek refuge in You;
        save me from all my pursuers and rescue me
        or they[c] will tear me like a lion,
        ripping me apart with no one to rescue me.[d]
    • Ps 7:3-5 seeking his own heart
      • Yahweh my God, if I have done this,
        if there is injustice on my hands,
        if I have done harm to one at peace with me
        or have plundered[e] my adversary without cause,
    • Ps 7:10 GoTo verse
      • My shield is with[k] God,
        who saves the upright in heart.
    • Ps 7:17 GoTo verse
      • I will thank the Lord for His righteousness;
        I will sing about the name of Yahweh the Most High.
Praise and worship

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

  • Psalm 37 very musical
    • Ps 37:1 in various versions
    • (NIV) Of David. Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
    • (NLT) Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.
    • (KJV) A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
    • (HCSB) Davidic. Do not be agitated by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong.
    • Psalm 37 song by Sons of Korah
    • Ps 37:3-6 Song number 1 – Trust in the Lord and do Good
      • Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

        Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

        Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

      • I sing a version of this on the video.  If anyone knows where this  comes from , please comment and let me know!
    • Ps 37:7 – This could be a GoTo verse
      • Be silent before the Lord and wait – our responsibility when seeking the Lord.
        • (KJV) 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.
    • Ps 37:8 a GoTo verse to be like Christ
      • (KJV) Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
      • (HCSB) Refrain from anger and give up your rage;
        do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.
    • Ps 37:16 – another GoTo verse
      • The little that the righteous man has is better
        than the abundance of many wicked people.
    • Ps 37:21 – Great Wisdom for knowing character
      • The wicked man borrows and does not repay,
        but the righteous one is gracious and giving.
    • Ps 37:23-24 another song!
      • The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

        24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

      • The Steps of Good man by Jack Marti 
    • Ps 37:27 another GoTo verse
      • (KJV)27Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
    • Ps 37:28-29 talks about our future in God
    • Ps 37:30-31  tells more about the character of the follower of God in Christ
      • The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom;
        his tongue speaks what is just.
        31 The instruction of his God is in his heart;
        his steps do not falter.
      • this is because we have hidden His word in our hearts
        • 11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

    • Ps 37:37 – a word of wisdom – watch the blameless, watch the man of peace, they will have a future
    • Ps 37:39-40 Is a promise of refuge, Salvation and Deliverance from the Lord
  • Psalm 67 -a prayer
    • Ps 67:1- 2
      • May God be gracious to us and bless us;
        look on us with favorSelah
        so that Your way may be known on earth,
        Your salvation among all nations.
  • Psalm 97 – Several GoTo verses
    • Ps 97:1 GoTo Verse – choose  your  version  from  BibleHub.com
      • (ESV) 1The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad.
    • Ps 97:2-6 Glorifying the Great God Jehovah
    • Ps 97:8-9 Praise
    • Ps 97:10 GoTo Verse – all or just the first part!
      • You who love the Lord, hate evil!
        He protects the lives of His godly ones;
        He rescues them from the power of the wicked.
    • Ps 97:11-12 Beautiful Praise
      • Light dawns[c][d] for the righteous,
        gladness for the upright in heart.
        12 Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous ones,
        and praise His holy name.[e]
  • Psalm 127 – a song about wisdom and grace
    • Ps 127:1-2 GoTo Verse, all or first part. choose your version from BibleHub.
      • (HCSB) Unless the Lord builds a house,
        its builders labor over it in vain;
        unless the Lord watches over a city,
        the watchman stays alert in vain.
    • Ps 127:3-5 – the Joy of having children
      • (AMP)

        3Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the LORD, The fruit of the womb a reward.

  • Proverb 7 
    • Pr 7:1-5 a plea for the child to seek out wisdom and to hold on
      • part of the training of a child – teach them the Bible
    • Pr 7:6-27 more on the danger of the harlot
    • The American Bible Society has a great study on how to flee from sin.

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.

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.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Habakkuk 3a

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

IBBS Habakkuk Introduction
IBBS Habakkuk 1
IBBS Habakkuk 2

Habakkuk 3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Habakkuk’s Third Prayer
3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. According to Shigionoth.[a]

2 Lord, I have heard the report about You;
Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds.
Revive Your work in these years;
make it known in these years.
In Your wrath remember mercy!

Please read all of Habakkuk 3 – but for now, I want to continue some thoughts from the previous posts.

To review:
In IBBS Habakkuk 1, we discussed that sometimes bad things happen to discipline us. that is not always the case.

Sometimes, it’s to test us…(though we are told not to blame God for our temptations!

James 1:12-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 A man who endures trials[a] is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God[b] has promised to those who love Him.

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil,[c] and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

There are those that fall because of their own lusts…and they need Psalm 38

The truth is, that there are those that are refined by the fire, and that refining has a higher purpose!

I discussed those who experienced a higher purpose with the refining fire. The question is, do we realize that God uses EVERYTHING to cause us to grow into the fullness of Christ?

Does God discipline his children?
I believe the answer is yes.

Job 33:16-25

Job 5:17-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 See how happy the man is God corrects;
so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For He crushes but also binds up;
He strikes, but His hands also heal.

Proverbs 3:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe His discipline;
12 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
just as a father, the son he delights in.

Psalm 94 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 Lord, happy is the man You discipline
and teach from Your law
13 to give him relief from troubled times
until a pit is dug for the wicked.

Revelation 3:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed[a] and repent.

1 Corinthians 11:28-32 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[a] eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

Deuteronomy 8:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Keep in mind that the Lord your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.

2 Chronicles 6:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 may You hear in heaven
and forgive the sin of Your servants
and Your people Israel,
so that You may teach them the good way
they should walk in.
May You send rain on Your land
that You gave Your people for
an inheritance.

Hebrews 12:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:
My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly
or faint when you are reproved by Him,
6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves
and punishes every son He receives.[a]

Jeremiah 31:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
18 I have heard Ephraim moaning,
“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined
like an untrained calf.
Restore me, and I will return,
for you, Lord, are my God.

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.

There’s a difference designated…those who are God’s people,and those who are not.

Job 27:8 For what hope does the godless man have when he is cut off,
when God takes away his life?

None…because those that Love the Lord have the hope of living out eternity with God in His Kingdom.

Eccl 8:12-14
12 Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him. 13 However, it will not go well with the wicked,and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God.14 There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.

As I said above, Psalm 38 is a cry for repentance. Those that Love God, and are wanting to please Him, know when they have sinned, and they cry out. There is now no condemnation…but there is conviction!

Romans 8 King James Version (KJV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Read the rest of Roman’s 8 to find our what the child of God’s position of sin ought to be.

The question IS who is righteous and who is unrighteous in God’s eyes.

To point that out we just need to list a bunch of scriptures about righteousness versus unrighteous. Google gives options. I’ve linked and posted a few above.

Or, we could utilize Ray comfort’s method for determining if we are good enough to make it into heaven.
Or my version of his questions:

Or we could just settle with the scripture

Romans 3:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the[a] glory of God.

with

Romans 6:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is only in Christ Jesus that we are considered righteous. There is no room for pride or elitism.

And since sacrifices in the Old Testament were the foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, trying to live your life according to all the rules of the Old Testament, and then confessing your sins and having faith in the sacrifices, that was what was considered righteous back then.

The thing is, the concept of grace and mercy is far misunderstood today.

Grace is getting that which you do not deserve and
mercy is not getting that which you do deserve.
Got Answers has a great explanation of the difference.

We all deserve the wages of sin which are death.
We all can embrace the gift of God which is eternal life by falling upon The Mercy Seat that had the final sacrifice of Christ’s blood applied.

I’m often disturbed by how many Christians look at God as a Santa God. Only providing good things and never asking us for anything in return.
Jesus himself gave some very clear commands!

Mark 12:30-31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.[a][b]
31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.[c] There is no other command greater than these.”

That doesn’t sound like he wiped out the Ten Commandments, or any of the other laws and Prophets as guides for how we should live!
What He wiped out is that we will not have to answer for being Human and failing.
We will have to answer for a lack of faith,
for lack of enduring to the end,
for a lack of holding on,
for a lack of continuing in well-doing,
for not walking in those works for which we were created.

Now, salvation is based on Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and having him being the Lord and Master Of Our Lives.
There are plenty of verses that say that there are rewards for those who have their heads chopped off for the kingdom.
Or for those who have lost all things in this world for Christ, or for those who…???
Yet, that isn’t always the requirement.
AND they are NOT the REQUIREMENT for salvation. They are the EVIDENCE!

The Bible says that those who teach are held to a higher standard than those who are ignorant. Something for which I am very aware.

I find it hard dealing with the physical and mental issues the God has allowed to continue in my life.
I find it hard to be joyful in the face of discouragement,
to be patient in the face of an ongoing trial, or
to be gracious to someone who has hurt me over and over and over possibly more than 70 times 7.

What I’m saying is, sometimes, when I get a little too comfortable in my life, I need the Lord to get my attention and if that is his disciplining hand to remind me that I am his child, I will say thank you for that!

What does this have to do with Habakkuk?
In Habakkuk’s day, being taken to Babylon was God’s disappointing hand to a people who had become too comfortable and we’re turning their backs on the one who gives them life.
God was promising Habakkuk that there would come a day that there would be judgment and that the joy of the people would be restored.

I’m going to answer that question, and discuss Habakkuk 3 in IBBS Habakkuk 3b.

In Itty Bitty Bible Study Galatians 1:1-10, you can read about how quickly the believers fell away!
In Itty Bitty Bible Study Galatians 2:11-21, you can read about Paul’s perspective on how Grace and a sinful life relate!

Itty Bitty Bible Study Galations 5 talks about how we can become UNentangled from sin!

Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:2-6 talks about WHY Jesus did what he did.

In Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:15-23I talk more about the WHY. What is it that Paul is praying for us? How to overcome the world, through Christ.

I know there is a lot of scripture in this blog.
I know there is a lot of reference to additional blog posts.
The thing is, in my world, there is only one truth…ONE TRUTH…and that is the Word of God.
Nothing I say can set you free…only the SON can set you free!

John 8:31-36
This is Jesus speaking! BIBLE!

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

My prayer for you is that through Habakkuk, and all studies of the Word of God, you will be set free, and know The Prince of Peace!

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.

“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.

Advent 2015 day 18 – Faith

 

Advent day 18
light the 18th candle

Advent day 18

Advent day 18

here’s a nice version of O Come all Ye faithful to listen to while reading.

I’ve been meditatiing on the WORDS of Christmas – Joy, Love, Peace – and they are the first three fruits of the Spirit:

Eph 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

There are ornaments all around that have these words on them – but recently, there are new ones popping up that say “I believe”.

There is a current cultural thing to say I believe – but the question I ask is “what do you believe?” or more specifically “In WHAT or WHOM do you believe?”

belief implies faith
from Merriam Webster:

Full Definition of faith
plural faiths play \ˈfāths, sometimes ˈfāthz\
1
a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty
b (1) : fidelity to one’s promises (2) : sincerity of intentions
2
a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

 

The word Belief is used to define the word faith.

The Bible defines Faith this way:
Heb 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hope is another word that is thrown about at Christmas time, and it goes hand in hand with Faith.

When something is created, it is created with some sort of substance. A Lego Milkshake is made by the substance of legos, the legos are created by the substance of plastic. before the legos, there came the idea, and the hope that it could be done, and the faith that all their experiences and knowledge would be able to see the final product.

Jim with a Lego milkshake

Jim with a Lego milkshake

Before it was a real lego milkshake, it was a thought in someone’s mind. They believed they could build legos, and they believed they could use those legos to build a milkshake. First, they had the thought, and they HOPED they could do it. The milkshake was not seen, until they went through the steps to build it. Once it was seen, there was no need for faith, belief or hope. They KNEW they could do it, because they had the visible proof before them. But someone first had the thought!

Faith – one of the definitions is “firm belief in something for which there is no proof”

Many people say that those of us with religious faiths have ‘blind faith’.
My faith is not blind.
I cannot explain creation around me without the knowledge that there was a creator.
If a camera had a creator, then how did the eye just happen?
If prosthetics have creators, then how did the foot, ankle, knee, wrist, hand, elbow, hip just happen?

Man cannot create water – how did it get here?
How does the bumble bee fly?
How does the hummingbird fly?
Why are we at just the right distance from the sun to maintain warmth, with the moon exactly the right distance to cause the tides? Just because Star Trek found all sorts of class M planets does not mean there really are. But if there were, how did they happen?
And then, there are those that will not believe in a creator God that created, and is intimately involved in the lives of His children. They believe in Aliens that came and planted us here.

Well, God is alien to us – his ways are not our ways.
He is infinite, I am finite.
He is omniscient, I only know what I know.

And what I know is that there is a creator for this creation.
I have faith that Jesus Christ is His Son, who came, lived, died and rose again on my behalf.
My hope is that someday, I will see him face to face.
And when that day comes, there will be no more need for faith, because we will know all things and know Him completely.

What do you believe?
Whom do you believe?
And does it make your life better for the believing?

The ornament for today is a cross – to signify in Whom I have faith.

wooden cross

wooden cross

cross of nails

cross of nails

cross with Jesus's names

cross with Jesus’s names

crochet cross

crochet cross

Oh Come all ye faithful by Casting Crowns

More Advent Devotions

Advent day 19 – Mary

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.

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.

Advent 2015 – day 12 – the lion and the lamb

Today is Advent day 12.

If using an event log, light candles 12.

advent12c

Advent 12

Advent 12

Jesus came as a baby and was laying in a manger. A manger is a feeding trough for farm animals. The fact that Jesus came and was so meek and mild caused much difficulty for the rulers of the Church of his day. First, Jesus came as a lamb.

Lamb

Lamb

Lamb

The stories in the Old Testament about sacrifices force us to talk about the meaning of blood sacrifice. That sacrifice needed to be a perfect, no scars, no warts, no wrinkles, but perfect ram or lamb. In the New Testament we are told about Jesus going to the cross as a lamb going to sacrifice. This is one of the key differences in the Christian faith, that we have a Savior that chose to pay the price for our sins.

John 1:29

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

1 Cor 15:20-22

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

(Gen 22:8; Ex 12:5; Is 53:4-7; 1 Pet 1:18-21)

Rev 5:12

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Lion

Lion

Lion

The other part of this is Jesus as the lion, the ruler that roars and protects and fights. This is what the people of Jesus’s day expected the Messiah to be. They did not understand that first the Messiah had to pay the price for sin and death, be resurrected and given back all the glory he put aside in order to be a baby human, and then he shall come again to judge the quick and the dead. At that time the lamb has become the lion and will make all things right.

Rev 5:5;

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Num 24:9

He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

(Hos 11:10; Hos 13:7-8)

Revelations 17:14 – the Lamb goes to war(the Lion)

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

The other key is that our savior has risen from the dead, and sits at the right hand of God, to intercede for the brethren…and, then, He will come again.

This is worthy of worship!

More Advent Devotions
Advent Day 11

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.

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.

Advent 2015 – day 11 – A Key

Today is the 11th day of Advent.

light the 11th candle.

advent11

On the 9th Day of Advent, I thought about the scepter, and how it being extended out to the servant was the code for entering into the King’s Presence. This is similar to a code to enter in for security.

On the 8th Day of Advent, I was thinking about the Kingship of the Father God. He owns the ‘house’, and He gets to say who comes in and who does not.

Today, it’s the key.

Key of David

Key of David

There are so many ways to focus upon the word “key”.
A noun – the keys of David.

Revelation 3:7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

The keys of death and hades.

Revelation 1:18 – I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

As an Adjective, Analogy, Symbolism in concept – Jesus is the key to Eternal Life:

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

A key opens up something.
Usually, it’s because someone wants inside!
As I said on the 8th, for our security system, we have a code, but you still need a key to enter in.
There are keys to blessings – treasures – such as in Malachi 3:10:

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Deuteronomy 11:13

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,(and then follows many blessings, also listed in Deuteronomy 28)

Matthew 13:44

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Often, I get told “that is old testament, it isn’t appropriate now! We are under Grace!”
We are under grace because humans could not keep the laws! But that does not mean the laws are not good! Who would eliminate the Ten Commandments? Most faith’s have some form of code of behavior. What does the Christian Bible say? What does the Christian Lord Jesus say?

John 14:15

“If you love me, keep my commands.

And, the dear Apostle John wrote that it is KEY to the proof of the love of God!
1 John 5:3-4

3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

But, in a noun sense, Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection are the KEY to enter into the Kingdom.
The Website GodVine.com has a list of scriptures that explain the concept of entering into the Kingdom of Heaven, also known as Salvation.

2 Timothy 1:9-10

9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

John 3:23

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

But there is one other key mentioned – the Key of David, as in RULER.

Isaiah 22:22

I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (also Revelation 3:7)

JESUS OPENS THE DOOR! or shuts the door. Because he has the KEY to the ruling house of Israel! Jesus is the reigning King!
By applying the keys to salvation, He opens the door, and welcomes us in.

Luke 11:9

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.(also Revelation 3:20)

My heart soars to think that my King and Savior has provided me the key to enter in to the Holy of Holies, to be able to come boldly before the throne of the Most High God!
He died for me so that I could be free of the price of my sins!
The Father rose him from the dead to break the bands of death!
Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father interceding for me!

Oh what Joy fills my heart! I have goosebumps, and heart shivers thinking of how much God Loves me – and knowing that my comprehension of His all encompassing love if so small because of my finite mind.

Today, I celebrate Jesus as the key, code, and deliverer of my salvation.
And I confess that Jesus is my Lord, and I will follow Him!

Today’s hymn is the fourth verse ofO Come, O Come Emmanuel, talking about the Key of David.

Enjoy this version by Pentatonix:

Advent Day 10
More Advent Devotions

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.

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.