Tag Archives: forgiveness

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 18 or MMM18

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew chapter Eighteen

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 49, Feb 18)

Passage Matthew Chapter Eighteen

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.

This chapter, though, I will use the New Living Translation for clearing up some of the translations.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 18
    • Mt 18:1-6 Who is the Greatest in Heaven?
      • a little child
        •  3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
      • Don’t cause one to suffer – to fall into sin
        • 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
    • Mt 18:7-9 the sorrows of temptation
      • 7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.
        • cut off hand, gouge out eye
      • God holds children dear
        • 10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.[c]
    • Mt 18:11- 14 The 99 vs the 1 – promise for wayward children
      • Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?
      • rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!
      •  14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.
    • Mt 18:15-17 Conflict Negotiation for the church
      • one-to-one
        • 15 “If another believer[d] sins against you,[e] go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.
      • bring one or two
        • 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.
      • whole church
        • 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. 
      • If no change –
        • Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
        • make every attempt possible, but do not poison the body.
    • Mt 18:18- 20 in light of church matters – PRAYER POWER
      • 18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid[f] on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit[g] on earth will be permitted in heaven.
      • 19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers,[h] I am there among them.”
    • Mt 18:21 – 22 How often to forgive
      • 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven![j]
    • Mt 18: 23-35 Forgive to be forgiven Parable
      • 35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters[m] from your heart.”

Mindful Meditating

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

example:

  •  3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
  • UNLESS you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven
  • unless  YOU turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven
  • unless you TURN from your sins and become like little children, you will never get int the Kingdom of Heaven.

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

Lost Sheep coloring pages by ColoringHome.

Unforgiving Servant Coloring page

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

  1. What qualities do children have that we, as adults, could grow back into?
    1. Your answer
  2. Why is the 99 and 1 verse about wayward children? does it just pertain to God’s children?
    1. Your Answer
  3. Read the Parable of the ruler and the servants – and think of something you’ve been forgiven of, and someone you are in need of forgiving. Could God put the consequences of sin back on us like this parable suggests? What color are the words of this parable in your Bible?

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

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.

smile

2023 The First 100 days – day 21 – Wisdom and Praise

2023 The first 100 days – wisdom and praise – January 21

smile

Image by Giulia Marotta from Pixabay

Wisdom and Praise Collection

Psalms 21, 51, 81, 111, 141 and Proverb 21

Most of today’s Psalms deal with Praise and so there is a great and joyful theme.  Two deal with crying out for repentance, one leading to praise and the other leading to a request.

Proverbs is dealing with wicked and the righteous, nagging wives and pride.  There’s some Go To verses in here.

Let’s dig in!

  • Psalm 21 – Joy and Praise
  • Psalm 51 KJV – Repentance
    • Ps 51:1-3
      • 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
      •  2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
      • 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
        • Hosea 14:2
          • Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.
        • Acts 3:19-21 NIV 
          • 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets
        • Colossians 2:13-14 NIV
          • 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
        • Psalm 4:1
          • Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
    • Ps 51:4 The truth of whom we sin against
      • 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
    • Ps 51:5 original sin discussion point
      •  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
    • Ps 51:6
      • 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
        • Proverb 2:6 
          • For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
        • James 1:5
          • Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
        • Proverb 8:5
          • You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
        • Revelation 21:8
          • But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
        • Romans 8:5
          • Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
    • Ps 51:7-12 the cry for repentance and forgiveness
    • Ps 51:13 Evidence of change
      • 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
    • Ps 51:14-15 Prayer for deliverance
      • Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
      • O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
    • Ps 51:16-17 Not sacrifices, but a clean heart
      • 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
      • 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
        • 1 Sam 15:22, 2 Kings 22:19,  Psalm 147:3
        • Ps 34:17-18
          • The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
                he delivers them from all their troubles.
            18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
                and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
    • Ps 51:18-19 the Conclusion
      • 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
      • 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
    • a few Songs for Psalm 51
  • Psalm 81 NIV – Joy and Praise
    • Ps 81:1-2
      • 1 Sing for joy to God our strength;
            shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
        2 Begin the music, strike the timbrel,
            play the melodious harp and lyre.
    • Ps 81:3-4 Ordained Celebrations
      • 3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
            and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
        4 this is a decree for Israel,
            an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
    • Ps 81:6-7 affected deliverance
      • “I removed the burden from their shoulders;
            their hands were set free from the basket.
        7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
            I answered you out of a thundercloud;
            I tested you at the waters of Meribah.[c]
    • Ps 81:8-10 Promises …
      • Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
            if you would only listen to me, Israel!
        9 You shall have no foreign god among you;
            you shall not worship any god other than me.
        10 I am the Lord your God,
            who brought you up out of Egypt.
        Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
    • Ps 81:11-12 … and failure
      • But my people would not listen to me;
            Israel would not submit to me.
        12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
            to follow their own devices.

        • Acts 14:16
          • In past generations He allowed all the nations to go their own way,
        • Micah 4:5 
          • Though all the peoples each walk in the name of their gods, we will walk in the name of Yahweh our God forever and ever.
        • R0mans 1:28 
          • And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong.
        • Job 21:14
          • Yet they say to God: “Leave us alone! We don’t want to know Your ways.
    • Ps 81:13-16 God’s plea with His people
      • “If my people would only listen to me,
            if Israel would only follow my ways,
    • Songs for Psalm 81
  • Psalm 111 – Psalm of Praise
  • prayer

    Image by reenablack from Pixabay

    Psalm 141 – Psalm of repentance From David’s Prayer Journal

    • Ps 141:1-2 
      • Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me.
        Listen to my voice when I call on You.
        2 May my prayer be set before You as incense,
        the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
    • Ps 141:3 Go To Verse; Wisdom and Praise 18
      • Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
        keep watch at the door of my lips.

        • James 1:26
          • If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself.
        • Ps 34:13
          • Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
        • Pr 13:3
          • The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
            • “It’s better to keep silent and let other’s think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”
        • Ps 39:1
          •  I said, “I will guard my ways so that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
    • Ps 141:4-6 yielding to discipline
      • 5 Let the righteous one strike me—
        it is an act of faithful love;
        let him rebuke me—
        it is oil for my head;
        let me[a] not refuse it.
    • Ps 141:8-10 Prayer for protection from Sin
      • But my eyes look to You, Lord God.
        I seek refuge in You; do not let me die.[f]
        9 Protect me from[g] the trap they have set for me,
        and from the snares of evildoers.
        10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
        while I pass by safely.
  • Proverb 21 wicked, nagging, pride, and other such sins
    • Pr 21:2
        • All a man’s ways seem right to him,
          but the Lord evaluates the motives.[a]

    • Pr 21:3
      • Doing what is righteous and just
        is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

          • Isaiah 1:11
            • “What are all your sacrifices to Me?”
              asks the Lord.
              “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams
              and the fat of well-fed cattle;
              I have no desire for the blood of bulls,
              lambs, or male goats.
          • Ps 40:6
            • You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; You open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.
          • Psalm 51:16-17 
            • You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
              You are not pleased with a burnt offering.
              17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is[a] a broken spirit.
              God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
          • Hosea 6:6
            • For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
          • Matthew 9:13
            • Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
          • Romans 12:1
            • Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
          • Hebrews 13:15
            • Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.
          • Psalms 69:30-32
            • I will praise God’s name with song
              and exalt Him with thanksgiving.
              31 That will please Yahweh more than an ox,
              more than a bull with horns and hooves.
              32 The humble will see it and rejoice.
              You who seek God, take heart!
    • Pr 21:5 Plans of man vs plans of God
      • The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
        but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

        • 1 Samuel 2:9
          • He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness, for a man does not prevail by his own strength.
        • Ps 37:23 
          • A man’s steps are established by the LORD, and He takes pleasure in his way.
        • Ps 37:31 NIV
          • The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.
    • Pr 21:13 Generosity
      • The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
        will himself also call out and not be answered.

        • James 2:13 NLT
          • There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
        • Matthew 5:7NIV
          • Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
    • Pr 21:17
      • The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
        whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.
    • Pr 21:21
      • The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
        will find life, righteousness, and honor.

        • Matt 5:6 
          • Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.
        • Pr 15:9
          • The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.
    • Pr 21:23
      • The one who guards his mouth and tongue
        keeps himself out of trouble.
      • see Psalm 141:3 above
    • Pr 21:31
      • A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
        but victory comes from the Lord.

        • Ps 20:7 NIV
          • Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
        • Ps 33:17
          • The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power.
        • Jer 17:5
          • This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

~~~~~~~

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.

milky way over a lake at night

2023 First 100 Days – Wisdom and Praise day 19

First 100 days – day 19 Wisdom and Praise, January 19

Bible open to PsalmsWisdom and Praise
Psalm 19, 49, 79,  109, 139, and Proverb 19

There are songs, and cries for revenge.  There is beauty of being known, and the fear of being set aside.  There’s easy to embrace and difficult.  Proverbs has some interesting tidbits as well

Let’s dig in!

  • Psalm 19 KJV  The whole Psalm is a Go To Verse! great for memorizing.
    • milky way over a lake at night

      (c) M. Christine Wildman, all right reserved

      Ps 19:1-4 Creation declares God

      • The heavens declare the glory of God,
        and the sky[a] proclaims the work of His hands.
        2 Day after day they pour out speech;
        night after night they communicate knowledge.[b]
        3 There is no speech; there are no words;
        their voice is not heard.
        4 Their message[c] has gone out to all the earth,
        and their words to the ends of the world.
      • Romans 1:20
        • For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
    • Ps 19:7-11 a song that I sang on the video
      • 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
      • 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
      • 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether
      • 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
      • 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
    • Ps 19:12-14 Prayer for help from sin – Go To Verses
      • 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
      • 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
      • 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. 
    •  Songs for Psalm 19
  • Psalm 49 – Death comes to All
    • Ps 49:1-4
      • Hear this, all you peoples;
        listen, all who inhabit the world,
        2 both low and high,[a]
        rich and poor together.
        3 My mouth speaks wisdom;
        my heart’s meditation brings understanding.
        4 I turn my ear to a proverb;
        I explain my riddle with a lyre.
    • Ps 49:10 and following
      • For one can see that wise men die;
        foolish and stupid men also pass away.
        Then they leave their wealth to others.
  • Psalm 79 Prayer after having been overtaken by the enemy
    • Jerusalem wall

      Image by IrinaUzv from Pixabay

      Ps 79:1-2

      • God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance,
        desecrated Your holy temple,
        and turned Jerusalem into ruins.
        2 They gave the corpses of Your servants
        to the birds of the sky for food,
        the flesh of Your godly ones
        to the beasts of the earth.
    • Ps 79:5-8 Prayer for deliverance from God’s Anger
      • How long, Yahweh? Will You be angry forever?
        Will Your jealousy keep burning like fire?
    • Ps 79:8- 9 prayer for forgiveness
      • 8 Do not hold past sins[a] against us;
        let Your compassion come to us quickly,
        for we have become weak.
      • 9 God of our salvation, help us—
        for the glory of Your name.
        Deliver us and atone for[b] our sins,
        because of Your name.
    • Ps 79:9-10 appealing to the reputation of God
      • Why should the nations ask,
        “Where is their God?”
        Before our eyes,
        let vengeance for the shed blood of Your servants
        be known among the nations.
    • Ps 79:13 Thanksgiving
      • Then we, Your people, the sheep of Your pasture,
        will thank You forever;
        we will declare Your praise
        to generation after generation.
  • Psalm 109 From David’s Prayer Journal
    • Ps 109:1-5 Prayer for deliverance
      • God of my praise, do not be silent.
      • For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me;
        they speak against me with lying tongues.
        3 They surround me with hateful words
        and attack me without cause.
        4 In return for my love they accuse me,
        but I continue to pray.[a]
        5 They repay me evil for good,
        and hatred for my love.
    • Ps 109:6-20 request for revenge
    • Ps 109:21- 31 Deliver me
      • 21 But You, Yahweh my Lord,
        deal kindly with me because of Your name;
        deliver me because of the goodness of Your faithful love.
        22 For I am afflicted and needy;
        my heart is wounded within me.
        23 I fade away like a lengthening shadow;
        I am shaken off like a locust.
        24 My knees are weak from fasting,
        and my body is emaciated.[f]
        25 I have become an object of ridicule to my accusers;[g]
        when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.
      • 26 Help me, Lord my God;
        save me according to Your faithful love
        27 so they may know that this is Your hand
        and that You, Lord, have done it.
    • Ps 109: 30- 31 the conclusion of the matter
      • 30 I will fervently thank the Lord with my mouth;
        I will praise Him in the presence of many.
        31 For He stands at the right hand of the needy
        to save him from those who would condemn him.
    • From My Prayer Journal
  • Psalm 139 – David’s Prayer Journal – the Blessing of being known
    • Ps 139:1-6 All Knowing God
      • Lord, You have searched me and known me.
        2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
        You understand my thoughts from far away.
        3 You observe my travels and my rest;
        You are aware of all my ways.
        4 Before a word is on my tongue,
        You know all about it, Lord.
        5 You have encircled me;
        You have placed Your hand on me.
        6 This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.
        It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.
    • Ps 139:7-12 OmniPresent God
      • Where can I go to escape Your Spirit?
        Where can I flee from Your presence?
        8 If I go up to heaven, You are there;
        if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
        9 If I live at the eastern horizon
        or settle at the western limits,[a]
        10 even there Your hand will lead me;
        Your right hand will hold on to me.
        11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me,
        and the light around me will be night”—
        12 even the darkness is not dark to You.
        The night shines like the day;
        darkness and light are alike to You.

    • Psalm 139:13-16  Known before born, Go To

      • For it was You who created my inward parts;[b]
        You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
        14 I will praise You
        because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.[c][d]
        Your works are wonderful,
        and I know this very well.
        15 My bones were not hidden from You
        when I was made in secret,
        when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
        16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
        all my days were written in Your book and planned
        before a single one of them began.

        • Jeremiah 1:15 I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
    • Ps 139:23-24 Humble before God, Go To Verse
      • Search me, God, and know my heart;
        test me and know my concerns.
        24 See if there is any offensive[g] way in me;
        lead me in the everlasting way.
    • Songs for 139
    • Psalm 139:1-6 by The Corner Room
    • Psalm 139:7-16 by The Corner Room
    • Psalm 139 You have searched me and Known Me by Esther Mui
    • Psalm 139 by ANCLA Gospel Music Singers
    • Psalm 139 Far too Wonderful by Shane and Shane
  • Proverb 19
    • Pr 19:1 Better a poor man who lives with integrity
      than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.
    • Pr 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
      and one who utters lies will not escape.
    • Pr 19:8 The one who acquires good sense[c] loves himself;
      one who safeguards understanding finds success.
    • Pr 19:11 A person’s insight gives him patience,
      and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
    • Pr 19:17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord,
      and He will give a reward to the lender.[e]
    • Pr 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
      one will sleep at night[h] without danger.

~~~~~~~

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.

2023 First 100 days – day 2 Wisdom and Praise Reading

2023 First 100 days – day 2, January 2

Hey, January is going to be easy to label the day of the year for the first 100 days.

One of the things that I am trying to do to keep me accountable and to have others join me is a live video each day at The WildBerry Patch facebook page.
We are doing 5 psalms and 1 proverb each day for a month. Trying to build a habit.

I’m also trying to write something for each of the firsts 100 days.  

Here’s Day 1.

Today was Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122 and Prov 2.

As I read Psalm 2, it’s all about the angst of the enemies of God against Him. Isn’t that a foreshadowing or an analogy of our hearts raging against God when we have sinned against him?

With that thought in my head, I went on to Psalm 32.

1 How joyful is the one
whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered!
2 How joyful is the man
the Lord does not charge with sin
and in whose spirit is no deceit!

I realized that this Psalm provides the steps to forgiveness:

  1. Realizing the blessings of forgiveness
    1. Psalm 32:1-2
      1. above
  2. The discomfort of unforgiveness
    1. Psalm 32:3-4
      1. 3.When I kept silent, my bones became brittle
        from my groaning all day long.
        4 For day and night Your hand was heavy on me;
        my strength was drained[a]
        as in the summer’s heat.Selah
  3. The need for confession
    1. Psalm 32:5
      1. Then I acknowledged my sin to You
        and did not conceal my iniquity.
        I said,
        “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
        and You took away the guilt of my sin.Selah
  4. The need to pray
    1. Psalm 32:6
      1. Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You
        at a time that You may be found.[b]
        When great floodwaters come,
        they will not reach him.
  5. The need to abide
    1. Psalm 32:7
      1. You are my hiding place;
        You protect me from trouble.
        You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.Selah
  6. God promises counsel
    1. Psalm 32:8
      1. I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
        with My eye on you, I will give counsel.
  7. Confession of faith
    1. Psalm 32:10
      1. Many pains come to the wicked,
        but the one who trusts in the Lord
        will have faithful love surrounding him.
  8. Rejoicing in the Lord
    1. Psalm 32:11
      1. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
        you righteous ones;
        shout for joy,
        all you upright in heart.

This was a blessing to me today. Asking God to forgive us is letting go of the sinful actions, thoughts or desires. Admitting that you are in need of forgiveness is giving up your own path and choosing to walk on the path that God has chosen for you.

 

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.

My One Word 2019 – Guard Your Heart Pr 4:23 – 2/25/2019

Proverbs 4:23 English Standard Version (ESV)
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.

My notes on the bitterness post:

Guard your heart
Bitterness
On forgiveness

How did i learn i had bitterness?
By my words
Out of the abundance of my heart, my mouth spoke

I am an abuser survivor
Forgave
Healed
Didn’t wait for the abuser to apologize
It only takes one to forgive.

I am a peaceful conflict resolution teacher
I know the steps
It takes two, to do a resolution.

I’m a human
I’ve been wounded
I thought I’d forgiven
I have bitterness

Why is it so difficult forget sometimes? Is it because someone has hurt you over and over and over? And they have the potential to continue doing so? And you’re sure you fill the 70 × 7 forgiveness requirement?

Hebrews 12:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

I just completed IBBS Titus 1:10-16, and in Titus, Paul warns about those who are defiled.

Titus 1:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

I discussed how when someone chooses to go the way of the wide path, and not the straight and narrow, eventually, God gives them over to their own lusts. God gives them, or allows them, what they want. Romans 1:18-32

All I wanted to do was to discuss the concept of holding unforgiveness in your heart would cause you problems.  Well, me, specifically. These posts are all written to me, I just share them with whomever is interested! HA! Such a simple task, I thought! Therefore, as God would have it, I’ve been enlightened about how much bitterness I hold in my heart!

I’ve written a few times about bitterness!

Forgiveness:

About anger:

Coming up soon, from the date of this writing, is the Resurrection Season. I wrote a series for Lent last year, and the First Sunday of Lent deals with Forgiveness!

There is a website that I refer to often, GotQuestions.org.
Here’s their write up on What is Forgiveness. The article talks about the two aspects of forgiveness – the part that is key to our salvation, or, OUR forgiveness by GOD, and the part that we are to implement, or, OUR forgiveness of OTHERS.

Another resource is from Desiring God, and here is a list of their various posts on Forgiveness…including several by John Piper. Here’s one that fits this topic wonderfully – How to Battle Bitterness!

In that sermon, John Piper brings up this verse:

Romans 12:19 King James Version (KJV)
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Isn’t that why we hold onto the anger, the rage, the hurt and such? We want vengeance?

“Revenge – it’s a dish best served cold.”

I have no idea where that came from. Wikipedia says this:

The popular expression “revenge is a dish best served cold” suggests that revenge is more satisfying if enacted when unexpected or long feared, inverting traditional civilized revulsion toward “cold-blooded” violence.[12]

The idea’s origin is obscure. The French diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754–1838) has been credited with the saying, “La vengeance est un met que l’on doit manger froid” [“Revenge is a dish that must be eaten cold”], albeit without supporting detail.[13] It has been in the English language at least since the 1846 translation of the 1845 French novel Mathilde by Joseph Marie Eugène Sue: “la vengeance se mange très bien froide”,[14] there italicized as if quoting a proverbial saying, and translated “revenge is very good eaten cold”.[15] It has been wrongly credited[16] to the novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1782).

Its path to modern popularity may begin with the 1949 film Kind Hearts and Coronets which had revenge is a dish which people of taste prefer to eat cold. The familiar wording appears in the film Death Rides a Horse (1967), in the novel The Godfather by Mario Puzo (1969), as if from an “old Klingon proverb” in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982). The title sequence of the Quentin Tarantino film Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) referred to this last movie by again citing it as a Klingon proverb. After that it appeared in the 2004 version of Man on Fire.

The phrase has also been credited to the Pashtuns of Afghanistan.[17]

Another proverb states, “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves”. Another version (Chinese: 子不复仇非子也) proposes that a son who does not take revenge for his parents is not a son.[citation needed]

That’s the way of the flesh.
Hebrews 12:15 says not to allow a root of bitterness to grow! And, any plant grows from a seed.
Romans 12:19 says to let God take vengeance on our behalf.

When our children were little, they often offended each other. Yes. It’s true.
If they came to me with the concern, I would sit them down, and start a peaceful conflict resolution – let’s talk it out, and come up with a satisfactory solution.
If one lied, they would be disciplined.
If one disobeyed some rule, they would be disciplined.
BUT, if the offended one took matters into their own hand, I would say
“you already handed out the punishment, I cannot punish them anymore. If you want them to have discipline and learn the lesson, you need to let me be the judge, and pronounce the judgement.”

These aren’t quite the same thing, yet I’m pretty sure these verses were those from whom I gleaned this concept.

Proverbs 24:17-18 New International Version (NIV)
Saying 28
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.

Proverbs 24:29 King James Version (KJV)
29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

And a few others:

Lev 19:18
Deut 32:35

I have written about God being a Vengeful God in IBBS Nahum 1:2b

The thing is, vengeance is a release of the anger and the bitterness, from our physical, emotional and mental perspectives.
Forgiveness is letting go from a SPIRITUAL perspective.

holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die

I’ve done much study on Forgiveness as an abuse survivor.
It’s not about the other person, though, if they want to sit down and work things out, GREAT!
It’s about MY HEART!!

God says in His Word:

Ephesians 4:26-27 King James Version (KJV)
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.

What happens if we give place to the devil?

Hebrews 12:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

And yet, Our Heavenly Father knows us so much, that he gave us a promise to help us let go of that anger:

Romans 12:19 King James Version (KJV)
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Give room for GOD’s wrath to deal with it!

Did Jesus talk about this? Yes, including instructions!

Matthew 5:21-25 King James Version (KJV)
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5 is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
Blessed are the

  • poor in Spirit
  • mourn
  • meek
  • hunger and thirst after righteousness
  • merciful
  • pure in heart
  • peace makers

Do any of those sounds like anger, wrath, or bitterness? Nope, not to me, either.
The fruit of the Spirit are:

  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Patience
  • Gentleness
  • Goodness
  • Faith
  • Meekness
  • Self-Control

Anything look like anger, wrath and bitterness there? nope, nada!

1 Corinthians 13, in the chapter describing LOVE says this:

1 Corinthians 13:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Not only does love not get easily angered, IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS.
ISN’T THAT BITTERNESS???

Before listing the fruit of the Spirit, Paul lists the fruit of the flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,
21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Even though we are forgiven for our sins, and yes, we struggle with the flesh in this life, these things are not becoming of an Ambassador of Christ! While I’m studying this, as I said above, I was also studying about what it meant to be an ambassador for and of Christ through Titus 1. IBBS Titus 1:6-9 Ambassadors

See, when someone starts sharing things, things that could be perceived as teachings, they could be perceived as teachers.
I am told, as an old woman to teach the younger women.
TEACH seems to be the key word here.
This is to the older men, but, in my Titus studies, I realize, it isn’t gender specific!

Titus 2:6-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7… Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. 8 Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

It’s a warning to anyone that potentially teaches.

James 3:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
3:1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment,

Of course…we are all called to teach…

Matthew 28:19-20 King James Version (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

What does this have to do with Bitterness, unforgiveness and anger?
I HAVE NOT HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE IN YEARS WITH ANGER AND BITTERNESS TOWARDS MY FAMILY as I have since I started working on this post!
Was there anything that anyone did horrible to me?
NO!
Was there anything illegal, immoral, or of enduring effect?
NO!
I just didn’t seem to be able to LET GO of the pain!

Testimony…
Yes, I have had pains that come up, and I do have triggers because of those painful memories.
Yes, my family sometimes forgets the (long list, I’m sure) triggers that trigger me.
YES, I get hurt. Mad sometimes. Sometimes, I have to talk to them about it.
The thing is, a long time ago, I decided that I didn’t have the emotional energy, nor the mental capacity to give anger room in me! It’s exhausting!
YET NOW IT’S HAPPENING!

Maybe, just maybe, there was special grace given to me to forgive my abusers, and now, I have to seek out that grace in face of MY NEED for forgiveness.

What do I mean by that?

Matthew 6:14-15 King James Version (KJV)
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

There’s a qualification to being forgiven! Jesus said so!
I studied that when I was going through the early therapy for the PTSD, and prayed to forgive my abuser.
Years later, I went through some spiritual techniques that had you go through and forgive all those from your past. This included asking those you could contact for forgiveness where needed.
Here I am, actually writing a piece because of a few things that were bothering me…and I get hit with a month’s worth of lessons on anger, bitterness, releasing the pain, and forgiveness.

I had a diagram that I wanted to create a video of.
I’m going to share that photo here, but because of a new friend, Ebony, I’ve just been made aware of another aspect to forgiveness and bitterness that I need to work on…forgiving myself!

I’ll explain this, and maybe have a video in part two!

 
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 day 3

Advent day 3 (Tuesday following 1st Sunday in Advent)

New this year is a Facebook group Advent at the WildBerry Patch, where we can discuss ideas, recipes and photos of our advent preparations!


What are we?

This is the day we celebrate family.
We wrapped up books and opened them on the specific days of Advent…For this day, we have two books.

These are vintage Arch books, and you can buy them in collections at Christian Book Distributor. 

I believe that family is the earthly example of the Godhead – and also the perfect example of how we are NOT God.

  • The Father God – loves us, cares for us, protects us – as our earthly fathers should. There is much more about this, but, we don’t usually focus so much on the Father part.
  • The Holy Spirit – comforter, teacher, guide – this is the mother role, as she should be.
  • Jesus – the Son – symbolizing, obviously the offspring, glorifying his parents as he fulfills his destiny.

We are made in the likeness of God!

Genesis 5:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5:1 These are the family records of the descendants of Adam. On the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God;
2 He created them male and female. When they were created, He blessed them and called them man.

We are supposed to live up to our potential as Loving, Godly people. Of course, we, don’t, and that takes forgiveness as well.

God created the family in Genesis 2:18

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him

Adam and Eve messed up in their roles in the garden – but God the Father had a plan for forgiveness of sin.
Then, after they messed up, God reports the birth of sons…Cain and Abel.
The story of Cain and Abel is a sad one – of family relations gone wrong. But, even in this story, God gives hope.

The whole Old Testament is about families and family matters. Always, someone messes up, and someone needs forgiveness.

Christmas celebrates the Holy family, Mary, Joseph and Jesus. This family didn’t just “poof” everything is perfect! Mary, a virgin, found with child was going to be stoned for her indiscretion. Joseph, through divine conversation – chose to not divorce, but to stay with her. From that point on – difficulties, danger, and death. A basically normal family.

This is the day we pull out the family photo ornaments – to thank God for the gift of family.

Obviously, ornaments of the Holy Family!

nativity stain glass

nativity stain glass

Laser wood cut nativity

Laser wood cut nativity

Spun Glass Nativity

Spun Glass Nativity

We made the new ornaments(or, I did, with the kids’ help) for that year.

100_6278100_6282

100_6279 100_6280 100_6281

This is also the day we celebrated the individuality of the children, and they hung their personal ornaments. Each child had a color and an animal to signify their uniqueness. We had wood ducks, rabbits, bears, kittens and bunnies (these are not easy to find all the time!). We had Green, Yellow, Blue, Red and Purple ornaments. These were hung around the tree at the appropriate height per the child’s height.

A cute ornament that our daughter, Faith Gibson, created this year was hands on an ornament from Barbie Bieber and Beyond.

Here’s some cute paintings my daughter-in-love created with her children!  Done on canvases, with their hands and fingers, and even some feet!

This year, I am focusing on my uniqueness, and Jim’s uniqueness.

Ps 139:15 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I think I will make a photo ornament of something joyful that occurred this year in our life. and, I think I need to go back in the past few years and create ornaments for those years, as well.

Father God, thank you for having a plan from the beginning of time – for our lives, and for your purposes.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to deliver us from our sins, and reunite us with our Father.
Help me to remember daily, the graces and mercies that are bestowed upon me through your presence in my life.

2015 Family  Ornaments

2016 Family Ornaments

2017 Family Ornaments

2018 coming…not quite done yet!

More Advent Devotions

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

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.

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

“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’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!

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 Sixteen – 3/3 Dear Peter

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Two for catch up.
Lent Week Three – this week.

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

Lent Day Sixteen
Peter Warned and falls.

Music
Peter walked on water!
Save me – Peter’s Song – Ian Calk

Matthew 26:31-35 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
31 Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will run away[a] because of Me, for it is written:

I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.[b]

32 But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

33 Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!”

34 “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!”

35 “Even if I have to die with You,” Peter told Him, “I will never deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

Matthew 26:69-75 Denial

Mark 14:27-31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will run away,[a][b] because it is written:

I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.[c]

28 But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

29 Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!”

30 “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!”

31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And they all said the same thing.

Mark 14:66-72 denial

Luke 22:31-34 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
31 “Simon, Simon,[a] look out! Satan has asked to sift you[b] like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you[c] that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

33 “Lord,” he told Him, “I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!”

34 “I tell you, Peter,” He said, “the rooster will not crow today until[d] you deny three times that you know Me!”

Luke 22:54-62 Denial

John 13:36-38 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Peter’s Denials Predicted
36 “Lord,” Simon Peter said to Him, “where are You going?”

Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”

37 “Lord,” Peter asked, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!”

38 Jesus replied, “Will you lay down your life for Me? I assure you: A rooster will not crow until you have denied Me three times.

John 18:15-18 and John 18:25-27

Devotion
Peter’s loyalty tested

I love Peter! I see myself in some of Peter, and there are parts of Peter that I wish I saw in myself. I see myself in Peter in the ways that his mouth opens up and says things before he really thinks it through! I wish that I saw in myself the courage to step out of the boat by just asking Jesus “call me” and I will come walk to you on the water. Peter was willing to take up a sword to fight for Jesus.
Peter was willing to argue with Jesus about whether or not he should died in Jerusalem and whether or not he should have his feet washed or his whole body washed. Now those aren’t necessarily things that I would like to have as part of my walk except that Peter had this courageous faith. Yes, sometimes he was off in his application, but he was wholeheartedly following the Lord. I think that pleased the Lord!

It’s easier to steer a ship that is moving, than one that is standing still!

With this background, when Jesus says that there’s someone here who will betrays him and whatever and Peter says
“no not me”,
it had to take him a back to be told
“oh Peter, before the cock crows twice you will have denied me thrice.

Jesus loved Peter so much, even though he was impetuous and kind of a wild kind of guy. when Jesus knew that the devil was asking to attack Peter so Jesus prayed specifically that the devil would not prevail against Peter.

Luke 22:31-32 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
31 “Simon, Simon,[a] look out! Satan has asked to sift you[b] like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you[c] that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

  • Peter walked on water! Matthew 14:22-33
  • Peter declared Christ was the Son of God! Matthew 16:13-17
  • Peter was one of the chosen three, Peter, James and John, that went with Jesus to the Mount of transfigurarion. Matthew 17
  • Peter was the one Jesus went up to and specifically made a point of asking him to feed his sheep. John 21:15-17

He was warned!
I don’t know about you but sometimes I think if I’m told I’m going to mess up in the area, I’m going to do all I can to not mess up!. I am sure that Peter was preparing to not do anything that could set him up for denying him. Wouldn’t you? Peter had lifted a sword and cut off the ear of one that came to take Jesus away (Mt 26:51-54, lk 22:50;Mk 14:47; John 18:10-11)! Yet, when he was face to face with accusations, he crumbled.

In John 18, we hear that Peter got into the courtyard because John(who always referred to himself as “a disciple”) knew the high priest and was able to get Peter in, though he would stay in the courtyard. Apparently those guys from Nazareth had as unique of an accent as folks that we here in America recognize as from New York, Boston or let’s say those that come from Jamaica.

As far as I’m concerned all the southern types of accents have started rolling together for me, though many years ago, when I knew which cousins were from what state, I could differentiate between the southern states. Not anymore.

Peter didn’t keep his mouth shut, or at least when someone else said “hey I saw you with that man Jesus!” he said no not me. He was exposed because of his accent. On the other hand, if you want to see this a different way, this was Passover. Everybody from Israel, every Jew that could make it, was in Jerusalem for Passover. He could have hidden amongst all the visitors! He just denied it.

“No, not me!”
Cockadoodledoo

Then another denial.

And another, which is stated he started to curse, which is the third

Cockadoodledoo

I’m just combining the different gospels….

As it would happen, Peter looked up and saw Jesus being marched off and Jesus looked into his eyes and their eyes met. Peter realized what had happened. Luke 22:61. All of the gospels says he went off and wept bitterly.

How does this relate when you look at Judas?

Judas was certain that Jesus was on the wrong path, and he turned him over to the high priest.

I don’t think Peter was questioning Jesus’s path, but he was finding out that he wasn’t so quick to want to die for Jesus.

Judas was willing to take money to turn Jesus over. It doesn’t say that they were going to kill him, but that they were going to take Jesus into custody.

Peter was not willing to put his life on the line and pay the cost to be associated with Jesus.

When both men realized what they had done, they went into deep despair.
Peter went back to fishing, figuring he was unworthy to serve the Lord. He may have not known anything else to do, because his whole plan was to walk with Jesus and now Jesus was dead. “Now what do we do?” He did what he needed to do, he went back to fishing.
Judas tried to get rid of the “blood” money he had gotten for turning Jesus in, and the Pharisees basically said “it’s not our problem that’s your problem”. Judas took his own life.

I have to wonder, like I said in the blog about Judas,
did he miss the concept of forgiveness?
Did he miss the concept that there was going to be a price to be paid and that then there would be grace?
Did he miss that Jesus allowed him to participate even though Jesus knew that he was a thief?

Then I wonder, what did Peter know the Judas didn’t?
Did Peter have some basis of Faith like David in Psalm 22, Psalm 23, Psalm 51 and Psalm 55(to list a few) that somehow God was a loving God and fully intended to forgive?

When I get to the itty bitty bible study on 1st and 2nd Peter I’m going to be looking at what theme does Peter have, in order to see where his understanding about Jesus is.

Then again, his understanding changed dramatically when he and Jesus stood on the beach after Jesus rose again.
It also probably changed in the upper room, both when Jesus came to see them, and the wonderful story in Acts 2 and Peter preached the whole BIBLE!

I wonder what Peter learned from his experience with JESUS. When Peter stepped out of the boat in faith and walked on the water, and then he looked around at the storm and he took his eyes off Jesus, and said “Lord Jesus save me”, and Jesus reached out his hands and caught him. I wonder, did that impact Peters understanding that Jesus knows we’re going to mess up, and Jesus would forgive. This experience had to be enormously impactful to this fisherman!

There is only one way that we will know. That is when we stand before Jesus and we start celebrating with all the saints that have gone before us, and we can look at Peter and say “hey what’s up? What did you know the Judas didn’t?”

The next thing that I think of every time I talk about what I’m going to ask God about when I get to heaven is this; will I care?

So there’s a couple of points that I take from Peters confession of loyalty, denial, an ultimate forgiveness and call to walk in his calling.

1. Never be so arrogant as to assume that I cannot stumble and fall. Pride does go before a fall and a haughty spirit Before Destruction(Proverbs 16:18). There’s a reason this and other Bible verses exist! Humility! Christ was humble. Humility is one of the key character qualities God wants in our lives. 2nd Chronicles 7:14 says if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and seek my face and turn from their Wicked Ways then I will hear them and then I will heal their land. There’s a few stops in that verse.

    1. MY People
    2. Humble themselves
    3. Seek my face
    4. Turn from their Wicked Ways

    How did Peter do?

    • Peter walked with Christ, and was counted as one of ‘them’.
    • Peter humbled himself, weeping bitterly in repentance.
    • When he heard that Jesus had risen from the dead he didn’t just seek him, he ran. as much as he could. to the Grave.
    • Then when Jesus confronted him, Peter turned from his Wicked Ways.
    • God healed his relationship with Jesus.


    2. Short accounts
    Of course I’m not going to hold anything against Peter for going off and going back to fishing or whatever, because, come on! Jesus was dead! Peter didn’t have 1st John to explain that he could go to Jesus for forgiveness.

    But we can recognize once we realize that we have sinned that we need to go to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. That’s in 1st John 1:9 – 2:3. The longer we wallow in despair over sin, the longer it takes for us to be forgiven.

    Peter’s letter talks about “if you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God he will lift you up in due time.”

    1 Peter 5:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
    6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,[a] 7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

    Then, there’s this verse:

    Proverbs 3:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
    11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
    12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

    It shows that chastisement confirms that we are his children, and we can rejoice because we know that we’re being taught a lesson! That goes with James!

    James 1:2-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
    Trials and Maturity
    2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,
    3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
    4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

    I believe that this is the key difference between Peter and Judas. I’m not sure Judas ever made the full transition into being adopted as a child of God. Whereas Peter knew something was going to happen, he just didn’t understand what. Also, this became part of Peter’s testimony and teachings!

    3. Another part of this test is be ready to be confronted and convicted. Here’s another difference between Peter and Judas.

    Peter was convicted,
    Judas was condemned.

    The Holy Spirit Will convict us of sin and that is our chastisement to teach us to turn away from sin.
    The enemy condemns us and that turns to self-destruction. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1!

    There is conviction,
    There is chastisement, and just like the 2 Chronicles 7:14 verse, the point is to cause us to turn away from sin so that God can heal our land.

    In James’s explanation of prayer for the sick it says “if any has committed any sins let him confess their sins and they will be healed.” Peter didn’t need to confess to Jesus, because he was looking eye-to-eye at Jesus just as the cock crowed. Jesus still confronted him “Peter do you love me? Then feed my sheep.”

    There are some teachings about which Greek word was used each time Jesus said Peter do you love me as in which word love whether it’s agape or whether it’s phileo. Thoughtco.com has a great explanation of the four types of love in the Bible.
    In John 21, Jesus asked do you agape love me and Peter said Lord you know I phileo love you. Jesus wanted Peter to say I agape love you, Yet Jesus gives up, and simply asks Peter the third time, do you phileo love me?

    Jesus would not allow Peter to wallow in his sin.
    Jesus would not allow Peter to be crippled by the sin.
    Jesus made sure in the time he had between his resurrection and his Ascension that he got Peter pointed on the right path.

    I have no idea how things may have been different for Judas if he understood a little bit more about mercy and Grace. Someone had to turn Jesus in I suppose, otherwise there wouldn’t have been the fulfilled prophecy about the 30 pieces of silver. I don’t know.

    I do know that
    I depend on the faithfulness of God’s love, Mercy, Grace, and forgiveness, as taught by Jesus Christ before he died on the cross for my sins.
    I depend on Jesus Christ as my Advocate with the father.
    I depend on Jesus Christ understanding what I’m going through so that he can help me and give me leading and give me guidance.
    I depend on the Holy Spirit dwelling Within Me to teach me and to guide me and to comfort me and to cause me to grow into the fullness of God.
    I depend on my father God to keep his promise the by my believing on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I am a new creation all things all old things are passed away and all things are created new and by leaning on God, I can become more and more like Jesus everyday.

    That is what I see from the life of Peter. He goes from the older fisherman, to a teacher, miracle worker, being sent forth by Jesus to an apostle that helps start the very Foundation of the Christian Movement. He also was part of the leadership the interactive with Paul.

    At the end of Peter’s life we’re told that not only did he give his life for Christ, but that he chose to be hung on a cross upside down. He said he was not worthy to be hung in the same manner as his Lord. He did have the opportunity to give the ultimate sacrifice for his Lord.

    I can’t imagine the gospel story without Peter.
    I am so thankful he said yes to follow Christ.
    I am so thankful that in the gospels we see him as such an exuberant follower. And
    I am so thankful that we have the story of his denial followed by the story of Christ specifically calling him to feed his sheep because we all in some way, big or small, everyday, deny Christ.

    All of us rise from some fantastic spiritual high and say “Yes Lord call me to walk on the water”.
    All of us have seen the storms we take our eyes off Christ and we start to sink and we need to cry out “Save Me Lord!” At least I think everyone.
    I know I do.
    And I am thankful that the apostles, the disciples, the leaders of the beginning of the Christian church, were not perfect. Looking at their lives gives me hope!

    My question to you is, again, are you at Judas or a Peter?

    Do you know about the forgiveness of sins for those who seek God and desire to be a child of God?

    Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
    Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

    My other question, in light of Judas from the previous day of Lent, are you despairing?
    Do you feel that God has given up on you?

    For the third Sunday in Lent I’m talking about Jesus crying out “my God my God why has Thou forsaken me?” I suggest you read that and if you need more help with despair and depression that causes you to consider harming yourself, please go to my post about suicide, or call 1-800-273-TALK for help right now. Once you have taken your own life, there is no hope to be changed, healed, delivered, empowered, and set free. The time for that is before suicide.

    Prayer and Worship
    I have decided to Follow Jesus – Elevation Worship
    Give me Faith – Elevation Worship
    Give My Life to YOU/Our King has Come – Elevation Worship
    You make me Brave – Amanda Cook and Bethel Music
    No longer a Slave – Bethel Worship

  2. ~~~~~~~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.

2018 Lent day Fifteen – 3/2 Betrayal

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Two for catch up.
Lent Week Three – next week.

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

Lent Day Fifteen
Judas exposed

John 13:21-28 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Judas’s Betrayal Predicted
21 When Jesus had said this, He was troubled in His spirit and testified, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me!”

22 The disciples started looking at one another—uncertain which one He was speaking about. 23 One of His disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close beside Jesus.[a] 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to find out who it was He was talking about. 25 So he leaned back against Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus replied, “He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it.” When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son.[b] 27 After Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Therefore Jesus told him, “What you’re doing, do quickly.”

28 None of those reclining at the table knew why He told him this.

Matthew 26:20-25 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 When evening came, He was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, He said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me.”

22 Deeply distressed, each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?”

23 He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl—he will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, His betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?”

“You have said it,” He told him.

Mark 14:17-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Betrayal at the Passover
17 When evening came, He arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me!”

19 They began to be distressed and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?”

20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread with Me in the bowl.

Crosswalk provides a nice discussion on the deeper meaning of the thirty coins.

I shared in Lent day Nine that I felt that Judas may not have realized that the enemy had entered him.

There is a progression.

  • he gets upset about the woman using the anointing oil, rather than selling it. Matthew 26
  • John says it’s because he’s a thief and concerned about money. John 12
  • He goes to the leaders – asks how much will you give me? Matthew 26
  • HE CONTINUES TO WALK WITH JESUS! is he decieved?
  • HE PARTICIPATES IN THE LORD’S SUPPER – THE BREAD AND THE CUP – THE FOOT WASHING. does he know?
  • Jesus confronts him, politely, discretely, but Judas KNOWS that Jesus KNOWS! the above Scriptures
  • and he betrays Jesus with kiss.
  • In his distress and dispair Judas hangs himself – Matthew 27:3-10

Matthew 27:3-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Judas Hangs Himself
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. 4 “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said.

“What’s that to us?” they said. “See to it yourself!”

5 So he threw the silver into the sanctuary and departed. Then he went and hanged himself.

6 The chief priests took the silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put it into the temple treasury,[a] since it is blood money.”[b] 7 So they conferred together and bought the potter’s field with it as a burial place for foreigners. 8 Therefore that field has been called “Blood Field” to this day. 9 Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

They took the 30 pieces of silver, the price of Him whose price was set by the Israelites, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.[c]

Tomorrow, we’re looking at Peter. What is the difference between Judas and Peter? Why did Judas commit suicide and Peter did not?

I believe it is the heart issue.
We’ve talked a lot about how works are the evidence of our salvation. The outward sign of our inner work is how the Episcopalians describe sacraments. Neither the sacraments, nor the disciplines of faith, nor even the fruits gain us salvation, but they are evidences of our salvation. Jesus said that we can know them by their fruit.

    • Judas was willing to betray this man – but Peter was not willing to have him wash his feet!
    • Judas was known to be a thief – but Peter was willing to step out on water, and was declaring his dying loyalty!
    • Judas did not understand the concept of forgiveness – Peter had been taught over and over, and was alive to experience Christ’s forgiveness.

Denying Christ comes with heavy penalty –

1 John 2:20-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.[a] 21 I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah? This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son can have the Father; he who confesses the Son has the Father as well.

There’s not much difference between denying and betraying…except that Peter knew of the forgiveness of God.

Esau despised his birthright – Genesis 25, and when he lost his inheritance, he cried out for forgiveness. Genesis 27:38.
He rejected God’s grace upon his life.

Hebrews 12:14-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Warning against Rejecting God’s Grace
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. 15 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many. 16 And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal. 17 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears.

We are given warnings that time could run out!

Hebrews 6:4-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit,
5 tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age,
6 and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt.
7 For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for receives a blessing from God.
8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will be burned at the end.

Psalms 2:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pay homage to the Son or He will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion, for His anger may ignite at any moment. All those who take refuge in Him are happy.

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.

Psalm 55 is a prayer in response to betrayal by a friend.

As Jesus said over and over, one who was chosen became a devil.
For me, this answers the question of free will.
Judas was chosen.
He chose to betray Christ.
He chose to take his own life, rather than seek forgiveness as far as we know.

Peter was chosen.
He chose to deny Christ.
He chose to re-evaluate his life, and Jesus called him to feed His sheep.

You and I are chosen.
I choose to follow Jesus.
What will you choose?

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Prayer and Worship

You Love me Still – Sidewalk Prophets
Just AS I am – Mercy Me
Your Grace Finds me – Matt Redmon

I have a very special place in my heart for those that are struggling with suicide.

~~~~~~~

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.

First Sunday Of Lent 2018

First Sunday of Lent –
If you are doing the Lenten Cross – light all of the candles – because, the light is still in the world.


If just candles – here’s another view:

Lenten Cross Instructions

Lent Week One

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

Songs
Whiter Than Snow – Joslin Grove Choral Society
White as Snow/Nothing But the Blood -Maranatha Vocal Band

Scripture

Luke 23:34 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”][a] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.

Devotion
Picture this, Jesus has been beaten, pommeled, actually, nailed to a cross, and he’s dying a horrible, painful, slow tortuous death. What’s the first words out of his mouth?

“Father Forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

In my Itty Bitty Bible Study on Obadiah, I talked about the fact that God DOES judge those that do things against his chosen…even when they are messing up! Jesus hadn’t messed up.

Psalm 105:15 says that we are to not touch the Lord’s annointed.
JESUS IS GOD’S UBER ANOINTED ONE!

Christian Apologetic explains why David did not take too kindly to the Amalekite finishing off Saul!

2 Samuel 1:13-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?”
“I’m the son of a foreigner,” he said. “I’m an Amalekite.”
14 David questioned him, “How is it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”
15 Then David summoned one of his servants and said, “Come here and kill him!” The servant struck him, and he died.
16 For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood is on your own head because your own mouth testified against you by saying, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’”

Saul was David’s bitter enemy! David took killing the Lord’s anointed seriously.

HOW MUCH SO THE GOD OF CREATION WOULD TAKE SERIOUSLY CREATION KILLING HIS OWN SON???
I put out there, that if Jesus had NOT asked God to forgive us, God would have wiped out the whole bunch. There are examples where God did just this! Elijah, Noah, and others. God’s enemies even killed themselves. Jesus was praying for mercy upon those that were playing their part in His death, burial and resurrection.

He was also giving us an amazing lesson in forgiveness!(1 Peter 2:20-23)

Love your enemies

Matthew 5:44-45 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
44 But I tell you, love your enemies[a] and pray for those who[b] persecute you, 45 so that you may be[c] sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Bless them

Luke 6:27-28 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Love Your Enemies
27 “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (also Romans 12:14)

Forgive them!

Matthew 6:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

The Lord’s prayer…it is a double edged sword….

Matthew 6:14-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing,[a] your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive people,[b] your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.[c]

Luke gets a bit more specific:

Luke 6:37 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)Do Not Judge
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.

Jesus expalined it even moreso with the parable of the unforgiving servant.

Matthew 18:21-35

When Jesus said “Father Forgive them” – He asked for mercy upon all of those of us that were his enemy at that time.
He loved us, while we were yet sinners – enemies of God! (Romans 5:6-8)
He blessed us with redemption – while we were enemies to God!
He Forgave us!
Jesus prevented another flood, like in Noah’s day, by transferring his right to revenge into forgiveness!
To Be Like Jesus is to Forgive, Love and Bless, even our enemies.

Do you need to confess your sins? I do!
Psalm 51

Last year, I was confronted with How Long Bitter! I just re-read that. It fits here as well!

And, WHY did Jesus go to the cross? ME! YOU! – Our sins sent him to the cross. He declares us forgiven! Let’s NEVER forget that!

For worshipful meditation:
Forgiveness – Matthew West(and check out the story behind this on youtube!)
Forgiven – David Crowder
Forgive Us – For King and Country
That’s How you Forgive – Shane and Shane
More than Drops in the Ocean – Hawk Nelson

Tomorrow starts Lent Week Two
 

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 – Chapter 4 and summary

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!) The conversation ends February 17th.

Jonah 4

 

Let’s take a look at Jonah – now that God has delivered the repentant Ninevites!

Jonah 4:1-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4: 1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. 2 He prayed to the Lord: “Please, Lord, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from sending disaster. 3 And now, Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
4 The Lord asked, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Why is Jonah mad at God?
because he’s merciful,
compassionate,
slow to anger,
rich in faithful love,
relents from sending disaster?

Or is it because he’s embarrassed?

I read several things about Jonah. One was that his parents were killed by Ninevites. I don’t know about that.
The basic temperature of the Jewish people was that they wanted revenge on the Ninevites!
And, if you want revenge, you won’t appreciate mercy!

I was asked by someone recently if I had forgiven my abuser.
I said yes.
I was then asked, do you want them in heaven?
I said – YES…that’s the fullness of forgiveness! That’s forgiving as Christ forgave!
She was one that had been abused.
She confessed that she had no desire to pray for her abuser to be in heaven.
She also confessed that I had changed her opinion, or at least, made her think about it.

Let’s look at that.
What was I when Jesus died on the cross?
wicked, horrible ungodly sinner that had no desire to honor God in my heart.

What was I before Jesus came to die on the cross?
same

What was I before I asked Jesus into my heart?
same

Is my sin so much worse than that of my abuser?
I don’t think so.
And, there is a very convicting verse, at least, it’s convicting for me:
Matthew 6:15
No matter what version you read this in, the message is the same. If you want forgiveness – you have to forgive!

The Lord’s prayer says forgive us our trespasses AS WE FORGIVE those that trespass against us! well, that as word….I want to have as much forgiveness as is possible…and therefore, I do not want to withhold any from anyone.

And yet, I do.
my husband – sometimes.
my friends – sometimes.
myself – many many, many times…but I’m not sure how that fits in here.

Jonah did not like that God forgave…and I wonder if Jonah had forgiven.
If it was embarrassment, that, itself, would be an issue that would need to be reflected upon!

Next, Jonah goes off in a huff.

Jonah 4:5-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city.
6 Then the Lord God appointed a plant, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort. Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant.
7 When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, and it withered.

8 As the sun was rising, God appointed a scorching east wind. The sun beat down so much on Jonah’s head that he almost fainted, and he wanted to die. He said, “It’s better for me to die than to live.”

9 Then God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“Yes,” he replied. “It is right. I’m angry enough to die!”

Even as Jonah is off in a huff…God is gracious enough to provide Jonah shelter as he waits to see if something is going to happen to the city. Jonah is pleased with the plant. There is no mention of appreciation given, just being pleased.

The next morning, God sends a worm…that attacks the plant. He follows that with scorching heat. Now, Jonah blames God! Jonah wishes for his own death. BECAUSE OF A TREE? A WORM? A HOT SUN? No – I believe this goes back to his whole image of himself as a prophet of God.

What is the source of embarrassment? Pride.

1 John 2:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

In his embarrassment, he doesn’t even realize that he is railing AGAINST GOD!

I know…I’ve been there.
My story –
We left me just having gotten discharged – and the question is, what did I do about my disobedience? I stayed in San Diego, of course! I moved in with two sailors, took care of their house and meals, and hosted the dungeons and dragon meets on weekends with them. I tried to get a job – anywhere. I even fell in love with my orthodox Jewish roommate, much to the dismay of the other roommate that was in love with me. I kept kosher for him! I was declared the best Jewish wife material, but his marriage to another had been arranged. (If anyone is wondering, no, I did not sleep with either of them…but that didn’t mean that I was walking in holiness. Nor that I was pure. It was very complicated!)

Where was my repentance? Where was my turning? Where was my obedience to God? Sorely lacking, I’m afraid. In fact, the reason that I finally got a train ticket back home to Ohio was because the Jewish man said that he could not marry me. I made that decision in anger and pain, again, not in repentance.

I railed at God that He did not give me a job in San Diego!
I railed at God that He did not allow me to marry this Jewish man that I thought I loved.
I railed at God that He would not let me stay in San Diego!

I was embarrassed to go back to Ohio and tell everyone that I had disobeyed God, and joined the Navy, lost a scholarship, and, since one of my aunts told me that if nothing else, I should at least find a sailor to marry or not come back…I mess that up, as well.

I didn’t focus on the fact that God had done exactly as I had asked him! He allowed them to confirm something was wrong, but to not do surgery.
Once I got back to Ohio, with some therapy and chiropractic care, I was able to function in a recreation position. I didn’t think to thank God for that.
I’ve struggled for years about the whole veteran position, and whether I should apply for benefits.
It didn’t take me too long to start giving God the praise for my healing, but, it took me years to let go of the dream of being in the Navy.

I found out years later why God protected me from being into the Navy in 1979-1985. I was told by a recruiter that well over 75% of the women that went on the first ocean going ships came down pregnant, whether they wanted to or not. Read that however you will. God protected me. God answered me. God loved me enough to not let me continue down the path towards my destruction.

Jonah – God’s still trying to get a handle on his heart!

Jonah 4:10-11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 So the Lord said, “You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night.
11 Should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals?”

ZING!!!

Jonah cared more about the plant than he did about the salvation and deliverance of Nineveh.

There are so many people groups that do not have the gospel…and there are so many people that possibly live just down the road from you, or on your way to work, or at work, or downtown in your town homeless, that do not have the gospel.

Some people talk about first world problems.
When I don’t have the filtered cold water to drink, I have to remind myself that there are those in the world that do not have filtered water…some that don’t even have unfiltered water!
When I complain about being tossed around between doctors to figure out what is going on with my health, I need to remember that there are those that don’t have the opportunity to go to ONE doctor!
When I don’t like the food in my refrigerator because I don’t feel like Aidell’s chicken sausage today, I need to remember that there are those that are scrounging around garbage dumps, looking for a morsel to eat.

I don’t want to be like Jonah…but I can’t judge him too harshly.

One thing that troubles me is this…Jonah is left as a cliff hanger.
We don’t know if he changed his tune, if he turned on God, or even, did he take his own life?

What we do know is this. If you are reading this, you are alive. Time’s not up for you!
YOU can turn your heart towards God, and ask him to give you a soft heart towards others, and a strong heart towards HIM. Don’t wait until you end up inside a fish…or a navy infirmary!

 

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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

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