Tag Archives: Peace

My Bible thoughts for 11Sep24

Exodus 14:14

In The Bible Hub, you have easy access to multiple versions, and can read the verse with slight variances.

KJV – The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
NIV – The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
NLT – The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
ESV – The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

The Amplified combines them:
The LORD will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.”

Yahweh will fight for me, if and when I –
Hold my peace
be still
stay calm
be silent

1 Peter 5:6-7 – after some admonitions to everyone in the church, and before more admonitions to everyone in the church, Peter says this:
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

My battles are often with anxiety.

I wrote a series, or I started a series, about Giants in my Land.

I haven’t written about the giant anxiety.

Today, I was asking the Lord why I was just feeling off.
Because I have things I’m worrying about, that are not things that I can do anything about.

I AM WORRYING ABOUT THINGS THAT I CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT.

These are the battles that I need the Lord to fight in my place.
These are the battles where I need to apply my faith.
These are the battles where I need to fall upon grace.
These are the the battles where I need to be still and know HE is God.

I’ve written about faith – In Advent day 18 – but it’s needed all the time.

I’ve written about grace – so much about grace – but here’s one from a study for Lent – Lent day 20. Grace has been a concept that a friend of mine has pointed out to me for many many (decades?) years.

I’ve written about ‘be still’ – in Be still – wait upon the Lord and in my Marching into Mark – chapter 4

Why do I still need reminded? Because I am human.
The more often that I remind myself, the more often it comes naturally.
I am building habits of taking thoughts captive.

2 Corinthians verse about taking thoughts captive (https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/10-5.htm) follows this one:
2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

I am starting to think about the angels given charge over us to guard us in all of our ways! Psalm 91:11

I’m reminded of the prophet Elisha, in 2 Kings 6 – when his servant was worried.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

So, as I think on these battles with anxiety that I am having – I will meditate on Ex 14:14 – The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
and
Romans 8:31 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

And if that’s not enough – we always have Psalm 23 and Jesus’ words – Peace I leave with you – John 14:27.

May I be able to remember to be calm, quiet, and at peace while I allow God to fight my battles – and calm me in the storm.

~~~~~~~

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.

dove hovering about with blue background

Lent Day 19 – Promise of a Comforter

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Three – for Catch up.
Lent Week Four started March 5, 2018 and March 23, 2019

Lent Day Nineteen
The Promise of a Comforter

Music

Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove – First Congregational Church of LA

Scripture

John 14:15-31
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Devotion

This week we looked at
on Monday,  Mansions
Then, The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.
Tuesday, we looked at THE WAY.
Wednesday, we looked at the TRUTH.
Thursday, we looked at THE LIFE.

But today, we are jumping back to the original plan, and talking about the Promise of a Comforter.

Passage

John 14:15-31
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

First, we need to look at

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

The whole reason for this chapter is that Jesus doesn’t want the disciples hearts to be troubled.  He says “LET NOT your hearts be troubled:”

There is something we can do to let not our hearts be troubled – and that is “ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

For us to be comforted, we must do  something – BELIEVE!

John 14:1 HCSB – Your heart must not be troubled. Believe[a] in God; believe also in Me.

“Let” is a verb.

“must not be” is a state of being.

The command is BELIEVE in God, BELIEVE also in Me.

We must believe in order to receive, and I’m not talking about “name it claim it” stuff…I’m talking about the fact that

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

This gift is to BELIEVERS.  Those who chose to live their life by FAITH.

The beginning of our passage is this:

John 1415 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

New Living Translation says it “If you love me, obey my commandments.

Every other version I looked at through www.BibleHub.com said Commandments.

What are the commands of Christ?

We could say the Beatitudes – but I think he was describing character qualities to aim for in the Sermon on the Mount.

Then what?

That brings us back to

John 14:1 Amplified
“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.

Doesn’t that fit? heart, soul, mind and strength – LOVE – and this being the main outcome of BELIEVING.  These are the commands of Christ that I can absolutely say.

There are other things, like telling us to believe. But, he said it. If you love me, keep my commands.  So, by faith – we are to love and believe. Yet, there is a condition for the promise:

John 14:1 Believe in, God believe also in me.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, ….

Does this “commandments” get repeated?

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

We’ve agreed that the commandments are His great commandments given in Mark 12:30-31 (above). And the promise is that if we keep his commandments, He will send a comforter (vs 16, 17,26 ), He will come to us ( vs 18,21,23,), we shall live (vs 19), have His words brought to our remembrance ( vs 26) and PEACE (vs 27).

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Who or What is this Spirit of Truth?

THE MYSTERY

John 14:17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14: 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

John 14:23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Jesus is hinting at the Triunity of God.  Father, Son of Man/Son of God are spoken of in John 14:20 – and a comforter is mentioned in John 14:16.

The Spirit of Truth is part of the Godhead – but that’s another study. GotQuestions discusses the personhood of the Holy Spirit as God in great detail.

So assuming that the Holy Spirit is God – John 14:17 says He dwells with us and in this time, shall be IN us.

Who comes to live in us?  THE GODHEAD!

Colossians 2:9 For in him(Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

In Christ, dwells all the fulness of the Godhead – we know that.

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

It is NOT unthinkable that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in us through the redeeming work of Christ, and our faith (belief) in Him.

A cool thing is that the power of the Godhead is the very power that existed in the beginning and created everything – CREATION POWER LIVES IN US!

Genesis1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Colossians 115 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

What are some of the promises that come as comforts? I’m defining comfort as the freedom from fear.

verse 17 Spirit of Truth – freedom from lies
verse 19 Live eternally – freedom from fear of death
verse 26 Teach all things – freedom from spiritual ignorance
verse 26 bring remembrance – Proverbs 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. – freedom from power of Sin
verse 27 Peace – freedom from fear

Got Questions discusses what the Holy Spirit does – it’s A LOT.  HE is a great gift!

The comforter, or The Comforter or The Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity. The gift is that He will dwell in us and help us, guide us, comfort us and protect us and lead us

Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

dove hovering over people

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

I wrote about the differences between the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit in Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 2.

 

Worship
Come Holy Spirit, Fall Afresh on Me – Maranatha Singers

Spirit Song – Edwin Hatch

Spirit of Our Living God, Fall afresh on Me – Marble Church

Spirit of the Living God – Vertical Worship

Where the Spirit of the Lord is – Hillsong Worship

~~~~~~~

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

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

Marching into Mark Chapter Six

Marching into Mark Chapter Six

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

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

 

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

Passage
Mark Chapter Six

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

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

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

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

A place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 6:50
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

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

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

Songs for Meditation

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

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Jesus Walking on the Water – SuperColoring

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

      1. Why do you think that Jesus was rejected by his hometown?
        1. is this the answer”
          1. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household.”
      2. How can we apply Jesus asking the disciples What do YOU have? YOU feed them?
        1. Got Questions discusses it from both Matthew and Mark.

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

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

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

Marching into Mark Chapter Four

Marching into Mark Chapter Four

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Marching into Mark Registry,
the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 69, March 10 )

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

Passage
Mark Chapter Four

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

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

The Images that I use are from Knowing Jesus and are available as downloads in every format that I can imagine for screen savers and wallpapers.

  • Mark 4 (cross reference Matthew 5, 7 and 8, mostly Matthew 13)
    • Mk 4:1-2
      • Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:
      • Mk 4:13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?
    • Mk 4:11-12 & 33-34 the reason for parables
      • 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
      • “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
            and ever hearing but never understanding;
        otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’
      • Hew did not say anything without using a parable but when He was alone with His own disciples He explained everything.
      • 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
    •  Mk 4:3-8 and 14-20 The Parable of the sower and interpretation
      • 3 & 14 farmer sows seed – seed is the Word of God.
      • 4 &15 birds steal seed – satan steals word
      • 5-6 & 16-17 rocky places scorched – received with joy, but no root
      • 7 & 18-19  Thorns choke seed – worries of this life choke out  Word of God
      • 8 & 20 good soil, hears, accepts, and does therefore produces fruit.
    • Mk 4:21-23 Lampstand Parable
    • Mk 4:24-25
      • 24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
    • Mk 4:26-29Parable of the Growing Seed
      • 26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.
      • 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 
      • 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
      • 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
    • Mk  4:30-31 Parable of the Mustard seed
      • 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
    • Mk 4:35-39 Jesus calms the storm – the Prince of Peace
      • And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be Still" and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39
      • Jesus and a bunch of boats start out to go to the otherside
      • 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
      • 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
      • 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
    • Mk 4:40-  The rebuke,
      • 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
    • Mk 4:41 Shock and Awe
      • 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

For other references and thoughts – Meditating in Matthew 8, and MMM13

A place to see the four gospels compared is from Synoptic Gospel Parallels.

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Mark 4:39
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
  • PEACE! Be still! and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
  • Peace! BE still! and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
  • Peace! Be STILL! and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
  • Peace! Be Still! AND the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

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

Songs for Meditation

Peace Be Still – Hope Durst

This is the Kingdom – Elevation Worship

We Declare that the Kingdom of God is Here – Ron Kenoly

Coloring – I use coloring to help me focus on the fullness of a verse.

Mark Coloring page – Ministry to Children – simple enough to finish in an hour or less

Several Jesus Calms the Storms coloring pages – Connect us

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

  1. How do you think that Mark 4: 26-29 applies to us if we are not farmers?
    1. GotQuestions discusses the growing seed well.
  2. How do you react to the storms?
    1. Cry out to Jesus? Forget that He’s there?
    2. Deuteronomy 31 – He will never leave us nor forsake us.
    3. Heb 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
    4. Matthew 2820 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.

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

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

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

The Cavern

 

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

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Here’s my poem, The Cavern

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~~~~~~~

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

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 24 or MMM24

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Chapter Twenty Four

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

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

Passage Matthew Chapter Twenty-Four

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

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

  • Matthew 24
    • Mt 24:1-2 Destruction of the Temple foretold
      • 2 Then He replied to them, “Don’t you see all these things? I assure you: Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!”
    • When will these things happen and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age Matthew 24:3Mt 24:3- 35 When are these things going to happen?
      • 4 Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 
        • wars and rumors of wars
        • nation rise against nation
        • famines
        • earthquakes
      • BIRTHPAINS
        • . 8 All these events are the beginning of birth pains.
      • PERSECUTIONS
        • 9 “Then they will hand you over for persecution,[b] and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name.
        • false prophets
        • lawlessness
        • love of many grow cold (believers)
        • 1 Peter 4:14
          • If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
        • MMM5
      • 13 But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
        • 14 This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world[d] as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.
      • ABOMINATION THAT CAUSES DESOLATION
        • Flee to the mountains
      • GREAT TRIBULATION
        • 21 For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again! 
        • 22 Unless those days were limited, no one would[i] survive.[j] But those days will be limited because of the elect.
      • FALSE PROPHETS AND FALSE MESSIAHS
        • 24 False messiahs[k] and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note: I have told you in advance. 
      • RETURN OF CHRIST
        • 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
      • AFTER TRIBULATION
        • The sun will be darkened,
          and the moon will not shed its light;
          the stars will fall from the sky,
          and the celestial powers will be shaken.
        • 30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth[m] will mourn;[n] and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
        • 31 He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
        • This passage alone supports the post tribulation rapture of the saints.
      • Heaven and earth will pass away but my word will never pass away. Matthew 24:35The Fig Tree lesson
        • 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize[o] that He[p] is near—at the door!
        • 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
    • Mt 24:36-44 No one knows the time
      • 36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son[q] —except the Father only.
      • I wish we’d all been ready tells this passage of scripture
      • 42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day[s] your Lord is coming.
      • Be ready for the Son of Man is co ming at an hour when you do not think he will come. Matthew 24:44 This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
    • Mt 24:45-51 be the faithful Slave/Servant
      • Faithful
        • 46 That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded. 47 I assure you: He will put him in charge of all his possessions. 
      • Evil
        •  50 that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. 51 He will cut him to pieces[u] and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
    • One place where I’ve written my thoughts on the end times is in IBBS Habakkuk , about the tribulation and signs of the End.
    • When I had Covid, I wrote about whether it was one of the final plagues of the End – Covid and Me

Mindful Meditating

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

example:

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

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

Coloring

Matthew the Book coloring page by Ministry to Children

no tribulation coloring pages, sorry

Song to Meditate upon

I wish we’d all been ready – Larry Norman

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

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

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

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

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

neon letters saying Let Go!

2023 My One Word – Let Go – guest author Cassie Phillips

neon letters saying Let Go!

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

 

I found this on facebook.

I do not know the author, but I have given them credit. This resonates with me in the light of this year’s one word “Let Go”

 

 

“Let Them”

 

“Just Let them.

If they want to choose something or someone over you, LET THEM.

If they want to go weeks without talking to you, LET THEM.

If they are okay with never seeing you, LET THEM.

If they are okay with always putting themselves first, LET THEM. 

If they are showing you who they are and not what you perceived them to be, LET THEM. 

If they want to follow the crowd, LET THEM. 

If they want to judge or misunderstand you, LET THEM.

If they act like they can live without you, LET THEM. 

If they want to walk out of your life and leave, 

hold the door open, AND LET THEM.

 

Let them lose you.

You were never theirs, because you were always your own. 

 

So let them. 

 

Let them show you who they truly are, not tell you.

Let them prove how worthy they are of your time.

Let them make the necessary steps to be a part of your life.

Let them earn your forgiveness.

Let them call you to talk about ordinary things.

Let them take you out on a Thursday.

Let them talk about anything and everything just because it’s you they are talking to. 

Let them have a safe place in you.

Let them see the heart in you that didn’t harden. 

Let them love you. “

 

Author: Cassie Phillips

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

This is not quite the same as LET GO, but it has the concept.

I am having to make many decisions.

so do others.

Letting go is letting them.

~~~~~~~

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.

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew chapter 11 or MMM11

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

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

Passage
Matthew Chapter Eleven

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

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

  • Matthew 11
      • Mt 11:1-6 John the Baptist’s questions
        • 4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed,[a] the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. 6 And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”
      • Mt 11:7-15  Who was John the Baptist?
        • Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You;[b]
          he will prepare Your way before You.
        • 15 Anyone who has ears[f] should listen!
      • Mt 11:16-19 What’s Up?
        • 18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated[h] by her deeds.”[i]
      • Mt 11:20- 24 Towns that didn’t believe
        • 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago!
        • 24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
      • Mt 11:25-27 Who knows the Father? Who knows the Son?
      • 27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows[l] the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires[m] to reveal Him
      • Mt 11:28-30

      • https://images.knowing-jesus.com/Matthew/11

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

    Mindful Meditating

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

example:

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

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

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

Come to Me on Pinterest

 Come Unto me coloring page by Flanders Family Homelife

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

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

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

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

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 10

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

Passage

Matthew Chapter 10

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

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

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

Mindful Meditating

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

example:

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

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

Various 12 Apostles of Jesus coloring pages to print out.

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

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

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

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 5 or MMM5

 

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 5

(c)2023 M. Christine Wildman

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew, the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 36, Feb 5)

Passage

Matthew Chapter Five

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

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

  • Matthew Five
    • Mt 5: 2-11 The Beatitudes
      • Poor in Spirit
        • heart struggles, humbled or humiliated?
        • kingdom of heaven given to them
      • Mourn
        • sorry for their sins
        • shall be comforted
      • Meek (Gentle)
        • now their need for a savior, compassionate
        • shall inherit the world
      • Hunger and thirst after righteousness
        • working out their own salvation, seeking rightness with God
        • Ps 81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
        • shall be filled
      • Merciful
        • extending the mercy they received
        • shown mercy
      • Pure in Heart –
        • Ps 119:9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word
        • 1 John 2:1-2 We’ve sinned, we have an advocate
        • Romans 5:10  reconciled through Christ
        • keeping their heart cleansed
        • Will See God
      • Peacemakers
        • Bridging the gap between God and man
        • called sons of God
      • Persecuted for Righteousness Sake
        • John 15:18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
        • Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
        • theirs is the Kingdom of God
      • Mt 5:11-12
        • 11 “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
    • You are the Light of the World in a flame

      (c)Mary Jo

      Mt 5:13-16 we are to be Salt and Light

      • 16 In the same way, let your light shine[c] before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
      • Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
      • Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 2:1-10
    • Mt 5:17-20 Christ came to fulfill the law
      • 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
    • Mt 5:21-22 Anger = murder
    • Mt 5:23-26 Conflict Resolution Needed
    • Mt 5: 27-30 lust of the Eyes – deadly
    • Mt 5:31-32 Divorce and Remarriage
    • Mt 5:33-37 Truthfulness
      • Ps 12, Psalm 26:4, Ps 141:3, Pr 13:3 ,
      • Prov 21:23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
      • Pr 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
      • 37 But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’[q] Anything more than this is from the evil one.
    • Mt 5:38-42 Go the second mile
    • Mt 5:43-48 Love and pray for your enemies
      • 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Mindful Meditating

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

example:

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

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

Beatitudes Adult Coloring pages to choose from

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

  1. Why did Jesus go up on a mountain to speak?
    1. too many article – what do you think?\
  2. If you had to choose one Beatitude to be your favorite, which one would it be?
    1.  your answer
  3. What do you think about being Salt and/or Light?
    1. your answer
  4. what does it mean to be perfect like God?\
    1. I like this article – Ligonier study on Be ye Perfect
    2. This goes a little deeper, I think – Patheos – being Perfect

~~~~~~~

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.