Tag Archives: prayer

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.

Advent Day 13- Stone

Advent day 13

light the 13th candle on the Advent Log

Advent day 13

Advent day 13

I asked for some help in choosing some additional symbols/names of Christ on facebook.

One option was “The Rock” from Ps 18:46

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Here is some beautiful piano music to listen to while reading this blog.

here are two of my favorite responses:

Amy Head:

I actually like the corner stone idea or the rock. As you said Jesus is our rock and cannot be moved or shaken. It also made me think of (and I know this is Easter) but when the stone was moved from Jesus’ grave. How stones are frequent in the word and are powerful things no matter how small. Wind, just like sin, is invisible but you can feel it and know it’s there but wind, like sin, cannot move a stone and the stone is like the word of the Lord.

Rebecca Graves:

I kept thinking of the song On Christ the solid rock I stand. I am glad my feet are not on sinking sand. Altars in the old testament we made of a pile of rocks. They were remembrances of what God had done strewn around the landscapes in various places.

And Rebecca’s post brought this reply from Nellwyn Blackmon:

…that reminds me of one of my favorite verses. ..Psalm 40:2

I love having friends that share my faith, and can give me input into how to worship and honor my Lord and Savior.

Jesus is the rock

Jesus is the rock

Jesus is the solid rock on which we stand…as opposed to sinking sand.
Ps 40:2(Ps 27:5; Matt 7:24-27)

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Jesus is the corner stone the builders rejected, as in the leaders of the church of that day.
Ps 118:22

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Matthew 21:42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Jesus is the rock
Ps 61:2

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

He is our shelter, our refuge(as that rock):
Ps 61:3

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

There is the verse that says that we either fall upon the rock for forgiveness or the rock will fall upon us to crush us. The relationship with the rock depends on our heart towards the rock.

Another focus is that we are to build a foundation based upon that rock – Jesus.
1 Cor 3:11

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

We build upon the Rock of Jesus by listening to His words:
Matthew 7:24-25

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And if not:
Matthew 7:26-27

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Ornaments:

Rocks from Craft store

Rocks from Craft store

affix paper clips with hot glue

Affix paper clips with hot glue

Jesus is the Rock ornament

Jesus is the Rock ornament

These are not typical Christmas/Advent hymn, but are the perfect explanation of why it is so perfect as symbolism for Christ:

Advent 11
More Advent Studies

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.

Depression is as depression does

Depression is as depression does
Is that how the saying goes?
Or can depression just be
And I can choose what I will see?

Depression comes and depression goes
And for why, no one knows
But when it comes my thoughts go dim
And my choices planned, become Slim

Depression muddies up the brain
And makes me think that I’m insane
Sometimes I think it’s just a game
Other times chemistry’s to blame

If left alone, it might subside
do I have the strength with it to bide?
And if I tell someone my fears
Will they fill me up with cheer?

Depression is not being sad
And cheering up not always bad
yet sometimes, there is just no clue
What help for me can come from you.

Biology may need one cure,
Triggers can trip me, that’s for sure!
sugar load can cause a crash.
Overdoing it, though it was a blast.

Pain is often a main event
That steals my hope and makes me vent.
Emotional wounds can lead to downs
But even exhaustion makes a sad sound

The joy of the Lord is my strength
But when ears are dull, I’m on the brink
My mind and flesh are often too weeak
But the spirit of God, will often speak

Sometimes in a song, sometimes in a verse
Sometimes in a place that I just traverse
Sometimes in a breeze, sometimes in the still
Sometimes just a touch to strengthen my will

I have stumbled and fallen and needed help to get up
I have struggled and clawed to not drink this cup
I’ve hated the way my body is formed
But I can’t hate the One for whom I was born

I believe I was known in my mother’s womb
I believe there were plans before my parents were two
I believe there’s a purpose for me to be here
And I know God has saved me to share of that cheer

It isn’t about Christmas it isn’t about works
It isn’t about where you call your church
It’s about knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord
And filling my heart with his wonderful word

Because when the darkness comes in like a flood
When my mind can’t remember the love of his words
The Holy Spirit descends like a dove
And reminds me of his Heavenly love

(c) m. c. wildman 2018

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.

Pain/Peace

Pain
Sharp
Knife
Breathtaking
Sight blurring
Pain

Doctor?
Support?
Guidance?
Brush off
Exhausting
Pain

Why can’t they just give me information so that I can make an informed decision?

Pain
Wait
Concern
Knowledge
Not bad enough
Brush off

Pain
ER
No help
No information
No confirmation
Just “go”

I know there is no infection from the basic Natural Signs.
But I don’t know what doctors know and can’t make up my mind.

Pain
Normal
Don’t move
Be still
Just lay around
And wait

Two
Weeks
Past
Schedule
Need removal
Need compassion

Pain?
ER!
Won’t touch me!
Cyob doc
Why call him?
No help.

But if there is a deep infection for which this pain does tell,
it’s me that is going to suffer and go through the physical hell.

Pain
Common
Breakthrough
Ignored
The answer?
Wait.

Pain
No pain
Health
No health
Ask for help
Brushed away

But God has promised to give me wisdom if I ask of him.
God gives me Godly counselors and I can ask of them.

Pain
Love
Tiring
Energizing
Counselors
Encouragement

Joy
Peace
Decision
Confirmation
Unwavering
Love

God gives me counselors to comfort and to guide.
God gives me soul mates to settle my insides.

Peace
Quiet
Be still
And know
That I am
God.

This poem was written one day when I was confused and struggling after my surgery, and waiting for the last step of my post op. This was written during my time, in which I prepared for  the finale.
The story of my weeks of surgery and recovery is shared in Surgery Scuttlebutt.

 
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.

2018 Lent Day 40 – Holy Saturday – 3/31

Holy Saturday – Lent Day 40
Lent Devotions
Lent Week Six started March 19
Lent Week Seven started with Palm Sunday, March 25.
These will be updated as the blogs are posted.

I’m so sorry for the delay – thank you for your patience with me as we prepare to move!

The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Scripture
Each passage adds a little something to the preparation, but Matthew talks about the guards.

Matthew 27:62-66 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Closely Guarded Tomb
62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “You have[a] a guard of soldiers,”[b] Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.[c]

Mark 15:42-47
Luke 23:50-56
John 19:31-42

Devotion
Holy Saturday
This is the day that is traditionally remembered as Christ being in the grave, and setting the captives free from the chains of death.

Here is a little bit from Wikipedia’s be about Christ descending into hell

Got questions says a little more about Holy Saturday.

The day of memory is very much a day of the Catholic Church, and therefore that would be where you would go to find more information.

My blogging friends have been busy this week, focusing upon Our Lord.
I’ve included a couple I thought were pertinent to Saturday…

Melinda Just wrote about the Shock of the Cross in a very insightful post.

I’m repeating Grace Waves The Final Promise again – as well as The Nails are Gone. Both of these really touched my heart, and helped me to see a bit of this weekend differently.

There were many people that were waiting between the cross and the resurrection.
The Mary s
The Apostles – What now?
Peter – will he forgive me?
The family – many thoughts
The Centurian…what just happened?
The two priests – Nicodemas and Joseph of Arimethia – are we sure?
and those that killed him!

Everyone had their own story…everyone had their Friday night suffering….and everyone was going to have Sunday morning.

The question is – what was Sunday morning going to reveal?

The Gospel Coalition provides this video of Sunday’s comin'(transcript is at this link)

Sunday’s Coming! from CTR Memphis on Vimeo.

 
Saturday is a day of waiting….

Psalm 27 ends with wait on the Lord, and be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart.
I say to you now…that if you are waiting for your resurrection morning…read all of Psalm 27 – and be encouraged!

Isaiah 40:31 King James Version (KJV)
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

A search for wait on the lord will give you plenty of meditative options. If not, then, try Be Still! 😉

Remember – He hasn’t quit…and won’t quit,until He’s finished!

Philippians 1:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you[a] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

If they gave up on Saturday, they would have missed Sunday!

Music and Prayer
Wait on the Lord – Joyous Celebration
Wait on the Lord – Maranatha

and, here’s my Lent Channel on Youtube

May your Day be blessed with thoughts of Jesus, and the Knowledge that HE LOVED YOU SO MUCH THAT HE DIED FOR YOU!

 

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.

Midnight Musings – I do not understand 3/25/18

I do not Understand

By M. Christine Wildman, copyright 2018 – all rights reserved without permission.

I do not understand
How God can give me a plan
And allow me to withstand
Pain uncontrollable

I do not understand
How God can send a call
Add I tried to give my all
In pain uncontrollable

How can I be
The type of she
To honor he
With pain uncontrollable?

I do not understand
Though I confess my sin
And the spirit is within
Yet pain uncontrollable

I do not understand
How to walk by faith
And yet not disgrace
By pain uncontrollable

I want to speak the words
I want to write the verse
His glory be immersed
But pain uncontrollable

I do not understand
How I am in his plan
When I can barely stand
For pain uncontrollable

I do not understand
Why God does not heal
My fruit the devil steals
Because of pain uncontrollable

How do I Rise
Without a lie
Knowing by his stripes
I am healed?

Yet in my pain
I feel such a shame
There is no gain
In pain uncontrollable

I do not understand
Yet David did decree
That though he could not see
God’s hand in Victory

David still declared
And almost he did dare
God’s promises that were shared
To be undeniable

I do not understand
God’s purpose or his plan
Please Lord hold my hand
Through pain inconceivable

I don’t like pills
I don’t like drugs
My Saviour bought
Healing on the cross

So why is there pain
That hinders God’s plan
For me to be more
Then pain undeniable

I don’t have an answer
I don’t have a clue
But I know there are blessings
I have just from you

It isn’t the pain
But causes me grief
It’s the job that you asked me
To do for your sheep

I know you are mighty
You are the all knowing
Each name that you’ve given
Your character is showing

I know you are able
I know you are here
But the difficulty comes
With guidance unclear

I do not understand
Why you called me to write
Then allowed me the trial
Of pain uncontrollable

I do not understand
I do not comprehend
But I know My Savior Lives
On that I can depend

And like the three young children
Said to the king of old
You’re able to deliver
But if not, I will hold

You are the Great Vine dresser
You are the giving King
My gifts are in your service
This pain, disrupting

Speak to me dear father
Guide me Holy Spirit
Leave me dear Lord Jesus
All to you to give it

You give me plans to follow
Then add a unique twist
Then double down with sickness
And pain does always exist

I know my pain is nothing
Compared to what you bore
But Lord your pain if ended
When the Temple curtain was torn

I’m sorry Lord for Grumbling
I am sorry that I whine
I want to serve you Faithfully
Until the end of time

But I do not understand
How this can be your plans
No matter how I stand
Pain all encompassing

I spoke to the devil
In Jesus name
I said Stand Down
I now see your game!

I Now understand
The enemy’s plans
To have me lay down
To say that I can’t

I said devil Stand Down
Release me my peace
Or staying awake
I’ll Proclaim in speech

Jesus is Lord
And I will not deny
His love and His glory
So give up, or I’ll try

With the gift of pain
I’ll stay up and write
And declare his name
In darkness, His light

I drew near to Jesus
I humble myself
I begged him for help
He poured out his wealth

The treasures of Heaven
Of Peace So Sublime
Love, Grace and mercy
From him, these are mine

The devil stood down
The pain did subside
While praying for you
My Lord sleep did provide

Oh sweet Jesus, my Lord
Into your name I hide
And you never leave me
You are right by my side

My gethsemane moment
My Cries in the night
Into my darkness
You shown your bright light!

Spirits engrave
On my heart from this night
The victory of Christ
Of my soul’s true Delight

For I lay down my head
At my Shepherds pierced feet
And the sleep that he gave me
Was so pure and so sweet

Now I understand
A little? And in part?
The point of the pain
As training my heart

I was being a victim
I was suffering by hours
Until the Lord showed me
He is giving me power!

I am more than a warrior
I am more than a voice
I am a Victor in Jesus
If I just make the choice

To remember what happened
On a cross long ago
How is death set free captives
How his life frees us so

Death your Concord
Pain you must cease
The work of the Kingdom
It’s what brings relief

We do have an enemy
Who roars at us so
But abiding in Jesus
Puts me in the know

Now I do understand
A part of God’s plan
Peace my story
In pain I can stand

The name of Jesus
A strong tower it is
The righteous run to him
He declares I am his

By standing on ground
That’s already been won
I lay down in Green Pastures
As he sings me his song

“I love you dear Christi,
And I always will stay
Close by you forever
And here when you pray”

If knowing my Jesus
Comes out of my pain
And bring on the Storm
I shall not be the same!

MCWildman (c) 2018

For More of these, go to Midnight Musings

 

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

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

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

Lent Week Six – Trials and judgement

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

Lent Week Six – Trials and Judgements(dates updated to 2023)

  • 29 – (3/27) – Peter’s Denial, covered in Dear Peter
  • 30  – (3/28) Jesus Mocked and Smitten – Luke 22:63-65
  • 31 – (3/29) Before the Council – Luke 22:66-71 – house of caiphas? Lk 22:54; Mt 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65
  • 32 – (3/30) Before Herod – Lk 23:7-12
  • 33 – (3/31) Pilate and Barabbas – Luke 23:13-25 – the cat of 9 tails?, john 19:12-16 – 19:1-11
  • 34 –  (4/1/2023)Via del alrosa – walk to calvary Luke 23:27-33  – foot prints; simon carries His cross – Lk 23:26
  • 6th SUNDAY WORSHIP (3/25)- REMEMBER THE RESURRECTION “into thine hands”

Lenten Cross Instructions
Our Lenten cross in progress.

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

 

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.

Third Sunday of Lent – Why hast thou forsaken me?

Lent Devotions

Lent Week Three just passed.
Lent Week Four is coming up.

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

If you are doing the Lenten Cross – light all but two. I am starting from the bottom, it seems symbolic to me. Here’s a photo of my cross:

third Sunday of Lent

Music
At Calvary – Casting Crowns
Didn’t He – Randy Matthews

Scripture

Matthew 27:45-48 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Death of Jesus
45 From noon until three in the afternoon[a] darkness came over the whole land.[b] 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá[c] sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken[d] Me?”[e]

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah!”

Mark 15:33-36 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Death of Jesus
33 When it was noon,[a] darkness came over the whole land[b] until three in the afternoon.[c] 34 And at three[d] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá[e] sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”[f]

35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!” 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!”

Psalm 22

Devotion
Have you ever felt like you were so bad that God turned his back on you? I have!

Have you ever felt like God just wasn’t listening? I have!

Have you ever heard the scripture verse about the heavens are brass?
Check out all the variations of Deuteronomy 28:23 – talking about God will not hear the prayers of the people!

When I am in times of depression, distress, despair, my mind does not work correctly. I have cognitive disorders and distortions from the various mental illnesses. I have struggled with fear of abandonment! Fear of betrayal! And fear of being left behind! I also can imagine all sorts of unforgivable sins I’ve committed…though theologically, they are NOT the unforgivable sin!

Jesus saying these words strikes me to my heart. Jim is going to talk about the theological aspects of this but just on the surface to think that Christ would feel forsaken by his father hurts my heart. The fact that Christ is one third of the whole Godhead, boggles my mind! How does one part forsake another part?

I’m going to talk about the feeling of being forsaken.

I will never leave you nor forsake you!

Hebrews 13:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

I Will
This is a promise, that is so dear to my heart.

Never! That is an eternal word! Never ever will he leave us.

Leave!
I’ve talked a lot about how sin separated us from God and from fellowship with God.
I’ve talked a lot about Christ dying on the cross specifically to give us a way back to fellowship.

From Come Back to Jesus
Jesus talks about us being in the palm of God’s hands and no man can take us out.
In Lent day 16, Jim gave us some links about Calvin’s teaching on the security of the Saints. If we are in the palm of God’s hand, and no one can take us out of that Palm, then we are always always with God.

I admit, there are times it does not feel like it. To Me.

Nor!
That’s a contraction that specifies negatives. Which makes it say I will never leave you oh, I will never forsake you. Never no never! Pretty definite!

Forsake!
Forsake has so many connotations in my mind.
It’s not just leaving, it’s betraying a trust!
It’s breaking a promise!
It’s not just leaving, it is leaving someone high and dry!
Interesting that Jesus asks us to forsake the things of this world to turn towards him.
That connotation of forsake talks about making sure that those things are no longer in our heart, and that Jesus is more important.
So if we go back to Jesus saying he will not forsake us there is nothing that is more important to him than us.

My God…why hast thou forsaken me?
I know that this is the first line of Psalm 22.
Psalm 22 is a cry of someone who believes that they have been forsaken by God! David has written out his heart cry!

  • It turns from despair that God is not listening
  • to remembering the promises and times that he did in past and
  • declaring that he will in the future.

I’m not really sure of the timing of this song. I don’t have it in the notes that I have here. There are so many times that David was in trouble and was crying out to God and was praying for deliverance! Therefore, Pick a time!

Back to Hebrews 13:5:
With me.
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23
I am a little dense sometimes, but I just realized that Psalm 23 comes after Psalm 22. I’m not sure of the order in which they were written, but I believe that there is a purpose for this order!

The Valley of the shadow of death is a dark place. It doesn’t say that God will take us out of the Valley of the shadow of death, but that he would be with us and walk with us. With the rod and the staff, He will guide us and keep us safe, like a Shepherd does his sheep as they go from one place to the other. It might be a dangerous place that they have to get through to go from one good feeding place to another. The Shepherd keeps a watch on the sheep, and does all, including laying down his life, to protect the sheep.

John 14:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Luke 23:43 New International Version (NIV)
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In the garden, Adam and Eve walked with God. The break, the leaving, is what we cause when we sinned.
Genesis 3

Enoch walked with God and was no more because God caught him up in the clouds. Enoch walked so closely with God, that he didn’t even have to die!

Genesis 5:24 King James Version (KJV)
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

The key here that I want to point out is that God the son has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
When David cried out “my God my God why has thou forsaken me,” God had not forsaken him. He just felt like it because he couldn’t see what God could see.

I have an inkling that that is exactly what Jesus was stating that, not so much that he was stating that God had forsaken him, but the fullness of Psalm 22. Where David was saying why did you forsake me and he goes on with the rest of the psalm and basically says God never forsakes us and God keeps his promises and God.

As we know the end of the story is that Jesus went to deliver the captives, He rose from the dead and talked to all the folks that were there. If you look at one of the gospels it says that hundreds came to life when Jesus rose from the dead, and were walking around and people saw them. Then Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. God kept his promise. But in the mortal, finite mind, when darkness fell and Jesus’s body died it looked as though all hope was lost.

Here’s a twist. As Jesus was talking to the disciples and he let them know that he was leaving but that he would send a comforter, which was his way of saying I’m not going to leave you alone. This is just part of the Triune God, that Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the price for our sin, so that the Holy Spirit could come and dwell our hearts. We HAD TO BE MADE NEW SO THE HOLY SPIRIT COULD INDWELL US! and help us to take control of our minds and emotions and spirits.

The disciples had walked with God as in Walking With Jesus for 3 years. Now he tells them he’s going to die. Then he tells him that he’s going to leave, and they’re freaking out.

We have to remember that the Jews were very anti polytheism, therefore they didn’t really know that God was Triune. Jesus came and said that he and the father were one and the Holy Spirit came down like a dove as He,  the son, was being baptized and the Father’s voice says “this is my son” proving that there are three Personalities in the Godhead. This is rather disconcerting to these Jewish men. He’s going to send a comforter, and it’s supposed to be as good as having Jesus? They had no idea what was going on.  Of course they had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, but if Jesus Is Dead who’s going to raise Jesus from the dead?. That is a very good question and they didn’t have an answer.

So the big theological question is if God is Triune and God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit are all one, how does God the Father turn his back on God the son?

~~~~ Jim’s thoughts ~~~~

My thoughts on Christ’s cry of forsakenness.

I love what Matthew Henry points out that it was a “loud cry”, not a whimper.  He did not die gradually, but suddenly.

For all of Christ’s utterances on the cross, I like to keep in mind the point of Him being there.  To be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. We know that the sacrifices in the OT were a type (or pointed to) the cross. Whatever is true of them is true of Christ’s sacrifice as well.  Nothing that Christ said on the cross or that was done to Him can make His sacrifice violate the pattern; it has to fit the type.

  1. The sacrifice was chosen
    1. Ex 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
    2. Math 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
  2. The sacrifice was perfect and w/o blemish “a lamb w/o blemish”
    1. Ex 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
    2. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
  3. The sacrifice had to be applied in the way specified in order to be effective
    1. Ex 12:7And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
    2. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
  4. Christ was our sacrifice (so He did what was necessary)
    1. Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.
    2. Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
    3. Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

It seems to me, that as Christ was fully God, it was impossible for Him to be killed in any normal sense; so His death (no matter what was done to His body) had to be a voluntary one.  

John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Everything Christ did, He did volitionally to fulfill the Father’s will and plan.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

I have no idea to what extent the Father and the Son were separated at Christ’s death, just like I have no idea how the eternal God spent 9 months in Mary’s womb, then 2-3 years not being able to speak, and 12 years or so not being able to take care of Himself (as to earning a living, etc.) and 30 years not revealing Himself to anyone.

Just as we can not really understand the “how” of the Incarnation, I don’t think we can really understand the “how” of Christ’s death on the cross.  I like to think that His cry of forsakenness was the indication that He had fully suffered as a man, that He had reached the point (known only to God) that was necessary for Him to be our perfect sacrifice.  “It is finished”

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

~~~~ end of Jim’s thoughts ~~~~

There are other thoughts in the commentaries that Bible Hub provides for Matthew 27:46

 

One of the things that is said is that Jesus has experienced all that we have experienced.

Hebrews 4:15 New International Version (NIV)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Until his death on the cross, he never felt like there is a possibility that God had forsaken him. Now as our high priest he knows what that feels like even though he knew what God was going to do.

The one thing that I can absolutely State without any doubt is that God keeps his promises.
He promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
Who chose to sin and separate themselves from God?
First it was Lucifer,
then it was Adam and Eve,
and then you can go on down the line until we are the ones that chose to separate ourselves.

God has given us two great works to show his presence and to draw us to him.
One being creation that screams of a Creator,
and the other being the Bible that tells how to be reunited with the Creator.

So the choice now is are you going to forsake God or not?

Worship and prayer
At Calvary – Mercy Me
Your Grace Finds me – Matt Redmon

If you are not sure if you have ever made the choice FOR God…not FORsaking God…Here are some links to help:
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

 

~~~~~~~

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.

Jim and Christi Wildman November 2020

“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 Thirteen – 2/28 – the Bread and the Cup

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 Thirteen
The Bread and the Cup

Music

I am the Bread of Life – John Michael Talbot
I am the Bread of Life – The Jesus Peace

Scripture

Mark 14:22-26 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The First Lord’s Supper
22 As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it;[a] this is My body.”

23 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is My blood that establishes the covenant;[b] it is shed for many. 25 I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way[c] in the kingdom of God.” 26 After singing psalms,[d] they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:26-30
Luke 22:14-20

Devotion

On Lent Day Eleven, I talked about Communion. We are commanded to do it IN REMEMBRANCE of Jesus Christ. If you missed my opinion on the importance, you might want to review!

What are we remembering? His death, burial and resurrection – but the parts of the communion remind us of HIS death on our behalf.

There are TWO elements, emblems, or symbols – whichever way you want to call them. Those that believe in transubstantiation call them “The Host”. That may be what ALL liturgical denominations call them, I don’t know. I’m only familiar with Catholic and Episcopalian terminology, and even that, my catholic is not always accurate!

Bread
What is he telling them to remember with the bread?
The bread is his flesh. Now, at this point nothing has happened to his flesh because He is the perfect lamb without blemish and without spot. He is sitting at the Passover Table with His friends…not broken yet. This is taking the Old Testament Passover, where the matzo bread is broken and telling them that that is a foreshadowing of His body that is going to be broken.

The next day he gets whipped and ridiculed and beaten and those who have studied the effects of crucifixion and the beatings that Christ endured say that his body was completely broken. Wikipedia has a full explanation of all things Crucifixion. There is only one reason for the body of Jesus Christ to be broken, that is because by his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 King James Version (KJV)
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.

That passage also says that he was bruised for our iniquities and the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.
Romans 4:25

1 Peter 2:21-24 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
21 For you were called to this,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example,
so that you should follow in His steps.
22 He did not commit sin,
and no deceit was found in His mouth;[a]
23 when He was reviled,
He did not revile in return;
when He was suffering,
He did not threaten
but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.
24 He Himself bore our sins
in His body on the tree,
so that, having died to sins,
we might live for righteousness;
you have been healed by His wounds.

God the Creator did not have to come to Earth in the form of a man for any other reason than He knew He was the only solution to our problem which is being separated from God. We may not have known that it was a problem. The problem started by the very ones who had experience Perfection of walking in the perfect garden with God. Even before that, by Lucifer that had experience walking in the presence of God before creation! Our spirits know there is an emptiness, desiring the supernatural in our lives.

Our bodies are broken because sin is in the world and the world has fallen.
Our bodies hurt and degenerate and get disease because of death entered the world hand in hand with sin.
The only way to pay the price for mankind’s sin was for the perfect man to lay down his life and allow his body to be broken for us.

In Passover in old time, they would take a lamb and it would have to be a perfect lamb so it was probably the best lamb of the whole herd. They had to care for this Lambs that it would not get a scratch that would not get a blemish it had to be perfect. Then for four days before Passover they had to bring the lamb into their home and make it part of their family. So think of this as a very special pet that the whole family knows and loves and cares for. Everyone knows that at the end of the week this lamb is going to be killed. Everyone in the family is going to go up to this beloved animal, who has lived with them in close proximity, who has been cared for and protected and provided for, and they will lay their hands upon this lamb and speak their sins from the past year over this lamb. Then they would kill it. Then they would roast the lamb and the lamb would be there Passover dinner. They would eat the lamb who had died for their sin. Exodus 12

When this foreshadowing was explained by Christ at the Lord’s supper there were those that did not take it well.

John 6:47-58 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
47 “I assure you: Anyone who believes[a] has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

52 At that, the Jews argued among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”

53 So Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves. 54 Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, 55 because My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. 56 The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood lives in Me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna[b] your fathers ate—and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”

In some faith communities, even today, it is considered cannibalism! “what do you mean you’re eating the Flesh of Christ and drinking his blood? That’s cannibalism!”

For your own future research you can Google transubstantiation and determine whatever you want to believe along those lines. Here are a few starter links, and for the record, they do not agree.

Wikipedea – transubstantiation
Got Questions – Transubstantiation
Catholic.com – Transubstantian for Beginners

  • I believe, the blood in the cup is not blood but a symbol of the blood of Christ.
  • I believe, the bread is not the Flesh of Christ but a symbol to help us remember what happened 2018 years ago.
  • I believe, that I have a good biblical basis for this because the lamb that was slain for Adam and Eve and every animal that was slain there after for a sin offering was a foreshadowing of the perfect lamb that was going to come and give us life. This was no longer a foreshadowing, but a remembrance of what HAS happened.
  • I believe that this is the remembrance of drinking the wine and eating the Passover lamb.

I lean on 1 Corinthians 11:16 But if anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other custom, nor do the churches of God.
Not in regards to the Lord’s Supper, but in regards to the position on communion.

Foreshadows
I was looking up the traditions of matzo bread for Passover and matzo bread is cut in stripes and pierced so that it will not bubble in any way shape or form, so that it does not show any evidence of yeast in it even if it is just flour and water. Think of using a fork to pierce the pie crust so that it will not bubble while being baked.

First, no yeast = no sin. Yeast stands for sin in the Bible.
Jesus had no sin.
Stripes?
Jesus was whipped and had stripes across his body.
Pierced?
Jesus’s hands and feet were pierced with the nails and his side was pierced with a sword.

My thoughts on the bread:
As we think about Jesus giving up his life on our behalf, we can do like the non denominational churches do and have regular bread that we all tear off a piece. Because of my faith background, though, that, well, it seems all cool and great and everything but in my faith history it does not seem like the communion bread. You can chalk that up to my preference or gospel, but, it is what it is! The Wafers that I was given as an Episcopalian, the wafers that I have participated in in Catholic mass are flat, just plain flat. They taste like I imagine homemade paste would taste, which would be flour and water. That is kind of what I expect, so maybe this is just my opinion because this is my history.

Matzo?
I really like that it’s pierced and it has lines like stripes. So that when I would look at the bread given, an even more complete reminder is presented of what Jesus’s body went through on my behalf.

CUP or specifically, the wine in the cup.

The cup which represents the blood.
Again, I speak to the laws, the Jews were not allowed to drink blood. Therefore, I believe that the cup of wine that Jesus called his blood was symbolic, just like the Jews knew that the blood shed for them was symbolic of a messiah that was to come.

There are those that are adamant it must be wine, there are those that are adamant that it can’t be wine, there are those that will argue whether or not Jesus had wine and they’ll even argue that he did not make wine at the wedding.

    • I don’t know. As I’ve said before, I’m not a seminary theologian with degrees behind my name.
    • I do know, from gardening, that grape juice, without being fermented, turns to vinegar just like any juice. It rots, it doesn’t ferment into a a delicious drink that people would enjoy drinking.
    • I do know that it could not be kept in the refrigerator in Jesus’ day.
    • I do know that it couldn’t be kept Frozen in the little cardboard containers that you add water to for reconstitution.
    • I really don’t have any specific designation one way or the other.
    • In my opinion, it makes sense that it was some sort of wine, because of storage issues.

Again, I lean on 1 Corinthians 11:16 But if anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other[e] custom, nor do the churches of God.
Again, not in regards to the Lord’s Supper, but in regards to the position on communion.

Back to my faith history. When I took a sip of wine from The Chalice at the Eucharist, the bitterness of the wine and the burning as it went down my throat made me feel like there was some cleansing power. It was a more tangible reminder! Grape juice, for me, is sweet, and washes down the dry bread.

Cleansing – that’s what the blood does for us. “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin”  1John 1:7.
The blood of Jesus Christ pays the price for sin, “for the wages of sin is death but the gift of Christ is eternal life through Christ Jesus” Romans 6:23.

Since it is illegal in the Old Testament, and unclean or ungodly to drink blood, this does not mean that the wine or the grape juice turns to blood, it’s a remembrance. Just like I said above on the aspect of the bread being a remembrance of what Christ has done for us, the cup for Passover and there are four which I’m going to go deeper in when I’m discussing the whole aspect of Passover that cup that was the Passover cup of wine was what Christ lifted up and said “this is my blood which is shed for you drink this in remembrance of me.”

Could this be Him warning them all that they’re going to have to take up their crosses that their bodies would be broken and their blood would be shed on his behalf? We know it’s true.

Mark 10:37-40 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
37 They answered Him, “Allow us to sit at Your right and at Your left in Your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

39 “We are able,” they told Him.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. 40 But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to give; instead, it is for those it has been prepared for.”

Does that ring true here in the United States of America? No, because for the most part we have freedom of religion here and freedom to practice our religion as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. Therefore, I choose wine, to help me to remember the bitterness of bleeding for me – to remember the need for cleansing – to remember the price that was paid for me.

A Teaching on the Living Blood
One year, in a church we attended, a pastor named Bill preached a teaching called The Living blood of Christ. It was very interesting. Bill was a farmer and Bill drove country roads and Bill saw roadkill all the time. He looked at the roadkill and the blood that would be on the ground would rot and die and just become rancid or wash off or disappear or whatever. He pointed out that life is in the blood.

Leviticus 17:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

He pointed out that Jesus’s blood is still living and still efficacious to cover our sins. His blood was perfect, because His blood was part of the Divine God man. His blood does not rot, nor disappear. He did have to bleed out, He had to give every drop of His blood to pay for every sin ever committed and that ever would be committed until the day that we have the new heavens and the new Earth and He Reigns and rules in our world. HIS BLOOD IS ALIVE AND POWERFUL TO THIS DAY!

You see, every one of those animals, all the way back to Adam and Eve, that were slain to pay for the price of sin, their blood stopped being a payment at the point that that animal died. The blood was bled out and that was it. You sinned again and you had to kill another animal! Their blood died once it was given out. The blood of Jesus Christ continues to pay the price for us when we come to Him and ask Him for forgiveness. The blood of Jesus Christ continues to be efficacious for The Sinner who turns their life to him and says I believe that Jesus is Christ even though that blood was shed somewhere between 0 and 33AD.

Every year, I keep hearing that we should have Christmas everyday! “People should celebrate Christmas all year long!” Here’s my concern. While he had to be born fulfilling all of the prophecies, if he had not gone to the cross, none of the other would have mattered.

THEREFORE – Let’s celebrate Resurrection Day every day! Give thanks every day for what Christ did for us on Calvary!

Prayer and Worship
Communion Song – Barry McQuire
Communion Song – Third Day
Hallelujah for the Cross – Newsboys

Lent Day eight explains the need to make a response.

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

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

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

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

2018 Lent Day Ten 3/4/2023

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

Lent Day Ten
Upper Room

Music
In the Upper Room – the Gatlin brothers

The Upper Room – Mahalia Jackson

Scripture

Luke 22:7-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Preparation for Passover
7 Then the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so we can eat it.”

9 “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked Him.

10 “Listen,” He said to them, “when you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters. 11 Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished room upstairs. Make the preparations there.”

13 So they went and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:12-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Matthew 26:17-19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

An unnamed man, going about his business (carrying a water jug) leads the disciples to the house where the owner is willing to open up for Jesus! What is up with this? Do things like this really happen?

My story

Many years ago, back before cell phones existed and when Star Trek Communicator flip phones were still considered sci-fi fantasy, I was sitting in my home when there was a knock on my door. On the other side of the door stood a young man 19 or so, dressed and in the 70’s Jesus Freak style. He looked at me and said “you’re a Christian, right?”

I said “yes, I am. Why?”

He said “because God sent me to this house to ask to borrow your guitar so that I could share Jesus with someone down in the park that I’ve been ministering to.”

Dumbfounded!
Did I have a guitar?
Yes, I did.
It was committed to Jesus Christ.

Obviously I loaned him my guitar! Now there was a lot of walking involved because the guy had to walk at least four blocks to get to my house and I don’t know what part of the park.he was in. He had passed by easily two dozen houses. God told him to come to my house for a guitar. I provided the guitar(which God had provided for me in another story of his provision) and he went back and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ to somebody. Several hours later he, came back and returned my guitar.

To this day, I have no idea who that person was, who the person he was ministering to was, and what the outcome was. What I do know is how it felt to have someone show up at my door, stating that they knew that I was a Christian, that I had a guitar, and I would be willing to loan it to someone to spread the gospel.

Back to Jesus.

The passage starts with the disciples asking him what he wants done about Passover. So this isn’t an incident where Jesus had pre organized this guy showing up with a jug of water, going to a house ,and this house was already set it up. Jesus knew it was going to happen and it happened just like he said. Was it because  he had snuck away and talked to the owner and ask them to orchestrate this Grins and Giggles?

I take the Bible by faith. I believe what it says. Sometimes there’s a twist in my life that makes my walk a little bit more interesting. In this very case the twist for my ability to believe about the preparation for Passover is because I was that person to whom  Jesus sent a disciple to for a guitar to preach.

In contrast to No room at the Inn! This man had room for Jesus and His followers.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us!
For Now – He has prepared an upper room available to US – in His presence – to prepare us for our growth and purpose and fulfillment of our calling in Him!

Farmer’s Prayer with Sweet Hour of Prayer – Jimmy Dean
Sweet hour of Prayer – Radiance Acapella
Sweet Hour of Prayer – Casting Crowns

 

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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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