Tag Archives: Shepherd

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew chapter 18 or MMM18

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew chapter Eighteen

(c) 2023 M. Christine Wildman

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

Passage Matthew Chapter Eighteen

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

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

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

New Living Translation (NLT)

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

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

Mindful Meditating

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

example:

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

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

Lost Sheep coloring pages by ColoringHome.

Unforgiving Servant Coloring page

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

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

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

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

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

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

M. Christine Wildman

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

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

shepherd with sheep

2023 First 100 days day 23- Wisdom and Praise

First 100 Days – day 23 – January 23

shepherd with sheep

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Wisdom and Praise Collection

Psalms 23, 53, 83, 113, 143 and Proverb 23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    • Ps 23: a Go To Psalm
      • The Lord is my shepherd;
        there is nothing I lack.
        2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;
        He leads me beside quiet waters.
        3 He renews my life;
        He leads me along the right paths[a]
        for His name’s sake.
        4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,[b]
        I fear no danger,
        for You are with me;
        Your rod and Your staff[c]—they comfort me.
      • You prepare a table before me
        in the presence of my enemies;
        You anoint my head with oil;
        my cup overflows.
        6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
        all the days of my life,
        and I will dwell in[d] the house of the Lord
        as long as I live.[e]
    • Songs for Psalm 23
  • Psalm 53 Fools
    • Ps 53:1 The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.”
      They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds.
      There is no one who does good.
    • Ps 53:2-3 God looking for one who believes
      • God looks down from heaven on the human race
        to see if there is one who is wise,
        one who seeks God.
        3 All have turned away;
        all alike have become corrupt.
        There is no one who does good,
        not even one.

        • Luke 18:8
          • Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith[d] on earth?”
        • Hebrews 10:23
          • Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
    • Ps 53:6
      • Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
  • Psalm 83  Prayer for deliverance from enemies
    • Ps 83:1
      • God, do not keep silent.
        Do not be deaf, God; do not be idle.
        2 See how Your enemies make an uproar;
        those who hate You have acted arrogantly.[a]
    • Ps 83:2-18 complaints and suggestions
  • Psalm 113 Merciful God
    • Ps 113:1-3 Praises
      • Hallelujah!
        Give praise, servants of Yahweh;
        praise the name of Yahweh.
        2 Let the name of Yahweh be praised
        both now and forever.
        3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
        let the name of Yahweh be praised.
      • KJV From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.
    • Ps 113:5-6
      • Who is like Yahweh our God—
        the One enthroned on high,
        6 who stoops down to look
        on the heavens and the earth?

        • Psalm 73:2
          • Who do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You.
    • Ps 113:7-8 treatment of poor
      • He raises the poor from the dust
        and lifts the needy from the garbage pile
        8 in order to seat them with nobles—
        with the nobles of His people.
    • Ps 113: 8 gift to the barren woman
      • He gives the childless woman a household,
        making her the joyful mother of children.
        Hallelujah!
    • Songs for Psalm 113
  • Psalm 143 from David’s Prayer Journal – prayer for deliverance
    • Psalm 143:1-2
      • Lord, hear my prayer.
        In Your faithfulness listen to my plea,
        and in Your righteousness answer me.
        2 Do not bring Your servant into judgment,
        for no one alive is righteous in Your sight.

    • Ps 142:4
      • My spirit is weak within me;
        my heart is overcome with dismay.
    • Ps 143:5-6 Remembering while praying
      • I remember the days of old;
        I meditate on all You have done;
        I reflect on the work of Your hands.
        6 I spread out my hands to You;
        I am like parched land before You.Selah
    • Ps 143:7-9 Request
      • Answer me quickly, Lord;
        my spirit fails.
        Don’t hide Your face from me,
        or I will be like those
        going down to the Pit.
        8 Let me experience
        Your faithful love in the morning,
        for I trust in You.
        Reveal to me the way I should go
        because I long for You.
        9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
        I come to You for protection.[a]
    • Ps 143:10 prayer for guidance
      • Teach me to do Your will,
        for You are my God.
        May Your gracious Spirit
        lead me on level ground.

        • Psalm 23:3 above
        • Ps 25:4-5
          • Make Your ways known to me, LORD; teach me Your paths.
          • Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long.
    • Ps 143:11-12 Summary Request
        • Because of Your name, Yahweh,
          let me live.
          In Your righteousness deliver me from trouble,
          12 and in Your faithful love destroy my enemies.
          Wipe out all those who attack me,
          for I am Your servant.
    • Songs for Psalm 143
  • Proverb 23 – what’s your motive? focus?
    • Pr 23:1-3 don’t be won over by wealth
      • When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
        consider carefully what[a] is before you,
        2 and put a knife to your throat
        if you have a big[b] appetite;
        3 don’t desire his choice food,
        for that food is deceptive.
    • Pr 23:4-5 Don’t focus on wealth
      • Don’t wear yourself out to get rich;
        stop giving your attention to it.
        5 As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears,
        for it makes wings for itself
        and flies like an eagle to the sky.

        • Matthew 6:19
          • “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
        • Mark 4:18-19
          • 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
        • 1 Timothy 6:9
          • But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.
        • Hebrews 13:5
          • 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.
    • Pr 23:12
      • Apply yourself to discipline
        and listen to words of knowledge.

        • Pr 12:1
          • Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.
    • Pr 23:15, 17, 19, 22, 25, 26  – My Son
      • 15 My son, if your heart is wise,
        my heart will indeed rejoice.
      • 19 Listen, my son, and be wise;
        keep your mind on the right course.
      • 25 Let your father and mother have joy,
        and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.
      • 26 My son, give me your heart,
        and let your eyes observe my ways.
    • Pr 23:29-35 the Drunkard
      • 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
        Who has conflicts? Who has complaints?
        Who has wounds for no reason?
        Who has red eyes?
      • 35 “They struck me, but[h] I feel no pain!
        They beat me, but I didn’t know it!
        When will I wake up?
        I’ll look for another drink.”

~~~~~~~

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.

2016 Word for the Year – Prepare – Psalm 23 – MY

Psalm 23 – The Lord is MY Shepherd

I have written several posts about my meditations upon Psalm 23.

Now – I am personalizing it.
MY
Dictionary.com definition of MY

pronoun
1.
(a form of the possessive case of I used as an attributive adjective):
My soup is cold.

Mirriam Webster

Full definition of MY
1: of or relating to me or myself especially as possessor, agent, object of an action, or familiar person

Possessive case. Belong to ME.

This is the crux of Christianity – in relationship to Jesus Christ.
The LORD(Jesus) is MY shepherd. Savior. Lord. King.

  • It’s not enough to say that Jesus is Lord.
  • It’s not enough to say that you believe IN God or Jesus.
  • It’s not enough to say you go to church, take communion, try to live right, give to the poor – and all that stuff in 1 Corinthians 13

One must take the actions of making Jesus Christ THEIR OWN personal Lord and savior – and making the Words of God their OWN guide for life – and making their lives line up with the teachings.

That includes grace, mercy and forgiveness, by faith which is a gift, and that not of our own, but from God! Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:1-2
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time,gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

I talked about gifts from God in my Arting post!

The first step to making Jesus MY Lord and shepherd has already been done. More about the first step later.

Now we are at the second step:

Recognize that we are sinners – that our lives have separated us from the Creator God!
And yet, there is even a bit more, that goes even before –

Romans 3:10-12 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”

Here are the Scriptures from The Biblegateway – Romans 3:10-12; Psalm 14:1-3 and Psalm 531-3

No one is immune! It does go back to Genesis 3, but we’ll just mention that here.

Here is some thoughts I’ve shared before about If you think you are are good enough.

This is the clear path that led me to know, at age 9, and many times over, that

  • I am not good enough to enter into the Kingdom of God.
  • I am not good enough to dwell in the house of the Lord.
  • I am not clean enough to enter into the holy place of God most high.
  • I have no way to make the Lord MY shepherd!

Let’s talk about sheep.
Do the sheep go out and say “I need a shepherd!” and go hire one?
No – the shepherd seeks the sheep, purchases them, and then cares for them.
Without the shepherd seeking the sheep, they would get into so much trouble, as anyone that has ever worked with sheep can tell you!
In fact, there is nothing that the sheep can do in order to get connected with a shepherd. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and purchases them.

But, do the the sheep even know they need a shepherd?
Do they know the cost of not being cared for by a shepherd?

Romans 6:23a

23 For the wages of sin is death,

This is echoed in Proverbs 11:19; Matthew 25:46 and Romans 1:32

The finality of this is written about in Revelation 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One who sat on it. The earth and the heavens fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne.
And there were open books, and one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.
13 The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

A sheep, without a shepherd, eats poison, goes places it ought not go, and gets into situations that are dangerous. A sheep, without a shepherd gets lost and cannot find it’s way home. The worst case is that a sheep that is without a shepherd is prey to the wolves and other predators that want to Use it. They want to steal, kill and destroy it.

Back to Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve sinned against the one and only rule that God had given them – they were made to leave the Garden of Eden. They were sent away from paradise, where they had walked with God.

This is the cost of sin.
Separation from our Creator God, that created us, to walk in the garden with us!

So how do I make the Lord MY Shepherd? Belonging to me?

I am my beloved’s and he is mine.

I am My beloved's

I am My beloved’s

That is part 2, of Psalm 23 – MY!

Team Wildman

Team Wildman

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

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

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

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

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

Naomi’s Heart Ministries

Obed’s House Ministries

Psalm 23

2016 Word of the Year – Prepare – Psalm 23 – Is

Psalm 23

Understanding my benefits, my tools, my source.
Things that anyone should know to be prepared for battle!

LORD – Who?

THE – or part 2

This will be in two parts.

First – what do these words have to do with preparation?
When soldiers are preparing for battle, they get into physical shape, mental shape, and spiritual shape. They also build a community, and get to know their up line officers.
In addition, they learn their weapons. Which ones, and how to use them.

Psalm 23 is completely full of the keys to all of this, in light of preparing for the battles that will come into every life.

Second – IS

Is what?
exactly!

IS
From Dictionary.com
Is
verb
1.
3rd person singular present indicative of be.

BE

bē/Submit
verb
1.
exist.

From Merriam Webster:
1
a : to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize
God is love
January is the first month
let x be 10

This word, used in connection with the Divine Creator, draws some interesting correlations.

The Lord IS
we could say, The Lord IS.

Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

This is a bit difficult to comprehend, why I am so excited about the word “IS”.
For this, I’m going to just reference this from Matthew Henry Commentary on Exodus 3:14

Two names God would now be known by. A name that denotes what he is in himself, I AM THAT I AM. This explains his name Jehovah, and signifies,
1. That he is self-existent: he has his being of himself.
2. That he is eternal and unchangeable, and always the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever.
3. That he is incomprehensible; we cannot by searching find him out: this name checks all bold and curious inquiries concerning God.
4. That he is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his word as well as in his nature; let Israel know this, I AM hath sent me unto you. I am, and there is none else besides me. All else have their being from God, and are wholly dependent upon him. Also, here is a name that denotes what God is to his people. The Lord God of your fathers sent me unto you. Moses must revive among them the religion of their fathers, which was almost lost; and then they might expect the speedy performance of the promises made unto their fathers.

Here are just a few other places that say so much, because of this word:

John 8:58
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Revelation 8:1
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come–the Almighty.

Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, You are God.

The interesting thing I’ve noticed when looking at the Strong’s concordance, IS is not in the original, if I understand it correctly.
It is there to point to SHEPHERD.
Yet, I think that it is also an excellent reminder that The Lord OUR Lord IS!
And, in response to the previous post on THE – the uniqueness of Our LORD is that He is alive!

Revelation 1:8
I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Amen!

Me and My Love

Me and My Love

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

I want to thank Blue Letter Bible and Bible Gateway for the ability to search the Bible online.

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

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media!
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

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

Naomi’s Heart Ministries