Psalms with Stories- Jesus- Our Priest and King

 

Psalms with Stories-Lesson 8

Jesus - Our Priest and King

This is the last lesson for the Summer Bible class

 from Visual Faith® Ministry.

The study was designed to tie together a story, 

(in this lesson it is Matthew 22),

with the supporting Psalm connections.

I have learned some great pointers about how

 God's Word is written to make ONE GREAT STORY. 

Psalm 110, a Psalm of David,

 is highlighted in Matthew 22.

It is set up earlier in Psalm 2.

Then it is pulled together in Acts 2:29-35 

and 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

right into the New Testament time.

Ancient conquerors had dominion over defeated kings.

Jesus sits at the right hand of God as risen king

 and will fulfill this prophecy at the end of days.

He will claim us in victory.

Jesus will crush every opposition.

His power transforms how we live and move

 in His kingdom here on earth.

The VFM practice of "Counterpanes" was introduced.

On a half sheet of paper rewrite parts or all

 of the Psalm in the study.

Can add other notes or meaningful take aways.

We started with an ink stamp and some doodle lines.

A simple way I add meditation time

 is to fill in the a,e and o

vowels with a colored pencil shade.

Maybe also the o's are purple.

The e's are pink.

The a's are blue.

This brings me back to look over

 the words scribed once more.

Making wonky lines adds a space to color in also.

In the WORD- Bible Study time.

In the WORD- heart reflection time.

In the WORD- prayer time.

The very best when a practice combines

 both head and heart to send us out as 

everyday missionaries in the Kingdom.

Enduring Word Bible- Psalm 18

Enduring Word Bible-

Psalm 18

Just some time praying Scripture as I 

color in the margin.

Resting with my Lord as my rock,

my fortress and my deliverer.

Sometimes Bible Journaling 

and the coloring process 

gives me a chance to just be held.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

Colored pencils

Washi tape

 

In Need of Present Help

 

Worship into the Week- Psalm 46

Reformation Sunday

God is our Fortress

"God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam, 

though the mountains tremble at its swelling." v. 1-3

These words have set deep in the past few days.

I have stood on PRESENT HELP.

Not on the route "to arrive".

Not on "back order."

PRESENT HELP.

Like with an inhaled breath.

Like I can touch it now.

Enduring Word Bible- Psalm 46

"Be still and know that I am God.

I will be exalted along the actions,

I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress."

So a deep breath in to calm my soul 

and mind and heart.

Be still. Be still.

Present Help is here right now.

I will lean back on my fortress.

Clinging to the LORD of hosts.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

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Distress ink.

Enduring Word Bible - The Shema

                  Enduring Word Bible- The Shema

    Deuteronomy 6:4-9

    One of the Pillars of Visual Faith® Ministry

 is this section of Scripture. 

It also has the name of The Shema.

The Shema reminds us to love God.

It is the central affirmation of Judaism 

and the prayer expresses belief in the singularity of God.

Christians also highly value the call to walk by the way 

and to remember what God has done in our lives.

We are called to teach the ways of God to our children

 from the time we get up till we go to bed at night.

In all ways along the way, we are to REMEMBER.

This is so important for us to pay attention, 

because we all have spiritual amnesia.

We forget the things God has done and all the ways

 He moves in our day to day lives.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one. 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart

 and with all your soul and with all your might."

We need to put this right on our walls 

to help us REMEMBER.

Supplies:

Remember Margin

deuteronomy-6-6-7-bible-margin-by-pat-maier

Scrapbook paper

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Enduring Word Bible- Train Up a Child

 

Proverbs 22

My children and grandchildren have been 

on my mind alot lately. 

Daughters are juggling alot with littles, work, 

sports schedules and dads on the road.  

All young families have very full plates

 and never enough time or enough hands.

So this section in Proverbs forms

 the framework for prayer- 

for moms and dads and all ten littles.

It is the most important work 

of parenting- Discipling.

We are all learning to follow Jesus 

and striving to bring along the next generations.

It is the "work" that moves into eternity.

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches."

"Train up a child in the way he should GO,

 even when he is old he will NOT depart from it."

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, 

and apply your heart to my knowledge."

Moms and dads-

it is worth EVERY repeated effort.

Supplies:

Colored pencils 

Sharpie Marker

Fine point Sharpie marker

Transparent circle notes

circle sticky notes

Enduring Word Bible- Always with the Lord

Enduring Word Bible-

The Coming of the Lord

1 Thess. 4:13-18

I have been settling into thoughts about

 the Saints gone before us this week.

Here Paul brings comfort to the Thessalonians

who mourned the death of family and friends.

Grieving is a part of life, but tempered with hope.

He warns them to not be like the Gentiles-

 who have no hope.

Christians have the MOST SURE HOPE 

of eternal life after our time here on earth.

This hope is greater than all 

the griefs and tragedies of life.

We don't really understand the complexity 

and mystery of death.

It is an unknown territory.

But, believers in Jesus- sleep in Him.

In this time of rest their assurance

 is the Resurrection of our Lord. 

This changes everything.

When the Lord descends from heaven,

 there will be the sound of the trumpet of God,

  and the voice of an archangel.

v16..."And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Then we who are alive, who are left, 

will be caught up together with them in the clouds

 to meet the Lord in the air, 

and so we will always be with the Lord."

This gives us great courage

 and we are called to share this good news with others.

We too, will be gathered with the Saints-

to ALWAYS be with the LORD.

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Enduring Word Bible- Kinsman Redeemer

                                                                                       

Spending some time 

in the book of Ruth this week.

The Old Testament Lectionary reading

 for this week is Ruth 1: 6-22. 

We are most familiar with verse 16.

"But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you

 or to return from following you. 

For where you go I will go, 

and where you lodge I will lodge. 

Your people shall be my people and your God my God."

We learn much more about the 

cultural practice of kinsman Redeemer 

and the ancient marriage custom of Levirate marriage.

                                                                                                                                                    C. Denninger

This is the field of Boaz in Bethlehem in 2014. 

There is much more construction on the far side

now and it is beginning to look different.

There are very, very few flat and tilled farm areas

 and that is why they believe this field

 could have been the field of Boaz

  in Old Testament times.

The Old Testament story of Ruth and Boaz

 is a foreshadowing of Jesus our Redeemer.

Boaz was willing to pay the price.

Boaz was able to pay the price.

He was the only one who could do that for Ruth.

The Story of Ruth is based on LOVE.

Foretelling our redemption story by Jesus.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

Colored pencils

Washi Tape

Fine point Non-bleeding Sharpie

Zebra Mildliners

Enduring Word Bible- By Faith

 

                

                              By Faith- Hebrews 11

Faith and Sight 

 Recounting the Stories for those Discouraged

Our physical eyesight is what gives us 

the evidence of the material world. 

Faith is the "sense" that gives us the evidence

of the unseen, spiritual world.

We rest our days in the mix of both of these realities.

Assurance and Hope

A big ticket commodity 

in an ever-changing world.

Conviction

Our marching orders for 

moving forward in our days.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

Washi tape

Colored pencils

Enduring Word Bible- The Stoning of Stephan

 

The Stoning of Stephan

Acts 7:54-60

This section of Scripture follows the speech 

of Stephan to the high priest. Stephan had been chosen

 to serve as a deacon. He was full of grace and power

 and was doing great signs among the people. 

This did not go unnoticed and it riled up the leadership.

Stephen closes his speech to the council by saying,

"You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised 

in heart and ears you always resist the Holy Spirit.

 As Your fathers did so do you.

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

And they killed those who announced beforehand

 the coming of the Righteous One, 

whom you have now betrayed and murdered,

you who received the law as delivered by angels

 and did not keep it."

They saw that his face was like that

 of an angel as he spoke to them.

They raged against him.

Stephen gazed into heaven, full of the Holy Spirit,

 and saw the the glory of God,

 and the son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.

Saul was a bystander to this event as they

 laid down their garments at his feet.

Stephan cries out, " Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit."

Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

Stephen dies as the first martyr for the Lord.

We don't usually "get stoned" for our witness, 

or endure bodily harm.

Yet, we still find it challenging to speak up

 in the name of Jesus or we view events as bystanders.

Lord, give us the brave hearts to speak 

with wisdom when it is timely, 

and may we listen and heed Holy Spirit nudges

 for the right time.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

Colored pencils

Fine-point non bleeding Sharpie

Worship into the Week- He is Risen!!!

 

Worship into the Week- Easter Sunrise

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

The great Victory over Sin, Death and the Devil.

Matthew 28:1-15

A great earthquake, an angel of the Lord descending, 

and a rolled back stone.

Trembling guards.

Something is not normal here.

"He is not here, for he has risen, as he said."

Mark 16:1-11

The Resurrection

The woman brought spices and arrived early.

The stone was rolled away and a young man

 was sitting on the right side dressed in a white robe. 

The women were afraid.

Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified is not here- 

 they were told.

 He has risen, he is not here.

Go and tell his disciples.

1 Corinthians 15

The Resurrection of Christ

v.3"Christ died for our sins in accordance

 with the Scriptures, that he was buried,

 that he was raised on the third day

 in accordance with the Scriptures."

The Resurrection of the Dead

v.13 " But if there is no resurrection of the dead, 

then not even Christ has been raised.

 And if Christ has not been raised, 

then our preaching is in vain

 and your faith is in vain."

Worship into the Week- Easter Day

1 Corinthians 15:19-26

St. Paul talks here about the resurrection of Jesus

 believing that Jesus had a Spirit-empowered, material,

 resurrected body. Paul was a Pharisee Jew who believed in a resurrection, unlike the Sadducee Jews.

 He also believed that every Christian 

would also one day receive

 a resurrected Spirit empowered body 

v. 20 "but in fact Christ 

has been raised for the dead.."

And on this day we can sing-

I Know that my Redeemer Lives!

He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

Supplies:

 Visual Church Year Printable

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Worship into the Year Printable

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Enduring Word Bible

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Stamp

Worship into the Week- New Creation

 

Worship into the Week-

The Ministry of Reconciliation

2 Cor. 5:16-21

Things are in transition as Paul explains

 to the people of Corinth about how a relationship 

with Christ changes everything.

"The old has passed away; behold,

the new has come."

God has been reconciling the world to himself,

not counting sins against us.

He entrusted us with the message of reconciliation.

We need to take seriously this ministry.

So we have a job- we are ambassadors.

Ambassadors for Christ.

God making his appeal to the world-

through us.

That's a job description.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-march-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

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Magazine cutouts

Scrapbook die-cuts

Washi Tape

Distress ink

.

Enduring Word Bible- The Inheritance

 

Enduring Word Bible- 

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:17-38

Paul is working to let the leaders 

know in Ephesus that there

 is a lot of hard work to lead well.

They must pay careful attention.

Be alert.

"I commend you to God and to the 

Word of His true Grace which is able to

 build you up and to give you the inheritance

 among all those who are sanctified." verse 32

A good reminder for all leaders in the church.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

Pastel Chalks

Colored Pencils

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Bible Marginalia- the Light of Life

 

Bible Marginalia-

I Am the Light of the World

John 8:12-30

Jesus was stating things pretty clearly 

here about who He was and who affirmed that- His Father.

Jesus said... "I have been telling you from the beginning."

But, they didn't want to hear it then 

and they didn't want to hear it now.

They hearts were closed and they walked in darkness.

Anytime I am in deep darkness, 

I search and search for the light.

How wonderful when that pierces the darkness,

 and I can see again.

And see for eternity. 

And this light makes everything

 different in the here and now.

Jesus. It is Jesus- the LIGHT.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

Colored pencils

Red Fine-point Sharpie pen

Bible Marginalia- Devoted

 

Bible Marginalia

Enduring Word Bible

Acts 2:42-27

I always love to see when time in God's Word 

crosses over teaching sessions. I was looking 

at this section last year 5-14-2020 

when doing some training with Dionne Lovstad-Jones

 from Lutheran Hour Ministries. 

She helped us to frame our faith world 

with encouragement to be "eager conversationalists"

 about our faith in Jesus. 

Last week was our final immersion in the D2MC

  (Discipleship to Missional Community) 

training with PLI-(Pastoral Leadership Institute.)

They use the triangle of Up, In and Out 

to frame spiritual formation.

Our relationship with our Father- UP, 

our own Spiritual formation with our family- IN, 

and our relationships with Others- OUT. 

In the setting of the look at the 

apostles living out their faith that becomes-

 Passionate Spirituality-UP, 

Radical Community-IN 

and Missional Zeal-OUT.  

 The main difference between the Biblical apostles

 and us in this modern age?

The apostles had the expectation of the miraculous.

I have thought about that the past few days.

I am praying about leaning in to

expect miracles.

Bible Marginalia- by Grace Though Faith

Enduring Word Bible

By Grace Through Faith

Ephesians 2:1-10

Some days I just need to come to the Word

 and rest where I land.

Today it was this section of Scripture.

What an amazing gift offering-

 not by works or what I have done- or not done.

Simply offered freely and undeserved GRACE.

The pure Joy of the weight lifted for performance

 and stationed in relationship with the Jesus.

I thank my Heavenly Father for this great GIFT.

Supplies:

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(Pat Maier image)

Colored pencils

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Enduring Word Bible -Pentecost 2020

Enduring Word Bible 
#61
Pentecost 2020

Come Holy Spirit Come

Surprise us.

Fill us.

Remind us of the gift 

we received at our Baptism.

Let us be reminded of the 

Ingathering of the Harvest-

for there are hearts to gather for YOU.

On this first Pentecost Day-

  at least 3000 souls were baptized.

Lord, we ask that in these days of the darkness

of Covida19 and unrest in our nation,

please bring healing of all kinds.

Bless hearts with hope and move hearts

 to seek unity and justice.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

On this Pentecost Day,
 I also wanted to share the prayer
 that my husband John wrote to share with
the congregations and the leaders he serves.

                 A Pentecost Prayer for Minneapolis and Beyond                                                   

                                                                Holy Spirit – Holy Breath - we remember

                How You entered the molded clay statue, lifeless on the ground
                                   Filling Adam’s lungs with his first deep holy breath
                            As he inhaled this precious gift of love and life and then
                                        He exhaled - waiting the grace of another breath
                               Holy Spirit, while we wait - breathe on us once again!


                                                 Holy Spirit – Holy Breath – we remember
                                How Satan poisoned Adam and Eve’s lives with a lie
                Infected by his deadly virus of discontent and desire to be God
      Soon gasping for their own breath of life - their spirits now strangled
           But then the Lord rushed in with inspired promise of One to come
                              Holy Spirit, while we wait - breathe on us once again!


                                                Holy Spirit – Holy Breath – we remember
                           Lives infected by a deadly virus that steals breath away
                    Those mourning the precious lives of those who died alone
                    Others anxious and afraid for the unmet needs of tomorrow
                            Sustain our spirits with the promise of Your presence!
                           Holy Spirit, while we wait – breathe on us once again!


                                                Holy Spirit – Holy Breath – we remember 
                                                                     The people of Minneapolis – 
                           bearing the breathless moment shared with other cities:
                    Ferguson, Charleston, Charlottesville, Sandtown, and more
    Heal our cities as you sent each of us to meet each person in our path
           With the life-giving, life-changing, Kingdom presence of Christ!
                            Holy Spirit, while we wait – breathe on us once again!


                                                Holy Spirit – Holy Breath – we remember 
                                           How the sound of rushing wind drew people
                                                             together that Jerusalem morning
         Where each one heard the story of a last breath taken on a cross -
                                                                                   God’s gift for them 
 Drawn together by uncommon love their diversity stood as a signal of
             One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all.
                          Holy Spirit, while we wait – breathe on us once again!


Pentecost, 2020 
John R. Denninger

Enduring Word Bible- COVID19

Enduring Word Bible #59

COVID 19 resources from 

Visual Faith Ministry for

2 Chronicles 20

Spending some time rereading this

 and the story of Jehoshaphat.

He was a King that sought to do right

 in the eyes of the Lord.

 He worked to bring reform 

and remove the idols in Judah.

Some things stand out for our days right now:

1. He trusted. 

v.12 "We do not know why to do, 

but our eyes are on you."

2. He encouraged.

v. 17 "Stand firm, hold your position, 

and see the salvation

 of the Lord on your behalf."

3. He was humble.

v. 18"Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head 

with his face to the ground."

4. He worshipped.

v. 18b "...fell before the Lord

  worshiping the Lord." 

5. He gave thanks.

v.21 Give thanks to the Lord, 

for his steadfast love endures forever."

I think this is a great plan 

for these COVID19 days.

I also went back to my first Journaling Bible

 and saw the entry from 11-19-14.

Think I have loved this section for a long time. 

Added this new margin in that Bible too.

Maybe these days are not so much

 about finding new ways to respond to crisis,

 but about going back to see how

 the Lord blessed those that came to Him first

when things were overwhelming.

So as we stand together faithfully- 

the one ancient truth that 

speaks well into this time is:

Keep our eyes on YOU, Lord.

Supplies:

COVID19 printable
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Colored pencils

Scrapbook paper