May 30

JAMES 1

¹⁹ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. ²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

                                                                                        – James 1:19-27

JAMES 1 QUICK TO HEAR & SLOW TO SPEAK

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As servants of Christ Jesus, we are called to exercise self-control

We must follow the laws of God so we’ll be unstained from the world

Quick to hear and slow to speak are manifestations of God’s work

We can’t do what’s right on our own and tend to do what’s wrong

As we walk in God’s Spirit, we’ll be quick to hear and slow to speak

We will begin to examine our hearts and hone where we are weak

Let us be doers of the word of God and not just hearers

For if we only hear without doing, we are called deceivers.

The book of James is one of my favorite books in the bible. He is very straightforward in his teaching and admonitions to the church. He is a no-nonsense man. He directly gets to the point of the matter. In this account, we clearly hear his teaching on self-control. He mentions that man’s anger doesn’t produce God’s righteousness. Why does he say this? Man’s nature is to cater to the “self.” When we make the “self” our priority, we will never do anything to please God. Because of man’s sinful nature, it is almost always that he makes himself first rather than God.

James gives us an antidote to anger and dysregulation by putting away all our wicked tendencies and instead, receiving the word of God which he says can save our souls. It is sad to know that not all professing Christians take this very seriously. CBN.com website says that “Around 3 in 5 American who attend services at least once a month (61%), only 31% read daily and 30% who do so a few times a week.14% engage once a week, 11% a few times a month, 5% read Scripture once a month while 9% do rarely or never.” No wonder, many Christians are out-of-control and quick to speak and slow to listen. They are spiritually malnourished because they haven’t fed on the word of God. The bible says that we ought to eat the word so we can grow our faith and not be stunted and stay baby Christians forever.

REFLECTION

• How often do you read and study God’s word? What has feeding on the word done for you?

May 29

2 TIMOTHY 2

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene.

²² So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servantmust not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, ²⁵ correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.  – 2 Timothy 2:14-17,22-26

2 TIMOTHY 2 AVOID IRREVERENT BABBLE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a believer, you are to be prudent in many ways

Present yourself as a worker approved by God

Flee from all your passions that corrupt your whole being

Avoid irreverent babble for this talk spreads like gangrene

Handle God’s word reverently and rightly so you’ll stay pure

Do not listen to lies and Satan’s accusations, but cling to the truth

Do not give in to foolish controversies for it breeds divisions

Patiently bear and correct each other gently and with compassion.

This letter of Paul to his spiritual son Timothy is full of wisdom as to how to live an authentic Christian life. He addresses some issues among the believers who got themselves into fights and quarrelsome behaviors. To avoid these kinds of ungodly acts, he tackles the antidote so such temptations to engage in sinful conflicts with the following instructions:

• Do not quarrel about words since it doesn’t do any good to the hearers
• Present yourself as a good worker for Christ by handling truth rightly and with reverence
• Avoid irreverent babbles for it will lead others to more ungodliness
• Flee from youthful passions that leads to unrighteous, dark and uncontrolled desires
• Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies that breeds more divisions
• Teach and correct each other gently and patiently
• Don’t be quarrelsome, instead be considerate and kind to one another.

It is not hard for us to just say what’s in our minds, but it takes a leaning on the Spirit of the Lord to rend our mouths and lips. So, if we only think of what is true, beautiful, honorable, pure, lovely and of good report, our mouths will also speak such wonderful and honorable words and not irreverent babbles.

REFLECTION

• Share some examples of irreverent babbles that do not edify anyone or glorify God.

May 26

1 TIMOTHY 4

⁶ If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶ Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

                                                                                        – 1 Timothy 4:6-16

1 TIMOTHY 4 TRAIN FOR GODLINESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

A servant of Christ Jesus has to train for godliness

Without such training, he won’t overcome his flesh

Devote yourself to study and public reading of God’s word

Build up the body of Christ so you’ll overcome this world

Guard yourself and watch that you persist on doing what’s right

Wear God’s armor, pray at all times and always walk in the light

Practice putting on your new creation in Christ and don’t fall back

Press on to the progress you’ve already made and continue to grow.

Biblehub.com states that “Godliness, in the biblical context, refers to a life that is devoted to the reverence and worship of God, characterized by a pious and devout lifestyle. The term is derived from the Greek word “eusebeia,” which signifies piety, reverence, and a God-centered life. It encompasses both an inward devotion and an outward expression of that devotion through righteous living.

In this letter of Paul to Timothy, he instructs Timothy to train in godliness. He emphasized that while bodily training is important, the training for godliness is much more superior. Paul wanted Timothy to set the example of someone trained in this spiritual discipline. He specified the importance of the congregation to do the public reading of Scripture, exhort one another and teach and devote themselves to godliness and following the laws of the Lord. To train in godliness means that everything the Christian does would be a reflection of the image of God, nothing goes against how he made us to be.This means that a Christian can no longer continue with his sinful tendencies and his old life. He is now living for the Lord, so he cannot continue with the sinful nature that is so automatic in every human being.

REFLECTION

• Share as to what training you’ve been led by the Spirit so you can stay godly.

May 25

JAMES 3

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. – James 3:1-12

JAMES 3 CONTROL YOUR TONGUE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The tongue is a part of your being that can stain your entire body

Even if it is very small it can build up or totally destroy anybody

If you do not control your tongue, you will be led to destruction

And it can destroy another person’s character or reputation

If you do not rend it, it will spew out wicked things to say

If you keep it silent, you can filter it and keep it at bay

Submit to God’s laws and words and you can control it

Cater to your own cravings and it will creep in your lips.

In this letter of James to the church, he gives a detailed description of the power of the tongue. Despite its small size, it is very commanding and powerful. There are many bible verses that talks about the power of the tongue in the book of Proverbs such as verses 18:21, 18:7-8, 21:19,25:23 but the most detailed description of the authority of the tongue is explained in the book of James in these following verses. He gives us a sketch of the tongue’s origin which is from hell in verse 6. It is described as a restless evil in verse 8 which is full of deadly poison and untameable. He likens the tongue to a rudder of a ship in verse 4 that causes the ship’s direction. Without controlling the rudder, it will fail to go to its destination. He also likens it to a fire that could be a small start but could set ablaze a whole forest. James further describes how evil the tongue is because it can praise God and also destroy the image bearers of God when it attacks another person with slander and gossip. Just one statement that could doubt the identity of another individual could lead to another person’s ruin.

REFLECTION

• Share insights how the tongue ruined another person’s life and reputation.

May 24

ROMANS 8

¹² So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. – Romans 8:12-21

ROMANS 8 LIVE BY THE SPIRIT TO HAVE SELF-CONTROL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you follow your own will, you will be living according to the flesh

There is a consequence if you cater and live to pleasure yourself

You will be facing conflicts and get angry when others don’t give in

Each time the flesh doesn’t gets its way, it will plot and scheme to sin

If you live by the Spirit of God, you will find peace and be self-controlled

You will not be bothered when others shine because you feel so secure

It is God who brings life to those who follow the lead of his Spirit

It is the devil who steals, kills and destroys and leads you to death.

Psalm 1 gives us a clear picture of the two opposing kingdoms here on earth. One that belongs to the righteous and the other that belongs to the wicked. Notice that Paul talks about two choices we have in living our lives: walking in the flesh or walking in the Spirit. One leads to life and the other leads to death.

We can say that the blessed that David was referring to in Psalm 1 are those who walk in the Spirit. They do not walk in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seats of scoffers but his delight is in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night.  The blessed ones or those walking in the Spirit are like trees planted by streams of water which yield fruits in its season and their leaves don’t wither. They prosper in all that they do. The second group of people are those who walk in the flesh and are likened in Psalm 1 to chaff that the wind drives away. They don’t stand in judgment, nor sinners in the midst of the righteous. The wicked will perish just like how Paul describes in this account that they will die.

Paul reminds the Christians that since they are now adopted in the family of God, they no longer have to live for the flesh but to follow the lead of the Spirit which brings life. Only by choosing to walk with God’s Spirit can we enjoy the fruit of a self-controlled life, otherwise, we will always cater to the flesh.

REFLECTION

·       What does a self-controlled life look like as compared to a hedonistic life?

May 23

ROMANS 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ³ For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴ For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. – Romans 12:1-8

ROMANS 12 SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we were chosen to be children of God

We were equipped with all that we need to grow

We were given the word of God so we can have a guide

It is a set of instructions to make us see and follow the light

We do not need to conform to all the systems of this world

Instead, we need to be changed by the renewal of our minds

Let us discipline our bodies, hearts, minds, souls and spirits

Let us cling to what is true, what is pure and what is right.

Paul reminds the church about the importance of spiritual discipline in this letter to the Romans. I am sure that even at that time in history, many people focus more on physical training rather than think of the mental and spiritual aspects of life. After all, the Greeks at that time were very concerned with their physical and strength training as they competed in many athletic endeavors. They began the Olympics, always aiming for being the best in their chosen field. Even in our world today, many men and women invest in gym memberships and are conscious about nutrition to keep their bodies in optimum health but neglect the mental and spiritual part of their being. I am not saying that priorities on the physical biological features of their bodies are not important, but in many cases, people neglect the mental and spiritual disciplines needed to live fuller lives.

Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipline in this letter because the unseen parts of our being are usually neglected or forgotten. What many people don’t realize is that if our minds and hearts are not synchronized with God’s design for it, we will surely fail in living a life for the Lord. This is why Paul advises Christians not to conform with the world because it doesn’t account for the mind and spirit.

REFLECTION

·       Share some spiritual disciplines that you follow that have worked for you as a Christian.

May 20

ISAIAH 53

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

  yet he opened not his mouth;
  like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

  and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

  so he opened not his mouth.
⁸ By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

  and as for his generation, who considered
  that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
  stricken for the transgression of my people?

⁹ And they made his grave with the wicked
    and with a rich man in his death,
    although he had done no violence,
    and there was no deceit in his mouth. – Isaiah 53:7-9

ISAIAH 53 TOTAL SELF-CONTROL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Like a lamb led to be killed and a sheep before its shearers

Jesus didn’t react or opened his mouth before his abusers

Though he was oppressed, laughed at, tortured and mocked

He didn’t wince or complain but obeyed the will of God

Christ bore all the pain and suffering and had total self-control

Let us emulate his example of silence and learn to be humble.

This verse reminded me of someone I knew in my twenties. I couldn’t understand then why he never fought for his rights and allowed people to minimize him. He never reacted to all those who abused him. At that young age, I was taught to always fight for my rights and speak up when I am being mistreated. The trauma of not being cared for also made me fight back and never allowed anyone to oppress or misjudge me. I wasn’t a Christian until in my late fifties, so I didn’t know the concept of humility and total self-control.  The first time I read and studied these verses from Isaiah, I began to hear the Holy Spirit’s conviction on my tendencies to defend and protect myself.

As I studied Psalm 3:3 which says “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head,” and this verse in Isaiah, I began to see how proud and arrogant I was. I didn’t know God that much at all. Because of trauma and not having someone defend me, I learned to take matters into my hands.

When I became a Christian, the Spirit began humbling me and corrected my tendency to automatically defend myself. I saw how I was following the patterns of the world system rather than the kingdom of God. The world won’t understand how Jesus left everything to his Father’s hands. It doesn’t understand humility and surrender. It is normal to defend oneself in this world system and be dysregulated.

REFLECTION

• Why do you think humility and silence are crucial to have total self-control as Jesus sampled?