May 13

 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19

¹² “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. ¹³ “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Or do you not know that he who is joinedto a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” ¹⁷ But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. ¹⁸ Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

1 CORINTHIANS 6 HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who are in Christ Jesus are expected to mature their faith

When the Spirit indwelled us, we became temples of the Lord

We no longer are driven by our appetites but by righteousness

We are careful to keep away from sin and honor God with our bodies

Jesus died on the cross for us so we are not in bondage to sin anymore

We are not to use our bodies for our own cravings and our own pleasures

But we are all called to live for the purpose of glorifying the Almighty God

Let us keep ourselves undefiled and keep our bodies holy and pure.

It is interesting how Paul believed that not all lawful things are not helpful. Remember that the Jews created 613 laws out of the ten commandments given to Moses by God. Paul was a Jew and a Roman as well but he wasn’t a Christian. In fact, in his former life, he persecuted Christians until God called him into his fold. Being Jewish and a Pharisee, we are inclined to believe that he was a law keeper, but when he turned to Jesus, he now lives under the grace of God and no longer under the law (Romans 6:14).

In this letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reminds the believers that their bodies no longer belong to them but to the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, the Holy Spirit was indwelled to every believer which makes them the temples of God. What does this mean? It means that they are no longer slaves to their flesh and their sinful inclinations, but are now meant to use their bodies to bring glory to God. He clearly discusses what that looks like now that they are Christians. He tackles food and sexual appetites that are meant to be given up since they no longer are slaves to their cravings and desires, but are now called to righteousness and purity. In verse 14, Paul emphasized that their bodies are now members of Christ, so they have to watch out that they do not yoke with ungodly things so that the body won’t be defiled. They need to discipline themselves and tame their bodies to serve God alone.

REFLECTION

• What does it look like when we do not honor our bodies and give God glory with it?

May 11

TITUS 3

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸ The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

                                                                                           – Titus 3:1-11

 TITUS 3 DEVOTE & DISCIPLINE YOURSELVES TO DO GOOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As servants of the Lord, you are called to devote yourselves to do good

Make it a habit to be mindful by purposely having discipline to do so

When you dedicate a set time to regularly apply the gifts of the Spirit

You are sowing seeds of grace that later on reaps a bounty of riches

So, guard your mouth, mind and heart so that only the truth is revealed

Do away with all malice and envy; start living and glorifying Jesus Christ.

In this letter, Paul reminds Titus of the old nature that was transformed now by the new creation when they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He compares the key differences in this transition from old to new. In verse 3, he discusses our old ways from that sinful nature that loves to gratify its flesh, is foolish, disobedient, malicious, quarrelsome, envious and haters. Whereas the new nature in Christ is totally the opposite of those old tendencies. 

Paul encourages them to be obedient and submissive to every authority that Christ has given to them as if it was to Christ that they were actually submitting to. They must be busy and mindful to discipline themselves to do good works at every occasion that they are presented with. Verse 2 presents a key aspect of this charge to the believers: they are not to slander anyone, gossip or quarrel and create division among themselves. Instead, they are to be gentle and compassionate and show kindness to everyone. By being accountable to the Lord, they will devote and discipline themselves to do good at all times and on every occasion.

REFLECTION

• Why must a Christian be purposeful in making a lifestyle or discipline themselves to do good?

May 10

1 PETER 1

¹³ Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵ but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ¹⁷ And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, ¹⁸ knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. ²⁰ He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you ²¹ who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. ²² Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, ²³ since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; – 1 Peter 1:13-23

1 PETER 1 CALLED TO SELF-CONTROL & HOLINESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

A servant of Christ is called to live in self-control and holiness

An unrestrained life will lead to destruction and wickedness

Do not give in to your lusts or conform to the systems of this world

Instead, catch where your mind goes and bring it to obey God’s word

Prepare for spiritual battles that stealthily visits but are not usually seen

Do not ever remove your focus on Jesus; if you do, you will inevitably sin

Be holy for your God himself is holy, embrace a life of restraint and order

But also live in the freedom that Christ has given you so you’ll be the victor.

How would you react or what would you think when you know a believer having explosions of rage and uncontrollable lusts and dependency on substance or someone? Would you not be confused? Yes, it is very perplexing to watch a dysregulated believer explode especially when they are around unbelievers. Why is that? Because as Christians we are supposed to bring the gospel without words to the unbelieving world. What are we telling them when we do not walk our beliefs? We are not going to be witness to who Jesus is and they might think that he is not worth believing or knowing. We are sending the message that Christians are hypocrites. This will give the Christians a bad taste to other unbelievers and we will lose opportunities in bringing the gospel and being light for the Lord. Instead, we are not giving the Lord the glory that he so deserves. Many unbelievers wouldn’t want anything to do with Christianity because of our inconsistencies with practicing our faith.

Peter calls all believers to live a life of discipline and holiness. By holiness, we don’t mean perfection but being pure and undefiled from the world’s corruption so we can live a disciplined life for Jesus.

REFLECTION

• What might be some reasons why some Christians struggle with discipline and holiness?

May 7

1 PETER 4

⁷ The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. – 1 Peter 4:7-14

1 PETER 4 LOVE LEADS TO SELF-CONTROL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you know the Lord your God, you will be a loving person

Love is kind and not boastful; it doesn’t keep a record of wrongs

Love is patient and does not envy and doesn’t insist on its own way

In loving others, you will think less of yourself and you’ll give grace

Love is the only path to avoid conflicts and relationships breakdown

Out of love, God gave his only Son so we can receive our freedom.

In this letter, Peter warns the believers of the end times that is coming soon. He wants them to be prepared for it by exercising self-control, sober-mindedness and loving one another earnestly. How does loving someone earnestly look like? It is a sacrificial love that isn’t transactional. It is a kind of love that doesn’t make the “self” get something back in return. It is a persistent act of giving without expecting anything back. No wonder Peter gives this formula for leading a life of discipline.

Let’s go to 1 Corinthians 13, which is the love chapter. In this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, we are described as a love that is so different from the world system. It defines love as patient and is kind, it is not arrogant or rude or boastful. It’s not irritable or resentful. It doesn’t rejoice in wrongdoing but in truth. Love bears all things, believes all things and endures all things. It never gives up. Now, let’s look at how the world views love. It is self-focused and self-serving. It will only do good if others do them good. It is very transactional and expects to be repaid back for what they’ve done or given. It becomes impatient when it doesn’t get what it wants or it keeps a record of what was done wrong to them. The worldly person walks away and gives up if he or she doesn’t get the result they want. The worldly system’s concept of love is based on feelings, attractions and comfort. So, when troubles come, they walk away and dispose of the other person. There is no room for second-chances or forgiveness. They want perfection, comfort and no problems.

If we walk the love that God made us for, then we will all be sacrificial and gracious to one another just as God loves us and gives us grace constantly. There will be no clamor for more but only thankfulness.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think people have a hard time manifesting self-control in our world today?

May 4

PROVERBS 4

Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
¹¹ I have taught you the way of wisdom;    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
¹² When you walk, your step will not be hampered,   and if you run, you will not stumble.
¹³ Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;  guard her, for she is your life.
¹⁴ Do not enter the path of the wicked,  and do not walk in the way of the evil.
¹⁵ Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
¹⁶ For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
¹⁸ But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

  which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

    they do not know over what they stumble. – Proverbs 4:10-19

PROVERBS 4 THE PATH TO SELF-CONTROL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Walk in the way of righteousness and you’ll have prudence

You won’t be catering to your cravings or gratify your flesh

Meditate on God’s word and make sure you accept and do it

It will protect you from the enemy’s schemes, plots and tactics

Walk in love and you will be on your progress to self-regulation

This is your protection from being provoked with unruly emotion

Love is patient, it is kind, it is not rude or arrogant, it builds up

Love is the only way to have self-control, so don’t stray from this path.

We live in a world that is corrupt and self-focused. Each person wants attention and there is not much room for thinking of other people’s needs. In these following sayings, the writer advises the readers to walk the path of righteousness in order to live a life of integrity. So many things can stir and provoke us to be dysregulated, frustrated or angry, but the word of God leads us away from such reactions.

Solomon gives us wisdom on how to have self-control in these following verses. In verses 11-12, he gives an antidote to the corruption of this world. If they accept the word of God and follow it, they may not be free from the temptations of the system, but they will have wisdom to know how to discern the spirits working in each incitement. In verse 13, he warns the readers to ensure that they cling to the word and guard it with their lives because it is the source of life itself. In verses 14-17, Solomon exposes the tactics of the wicked. He shamelessly discloses their ways so that it could be avoided at all cost. This will give them strength and courage to face all trials and tribulations with much confidence and boldness. In verse 18, he shows them the way to go, the path of the righteous which shines so bright.

REFLECTION

·       Share insights how the word of God can make sure you aren’t derailed by the wicked.

May 3

2 PETER 1

³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us tohis own glory and excellence, ⁴ by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. ¹¹ For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ– 2 Peter 1:3-11

2 PETER 1 COMMIT TO PURSUE SELF-CONTROL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The believer’s walk is a constant battlefield as we live in the world

This is why God gave us His own Son, his Spirit and his precious word

He did not leave us to be defeated by the corruption around us

He filled our hearts with much promises, hope and wisdom

Let us then commit to pursue a life of discipline and control

Without such training, we will fail to defeat this spiritual battle

Seek God, make him first and meditate on his word day and night

In everything, rely on God and pray in the Spirit at all times.

In this account, Peter discusses what it takes to confirm our calling and our election. He reminds the believers that it is God’s divine power that allows us to face our sinful desires with courage and strength. In verse 4, he focuses on the promises that God has given to all those who are part of his covenant. These promises allow us to escape the corruption of the world. Like any healthy prescription for the body, Peter prescribes us to have virtues couple our faith. Just like the book of James tells us that faith without actions is dead in James 2:17 and 2:26.

Peter gives us his spiritual supplement for our bodies in this letter as the following:

• Do your best to act out your faith by good works
• Commit to pursue self-control with knowledge and wisdom
• Rejoice in trials and press on to walk in righteousness & godliness
• Show brotherly affection and walk constantly in love

By taking the spiritual supplement for our bodies, we will be able to walk in the calling given to us.

REFLECTION

• Why is it important for us to commit to a self-controlled life as Christians?