June 9
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SAUL’S CONVERSION
A poem by ILMA
Saul was threatening to kill every breath of all of the Lord’s followers
So he went to the high priest and asked their cooperation to arrest them
He wanted to bring them – both men and women in chains back to Jerusalem
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light shone from heaven.
He fell to the ground and a voice said “Saul, why are your persecuting me?”
Saul asked who he was and he identified himself as Jesus, the one he is killing
He was told to get up and go into the city and be instructed further
The men with Saul was speechless for they heard the voice but saw no one.
Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he was blind
So the men led him by the hand to Damascus and remained blind for three days
He did not eat or drink during those time; there was a believer named Ananias
The Lord spoke to him in a vision and told him to look for Saul from Tarsus.
Ananias complained to the Lord what Saul has done to the believers
The Lord reassured him that Saul will be the messenger to Gentiles and kings
Then instantly like scales from Saul’s eyes, he immediately regained his sight
Then he was baptized then he ate food some food and regained his strength.
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MEMORY VERSE
He fell to the ground and he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”. – Acts 9:4
Read: Acts 9
What a twist of fate we see in this story where Saul was converted from being a killer to a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has interesting choices to use to bring about his kingdom to the Gentiles and to kings.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God chose someone who persecuted Christians to be a disciple who brought about the Good News to the Gentiles and the kings?
• What was the interesting characteristic of Saul that made him a witness to Jesus?
Monthly Archives: June 2019
PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH
June 8
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PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH
A poem by ILMA
As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down to Gaza”
He started out and met the Ethiopian eunuch of the queen of Ethiopia
The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship and now returning
Seated in his carriage he was reading the book of Isaiah.
The Holy Spirit ask Philip to walk along beside the eunuch’s carriage
Philip ran and asked him if he understood what he was reading’
“How can I, unless someone instructs me?” He urged Philip in
The eunuch was reading the word on “Like a sheep, he was slaughtered.”
The eunuch asked if he was talking about himself or someone else?
This was how Philip began to tell him about the Good News about Jesus
As they rode along, they came to some water and asked to be baptized
He ordered the carriage to stop and the eunuch was baptized in the water.
When they came up out of the water, Philip was snatched by God’s Spirit
The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing
Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus
He preached the Good News there and each town until he reached Caesarea.
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MEMORY VERSE
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. – Acts 8:39
Read: Acts 8
This story was an amazing account of Philip’s Holy Spirit led preaching of the Good News that led a powerful eunuch to have the desire to be baptized after hearing how Philip explained to him the meaning of the book of the prophet Isaiah. Philip was snatched literally out of a physical place into another one by the Spirit of the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What made the eunuch have that great desire to be baptized?
• How do you explain Philip’s disappearance from the eunuch’s presence?
PHILIP PREACHES IN SAMARIA Poem Devotional
J
une 6
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PHILIP PREACHES IN SAMARIA
A poem by ILMA
The believers preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went
Philip went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah
Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear the message
The people who were witnessing were eager to hear the miraculous signs he did.
Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims
Numerous who were paralyzed or lame were healed and restored
Because of all of these miraculous signs, there was great joy in the city
Philip’s message of Good News converted many people in that place.
Simon the sorcerer amazed many people for many years claiming greatness
Everyone spoke of Simon as the Great One and they were astounded by him
But when Philip preached there, so they snapped out of Simon’s magic
Many were baptized and began to follow Philip wherever he went.
Simon himself believed and was baptized and followed Philip everywhere
He was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard Samaria accepted God’s message
Peter and John then prayed for the new believers to receive God’s spirit.=
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MEMORY VERSE
But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.
-Acts 8:12
Read: Acts 8
In the Acts of the apostles, we witness how the power of God was with Philip, Peter and John. Without the Spirit’s power, they won’t be able to do all the miraculous signs and wonders that brought about much conversion in Samaria.
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REFLECTION
• Have you witnessed for God to someone?
• What can the Holy Spirit do through you if you believe?
Stephen Arrested and Stoned
June 6
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STEPHEN ARRESTED AND STONED
A poem by ILMA
Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles
It became a concern for some men in the synagogue of Freed Slaves
They all started to debate with Stephen, none of them couldn’t win
Stephen had a supernatural wisdom from the Spirit that they couldn’t beat.
These Jews were from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and the province of Asia
They couldn’t accept that Stephen could beat them in wisdom
They persuaded some men to lie about Stephen and accused him of blasphemy
They lied that they heard Stephen blaspheme Moses and even God himself.
They claimed he said Jesus will destroy the Temple and change Moses’ customs
It was at this time that Stephen’s face became as bright as an angel’s
The high priests brought Stephen to council asked him if the accusations were true
Stephen gave them a long discourse on God’s faithful love to their ancestors.
Stephen replied by giving a history of God’s deliverance and Israel’s stubbornness
He accused the leaders as stubborn people who are heathens and deaf to truth
The Jewish leaders were enraged by Stephen’s accusation and shook their fists
Stephen gazed into heaven steadily as they dragged him and stoned him to death.
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MEMORY VERSE
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. He fell to his knees shouting, “Lord, don’t’ charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.
– Acts 7:59-60
Read: Acts 6-7
What courage Stephen had to confront these hypocrites! The Holy Spirit never left his side. He was able to have the boldness to accused these Jewish leaders and expose their sins of idolatry, stubbornness and rebellion which led to her being stoned to death.
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REFLECTION
• Would you do everything to expose the lies of those who pretend they are godly?
• Why is hypocrisy a grave sin in the eyes of God? What other sins stem from it?
JOB’S THREE SO-CALLED FRIENDS Poem Devotional
June 5
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JOB’S THREE SO-CALLED FRIENDS
A poem by ILMA
When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy their friend went through
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar got together and went to console and comfort Job
When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized their friend
Job was wailing loudly and they tore their robes and showed their grief.
Eliphaz gave his first response to Job’s bitterness and anguish in his condition
At first, you’d think this friend was really there to comfort Job in his agony
Then he started accusing Job that he must have sinned to go through this
His discourse was all about making Job repent and gave counsel that is biased.
Then Bildad the Shuhite started verbalizing his theories about Job’s predicament
He assumed that Job or his children must have sinned that’s why he’s punished
He mentioned that God will never reject a person of integrity
He thinks that Job is actually guilty for him to have such adversities.
Then Zophar the Naamathite started rebuking Job as well
Like the two other friends, he was sure that God was punishing him
He asked Job to confess and get rid of his sins so his life will be better
For if he didn’t, he will be blinded and the only hope is death.
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MEMORY VERSE
For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.
– Job 12:10
Read: Job 2-12
When I read these chapters, it was hard to believe how Job could have friends like these three people who were such accusers and blaming. It is interesting what these three friends represent in Job’s life. I see a parallel to the Pharisees in Jesus’ time where they accused Jesus of something he never did. I think the devil used these friends to add torment to Job’s loss of wealth, family and health in the guise of friendship.
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REFLECTION
• How do we know if our friends are really godly and righteous people?
JOB’S SECOND TEST Poem Devotional
June 4
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JOB’S SECOND TEST
A poem by ILMA
One day, the heavenly court came again to present themselves to the Lord
The accuser, Satan came with them and the Lord asked where he had been
He said he was patrolling the earth and watching everything that’s going on
Again, the Lord boasts to Satan about how blameless Job his servant was.
God shows Satan how Job fears God and stays away from evil despite the harm
Satan said that if his health is taken away from him, he will surely curse God
So, the Lord allowed him to test Job but ensure that Job’s life is spared
Satan left the Lord’s presence and struck Jo with boils from head to foot.
Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among ashes
His wife said “Are you still trying to keep your integrity? Curse God and die”
Job rebuked her and said that she talked like a foolish woman
He said that we should accept all things good or bad and never cursed God.
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MEMORY VERSE
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. – Job 2:10
Read: Job 2
The second test of Job is a great insight as to how this man have learned to accept not only the good things God gives him, but the bad as well. How many of us can have this integrity and not blame God for all the challenges and adversities we go through? Can we be able to thank the Lord for the tests that we go through that are in the form of sufferings and losses? The wife of Job shows how we most humans are. We try to point our fingers on someone or something so we can dwell on the self-pity and then we get into the pit. We try to put blame on something so we can justify our lack of accountability.
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REFLECTION
• What kept Job being hopeful and positive despite losing his wealth, children and suffering physical discomfort and pain?
• Can we continue to focus on God’s goodness and wisdom when we are faced with pain and suffering?
JOB’S FIRST TEST Poem Devotional
June 3
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JOB’S FIRST TEST
A poem by ILMA
The Lord answered Satan’s request to prove Job’s integrity and righteousness
He said that he can do whatever he wanted with Job but not harm him physically
When Job’s ‘s children were feasting at one of the brother’s house, something happened
A report reached Job that all of his animals were stolen and farmhands were killed.
While the first messenger was still speaking, another one arrived with this news
“The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned your shepherds and sheep”
While he was still speaking, a third messenger came with the following update
“Three bands of Chaldean raiders stolen all the camels and killed all his servants.”
Then the fourth messenger came as the last one was still speaking said this
“Your sons and daughter were feasting in their oldest brother’s house,
Suddenly a powerful wind, spent in from the wilderness and collapsed the place
All of Job’s children died and this messenger was the only one who survived.
Job stoop up and tore his robe in grief, then he shaved his head and fell to the ground
He said that he came naked from his mother’s womb and will be naked when he leaves
He continued, “The Lord gave me what I had; and the Lord has taken it away
He praised the Lord and he did not sin in all this by pointing fingers at the Lord.
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MEMORY VERSE
Praise the name of the Lord. In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. – Job 1:21-22
Read: Job 1
If you place yourself in the shoes of Job, what would you do? Would you still be able to praise the Lord after losing almost all your possessions, including your beloved children? It is amazing how intact Job’s integrity was. He grieved his children’s death, and yet he was still able to recognize that they are not his but God’s and acknowledged that everything came from him and has the right to take it all back.
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REFLECTION
• Share a series of trial or adversity that you were able to recognize God’s hand in it.
• Why did God allow Job to be tested by the devil in this chapter?
JOB: A MAN OF INTEGRITY Poem Devotional
June 1
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JOB: A MAN OF INTEGRITY
A poem by ILMA
There was once a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz
He was blameless- a man of complete integrity and honor
He feared God and stayed away from all kinds of evil
He had seven sons and also had three daughters.
He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen.
He also had 500 female donkeys and many servants
He was in fact the richest person in that entire area
Job’s son took turns to hold feasts including their sisters.
When these celebrations of Job’s children end after several days
Job would purify his children, get up early morning for offering
He offered a burnt offering for each of them to cleanse them
It was his regular practice so that they will be right in God’s sight.
One day, God and the member of his heavenly court met and Satan came
God asked where he was and he said he’d been watching over the earth
God asked Satan if he noticed Job who was full of integrity and blameless
Satan challenged God that if he was stripped off his riches, he will do evil.
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MEMORY VERSE
Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. – Job 1:9-10
Read: Job 1
This man Job sounds like a fairy tale good person. It almost didn’t look real because he was living in so much comfort and wealth. The only difference with other characters in real life is how much he wants to stay uncorrupted by the world. It is interesting how God boasts about this blameless man who is full of integrity.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think that God boasts about you when you live a pure and blameless life?
• What separates a righteous and an evil person? Don’t they both sin?
SEVEN MEN CHOSEN TO SERVE Poem Devotional
June 2
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SEVEN MEN CHOSEN TO SERVE
A poem by ILMA
As the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent
Greeks complained about the Hebrews and how there are discrimination
So the twelve apostles called a meeting of all the believers
They said to the believers that they should spend more time teaching.
The apostles think that they need not run a food program
So the brothers selected seven men who are well respected
They are all full of the Spirit and wisdom and are responsible
They are there to let the apostles spend time praying and teaching.
Everyone like this idea and they chose Stephen to lead these men
These seven were presented to the apostle who prayed over them
Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas were the rest
These seven men brought the numbers up of believers in Jerusalem.
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MEMORY VERSE
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. – Acts 6:3
Read: Acts 6
It was great to know that the Apostles had the humility to admit that they needed more people so they could concentrate on praying and teaching. Oftentimes, we don’t confess that we really need help. In this selfish world, we need more meekness to be able to acknowledge that we can delegate other things to other people.
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REFLECTION
• Have you ever admitted that you needed help?
• What can we learn from the apostles acknowledging that they have a need for support in their ministry?
• How is prioritizing and delegating important in our walk as believers?
• What is the importance of being prayed over by believers?