October 20
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CALL TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
A poem by ILMA
You have been believers for long and yet you are spiritually dull
You don’t seem to listen and ought to be teaching others now
Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basics of God’s word
You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.
Those who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what’s right
Solid food is for the mature, who through training recognize between truth and lies
So, let’s stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again
Instead, grow up and mature in your understanding.
Surely you don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting
You don’t need further instruction about the resurrection and eternal judgment
And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding
For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened.
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MEMORY VERSE
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. – Hebrews 5:12
Read: Hebrews 5:11- 6:4
There are some believers who have been Christians for so long and yet got stuck in their growth. They are still where they were when they first were called to commit to Jesus. They rely on the body of Christ to grow themselves instead of building intimacy with Jesus and growing in knowing his word. They get satisfied with what they’re used to have and never take a deeper walk with the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do some people stay spiritual babies?
• What is the role of the church in making Christians stay the way they are?
• What is the responsibility of a believer in making himself grow spiritually?
• How can reading God’s word be a big step in maturing?
Monthly Archives: October 2019
THE SON OF MAN AND HUMANS Poem Devotional
October 19
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THE SON OF MAN AND HUMANS
A poem by ILMA
What are human beings that you should think about them?
What is the son of man that you should care for him?
For a while you made them a little lower than the angels
You crowned them with glory and gave them authority over all things.
We have not yet seen all things put under their authority
What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position
He suffered death for us and is now crowned with glory and honor
Jesus and the ones he makes holy, have the same Father.
That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his own siblings
For he said to God “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters”
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood
The Son also became flesh and blood so could die and break sin’s power.
Only in this way could he set free all who were slaves to the fear of dying
We also know that the Son did not come to help angels
He came to help the descendants of Abraham
Therefore, it was necessary for him to be like us in every respect.
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MEMORY VERSE
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death – Hebrews 2:14
Read: Hebrews 2
What an awesome truth to know that God loves us so much that all those whom he chose to be his people are all brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Jesus became human and suffered and died for us to cleanse us of unrighteousness.
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REFLECTION
• How did God give humans almost the same rights as Jesus?
• Why did God give humans authority over all things?
WARNING ON DRIFTING AWAY Poem Devotional
October 18
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WARNING ON DRIFTING AWAY
A poem by ILMA
Let’s listen cautiously to the truth that we’ve heard or we may drift away from it
Remember that each violation of the law and all unrighteousness have consequences
Do you think you can run from salvation if we ignore what Jesus himself delivered?
God confirmed this message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles.
The Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts
Don’t follow the Israelites who rebelled when they tested God in the wilderness
God was angry with them because they were unfaithful and full of wickedness
Their hearts always turned away from God and refused to listen to him.
Be careful brothers and sisters, make sure that your own hearts aren’t wicked
Don’t be unbelieving for that is a form of turning away from your heavenly Father
You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,”
This way, you won’t be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice?
Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt, who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness?
So, we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.
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MEMORY VERSE
So, we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it – Hebrews 2:1
Read: Hebrews 2:1-4 and 3:7-19
To drift away is an idiom which means to arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness. In the case of the Israelites to God, they have forgotten how much there was love, affection and closeness they had with God.
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REFLECTION
• How can we slowly drift away from the truth that we have already heard?
• What are the ways we can do so we can enter God’s rest?
• How can unbelief easily turn us away from our heavenly Father?
SON OF GOD, GREATER THAN ANGELS Poem Devotional
October 17
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SON OF GOD, GREATER THAN ANGELS
A poem by ILMA
It is through Christ Jesus that all things in the universe was created
Our ancestors and the prophets spoke many times about Jesus
God promised everything to his Son Jesus as an inheritance
The Son radiates God’s glory and expresses God’s character.
Jesus sustains everything by the mighty power of his command
After he cleansed us from sin, He sat beside God, a place of honor
This shows that the Son is far greater than all the angels in heaven
Just as the name God gave him is greater than all their names.
For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus
He addressed Christ as “You are my Son and I am your Father”
When he brought his Son into the world,
He said “Let all of God’s angels worship my one and only Son.
God sent all his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire”
But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever
You rule with a scepter of justice; you love justice and hate evil”
Therefore, angels are spirits sent to care for people who’ll inherit salvation.
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MEMORY VERSE
“For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” – Hebrews 1:5
Read: Hebrews 1: 1-14
Before I was a born-again Christian, I thought that angels and the Lord are in the same rank. I would even pray to angels to protect me. This chapter clearly tells us that Jesus is greater than all the angels in heaven since God created all things for, through and with him.
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REFLECTION
• What can angels do that man could not? Do you think angels are greater than us?
PREACH THE WORD AND FINISH THE RACE Poem Devotional
October 16
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PREACH THE WORD AND FINISH THE RACE
A poem by ILMA
I plead you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus who’ll judge us someday
He will come to hold accountable all the living and the dead on the last day
So, preach the word of the Lord and always be ready
Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage one another with good teaching.
There will come a time when people will stop listening to the truth
They will be more concerned with their own desires and reject the word
They will look for teachers who will tell them what they want to hear
They will close their hearts to sound teaching and chase after myths.
Make sure you keep your mind clear and pure in every situation
Do not be afraid of suffering if it is for the cause of the Lord
Work at telling others the Good News and continue to spread it
Fully carry out the ministry God has given you with the help of the Spirit.
Fight the good fight; never give up and remain faithful
Press on to finish the race for there will be a reward for you
The crown of righteousness which will be handed to you by the Lord
It will be there for you to receive when he returns and judge us all.
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MEMORY VERSE
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. – 2 Timothy 4:2
Read: 2 Timothy 4
In this letter of Paul to Timothy, he urges all the believers to spread the gospel. It is sad to see many Christians that do not actually live this mandate out. We are supposed to be responsible for each other’s growth with good teaching and live with each other in love.
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REFLECTION
• Do you actually preach the Good News? Who have you brought to the Lord by preaching the gospel to them?
DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS Poem Devotional
October 15
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DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS
A poem by ILMA
In the last days, there will be very difficult times
People will love only themselves and their wealth
These people will be busy being arrogant and mocking God
Nothing is sacred to them, they will be ungrateful and lawless
People in the end times will be full of themselves and unforgiving
They will slander others and will have no self control
Cruelty and hatred occupy their hearts; they’ll hate what’s true
They will betray their friends and be puffed up with pride.
Religion and rituals are important to them; they don’t have the Holy Spirit
They will love pleasure rather than please the only true God
These people work their way into people’s homes
They win the trust of vulnerable people who are guilt ridden
These teachers oppose the truth that comes form God’s word
They have immoral minds and a counterfeit faith
But they won’t get away with this for long
Someday, everyone will recognize what fools they are.
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MEMORY VERSE
in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
– 2 Timothy 3:1-2
Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-9
Paul predicts what difficult times we will have during the last days. Sadly, we witness most of these prophecies nowadays. We are plagued with people who only care for their own pleasures instead of seeking God.
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REFLECTION
• What amongst these predictions are you actually experiencing right now? Explain.
PROMOTE RIGHT LIVING Poem Devotional
October 14
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PROMOTE RIGHT LIVING
A poem by ILMA
Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching
Teach the older men to exercise self-control and live wisely
Let them ensure that they are worthy of respect
They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
Teach the older women to live in a way that honors God
They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers
Instead, they should teach others what is good
These older women must train the younger women to love their family.
Tell these young wives to live wisely and be pure and work in their homes
Instruct them to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands
In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely
Let them be an example to them by doing good works of every kind.
Let all you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching
Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticize
Then those who oppose will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about
You have the authority to correct them so don’t let anyone neglect what you say.
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MEMORY VERSE
Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. – Titus 2:1
Read: Titus 2: 1-15
Paul gave very specific examples to Titus how Christians should adhere to a life worthy of respect. He also told how men and women should exercise self control and live wisely. But some believers may have forgotten these wise instructions to promote right living. We need to be reminded of these guidelines and follow it so we can live pure and holy lives.
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REFLECTION
• Why is right living a better teacher than actual preaching?
• Why is integrity and seriousness of teaching very important in the live of believers?
GOD-APPROVED WORKER Poem Devotional
October 13
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GOD-APPROVED WORKER
A poem by ILMA
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval
Be a good worker, don’t be ashamed and correctly explain the truth
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior
This is not eddying the Lord and this kind of talk spreads like cancer.
God’s truth stands firm like a foundation for God knows all his people
Those who belong to the LORD do their best to turn away from evil
In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver
Some are made of wood and clay; expensive utensils are for special occasions.
While cheap ones are for everyday use, if you keep holy, you’ll be like a special utensil Your life will be clean, and you’ll be ready for the Master’s use you for every good work
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts, instead, pursue righteous living
Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone
He must be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people
He must gently instruct those who oppose the truth.
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MEMORY VERSE
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
– 2 Timothy 2:15
Read: 2 Timothy 2:15-26
This letter of Paul to Timothy gives us a recommendation of how to be a good worker according to God. It is interesting when we don’t follow such guidelines to live in truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to keep holy and pursue righteous living?
• What happens when we involve ourselves with foolish arguments?
• Why do you think God chooses people who don’t engage in quarrels?¬
SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE Poem Devotional
October 12
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SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
A poem by ILMA
Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline
Never be ashamed to tell others about the Lord, instead, be bold to share him
With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer for the sake of the Good News.
For God saved us and called us to live a joyful and holy life
Though we don’t deserve it, he did this to fulfill his plan
He broke the power of death and brought us life through the Good News
By the Holy Spirit’s power, guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
Be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus
Teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses
Teach these truths to other trustworthy people who’ll pass them on to others
Endure suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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MEMORY VERSE
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. – 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Read: 2 Timothy 1:6 -2 Timothy 2:7
There are many people who live in fear and yet we are all created by God to have the spirit of power, love and self-discipline. What an amazing God we have who reminds us constantly not to live in fear in Scriptures. He wants us to live a fearless life so we can live the life he wanted us to have. He gave us all the gifts we need so we can be bold to use them to glorify the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people choose to fear rather than love?
• What do you think is the source of fear for most people?
• How can we endure suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus?
• Why is grace the only way we can actually live the life that Christ wants for us?
ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND TRUE RICHES Poem Devotional
October 11
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ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND TRUE RICHES
A poem by ILMA
Let’s encourage everyone to obey all truth and God’s teachings
Some people may oppose these teachings, but these truths are from Christ
These teachings endorse peace, love and a godly life
Anyone who teaches otherwise is haughty and lacks understanding
Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the words’ definitions
This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions
These people always cause trouble, corruptions for they have turned against truth
To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become well-off
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth
After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world
So, we can’t take anything with us when we leave it
If we have enough food and clothing, let us be content
People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by cravings
It is their foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil
And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith.
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MEMORY VERSE
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. – 1 Timothy 6:9
Read: 1 Timothy 6:2-10
Once a person becomes a true believer of Jesus Christ, he or she will familiarize themselves with the truth that only comes from God’s word. They are able to detect lies from truth and thus they learn what true riches are in God’s economy. In this letter of Paul to Timothy, he stressed the source of our ruin and destruction, our cravings and human desires.
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REFLECTION
• What makes people plunge into ruin and destruction?
• Why do you think “love of money” and not money in itself is the root of all evil?