November 9
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SUFFERING FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN
A poem by ILMA
In this world, we will always be encountering fiery trials
So, don’t be surprised if something strange were happening to you
Instead, be joyful-for these trials make you Christ’s partner
When you suffer for him, you share in revealing his glory.
So, If you are insulted because of Jesus, you will be blessed
If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing or other trouble
It must not be a result of your meddling into other people’s affairs
There is no shame to suffer for being a Christian but not for your own faults.
Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s people
And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits the unbelievers
If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?
If you are suffering in a manner that pleases God
Keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the Lord
He created you and he will never fail you
Sacrifice and suffer for Christ and you will be a victor.
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MEMORY VERSE
If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. – 1 Peter 4:14
Read: 1 Peter 4:12-19
There are Christians who suffer as a consequence of wrong choices and sin. That is not what this chapter is talking about. To suffer for Christ is to be rejected and ostracized for being a Christian. To suffer because you are being questioned for living the truth is what is being discussed in this verse.
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REFLECTION
• Why is suffering because of a sin not the same as suffering for Jesus?
• How can we suffer in a manner that pleases God?
Monthly Archives: November 2019
SHOW DEEP LOVE FOR EACH OTHER poem devotional
November 8
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SHOW DEEP LOVE FOR EACH OTHER
A poem by ILMA
Since Christ went through physical pain, you must have his same attitude
Be ready to suffer physically for Christ just like he did for you
When you decide to do this, you won’t spend your life chasing desires
But you will be anxious to do the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy
They love to do immoral things and lustful feasting and drunken wild parties
They worship idols and their lives are only about pleasing themselves
But they’ll have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone.
The end of the world is coming soon, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers
Most important of all, show deep love for each other, for love covers all sins
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay
God has given each of you some spiritual gifts; use them to serve each other.
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MEMORY VERSE
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:7-8
Love is the biggest command of the Lord for all. Christians are encouraged to show love deeply. Love is the only thing that covers a multitude of sins. It is important for us to be able to use the spiritual gifts that God gave us so that we can actually use these gifts to serve one another. In this chapter, we are warned because the end of days might be coming soon.
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REFLECTION
• How does love conquer all things?
• Why is showing deep love and affection for someone the only thing that really matters?
• Why is Christ the epitome of unconditional love?
• Why is the discipline to pray a very important component of a Christian life?
SUFFERING FOR DOING GOOD Poem Devotional
November 7
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SUFFERING FOR DOING GOOD
A poem by ILMA
Who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you
So, don’t worry or be afraid of threats but worship Christ as Lord of your life
And if someone asks about your hope, always be ready to explain it.
Do this in a gentle and respectful way and keep your conscience clear
Then if people talk against you, they’ll be ashamed when they see your good life Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, than to suffer for doing wrong!
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time, he never sinned, but he died for us all.
Don’t be afraid to do things for the Lord for that is the right thing to do
Do not give in to your evil desire, instead, listen to the Spirit of the Lord
Make a sacrifice and follow the example of the Lord when he died for us
Carry your own cross like Jesus did and always do what is right and good.
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MEMORY VERSE
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So, don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. – 1 Peter 3:14
Read: 1 Peter 3:13-22
There are heroes that the world give recognition. Some people look up to them because of what they have achieved but in God’s economy, those who are real heroes are those who suffer for doing good. They are the ones who constantly want to obey the will of God and go through suffering just to be able to do what is right.
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REFLECTION
• Have you ever suffered because you made the right decision?
• Why are we asked to be sacrificial in showing our love for others?
• How can we avoid looking at the negative side of suffering?
TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD Poem Devotional
November 6
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TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD
A poem by ILMA
All believers must be of one mind and sympathize with each other
Love each other, be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude
Don’t repay evil for evil and when people insult you, don’t do the same
Instead, pay them back with a blessing, that’s according to.
Keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies
If you want to enjoy life and see happy days and pursue peace
God watches over those who do right and he hears their prayers
But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil.
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you
It is better to suffer for doing good, to suffer for doing wrong!
Christ died for us to bring you safely home to God.
He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
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MEMORY VERSE
For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. – 1 Peter 3:10-11
Read: 1 Peter 3:8-22
In this chapter, we are cautioned on many things so we can enjoy life. One of the most important things we learn from this chapter is to keep our tongues from evil and our lips from telling lies. It guarantees a life of peace and a reward of salvation from God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is having one mind among believers important in the kingdom of God?
• Why would it be good to suffer for good?
• What is the reward of suffering for righteousness?
• What reward awaits those who turn from evil and do good?
• Why shouldn’t a Christian take revenge?
CORNERSTONE AND LIVING STONE Poem Devotional
November 5
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CORNERSTONE AND LIVING STONE
A poem by ILMA
Christ is the living cornerstone of God’s temple
Though he was chosen by God, the people rejected him
We are the living stone building into his spiritual temple
Through Christ’s sacrifice, we can please the Father.
So, get rid of all evil behavior and stop all your deception
Do not let hypocrisy, jealousy or unkind speech in your heart
Like newborn babies, you must crave spiritual milk to grow
By growing, you will experience salvation into it’s fullest.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone
He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word,
So, they meet the fate that was planned for them.
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people
You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession
As a result, you can show others the goodness of God,
He called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
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MEMORY VERSE
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. – 1 Peter 2:4
Read: 1 Peter 2:1-10
It is only in Jesus that we can have growth. We need to remember that we are royal priesthood like him if we are believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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REFLECTION
• Why is Jesus considered the cornerstone that the builders rejected?
• Shouldn’t be Christians expected to be rejected as Jesus was?
• Why are we believers considered royal priesthood?
GOD’S WORD REMAINS FOREVER Poem Devotional
November 4
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GOD’S WORD REMAINS FOREVER
A poem by ILMA
Be ready, renew your minds and exercise self-control
Be hopeful and expectant for Jesus’ second coming
Live as obedient children of your heavenly Father
He was holy so he expected you to be holy as well.
Remember that God plays no favorites, he treats you all equally
Live in reverent fear of God since you are just temporary residents
Through Christ you have come to trust in God and was cleansed from sin
So, love each other deeply and sincerely with all your heart.
You’ve been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end
Your new life will last forever because the word of God says
“People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field
The flowers fade but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
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MEMORY VERSE
As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
– 1 Peter 1:24-25
Read: 1 Peter 1:13-25
One of the only things that lasts forever in this world is the word of God. Everything else in this world is temporary and changing. We need to be able to get ourselves strong in the word so we can overcome this world. God also wants us to be holy as he is so that we can receive all the promises of God.
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REFLECTION
• How can you exercise self-control?
• Why is it a good thing to be investing time reading the word of God if you are a believer?
• What happens when we don’t follow the truth that only comes in the word of God?
• How can loving one another deeply make us grow as Christians?
JOY IN TRIALS Poem Devotionals
November 3
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JOY IN TRIALS
A poem by ILMA
When you encounter trials, don’t be discouraged
Instead, look at the upside of it and take courage
These trials will show your faith is genuine
It will test how you are going to endure.
Such trials will make you strong like being tested on fire
It will bring much praise and glory when Christ is revealed
When you love Christ even though you’ve never seen him
The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your soul.
This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know
They prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you
They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you
This Good News has been preached by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.
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MEMORY VERSE
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. – 1 Peter 1:6
Read: 1 Peter 1:6-12
When we encounter adversities in life, we often become discouraged or hopeless or desperate. But there is actually an upside to trials. They grow us. We learn to endure and become able to have patience to suffer long. When our faith grows, we become almost perfect, needing nothing. It gives us a chance to be refined through the fire just like how gold and silver are put to the test in fire.
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REFLECTION
• How can one have the ability to look at the bright side to challenges and trials in life?
• Why are such trials important for our maturity as Christians?
• Why do worldly people see trials as a bad thing? What are they missing when they look at it this way?
• How can we train ourselves to see trials as a test that we need to pass?
THE POWER OF PRAYER Poem Devotional
November 2
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THE POWER OF PRAYER
A poem by ILMA
When you are undergoing trials, praying must be your recourse
If you are happy and joyful, you should sing praises
When you are sick, you must call the elders of the church
Let them pray over you and anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord.
Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick and God will make them well
If someone has committed any sins, they will all be forgiven
If you confess your sins to each other and pray for one another
You can be healed and the prayer of a righteous person has power.
Elijah prayed for rain and his earnest prayers brought rain
Then when he prayed again for no rain, it was granted again
If someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back
That person who save them from death will bring forgiveness of many sins.
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MEMORY VERSE
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16
Read: James 5:13-20
Many people do not realize and value the importance of prayer. The book of James gives us a reminder of the importance of prayer and how it can bring about miracles and impossible things. This chapter also talks about the importance of bringing back those who have wandered from the truth and the reward that is awaiting them.
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REFLECTION
• Why is confessing your sins to each other and praying for one another important in order for healing to happen?
• How can you learn to pray like Elijah?
• What makes prayers answered?
• How often do you pray for the lost souls?
THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE Poem Devotional
November 1
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THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE
A poem by ILMA
All of us believers are commanded to be patient as we wait for Christ’s return
Just like the farmer who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and spring
They enthusiastically look forward to the seeds to bear fruits and ripen
We be hopeful and endure all that we go through until Jesus comes again.
Don’t complain about each other or you will be judge
Since the heavenly Judge will standing at the door!
Learn from the story of Job, a man of great endurance
Despite all of the things he lost, his patience and faith remained.
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MEMORY VERSE
Be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
– James 5:7
Read: James 5:7-12
In the bible, the quality or virtue of patience is presented as either forbearance or endurance. In the former sense it is a quality of self-restraint or of not giving way to anger, even in the face of provocation; it is attributed to both God and man and is closely related to mercy and compassion. Patience is a novelty in my life. Though the Lord has given me endurance, I still find it hard at times to be patient after I have suffered long. It is interesting that I am struggling with one and yet able to endure. I think that I need to focus more on the return of Jesus with expectancy and not let all the challenges and trials in life become the focus of my life. I need to look up to Jesus so that everything I do will be for his glory.
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REFLECTION
• Why is patience a novelty in our world today?
• What makes people endure hardships?
• How is not giving in to anger closely related to mercy and compassion?
• How can we be patient even in the face of provocation?
• Do you think impatience is a form of anger? Why or why not?
ON CRITICISM AND SELF-CONFIDENCE Poem Devotional
October 31
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ON CRITICISM AND SELF-CONFIDENCE
A poem by ILMA
When you become a believer, you mustn’t speak ill of each other
If you criticize and judge one another, you are attacking God’s law
The only thing we need to do is to obey God’s commands
You can’t think that the decree is only for others to follow
God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge
He alone has the power to save or to destroy
What right do you have to judge your neighbor?
You can’t predict or foresee what is going to happen in the future
You can’t assume that your plans are going to all happen
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?
Your life is like a mist, it is there now but can be gone next day
As believers, you need to rely only on God’s grace and plans
You cannot predict things will happen for that is a form of boasting
All boasting is evil and remember it is sin to know what to do and not do it.
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MEMORY VERSE
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. – James 4:11
Read: James 4:11-17
Why is it easy for us to criticize than to affirm someone? It is part of our fallen nature to point other people’s sin or weaknesses rather than examine our own faults. When we talk evil of others or criticize them, we are questioning God’s creation. All of us are created by God, so what right do we have to say that his creation is evil or mediocre?
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think assumption and presumption is a form of boasting?
• Why does James consider boasting as evil? What is the source of arrogance?
• What are the consequences of judging or criticizing someone?
• Why is omitting to do what you know you need to do is considered a sin?