April 30
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CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation,
And my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth will declare your praise.16 For you will not delight in sacrifice,
Or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
Build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
In burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
– Psalm 51:10-19
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Matthew Henry comments that those who are thoroughly convinced of their misery and danger by sin, would spare no cost to obtain the remission of it. But as they cannot make satisfaction for sin, so God cannot take any satisfaction in them, otherwise than as expressing love and duty to him. The good work wrought in every true penitent, is a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, and sorrow for sin. It is a heart that is tender, and pliable to God’s word. The broken heart is acceptable to God only through Jesus Christ; there is no true repentance without faith in him.
What is a clean heart? What is a right spirit? The world has a different idea as to what a pure heart is. It thinks that it has to be perfect and without fault which is a lie perpetuated by Satan so that we won’t have that desire to ask God for forgiveness and acknowledge His Spirit for being the One who is solely responsible for such admittance of our sins.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for giving His only Son to create a clean heart in us.
CONFESSION: Only the Spirit of the Lord can purify our broken hearts.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord, for the cross that cleanses my sins so I can be reconciled.
SUPPLICATION: May we hear the Spirit’s prodding whenever we have sinned against God.
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REFLECTION
• How is a desire to have a pure heart not a work of ours but of the Spirit of God?
Monthly Archives: April 2020
CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN ILMA’S VLOG
April 29
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CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
So that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
And you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.– Psalm 51:1-9
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Matthew Henry’s concise commentary says that David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. He drew up, by Divine teaching, an account of the workings of his heart toward God. Those that truly repent of their sins, will not be ashamed to own their repentance. David had not only done much, but suffered much in the cause of God; yet he flees to God’s infinite mercy, and depends upon that alone for pardon and peace. The blood of Christ, sprinkled upon the conscience, blots out the transgression, and, having reconciled us to God, reconciles us to ourselves.
We clearly see David’s deep repentance in this psalm and his acknowledgment of his sinfulness as he was even conceived in his mother’s womb. He also points out how God delights in our desire to delight in his truth. How often do we ask God to cleanse us from sin? Do we really have a repentant heart to admit and confess our transgressions?
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ADORATION: Lord, only your heart is pure. Make my heart like yours.
CONFESSION: I take full responsibility for my sins and please forgive me.
THANKSGIVING: Lamb of God, please cleanse me from all my sins.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have the desire to admit their sinfulness.
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REFLECTION
• Why is the heart an essential ingredient in the act of being cleansed from sin?
ZION, GOD’S CHOSEN DWELLING PLACE ILMA’S VLOG
April 28
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ZION, GOD’S CHOSEN DWELLING PLACE
11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
Their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.”
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14 “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.”
– Psalm 132:11-18
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Matthew Henry’s commentary says that the Lord never turns from us when we plead the covenant with his anointed Prophet, Priest, and King. How vast is the love of God to man, that he should speak thus concerning his church! It is his desire to dwell with us; yet how little do we desire to dwell with him!
The psalmist recalls God’s covenant with David and how God will never turn his back on Zion as his chosen dwelling place. The Lord desired it and have made it is forever dwelling place. He made a covenant with David that if his sons and descendants keep their promise to make a dwelling place for Him, his sons will be abundantly blessed and provided for. The covenant also ensures that the Lord will shame their enemies and in David will spring forth the promised Messiah. Do we constantly recall the covenant that God made with his people? Are we keeping our temple worthy for God to dwell in it?
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ADORATION: Bless the Lord who is holy and who is a promise keeper.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I do not live up to the commitment that I made with you when I accepted you as my Lord and Savior.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for keeping your promise to those who love you.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers maintain the temple of God holy, which is their bodies.
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REFLECTION
• Why did God choose Zion as his dwelling place?
UNTIL I FIND A PLACE FOR THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
April 27
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UNTIL I FIND A PLACE FOR THE LORD
Remember, O LORD, in David’s favor, all the hardships he endured,
2 How he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 “I will not enter my house or get into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
5 Until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!”
8 Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
– Psalm 132:1-10
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According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, David bound himself to find a place for the Lord, for the ark, the token of God’s presence. When work is to be done for the Lord, it is good to tie ourselves to a time. It is good in the morning to fix upon work for the day, with submission to Providence, for we know not what a day may bring forth. And we should first, and without delay, seek to have our own hearts made a habitation of God through the Spirit.
How easy it is for us in our corrupt world to forget a place for the Lord in our hearts, minds and spirits. The world has completely taken over our attention with so much distractions that we haven’t prioritized God in all that we are and all that we do. David made an oath to God that he won’t stop until he finds a resting place for the Lord. Shouldn’t we emulate such heart that pursues God?
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his unfailing love, mercy and grace.
CONFESSION: Until I find a place for the Lord in my heart, I will not stop.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me a constant hunger for knowing you and your truth and will.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have the heart like David that constantly pursue God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to never stop finding a place for the Lord in our lives?
April 26
________________________________________TRUST THE LORD WHO IS YOUR HELP AND SHIELD
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron; 13 he will bless those who fear the LORD,
Both the small and the great.14 May the LORD give you increase,
You and your children! 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth!
16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the LORD!– Psalm 115:9-18
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Proverbs 3:5-8 says to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
These verses clearly illustrate what “trusting in the Lord” means. It involves the heart, not just the mind. It is recognizing God as sovereign and omnipotent who is the only source of knowledge and deliverance. It is not depending on our human reasoning and knowledge but revering God and turning away from wickedness. To trust in the Lord brings about healing to the body and sustenance for our bones. This entire verses in Psalm 115 echoes Solomon’s words in Proverbs 3. Trusting the Lord is a challenge to do because we are by nature sinners, but it can be done when we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts. When we do, we are delivered and protected.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is our shield and deliverer.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord whenever I try to figure things out and not depend on You.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the steadfast love you have shown to all your people.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people run to God as their shield and deliverer.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop a trust in God especially in times of suffering?
TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY ILMA’S VLOG
April 25
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TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
For the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk;
And they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.– Psalm 115:1-8
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This hymn urges God’s people to trust and worship the Lord alone. He alone is worthy of their deepest loyalty. There is always a temptation to turn to idols. We must understand how hopeless it is to serve such false gods. Only the Lord deserves glory, honor and praise because of his steadfast love and faithfulness.
The writer mentions the futility of believing and worshiping other idols other than the real God, who created all things. It is pointless because they have no mouth that speaks or eyes that see, or anything that has life in them. It gives us a warning in verse 8 what happens to those who trust in idols, they become like these little gods whom they adore. These modern days, it is harder to recognize idols that we make for ourselves. They can come as our loved ones, work, friends, church, ministry or even our own desires for a good self image or good works.
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ADORATION: You are the only Mighty and Eternal God who alone we need to worship.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I unknowingly carve idols that I may not necessarily see.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving us your Word so we can know the only God we need to bow down to.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who claim they are committed to Jesus recognize the subtle gods they have made that hinders their intimacy with the Lord, and destroy them.
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REFLECTION
• What idols have you made for yourself and how have you bowed down to it?
LORD, WHY DO YOU CAST MY SOUL AWAY? ILMA’S VLOG
April 24
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LORD, WHY DO YOU CAST MY SOUL AWAY?
10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you?
11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12 Are your wonders known in the darkness,
Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?13 But I, O LORD, cry to you;
In the morning my prayer comes before you.14 O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me? 15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. 16 Your wrath has swept over me;
Your dreadful assaults destroy me.17 They surround me like a flood all day long;
They close in on me together.18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
My companions have become darkness. – Psalm 88:10-18
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The ESV student bible notes on verses 10-12 “Do you work wonders for the dead?” If one were to die under God’s wrath, then he could not anticipate any experience of God’s wonders, or any chance to praise him. Darkness is the last word of the psalm. Yet the faithful know that there is no alternative but to keep seeking the Lord in prayer.
We can almost hear the lament and the loud emotions of the psalmist as we read this part of this song. He clearly knows the Lord very well as he mentions God’s steadfast love. Yet, we hear his desperate helplessness as his own friend and beloved have shunned him. I empathize so much with the psalmist as I recall a feeling of betrayal when our loved ones reject us and what we believe in. Despite the tone of desperation and hopelessness, we still hear his humble heart asking God assurance that he will be delivered and one day have peace instead of feeling overwhelmed and helpless. We clearly see the honesty in the turmoil he is going through as he lay down all his weaknesses and dejection to God.
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ADORATION: Praise the God who is full of Mercy and Compassion.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I give in to my feelings and emotions.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving us a heart that can empathize with others.
SUPPLICATION: May we be honest to God with all the hardships and suffering we go through.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think God honors those who are honest with their emotions? Why or why not?
I CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT BEFORE YOU ILMA’S VLOG
April 23
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I CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT BEFORE YOU
O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you
2 Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!
3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,
5 Like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave,
Like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.
6 You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.
7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me and you overwhelm me with all your waves.
8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;9 my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. – Psalm 88:1-9
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This psalm is a song written by the sons of Korah and an individual lament. It is suited for a person who is so overwhelmed with troubles that even his friends shun him, and who suspects that the Lord has rejected him as well.
This psalm speaks of my own heart these past days as I am confronted by so much uncertainties during this global pandemic. These sorrows are for the ones closest to me who do not know the Lord and has chosen a path that rejects Him and his word. I cry out day and night before the Lord. I feel God’s pain for those who turn their backs on him. I also cry for my weak flesh that sometimes succumbs to fear which leads to worries and anxieties over the consequences of wrong choices and sins that my family have also tied me up with. I plead the Lord to make me depend and trust Him especially when I am overwhelmed like this.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for He is sovereign and knows what’s best for us.
CONFESSION: Forgive me for worrying and not totally trusting you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me a heart that seeks You alone Lord!
SUPPLICATION: May all believers look forward to the reward of heaven awaiting them.
May all unbelievers turn to God before it is too late.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers have an honest heart like the psalmist in this song?
THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU ARE THE MOST HIGH ILMA’S VLOG
April 22
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THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU ARE THE MOST HIGH
9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 Who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 Who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.”
13 O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 So may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane!
16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.
17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace,
18 That they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD,
Are the Most High over all the earth. – Psalm 83:9-18
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In this song, Asaph runs to God for rescue from the Gentiles who formed alliances to bring down the people of God. He recalls how God delivered them from the Midianites, Siserites and Jabinites at the Kishon river by crushing them and becoming dung for the ground. He particularly names their nobles like Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna who wanted to take possession of God’s pastures. What a strategy to win! Running to God and reminding him of his great deeds for them in the past!
In the ESV study bible, the basic request is that these enemies would utterly fail in their scheme. The ultimate reason for Israel’s existence is to serve God’s purpose of restoring true worship and authentic human life among all mankind. Therefore, it is really for the good of these hostile Gentiles that they fail in their plan to destroy Israel.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for all the mighty wondrous deeds he does for his people.
CONFESSION: The Lord is our rescuer, our strength and our fortress.
THANKSGIVING: Let us give thanks to a God who constantly protects the righteous.
SUPPLICATION: May all of the schemes of the enemy be exposed and destroyed so that there will be no more impediments in worshiping and giving God the glory.
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REFLECTION
• What are some of the tactics or schemes of Satan to destroy God’s people?
• What attacks from the enemy have you encountered lately? How did you respond?
O GOD, DO NOT KEEP SILENT ILMA’S VLOG
April 21
________________________________________ O GOD, DO NOT KEEP SILENT
O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
Those who hate you have raised their heads.3 They lay crafty plans against your people;
They consult together against your treasured ones.
4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
Let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5 For they conspire with one accord;
Against you they make a covenant—6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites,7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8 Asshur also has joined them;
They are the strong arm of the children of Lot. – Psalm 83:1-8
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The ESV study bible says that this is a community lament, responding to a situation in which God’s people are threatened by Gentile enemies who aim to destroy them. The psalmist, Asaph asks that God will make these enemies fail miserably, be put to shame and perish so that they might come to know the Lord. The Gentile coalition and their evil crafty plans in verse 4 tells us they want to annihilate God’s people so their names will never be remembered anymore. Facing such danger, the people urge God not to be silent.
It is interesting that during this time in history, the people of God ask God to move into action against the Gentile alliance who wants to crush the Israelites. This probably shows how much they know their God and exhibits dependence on him. Their confidence stems in knowing their God will do everything to rescue them. Do we have this kind of dependence on our Lord? Do we reflect on his character and his promises?
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ADORATION: Lord, I praise your steadfast love and surrender to your strength.
CONFESSION: Do not keep silent and allow evil to win over the enemy’s plot to destroy your people.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your promise to be with us always in every situation.
SUPPLICATION: May the Lord’s will prevail especially in transitions from major changes in our lives.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop confidence in depending on God? What must we give up?