August 31
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MORE DENIALS BY PETER
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 31 So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” 32 to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. – John 18:25-32
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This account is the beginning of Jesus’ presentation to Pilate. What was interesting in this story is how Simon Peter kept on following where they were bringing Jesus. He didn’t want to take his eyes off his Master and yet, as soon as he is being questioned about his identity, he denied two more times his association with the Lord. Aside from the truth that Jesus prophesied about Peter denying Him three times, what must have led him to do so? Let us take a look why Peter actually resorted to two more occasions of denying the Master whom he used to boast about: that He will always be loyal and follow Him. I surmise that he kept on following Jesus, curious how Jesus was going to handle the process of crucifixion. He probably is wondering how his Master could just let Jesus allow all these suffering He is going through to happen. He may have been wishing that Jesus prove all these people that He is God after all. He didn’t understand the concept that God’s will have to be done and even the Son of God had no desire to change it.
The moment Peter was recognized by someone who was in the group of soldiers who arrested Jesus in the garden, he feared for his life. He didn’t want end up like Jesus, unable to help Himself and die on the cross. He resorted to self-protect. We all do it: we automatically preserve our own lives for our own sake. We deny the Lord when we do not stand up for truth or when we do not totally become his slaves. When we cater to our own interest, we forget that we are supposed to sacrifice our own lives for him.
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REFLECTION
• Despite Peter’s denials, why was he still chosen by God to build His chu
Monthly Archives: August 2020
JESUS’ ARREST & PETER’S FIRST DENIAL ILMA’S VLOG
August 30
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12 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13 and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. 21 Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” 22 When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” 24 So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. – John 18:12-24
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In this account, the saga of the suffering of Jesus begins. He was arrested by the Roman officers to be presented to Annas who was the father in law of Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter, followed them and was watching what they were going to do to his Master. Jesus was interrogated about his disciples and what He had been teaching them. When Peter was recognized by a slave girl of the high priest, he automatically denied that He was with Jesus. What an interesting way to show his loyalty to Jesus! Self-protection is second nature to us all when we feel threatened. But it is not Jesus’ requirement for his followers. We see how God loves his disciples so much and how he understands their fears and struggles. It is in this scene that soldier first struck Jesus when He answered his question.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we automatically protect ourselves and deny the Lord at times?
THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS ISCARIOT ILMA’S VLOG
August 29
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THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS ISCARIOT
18 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” – John 18:1-11
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In this account, John highlights the purpose why Jesus became human. He was going to be persecuted and die on the cross. This scene was the beginning of that promise of a Savior for all mankind. Judas Iscariot had to be the person to betray Jesus so that this prophecy may be fulfilled. It was in the garden at night when Judas decided to do this act of treason to his Master. The garden was one of the places that we have seen Jesus in many occasions to spend quiet time with his Father, and it was in this sanctuary that the betrayal also happened. What an irony. It actually shows us the opposite sides of the sanctity of the place against the evil plot of the Pharisees to apprehend Jesus and persecute Him. The soldiers were so used to using force apprehending criminals and law breakers. They were harsh and Jesus assured them that He will not have any resistance and that they can get Him and leave the others alone. We get another glimpse of the impulsive Peter who wanted to fight back and struck the ear of one of the high priest’s slave. Jesus would not put up with violence, so He stopped Peter from this act and reminded Him that the will of God needs to be fulfilled and no one can stop it.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God used a greedy man Judas to be part of this big scene?
SANCTIFIED BY TRUTH ILMA’S VLOG
August 27
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SANCTIFIED BY TRUTH
13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. – John 17:13-21
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This account is still a part of Jesus’ prayer to the heavenly Father for the sake of His disciples. He was concerned for them because He knows that they will still be in the world while He is joining His Father soon. He pleads His Father to keep His disciple holy because they will be surrounded by corruption and evil. As He asks His Father, we hear much affection in His words in verses 14-19. He intimately knows his disciples very well and recognizes their challenges if He goes to join His Father. What a wonderful thing to know that every need of these disciples will be met! Jesus knows their suffering and how they will be marinated in persecution, evil and attacks. This is why He was interceding for them so that His Father can sanctify them in truth. In verse 20, Jesus wants the disciples to be protected by the truth which comes only from God’s word. He wants to ensures that they are kept pure by Scriptures. The aim for such sanctity is so that they will be united with the Father and Himself as well.
Jesus mentions also that this is not only the case for His disciples, but also for anyone who believes in Him through Scriptures.
The main reason why all believers need to be sanctified is because they will be witnesses for the Father and the Son. It will bring glory to them both. It will lead others to believe and want to know Jesus and the Father more.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we need to be sanctified when we become followers of Jesus?
• What happens when Christians do not keep pure for the Lord?
• Why is it important to worship the Lord in truth?
JESUS’ PRAYERS FOR HIS DISCIPLES ILMA’S VLOG
August 26
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JESUS’ PRAYERS FOR HIS DISCIPLES
Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. 6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; 8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. 12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
– John 17:1-12
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This prayer of Jesus to His Father is exemplary. I think that Jesus shared this prayer to His disciples openly so that they can follow it themselves. He wants to model to them what a true prayer is. In this prayer, we get a glimpse of how much love Jesus had for those who love Him. He was reminding His Father that it was Him who gave them to Him to teach and lead. He endorses His disciples’ faithfulness and belief in the Son, who came from the Father Himself.
Can you imagine, a true God Himself, prays on your behalf? How humble Jesus was to recognize that God the Father is still the source of everything when He Himself is a God?
The prayer is all about asking the Father to give these faithful followers what He has. In other words, He wants them to have all the blessings and privileges He has because they loved Him. Do we pray for our loved ones like Jesus did?
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REFLECTION
• How can we learn to pray like Jesus did?
TAKE COURAGE FOR JESUS OVERCAME THE WORLD
August 25
________________________________________TAKE COURAGE FOR JESUS OVERCAME THE WORLD
29 His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. 30 Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:29-33
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This declaration of the disciples to Jesus about believing that He came from God didn’t really convince Jesus. In verse 31, he asks them again if they really believe Him. Jesus gives them another warning that they will all be scattered and cannot be together as they used to be. In verse 32, Jesus predicts that they are not strong enough yet to face all the repercussions of His sacrifice on the cross will bring on their lives. Jesus prophesied that some of them will be so scared of the fact that the Jewish leaders have the power to crucify them as well since they were connected to Jesus.
We clearly see the deity of Christ when He declared what will happen before it actually happens. Because He is omniscient and omnipotent, He also knew their unbelief, their fear for their lives and their panic from having no one to lead them anymore. Jesus also acknowledges his humanity in verse 32 when He said that they will not be there for Him at all. He expected them to be there when He is going through the sacrifice on the cross. His dependence on God always prevails because He knows that the Father is always in Him and will never leave or forsake Him. He predicted his disciples would be scattered and hide because of their fear. He is teaching us all to depend on God who knows what is best for us. He doesn’t want us to rely on humans for help, because they will never really be able to provide what only God can grant us. Jesus reminds them that only in Him can they have courage and peace because the world is unable to give this peace to them. The world only brings suffering and pain. Jesus reassures them that the only way they can overcome these tribulations is through Him. He is the Prince of Peace.
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REFLECTION
• Why are we asked to pursue peace at all cost as Christians?
GRIEF TURNED TO JOY ILMA’S VLOG
August 23
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GRIEF TURNED TO JOY
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. 21 Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. – John 16:12-22
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In this account, John tells us what the Lord shared with His disciples before He fulfilled the promise of God to save mankind. He is appeasing their grief over what is going to happen to them when He is gone. He likens their grief to a woman in labor pains. A woman’s labor pain is excruciatingly unbearable; but the pain turns into joy when she gives birth to her child. The pain is replaced by the joy that comes from knowing that her baby has come to life.
Jesus tells His disciples that It may be painful to think that He is going to leave them soon, but the promise of a Helper is going to ease their pain. When He comes back again, there will be overwhelming joy to all those who love Him. It will make their pain of losing Him worthwhile.
When we go through grief, we can easily become discouraged or hopeless, but those who believe in Jesus will always have hope because He will never forsake those who love Him.
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REFLECTION
• How can your grief be turned to joy when you lose something or someone?
CONDITION TO BE FRIENDS OF GOD ILMA’S VLOG
August 20
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CONDITION TO BE FRIENDS OF GOD
12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another. – John 15:12-17
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In this account, Jesus clearly explains the requirements and details of how one becomes included in God’s circle of friends. First and foremost, He is the one who chose all who belong to Him. He chose us first. He gave us the free will to receive His invitation to be His friend. We can either accept or reject Him. He will never force His will on us. One of the conditions He requires is for His follower to love one another as He has loved them. Jesus summed up all the laws in the commandment to love each other as He has loved us. According to Him, love means laying down one’s life for your friends. He calls us friends when we obey his command to love. Obedience to this command brings them to a new level of relationship with God: they are no longer slaves but they have become friends with Him. A slave doesn’t have full knowledge of what his master is doing but friends become privy to their friend’s concerns or affairs. In verse 15 Jesus says that all the things His Father told him will be passed on to those who obey His command, so that His friends can enjoy the same standing and the same privileges He has. Whom He chose, He also pre-destined to work for His kingdom and bear fruit. Thus, they are able to spread to the world his kingdom plan and His will can be fulfilled and He be glorified. As the friend of God continues to follow Jesus’ lead, they become fruitful and get another benefit: that they will be granted whatever they ask in His name. What wonderful promises Jesus gave to those who follow His commands. They are called His friends, they bear fruits, they become intimate with the Lord and have the benefit of being granted whatever they ask in His name. The world, on the other hand views friendship in a very different light. Friendship with the world means a “self-centered” based relationship, while friendship with God is a “selfless” focused relationship that obeys God’s commands.
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REFLECTION
• How can we maintain our position in Christ while we live in this corrupt world?
KEEP MY COMMAND AND YOU’LL ABIDE IN MY LOVE ILMA’S VLOG
August 19
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KEEP MY COMMAND AND YOU’LL ABIDE IN MY LOVE
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. – John 15:1-11
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In this verse, Jesus explains to his disciples and compares Himself as the true vine and the Father as the vinedresser. It is a picture of how the Father cares for all the branches of the vine and prunes each branch so it can bear fruit. I love gardening and as a gardener, we want to ensure growth of the plant or tree we sowed or planted so that it can bear fruits. Pruning is one of the most important things a gardener does because it is like disciplining the branch to propagate and train it to follow, which direction he wants the branches he will cut to grow. God is the gardener and Jesus is the main vine and we are the branches. He prunes all the dead twigs so that new growth may come out of the vine. He does this so we can bear fruits of the Spirit. There is a condition for bearing fruits mentioned in verse 7 and that is to abide in Jesus. He says that if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we will be able to bear much fruit so it will glorify God. By abiding, He meant to obey his commandments and to stay in His truth which only comes from the word of God. Jesus is also called the word in John 1. Abiding in Him, means that we obey His word as well. It is the only guarantee to bear fruits. Without Jesus, we can’t produce any fruit at all.
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REFLECTION
• Why is obedience to God’s word essential to produce the Spirit’s fruits?
THE GREATEST TEACHER LIVING INSIDE YOU ILMA’S VLOG
August 18
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THE GREATEST TEACHER LIVING INSIDE YOU
25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. 28 You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe. 30 I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has
nothing in Me; 31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here. – John 14:25-31
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In this discourse of Jesus with His disciples, He points to the role of the Holy Spirit who is going to be their Helper. During the three years that Jesus was with His disciples, He taught them many things. Jesus reassured His disciples that though He isn’t going to be there physically to teach them, the Holy Spirit will live inside each one of them and will be the greatest teacher living inside each one of them. The Holy Spirit will remind them of all the things that He has taught them already during the time He was with them. He will also bring to memory all the lessons that He already told them.
Jesus also commanded them to receive the peace that He is giving them. He told them to never allow fear or troubles defeat them but instead, they must choose the peace that only comes from Him. He said that the world can never be able to bring them such peace. He declares to them that obedience to His Father’s will is the gauge for the world to know that He loves His Father.
In this account, Jesus explains to His disciples some of the roles that the Holy Spirit is going to play in their lives once He is physically gone. The Spirit of God will be the one to bring to memory all that He has taught them and also teach them how to apply them in their lives. Peace was emphasized also in these last words from Jesus. He declares that only from Him will they be able to experience peace. The world will never be able to give it to them. Jesus prepared His followers what was going to happen even before it happened. Only the one true God can see what will happen and only He knows everything.
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REFLECTION
• Why do some Christians forget that the Holy Spirit is the only source of Truth and wisdom? Why isn’t it easy to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us?