June 21
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THE DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT
17 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 18 For, while speaking out arrogant words of no value they entice by fleshly desires, by indecent behavior, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what anyone is overcome, by this he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” – 2 Peter 2:17-22
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In this letter, Peter once again addresses those deceivers who have been inching their way in to corrupt the church. Peter describes these false prophets who preys on the believers as springs that are dried up for whom the darkness is reserved for. In verse 18, Peter exposes their tactic. They speak false arrogant and erroneous words to lie and get the believers to be derailed from their faith. They promise false freedom when they are not free themselves. In verse 20, Peter says that even if they have escaped the worlds’ judgment, they won’t be able to run away from God’s judgment and wrath.
In verse 22, Paul repeats Proverbs 26:11. This proverb means that fools are likened to dogs. It means that fools are stubborn and unable to adapt or be resilient. The simile “the dog eats its vomit again, even though this may be poisonous for him. In biblical times, dogs were considered unclean because they scavenge the dead and they are described as repugnant creatures which symbolizes evil. The vomit represents the result of extreme indulgence which is disgusting. In Proverbs 27:22, we get a better glimpse of fools when it says “Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, will not remove their folly from them.” They are people lacking moral behavior or discipline. There are many verses in the book of Proverbs that describes what fools are. They are despicable and oftentimes contrasted with the wise, who are prudent, disciplined and walk in the truth that comes from the word of God.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think foolishness is a sin? Why or why not?
Monthly Archives: June 2021
WHEN ONE ABANDONS THE RIGHT WAY ILMA’S VLOG
June 20
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WHEN ONE ABANDONS THE RIGHT WAY
Reckless, self-centered, they speak abusively of angelic majesties without trembling, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a demeaning judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, using abusive speech where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, 13 suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions as they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having hearts trained in greed, accursed children; 15 abandoning the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the reward of unrighteousness; 16 but he received a rebuke for his own offense, for a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the insanity of the prophet. – 2 Peter 2:11-16
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Previous to these passages, in 2 Peter 2:9-10, he addresses those who continue to corrupt others and how the Lord rescues the godly. Peter explains the consequence of such indulgence to sin and illustrates a picture of those who despise authority. He describes these false teachers as reckless and self-centered. Speaking against all of God’s creation and laws.
In verse 12, he likens these heretics to animals who have no control about what comes out of their mouths. They act thoughtlessly and follow their natural tendencies. In other words, they follow their cravings and flesh but they are devoid of wisdom or knowledge since they are walking the path of unrighteousness. They refuse to bring their strongholds to submit to the obedience of Christ. They defy all authorities that God has set for them to follow. The only thing they follow are their merry-ways and give in to their lusts.
In verse 15, Peter refers to Balaam (from Numbers 22-24). Balaam was a wicked prophet in the Bible and is noteworthy because, although he was a wicked prophet, he was not a false prophet. That is, Balaam did hear from God, and God did give him some true prophecies to speak. However, Balaam’s heart was not right with God, and eventually he showed his true colors by betraying Israel and leading them astray. Peter cautions the believers of such corruption from people of unrighteousness.
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REFLECTION
• Why should believers be watchful that they do not abandon the right way?
GOD’S WRATH OVER SINFULNESS ILMA’S VLOG
June 19
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GOD’S WRATH OVER SINFULNESS
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example of what is coming for the ungodly; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the perverted conduct of unscrupulous people 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from a trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt passion, and despise authority.
– 2 Peter 2: 4-10
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In this letter, Peter shows all believers the consequence of sin. He reminds them how God dealt with sin even with his own angels, those wicked people during the time of Noah and how he destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and reduced them to ashes.
Jude 1:6 reiterates what happened to those angels. It says that those angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day. In Genesis 6, we hear the aftermath of wickedness in the following verses: “When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. So, the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Many people still do not fathom the depth of God’s wrath. If they did, they would probably turn their backs on sin and return to God. God cannot change his nature. He detests sin and will punish anyone who dwells in it.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think many people do not comprehend the consequence of sin?
ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES
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June 18
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ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES
But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their indecent behavior, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. – 2 Peter 2:1-3
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In this letter, Peter warns the believers of what is going to come in the church and the Christian community. He tells them about being infiltrated by false prophets and false teachers whose purpose is to mislead people from following truth. Peter brings this prophecy to the followers of Jesus so they will be prepared when these kinds of people inch their way into body of believers.
Peter paints a picture of what is going to happen when these heretics come into the churches and bring havoc to the people of God. He exposes their tactics and what will eventually happen as such:
• These false teachers and false prophets will deceivingly get in the churches without the people being aware of them – getting into the sheepfold stealthily will create more damage to the followers of Christ.
• Their main goal is to weaken the unity and purity of the believers by introducing destructive heresies and create confusion and chaos in the body.
• They will persuade the people to deny Christ as their Master in order for them to manipulate and control them leading to their destruction.
• Many will fall into the traps that these heretics will present such as indecent behavior which will lead to the malignment of truth.
• In their greed, they will exploit and manipulate God’s people with lies and false teachings which are devised so cleverly that may not be so clearly seen until the believers have already fallen into their traps.
Despite all these schemes that the devil plans, Peter reminds the believers in verse 3 that they shouldn’t be discouraged because they serve a God who will not let evil unpunished. He is not asleep and he is a God who is just and will surely bring destruction to such wickedness and protect his people.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to know how the enemy works as prophesied by Peter here?
EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY ILMA’S VLOG
June 17
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EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a declaration as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory: “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”— 18 and we ourselves heard this declaration made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.19 And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
– 2 Peter 1:16-21
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In this letter, Peter declares his first-hand experience with the Lord Jesus. He explains that he did not make up stories about the power and coming of Christ, but that he was an eyewitness of his majestic Lord. Peter is actually talking about being there during Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist and a dove descended on Jesus and they all heard God spoke “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” Can you imagine how it would feel if you actually witnessed this event? Peter was honored and awed at how he was given a chance to take part in this glorious and majestic moment. Are you honored as a believer to know that the Christ whom you believe in is someone whom God is well pleased with?
In verse 19, Peter emphasizes the importance of the prophetic word endowed on those who were key witnesses to this important event. He says that it is important that those spectators will be able to shine the light of Jesus in dark places until He comes back again. What does mean for believers? It means that we must make it our goal to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the unbelieving world and be witnesses to Christ’s work of salvation. We have a mandate to preach the gospel into all the world and to all creation in Mark 16:15.
In verses 20-21, Peter talks about an important matter. He says that prophecy wasn’t an exercise of human will, but a work of the Holy Spirit that was spoken from God himself. Many Christians have not truly witnessed to the great majestic God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is witnessing an important aspect of a Christian’s life?
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE TRUTH ILMA’S VLOG
June 16
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THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE TRUTH
12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. – 2 Peter 1:12-15
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In this letter Peter is repeatedly warning the believers of the qualities that a believer should continually seek to do in order to be established in the truth. Peter had made it his life goal to ensure that each believer is keeping up with the cost of being a follower of Jesus. He wants them to be established in truth and he says in verse 13 that he will do everything he can for as long as he lives to stir up every believer in the way that is right.
We see how Peter was all out to make it his life goal to remind all believers to equip themselves to diligently do what is expected of every one who commits to Christ. In verse 15, he declares that even after he is no longer alive, he is leaving a legacy where each believer will have to remember all that Jesus has taught them.
The word “truth” had been so misused by the world that it is no longer about God’s word. The truth has taken on a very subjective perspective even to a point that it has been taken to a point of relativism. Truth is what each person’s perspective it, not God’s viewpoint. You ask someone if they know the truth and most people would say what they think of something and they think that is the truth. Sadly, the world has corrupted the real meaning of truth by making it about how humans see things. Truth is about absolutes not about what humans perceive or know. Truth comes from the word of God because God is the fountain of knowledge. He knows everything and is the source of all that is right. He is truth and only by abiding and following him can we know the truth. That is why Peter is so adamant that all believers stay grounded on the truth that only comes from God’s word. He knows that once we veer away from it, we will surely turn away from the narrow road that leads to ruin and destruction. When we are established in the truth, we will never falter in our faith and we will eventually have the promises of God be fulfilled in our lives. We are given a foolproof guarantee of our salvation.
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REFLECTION
• What happens when a Christian do not establish himself in the word of God?
• Why do we need to invest time as believers in staying in truth?
PRESS ON TO YOUR CALLING FROM GOD ILMA’S VLOG
June 16
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THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE TRUTH
12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. – 2 Peter 1:12-15
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In this letter Peter is repeatedly warning the believers of the qualities that a believer should continually seek to do in order to be established in the truth. Peter had made it his life goal to ensure that each believer is keeping up with the cost of being a follower of Jesus. He wants them to be established in truth and he says in verse 13 that he will do everything he can for as long as he lives to stir up every believer in the way that is right.
We see how Peter was all out to make it his life goal to remind all believers to equip themselves to diligently do what is expected of every one who commits to Christ. In verse 15, he declares that even after he is no longer alive, he is leaving a legacy where each believer will have to remember all that Jesus has taught them.
The word “truth” had been so misused by the world that it is no longer about God’s word. The truth has taken on a very subjective perspective even to a point that it has been taken to a point of relativism. Truth is what each person’s perspective it, not God’s viewpoint. You ask someone if they know the truth and most people would say what they think of something and they think that is the truth. Sadly, the world has corrupted the real meaning of truth by making it about how humans see things. Truth is about absolutes not about what humans perceive or know. Truth comes from the word of God because God is the fountain of knowledge. He knows everything and is the source of all that is right. He is truth and only by abiding and following him can we know the truth. That is why Peter is so adamant that all believers stay grounded on the truth that only comes from God’s word. He knows that once we veer away from it, we will surely turn away from the narrow road that leads to ruin and destruction. When we are established in the truth, we will never falter in our faith and we will eventually have the promises of God be fulfilled in our lives. We are given a foolproof guarantee of our salvation.
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REFLECTION
• What happens when a Christian do not establish himself in the word of God?
• Why do we need to invest time as believers in staying in truth?
QUALITIES FOR CHRISTIAN FOR PRODUCTIVE LIVING ILMA’S VLOG
June 14
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QUALITIES FOR CHRISTIAN FOR PRODUCTIVE LIVING
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness
7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor
unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. – 2 Peter 1:5-9
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In this letter, Peter gives us all the secret for Christian living. He discusses the process involved in a Christian’s spiritual growth.
1. Apply diligence. – Merriam Webster defines diligence as steady, earnest, and energetic effort: devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking. No wonder Peter wants believers to be use this quality in their lives.
2. In your faith, supply moral excellence. It is the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. We are expected to use this quality in our faith.
3. Employ knowledge in your moral excellence. – Knowledge is defined as facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education.
4. Self-control must be applied as you use knowledge. – There is a danger of being boastful when we do not have self-control. It makes us performers rather than using knowledge to edify the body of Christ.
5. In your self-control, there must be perseverance. – it is a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition or steadfastness.
6. In persevering, there must be godliness. – it is the quality or state of being pure or clean. Without this quality, we will only be striving to perform instead of being righteous.
7. In your godliness, do not fail to give brotherly kindness. – Always make sure that you are always considerate, generous and patient.
8. Show love as you exhibit brotherly kindness. – We are all made in God’s image, so we have an anointing
These qualities are very essential for a believer to grow in their walk with the Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Which of these qualities are you abounding or lacking in?
OUTCOME OF GOD’S PRECIOUS AND MAGNIFICENT PROMISES
June 13
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OUTCOME OF GOD’S PRECIOUS AND MAGNIFICENT PROMISES
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust. – 2 Peter 1:1-4
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In this letter, Peter addresses the people who have the same faith as his. He emphasized that we receive it by the righteousness of our God and Savior Christ Jesus. Peter always starts his salutation with a greeting of peace and grace. In this letter, he greets them with a double blessing of knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus.
Peter mentions the divine power that only comes from God and discusses the importance of true knowledge of Him who called us all so we can give him all the glory and excellence.
He talks to the believers about the aftermath of focusing on God’s magnificent promises. It is the only way that they may share God’s divine nature and stay pure and able to resist lusts in this world.
Biblegateway.com lists about 5467 promises in the bible. Some other websites mention 7000 to 8000. It doesn’t matter what the exact number is but what is important is the knowledge that we can count on. If you do the math, that is about 14 promises per day in a year. So, how come we don’t look forward to all of them? Many believers probably don’t stand on these promises or even know them. How can one look up to something that is not clear? That is why we are bombarded with them in the bible so that we can have something to be expectant about even 14 times per day in a year. Can you imagine how this world would look like if each person knows the promises they can look forward to on a daily basis? There will be an end to negative thinking, depression, hopelessness or frustration. Each one would be full of hope and expectancy to see the promises happen in their lives on a regular basis. Each one would get deeper knowledge of who God is and how he provides and gives us all that we need. There will be no room for complaining and whining. It will be a world of contentment and gratitude to a God who gives it all.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to focus on God’s promises regularly?
BE WATCHFUL FOR THE DEVIL SEEKS TO DEVOUR SOMEONE ILMA’S VLOG
June 12
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BE WATCHFUL FOR THE DEVIL SEEKS TO DEVOUR SOMEONE
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.
– 1 Peter 5:6-14
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Peter tells us a very wise warning about the devil in this letter. He gives us a way so that we won’t be an easy prey to the enemy. Here are some of the ways that you can avoid being a victim of the devil
• Humble yourselves under the might hand of God -when someone is humble, no matter what the devil does, he won’t succeed. Arrogance is the open door for him.
• Cast your anxiety on the Lord – when we engage in worry and do not pursue peace, we will be spun by the devil’s lies and make us lose our peace.
• Be of sober spirit- when we are patient and prudent, the enemy cannot infiltrate us and make us reckless, wild and unregulated.
• Be watchful and alert because the devil prowls like a roaring lion, wanting to devour someone.
• Be firm in your faith and resist your flesh – the devil won’t even have a chance to trick you when your faith is like a fortress.
• Suffer for Christ -for this will strengthen your faith and will make you have a solid foundation for bringing the gospel alive in you.
Peter closes his letter with a kiss of love and a greeting of peace to all who will read this letter.
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REFLECTION
• How can you ensure that you are not opening doors to the enemy to devour you?