May 10
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JAMES 1
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. – James 1:26-27
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JAMES 1 PURE AND UNSTAINDED RELIGION ACCORDING TO GOD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Many religions have their own gods and their ways to reach a certain place
Some think that they can reach that place through works or following a path
Some beliefs even say that they go through many lives to reach perfection
Others think that if they can do a lot of good, they maintain their reputation
Another religion has a points system where they get merits or demerits
Some groups of people think that they have to seclude themselves from the rest
So many different kinds of beliefs have plagued mankind for many years
They have no understanding of what is pure and unstained according to God.
Religion that is pure and unstained according to God is to visit the afflicted
He also commands his elect to keep themselves from being corrupted
When we commit to loving God, we are also charged to love one another
Pure religion is a path where we show compassion to our sisters and brothers
Jesus Christ died for us not for a religion but for us to depend on his kingship
The Lord requires his people to stay holy for he himself is holy and majestic.
We believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; three in one God
Those who are in the communion of saints ought to be united in a bond
The chosen people of God are expected to live in unison with the Trinity
Just as the Father, Son and Spirit are all united in love and harmony
Pure religion according to God involves relationship in love
It is not a bunch of rules and rituals, but the body of Christ all in one.
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REFLECTION
• What is the biggest difference in the concept of religion as to how the world view it and how God sees it?
• Why do you think compassion and purity is the biggest requirement in God’s perspective of pure religion?
Category Archives: Psalm Blog
JAMES 1 BE DOERS OF THE WORD & NOT HEARERS ONLY
May 9
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JAMES 1
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
– James 1:22-25
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JAMES 1 BE DOERS OF THE WORD & NOT HEARERS ONLY
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord loves his people and guides them closely
He gave his word so they can follow it regularly
When we hear the word of God and fail to do it
We will be easily snared by all the devil’s tactics
Scripture is given to us so we can have wisdom
Following it will keep us from sin’s bondage.
When we do not heed God’s word, we are easy targets to sin
Only those who please the Lord with all their hearts will win
To love God and also one another is the law of liberty
This is the mirror by which a believer is to constantly see
By keeping it, one will not just be a hearer but a doer as well
God will outpour all his blessings and in them, he will dwell.
To hear the word and not do it, we become hypocrites
Our righteousness will be compromised and so will also be our faith
So, let us closely listen to the convictions that we hear in Scripture
By meditating on it regularly and taking it seriously, our faith deepens
By doing what we heard proclaimed to us, we become pleasing to the Lord
We ought to keep our covenant with God, or we will be ruled by the world.
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REFLECTION
• What are the responsibilities of a true believer according to these verses?
• What is the right thing to do when you closely witness hypocrisy in your church?
JAMES 1 RECEIVE HUMBLY THE IMPLANTED WORD
May 8
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JAMES 1
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
– James 1:19-21
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JAMES 1 RECEIVE HUMBLY THE IMPLANTED WORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
We were given by God a pair of ears so we can listen quickly
God also gave us one mouth so we can use it to speak truthfully
Anger is given to us to prod us to speak up for the voiceless
It is also a gift so we can defend all the oppressed and defenseless
So, let us all listen intently as we hear other’s predicaments
Let us put a guard on our mouths and our temperaments
For we are all made in God’s image; let us desire to know him
Only in his word and his laws can we be made aware of our sins
Without the Lord’s laws and words, we will definitely perish
Keep longing for God’s precept and guidance and you will flourish.
The Lord has called us to repent and turn from our sins
He gave us his word so we don’t have to follow all our whims
Scripture will expose our fallen nature and weaknesses
It also guides us to live holy lives and follow God’s righteousness
Receive humbly the implanted word and you will be transformed
It shows us all that is true and right so we can live the new creation
Hunger for the word of God and you will be guided to follow His will
Meditate on it daily and you will gain wisdom to stay away from sin
Confess your sins right away and repent as he disciplines you in his word
Do not ignore his admonishments for God disciplines whom he loves
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REFLECTION
• How is man’s anger different from God’s anger?
• Why does James warn us to speak slowly and be slow to react angrily?
JAMES 1 FATHER OF LIGHTS: GIVER OF GOOD & PERFECT GIFTS
May 7
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JAMES 1
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
– James 1:16-18
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JAMES 1 FATHER OF LIGHTS: GIVER OF GOOD & PERFECT GIFTS
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
While you were still walking in the dark
Your Father brought you into the light
With his word, he exposed sin and brought you truth
Receive his word and you will discern what is untrue
The Lord is the father of lights who is unchanging
There is nothing dark or shady in Him; he exudes light.
Do not think that you can provide for yourself
Everything we have is coming from our heavenly Father
We cannot claim that every skill or talent we have is ours
It is a gift that we need to acknowledge the one true God
He gave us light and drew us out of the darkness
His gospel shines and free us from every bondage.
When we fail to remember that our source is the Lord
We will fall into the traps of the systems of this world
Let us give thanks to the father of lights, where truth shines forth
Let us follow his generosity and spread the gospel throughout
Let us all declare God’s goodness in bringing us out of the darkness
Remember to live in his word, which guides us to his own righteousness.
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REFLECTION
• What is the importance of acknowledging the giver of good and perfect gifts?
• What happens when we forget that our source is the father of lights?
• What does it mean to be the firstfruits of God’s creature as verse 18 says?
JAMES 1 PHASES OF TEMPTATION & SIN
May 6
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JAMES 1
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. – James 1:12-15
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JAMES 1 PHASES OF TEMPTATION & SIN
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Continue to exercise patience and endurance as you live in this world
The Lord didn’t guarantee us a trouble-free life, but gave us his word
Dwell in the truth and follow the laws of the Lord and you will discern
Have no regard for the Scripture and you will be foolish and depraved
Take responsibility for your commitments and devotion to the Lord
Those who are chosen by God will overcome the systems of the world.
When one is beginning to contemplate satisfying one’s desires
That person is not far from being lured into Satan’s snares
When one craves for something so badly, he is distracted from serving God
That distraction leads to an obsession to covet something that one does not have
As that desire progresses, it gives birth to sin and leads to spiritual death
When sin becomes habitual, the heart turns insensitive and hardened.
The word of the Lord is given to us so we can guard our hearts and minds
If we do not hunger and dwell on the truth, we become deceived and blind
Let us press on and run to the throne of God as we encounter trying situations
Commitment and perseverance will keep us all from all kinds of temptations
Be mindful of your desires; catch them early so it doesn’t open doors to sin
Align your mind to God’s will and renew it so it will desire only what pleases him.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for believers to have an understanding of the phases of temptation and sin?
• What happens when even a small sin is ignored and unconfessed?
JAMES 1 ENVY NOT THE RICH!
May 5
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JAMES 1
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also, will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. – James 1:9-11
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JAMES 1 ENVY NOT THE RICH!
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
To the poor in this world, do not despair for you are looked after
The Lord promised the poor in the world a legacy to his kingdom
Do not envy the wealthy for their treasures and possessions are passing
When they die, they cannot take their wealth where they’re going
It will be easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye
But impossible for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus came for the oppressed, the broken hearted and the poor
He didn’t die for the rich; their needs are already provided for
We can only have one master, either we serve money or the Lord
We become enemies of God when we love all things in the world
Serve the Lord your God only with much fear and trembling
The world will only keep you constantly wanting and lusting.
Do not look up to the rich in this world, they are all passing
Focus on the kingdom of God because it is the one that is everlasting
Like plants, flowers and grass, they wither from the sun’s heat
The rich person’s agenda will eventually be snuffed out
Gather riches in heaven that lasts forever and give God the glory
Do not be deceived by the enticement that this world offers.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it so easy for many people to look up to the rich in this world?
• Why did James compare the rich to the flowers of the grass in these verses?
• What is happening inside our hearts when we begin to envy the wealthy and the rich and famous?
JAMES 1 THE DOUBLE-MINDED MAN’S FATE
May 4
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JAMES 1
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:5-8
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JAMES 1 THE DOUBLE-MINDED MAN’S FATE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Whenever you don’t understand something, go to the Lord and ask him
But remember to ask in faith without hesitating, for trusting is the key to receiving
The Lord is gracious to his people; he lavishes them with their wishes
Expect that your request has already been fulfilled and he will pour his blessings
But when you doubt and do not have the confidence of your Father’s generosity
You have no right to expect anything good from him, since you are wavering.
The one who doubts and goes back and forth with their trust is double-minded
Like the waves of the sea, he is tossed here and there by the wind gusts
That person is without foundation and is driven by doubts and confusion
God is a God of order while Satan is the god of chaos and destruction
When one is double minded, he is untrustworthy and have no integrity
The double-minded man’s fate is very unstable, unproductive and unhealthy.
As the man without faith continues with his doubting and wavering
His life becomes futile and fruitless; he lives in turmoil and hesitating
He can never make a decision or have conviction about anything
That double-minded man will be stunted and won’t keep progressing
Will you rely on someone who have no conviction of his faith?
If you partake of his wavering mind, you’ll also turn to be a double-minded man.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think are the beginnings of a wavering mind?
• As humans, we can have periods of unbelief here and there, how do we know if our doubts are progressing to a double-minded state? How can we prevent it?
JAMES 1 VARIOUS TRIALS GROW YOUR FAITH
May 3
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JAMES 1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:1-4
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JAMES 1 VARIOUS TRIALS GROW YOUR FAITH
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The world teaches us to live comfortable and lives that are easy
We do not always want our boats to be rocked and challenged quickly
Man likes to take control of things he thinks he have influence over
And forgetting that God is the only One in control and have absolute power.
Like automated robots, we follow habits that compromise our faith
Not knowing that trials test our faith and produces courage
Numerous adversities can make us resilient and tenacious
Satan accuses and makes us focus on our weaknesses.
When you face affliction, losses, rejection and oppression
Remember what Jesus Christ had to endure for your salvation
Lean on the Lord when trials of various kinds visit your life
If you draw strength from Him, darkness will be snuffed by His light.
Do not follow the way of the world where everything is comfortable
If you are in Christ, do not love what is easy, instead embrace the difficult
Press on with the pressures that the world present so your faith can grow
Contentment and peace await all those who endure trials of various kinds.
There is no need to avoid or react angrily when you face anguish or sorrow
God’s mercy is new each morning; look up hopefully for what’s to come tomorrow
Be glad that you are going through suffering and adversities for your own sake
When you bravely face obstacles, your faith and spirit will have a chance to grow.
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REFLECTION
• Share some of your trials that grew your faith. Why do humans avoid trials?
PSALM 150 PRAISE GOD ACCORDING TO HIS EXCELLENCE
May 2
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PSALM 150
Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD! – Psalm 150:1-6
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PSALM 150 PRAISE GOD ACCORDING TO HIS EXCELLENCE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The Lord God Almighty has made the heavens and the earth
He breathed life into this whole world and made them brilliant
Nothing in his creation is mediocre or so-so; he didn’t make junk
Every little or big thing he made fits into his great and grandiose plan
The Lord made humans into his own likeness so he can be pleased
But rebellious Satan thwarted the design of man and made him selfish.
God promised all his chosen ones to be protected and delivered from evil
A great reason for the saints to praise the Lord for being freed from the devil
Praise the Lord according to his magnificent creation and his majesty
There are no other gods who are comparable to our God who is Almighty
Let all the creatures made by God bow down to their Maker
Clap your hands and sing out loud to worship our Savior.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think God did an excellent job creating you? Why or why not?
• If God made us in his image, how come some people do not have a good view of themselves?
PSALM 149 LET THE GODLY EXULT IN GLORY
May 1
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PSALM 149
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!
– Psalm 149:1-9
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PSALM 149 LET THE GODLY EXULT IN GLORY
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
To all the people of God, sing out loud with much rejoicing
For the Lord is faithful to keep his promises to his people
Exalt the Lord with hymns and songs of worship and praise
For he is a generous God full of steadfast love, mercy and grace.
The Lord God delivers his people and vindicates them from the foe
Let all the godly exult in glory; lift up your hearts to the Lord
Sing with gladness and fill up your minds with gratefulness
For the Lord God is faithful to lead us in his own righteousness.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think verse 3 of this psalm is not a usual occurrence in most churches nowadays? Do you sing your heart out to the Lord?
• Why do you think God wants to be praised in music as indicated in this psalm?