May 24
________________________________________
THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST
17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. – 1 Peter 1:17-21
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter tackles the issue of fearing the Lord while you are here on earth. He challenges the believers that because you call the heavenly Father as the One who judges fairly according to one’s work, you as believers need to exercise caution in living your life. It needs to be lived as a tribute and honor to God, that we need to live in fear and trembling of God. What this looks like is that we need to revere, honor and praise the Lord in all that we do and all that we are. That we need to avoid all forms of unrighteousness and never be mindless about our intentions and motives, making sure that we will never displease the Lord Almighty. In other words, to live a life of honesty and integrity.
Peter explains the reason in verses 18- 19 why we need to live in fear of the Lord. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has produced the precious blood that is spotless and blameless. The sinfulness and futility of our lives which we inherited from our forefathers were bought not with things that are perishable but with the valuable blood of Jesus. It is the only thing that is worthy enough to appease the wrath of God. The Lord himself supplied humans with the solution to man’s sinfulness. He knew that they can never help themselves, so he supplied his own Son to save the sins that resulted from our first parents’ disobedience.
In the ensuing verses, Peter further explains that God had a plan even at the beginning of creation. He knew beforehand who would be his people and that to those who will believe in his plan and solution for sins through Jesus, he will grant a life everlasting. So Peter encourages all believers to keep their hopes up and grow their faith in the only path that leads to salvation: Jesus Christ.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How is the reminder of the precious blood of Christ essential in a believer’s life?
Category Archives: Uncategorized
CALLED TO HOLY LIVING ILMA’S VLOG
May 23
________________________________________
CALLED TO HOLY LIVING
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
– 1 Peter 1:13-16
________________________________________
In this letter of Peter, he reproves all believers to live holy lives. Here are the following guidelines he wants all Christians to follow:
• Prepare your minds for action- is probably referring to having a renewed mind that doesn’t entertain anything that doesn’t align with the will of God. He also means that we must be ready to obey and follow God’s will without any hesitation or wavering.
• Keep sober in spirit- to be clear-headed in your thoughts and be able to follow the Spirit of the Lord and not your own cravings.
• Set your hope completely on God’s grace- There should be no dependence on anything else but only on the unmerited favor that God granted his children.
• Focus your eyes on the revelation of Jesus Christ- that we must be obsessed to know our Lord Jesus Christ and follow only His ways.
• Be obedient children – to give up all forms of disobedience, rebellion and pride.
• Do not conform to your former lusts when you were ignorant – to let go of all the old lifestyle that you used to live when you didn’t know Christ yet. To wear your new nature in Christ which is never against the Spirit of the Lord.
• Be holy as God is holy- Because we were chosen by God, he has given us the ability to be holy like him if we believe Jesus and follow the revelations that the Holy Spirit gives us.
It is amazing how the apostle Peter is able to break down into details how a believer can live a holy life. It is not his doing, but God has equipped the believer the ability to be righteous because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the minute we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The world has a different interpretation of “holiness.” For them, holiness is an act to appear good and make them appealing to others.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How do you know if you are living a holy life?
HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS AND EMPOWERS
May 22
________________________________________
HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS AND EMPOWERS
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. – 1 Peter 1:10-12
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter talks about the prophets who spoke about Jesus’ coming. He emphasizes the cautious quests and investigations that they underwent to ensure that their prophecies about the salvation for all humanity is coming from the Spirit of God himself. The focus of this letter of Peter to the believers is to give them hope about Christ’s Spirit filling all believer when the time comes. This hope that Peter talks about is that grace that the Lord God grants all his people with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit once they trust their lives to the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit of God who gives the believers all the boldness and confidence to share the gospel to others.
According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, Christ was the main subject of the prophets’ studies. Their inquiry into the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow, would lead to a view of the whole gospel, the sum whereof is, That Christ Jesus was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. God is pleased to answer our necessities rather than our requests. The doctrine of the prophets, and that of the apostles, exactly agree, as coming from the same Spirit of God. The gospel is the ministration of the Spirit; its success depends upon his operation and blessing. Let us then search diligently those Scriptures which contain the doctrines of salvation.
A true believer and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ would manifest the desires that the prophets and the angels had: they are consumed with the glorious and gracious revelation of the promises of Jesus to come to fruition in their lives. The Holy Spirit is the power that is given to the pre-chosen people of God so that they can proclaim the gospel with power and confidence and give God all the glory.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it important to be thankful that the Scriptures have been given to us by the Holy Spirit?
• What could be the cause of losing sight of the true gospel?
THOUGH YOU CAN’T SEE HIM, YOU LOVE HIM ILMA’S VLOG
May 21
________________________________________
THOUGH YOU CAN’T SEE HIM, YOU LOVE HIM
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:6-9
________________________________________
This is a powerful text that Peter writes to the believers in the Roman provinces. It is encouraging to hear Peter tell them not to be distressed by the trials and adversities that they are currently facing. But he reminds them of how precious the proof of their faith is because it is tested by such suffering. It helps them to endure and thus grow their faith. He wants them to focus their eyes on the result of such patient endurance. It brings praise, glory and honor to God.
In verse 8, Peter explains the concept of true faith. Even though they can’t see God they still love him. Humans are visual beings. It is hard to love someone you can’t see or hold. Faith makes loving someone you can’t see possible. Many people stopped believing God because their minds cannot fathom someone not visible to them. Our nature wants to understand something before we do it. That is why faith is not something we can do or achieve. It is a gift from God himself when he chose all those who belong to Him. Peter also explains here that faith leads to rejoicing and hope that is fully glorious.
I was raised by my mother and aunts because my father worked abroad. My father was always gone. If you sum up the number of years that I spent with him in my entire lifetime, it wouldn’t even add up to five years. Yet, I connected with him through letters, almost weekly if not daily since I was seven years old. We communicated our thoughts and ideas and feelings and I felt much closer to him than I was with those were physically around me. I had reassurance that my father loves me and that I can believe that one day, we will be reunited again. The absence didn’t change the way I love him. This is almost the same with our Father in heaven. We can continue to love him even though we don’t see him. If we continue to remember his promises and live in that knowledge, we can grow our faith.________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can we continue to love the Lord our God even though we don’t see him?
BY THE SPIRIT, BELIEVERS CAN OBEY CHRIST
May 20
________________________________________
BY THE SPIRIT, BELIEVERS CAN OBEY CHRIST
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:1-5
________________________________________
This letter is written by Peter, the apostle and is addressed to the believers who reside in Pontus, Galatian, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. He reminds these people that it was God himself who chose them in the beginning of time and by the work of the Spirit they are able to obey the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter continues to ensure that they must obey Christ since the Holy Spirit has given them the ability to do so. He greets them with the grace and peace that comes from the Lord Jesus himself.
According to ESV Global study bible, this letter was written in A.D. 62–63 Peter, probably writing from Rome (called “Babylon” in 5:13. These places mentioned as the recipient of this letter are all believers in places referred to Roman provinces in Asia Minor, north of the Taurus Mountains.
Peter is addressing the believers so that they can never forget how to be grateful to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants them to remember that if God the Father has not chosen them, they will not be able to be born again and have that living hope through the resurrection of Christ. It was God’s great mercy that we are able to obtain the inheritance that is eternal, holy and will never die. Peter wants every believer to never forget that everything comes from God and every protection they will ever receive is also from him.
Peter warns the believers that we can never do anything for ourselves because it is God who has chosen us ahead of time so we must never boast about anything for all things come from our Lord.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why should every believer always remember that we can do nothing because all things come from God?
PRAY LIKE ELIJAH AND LEAD OTHERS BACK INTO TRUTH ILMA’S VLOG
May 19
________________________________________
PRAY LIKE ELIJAH AND LEAD OTHERS BACK INTO TRUTH
A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. – James 5:16-20
________________________________________
In these passages from the letter of James, he tackles two things: the importance of praying like Elijah. Elijah was one of the greatest prophets of God who had the right heart. Because of his righteous life, he is able to pray powerful prayers. Elijah predicts a drought in 1 Kings 17:1-7 and then when Elijah prayed for rain, God sends him rain in verses 14-46. James gives the example of Elijah because this man prays with faith. How many Christians really pray with faith? Oftentimes, we pray like asking God to grant us something and yet not have that expectancy to be granted whatever we prayed for. Many of us get consumed by the desire to long for something and forget that it is in God’s preference that it be done. We need to be able to pray like Elijah did, never faltering, never doubting, but truly believing that the Lord will grant it. Earlier in his letter in chapter 4, James talks about not having something we desire because we haven’t asked and when we ask, we ask for pleasure.
James admonishes the believers to make sure that not anyone of them strays from truth which led someone to stray as well. Many people who have fallen out of faith was a result of witnessing someone who turned away from their own faith. James warns the believers to make sure that they are seeking truth all the time so that the enemy will not have a chance to entice them back to sin. If we are accountable to someone to make sure that we are growing in the faith, we must also strive to be responsible to grow our faith through suffering and endurance. He talks about this in the beginning of his first chapters.
On a positive note, in verse 20, James gives Christ’s promise of the consequence of leading back someone again to God: he is guaranteed salvation and a coverage of a multitude of his own sins. What a great result for those who lead the stray back into God’s fold! Wouldn’t you want to receive that promise yourself?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is expectancy important when you pray?
BE CLEAR WHERE YOU STAND AND CONFESS TO ONE ANOTHER ILMA’S VLOG
May 18
________________________________________
BE CLEAR WHERE YOU STAND AND CONFESS TO ONE ANOTHER
12 But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you do not fall under judgment. 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
– James 5:12-16
________________________________________
In this letter, James clearly warns us not to make vows or swear by heaven or by earth. He must be referring to an Old Testament verse in Deuteronomy 23:21-23 which goes like this: “If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth.” James backs it up in verse 12 that you must be clear where you stand. If it is a yes, let it be so and if it is a no, then do the same. Anything in between may be judged against you.
He brings another advice in verse 14 where they go to the elders when they are sick so that they can be anointed with oil and be prayed over. He stresses the importance of praying in faith in verse 15, which restores the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up. Isn’t this an act of faith that few churches today practice. We instead, go straight to medical professionals, instead of faith filled believers to pray over us. No wonder our world is plagued with many illnesses. We have become faithless and have not followed this act of faith.
In verse 16, James brings out another important issue that many believers fail to do so. He tells us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may get healing. Accountability to another believer by confessing our sins to them manifests our humility to admit that we have transgressed and we need to pray for each other.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is being clear and confessing to one another important in a believer’s life?
PATIENT LIKE A FARMER ILMA’S VLOG
May 17
________________________________________
PATIENT LIKE A FARMER
7 Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain, brothers and sisters, against one another, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10 As an example, brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. – James 5:7-11
________________________________________
In this letter, James talks about patience, as a fruit of the Spirit. He illustrates the importance of patience in a believer’s life by referring to a farmer. Farmers get up very early in the day to feed their animals, clean the barns and get their equipment or machineries ready to either till their grounds, sow, plant or harvest. Weather is one of the things that they work with on a daily basis. The success of their work is purely dependent on the weather. They have a vision and a rigorous schedule to follow, or they won’t have a product to feed either their family or merely to be sustainable or to have their farming businesses prosper and make a living out of it. My grandfather was both a farmer and a fisherman. I remember those summer vacations we spent with them and he shows me how to sow, plant and harvest. Getting the grounds ready for sowing takes a lot of work, but once you wait to watch how the seeds germinate, it is magical. This is probably why James uses farmers to illustrate patience and expectancy in this letter. He advises the believers to have the patience of a farmer and also to emulate their hope and expectancy.
In verse 9, he discusses about complaining and endurance. He cautions them from whining about their situations or suffering because when they do, they fail to grow in endurance. James gives Job as an example of someone who endured so much after all the disasters and losing his family has brought about. Without Job’s knowledge, it was God who allowed the devil to tempt this favorite of his. In fact, God was so sure of Job’s loyalty to him that is why he allowed the devil to tempt him. He didn’t falter during all those trials. Because he remained faithful to endure, all of this, God rewarded him a double portion of what he had lost.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is patience such a challenging virtue in our world today?
A MESSAGE TO THE RICH ILMA’S VLOG
May 16
________________________________________
A MESSAGE TO THE RICH
Come now, you rich people, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have corroded, and their corrosion will serve as a testimony against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of armies. 5 You have lived for pleasure on the earth and lived luxuriously; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous person; he offers you no resistance.
– James 5:1-6
________________________________________
In this letter, James strongly warns the wealthy people. In verse 1, he tells them of the misery that they are about to face. In verse 2, James describes what happens to the things they cherish most, their wealth and garments. In verse 3, their gold and silver are of no more value because of the corrosion that will take place after a while that they have owned them. James likens their prized possessions to a fire that will consume their whole being. James must be referring to hell in this line.
In verse 4, James confronts the corruption that these rich people have committed against their laborers whom they have mistreated and not fairly treated by depriving them of their pay for their hard-earned labor. He cautions them that the cries of the people who were mistreated by these rich people is heard by the Lord. They should watch out how God is going to vindicate the poor.
In verses 5-6, James illustrates more the lifestyle of the rich. They live to pleasure themselves with all the amenities and luxuries of life. The phrase “you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” is disturbingly scary. It is almost giving them a glimpse of what they are about to receive from feeding their own cravings: slaughter. Just like a cow being fattened to be killed. In verse 6, another exercise of the rich is to discriminate and hamper the righteous to do the right thing. Because of their oppression towards these righteous people, they will suffer in the end. What ending does the greedy and lovers of wealth come down to! Why would one want to be rich after all these warning given by James?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think James addresses the wealthy people in this letter?
LIFE IS LIKE A VAPOR ILMA’S VLOG
May 15
________________________________________
LIFE IS LIKE A VAPOR
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.
– James 4:13-17
________________________________________
In this letter, James reminds the believers how momentary our lives are. There is no reason to boast about today or tomorrow. Anything we are doing has no guarantees, so we should never boast. Our lives depend on God alone. We can be here now and tomorrow gone without a warning. James likens our lives to a vapor. It appears for a little while and then vanishes away the next moment.
In verse 15, James brings about a valid point in connection with our lives just like being a mist. He wants to emphasize the importance of looking up to God and depending on him for all things. He wants them to focus on God’s will because that is what’s important. He says it is pointless to be dependent on plans, your work, your family or your possessions. We do not know when we are going to be taken away, so what’s the point?
James is actually quoting an Old Testament verse from Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 that says Life is fleeting, like a passing mist. It is like trying to catch hold of a breath; All vanishes like a vapor; everything is a great vanity. 3 What good does it do anyone to work so hard again and again, sun up to sundown? All his labor to gain but a little? 4 One generation comes, another goes; but the earth continues to remain.
In verse 16, James warns us about boasting. He says it comes from the evil one. It is arrogance to boast, so he admonishes them not to do so. In verse 17, James gives a great caution about the right thing to do. He says that if someone knows the right thing to do and they don’t do it, for that person, it is sin. Isn’t this a very wise advice? When we fail to do what is right and we know it, we are wrong. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us to do right and when we don’t do it, we are going to eventually sin.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us not to fail to do the right thing when we know it?