May 3
________________________________________
GOD’S LAW BRINGS FREEDOM AND BLESSINGS
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does.
– James 1:22-25
________________________________________
In this letter, James wants to emphasize the importance of living out the word of God instead of just reading or hearing it. His recommendation is to “prove yourselves doers of the word.” What does that mean? He didn’t say study and read the word, but prove to be doers of it. The word “prove” is defined as to demonstrate the truth or existence of (something) by evidence. In verse 23-24, he explains the consequence of those who just hear the word and not do it. What interesting picture James give us when likens those who do not follow the word of God to someone who quickly forgets how he looks right after he leaves his reflection from the mirror. Isn’t this very true? We fail to remember what we have just read or studied when we don’t do it. It doesn’t become part of us. This is why the bible tells us to meditate on the word day and night in Joshua 1:8 so that it doesn’t depart from us. When we meditate on it, it becomes ingrained in our whole being, then we automatically do it. The process of reading and studying doesn’t bear fruit unless we meditate and churn on it. In verse 25, he further shows the benefit of someone who intently look into the perfect law which he calls the law of freedom. He becomes an active doer of the word. He is therefore blessed and prosper in all that he does. David talks about this in Psalm 1:2-3 when he said “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by the streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” It seems like James paraphrased this psalm of David in this letter. But I like the way James described the law in verse 25 as the law of freedom. Many of us who look at law would wonder how it could make us live in freedom. That is because the word “freedom” vastly differs in meaning according to how the world looks at it and how God meant it to be. Following God’s law brings us peace and joy if it is done in love for Him.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can following God’s law free us from many things?
Category Archives: Uncategorized
LISTEN MORE, SPEAK LESS & REACT SLOW ILMA’S VLOG
May 2
________________________________________
LISTEN MORE, SPEAK LESS & REACT SLOW
19 You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
– James 1:19-21
________________________________________
In this letter, James addresses the importance of listening. This is a very timely issue even in our current world today. In a world that propagates the self, there is very little effort placed on listening and being quiet and not attract attention. I’d like to bring you to Solomon’s view about the importance of listening and being slow to speak and slow to get angry that James is emphasizing in this letter.
• Proverbs 17:28 -Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. – Don’t we respect people who are not noisy?
• Proverbs 12:15-The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. -Don’t we loathe a “know-it-all” and who are stubborn and don’t listen?
• Proverbs 18:2 -A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. – Don’t we want to run away from talkers who don’t even think what they say?
• Proverbs 15:1 -A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. -Doesn’t our anger deflect when someone is gentle and soft?
• Proverbs 10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. -When we talk much, don’t we open our lips to error?
In verse 20, James further explains that anger doesn’t manifest God’s righteousness. James agrees with Paul in Ephesians 4:26 when he said that we can be angry but not do it sinfully. God gave us anger so we can use it for bringing people into righteousness, not to call attention to ourselves.
In verse 21, James gives us an antidote to all unrighteousness and evil deeds: by humbly receiving the word of truth that will always lead us to the narrow path to the Kingdom of God.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think people nowadays have a deficit in listening and have an abundance in talking and getting attention for themselves and being angry?
BEGINNINGS OF SIN ILMA’S VLOG
May 1
________________________________________
BEGINNINGS OF SIN
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 No one is to say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
– James 1:12-18
________________________________________
In this letter of James, he commends those who persists under tests or temptations. He calls them blessed. How are they approved as mentioned in verse 12. Once they have endured such temptations, they become strong in the faith and that’s when they will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love Him.
In verse 13, he cautions the believers to make sure that they do not blame God for the temptations that come their way, for God never tempts them. God allows it, but it doesn’t come from Him. Do you remember the story of Job? God allowed Satan to tempt Job to test he will continue to be righteous and faithful to the Lord. The temptation didn’t come directly from God. He allowed Satan to test Job.
In verses 14-15, James gives us an explanation of the beginnings and process of sin. It starts with a desire or lust. When he entertains to give in to these cravings, the process of being tempted is conceived. After the conception of the craving has been satisfied, it is now considered sin. When one continues to feed this desire and cravings, the spirit begins to die. The flesh comes to life because it is being fed so much.
In verse 16, James stresses God’s nature. He is very generous and unchanging. He is never fickle. And every good thing comes from him. In verse 18, he gives us an escape from temptation through his word. It is only in the word, that we will have life. With that life, fruits become visible and we become born again in the new life He gave us in Christ.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do some people think that temptation is something they cannot overcome?
WARNING TO THE RICH AND POWERFUL ILMA’S VLOG
April 30
________________________________________
WARNING TO THE RICH AND POWERFUL
9 Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also, the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out. – James 1:9-11:
________________________________________
In this letter, James brings a very important message about poverty and wealth. His message is focused on encouraging the poor (those who are either deprived of material riches or suffering in their circumstances) and warning the rich persons or those who are mighty in their positions.
In verse 9, he addresses all those who are at a low point in their lives. He says that they ought to be joyful because they will have a chance at being glorified in Christ. In the Sermon in the Mount, Jesus gives a promise to those who are poor in spirit in Matthew 5:3 because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. What a wonderful promise to those who are undergoing trials, suffering and all kinds of adversities! They are candidates to have an inheritance in God’s kingdom.
In verse 10, James warns the rich and the powerful by saying that they will pass away. He likens them to a flowering grass that dies from the scorching heat and withers in verse 11. He further says that even though a flower is beautiful as they blossom and rise to the height of its magnificence, it will soon fade off and be destroyed. Just like a rich person or a powerful man, may die even in the midst of all his worldly quests.
James reiterates this warning to the rich in Jesus’ parable of the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-22. This focuses on a rich young man who approached Jesus and asked him how he can have salvation. And when Jesus said to give up all his riches and give it to the poor so he can have treasures in heaven, the young rich man couldn’t give it up and so he left. Jesus closes this parable with this: “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
From this letter of James, I don’t know how anyone wants to choose to be rich or to be powerful. It would be very difficult for them to enter God’s kingdom as Jesus said.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why would it be difficult to enter God’s kingdom when you are rich & powerful?
WHAT DOUBTING DOES ILMA’S VLOG
April 29
________________________________________
WHAT DOUBTING DOES
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:5-8
________________________________________
In this letter, James explains to the Jewish Christians who were living in Palestine the generosity of God in verse 5. He reminds them that if they lack wisdom in anything, they should ask God and He will give them lavishly without disapproval or disappointment. In our current times, this will be very hard to do with those who do not know God, that is why this message is addressed to Christians. The difference between an unbeliever and a believer is that the believer will run to God and rely on Him for every little or big thing.
In 1 Kings 3:7-13, King Solomon’s request to God was to have a discerning heart to govern the people he will rule because he knows it was a privilege to govern God’s special people.
He asked it with such humility when he said in verse 7 that he was just a little child and don’t know how to carry his duties. In verse 9 he asked him to give him wisdom to rule so that he knows what is right and wrong. God was pleased with the posture of his heart and the priority he placed on wisdom instead of riches. So, God lavishly gave him wisdom, wealth and honor as well. James reminds them how generous our God is.
However, there is a condition or pre-requisite for the believers to be granted such requests. In verse 6, he says that one must ask in faith without doubting. As we all know, faith in Hebrews 11:1 means the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. Therefore, if we doubt, we do not have assurance and hope. This is why James further gives us a picture of what doubting does for a person who asks something from God. In verse 6, he likens the doubter to the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. In other words, that doubter is bordering in unbelief, which is the opposite of faith. In verse 7-8, he spells out the consequence of a person asking without faith: that person will receive nothing from the Lord because he is a double-minded person and very unstable in all his ways. James is almost saying that if you are asking God without believing that he will give it to you, what’s the point of asking? You probably shouldn’t bother to ask if you are faithless. You won’t get your request anyway because of the unbelief.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it easy to ask something from God and not have expectancy?
PERFECTION IN CONTENMENT ILMA’S VLOG
April 28
________________________________________
PERFECTION IN CONTENMENT
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:1-4
________________________________________
According to the English Standard version translation introduction to this book, James the brother of Jesus wrote this book which is stated in Matthew 13:55 and leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15). It was probably written about AD 40-45 to Jewish Christians living outside Palestine. The Theme of his book focuses on how Christians must live out their faith. They should be doers of God’s word, not just hearers. James wrote this at the time when the Christians were suffering persecution and living in poverty. They were in social and spiritual conflict. Many believers were living in a worldly manner. James corrects them and challenges them to seek God’s wisdom to work out these problems.
In the opening of this letter of James, he introduces himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is interesting that he didn’t claim to be Jesus’ brother, but his servant. That tells us that our physical life is not as important as our spiritual life. He may be a brother in this world, but in the spirit realm, he is a bond-servant of his Master, Jesus Christ.
At the start of his letter, he encourages the believers to have a different attitude towards trials and sufferings. He wants them to see these trials as an opportunity to be joyful. This message is going to be laughed at by the world because the world wouldn’t want suffering. He further explains that the reason to have a spirit of joy is because these are avenues to test their faith. If faith isn’t tested, it is not going to endure. When we are tested, we become strong to face adversities. When we are able to push through these testing, we will produce endurance. James tells the believers that once, they have endured, they will be perfect and complete needing nothing. The perfection he is actually referring it is “contentment.” It is contentment that brings about joy, not material things.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do many of us misconstrue perfection for being without fault when it means “contentment” in God’s economy?
ABANDONED BY ALL BUT THE LORD STOOD BY ILMA’S VLOG
April 27
________________________________________
ABANDONED BY ALL BUT THE LORD STOOD BY
16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.- 2 Timothy 4:16-22
________________________________________
In the closing of this last letter of Paul to Timothy, once again he revisits his journey as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. He recalls the beginning of his persecution and how almost everyone deserted him. In verse 16, we have another glimpse of Paul’s forgiving heart when he said that he doesn’t count it against anyone who has deserted him. In verse 17, he focuses on what is more important: that the Lord stood by him and strengthened him so that he can fulfill what he was appointed to do. He was to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, so that they too, may be saved.
On a commentary on verse 17 “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” – Adam Clarke said that Paul escaped the imminent danger at that time. Probably he was seized in a tumultuous manner, and expected to be torn to pieces. The words “to be rescued from the mouth or jaws of the lion”, are a proverbial form of speech for deliverance from the most imminent danger. Several writers think Nero to be intended by the lion, because of his rage and oppressive cruelty. But Helius Caesarinus was at this time prefect of the city; Nero being in Greece. He was a bloody tyrant, and Nero had given him the power of life and death in his absence. The apostle may mean him, if the words be not proverbial. “rescued out of the lion’s mouth.”
In verse 18, we hear Paul’s faith in action who firmly believes that the Lord is his rescuer from every evil deed. He knows that the Lord is the one who will deliver him and bring him to his kingdom and Paul, worships and praises the Lord to whom all glory for ever and ever belongs to. He mentions all his friends and co-workers for the Lord in the closing salutation of this letter.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why should believers not be bothered if everyone abandons them?
PREACH THE WORD, CORRECT, REBUKE & EXHORT ILMA’S VLOG
April 25
_________________________________
PREACH THE WORD, CORRECT, REBUKE & EXHORT
I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:1-8
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul charges Timothy to preach the word. He desires God’s word to be declared and explained. Paul’s constant theme in his letter to Timothy is about the importance of Scripture. He mentioned previously how the word of God is beneficial for correction, rebuke and exhortation. Paul repeats these same words this part of his letter. As the pastor of the church, Timothy was urged to preach the word in all season. In other words, he wants it to be declared and taught at all times.
He wants the pastors to correct, rebuke and exhort with much patience and give all the training needed for the believers to grow in righteousness and in their walk with the Spirit. Why is it important to preach the word? Paul explains it in verse 3: for there will come a time when people would not want sound teaching. Instead, they want to hear teaching that will please their ears and satisfy their cravings. They do not want to hear the truth, but listen to lies and myths.
So in verse 5, Paul cautions them to always have self-control in all things, to endure and to evangelize in order for their ministry to be fulfilled. In verse 6, he is telling Timothy that his time is coming and he has finished the race to keep his faith. It is almost a farewell letter to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy. As if he is giving his last will to him. What a selfless person Paul is that even in his last moments, he is still thinking of the believers.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think some believers are scared to preach the word of God?
ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-INSPIRED ILMA’S VLOG
April 24
________________________________________
ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-INSPIRED
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
– 2 Timothy 3:10-17
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul once again commends Timothy and the believers about their journey with him as a believer. He encourages Timothy by affirming him how he had been faithful in emulating him in all his teachings, in his conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance and persecutions and sufferings as well. In verse 12, he reminds them how different the life of a believer is as compared to the world. He reminds them that when they committed their lives to Jesus, they will definitely encounter persecutions. He actually expects them to embrace sufferings and persecution because it is inevitably a part of a Christian’s life. In verse 13, he differentiates the lives of those who choose to live godless lives. The result of this choice is more deceptions and a depraved mind.
In verse 14, Paul lovingly continues to affirm his spiritual son by recalling how godliness was taught to him since he was a child and in verse 15 talks about the Holy Scriptures that were responsible for his growth in wisdom and in his salvation. Earlier in his letter, he mentions the godly influences in Timothy’s life who are his mother and grandmother.
Verse 16 is bringing the purpose of Scripture to Timothy and all the believers. He says that all Scripture is inspired by God. In other words, everything in the Scripture comes from God himself. He explains the purpose of Scripture in a believer’s life: it is for teaching, for scolding, for discipline and correction, and for training in godliness and righteousness. It is necessary so that the believer will be fully able and equipped for every good work.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How has Scripture been influential in your godly living?
PROPHETIC MESSAGE ABOUT THE LAST DAYS ILMA’S VLOG
April 23
________________________________________
PROPHETIC MESSAGE ABOUT THE LAST DAYS
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful
unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. 6 For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, worthless in regard to the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress; for their foolishness will be obvious to all, just as was that also of Jannes and Jambres. -2 Timothy 3:1-9
________________________________________
In this chapter, Paul gives the believer a glimpse of the coming corruption that is brought about by men who prey on people with weak faith. Despite the fact that Paul is in prison, his thoughts are always about how to ensure that the gospel is preached and followed by those who become believers of Christ. He reminds that Timothy needs to be strong in the Lord in order to lead the family of believers and not be timid or shy as he previously mentioned earlier in this chapter in 2 Timothy 1:7. God didn’t give us timidity or shyness but of power, love and discipline. He clearly rebukes Timothy when he gives in to fear because that doesn’t come from God.
Paul makes his admonition backed up by the prophetic message that will happen in the last days by enumerating to him the signs of such times. He paints a clear picture of how people would be at the final days. He describes them as lovers of self and money, arrogant, slanderers, rebels, unloving, malicious gossips, worldly and hates righteousness and lovers of pleasure.In verse 6, he cautions them of men who victimizes and captivates weak women who are weighed down with sins and are impulsive. He mentions Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses. According to gotquestions.org, long-standing Jewish tradition says that Jannes and Jambres were the two chief magicians who withstood Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7. According to one midrash, the two magicians left Egypt with the Israelites after the first Passover (see Exodus 12:38) and were later instrumental in promoting the worship of the golden calf that Aaron made (Exodus 32).
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How must we believers take Paul’s warning on the signs of the final says.