Tag Archives: Christain devotional

GENESIS 5 MAN’S LONG YEARS OF LIFE

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GENESIS 5 MAN’S LONG YEARS OF LIFE

November 1

GENESIS 5

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. 6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died. 9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died. 12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.

                                                                            – Genesis 5:1-17

GENESIS 5 MAN’S LONG YEARS OF LIFE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When God created man, he wanted them to live long with him

His original purpose for humans was to be with him in bliss

Despite Adam’s sin, the Lord still gave them long years

God’s patience with mankind manifests his faithfulness

The Lord God gave them over nine-hundred years to live

God’s steadfast love is overflowing despite man’s sins.

What a faithful God we have, who is devoted to bring mankind to his original purpose for living. He gave them all the years that they will eventually serve him and be in constant relationship with him. Because God made humans in his likeness, it was probably painful to watch them change the way he made them. Man’s life expectancy was almost a thousand years which show’s God’s desire for them to serve him long.

REFLECTION

  • How does God’s faithfulness manifest in the life expectancy of Adam’s offsprings?

PSALM 81 SING ALOUD TO GOD WITH JOY

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November 30
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PSALM 81 SING ALOUD TO GOD WITH JOY
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
4 For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I hear a language I had not known: 6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket. 7 In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. – Psalm 81:1-10
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All you people of God, sing out loud to him and rejoice
Raise a song, clap your hands, sound the trumpet to praise him
The Lord God had faithfully redeemed you out of your distress
He answered your prayers when you are desperate for help.
When you call on him for relief, he was there for you
He provides for all your needs and is always gracious
He wants you to worship only him and no other gods
But you rebelled and made other idols.
As a covenant people, you are to bow down to the Lord
Why have you turned your back on him and follow the world?
The Lord God who made heaven and earth rebukes the lawless
His wrath will be unleashed to all those who are rebels.
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REFLECTION
• In verse 4, it says that God commands his people to rejoice and sing aloud to him, do we always do this as our hearts worship him?
• Can a Christian worship God when he is depressed? Why or why not?

PSALM 74 ARISE AND DEFEND YOUR CAUSE O GOD

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November 12
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PSALM 74 ARISE AND DEFEND YOUR CAUSE O GOD
18 Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs,
and a foolish people reviles your name.
19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts;
do not forget the life of your poor forever.
20 Have regard for the covenant,
for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.
21 Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame;
let the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Arise, O God, defend your cause;
remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!
23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes,
the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually!
– Psalm 74:18-23
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Do not be silent O Lord, we are surrounded by violence
The enemy continue to rise up against your people constantly
Remember your covenant with them and defend your cause
Do not forget the weak, the poor and the oppressed
You promised to free them and provide protection
We count on your deliverance and salvation.
Do not deliver your people to the wicked
Especially those who are vulnerable and defenseless
Arise and defend your cause O Lord, we can’t shield ourselves
We will be defeated if you do not come to our aide and be our fortress
Let us not lose hope when we become weak, but instead lean on you more
Equip us with strength and endurance to bear the suffering in this world.
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REFLECTION
• What was the psalmist lamenting over here and why does he ask God to arise and defend his cause?

PSALM 51 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD

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March 24
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PSALM 51 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you. – Psalm 51:7-13
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RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT IN ME, O LORD by ILMA
O Lord, you are the only one who can cleanse me
I bow down to you and ask your forgiveness on my sins
Turn my darkened heart and make it whiter than snow
Do not look at my iniquity: hide your face, O God
But do not give up on me O Lord or leave me without pardon
Renew a right spirit in me so all my weaknesses can be overcome
Restore in me the joy of your salvation and give me an obedient heart
Wash away all tendencies in me to go against your truth and statutes
Create in me a heart that constantly examines itself against truth
I do not ever want to displease, disobey or in any way offend you
Always be beside me Lord, I never want to lose your presence
Smash all things that distract me from giving you all the glory
Let me choose to walk in righteousness and be led by your Spirit
Give me grace to kill my flesh and never follow my old wicked self.
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REFLECTION
• Why did you think David asked God to create in him a clean heart in this psalm?

SOLID FOUNDATION IN JESUS CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG

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July 6
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SOLID FOUNDATION IN JESUS CHRIST
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire. – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
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According to matterchristi.com, Houses in ancient Nazareth were made with a rough stone foundation and mud-bricks made on site. In this letter, Paul alludes to Christ as the Master builder. But he also says here that he is also one, but he builds on what Jesus laid a foundation to. In verse 11, he reminds the believers that no one else can lay that foundation except the Lord Jesus. He is the solid stone foundation that everything else in the church is built on.
In verse 12, Peter tells the believers that the other builders that work with the Master builder must ensure that whatever materials they use, it must anchor itself on the stone foundation. The material they choose to use will be tested through fire to ensure that they stand strong through time. What Paul is referring to here is the kind of work that the servant of the Lord does for the kingdom of God.
If the builder’s work is based on the teaching of Jesus, then it will manifest fruits that only comes from preaching the true gospel that leads to salvation. Sadly, many churches today look more like any other human organizations rather than the body of Christ. False teachings have crept in our churches today that the message of Christ is not being preached, let alone followed and lived. Paul warns us about the dangers of calling attention to ourselves and our efforts to bring the gospel to others. If it doesn’t point to Jesus and give him praise, it will likely be a self-focused effort.
In verse 14, we are given the hope that there is a reward for abiding in the truth and the foundation of this church who is Jesus Christ. Let us never forget that without the foundation of Jesus, we will all collapse into ruin and destruction.
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REFLECTION
• Why must we always abide in Christ and make sure that we glorify him always?

SPIRIT OF GOD HOVERS Poem Devotional

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November 16________________________________________
The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. -Genesis 1:2 (NLT)
SPIRIT OF GOD HOVERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Even in darkness, God’s spirit hovers
He watches and cares for all his people
When you are feeling dejected and down
He will bring you comfort and calm.
The Spirit of God knows everything
You need not fear or go in hiding
He is ever present and all seeing
No need to fret about anything.
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Have you ever been at the bottom of the pit? I have been in it for over four decades of my life. It was a roller coaster of panic, frustration, fear and desperation. I felt that I was imprisoned by me own emotions, expectations and fears. I lived in the darkest moments between fourteen to fifty-six years of my life. Even at the time that I almost ended my life as a teenager and in my mid-twenties, I sensed a spirit hovers over me and watches me. Maybe it was the same spirit that saved my life when I almost succeeded ending it. He sent two of my closest friends to check up on me when I was bathed in my own blood when I missed choir practices that day. I thank God that he has pulled me out of the abyss. He is always hovering over me.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for always hovering over me.
REFLECTION
When have you felt God’s Spirit or presence watching over you?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com