February 5
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HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.2Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
You have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
And crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
You have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is your name in all the earth! – Psalm 8:1-9
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This psalm is a hymn of praise of the Israelites to their glorious and majestic God. “Majestic “is defined as possessing or exhibiting dignity; of august dignity, stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble; grand. That is the perfect description of the Lord’s name. What is interesting in this psalm is how it alludes to Genesis 1 and 2, presenting mankind as the peak of God’s creation, rulers over all animal world and object of God’s attention. According to the ESV bible study, verse 2 reminds us of Genesis 3 and God’s plan for fallen mankind, Israel was to the be firstfruits of restored humanity and explains why Hebrews 2:6-8 quotes Psalms 8:4-6:Jesus as the Davidic king, is the ideal Israelite, and thus the Ideal human being. He is crowned with glory after his suffering on behalf of mankind.
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ADORATION: Praise your majestic name, O Lord our Savior. You are full of splendor.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to rely on your majestic name.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for choosing mankind to be the object of your affection.
SUPPLICATION: May all man fall on their knees to glorify your majestic name forever.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God would choose mankind to reflect his majesty?
• Why do humans forget to praise and give glory to God’s majestic name?
Tag Archives: Christian poem Christian devotional
LET PEACE RULE YOUR HEARTS Poem Devotional
September 29
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LET PEACE RULE YOUR HEARTS
A poem by ILMA
Most importantly, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us in harmony
And let the peace that comes from Christ dominate your minds and hearts
As part of the body of Christ, you are called to live in peace
Be thankful always and let Christ’s message in all its richness fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus
Be grateful to God the Father through his one and only Son.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for all believers
Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly
Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord
Fathers, don’t provoke your children, or they will become discouraged.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do and please them always
Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward.
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MEMORY VERSE
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. – Colossians 3:15
Read: Colossians 3:14-25
I think a lot of people misconstrue the real meaning of peace. Peace isn’t absence of conflict. One can have peace amidst conflict. If you remember the commotion that Paul brought about while he was preaching in the Book of Acts, we see how he had peace in his heart despite all these people who had been plotting all the while to kill him. We are told to let the peace that comes from Jesus, dominate our hearts.
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REFLECTION
• What challenges do you face these days that challenges you to keep peace?
ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR BELIEVERS Poem Devotional
September 25
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ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR BELIEVERS
A poem by ILMA
Because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do
Stay true to the Lord for the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds our comprehension
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable
Focus on what is right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received
Then the God of peace will be with you and
Learn how to be content with whatever you have
Know how to live on almost nothing or with everything
Learn the secret of living in every situation
For you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
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MEMORY VERSE
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. -Philippians 4:4-5
Read: Philippians 4:1-14
In this letter of Paul to the Philippians, we are actually given many pointers how to navigate in life. Some Christians live a joyless life. In this chapter, we are commanded to be always full of joy and be considerate to everyone. We are suppose to live worry-less lives but in prayers, bring it to the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is a joyless Christian not an authentic believer?
HONOR YOUR SPOKEN PROMISES Poem Devotional
September 11
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HONOR YOUR SPOKEN PROMISES
A poem by ILMA
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut
It is evil to make mindless offerings that are dishonorable to our Lord
Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before him
After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth; let your words be few.
Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool
When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through
God takes no pleasure in fools so keep all the promises you make to him
It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.
Don’t sin by defending yourself that the promise you made was a mistake
That would make God angry, and wipe out everything you have achieved
Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities
Fear God instead and make sure you honor your commitments.
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MEMORY VERSE
It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. – Ecclesiastes 5:5
Read: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Many of us who have experienced being a victim of broken promises would be glad to hear this verse from Ecclesiastes. When you hear people commit to something and not do it, it compromises their integrity and makes others distrust them when they don’t follow through with their commitments. God is a promise keeper so he wants us all to be like him when it comes to following through our vows.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to honor what you promise?
• Who is the best promise keeper?
• Why does God want us not to promise anything we can’t keep?
• How does a broken promise affect the one who gave the promise and the one who receives it?
• How are broken promises different to lying and dishonesty?
STRUGGLING WITH SIN Poem Devotional
July 20
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STRUGGLING WITH SIN
A poem by ILMA
The trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good
The problem is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right
Yet I don’t do what’s right but I do what I hate.
But if I know that what I am doing is wrong
This shows that I agree that the law is good
So, I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
I want to do what is right, but I can’t
I want to do what is good, but I don’t
I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway
But if I do what I don’t want to do I am not really the one doing wrong.
When I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong
I love God’s law with all my heart but there is another power within me
It is at war with my mind which makes me a a slave to sin
All this struggle is still so alive within me and I am bound to it.
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MEMORY VERSE
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. – Romans 7:15
Read: Romans 7:14-28
Do you ever struggle with sin? Don’t we all go through this at some point of our lives if not always? Paul was explaining to the Romans that we all struggle with sin, but God is always there to win over this battle.
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REFLECTION
• What do you do each time you get into a conflict inside you, to do what is right instead of doing what is wrong?
• How can the battle between right and wrong be resolved for believers?
PAUL’S JOURNEY TO MACEDONIA Poem Devotional
June 29
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PAUL’S JOURNEY TO MACEDONIA
A poem by ILMA
When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them
Then he started for Macedonia and heartened believers in all towns he passed by
He travelled down to Greece where he stayed for three months
Then he prepared to sail back to Syria but discovered a plot so he went back.
Several men traveled with him namely Sopater, Aristarchus and Secundus
Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, Trophimus from the province of Asia joined him too
Then he went ahead and waited at Troas and after Passover, they boarded a ship
They headed to Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas.
The first day, they gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper
Paul was preaching to them and the next day, he talked till midnight
Then Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy
Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death.
Paul went down, bent over him and took him in his arms
“Don’t worry,” he said “he’s alive!”, then they all went back upstairs
They shared in the Lord’s Supper and ate together and he continued
The young man was taken home alive and all were greatly relieved.
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MEMORY VERSE
Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly received. – Acts 20:12
Read: Acts 20
Paul’s journey to Macedonia happened just after the riot in Ephesus. We still see how he continued to encourage believers and preached the Good News. In this journey, he miraculously brought back to life Eutychus who fell from the windowsill.
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REFLECTION
• What kind of a disciple Paul was?
• Would you go all the way to risk your life as a believer just to preach the Good News?
PETER’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM PRISON Poem Devotional
June 17
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PETER’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM PRISON
A poem by ILMA
Peter was woken up in the prison cell where he was surrounded by guards
An angel of the Lord instructed him to get up and the chains fell off his wrists
He was led to put on his coat and pass the first and second guard posts
He arrived the iron gate to the city and was opened for them all by itself.
Peter thought it was all a vision but later came to his senses
As soon as he realized it, he went to the home of Mary, mother of John Mark
Many were gathered in Mary’s house for prayer when he knocked on the door
Rhoda, the servant girl came to open it and was overjoyed when he saw Peter.
The servant girl instead of opening the door, ran back and told everyone
She announced Peter was standing by the door, but at first, they didn’t believe
Peter continued knocking, and when they saw him, they were amazed
He told them to quiet down and narrated how the Lord led him out of prison.
After he said the miracle to them, he went to another place
AD dawn, there was a great commotion among the soldiers
Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search and when he failed
The guards were interrogated and sentenced to death.
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MEMORY VERSE
When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door.”– Acts 12:14
Read: Acts 12
What an astonishing thing the Lord did to get Peter out of prison. Despite the heavily guarded condition he was in, God showed his power by letting Peter be free without any resistance at all. What an awesome God we have who can do anything to bring people into witnessing his power and glory.
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REFLECTION
• What miracles in your life have Jesus set you free from just like Peter?
• Why can it be sometimes hard to admit a miracle when you see one?
PHILIP PREACHES IN SAMARIA Poem Devotional
June 6
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PHILIP PREACHES IN SAMARIA
A poem by ILMA
The believers preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went
Philip went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah
Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear the message
The people who were witnessing were eager to hear the miraculous signs he did.
Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims
Numerous who were paralyzed or lame were healed and restored
Because of all of these miraculous signs, there was great joy in the city
Philip’s message of Good News converted many people in that place.
Simon the sorcerer amazed many people for many years claiming greatness
Everyone spoke of Simon as the Great One and they were astounded by him
But when Philip preached there, so they snapped out of Simon’s magic
Many were baptized and began to follow Philip wherever he went.
Simon himself believed and was baptized and followed Philip everywhere
He was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard Samaria accepted God’s message
Peter and John then prayed for the new believers to receive God’s spirit.=
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MEMORY VERSE
But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.
-Acts 8:12
Read: Acts 8
In the Acts of the apostles, we witness how the power of God was with Philip, Peter and John. Without the Spirit’s power, they won’t be able to do all the miraculous signs and wonders that brought about much conversion in Samaria.
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REFLECTION
• Have you witnessed for God to someone?
• What can the Holy Spirit do through you if you believe?
MORDECAI’S INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY Poem Devotional
May 26
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MORDECAI’S INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY
A poem by ILMA
There was a Jewish man in the fortress of Susa who was the son of Jair
He was from the tribe of Benjamin and was a descendant of Kish and Shimei
His family had been among those who had been exiled in Babylon
Mordecai had a very young cousin Hadassah who was also called Esther.
When Esther’s father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own
Mordecai had become a palace official in the reign of King Xerxes
One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, he heard a plot
It was between two angry door guards who wanted to kill the king.
Mordecai reported the information to Queen Esther and told the king
He was credited for his loyalty and investigation followed
When the plot was verified to be true, Mordecai earned the king’s trust
The two men who were guilty were pierced on a sharpened pole.
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MEMORY VERSE
When an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. – Esther 2:23
Read: Esther 2
In the book of Esther, we get a glimpse of the character of Mordecai. He was a very loving and respectable person who took care of his orphaned cousin and treated her as his own daughter. He was very wise and groomed Esther to be the queen to King Xerxes. Another character trait of Mordecai was his loyalty to King Xerxes. He was able to protect the king from an evil plot to assassinate him. This is a righteous and humble trait that is need from all servants and leaders as well.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think faithfulness and loyalty are traits that are worth emulating in Mordecai’s character?
• How can we stay honest and truthful to those who have authority over us without compromising our integrity?
UZZIAH’S REIGN Poem Devotional
May 11
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UZZIAH’S REIGN
A poem by ILMA
All of Judah crowned Uzziah as king in place of his father
He was sixteen when he became king and reigned 52 years
After his father Amaziah’s death, he restored the town of Elath
He did what was pleasing to the Lord and his mother was Jecoliah.
Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah
The prophet taught him how to fear God
As long as the king sought the Lord’s guidance
King Uzziah was promised success and victory.
Uzziah declared war on the Phillistines
He broke down walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod
Then he built new towns in Ashdod and in parts of Philistia
God helped him in his wars against Phillistia and the Meunites.
Uzziah built fortified towns and constructed forts in the wilderness
He dug many water cisterns for he kept great herds of livestock
He was also a man who loved the soil and had many farms and vineyards
He also had an army of well-trained warriors ready to get into battle.
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MEMORY VERSE
He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight just as his father Amaziah had done. – 2 Chronicles 26:4
Read: 2 Chronicles 26
We see what the rewards of doing what was pleasing in the Lord in this story of Uzziah. He was able to have victory and did many things for the people of Israel. He was successful in his fortifying towns and taking care of his land and vineyard and livestock.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to fear the Lord?
• What were the blessings that Uzziah received for doing what was pleasing to the Lord?