June 2
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GODLY WIFE’S ADORNMENT
In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 4 but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. – 1 Peter 3:1-6
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In this letter, Peter addresses the believers scattered all over Asia Minor. He is concerned that amidst the suffering and trials that they are undergoing, they may be discouraged and lose faith. In this part of his letter, he focuses on the wives role in the family. Notice in the first verse that godly women are commanded to submit to their own husband’s authority. He is the head of the family and he is responsible for the whole health of the household. Peter stresses the unconditional submission of the wives to their own husbands. The theme of the act of obedience is unconditional love. It didn’t say that you only submit when they are obeying the word. Respecting and honoring their husbands even though they do not deserve it is what all godly wives are called to do. The world will never understand this concept because they have no idea about authority and the order of God’s creation. It is required for women to be leading back their husbands to the Lord when they stray. It is not with words that this is done but with their behavior and demeanor. When the wife continues to be pure and respectful, the Holy Spirit will deal with their lawlessness to God using the submission of the wife.
Peter gives a guideline of what constitutes a godly woman’s adornment. He says that it is not the external or physical look that should be their ornament of beauty, but the purity in their hearts and their obedience to their husbands. Peter draws out the example of Sarah in Old Testament, who treated her husband as her lord and obeyed and followed him in his own obedience to God’s directive. Although we know how beautiful Sarah was from the bible description, her inner beauty is what’s more important to the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What can you say about ungodly women who do not submit to their husbands?
Tag Archives: Christian Vlog
WHEN YOU DO WHAT’S RIGHT AND SUFFER FOR IT ILMA’S VLOG
May 31
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WHEN YOU DO WHAT’S RIGHT AND SUFFER FOR IT
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. – 1 Peter 2:18-20
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In these following passages, Peter builds a case on the importance of being subject to your masters in all respects. He clearly identifies the condition for submission. You also submit to those who are harsh. The world would question this concept of submission to authorities. We have been so brainwashed to think that it is our rights to speak our minds and disobey those who do not deserve to be honored and respected. In God’s economy, authority and submission is key in living a life of peace and order. This is why we need to obey because God has put all these people in authority in position and allowed them to be leaders. When we rebel against leaders or authority figures, we are also defying God himself as Paul says in Romans 13:1-2.
In verse 19, Peter stresses the importance of withstanding grief when being treated unjustly: It brings the person favor because God honors it when we suffer silently. It also grows our faith and character. James mentions in his letter about the importance of suffering in the development of our faith and character in James 1:2-3. He says that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.
In verse 20, he brings about a very important teaching about suffering patiently for doing what is right. It brings favor from God. We all know that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we can’t do it without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The bible dictionary defines patience as the quality of self-restraint or of not giving way to anger, even in the face of provocation; it is attributed to both God and man and is closely related to mercy and compassion. In other words, we cannot be able to be patient without knowing God’s character. God is love and only in love can we restrain ourselves from walking in the flesh. We can only have the fruit of patience if we are in Christ. We can never in our own strength produce such fruit. Only the Holy Spirit can.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think doing right and suffering for it is not an easy thing to do?
SILENCING THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE ILMA’S VLOG
May 30
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SILENCING THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. – 1 Peter 2:13-17
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In this letter, Peter emphasizes the importance of submission to every human institution. He wants all believers to set an example of obedience to authority, whether they are political, social, spiritual or civil leaders. Paul also reiterates the importance of submitting to authority in Romans 13:1-2 when he said in this letter to the believers: “Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.”
It is sad to watch many people, including some believers who always have something to say negative about authorities or who defiantly disobey the laws set out by these rulers or leaders. Maybe if believers will strictly follow this command stated both by Peter and Paul, we could put a stop to those who just want to rebel and to criticize authority or state their opinion about what they assume needs to be done.
In verse 15, Peter explains why we need to submit to authority. This reminds me of Old Testament verse in Isaiah 53:7 that says Like a sheep being led to the slaughter or a lamb that is silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth”. The prophecy was speaking of Jesus who is abused, maltreated, ridiculed and maligned and tortured, yet he was silent like a lamb and didn’t say a word. He didn’t fight for his right and flaunt his position as God, He just submitted to the will of his Father in heaven, so he can let his will be done. He trusted in God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Jesus never questioned why he had to do it. Instead, he submitted and followed like a meek lamb. When you do the right thing and obey the law, it is a powerful force that can silence the ignorant and foolish people. He also warns them to use their freedom to cover evil and to act as free people. He reminds them to respect others and ensure that they fear God and honor their leaders.
To do what is righteous is the greatest proclamation of the gospel.
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REFLECTION
• Why is fighting for your rights and criticizing authority not a godly thing to do?
OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT
May 28
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OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT
9 But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
– 1 Peter 2:9-10
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In this letter, Peter reminds us of our stand in the kingdom of God. He speaks of the honor that was given to the chosen people. They come from a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s own possession. Although the Old Testament talks about the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood that were given to the tribe of the Levi, the coming of Jesus and dying on the cross changed that. All who come to serve the Lord Jesus Christ becomes royalty in God’s kingdom, they are considered holy and part of the priesthood who will be mediated by the Christ himself to his heavenly Father in heaven. In the Old Testament, they were mediated by the priesthood of the tribe of Levi. When Jesus died, he became the direct link to the Father and if we believe in Him, he elevates us to the royal priesthood and gives us the ability to be a holy nation. What an honor to be chosen by the Lord God himself!
Peter explains in this letter the responsibility that we have as royal priests and holy nation. In verse 9, the position of honor and royalty comes with an obligation. We are to proclaim the excellencies of God who has called us out of the darkness into His marvelous light. Just like a king or queen has a big responsibility to take the concerns of the nation and his/her subjects as priority, we have similar position as royalty. It means that we are not free to do our own will because we need to think of our priorities. We cannot be selfish and be concerned with personal matters and self-gratification. We are expected to be accountable to our Heavenly Father. Everything we do needs to be focused on the kingdom. If you have watched or read biographies of kings and queens, you will probably be thinking how lonely and stuck they are in their positions because they are not free to be doing what they want. They have to take into consideration everything that they have dominion over. It is an honor to be royalty, but it is also a big responsibility. As people of God, we cannot behave like those living in darkness anymore. We have now received the marvelous light of Jesus. No more excuse to live our old lives when we weren’t his priests.
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REFLECTION
• How can you ensure that you don’t live in darkness after Jesus brought you light?
DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WORD CAUSES STUMBLING ILMA’S VLOG
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May 27
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DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WORD CAUSES STUMBLING
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE, AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers, “A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,” 8 and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed. – 1 Peter 2:6-7
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In this letter, Peter addresses the sin of disobedience and rejection of the Lord and His word. Peter quotes an Old Testament verse from Isaiah 28:16. In the prophecy of Isaiah, the whole of chapter 28:14-29 is talking about a cornerstone in Zion.
Matthew Henry comments on Isaiah 28 from verse 16 and says: “Here is a promise of Christ, as the only foundation of hope for escaping the wrath to come. This foundation was laid in Zion, in the eternal counsels of God. This foundation is a stone, firm and able to support his church. It is a tried stone, a chosen stone, approved of God, and never failed any who made trial of it. A corner stone, binding together the whole building, and bearing the whole weight; precious in the sight of the Lord, and of every believer; a sure foundation on which to build. And he who in any age or nation shall believe this testimony, and rest all his hopes, and his never-dying soul on this foundation, shall never be confounded.”
Peter reiterates Isaiah by admonishing believers of the importance of believing in the cornerstone that the builders rejected. In Isaiah’s prophecy, he addresses scoffers who made a covenant with death and Sheol and God’s response to this is the foundation he laid in Zion, a stone, a tested stone. In this letter, Peter addresses and warns the believers to ensure that they are not disobeying or rejecting the cornerstone that the Lord God has provided to all believers.
Peter was emphasizing the importance of such focus on the foundation that is eternal and can only be found in Christ Jesus. He shows them the aftermath of rejecting Jesus Christ and the Word. It will lead them to stumble. Why is disobedience to the Word of God a grave sin? Note that in 1 Samuel 15:23, the great prophet warns us that disobedience or rebellion is a sin of witchcraft. When we reject the truth that only comes from God’s word, we are actually acting like we want to be like God, just like our first parent’s disobeyed..
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REFLECTION
• What have you disobeyed from God’s word that caused you to stumble?
THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
May 24
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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
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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.
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REFLECTION
• How is the reminder of the precious blood of Christ essential in a believer’s life?
THOUGH YOU CAN’T SEE HIM, YOU LOVE HIM ILMA’S VLOG
May 21
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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REFLECTION
• Why should every believer always remember that we can do nothing because all things come from God?
PATIENT LIKE A FARMER ILMA’S VLOG
May 17
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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
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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.
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REFLECTION
• Why is patience such a challenging virtue in our world today?
MY SOUL WAITS FOR GOD ALONE ILMA’S VLOG
March 13
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MY SOUL WAITS FOR GOD ALONE
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him,
Like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position
They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
Those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up;
They are together lighter than a breath.10 Put no trust in extortion;
Set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
12 And that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man according to his work. – Psalm 62:1-12
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The ESV study bible says that this psalm is one that God’s people sing this psalm for encouragement as they oppressed by powerful, wealthy people. In such a situation, it would be easy to despair, or else to seek security in power and wealth rather than God, but David always faithfully sees the power of God in whatever he is going through. He believes that only God can be his refuge and that he always focuses on God’s steadfast love and waits for his deliverance alone.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord, who alone is the source of power, strength and help.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I forget that you are the only one who can help me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being the rock that I am anchored in.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a faith like David has. He never wavered.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop a faith that is strong enough to combat any adversity?