December 31
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THE SPIRIT’S FRUIT
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. 26 Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. – Galatians 5:22-26
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Enduringword.com commentary says: The works of the flesh seem overwhelming – both in us and around us. God is good enough and big enough to change everything with the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit can always conquer the works of the flesh. Significantly, it is the fruit of the Spirit set across from the works of the flesh. Works are works, and fruit is fruit. Fruit has several important characteristics. Fruit isn’t achieved by working, but is birthed by abiding. Fruit is fragile. Fruit reproduces itself. Fruit is attractive. Fruit nourishes.
Paul used the plural in describing life after the flesh (works of the flesh), but he uses the singular (fruit, not fruits, of the Spirit). In the big picture, the Spirit has one work to do in all of us. These aren’t the gifts of the Spirit, which are distributed on an individual basis by the will of the Spirit; this is something for every Christian. Morris comments that “It may be significant that the word fruit is singular; Paul is not speaking of a series of fruits that would be shared around, so that one believer has one another. Rather he is referring to a cluster, such that all the qualities are to be manifested in each believer.”
Luther says that it is fitting that love be the first mentioned, because it encompasses all of the following. It may even be said that the following eight terms are just describing what love in action looks like. “It would have been enough to mention only the single fruit of love, for love embraces all the fruits of the Spirit.” This is above and beyond natural affection, or the loyalty to blood or family. This is loving people who aren’t easy to love; loving people you don’t like.
Paul concluded this section of walking in the Spirit with this warning, knowing that some will become conceited in their own walk in the Spirit. This can be a masterful stroke of Satan. We can think of a child of God finally walking in the Spirit – then Satan tempts him to be conceited about it. Soon, he is sure that he is almost always right and everyone else is wrong. It often happens gradually, so Paul warned, “Do not become conceited.”
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REFLECTION
• How can a true believer guard his/her heart from becoming conceited?
Tag Archives: Chrsitian devotional
JESUS CONFIDES TO THE DISCIPLE WHOM HE LOVED ILMA’S VLOG
August 13
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JESUS CONFIDES TO THE DISCIPLE WHOM HE LOVED
21 When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” 22 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23 There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” 25 He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So, when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore, Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29 For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.
– John 13:21-30
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In this account, Jesus was having his last supper with his disciples. Since He was also God, He knew exactly the hour when He was going to be betrayed and who was going to betray Him. The disciples on the other hand didn’t know among them was the traitor. John referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. In verse 23, we have a picture of that special love that Jesus had for John. He was reclining on Jesus’ bosom. It was at this point when Simon Peter, used John’s closeness to Jesus to find out who the traitor was and true enough, on verse 26, Jesus gave John an answer to his question. He said that the one who will dip the morsel is the one who will betray him. Not long after Jesus said it to John, Judas Iscariot was possessed by Satan. It is interesting that Jesus told Judas to do quickly what he was about to do. Meanwhile, all the other disciples were still wondering who among them would do such a terrible disloyalty to their Master. They had no clue that Jesus already confided to John who the traitor was.
What a picture of love between Jesus and John! Because of His love for John, Jesus confided in his beloved disciple who the traitor would be. Wouldn’t we also have such honor if we get very close to Jesus? Wouldn’t it be a privilege to be Jesus’ confidant?
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REFLECTION
• What are the benefits of being a disciple whom Jesus loves?
THE WORD MADE FLESH ILMA’S VLOG
June 3
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THE WORD MADE FLESH
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. – John 1:14-18 (NASB)
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In this part of chapter one of John’s gospel, He tells us how Jesus became human and lived among us. He announces how he himself was with Christ and was a witness to the fullness of his glory, abounding in grace and truth. He mentions that even though Christ came after him, in every way, Jesus was before him. As John 1:1-2 mentions, Jesus which is the Word already existed, even before creation was made. He acknowledges Jesus’ divinity in verse 15 and focuses on what Christ’s coming to the world did for us. We received the gift of grace upon grace.
Matthew Henry says in his commentary that all fullness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful and happy. Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace, a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us.
Verse 17 mentions that importance of the Law which was given to Moses but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. It is when Jesus became flesh that we got a glimpse of God and we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us when he died for us on the cross. Jesus was the only way we will be able to come close to the Father and only through him can we be empowered by His own Spirit.
How easy it is for us humans to take credit for anything we are able to accomplish and forget that everything that we have is a gift from God through Jesus Christ. If we don’t believe in Him, we are nothing. We also receive truth when Christ came because by dying on the cross for us, we are given the gift of counsel of God’s truth through the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of all believers.
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REFLECTION
• What is the meaning of grace and truth in your life as a Christian?
• How has the world twisted these gifts and made us focus on works of the flesh?
AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST ILMA’S VLOG
May 30
________________________________________AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST
As far as the east is from the west,
So far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
So the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; He flourishes like a flower of the field
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 To those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
And his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
You mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!– Psalm 103:12-22
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In this song, the psalmist describes how God’s mercy is so vast, as far as the east is from the west. He acts like a real true and caring father to all his children. He is compassionate to all who fear him. The psalm also speaks of God everlasting unconditional love for all his children. He knows all who love and fear him and he honors those who obey his commandments. The psalmist admonishes us all to praise the Lord and prays a blessing to all those who does his will and do the work of the Lord to bring everyone the gospel and make his kingdom come here on earth.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his generous mercy and grace. Hallelujah.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I do not heed your word and will.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all that you have given to all of your beloved children.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who serve the Lord remember to walk in spirit and truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God’s mercy is described “as far as the east is from the west?”
MAY INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS PRESERVE ME ILMA’S VLOG
May 22
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MAY INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS PRESERVE ME
Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
And he makes known to them his covenant.15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
For he will pluck my feet out of the net.16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.19 Consider how many are my foes,
And with what violent hatred they hate me.20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. – Psalm 25:11-22
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In this psalm, David relies on the Lord for deliverance and desire to be close to the Lord. He runs to the Lord especially when he feels afflicted with troubles. In his distress, he honestly opens up his heart to God and declares to him the condition of his heart as it is. He doesn’t hide his challenges and difficulties. Instead, he opens it to him so that the Lord could bring him deliverance and comfort. David is particularly known for examining his heart, something that believers should emulate. Just like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, he will only boast about his weakness because when I am weak, I am strong. This dependence on God instead of fixing myself is an act of humility. It shows that without relying on God, I can’t overcome any obstacles or adversities that come my way.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for all his guidance and provision to me.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I rely on my own strength, Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the comfort you bring each time I am down.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers be reminded of their complete dependence on God.
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REFLECTION
• How is being weak actually strong in God’s economy?
• What is the world view of “strength” that the world believes in?
RESTORE OUR FORTUNES O LORD Poem Devotional
January 17
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RESTORE OUR FORTUNES O LORD
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with shouts of joy;
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
Shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
– Psalm 126:1-6
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This psalm is another song of ascents (sung while they are going up on the hill where the Temple is). It is a recollection of how the Lord has renewed them from their former struggles and once again requests Him to do the same. As if in a dream, they are declaring what the Lord will give them once again as He did in the former. A psalm full of expectancy and faith in the Lord’s generosity and mercy.
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ADORATION: We praise the God who is most generous and faithful to deliver his people. We look up to a God of mercy and who is Sovereign.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I become so discouraged and fail to have a hopeful expectancy on your unfailing mercy and love.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all that you have done in our lives. It is amazing how you continually provide for all our needs even though we don’t deserve it.
SUPPLICATION: May all your people continue to look forward to the hope that only comes from knowing and believing in your promises.
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REFLECTION
• How can a believer avoid to be pulled down from discouragements and struggles?
• Why is looking back on the miracles that God has done for you important in maintaining a hopeful expectant attitude?
COME, BLESS THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 4
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COME, BLESS THE LORD
Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
who stand by night in the house of the LORD!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the LORD!
3 May the LORD bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth! – Psalm 134
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The Hebrew word “barak” means “to kneel”. However, when written in the piel form it means to “show respect” (usually translated as “bless”). In this psalm, the servants of the Lord especially those who were in night duty at the house of the Lord brings praise to the Lord. To bless the Lord means to praise or give glory to the Lord. We recognize how the psalmist invites us to bless the Lord with our hands lifted to his Holy Place.
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ADORATION: Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise you creator of all things. You created all things bright and beautiful. I will exalt you every minute and every second of my life.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord each time I don’t lift you up in praise and adoration. Because of selfishness and busy-ness, I forget to focus on you. Instead, I get concerned with my selfish desires and follow the call of the flesh.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you that you have made all creation for Jesus and through Him and with Him. I am forever grateful for the love you showed me when you gave your only Son Jesus, to die for my sins just so I can be free.
SUPPLICATION: I pray for all sinners like me, to learn humility from Jesus. Despite being God, he chose to be human and give up his life for all of us. Help me to decrease and let You increase. Give me courage to say “no” to self-satisfaction, self-preservation, self-protection, approval addiction and self-worship and pride.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for Christians to constantly bless the Lord?
• What happens when we forget to worship God on a regular basis?
• Why is vertical focus on the cross instead of the horizontal focus on life situations more beneficial for believers?
• What benefits do we reap when we bless others and praise God?
MULTIPLICATION OF THE BREAD Poem Devotional
December 21
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MULTIPLICATION OF THE BREAD
A poem by ILMA
Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee
This sea It is also known as the Sea of Tiberias
A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went
Because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.
Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him
Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him
Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”
He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
Philip said, “We can’t afford to feed them even if we work for months”
Then Andrew spoke that there’s a young boy with five barley loaves
Then he asked Jesus, “what good is that with this huge crowd?”
“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said, so they all sat down.stia
The men alone numbered about 5,000 Then Jesus took the loaves
He gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people
Afterward, he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted
Then Jesus said, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.”
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MEMORY VERSE
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.
– John 6:11
Read: John 6:1-14
This miracle of Jesus was based on what a little boy had to contribute. He was open enough to volunteer his five loaves of barley to the disciple and this is probably what the Lord wants us to do. When we give whatever little we have to the Lord, he can always multiply it.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it that some people do not see miracles even if it’s right in front of them?
CHRIST PURIFIES THE TEMPLE Poem Devotional
December 17
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CHRIST PURIFIES THE TEMPLE
A poem by ILMA
It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem
In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices
He also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money
Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple.
He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor He turned over their tables and went over to the people who sold doves
He told them, “Get these things out of here all of you who have defiled this temple
Get out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures
The Son will have “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”
The Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing?
If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”
“All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”
“It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you’ll rebuild it in 3days?”
But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body
After he was raised from the dead, he rose and was resurrected.
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MEMORY VERSE
Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. – John 2:19-21
Read: John 2:13-20
We witness the passion of Jesus in this account. He was full of righteous anger for having the Temple of God defiled by money making vendors. He was cleaning up a holy place that the people desecrated for their own gains. He was rightfully angry that they tainted the Most Holy Place of his Father.
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REFLECTION
• How can righteous anger keep us pure and holy?
THE WORD BECAME HUMAN Poem Devotional
December 15
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THE WORD BECAME HUMAN
A poem by ILMA
Before anything came into existence, the Word was already there
The Word was with God and the Word was God and already existed
God made all things through him, and nothing was made except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to all.
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so all might believe
John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into our lives.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him
He came to his own people, and even they, mocked and rejected him
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to belong to God
They are reborn—not with physically but a birth that comes from God, our Creator.
So, the Word became flesh and made his home here on earth
And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another
For no one has ever seen God. But the Son is revealed God to us.
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MEMORY VERSE
God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. – John 1:3-5
Read: John 1:1-18
The essence of Christianity is the truth that the Word, who is Christ, has already existed even before the creation of all things. God made all things for him and through him. When a believer’s life is focused on the Alpha who is also our Omega, we are living the truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why does the epistle of John calls Jesus as the Word?
• Do Christians really understand the meaning of God making creation through Christ, with Christ and for Christ? How should that manifest in their lives?