June 10
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1 JOHN 3
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so, we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
– 1 John 3:1-3
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1 JOHN 3 WHY THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW US
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When God chose you to belong to him, he gave you his Spirit
The Spirit is unseen and does not belong to this earthly empire
Things that we see are those that belong to this world
God’s realm is unseen and revealed only in his word
The Lord only reveals himself to those whom he loves
Therefore, those who are not his, do not know God.
The works of the flesh keeps us in lust and constant craving
While the Spirit’s work is to keep us obeying and believing
The world lives only for himself and satisfying the self
While the Spirit guides and directs us saints, to be selfless
Those who belong to this world continue to desire and lust
Those who belong to Christ, live to obey him and trust.
So, to all God’s children, do not be discouraged
Only those who know God will truly comprehend
They do understand us because they don’t know him
They do not care what the Lord commands, they live in sin
Therefore, do not fret when you are misunderstood
Christ himself was misconstrued and also rejected.
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REFLECTION
• Why should true believers never fret or be anxious when they are misunderstood or rejected according to these verses?
• What goes on in our hearts when we get offended and defend ourselves?
Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERYT
GOD’S WORD IS UPRIGHT & HIS COUNSEL STANDS FOREVER ILMA’S VLOG
May 23
________________________________________GOD’S WORD IS UPRIGHT & HIS COUNSEL STANDS FOREVER
Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;
Make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of his heart to all generations. – Psalm 33:1-11
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In this psalm the psalmist praises the Lord with shouts of joy and giving thanks to Him with music, using lyre and harp. He encourages everyone to sing new songs and shout with joy and praise. He also focuses on the uprightness of God’s word and the importance of righteousness and justice in our lives. This song reminds us how powerful the word of the Lord; by his breath, he created everything. As he spoke, everything came into being. Only God’s counsel will last forever. Human counsel or reasoning on the other hand, isn’t always true and right.
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ADORATION: Praise be to God of all creation. His word is everlasting. His power is immense and amazing.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I do not sing songs of joy and praise you Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the counsel you give us.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers follow only what is coming from God’s word and his counsel. May they let the truth from Scriptures guide their lives.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to know truth in order to stay holy, righteous and wise?
PROOF OF FAITH Poem Devotional
December 23
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PROOF OF FAITH Poem Devotional
A poem by ILMA
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled; trust in me, also trust God
There is more than enough room in my Father’s home
Why will I tell you that I’m going to make a place for you if it weren’t so?
Be patient, when everything is ready, I will come and get you
This way, you will always be with me wherever I am
Do you have an idea the way to where I am going?”
“We have no clue where you’re heading; how can we know the way?”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father but by me.
“If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is”, Jesus said
From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied”
“Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!
So why are you asking me to show him to you?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
Anyone who believes in me will do the same as I’ve done, even greater works.
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MEMORY VERSE
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. – John 14:12
Read: John 14:1-14
In this exchange of Jesus with his disciples, he tells his followers what is awaiting them in the Father’s house and the promise of eternal life. It seems though that despite the many years that they have been with Jesus, they still do not understand many things. Jesus reminds them that his presence should make them know the Father already and that if they truly believe in him, they’ll follow his works and even do greater than him.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it that even though Jesus promised his disciples many eternal things, they still were wanting to see God the Father? Are they unbelieving?
PAUL SAILS FOR ROME Poem Devotional
July 10
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PAUL SAILS FOR ROME
A poem by ILMA
Paul and other prisoners were placed under Julius’ custody
He was a Roman officer, a captain of the Imperial regiment
Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica was also with them
They left on a ship whose home port was Adramyttium in Asia.
The ship was scheduled to make many stops at ports along the coast
The next day, when they docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul
He let Paul go ashore to visit with friends so he can be given his needs
Putting out to sea from Sidon were strong headwinds so they sailed north.
They passed along the Cilician coast and Pamphylia, landing at Myra
The commanding officer found an Egyptian ship and transferred them there
They had several days of slow sailing and after great hardship, Paul spoke
He told the officers that they should take caution for it was dangerous.
The officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ships’ captain
Since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor, it was a poor place to spend winter
Most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, up the coast of Crete
They though that it would be better to spend winter there.
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MEMORY VERSE
When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer name Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. – Acts 27:1
Read: Acts 27:1-12
After Paul met with King Agrippa and Festus, the governor Bernice, they agreed that Paul hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment. Agrippa told Festus that Paul could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar. Their sail to Rome was long and not smooth sailing.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Paul insisted that he sees Caesar to bring his case?