January 14
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HOW LONG O LORD?
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
And have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
Light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
Lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
My heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
– Psalm 13:1-6
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In this Psalm, we can sense the condition of David’s discouragement. It almost feels like closest to despair. He pours out his heart to God how tired and weary he feels as he is being pursued by his enemies. Despite the condition of his heart, at the end of this Psalm, he is still able to desire to sing to the Lord for the past blessings God has poured on him.
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ADORATION: Praise be to a God who never abandons us and always protects us. He is a shield to all those who run to him.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord whenever I allow despair and hopelessness to enter my heart. I repent of times when I succumb to negativity which equals to lack of trust in you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the negative circumstances that come my way. It helps me to be refined and stay humble.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who feel discouraged re-focus to Jesus so that they will not believe the lies that are shot at them by the devil.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers overcome despair, depression and discouragement?
• Why is it important to be honest with God? How does God look at this honesty?
• Should a believer trust his own emotions and feelings? Why or Why not?
Tag Archives: ILMA
WHEN JONAH OBEYED Poem Devotional
December 12
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WHEN JONAH OBEYED
A poem by ILMA
Once again the LORD spoke to Jonah and said “Go to Nineveh
Proclaim to the people the message I have given you.”
So, Jonah obeyed the LORD and went to the big city
It took three days to walk through the whole Nineveh
Jonah proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!”
The people of Nineveh believed God’s message
They decided all should fast from the greatest to the least
They put on sackcloth, each one of them, to show that they had repented
When the king heard about it, he got up from his throne
He took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes.
He sent out a proclamation to the people of Nineveh
“This is an order from the king and his officials
No one is to eat anything; all persons are forbidden to eat or drink
Each person and animals must wear sackcloth
All must pray earnestly to God and give up their wickedness
Perhaps God will change his mind and stop being angry
Then the whole city will be saved and we will not die!”
God saw what they did, he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior
So, he changed his mind and did not punish them as he had said he would.
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MEMORY VERSE
So, Jonah obeyed the LORD and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to walk through it. – Jonah 3:3
Read: Jonah 3:1-10
When Jonah finally obeyed the Lord after he was spitted from the fish, a miracle happened. The wicked people of Nineveh, repented. All from the king and everyone.
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REFLECTION
• What stops people from walking in obedience?
• What happened when Jonah finally obeyed the Lord after running the first time?
CAUTION TO THE RICH Poem Devotional
November 28
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CAUTION TO THE RICH
A poem by ILMA
Listen carefully, all you who are rich: weep with anguish for what’s coming at you
There will be terrible troubles and suffering ahead of all those who are rich and famous
Your wealth will not last long, they will rot away and your clothes are like rags
Your gold and silver are corroded and that wealth will eat away your flesh like fire.
Those of you who are hoarders will face the day of judgment
Hoarding is clinging on to material possessions which you can’t bring anyway
You are born in this world without anything but naked
You will also return to the place you belong in the same way.
Hear the cries of those whom you have cheated so you can gain more
You have spent your years here on earth in luxury and convenience
You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter
You have fully satisfied yourselves instead of looking after other.
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MEMORY VERSE
Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you – James 5:1
Read: James 5:1-6
This letter of James gives a very harsh warning to the rich people. Like the man in the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, we see how greedy that man was storing up so much riches for himself instead of gaining riches in heaven. He had no idea that one day, all these things he stored up for himself will be gone for he doesn’t know when his life will be taken away from him.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the rich are cautioned vehemently here by James?
• Do you think that all rich people are not going to enter God’s kingdom?
• How can you be wealthy and yet enter the kingdom of God?
• Why is it very hard for the rich to really be true disciples? What stops them from being a true follower of God?
SON OF GOD, GREATER THAN ANGELS Poem Devotional
October 17
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SON OF GOD, GREATER THAN ANGELS
A poem by ILMA
It is through Christ Jesus that all things in the universe was created
Our ancestors and the prophets spoke many times about Jesus
God promised everything to his Son Jesus as an inheritance
The Son radiates God’s glory and expresses God’s character.
Jesus sustains everything by the mighty power of his command
After he cleansed us from sin, He sat beside God, a place of honor
This shows that the Son is far greater than all the angels in heaven
Just as the name God gave him is greater than all their names.
For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus
He addressed Christ as “You are my Son and I am your Father”
When he brought his Son into the world,
He said “Let all of God’s angels worship my one and only Son.
God sent all his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire”
But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever
You rule with a scepter of justice; you love justice and hate evil”
Therefore, angels are spirits sent to care for people who’ll inherit salvation.
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MEMORY VERSE
“For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” – Hebrews 1:5
Read: Hebrews 1: 1-14
Before I was a born-again Christian, I thought that angels and the Lord are in the same rank. I would even pray to angels to protect me. This chapter clearly tells us that Jesus is greater than all the angels in heaven since God created all things for, through and with him.
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REFLECTION
• What can angels do that man could not? Do you think angels are greater than us?
CALL TO GRACIOUS ACT OF GIVING Poem Devotional
September 2
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CALL TO GRACIOUS ACT OF GIVING
A poem by ILMA
Dear fellow believers, God in his kindness did through the Macedonian churches
They are all being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor
But they’re also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity
For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more.
And they did it of their own initiative and their free will
They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give
To share themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do
So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place
We encourage you to finish this ministry of giving
Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith
your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us
I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
It’s not a command, But I am testing how genuine your love is
And comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich,
For your sakes he became poor, so that by this, he could make you wealthy.
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MEMORY VERSE
You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
In this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he urges them to the act of gracious giving. It is amazing how he focuses on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who though he was rich, became poor so we can be rich.
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REFLECTION
• Why is giving a good act of showing that you are following Jesus?
• What have you generously given to someone that made you feel like you are following the footsteps of the Lord?
MORDECAI GETS HONORED BY THE KING Poem Devotional
May 29
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MORDECAI GETS HONORED BY THE KING
A poem by ILMA
When Mordecai learned about Haman’s decree to kill all Jews
He tore his clothes and put on burlap and wailed in mourning
As news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces
There was great mourning as well among the Jews.
The Jews fasted and wept and wailed and lay in burlap and ashes
When Esther heard from her maids and eunuchs what happened
She was deeply distressed and sent clothing to Mordecai to replace it
She ordered Hathach the eunuch to find out what’s troubling him.
Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree to kill all the Jews
He asked him to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her
He instructed to tell her to beg the king for mercy for her people
Mordecai reminded Esther that she too will be annihilated.
One night, the king couldn’t sleep and read the records of his reign
He saw how Mordecai have saved his life and realized he wasn’t rewarded
So, he asked Haman what’s to be done for a man who truly pleases the king
And he thought it was for him, not knowing the king wanted to honor Mordecai.
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MEMORY VERSE
Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested. – Esther 6:10
Read: Esther4-6
What an interesting twist of the story of someone who plotted to kill the Jews. Haman’s evil plans was exposed and the punishment he planned for Mordecai became for him. We see how God protects the righteous people.
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REFLECTION
• What was Mordecai’s motive to kill the whole Jewish race?
• What can prayers and fasting do to a person’s life?
• How did the Lord delivered Mordecai from Haman’s evil plans?
HAMAN’S PLOT AGAINST THE JEWS
May 28
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HAMAN’S PLOT AGAINST THE JEWS
A poem by ILMA
Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha
His position was made the most powerful in the empire of Xerxes
All the king’s officials would bow down before him when he passed by
Everyone paid him respect but there was one who didn’t, Mordecai.
The palace officials asked Mordecai why he refused to bow to Haman
They confronted Mordecai why he wouldn’t comply with the order
So, they told Haman to check if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct
Haman was filled with rage when he learned of Mordecai’s was a Jew.
So, he decided it wasn’t enough just to lay hands on Mordecai’s alone
He plotted to annihilate the entire race where he came from
Haman looked for a way to destroy all the Jews in the entire empire
He reported to the king what kind of threats that it would entail to keep them.
The king agreed to Haman’s proposal and handed his signet ring to him
King Xerxes gave him permission to do as he sees fit to the Jews
At the king’s command, the decree went out by swift messengers
A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province.
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MEMORY VERSE
Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews through the entire empire of Xerxes.
-Esther 3:6
Read: Esther 3
Doesn’t this story of Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews similar to Adolf Hitler’s hatred for the Jews? This character is a clear epitome of wickedness. Only because Haman wouldn’t bow down to him, he plotted to kill the whole race.
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REFLECTION
• How can the love of power and control bring about destruction in our lives?
• What manipulation tactic did Haman use to convince the king to write that decree to annihilate the Jews?
TEACHINGS ON THE MOUNT Poem Devotional
May 12
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TEACHINGS ON THE MOUNT
A poem by ILMA
One day as Jesus saw the crowds gathering, he went up the mount
He sat down and his disciples gathered around him and began to teach
He started saying that the kingdom of heaven is for those who are poor
These poor people are those who also recognize their need for the Lord.
Those who are grieving will be blessed for they will be comforted
Those who are humble will surely receive the whole earth
While those who hunger and thirst for justice will be satisfied
God blesses those who are forgiving, for they will be shown mercy.
The promise for those with pure hearts is that they will see God
Those who work and pursue peace will be called His children
While the ones who are persecuted for doing what is right
They shall rejoice for the kingdom of heaven will surely be theirs.
Have joy when people insult, lie and say evil things because you’re a follower
A great reward awaits you in heaven, for the ancient prophets suffered the same
These were the teachings of Jesus to those who want to enter God’s kingdom
These were encouraging teachings about the promises to those who love Him.
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MEMORY VERSE
God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy. – Matthew 5:7
Read: Matthew 5
What a wonderful way of wording the old testament law of Moses. Jesus’ sermon on the mount focused on what not to do but on the promises of what awaits those who love and follow the ways of the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What was the most encouraging promise for you on this sermon on the mount?
• Why do you think it is important to focus on positive things rather than putting it in a rule or a law?
• What is the greatest among these promises for you as a believer? Why?
ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE Poem Devotional
May 7
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ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE
A poem by ILMA
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel how Elijah killed Baal’s prophets
Jezebel threatened Elijah that she would kill him as he killed them
Elijah was so afraid and fled for his life and went to Beersheba
He left his servant Elisha in that small town of Judah.
Then Elijah went on alone into the wilderness travelling all day
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die
He prayed to the Lord to take his life for he isn’t better than his ancestor
Elijah laid down and slept under the broom tree when an angel came.
The angel instructed the prophet to get up and eat some bread just by his head
Then the prophet did as he was told so he proceeded to Mt. Sinai
The bread and the jar of water sustained him forty days and forty nights
There he spent the night as he reached that quiet place of refuge.
The Lord confronted the prophet what he was doing in that place
He tells the Lord how he ran for his life, as all the prophets were killed
The Lord gave him further instruction to go back and go to Damascus
As he arrived, the prophet was to appoint Hazael to become king of Aram.
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MEMORY VERSE
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba and he left his servant there.
– 1 Kings 19:3
Read: 1 Kings 19
It is interesting to see a very powerful prophet running and being so scared for his life. He heard what Jezebel did to all of God’s prophets, It is interesting how fear played a role in Elijah’ls live?
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REFLECTION
• How powerful is the Jezebel spirit?
• What made a very powerful prophet get debilitated?
• Why was Jezebel chasing the prophet?
AHAZ RULES IN JUDAH Poem Devotional
April 23
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AHAZ RULES IN JUDAH
A poem by ILMA
Ahaz, son of Jotham began to rule over Judah in the 17th year of Pekah’s reign
He was twenty years old when he became king and ruled for sixteen years
He did not do what was pleasing in the sigh of the Lord, as his ancestors did
Instead, he followed the example of kings of Israel, and sacrificed his own son.
He sacrificed his son in the fire and followed the pagan practices
He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the pagan shrines
Then Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel came up to attack Jerusalem
These two kings, Rezin and Pekah besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him.
At that time, the king of Edom recovered the town of Elath for Edom
He drove out the people of Judah and sent Edomites to live there
King Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to rescue him
He told the Assyrian king that he will be his servant and vassal.
Ahaz took the silver and gold from the Temple of the Lord
He gave it as payment to the Assyrian king, so King Rezin was killed
When he died, he was buried with his ancestors in the city of David
Then his son Hezekiah became the next king to rule Judah.
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MEMORY VERSE
He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord his God, as his ancestor David had done. – 2 Kings 16:2
Read: 2 Kings 16
Many of these kings did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. Sometimes it is hard to understand how the Lord allows evil to prevail. But many times we suffer the consequences of our decisions.
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REFLECTION
• What led Ahaz to go the Assyrian King for help?
• Why do you think this king continued to do evil in the Lord while his father Jotham did what was pleasing to God?