June 21
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CONCERNS ABOUT GENTILE CONVERTS
A poem by ILMA
While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men began to teach
“Unless you are circumcised as required by law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, and went to Jerusalem to the council
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were both welcomed by the whole church.
All the apostles including the elders were eager to hear from Paul and Barnabas
They reported everything God had done through them and all the miracles
Some believers from the sect of the Pharisees insisted that Gentile converts obey
They required them to follow the law of Moses to be circumcised.
The apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue of circumcision
After a long discussion, Peter reminded them that the Gentiles converted
He said the God knows people’s hearts and that they were given the Holy Spirit
Peter posed this question “Why are you now challenging God by burdening them?”
Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul what God had done to the Gentiles
James stood up and reminded them of the prophet’s vision on the rest of humanity
“And so my judgement is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles converts”
They decided to send a letter to the Gentile believers to remind them of God’s laws.
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MEMORY VERSE
We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. – Acts 15:19
Read: Acts 15
So many laws of Moses were stipulated by the Jewish leaders that enslaved them. They are so strict that it was difficult for many new believers to actually follow them. The apostles had the Holy Spirit in them so that they see how these laws especially the circumcision might make it difficult for the Gentiles to follow through their conversion.
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REFLECTION
• What laws have you been strictly adhering to that hinders you from doing things out of love instead of just following rules?
• Why are the Pharisees so legalistic and making it hard for new believers?
Tag Archives: pharisees
Stephen Arrested and Stoned
June 6
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STEPHEN ARRESTED AND STONED
A poem by ILMA
Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles
It became a concern for some men in the synagogue of Freed Slaves
They all started to debate with Stephen, none of them couldn’t win
Stephen had a supernatural wisdom from the Spirit that they couldn’t beat.
These Jews were from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and the province of Asia
They couldn’t accept that Stephen could beat them in wisdom
They persuaded some men to lie about Stephen and accused him of blasphemy
They lied that they heard Stephen blaspheme Moses and even God himself.
They claimed he said Jesus will destroy the Temple and change Moses’ customs
It was at this time that Stephen’s face became as bright as an angel’s
The high priests brought Stephen to council asked him if the accusations were true
Stephen gave them a long discourse on God’s faithful love to their ancestors.
Stephen replied by giving a history of God’s deliverance and Israel’s stubbornness
He accused the leaders as stubborn people who are heathens and deaf to truth
The Jewish leaders were enraged by Stephen’s accusation and shook their fists
Stephen gazed into heaven steadily as they dragged him and stoned him to death.
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MEMORY VERSE
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. He fell to his knees shouting, “Lord, don’t’ charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.
– Acts 7:59-60
Read: Acts 6-7
What courage Stephen had to confront these hypocrites! The Holy Spirit never left his side. He was able to have the boldness to accused these Jewish leaders and expose their sins of idolatry, stubbornness and rebellion which led to her being stoned to death.
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REFLECTION
• Would you do everything to expose the lies of those who pretend they are godly?
• Why is hypocrisy a grave sin in the eyes of God? What other sins stem from it?
NOT DOING WHAT YOU SAY
August 3
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They don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.
-Matthew 23:3-5(NLT)
NOT DOING WHAT YOU SAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe in God and love him with all your heart?
Are you able to follow what he says without a doubt?
The Pharisees do everything for a show
They don’t practice what they preach and know.
Are you able to live a pure and authentic life?
You must be obedient to all God’s commands like Christ
Not doing what you say doesn’t show a good testimony
It brings confusion and makes others doubt your sincerity.
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Many people have been discouraged or even lost their faith because of a Christian who have not been able to do what they say, preach or believe in. When Christ was here on earth, the Pharisees are one of those he exposed much and are bold with. No wonder, they plotted to kill Christ. They couldn’t bear the unapologetic honesty of Jesus.
The Pharisees don’t practice what they preach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never made it easier for others. Everything they do is for show. They never genuinely love God but they are more concerned with how people view them. They compare themselves with others and ensured that they always looked good on the outside.
PRAYER
Lord, please never let me be a hypocrite like the Pharisees.
REFLECTION
What things do you believe that you never really do? How does it affect you?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com