July 15
________________________________________
GOD’S JUDGMENT OF SIN
A poem by ILMA
You may think you can condemn and punish those who do unrighteous things
If you do, you are condemning yourself, for when you judged you’ll also be judged
It is only God who can judge; in his justice, he punishes those who do evil
For you cannot escape God’s judgment when you judge others who do wickedness.
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you?
Can’t you see that God’s kindness is intended to make you be renewed?
When you are stubborn and refuse to turn from sin, you accumulate punishment
God will judge everyone according to what they have continually done.
He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good and giving God glory
But he will pour out his anger on those who live for themselves and disobey
There will be trouble and calamity for those who continue to do wicked things
Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, you will be judged for God has no favoritism.
When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed though they never had God’s laws
And the Jews who have God’s law will be judged by what law they disobey
Merely listening to the law and not doing it doesn’t make us right with God
The day is coming when God, through Christ will judge everyone’s secret life.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. – Romans 2:15
Read: Romans 2:1-16
We humans have a tendency to judge. We set expectations to ourselves and others that sometimes make us fail to see that it is only God who can really judge our actions and motives. Because only God can see our hearts, he is the only one who can judge our actions based on our intentions.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it hard to fight our tendencies to judge others by what we see?
• Who is the ultimate judge? Why shouldn’t we get in the habit of judging others?
Tag Archives: poetry
GOD’S ANGER AT SIN Poem Devotional
July 14
________________________________________
GOD’S ANGER AT SIN
A poem by ILMA
God displays his anger from heaven against all wickedness
He doesn’t put up with any form of unrighteousness
Even though they knew God’s existence, they supress the truth
Despite the creations God made, they deny that it is all true.
God has manifested himself in everything he created on earth
There is no excuse to say God doesn’t exist yet they deny him
These people knew God, but they wouldn’t worship and give thanks
They began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.
As a result of this denial, their minds became dark and confused
Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools
Instead of thanking and worshiping the glorious, ever-living God
They worshiped idols made to look like mere humans, birds and animals.
So, God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things they desired
As a consequence, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies
They traded the truth about God for a lie and worshiped God’s creations
God abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let do evil actions.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up of foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. – Romans 1:21
Read: Romans 1:18-32
Many people do not acknowledge “sin.” They try to call it weakness, mistakes, errors. There is no accountability to acknowledge their rebellion and foolish ways. This leads to more confusion and chaos. People have forgotten how God abhors sin.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can God separate the person from the sin and still love each human being?
• Can you be able to love a person who continues to sin? How is that possible
PAUL’S ARRIVAL IN ROME Poem Devotional
July 13
________________________________________
PAUL’S ARRIVAL IN ROME
A poem by ILMA
Three days after Paul’s arrival in Rome, he called the local Jewish leaders
He told them that despite his innocence, he was arrested in Jerusalem
He was handed over to the Roman government, was tried and released
They found no cause for him to death, so he appealed to Caesar.
Even though Paul had no desire to press charges against his own people
He asked them to come so he could get acquainted and explain things
He said he was bound with this chain because he believed in the Messiah
He has hope because he knows that Jesus Christ has already come.
They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you”
They wanted to know what Paul believed, for it was denounced elsewhere
So, a time was set, and on that day a number of people went to see Paul
He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and persuaded them.
Paul spoke to them from morning until evening and some were persuaded
And after they had argued back and forth among themselves
They said “The Holy Spirit was right when Isaiah the prophet prophesied
He said that salvation from God has been offered to the Gentiles as well.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
So, I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it. – Acts 28:28
Read: Acts 28:11-30
In this chapter, we witness another brave act of Paul which is Spirit led. He was telling the people about the Good News that needed to be shared not only with the Jews but with the Gentiles as well.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think Paul was able to persuade some of the Romans about the Good News?
• How do we know if the Holy Spirit lives in us?
THE SHIPWRECK AND PAUL’S LIFE SPARED Poem Devotional
July 11
________________________________________
THE SHIPWRECK AND PAUL’S LIFE SPARED
A poem by ILMA
About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm at Adrian Sea
The sailors sensed land was near, they dropped a weighted line
They discovered water was 120 feet deep and dropped 90 feet after
They feared it would hit the rocks along the shore, so they anchored it.
Sailors tried to abandon the ship, but Paul told them they’d die if they do
The soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away
Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat
All were worried for two weeks that they haven’t eaten.
When morning dawned, they didn’t know the coastline but saw a beach
They cut off the anchors and left them in the sea and lowered the rudders
They raised the foresail, and headed towards shore but hit a shoal
They ran the ship aground too soon, the stern repeatedly smashed.
The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they don’t swim to escape
But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul so he didn’t let them do it
He ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land
The others held on to planks or debris from the ship and all went safely to shore.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks.”– Acts 27:33
Read: Acts 27:27-44
If only the officers listened to Paul’s instructions earlier during the sail, they wouldn’t have been shipwrecked. We see how worried everyone was except Paul. He had direct instructions from God that they will not die. We also see how the Lord spared Paul’s life when the commanding officer did not heed the plan to kill the prisoners.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How did God protect Paul during the sail to Rome?
• Why do you think people don’t listen to good advice and wisdom?
PAUL SAILS FOR ROME Poem Devotional
July 10
________________________________________
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.
________________________________________
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.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think Paul insisted that he sees Caesar to bring his case?
MISUNDERSTOOD PAUL Poem Devotional
July 9
________________________________________
MISUNDERSTOOD PAUL
A poem by ILMA
Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.”
So Paul, started his defense by being thankful Agrippa is hearing him
As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was trained from my earliest childhood
If they would admit it, they know that I am a Pharisee, the strictest sect of religion.
Now I am on trial because I have hope on the fulfillment of God’s promise
Your Majesty, as he continued “They accuse me for having this hope!
Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?”
Then Paul continued to relate the story of his conversion from persecutor to believer.
He clearly gave a clear narrative of how when he was persecuting the believers
That he was blinded by a light and then heard a voice that he was persecuting Jesus
Then he further related how he was instructed to go to someone so he can see again
He was instructed to preach the gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike.
And so, King Agrippa, Paul said “I obeyed that vision from heaven and taught elsewhere
I teach nothing except that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead
In this way I announced God’s light to all the Jews and Gentiles alike.”
Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’– Acts 26:17-18
Read: Acts 26
In this account, we see how Paul’s boldness continue to aggravate those who don’t understand spiritual things. They couldn’t see what Paul sees.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Have you ever been misunderstood because of your boldness to share Christ?
• Why do you think Festus think Paul was crazy?
FELIX AVOIDS TRUTH PRESENTED BY PAUL Poem Devotional
July 7
________________________________________
FELIX AVOIDS TRUTH PRESENTED BY PAUL
A poem by ILMA
Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the elders and Tertullus, the lawyer
He was to present their case against Paul to the governor and this is how he started
“We have found this man to be a troublemaker who’s always stirring up riots”
He is a ringleader of the Nazarenes and was trying to desecrate the Temple.
Tertullus told the governor to confirm what he said and the Jews seconded
Paul started to speak after motioned to, “I am glad to present my defense before you
I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple
He said that his accusers cannot prove the things they accuse him off.
Paul admitted that he followed the Way, which they called a cult
He added he believed in God and that he has the same hope these men had
At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing
“Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.”
He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom
He was allowed friends to visit and take care of his needs
Paul preached about the coming judgment to Felix and Druscilla, his wife
Felix was frightened and told Paul to leave and come back when it’s convenient.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”– Acts 24:25
Read: Acts 24
What an interesting way Felix reacted to hearing the truth from Paul. He told him to go and he’ll call for him again when it is more convenient. Don’t many people do this all the time? When things are uncomfortable and we hear the truth, we run away from it or deny it.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do people think that running is a better option than facing truth?
• What was the Jewish leaders accusations to Paul?
PLAN TO KILL PAUL Poem Devotional
July 6
________________________________________
PLAN TO KILL PAUL
A poem by ILMA
A group of Jews got together and vowed not to eat or drink ‘til they kill Paul
More than forty of them conspired and informed the elders they’ve made an oath
They told the high council to ask the commander to bring Paul to council again
They ask him to pretend to examine his case more fully for he’ll be killed anyway.
Paul’s nephew heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul
Paul called for one of the Roman officers to bring the man in for he has information
The officer followed Paul’s request and brought the young man to the commander
So, the commander asked Paul’s nephew what is it that he wanted.
The young man said, “Some Jews are going to ask you to bring in Paul again
They are pretending that they want to get some more evidence from him
He told the commander that forty men are hiding trying to ambush Paul
These forty men are ready for the plan to be executed so that Paul dies.
The commander warned Paul’s nephew not to tell anyone what he told him
He ordered 200 soldiers and 70 mounted troops to sent Paul to leave for Caesarea
Then he wrote Governor Felix a letter telling him how he tried Paul in the council
But was informed of a plot to kill him so I immediately sent him on to you.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.”– Acts 23:30
Read: Acts 23
We can see in this chapter how the commander helped Paul escape the plot to be killed by forty men. It was clear how the Lord helped Paul to be tried by governor Felix because he thought he was innocent. Another miracle just happened. The Lord was always with Paul, providing him to move from one place to another.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What do you think is the motive of the forty men who plotted to kill Paul?
• Do you think that the commander was used by God to save Paul from dying?
PAUL REVEALS HIS ROMAN CITIZENSHIP Poem Devotional
July 5
________________________________________
PAUL REVEALS HIS ROMAN CITIZENSHIP
A poem by ILMA
The commander ordered Paul to be lashed with whips to make him confess his crime
When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there
“Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?” Paul asked
Officer asked the commander “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!”
So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a citizen of Rome?”
“Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied. “I am, too,” the commander muttered
The officer said that it cost him plenty to be a Roman national
Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!” in response to the commander.
The soldiers quickly withdrew when they heard of Paul’s citizenship
The commander was frightened for he had ordered him bound and whipped
The next day he called the leading priests into session with the high council
He wanted to find out what the trouble was so he released Paul to face them.
Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”
Instantly the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth
Paul said to them, “What kind of judge orders me to be struck like that?”
Those standing near Paul said, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
So, the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied. – Acts 22:27
Read: Acts 22:24-23:3
It was interesting to find out what the commanding officer who was in charge of arresting Paul did when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen by birth. He summoned the leading Jewish leaders and the high priest to investigate what really was their complaint about Paul who was legitimately a Roman citizen.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why did the commanding officer started to fear when he realized the Paul was a Roman citizen by birth?
PAUL SPEAKS TO THE CROWD Poem Devotional
July 4
________________________________________
PAUL SPEAKS TO THE CROWD
A poem by ILMA
Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet
Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he talked to them in Aramaic
When they heard him speaking Aramaic, the silence was even greater
Paul said “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus and educated by Gamaliel.”
He continued “As Gamaliel’s student, I was trained in Jewish laws and customs
I became very zealous to honor God in everything, just like all of you today
I persecuted the followers of the Way, killing them and throwing some in prison
The leaders could attest to this as they authorized me to bring in the followers of the way.
Paul related how he was blinded on the road approaching Damascus and heard a voice
He fell on the ground and the voice said “Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
He also said how a man named Ananias healed him and made him see again
He told them how the Lord chose him to be one of his own witnesses.
Paul was instructed by God to go and travel and reach out to the Gentiles
The crowd listened intently but until Paul said those words
They yelled “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!”
They threw off their coats and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
But the Lord said to me, “Go for I will send you far away to the Gentiles. – Acts 22:21
Read: Acts 22:1-23
It is an amazing reaction of the people in Jerusalem as Paul witnessed to how God changed his life from being a persecutor to a believer and a preacher of the Good News. The leaders of the Jewish laws could not believe because that placed them on a spot. They will never acknowledge the miracles of Jesus, even if they saw it in their own eyes. There is just so much unbelief and legalism to let them see it for what it really is.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why did Paul have to talk to the people of Jerusalem even though he was already arrested? What good will it do him to explain to those who have no ears to hear?