June 1
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JOB: A MAN OF INTEGRITY
A poem by ILMA
There was once a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz
He was blameless- a man of complete integrity and honor
He feared God and stayed away from all kinds of evil
He had seven sons and also had three daughters.
He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen.
He also had 500 female donkeys and many servants
He was in fact the richest person in that entire area
Job’s son took turns to hold feasts including their sisters.
When these celebrations of Job’s children end after several days
Job would purify his children, get up early morning for offering
He offered a burnt offering for each of them to cleanse them
It was his regular practice so that they will be right in God’s sight.
One day, God and the member of his heavenly court met and Satan came
God asked where he was and he said he’d been watching over the earth
God asked Satan if he noticed Job who was full of integrity and blameless
Satan challenged God that if he was stripped off his riches, he will do evil.
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MEMORY VERSE
Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. – Job 1:9-10
Read: Job 1
This man Job sounds like a fairy tale good person. It almost didn’t look real because he was living in so much comfort and wealth. The only difference with other characters in real life is how much he wants to stay uncorrupted by the world. It is interesting how God boasts about this blameless man who is full of integrity.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think that God boasts about you when you live a pure and blameless life?
• What separates a righteous and an evil person? Don’t they both sin?
Tag Archives: poetry
SEVEN MEN CHOSEN TO SERVE Poem Devotional
June 2
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SEVEN MEN CHOSEN TO SERVE
A poem by ILMA
As the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent
Greeks complained about the Hebrews and how there are discrimination
So the twelve apostles called a meeting of all the believers
They said to the believers that they should spend more time teaching.
The apostles think that they need not run a food program
So the brothers selected seven men who are well respected
They are all full of the Spirit and wisdom and are responsible
They are there to let the apostles spend time praying and teaching.
Everyone like this idea and they chose Stephen to lead these men
These seven were presented to the apostle who prayed over them
Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas were the rest
These seven men brought the numbers up of believers in Jerusalem.
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MEMORY VERSE
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. – Acts 6:3
Read: Acts 6
It was great to know that the Apostles had the humility to admit that they needed more people so they could concentrate on praying and teaching. Oftentimes, we don’t confess that we really need help. In this selfish world, we need more meekness to be able to acknowledge that we can delegate other things to other people.
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REFLECTION
• Have you ever admitted that you needed help?
• What can we learn from the apostles acknowledging that they have a need for support in their ministry?
• How is prioritizing and delegating important in our walk as believers?
• What is the importance of being prayed over by believers?
XERXES: WISE AND LOVING HUSBAND TO ESTHER Poem Devotional
May 31
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XERXES: WISE AND LOVING HUSBAND TO ESTHER
A poem by ILMA
When King Xerxes discovered Haman’s plot to kill the Jews including Esther
He immediately confronted him and protected his beloved queen
He respected and loved Esther despite the discovery she was a Jew
He had the wisdom to evaluate the deeds of Mordecai and Esther.
Though deceived by Haman’s seeming manipulation of his position
Xerxes read the report how he was saved from being killed by Mordecai
He realized how he needed to honor this man who protected his life
At the realization of the evil scheme of Haman, he was able to reverse it.
The king honored his queen by protecting her and saving the Jews
It wasn’t hard to treat Esther kindly and respectfully as she exampled it
He showed much love and reverence for her that anything she asked was given
He took back a decree for the Jews to be annihilated issued by his official Haman.
It was out of love and respect that Xerxes took action to correct wrong decree
He had such a desire to please his wife by humbly complying to her request
He saved the people his wife loved by allowing them to have equal rights
Xerxes is an epitome of a man who would do anything for his wife.
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MEMORY VERSE
Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews. – Esther 7:3
Read: Esther 5-8
How interesting it is to see King Xerxes treat his former Queen Vashti very differently from Queen Esther. If we closely look at how the king asked counsel from elders about Vashti and how he evaluated the book of records showing Mordecai’s heroic deed to save his life, we will clearly see a very wise and fair person. He knows how to treat people according to their behavior. Since Esther sowed love and respect, that’s what she reaped.
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REFLECTION
• How can integrity of character purge an evil plot and bring about justice?
KING XERXES DEFENDS ESTHER AND THE JEWS Poem Devotional
May 30
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KING XERXES DEFENDS ESTHER AND THE JEWS
A poem by ILMA
King Xerxes and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet
The king said to Esther that he’d give her anything just request
Esther requested the king that her life and her people be spared
She told her that she was a Jew and that her life was threatened.
Xerxes was enraged when he found out it was Haman’s plan
He asked how he has the nerve to do that right his very eyes
Then the king’s attendant covered Haman’s face, signalling his doom
He reported that a 75 feet sharpened pole was intended for Mordecai.
Xerxes ordered to pierce Haman on that same pole and his anger subsided
Esther requested again the king to save her people as the decree has been set
So, he summoned all of his secretaries and a decree was sent to save the Jews
Mordecai sent the dispatches by swift messengers who rode fast horses.
The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to defend themselves
They were allowed to kill, slaughter and annihilate those who’ll attack them
Each provinces and city where the kings decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced
Many people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared the Jews.
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MEMORY VERSE
The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite and defend their lives.
– Esther 8:11
Read: Esther 7-8
What a twist of events from Mordecai’s evil plot to kill all the Jews to him being impaled on a pole that he meant for Mordecai. God exhibits his faithfulness to protect and ensure that his people will be saved. The respect of King Xerxes for his wife and Mordecai led for this twist of events. God’s plan worked but Mordecai’s failed.
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REFLECTION
• Will you be able to risk your life to save another believer like Esther did?
• What traits did Esther and Mordecai exhibited that opened the eyes of the King?
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?
HADASSAH BECOMES QUEEN ESTHER Poem Devotional
May 27
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HADASSAH BECOMES QUEEN ESTHER
A poem by ILMA
Hadassah, who was also called Esther was adopted by Mordecai
When the king deposed the queen, all the young women were brought in
Esther was among those who were brought to the king’s harem in Susa
The one in charge to get all these young women prepared was Hegai.
Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly
He quickly ordered a special beauty treatment for Esther
He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the palace
Then he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.
Esther hid her nationality and family background as Mordecai directed her
Each day, Mordecai took a walk to ensure about his daughter’s welfare
That evening, she was taken to the king’s private rooms then to the second harem
She asked for nothing except what Hegai suggested and she was so much admired.
Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter
The king loved Esther more than any of the other young women
He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head
She was declared queen and the king gave a great banquet for her.
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MEMORY VERSE
And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. – Esther 2:17
Read: Esther 2
Though you may think this was a shallow story of how Esther became crowned as king in our present-day setting, it was a big deal at that time. There were many young women who wanted to be on her position, but it was God’s plan to use Esther to free his people.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think was the trait of Esther that made her outstanding in the eyes of King Xerxes and the Lord’s eyes?
MORDECAI’S INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY Poem Devotional
May 26
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MORDECAI’S INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY
A poem by ILMA
There was a Jewish man in the fortress of Susa who was the son of Jair
He was from the tribe of Benjamin and was a descendant of Kish and Shimei
His family had been among those who had been exiled in Babylon
Mordecai had a very young cousin Hadassah who was also called Esther.
When Esther’s father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own
Mordecai had become a palace official in the reign of King Xerxes
One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, he heard a plot
It was between two angry door guards who wanted to kill the king.
Mordecai reported the information to Queen Esther and told the king
He was credited for his loyalty and investigation followed
When the plot was verified to be true, Mordecai earned the king’s trust
The two men who were guilty were pierced on a sharpened pole.
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MEMORY VERSE
When an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. – Esther 2:23
Read: Esther 2
In the book of Esther, we get a glimpse of the character of Mordecai. He was a very loving and respectable person who took care of his orphaned cousin and treated her as his own daughter. He was very wise and groomed Esther to be the queen to King Xerxes. Another character trait of Mordecai was his loyalty to King Xerxes. He was able to protect the king from an evil plot to assassinate him. This is a righteous and humble trait that is need from all servants and leaders as well.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think faithfulness and loyalty are traits that are worth emulating in Mordecai’s character?
• How can we stay honest and truthful to those who have authority over us without compromising our integrity?
KING XERXES AND QUEEN VASHTI Poem Devotional
May 25
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KING XERXES AND QUEEN VASHTI
A poem by ILMA
King Xerxes reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia
At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from the fortress at Susa
In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for his officials
He invited all the military officers in Persia and Media.
The celebration lasted 180 days-displaying opulent wealth
When it was all over, the king gave all the people a banquet
It included everyone from the greatest to the least of the people
It lasted seven days and was held at the palace garden.
On the seventh day, Xerxes told his eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti
He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze at her beauty
She was very beautiful but she refused to obey the King’s order
This made the king very furious and he burned with anger.
Xerxes immediately consulted with his wise advisers about the law
They told him to banish the queen for what she did was totally wrong
They said the queen has wronged not only the king but all citizens
Women will begin to despise heir husbands when they hear of it.
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MEMORY VERSE
Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throught your empire. – Esther 1:15
Read: Esther 1
If this story happened today, many women would be angered at why Queen Vashti was deposed just because she didn’t show up to be displayed by her husband to other men. She was deposed because her refusal to the king’s order would set a precedent to all the nobles and citizens to be disobeyed by their women.
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REFLECTION
• Why do women need to be under authority to their husbands?
• Why is important to follow orders from authority?
BELIEVERS COURAGEOUSLY WITNESS & SHARE Poem Devotional
May 24
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BELIEVERS COURAGEOUSLY WITNESS & SHARE
A poem by ILMA
After Peter and John were released by the leading priests and elders
The believers heard the report and lifted their voices in prayer
“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth and everything in it
You spoke long ago through David how nations were so angry.”
David prophesied how the kings and rulers gathered against the Lord
They all teamed up together to condemn and crucify the Messiah
In fact, all this happened right in this very city in Israel
But everything they did was already determined long ago.
The believers all pray “Lord, hear their threats and give us courage
We ask for you to give all your servants boldness in preaching the word
Stretch out your hand with healing power so that we can do signs and wonders”
After this, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they preached boldly.
All believers were united in heart and mind and felt a need to share everything
They felt compelled that what they owned was not their own but for everyone
The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
God greatly blessed them and there were no needy people among them.
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MEMORY VERSE
All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. – Acts 4:32
Read: Acts 4
What awesome works of the Holy Spirit in this account of the apostles after John and Peter were released by the elders and leading priests. We witness the power of the Holy Spirit working in each of them, making them bold to preach the word and testify powerfully to the resurrection of Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Share an experience when the Holy Spirit has given you courage and boldness to testify and witness to the resurrection power?