JOHN 14 PEACE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO TRUST CHRIST

July 27

JOHN 14

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. – John 14:25-31

JOHN 14 PEACE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO TRUST CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Have you surrendered to the Lord Jesus your entire life?

Has your life changed after you professed your faith in Christ?

If you haven’t committed to your Savior, you will be full of troubles

Worry becomes your refuge when things do not go as you expect it

Your life will be filled with dissatisfaction and bitterness if you doubt

Peace only comes to those who believe and trust in the Lord Almighty.

These words of Jesus to his disciples are his farewell to them on the night before he was crucified. The disciples must have been grief-stricken, worried and scared about what will happen to them when he goes. It is human nature for us to be fearful when we have no clue about what is going to happen. I remember when my husband’s MRI showed traces of dementia. The grief was overwhelming even though he was still with me. I could imagine how the disciples felt knowing that they are going to lose their beloved master and teacher. They felt lost and purposeless because they left everything to follow the Lord.

Jesus had so much compassion for his disciples and in this account, we hear how much he loved them all. He assured them that even though he wasn’t around, there is a Helper who will be there constantly to comfort, guide and teach them. In other words, the Holy Spirit is the one who will remind them of all that has been taught to them by Jesus. That’s amazingly comforting to know that they are not going to be abandoned after all. But because of their limited minds and their emotions overcoming them, they couldn’t truly fathom what Jesus was saying. We also do this a lot when we become hyper focused on something negative that we fail to see the lessons or the upside of the situation. Jesus reminded them that if they love him, they will rejoice. Easier said than done to be joyful when you lose something or someone you love. If they trust Jesus’ promise of a Helper, they would not dwell on the loss itself but in the gain of the presence of the Helper who will be living in their hearts.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think peace is the by-product of trusting the Lord?

ISAIAH 43 TRUST IN THE LORD WHO CHOSE YOU

July26

ISAIAH 43

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;   I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
  and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,   and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
  I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,   and honored, and I love you,
  I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;  I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you. – Isaiah 43:1-5

ISAIAH 43 TRUST IN THE LORD WHO CHOSE YOU

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Are you resting in Christ or are you living in constant fear?

The Lord chose you and made a covenant with you forever

He will not change his mind because he is a promise keeper

Even in your sinfulness, he will still have his promise delivered

He will be there for you in times of trouble to comfort you

Even in your unfaithfulness, he will still continue to pursue

Because he chose you to be his own, he will stay unchanging

His steadfast love for you deserves a reciprocity of trust in him.

Have you ever been pursued by someone who you don’t care much about? I remember a college classmate who was very beautiful outwardly and was pursued by many men in the university that we attended. One day, a persistent admirer followed us around like a dog and then I witnessed something that changed my respect for her. She yelled at him instead of thanking him for the flowers. Instead, she threw the flowers he offered right at his very eyes. She didn’t like the man who wooed her. After that incident, I stayed away from her. Who knows, she will also do that mean thing she did to him to me.

I shared the story of my friend to give you an idea how some people reject the Lord and have no respect for his pursuit of us. Imagine that Jesus was that admirer of my friend, who constantly pursued and showed his love for us. What would Jesus feel if we throw away the act of love that he offers us. It may not be just flowers, but his word and guidance are the gifts he lovingly showers us with. We do exactly what my friend did when we neglect to have a relationship with him through obedience to his laws and hungering for his word. God promised to give us a way out of sin through Jesus Christ. He gave up his own divinity so he can mediate between God and us to redeem us from the sinful and prideful self that we acquired from our original parents. Shouldn’t we trust the one who sacrificed everything for us?

REFLECTION

·       What are the ways we reject Christ in our daily lives that we so easily miss?

PSALM 91 TRUST IN THE MOST HIGH

July 25

PSALM 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will sayto the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;

  his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place- the Most High, who is my refuge-
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

                                                                                        – Psalm 91:1-10

PSALM 91 TRUST IN THE MOST HIGH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Say to the Lord that he is your stronghold and sanctuary

He is the only One who can deliver you from all your enemies

If you trust the Most High, you fear nothing and no one

Only in him can you be protected, assured and calm

Even in the midst of much troubles, you will find strength

Only by trusting the Most High will you be safe and be content.

Biblehub.com defines “the Most High,” as the One who is absolutely supreme, unrivaled, and enthroned above every earthly or spiritual power. The title draws attention to His transcendence and to His sovereign right to rule and to judge. It is not a distant abstraction; rather, it is a covenant name that guarantees the security, inheritance, and vindication of His people.

In this psalm, the suspected author was Moses. We remember Moses asking God who shall he say that he is to the Israelites and God’s reply was “I am that I am.”  According to hebrewwordlesson.com “there are two primary ways to sayI am in the Hebrew Bible: ani and ehyeh. Ani (and anoki) is the most prolific Hebrew word meaning “I am”. Even YHWH repeatedly used it to speak of Himself, saying “Ani YHWH” (I am YHWH). I alluded to this title of God because it is the closest to the Most High. Moses exhorts the Israelites to trust in the Most High and they will be protected and delivered from their enemies. He described how God will vindicate them because they are his people and that they need not fear anything since he is sovereign and above all things.

What does total trust in God brings the believer? Assurance, protection and peace. No amount of problem solving and reliance on ourselves will keep us secure and calm. Only in the Lord will we have it.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to focus on God’s title “Most High” as we navigate this corrupt world?

PHILIPPIANS 4 TRUST THE GOD WHO SUPPLIES & PROVIDES

July 24

PHILIPPIANS 4:19

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. – Philippians 4:10-20

PHILIPPIANS 4 TRUST THE GOD WHO SUPPLIES & PROVIDES

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you serve the Lord your God, your needs are taken cared of

If you trust him fully, you will find that there’s nothing you lack

Even at your direst need, the Lord will make a way to supply it

He will provide for strength if you are going through adversities

You will be amazed at how you are able to endure all of it

He will surround you with all the support you need to thrive

Trust only your heavenly Father for he is the source of life.

Do you truly believe that God has you covered? Many of us may not be aware that we don’t truly operate in this concept that every need we have is supplied already by the Lord. We are so used to providing for our own needs and the needs of others and forget that we are just used by God to supply whatever each person needs. I remember when I was raising my son alone, there was a time that I had nothing to serve him for dinner. I was a single mother and just got a new job that time. My wage is not even enough to pay for my rent in the house I lived in. I prayed and trusted that God will provide. As I was just finishing my prayer, there was a knock on the door. Lo and behold, my landlady gave us a full dinner that stretched to our breakfast the next day. I wasn’t afraid that my son and I would go hungry because I trusted that God will take care of all our needs and he surely did. His provision may not be as obvious as I experienced, but sometimes it takes us a while to recognize the hand of God in situations that may be difficult.

In this letter, Paul models total dependence on God. Because of his faithfulness, he was provided with all that he needed. He was surrounded by generosity and hospitality which manifested God’s love and provision for a dedicated servant of God.

REFLECTION

  • How is trusting God in all things a game changer in a person’s life?

PROVERBS 16 TRUST GOD & HE’LL ESTABLISH YOUR STEPS

July 23

PROVERBS 16

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, 

   even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

   be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

   and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

                                                                                        – Proverbs 16:1-9

PROVERBS 16 TRUST GOD & HE’LL ESTABLISH YOUR STEPS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Are you a planner, a micro-manager, an achiever or a problem solver?

Do you like doing things on your own or do you ask help from others?

Do you rely only on your own understanding or do you seek counsel?

If you trust God, he will establish your steps and your plans will prosper

If you operate on your own, you will encounter troubles and have failures

Be humble and run to your Father in heaven who is your greatest Provider

If you run to yourself, you are ignoring God, you are defying the All-Powerful.

More often than not, we do not seek counsel from the Lord. Human nature tends to rely on ourselves first than on someone we do not see. Just because we don’t physically see God doesn’t mean he isn’t present in our lives. How else can you explain the natural beauty we gaze at every morning when the sun rises and every evening when it sets on the horizon? How do you explain all the complex emotions we have that’s unexplainable and hard to fathom? It only means that there is a Higher Power that we don’t see and has created all the natural beauty around us including our own self to exist and have its own purposes in the big scheme of God’s plan.

In this proverb, Solomon wants us to rethink how we approach life on a day-to-day basis. He wants us to recognize that there is a God who knows and sees all things. He also provides for all our needs. So, why would we ignore and forget that it was him who owns everything in this world he created? Why won’t we consult him for everything since he knows what we need and what is good for us?

REFLECTION

  • How can a Christian let go of automated self-reliance and turn to God for counsel at all times?

JAMES 1 UNWAVERING TRUST IN THE LORD

July 22

JAMES 1

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:5-12

JAMES 1 UNWAVERING TRUST IN THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If your trust in the Lord is unwavering, you’ll prosper

If you lack wisdom, ask the Lord Almighty for his counsel

And you will be generously given it, but ask with no doubting

For if you hesitate, you are manifesting a heart that is distrusting

A firm trust in God is evidence of your commitment & love for him

It shows conviction that withstands the enemy’s temptation to sin.

So many of us say we love someone but how few of us could actually say that we totally trust the one we claim to love? It is human nature to protect ourselves from what is unknown. It is interesting that even between husbands and wives, we often see some tinge of mistrust brewing in marriages. It is understandable to witness such suspicions and uncertainties if there were preceding events that led to one of the spouses being betrayed once if not often. In those instances, we know that one of them has already broken their vows to love each other. It usually takes time to heal those wounds of unloving acts and betrayals, that is, if it is actually repented on and then forgiven.

In this letter of James, he emphasized the importance of unwavering trust in the Lord. To have a total and complete trust in God, we need to submit control and understanding to him. When we ask him for a plea, it must be out of humility and not twisting God’s arms to give us what we ask for. Often, we come to God for help after we have already exhausted all our knowledge and understanding of a situation. This isn’t truly showing a humble faith and dependence on God. It shows that we rely on ourselves first before we run to God’s counsel. It is proof that we don’t have full confidence that God is our Father and that he has already provided all that we need even before we ask for it. James cautions us from doubting as it is compared to the instability of the waves of the sea that is tossed and blown by the wind. When we doubt, we are not believing that God is the Provider and Source of all things. When we are not firm in our belief in him, we are actually not serving him. We are operating in the camp of the devil.

REFLECTION

·       What does unwavering trust in God look like in a Christian’s life?

PSALM 143 TRUST GOD & YOU’LL KNOW THE WAY

July 21

PSALM 143

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails!

   Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.
   Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!
   Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

                                                                                        – Psalm 143:7-12

PSALM 143 TRUST GOD & YOU’LL KNOW THE WAY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Make a habit of lifting up your soul to the Lord each morning

It will ensure a day of praise and worship to the Almighty

Consult him for counsel for even the littlest matter

He’ll show you the way to go and you’ll be out of trouble

Trust God and he will preserve your life and destroy the enemy

You will have wisdom to face the battle courageously.

How often do you wake up and immediately say a prayer to God? Do you greet him as soon as you get out of your unconscious state? In this age of information and technology, many people sleep with their devices on their bedside table and usually it is the first thing that they reach out for every morning. I wonder how God longs for us to make him our priority! If you have been in a relationship, you always yearn for your loved ones’ attention, don’t you? Especially in the honeymoon phase of a marriage, the husband or the wife couldn’t get enough of their beloved and usually stares and looks at them with much affection even while they are still asleep. They are so in love with their partner and they can’t get their eyes off them. Shouldn’t each Christian feel the same way for their Lord? What would it be like if we are all so much in love with the Lord and we can’t get enough of him? Wouldn’t we start praising him as soon as we are awake? Wouldn’t we be reaching for our bibles so we can spend time with him and be caressed by his holy word? Wouldn’t we be engaging in a conversation with him from the truth that we have just received? Wouldn’t we pour out our hearts and praise him first thing in the morning?

In this psalm, David showed us his habit of conversing and seeking God’s counsel each time he woke up. In the midst of fleeing his enemies, he never stopped trusting God and making him his priority.

REFLECTION

·       How can you show your love for God in your daily life? How do you stay in love with him?

ROMANS 8 ALL THINGS WORK FOR THOSE WHO TRUST GOD

July 20

ROMANS 8

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

                                                                                        – Romans 8:24-30

ROMANS 8 ALL THINGS WORK FOR THOSE WHO TRUST GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Are you beset by troubles and challenges in your life?

Have you switched your focus away from your loving God?

When you don’t trust the Lord your God with all your heart

You will find it hard to hope for all his promises in your mind

Remember that when you believed in Jesus, you’re given a Helper

If you do not listen to the Holy Spirit, you will fail and be fearful

All things work together for good to all those who trust God

Never forget to lean on him and not on your own understanding.

“Hope for the best” is an idiomatic expression that dates back to the Roman antiquity from the statesman Cicero but they added “and prepare for the worst” in 16th century England and 19th century novels. Interestingly, Paul wrote to the Romans in this letter about the hope we have in Christ Jesus. If you closely examine it, the idiom has nothing to do with the hope that Paul was talking about in this letter. If you hear this idiom from someone and you’re a Christian, you already know that these are two different hopes we are talking about. The world view is about optimism and positive thinking or somewhat trying to prepare themselves for the worst that might happen, so they can cope with the situation when it comes. The hope that Paul refers to in this letter is opposite of what the world is trying to do when they say that idiom. Hoping for the promises of God that were fulfilled in Christ comes with the trust that God will fulfill his promises. It is not preparing to control outcomes of bad events or situations, but seeing what’s going on in the perspective that God is in control. Instead of fixing what bad things might happen before it happens, believers have the expectancy of the fulfillment of the promise. Even if the worst circumstances happen to them, they know that God allowed it to happen for his own purposes. In the world view, God is not the one they trust but they want to manage what worst thing may befall them. It is a way of preparing their minds and equipping themselves to cope with situations.

REFLECTION

·       Do you think Christians should use the idiom “hope for the best?” Why or why not?

MARK 4 YOU OF LITTLE FAITH

July 19

MARK 4

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” – Mark 4:35-40

MARK 4 YOU OF LITTLE FAITH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Where do you turn to when you are fearful?

Do you tend to isolate or run to the Almighty?

If you have little faith, you will be overcome by fear

Believe that the Lord has all control and all power

Grow your faith consistently and trust God even with little things

You will eventually begin to give up unbelief and start believing

Even if your faith is as little as a mustard seed, nurture it

For the Lord will be the one to grow your smallest act of trust.

We witness in this account the fear that overcame the disciples as a great storm arose and their boats were being tossed and turned. They feared for their lives. It is human nature to experience the same feelings they had when we experience great natural calamities and disasters. What is interesting in this story is the irony between their panic and Jesus’ calm as he slept. When they woke Jesus up and said to him “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” That is the statement of unbelief. The audacity of these disciples to ask Jesus such a question after seeing all his miracles right in front of their very own eyes. You think that after the number of years they have been following Jesus that they would have grown their faith, but it just exposed how little their knowledge of him was. When Jesus asked them “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” It is not like Jesus didn’t know the answer to that. He was challenging them to reflect how much trust they have grown since the time they were chosen to be his disciples. If their intimacy with Jesus was mature, they would know that Jesus has power over the wind and the seas. Because of their shallow relationship with their Lord, they feared for their lives not knowing that Jesus is life itself. Jesus felt sad that after those years of being with him, they still have not grown their trust in him.

In Mark 11:23, we hear ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.’ We should be able to visualize what we are hoping for and believe that it has already happened so we can receive it.

REFLECTION

  • Who should you have little faith in and who should you give all your trust to? Why?

PROVERBS 29 FEARING MAN LAYS A SNARE

July 18

PROVERBS 29

23 One’s pride will bring him low,
      but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;
       he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
      but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
       but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

                                                                                        – Proverbs 29:23-27

PROVERBS 29 FEARING MAN LAYS A SNARE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you are afraid of what wicked people can do to you

You have been enslaved by the state of being fearful

Whoever gets terrorized by someone do not trust God

If you know the Lord your God, you will live in love

The perfect love of God casts out fear, so trust the Lord

When you do not know God, you will be overcome by the world.

When was the last time you were manipulated, bullied or terrorized by someone? It is not a pleasant experience when you become intimidated by someone who controls you because you are in desperate need to be loved. I remember that feeling while I was growing up and being dismissed and neglected by my own mother. It was a very painful rejection of my existence. At a very young age of seven, I remember being so confused after I was showed a gesture of love and care for my mother when she got home from work. I offered her slippers as she came into the house, wanting to connect with her. She is always busy at work and never finds time to spend with me and my brother. She delegated her parenting role to her two sisters who lived with us. I was always living in fear that she is never ever going to find time to see me or be heard. But as I offered her the slippers as an opening for connection, she tossed the slippers and yelled that she doesn’t have time for me. How would a seven-year-old deal with that kind of rejection from her own mother? When I learned about Jesus in school, I began to have conversations and also wrote him letters as I learned to read and write at that age. The pain of rejection wasn’t that much anymore after I began having a relationship with Jesus. I felt relieved and at peace each time I talked and conversed with my Lord.  I felt that I had a confidant, a friend who’ll not reject me.

In this book of Proverbs, Solomon exhorts us to never allow humans to intimidate us and cause fear in us. When we fear man, we are going to be in bondage, but if we fear the Lord and trust in him, nothing will ever make us tremble in fear anymore. Instead of fearing man, let us trust and fear the Lord instead.

REFLECTION

·       Share a time when you were freed from the bondage of being afraid of someone or something.