Monthly Archives: September 2025

GALATIANS 1 MAN-PLEASERS VERSUS GOD-PLEASERS

Posted on by

September 21

GALATIANS 1

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. – Galatians 1:1-10

GALATIANS 1 MAN-PLEASERS VERSUS GOD-PLEASERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you declare your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Be sure that you are no longer pleasers of men

As you chose to serve God, you are changed and transformed

You don’t crave for your desires anymore, but to please the Lord

If your priority is to please man, you can’t be God’s servant

Your loyalty will be divided and you will lean more on man.

According to biblical archeology Galatia refers to a region in north central Turkey; Ankara, the capital of modern Turkey, was once a major Galatian city (Ancyra). The name of Galatia is derived from the 20,000 Gauls who settled in the region in 278 B.C.E. More than two centuries later, in 25 B.C.E., the area became a Roman province and was extended to the south. We can observe that since they were a Roman province, and had a million population, ruled by an empire, we can clearly see the diverse beliefs that the Galatians practiced. In this letter, Paul questions the believers why they have been allowing false teachers to teach them a different gospel that they have already been taught.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for believers to continue to study biblical truths?

2 CORINTHIANS 13 PRAYER FOR RESTORATION

Posted on by

September 20

2 CORINTHIANS 13

7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come, I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

                                                       – 2 Corinthians 13:7-14

2 CORINTHIANS 13 PRAYER FOR RESTORATION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As we mature our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

We are responsible to restore one another from our old ways

Before we knew Christ, we were slaves to our flesh

Now that we are servants of Jesus, we no longer seek pleasures

Let us pray for our continued healing and restoration

Let us lean on God and his Spirit for our whole transformation.

Paul wrote this prayer before he came back to the Corinthian church. It was very kind and gracious of him to prepare them for the rebuke that he would confront them with. Paul samples to each one of us who have been given the maturity of faith to responsibly and lovingly restore our brothers and sisters who have been enticed by the devil to continue living their lives as if Christ never died for them. He was concerned in verse 7 that his rebukes to them were getting nowhere because it has not elicited any changes that would have manifested the fruits of the Spirit. They continue to live their old lives and have not worn their new nature in Christ. Paul was still hopeful that by the time he comes back to them, his intercessory prayer to God would have much better results in their restoration.

REFLECTION

  • What can you say about the character of Paul in these verses?

2 CORINTHIANS 12 CONCERN FOR UNREPENTANCE

Posted on by

September 19

2 CORINTHIANS 12

 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

                                                                  – 2 Corinthians 12:17-21

2 CORINTHIANS 12 CONCERN FOR UNREPENTANCE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

A true servant of God is tenacious and relentless to expose evil

He does not tolerate or open doors for the works of the devil

A true believer’s purpose is to build up the church of Christ

He is bold to expose and rebuke other believers in their sinfulness.

In this letter, Paul confronts the Corinthian church boldly. He is unapologetic about his concerns for their dwindling faith. Paul bombarded them with questions regarding their suspicion about the apostles’ integrity when it comes to the collections they have received from other churches.

The letter gives us an idea how immature the believers in Corinth were. In verse 20, these were the sins that Paul was concerned about: quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. From other commentaries, we hear that Paul has had a year and a half with the Corinthian church to teach them about God’s requirements for his people.  From the tone of this letter, we hear that Paul was quite apprehensive about the progress of their faith. There weren’t any fruits of the Spirit manifested in their lives. They continued to live in their sinful nature as if Jesus never died for them.

REFLECTION

  • Why should we be concerned if there were unrepentant people in our church?

2 CORINTHIANS 12 PAUL’S UNCONDITIONAL SERVICE TO THE CORINTHIANS

Posted on by

September 18

2 CORINTHIANS 12

11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. – 2 Corinthians 12:11-16

2 CORINTHIANS 12 PAUL’S UNCONDITIONAL SERVICE TO THE CORINTHIANS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God gave us unconditional love and much generosity

Shouldn’t we return such undeserved favor with loyalty?

A servant of God does what God calls them to do for his kingdom

Their services may not be justly paid now but later they’ll be compensated

Working for the kingdom of God means your rewards are lasting and eternal

They cannot be compensated by mere monetary wages which are limited.

In this letter, Paul promises to return to the Corinthian church soon. Acts 18:11 says that Paul stayed in Corinth after he planted the church in the region and stayed a year and a half there teaching them the word of God. According to sources, his second visit was between his first letter and second one, under painful circumstances since he was confronting them of their sins. So, this letter is preparing them for his third visit to them.

Paul explicitly explained to them that he won’t be expecting contribution from them even though he receives monetary funding from the other surrounding churches. Paul knew that the church wasn’t still mature in their faith and he didn’t want them to be compelled to give him support out of obligation.  He clearly told them that the most important thing is for them to be continually taught the gospel and he can support himself.

REFLECTION

  • What do you think verse 14 in these following verses mean?

2 CORINTHIANS 12 A THORN TO KEEP US HUMBLE

Posted on by

September 17

2 CORINTHIANS 12

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

                                                                     – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

2 CORINTHIANS 12 A THORN TO KEEP US HUMBLE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Because the Lord loves his elect, he keeps them humble

Since pride is the source of all sins, he keeps us away from it

By allowing weaknesses and helplessness to creep in

It is this thorn in the flesh that helps us seek and need him.

In this letter, Paul talks about the thorn in the flesh in verse 7 that is a messenger of Satan out to harass him. As a human being, Paul also asked God to be removed from him, but the Lord assured him that his grace is sufficient for him to overcome this thorn. The reason that the Lord didn’t remove it from him is so that Paul could stay leaning on God’s grace and not on his own efforts. It is easy for us to ask God to remove discomfort and hardships that we face in our lives, but it is a learning curb for us to keep us humble.

REFLECTION

  • Are you able to recognize some thorns in your flesh in your Christian life?

2 CORINTHIANS 11 BOAST OF YOUR WEAKNESSES

Posted on by

September 16

2 CORINTHIANS 11

But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. – 2 Corinthians 11:21-33

2 CORINTHIANS 11 BOAST OF YOUR WEAKNESSES

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As we grow our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

We make him increase and we must decrease

In our weaknesses, we manifest our God dependence

In our own strength we display our rebellion and independence.

It is very easy for us to promote our own “selves.” That is our nature as humans. We can easily boast of our accolades, possessions, knowledge and many other things. It is the work of the Spirit if we begin to boast of our weaknesses. It is counter-intuitive based on the standards of the world. In this letter, Paul enumerates all the circumstances that he experienced while he serves the Lord as apostle. He knows that when he boasts about the works of God, he is defying “pride” that is our human nature.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it hard for some to boast of their weaknesses?

2 CORINTHIANS 11 BE WARY OF SATAN’S MASQUERADES

Posted on by

September 15

2 CORINTHIANS 11

12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.16 I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord wouldbut as a fool. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! – 2 Corinthians 11:12-21

2 CORINTHIANS 11 BE WARY OF SATAN’S MASQUERADES

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Because we live in a fallen and corrupt world

Let us be wary of Satan’s tricks and masquerades

He disguises himself looking as servants of righteousness

It may appear good but they sow seeds of wickedness

Anyone who does not meditate on the word of God

Will be prey to the devil and be easily deceived.

Paul exposes the tactics of the enemy in this letter by calling out the fleshly boasting of those false apostles who disguises themselves as apostles of Christ. If we are servants of God, we only boast of what Christ did for us and the goodness and mercy of God. We do not promote our works for the Lord. The Lord knows already what we have done for him, so there’s no need for us to flaunt anything. The service we do for the Lord is the work of the Holy Spirit, so why boast? We are only the mouthpiece of the Spirit of the Lord.

Paul warns the Corinthian church of the masquerades that Satan wears to entice us and deceive us. Paul uses the word “angel of light” as one of his masks. It would be wise for all Christians to stay in the word so that we can easily discern these masquerades.

REFLECTION

  • Share some masks or masquerades you’ve encountered that Satan enticed you.

2 CORINTHIANS 11 CAUTION ON DECEPTION

Posted on by

September 14

2 CORINTHIANS 11

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! – 2 Corinthians 11:1-11

2 CORINTHIANS 11 CAUTION ON DECEPTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Be wary of the deception that easily comes

For you have been set apart by God

You were chosen to be Christ’s bride

So, stay pure as a virgin to your husband.

In this letter, Paul warns the believers to stay pure and holy for the Lord. He likens our relationship with Christ as a betrothed woman is to her husband to be. He used the word divine jealousy in verse 2 which probably would allude to his past. Paul used to be an exterminator of Christians and nobody taught him things but God himself made him blind so he could stop killing Christians. Paul was jealous that the believers had the apostles to guide them towards the path to Christ and while he didn’t have that opportunity.

REFLECTION

  • How and why should a Christian watch out for deception?

2 CORINTHIANS 10 BOAST ONLY IN THE LORD

Posted on by

September 13

2 CORINTHIANS 10

13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. – 2 Corinthians 10:13-18

2 CORINTHIANS 10 BOAST ONLY IN THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a follower of Jesus, there is no room for arrogance

God opposes the proud but the meek, he delights in

Because everything we have comes from the Lord

Why boast of anything that belongs to this world?

As believers, we are only to boast God’s work in us

We can not take credit for anything else God has done.

In this letter, Paul focuses on the act of boasting. He tells the believers not to engage in this act except if it was to boast about the influence of God in their lives. As Christians, we cannot be like the proud and arrogant unbeliever who relies only on himself and on his own understanding. Paul reiterates this letter in Ephesians 2:8-9 when he said “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Because of sinful nature, we love to focus on ourselves and promote ourselves. The act of boasting is not a trait that any believer must engage in except if it is to give God the glory. In John 3:30, John declares “He must increase and I must decrease.” John was referring to give all the glory and the credit to the Lord Jesus Christ and pave the way to the fulfillment of his coming to save us. We only boast of what will praise and bring glory to God.

REFLECTION

  • What are some things that a believer can boast about to unbelievers?

2 CORINTHIANS 10 BOAST ONLY IN THE LORD

Posted on by

September 13

2 CORINTHIANS 10

13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. – 2 Corinthians 10:13-18

2 CORINTHIANS 10 BOAST ONLY IN THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a follower of Jesus, there is no room for arrogance

God opposes the proud but the meek, he delights in

Because everything we have comes from the Lord

Why boast of anything that belongs to this world?

As believers, we are only to boast God’s work in us

We can not take credit for anything else God has done.

In this letter, Paul focuses on the act of boasting. He tells the believers not to engage in this act except if it was to boast about the influence of God in their lives. As Christians, we cannot be like the proud and arrogant unbeliever who relies only on himself and on his own understanding. Paul reiterates this letter in Ephesians 2:8-9 when he said “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Because of sinful nature, we love to focus on ourselves and promote ourselves. The act of boasting is not a trait that any believer must engage in except if it is to give God the glory. In John 3:30, John declares “He must increase and I must decrease.” John was referring to give all the glory and the credit to the Lord Jesus Christ and pave the way to the fulfillment of his coming to save us. We only boast of what will praise and bring glory to God.

REFLECTION

  • What are some things that a believer can boast about to unbelievers?