March 6
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LET US SING SONGS OF PRAISE
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving
Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the LORD is a great God,
And a great King above all gods.4 In his hand are the depths of the earth;
The heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it,
And his hands formed the dry land. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! 7 For he is our God,
And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
As on the day at Massah in the wilderness, 9 when your fathers put me to the test
And put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
10 For forty years I loathed that generation
And said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,
And they have not known my ways.” 11 Therefore I swore in my wrath,
“They shall not enter my rest.” – Psalm 95:1-11
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Do you remember when you first experienced joy? When my son was born, I couldn’t stop marveling at the miracle right in my arm. If you are a parent, you know what I am talking about. That rejoicing was something leaping out of my heart to thank the Lord for getting me through almost 8 hours of labor. It was a delight to see that the person I carried inside me is right in my arms. You can’t help but thank a God who brings life. You want to shout out loud and sing songs of praise to him just like this psalm focuses on how we need to focus on his greatness and constantly thank him with songs of praise and worship.
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ADORATION: Praise be to the rock of our salvation, the greatest God and Maker of all.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I don’t rejoice in all the big or little things you make.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the gift of life and all the provisions you give us.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers never be lukewarm in praising the Lord and giving him all the laud that is due him.
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REFLECTION
Author Archives: ilmaarts
MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU ILMA’S VLOG
March 5
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MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you
My flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
And my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,6 when I remember you upon my bed,
And meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help,
And in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you; our right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10 They shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult,
For the mouths of liars will be stopped. – Psalm 63:1-11
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This psalm that David wrote while he was in the wilderness of Judah is full of expectancy and passion for God. It sounds like a lover constantly wooing his beloved. He thirsts so much for the Lord as a dry land would for water (v1). He is looking forward to God’s steadfast love as it is better than life itself. He is waiting for that promise that God will deliver him for the mouth of liars and those who seek to destroy his life. Do we have this unwavering hope and passion for God like David had?
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ADORATION: Praise you Lord for your steadfast love that endures forever.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I stop looking forward to your promises and get discouraged or let down by trials and sufferings.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for making us in your image; that it is possible to truly love like you do.
SUPPLICATION: May love be always the reason why we do things and relate with others.
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REFLECTION
• How can we thirst for God like David does? What is the most crucial virtue we can have to be able to pursue God’s own heart?
GOD WHO JUDGES THE EARTH ILMA’S VLOG
March 4
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GOD WHO JUDGES THE EARTH
Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
Do you judge the children of man uprightly? 2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
Your hands deal out violence on earth.3 The wicked are estranged from the womb;
They go astray from birth, speaking lies.4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
Like the deaf adder that stops its ear, 5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
Or of the cunning enchanter.6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
Tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
7 Let them vanish like water that runs away;
When he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
8 Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,
like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.
9 Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
Whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
He will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
Surely there is a God who judges on earth.” – Psalm 58:1-11
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This community lament is sung by God’s people when they are confronted with injustice from their own rulers. When rulers are wicked, they do not honor God. They will be answerable to the Lord for not stewarding the people that God allowed them to rule over.
Since the Israelites know that the Lord will deliver them from all the unfair practices of these people ruling them, they are sure that God will deliver them from such wickedness.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is just and who is our deliverer.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I fail to pray for my leaders.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you that you are a sovereign and just God who sees all things.
SUPPLICATION: May all leaders and rulers seek guidance from God as they lead their people and nations.
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REFLECTION
• How have you steward the responsibilities that God has given you?
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
March 3
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BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
Who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land;
The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
He is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
Who conducts his affairs with justice.6 For the righteous will never be moved;
He will be remembered forever. 7 He is not afraid of bad news;
His heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
Until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. 9 He has distributed freely;
He has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever;
His horn is exalted in honor. 10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;
He gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
– Psalm 112:1-10
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This psalm is a companion to psalm 111 and focuses on the moral character of the faithful and on the benefits such people bring to themselves and others. In Psalm 111, it praises the great works of the Lord and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We clearly see the blessings that is bestowed on those who stay righteous and faithful to the Lord. The biggest aftermath of faithful and loyal servants of the Lord is that they will be strong, immovable and persistent. They will have power, blessings, wealth and riches (vv2-3); will never be moved and be remembered forever (v6); he is not fearful but he is strong (vv7-8); just and generous (v9).
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ADORATION: Praise and glory to God’s power and might. Hallelujah to a loving God.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I tread the path of unrighteousness unknowingly.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the blessings and promises you grant us when we stay faithful and loyal to you.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers continue to be loyal, persevering and faithful to God.
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REFLECTION
• Share an experience of strength and stability from Christ in your Christian walk?
DELIGHT IN THE LORD’S WORKS ILMA’S VLOG
March 2
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DELIGHT IN THE LORD’S WORKS
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
In the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered
The LORD is gracious and merciful.5 He provides food for those who fear him;
He remembers his covenant forever.6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
In giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 They are established forever and ever,
To be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.9 He sent redemption to his people;
He has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
All those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
– Psalm 111:1-10
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The ESV bible study comments that this is a hymn of praise that celebrates the great works the Lord has done to his people. He has called them to be his own and has cared and protected them. Singing the psalm reminds the people of these deeds and encourages them to respond with a “fear of the Lord” (v10).
Does the great works of the Lord bring us to memory of how mighty and wondrous his deeds are? Doesn’t it make anyone quiver and give reverence to the only true God? As the hymn says, it is in this reverence or fear that we gain wisdom and understanding.
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ADORATION: Praise be to the Lord of all wondrous deeds, who made all things good.
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time, I fail to point to your goodness and power.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all that you have created to make our life good and right.
SUPPLICATION: May all people fear the Lord so that wisdom will prevail in this corrupt and chaotic world.
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REFLECTION
• How is “fear of the Lord” the beginning of wisdom? Share a testimony on this.
GOD WILL JUDGE WITH EQUITY ILMA’S VLOG
March 1
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GOD WILL JUDGE WITH EQUITY
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds. 2 “At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity. 3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
It is I who keep steady its pillars.4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 Do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’”
6 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed,
And he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth
Shall drain it down to the dregs. 9 But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
But the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. – Psalm 75:1-10
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This is a hymn of praise to God for the many wondrous deeds he has done. It is also a warning to the people, a reminder that it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting another (v7). It gives us a clear picture of God’s hand over the mix of people he made (v8) and ensuring that the wicked and the righteous will be both filtered in the end. The horn (v4) is a symbol of power according to the ESV study bible footnotes. To lift up is to make public assertion of power. God warns the ungodly not to do this. God promises the he will lift up the horns of the righteous. To cut off the horns is to render powerless and to humiliate, which is what he will do to the wicked.
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ADORATION: Praise to the only just God, our heavenly Father. He is omniscient and omnipotent. We bring you all the glory.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I forget to exercise fairness to others.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the equality you exercise in all your creation.
SUPPLICATION: May all people remember that it is your judgment that matters. Nothing else does. May righteousness reign over all mankind.
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REFLECTION
• Why is justice a practice that all believers need to exercise?
GOD IS OUR FORTRESS ILMA’S VLOG
February 28
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GOD IS OUR FORTRESS
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy habitation of the Most High.5 God is in the midst of her;
She shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress. – Psalm 46:1-11
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This is hymn that rejoices in the strength that we can hold on to in times of troubles. The psalmist enumerates the many dangers that God’s people can face (v 2-3) such as catastrophes. Zion, the city of the Most High cannot be moved because God resides in the chosen place. Because God is our fortress, we are reminded to be still and rely on him alone. Whenever we are overwhelmed, confused and beset by troubles, we can remember to choose peace and know that God is in control.
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ADORATION: Bless the Lord for he is our fortress, our protection, our strength!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I succumb to panic, fear and desperation.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being my rock, my fortress, my source of strength and hope. You are so generous with your loved ones.
SUPPLICATION: May we encourage others with the strength that we draw from God and lead them to rely only on the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people easily panic when struck with disaster or suffering?
WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN O MY SOUL -ILMA’S VLOG
February 27
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WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN O MY SOUL?
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
How I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God
With glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me; therefore, I remember you
From the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;
All your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me,
A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,
While they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. -Psalm 142:1-11
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This psalm expresses a longing for peace amidst the many circumstances that depletes the soul. It is bordering between hopelessness and hopefulness. It exhibits the psalmists choosing to trust God despite the seemingly desperate situation he is experiencing. It is an honest prayer of dependence on God especially in times of weakness.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are my rock, my salvation, my hope. Praise to you Lord!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I don’t rely on you during times of weakness.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for a solid foundation in your word.
SUPPLICATION: May we see hope in the midst of all the chaos surrounding us.
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REFLECTION
• What are the reasons why a believer can feel downcast?
• How can feeling downcast be a good chance to exercise our dependence on God?
BLESSED ARE THE FORGIVEN ILMA’s VLOG
February 26
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BLESSED ARE THE FORGIVEN
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
My strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
And I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
And you forgave the iniquity of my sin.6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
Offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters,
They shall not reach him.7 You are a hiding place for me;
You preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
Which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy,
All you upright in heart! – Psalm 32:1-11
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This psalm is a praise and thanksgiving song to the Lord. The psalmist is full of gratitude as he points out how the Lord forgives those who are able to admit and confess their sins. It encourages God’s people not to forget to check their hearts for any impurities so they can bring it to the Lord for forgiveness. This psalm is a reminder of the steadfast love that surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord and the blessings he receives
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ADORATION: Praise the forgiving and faithful God we love!
CONFESSION: Forgive us when we hide and don’t confess our sins.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the unconditional love you give us.
SUPPLICATION: May we have courage to face our sins and confess it to the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is confession essential in a believer’s life?
• What happens when we don’t regularly examine our hearts and confess?
ASCRIBE TO THE LORD GLORY ILMA’s VLOG
February 25
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ASCRIBE TO THE LORD GLORY
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
The LORD sits enthroned as king forever.11 May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace! – Psalm 29:1-11
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According to ESV commentary, this psalm is a hymn of praise to God for his awesome power. A thunderstorm serves as a visible representation of God’s majestic voice. It seems reasonable to suppose that setting the psalm in a thunderstorm deliberately places Yahweh over Ball, the storm-god widely worshiped in Syria-Palestine. God created the phenomena of nature. They serve his purposes and demonstrate his wisdom, glory, faithfulness and even his love.
Do we remember God during storms, earthquakes, floods and other natural phenomena? More often, we fear and fail to see the creator who is behind all of it. We are only awed by the beauty of nature and forget to see his power over such phenomena, that he is all in control.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is all-powerful and mighty. May his name be glorified.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I take control of things that I have no control over.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your creation including the phenomena that frightens us.
SUPPLICATION: May all people attribute all things to the Maker of All, God Almighty.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for Christians to ascribe glory to God? What results from it?