May 30
________________________________________AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST
As far as the east is from the west,
So far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
So the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; He flourishes like a flower of the field
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 To those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
And his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
You mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!– Psalm 103:12-22
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In this song, the psalmist describes how God’s mercy is so vast, as far as the east is from the west. He acts like a real true and caring father to all his children. He is compassionate to all who fear him. The psalm also speaks of God everlasting unconditional love for all his children. He knows all who love and fear him and he honors those who obey his commandments. The psalmist admonishes us all to praise the Lord and prays a blessing to all those who does his will and do the work of the Lord to bring everyone the gospel and make his kingdom come here on earth.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his generous mercy and grace. Hallelujah.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I do not heed your word and will.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all that you have given to all of your beloved children.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who serve the Lord remember to walk in spirit and truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God’s mercy is described “as far as the east is from the west?”
Author Archives: ilmaarts
THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER ILMA’S VLOG
May 29
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THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3 who forgives all your iniquity,
Who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5 who satisfies you with good
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.6 The LORD works righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.7 He made known his ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9 He will not always chide,
Nor will he keep his anger forever.10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
Nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him. – Psalm 103:1-11
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The psalm praises the Lord for his holy name and for all the things he gives us. He forgives our sins, heals our diseases and rescues us from darkness. He grants all our needs and renews us especially when we are cast down or oppressed. He is merciful and gracious. What is good to remember is how God is slow to anger and how he abounds in patience. He doesn’t deal with us according to our sins, or else, we won’t be here right now. He is always after our good and ensures that we have all that we need so we can walk in his righteousness. Sadly, many of us, even those who claim that they are believers, do not choose righteousness or even consult the Lord. We have gotten so far away from God as we busy ourselves with things of this world. We haven’t paid back God’s faithfulness with the same devotion and fervor that he extends to us.
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ADORATION: Praise God’s holy name. His steadfast love endures forever
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I am quick to anger instead of being quick to listen and slow to speak.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being slow to anger and being gracious and merciful to us.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a hunger to know God’s character deeper.
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REFLECTION
• How is knowing God’s character important to live a righteous and holy life?
DO NOT FORSAKE ME O LORD ILMA’S VLOG
May 28
________________________________________DO NOT FORSAKE ME, O LORD!
Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
And meditate treachery all day long.13 But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
Like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14 I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes.
15 But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16 For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
Who boast against me when my foot slips!” 17 For I am ready to fall,
And my pain is ever before me.18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
19 But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
And many are those who hate me wrongfully.20 Those who render me evil for good
Accuse me because I follow after good.21 Do not forsake me, O LORD!
O my God, be not far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
– Psalm 38:12-22
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In this psalm, the psalmist acknowledges the consequences of his sins. It is an examination of his heart. He sees that most of all the obstacles and sufferings and attacks from the enemy are all resulting from his iniquities and sins. It is astounding to hear someone who openly admits his sins and recognizes the consequences that follows because of the sins he committed. It is interesting to hear his humble plea to keep God’s promise not to forsake him. He sounds like he knows the Lord very intimately and calls upon his promises to be fulfilled in his situation. He knows the Lord very well as he can even intimately request action from someone he loves and someone who will never fail to rescue him as soon as he confesses his sin and ask for mercy for all his wrongdoings.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. He saves!
CONFESSION: Forgive me for succumbing to sin and never leave me alone, Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for loving and undeserving sinner like me.
SUPPLICATION: May we humbly admit our sins and confess it right away before our Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What does humility and confession of sins do to a sinner’s life?
• Why is there a consequence to an act of disobedience to God’s commands?
REBUKE ME NOT IN YOUR ANGER ILMA’S VLOG
May 27
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REBUKE ME NOT IN YOUR ANGER
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath!
2 For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;
There is no health in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head;
Like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.5 My wounds stink and fester
Because of my foolishness,6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
All the day I go about mourning. 7 For my sides are filled with burning,
And there is no soundness in my flesh.8 I am feeble and crushed;
I groan because of the tumult of my heart.9 O Lord, all my longing is before you;
My sighing is not hidden from you. 10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
And the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
And my nearest kin stand far off. – Psalm 38:1-11
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This psalm is a plea for forgiveness and pardon from the Lord. It reveals the psalmist’s intimacy with the Lord. His honesty and humility is astounding as we hear him confess his sins and all his weaknesses. He acknowledges his nothingness before the Lord and he knows very well God’s character. He knows that he is supposed to be disciplined by God when he has disobeyed and done things against his will. He pleads the Lord to give him mercy and not bring his wrath over all the sinful things he has done. He knows that God hates evil and that he is a just God who punishes sinful acts. He has a contrite heart and I think that all believers should have this humility and repentance as soon as they are convicted of sin.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for disciplining his beloved people. He is just and loving.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I am not strong to decline temptations and obey.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your generous mercy and grace to sinful people like me.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers’ hearts seek God’s own heart and repent of sins.
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REFLECTION
• Why is a contrite heart essential in a Christian’s life?
KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL ILMA’S VLOG
May 26
________________________________________ KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL
12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves the crushed in spirit.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.20 He keeps all his bones;
Not one of them is broken. 21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. – Psalm 34:12-22
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The psalmist reiterates the importance of keeping our tongues from speaking evil and from speaking lies and deceits. As we are living in the world, it may be difficult to stay pure and uncorrupted by the world system, but those who have committed themselves to the Lord are given the Holy Spirit so that it is possible to have victory over such temptation to let wickedness prevail. In this psalm, we are admonished to do what is right because God favors them and gives them all kinds of promises. He ensures that they are delivered from troubles. The Lord is compassionate to the broken-hearted and saves the crush in spirit. Despite all the afflictions that beset his people, the Lord keeps their bones intact and no condemnation befalls any of his beloved children.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is a Promise-Keeper, a protector and a deliverer!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be expectant of all your promises.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me so much love, provision and deliverance.
SUPPLICATION: May all Christians be constantly reminded of God’s promises.
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REFLECTION
• How can we make a habit of focusing on God’s promises instead of troubles?
THOSE WHO SEEK THE LORD LACK NO GOOD THING ILMA’S VLOG
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May 25
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THOSE WHO SEEK THE LORD LACK NO GOOD THING
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
But those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD. – Psalm 34:1-11
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This psalm enumerates the benefits of those who seek and fear the Lord. The psalmist never failed to forget to praise and bless the Lord at all times. He promised faithfulness in continually doing so with his mouth, making it a habit to speak to exalt the Almighty. When he sought the Lord, he answered and rescued him from all fears and troubles. What is amazing is the fact that the Lord assigns angels to encamp around those who seek him and those who revere him. They don’t lack any good thing. What amazing promises are given to those who stay faithful and incessantly give God glory! So, how come, many believers fail to continually seek the Lord, make him a priority and fear him?
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for providing protection and keeping his promises to those who love him. Hallelujah to our Lord and Savior.
CONFESSION: Forgive me for forgetting to always be expectant that you are my Deliverer.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your steadfast love despite my failure to be faithful to you.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers constantly be reminded of God’s promises and steadfast love. May they give the Lord all the glory and praise.
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REFLECTION
• Share a testimony when the promise of lacking nothing good came upon you?
• How do you feel about knowing that angels are encamped around Christians?
THE LORD LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN OVER HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE ilma’s vlog
May 24
________________________________________THE LORD LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN OVER HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
14 From where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
A warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
And by its great might it cannot rescue.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
On those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 That he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD be upon us, even as we hope in you.
– Psalm 33:12-22
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This song is a thanksgiving for how the Lord watches over those whom He has chosen to be his. He looks down from heaven and observes every deed they do. His eyes focus on those who fear him and those who depend on his steadfast love. He particularly likes it when our hearts are glad in him and when we trust in Him alone. This psalm also pleads God to give his people anointing and blessing as they continue to believe and hope in him. It is sad to know that many people are not accountable for all their actions. They think that they can do whatever they please; they don’t take seriously God’s watch over them.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who sees all things and cares for his people.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be responsible and accountable to you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for watching over us constantly, ensuring our safety.
SUPPLICATION: May God bless all his children continually and may we all stay loyal to him.
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REFLECTION
• Why is accountability and honesty important in your walk as followers of Jesus?
GOD’S WORD IS UPRIGHT & HIS COUNSEL STANDS FOREVER ILMA’S VLOG
May 23
________________________________________GOD’S WORD IS UPRIGHT & HIS COUNSEL STANDS FOREVER
Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;
Make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of his heart to all generations. – Psalm 33:1-11
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In this psalm the psalmist praises the Lord with shouts of joy and giving thanks to Him with music, using lyre and harp. He encourages everyone to sing new songs and shout with joy and praise. He also focuses on the uprightness of God’s word and the importance of righteousness and justice in our lives. This song reminds us how powerful the word of the Lord; by his breath, he created everything. As he spoke, everything came into being. Only God’s counsel will last forever. Human counsel or reasoning on the other hand, isn’t always true and right.
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ADORATION: Praise be to God of all creation. His word is everlasting. His power is immense and amazing.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I do not sing songs of joy and praise you Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the counsel you give us.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers follow only what is coming from God’s word and his counsel. May they let the truth from Scriptures guide their lives.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to know truth in order to stay holy, righteous and wise?
MAY INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS PRESERVE ME ILMA’S VLOG
May 22
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MAY INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS PRESERVE ME
Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
And he makes known to them his covenant.15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
For he will pluck my feet out of the net.16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.19 Consider how many are my foes,
And with what violent hatred they hate me.20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. – Psalm 25:11-22
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In this psalm, David relies on the Lord for deliverance and desire to be close to the Lord. He runs to the Lord especially when he feels afflicted with troubles. In his distress, he honestly opens up his heart to God and declares to him the condition of his heart as it is. He doesn’t hide his challenges and difficulties. Instead, he opens it to him so that the Lord could bring him deliverance and comfort. David is particularly known for examining his heart, something that believers should emulate. Just like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, he will only boast about his weakness because when I am weak, I am strong. This dependence on God instead of fixing myself is an act of humility. It shows that without relying on God, I can’t overcome any obstacles or adversities that come my way.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for all his guidance and provision to me.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I rely on my own strength, Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the comfort you bring each time I am down.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers be reminded of their complete dependence on God.
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REFLECTION
• How is being weak actually strong in God’s economy?
• What is the world view of “strength” that the world believes in?
LEAD ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME ilma’s vlog
May 21
________________________________________LEAD ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.2 O my God, in you I trust;
Let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
They shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous
.4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;
For you I wait all the day long.6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,
For they have been from of old.7 Remember not the sins of my youth
Or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me,
For the sake of your goodness, O LORD! 8 Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore he instructs sinners in the way.9 He leads the humble in what is right,
And teaches the humble his way.10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love
And faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. – Psalm 25:1-11
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King David prays to the Lord for guidance in this psalm. He exults and praise the Lord as he lifts his soul in worship to the God who is faithful to deliver him. He pleads the Lord to teach him his ways and lead him to his paths. Most of all, he asks God to keep him always in truth so he will continually be in God’s mercy. He humbly waits on the Lord for his mercy and pardon from all his transgression. He declares God’s character who leads sinners to choose what is right and teaches them the way of humility. He also reminds the Lord of his promise to keep his covenant with those who run and depend on him.
How often do we fill our minds, hearts, and spirit with the truth that only comes from God’s words?
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is the truth and the life. Only in him can we be free.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to ask your guidance as I navigate through life.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord for all the word of truth you shower us with.
SUPPLICATION: May we worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth always.
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REFLECTION
• How can God’s truth teach us how to navigate this life?