May 9
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ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
A poem by ILMA
A certain couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold some property
The man brought part of the money but not all of it to the apostles
With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest and Peter reproved him
Peter asked Ananias why he allowed Satan to fill his heart.
Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit and kept some money for himself
Since the property was his to sell and the money to give away
He didn’t have to lie but when he did, he was lying to God as well
As soon as Ananias heard Peter’s rebuke, he fell on the floor and died.
Everyone who witnessed this was terrified, they carried Ananias and buried him
Three hours later, Sapphira, not knowing what happened, came in
Peter asked her how much they received for the property they sold
And she replied with the same lie that Ananias, her husband gave.
Peter said “How could the two of you test the Spirit of the Lord?”
He said that her husband just died after lying about their gain
Instantly, she fell on the floor as well, like Ananias and died
Great fear gripped all those who heard what have happened.
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MEMORY VERSE
He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. – Acts 5:2
Read: Acts 5
A lot of people take lightly the sin of lying. We do not realize how grieved the Holy Spirit is when we lie. It is an insult to God’s all-knowing and all-seeing characteristics. Most people think it is alright to lie. The world even uses euphemisms calling them “white lies.”
A lie is a lie and it is a sin that grieves the Holy Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think “death” was the punishment for the lies that Ananias and Sapphira purposefully planned to tell Peter?
Author Archives: ilmaarts
JEZEBEL’S MANIPULATION AND CONTROL Poem Devotional
May 8
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JEZEBEL’S MANIPULATION AND CONTROL
A poem by ILMA
When Jezebel married Ahab, he convinced him to worship her god Baal
Neighboring vineyard owner Naboth refused to sell his own property to Ahab
The king wanted to buy his land to use it as his garden but the man declined
He sulked and didn’t eat for days, so Jezebel stepped up and reminded him of his
She later used her evil schemes by sending a letter with Ahab’s signature on it
The elders and all those informed became convinced that Naboth did evil
She gave instructions to fast and put Naboth in public view and humiliation
She twisted truth and told he cursed God and the king and he was exposed.
As a result of the lie that says Naboth cursed God and King Ahab
He was dragged outside the town and stoned to death
The Lord instructed Elijah to confront Ahab at Naboth’s vineyard
Because you and Jezebel have done this, dogs will lick your blood.
Then Elijah set out to kill all of Baal’s prophets to stop all the evil
When Jezebel heard what he did, she sent a message to Elijah he will be killed
Elijah fled to Sinai, fearful for his life as he knew that he was the remaining prophet
God, however, assured him to go back the same way and anoint Hazael to be king.
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MEMORY VERSE
Seize all the prophets of Baal. Don’t let a single one escape. So, the people seized them all and Elijah took them down to the Kishon Valley and killed them there. – 1 Kings 18:40
Read: 1 Kings 18,19,21
Jezebel is depicted here as a very controlling, manipulative and wicked person. She killed many prophets of God and ensured that King Ahab will never share his power. How can we watch out for possible entry of Jezebel spirit to come to destroy us?
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REFLECTION
• Why did Elijah kill the prophets of Baal? Is it the same mandate for believers to destroy all their idols?
• How can the Jezebel spirit manifest itself in the body of Christ?
ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE Poem Devotional
May 7
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ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE
A poem by ILMA
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel how Elijah killed Baal’s prophets
Jezebel threatened Elijah that she would kill him as he killed them
Elijah was so afraid and fled for his life and went to Beersheba
He left his servant Elisha in that small town of Judah.
Then Elijah went on alone into the wilderness travelling all day
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die
He prayed to the Lord to take his life for he isn’t better than his ancestor
Elijah laid down and slept under the broom tree when an angel came.
The angel instructed the prophet to get up and eat some bread just by his head
Then the prophet did as he was told so he proceeded to Mt. Sinai
The bread and the jar of water sustained him forty days and forty nights
There he spent the night as he reached that quiet place of refuge.
The Lord confronted the prophet what he was doing in that place
He tells the Lord how he ran for his life, as all the prophets were killed
The Lord gave him further instruction to go back and go to Damascus
As he arrived, the prophet was to appoint Hazael to become king of Aram.
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MEMORY VERSE
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba and he left his servant there.
– 1 Kings 19:3
Read: 1 Kings 19
It is interesting to see a very powerful prophet running and being so scared for his life. He heard what Jezebel did to all of God’s prophets, It is interesting how fear played a role in Elijah’ls live?
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REFLECTION
• How powerful is the Jezebel spirit?
• What made a very powerful prophet get debilitated?
• Why was Jezebel chasing the prophet?
THE CRUCIFIXION Poem Devotional
May 6
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THE CRUCIFIXION
A poem by ILMA
Along the way, they came across a man named Simon from Cyrene
He was forced by the soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus
They went out to Golgotha which means “place of the skull”
The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall.
When Jesus tasted the wine with gall, he refused to drink it
After they have nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled
They betted on his clothes by throwing dice while they kept guard
As Jesus was hung there, a singed was fastened above Jesus’ head.
The sign announced the charge against Jesus saying “King of the Jews”
Two criminals were crucified beside him, one on his right and one on the left
People passing by shouted abuse and shaking their heads in mockery
“Look at you now, you said you’ll destroy and rebuild the Temple in 3 days.”
The leading priests, the teachers of religious law and the elders taunted him too
They scoffed “But he can’t save himself! If he comes down, we will believe him
Even the two criminals beside him also joined in the mockery with the people
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land at three o’clock.
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MEMORY VERSE
A sing was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” – Matthew 27:37
Read: Matthew 27:32-45
The main focus of a believer’s life is this crucifixion, which symbolized the greatest love of God to mankind, giving us his only begotten Son just so we can be reconciled with him. He paid for the penalty of our sin so he can bridge that gap that was created when we sinned.
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REFLECTION
• Can you think of anything that would be close to the brutality that Jesus bore so we could be reconciled with the Father? Explain.
HEALING OF A MAN BORN BLIND Poem Devotional
May 5
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HEALING OF A MAN BORN BLIND
A poem by ILMA
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth
His disciple asked Jesus if the parents’ caused this man’s blindness
Jesus told them that it was to show the power of God through him
He reminded them that while he’s in the world, he will be the light.
Then Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with his saliva
He spread the mud over the man’s eyes and asked him to wash it
He sent him to go to the pool of Siloam which means “sent”
So, the man followed and went, washed and came back seeing.
Those who knew the blind beggar couldn’t believe he was the same man
The beggar kept on saying that he was actually that beggar they knew
When the Pharisees heard what Jesus have done for this blind person
They went to the man’s parents to ask if he was born blind.
The Pharisees kept on telling him not give Jesus the glory but only to God
They kept on convincing that Jesus was a sinner and they knew God more
But the man said how come they don’t know where Jesus came from
If Jesus was not from God, how could he have healed the blind.
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MEMORY VERSE
If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it. – John 9:33
Read: John 9
It is amazing how many times God has done a miracle in a person’s life and yet people who have witnessed it do not seem to believe what they have actually seen. They start to analyze, justify and question the validity of it, instead of declaring what had been done and praising the Lord for the miracle.
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REFLECTION
• Why is unbelief rampant both in believers and unbelievers alike?
• What hinders us from actually being amazed at little or big miracles we have seen?
• What is behind the lack of faith in the human heart?
EARLY YEARS OF ASA’S REIGN Poem Devotional
May 4
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EARLY YEARS OF ASA’S REIGN
A poem by ILMA
When Abijah died, his son Asa became the next king
There was peace in the land for ten straight years
Asa did what was pleasing and good in God’s sight
He removed the foreign altars and pagan shrines.
Asa smashed the sacred pils and cut down the Asherah poles
He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord
He instructed them to obey God’s laws and his commands
He also removed the incense altars from every town of Judah.
King Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace
Because of that, he built up the fortified towns of Judah.
No one made war against him at this time
For the Lord was giving him rest from his enemies.
He told the people of Judah to build towns and fortify them
He reminded them that since they sought the Lord, he gave them peace
So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion
He had an army of 580.000 warriors from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
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MEMORY VERSE
He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors and to obey his law and his commands. – 2 Chronicles 14:4
Read: 2 Chronicles 14
It is refreshing to hear of a good king in those days. We see the reward of following the Lord and leading the people into obedience to God
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REFLECTION
• What did King Asa achieve as a result of the peace they received from being obedient and faithful to the Lord?
• Why is it important to follow the Lord’s instruction?
JESUS CALLS LEVI (MATTHEW) Poem Devotional
May 3
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JESUS CALLS LEVI (MATTHEW)
A poem by ILMA
As Jesus left the town, he saw Levi, the tax collector sitting at his booth
“Follow me and be my disciple” Jesus said to him so he got up
He left everything he had and followed Jesus immediately
Later, Jesus was the guest of honor at a banquet he hosted.
Then the Pharisees and teachers of the law complained bitterly
“Why do you eat and drink with such scum as Levi?” they asked Jesus
Christ replied, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do”
“I have come to call those who acknowledge their sins and repent.
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MEMORY VERSE
Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think thy are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.
– Luke 5:31-32
Read: Luke 5:27-32
I heard one preacher describe what a church is. He said that the church is like a hospital and all the members represent the patients who are sick, not one is totally healed or they won’t be in the hospital anymore. When I heard him say this, an image comes to mind. A picture of people waiting to be given care and attention, waiting to get healed and get back to their normal lives, recuperating and getting stronger.
Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus called those who are not perfect to be his disciples? In fact, he chose messed up and sick people like Levi. His desire to follow him and turn his back on sin was truly Spirit led. ________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do we go to church and think that everyone in it has it altogether?
• How can we give compassion as Jesus did to those who are sinners and weak?
• How can we guard ourselves from giving a verdict to someone we don’t really know what’s going on in their hearts?
• How do we set other people up for failure when we have unrealistic expectations from them?
JESUS, THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER Poem Devotional
May 2
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JESUS, THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER
A poem by ILMA
Don’t let your hearts be troubled; trust in God and also in the Son
Jesus assures that there is enough room in his Father’s home
He said that he is preparing a place for those who believe him
When everything is ready, he will come back to get all who believe.
Thomas, one of his disciples said, “We have no clue where you’re going”
He added “How can we know where we are going if we don’t know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way the truth and the life
It is only through me that you will come to the Father.”
Philip said “Lord, show us the Father and we’ll be satisfied”
And he said, “Haven’t I been with you this long and still not see me?”
Jesus said to them, “Don’t you believe I am in the Father and He’s in me?”
He told them to believe that the Father and he are one and believe it.
Anyone who believes in the Son will follow what he has done
They’ll be doing greater works than Him for He will be with the Father
If they ask anything in Jesus’ name, He will do it to bring the Father glory
So he urges all of us to ask in his mighty name and it will be done.
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MEMORY VERSE
I am the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
– John 14:6
Read: John 14
Are you not excited as a Christian to know that Jesus is preparing a room for you in His Father’s house? What an exciting promise to look forward to compared to all the things we are going through in this world. Let’s believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father.
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REFLECTION
• What makes Jesus different from other gods in the world?
• How do you visualize the room that Jesus is preparing for you?
• If Jesus is the way, how come, some Christians are not totally sold out on this?
GIDEON’S FALL AS A JUDGE Poem Devotional
May 1
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GIDEON’S FALL AS A JUDGE
A poem by ILMA
It was amazing how the Lord brought Gideon as their deliverer
He used to be so humble and always consulted God before battle
As his brothers were killed by Zebah and Zalmunna, his heart changed
He began to do things on his own and endangered his kingship over Israel.
Gideon began to tread the smaller towns of Succoth and Peniel differently
He dealt with the offense of the people of Ephraim with cunning flattery
Yet, he threatened the smaller towns that he will get back at them
When he was victorious, these two small towns got what they deserved.
When Israel asked him to be their ruler, yet Gideon declined
He only requested for a gold earring from their plunder from enemies
From all their contributions, the gold weighed forty-three pounds
Out of all this, he made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah.
Why did he want to make a vessel fit for a high priest or a king?
Did he want power and recognition for all his victorious battles?
This ephod became an idol for the Israelites, they worshiped it
It became a trap for Gideon’s as it directly made them adulterous to God.
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MEMORY VERSE
Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family. – Judges 8:27
Read: Judges 8
What happened to Gideon? He started out as a very humble servant of God. Just after a victory over the Midianites, his heart immediately changed and greed and power came out of what began as a humble and faithful heart for God.
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REFLECTION
• What led to Gideon’s change of heart?
• Why do you think he made an ephod for himself and put it in his hometown?
AHAZ RULES IN JUDAH Poem Devotional
April 23
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AHAZ RULES IN JUDAH
A poem by ILMA
Ahaz, son of Jotham began to rule over Judah in the 17th year of Pekah’s reign
He was twenty years old when he became king and ruled for sixteen years
He did not do what was pleasing in the sigh of the Lord, as his ancestors did
Instead, he followed the example of kings of Israel, and sacrificed his own son.
He sacrificed his son in the fire and followed the pagan practices
He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the pagan shrines
Then Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel came up to attack Jerusalem
These two kings, Rezin and Pekah besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him.
At that time, the king of Edom recovered the town of Elath for Edom
He drove out the people of Judah and sent Edomites to live there
King Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to rescue him
He told the Assyrian king that he will be his servant and vassal.
Ahaz took the silver and gold from the Temple of the Lord
He gave it as payment to the Assyrian king, so King Rezin was killed
When he died, he was buried with his ancestors in the city of David
Then his son Hezekiah became the next king to rule Judah.
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MEMORY VERSE
He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord his God, as his ancestor David had done. – 2 Kings 16:2
Read: 2 Kings 16
Many of these kings did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. Sometimes it is hard to understand how the Lord allows evil to prevail. But many times we suffer the consequences of our decisions.
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REFLECTION
• What led Ahaz to go the Assyrian King for help?
• Why do you think this king continued to do evil in the Lord while his father Jotham did what was pleasing to God?