May 24
________________________________________
BELIEVERS COURAGEOUSLY WITNESS & SHARE
A poem by ILMA
After Peter and John were released by the leading priests and elders
The believers heard the report and lifted their voices in prayer
“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth and everything in it
You spoke long ago through David how nations were so angry.”
David prophesied how the kings and rulers gathered against the Lord
They all teamed up together to condemn and crucify the Messiah
In fact, all this happened right in this very city in Israel
But everything they did was already determined long ago.
The believers all pray “Lord, hear their threats and give us courage
We ask for you to give all your servants boldness in preaching the word
Stretch out your hand with healing power so that we can do signs and wonders”
After this, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they preached boldly.
All believers were united in heart and mind and felt a need to share everything
They felt compelled that what they owned was not their own but for everyone
The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
God greatly blessed them and there were no needy people among them.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. – Acts 4:32
Read: Acts 4
What awesome works of the Holy Spirit in this account of the apostles after John and Peter were released by the elders and leading priests. We witness the power of the Holy Spirit working in each of them, making them bold to preach the word and testify powerfully to the resurrection of Jesus.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Share an experience when the Holy Spirit has given you courage and boldness to testify and witness to the resurrection power?
Category Archives: Poem devotionals
PETER AND JOHN BEFORE THE COUNCIL Poem Devotional
May 23
________________________________________
PETER AND JOHN BEFORE THE COUNCIL
A poem by ILMA
While Peter and John were speaking to the people
The priests, captain of the Temple guard and Sadducees confronted them
These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching
They were disturbed that Jesus was able to resurrect a dead man.
The religious leaders arrested them and because it was evening
Both Peter and John were put in jail until morning
Many people who heard the disciples’ message believed it
So the number of believers now totaled about 5000 men.
The next day, the ruler, elders and religious law met in Jerusalem
Annas the high priest was there and other relatives of the high priest
They brought in the two disciples and they demanded
“By what power or in whose name have you done this?”
Then Peter asked the council “What was wrong with healing a crippled man?”
Peter exclaimed to them that he was healed by Jesus’ powerful name
Jesus, the man they all crucified and whom God raised from the dead
He was referred to in Scriptures the rejected stone that has become the cornerstone
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. – Acts 4:11
Read: Acts 4
Even after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the Holy Spirit continued to dwell in the disciples’ hearts and have been given all kinds of miraculous events. Yet, the council of the religious leaders continue to question even the miracles that they themselves witnessed.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What stops the religious leaders from believing the Jesus was really the Son of God and can do the impossible?
PETER HEALS A CRIPPLED BEGGAR Poem Devotional
May 22
________________________________________
PETER HEALS A CRIPPLED BEGGAR
A poem by ILMA
Peter and John went to the Temple to do the 3 o’clock prayer service
As they approached the Temple, a lame man was being carried
Each day he was put beside the Temple gate called Beautiful gate
When he saw the apostles coming, he asked them and begged.
Peter and John looked at him and said “Look at us!”
The lame man looked at them waiting for money
Peter said “I don’t have silver or gold for you, but I’ll give what I have
He said “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazarene, get up and walk.
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up
As he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened
He jumped up, stood on his fee, and began to walk, then leaped
Then, leaping and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God
When they realized he was the lame beggar, they were astounded
They knew that man often at the Beautiful Gate, begging for money
They all rushed to Solomon’s Collonade, where he was holding Peter tightly.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk. – Acts 3:6
Read: Acts 3
This miracle of Peter making the crippled man walk is amazing. It made the witnesses see the power of God and. It also showed the dependence of Peter on God’s power and his humility to admit that he can’t offer anything else but God.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How often do we share God’s presence, his love, and his mercy to those we love and to those who hurt us?
• How is it that the man only asked for money and was healed instead?
PETER PREACHES PROPHECY OF THE MESSIAH Poem Devotional
May 21
________________________________________
PETER PREACHES PROPHECY OF THE MESSIAH
A poem by ILMA
When some people ridiculed all the believers who were speaking in tongues
Peter stepped forward clarified they weren’t drunk but explained prophecy
He told the people that God will pour his Spirit upon all people
Sons and daughters will prophesy, young men will have visions.
The Spirit will also be poured on servants – men and women alike
Peter continues to preach the prophet Joel’s prophecy
The Spirit will cause wonders in the heaven’s above
Signs on the earth below-blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red
Before the day of the Lord arrives, all who calls on him will be saved
Peter preached the Israelites, “God endorses Jesus to do miracles
He also knew what would happen and the plan was to be carried out.
God released Jesus from the horrors of death and raised him from it
King David said this about him “He is always with me and will not be shaken
Peter told the people that David wasn’t talking about himself but the Messiah
God raised Jesus from the dead, and all of us, are all witnesses to this.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave. – Acts 2:31
Read: Acts 2
Peter told the believers about David’s prophecy of the Messiah’s resurrection. What a brilliant explanation he gave to the people and how they were all witnesses to the great plan of the Lord to save all of us from sin.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is the resurrection of Jesus the main focus that every believer should reflect on?
THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES Poem Devotional
May 20
________________________________________
THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES
A poem by ILMA
On the day of Pentecost, all believers were together in one place
Suddenly, there was a sound that is like a mighty windstorm
It filled everyone who was in the house; right where’ they’re all sitting
Then what looked like flames of tongues of fire settled on each of them.
Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking
Each of them was given the ability to speak in other languages
The Jews were bewildered to hear many languages spoken
All were from Galilee, yet they spoke another language not native to them.
They were bewildered to hear these Galileans to speak in another language
Each of them, spoke of Jesus’ teachings and the wonderful things God has done
They stood there amazed and perplexed and ask each other what it meant
But the others in the crowd ridiculed them and accused them of being drunk.
Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd
“Listen carefully all of you, these people are not drunk as some of you assumed.”
He reminded them of the prophet Joel’s prophecy that God will pour his Spirit
All believers will prophesy, have visions and dreams and the Spirit will be poured out.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. – Acts 2:4
Read: Acts 2
The coming of the Holy Spirit was a fulfilled promise of Jesus. He said that when he dies on the cross, they will be filled with his Spirit. The Spirit of the Lord will affect other people’s lives.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What did the coming of the Holy Spirit did to us as new born again babies.
• What is the significance of the coming of the Holy Spirit into our hearts?
• What are the ways we can grieve the Holy Spirit?
NEHEMIAH’S CONCERN FOR JERUSALEM poem devotional
May 19
________________________________________
NEHEMIAH’S CONCERN FOR JERUSALEM
A poem by ILMA
Nehemiah and was visited by his brother Hanani, from Judah
He got the news about the walls of Jerusalem being torn down
So he sat down and wept for days, mourned, fasted and prayed
He confessed to the Lord that all the Israelites have sinned against Him.
He pleaded the Lord to look down on him, praying day and night
For all the Israelites have sinned against the good Lord
He confessed that the Israelites have sinned, even his own family
He asked the Lord to hear the prayers of those who delight in Him.
He asked the Lord’s promise to Moses that if they obeyed, they can be delivered
Nehemiah requested the Lord for the king to give him favor and be kind to him
The king asked him why he looked so sad and was concerned about his troubles
And he answered that his ancestral city had been destroyed by fire.
So, the king asked how he can help and he requested to be sent to Judah
He requested the king to give him permission to rebuild his ancestors’ city
Nehemiah requested a letter for Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest
The king approved these requests because God’s gracious hand was with him.The The
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right or historic claim in Jerusalem.
-Nehemiah 2:20
Read: Nehemiah 1-2
Clearly we see how Nehemiah’s heart cried out to the Lord to grant him access to the walls of Jerusalem so he can rebuild it?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What was bothering Nehemiah that made him go to the king for support in freeing some of his people?
• What does a repentant heart do to make him be granted what he asked for?
EZRA ON INTERMARRIAGE Poem Devotional
May 18
________________________________________
EZRA ON INTERMARRIAGE
A poem by ILMA
The leaders came to Ezra to say that some priests and Levites intermarried
They have not kept themselves separate from other people living in the land
They have taken up the detestable practices of the other foreigners
Israelites have married women from these people and bore children.
The holy race has become polluted by these mixed marriages
Worse yet, the leaders and officials have led the way to this outrage
Ezra tore his cloak and shirt, pulled his hair and beard and utterly shocked
All who trembled at God’s words came and sat outraged like Ezra.
At the time of the sacrifice, Ezra mourned and fell on his knees to pray
He told God how ashamed he was for the sins piled higher than his head
He mentioned that their guilt has reached the height of the heavens
From the days of their ancestors until now, they have been steeped in sin.
He thanked the Lord for His grace to allow them to survive and be remnants
The security God gave them has granted them some relief from slavery
The Lord has given them protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem
He led the people to confess and repent of what had been done.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
O Lord, God of Israel, you are just. We come before you in our guilt as nothing but and escaped remnant, thought in such a condition none of us can stand in your presence.
– Ezra 9:15
Read: Ezra 9
This prayer of Ezra is what all of us should be praying for ourselves and for all those believers who have gone astray. His level of repentance and confession is incomparable. This story reminds us how we oftentimes rebel against the will of God but he always forgives those who repent and confess their sins.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What happens when we compromise and mix ourselves with what God detests?
EZRA ARRIVES IN JERUSALEM Poem Devotional
May 17
________________________________________
EZRA ARRIVES IN JERUSALEM
A poem by ILMA
Many years later, during Artaxerxes reign, there was a man named Ezra
He was the son or Seraiah from the lineage of Aaron, the high priest
Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses
God has given to the people of Israel this scribe from Babylon.
King Artaxerxes of Persia gave everything Ezra asked for
Because Ezra had the blessing and the hand of God on him
Some of the people of Israel including some priests and Levites
The singers, gatekeepers, and Temple Servants came with Ezra.
It was the seventh years of King Artaxerxes when Ezra and company came
He arrived in Jerusalem in August of that year and left Babylon in April
Ezra was determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord
He came to Jerusalem to ensure those decrees are taught and followed.
The king wrote a decree to allow Ezra and others to come to Jerusalem
Ezra was given silver and gold from Babylon to use as offering and donations
He instructed Ezra to use his wisdom to appoint magistrates and judges
Anyone who refuses to obey the law will be punished immediately.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. – Ezra 7:6
Read: Ezra 7
What a man Ezra was. Because of how the Lord’s hand was on him, he had a decree written by the king honoring his wisdom. His counsel was sought by the king himself to choose the magistrates and judges who know God’s laws to govern all the people of the province. What an honor given to this man of God.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think the King of Persia chose Ezra to ensure that the people who governed his province be knowledgeable of God’s laws?
ARTAXERXES AND DARIUS ON THE TEMPLE REBUILT Poem Devotional
May 16
________________________________________
ARTAXERXES AND DARIUS ON THE TEMPLE REBUILT
A poem by ILMA
When Cyrus allowed the Israelites to come back to Jerusalem
The king wanted the Israelites to rebuilt the Lord’s temple
Opposition from the enemies of Judah and Benjamin arose
They convinced Artaxerxes that Israelites are rebellious.
Rehum and Shimshai prompted this opposition to stop building
And the king agreed to put a stop to the restoration of the temple
So, the work on the Temple of God in Jerusalem was halted
Haggai and Zechariah however prophesied that they will resume again.
Tattenai, the governor questioned the resuming of the project
But since the Lord was watching over them, Darius was sent a report
He inquired about the validity of the directive from Cyrus’ time
King Darius issued orders to search in the Babylonian archives.
The king found a scroll that stated the declaration of Cyrus about the Temple
He wrote a decree quickly that they will resume the work and extend all help
The project was completed on March 12 during the sixth year of Darius
The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the Israelites.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
But because their God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building until a repost was sent to Darius an he returned his.
– Ezra 5:5
Read: Ezra 4-6
The story of the rebuilding of the Temple is quite interesting since it was the king from a foreign country who ordered the Temple to be rebuilt. We clearly see the hand of God in all of these.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What have you allowed to die to ruins in your life that the Lord wants you to restore and rebuild so He can be glorified?
KING CYRUS OF PERSIA Poem Devotional
May 15
________________________________________
KING CYRUS OF PERSIA
A poem by ILMA
The Lord fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy in the first year of Cyrus of Persia
He stirred the heart of Cyrus and the king put a proclamation in writing
Cyrus said that the God of heaven gave him all kingdoms of the earth
He declared that God appointed him to build a Temple in Jerusalem.
He told the Israelites that any of God’s people may go back for this task
He even blessed all the exiles from Persia that God be with them
The King Cyrus directed them that wherever the Jewish remnant is
That the neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving supplies.
He directed all the people to take part in the Temple building
Silver and gold, supplies for the journey and livestock must be given
Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders
They all wanted to rebuild the Temple of the Lord and go to Jerusalem.
Cyrus himself brought out the articles that Nebuchadnezzar had taken
He directed Mithredath to count these items and present them to Sheshbazzar
There were 5400 articles of gold and silver that were brought to Jerusalem
In early autumn, when the Israelites had settled, they began the Temple work.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. – Ezra 1:1
Read: Ezra 1, 2, 3
Jeremiah 25:11-12 said that the Jews would suffer 70 years of Babylonian domination. Jeremiah also said Babylon would be punished after the 70 years. Cyrus, a leader of Persians and Medes, conquered Babylon and brought an end to its empire. Cyrus later offered the captive Jews the freedom to return to their homeland. This was all fuilfilled.________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What was the character of King Cyrus according to these chapters?
• What can we emulate from his traits as a king?