August 16
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2 TIMOTHY 1
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do.– 2 Timothy 1:8-12
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2 TIMOTHY 1 BE BOLD FOR THE GOSPEL TO SHINE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to stand for truth
We need not be ashamed to proclaim the good news
Let us all stir up the spiritual gifts that we were given
It will not be of use to build up the body if it here hidden.
If you were called to wisdom, understanding and counsel
Let it be manifest as you follow your true calling
It is our responsibility to be aware and grow such gifts
Let it grow and be used for building up the body of Christ.
Do not be ashamed of your suffering, instead use it to proclaim God’s power
When we encounter trials and adversities, it builds up our character
So let us not be afraid when we feel inadequate to use our gifts
God knew what he was doing, when he equipped you with it.
Trust in the Lord especially when trials of various kinds arise
He uses these difficulties to strengthen you and grow your faith
Be bold to proclaim the gospel even if you think you are not worthy
God will equip whomever he has planned to use for his own glory.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we often become uncomfortable to proclaim the gospel or even share our burdens to each other in the body of Christ? What is the root of this?
• How can we grow in our boldness to use our gifts and proclaim the gospel?
Category Archives: Poem devotionals
2 TIMOTHY 1 NOT OF FEAR BUT OF LOVE
August 14
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1 TIMOTHY 6
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you. – 1 Timothy 6:17-21
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1 TIMOTHY 6 THE UNCERTAINTY OF RICHES & HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The riches of this world are fleeting and temporal
There’s so much uncertainty in the things that are material
They rot, they burn or get destroyed and can be stolen as well
While the riches in heaven lasts forever and are truly eternal.
When you have been blessed with much possessions and wealth
Make sure that you are not hoarding it for yourself but share it with others
Do not be caught up with accumulating wealth for it will consume you
Use all the gifts and blessings you were given to bless others and to praise God.
Guard your minds and hearts so that it will be lined up with truth
The quest for human knowledge will go against God’s word
We are not to lean on our own understanding but on God’s promises
Let us pursue godly wisdom that is pure, peaceable, impartial and sincere.
Abiding in Christ and following his laws are better than the pursuit of knowledge
Get to know the Lord instead of relying on your very limited thinking
If you seek him first in all you do, you will receive the mind of Christ
This is true knowledge from above that will bring you life everlasting.
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REFLECTION
• How did Solomon reiterate the vanity of wisdom and wealth in the book of Ecclesiastes as Paul talks about it to Timothy in these following verses?
1 TIMOTHY 6 TAKE HOLD OF THE ETERNAL LIFE YOU WERE CALLED FOR
August 13
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1 TIMOTHY 6
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. – 1 Timothy 6:11-16
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1 TIMOTHY 6 TAKE HOLD OF THE ETERNAL LIFE YOU WERE CALLED FOR
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As a servant of God, we are expected to fight the good fight of the faith
The Lord gave us everything we need so we can follow our fate
His word and his laws are given to us towards the path to holiness
We need to follow it and live our lives for the One who is all righteousness
As his children, we are instructed to walk towards his light
Let’s continue to obey his laws to take hold of eternal life
Be alert of the constant struggle that we face in this world
We can only discern such battles if we follow his word.
Let’s take hold of salvation and everlasting life given to us
Let us not take it for granted for that is just ingratitude
The sovereign King Jesus died on the cross so we can have life
Let us be thankful and give up wickedness and walk towards his light.
Let us give up all kinds of filthiness and wicked ways
Wear the new nature that Christ has given us
Walk in the ways of the Holy Spirit to stay in his light
Grow the faith that we have received and take hold of the eternal life.
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REFLECTION
• What are the ways that we can take hold of the eternal life we were called for according to these verses?
1 TIMOTHY 6 THOSE WHO DESIRE RICHES & LOVE MONEY
August 12
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1 TIMOTHY 6
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. – 1 Timothy 6:7-10
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1 TIMOTHY 6 THOSE WHO DESIRE RICHES & LOVE MONEY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Since God is the creator of all things in this world
We cannot own anything because he made it all
Even the food we eat and the clothes that are provided for us
Though you may think you worked for these things, they are not ours
We are only stewards of all the gifts and the wealth we are given
We need to honor God with what we have received and been gifted with.
Those who desire to be rich are going to prioritize gaining wealth
Those who love money will definitely not serve Jesus Christ
For one cannot love money and also love God
Money is from the world and faith is from our Lord
When you love money, all kinds of evil accompany it
Envy, selfish ambition, greed and lust will find its way in.
Through one’s lust for money come many forms of evils
For the love of money makes one love the world and its systems
When one loves the world, they will not want to please the Lord
To gather riches in heaven is what is the opposite of the systems of this world
Let us all desire to be spiritually wealthy rather than gain worldly wealth
Worldly riches cannot be taken when one dies, but heavenly riches give eternal life.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think is the cause of “love for money?”
• Why are we warned not to love money in these following verses?
1 TIMOTHY 6 GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN
August 11
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1 TIMOTHY 6
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world – 1 Timothy 6:1-6
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1 TIMOTHY 6 GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Love the Lord your God with fear and trembling that your days may be long
Serve those who have authority over you as you would serve the Lord
Do not worry or be anxious about anything, but pray about these things
Seek the word of God so that you may not fall into temptation and sin.
Live in godliness and commit to memory the truth that comes from the word
This is how you can discern what comes from the world and from God
Love the law of the Lord and obey it always that you will stay righteous
Give thanks to all that you are given and receive it with much gratitude.
Stay away from those who are puffed up with conceit and deceived
Grow your faith that you may discern wrong doctrines and teachings
Always trust the Lord and never give in to your desires and lust
Be content and count your blessings instead of focusing on your lack.
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REFLECTION
• What does it mean to be truly content and why is it a necessary partner of godliness?
• What happens when we are discontented?
1 TIMOTHY 5 HOW TO TREAT THE ELDERS
August 10
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1 TIMOTHY 5
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. – 1 Timothy 5:17-25
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1 TIMOTHY 5 HOW TO TREAT THE ELDERS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord appointed the office of the Elders and he chose them
Just like any person who works for an office, he too deserves a wage
Since he labors to preach and teach the word of God
He also deserves to be renumerated for his works
Just as hard as a person works to earn a living
These Elders also spend time studying and teaching
Treat the Elders with honor for they work for the Lord
Do not judge them based on a hearsay from one man
Let there be two or three witnesses when you charge an Elder
There is a process that should take place when sins are addressed
Because they are required to be righteous doesn’t mean they are sinless
Dealing with sins done by leadership must be publicly done
By doing this, we hold them accountable to stay uncorrupted.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think verse 20 says that the Elders who sins must be rebuked publicly? What happens if they are kept in secrecy?
1 TIMOTHY 5 ON CHURCH’S SUPPORT FOR WIDOWS
August 8
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1 TIMOTHY 5
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1 Timothy 5:1-8
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1 TIMOTHY 5 SELF-INDULGENCE LEADS TO DEATH
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we follow his path
God is love and all who know him know how to love
To live a life of peace, let’s follow the order that God has made
Let us honor those who have authority over us.
Do not reprimand someone older than you
But encourage them for that’s honoring to God
Do not only be concerned with your own interests only
But be genuinely interested in other’s lives and concerns.
Look out to bless others especially orphans and widows
When you do, you alleviate their isolation and adversities
Provide help and relief especially for your family members
If you don’t, you are even worse than unbelievers.
When you are serving your own interest, your god is yourself
The natural self doesn’t bow down to God, it adores only the self
If you indulge in pleasuring your own lusts and desires
It will lead to your death and you’ll forfeit your eternal life.
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REFLECTION
• How can self-indulgence lead to death?
1 TIMOTHY 4 HONE YOUR GIFTS & PERSIST IN YOUR PROGRESS
August 7
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1 TIMOTHY 4
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. – 1 Timothy 4:11-16
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1 TIMOTHY 4 HONE YOUR GIFTS & PERSIST IN YOUR PROGRESS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord Jesus commands us to godly living and to growing our faith
Until he comes again, he wants us to stay pure and follow the straight path
We are urged to be vigilant to live out the teachings we have been taught
Doctrines without actions will be of no use; they won’t make us grow.
Do not allow your youth to hinder your pursuit to holiness
Let us devote ourselves in urging one another towards righteousness
Hone the gifts you have received when the Holy Spirit dwelled in you
Do not bury them so that others will be build up and fruits will show.
Examine yourself regularly so that you can guard your heart
When you neglect such awareness, you’ll open doors for the bad
Practice following the laws even if they are hard to do at times
You will make progress if you press on despite sufferings and trials.
Let your lives be a model for others to be inspired to grow
Seek the word of the Lord and the knowledge of God
Never allow compliance or neglect to come into your life
Pray always so that you can discern evil and live in the light.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to hone the gifts that we received from the Holy Spirit?
• What happens if we bury such gifts?
• Why is it essential to persist in your progress and show it to others believers?