January 3

GENESIS 3

¹⁴ The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock
and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. ¹⁵ I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”¹⁶ To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband,
and he shall rule over you.”¹⁷ And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you,‘ You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; ¹⁸ thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. ¹⁹ By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

                                                                                  – Genesis 3:14-19

GENESIS 3 CONSEQUENCES OF SIN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When people go against God’s plan and will

He must expect for the consequences of that sin

God will not tolerate any insolence against him

He will surely experience results from that defiance.

We now witness in the book of Genesis the consequences of the original sin of Adam and Eve. The serpent was the first that got the curse from God. The serpent will now crawl on his belly and eat dust. You wonder if the serpent had legs or feet before the fall. I think that the idea of crawling on the ground and eating dust is indicative of defeat and lowly life. Some commentaries say that the dust on the ground symbolizes defeat. The devil thinks highly of himself, so without the feet or legs, he has no height or power to crush anyone. God also placed a separation from the woman since it was Eve that he preyed on and it is also from a woman that the Son of God will be born. God sets boundaries between those who belong to him through Christ and those who belong to the world. Satan will never have victory over the Son of God.

The consequence of sin on the woman is two-fold. The first is pain in childbirth and in raising children. The second is to desire to control her husband but she will be overruled by him. No wonder most mothers are the ones experiencing labor pains and also the struggle of raising children who will not go against her. She is the nurturer, so she will be the one who will suffer the hardships of raising her children.

The aftermath of sin brought this curse on the man: he will be forbidden to eat from the tree of life. In other words, he won’t just get nourishment easily as he did before he sinned. He will have to work till the ground that he was made from. He will struggle to put food on his table because of his disobedience.

Both Adam and Eve took for granted how they had it all so easy before they disobeyed God.

REFLECTION

• Cite instances when these curses on the man, woman and the devil manifest today in our

• lives.

July 19

1 CORINTHIANS 10

²³ “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. ²⁵ Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. ²⁶ For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” ²⁷ If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience – 1 Corinthians 10:23-28

1 CORINTHIANS 10 SEEK THE GOOD OF OTHERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a believer, we are set apart from the world

Let us not act as if we have not heard God’s word

The worldly person seeks what is good for the self

But the believer pursues the needs and welfare of others

The believer encourages and builds up the body of Christ

The unbeliever tears down and builds his own fortress.

In this letter, Paul reminds them of denying themselves and seeking the good of his neighbor. This reproof would surely make an unbeliever’s heart revolt. It is against the world system’s concept of the “self” as the center of the universe. Paul quotes Psalm 24:1 in verse 26 when he points out that everything comes from the Lord. He mentions this to them so that they do not have to be legalistic about certain foods to eat just as the Jewish law prohibits many of them.

The purpose of Paul’s mentioning that God owns all things, he is actually making them reflect that all things created by God are good. There is no need to be legalistic on what to eat and what not to eat. How one reacts to certain preferences of others may repulse other people from hearing the gospel. So, Paul cautioned them to make sure that they exercise compassion and act in love and gentleness as they associate even with unbelievers.

REFLECTION

• What do you think would happen if every person seeks the good of others?

July 16

1 CORINTHIANS 9

²¹ To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. ²³ I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ²⁵ Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶ So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

                                                                – 1 Corinthians 9:21-27

1 CORINTHIANS 9 ADAPTING TO OTHERS TO BRING THE GOSPEL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you bring the good news to the unbelieving world

Be sensitive to those whom you are bringing God’s word

Adapt to their lifestyle but present the gospel truthfully

Find a way to develop relationships with those you will preach to

When you are rigid and legalistic, they will have a close mind

Then you will not be able to be the hand and foot for God.

In this letter, Paul stresses the importance of walking in love as believers reach out to bring the gospel to those who do not know Christ. Sadly, many believers fail to do this and get to presenting the Good News as if it was a commodity to persuade others that they need to buy or consume. What Paul is saying is that we ought to adapt to the lifestyles of those whom we would be reaching out to present the gospel.

Poole comments “To the Gentiles, he behaved himself as if he himself had been a Gentile, that is, forbearing the observances of the Levitical law, to which the Gentiles had never any obligation at all.” While Smith says “Paul sought to win people to Jesus Christ by being sensitive to their needs and identifying with them. We should try to reach people where they are today and expect to see changes later.”

REFLECTION

• What are some wrong ways a believer can bring the gospel to the world?

July 2

1 CORINTHIANS 6

 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? ² Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? ³ Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! ⁴ So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? ⁵ I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ⁶ but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?  – 1 Corinthians 6:1-6

1 CORINTHIANS 6 SETTLE DISPUTES AMONG YOUR BROTHERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to settle differences

There must be no room for quarrels, envy and competitiveness

We must have unity and harmony among our sisters and brothers

We must not let any case be judged by those who don’t know Jesus Christ

The world system operates differently than the kingdom of God

Ensure that we do not bring to court our cases but settle it among us.

In this letter, Paul challenges the Corinthian church to deal with their grievances and cases against each other. Like a father, he tells his children to face their differences and handle their discomfort with those challenges. He is teaching them to be mature and responsible for the conflicts that may come between them and their brothers.

In our world today, people easily sue each other for certain disputes. Paul cautions the believers to not let those judges who do not know the Lord make decisions for them since they do not know the laws of the Lord. The world system operates in a transactional manner where everything is done out of competition and “self-focused” motives.

God’s kingdom is based highly on loving and not transactions. When we allow the world system to deal with our problems and challenges, we may be facing more difficulties resolving our issues. Paul is giving us good advice by ensuring that we don’t hand our disputes to the world but should settle it among those who know the laws of God

REFLECTION

• Why is Paul advocating for Christians to settle disputes among themselves?

June 28

1 CORINTHIANS 4

⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! ⁹ For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. ¹¹ To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, ¹² and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

                                                                    – 1 Corinthians 4:8-13

1 CORINTHIANS 4 FOOLS FOR CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you serve Jesus, the world doesn’t understand you

The world system operates differently from God’s kingdom

Believers will be ridiculed and appear weak in the world

They will look like fools for following God’s word

Do not fear for God sees all that you do for him

It is better to be fools for Christ rather than live in sin.

According to David Guzik’s commentary “the Corinthian Christians had two problems: they were proud of their own spirituality, and they were somewhat embarrassed of Paul because of his “weakness” and humble state. Paul is trying to address both of these problems in this letter.” Paul presents the differences in the worldly mindset of the Corinthian church against the servants of God. One could say that the Corinthian believers were still very carnal in their thinking. Because the apostles were not rich or powerful, they look down upon them because they do not portray the worldly image or success that they expected the ministers of God to be.

We could still experience it today in our world where preachers and ministers are perceived as positions of power rather than humble servants of God’s kingdom. Just look at the televangelists and mega churches and you’ll see we are not far from this mindset.

REFLECTION

• Why shouldn’t a believer be affected if they appear fools for Christ?

June 21

1 CORINTHIANS 1

²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹ so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹ so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”– 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

1 CORINTHIANS BOAST ONLY UNTO THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you are weak, poor and are struggling in life

Be thankful because Jesus died for the weak

Those who think they are powerful and wise

God shames those believe in themselves

All things were made by God, no man can boast

If you want to brag, do it only unto the Lord.

As humans, we tend to brag about what we own or what we have accomplished or achieved. We think that anything we do is our own undertaking. We live in a world system that has standards that are based on performance. When we perform, we automatically think that we did it. Our human minds do not automatically fathom that God is behind all things. We do not understand God’s sovereignty and authority. We think we have control over things but the bible tells us that things occur because God allows it to happen for a reason. It may be because God wants us to acknowledge him or he wants us to learn a lesson so we can grow in knowing him and his design for the whole humanity.

Paul debunks the concept of the world of power and strength and presents to the Corinthian church that God chose what is foolish in the viewpoint of the world to be wise and to shame those who think they are wise in their own eyes. He wants the believers to focus their eyes on the sovereignty of God and never to boast about their abilities.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think we should only boast unto the Lord?

June 12

ROMANS 15

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

                                                                                  – Romans 15:1-7

ROMANS 15 THE STRONG IS TO HELP THE WEAK

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, you cannot live for yourself

He chose you so that you will be humble and selfless

The strength he gave you is not for your own self-indulgence

It is to help the weak in their weaknesses and bring them confidence

The strong has an obligation to help the weak in their helplessness

Their strength is not for showing off their power and abilities

Strength is present when we are weak because God is in us

Weakness makes us depend on God in the midst of adversities.

In our world today, the strong are considered powerful and the weak are identified as powerless. Because the system of the world caters to self indulgence, it is easy to marginalize those who are weak and put the strong on pedestals. It is very different in God’s economy because the strong have bigger responsibilities other than gloating on their strength. God requires the strong to aid those who are vulnerable and weak.

Paul explains explicitly why God requires the strong to help the weak. It is to balance and equalize the conditions that people are in. God is a God of equality. In God’s kingdom, there are no power struggles, only unconditional love. Each one is required to love one another as God loved us all. This brings God the glory he requires from all of his creation.

REFLECTION

• How is the concept of “strength” twisted in the world system?

May 28

ROMANS 11

⁷ What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it,

   but the rest were hardened, ⁸ as it is written,

“God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see
    and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”

⁹ And David says,

  “Let their table become a snare and a trap,
    a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
 ¹⁰ let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
    and bend their backs forever.” – Romans 11:7-10

ROMANS 11 A SPIRIT OF STUPOR

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you fail to serve and obey the call of the Lord your God

You will suffer the consequence of your hardened heart

A spirit of stupor will consume your heart and mind

You would not be able to see or hear what is true and right.

Have you observed those people who have turned their backs on the Lord? They knew the Lord and once served him, but at some point, they became rebellious and unfaithful to God. There is a form of blindness and deafness towards what is right. They choose what is bad for them or they follow their desires so much that they become oblivious to people around them. They are only concerned with getting their needs and wants met. There is no concern for the welfare of others. They only pursue their own interests and not bother about what other people’s hardships or sufferings are. In other words, they live isolated lives that focus on self-seeking pleasures. Most of these people turn into something that will constantly gratify their flesh or someone they can idolize. Most of the things they replace God with are: wealth, power, reputation, even family or the pursuit of human knowledge are just some of those things that occupy their minds and hearts. This is what Paul calls the spirit of stupor or idleness. When God made us in his image, he did it so we can have a relationship with him and that he is the only who can complete us. If we turn our backs on God, we will not have peace because we will definitely twist that purpose.

REFLECTION

• Share some experiences you had with those who have a spirit of stupor.