In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. – Colossians 3:11 (NLT)             

CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS

A poem by ILMA

It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor

It doesn’t count what religion or from what culture

Whether you are educated or uncivilized

Christ is all that matters in our daily lives.

In this new life, Christ will bring light

We can enjoy wisdom and insight

All prejudices and discrimination will vanish

Discrimination and prejudices are rampant in our society. They lead to all forms of conflict and oppression. It is sad to watch people suffer, especially the innocent ones who are directly affected by these injustices. In God’s economy, bigotry does not exist. Everyone is treated equally. No one is higher or better than someone. He created us all differently but by the same token.

The bible says that when we become Christians, all the prejudices will be replaced by love. There will be no distinctions that will create injustice. There’ll be respect and acceptance of each other’s differences. In God’s eyes, we are all equally given gifts with different degrees according to his own purpose.

PRAYER

Lord, let me not participate in any injustice.

REFLECTION

Why do we need to seek and focus only on God?

An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.-Proverbs 29:22-23 (NLT)             

AVOID THE ANGRY

A poem by ILMA

When you bump into an angry person

Run fast to avoid conflict and confusion

Where there is a dispute or fight

There an angry person is in sight.

Beware when you are provoked to anger

This means that your spirit is in danger

Avoid all people who are angry and proud

Have you ever been in a relationship with an angry person? It is very stressful to be around angry people. There are two types of anger; the implosive and the explosive. The first type are quiet and looks like they are in control, but they give sarcastic remarks, insults or put downs. The second type is easy to spot because they are loud and like time bombs.

The bible cautions us from people who start fights, those who are hot-tempered and proud.  They often lead to other sins. They have no dignity and integrity. All they want is to attract attention and impatiently want to get their way. These kinds of people end up humiliated in the end. We are summoned to be humble so we can bring honor to God.

PRAYER

Lord, do not lead me to angry people.

REFLECTION

Why do we need to avoid angry and proud people?

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

                                                              -Jude 22-23 (NLT)             

RESCUE WITH CAUTION

A poem by ILMA

When you see others whose faith is wavering

Be merciful and cautious when you are helping

Show by example instead of preaching

Speak only God’s word so it’s not confusing.

Be lenient and have patience to understand

They need the truth, not a reproachful reprimand

Hate what they do but not the person

Do you have someone that needs guidance in their faith walk? Be careful, they are very sensitive and vulnerable to judgment. If you start preaching to those who are new to God’s words and truth, ensure that your own actions do not contradict what you say. The conflict in your actions and words can totally confuse them or lead them farther away from God.

The bible tells us to show mercy to those who have wavering faith. Rescue them with caution, hating only the sins that pollute their lives. Like babies, they need all the gentleness and patience they can get, so they can grow spiritually.

PRAYER

Lord, show me how to be an example of faith.

REFLECTION

What precaution should we take in helping others in their faith?

I also tell you this, if two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there amongst them. – Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT)             

THE POWER OF AGREEMENT

A poem by ILMA

When making requests and formulating blessings

Two or three who agree will be echoing

Agreement between believers

It guarantees a reply from God much sooner.

Do not take for granted the power of agreement

It brings positive results and gets you out of confinement

Jesus promised his presence where believers gather

When we get into a business relationship with someone or get married, we usually sign a contract or an agreement. The agreement signifies the boundaries that need to be executed in order to have a thriving business or marriage. The moment someone breaches the contract, the relationship is at risk.

The bible tells us that agreement between two or three followers of Christ will bear power over things they agree upon. Notice that it did not say one, but two or three. I am sure God will be there if you ask alone, but if there is more than one person, God is present. Each request in his name is granted.

PRAYER

Lord, let me pray with other believers.

REFLECTION

Why do you think God wants us to gather together and agree?

Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.

TROUBLES & BLESSINGS

a poem by ILMA

There are people who constantly suffer

They are beset with so many struggles

Sins and bad choices can lead to troubles

It makes one trapped in the rubbles.

Those who are righteous and holy

They seek and give their hearts to God solely

Blessings pour out in their lives continuously

THE SIGNS OF SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

There are many people who live their lives encountering many troubles. I knew someone who never had a day without it. There is always some mishap one after the other. I think most of us encounter trials and hardships as a result of wrong choices and decisions. A lot of people attribute it to bad luck. They believe some people are automatically lucky.

Proverbs talk about troubles and blessings.  According to it, trouble chases sinners while blessings reward the righteous. When we are beset by troubles, we must reflect on how our heart is. Is it pleasing the “self” or God? Trouble can be a manifestation of sin. On the other hand, blessings are signs of righteousness. God blesses those who are righteous and faithful. He protects and shelters them from harm.

PRAYER

Lord, allow me to seek you always to stay out of trouble.

REFLECTION

Are you full of troubles or blessings? How can you turn life around when there’s trouble?

THE BLAME GAME

And if someone asks, “Then what about those wounds on your chest?”

he will say, ‘I was wounded at my friends’ house.’

Zechariah 13:6 (NLT)

ACCEPTING CORRECTION

When someone disagrees with you completely

You usually react or respond inevitably

Sometimes your loved ones correct you

You quickly take action against them and later rue

How many times have you actually hurt yourself?

You make wrong choices and you really need help

Your pride is nudged when they want to correct you

They want your best interest in everything you do.

The context of the verse above points to the way a false prophet covers up for his deception. He points and blames that his friend wounded him so he could pretend that he is an authentic prophet. This verse clearly shows us our nature to blame. We don’t accept correction easily. What comes out naturally is pointing our fingers at someone else when we are wronged or misunderstood.  The spirit of offense automatically overcomes us.  Instead of having an open mind to accept that we might be wrong too, we play the blame game. In doing so, we absolve ourselves of the responsibility over sin. Then, the cycle of pride goes on. It takes time to admit we have a part in the offence. Forgiveness becomes harder. We are trapped again in sin.

PRAYER

Lord show and teach me how to avoid being offended.

REFLECTION

Why do you think “correction” is essential?

CALLED TO BE GOOD

But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering just as

 Christ suffered for you. He is your example and you must follow his footsteps

1 Peter 2:20-21(NLT)

FOLLOWING CHRIST

At the cross, your sinful nature was erased

God gave you his bountiful mercy and grace

He calls you to do good even it means suffering

Just recall how Christ saved you by being the offering.

Christ is your model to emulate

He is the only one who never retaliates

He suffered for you so you can be free

He removed your blinders so you can see.

When my son was a child, he asked me “Why is it so easy for you to be good Mom? Why is it hard for me to do it?” What he didn’t know was the struggles I had to endure to be a good model for him.  I told him that it was God’s grace that makes me choose to do good and the focusing on Christ’s example keeps me on track.

God calls us to be good. Suffering and enduring are part of the equation to stay in God’s righteousness. He gave us Christ so we can understand love, suffering and humility and obedience.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to follow Christ daily.

REFLECTION

Why has God called you to emulate Christ?

COMMUNITY OF CHRIST

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper) and to prayer.

-Acts 2:42 (NLT)

CALLED TO FELLOWSHIP

When Christ died on the cross

He gave his Spirit so we can never be lost

He called us to come together as a family

And teach one another the truth that will set us free.

He asks us to be in fellowship with each other

And share in meals including the Last Supper

He summons us to pray for the world

And be constantly fed and guided by his word.

Before I became an authentic Christian, I participated in so many church activities for the sake of religion and wanting to appear spiritual. I participated in them as part of church traditions.  These meetings and socials happened in the church premises but are no different from any other happening outside the church. The bible wasn’t read or even talked about. It seemed more like a club or gathering of people who wants to do things for the church.

The bible tells us in Acts 2:42 that believers form the community of Christ. We are asked to learn from God’s truth, fellowship, share meals and pray together.

PRAYER

Lord, help us to grow in faith and truth and be in fellowship with other believers.

REFLECTION

Why do you think we are summoned to be in fellowship other Christians?

COMMUNITY OF CHRIST

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper) and to prayer.

-Acts 2:42 (NLT)

CALLED TO FELLOWSHIP

When Christ died on the cross

He gave his Spirit so we can never be lost

He called us to come together as a family

And teach one another the truth that will set us free.

He asks us to be in fellowship with each other

And share in meals including the Last Supper

He summons us to pray for the world

And be constantly fed and guided by his word.

Before I became an authentic Christian, I participated in so many church activities for the sake of religion and wanting to appear spiritual. I participated in them as part of church traditions.  These meetings and socials happened in the church premises but are no different from any other happening outside the church. The bible wasn’t read or even talked about. It seemed more like a club or gathering of people who wants to do things for the church.

The bible tells us in Acts 2:42 that believers form the community of Christ. We are asked to learn from God’s truth, fellowship, share meals and pray together.

PRAYER

Lord, help us to grow in faith and truth and be in fellowship with other believers.

REFLECTION

Why do you think we are summoned to be in fellowship other Christians?

WITNESSING FOR CHRIST

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth

-Acts 1:8 (NLT)

POWERED BY THE SPIRIT

As soon as we believe in Christ

We are powered by the Spirit and made right

Believers have been called to witness

And testify to His miracles and greatness.

When the Spirit works inside

It will never set aside

All the good works God has done

And will prod us to declare his kingdom.

I accepted God back in my life after a decade of disobedience some twenty years ago.  I felt the Spirit powering me to always talk about his miracles in my life. I was an English and Visual Arts teacher to a Catholic school. I just couldn’t stop sharing what God has done in my life to my students while I was teaching them art and language. It was the spirit that drove me to say all these things to invite others to know Jesus.

In the book of Acts, we are summoned to be witnesses of Christ; to tell everyone about him everywhere unto the ends of the earth.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to act and say your truth so I can be an authentic witness to you.

REFLECTION

How can I become a living witness to Christ and invite others to his kingdom?