September 10

PSALM 34

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
²¹ Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

                                                                                  – Psalm 34:15-22

PSALM 34 GOD RESCUES THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are a child of God, no need to fear troubles

Those whom God loves are never left alone in the rubbles

The Lord God rescues the righteous from all their afflictions

He is near to those who are broken hearted and crushed in spirit

There is no need to worry for God keeps his people protected

He doesn’t allow anything to hurt or overwhelm them

But the wicked will be slayed by troubles without help

They have no Savior to redeem them from their distress.

When you read this psalm and you are a Christian, it is so comforting, but for the unbeliever, it would be terrifying to know that they will be left on their own to deal with their afflictions. People may be wondering why God would treat evildoers very differently from his chosen people. Remember that the bible says God is love and those who believe in him know what love is because God gave them the ability to give and receive that love that is given to them when they believed in Christ.

In this psalm, we get a glimpse of the compassion, the provision and protection we have from our heavenly Father himself, if we commit to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. This concept of protection is reiterated in Isaiah 54:17 when the prophet declared that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Paul also reminded us of this prophecy in Romans 8:31 when he said “If God is for us, who can be against us? So, why do still many believers struggle with facing afflictions fearfully? When we haven’t developed a God-dependent attitude and mindset, we automatically fear pain, suffering and trials. This psalm is a good reminder of God’s steadfast love for all his covenant people.

REFLECTION

• How can we fight the urge to fear troubles, tribulations and afflictions that come our way?

September 7

PHILIPPIANS 3

 ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  – Philippians 3:7-11

PHILIPPIANS 3 SUFFERING LEADS TO RESURRECTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Pain comes with losing someone or something you love

The world reacts to loses with much pity for the self

If you serve the Lord, you are required to embrace suffering

After going through it, you build your character and strength

Just as Christ suffered and died so he can be resurrected from death

All his followers are assured of such resurrection if they believe in him.

It is counter intuitive for an unbeliever to hear Paul say in verse 7 that he counts all his gains as losses for the sake of Christ. What does this mean? He is talking about material or earthly gains. We know that God is Spirit according to John 4:24 and he requires for his followers to worship him in spirit and in truth. We cannot see God but we believe that he exists. The things in this world can be visually seen unlike spiritual things. This is why Paul explains in Ephesians 6 that we don’t deal with flesh and blood but with unseen forces which are spiritual. We deal with spiritual battles moment by moment. We don’t see our enemies but we can definitely feel their presence in our thoughts and attitudes. Paul talks about material gains that he counts as unimportant because as a servant of Jesus, he is the only thing that matters to him. The material things don’t count that much when we think of God’s kingdom because they keep us attached to the world instead of focusing our eyes on spiritual things. Paul says that because he loves the Lord, he counts all material things and losses as rubbish because Paul has a “destination mindset.”

Many people begin to get attached to the things they possess and experience, then lose sight of the destination. This world is never the one promised to us by God. It is an obstacle course that we need to go through in order that we can receive God’s promises and rewards in heaven. This world is run by the prince of this world, Satan. The lies he whispers to us are the obstacles to the narrow path towards the righteous road. The devil does not want us to experience suffering because he wants us to believe the lie that this world is good, comfortable and convenient so we will be derailed to focus on spiritual things.

This is why we are warned as believers to pursue sorrow rather than gladness because when we do so, we are suffering with Christ and we will then receive his resurrection promise.

REFLECTION

• How can suffering keep us focused on spiritual things?

September 5

ROMANS 8

¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  – Romans 8 :16-28

ROMANS 8 SPIRITUAL ADOPTION THROUGH SUFFERING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Adam and Eve sinned, suffering became inevitable

It thwarted the original purpose of God for man to praise him

Instead of our hearts longing for communion with the Lord

We became lured into following the systems of the world

Because of God’s steadfast love for humanity

He gave a solution to our sin and immorality

By sending his only Son to pay the penalty of our sins

He adopted us into his heavenly kingdom through his suffering.

Usually, when parents who couldn’t have children decide to adopt a child, they may think they can pick who they want. Adoptive parents cannot specifically choose the child they want as if they are shopping, but they can specify age, ethnicity or certain parameters with regards to specific health conditions. In verse 17, Paul explains to the Roman believers that they are heirs to God provided they suffer with Christ. It is not the same to suffer for the result of sin. It is to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. In other words, not all suffering we experience is a prerequisite to our legacy from God’s kingdom. It is to suffer the exact persecutions and discriminations that we receive by being a believer. An example of this suffering is like being ostracized by other religions and ethnicities. That is a form of suffering for Christ. Paul says that unless we go through this kind of suffering, we won’t be spiritually adopted in God’s family.

REFLECTION

·       Share some sufferings you went through that could pass for being adopted by God in his family.

September 3

JOHN 16

²⁵ “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; ²⁷ for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. ²⁸ I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”²⁹ His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! ³⁰ Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” ³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? ³² Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. ³³ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:25-33

JOHN 16 SUFFERING IS INEVITABLE IN LIFE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

While you are still in this world, trials will come

It is an aftermath of the sin of Adam and Eve

Before the fall, there was no suffering

Tribulations came resulting from sin

Do not fear if you belong to the Lord

Even if trials come, you’ll overcome the world.

Why do some people think that there shouldn’t be suffering in this life? They obviously do not know the Lord if they have this kind of thinking. In these following verses, Jesus revealed to John that tribulation or suffering is inevitable in life. For as long as we are living in this world and until he comes back and fulfills his promise of the new heaven and the new earth, we will have to contend with the pain that comes with trials and tribulations. But these following verses assure us of triumph over such hardships and obstacles to our faith when Jesus said in verse 33 that we can be at peace because it is inevitable in life but also that he has overcome the world already.

The thing with suffering is that it is painful. But the pain sometimes can be bearable if there is someone with us to comfort us or to walk alongside us. In verse 32, we hear Jesus’ promise that God is always with those who call on him and those who love him. So, if we are believers, there is no reason for us to be debilitated by trials and tribulations. We have the Lord with us and he is our strength, our shield and our vindicator. If God is for us, who can be against us? This is why believers are called to come in fellowship with one another and share each others’ burdens so that the law of love will be fulfilled in their lives. This way, God is edified and glorified and the church is unified in following the commands that God has given us.

REFLECTION

• How should a Christian view suffering in the light of the promise in verse 33?

August 31

EPHESIANS 5

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸ for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰ and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. ¹³ But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, ¹⁴ for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. –Ephesians 5:6-21

EPHESIANS 5 SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER TO HONOR CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you live your life for the Lord Jesus Christ

You’ll become aware of the devil’s tricks and lies

Walk as children of light and discern what pleases God

Take no part in the unfruitful works of this world

When you expose evil in the light, it becomes visible

It can no longer hide and keep you believing in the lies

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

He gave up his life so you can live life to its fullest

Submitting to the body of Christ is giving him glory

It manifests God’s presence as he keeps you holy.

In this account, Paul stresses the importance of submission to the saints who comprise the body of Christ. If you experience false religions, you will see that the relationships in these churches is an activity and not a fellowship where the saints build each other up. In other words, the social gatherings are not for maturing one another or discipling each member of the body of Christ. It is for friendships and social connections. In Romans 12:4-5, Paul explains this unity that exists between the member of believers when he says “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Every Christian belongs to another Christian and their roles have to do with fulfilling the plan that God has for each of his creations. When God created us, he did it for himself. So, submitting to one another is fulfilling that amazing plan of God to bring all his creation to himself so he can be glorified.

REFLECTION

·       What does “submitting to one another” look like in a church setting?

August 28

ROMANS 12

⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave itto the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:9-21

ROMANS 12 SUBMIT TO THE SAINTS’ NEEDS & SHOW HOSPITALITY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you love the Lord your God, you will begin to serve the saints

It is the best way for you to love one another with brotherly affection

Always be joyful whether you are facing adversities or blessings

Make it your goal to attend to the needs of your sisters and brothers

Do not neglect to be generous and show the saints your hospitality

Open your homes to the fellowship that is required of every believer

Never think you are wiser than anyone else, stay humble

Love your enemy and treat them as the Lord would do so.

I’ve been witness to so many Christians who does not live up to God’s requirement to love one another with brotherly affection. Some Christians behave much like an unbeliever by following the ways of the world. They do not consider the other saints as sisters or brothers. Instead, we rarely see genuine love for one another. If you consider someone as part of your family, wouldn’t you care what they do and hold them accountable to how they live their lives for Christ. Many are unaware how to apply the laws of the Lord which are based on loving unconditionally. It is hard for us sinners to love without expecting something back in return.

In this account, Paul tells the believers that they needed to show genuine love and focused on submitting to one another’s needs. When he outdoes one another in showing love, he was actually turning their competitiveness to perform from a self-focused life to a selfless and other-focused life. It means that they think of the welfare of others more than their own. They do things out of concern and love for each other and not out of looking good. They do not think highly of themselves, so they are not partial to those who are lowly and poor. Instead, they open their homes and welcome anyone who wants to come so that they can show their love for them. They make it their job to serve the saints and build the church.

REFLECTION

• What are some ways that Christians fail to show genuine love for the saints?

August 25

1 CORINTHIANS 3

¹⁶ Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” ²⁰ and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” ²¹ So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³ and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

                                                                                        – 1 Corinthians 3:16-23

1 CORINTHIANS 3 SUBMIT YOUR BODIES TO THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you were chosen by God to be part of his people

He gave you the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and become his temple

You are not your own because you belong to the Lord

Submit your bodies to him because you don’t belong to this world

God is holy and he requires his people to also be holy

Do not defile your bodies with the world’s system

Keep your entire being pure and unstained

Never allow human wisdom to corrupt you.

As humans, we tend to think that we own our bodies and that we can do whatever we want with it, but that is not what Paul was teaching the Corinthian church here. He tells them that God’s Spirit lives in every believer’s body and that we ought to keep it holy because we serve a holy God. It is so humbling that God chose to live in our sinful bodies. Without the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we won’t have the privilege of being God’s temple. But how do we treat the temple of God? How do we make sure that we don’t desecrate or defile our own bodies? In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20  Paul tells the believers how to keep their temple pure. He said “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.”

What else do we do that defiles the body? We can abuse different kinds of substances that are not good for our health and lead us to do things that will open doors for more sins. Any kind of addiction such as smoking, drinking alcohol, food, work or bad habits of not eating healthy food but binging on things that are going to be harmful for us are ways of corrupting our own bodies. If we deprive ourselves of sleep and rest, we will eventually suffer from many other mental, emotional or physical illnesses.

REFLECTION

• Give examples of how we should keep our bodies as sacred temples of God.