December 14
________________________________________
JUDGMENT AGAINST ISRAEL’S LEADERS
A poem by ILMA
“Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong
But you are the very ones who hate good and love evil
You skin my people alive and tear the flesh from their bones.
Yes, you eat my people’s flesh, strip off their skin.
Then you beg the LORD for help in times of trouble and expect him to answer?
After all the evil you have done, he won’t even look at you!”
The LORD says: “You false prophets are leading my people astray!
You promise peace for those who give you food, but not on those who don’t.
Now the night will close around you, cutting off all your visions
Darkness will cover you, putting an end to your predictions
The sun will set for you prophets, and your day will come to an end
Then you seers will be put to shame, and you fortune-tellers will be disgraced.
You leaders of Israel, You hate justice and twist all that is right
You are building Jerusalem on a foundation of murder and corruption
You rulers make decisions based on bribes, priests teach God’s laws only for a price;
you prophets won’t prophesy unless you are paid Yet you claim to depend on the LORD.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
You are supposed to know right from wrong, but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil. – Micah 3:1-2
Read: Micah 3:1-11
The prophet Micah warned the leaders of Israel about the wrong and evil things they are doing and confronted them. When we are leaders, we are expected to be more responsible and set an example to the rest of the ones we were leading otherwise, we are going to corrupt those whom we lead.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why does the Lord expect much from those who are in leadership position?
• Why is it wrong to ask the Lord for favors when you don’t follow him?
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
JONAH’S ANGER ON GOD’S MERCY Poem Devotional
December 13
________________________________________
JONAH’S ANGER ON GOD’S MERCY
A poem by ILMA
When God decided not to punish the Ninevites, Jonah was greatly upset
He complained to the LORD saying, “Didn’t I said that you will do this exactly?
That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are going to show mercy
For you are a sympathetic God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love
Kill me now LORD! I’d rather be dead than to see what I’ve foretold won’t happen.”
The LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”
Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under
Then he sat there and waited to see what would happen to the city
And the LORD God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there
Soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun
This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant
The next morning the worm ate the stem of the plant then, it withered away.
When the sun grew hot, God arranged for the east wind to blow on Jonah
The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die
“Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed
Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”
God said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there
Nineveh was in spiritual darkness, Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city? – Jonah 4:11
Read: Jonah 4
It is interesting how Jonah reacted to how God gave Nineveh mercy and pardon. This was the reason why he didn’t want to go in the first place and he was so proud to accept God’s forgiveness.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think some people don’t want others to be given mercy by God?
• What happens when we repent and confess our sins?
WHEN JONAH OBEYED Poem Devotional
December 12
________________________________________
WHEN JONAH OBEYED
A poem by ILMA
Once again the LORD spoke to Jonah and said “Go to Nineveh
Proclaim to the people the message I have given you.”
So, Jonah obeyed the LORD and went to the big city
It took three days to walk through the whole Nineveh
Jonah proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!”
The people of Nineveh believed God’s message
They decided all should fast from the greatest to the least
They put on sackcloth, each one of them, to show that they had repented
When the king heard about it, he got up from his throne
He took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes.
He sent out a proclamation to the people of Nineveh
“This is an order from the king and his officials
No one is to eat anything; all persons are forbidden to eat or drink
Each person and animals must wear sackcloth
All must pray earnestly to God and give up their wickedness
Perhaps God will change his mind and stop being angry
Then the whole city will be saved and we will not die!”
God saw what they did, he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior
So, he changed his mind and did not punish them as he had said he would.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
So, Jonah obeyed the LORD and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to walk through it. – Jonah 3:3
Read: Jonah 3:1-10
When Jonah finally obeyed the Lord after he was spitted from the fish, a miracle happened. The wicked people of Nineveh, repented. All from the king and everyone.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What stops people from walking in obedience?
• What happened when Jonah finally obeyed the Lord after running the first time?
WHEN WE RUN FROM GOD Poem Devotional
December 11
________________________________________
WHEN WE RUN FROM GOD
A poem by ILMA
Jonah said to the crew of the ship, “I am a Hebrew
I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land”
Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him
How could you do this?” For the men knew he was fleeing from God’s presence.
They asked Jonah “What should we do to you that the sea may calm down?
He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea
I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you
However, the men rowed desperately for the sea was becoming rougher.
Then they called on the LORD and said, “We earnestly pray, O LORD, do not let us perish
So, they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging
Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to God
God appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, where he was 3 night and 3 days.
Jonah prayed earnestly while he was inside the stomach of the fish
He cried out to God and realized that he cannot run from the Lord
He needed to walk in obedience and do as the Lord says.
He proceeded to Nineveh and delivered the message to repent.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. – Jonah 1:12
Read: Jonah 1:9-17
This story is a famous one that all Christian children probably knows. But there is much depth behind this story. When we run from God, we reach rock bottom or become trapped in our own foolish actions. We eventually fall on our knees and remember the Lord. It is ironic that God used a fish in the middle of a storm to swallow Jonah. It seems like thrown in the storm and yet quiet inside the fish. In the storm, we can still find peace.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think the other passengers in the ship prayed to the Lord even though they have their own gods as well?
ALL BELIEVERS MUST TURN FROM EVIL Poem Devotional
December 9
________________________________________
ALL BELIEVERS MUST TURN FROM EVIL
A poem by ILMA
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life
Athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules
Hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor
Endure anything that will bring salvation to those chosen by God
If we die with him, we will also live with the Father’s Son
If we endure hardship, we will be victorious with Jesus
If we deny him, he’ll do the same, but if we are disloyal, he will remain faithful.
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval
Be a good worker, one who correctly explains the word of truth
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior
This kind of talk spreads like cancer which turns people away from the faith.
God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription
The LORD knows those who are his, for they hear His voice
All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil
Keep yourself pure and you will be ready for the Master’s use.
MEMORY VERSE
The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” – 2 Timothy 2:20
Read: 2 Timothy 2:3-21
It is interesting how some believers deceive themselves from thinking that they can claim they are committed to Jesus and yet continue sinning. In this verse, Paul stresses the manifestation of a true Christian; they turn away from evil.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why can’t Christians continue to live evil live? What will become of them if they do?
• Why do people have a hard time admitting their sins and confront evil?
DANIEL TELLS NEBUCHADNEZAR HIS DREAM Poem Devotional
December 7
________________________________________
DANIEL TELLS NEBUCHADNEZAR HIS DREAM
A poem by ILMA
Daniel talked to Arioch and told him, “Don’t kill the wise men
Take me to the king, and I will tell him the meaning of his dream”
Arioch quickly brought Daniel to the king and told him about Daniel
This captive from Judah will tell the king the meaning of his dream!”
The king asked him “Can you tell me what my dream was and what it means?”
Daniel replied, “There is no one else who can tell you your dream and its meaning
There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets who will show you your dream
Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.
“In your vision, you saw standing before you a huge, shining statue of a man
The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver,
Its belly and thighs were bronze, its legs were iron, and its feet were iron and clay
The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold
Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor
The rock that knocked the statue down became a mountain that covered the earth.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
“There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. – Daniel 2:27-28
Read: Daniel 2:24-35
In this chapter, Daniel asked Arioch, the one who was assigned to kill the wise men and the magicians who couldn’t identify the King’s dream to spare them their lives for he will tell the King himself his dream and interpret it as well. He made it clear to the king that no one could ever know his dream except his God, for he knows everything.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How do you think the king responded to Daniel revealing his dream?
• Why do you think Daniel was choses by God to interpret dreams?
SIMPLE FOODS ADD VIBRANCE AND WISDOM Poem Devotional
December 5
________________________________________
SIMPLE FOODS ADD VIBRANCE AND WISDOM
A poem by ILMA
Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the King’s food and wine
He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods
God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel
But he said, “I am afraid it is the King’s order for you to eat these meals
If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age,
Then I will be the one responsible and the king will have me beheaded.”
Daniel spoke with the attendant appointed by the chief of staff
He was assigned to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
“Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water, then see what happens
See how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food
Then make your decision in light of what you see,” so the attendant agreed
At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier than all.
When the training period ordered by the king was over, they were all brought in
The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as these young men Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and judgment
They found them ten times more capable than any of all magicians and enchanters.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. – Daniel 1:15-16
Read: Daniel 1:8-20
The vegan diet goes as far back as Daniel’s time. It proved that the simple vegetable and water diet didn’t compromised their decisiveness and knowledge. As compared to what others ate, they came out much wiser and had good judgment.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think that a vegan diet can change your health and mind?
December 4
________________________________________
PERFECT LOVE EXPELS ALL FEAR
A poem by ILMA
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another as God commands
Love comes from God and anyone who loves is God’s child and knows him
But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love
God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into this world.
Since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other
No one has ever seen God, but if we love each other, God lives in us
His love is brought to full expression in us when we operate in love
God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.
All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them
They live in God and we know how much God loves us and have to trust him
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect and we won’t fear the day
Then we can face him with confidence since we live like Jesus here in this world.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear
If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows we haven’t truly loved
If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar
For if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we can’t see?
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
– 1 John 4:18
Read: 1 John 4:7-20
Many of us do not realize the real meaning of how to live in perfect love. Even though we know that God is love, we are not able to live fearless lives. When we live in fear, we are not letting his Spirit live in us. When we are fearful, we fail to love. They can’t operate together.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What deceives us from thinking that we can stay fearful and claim that we love?
LOVE IN ACTION Poem Devotional
December 3
________________________________________
LOVE IN ACTION
A poem by ILMA
If we love our brothers and sisters, it proves we have life
But a person who has no love for anyone has no life and is dead
Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart
And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us
So, we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters
If someone has no concern for those in who are in need
They have no compassion so, how can God’s love be in them?
Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let’s show truth by our actions
Our actions will demonstrate that we belong to the truth and have confidence
Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything
We will receive from God whatever we ask because we obeyed and followed him.
This is God’s command: “We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ”
He also wants us to love one another and whoever obeys will remain in him
So, seek to please the Lord and have fellowship with him so you can have life
When you do this, the Holy Spirit will dwell in you and you will stay in his light.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So, we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters – 1 John 3:16
Read: 1 John 3:11-24
The world has bombarded humans with a wrong notion of love. We live in a world that caters to self-seeking pleasures. There are few true lovers who would sacrificially give up their lives for others.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What does “giving up” your life for others really means?
• Why did John say that someone who has no love in them is a dead person?
• Why is love not just a feeling but an action word? How can we grow acting it out?
THOSE WHO BELONG TO GOD Poem DEvotional
December 2
________________________________________
THOSE WHO BELONG TO GOD
A poem by ILMA
See how very much our Father loves us; he calls us his children
Those who belong to this world don’t recognize us; they don’t know the Father
But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
All who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to God’s commands
Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him
Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin
But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know who God is.
When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous,
But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil
The Son of God came to destroy the works of the enemy
We will only have victory if we believe in the one who can really save us.
Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning
God’s life is in them that is why they cannot continue to do wrong
So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil
Anyone who do evil and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
– 1 John 3:10
Read: 1 John 3:1-10
How can we tell the difference between those who are God’s people and those who don’t belong to him? This chapter in the book of 1 John tells us that we can know the difference between them when they do not choose to stay in sin. Making a habit of sinning is a sign that they belong to the devil.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What gives God’s people the courage to avoid sinning?
• How is not loving other believers a sign that they are children of the devil?