March 16
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PSALM 127
Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
– Psalm 127:1-5
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PSALM 127 THE VANITY OF ANXIOUS TOIL & THE VALUE OF REST
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All the things man does to labor only matters if God approves
We can plan to build and do things, but it may not pull through
We can work hours and hours to ensure we have what we want
But unless the Lord is glorified by our works, it is all vanity that we do
God created a day of rest so that man can honor its worth
To devoid oneself of this “rest” is to lead to a life of chaos.
To work without pause is like beating up your own bodies
It is vanity to toil anxiously without the benefit of rest
It is in the stillness of sleep that our minds and bodies get refreshed
Without such rest, we will all be constantly anxious and depressed
Remember that God created in six days and rested one day
He also wants us to honor the value of resting in his grace.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think that a majority of people are sleep and rest deprived today?
Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO
PSALM 126 TO THOSE WHO SOW IN TEARS
March 15
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PSALM 126
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
– Psalm 126:1-6
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PSALM 126 TO THOSE WHO SOW IN TEARS
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
To those who are weeping and suffering, there is hope in the Lord
God restores you when you have lost something or someone in this world
Though it seems bleak and dreary when you’re undergoing harsh conditions
Do not despair, the Lord never leaves you, he knows what you are going through
When you lose something precious to you, remember how God delivered his people
Their freedom and source of income were compromised under the Egyptians.
But the Lord restored their fortunes and brought them out of the land of Egypt
He can also heal you and make you recover from all the pain of such adversities
Rejoice when you are suffering right now, for you will produce steadfastness
And when steadfastness has its full effect, you’ll be complete, lacking in nothing
Let us all praise the Lord who promised that one day, there’ll be no more tears
No more sorrow and death, but a life eternal that has no place for pain and fears.
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REFLECTION
• What’s the promise of God for all those who sow tears according to this psalm?
PSALM 125 THE LORD SURROUNDS HIS PEOPLE
March 14
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PSALM 125
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the LORD will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel! -Psalm 125:1-5
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PSALM 125 THE LORD SURROUNDS HIS PEOPLE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Serve the Lord your God with all your heart and you will be glad
The Lord surrounds his saints with his angels and his steadfast love
You will find refuge though you are in the midst of trials
Protection is what he promised to all those who’ll stay faithful.
Like a fortress, you will find safety and assurance from the Lord
He is your stronghold, stay pure and be unstained by this corrupt world
The Lord will set apart the godly for himself, you will be guarded
When they are amongst the saints, God pulls out all the wicked.
Keep your mind focused on his word and meditate on it day and night
It helps you to examine the mindsets that can creep in your heart
The word of God will expose evil and guide you to do what’s right
Use this weapon to ward off all wickedness, so you can stay in the light.
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REFLECTION
• How comforting it is for you to know that the Lord surrounds his people?
PSALM 124 WITH GOD’S HELP WE CAN ESCAPE THE SNARE
March 13
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PSALM 124
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side-let Israel now say-
2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
– Psalm 124:1-8
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PSALM 124 WITH GOD’S HELP WE CAN ESCAPE THE SNARE
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
The prince of this world has laid down vicious traps
It is set so that believers cannot progress in their faith
The enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy our peace and joy
He is the master manipulator, so let’s continue to rely only on the Lord.
Our Father in heaven has given us a tool to discern subtle evil ways
He gave us the word so we can clearly see what goes on in the spirit realm
With God’s help, those snares can be easily detected and we can escape it
We need to stay faithful to serve the one who can rescue and protect us.
Praise be to the Lord who has promised us deliverance and protection
He is steadfast in his love and never leaves us during all kinds of temptations
Come close to God and he will draw near to you all the days of your life
Our help is in him alone, we will be defeated by evil if we fail to see his light.
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REFLECTION
• What happens if we rely on ourselves to escape the traps that the enemy plots against us?
PSALM 123 DELIVERANCE FROM SCORN & CONTEMPT
March 12
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PSALM 123
To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he has mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.
– Psalm 123:1-4
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PSALM 123 DELIVERANCE FROM SCORN & CONTEMPT
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I plead you to hear my prayer for deliverance
Have mercy on us because pride and arrogance are in abundance
Give me discernment to recognize the subtle and deceiving ways
You hate all evildoers and the boastful shall not stand before your eyes
There are so much scornful and disapproving eyes around me
Give me wisdom to keep my eyes focused on your grace and mercy.
Let me not get sucked into their deceitful ways, keep me pure
My Lord and Master, let me know how I can stay faithful
Grant me courage not to go with the norm but only with your word
Allow me to be brave to expose the darkness and corruption of this world
Let your Holy Spirit never leave me nor forsake me specially when I am attacked
I lean and rely only on you my Lord and Savior; deliver me from the proud.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think verse 4 mean when it points to “the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud”?
PSALM 122 PEACE AND SECURITY FOR THE FAITHFUL
March 11
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PSALM 122
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
– Psalm 122:1-9
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PSALM 122 PEACE AND SECURITY FOR THE FAITHFUL
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
In Jesus Christ, we can be assured of life eternal
If you believe in him, you will die and live again
In Christ, there is perfect love which casts out fear
There is no room for terror in those who love him.
At the beginning of time, the Lord has chosen his own people
He equips all those who love him to continue to be faithful
The wicked don’t have assurance because they do not know him
They have no guarantee of eternity and they can’t win over sin.
The world cannot offer peace, it is corrupt and full of conflicts
But harmony can only be experienced amongst true believers
Let us go to the house of the Lord and praise the one who is peace
He grants the same peace to all those who serve and believe him.
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REFLECTION
• If Christ is peace himself, how do you think unbelievers can have peace?
• What is peace in the context of bible truths compared to how the world view the word “peace?”
PSALM 121 THE LORD IS OUR KEEPER
March 10
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PSALM 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.8 The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
– Psalm 121:1-7
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PSALM 121 THE LORD IS OUR KEEPER
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Doesn’t our help come from the Lord who made heaven and earth?
Trust in him alone, for he is our keeper and our deliverer
He provides for all our needs and watches over us always
He never lets us be overcome by evil and leads us to righteousness
Do not fear the enemy’s plots, tactics, schemes and attacks
He has promised protection to all those whom he loves
Remember what he has done in the time of Moses?
He will do the same for all those who serve him
Continue to press on for our keeper is faithful
He never lets his people make a habit of being sinful.
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REFLECTION
• How do you feel knowing that your keeper or guardian is actually the Lord himself who made heaven and earth?
PSALM 120 DELIVERANCE PRAYER FROM LIES & DECEPTION
March 9
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PSALM 120
In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.2 Deliver me, O LORD,
from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
– Psalm 120:1-7
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PSALM 120 DELIVERANCE PRAYER FROM LIES & DECEPTION
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, I plead you gracious and merciful Father
Release me from the wickedness and deceit of liars
When I say something to them, they twist my words
Help me not to react and be angry at their ploys
Make me discern their schemes at its beginning stage
Do not leave me and be gobbled up by their cunning ways
I love your word and all your commandments
Equip me with courage and boldness to expose them
Let them not succeed in their schemes of deception
Build up my faith so I will not give in to temptations.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to pray for deliverance from lies and deceptions especially with covert and sly liars and deceivers under the guise of niceness & flattery?
PSALM 119 GREAT PEACE TO LOVERS OF THE LAW
March 8
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PSALM 119
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
– Psalm 119:161-168
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PSALM 119 GREAT PEACE TO LOVERS OF THE LAW
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
We praise you Lord for the gift of your word and your law
Because we are fallen in our nature, it is so easy to fall
We rejoice in your word as it cuts into our hearts like a two-edged sword
Let us constantly follow every truth that comes from your word.
Whenever we ignore your laws and go on our own, we fail
It is through your precepts that you show your steadfast love
To those who take delight and obey your laws, peace usually follows
Haters of your precept and your word are easily tempted and wallow.
Help us to praise you seven times or for as often as we have breath
Keep our minds focused on you and give us a hunger for your truth
Grant us courage to let go of our selfish nature and guide us to your way
Keep us walking with the Spirit so we can follow your light and have life.
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REFLECTION
• How is loving the word and God’s law going to lead us in peace?
PSALM 119 AN UNDERSTANDING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD
March 7
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PSALM 119
169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word, all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
– Psalm 119:169-176
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PSALM 119 AN UNDERSTANDING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Praise the Lord for giving us his wisdom through his word
Without it, we will grow weary, confused, burdened and tired
Let me declare your precepts day and night so I can stay in your light
Hold my tongue from using it to bring forth death; instead let it bring life.
Whenever I rely on my own understanding, I fail to walk in love
But when I meditate on your word, I learn to give grace
Give me an understanding according to your word
Help me never to be drawn to this very corrupt world.
Be ready to give me aide when I am in distress and anxious
Prod me to run to your word so the enemy’s tactics will be exposed
Let me live to praise you alone and build up the body of Christ
Glory be to you my Lord, for you are the source and giver of life.
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REFLECTION
• How has the word of God made you see things differently?
• Why is it important to meditate on his word day and night according to Joshua 1:8?