Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO

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September 30

GALATIANS 4

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. – Galatians 4:21-31

GALATIANS 4 SONS OF THE LAW OR SONS OF GRACE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you believed in God, you were saved by grace

No longer are you enslaved to sins and the laws

You are given God’s spirit who lives inside of you

You are now a new creation because of your faith

Remember that you belong to the covenant promise

You are free from the shackles of shame and selfishness.

Paul explains to the Galatian believers the difference between living in the law and living in the grace of God. He gives the example of Sara and Hagai who bore two sons to Abraham. Isaac was born out of the covenant promise of God, so he is a son of grace. Ishmael on the other hand wasn’t. Because Sara took matters in her own hands and got impatient with having a son, she asked Abraham to have a child by Hagar, her slave servant which resulted in the son of the law.

REFLECTION

  • How is the unending conflict in Israel a consequence of the sons of Abraham?

GALATIANS 4 ON SPEAKING THE TRUTH BOLDLY

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September 29

GALATIANS 4

12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. – Galatians 4:12-20

GALATIANS 4 ON SPEAKING THE TRUTH BOLDLY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When a believer speaks the truth shamelessly

He will encounter much resistance from the enemy

Because the word of God is the sword of the Spirit

It pierces the hearts of those who are sinning habitually

When truth is spoken boldly, it provokes a man’s whole being

Because the truth sets one free, sinners will surely resist it.

Paul addresses the Galatian believers regarding their offense against his confrontation of their sins. He reminded them how they had initially received him in Galatia, when he was so frail and sick. Acts 14:19-20 says that Paul was stoned and it was probably the reason why he was sick. He was almost unable to survive that stoning, but according to some commentaries, he miraculously survived it. Some commentaries suggested that he wasn’t really going to Galatia, but because of that stoning event, he was led to go there.

In this letter, Paul was pleading with them to emulate his faithfulness to Christ and choose the path to righteousness. He implored them not to stay offended just because he rebuked them of their sins.  The truth will set them free if they repent and turn back to God.

REFLECTION

·     Share an incident when speaking the truth boldly resulted in persecution.

GALATIANS 4 AS LONG AS WE ARE ENSLAVED TO THE WORLD

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September 28

GALATIANS 4

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. – Galatians 4:1-11

GALATIANS 4 AS LONG AS WE ARE ENSLAVED TO THE WORLD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses        

As long as we love this world, we remain in bondage to sin

We will be unable to mature and reap the fruits of the Spirit

As infants and children, we will be under the care of a guardian

As long as we are enslaved to the world, we won’t have freedom.

In this letter, the apostle Paul likens slavery to a child. He explained to the Galatian church that even if you are an heir, as long as you are still a child, it doesn’t matter if you are an heir. As a child, your understanding, abilities and skills are limited because you will have to be under the guardianship of an adult. Your development as a child is still not fully developed. Someone who is mature and older can help you grow into becoming wiser and mature in your thinking. Paul calls it slavery to be infants because an underdeveloped brain doesn’t give you the full capacity to make the right choices and decisions. As Christians, we no longer are slaves to sin, but to righteousness in Christ. As long as we stunt our faith growth, we will have a form of slavery in this world. We need to grow our faith and mature as Christians.

REFLECTION

  • How is being a slave to sin an indication that you haven’t grown your faith?

GALATIANS 3 LAW IS NOT OF FAITH

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September 26

GALATIANS 3

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

                                                                      – Galatians 3:10-17

GALATIANS 3 LAW IS NOT OF FAITH

David Guzik comments on verse 10 as “To prove his point Scripturally Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 27:26. The Old Testament itself shows us that if we do not keep all things in the law and actually do them, then we are under a curse. The important words are all and do. For God to approve you on the basis of the law, you first have to do it. Not simply know it, not simply love it, not simply teach it, not simply want it, you must do it. Secondly, you have to do it all.” The book of James mentions the royal law in chapter 2:8 which is to love your neighbor as yourself. It says in that same chapter in verse 10 that whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. That is what Paul is referring to here.  To follow the law is to walk in love and not to follow rules. In other words, our relationship with God and with others need to be based on loving, not just compliance to certain rules. When Paul refers to the law here, he is addressing the over 600 additional laws that the Jews added to the ten commandments. When Jesus died, he gave us grace and not just a bunch of laws. He showed us what it is to obey as a result of love and not to obey as a result of fear.

REFLECTION

  • How  is obedience without love a form of work and not faith?

GALATIANS 3 FAITH COUNTED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS

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September 25

GALATIANS 3

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justifythe Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. – Galatians 3:1-9

GALATIANS 3 FAITH COUNTED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for

It is also the conviction of things not seen

When we believe in our Lord Jesus Christ

Our faith is counted as our own righteousness

Even if things aren’t visible or we don’t understand

We know that what is promised by God is going to happen.

In this letter, Paul explains to the Galatian church about true faith which is the opposite of works. He stresses that faith comes from the Holy Spirit and not from the usual fleshy works they do. He gives Abraham as an example of faith. Abraham originated from a family of pagans in the land of Ur. According to truthunity.net “The city of Ur is an important example of the Sumerian cities and civilization in Southern Mesopotamia. The excavated objects from the Royal Tombs of Ur (First Dynasty of Ur, ca. 2600 BC) can be considered as emblematic of the wealth, power, and sophistication of the Sumerian civilization.” Do you ever wonder why God called Abraham out of his birthplace? He was being prepared to be the father of faith and of all nations. Wealth and power don’t mix with the life that God wants his people to lead. Abraham’s obedience proved his faith.

REFLECTION

  • How do you think wealth and power can be hindrances to true faith?

GALATIANS 2 NO LONGER I BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME

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September 24

GALATIANS 2

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justifiedby works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousnesswere through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. – Galatians 2:11-18

GALATIANS 2 NO LONGER I BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God chose me to be one of his children

I have been transformed by Jesus’ resurrection

I no longer live for myself, but for Christ who lives in me

I have been crucified with Christ and I now live by faith in him.

In this letter, Paul explains to the Galatians that when we profess our faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been transformed. We do not follow our old sinful nature anymore since that old self has died when Jesus Christ died for us on the cross. In our old life, we live in the flesh which means that we cater to our cravings. But when we become born again, the resurrection of Jesus gave us that new creation in him that we now live for.

REFLECTION

  • What can you say about Christians who live for the works instead of in faith?

GALATIANS 2 THE GOSPEL OF GRACE IS FOR ALL

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September 23

GALATIANS 2

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. – Galatians 2:1-10

GALATIANS 2 THE GOSPEL OF GRACE IS FOR ALL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God loved the world so much that he gave us his Son

He showed us his love, mercy and grace through the gospel

The gospel of grace is for all humanity to receive

God is impartial, he has no biases, he gave it to all humankind.

In this letter, Paul shares with the Galatians his fourteen-year journey to minister the gospel to the surrounding area of Jerusalem. He was given a revelation by God that the gospel is not only for the circumcised Jews, but also for the uncircumcised Gentiles. This just goes to show that we have a very impartial God who gave grace to humanity. The question is if we are going to receive his gospel and experience the fruit of his Spirit who transforms our lives and makes us serve God instead of living for ourselves.

REFLECTION

  • How did Paul respond to God’s challenging task to preach to the Gentiles?

GALATIANS 1 PAUL’S TESTAMENT OF THE PURE GOSPEL

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September 22

GALATIANS 1

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me. – Galatians 1:11-24

GALATIANS 1 PAUL’S TESTAMENT OF THE PURE GOSPEL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Share what God has done to change you from your old life

You will never know how God uses you to touch other’s hearts

Paul’s complete reversal is a testament to God’s grace

God’s power surpasses limited understanding of man.

Paul proves to the Galatian church that the gospel he is preaching is not from the human mind but from a divine power. He uses his life as an example of the supernatural knowledge that was revealed to him by God. He didn’t have to be academic to know these things because it is the work of the Holy Spirit that showed him all the things that he didn’t used to believe. His transformation is evidence that God has control over any of our minds and hearts.

REFLECTION

  • Share your own testament how the gospel has changed you.

GALATIANS 1 MAN-PLEASERS VERSUS GOD-PLEASERS

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September 21

GALATIANS 1

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. – Galatians 1:1-10

GALATIANS 1 MAN-PLEASERS VERSUS GOD-PLEASERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you declare your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Be sure that you are no longer pleasers of men

As you chose to serve God, you are changed and transformed

You don’t crave for your desires anymore, but to please the Lord

If your priority is to please man, you can’t be God’s servant

Your loyalty will be divided and you will lean more on man.

According to biblical archeology Galatia refers to a region in north central Turkey; Ankara, the capital of modern Turkey, was once a major Galatian city (Ancyra). The name of Galatia is derived from the 20,000 Gauls who settled in the region in 278 B.C.E. More than two centuries later, in 25 B.C.E., the area became a Roman province and was extended to the south. We can observe that since they were a Roman province, and had a million population, ruled by an empire, we can clearly see the diverse beliefs that the Galatians practiced. In this letter, Paul questions the believers why they have been allowing false teachers to teach them a different gospel that they have already been taught.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for believers to continue to study biblical truths?

2 CORINTHIANS 13 PRAYER FOR RESTORATION

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September 20

2 CORINTHIANS 13

7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come, I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

                                                       – 2 Corinthians 13:7-14

2 CORINTHIANS 13 PRAYER FOR RESTORATION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As we mature our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

We are responsible to restore one another from our old ways

Before we knew Christ, we were slaves to our flesh

Now that we are servants of Jesus, we no longer seek pleasures

Let us pray for our continued healing and restoration

Let us lean on God and his Spirit for our whole transformation.

Paul wrote this prayer before he came back to the Corinthian church. It was very kind and gracious of him to prepare them for the rebuke that he would confront them with. Paul samples to each one of us who have been given the maturity of faith to responsibly and lovingly restore our brothers and sisters who have been enticed by the devil to continue living their lives as if Christ never died for them. He was concerned in verse 7 that his rebukes to them were getting nowhere because it has not elicited any changes that would have manifested the fruits of the Spirit. They continue to live their old lives and have not worn their new nature in Christ. Paul was still hopeful that by the time he comes back to them, his intercessory prayer to God would have much better results in their restoration.

REFLECTION

  • What can you say about the character of Paul in these verses?