June 5
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TESTIFYING TO THE SON OF GOD
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” 35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” – John 1:29-36
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Luke 1:57-80 gives an account of the whole story of John, the Baptist, a relative of Jesus. Luke 1:80 says that John, the child became strong in the spirit and lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel. His life centered on waiting for Jesus’ coming. In Matthew 11:11, John was declared as the greatest man who had ever lived.
While John was baptizing by the river, Jesus came and immediately acknowledges Jesus as the Lamb of God, the one who is above and before him. John declares right away as he remembered the revelation given to him by the Holy Spirit. It was revealed to him that he will recognize the Messiah for the Spirit will descend upon him. As he was baptizing others, Jesus came to the river and John witnessed with his own eyes, the Son of God who was promised long ago by prophets before him.
Interestingly, John was born six months before Jesus in the account in Luke 1:39-45 as Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John’s mother. Even in his mother’s womb, John leaped as he heard of Jesus’ conception in Mary’s womb. He was the precursor of Jesus and all his life was focused on preparing for the Lamb of God. He acknowledges a Man who ranked higher than himself and who pre-existed him though he was born before him. John declares the divinity of Jesus and his life came about to be the evidence of Jesus coming down as human to save mankind. John was in God’s plan to bring people to repent of their sins and be saved by Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Have you witnessed Jesus’ divinity in your own life? Did you testify for Christ?
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THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS ILMA’S VLOG
June 4
________________________________________THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS
19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. – John1:19-28 (NASB)
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In this account, we hear the testimony of John the Baptizer, who was being questioned by the priests and Levites from Jerusalem about his identity. Because John had a big following and people came to him to be baptized, the religious leaders started to investigate whether he was a prophet or Elijah. He replied that he was just a messenger preparing the way for the Lord’s coming. So, the Pharisees investigated and probed and questioned him. They were asking why he baptized if he is not Christ, Elijah or a prophet. So, he gave them an answer which prophesied that someone greater than him will come and he isn’t even worthy of his presence.
We clearly see that these revelations to John the Baptizer was clearly from the Holy Spirit. The humility of this man is so evident in this exchange with the Pharisees and the religious leaders. He never claims any credit for anything even though many people think that he is full of wisdom and knowledge and anointing. How many of us believers are this humble to always point to Jesus instead of taking credit for things that we think we have accomplished on our own? Do we witness for Jesus and point to him when we get credited for truth that isn’t ours?
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop humility and the habit of pointing to Jesus always?
• What is so worth emulating in John’s character in this bible passages?
THE WORD MADE FLESH ILMA’S VLOG
June 3
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THE WORD MADE FLESH
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. – John 1:14-18 (NASB)
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In this part of chapter one of John’s gospel, He tells us how Jesus became human and lived among us. He announces how he himself was with Christ and was a witness to the fullness of his glory, abounding in grace and truth. He mentions that even though Christ came after him, in every way, Jesus was before him. As John 1:1-2 mentions, Jesus which is the Word already existed, even before creation was made. He acknowledges Jesus’ divinity in verse 15 and focuses on what Christ’s coming to the world did for us. We received the gift of grace upon grace.
Matthew Henry says in his commentary that all fullness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful and happy. Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace, a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us.
Verse 17 mentions that importance of the Law which was given to Moses but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. It is when Jesus became flesh that we got a glimpse of God and we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us when he died for us on the cross. Jesus was the only way we will be able to come close to the Father and only through him can we be empowered by His own Spirit.
How easy it is for us humans to take credit for anything we are able to accomplish and forget that everything that we have is a gift from God through Jesus Christ. If we don’t believe in Him, we are nothing. We also receive truth when Christ came because by dying on the cross for us, we are given the gift of counsel of God’s truth through the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of all believers.
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REFLECTION
• What is the meaning of grace and truth in your life as a Christian?
• How has the world twisted these gifts and made us focus on works of the flesh?
THE WITNESS TO THE LIGHT ILMA’S VLOG
June 2
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THE WITNESS TO THE LIGHT
6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.– John 1:6-13
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John introduces himself in this chapter as a witness to the Light. The Light he refers to here is Jesus as he previously mentioned in John 1:4. The main purpose of the witness to the Light which is John himself so that many will believe in Jesus Christ. John humbly dismisses his importance in verse 8 and points to Jesus. He explains in verse 9 that no man can enlighten another man but only the true Light does. Verse 10 explains how Jesus became human and lived among men, among the world that He created together with his Father and yet humankind does not recognize Him. Verse 11 tells us the irony of being rejected by your own creation. They did not accept Him. Verse 12 is a promise to those who will receive Him- they become God’s children, even to those who believe in His name. In verse 13, we are given the revelation that we didn’t choose him out of our own will but that he chose us. It means that nothing we do is of our own will, but God is the only one who decides which ones belong to Him. He also gives them the Holy Spirit to dwell in their hearts so that they do not do succumb to their natural tendencies but to submit to the will of God.
Do we even get close to witnesses to the Light just like John did? Does our lives manifest evidences of the Light that Jesus shone on this dark world? It is human nature to live in darkness and to follow his natural inclination to selfish ambitions and cravings. John gives us a reminder that if we do not become a witness to Jesus, the world will continue to live in the darkness that it was before Jesus shone his light on sinful mankind. Do we live for ourselves or do we stay faithful to the purpose of our lives which is to shine for Jesus?
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REFLECTION
• How can we be a testament to unbelievers?
• Why is it important to remember that we are just witnesses and not the Light itself? What happens when we forget this?
THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
June 1
________________________________________THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. – John 1:1-5 (NASB)
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John’s writing approach is very different from Matthew, Mark and Luke (synoptic gospels-covering the same miracles, parables and events in Jesus’ life) because his gospel emphasizes Jesus’ divinity and identity.
In chapter one, we are given a revelation of the divinity of Jesus Christ from the start. Jesus is called the Word describing that the Word was with God at the start of creation. The Word and Jesus are interchangeable. In Genesis 1, everything was created by God uttering the phrase “Let there be…” and so it did. He just said the word and it was done. In the second verse, we get the revelation that Jesus was with God. Interesting that John revealed that Word was Jesus and God used words to create everything. Verse 3 states that Jesus was the reason why everything came into being and that apart from Christ, nothing becomes anything. Verse 4 reiterates the preceding verse because only in Christ will we have life because he is the light of men. Verse 5 visualizes the light that Jesus brings to this dark world but men do not want to stay in it.
Observe the way John wrote the opening verses of this first chapter. There is not much fanfare and historical background description as the three other gospels were written. John goes straight to how Jesus was already there even before God created everything. He brings us all to the purpose of our creation. Paul says the same thing in Romans 12:36 – For “from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” It reveals to us the divinity of Jesus. He is supreme over all beings and things and He was the reason for God’s creation. Shouldn’t Jesus be essence of our existence? Could we continue to live without intentionality of bringing Him glory after knowing that everything was created for Him?
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Jesus was called Word? Why did God use the Word to create?
• Have you intentionally lived your Christian life to bring Jesus glory?
AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST ILMA’S VLOG
May 30
________________________________________AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST
As far as the east is from the west,
So far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
So the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; He flourishes like a flower of the field
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 To those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
And his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
You mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!– Psalm 103:12-22
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In this song, the psalmist describes how God’s mercy is so vast, as far as the east is from the west. He acts like a real true and caring father to all his children. He is compassionate to all who fear him. The psalm also speaks of God everlasting unconditional love for all his children. He knows all who love and fear him and he honors those who obey his commandments. The psalmist admonishes us all to praise the Lord and prays a blessing to all those who does his will and do the work of the Lord to bring everyone the gospel and make his kingdom come here on earth.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his generous mercy and grace. Hallelujah.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I do not heed your word and will.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all that you have given to all of your beloved children.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who serve the Lord remember to walk in spirit and truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God’s mercy is described “as far as the east is from the west?”
THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER ILMA’S VLOG
May 29
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THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,3 who forgives all your iniquity,
Who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5 who satisfies you with good
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.6 The LORD works righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.7 He made known his ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9 He will not always chide,
Nor will he keep his anger forever.10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
Nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him. – Psalm 103:1-11
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The psalm praises the Lord for his holy name and for all the things he gives us. He forgives our sins, heals our diseases and rescues us from darkness. He grants all our needs and renews us especially when we are cast down or oppressed. He is merciful and gracious. What is good to remember is how God is slow to anger and how he abounds in patience. He doesn’t deal with us according to our sins, or else, we won’t be here right now. He is always after our good and ensures that we have all that we need so we can walk in his righteousness. Sadly, many of us, even those who claim that they are believers, do not choose righteousness or even consult the Lord. We have gotten so far away from God as we busy ourselves with things of this world. We haven’t paid back God’s faithfulness with the same devotion and fervor that he extends to us.
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ADORATION: Praise God’s holy name. His steadfast love endures forever
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I am quick to anger instead of being quick to listen and slow to speak.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being slow to anger and being gracious and merciful to us.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a hunger to know God’s character deeper.
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REFLECTION
• How is knowing God’s character important to live a righteous and holy life?
DO NOT FORSAKE ME O LORD ILMA’S VLOG
May 28
________________________________________DO NOT FORSAKE ME, O LORD!
Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
And meditate treachery all day long.13 But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
Like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14 I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes.
15 But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16 For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
Who boast against me when my foot slips!” 17 For I am ready to fall,
And my pain is ever before me.18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
19 But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
And many are those who hate me wrongfully.20 Those who render me evil for good
Accuse me because I follow after good.21 Do not forsake me, O LORD!
O my God, be not far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
– Psalm 38:12-22
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In this psalm, the psalmist acknowledges the consequences of his sins. It is an examination of his heart. He sees that most of all the obstacles and sufferings and attacks from the enemy are all resulting from his iniquities and sins. It is astounding to hear someone who openly admits his sins and recognizes the consequences that follows because of the sins he committed. It is interesting to hear his humble plea to keep God’s promise not to forsake him. He sounds like he knows the Lord very intimately and calls upon his promises to be fulfilled in his situation. He knows the Lord very well as he can even intimately request action from someone he loves and someone who will never fail to rescue him as soon as he confesses his sin and ask for mercy for all his wrongdoings.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. He saves!
CONFESSION: Forgive me for succumbing to sin and never leave me alone, Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for loving and undeserving sinner like me.
SUPPLICATION: May we humbly admit our sins and confess it right away before our Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What does humility and confession of sins do to a sinner’s life?
• Why is there a consequence to an act of disobedience to God’s commands?
REBUKE ME NOT IN YOUR ANGER ILMA’S VLOG
May 27
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REBUKE ME NOT IN YOUR ANGER
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath!
2 For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;
There is no health in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head;
Like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.5 My wounds stink and fester
Because of my foolishness,6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
All the day I go about mourning. 7 For my sides are filled with burning,
And there is no soundness in my flesh.8 I am feeble and crushed;
I groan because of the tumult of my heart.9 O Lord, all my longing is before you;
My sighing is not hidden from you. 10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
And the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
And my nearest kin stand far off. – Psalm 38:1-11
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This psalm is a plea for forgiveness and pardon from the Lord. It reveals the psalmist’s intimacy with the Lord. His honesty and humility is astounding as we hear him confess his sins and all his weaknesses. He acknowledges his nothingness before the Lord and he knows very well God’s character. He knows that he is supposed to be disciplined by God when he has disobeyed and done things against his will. He pleads the Lord to give him mercy and not bring his wrath over all the sinful things he has done. He knows that God hates evil and that he is a just God who punishes sinful acts. He has a contrite heart and I think that all believers should have this humility and repentance as soon as they are convicted of sin.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for disciplining his beloved people. He is just and loving.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I am not strong to decline temptations and obey.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your generous mercy and grace to sinful people like me.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers’ hearts seek God’s own heart and repent of sins.
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REFLECTION
• Why is a contrite heart essential in a Christian’s life?
KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL ILMA’S VLOG
May 26
________________________________________ KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL
12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
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 34:12-22
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The psalmist reiterates the importance of keeping our tongues from speaking evil and from speaking lies and deceits. As we are living in the world, it may be difficult to stay pure and uncorrupted by the world system, but those who have committed themselves to the Lord are given the Holy Spirit so that it is possible to have victory over such temptation to let wickedness prevail. In this psalm, we are admonished to do what is right because God favors them and gives them all kinds of promises. He ensures that they are delivered from troubles. The Lord is compassionate to the broken-hearted and saves the crush in spirit. Despite all the afflictions that beset his people, the Lord keeps their bones intact and no condemnation befalls any of his beloved children.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is a Promise-Keeper, a protector and a deliverer!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be expectant of all your promises.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me so much love, provision and deliverance.
SUPPLICATION: May all Christians be constantly reminded of God’s promises.
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REFLECTION
• How can we make a habit of focusing on God’s promises instead of troubles?