May 29
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JAMES 5
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. – James 5:16-18
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JAMES 5 POWER OF THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON’S PRAYER
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord calls us to be accountable to each other
He wants us to confess our sins to one another
Sharing our burdens and weaknesses show humility
It exudes an attitude of love and God-dependency
If we keep our sins and adversities to ourselves
We live independently from God’s church and his saints
Let us build up the body of Christ by sharing our troubles
This way, we can pray for one another’s illnesses and trials
Do not be afraid to share your struggles with your brother
Confess your sins to each other so you can grow and mature.
When a righteous person humbly asks for favor
The Lord listens to his requests because of his fervor
When the prophet Elijah pleaded for drought and rain
The Lord answered according to his faith as he prayed
Those who serve the Lord must ask in faith without doubting
For the one who doubts is like the waves of the sea which are unstable
When you pray, believe that you’ve already received it and it will be yours
Make sure you have no grudge on others when you pray to your Savior
Any bitterness and resentment or jealousy will block your prayer
Cleanse your hearts and do not be double-minded and God will answer.
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REFLECTION
• When have you prayed for something that God has granted?
• Why do you think some prayers are not answered?
Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO
JAMES 5 THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER
May 28
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JAMES 5
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. – James 5:13-15
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JAMES 5 THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When we lift our hearts to the Lord in prayer
He hears us, and with empathy, considers them
When we humble ourselves and ask for God’s help
There is nothing else that would make him delighted
How often must we pray and depend on the Lord?
Just as frequently as we breathe in air; we need to do it much
When we receive a gift or a favor from our heavenly Father
It is necessary to thank him and honor him in prayer
When we constantly go to the Lord for nourishment
We grow our faith and deepen our relationship.
To miss out on praying is almost endangering our souls
It is like cutting the cord between us and our Lord
To neglect to pray is almost a defiance against our Maker
It shows our ingratitude and disrespect to our heavenly Father
As we live in this corrupt world, there’ll always be a reason to pray
We plead to God when we are burdened and going through trials
We cry out to him when we are suffering and undergoing changes
We beg the Lord to deliver us from much evil and tough challenges
We ask him for healing when we are sick and with infirmities
We thank him for each blessing that we receive from him.
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REFLECTION
• In Ephesian 6:18, Paul tells us to pray at all times and in all situations. Do you think Christians really follow this? Why or why not?
JAMES 5 SAY YES OR NO AND NOTHING VAGUE
May 27
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JAMES 5
12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. – James 5:12
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JAMES 5 SAY YES OR NO AND NOTHING VAGUE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord our God is a God of accuracy and precision
On the other hand, the devil is the god of confusion
We were given laws by God so we can walk in love
The evil one steals our peace and brings doom.
From the mouth of God comes only what is true
There is nothing vague or unclear in his words
The devil twists truth to entice people to sin
Be wary of his tricks and don’t let him win.
Let your “yes” or “no” be clear; do not be vague
If you are in-between, it’s from the evil one
When you say “yes” but actually meant “no”
You are lying and not stating what is really true.
We were made in God’s image and likeness
The devil wants to twists that image and accuse us
Let us therefore be vigilant to follow our Maker
We were not designed to participate and do what’s evil.
Do not swear or make vows that you cannot keep
Instead, say “If the Lord wills, I will do this or that”
When you are asked, give a firm and concise answer
When you are vague, you are either lying or hiding something.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think James warns us about vows and oaths and being clear with our yes and no? What happens if we make vows or become unclear with our words?
JAMES 5 BLESSED ARE THE STEADFAST
May 26
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JAMES 5
11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. – James 5:11
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JAMES 5 BLESSED ARE THE STEADFAST
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The Lord is a God who is steadfast in his love
He is committed to be your Father up above
Because we were made in God’s own likeness
We are also able to love much and be righteous.
Remember how Job responded to all adversities?
He still persisted and grew in endurance
He never broke his commitment to God
Even amidst all trials and everything that he lost.
If you remain faithful to the Lord
You will be able to conquer this world
He has blessed you with a loving heart
He expects you to stay true and never depart.
Do not give up when trials come your way
If you depend on the Lord, you will be brave
He equips you with courage and endurance
Press on because he always provides assurance.
Those who continue to be steadfast and firm
They will receive the crown of life promised by him
Hold on to your faith and stay committed to serving God
You will be blessed in your life; you will be able to stay true.
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REFLECTION
• How can the saints remain steadfast in their faith amidst this corrupt world system?
• Why is steadfastness a novelty nowadays even in the lives of believers?
JAMES 5 WHEN WE GRUMBLE
May 25
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JAMES 5
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. – James 5:9-10
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JAMES 5 WHEN WE GRUMBLE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The moment one decides to grumble
One is likely to see something crumble
It may be a relationship that will slowly collapse
Or it can build anger and also so much mistrust.
As we continue to complain about things not going our way
We are taking control and not trusting that God is our provider
When we declare our discontent, bitter roots get deeper
The more we grumble, the more unwell and hopeless we’ll be.
When we are anxious and complaining, we begin to resent
If we start dwelling on things we don’t have, we will get spent
On the other hand, if we count all that we have been given
We change our perspective and become more contented.
Christ suffered and endured the torment and rejection from man
If we claim to be Christians, we ought to embrace suffering and pain
Grumbling is the opposite of patience and endurance
To grumble is to be entitled; to endure is to be humble.
When we grumble, we are going to be accountable to the Judge
Grumbling is being ungrateful and it questions the fairness of God
Be thankful instead of complaining, no one wants to be with a whiner
Appreciate what the Lord has given you and bring your request in prayer.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think James cautions us from grumbling in these following verses?
• What might be the aftermath of grumbling?
JAMES BE PATIENT AND ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS
May 24
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JAMES 5
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. – James 5:7-8
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JAMES BE PATIENT AND ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
God is full of steadfastness and mercy
Because we are made in God’s image, we can be patient
When we deal with difficult people and challenging conditions
We can be assured that if we trust God, he’ll deliver us from those situations.
As you follow God’s laws and walk in obedience to it
Rest assured that you will be guided and led by his Spirit
The result of such submission to his precepts
Will bring fruits of the Spirit, one of which is patience.
Like the gardener who work hard to sow his seeds
He does not give up easily but continue to persevere
He patiently waits for the rain to come so they will grow
He is delighted as each of the crops mature to yield fruits.
Establish your hearts and keep it grounded on his truth
When you do, you will be strong and continue to mature
Hide his words in your heart and you will have wisdom
The Lord will make you endure and continue to live in freedom.
Remain steadfast in your trials and all the suffering
The Lord promised the crown of life to those who love him
If you remain anchored on his promises and precepts
You will grow and mature into the person he made you to be.
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REFLECTION
• If patience is a fruit of the spirit, can humans fabricate it?
• How is the world’s concept of patience different from God’s view of it?
JAMES 5 WARNING TO THE WEALTHY & SELF-INDULGENT
May 23
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JAMES 5
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
– James 5:1-6
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JAMES 5 WARNING TO THE WEALTHY & SELF-INDULGENT
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Do you gather wealth and possessions so you can spoil yourself?
Do you not know that these earthly things will rot and disintegrate?
The mansions and properties you have cannot be taken when you die
All the collections of things you own are meaningless after life.
You have constantly satisfied your desires and cravings
You didn’t concern yourself with other people who are needy
All you ever think about is gaining more things for your own pleasure
Your greed has become your obsession and you constantly want more.
You treat your servants unjustly and kept them from a decent life
You discriminate the poor and deal with them with much bias
The Lord warns all those who continually fatten themselves
God loathes all the those who are wicked and self-indulgent.
It is an abomination to the Lord to glorify one’s own self
What a shameful thing it is to even think you can possess
i
Man is a creature and God is a creator, you own nothing
Therefore, be warned, all you who love money and riches.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think James warns the rich in the following verses?
• What are the dangers of being wealthy according to these verses?
JAMES 4 ALL BOASTING IS ARROGANCE AND IS EVIL
May 22
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JAMES 4
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. – James 4:13-17
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JAMES 4 ALL BOASTING IS ARROGANCE AND IS EVIL
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When you make plans, are you certain it will happen?
Do you heavily rely on yourself when you are planning?
Is your life in your own hands or is it in the Lord’s hands?
We don’t know our life; it’s here now and tomorrow it may be gone.
What is the point of planning if we don’t rely on the Lord?
How can we presume that it is aligned with God’s word
If we don’t take counsel from his truth, we will fail
Only the Lord’s plan is foolproof and does not fall.
To be confident that your plans will transpire is foolish
All boasting is arrogance and it is pointless and useless
Unless we walk in the Spirit and depend on God
We will not succeed because the Lord hates the proud.
We do not know what tomorrow will bring
Let us not worry or be anxious for nothing
Instead, let us pray for our plans to happen
Let us grow in our dependence on our Maker.
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REFLECTION
• What is the essence of these following verses regarding certainty of human planning?
• Why does James call it arrogance to be certain of tomorrow’s plans?
• Why shouldn’t we depend on our skills and thinking when we make plans?
JAMES 4 SPEAK NO EVIL AGAINST ONE ANOTHER
May 21
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JAMES 4
11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
– James 4:11-12
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JAMES 4 SPEAK NO EVIL AGAINST ONE ANOTHER
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Think only whatever is worthy of praise, honorable, just and pure
Have your minds reflect on what is lovely, commendable and true
This way, your lips won’t release anything that is evil
Instead, it will encourage and build up your sisters and brothers.
When you speak out your malicious thoughts to someone
It generates an attack towards another person’s honor
If you follow the law to love one another, you won’t declare evil
To judge someone else’s by your own standards is from the devil.
When you say something against your brother, you are a judge
Since our nature is sinful, we are going to be biased and unjust
Only the Lord God is the one who judges truly and rightly
For he knows every thought we have and discerns us deeply.
Speak no evil against one another and declare only what is true
Do not judge your neighbor, you don’t have the picture as a whole
Leave the judging to the Lord for he alone knows each one of us
Show mercy and love to your neighbor and you will not be judged.
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REFLECTION
• Why should Christians put boundaries on one’s thoughts? What happens if we spoke every thought that comes to mind?
• Why does Paul recommend in Philippians 4:8 to think only of what is true, lovely, excellent, honorable, pure, worthy of praise, commendable and just?
• What happens when we speak evil of someone to another person?
JAMES 4 CLOSING OUR HEARTS’ DOOR TO EVIL
May 20
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JAMES 4
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. – James 4:7-10
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JAMES 4 CLOSING OUR HEARTS’ DOOR TO EVIL
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As long as we are living in this world, we will be a target of evil
The Lord gave us strategies so we can close our heart’s door to the devil
Be accountable for your own actions and let go of all blaming
Pointing your fingers on someone else will keep Satan going
If you admit your part in any form of wickedness, go and repent
That will stop any more progression of the devil’s attempts.
The Lord gave us commands so we can be protected
If we follow these laws, it closes doors to being tempted
Obedience to the Lord is the best armor against the devil
If you submit to God, your selfish nature will certainly dwindle
Get close to the Lord and he will save you from the wicked
Examine your hearts always so you won’t be lured and be tempted.
Do not give in to so much revelry for that is worldly
Instead, be compassionate to one another’s misery
Embrace all trials and suffering so you can grow in your faith
Avoiding all uncomfortable and painful events only hinders your growth
Do not boast about anything for God raises up the humble and meek
Let go of all that is pleasurable to you but seek to only please the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• According to these following verses in the book of James, what are the strategies to keep our hearts’ door closed to the devil?
• Is it effective to just tell the devil to go away and flee? Why or why not?