October 9

DANIEL 2

In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. ² Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. ³ And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” ⁴ Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” ⁵ The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. ⁶ But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” ⁷ They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” ⁸ The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— ⁹ if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore, tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” ¹⁰ The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. ¹¹ The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” – Daniel 2:1-11

DANIEL 2 THE IMPOSSIBLE DEMAND

In this account, we meet and get to know King Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Let us make a character sketch of this leader. In verse 1, we get a glimpse of his worrisome character to a point of anxiety. He was very much bothered by his dream. He wasn’t privy to God’s plan for his life, but deep inside he sensed that something was not right.  In verse 5, we witness his very controlling and violent nature when he threatened to kill and put to ruin houses of those who won’t be able to interpret his dream. What a spoiled brat this king was, a heartless and impossible demanding control freak. His very harsh and hard requirement is unattainable by any mere human being.

REFLECTION

• Why do you think this king was bothered by his dream?

October 7

DANIEL 1

⁸ But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore, he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. ⁹ And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, ¹⁰ and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So, you would endanger my head with the king.” ¹¹ Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ¹² “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. ¹³ Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” ¹⁴ So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. ¹⁵ At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. ¹⁶ So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

                                                                   – Daniel 1:8-16

DANIEL 1 ON STAYING PURE AND UNDEFILED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Despite being captives, Daniel stayed faithful to the Lord

Even though they were groomed to follow the king of Babylon

He proposed to stay on a vegetarian diet and not the king’s food and wine

Daniel proved to the chief of eunuchs that it resulted in better appearance.

This account may seem a preference for vegetarian diet, but I think that this is about the faithfulness of Daniel to his Lord and to his cultural identity as an Israelite. The Babylonian king wanted to convert them to the Babylonian culture including the king’s food and drink. According to the ESV bible study notes, “Daniel and his friends avoided the rich diet as a way of protecting themselves from being tempted by Babylonian culture. Their restricted diet continually reminded them that they were the people of God in a foreign land. They were dependent for their food, indeed for their very lives, upon God, not King Nebuchadnezzar.”

REFLECTION

• How can a Christian stay undefiled in the midst of this corrupt world?

October 5

GALATIANS 6

¹¹ See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. ¹² It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whichthe world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. ¹⁶ And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.¹⁷ From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. – Galatians 6:11-18

GALATIANS 6 THE MARKS OF CHRIST IN YOUR BODY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Do you bear the marks of Christ in your body?

Have you been dejected because of your belief in Jesus?

The Lord said that if we follow him, we will be rejected

Take courage for as you serve God, expect to be persecuted.

In this letter, Paul prepares the Galatian church to face suffering and persecution with a mindset that it is the marks of Christ in their bodies. He tells the believers that the only thing they can boast about are their adversities and miseries because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He points out that those who claim to be circumcised do not actually live the law of love. The fruit of the Spirit would be the new creation in Christ.

In a commentary by Barclay, he says: The marks of the Lord Jesus were not wounds similar to Jesus’ wounds; they are marks that identify – or even “brand” – Paul as a follower of Jesus. In the ancient world, slaves were branded with the name of their master. “Often a master branded his slaves with a mark that showed them to be his. Most likely what Paul means is that the scars of the things he had suffered for Christ are the brands which show him to be Christ’s slave.”

REFLECTION

• Share some of the marks of Christ in you? Did these marks make your faith grow?

October 4

GALATIANS 6

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. ⁵ For each will have to bear his own load.⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. ⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:1-10

GALATIANS 6 FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you serve your Lord Jesus Christ

Stay faithful to lead a pure and holy life

Be on guard with your brothers who are falling into sin

Those who are mature enough to guide them, be warned

Do not let them pull you down but fulfill the law

It is in sharing each other’s burdens that you show your love

Persevere and press on to do what is good especially to all believers

Do not grow tired of walking in the Spirit so you will reap eternity.

In this letter, Paul continues to expound on the concept of walking in the Spirit versus following one’s flesh. He teaches the Galatian church to fulfill the law of Christ and enumerates some ways this can be done. He says that a believer must be accountable to and for his brother or sister in Christ. In other words, they responsibly check each other out so they can ensure that faith matures and that they can preserve their hearts and guard it from corruption and sin. Paul also cautions them that when they bring back a falling brother into the fold, they must not fall into the same trap of the enemy.

REFLECTION

·       Is verse 2 and 5 contradicting each other? Why or why not? What does it mean?

October 3

GALATIANS 5

¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

                                                                  – Galatians 5:16-26

GALATIANS 5 IF YOU WALK BY THE SPIRIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you haven’t starved your flesh you’ll struggle with sin

Because the desires of the flesh are against God’s spirit

You will be unable to please God since you will prioritize yourself

If you walk by the Spirit of the Lord, you will crucify your desires

Serve the Lord your God alone and you will bear fruit of the Spirit

You will overcome evil if you obey the Lord and follow his will.

In this letter, Paul differentiates what it would look like if you live under law or if you live under grace. He says that they are opposed to each other. One of them is to give God all the glory and the other one is to give oneself praise. To walk in the Spirit is to manifest his fruit which he mentions in verses 22-23. Paul says that against them, there is no law. In other words, Paul is saying that it is not fabricated by the work of a man to be good or follow the rules. It is the result of the work of the Spirit that we are able to give evidence to God’s work in our hearts. In verse 18, he says that if you walk in the Spirit, you are not bound by the law, but by God’s grace and mercy. It is not your work but God’s.

REFLECTION

·       Why is it impossible to walk in the Spirit if you haven’t repented of your sins?

October 2

GALATIANS 5

¹¹ But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. ¹² I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! ¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.      

                                                                    – Galatians 5:11-15

GALATIANS 5 TRUTH BASED FREEDOM

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Christ died for you to set you free from the bondage of sin

Use such freedom to love another and not to cater to your flesh

When liberty is used to express what is true and right

You are honoring the Lord who gave himself up to die

Do not be tempted to use freedom to fight for your own rights

When you believe, your rights have been surrendered to Christ.

The apostle Paul cautions the Galatian believers on how to live in the freedom that Christ died for. He warns them not to misuse the liberty that was granted to all those who believed in Christ. Because we live in this corrupt world, the flesh could easily want to use freedom to satisfy their cravings. In verse 14, Paul reminds them of the law of loving your neighbor as yourself. The fulfillment of the law is through loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Freedom will follow if we love one another and not follow the way the world uses autonomy.

In the world system, freedom is taken so much out of context. Freedom for many worldly people means that they can do whatever they please. Our sinful nature caters to satisfy the “self.” When we are the center of our lives, we become very selfish and we can easily use freedom to justify our desires. It is very easy to forget others when we are so obsessed with self-gratification. A truth-based freedom is one that is motivated by love and not by ambition and power.

REFLECTION

• How has the world misuse freedom and why do you think they think this way?

October 1

GALATIANS 5

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.² Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. ³ I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. ⁴ You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.⁷ You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from him who calls you. ⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ¹⁰ I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. – Galatians 5:1-10

GALATIANS 5 YOU ARE FREE INDEED!

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Jesus died on the cross, he rescued us from bondage

We are no longer slaves to sin but to his own righteousness

Do not revert back to your slavery because you are free indeed

Continue to wear your new nature in Christ by staying pure and holy.

Paul warns the Galatian church to continue to live under grace and let go of following laws for the sake of just following them. In Jesus, we are no longer bound to follow our old nature because when he died on the cross, he gave us the ability to wear our new nature in him.

It is sad to watch some believers who still continue to walk under the law instead of living under grace. The old life has a grasp of them and they aren’t able to embrace the new nature that Christ has given them when he died on the cross for them. The world system became ingrained in them that they succumb to the flesh instead of to God’s Spirit.  They continue to self-soothe instead of obeying the laws of the Lord. No wonder, they fail to grow their faith and miss out on the calling that the Lord has in store for them. They go back to the prison of fear, doubt, anxiety and double-mindedness.

REFLECTION

• What can you say about Christians who do not live free lives?

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?