May 3
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I LOVE THE LORD
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!” 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Our God is merciful.6 The LORD preserves the simple;
When I was brought low, he saved me.7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I believed, even when I spoke: “I am greatly afflicted”;
11 I said in my alarm, “All mankind are liars.” – Psalm 116:1-11
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Why we should love the Lord? Apart from being our Maker, he does so many personal favors for each one of his beloved children, such as hear our voices and listen to our requests. The Lord loves us so much that he is inclined to listen, therefore, he wants us to call on him constantly. In the midst of a troubled and chaotic world we live, we are daily exposed to stressors and anxieties. The more we are in the midst of adversities, the more the Lord wants us to lean on him and not on our own strength and understanding. Because God’s nature is gracious, righteous and merciful, it is only fitting that we ask him for deliverance and not attempt to rely on our own problem-solving skills or planning. God’s generosity towards us have been written down in history He has shown his steadfast love and faithfulness. We ought to walk before the Lord while we are still here on earth. It’s the only way to navigate this world.
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ADORATION: You are the creator of all things, the Sovereign and the Merciful Lord.
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I automatically think and decide on my own.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the manifestations of love that you show me.
SUPPLICATION: May we love the Lord as much as he loves us!
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REFLECTION
• Do you declare and show your love for the Lord for others to see?
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HAVE REGARD FOR THIS VINE ILMA’S VLOG
May 2
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HAVE REGARD FOR THIS VINE
The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.
11 It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River.
12 Why then have you broken down its walls,
So that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? 13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
And all that move in the field feed on it.14 Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,
15 The stock that your right hand planted,
And for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
May they perish at the rebuke of your face!
17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
The son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name!
19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!
– Psalm 80:10-19
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Matthew Henry comments on this psalm about the church being represented as a vine and a vineyard. The root of this vine is Christ, the branches are believers. The church is like a vine, needing support, but spreading and fruitful. If a vine does not bring forth fruit, no tree is so worthless. He says further that we are planted in a well-cultivated garden with every means of being fruitful in works of righteousness, but useless leaves of profession and the empty boughs of notions and forms abound far more than real devotion. John 15:5 reiterates the importance of the branches clinging to the vine If a man remains in Christ, he will bear fruits, but if he turns his back, he will be fruitless.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are the Vine that allows us to bear fruits. We praise you Lord.
CONFESSION: I will pursue to remain in the vine so that I may be fruitful.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being the vine that causes me to multiply gifts.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers be faithful and remain in the vine which is Christ Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• How can we maintain to constantly be abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ?
LET YOUR FACE SHINE THAT WE MAY BE SAVED! ILMA’S VLOG
May 1
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LET YOUR FACE SHINE THAT WE MAY BE SAVED!
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
Stir up your might and come to save us! 3 Restore us, O God;
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!
4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
And given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
And our enemies laugh among themselves.7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
Let your face shine, that we may be saved! 8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
You drove out the nations and planted it.9 You cleared the ground for it;
It took deep root and filled the land. – Psalm 80:1-9
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Matthew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 80:1-8 says that He that dwelleth upon the mercy-seat, is the good Shepherd of his people. But we can neither expect the comfort of his love, nor the protection of his arm, unless we partake of his converting grace. If he is really angry at the prayers of his people, it is because, although they pray, their ends are not right, or there is some secret sin indulged in them, or he will try their patience and perseverance in prayer. When God is displeased with his people, we must expect to see them in tears, and their enemies in triumph. There is no salvation but from God’s favour; there is no conversion to God but by his own grace.
It is interesting how human nature is bent on praying for things that may not be really good for us in the long run. We must aim instead to let the Spirit lead us in prayer.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are the light that brightens our whole world. Praise be to you.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when my prayers are not right.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the light that you shine on me.
SUPPLICATION: May your spirit reveal to us only what you want me to pray for.
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REFLECTION
• How can we align our prayers with what God wants us to pray for?
Create In Me a Clean Heart ILMA’S VLOG
April 30
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CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation,
And my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth will declare your praise.16 For you will not delight in sacrifice,
Or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
Build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
In burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
– Psalm 51:10-19
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Matthew Henry comments that those who are thoroughly convinced of their misery and danger by sin, would spare no cost to obtain the remission of it. But as they cannot make satisfaction for sin, so God cannot take any satisfaction in them, otherwise than as expressing love and duty to him. The good work wrought in every true penitent, is a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, and sorrow for sin. It is a heart that is tender, and pliable to God’s word. The broken heart is acceptable to God only through Jesus Christ; there is no true repentance without faith in him.
What is a clean heart? What is a right spirit? The world has a different idea as to what a pure heart is. It thinks that it has to be perfect and without fault which is a lie perpetuated by Satan so that we won’t have that desire to ask God for forgiveness and acknowledge His Spirit for being the One who is solely responsible for such admittance of our sins.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for giving His only Son to create a clean heart in us.
CONFESSION: Only the Spirit of the Lord can purify our broken hearts.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord, for the cross that cleanses my sins so I can be reconciled.
SUPPLICATION: May we hear the Spirit’s prodding whenever we have sinned against God.
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REFLECTION
• How is a desire to have a pure heart not a work of ours but of the Spirit of God?
ZION, GOD’S CHOSEN DWELLING PLACE ILMA’S VLOG
April 28
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ZION, GOD’S CHOSEN DWELLING PLACE
11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
Their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.”
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14 “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.”
– Psalm 132:11-18
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Matthew Henry’s commentary says that the Lord never turns from us when we plead the covenant with his anointed Prophet, Priest, and King. How vast is the love of God to man, that he should speak thus concerning his church! It is his desire to dwell with us; yet how little do we desire to dwell with him!
The psalmist recalls God’s covenant with David and how God will never turn his back on Zion as his chosen dwelling place. The Lord desired it and have made it is forever dwelling place. He made a covenant with David that if his sons and descendants keep their promise to make a dwelling place for Him, his sons will be abundantly blessed and provided for. The covenant also ensures that the Lord will shame their enemies and in David will spring forth the promised Messiah. Do we constantly recall the covenant that God made with his people? Are we keeping our temple worthy for God to dwell in it?
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ADORATION: Bless the Lord who is holy and who is a promise keeper.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I do not live up to the commitment that I made with you when I accepted you as my Lord and Savior.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for keeping your promise to those who love you.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers maintain the temple of God holy, which is their bodies.
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REFLECTION
• Why did God choose Zion as his dwelling place?
UNTIL I FIND A PLACE FOR THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
April 27
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UNTIL I FIND A PLACE FOR THE LORD
Remember, O LORD, in David’s favor, all the hardships he endured,
2 How he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 “I will not enter my house or get into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
5 Until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!”
8 Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
– Psalm 132:1-10
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According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, David bound himself to find a place for the Lord, for the ark, the token of God’s presence. When work is to be done for the Lord, it is good to tie ourselves to a time. It is good in the morning to fix upon work for the day, with submission to Providence, for we know not what a day may bring forth. And we should first, and without delay, seek to have our own hearts made a habitation of God through the Spirit.
How easy it is for us in our corrupt world to forget a place for the Lord in our hearts, minds and spirits. The world has completely taken over our attention with so much distractions that we haven’t prioritized God in all that we are and all that we do. David made an oath to God that he won’t stop until he finds a resting place for the Lord. Shouldn’t we emulate such heart that pursues God?
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his unfailing love, mercy and grace.
CONFESSION: Until I find a place for the Lord in my heart, I will not stop.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me a constant hunger for knowing you and your truth and will.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have the heart like David that constantly pursue God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to never stop finding a place for the Lord in our lives?
April 26
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9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron; 13 he will bless those who fear the LORD,
Both the small and the great.14 May the LORD give you increase,
You and your children! 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth!
16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the LORD!– Psalm 115:9-18
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Proverbs 3:5-8 says to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
These verses clearly illustrate what “trusting in the Lord” means. It involves the heart, not just the mind. It is recognizing God as sovereign and omnipotent who is the only source of knowledge and deliverance. It is not depending on our human reasoning and knowledge but revering God and turning away from wickedness. To trust in the Lord brings about healing to the body and sustenance for our bones. This entire verses in Psalm 115 echoes Solomon’s words in Proverbs 3. Trusting the Lord is a challenge to do because we are by nature sinners, but it can be done when we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts. When we do, we are delivered and protected.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is our shield and deliverer.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord whenever I try to figure things out and not depend on You.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the steadfast love you have shown to all your people.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people run to God as their shield and deliverer.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop a trust in God especially in times of suffering?
TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY ILMA’S VLOG
April 25
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TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
For the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk;
And they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.– Psalm 115:1-8
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This hymn urges God’s people to trust and worship the Lord alone. He alone is worthy of their deepest loyalty. There is always a temptation to turn to idols. We must understand how hopeless it is to serve such false gods. Only the Lord deserves glory, honor and praise because of his steadfast love and faithfulness.
The writer mentions the futility of believing and worshiping other idols other than the real God, who created all things. It is pointless because they have no mouth that speaks or eyes that see, or anything that has life in them. It gives us a warning in verse 8 what happens to those who trust in idols, they become like these little gods whom they adore. These modern days, it is harder to recognize idols that we make for ourselves. They can come as our loved ones, work, friends, church, ministry or even our own desires for a good self image or good works.
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ADORATION: You are the only Mighty and Eternal God who alone we need to worship.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I unknowingly carve idols that I may not necessarily see.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving us your Word so we can know the only God we need to bow down to.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who claim they are committed to Jesus recognize the subtle gods they have made that hinders their intimacy with the Lord, and destroy them.
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REFLECTION
• What idols have you made for yourself and how have you bowed down to it?
LORD, WHY DO YOU CAST MY SOUL AWAY? ILMA’S VLOG
April 24
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LORD, WHY DO YOU CAST MY SOUL AWAY?
10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you?
11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12 Are your wonders known in the darkness,
Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?13 But I, O LORD, cry to you;
In the morning my prayer comes before you.14 O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me? 15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. 16 Your wrath has swept over me;
Your dreadful assaults destroy me.17 They surround me like a flood all day long;
They close in on me together.18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
My companions have become darkness. – Psalm 88:10-18
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The ESV student bible notes on verses 10-12 “Do you work wonders for the dead?” If one were to die under God’s wrath, then he could not anticipate any experience of God’s wonders, or any chance to praise him. Darkness is the last word of the psalm. Yet the faithful know that there is no alternative but to keep seeking the Lord in prayer.
We can almost hear the lament and the loud emotions of the psalmist as we read this part of this song. He clearly knows the Lord very well as he mentions God’s steadfast love. Yet, we hear his desperate helplessness as his own friend and beloved have shunned him. I empathize so much with the psalmist as I recall a feeling of betrayal when our loved ones reject us and what we believe in. Despite the tone of desperation and hopelessness, we still hear his humble heart asking God assurance that he will be delivered and one day have peace instead of feeling overwhelmed and helpless. We clearly see the honesty in the turmoil he is going through as he lay down all his weaknesses and dejection to God.
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ADORATION: Praise the God who is full of Mercy and Compassion.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I give in to my feelings and emotions.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving us a heart that can empathize with others.
SUPPLICATION: May we be honest to God with all the hardships and suffering we go through.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think God honors those who are honest with their emotions? Why or why not?
I CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT BEFORE YOU ILMA’S VLOG
April 23
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I CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT BEFORE YOU
O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you
2 Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!
3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,
5 Like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave,
Like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.
6 You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.
7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me and you overwhelm me with all your waves.
8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;9 my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. – Psalm 88:1-9
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This psalm is a song written by the sons of Korah and an individual lament. It is suited for a person who is so overwhelmed with troubles that even his friends shun him, and who suspects that the Lord has rejected him as well.
This psalm speaks of my own heart these past days as I am confronted by so much uncertainties during this global pandemic. These sorrows are for the ones closest to me who do not know the Lord and has chosen a path that rejects Him and his word. I cry out day and night before the Lord. I feel God’s pain for those who turn their backs on him. I also cry for my weak flesh that sometimes succumbs to fear which leads to worries and anxieties over the consequences of wrong choices and sins that my family have also tied me up with. I plead the Lord to make me depend and trust Him especially when I am overwhelmed like this.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for He is sovereign and knows what’s best for us.
CONFESSION: Forgive me for worrying and not totally trusting you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me a heart that seeks You alone Lord!
SUPPLICATION: May all believers look forward to the reward of heaven awaiting them.
May all unbelievers turn to God before it is too late.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers have an honest heart like the psalmist in this song?