May 24
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12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
14 From where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
A warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
And by its great might it cannot rescue.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
On those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 That he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD be upon us, even as we hope in you.
– Psalm 33:12-22
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This song is a thanksgiving for how the Lord watches over those whom He has chosen to be his. He looks down from heaven and observes every deed they do. His eyes focus on those who fear him and those who depend on his steadfast love. He particularly likes it when our hearts are glad in him and when we trust in Him alone. This psalm also pleads God to give his people anointing and blessing as they continue to believe and hope in him. It is sad to know that many people are not accountable for all their actions. They think that they can do whatever they please; they don’t take seriously God’s watch over them.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who sees all things and cares for his people.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be responsible and accountable to you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for watching over us constantly, ensuring our safety.
SUPPLICATION: May God bless all his children continually and may we all stay loyal to him.
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REFLECTION
• Why is accountability and honesty important in your walk as followers of Jesus?
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GOD’S WORD IS UPRIGHT & HIS COUNSEL STANDS FOREVER ILMA’S VLOG
May 23
________________________________________GOD’S WORD IS UPRIGHT & HIS COUNSEL STANDS FOREVER
Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;
Make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of his heart to all generations. – Psalm 33:1-11
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In this psalm the psalmist praises the Lord with shouts of joy and giving thanks to Him with music, using lyre and harp. He encourages everyone to sing new songs and shout with joy and praise. He also focuses on the uprightness of God’s word and the importance of righteousness and justice in our lives. This song reminds us how powerful the word of the Lord; by his breath, he created everything. As he spoke, everything came into being. Only God’s counsel will last forever. Human counsel or reasoning on the other hand, isn’t always true and right.
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ADORATION: Praise be to God of all creation. His word is everlasting. His power is immense and amazing.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I do not sing songs of joy and praise you Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the counsel you give us.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers follow only what is coming from God’s word and his counsel. May they let the truth from Scriptures guide their lives.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to know truth in order to stay holy, righteous and wise?
MAY INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS PRESERVE ME ILMA’S VLOG
May 22
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MAY INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS PRESERVE ME
Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
And he makes known to them his covenant.15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
For he will pluck my feet out of the net.16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.19 Consider how many are my foes,
And with what violent hatred they hate me.20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. – Psalm 25:11-22
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In this psalm, David relies on the Lord for deliverance and desire to be close to the Lord. He runs to the Lord especially when he feels afflicted with troubles. In his distress, he honestly opens up his heart to God and declares to him the condition of his heart as it is. He doesn’t hide his challenges and difficulties. Instead, he opens it to him so that the Lord could bring him deliverance and comfort. David is particularly known for examining his heart, something that believers should emulate. Just like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, he will only boast about his weakness because when I am weak, I am strong. This dependence on God instead of fixing myself is an act of humility. It shows that without relying on God, I can’t overcome any obstacles or adversities that come my way.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for all his guidance and provision to me.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I rely on my own strength, Lord.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the comfort you bring each time I am down.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers be reminded of their complete dependence on God.
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REFLECTION
• How is being weak actually strong in God’s economy?
• What is the world view of “strength” that the world believes in?
LEAD ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME ilma’s vlog
May 21
________________________________________LEAD ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.2 O my God, in you I trust;
Let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
They shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous
.4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;
For you I wait all the day long.6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,
For they have been from of old.7 Remember not the sins of my youth
Or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me,
For the sake of your goodness, O LORD! 8 Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore he instructs sinners in the way.9 He leads the humble in what is right,
And teaches the humble his way.10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love
And faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. – Psalm 25:1-11
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King David prays to the Lord for guidance in this psalm. He exults and praise the Lord as he lifts his soul in worship to the God who is faithful to deliver him. He pleads the Lord to teach him his ways and lead him to his paths. Most of all, he asks God to keep him always in truth so he will continually be in God’s mercy. He humbly waits on the Lord for his mercy and pardon from all his transgression. He declares God’s character who leads sinners to choose what is right and teaches them the way of humility. He also reminds the Lord of his promise to keep his covenant with those who run and depend on him.
How often do we fill our minds, hearts, and spirit with the truth that only comes from God’s words?
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is the truth and the life. Only in him can we be free.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to ask your guidance as I navigate through life.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you Lord for all the word of truth you shower us with.
SUPPLICATION: May we worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth always.
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REFLECTION
• How can God’s truth teach us how to navigate this life?
THE LORD PRESERVES ALL WHO LOVE HIM ILMA’S VLOG
May 20
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THE LORD PRESERVES ALL WHO LOVE HIM
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,
12 To make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
And the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And your dominion endures throughout all generations.
[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]
14 The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
He also hears their cry and saves them.20 The LORD preserves all who love him,
But all the wicked he will destroy.21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
And let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. – Psalm 145:11-21
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The psalmist gives the Lord praise and reminds us all of God’s character. He is glorious in splendor and has dominion over all his creation. God is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord is pleased with all those who bow down to him and humbly acknowledges his lordship over them. He provides and gives satisfaction to those who praise and give him honor. God is righteous in all his ways so he wants us to do the same He is always there to those who call on him in truth and he preserves those who love him. The psalm also tells us that he destroys the wicked. Those who love the Lord should be reminded how he never lets down those who love him.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord and bless his holy name forever and ever.
CONFESSION: Forgive those who do wicked things. They don’t know what they are doing.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for constantly being there for those who love you.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers stay in the Lord’s steadfast love and righteousness.
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REFLECTION
• Why should believers never doubt the faithfulness and protection that God gives?
MEDITATE ON GOD’S GLORIOUS SPLENDOR ILMA’S VLOG
May 19
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MEDITATE ON GOD’S GLORIOUS SPLENDOR
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
And shall declare your mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
And on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
And I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
And shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8 The LORD is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
And all your saints shall bless you! – Psalm 145:1-10
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The psalmist encourages us to meditate on God’s glorious splendor. He suggests that we bless and praise the Lord daily for as long as we live. This song shows us the importance of praise and declaration of God’s awesome deeds and wondrous works. The psalmist also reminds us of God’s grace and mercy and that he is slow to anger but abounding in unwavering love. He reminds all believers to give thanks to the Lord and to praise him forever.
These admonitions must be taken seriously by all believers. When we meditate on God’s glorious splendor, we will never be defeated by the enemy. It is a good habit to thank and praise the Lord as it brings us to a state of His grace and mercy.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is full of splendor and majesty. Glory to his name!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I start to complain instead of focusing on your glory.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the things you have showered us with.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember the unwavering love you always show us all.
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REFLECTION
• How can meditating on God’s splendor change our perspectives in life?
IDOLATERS BECOME LIKE THEIR IDOLS ILMA’S VLOG
May 18
________________________________________IDOLATERS BECOME LIKE THEIR IDOLS
13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.
14 For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see;
17 They have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.
19 O house of Israel, bless the LORD! O house of Aaron, bless the LORD!
20 O house of Levi, bless the LORD! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
21 Blessed be the LORD from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem Praise the LORD!
– Psalm 135:13-21
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The psalmist worships the Lord, whose name endures forever throughout all ages. In this song, we are reminded that God is our vindicator and our deliverer. Sadly, many of us, including believers like justifying ourselves or defending our agendas or causes. The psalm also warns those who make idols of anything. He emphasizes that these idols are human made. They do not have mouths that speak, eyes that see, ears that hear or has any breath at all in their mouths. In other words, they have no life in them. The psalms caution us to avoid idols because those who trust them become like them as well. They are lifeless and take the place of a real God which angers the Lord. How can believers avoid the trap of having idols in their lives when they are surrounded by these counterfeits?
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ADORATION: I give praise only to the One True God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the lamb of God who takes away our sins. He is the name above all names. His love endures forever.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I unknowingly bow down to anything other than you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all your admonitions and guidance.
SUPPLICATION: May we smash all idols that compromises our relationship with God.
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REFLECTION
• What are some of the idols that you have bowed down to that now resembles you? Why do we need to smash idols if we claim we love and serve God?
The Lord Does Whatever He Pleases ILMA’S VLOG
May 17
________________________________________THE LORD DOES WHATEVER HE PLEASES
Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD,
2 Who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God!
3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.
5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
Who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses
8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast;
9 Who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders
Against Pharaoh and all his servants; 10 who struck down many nations
And killed mighty kings,11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan,12 and gave their land as a heritage,
A heritage to his people Israel. – Psalm 135:1-12
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The psalm focuses on God’s Sovereignty and power. The psalmist praises God’s name and reminds all believers of these attributes of God. He encourages all committed believers to stand in the house of the Lord and sing his name forever. It is a way of thanking God for having chosen Israel to be his own treasured and prized possession. It also stresses that the Lord does whatever He pleases. Since he knows all things and made all things, he has the sole authority to do as he wants because all things are made by him. He knows how to change what needs to be done in order that such things and such people will fit his majestic plan. It is interesting how the sinful bent of man likes to control things but we forget that God is the only one in control.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is omnipotent and does what pleases him.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I do what I please instead of what pleases you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the power you exercise over your creation.
SUPPLICATION: May all humans recognize God’s sovereignty in all things.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it that it is only God can do what he pleases? Why can’t man do it too?
MAY ALL KINGS SERVE THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
May 12
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MAY ALL KINGS SERVE THE LORD
May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
And precious is their blood in his sight.15 Long may he live;
May gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually,
And blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
On the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon;
And may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen! 20 The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. – Psalm 72:11-20
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As we live in this world, we are all under the authority of a leader, ruler or a monarch. Many nations have suffered many evil things because of how some of these leaders ruled their countries or kingdoms. In this psalm, a blessing is prayed over the kings that will become heirs to David’s throne. The psalmist’s prayer is that may all these kings fall down before the Lord and serve him for the Lord is king of all kings. God has chosen these rulers so that it will fit into His plan. It would benefit mankind if all people give their rulers prayers and blessings so that they can accomplish the tasks and their authorities according to the bigger plan of God.
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ADORATION: Praise the most Sovereign of all kings, our Lord Jesus Christ.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I fail to remember to bless my leaders.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving us someone to lead us.
SUPPLICATION: May all leaders recognize that they are also servants to God.
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REFLECTION
• What are the ways we bless our leaders to keep peace reigning in the world?
MAY THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH AND PEACE ABOUND ILMA’S VLOG
May 11
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MAY THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH AND PEACE ABOUND
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
Give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
5 May they fear you while the sun endures,
And as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!
7 In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
8 May he have dominion from sea to sear, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
9 May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute;
May the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! – Psalm 72:1-10
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This psalm is a prayer that David’s heirs might be faithful kings, which means ruling God’s people well, protecting the poor and needy and bringing blessing to all nations of the earth. It is request to the Lord that during the reign of the kings that follow David, they will give deliverance to the needy, crush the oppressors. The prayer also requests that there will be flourishing of righteousness and peace amongst Jerusalem and God’s people. Honor and respect from other rulers and sovereign leaders is also something that the prayer asks God for. The prayer is also that all the heirs of David will follow suit to this.
Shouldn’t we also pray the same prayers for our leaders and rulers in our nations? That they may lead us all honestly and think of the good of all and peace to reign in the whole world?
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord, He is the king of all kings, Sovereign over all rulers.
CONFESSION: May all rulers acknowledge the kingship of Jesus.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for keeping us in peace even amidst a pandemic.
SUPPLICATION: May all leader recognize that God has placed them in that position.
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REFLECTION
• How can praying for our leaders change the way the world can become?