August 8
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LAYING FOUNDATION LIKE A BUILDER
A poem by ILMA
We are God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News
Each of us did the work the Lord gave us; I planted the seed in your hearts
Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow
It’s not important who does the planting, or the watering
What’s important is that God makes the seed grow
The one who plants or waters work with the same purpose
Both will be rewarded for their own hard work
For we are both God’s workers, God’s field and God’s building.
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like a builder
Now others are building on it. When building, we must be very careful
For no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus Christ
On judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work one has finished.
The fire will show if a person’s work has any value
If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward
But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss
The builder will be saved, but barely escaping through a wall of flames.
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MEMORY VERSE
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.
– 1 Corinthians 3:10
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:1-15
If you have constructed any project, you will find that a good foundation is important in ensuring that what you have built is going to stand the test of time and other things that will put stress or weight on it. I recently began building sectional modular couches and because it was my first build from scratch, it started to fall apart in less than a year.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential to be solidly anchored on Christ as a believer?
• What happens to people when they forget to give credit to God and take it instead?
Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional
PAUL’S MESSAGE ON WISDOM Poem Devotional
August 7
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PAUL’S MESSAGE ON WISDOM
A poem by ILMA
When I came to you, I didn’t use lofty words to tell you God’s secret plan
For I decided that while I was with you, I would only remember God’s Son
I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling and my message were plain
Instead of using clever speeches, I relied only on the power of God.
I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in God’s power
Yet when I am among mature believers, I speak with words of wisdom
The wisdom that belongs to this world are soon forgotten
But God’s plan is revealed to us, so we can learn and understand it.
Scriptures says that “No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
No mind has imagined what God has prepared for those whom he loves
His Spirit searches out everything and shows us his deep secrets
No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit.
No one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit
And we have received God’s Spirit and not the world’s system
We can know the wonderful things God has freely given us
We speak words using the Spirit’s words to explain, spiritual truths.
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MEMORY VERSE
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
Read: 1 Corinthians 2
The apostle Paul explains the wisdom that God’s Spirit has endowed to all those who love him. He shares his wisdom with those who faithfully obey and seek his truth. What is amazing is that such wisdom is not like the world’s view of knowledge or intelligence. He cautions us not to rely on our human understanding for it is not always truth.
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REFLECTION
• What stops someone from understanding God’s wisdom?
• Why is it important to seek God’s word in our daily lives?
GOD’S WISDOM VERSUS HUMAN WISDOM Poem Devotional
August 6
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GOD’S WISDOM VERSUS HUMAN WISDOM
A poem by ILMA
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction
But those who are being saved know it is the very power of God
As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
And throw away as well the intelligence of the intelligent.”
Where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and debaters?
God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish
He saw to it that the world won’t know him through their wisdom
God has used foolish preaching to save those who believe.
God chose things the world considers foolish to shame the wise
He chose the powerless to shame those who are powerful
And also, those despised by the world and counted as nothing
He used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself
Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy
He freed us from sin so no one can take credit for anything
If you want to boast, boast only of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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MEMORY VERSE
Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. – 1 Corinthians 1:22
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:1-21
The world view wisdom very differently from God. We think that when we accomplish or know something, it is of our own, but everything comes from God and only him deserves all the praise and glory.
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REFLECTION
• Do you regularly give God glory for all the knowledge and wisdom he has bestowed on you?
• Why should you only boast on the Lord Jesus Christ?
PAUL’S WARNING ON TROUBLEMAKERS Poem Devotional
August 5
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PAUL’S WARNING ON TROUBLEMAKERS
A poem by ILMA
Watch out for people who cause troubles and divisions
They upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to truth
Stay away from them for such people are not serving Jesus
They are actually serving their own personal interests.
By smooth talk and glowing words, they deceive innocent people
Be wise in doing right and stay innocent of any wrong
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet
May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you always.
Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong as the Good News says
This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles
A plan kept secret from the beginning of time but now made known to them
This is so that all Gentiles might believe and obey our Lord Jesus Christ.
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MEMORY VERSE
Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words, they deceive innocent people. – Romans 16:17-18
Read: Romans 16:17-27
Paul addresses the issue of deceivers in the church. If we don’t know the truth, how can we know if we are told a lie and being deceived? It took me six years to discover the believers who were masquerading as the real deal. It became clear as the Holy Spirit showed me the lies and the lack of integrity of such people. We are told by Paul not to have anything to do with these troublemakers and deceivers.
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REFLECTION
• How can we easily recognize deception?
• Why are we cautioned to stay away from troublemakers and conflict makers?
• What do we do when we see someone deceiving another believer?
• Why is division very destructive in the body of Christ?
BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS Poem Devotional
August 3
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BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS
A poem by ILMA
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive
We must not just please ourselves but consider one another’s weaknesses
Let’s build each other up; even Christ didn’t live to please himself
He was conscious of what others are going through and he aided them.
Live in complete harmony with each other like authentic disciples
Pursue peace at all cost so you can avoid all kinds of division
Accept each other just as Christ accepted you so you can bring him glory Remember, Christ came as a servant to the Jews to fulfill God’s promises.
He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercy
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill us completely with his peace
Because we trust in him, we will overflow with confident hope
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we will be full of God’s joy.
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MEMORY VERSE
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. – Romans 15:1-3
Read: Romans 15
We live a world where selflessness is a novelty. In this selfie generation, all we think about is to please ourselves and to ensure that we are comfortable. We don’t want to go out of our ways to please those people we live or work with. We dwell so much on getting as much as we can so that we can feel fulfilled and looked up to. We barely find time to find out what others are going through. We get so busy that it is impossible for us to even look at each other or bless one another.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for a Christian to live an “other” centered life instead of pleasing one’s self?
• Why do you think there is so much division in the body of Christ these days?
THE DANGER WITH CRITICISM Poem Devotional
August 2
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THE DANGER WITH CRITICISM
A poem by ILMA
Why do you condemn another believer or look down on some of them?
Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God; stop condemning others
Instead to live in such a way that you will not cause anyone to stumble.
On the authority of the Lord Jesus, no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat
But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person, it is
And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, it is not loving
Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died.
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink
It is living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and build each other up.
Don’t tear apart God’s work over what you eat; all foods are suitable
It is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble
You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing
If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
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MEMORY VERSE
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So, let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. – Romans 14:12-13
Read: Romans 14:10-23
It is automatic for us to criticize instead of affirm and encourage. The danger with criticism is that it will definitely destroy relationships. No one wants to be with someone who’ll constantly criticize them and make themselves feel inadequate. We don’t want to be judged so, we need to let judgment be God’s work, not ours.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think it is easy for us to criticize rather than encourage?
OWE NOTHING EXCEPT TO LOVE EACH OTHER Poem Devotional
July 31
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OWE NOTHING EXCEPT TO LOVE EACH OTHER
A poem by ILMA
Everyone must submit to authorities for all authority comes from God
Those in positions of authority have been placed there by the Lord
Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against his creator
For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right.
Would you like to live without fear of the authorities?
Then do what is right, and they will honor you.
The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good
But if you are doing wrong, they have the power to punish you.
They are God’s servants, so you must submit to them
Don’t do it only to avoid punishment, but keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons, they ought to be paid as well
They are serving God in what they do and give to everyone what you owe them.
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another
If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law
Love your neighbor as yourself for love does no wrong to others
There is nothing impossible with love; love conquers all.
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MEMORY VERSE
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. – Romans 13:8
Read: Romans 13
The Lord doesn’t want us to owe anything from anyone. He commands us to submit to authorities and be responsible citizens. He placed all those in positions of authority to represent him, so he wants us to submit to them as to the Lord. He reminds us that the only debt we need to have is to love one another.
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REFLECTION
• Do you have trouble submitting to authorities?
• Why is it important to love one another?
WHAT IT MEANS TO REALLY LOVE Poem Devotional
July 30
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WHAT IT MEANS TO REALLY LOVE
A poem by ILMA
Don’t just pretend to love other, really love them
Hate what is wrong and hold tightly to what is righteous
Love each other with genuine affection and honor each other
Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Rejoice in the confident hope, be patient in trouble, and keep on praying
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help all believers
Always be eager to practice hospitality and bless those who persecute you
Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them and be happy with them.
Weep with those who weep; live in harmony with each other
Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people
And don’t think you know it all or ponder you’re better than anyone
Never pay back evil with evil; do things in a way that’s honorable.
Do all that you can to live in peace with all people and don’t take revenge
Leave that to the righteous anger of God for he will do it for them
Instead feed even your enemies and by doing this you’ll be rewarded
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
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MEMORY VERSE
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. – Romans 12:9
Read: Romans 12:9-21
Love is one of the most abused word in this world. In God’s economy, the word “love” is very different from how the world views it. It is not focused on “self” but more on others. It is genuine affection and generous hospitality to others. It is being with others and empathizing with what people are going through, whether happy or sad. It is treating even your enemy with respect.
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REFLECTION
• How do you view love and what are your challenges seeing it like God does?
GOD’S KINDNESS AND SEVERITY Poem Devotional
July 28
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GOD’S KINDNESS AND SEVERITY
A poem by ILMA
Notice how God is both kind and severe; he is severe to the lawless
He is kind all those who continue to trust and rely on his kindness
But if you stop trusting the Lord, you also will be cut off
And if the people turn from their unbelief, they will be joined in again.
God has the power to graft all the rebels back into the tree
You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree
If God was willing to do something contrary to nature
He is able to graft the branches back into the tree where they belong.
Scriptures says “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem
He will turn Israel away from ungodliness and lawlessness
And this is my covenant with them; that I will take away their sins.”
Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News.
God’s gifts and his call and promises can never be withdrawn
Once, you Gentiles were lawless and disobedient to God
When the people of Israel rebelled and turn against him
God was merciful to you instead and you’re given chance to be saved
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MEMORY VERSE
Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. – Romans 11:22
Read: Romans 11:16-36
This chapter reminds us of how God’s kindness and severity were evident towards the Israelites and the Gentiles. It just shows how God hates lawlessness and sin. He gives us a way out of the harshness if we turn to him again and trust him.
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REFLECTION
• Why is trust and faith an expectation of God from his own people?
• How can one avoid the severity of God?
SALVATION EVEN TO THE GENTILES Poem Devotional
July 27
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SALVATION EVEN TO THE GENTILES
A poem by ILMA
Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of the Lord
A few have found favor—the ones God has selected
The hearts of the rest were hardened and God put them into sleep
To this day he has shut their eyes and ears, so they don’t see or hear.
David said in the Psalms, “Let their bountiful table become a snare,
They are trapped to think that all is well and let them stumble
For they get what they deserve and let their eyes go blind
This way they cannot see and let their backs be forever bent.”
God’s people were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles
But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves
If the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer Think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
God has appointed Paul the apostle to minister to the Gentiles
Since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world
The Gentile’s acceptance of the Good News will be even more wonderful
It will be life for those who were dead and freedom from knowing the gospel.
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MEMORY VERSE
For I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. – Romans 11:14
Read: Romans 11:1-15
What an awesome thing God did when his own people turned their backs on him. He spread his mercy to the Gentile, to those who don’t know him. He was after people’s heart, Gentile or Jew. He will not miss any opportunity to get someone saved.
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REFLECTION
• What does it take to get God’s blessings and approval?
• Why do you think God made salvation available not only to the Jews but also the Gentiles?