October 18
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WARNING ON DRIFTING AWAY
A poem by ILMA
Let’s listen cautiously to the truth that we’ve heard or we may drift away from it
Remember that each violation of the law and all unrighteousness have consequences
Do you think you can run from salvation if we ignore what Jesus himself delivered?
God confirmed this message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles.
The Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts
Don’t follow the Israelites who rebelled when they tested God in the wilderness
God was angry with them because they were unfaithful and full of wickedness
Their hearts always turned away from God and refused to listen to him.
Be careful brothers and sisters, make sure that your own hearts aren’t wicked
Don’t be unbelieving for that is a form of turning away from your heavenly Father
You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,”
This way, you won’t be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice?
Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt, who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness?
So, we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.
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MEMORY VERSE
So, we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it – Hebrews 2:1
Read: Hebrews 2:1-4 and 3:7-19
To drift away is an idiom which means to arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness. In the case of the Israelites to God, they have forgotten how much there was love, affection and closeness they had with God.
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REFLECTION
• How can we slowly drift away from the truth that we have already heard?
• What are the ways we can do so we can enter God’s rest?
• How can unbelief easily turn us away from our heavenly Father?
Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional
SON OF GOD, GREATER THAN ANGELS Poem Devotional
October 17
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SON OF GOD, GREATER THAN ANGELS
A poem by ILMA
It is through Christ Jesus that all things in the universe was created
Our ancestors and the prophets spoke many times about Jesus
God promised everything to his Son Jesus as an inheritance
The Son radiates God’s glory and expresses God’s character.
Jesus sustains everything by the mighty power of his command
After he cleansed us from sin, He sat beside God, a place of honor
This shows that the Son is far greater than all the angels in heaven
Just as the name God gave him is greater than all their names.
For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus
He addressed Christ as “You are my Son and I am your Father”
When he brought his Son into the world,
He said “Let all of God’s angels worship my one and only Son.
God sent all his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire”
But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever
You rule with a scepter of justice; you love justice and hate evil”
Therefore, angels are spirits sent to care for people who’ll inherit salvation.
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MEMORY VERSE
“For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” – Hebrews 1:5
Read: Hebrews 1: 1-14
Before I was a born-again Christian, I thought that angels and the Lord are in the same rank. I would even pray to angels to protect me. This chapter clearly tells us that Jesus is greater than all the angels in heaven since God created all things for, through and with him.
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REFLECTION
• What can angels do that man could not? Do you think angels are greater than us?
DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS Poem Devotional
October 15
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DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS
A poem by ILMA
In the last days, there will be very difficult times
People will love only themselves and their wealth
These people will be busy being arrogant and mocking God
Nothing is sacred to them, they will be ungrateful and lawless
People in the end times will be full of themselves and unforgiving
They will slander others and will have no self control
Cruelty and hatred occupy their hearts; they’ll hate what’s true
They will betray their friends and be puffed up with pride.
Religion and rituals are important to them; they don’t have the Holy Spirit
They will love pleasure rather than please the only true God
These people work their way into people’s homes
They win the trust of vulnerable people who are guilt ridden
These teachers oppose the truth that comes form God’s word
They have immoral minds and a counterfeit faith
But they won’t get away with this for long
Someday, everyone will recognize what fools they are.
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MEMORY VERSE
in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
– 2 Timothy 3:1-2
Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-9
Paul predicts what difficult times we will have during the last days. Sadly, we witness most of these prophecies nowadays. We are plagued with people who only care for their own pleasures instead of seeking God.
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REFLECTION
• What amongst these predictions are you actually experiencing right now? Explain.
PROMOTE RIGHT LIVING Poem Devotional
October 14
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PROMOTE RIGHT LIVING
A poem by ILMA
Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching
Teach the older men to exercise self-control and live wisely
Let them ensure that they are worthy of respect
They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
Teach the older women to live in a way that honors God
They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers
Instead, they should teach others what is good
These older women must train the younger women to love their family.
Tell these young wives to live wisely and be pure and work in their homes
Instruct them to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands
In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely
Let them be an example to them by doing good works of every kind.
Let all you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching
Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticize
Then those who oppose will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about
You have the authority to correct them so don’t let anyone neglect what you say.
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MEMORY VERSE
Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. – Titus 2:1
Read: Titus 2: 1-15
Paul gave very specific examples to Titus how Christians should adhere to a life worthy of respect. He also told how men and women should exercise self control and live wisely. But some believers may have forgotten these wise instructions to promote right living. We need to be reminded of these guidelines and follow it so we can live pure and holy lives.
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REFLECTION
• Why is right living a better teacher than actual preaching?
• Why is integrity and seriousness of teaching very important in the live of believers?
GOD-APPROVED WORKER Poem Devotional
October 13
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GOD-APPROVED WORKER
A poem by ILMA
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval
Be a good worker, don’t be ashamed and correctly explain the truth
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior
This is not eddying the Lord and this kind of talk spreads like cancer.
God’s truth stands firm like a foundation for God knows all his people
Those who belong to the LORD do their best to turn away from evil
In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver
Some are made of wood and clay; expensive utensils are for special occasions.
While cheap ones are for everyday use, if you keep holy, you’ll be like a special utensil Your life will be clean, and you’ll be ready for the Master’s use you for every good work
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts, instead, pursue righteous living
Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone
He must be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people
He must gently instruct those who oppose the truth.
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MEMORY VERSE
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
– 2 Timothy 2:15
Read: 2 Timothy 2:15-26
This letter of Paul to Timothy gives us a recommendation of how to be a good worker according to God. It is interesting when we don’t follow such guidelines to live in truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to keep holy and pursue righteous living?
• What happens when we involve ourselves with foolish arguments?
• Why do you think God chooses people who don’t engage in quarrels?¬
SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE Poem Devotional
October 12
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SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
A poem by ILMA
Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline
Never be ashamed to tell others about the Lord, instead, be bold to share him
With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer for the sake of the Good News.
For God saved us and called us to live a joyful and holy life
Though we don’t deserve it, he did this to fulfill his plan
He broke the power of death and brought us life through the Good News
By the Holy Spirit’s power, guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
Be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus
Teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses
Teach these truths to other trustworthy people who’ll pass them on to others
Endure suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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MEMORY VERSE
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. – 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Read: 2 Timothy 1:6 -2 Timothy 2:7
There are many people who live in fear and yet we are all created by God to have the spirit of power, love and self-discipline. What an amazing God we have who reminds us constantly not to live in fear in Scriptures. He wants us to live a fearless life so we can live the life he wanted us to have. He gave us all the gifts we need so we can be bold to use them to glorify the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people choose to fear rather than love?
• What do you think is the source of fear for most people?
• How can we endure suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus?
• Why is grace the only way we can actually live the life that Christ wants for us?
ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND TRUE RICHES Poem Devotional
October 11
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ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND TRUE RICHES
A poem by ILMA
Let’s encourage everyone to obey all truth and God’s teachings
Some people may oppose these teachings, but these truths are from Christ
These teachings endorse peace, love and a godly life
Anyone who teaches otherwise is haughty and lacks understanding
Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the words’ definitions
This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions
These people always cause trouble, corruptions for they have turned against truth
To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become well-off
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth
After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world
So, we can’t take anything with us when we leave it
If we have enough food and clothing, let us be content
People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by cravings
It is their foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil
And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith.
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MEMORY VERSE
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. – 1 Timothy 6:9
Read: 1 Timothy 6:2-10
Once a person becomes a true believer of Jesus Christ, he or she will familiarize themselves with the truth that only comes from God’s word. They are able to detect lies from truth and thus they learn what true riches are in God’s economy. In this letter of Paul to Timothy, he stressed the source of our ruin and destruction, our cravings and human desires.
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REFLECTION
• What makes people plunge into ruin and destruction?
• Why do you think “love of money” and not money in itself is the root of all evil?
INSTRUCTION FOR WORSHIP Poem Devotional
October 8
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INSTRUCTION FOR WORSHIP
A poem by ILMA
I ask you all to pray for all people and ask God to help them
Intervene for other people’s behalf and give thanks for these people
Include in your prayers all authority such as kings so there’ll be peace
When we have quiet lives, we can live godly and dignified lives.
God is pleased when we pray since he wants us all to be saved
The Lord desires for all of us to understand the truth
For there is only one God and one Mediator who brings God and humanity
It is God’s only son, Christ Jesus who is the only one who is the go-between.
This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God
He wants them all to be free from anger and controversy
And I want women to wear decent clothing and not draw attention to themselves.
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MEMORY VERSE
This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. – 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-15
Paul’s letter to Timothy was full of instructions about how the demeanor of men and women should be during worship. It is sad to watch many churches now not following these instructions. We are summoned to pray for all people and intercede for them, how many Christians actually do these? We get all wrapped up in our busy lives that we can barely prioritize our worship for God. We fail to pray for our leaders; instead, we get consumed by whining and watching what they are doing wrong. We are told to live holy lives that honor the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• How would you assess the kind of worship you do for the Lord?
• Do you make God your priority in life?
• What can you do as a Christian to make prayer as your lifestyle?
WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHINGS Poem Devotional
October 7
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WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHINGS
A poem by ILMA
Stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth
Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussions
These things only lead to meaningless speculations
It doesn’t help people to live a life of faith in God.
A true believer is filled with love that comes from a pure heart
They possess a clear conscience, and genuine faith
But some people have missed this whole point
They spend their time in meaningless discussions.
They want to be known as teachers of the law of God
Though confident, they’re clueless about what they’re talking about
We know that the law is good when used correctly
For the law wasn’t intended for people who do what’s right.
It is for people who are lawless and rebellious
They are for those who are ungodly and sinful,
Also, they are for those people who consider nothing sacred
They’re for those who are defile God’s teaching.
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MEMORY VERSE
Stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. – 1 Timothy 1:3
Read: 1 Timothy 1:1-11
In this letter of Paul, we are cautioned about false teachings. The only way we are going to find out false teachings is if we study carefully the word of God. We are to avoid endless discussion of myths and worldly pursuits and human reasoning. We are to caution our hearts and never defile God’s teachings.
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REFLECTION
• What do you do as a Christian if you find false teachings in the church that you belong to?
• Why are we cautioned not to engage in meaningless discussions?
THE LORD PROTECTS Poem Devotional
October 6
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THE LORD PROTECTS
A poem by ILMA
Pray that the gospel will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes
Pray too that we’ll be rescued from wicked people for everyone’s a believer
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding of his love.
Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow God’s word
For you know that you ought to imitate Christ in all you do
We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to anyone
We made sure that we are not dumping our load to God’s people.
Yet we hear that some believers are living idle lives, refusing to work
They meddle in other people’s affair and not respect others
We command such people and urge them in Christ’s name to settle down
They need to work for their own living and never get tired of doing good.
Take note of those who refuse to obey what we caution in this letter
Stay away from those who are lawless, so they will be humbled
Don’t think of them as enemies but warn them as you would a loved one
Treat them kindly and be patient with those who are in bondage and blind.
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MEMORY VERSE
Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
– 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3
Read: 2 Thessalonians –3:1-14
It is easy to say that we are Christians but it is in our actions and our lives that we truly declare that we are true followers of Christ. In this chapter, we are cautioned not to be a burden to others and do our own work instead of depending on other’s kindness or generosity. We need to be able to work for our own living and never get tired of doing good.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it good for us to take care of ourselves and not meddle in other’s affairs?