June 28
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RIOT IN EPHESUS
A poem by ILMA
When the story of Paul’s miracles and casting out demons spread in Ephesus
A solemn fear descended on the city and Jesus’ name was greatly honored
Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices
A number of them who was doing sorcery burned their books in public.
Afterward Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia
Then he decided to go to Rome and sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia
About that time serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way
It began with Demetrius the silversmith who made shrines of goddess Artemis.
Demetrius kept many craftsmen busy and he called them together
He told them that wealth comes from this business of doing shrines
He told many that Paul convinced people that their handmade gods are fake
He also convinced that the goddess Artemis will be robbed of her prestige.
The Ephesians were angered and started to declare how great Artemis is
Everyone rushed to the amphitheatre and dragged Paul’s companions
Paul wanted to go in too but the believers warned him how dangerous it is
Some friends of Paul sent him a message begging him not to risk his life.
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MEMORY VERSE
Paul wanted to go in too, but the believers wouldn’t let him. – Acts 19:30
Read: Acts 19
When Paul reached Ephesus, the Holy Spirit was with him so he was able to do a lot of miracles. Because Ephesus was a city of idols and the Ephesians worship Artemis as their goddess, there were shrines everywhere in the city. Paul preaching about the Good News have stirred so much opposition in the people of Ephesus and threatened to kill Paul and his followers. Paul wasn’t scared of anything but the other believers warned him.
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REFLECTION
• Has God given you courage amidst opposition and antagonism to preach the Good News?
Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional
PAUL IN EPHESUS Poem Devotional
June 27
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PAUL IN EPHESUS
A poem by ILMA
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled until he reached Ephesus
He found several believers and asked if they received the Holy Spirit
And they said that they haven’t heard who is this person he is mentioning
He also asked the people what kind of baptism they have experienced.
They told Paul that they have received John’s baptism
He reminded them that John talked about the baptism of Jesus
As soon as the people heard it, they were baptized in his name
The Holy Spirit came upon them when Paul laid his hands on them.
Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next months
He argued persuasively about the kingdom of God but some were stubborn
They rejected his message publicly speaking against the Way
Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him.
He held the daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus for the next two years
The people throughout the province of Asia both Greeks and Jews heard the truth
God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracle even with objects he touched
Some Jews tried to do what Paul did, but was attacked by the evil spirits themselves.
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MEMORY VERSE
But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” – Acts 19:15
Read: Acts 19
Ephesus was considered the second largest populated area of the Roman Empire. In the first century B.C. the city had a population of more than 250,000, making Ephesus the second largest city in the known world. It was famous for possessing a Temple dedicated to a pagan goddess named Diana. Wasn’t it amazing to know that Paul did many unusual miracles in a city where they were idolizing other gods? Many people became believers.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God used Paul to do unusual miracles in a city where much idolatry and unbelief prevailed?
PAUL IN CORINTH Poem Devotional
June 26
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PAUL IN CORINTH
A poem by ILMA
When Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, he met a Jew named Aquila
He was born in Pontus and had recently arrived with his wife Priscilla
They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome
Paul lived and worked with them for they were tentmakers just as he was.
Each Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogue to convince both Jews and Greeks
After Silas and Timothy came, all his time was spent preaching the word
Paul taught and testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah
But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook the dust off.
Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus who was a Gentile
He worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue
Crispus, the synagogue leader and all his household were believers
Many others in Corinth who heard Paul also became followers.
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him
“Don’t be afraid. Speak out. Don’t be silent For I am with you
No one will harm you, many people in the city belong to me.”
Paul stayed there for the next year and a half teaching God’s word.
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MEMORY VERSE
Don’t be afraid. Speak out. Don’t be silent. For I am with you and no one will attack and harm you. – Acts 18:9-10
Read: Acts 18
In this part of Paul’s journey, he was assured by God that he didn’t have to fear any resistance or opposition. His Spirit was always with him and Paul was comforted about the believers in that place. Because of such confirmation from the Lord himself, he stayed in that place for a year and a half, preaching the word of God with much confidence.
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REFLECTION
• Have you ever had such positive reassurance when God gives you a new assignment in your life?
PAUL PREACHES IN ATHENS
June 25
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PAUL PREACHES IN ATHENS
A poem by ILMA
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was troubled by the idols around
He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles
Paul relentlessly spoke daily to whoever was present in the public square
He had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.
When Paul told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they questioned him
They asked him to tell them about this new teaching as they are into latest ideas
Paul addressed and spoke to them their religiosity displayed in their many shrines
“One of the altar’s inscription said ‘To an Unknown God’. This is my God.
Paul continues “He is the God who made the world and everything in it
Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples
Human hands can’t serve his needs-for he has nothing of those needs
He himself gives life and breath to everything and satisfies every need.”
When they heard Paul about the resurrection, some laughed in contempt
Others said, “We want to hear more about this later,” and some became believers
Among those who joined Paul and became believers were Dionysius, from the council
Another woman named Damaris and others with her also became believers.
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MEMORY VERSE
His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. – Acts 17:27
Read: Acts 17
In this account, we witness Paul’s boldness to address idolatry in Athens. He wasn’t intimidated by the people who laughed at his preaching when he talked about the resurrection of Jesus. He continued to make Jesus and the God he loves to be known to these people who was all so full of themselves.
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REFLECTION
• Can you be bold enough when people resist the truth that you are presenting to them?
PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY Poem Devotional
June 22
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PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
A poem by ILMA
Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra where Timothy was
Timothy’s mother was a Jewish believer but his father was Greek
Timothy was well though of by believers, so Paul asked him to join them
In deference to the Jews of the area, he asked him to be circumcised.
Then they went from town to town, instructing believers to follow
So, the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew
Next, Paul and Silas traveled through Phrygia and Galatia
The Holy Spirit prevented them from preaching in Asia.
Paul had a vision about a man from Macedonia pleading him to come
So, they decided to leave for Macedonia at once to preach the Good News
On a Sabbath, they went to a riverbank hoping to preach at the women
They met Lydia who was purple cloth merchant and accepted Paul’s teaching.
Lydia’s whole household were baptized and invited them to be her guests
“If you agree that I a a true believer, come and stay at my home” was her words
Then Paul met a slave girl who was earning money from fortune telling
Paul rebuked and asked the evil spirit to come out of her and it left her.
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MEMORY VERSE
“If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed. – Acts 16:15
Read: Acts 16
In this second missionary Journey of Paul and Silas, we witness the proof of the Holy Spirit’s presence in their mission. They were led by the Spirit of God to go or not to proceed in a place and they followed the Spirit’s lead. We meet an extraordinary generous and hospitable woman named Lydia who became a believer and opened her house to the apostles.
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REFLECTION
• Why is hospitality an important gift of the Spirit? What does it make others feel?
PAUL AND BARNABAS TURNS DOWN IDOLATRY Poem Devotional
June 20
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PAUL AND BARNABAS TURNS DOWN IDOLATRY
A poem by ILMA
While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas met a man with crippled feet
This man had been that way from birth so he never walked before
As this crippled man listened to the preaching, Paul that he had enough faith
So, he looked at this man straight in the eye and told him to “Stand up!”
The man jumped at his feet and started walking and many witnessed it
The crowd shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!”
They decided Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and Paul was Hermes
The priests of the temple of Zeus came to bring offerings and wreath of flowers.
When the apostles heard what happened, they tore their clothing in dismay
They ran out among the people and shouted “We are mere humans!”
They reminded them that they came to bring the Good News to them
God wanted them to turn from all idols and that they are turning them into it.
Some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd to their side
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead
But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back to town
The next day, Paul left to proceed to Derbe and left with Barnabas.
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MEMORY VERSE
We are merely human beings-just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God who made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. – Acts 14:15
Read: Acts 14
We see in this preaching journey of Paul and Barnabas how easily people are dazzled by supernatural things and forget to focus that God is the source of all miracles and wonders.
Once again, we see the humility of Paul and Barnabas who never wanted to be praised for what they do since it is God who made them all possible.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think humans easily get dazzled by things people do?
PAUL PREACHES IN ANTIOCH OF PISIDIA Poem Devotional
June 19
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PAUL PREACHES IN ANTIOCH OF PISIDIA
A poem by ILMA
Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia
They landed at the down of Perga, John Mark left for Jerusalem
But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia
They went to the synagogue on the Sabbath for the service.
After the usual readings from the books of Moses
The prophets in charge of the service sent them this message
“Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement
You have to come and give it all to all the people.”
So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them and addressed them
He reminded them how God delivered their ancestors from slavery
He gave them judges and yet the Israelites rebel and was unfaithful
Despite all that God did, they still wanted a human king to rule them.
Paul continued to remind them of King Saul as the first king anointed
Then King David became next king who became direct descendant to Jesus
The promise was made to the Israelites that the Savior will come from David
When Jesus died, the fulfillment of the promise given by the prophets happened.
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MEMORY VERSE
And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel.
– Acts 13:23
Read: Acts 13
Paul continued to preach the Good News about Jesus, the promised Savior of mankind. As apostles of Jesus, they were true and faithful to follow what the Lord Jesus Christ asked them to do, to preach the gospel to the entire world.
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REFLECTION
• As a believer, have you done what Jesus asked you to do, to preach the Good News?
• What does a true disciple of Jesus have to do to follow him?
• What should we learn from the mistakes of our ancestors?
THE BLINDING OF A SORCERER Poem Devotional
June 18
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THE BLINDING OF A SORCERER
A poem by ILMA
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria
Were Barnabas, Simeon called the black man, Lucius from Cyrene
Manaen, the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas
With them was also Saul, who used to persecute believers.
Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit to Seleucia
They sailed for the island of Cyprus, then ended in Salamis
They went to the Jewish synagogues and preached God’s word
They had with them an assistant by the name of John Mark.
Afterward, they traveled from town to town up to Paphos
They met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus
He had attached himself to governor Paulus who was an intelligent man
They were invited by the governor for he wanted to hear the word.
Bar-Jesus, the sorcerer interfered and urged the governor not to listen
He was keeping the governor from believing but Peter looked at him
He confronted him and told him he was perverting the true ways of the Lord
The sorcerer became blind and when the governor saw this, he became a believer.
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MEMORY VERSE
When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. – Acts 13:12
Read: Acts 13
When Barnabas and Saul were commissioned to preach the Good News about Jesus, they were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They were able to discern counterfeit prophet as the spirit of the Lord made them see these. Because of the works of the Spirit through the apostles, even the governor was convinced of the amazing works of the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• When was the last time you were amazed by the Holy Spirit’s work manifest in the body of Christ?
PETER’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM PRISON Poem Devotional
June 17
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PETER’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM PRISON
A poem by ILMA
Peter was woken up in the prison cell where he was surrounded by guards
An angel of the Lord instructed him to get up and the chains fell off his wrists
He was led to put on his coat and pass the first and second guard posts
He arrived the iron gate to the city and was opened for them all by itself.
Peter thought it was all a vision but later came to his senses
As soon as he realized it, he went to the home of Mary, mother of John Mark
Many were gathered in Mary’s house for prayer when he knocked on the door
Rhoda, the servant girl came to open it and was overjoyed when he saw Peter.
The servant girl instead of opening the door, ran back and told everyone
She announced Peter was standing by the door, but at first, they didn’t believe
Peter continued knocking, and when they saw him, they were amazed
He told them to quiet down and narrated how the Lord led him out of prison.
After he said the miracle to them, he went to another place
AD dawn, there was a great commotion among the soldiers
Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search and when he failed
The guards were interrogated and sentenced to death.
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MEMORY VERSE
When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door.”– Acts 12:14
Read: Acts 12
What an astonishing thing the Lord did to get Peter out of prison. Despite the heavily guarded condition he was in, God showed his power by letting Peter be free without any resistance at all. What an awesome God we have who can do anything to bring people into witnessing his power and glory.
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REFLECTION
• What miracles in your life have Jesus set you free from just like Peter?
• Why can it be sometimes hard to admit a miracle when you see one?
PETER EXPLAINS HIS ACTIONS Poem Devotional
June 14
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PETER EXPLAINS HIS ACTIONS
A poem by ILMA
Even as Peter was talking about Jesus, The Holy Spirit fell upon all
The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed
The Gentiles spoke in tongues as they were filled with the Spirit
Peter gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Soon the news reached Judea that the Gentiles received God’s word
Peter arrived back in Jerusalem and the Jewish believers criticized him
He was accused of disobeying the law by entering a Gentile’s home
Peter told them that he saw a vision when he was in the town of Joppa.
Peter said that while he was praying, he went into a trance a saw a vision
Something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners from the sky
It came right down to him and when he peeped into the sheet, he saw this
He saw all sorts of tame and wild animals and was instructed to kill and eat them.
Peter explained that he has never defied the law by eating anything impure
But the voice from heaven told him that what God has made clean is now clean
When the Gentiles heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God
They realized that God gave the Gentiles privilege of repenting of their sins.
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MEMORY VERSE
John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. – Acts 11:16
Read: Acts 11
Visions were one way of God giving instructions to his believers. The Lord filled all the believers with God’s Spirit and enabled them to receive the word of God through Peter. They were given the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.
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REFLECTION
• Have you seen how the Holy Spirit equips God’s people?
• What can happen when the Holy Spirit indwells in a believer?
• What did the dream of Peter mean?
• How can you explain God’s fair treatment of the Gentiles?