Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional

1 CORINTHIANS 13 LOVE IS THE ESSENCE OF ALL ACTS

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July 30

1 CORINTHIANS 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. – 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

1 CORINTHIANS 13 LOVE IS THE ESSENCE OF ALL ACTS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If your purpose at doing something is not love

Your work is futile; it has no meaning and won’t last

No matter how much abilities you have or how much knowledge

It won’t make a difference; you won’t be wise to discern things

But if you do things out of love, you will be patient and humble

You will not make a list of wrongs done to you or grumble

There will be no expectations of getting something

It won’t be a contract but it will be unconditional giving to someone.

My 16th anniversary is coming this first of August. This love chapter is the sermon in our wedding. I wasn’t a born again Christian when I got married. I had no idea what this chapter meant until after a few more years of being married. It was one day in February that I placed so much preparation for our love celebration and I wasn’t aware that I had a very transactional concept of love. I was expecting something from my husband that I wasn’t even truly aware of. When he did not meet that standard, I was so angry and grumbly. I was already born again and that day, I was writing a blog on these verses. Then I was rebuked by God’s Spirit to look again and study these love chapters. I then realized that I didn’t know how to love truly. I only know the way the world loves which is transactional. Paul presents the true meaning of love in this chapter as he confronts the carnal ways that the Corinthians view love.

REFLECTION

·       What is the most challenging part of these verses on love for you? Why?

1 CORINTHIANS 12 DESIRE HIGHER SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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July 29

1 CORINTHIANS 12

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. – 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

1 CORINTHIANS 12 DESIRE HIGHER SPIRITUAL GIFTS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a member of the body of Christ, you are assigned functions

The Holy Spirit decides what kind of gifts you will be given

For some, he gives apostleship, to others, prophetic vision

While others are given the roles of teachers

Others are administrators or miracle workers

So, ask and desire higher spiritual gifts

Your Father will not deprive you of such a wish.

If you have a loving and godly father, you are assured that if you request anything from him that will be for your own good, you will receive such a wish. How much more if it is our heavenly Father. In this letter, Paul was explaining to the Corinthian church the various spiritual gifts that the Spirit bestows on God’s children. He also proposes to them that they should desire the higher gifts.

According to studylight.com, the Corinthians were focused on gifts that aimed to show how good they are rather than usefulness, hence “the gift of prophecy was neglected while languages sounded forth among them with great show, indeed but with little profit.” Paul wasn’t asking them to choose certain roles to play in the body of Christ, but he tells them to focus on those that will edify each member of the body and not bring much attention to themselves. Because we are fallen in our nature, it is easy to choose performance- based gifts that will also bring some form of glory to ourselves instead of bringing all the praise to our Lord.

REFLECTION

·       What do you think are higher spiritual gifts? Why do you think they are higher?

1 CORINTHIANS 12 COMPASSION ON THE WEAKER

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July 28

1 CORINTHIANS 12

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

                                                                   – 1 Corinthians 12:21-26

1 CORINTHIANS 12 COMPASSION ON THE WEAKER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The believer does not look down on anyone weaker

Instead, they show them compassion and honor

Unlike the world system, we don’t look down on them

But we bring justice to those who are vulnerable and weak

We give the weaker parts of the body the respect they deserve

We exude love to those who are weak and unlovable.

Paul presents another conversation between parts of the body. The eye, the hand, the head and the feet were all parts of this conversation. Their topic is about who is weaker and who is stronger. Doesn’t this sound like the world? Instead of having a mindset of being united and loving, we fall into this sinful world view that we need to identify which one is greater than the other. Remember the disciples of Jesus who was with him for three years and yet still have that competitive spirit of trying to know who among them is the greatest? It is this immature perspective that gets us in envy or jealousy and eventually create division among each other.

Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that they must not have this kind of thinking. He presents how God wants them to focus on what they can do to honor those who are weak and vulnerable. God gave us the weak so we can show compassion and love, not competition, control and discrimination.

REFLECTION

  • How can we develop a compassionate heart towards the weak and vulnerable?

1 CORINTHIANS 12 MANY PARTS BUT ONE BODY

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July 27

1 CORINTHIANS 12

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

1 CORINTHIANS 12 MANY PARTS BUT ONE BODY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a member of the body of Christ

Each of the part of his body has a role to play

Although each have different functions to do

They are all aiming to give God splendor.

One of the most controversial topics in the church of Christ is the spiritual gifts. Many different denominations focus on certain gifts they like and bring about divisions among the churches. One church puts more importance on one gift than the other or one believer may rank a certain gift as better than the other. They miss the point of unity in the body of Christ. Our sinful nature will always have standards to follow. It is automatic for humans to compete and compare. We miss out on the purpose of God giving us these gifts when we look at it in a worldly manner. We think that these gifts are for our own edification and not for giving God the praise. We begin to classify certain gifts as better and some other ones as lesser.

Paul presents the division stirred by having a worldly mindset in discerning the spiritual gifts. It veers the believer away from the purpose of the gifts to unify all the parts of the body of Christ. It creates disunion and conflicts among the different parts.

REFLECTION

·       How can we minimize the tendency to highlight differences instead of unity?

1 CORINTHIANS 12 THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFTS

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July 27

1 CORINTHIANS 12

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

1 CORINTHIANS 12 MANY PARTS BUT ONE BODY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a member of the body of Christ

Each of the part of his body has a role to play

Although each have different functions to do

They are all aiming to give God splendor.

One of the most controversial topics in the church of Christ is the spiritual gifts. Many different denominations focus on certain gifts they like and bring about divisions among the churches. One church puts more importance on one gift than the other or one believer may rank a certain gift as better than the other. They miss the point of unity in the body of Christ. Our sinful nature will always have standards to follow. It is automatic for humans to compete and compare. We miss out on the purpose of God giving us these gifts when we look at it in a worldly manner. We think that these gifts are for our own edification and not for giving God the praise. We begin to classify certain gifts as better and some other ones as lesser.

Paul presents the division stirred by having a worldly mindset in discerning the spiritual gifts. It veers the believer away from the purpose of the gifts to unify all the parts of the body of Christ. It creates disunion and conflicts among the different parts.

REFLECTION

·       How can we minimize the tendency to highlight differences instead of unity?

1 CORINTHIANS 11 JUDGE ONESELF SO YOU WON’T BE JUDGED

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July 25

1 CORINTHIANS 11

29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judgedourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplinedso that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait forone another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come. 1 Corinthians 11:29-34

1 CORINTHIANS 11 JUDGE ONESELF SO YOU WON’T BE JUDGED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As sinful people, it is automatic for us to pass judgment on others

But if we are in relationship with God, we will love our brothers

We must only judge ourselves against the laws of the Lord

We do not use our preferences and the standards of the world

Let us examine our hearts constantly especially when taking communion

It will defile the Lord if we do not prepare for ourselves for this union with him.

Paul continues to guide the Corinthian church with regards to the Lord’s Supper. He explains the consequences of not preparing and examining one’s heart for this very important remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This was instituted by Christ himself and they were all commanded to meet and remember this holy sacrifice he did on the cross. When we do not examine our hearts before we partake of it, we are putting judgment on ourselves and it can lead to our illness, weakness or even spiritual or physical death. Do all believers take this very seriously? Sometimes it becomes a chore and routine to receive communion without much thought on the process of preparing for it.

Paul talked about judgment here and he admonished them to judge oneself instead of others. It is easy for humans to point fingers at someone else instead of looking into one’s faults, weaknesses or even admit our own sins. When we do this, we deflect and cover up our sins, something we don’t want to do especially before communion. It tarnishes our hearts, it defiles the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to cleanse us from sin.

REFLECTION

  • What are we missing when we do not examine our hearts for communion?

1 CORINTHIANS 11 IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LORD’S DEATH

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July 24

1 CORINTHIANS 11

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-28

1 CORINTHIANS 11 IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LORD’S DEATH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When someone we love dies, we remember them

When we serve the Lord, we communion with him

In remembrance of Jesus’ death, we take the Lord’s supper

By doing so, we reflect on God’s greatest love for mankind

Let us therefore examine ourselves as we partake of this

It is how we praise and honor the memory of our beloved Savior.

In this letter, Paul does what Jesus commanded them to do. They were told to commemorate the sacrifice he did on the cross by remembering the cup of the new covenant promise of God to his people. Jesus also told his disciples to remember his body as they break bread and partake of it. These following verses explain how Jesus himself instituted communion or the Lord’s Supper. It isn’t any other kind of supper, but it is a celebration of the love of God for mankind. It is to remember how God himself provided for a sacrifice to give us a clean slate from sin which we inherited from Adam and Eve.

Some unbelievers do not realize how important the Lord’s Supper is because they are not part of the covenant promise that God gave his people. They do not know the consequences of sin and do not acknowledge a higher being who made us all. Paul stressed the importance of proper examination of the heart before we partake of this.

REFLECTION

  • What’s the difference between remembering Jesus’ death than your loved one’s?

1 CORINTHIANS 11 PREPARING FOR TAKING THE LORD’S SUPPER

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July 23

1 CORINTHIANS 11

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. – 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

1 CORINTHIANS 11 PREPARING FOR TAKING THE LORD’S SUPPER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are a member of the church of Christ

You are expected to remember Jesus’ sacrifice

Therefore, you must honor this remembrance

Don’t just take the Lord’s supper without preparation

Make sure you let go of all divisions and have sins confessed

You will be defiling the symbol of the cross if you don’t.

Paul reproves the Corinthian believers in this letter with regards to their demeanor before they were taking the Lord’s Supper. It has come to his attention that there are divisions and factions going on in the church. He corrects their attitudes when coming to partake of this remembrance. Some of them are acting like they are eating a meal in their own homes, where there is no control as to how they eat. He scolds them like a father would his own children and confronts wrong ways they do things that are not edifying God.

In the previous chapter, he commands them to flee from idolatry and reminds them of the cup of wine that they share. Each of them partakes of one bread for they are all members of the body of Christ. He also mentioned that they cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of the demons and partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. It will provoke jealousy from God.

REFLECTION

·       Why is it important for us to prepare our hearts and minds when we take the Lord’s Supper? What happens if we don’t?

1 CORINTHIANS 11 A SYMBOL OF SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY

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July 22

1 CORINTHIANS 11

10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. – 1 Corinthians 11:10-16

1 CORINTHIANS 11 A SYMBOL OF SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a wife, a woman needs to acknowledge her head

The member of the church has to submit to God

It is by succumbing to authority that we show obedience

When we concede to our heads, we honor Christ

The man follows Christ and by doing so, he honors God as well

The wife submits to her husband which means following God’s order.

In this letter, Paul could not stress enough the order that God has laid down for all his people. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit comprises our Trinity. Three persons in one God. Each of them has certain distinct roles that are unique to one another, but they are one.

Just as a man and a woman when they marry becomes one flesh and united, so is the body of Christ or the communion of saints is also one with Jesus Christ. Though they are one, there is an order in which they came about.  God’s order is that he created man for himself. The man serves God and God has authority over him. The woman was created for the purpose of being the man’s helper. She was taken out of the rib of the man himself, so the man has authority over the woman. God instituted marriage and when a man and a woman is married, they become one flesh.

According to a commentary, in Corinthian culture, a woman who covered her head during worship or when she was in public displayed her submission to authority. Although we don’t follow such practices anymore, it is good for us to remember who to submit to.

REFLECTION

·       What wrong notion of submission did the culture propagate in our world today?

1 CORINTHIANS 11 THE HEAD OF MAN AND WOMA

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July 21

1 CORINTHIANS 11

Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wifeis her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wifewho prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. – 1 Corinthians 11:1-9

1 CORINTHIANS 11 THE HEAD OF MAN AND WOMAN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God created man, he gave him dominion over creatures

Man was supposed to steward all of God’s creation

God made a woman so that she could be man’s helper

So, she is to submit to her man because he is the leader

Man’s head is Christ himself, so he must submit to his Lord

The woman is under the authority of her husband and not of the world.

In this letter, Paul explains the concept of leadership and authority. He points back to the beginning of time when God created the world and human beings. It seems to me that he was explaining this to the Christian church in order that they won’t put him on a pedestal. Instead, he points to the purpose of why God made man and woman. If you go back to Genesis 1, we can recall how God created all things in a sequence. Each day, he made something different from the day before. God was pleased when we finished all creatures but was very pleased when he made man. Even though he made both man and woman in his own image as verse 27 says, what Paul is emphasizing here is the order of creation and also the purpose why they were made. Man was made for God and woman for man.

That is the order. God is the head of the man, the man is the head of the woman.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Paul points out God’s concept of order in this letter?