November 24
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TRUE AND PURE WISDOM
A poem by ILMA
There is only one source of knowledge and true wisdom, our Lord
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it in your life
Do honorable acts of kindness and good works with humility
For all these actions originate from God’s true knowledge.
Don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying
For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom
Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic
When there’s jealousy and selfish ambition you’ll find evil.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure; it is also peace loving
It is gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others
It is full of mercy and good deeds and shows no favoritism
It is always sincere and pursues peace to reap a harvest of righteousness.
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MEMORY VERSE
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. – James 3:17
Read: James 3:13-18
There is only one source of true and pure wisdom, the Lord God Almighty. People chase human knowledge and pursue it without knowing that it is only the wisdom that comes from God that is pure, peace-loving, gentle and yielding to others. It is full of mercy and shows no favoritism.
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REFLECTION
• Why are humans always in pursuit of wisdom?
• What does jealousy and selfish ambition lead us to?
• How is the wisdom coming from the world very different from God’s knowledge?
• What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?
Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional
DEAD FAITH Poem Devotional
November 22
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DEAD FAITH
A poem by ILMA
What’s the use of faith if you claim you have it but don’t show it by your actions?
Does that kind of faith save someone or even show a sincere act of love?
Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing
Would you ignore their need and say farewell and have a good day?
So you see, If you claim you have faith but doesn’t produce acts, it is useless
Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.”
How can you show me your faith if you don’t act on doing acts of kindness?
We show our true faith by the good deeds and loving acts that we manifest.
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God
Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror
How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is dead?
Abraham was made right with God by his action to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.
You see, Abraham’s faith and his actions worked together, it made his faith complete
He was even called the friend of God because he had a faith that wasn’t dead
Rahab was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid the spies
Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
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MEMORY VERSE
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. – James 2:17
Read: James 2:14-26
Some people think that just by saying they believe in Christ and live in his grace is good enough to be shining for Jesus. We can’t say we have faith if it doesn’t manifest in our lives and in our actions. This is just like hearing the word and not doing it. Faith is dead without real acts of kindness and love.
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REFLECTION
• Why should actions accompany our faith? What happens when we don’t manifest the love and concern that is expected from those who claim they are believers?
ON FAVORING OTHERS Poem Devotional
November 21
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ON FAVORING OTHERS
A poem by ILMA
How can you claim to have faith in Jesus if you favor some people over others?
Suppose someone comes dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry
Then another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes
If you give special attention to the rich and give the poor discrimination.
Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith?
They’re the ones who will get the Kingdom he vowed to those who love him?
But some dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who repress you and drag you to court Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
It is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures saying
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others
Then, you are committing a sin and is guilty of breaking the law
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the one who broke it.
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MEMORY VERSE
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. – James 2:8
Read: James 2:1-12
It is interesting how the book of James talks about how we must treat everyone equal and not favor someone over another. How many characters in the bible have been a victim of favoritism? Jacob favored his son Joseph which drove all his other sons to plot to kill him. Rachel favored Jacob and sinned by convincing her own son to steal his brother’s birthright. When we favor someone over another, we are inviting jealousy and other sins.
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REFLECTION
• Why is having favoritism or discrimination a very lethal practice in our world?
• Have you ever experienced to be a favorite? What did it do to the other people around you?
• Have you ever been discriminated or marginalized in your workplace, in your own family or another country you have moved to?
• What causes people to favor someone over others?
LISTENING AND DOING GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional
November 20
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LISTENING AND DOING GOD’S WORD
A poem by ILMA
Let’s all be fast to listen, slow to declare and to get angry
Human anger does not bring about the righteousness God wants
Remove all wickedness and dirt in your lives, take in meekly God’s word
He has planted it in your hearts, for it will definitely save your souls.
We are not just to listen to God’s word, but must put into action what it says
When we don’t do the word, we are deceived and are only fooling ourselves
It’s like looking at our faces in the mirror, walking away and forgetting our looks
If we meditate on the word and remember to do it, we will be blessed
When we claim we are religious but don’t bridle our tongue, we are fools
When we are careless with our words, our religion is worthless
Pure and authentic religion in God’s view is very different
It is caring for orphans, widows and staying uncorrupted by the world.
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MEMORY VERSE
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. – James 1:22-23
Read: James 1:19-27
It is a misnomer among believers to think that hearing the word of God and believing him is enough. Putting into action what Scripture says is the true sign of an authentic believer. Many different Christians who do not follow the word poses confusion and judgment from unbelievers and causes other believers to fall away or unbelievers to be repulsed. According to God, pure religion is living holy and blameless lives and helping the vulnerable and abandoned.
REFLECTION
• How can we remove true faith from religion?
• Why do you think God’s view of religion is very different from the world’s?
• What can hinder us from doing the word of God?
• Why is faith not good enough without action?
FAITH AND ENDURANCE Poem Devotional
November 19
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FAITH AND ENDURANCE
A poem by ILMA
When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it a chance for great joy
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow
When your endurance is fully developed, you will be complete, needing nothing
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you
But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone
Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as anxious as the waves
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation
Then they’ll receive the crown of life that God has vowed to those who love him
And remember, don’t ever think “God is tempting me.”
God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away
These desires give birth to sinful actions and when it grows, it gives birth to death
Don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father
He created all the lights in the heavens, He never changes or casts a shadow
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word and we are his prized treasure.
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MEMORY VERSE
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing – James 1:3-4
Read: James 1:1-16
The world looks at suffering as something to avoid. In this book of James, we see how God looks at trials as something to be joyful about. When we have trials, we have a chance to endure and when it’s fully developed, we will be complete, needing nothing.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers learn to look at suffering the way God sees it?
• What can endurance bring to our lives according to James?
THE WORTHY ONE Poem Devotional
November 18
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THE WORTHY ONE
A poem by ILMA
I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one sitting on the throne
Writings were on and outside and inside and was sealed with seven seals
An angel shouted loudly “Who is worthy to break the seals and open it?”
No one in heaven or on earth or under it was able to open and read it.
Then I started weeping for no one was found worthy to open the scroll
One of the twenty-four elders told me to stop weeping for one is worthy
The Lion of the tribe of Judah, David’s heir has won the victory
He is the only one worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.
Then I saw a lamb as if it was slaughtered but is now standing
It is standing right between the throne and the four living beings
He had seven horns and seven eyes which represent the sevenfold Spirit
These sevenfold Spirit is sent out into each and every part of the earth.
He took the scroll, and the living beings and elders fell down before the Lamb
As they played their harps, they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed many.”
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MEMORY VERSE
Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” – Revelation 5:5
Read: Revelation 5
In this glorious scene that John explicitly described, we can have a glimpse of the glory of the Lamb of God, who took away all our sins and is not seated on the throne where all the beings and elders bowed down to praise and give him glory.
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REFLECTION
• How often do you reflect on the illustration of that time when Jesus will come again and we will see all his splendor, glory and power and all will bow down to Him?
MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA Poem Devotional
November 16
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MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA
A poem by ILMA
This is the message from the one who is the Amen
He’s the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold
I wish that you were one or the other but you are like lukewarm water
You are neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth
You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing
You don’t realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.”
So, I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire
Then you will be rich; buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed
I correct and discipline everyone I love; be diligent and turn from your indifference.
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MEMORY VERSE
But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! – Revelation 3:14
Read: Revelation 3:14-22
This message to the church in Laodicea is a warning to all of us who have turned lukewarm or indifferent towards God. It is not easy to stay faithful when we are surrounded with so much temptations. That is why the bible have warned us again and again about the importance of guarding our hearts and our minds. Another caution in this letter is for us all to learn to live holy lives. God wants us to be pure and ensure that we are all anchored on the love of God and all the things that he wants us to do. We need to be able to go through the refining of fire so that we can mature and grow in our faith
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REFLECTION
• How can we ensure that we don’t get lukewarm in our faith?
• Why are trials important in our growth as a believer?
• What is importance of God’s discipline in our lives?
LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA Poem Devotional
November 15
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LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA
A poem by ILMA
This is the message from the one who is holy and true,
The one who has the key of David, your Savior and Lord
What he opens, no one can close; what he closes, no one can open
“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.
You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me
Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue
Those liars who say they are Jews and yet they are not
They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.
“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere,
I will protect you from the great time of testing
Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown
All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God.
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MEMORY VERSE
“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. – Revelation 3:10-11
Read: Revelation 3:7-11
The church in Philadelphia is one of the two of the seven churches whom God has no complaints about. This is a good church because they have obeyed God’s commands despite having little strength. This is a good reminder that there are still other believers who can be faithful and that the Lord’s promises will come true for these people.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the church in Philadelphia continued to be faithful to the Lord despite the weaknesses of their church?
• What does perseverance play in becoming a true servant of God?
• Why is faithfulness and obedience important to those who obey the Lord?
LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS Poem Devotional
November 14
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LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS
A poem by ILMA
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis
This is from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and seven stars
“I know all that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead
Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.
I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God
Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly
Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you
And when I do, it will be suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
“Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
All who are victorious will be clothed in white.
I will never erase their names from the Book of Life.
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MEMORY VERSE
Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
– Revelation 3:3
Read: Revelation 3:1-6
The message to the church in Sardis is practically about how most of its members are spiritually dead and have forgotten how they first heard and believed God when they first believed. Some members of this church are pure and uncorrupted. God promised them victory for staying faithful and their names will be in the Book of Life.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to keep a pure heart and remember how you first gave your life to Jesus?
• What are the symptoms of a spiritually dead person?
• Why do you think the message for all of the body of Christ is a warning to repent and return to God?
• What reward is awaiting those who are faithful?
MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA Poem Devotional
November 13
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MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA
A poem by ILMA
This is the message of the Son of God to the church in Thyatira
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith
I recognize your service, and your patient endurance
And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
“But I have this complaint against you. You are tolerating Jezebel
This woman calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray
She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols
I gave her time to repent, but she doesn’t want to stop being unfaithful.
I will ask nothing more except to hold tightly to what you have until I come
To all who obey me to the very end, victory will be given to you
They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots
I will also give them the morning star and the same authority God gave me.
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MEMORY VERSE
“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. – Revelation 2:20
Read: Revelation 2:18-29
This message to the church in Thyatira is very relevant to our present-day churches. Sexual immorality, control, division, jealousy, and idolatry are just some of the many sins that the Jezebel spirit propagates in the body of Christ. If you actually examine and reflect on the health of the churches in the current times, you will easily spot the fact that many churches tolerate the Jezebel spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the Lord prohibits us from allowing the Jezebel spirit to thrive in the body of Christ?
• Why is God so concerned that we stay uncompromised? Why can’t we tolerate the Jezebel spirit? What happens if we allow it to stay in the church?