September 5
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ECCLESIASTES 2
24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. – Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
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ECCLESIASTES 2 DO MEN VIEW LIFE IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Every morning when you wake up, are you preoccupied with habits?
Are you automated when it comes to the things in your daily life?
Humans make so much fuss about what will give him pleasure or not
Are you living a life that has true meaning in the light of afterlife?
Does your work and goals in life make you wiser each day?
Do you do things for someone else’s benefit or only for yourself?
Men work very hard just so he could hoard wisdom, wealth and power
He even prays regularly to receive much blessings and favor.
What is the point of all the meaninglessness that life has to offer?
Is there a reason for living or do we exist on earth just for pleasure?
If the Lord has a purpose for our lives, how come we live for ourselves?
Did he create mankind so that we can pleasure ourselves with what he gave us?
Do we even care to find out why we are here according to God’s plan?
Do we stop to examine our hearts to see God’s imprint in us?
All that this earthly life gives us is to chase after what is transitory
Life on earth is all useless if it doesn’t view it in light of eternity.
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REFLECTION
• What can change your worldview of life into the light of eternity?
• Why do humans like to focus much on the pleasures of life rather than pleasing the Lord?
• What are automated practices and mindsets that make our lives meaningless?
Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional
ECCLESIASTES 2 THE POINTLESS VEXATIONS OF HUMANS
September 4
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ECCLESIASTES 2
18 I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21 because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 2:18-23
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ECCLESIASTES 2 THE POINTLESS VEXATIONS OF HUMANS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Each day that comes, man seeks to pursue recognition and control
He works very hard so that he can fulfill all his cravings and desires
He chases wisdom and wealth so he can have a taste of power
He toils so that he can pass on and leave a legacy to his children
Man worries about the inheritance he would leave behind
Would they be handed over to those who deserve it?
Restless and in despair of not knowing what happens to their legacy
The pointless vexations of humans are futile and this makes it all vanity.
Humans get consumed by what he chases after
Like a ball, he goes around and around in circles
He worries about so many things in this life
As his vexations pile up, he becomes vexed by his death
What is the point of all these worries and anxieties?
It is the meaninglessness of what this life offers
Only God’s steadfast love can pacify these vexations
He alone can complete us and get us off from desolation.
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REFLECTION
• Where does anxiety and vexations stem from?
ECCLESIASTES 2 DEATH IS INEVITABLE & LIFE IS FLEETING
September 3
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ECCLESIASTES 2
12 So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. 13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. 14 The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. 15 Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 16 For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! 17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind. – Ecclesiastes 2:12-17
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ECCLESIASTES 2 DEATH IS INEVITABLE & LIFE IS FLEETING
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Whether we live our lives chasing after wisdom
Or if we hold on to a life of reckless abandon
We will inevitably face death as it is a part of this life
Fools or wise, rich or poor, we will all eventually die.
The wise has his pursuit of wisdom and chase it with passion
The fool chooses to walk in darkness, chaos and deception
But they all will come to the same culmination, their life ends
So, what is the point of all this striving? It is just meaningless.
If our purpose in life is to chase dreams or be reckless
Is it worth living since our lives will eventually vanish?
What if we live for someone who will give us a life without end?
Won’t our lives be worth living if we have assurance of eternity?
Physical death will then be a welcome thought because we will be united with Christ
Our lives will be with purpose and no longer vain when we serve the One who was Risen
Fear of failure, death and being not good enough will no longer haunt us
We will see then that life is not our master, but it is Jesus, who is our Savior.
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REFLECTION
• Why do some people fear death? How should believers view death?
FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING ILMA’S VLOG
April 17
________________________________________FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. 3 You return man to dust
And say, “Return, O children of man!” 4 For a thousand years in your sight
Are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
Like grass that is renewed in the morning: 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
In the evening it fades and withers.7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
By your wrath we are dismayed.8 You have set our iniquities before you,
Our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
– Psalm 90:1-9
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This community lament is written by Moses, probably during the time of Deuteronomy, as they were about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. This lament is addressed to the next generation after Moses have led the people, which are their parents out of Egypt through the crossing of the Red Sea which was parted for them- and yet they rebelled, so God swore that they would not ever the land (Numbers 14:20-36). The psalm recalls how God have been their dwelling place in all these generations and admits their rebellion. As a consequence of such lawlessness, they are suffering the wrath of God.
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ADORATION: You are a God from everlasting to everlasting. You are the alpha and omega.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I unknowingly rebel against you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your faithfulness even though at times I am not loyal.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people remember what God has done for their ancestors and live in obedience to God’s laws.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it pointless to hide sins from God? What is the importance of confession and repentance in a believer’s life?
LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD Poem Devotional
February 13
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LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together,
4 To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,
As was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good. – Psalm 122:1-9
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This psalm is one of the 15 Songs of Ascents, sung by worshipers who were on their way up to the temple. It shows the joy of being God’s chosen city, Jerusalem and being in the house of the Lord to worship. The Songs of Ascents include Psalms 120-134.
The song begins with an invitation to all the pilgrims to set on a journey to go to the house of the Lord. The style of writing which the psalmist wrote this song is personification, giving human attributes to Jerusalem. The pilgrims were alluding to the way the city was built firmly and how it was designed to seat the thrones of the house of David in verses 3-5. Then the pilgrims say a prayer of peace and security for the whole place. It stresses in the last verse that because of the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, the people will seek to do what is right. We see how special the temple is to be located in their city.
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ADORATION: Praise to your faithfulness O, Lord! You built your temple amongst your holy people. You are generous and loving. We rejoice for your provision.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I defile the temple of the Lord with my sinful nature.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for living inside me when I accepted you as my Savior.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember to keep their hearts, mind, body and spirit pure as it is the temple of the Lord. May they be united with other believers in worship.
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REFLECTION
• How is keeping oneself holy and being united with other Christians a form of worshiping the Lord? Why is it important to go to the body of Christ?
WHO IS LIKE THE LORD OUR GOD? Poem Devotional
February 12
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WHO IS LIKE THE LORD OUR GOD?
Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD! 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD.
From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
6 Who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 To make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD! – Psalm 113:1-9
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According to the ESV Bible Study footnotes this short hymn of praise celebrates the way in which the great God who rules over all takes notice of the lowly. Such a God is indeed worthy to be praised by all mankind. Psalms 113-118 have been used in connection with Passover. These psalms likely provided the hymn that Jesus and his disciples sang after the Passover meal (Matt 26:30).
This hymn elevates a God who sees all especially even the poor and the lowly (verse 7). It is amazing to remember that he is a God of Justice (verse 7-9) who brings equality to those who are poor and deprived. God’s people must never forget this one and only God who loves all his creation. We must revel and worship this God who is faithful, just and loving.
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ADORATION: You are one of a kind. We praise you Lord of all creation, full of love and mercy. You are just and fair to all of mankind. You are holy and righteous.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be fair to others especially when I forget those who are in need and hurting.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your unwavering and unfailing love and mercy to undeserving people like us.
SUPPLICATION: May all the earth give glory to God who is one of a kind and full of mercy.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers maintain a posture of worship to the one true God daily?
THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY Poem Devotional
February 11
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THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY
The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the LORD, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
They kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.
8 O LORD our God, you answered them;
You were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; For the LORD our God is holy!
– Psalm 99:1-9
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This psalm revels at God’s holiness and sovereignty over his people. All his people give glory to a king who loves justice and righteousness. The hymn mentions those whom God chose to lead his people to righteousness and obedience so him such as Jacob, Moses, Aaron and Samuel. These people were testimonies of God’s forgiveness, power and faithfulness. This psalm calls for all of God’s people to worship him for the Lord our God is holy.
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ADORATION: Praise be to you O Lord for you are holy, just and sovereign over all things.
CONFESSION: Grant me forgiveness when I forget to look up and revel at your holiness.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all your faithful provision, mercy, grace and love.
SUPPLICATION: May all people worship you with the way they live, and with their mouths.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for a Christian to revel at God’s holiness?
• What happens when we forget the righteousness of God?
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD Poem Devotional
February 10
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MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD
Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made known his salvation;
He has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
Break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
Make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together
9 Before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. – Psalm 98:1-9
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This psalm is a celebration of God’s marvelous deeds for his people. This psalm reminds me of New Year’s celebration in my country of origin, the Philippines. Filipinos celebrate the coming of the year with a big bang, loud firecrackers and fireworks that probably lasts for a minimum of an hour and a maximum of four hours. Why can’t we do that for God who made all things? This psalm shouts and gives praises to the Lord who granted deliverance for the house of Israel. It also tells the whole world that God can do the same for all nations and it invites all people to praise the Lord.
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ADORATION: Shout and make noises to rejoice because the Lord is good. Praise him forever! He delivers his people from all evil and brings peace and joy to all mankind.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I am not expressing gratitude that declares your love.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being faithful and a promise keeper.
SUPPLICATION: May all people declare and shout out loud their praises to the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is rejoicing and making noises to the Lord something all Christians must do?
GOD IS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH Poem Devotional
GOD IS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
2 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.
3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted! – Psalm 47:1-9
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The ESV bible study states that this psalm celebrates God’s rule over all the earth. The promises to Abraham (47:9) that all people will be blessed in him (Gen 12:3), are founded on the fact that there’s only one true God. All mankind owes him love and loyalty.
How often do people show love and allegiance to God in this very corrupt world we live in? We could learn from the Israelites how they revel at the God who is king over all the earth. It is infectious how they revere, love and glorify the one true God of all creation.
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ADORATION: Praise the King over all the earth. You are mighty, majestic and unparalleled. We clap our hands and shout to God with loud songs of joy.
CONFESSION: Forgive us when we get distracted with the busy-ness and craziness of this world and forget that you are in control and that you are to be exalted.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the unconditional love you give to undeserving people like us.
SUPPLICATION: May you be known by the whole humanity! May they see you as the king over all the earth and bow down to you alone.
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REFLECTION
• If God is king over all the earth, how come even those who commit to Christ forget to celebrate this truth?
• How would you act when you are be face to face with the God who created all things? What would you do and what would be your posture?