June 21
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CONCERNS ABOUT GENTILE CONVERTS
A poem by ILMA
While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men began to teach
“Unless you are circumcised as required by law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, and went to Jerusalem to the council
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were both welcomed by the whole church.
All the apostles including the elders were eager to hear from Paul and Barnabas
They reported everything God had done through them and all the miracles
Some believers from the sect of the Pharisees insisted that Gentile converts obey
They required them to follow the law of Moses to be circumcised.
The apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue of circumcision
After a long discussion, Peter reminded them that the Gentiles converted
He said the God knows people’s hearts and that they were given the Holy Spirit
Peter posed this question “Why are you now challenging God by burdening them?”
Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul what God had done to the Gentiles
James stood up and reminded them of the prophet’s vision on the rest of humanity
“And so my judgement is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles converts”
They decided to send a letter to the Gentile believers to remind them of God’s laws.
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MEMORY VERSE
We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. – Acts 15:19
Read: Acts 15
So many laws of Moses were stipulated by the Jewish leaders that enslaved them. They are so strict that it was difficult for many new believers to actually follow them. The apostles had the Holy Spirit in them so that they see how these laws especially the circumcision might make it difficult for the Gentiles to follow through their conversion.
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REFLECTION
• What laws have you been strictly adhering to that hinders you from doing things out of love instead of just following rules?
• Why are the Pharisees so legalistic and making it hard for new believers?
Tag Archives: poetry
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?
James Killed and Peter Imprisoned Poem Devotional
June 16
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JAMES KILLED AND PETER IMPRISONED
A poem by ILMA
About that time King Herod Agrippa began persecuting believers in the church
He had the apostle James killed with a sword, then he also arrested Peter
This took place during the Passover celebrations; Peter was imprisoned too
He placed him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.
Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover
But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him
Before Peter’s trial, he was asleep and fastened in between two soldiers
Others stood guard at the prison gate, then suddenly a bright light shone.
After the dazzling light, an angel of the Lord stood before Peter
The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and told him to get up
“Get dressed and put on your sandals,” he was told, and Peter obeyed
All the time Peter thought it was just a vision and didn’t thought it was real.
They passed the first and second guard post and came to the iron gate
This gate leading to the city opened for them all by itself
So they passed through and started walking down the street
Then the angel suddenly left him and finally Peter realized it’s true.
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MEMORY VERSE
They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angle suddenly left him. – Acts 12:10
Read: Acts 12
In this account, we witness the miracle that happened that freed Peter from prison. The earnest prayers of the believers were heard and an angel was sent to facilitate their freedom.
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REFLECTION
• How can prayers of earnest believers change the course of time?
• Why did God free Peter in prison?
ELIHU CONFRONTS JOB AND HIS FRIENDS Poem Devotional
June 15
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ELIHU CONFRONTS JOB AND HIS FRIENDS
A poem by ILMA
Job’s friends refused to reply further to him as he kept insisting on his innocence
Then Elihu son of Barakel, the Buzite of the clan of Ram became angry
His anger was directed because Job refused to admit he had sinned
He was also angry with Job’s three friends for they made God appear wrong.
Elihu said that he held back since he was younger than them all
He thought that those who are older should be wiser
He acknowledges that the Spirit of the Lord makes people intelligent
He realizes that not all elders are wise or understand justice.
He told them that he listened carefully at their arguments to Job
But recognized that they have not refuted him Job for all he said
He confronts Job at claiming God was picking a quarrel with him
Bringing a charge against God and complaining was another sin.
Elihu defends God who constantly speak to his people but is unheard
He enumerates God’s character such as discipline and his healing
He further accuses Job of arrogance and for spending time with wicked men
He presents God’s goodness and omniscience to Job and his friends.
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MEMORY VERSE
He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve. Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice. – Job 34:11-12
Read: Job 33-34
Elipaz, Bildad and Zophar were unable to refute Job’s innocence. All they did was to surmise that Job had sinned but had no clear evidence to present. After listening to the three friends and to Job’s response to them and his accusation that God was punishing him, a young man named Elihu confronts all the wrong notions that they had of God. He presents God as omniscient and omnipotent, something that Job and his friends didn’t have an understanding of. This young man had the Spirit of God stirring him to bring truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why did God use a young man to shame the elder men who claimed knowledge?
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?
GENTILES HEAR THE GOOD NEWS Poem Devotional
June 13
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GENTILES HEAR THE GOOD NEWS
A poem by ILMA
Peter told Cornelius that he saw clearly how God shows no favoritism
In every nation, he accepts those who fear him and do what is right
He declares the message of the Good News for the people of Israel
“That there is peace with God through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all.”
After John began preaching his message of baptism, we know Jesus went
He baptized the Lord and God anointed him with the Holy Spirit
Then Jesus went around doing good and healing the oppressed
He did all these miracles as God’s Spirit was so alive in his human body.
The apostles are witnesses of all Christ did throughout Judea in Jerusalem
They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but rose from the dead
Then God allowed him to appear, not to all but to whom he has chosen
He did that in advance to be his witnesses, so they can do his work.
Jesus ordered us all to preach everywhere and to testify that it is only Jesus
That his only Son Jesus was the one appointed by God to be judge of all
This includes the living and the dead, that Christ is the one Scriptures spoke about
Everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.
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MEMORY VERSE
I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. – Acts 10:34
Read: Acts 10
What amazing fair and just God we have. He never shows favoritism to anyone. He accepts anyone who fears him. This story of the apostles gave us a solid picture of how God treats anyone who believes in him and do what is right.
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REFLECTION
• How does favoritism play a part in destroying people?
• Why is it important that we fear the Lord and do what is right?
• What kind of an apostle was Peter bringing this Good News to the Gentiles?
CORNELIUS CALLS FOR PETER Poem Devotional
June 12
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CORNELIUS CALLS FOR PETER
A poem by ILMA
In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius
He was a captain of the Italian Regiment and was devout
Cornelius was a God-fearing man and so did all his household
They all prayed regularly to God and gave generously to the poor.
One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision
An angel of God came towards him and he was terrified
“What is it, sir?” he asked the angel and he replied with
“Your prayers and gifts to the poor has been received.”
The angel told him to go to Joppa and summon Simon Peter
He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives by the seashore
As soon as the angel left, Cornelius called two of his servants
He told them what has happened and told them to go to Joppa.
The servants told Peter that they have come to bring him to Cornelius
When Peter arrived, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him
Peter pulled him up and said, “I am human, just like you, so get up”
He told him that God instructed him to come to his house.
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MEMORY VERSE
Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you but God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. – Acts 10:28
Read: Acts 10
In those times when the apostles were preaching the Good News, Gentiles and Jews never mix together. Gentiles were considered unclean or impure. The story of Cornelius being shown a vision and asked to summon Simon Peter was a clear change in the perspective of Jewish law.
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REFLECTION
• Why would God break the laws of the Jews? What is it that he is actually changing?