October 16
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PREACH THE WORD AND FINISH THE RACE
A poem by ILMA
I plead you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus who’ll judge us someday
He will come to hold accountable all the living and the dead on the last day
So, preach the word of the Lord and always be ready
Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage one another with good teaching.
There will come a time when people will stop listening to the truth
They will be more concerned with their own desires and reject the word
They will look for teachers who will tell them what they want to hear
They will close their hearts to sound teaching and chase after myths.
Make sure you keep your mind clear and pure in every situation
Do not be afraid of suffering if it is for the cause of the Lord
Work at telling others the Good News and continue to spread it
Fully carry out the ministry God has given you with the help of the Spirit.
Fight the good fight; never give up and remain faithful
Press on to finish the race for there will be a reward for you
The crown of righteousness which will be handed to you by the Lord
It will be there for you to receive when he returns and judge us all.
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MEMORY VERSE
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. – 2 Timothy 4:2
Read: 2 Timothy 4
In this letter of Paul to Timothy, he urges all the believers to spread the gospel. It is sad to see many Christians that do not actually live this mandate out. We are supposed to be responsible for each other’s growth with good teaching and live with each other in love.
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REFLECTION
• Do you actually preach the Good News? Who have you brought to the Lord by preaching the gospel to them?
Tag Archives: poetry
DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS Poem Devotional
October 15
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DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS
A poem by ILMA
In the last days, there will be very difficult times
People will love only themselves and their wealth
These people will be busy being arrogant and mocking God
Nothing is sacred to them, they will be ungrateful and lawless
People in the end times will be full of themselves and unforgiving
They will slander others and will have no self control
Cruelty and hatred occupy their hearts; they’ll hate what’s true
They will betray their friends and be puffed up with pride.
Religion and rituals are important to them; they don’t have the Holy Spirit
They will love pleasure rather than please the only true God
These people work their way into people’s homes
They win the trust of vulnerable people who are guilt ridden
These teachers oppose the truth that comes form God’s word
They have immoral minds and a counterfeit faith
But they won’t get away with this for long
Someday, everyone will recognize what fools they are.
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MEMORY VERSE
in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
– 2 Timothy 3:1-2
Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-9
Paul predicts what difficult times we will have during the last days. Sadly, we witness most of these prophecies nowadays. We are plagued with people who only care for their own pleasures instead of seeking God.
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REFLECTION
• What amongst these predictions are you actually experiencing right now? Explain.
PROMOTE RIGHT LIVING Poem Devotional
October 14
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PROMOTE RIGHT LIVING
A poem by ILMA
Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching
Teach the older men to exercise self-control and live wisely
Let them ensure that they are worthy of respect
They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
Teach the older women to live in a way that honors God
They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers
Instead, they should teach others what is good
These older women must train the younger women to love their family.
Tell these young wives to live wisely and be pure and work in their homes
Instruct them to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands
In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely
Let them be an example to them by doing good works of every kind.
Let all you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching
Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticize
Then those who oppose will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about
You have the authority to correct them so don’t let anyone neglect what you say.
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MEMORY VERSE
Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. – Titus 2:1
Read: Titus 2: 1-15
Paul gave very specific examples to Titus how Christians should adhere to a life worthy of respect. He also told how men and women should exercise self control and live wisely. But some believers may have forgotten these wise instructions to promote right living. We need to be reminded of these guidelines and follow it so we can live pure and holy lives.
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REFLECTION
• Why is right living a better teacher than actual preaching?
• Why is integrity and seriousness of teaching very important in the live of believers?
GOD-APPROVED WORKER Poem Devotional
October 13
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GOD-APPROVED WORKER
A poem by ILMA
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval
Be a good worker, don’t be ashamed and correctly explain the truth
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior
This is not eddying the Lord and this kind of talk spreads like cancer.
God’s truth stands firm like a foundation for God knows all his people
Those who belong to the LORD do their best to turn away from evil
In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver
Some are made of wood and clay; expensive utensils are for special occasions.
While cheap ones are for everyday use, if you keep holy, you’ll be like a special utensil Your life will be clean, and you’ll be ready for the Master’s use you for every good work
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts, instead, pursue righteous living
Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone
He must be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people
He must gently instruct those who oppose the truth.
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MEMORY VERSE
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
– 2 Timothy 2:15
Read: 2 Timothy 2:15-26
This letter of Paul to Timothy gives us a recommendation of how to be a good worker according to God. It is interesting when we don’t follow such guidelines to live in truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to keep holy and pursue righteous living?
• What happens when we involve ourselves with foolish arguments?
• Why do you think God chooses people who don’t engage in quarrels?¬
SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE Poem Devotional
October 12
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SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
A poem by ILMA
Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline
Never be ashamed to tell others about the Lord, instead, be bold to share him
With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer for the sake of the Good News.
For God saved us and called us to live a joyful and holy life
Though we don’t deserve it, he did this to fulfill his plan
He broke the power of death and brought us life through the Good News
By the Holy Spirit’s power, guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
Be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus
Teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses
Teach these truths to other trustworthy people who’ll pass them on to others
Endure suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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MEMORY VERSE
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. – 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Read: 2 Timothy 1:6 -2 Timothy 2:7
There are many people who live in fear and yet we are all created by God to have the spirit of power, love and self-discipline. What an amazing God we have who reminds us constantly not to live in fear in Scriptures. He wants us to live a fearless life so we can live the life he wanted us to have. He gave us all the gifts we need so we can be bold to use them to glorify the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people choose to fear rather than love?
• What do you think is the source of fear for most people?
• How can we endure suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus?
• Why is grace the only way we can actually live the life that Christ wants for us?
ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND TRUE RICHES Poem Devotional
October 11
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ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND TRUE RICHES
A poem by ILMA
Let’s encourage everyone to obey all truth and God’s teachings
Some people may oppose these teachings, but these truths are from Christ
These teachings endorse peace, love and a godly life
Anyone who teaches otherwise is haughty and lacks understanding
Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the words’ definitions
This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions
These people always cause trouble, corruptions for they have turned against truth
To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become well-off
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth
After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world
So, we can’t take anything with us when we leave it
If we have enough food and clothing, let us be content
People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by cravings
It is their foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil
And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith.
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MEMORY VERSE
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. – 1 Timothy 6:9
Read: 1 Timothy 6:2-10
Once a person becomes a true believer of Jesus Christ, he or she will familiarize themselves with the truth that only comes from God’s word. They are able to detect lies from truth and thus they learn what true riches are in God’s economy. In this letter of Paul to Timothy, he stressed the source of our ruin and destruction, our cravings and human desires.
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REFLECTION
• What makes people plunge into ruin and destruction?
• Why do you think “love of money” and not money in itself is the root of all evil?
ON FALSE TEACHERS AND GOOD SERVANTS Poem Devotional
October 10
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ON FALSE TEACHERS AND GOOD SERVANTS
A poem by ILMA
The Holy Spirit tells us that in the end times, some will turn away from true faith
They will follow misleading spirits and teachings that comes from demons
These people are frauds and liars and their consciences are dead
They’ll say it’s wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods
Since everything God created is good, we shouldn’t reject any of it
We need to receive everything from God with thanksgiving
We know that it is made acceptable by truth and prayer.
To be a servant of Christ Jesus one must be nourished by good teaching
Don’t waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales
Instead, train yourself to be godly and instead of physical training
Training for godliness promises more benefit in this life and in the life to come
Let’s work hard and continue to struggle for our hope is in the living God
He is the Savior of all people and most particularly all believers
Be an example to all believers in what you say and in the way you live
Stay true to what’s right for the sake of your salvation and those who hear you.
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MEMORY VERSE
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times, some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. – 1 Timothy 4:1
Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-16
In this letter of Paul to Timothy, we are warned of the false teachings that will happen during the end times and it also gives us a clear guideline of how to be a good servant of God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to live holy and pure lives as Christians?
• Why is spiritual training more important than physical training?
• How can we stay true to what is right?
REQUIREMENTS FOR CHURCH LEADERS Poem Devotional
October 10
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REQUIREMENTS FOR CHURCH LEADERS
A poem by ILMA
If someone desires to be a church leader, he seeks a moral position
A church leader must be someone whose life is blameless
He must be faithful to his spouse and must exercise self-control
Living wisely and having a good reputation teaching are requirements as well.
A church leader must enjoy having guests in his or her home
He cannot be a heavy drinker or be violent to anyone
He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money
He must manage his own family well and have respectful and obedient children.
If a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
A church leader mustn’t be a new believer, because he might become proud and fall
People outside church must speak well of him so he won’t fall into the devil’s trap.
In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity
They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money
They must be committed to the mystery of the faith
And they also must live with a clear conscience.
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MEMORY VERSE
If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.
– 1 Timothy 3:1
Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-13
It is sad that some churches have compromised their spiritual growth. Some churches fail to refer to the requirements laid by the Lord in the bible regarding church leaders’ selection.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to re-think if you are wanting to be a church leader?
• Why do we need to be very careful in selecting leaders of a congregation if we are members of the board or appointees?
• Why do you think Paul requires blameless living for church leaders?
INSTRUCTION FOR WORSHIP Poem Devotional
October 8
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INSTRUCTION FOR WORSHIP
A poem by ILMA
I ask you all to pray for all people and ask God to help them
Intervene for other people’s behalf and give thanks for these people
Include in your prayers all authority such as kings so there’ll be peace
When we have quiet lives, we can live godly and dignified lives.
God is pleased when we pray since he wants us all to be saved
The Lord desires for all of us to understand the truth
For there is only one God and one Mediator who brings God and humanity
It is God’s only son, Christ Jesus who is the only one who is the go-between.
This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God
He wants them all to be free from anger and controversy
And I want women to wear decent clothing and not draw attention to themselves.
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MEMORY VERSE
This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. – 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-15
Paul’s letter to Timothy was full of instructions about how the demeanor of men and women should be during worship. It is sad to watch many churches now not following these instructions. We are summoned to pray for all people and intercede for them, how many Christians actually do these? We get all wrapped up in our busy lives that we can barely prioritize our worship for God. We fail to pray for our leaders; instead, we get consumed by whining and watching what they are doing wrong. We are told to live holy lives that honor the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• How would you assess the kind of worship you do for the Lord?
• Do you make God your priority in life?
• What can you do as a Christian to make prayer as your lifestyle?
WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHINGS Poem Devotional
October 7
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WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHINGS
A poem by ILMA
Stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth
Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussions
These things only lead to meaningless speculations
It doesn’t help people to live a life of faith in God.
A true believer is filled with love that comes from a pure heart
They possess a clear conscience, and genuine faith
But some people have missed this whole point
They spend their time in meaningless discussions.
They want to be known as teachers of the law of God
Though confident, they’re clueless about what they’re talking about
We know that the law is good when used correctly
For the law wasn’t intended for people who do what’s right.
It is for people who are lawless and rebellious
They are for those who are ungodly and sinful,
Also, they are for those people who consider nothing sacred
They’re for those who are defile God’s teaching.
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MEMORY VERSE
Stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. – 1 Timothy 1:3
Read: 1 Timothy 1:1-11
In this letter of Paul, we are cautioned about false teachings. The only way we are going to find out false teachings is if we study carefully the word of God. We are to avoid endless discussion of myths and worldly pursuits and human reasoning. We are to caution our hearts and never defile God’s teachings.
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REFLECTION
• What do you do as a Christian if you find false teachings in the church that you belong to?
• Why are we cautioned not to engage in meaningless discussions?