November 4
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GOD’S WORD REMAINS FOREVER
A poem by ILMA
Be ready, renew your minds and exercise self-control
Be hopeful and expectant for Jesus’ second coming
Live as obedient children of your heavenly Father
He was holy so he expected you to be holy as well.
Remember that God plays no favorites, he treats you all equally
Live in reverent fear of God since you are just temporary residents
Through Christ you have come to trust in God and was cleansed from sin
So, love each other deeply and sincerely with all your heart.
You’ve been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end
Your new life will last forever because the word of God says
“People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field
The flowers fade but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
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MEMORY VERSE
As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
– 1 Peter 1:24-25
Read: 1 Peter 1:13-25
One of the only things that lasts forever in this world is the word of God. Everything else in this world is temporary and changing. We need to be able to get ourselves strong in the word so we can overcome this world. God also wants us to be holy as he is so that we can receive all the promises of God.
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REFLECTION
• How can you exercise self-control?
• Why is it a good thing to be investing time reading the word of God if you are a believer?
• What happens when we don’t follow the truth that only comes in the word of God?
• How can loving one another deeply make us grow as Christians?
Tag Archives: spoken word
JOY IN TRIALS Poem Devotionals
November 3
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JOY IN TRIALS
A poem by ILMA
When you encounter trials, don’t be discouraged
Instead, look at the upside of it and take courage
These trials will show your faith is genuine
It will test how you are going to endure.
Such trials will make you strong like being tested on fire
It will bring much praise and glory when Christ is revealed
When you love Christ even though you’ve never seen him
The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your soul.
This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know
They prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you
They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you
This Good News has been preached by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.
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MEMORY VERSE
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. – 1 Peter 1:6
Read: 1 Peter 1:6-12
When we encounter adversities in life, we often become discouraged or hopeless or desperate. But there is actually an upside to trials. They grow us. We learn to endure and become able to have patience to suffer long. When our faith grows, we become almost perfect, needing nothing. It gives us a chance to be refined through the fire just like how gold and silver are put to the test in fire.
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REFLECTION
• How can one have the ability to look at the bright side to challenges and trials in life?
• Why are such trials important for our maturity as Christians?
• Why do worldly people see trials as a bad thing? What are they missing when they look at it this way?
• How can we train ourselves to see trials as a test that we need to pass?
THE POWER OF PRAYER Poem Devotional
November 2
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THE POWER OF PRAYER
A poem by ILMA
When you are undergoing trials, praying must be your recourse
If you are happy and joyful, you should sing praises
When you are sick, you must call the elders of the church
Let them pray over you and anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord.
Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick and God will make them well
If someone has committed any sins, they will all be forgiven
If you confess your sins to each other and pray for one another
You can be healed and the prayer of a righteous person has power.
Elijah prayed for rain and his earnest prayers brought rain
Then when he prayed again for no rain, it was granted again
If someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back
That person who save them from death will bring forgiveness of many sins.
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MEMORY VERSE
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16
Read: James 5:13-20
Many people do not realize and value the importance of prayer. The book of James gives us a reminder of the importance of prayer and how it can bring about miracles and impossible things. This chapter also talks about the importance of bringing back those who have wandered from the truth and the reward that is awaiting them.
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REFLECTION
• Why is confessing your sins to each other and praying for one another important in order for healing to happen?
• How can you learn to pray like Elijah?
• What makes prayers answered?
• How often do you pray for the lost souls?
THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE Poem Devotional
November 1
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THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE
A poem by ILMA
All of us believers are commanded to be patient as we wait for Christ’s return
Just like the farmer who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and spring
They enthusiastically look forward to the seeds to bear fruits and ripen
We be hopeful and endure all that we go through until Jesus comes again.
Don’t complain about each other or you will be judge
Since the heavenly Judge will standing at the door!
Learn from the story of Job, a man of great endurance
Despite all of the things he lost, his patience and faith remained.
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MEMORY VERSE
Be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
– James 5:7
Read: James 5:7-12
In the bible, the quality or virtue of patience is presented as either forbearance or endurance. In the former sense it is a quality of self-restraint or of not giving way to anger, even in the face of provocation; it is attributed to both God and man and is closely related to mercy and compassion. Patience is a novelty in my life. Though the Lord has given me endurance, I still find it hard at times to be patient after I have suffered long. It is interesting that I am struggling with one and yet able to endure. I think that I need to focus more on the return of Jesus with expectancy and not let all the challenges and trials in life become the focus of my life. I need to look up to Jesus so that everything I do will be for his glory.
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REFLECTION
• Why is patience a novelty in our world today?
• What makes people endure hardships?
• How is not giving in to anger closely related to mercy and compassion?
• How can we be patient even in the face of provocation?
• Do you think impatience is a form of anger? Why or why not?
ON CRITICISM AND SELF-CONFIDENCE Poem Devotional
October 31
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ON CRITICISM AND SELF-CONFIDENCE
A poem by ILMA
When you become a believer, you mustn’t speak ill of each other
If you criticize and judge one another, you are attacking God’s law
The only thing we need to do is to obey God’s commands
You can’t think that the decree is only for others to follow
God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge
He alone has the power to save or to destroy
What right do you have to judge your neighbor?
You can’t predict or foresee what is going to happen in the future
You can’t assume that your plans are going to all happen
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?
Your life is like a mist, it is there now but can be gone next day
As believers, you need to rely only on God’s grace and plans
You cannot predict things will happen for that is a form of boasting
All boasting is evil and remember it is sin to know what to do and not do it.
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MEMORY VERSE
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. – James 4:11
Read: James 4:11-17
Why is it easy for us to criticize than to affirm someone? It is part of our fallen nature to point other people’s sin or weaknesses rather than examine our own faults. When we talk evil of others or criticize them, we are questioning God’s creation. All of us are created by God, so what right do we have to say that his creation is evil or mediocre?
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think assumption and presumption is a form of boasting?
• Why does James consider boasting as evil? What is the source of arrogance?
• What are the consequences of judging or criticizing someone?
• Why is omitting to do what you know you need to do is considered a sin?
COME CLOSE TO GOD Poem Devotional
October 30
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COME CLOSE TO GOD
A poem by ILMA
What is the source of quarrels or fights among you people?
Doesn’t it come from those evil desires at war within you?
You want what others have, so you plan to get it at all cost
You become envious, so you scheme and obsess to have it.
Yet you don’t have what you want since you don’t ask the Lord
Or when you ask, you don’t get since it is only for your own pleasure
Don’t you know that following the world makes you an enemy of God?
So why do you compromise your relationship with your Lord and Savior?
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble
So, be submissive to God and resist the devil
The enemy will flee from you, and you become the victor
Come close to God and he will definitely come close to you.
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MEMORY VERSE
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. – James 4:7-8
Read: James 4:1-10
It is interesting to know that many Christians use the excuse that God is everywhere and think that they need not make any effort to come close to him. They follow the world’s system and think that God will not be offended with that. In fact, James calls us adulterers and enemies of God when we abide by the ways of the world because that is not what his will is for us. In this chapter, James also explains the source of our conflicts which is from our human desires and cravings.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God hates the proud?
• Why is obedience to his will the pre-requisite for victory over sin?
• Why does God expect us to come close to him so he can come close to us? Why not just chase us?
TRUE WISDOM FROM ABOVE Poem Devotional
October 28
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TRUE WISDOM FROM ABOVE
A poem by ILMA
True wisdom comes only from one source, our Creator
Though the world claims knowledge, it isn’t true wisdom
When you live an honorable life, you understand God’s ways
Your actions become the result of humility from His righteousness.
If you are jealous and ambitious, don’t cover up truth by boasting and lying
Envy and selfishness are not from God, they are earthly and demonic
Where jealousy and selfish ambition thrives, there’s chaos and all kinds of evil
Where there is ambition and envy, you will find competition and division.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure and good
It is always sincere and full of compassion for people
It is peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others
It shows no favoritism and is always sincere and pursues peace.
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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
The world views wisdom differently from God. Godly wisdom focuses on what is righteous and good and what’s good for others and what is glorifying to God. Worldly wisdom on the other hand focuses on satisfying selfish desires and cravings. It does not consider others. It only looks after their own selfish needs, goals and pleasures while God’s wisdom is all inclusive. It focuses on the welfare of humankind.
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REFLECTION
• What have you done to protect yourself from the world systems and beliefs?
• Why is true wisdom a scarcity now in our world?
• What should we do when we encounter envy and jealousy in the body of Christ?
• How can we grow in true wisdom?
LIFE AND DEATH IN THE TONGUE Poem Devotional
October 28
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LIFE AND DEATH IN THE TONGUE
A poem by ILMA
Be careful what comes out of your mouth for the tongue is evil
It may utter praise and good things, but it can be a tool of the devil
What we say can be used to encourage someone immensely
But it can also be used to destroy or discourage someone intentionally.
We may tame all kinds of animals but no one can tame the tongue
It is like a rudder that directs a huge ship to go where it wants to go
The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches and spread out
It is a tiny spark that can set a great forest on fire and have it destroyed.
The tongue is restless and evil, full of deadly poison
Sometimes it praises and worship the heavenly Father
Other times it curses those made in God’s image
So, blessing and cursing can come out of the same mouth.
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MEMORY VERSE
No one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
– James 3:8
Read: James 3:1-12
The book of James certainly stresses the importance of recognizing how evil our tongues are. It can bring life or death to someone. As this book says, it is not possible to tame it as it is evil. Some hypocrites may want to claim that they have never sinned with their tongues, but according to this book, it is inevitable for us to escape the wickedness that is in the tongue. Hence, the bible tells us time and time again to guard our mouth.
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REFLECTION
• If we can’t tame the tongue, how can we gain control over it instead of it controlling our lives?
• What is the antidote to negative thinking and speaking?
• Share any experience you had about the evil and good of the tongue?
DOING THE WORD Poem Devotional
October 26
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DOING THE WORD
A poem by ILMA
The word of God is not just to be read, memorized or studied
It is like spiritual food to be followed in order for us to be nourished
If you only listen to it and don’t obey or incorporate it in your life
It’s as if you’re looking at your face in a mirror and forgot what you looked like.
If you meditate on the perfect law that sets you free and do as it says
You will be blessed and experience the transforming power of the law
If you claim to be religious but have not done what God says
Then you are only fooling yourself since it won’t change your ways.
Pure and authentic religion in God’s eyes means caring for others
It is giving aide especially to those who are poor and vulnerable
Taking care of the orphans, widows, the oppressed and the weak
This is what God considers pure and undefiled religion
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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. – James 1:22
Read: James 1:22-27
It is sad to see many Christians live shallow lives that do not honor and obey the truth that comes from Scriptures. Many religions have not done their part to actually ensure that the members of their congregation are actually growing and following God’s commands. Sometimes, the trouble even lies in the leadership themselves where they have twisted the true meaning of pure and undefiled religion. They are more concerned with the organization rather than the vision that God has mandated us all, to preach the Good News and make disciples of all nations.
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REFLECTION
• Why does the book of James require us to “do’ the word of God instead of just reading and studying it? What happens if just read or study it without applying it?
• Why is it dangerous for believers to just follow religious rituals and doctrines?
WISE TEACHINGS FROM JAMES Poem Devotional
October 25
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WISE TEACHINGS FROM JAMES
A poem by ILMA
Many people find it hard to see the upside of trouble
As believers, we are instructed to be joyful when trials come
We can consider it an opportunity to let our faith grow
When faith grows, endurance follows then we will be whole.
If you want wisdom, ask the Lord and be sure you only have faith in him
Don’t waver like the waves of the sea that’s tossed by the wind
Don’t expect to receive anything if you are loyal to this world
That would displease the Lord who wants you to be faithful.
Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry
Anger doesn’t allow you to have the righteousness God wants
Rid yourself of all wickedness and accept God’s word
It has power to save you from the corruption of this world.
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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 1:1-18
The book of James is one of my favorites in the bible. When I was newly born again, it was this book that made me walk into the freedom that God has given me as a new creation in Christ. It was very straightforward and practical but allowed me to grow in my understanding of the importance of
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think being quick to listen is beneficial for us Christians instead of speaking quickly?
• What happens if you allow anger to become habitual?
• Why is studying and accepting God’s word essential in a believer’s life?
• Have you ever felt joy from having much trials?
• Why is unbelief and wavering an obstacle to answered prayers?