October 4
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WISE WORDS FOR BELIEVERS
A poem by ILMA
To all believers, honor those who lead you and do the work of God
They work earnestly among you to give you spiritual guidance
Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of what they’re doing
Live peacefully with each other; we urge you to warn those who are lazy.
Encourage those who are shy and take tender care of those who are weak
Be patient with everyone and see no one pays evil for evil and be good to all
Always be joyful; never stop praying and be thankful in all situations
God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus is to let the Spirit live in you.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit and don’t mock prophecies, but test what’s said
Hold on to what is good and stay away from every kind of wickedness
May the God of peace make you holy and pure in every way
May your soul, body and spirit be kept faultless until Christ comes again.
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MEMORY VERSE
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. – 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
In this chapter, Paul reminds us of some wise words for believers. He tells them to honor those who work for God’s ministry. Peace is something that is always stressed in most of his teachings but loving others and paying attention to those who needs tender loving care like the weak and those who are shy. Being joyful and always praying and being thankful is also emphasized. But caution is spoken about how not to hinder the Spirit of God and ensuring that we test what his prophecy says.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Paul tells us not to avenge but to be good to all instead?
• What stifles the Holy Spirit?
• How can you test if the spirit is from the Lord or not?
• How can encouragement help those who are shy and weak?
Tag Archives: spoken word
BE PREPARED FOR THE LORD’S RETURN Poem Devotional
October 3
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BE PREPARED FOR THE LORD’S RETURN
A poem by ILMA
The day of the Lord’s coming will be unexpected, like a thief in the night
It may come when people think everything is peaceful, secure and quiet
Disaster will suddenly fall on them as a pregnant woman’s labor pain begins
Then there will be nowhere to go, all those who don’t belong to him will see.
But all believers need not worry because you aren’t in the dark about these things
You will not be surprised when the Lord comes in the middle of the night like a thief
For you are all children of the light and of the day, you don’t belong to darkness
So, be on your guard, be mindful, stay alert and not asleep like the others.
Be vigilant and clearheaded; night is the time when people sleep and some are drunk
Let us all who live in the light be lucid, protected by the armor of faith and love
Wear the full armor of God and have the confidence that comes from being saved
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
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MEMORY VERSE
So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
It is interesting how many people react to the second coming of the Lord in various ways. Humans are very visual that we don’t to get ready for the Lord’s coming in a physical way. We cannot fathom how and when all these things are actually happening. There are some people preparing how to survive such disasters in the end times and yet neglect the real preparation that is actually expected of us. The preparation is to be holy and pure so that when the Lord comes like a thief in the night, we are prepared because we are obeying all his commands. Sadly, we, humans are very literal and limited in our understanding about it. What we need to be concerned is how to stay pure and right in God’s eyes.
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REFLECTION
• Do you have apprehensions about the second coming of Christ? If so, why do you think you have such concerns?
• What are the ways you have been preparing for the Lord’s return?
HOPE IN THE LORD’S RETURN Poem Devotional
October 3
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HOPE IN THE LORD’S RETURN
A poem by ILMA
Dear fellow believers, we want you to know what happens to believers who died
We are telling you this so you won’t grieve like people who have no hope
Since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again
We also believe that God brings back the believers who have died when Jesus returns.
The Lord says: “We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout,
The voice of the archangel will be heard with the trumpet call of God
Then all the believers who have died will rise from their graves.
Then, together with them, we who are still alive here on earth
We will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air
Then we will be triumphant that we will eventually be with the Lord forever
So let us all encourage each other constantly of this hope when Christ returns.
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MEMORY VERSE
We want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. – 1 Thessalonians 1:13
Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
This chapter focuses on the rapture which is the second coming of Jesus. The book of Matthew describes the coming of Jesus this way in Chapter 24:40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. Paul presents the rapture in a more hopeful and a high expectancy of the picture of what will actually happens when Jesus Christ comes back again to save us all. It gives hope to those who have already lost their love ones to the grave if they are believers.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers be comforted by Paul’s reminder of what happens in the rapture?
• How can you encourage believers who just lost a loved one?
LIVE TO PLEASE GOD Poem Devotional
October 1
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LIVE TO PLEASE GOD
A poem by ILMA
To all believers, we urge you to live a life pleasing to God
When you live this way already, we encourage you to do so even more
Remember, God’s will is for you to be holy so stay away from all sexual sin
Then all of you will be control his own body and live holy and honorable lives.
Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife
The Lord avenges all such sins, as you were solemnly warned you before
God has called us to live holy lives, not corrupt and impure lives
When we refuse to live this way, we are rejecting God’s Spirit.
We don’t need to tell you of the importance of loving each other
God himself has taught you to how to love your sisters and brothers
We implore you to love your fellow believer even more each day
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business
Work with your hands and bless others with what you have been given
Then those who do not know the Lord will have a glimpse of him
They will respect the way you live as you give a sample of holy living
They will begin to want to live a life of peace, joy and integrity.
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MEMORY VERSE
We urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God.
– 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Read: 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12
What amazing message of Paul to the Thessalonians: Live to Please God! As Christians, we need to constantly ask ourselves if we are really following this kind of life that is pleasing to God. Oftentimes, we end up pleasing ourselves or others. We live for this world and not for the heavenly realm that we were created for.
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REFLECTION
• How can we continue to live a life of integrity in this very chaotic world?
• Who among the bible characters can you emulate aside from Jesus as holy?
PAUL’S MEMORY OF HIS VISIT TO THESSALONICA Poem Devotional
September 30
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PAUL’S MEMORY OF HIS VISIT TO THESSALONICA
A poem by ILMA
We declare the Good News entrusted to us and approved by God
Our sole purpose in bringing the gospel in order to please God, not men
God alone examines the motives of our hearts so never used flattery
We never pretend to be your friends just to get your money.
Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you?
Night and day, we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to anyone
You are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless And, you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.
We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live to please the Lord
For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory, so always be full of gratitude
You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is
And this word continues to work in you, all of those who believe.
Dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own people
In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea
They failed to please God and work against all humanity
They try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles.
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MEMORY VERSE
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. – 1 Thessalonians 2:4
Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:4-16
In this recollection of Paul of his visit to Thessalonica, we see how he reminded the people of all the hard work the apostles did and how they kept their integrity to bring the Good News. His main goal to reach them and bring the gospel as God wants them to do. He reminds them that the word of God should continue to touch them to please God.
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REFLECTION
• Do you ensure integrity when you preach the Good News to others?
LET PEACE RULE YOUR HEARTS Poem Devotional
September 29
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LET PEACE RULE YOUR HEARTS
A poem by ILMA
Most importantly, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us in harmony
And let the peace that comes from Christ dominate your minds and hearts
As part of the body of Christ, you are called to live in peace
Be thankful always and let Christ’s message in all its richness fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus
Be grateful to God the Father through his one and only Son.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for all believers
Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly
Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord
Fathers, don’t provoke your children, or they will become discouraged.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do and please them always
Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward.
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MEMORY VERSE
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. – Colossians 3:15
Read: Colossians 3:14-25
I think a lot of people misconstrue the real meaning of peace. Peace isn’t absence of conflict. One can have peace amidst conflict. If you remember the commotion that Paul brought about while he was preaching in the Book of Acts, we see how he had peace in his heart despite all these people who had been plotting all the while to kill him. We are told to let the peace that comes from Jesus, dominate our hearts.
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REFLECTION
• What challenges do you face these days that challenges you to keep peace?
PUTTING ON YOUR NEW NATURE Poem Devotional
September 28
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PUTTING ON YOUR NEW NATURE
A poem by ILMA
Now that you have a new life in Christ, focus on heavenly things
It is in heaven where Christ sits in a place of honor at God’s right hand
Think about the things that are the realities in heaven, not of this earth
For you died to this life and your real life is hidden with Jesus in God.
And when Christ, who is Life is revealed to all, you will share in his glory
So, turn your back to your sinful nature and worldly things lurking within you
Don’t get involved in sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires
Don’t be greedy for a covetous person worships the world and is an idolater.
You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, slander and malicious behavior
Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator.
Since God chose you to be his holy people, clothe yourselves with mercy
Be kind, gentle, humble, and patient to all especially to the family of Christ
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others to be forgiven.
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MEMORY VERSE
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. – Colossians 3:10
Read: Colossians 3:1-13
It is interesting to know that some Christians do not know how to put on the new creation that they received when they committed their lives to Christ. Just like putting on a new clothing, we usually removed the old to try on the new clothes. We don’t put on top of the old clothes our new ones. Sadly, this is what we do when we don’t let go of our worldly things and beliefs. It hinders us from knowing Christ deeper and become like him.
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REFLECTION
• What part of your old nature keeps creeping in your Christian life?
BRAND NEW LIFE IN CHRIST Poem Devotional
September 27
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BRAND NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
A poem by ILMA
When you accepted Christ as your Savior and Lord
You must continue to obey and follow his commands
Let your roots grow down into him and build your lives on him
Then your faith will grow strong, and you’ll overflow with gratitude.
Don’t be deceived by human reasoning and spiritual powers of this world
Instead, prioritize Jesus in all you do and study and meditate on his word
In Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body
So you’re complete by your union with Christ who has full authority.
When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not physically
Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinfulness
For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized
And by believing in Jesus, you were raised to a brand new life.
You were dead because of your sins and since it wasn’t yet cut away
Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins
He canceled the record of the charges against us and nailed it to the cross
This way, He shamed them publicly by his victory over through his blood.
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MEMORY VERSE
For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. – Colossians 2:12
Read: Colossians 2:6-13
When one becomes a believer of Jesus, they receive the new life that he promised. They get to start new and the old life is dead and gone. Many believers struggle living a new life because some people couldn’t let go of the old life. When we do this, we are actually not focusing on the power that Jesus had over sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to be intentional in living the new life you were given when you became a Christian?
CREATION THROUGH AND FOR CHRIST Poem Devotional
September 26
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CREATION THROUGH AND FOR CHRIST
A poem by ILMA
Jesus is the visual manifestation of the God that we don’t see
He was here in the beginning before all things were created
It was through Christ that God made all things in heaven and on earth
He created all things that we both see and also those that are not visible.
Thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities are those that are unseen
All things were made for the sake of our Lord Christ Jesus
He was there before anything was made and he holds all things together
Jesus Christ is the head of the church, which is his body.
He is the Alpha and is supreme over all things and won over death
He is first in everything and God in all his fullness, lived in Christ
It is through him God reconciled everything to himself
He made peace in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood.
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MEMORY VERSE
He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. – Colossians 1:17
Read: Colossians 1:15-20
It is an amazing revelation to the Colossians about the supremacy of Jesus Christ. Most people do not realize that everything in this world was created for Jesus and through him. Interestingly, he was also part of the creation because he is also God like the Heavenly Father. But we must also remember that there is a three-person God so, the Holy Spirit is also present during the creation, especially when humans were created. In Genesis 1:26, the plural form “Let us make humans” gives us a clue that the three-person God were all present in the making of the world, especially when mankind was made.
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REFLECTION
• As a Christian, do you always see that all things always point to our Lord Jesus Christ? Why do you think God created all things for Him and through him?
ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR BELIEVERS Poem Devotional
September 25
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ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR BELIEVERS
A poem by ILMA
Because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do
Stay true to the Lord for the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds our comprehension
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable
Focus on what is right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received
Then the God of peace will be with you and
Learn how to be content with whatever you have
Know how to live on almost nothing or with everything
Learn the secret of living in every situation
For you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
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MEMORY VERSE
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. -Philippians 4:4-5
Read: Philippians 4:1-14
In this letter of Paul to the Philippians, we are actually given many pointers how to navigate in life. Some Christians live a joyless life. In this chapter, we are commanded to be always full of joy and be considerate to everyone. We are suppose to live worry-less lives but in prayers, bring it to the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is a joyless Christian not an authentic believer?