July 19
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LIVE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF GRACE
A poem by ILMA
Since we have died to sin, we can’t continue to live in it
When we joined Christ in baptism, we united with him in his death
For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism
Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the heavenly father
Now we also may live new lives and will also be raised like him
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ
Sin lost its power in our lives so we’re no longer slaves
For when we died with Christ, we were set free from its power.
When Jesus died on the cross, it is to break sin’s power
Now that he lives, he does it for the glory of God
Do not let sin control the way you live or give in to sinful desires
Do not let any part of your body become an instrument to serve sin
Give yourselves completely to God for now you have new life
Use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right
Sin is no longer your master and no longer live under law
Instead, do your best to live under the freedom of God’s grace.
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MEMORY VERSE
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. – Romans 6:14
Read: Romans 6:1-14
When we become born again, we are not bound by the law or sin. It was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that enables all believers to be able to live under the grace of God. This makes Christians have the ability to live under the undeserved favor from our heavenly father.
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REFLECTION
• Why do some Christians stay legalistic instead of remembering what God did when he gave his only begotten Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us to be free?
• What challenges do you face that makes you see God’s favor on your life?
• Why is sin no longer your master when you became born again?
Tag Archives: spoken word
ALL PEOPLE ARE SINNERS Poem Devotional
July 17
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ALL PEOPLE ARE SINNERS
A poem by ILMA
Can anyone claim that they have never committed a sin?
If someone did, then they are not honest and is lying
Scripture says that no one is righteous, not even one
No one is truly wise and no one is seeking God.
All have turned away and we all have become useless
No one does good, not a single one for we are all sinners
One moment we speak praise, then we also speak evil things
We are by nature selfish and want to please our desires.
But now God has shown us a way to be right with him
He gave us his only begotten Son so we can be saved from sin
We only need to place our faith in Jesus and he cleanses us
We all fall short of the glory of God, yet he declares us righteous.
Can we boast that we have done anything to be accepted by God?
No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law but by faith
We are made right with God only by faith, whether we are Jews or Gentiles
Only when we believe in Christ and have faith can we truly fulfill the law.
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MEMORY VERSE
Only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. – Romans 3:31
Read: Romans 3:9-31
In the world we live in, accountability and repentance have become a novelty. We justify our sins and call it mistakes, faults, weaknesses. We have lived lives of compromise. We live busy lives in this world that makes us follow the dictates of society and the world system. Following God has lost its priority in our lives. We become corrupted by this world’s standards and forget to grow our faith which leads us to a life of integrity.
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REFLECTION
• How can we grow our faith so that we can sin less?
• Why do you think some people deny the fact that they have sinned?
ADAM AND CHRIST Poem Devotional
July 17
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ADAM AND CHRIST
A poem by ILMA
When Adam disobeyed, sin entered the world; Adam’s sin brought death
Death spread to everyone and all people sinned before the law was given
But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break.
And yet everyone died from the time of Adam to the time of Moses.
Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come.
But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift
For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many of us human
Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift makes us right with God.
Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone
Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God
Because Adam disobeyed God, many became sinners
But because Christ obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful we humans are
But as people sinned more and more, God’s grace became more abundant
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death
God gives us right standing with God resulting in eternal life.
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MEMORY VERSE
Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. – Romans 5:18
Read: Romans 5:12-21
Because of Adam’s disobedience, the whole humankind inherited sin. Because of what he did, we are all bent and have the tendency to be selfish. But God loved us so much that he gave us his son Jesus to break the power of sin over us all. Obedience to God’s will was what brought us back to become re-united with our heavenly Father.
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REFLECTION
• How can obedience matter so much to overcome selfishness?
GOD’S JUDGMENT OF SIN Poem Devotional
July 15
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GOD’S JUDGMENT OF SIN
A poem by ILMA
You may think you can condemn and punish those who do unrighteous things
If you do, you are condemning yourself, for when you judged you’ll also be judged
It is only God who can judge; in his justice, he punishes those who do evil
For you cannot escape God’s judgment when you judge others who do wickedness.
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you?
Can’t you see that God’s kindness is intended to make you be renewed?
When you are stubborn and refuse to turn from sin, you accumulate punishment
God will judge everyone according to what they have continually done.
He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good and giving God glory
But he will pour out his anger on those who live for themselves and disobey
There will be trouble and calamity for those who continue to do wicked things
Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, you will be judged for God has no favoritism.
When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed though they never had God’s laws
And the Jews who have God’s law will be judged by what law they disobey
Merely listening to the law and not doing it doesn’t make us right with God
The day is coming when God, through Christ will judge everyone’s secret life.
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MEMORY VERSE
They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. – Romans 2:15
Read: Romans 2:1-16
We humans have a tendency to judge. We set expectations to ourselves and others that sometimes make us fail to see that it is only God who can really judge our actions and motives. Because only God can see our hearts, he is the only one who can judge our actions based on our intentions.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it hard to fight our tendencies to judge others by what we see?
• Who is the ultimate judge? Why shouldn’t we get in the habit of judging others?
GOD’S ANGER AT SIN Poem Devotional
July 14
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GOD’S ANGER AT SIN
A poem by ILMA
God displays his anger from heaven against all wickedness
He doesn’t put up with any form of unrighteousness
Even though they knew God’s existence, they supress the truth
Despite the creations God made, they deny that it is all true.
God has manifested himself in everything he created on earth
There is no excuse to say God doesn’t exist yet they deny him
These people knew God, but they wouldn’t worship and give thanks
They began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.
As a result of this denial, their minds became dark and confused
Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools
Instead of thanking and worshiping the glorious, ever-living God
They worshiped idols made to look like mere humans, birds and animals.
So, God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things they desired
As a consequence, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies
They traded the truth about God for a lie and worshiped God’s creations
God abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let do evil actions.
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MEMORY VERSE
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up of foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. – Romans 1:21
Read: Romans 1:18-32
Many people do not acknowledge “sin.” They try to call it weakness, mistakes, errors. There is no accountability to acknowledge their rebellion and foolish ways. This leads to more confusion and chaos. People have forgotten how God abhors sin.
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REFLECTION
• How can God separate the person from the sin and still love each human being?
• Can you be able to love a person who continues to sin? How is that possible
PAUL’S ARRIVAL IN ROME Poem Devotional
July 13
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PAUL’S ARRIVAL IN ROME
A poem by ILMA
Three days after Paul’s arrival in Rome, he called the local Jewish leaders
He told them that despite his innocence, he was arrested in Jerusalem
He was handed over to the Roman government, was tried and released
They found no cause for him to death, so he appealed to Caesar.
Even though Paul had no desire to press charges against his own people
He asked them to come so he could get acquainted and explain things
He said he was bound with this chain because he believed in the Messiah
He has hope because he knows that Jesus Christ has already come.
They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you”
They wanted to know what Paul believed, for it was denounced elsewhere
So, a time was set, and on that day a number of people went to see Paul
He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and persuaded them.
Paul spoke to them from morning until evening and some were persuaded
And after they had argued back and forth among themselves
They said “The Holy Spirit was right when Isaiah the prophet prophesied
He said that salvation from God has been offered to the Gentiles as well.
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MEMORY VERSE
So, I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it. – Acts 28:28
Read: Acts 28:11-30
In this chapter, we witness another brave act of Paul which is Spirit led. He was telling the people about the Good News that needed to be shared not only with the Jews but with the Gentiles as well.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Paul was able to persuade some of the Romans about the Good News?
• How do we know if the Holy Spirit lives in us?
THE SHIPWRECK AND PAUL’S LIFE SPARED Poem Devotional
July 11
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THE SHIPWRECK AND PAUL’S LIFE SPARED
A poem by ILMA
About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm at Adrian Sea
The sailors sensed land was near, they dropped a weighted line
They discovered water was 120 feet deep and dropped 90 feet after
They feared it would hit the rocks along the shore, so they anchored it.
Sailors tried to abandon the ship, but Paul told them they’d die if they do
The soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away
Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat
All were worried for two weeks that they haven’t eaten.
When morning dawned, they didn’t know the coastline but saw a beach
They cut off the anchors and left them in the sea and lowered the rudders
They raised the foresail, and headed towards shore but hit a shoal
They ran the ship aground too soon, the stern repeatedly smashed.
The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they don’t swim to escape
But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul so he didn’t let them do it
He ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land
The others held on to planks or debris from the ship and all went safely to shore.
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MEMORY VERSE
Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks.”– Acts 27:33
Read: Acts 27:27-44
If only the officers listened to Paul’s instructions earlier during the sail, they wouldn’t have been shipwrecked. We see how worried everyone was except Paul. He had direct instructions from God that they will not die. We also see how the Lord spared Paul’s life when the commanding officer did not heed the plan to kill the prisoners.
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REFLECTION
• How did God protect Paul during the sail to Rome?
• Why do you think people don’t listen to good advice and wisdom?
PAUL SAILS FOR ROME Poem Devotional
July 10
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PAUL SAILS FOR ROME
A poem by ILMA
Paul and other prisoners were placed under Julius’ custody
He was a Roman officer, a captain of the Imperial regiment
Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica was also with them
They left on a ship whose home port was Adramyttium in Asia.
The ship was scheduled to make many stops at ports along the coast
The next day, when they docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul
He let Paul go ashore to visit with friends so he can be given his needs
Putting out to sea from Sidon were strong headwinds so they sailed north.
They passed along the Cilician coast and Pamphylia, landing at Myra
The commanding officer found an Egyptian ship and transferred them there
They had several days of slow sailing and after great hardship, Paul spoke
He told the officers that they should take caution for it was dangerous.
The officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ships’ captain
Since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor, it was a poor place to spend winter
Most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, up the coast of Crete
They though that it would be better to spend winter there.
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MEMORY VERSE
When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer name Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. – Acts 27:1
Read: Acts 27:1-12
After Paul met with King Agrippa and Festus, the governor Bernice, they agreed that Paul hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment. Agrippa told Festus that Paul could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar. Their sail to Rome was long and not smooth sailing.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Paul insisted that he sees Caesar to bring his case?
MISUNDERSTOOD PAUL Poem Devotional
July 9
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MISUNDERSTOOD PAUL
A poem by ILMA
Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.”
So Paul, started his defense by being thankful Agrippa is hearing him
As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was trained from my earliest childhood
If they would admit it, they know that I am a Pharisee, the strictest sect of religion.
Now I am on trial because I have hope on the fulfillment of God’s promise
Your Majesty, as he continued “They accuse me for having this hope!
Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?”
Then Paul continued to relate the story of his conversion from persecutor to believer.
He clearly gave a clear narrative of how when he was persecuting the believers
That he was blinded by a light and then heard a voice that he was persecuting Jesus
Then he further related how he was instructed to go to someone so he can see again
He was instructed to preach the gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike.
And so, King Agrippa, Paul said “I obeyed that vision from heaven and taught elsewhere
I teach nothing except that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead
In this way I announced God’s light to all the Jews and Gentiles alike.”
Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”
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MEMORY VERSE
And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’– Acts 26:17-18
Read: Acts 26
In this account, we see how Paul’s boldness continue to aggravate those who don’t understand spiritual things. They couldn’t see what Paul sees.
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REFLECTION
• Have you ever been misunderstood because of your boldness to share Christ?
• Why do you think Festus think Paul was crazy?
PAUL BEFORE FESTUS AND AGRIPPA Poem Devotional
July 8
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PAUL BEFORE FESTUS AND AGRIPPA
A poem by ILMA
After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus
Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, so he left Paul in prison
Priests and Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul
They asked Festus to transfer Paul to Jerusalem so they can assassinate him.
Since Paul was at Caesarea and he needs to return there, no need to transfer him
He urged those in authority to come with him so they can make their accusations
When Festus arrived in Caesarea and met with Paul, there were many charges
But not anyone of those who accused Paul could actually prove their claims.
Paul denied the charges and said he wasn’t guilty of any crime
Festus, wanting to please the Jews asked Paul if he is willing to go to Jerusalem
Paul resisted since the Roman court was there, no need to travel
He insisted to be brought to Caesar so he can be given the verdict.
Festus conferred with his advisers and then approved of Paul’s request
Days later, King Agrippa arrived with Bernice to pay their respects to Festus
When Festus told him about Paul and the plan to have Caesar see him
Agrippa was present when Festus asked the public what charges would it be.
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MEMORY VERSE
I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves. – Acts 25:16
Read: Acts 25
What an interesting account this was regarding so many Jews angered by an innocent man like Paul. Just like Jesus, he was tried by many officials and rulers. Many of these rulers and officials didn’t have the integrity to stand up for what is true. Even though they sense the innocence of Paul, they couldn’t make a decision to release him. They were scared to be unpopular.
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REFLECTION
• Why did you think King Agrippa got interested in Paul’s case when he saw Festus?