June 25
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PAUL PREACHES IN ATHENS
A poem by ILMA
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was troubled by the idols around
He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles
Paul relentlessly spoke daily to whoever was present in the public square
He had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.
When Paul told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they questioned him
They asked him to tell them about this new teaching as they are into latest ideas
Paul addressed and spoke to them their religiosity displayed in their many shrines
“One of the altar’s inscription said ‘To an Unknown God’. This is my God.
Paul continues “He is the God who made the world and everything in it
Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples
Human hands can’t serve his needs-for he has nothing of those needs
He himself gives life and breath to everything and satisfies every need.”
When they heard Paul about the resurrection, some laughed in contempt
Others said, “We want to hear more about this later,” and some became believers
Among those who joined Paul and became believers were Dionysius, from the council
Another woman named Damaris and others with her also became believers.
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MEMORY VERSE
His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. – Acts 17:27
Read: Acts 17
In this account, we witness Paul’s boldness to address idolatry in Athens. He wasn’t intimidated by the people who laughed at his preaching when he talked about the resurrection of Jesus. He continued to make Jesus and the God he loves to be known to these people who was all so full of themselves.
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REFLECTION
• Can you be bold enough when people resist the truth that you are presenting to them?
Tag Archives: spoken word
PAUL PREACHING IN TESSALONICA Poem Devotional
June 24
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PAUL PREACHING IN TESSALONICA
A poem by ILMA
Paul and Silas then travelled through towns and came to Tessalonica
As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue three Sabbaths in a row
Paul used the Scriptures to reason with the people and explained prophecies
The apostle proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead.
Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas
The God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women joined as well
Some of the Jews were jealous so they asked some troublemakers to form a mob
They started a riot and attacked the home of Jason, looking for them there.
Not finding Paul and Silas there, they dragged out Jason and some believers
Jason was brought before the city council and told the crowd he caused trouble
They convinced the people that Jason allowed Paul and Silas in his home
They accused Jason of treason against Caesar because he was loyal to Jesus.
The people of the city as well as the city council were thrown into turnoil
So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond and was released
That night, the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea and went to the synagogue
The people of Berea were more open-minded and they listened to the teachings.
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MEMORY VERSE
As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue for the service and for three Sabbaths in a row, he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. – Acts 17:2
Read: Acts 17
When the apostles came to Thessalonica, Paul and Silas met much resistance from the people in the Jewish synagogue but they used Scriptures to reason with the people. Out of envy, some of the Jews plotted to shoo the apostles away.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it hard for people to accept the Good News?
• What do you do to convince someone of your belief as a Christian?
• How can envy and jealousy hinder us from knowing the truth?
PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY Poem Devotional
June 22
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PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
A poem by ILMA
Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra where Timothy was
Timothy’s mother was a Jewish believer but his father was Greek
Timothy was well though of by believers, so Paul asked him to join them
In deference to the Jews of the area, he asked him to be circumcised.
Then they went from town to town, instructing believers to follow
So, the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew
Next, Paul and Silas traveled through Phrygia and Galatia
The Holy Spirit prevented them from preaching in Asia.
Paul had a vision about a man from Macedonia pleading him to come
So, they decided to leave for Macedonia at once to preach the Good News
On a Sabbath, they went to a riverbank hoping to preach at the women
They met Lydia who was purple cloth merchant and accepted Paul’s teaching.
Lydia’s whole household were baptized and invited them to be her guests
“If you agree that I a a true believer, come and stay at my home” was her words
Then Paul met a slave girl who was earning money from fortune telling
Paul rebuked and asked the evil spirit to come out of her and it left her.
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MEMORY VERSE
“If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed. – Acts 16:15
Read: Acts 16
In this second missionary Journey of Paul and Silas, we witness the proof of the Holy Spirit’s presence in their mission. They were led by the Spirit of God to go or not to proceed in a place and they followed the Spirit’s lead. We meet an extraordinary generous and hospitable woman named Lydia who became a believer and opened her house to the apostles.
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REFLECTION
• Why is hospitality an important gift of the Spirit? What does it make others feel?
CONCERNS ABOUT GENTILE CONVERTS Poem Devotional
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?
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?