Monthly Archives: September 2014

PERFECT UNITY Poem Devotional

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Sept 20                                                                    The Power of God’s Word
I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. -John 17:23 (NLT)
PERFECT UNITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in Christ, you will have his love
He will dwell in your heart and also in the Father up above
You will experience perfect unity when you seek him
He was sent by God so that you will be redeemed.
Make certain that you are one with the Son
This will bring victory and make the devil run
God loves you as much as he loves Christ
Be with him and you will never lose sight.
Some Christians do not comprehend the love that God has for those who believe in him. God’s love for his people is just as much as his love for Christ. It took me many years to actually accept the truth that God loves me. Sometimes when children have unhappy experiences with parents and caregivers, they tend to grow up having relational problems with God too. Our biological parents usually become our basis for viewing God. If we have punishing parents, we tend to look at God the same way. Jesus that God loves us as much as God loves him.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for loving me.
REFLECTION
How can we receive God’s love for us without feeling unworthy.

BRING GLORY TO GOD Poem Devotional

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Sept 19                                                                                  The Power of God’s Word

I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me.  

                                                                                                     -John 17:4(NLT)          

BRING GLORY TO GOD

A poem and essay by ILMA

Do you do your work to honor the Lord?

Do you have time to engage in his word?

He created you in his image and likeness

He wants you to excel in his righteousness.

When you align your life in his will

Peace dwells in you and you’ll enjoy being still

You bring glory to God by following Christ

It magnifies him when you don’t lose sight.

I used to do things for myself and got so much pleasure when I accomplish things I planned. I felt proud of myself for being able to execute goals that I set. When I came to Canada I thought I will just continue my art career and sell my paintings like I did in my country of origin. I was in for a shock. The Lord stripped me off the opportunities to continue my art career. I was so angry. I didn’t realize that He had a different plan for me. I resisted for many years until he revealed to me why took me out of my comfort zone. He wants me to glorify him instead of myself. He uses me now to give testimonies so I can bring him glory.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for bringing me back to you.

REFLECTION

Are your plans aligned with God’s?

 

 

GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH

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Sept 18                                                               The Power of God’s Word
Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
-John 17:17(NLT)
GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is your life anchored on the standards of this world?
Do you study and live by God’s word?
Those who believe in Christ are called to live a holy life
They are expected to seek him and stay in the light.
Staying constantly focused on the truth will set you free
It will keep you from sin and will bring you victory
The word of God guides and makes you holy
It is the truth that strengthens you if you follow it.
Are you a believer of God? Do you know the difference between the truth and a lie? There are many Christians that live in confusion because they choose to follow their human nature. Our nature tends to focus on “satisfying the self.” It is selfish by nature but God can change that if we know the truth and follow his Spirit’s call to become more like him. The word of God changes lives. I testify to this because it is the truth that freed me from all the bondages of sin and strongholds in my life. Jesus prayed for all believers in John 17:17 for us to seek the word, which is the truth. It protects us from our fallen nature.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me hungry for your word.
REFLECTION
How has the word changed you?

BOASTING IN GOD’S ECONOMY Poem Devotional

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Sept 17                                                                        The Power of God’s Word
If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
-2 Corinthians 11:30(NLT)
BOASTING IN GOD’S ECONOMY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you take pride in your wealth, possessions and achievements?
Do you brag about your work or do you give others compliments?
Boasting in the world’s standard is to exhibit your own work and effort
Boasting in God’s economy is acknowledging your weakness and seeking support.
If you must boast, think of your handicaps and limitations
God works best when you admit your imperfections
When you humbly accept your need for God
You are glorifying him and giving him laud.
We live in a world where competition is very tight. Each person almost always wants to seek recognition for anything he or she accomplishes. I used to be part of this worldly view of boasting. Being an actress onstage made me hungry for applaud from audiences. Sadly, I also clamored for recognition for all the things I did. Maybe it stemmed from growing up with expectations from my parents way too high. I needed to perform very hard to be approved and be given love. God freed me from seeking approval.
The bible tells us that if we must boast, we should boast about our weaknesses. It is in our weakness that he works best.
PRAYER
Lord, show me to accept my weaknesses.
REFLECTION
How comfortable are you revealing your weaknesses to others?

OBEYING CHRIST Poem Devotional

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Sept 16                                                                     The Power of God’s Word
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
-2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)
OBEYING CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you faithfully given your life to Christ?
Is there any part of you that still fights?
Destroy every proud obstacle that keeps you from knowing
Capture your rebellious thoughts and continually seek him.
To love Christ is to completely obey
Follow him and do whatever he says
Let all your faculties surrender to his ways
Through your obedience, Christ will reign.
One of my biggest weaknesses before I totally submitted my life to Christ was my rebellious mind. I was raised to think very independently and not to rely on anyone for any decisions in my life. It brought havoc to my life because I never consulted Christ’s plans for me. I lived a life to please my own will and desires. As a consequence of doing things on my own, the enemy got a good reason to manipulate me into disobedience.
The bible tells us that we must remove every obstacle that keeps us from knowing God. We need to capture our thoughts and make it obedient to Christ. By complete surrender, we reap a harvest of all the promises of God. We fulfill all that God wants for us.
PRAYER
Lord, show me when I resist obeying you.
REFLECTION
How is obedience an antidote to rebellion?

HARVEST FROM FAITH Poem Devotional

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Sept 15                                                                             The Power of God’s Word
Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. -2 Corinthians 10:15 (NLT)
HARVEST FROM FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you boast when you have completed tasks and tests?
Do you ever claim credit for the work of someone else?
Have you ever imposed your way on someone and something?
Do you consider other people’s priorities and feelings?
When you work on your faith, your boundaries will grow
Your growth will extend to those you touch lives and sow
God’s kingdom will spread throughout the ends of the earth
You will reap a harvest that goes beyond this life and yourself.
Have you ever planted something in a pot like a plant or a flower? Isn’t it with expectancy that you wait for a tiny little sprout to come out of the soil? Then as you water and give it sunshine, you see it grow inch by inch. In a few days or week, you reap what you sowed.
The bible tells us to grow our faith so that we can extend the kingdom of God’s boundaries throughout the earth. We cannot boast or claim credit for someone else’s work, but work our way to increasing our faith.
PRAYER
Lord, inspire me to grow my faith.
REFLECTION
How is faith essential in our spiritual growth?

YOUR LOVE FOR ME WILL BE IN THEM Poem Devotional

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Sept 14                                            The Power of God’s Word
I revealed you to them and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them and I will be in them. –John 17:26 (NLT)
YOUR LOVE FOR ME WILL BE IN THEM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus reveals himself to those who love him
He will change their hearts and will be redeemed
He asks God the Father to continually reveal
Christ wants to transfer God’s love to those who believe.
He prays that we hunger for the love of God
He wants all believers to give him laud
When we seek God with all our heart
We will be one with Christ and never be apart.
Have you ever prayed so hard for someone? I am sure that when someone you love is suffering, you will pray very hard to alleviate their pain. It is easy to pray for someone close to you but what about people you don’t know? What about people who are giving you a difficult time to love them? Praying for someone is a very powerful act. The prophet Daniel prayed for the Israelites and God heard and answered his prayers.
Jesus prayed to God for people who believe. He asks everything for all those who believe. He summons God to continually revealing truth to them. God’s love for Jesus is transferred to His people.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to pray like you.
REFLECTION
How can prayers change lives?

HOLY VERSUS IMMORAL LIFE Poem Devotional

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Sept 13                                                                  The Power of God’s Word
Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
-Romans 13:13 (NLT)
HOLY VERSUS IMMORAL LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
God gave you the choice to either be corrupt or pure
You can dwell and participate in evil but your life will be unsure
You can drown in sexual promiscuity, jealousy, envy and fights
Happiness and peace will evade your life and you will lose sight.
If you choose to live a godly and righteous life
You will reap wisdom and holy insights
Clothe yourself with the presence of Christ
Then you will be victorious, holy and right.
Do you consider yourself a believer or an unbeliever? Paul stresses the importance of living righteous lives once you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. The moment someone declares that they believe in God, they are expected to live in the light. All forms of darkness must be given up. In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul urges Christians to live decent lives for everyone to see. He cautions them not to participate in wild parties, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, immoral living, quarreling and jealousy. How you live your life as a believer must reflect Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to win over temptations.
REFLECTION
Why are Christians expected to live pure lives?

THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE Poem Devotional

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Sept 12                                                                       The Power of God’s Word
And this is the way to have eternal life-to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. –John 17:3 (NLT)
THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Our lives here earth are not everlasting
They are fleeting and there’s no point in clinging
Are you preoccupied with worldly matters?
Do you heed God’s call to help your sisters and brothers?
The way to eternal life is to know Christ
If you seek him you will have insight
Believe and follow the only one true God
You are guaranteed a place in heaven up above.
Many people believe different concepts about life and death and after life. Sadly, even some Christians find it hard to believe in eternal life. Knowing one thing does not necessarily mean that you believe it. Sometimes, our head gets in the way of faith. Our limited minds tell us that we need to be convinced first by seeing or experiencing before we get persuaded to trust that God gives everlasting life.
The bible tells us that the way to have eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ. Even Jesus’ disciples didn’t quite comprehend the concept of eternal life while Jesus was still among them despite the many miracles they witnessed. Jesus wants us to know him to have endless life.
PRAYER

ON JUDGMENT Poem Devotional

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Sept 11                                                                         The Power of God’s Word
It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but certainly it is your responsibility to judge those who are inside the church and are sinning. God will judge those on the outside, but as Scriptures say “You must remove the evil person from among you.” -1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NLT)
ON JUDGMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you follow what the word of God says?
Do you evaluate yourself according to his ways?
It isn’t your responsibility to judge unbelievers
However, you are accountable for your sisters and brothers.
God will judge those who deliberately follow the devil
You must purify Christ’s body by eliminating evil
Believers need to take accountability for God’s people
They must eliminate all forms of evil to be victors.
There are many misconceptions about “judgment.” I always hear a lot of excuses for sinful ways like “You must never judge me.” The bible says that Christians are all part of the body of Christ. Just like our own bodies, we take care of it and ensure that all parts contribute to good health. Doctors usually prescribe to take out anything that will further contaminate wellness.
Scriptures says that we must remove evil amongst believers. It is our responsibility to judge those who claim to be Christians and continually sin. We need to be accountable for the purity of Christ’s body.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to take responsibility for other believers.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to judge believers?