DESIRES LEAD TO TEMPTATIONS Poem Devotional

Posted on October 21, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 21 The Power of God’s Word
Remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. – James 1:13-14 (NLT)
DESIRES LEAD TO TEMPTATIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are full of desires and forget to pray
You are an easy target for the enemy to prey
Temptation comes from your cravings and longings
Don’t blame God for your weakness to succumb to yearnings.
Whenever you are enticed to do wrong
Satan will use it to let you stay in sin for longing
Maintain a close relationship with the heavenly Father
Overcome temptation by following God and loving one another.
I hear a lot of people blame God for succumbing to temptation. They think that it was God who gave them the temptation. God will never test us to do wrong. The bible clearly tells us that temptation comes from our own desires which entice us and drag us away from God.
If you observe unbelievers or even Christians who live a compromised life, it is not hard to see that succumbing to their sinful nature usually come from their own wants. When you see an unhappy person, you will discover that the source of their unhappiness is a desire “to have.”
PRAYER
Lord, give me a desire only for you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to seek God daily?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

CURE FOR NEEDINESS

Posted on October 20, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 20 The Power of God’s Word
The Lord is my shepherd. I have all that I need. – Psalm 23:1(NLT)
CURE FOR NEEDINESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you feeling down and frustrated?
Do you feel ignored and mistreated?
Are your expectations from your loved ones met?
Do you seek their approval and fret?
The Lord is your shepherd, you have all you need
He guides you and plants in your heart good seeds
He loves you so much and longs for your heart
Don’t allow the enemy to trample or make you depart.
Do you experience days when you feel so down, frustrated and tired? When there are nights that I am unable to sleep, usually, something is happening in my heart. One of the ploys of the enemy is to create “wants” in the guise of “needs” in our lives. Satan presents these wants in a very subtle and cunning way that makes it look like it is a need. In my case, I am usually distracted with many chores or a list of things to do that I haven’t finished. Then he comes and gives me more distractions so that I won’t focus and give my whole heart and mind to God.
The bible tells us that if you have God, you have all you need. You don’t long for the things of this world but Him alone.
PRAYER
Lord, let my heart pine for you.
REFLECTION
What wants prevent you from being close to God?

For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

ASK IN JESUS’ NAME Poem Devotional

Posted on October 20, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 19 The Power of God’s Word
Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
– John 16:24 (NLT)
ASK IN JESUS’ NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
What things do you ask in Jesus’ name?
Are they something you won’t be ashamed?
Ask for wisdom to know his will in your life
This way you will be able to stay in his light.
Ask, using Christ’s name and you will receive
Oftentimes you don’t ask, so He can’t give
God waits for you to request so can grant it
You won’t obtain it if it’s against his will and Spirit.
Do you often question why you don’t have the things you want in life? Do you have an abundance of peace, joy and prosperity? Maybe you don’t have them because you never asked them. The bible says in James 2:4-5 that you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. Even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong; you want only what will give you pleasure.
I used to expect to have things without asking. I was raised to think that since God knows what I want, I don’t have to ask. The bible clearly tells us that we have to ask in his name so we can receive what we ask for and have abundant joy.
PRAYER
Lord, show me what to ask for.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to ask in his name?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

SECRET TO OVERFLOWING JOY Poem Devotional

Posted on October 18, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 18 The Power of God’s Word
When you obey my commands, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow. – John 15:11-12 (NLT)
SECRET TO OVERFLOWING JOY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you enjoying your life?
Are you seeking the light?
Remain in God’s love through Christ
You will have joy and never lose sight.
Abiding in Christ is the secret to overflowing joy
It gives you peace and shows you that life is to be enjoyed
Fill your life with love for God and others
You will be fulfilled when you constantly love your sisters and brothers.
Are you enjoying the life God has given you? Some people find it hard to enjoy life because they focus so much on what they don’t have. The apostle Paul always enjoyed life whether he is in prison or free to preach the Good News. God revealed to me at a point in my life when I was so negative and whiny that the only way to enjoy life is when I abide in him.
The bible tells us the secret to an overflowing joy. It is to obey God’s commandments and remain in his love. He gave us his son so that we will pursue joy.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to enjoy life.
REFLECTION
What takes out your joy in life?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

CHRIST IS GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on October 17, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 17 The Power of God’s Word
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God, He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation. – Colossians 1:15 (NLT)
CHRIST IS GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that God is in Christ?
He existed even before God first created light
He is supreme over all creation
Are you giving him all the adulation?
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God
Seek the Son and you will give the Father laud
Believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior
Give him all the veneration and ardor.
There are many people who question that Christ is God. Sadly, even some Christians doubt the very essence of Jesus. Some believe that He was a separate entity from God.
The bible tells us clearly that Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation. Man cannot fathom how a supreme being could assume the physical body of a man and live amongst them. Many unbelievers and some believers alike have doubts regarding the infiniteness of Christ. The limited minds of people cannot understand the true identity of Christ.
When we seek Christ, we also seek God. When we follow his ways, we are glorifying the Father as well. When we get intimate with Christ, God reveals Himself to us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me believe.
REFLECTION
Why is it hard for others to believe that Christ is God?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

THE SECRET OF GROWTH Poem Devotional

Posted on October 16, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 16 The Power of God’s Word
Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. –Colossians 1:10 (NLT)
THE SECRET OF GROWTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you live a life of honesty and purity?
Do you seek God’s word and never compromise integrity?
Are your actions and choices geared on following Christ?
Are you producing good fruits and staying in the light?
The way you live will gauge how you will grow
You won’t reap a good harvest if you don’t sow
As you seek and follow God, you will reap his promises
You will get better and grow without making compromises.
When you put up a small business, there are many factors to consider so that you will be successful. One of the secrets of a profitable industry is integrity. When the business is anchored on it, success isn’t far. Perseverance and hard work are also crucial in making your business grow.
A Christian’ secret to growth is based on living a life of honor and purity. If you live your life to please the Lord and faithfully seek him and follow him, you will harvest every kind of good fruit and mature as a believer of God.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a hunger for you always.
REFLECTION
Why is it necessary to live a life for Christ?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

GOD TRANSFORMS THE REJECTED

Posted on October 15, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 15 The Power of God’s Word
The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see. – Psalm 118:22-23 (NLT)
GOD TRANSFORMS THE REJECTED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When others reject you, rejoice and be glad
Christ was also cast off but he continued to abide
Jesus came for those who are broken hearted and rejected
Exult for he will ensure that you are healed and protected.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone
This is the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see these transformation
God can do anything to build up those who are suffering rejection
Thank him each time you go through the same discrimination.
Rejection was the theme of my life for almost over five decades. I had been rejected during my early years and somehow the enemy infiltrated my former life and generated many lies about rejection. I saw through the filter of the world’s system and it made me an advocate for the oppressed and those without a voice. I did it because it made me have control over my powerlessness when I was rejected.
The bible tells us that Jesus himself was rejected but God made him the cornerstone and the foundation of his church. He transformed the rejected into the source of strength for all to see.
PRAYER
Lord, let me look up to you when rejected.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with rejection?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

JESUS FEVER Poem Devotional

Posted on October 14, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 14 The Power of God’s Word
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth. – Acts 1:8 (NLT)
JESUS FEVER
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the Holy Spirit comes upon you
You will long for Jesus and your minds will be renewed
You won’t stop talking about Christ to others
You’ll shine like a light to your sisters and brothers.
Your lips will only talk about God’s truth and power
You will know what to say to the enemy so it will cower
You will witness to all the good things he has done
You will forget your selfish nature and focus on the Son.
Have you ever experienced getting a fever? Intense nervous excitement is one
definition of the word “fever.” The bible says that when the Holy Spirit comes into your life, you will be experiencing Jesus Fever. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will witness to the power of God, telling everyone about the Good News.
I remember one time when the Spirit kept on prodding me to give testimonies to what God has done in my life. I couldn’t stop talking about Jesus. I was a teacher of Oral Communications, but somehow everything that came out of my mouth was about the miracles that God has done in my life.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your Spirit.
REFLECTION
Do you talk about Jesus to others?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

CONFESSION REMOVES GUILT Poem Devotional

Posted on October 13, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 13 The Power of God’s Word
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me. All my guilt is gone. – Psalm 32:5 (NLT)
CONFESSION REMOVES GUILT
A poem and essay by ILMA
How long will you hide your sin and feel guilty?
Keeping it a secret will give a foothold to the enemy
When God’s spirit reveals and convicts you
Run to Him so that your mind will be renewed.
If you confess your sins, your guilt will be gone
It will bring you peace and make you closer to His Son
Listen and accept correction for it will keep you close to Jesus
Run to God’s throne because he considers you precious.
There were many years of my life spent rebelling and disobeying. I couldn’t even remember why I was doing it. It just became automatic to me to fend for myself and disagree because that is where I was able to exercise power. Since I was unseen and powerless in many aspects of my life as I was growing, it became a coping mechanism to go through a difficult childhood.
The bible tells us that confession removes guilt. When you stay guilty, you give the devil a chance to keep you bonded to sin.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to confess as soon as you convict me.
REFLECTION
How can you be free from guilt?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

CHRIST DIDN’T DIE FOR THE LAW Poem Devotional

Posted on October 12, 2014 by ilmaarts

October 12 The Power of God’s Word
For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. – Galatians 2:21(NLT)
CHRIST DIDN’T DIE FOR THE LAW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is your legalistic ways confining you to grow?
Do you strictly adhere to regulations and the law?
Christ didn’t die for you to be in a religion
He came so that you can be in a constant relation.
For if keeping the law could make you right with God
What is more important is to seek Him and abide
Love is the only way you can be free from the law
When you walk in love, peace is what you will sow.
The true believer knows that Christ didn’t die so we could only follow a religion. God loves us so much that He wants us to be in constant relationship with him. As an authentic believer, we must be able to walk in love and not just do things for the sake of following. When you love someone, you would do anything to know that person. That is what God expects us to pursue. He wants us to deeply know him. The bible says that if we keep ourselves right by just keeping the law, then it was pointless for Christ to die on the cross.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to seek intimacy with you.
REFLECTION
How is legalism an impediment in walking in love?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

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Monthly Archives: October 2014