BREATH THAT BRINGS FAITH ALIVE

Posted on December 10, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 10 The Power of God’s Word
Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. – James 2:26(NLT)
BREATH THAT BRINGS FAITH ALIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe in God like Abraham did?
He was God’s friend when he believed
Abraham was ready to do anything for the Lord
He was willing to give his son to bring God laud.
Faith alone will not totally glorify God
It will fire it up but does not show true love
Good works will be the breath that brings faith alive
It is when we put faith in action that brings light and life.
We come to Christ through faith but he has commanded us to love one another and it is best shown in acts of kindness. The book of James boldly challenges believers to show their faith through works. He says that faith without good deeds is dead. He poses questions for practical application of our faith in James 2:15-16. Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Goodbye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”- but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to show acts of kindness to others.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to do good works?
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

FORGIVE MUCH Poem Devotional

Posted on December 9, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 9 The Power of God’s Word
I tell you, her sins-and they are many-have been forgiven so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.
– Luke 7:47 (NLT)
FORGIVE MUCH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you keep a record of wrongs?
Don’t stay in “unforgiveness” for long
It brings resentment, anger and bitterness
It makes you further away from God’s forgiveness.
God wants us to forgive much for it shows great love
When we don’t forgive, we hurt our Father up above
Forgiveness releases joy, peace and prosperity
Give it up so you can have serenity?
There is so much havoc that unforgiveness can do to someone’s life. It can ruin your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. When you don’t forgive, you go through life with so much resentment, anger and bitterness. These are all poisons in your mind, body and spirit that will eventually get you down. I read some articles that say that a lot of cancer patients have unforgiveness that they clung to.
The bible tells us that when we forgive more, we are actually showing love. When we forgive less, we are exhibiting less love. Luke talks about the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. The Pharisee was condemning this woman and told Jesus that she was a sinner. Jesus forgave her many sins.
PRAYER
Lord let me have a forgiving heart.
REFLECTION
Who haven’t you forgiven in your 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

REBELLION BRINGS RUIN Poem Devotional

Posted on December 9, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 8 The Power of God’s Word
What sorrow awaits my rebellious children, says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my spirit, thus piling up your sins. – Isaiah 30:1(NLT)
REBELLION BRINGS RUIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who believe the Lord and continue to sin
They will be held answerable to only Him
If you want to stay faithful to your creator
You acknowledge that no one else is greater.
Those who continually rebel and disobey the Lord
They will find sorrow at the end of the road
If you makes alliances not directed by God’s spirit
You will find out later that the enemy is the culprit.
Do you have any idea how a rebel’s life is like? Rebellion brings ruin. I can testify to the validity of this statement. I was a strong willed child and was brought up by 2 strong willed parents. Another strong willed aunt added to the picture of many strong willed people living with each other. It brought so much ruin and sorrow to our family. God revealed to me that these strongholds of rebellion were passed on from many generations.
Isaiah 30:1 says that sorrow awaits those who are lawless. He also says that the more you rebel, the more you get buried in sin. Obedience was something that Jesus exampled in his life. He saved our sins through perfect obedience.
PRAYER
I will obey you Lord.
REFLECTION
What other areas of your life need obedience?
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

A SAFE PLACE Poem Devotional

Posted on December 8, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 7 The Power of God’s Word
My God is my rock, my fortress and my Savior; my God is my rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my Savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord who is worthy of praise and He saved me from my enemies.
-2 Samuel 22:3-4(NLT)
A SAFE PLACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where do you run, when someone chases you?
Who can deliver you from ungodly views?
Who will be your fortress to protect you from evil?
How do you hide from the tactics of the devil?
God is my rock, my fortress and my Savior
He will not allow me to be consumed and devoured
He is my refuge, the one who saves me from violence
He is worthy of praise, omnipotence and magnificence.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed with burdens? Do you seek comfort from a friend or family? Do you go to a favorite spot to clear your mind? The bible tells us that God is our rock and our fortress. He is the shield that will protect us and keep us safe especially when in trouble. Run to the throne for refuge
PRAYER
Lord, let me only seek your refuge and no one else.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to seek God’s help first than any other human being?
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

A JEALOUS GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on December 7, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 6 The Power of God’s Word
Therefore, I myself, the Sovereign Lord, am now your enemy. I will punish you publicly while all the nations watch. Because of your detestable idols, I will punish you like I have never punished anyone before or ever will again.
– Ezekiel 5:8-9 (NLT)
A JEALOUS GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you professed your love for Jesus
Did you ever consider that he can be very jealous?
He wants you to love him very faithfully
He doesn’t want competition and hates idolatry.
If you put everything else before him
He will reveal to you that it is a sin
He detests idols and considers it adultery
He wants your complete faithfulness and loyalty.
Have you ever experienced jealousy in any of your relationships? In human relationships, jealousy can be a negative behavior. Do you ever wonder where jealousy comes from? In Exodus 34:14, God’s very name is Jealous. So, we must have gotten jealousy it from our spiritual DNA. In God’s economy, jealousy is very different from our worldly view. God is jealous because he knows what is best for us. We were given a glimpse of the wrath of God in Ezekiel 5:8-9 when the Israelites were having idols. God actually showed them how he detested idolatry. James called it adultery in his book.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me faithful to you.
REFLECTION
Do you make God first in everything?
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, ANTIDOTE TO DEATH Poem Devotional

Posted on December 6, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 5 The Power of God’s Word
That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.. – John 8:24 (NLT)
CHRIST, ANTIDOTE TO DEATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Does unforgiveness rule your heart?
Give it up for it will tear you apart
Do you struggle with hatred and lawlessness?
Are you still clinging to pride and stubbornness?
Christ is the only answer to your iniquities
If you believe in him, you will have victory
Have faith that he is the way, the truth and the life
If you insist on staying in darkness you will lose sight.
Many people have no clue that Christ is the only light amidst this very dark world we live in. Some people stay in their past and cannot move on to the present. They miss out so many opportunities to love others because they are consumed by their baggage.
The bible tells us that it is only in Christ that we will die to sin. In other words, only Christ can make us conquer all our sins, bad habits and strongholds that we might have inherited from past generations. Faith is essential in conquering sin. If we stay doubtful as to what the Lord can do in our lives through Christ, we are good as dead.
PRAYER
Lord, make me a loving person always.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome your weaknesses?
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

DEVOTING TIME TO PRAY Poem Devotional

Posted on December 5, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 4 The Power of God’s Word
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
– Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
DEVOTING TIME TO PRAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you wake up looking forward to a new day?
Are you thankful for seeing the sun’s ray?
How much of your thoughts are in disarray
Are you alert to everything that happens or do you stray?
Devote yourselves to prayer with a renewed mind
Allow God’s word to make you see and not stay blind
When you spend time with the Lord, you are using your time wisely
When you waste your time, you will be consumed by the enemy.
Making prayer a task or duty rather than an act of love is one of the many causes why people don’t pray enough. Do you remember the last time you were in love? Didn’t you want to be with that person always and talk to him or her? You want to know everything about the person’s thoughts and character. It’s the same with prayer. If we love God, then we will devote time to talk to him and be with him so we can know him deeply. We would drop everything we are doing, just to be with him. Just like any relationship, the more time we invest, the more intimacy and growth we gain.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to talk to you at all times.
REFLECTION
What are the challenges you face with regards to your prayer 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

UNIFYING ELEMENT IN THE BODY Poem Devotional

Posted on December 4, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 3 The Power of God’s Word
He makes the whole body fit perfectly. As each part does its own special work. It helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. – Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
UNIFYING ELEMENT IN THE BODY
A poem and essay by ILMA
A man vows to marry his wife and become one
Believers commit to be united with God’s Son
Married people have roles to carry out for their love to grow
Just like each of the members of the body of Christ has to sow.
The unifying element in the church is the love of the Lord
Without love, no one can be victorious and soar
Every believer has their own special work to accomplish
When each faithful servant does his part, the church will flourish.
What makes a relationship, an organization or a church successful? Why are there marriages that end up in divorce or separation? Why have some companies made it to the top and others closed down? There must clearly be a unifying element that makes a relationship or some companies prosper.
The bible tells us that “love” is essential in all relationships and in all organizations. Each part of the body of Christ has a role given to them to accomplish so that there will be spiritual growth in the church. That’s why God commanded us all to love.
PRAYER
Lord, help me walk in love.
REFLECTION
What hinders you from loving 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

SIGNS OF A STOLEN LIFE Poem Devotional

Posted on December 3, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 2 The Power of God’s Word
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. – John 10:10 (NLT)
SIGNS OF A STOLEN LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you wake up each day with a grateful heart?
Do you have a cheerful attitude as a start?
Are you amazed at the wonderful things God has given you?
Do you protect your heart and is your mind constantly renewed?
The thief comes to destroy relationships and steal joy and peace
Resentments, bitterness, anger, conflicts, guilt are what he likes to sneak
God wants to fill us with his blessings and promises
Watch out for the thief who makes us settle for compromises.
Thieves usually operate when no one is looking or they wait for the right timing when their victim is unaware or vulnerable and weak. In life, we lock our doors to ensure that we don’t invite thieves to steal from us or hurt us. In the spiritual realm, how do we protect ourselves from the enemy?
The bible tells us the signs of a stolen life: unhappiness, bitterness, complaining, loneliness, discontentment, chaos, poverty, conflicts, harshness, anger, selfishness, pride and many more. Watch out when there is no peace, joy, and love in your life. This means that the enemy has corrupted your hearts or minds.
PRAYER
Lord, protect and guard me from evil.
REFLECTION
How do we protect ourselves from the thief that steals our joy and peace?
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

AUTHORITY IN CHRIST Poem Devotional

Posted on December 1, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 1 The Power of God’s Word
I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority. – 2 Corinthians 10:8 (NLT)
AUTHORITY IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we become believers of Christ
Authority is given to us to exercise
We can trample over the enemy in Jesus’ name and be victorious
We can also encourage each other and proclaim that God is glorious.
All believers are expected to use only their authority in Christ
If they do it on their own, they will be defeated and lose sight
Without Christ, we can do nothing
Power comes only from seeking him and obeying.
The Hebrew for authority is “toqeph” which means power, strength, or energy. In the English language, authority is defined as the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience or a person or organization having power or control in a particular, typically political or administrative, sphere. The Hebrew definition focuses more on an inner strength or energy while the English definition is more a position that controls someone or something.
Paul explains in Corinthians that believers were given the authority by Christ to empower others and build up the kingdom of God. It isn’t used for personal gains or gratification.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to exercise the authority you gave me.
REFLECTION
When have you exercised authority over other believers?
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: December 2014