Monthly Archives: March 2015

HIDE GOD’S WORD IN YOUR HEART Poem Devotional

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March 21
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
– Psalm 119:11(NLT)
HIDE GOD’S WORD IN YOUR HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your heart today?
Is it to please God in every way?
Does it harbor guilt or un-forgiveness?
Is it filled with God’s righteousness?
Hide his word in your heart
It protects you from turning back
It is the sword of your spirit
Use it so the enemy will retreat.
I started memorizing the word of God for almost four years now. It has totally changed my life when I decided to use it to change many negative circumstances in my life. When I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder four years ago, the enemy used all my past traumas to enslave me through lies. Satan was going to destroy my marriage with more lies. He kept me believing all these lies since I was a child. Whenever I have panic attacks, I used the word of God as a weapon to cut free from the lies and replace my thoughts with truth. I confessed God’s truth as soon as lies start to trickle. The bible tells us that we need to hide God’s word in our hearts so that we will be protected from sinning and bondage. It is the sword of the spirit. It has power; it is alive and it transforms us.
PRAYER
Keep my heart full of your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is memorizing, confessing and living God’s word essential?
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

SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE Poem Devotional

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March 20
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ who is the head of his body, the church. –Ephesians 4:15(NLT)
SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone needs encouragement
Or when anyone has an ailment
Do we speak the truth in love?
Do we lead them back to God?
Christ is the head of his body
Are we faithful to follow the one and only?
Walk and confess his truth gently to others
Christ wants us to love our sisters and brothers.
It is a very challenging task to do when you are still spiritually immature to speak the truth in love to others. I used to preach to unbelievers and new believers what I have just learned from God. Sometimes it doesn’t work well because I do not listen to the Holy Spirit’s prodding. No believer can impose the truth on those who do not want them. Even Jesus himself didn’t force anyone to believe and follow him. He asked people what they wanted him to do for them during his ministry. He is always respectful and gentle. The bible tells us that we must speak the truth in love so we can grow more and more like Jesus who is the head of the church. Actions coupled with confession of the truth in love are essential in witnessing for Christ.

PRAYER
Lord, give me the right words to speak your truth.
REFLECTION
How can speaking in a loving way be more effective than forceful language?
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

SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY Poem Devotional

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March 19
He saved us not because of the righteous thing we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:15(NLT)
SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
We can never achieve our own salvation
He washed away our sins through his sanctification
He saved us not because of the righteous things we’ve done
He ransomed our sins through Jesus, his only begotten Son.
We can never boast any works we are doing
His mercy is given freely to those who are trusting
He gave us new birth and new life through his Spirit
We have to be thankful and grateful as we receive it.
I used to work at my own salvation. I didn’t understand “mercy and grace” then. I grew up being taught that performing works for God is the only way I was going to be saved. Just like how I was conditioned to perform well in school to attain my parents’ approval, I also thought that God was the same way with me.
The bible tells us that he saved us not because of the righteous things we do but because of God’s mercy. He washed our sins away and gave us new life through the Holy Spirit who convicts us when we do wrong and correct us so we can be righteous in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for saving me.
REFLECTION
How can mercy and grace change our thinking?
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

FILL YOUR LIVES WITH CHRIST Poem Devotional

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March 18
Let the message about Christ in all its richness fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. –Colossians 3:16 (NLT)
FILL YOUR LIVES WITH CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are you busy with in your life?
Are you referring to God’s insights?
Let the message about Christ fill your lives
Teach and counsel each other so you can thrive.
Fill your mind and heart with the word of God
You will find that life is easier and not that hard
Sing psalms and hymns with hearts that are thankful
Let the Spirit touch your life and make it powerful.
What is a successful life for you? As a Christian, our success should not be the same as the way the world view success. It shouldn’t be about power, fame, wealth and beauty. A successful Christian is someone who is deeply intimate with the Lord, knows the character and will of God and is living what God wants for him or her.
The bible tells us to fill our lives with the message about Christ because it is rich. We must counsel and teach with all the wisdom he gives. We must be thankful and show such gratitude by singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and give God all the credit for making our lives victorious.
PRAYER
Lord, let me be intimate with you daily.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to fill our lives with Christ’s message?
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

SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY Poem Devotional

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March 19
He saved us not because of the righteous thing we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:15(NLT)
SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
We can never achieve our own salvation
He washed away our sins through his sanctification
He saved us not because of the righteous things we’ve done
He ransomed our sins through Jesus, his only begotten Son.
We can never boast any works we are doing
His mercy is given freely to those who are trusting
He gave us new birth and new life through his Spirit
We have to be thankful and grateful as we receive it.
I used to work at my own salvation. I didn’t understand “mercy and grace” then. I grew up being taught that performing works for God is the only way I was going to be saved. Just like how I was conditioned to perform well in school to attain my parents’ approval, I also thought that God was the same way with me.
The bible tells us that he saved us not because of the righteous things we do but because of God’s mercy. He washed our sins away and gave us new life through the Holy Spirit who convicts us when we do wrong and correct us so we can be righteous in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for saving me.
REFLECTION
How can mercy and grace change our thinking?
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 HEARS AND GRANTS REQUESTS Poem Devotional

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March 17
And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. – 1 John 5:14-15 (NLT)
GOD HEARS AND GRANTS REQUESTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a request to ask God these days?
Don’t hesitate, ask anything within what he says
Seek and know God and align your thoughts and ways
The Holy Spirit will teach you what to pray.
Be confident that he hears you when you appeal
He loves a humble heart that is honest and real
Be hopeful and look forward to his faithfulness
He responds to those who walk in his righteousness.
Do you ever feel that God doesn’t hear or answer your prayers? Maybe you are asking the wrong things or they are not aligned with his will. Maybe he isn’t responding at the time frame you requested. He may have other things better for you and you can’t see it yet.
The bible says that we need to be confident that God hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. We also must believe that our requests will soon be granted. It may be instantly but when it’s delayed, he must be working on something first in you before he grants what you asked for.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me what to pray for.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you had answered prayers.
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

SWEETER THAN HONEY Poem Devotional

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March 16
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
-Psalm 119:103(NLT)
SWEETER THAN HONEY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever I wake up, you nudge me with words
You say things that bring me on top of this world
You make me feel so important even though I am not worthy
I am amazed by your love that you give me unconditionally.
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey
Your loving and gentle words give me joy, peace and stability
It makes my day complete when I hear your voice at daybreak
You fill me with your spirit which I openly accept and take.
Anyone who has said an encouraging word to you would always be remembered and treasured. I still couldn’t forget my grade one teacher, Miss Amelia Celeridad up to this day. It was 48 years ago when she told me that I had a great singing voice. I was singing softly on the wall of our classroom during recess when no one was there and she heard me. Later that day, she announced to the class what gift I had. When no one in my family believed in me, it encouraged and gave me comfort that she saw that gift in me.
The bible says the God’s word is sweeter than honey. It brings you joy to hear it. It makes you free and loved.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your word.
REFLECTION
How is God’s word sweeter than honey?
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

SPIRIT RENEWS THOUGHTS Poem Devotional

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March 15
Instead, let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. – Ephesians 4:23(NLT)
SPIRIT RENEWS THOUGHTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your mind lately?
Are they righteous and godly?
Are they pure and honorable?
Are they lovely and admirable?
Your thoughts affect your attitudes
If it doesn’t focus on giving God gratitude
It will lead you to ruin and destruction
God’s word always leads you to salvation.
What do you do when your thoughts are going negative? I used to just wallow in wherever my thoughts led me. Since I was a very pessimistic person, it led to many wrong decisions and painful times with those I was in relationship with. The bible says that we ought to think only of what is true, honorable, pure, lovely, commendable, worthy of praise and excellent (Philippians 4:8). Proverbs 23:7 also says that as a man thinks, so is he. As born again Christians, we have the authority to choose our thoughts and align it with God’s. If our thoughts are full of filth, we will also talk and act filthy. However, if it is full of God’s word, then, we will think as God thinks too.
We must let the spirit of God renew our thoughts and attitudes. The Spirit knows what we are thinking and what is in our hearts. If we allow him to renew our thought, we will benefit with a changed attitude as well.
PRAYER
Lord, keep my mind pure.
REFLECTION
How can you cooperate with the spirit to renew your mind?
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

BIRTH OF SPIRITUAL LIFE Poem Devotional

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March 14
Humans can produce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to a spiritual life. –John 3:6(NLT)
BIRTH OF SPIRITUAL LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Human reasoning can only breed human understanding
The Spirit of God can change us and our limited reasoning
Because we are physical beings, we can’t comprehend the spirit
The Holy Spirit can give birth to a spiritual life; you must not fight it.
Praise the presence of the Spirit in your heart
He is there to keep you close to God and never apart
He convicts you of sin and shows you a way out
He protects you from temptations and doubts.
God created the whole universe and mankind by breathing his word on each of his creation. It is through his word that everything in this world came about. It is his powerful breath that made each of us alive. It is inhaling air in and out of us that we remain full of life. Just as air is important for our physical well being, the Spirit of God is also indispensable in our spiritual lives. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our Christian lives, we will be deprived of life.
The bible clearly tells us the limitations of humans. We can only do things that are mostly physical in nature, only the spirit of God can give birth to a spiritual life.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, live in my heart.
REFLECTION
How can you grow in your spiritual 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

ETERNAL LIVING WORD

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March 13
For you have been born again but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal living word of God.
-1 Peter 1:23(NLT)
ETERNAL LIVING WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you give your life to Christ
You will be guided in your daily life
The eternal living word of God transforms
It makes you stronger to go through storms.
You have been born again when you received him
As a result, your heart and mind were cleaned
Your new life with Christ will last forever
God sent his only Son to be our Redeemer.
I didn’t totally comprehend what “born again” meant many years ago. Coming from a religion that didn’t explain much about what it meant to be born again, all these things were hazy to me. One day as I was studying in my bible online course about being born again, God revealed to me how much he loved me and why he sent his son to save me and cleansed me from sin. From God’s word, the concept became truth. I realized how much God loves me.
The bible tells us that when we become born again, we will be given a life that will last forever because it comes from the eternal living word.

PRAYER
Lord, keep revealing yourself to me through your word.
REFLECTION
What revelations have you been given lately from God’s word?
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