March 12
What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. – Psalm 124:2-3(NLT)
GOD PROTECTS THE FAITHFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Will you be able to survive an attack without God’s help?
Are you strong enough to be able to self-protect?
We are defeated without God’s sanctification
We will not be victorious if we don’t have his protection.
Remember that without God, man is nothing
He gave us his great love and everything
He will protect all who are faithful to him
He promised that they will be free and redeemed.
The theme of my life for many years was abuse and trauma. The enemy kept me enslaved by telling me many lies. I was kept from knowing the truth about sins that were passed on to me unintentionally by my parents. I am pretty sure that their parents passed on to them as well what they handed me down also, without their awareness. This is the cycle generated by the enemy to keep us imprisoned to sin. He makes it appear like it is the norm to accept all these negative behavior and patterns in our lives since they were passed on to us.
The bible tells us that without God constantly on our side, we will be swallowed up alive in the burning anger of the enemy and his whole camp.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me in your love.
REFLECTION
How do we protect ourselves from sin?
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
Monthly Archives: March 2015
INTERCESSION FOR THE LAWLESS Poem Devotional
March 11
Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.
– Psalm 119:136(NLT)
INTERCESSION FOR THE LAWLESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever I see Christians rebelling against God
It’s hard to watch their hearts go hard
Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
I pray that they be delivered from sin and lies.
I feel so much sorrow to witness their rebellion
I cry out to God so they can be led to salvation
Lord, free them from slavery to lawlessness
Show them the way to your righteousness.
When I was saved, God began to show me what my generational sins were and how I could be freed from them. It was through his word that I got free from all the lies that were perpetuated by the enemy for many years in my family. It took a while before I actually clearly understood why my life was such a mess and why there was so much suffering and pain. The minute I gave up rebellion, arrogance and pride, a lot of things became clearer. It was the spirit of rebellion and trauma that ran in my family for many generations.
Now that Jesus has set me free, it pains me to watch those who have turned their backs to God and have hardened their hearts.
PRAYER
Lord, please lead the rebels back to you.
REFLECTION
How can a Christian help other lost believers to return 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
GUIDED BY THE WORD Poem Devotional
March 10
Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil. Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments.
– Psalm 119:133-134(NLT)
GUIDED BY THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
As we live in this chaotic world
We need to be guided by God’s word
When we believe in the word which is the truth
We get stability and establish deep roots.
Ask the Lord to ransom you from oppression
Seek his word so you will experience redemption
By hearing, listening and obeying his commands
You will learn to live a victorious life that is grand.
Do you ever wonder how some people are blessed with a life full of joy, peace and love while others are constantly struggling with challenges and unending suffering? The bible tells us everything we need to know how to live successful and victorious lives. The sad part is that we barely run to the bible to seek guidance and advice to deal with everyday living.
Psalm 119:133-134 tells us that it is the word of God that will guide our steps so we will not be overcome by evil. The psalmist was pleading God to be ransomed from the oppression of evil people so it is easier to obey his commands. It is much easier to obey God’s commands when we are not oppressed, abused or broken hearted.
PRAYER
Lord, free me from oppression.
REFLECTION
Why is it harder to obey God when we are in bondage?
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 WORD PRODUCES FRUIT Poem Devotional
March 9
The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out and it produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to and it will prosper everywhere I send it. – Isaiah 55:10-11(NLT)
THE WORD PRODUCES FRUIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Rain and snow cause crops and plants to grow
The more seeds you have thrown to sow
The more fruits it will bear that you can gather
The hungry are fed by these hard working farmers.
Just like how watering of the earth produces fruit
The word of God brings about deep roots
Whenever we feed and apply the word in our lives
It will make us grow, spiritually mature and thrive.
Have you ever invested time to read the word of God? I started feeding on God’s word in my late twenties. I wish I could have done it earlier so I could have saved myself the trouble of so much pain and suffering from many unguided decisions. The bible likens the word with rain and snow that produces water which causes the grain to grow and feed the hungry. It says that it has the same effect on producing fruit in our lives while we feed on it.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a hunger for your word.
REFLECTION
How often do you feed on Scriptures?
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
LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS Poem Devotional
March 8
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
-John 1:5(NLT)
LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
During your darkest moments
Run to Jesus your Lord and repent
His word is a lamp to your feet
He will show you the way to be free.
When trials come your way
Remember what Jesus faced
He was crucified to bring you light
He defeated the enemy and won the fight.
Have you ever experienced pitch darkness? It is a very stifling feeling to be in total pitch black surrounding. Lots of children fear the dark and even some adults still do. Why do people feel the dark? Is it because of the unknown and the unseen. Humans like to have control over almost everything in their lives. Being presented with the unknown terrifies a lot of people. We naturally don’t like change but in God’s economy, renewal or changing of the mind is important in spiritual growth.
The bible tells us that light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. The light here is symbolic of the word of God. So, where the word of God is, there will be light and the darkness which represents evil will never hide anymore. It will be exposed and can’t stay in hiding anymore. When the word of God exposes a sin, no one can hide from it.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your light through your word.
REFLECTION
How can you keep the light shining for Jesus?
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
DAY & NIGHT Poem Devotional
March 7
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
–Proverbs 4:18-19(NLT)
DAY & NIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of day
Their actions reflect everything they say
They shine so bright like the sun during the day
Their goodness is a reflection of Christ’s ways.
The wicked on the other hand is like total darkness
Their minds are full of lies and wickedness
They want to steal, kill and destroy the godly
They thrive on chaos, conflicts and mediocrity.
Day and night is like good and evil. The enemy always preys at night when it is dark. They do all their tricks and tactics when people can’t see them. They hide in the dark so that they can scheme to harm people. Light in the day is symbolic of goodness. It is during the day that we can clearly see things because of the fullness of light.
The bible compares the righteous and the wicked. The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. On the other hand, the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
PRAYER
Lord, lead me to your light.
REFLECTION
How can you stay in God’s light?
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
PRAYER FOR THE UNLOVABLE Poem Devotional
March 6
Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. – Luke 6:28 (NLT)
PRAYER FOR THE UNLOVABLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Oh Lord, I ask your forgiveness for those who have wronged me
Keep me focused on your commands so I will always be free
Bless all those who have been hurt by unlovable persons
Show them your unconditional love which is beyond human reason.
Forgive them for they are deeply hurting inside
Show and expose to them that the enemy had lied
Melt their hardened hearts so they can return to you
Rebuke them and have their minds renewed.
The hardest thing to do is to pray for someone who has hurt, betrayed or abused us. Almost thirty years ago, I had this thought inside me to try to pray for the enemy. I didn’t know then that it was the Spirit of God who was prodding me to do so. I was astounded by the results of such prayer for these hardened hearted people. It was a miracle. Even their demeanor towards me changed without me confronting them. It was God who confronted them for me. What an amazing way to counter oppression.
The bible tells us to pursue peace and to forgive. When you are being cursed and hurt by someone, the only way to follow God’s command is to keep your peace and to forgive. Bless them by praying for them.
PRAYER
Lord, bless those who are hurting inside.
REFLECTION
Why do you think hurt people hurt 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
DOWNSIDE OF DESIRE TO BE RICH Poem devotional
March 5
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
-1Timothy 6:9(NLT)
DOWNSIDE OF DESIRE TO BE RICH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you one of those people who aspire to be rich?
Will you do everything for money and constantly seek it?
People who long to be rich fall into temptation
They are trapped by foolishness leading to their own destruction.
Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart will be
Are you being enslaved by wealth or are you free indeed?
The downside of wanting to be rich is a life of devastation
Desire God instead of wealth then you will be led to salvation.
There are many people whose major desire in life is to get rich instantly. This is probably why the lottery is a big business today. People want instant wealth. I have heard many sad stories after people won the lottery. Some lost their friends and never learned to trust anyone. Some were killed because the world knows that they have money and they want to steal it from them. Some had broken relationships.
The bible says that there is a downside to desiring to be rich. It becomes a trap. People who are obsessed with wealth plunge themselves into ruin and destruction. Love of money leads to evil.
PRAYER
Lord, show me where you want me to enrich myself with.
REFLECTION
Show an instance when love for money lead to evil.
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 HOUSE WITHOUT FOUNDATION
March 4
But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins. –Luke 6:49(NLT)
A HOUSE WITHOUT FOUNDATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
A house without foundation will easily disintegrate
Just as a person would fail without a walk of faith
Anyone who hears God’s word and don’t obey
Will bring a heap of ruins and will easily be swayed.
Without a relationship and intimacy with the Lord
You will be consumed and corrupted by the world
When you decide to seek, hear and follow God’s word
You will be strong and will be like a soldier for the Lord.
There are many Christians who do not walk their talk. You will see it with the way they interact with others. They live double lives, pretending to be what who they are really not. They want to show others that they are good but their minds and hearts are full of un-forgiveness and wickedness. I used to be like this counterfeit Christian. Thank God that he delivered me from hypocrisy.
The bible says that anyone who hears God’s word and doesn’t obey will be weak and easily collapse with challenges. On the other hand, those who obey God’s word, they will have a strong foundation and will not be easily tossed.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me strength.
REFLECTION
How strong is your foundation with 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
DO AS GOD SAYS Poem Devotional
March 3
So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. – Luke 6:46-47(NLT)
DO AS GOD SAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know what the Lord says?
Do you take time to seek his word, obey and pray?
The Lord our God wants us to do what he commands
It is for our own good when he convicts and reprimands.
Do as God says and he will fulfill all his promises
He wants us to live with integrity instead of compromises
Seek the Lord with all your heart and follow his instructions
When you do, he will bring you close to redemption.
When my son was a little boy, I would always give him incentives when he did something I told him to do. Some of the rewards I gave him were additional bedtime stories, more cuddle times or picnic treat. I had a chart that he looked at when he finished a little chore. He gets a star for it and it made him happy to collect such rewards after doing what is expected of him. The bible tells us that God is like a father to us. He expects us to do what he says. He rewards us with blessings and protection.
PRAYER
Lord, let me follow you always.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the benefit of doing what God says?
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