Monthly Archives: April 2015

WISDOM PROTECTS Poem Devotional

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April 30
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Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her and she will guard you.
-Proverbs 4:5-6 (NLT)
WISDOM PROTECTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you run to God’s word for guidance?
Obeying Scriptures will keep sin at a distance
Good judgment is developed from the truth
It leads to wisdom and the Spirit’s fruit.
Don’t turn away from God’s revelations
It guards you from succumbing to temptations
Seek God and his word and it will protect you
It keeps your heart pure and your mind renewed.
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So many people live today without guidance from God. No wonder their lives are all messed up. It is a very dangerous and risky thing to go through life without a map. Just like tourists needs a guide and a map to traverse to a new place, we also need the word or God and his truth to navigate to our destination in this world. Some people do not realize the power of Scriptures to guide us to live the life that God wants for us.
The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of wisdom and good judgment in our lives. When we turn to God’s word, we automatically get protection from the world’s view.
PRAYER
Lord, help me navigate to your will for my life.
REFLECTION
What will happen if we do not run to the word for wisdom and guidance?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

OVERCOMING FEAR THROUGH PEACE Poem Devotional

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April 29
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Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm. – Proverbs 1:32-33 (NLT)
OVERCOMING FEAR THROUGH PEACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What hinders you from embracing peace?
What burdens do you need to release?
Peace comes from knowing God and his truth
It is a result of God’s love and is the Holy Spirit’s fruit.
Fools are destroyed by their own complacency
They have no qualms on taking anything selfishly
Listen to God’s word and he will cover you with peace
Fear has no place in the unconditional love that God gives.
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What are you afraid of? Every person is usually afraid of something. Fear is defined as usually a result of an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. It stems from an experience that gets stuck in our senses or memory. I had so much fear of many things for over five decades of my life because of traumatic experiences. I did everything I could to overcome them, but I was only able to get triumph over such fears when I allowed God’s word to heal all the lies embedded in those traumas. The bible says that if we listen to God’s voice, we will experience peace and overcome fear.
PRAYER
Lord, reveal to me the origin of my fears.
REFLECTION
How can obedience to God’s word free us from fears?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

FEAR NOT Poem Devotional

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April 28
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Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me, your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 (NLT)
FEAR NOT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you go through the darkest valley
Fear not for God will be with you totally
He is close beside you when you’re in pain
Believe and your hope will not be in vain.
When you feel overwhelmed with sorrow
Don’t worry for there is always a tomorrow
Fear not for he will protect and comfort you
He came to save you and get you through.
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Are you struggling with something in your life? Are you feeling sad and burdened right now? Don’t be afraid. You are not alone. There may be others who are going through the same things you are experiencing, maybe worse than where you are right now. When you start to get overwhelmed, look around you or talk to someone and you will be surprised that you are probably much in a better place than someone else. Count your blessings instead of focusing on what you don’t have.
The bible tells us that even when we walk through the darkest valley, we shouldn’t be afraid for God will always be there to protect and comfort us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on your love, power and protection.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome fear when you are overwhelmed with life’s challenges?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

CONCERN FOR OTHERS Poem Devotional

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April 27
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Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
-1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT)
CONCERN FOR OTHERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you only concerned for your own sake?
Do you think of others or do you just take?
Whenever we do things without consideration
We are not serving Christ or giving compassion.
Are your intentions geared only for pleasing yourself?
Do you thoughtfully think of others and help?
Christ genuinely loves and cares for others
Are you also blessing your sisters and brothers?
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How many people are really concerned about others rather than their own selves? In our world today, so much focus is about the satisfaction of the “self.” Each time we are presented with choices and decisions, aren’t they always about what will be good for our own sake rather than the good of others? Our fallen nature’s default is to self-protect and self-care. It is only by the grace of God that we can be dead to the desires of our own flesh and only in his mercy can we bask at how he can transform our fallen nature into his righteousness. Think of how much of your choices gear towards concern for others.The bible tells us that we have to be concerned for the good of others.
PRAYER
Lord, convict me of selfishness.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to focus more on others than ourselves?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

TOO PROUD TO SEEK GOD Poem Devotional

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April 26
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The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.
– Psalm 10:4 (NLT)+=
TOO PROUD TO SEEK GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you too busy to find time for the Lord?
Do you humble yourself in order to bring him laud?
The wicked are too proud to seek God
¬They have no notion of giving and of love.
They seem to think that God is dead
They don’t respect anyone or dread
Their arrogance will lead to their own ruin
They are consumed by their pride and sin.
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The original sin of Adam and Eve was rooted in pride. In Genesis 3:4, the serpent tempts Eve that if she eats from the tree that was prohibited by God, she will know and become like God. It was the desire to be equal with God that made them bite that apple.
What stops people from seeking the Lord? It is usually pride that is the root of all evil. This is why it is considered the deadliest of all sin. This is the reason why humility was modelled by Christ because this is the antidote to pride. The bible says that the wicked are too proud to seek the Lord. They seem to think that God is dead because their minds are twisted by the enemy.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from the sin of pride.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people get trapped in pride?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

GRIEF & PAIN FROM FOOLISH CHILDREN Poem Devotional

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April 25
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Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
– Proverbs 17:25 (NLT)
GRIEF & PAIN FROM FOOLISH CHILDREN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When children do not heed instructions
They open the door to a lot of temptations
When an offspring challenges his own parent
It grieves the heavenly father in heaven.
Foolish children bring sorrow to their fathers
They cause pain and bitterness to their mothers
Honor your parents for it will bring you blessings
When you rebel against them, you reap sufferings.
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The spirit of stubbornness and rebellion ran in my ancestry. It was one of the many generational sins that my family inherited from past generations. It was almost second nature for me to rebel. Strong willed child is the term they would have used for my attitude, but back in my time, I was labelled the “black sheep.” I didn’t know how grieved and bitter I made my parents back then. Now, I am reaping the same thing I gave my parents from my own son. I am continually praying and breaking all the generational curses and soaking all our iniquities in the blood of Jesus. God instructs us to honor our parents so that life will go well with us. No wonder I struggled in life for many decades due to my foolishness and stubbornness.
PRAYER
Lord, break all forms of pride in me.
REFLECTION
What forms of rebellion do you need to surrender to God?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARK Poem Devotional

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April 24
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. – Isaiah 9:2 (NLT)
LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARK
A poem and essay by ILMA
How long have you been groping in the dark?
Would you want to be free and have a new start?
When you live a life full of darkness
It is not very hard to be hopeless.
Whenever you live in sin and confusion
You will be in constant desperation
You need to repent and confess
Light will shine in the dark if you profess.
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There are many people who live their whole lives in total darkness. They have no idea what the purpose of their lives are. They are like puppets to the dictates of the world. They are controlled by their sinful nature and are slaves of their own desires. They have been kept so much in the lies that the enemy had made them believe for many years. They do things without thinking of repercussions of their actions. They never consult God for anything in their lives. Then they wonder why their lives are all so messed up.
God promised to give light to those people who are walking in darkness. He gave us Jesus, the light that covers all darkness.
PRAYER
Lord, shine on all darkness in this world.
REFLECTION
What darkness in your life do you need to let God’s light in?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

FILLED WITH LOVE Poem Devotional

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April 23
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The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. – 1 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)
FILLED WITH LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is love the center and focus of your life?
Do you do everything under God’s light?
The word instructs us to be filled with love
It is a mandate that comes from God up above.
The purpose of Scriptures is to safeguard our hearts
It reminds us to have a clear conscience and to trust
The word teaches us to walk in love and faith
It protects us from ruining our lives and fate.
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Some believers do not realize the importance of staying in God’s word regularly. Because of the noisy and corrupted world we live, it is very challenging to stay focused on God. The enemy has used “busy” ness to distract and waste our time with trivial and worthless things.
The bible says that Scriptures’ purpose is to instruct us to guard our hearts, stay pure and build up our faith. What do we have to do as Christians to stay in a relationship with God? Think of someone you love deeply. Won’t you do anything to spend much time with them? Why would it be different with God?
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to walk in love daily.
REFLECTION
What unloving ways do you need to give up to walk in love faithfully?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

FAITH HEALS Poem Devotional

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April 22
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“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over. Don’t be afraid. Just have faith. – Mark 5:34,36 (NLT)
FAITH HEALS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you sowing doubts and fear?
When you do, you’ll shed more tears
Believe strongly in God’s power
You will surely make the devil cower.
Your faith will surely bring healing
If you trust much, you finish suffering
Don’t be afraid, just believe in Christ
You will be transformed and see the light.
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My son almost died of asthma when he was four years old. I brought him on a healing crusade because I was so tired of going in and out of hospitals since he was born. I witnessed thousands of people being healed from cancer and those who are in stretchers are actually able to walk after the healing crusade. It was an amazing experience to witness so much people who put their trust in God. I would say that the amount of faith that people had was also the amount of healing they got. My son never had an asthma flare up since that day. He is now 28 years old.
There are so many stories in the bible that shows that faith heals. Abraham, Daniel, Mary, the woman bleeding, David and many more.
PRAYER
Lord, shower me with more faith in you.
REFLECTION
What miracles have you experienced because of your great faith?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

A SAFE REFUGE Poem Devotional

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April 21
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My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. – Psalm 62:7 (NLT)
A SAFE REFUGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you feeling beaten with life’s challenges?
Are you able to endure the many changes?
There is a safe refuge that you can run to
God is a rock where no enemy can go through.
Your victory and honor come only from God alone
Repent and confess and he will forgive all wrongs
Take shelter in his great love and mercy
He faithfully comforts those who are weary.
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We live in a world full of noise and distractions. It stops us from really spending quality time with our loved ones and especially with God. Whenever we get overwhelmed by all the roles and responsibilities that we face in life, it opens the door for the enemy to tempt us. If we allow such open doors, we expose ourselves to vulnerability to sin.
The bible tells us that the only way we can have victory and honor is from God alone. He is our refuge and our rock, where no enemy can reach. In other words, if we do not rely on God for everything, we will never have triumph over the tactics of the enemy.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being my rock and refuge.
REFLECTION
Why should we always focus on God instead of the world?
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For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com