Monthly Archives: April 2015

GOD RESCUES Poem Devotional

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April 20
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The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”
– Psalm 12:5 (NLT)
GOD RESCUES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What concerns do you have today?
Are you overwhelmed with what others say?
Is there someone who is doing you harm?
Pray and ask God help so you can be armed.
Put on God’s armor so you can stand firm against evil
God rescues his people to have victory over the devil
He will never allow anything to happen to his children
Have peace for he is reserving a place for you in heaven.
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There is so much violence in our world today. I am sure that not all those who are experiencing abuse are bold enough to admit that what they are going through especially when the abusers are someone they love or have authority over them. This is the perpetual cycle of abuse. The abusers isolate the victims so that they don’t get out of the circle of violence. Those victims who do not seek help and come out in the open will find themselves in the trap because they are so used to it and they get used to be the victim because of the fear of change. The Lord rescues us, let us run to him.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from violence.
REFLECTION
Why should we run to God for protection?
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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

HEIRS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Poem Devotional

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April 19
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God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs.
– Matthew 5:10 (NLT)
HEIRS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you being discriminated for believing in Jesus?
Are you marginalized because you are righteous?
Are your silenced to proclaim the Good News?
Are you stopped from giving testimony and being a witness?
Those who are persecuted for doing right will be blessed
Even if they are at the bottom now, they will be raised
They are promised a legacy to the kingdom of heaven
The Father will bring a breakthrough to make it even.
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Have you ever been discriminated or misunderstood because of your faith in Jesus? It is a form of oppression that can be very subtle or obvious. I am currently experiencing a form of persecution because of my love for the Lord and my desire to follow his word and live a righteous life. I am surrounded by people who are either religious, atheists or lost believers who only select what is convenient for them to practice. It is a very challenging battle. When they catch me at my most vulnerable time, I can get pulled down by the spirit of the enemy. The bible promises the kingdom of heaven to those who are persecuted to do what is right.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength when I am persecuted.
REFLECTION
How should we respond to persecution or oppression to do good?
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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 SLAVE OF CHRIST Poem devotional

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April 18
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And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you; you are now a slave of Christ.
-1 Corinthians 7:22 (NLT)
A SLAVE OF CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Would you consider yourself free indeed?
Is there anything or anyone that bonds you to sin?
Do you remember when Jesus called you?
He wants you to be born again and renewed.
Is there is anything that keeps you out of the light?
Let the Son of God be the only master in your life
Be honored that you are a slave of Christ
It will transform you and will bring insight.
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There are many people living in bondage. Some of them don’t even know they are enslaved. What does a modern day slave look like? It may have been many decades ago when slavery was very real in our world. What people do not realize is that slavery still exists. It may not be very visible, but may be very subtly manifested. Any kind of addiction such as alcohol, smoking, sex, workaholic, gambling, love of money or idolizing something or someone is surely a form of slavery. The bible says that when you are born again, you are now a slave of Christ who is all loving and all forgiving. You are free from slavery to sin.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be a dedicated servant of yours.
REFLECTION
What form of bondage are you still enslaved to?
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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

THE FOOL AND THE WISE Poem Devotional

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April 17
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Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
– Proverbs 10:23 (NLT)
THE FOOL AND THE WISE
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is a man who loves so much fun
He satisfies himself of all things under the sun
He thinks of everything he could get to please himself
He couldn’t care less to give someone help.
Another man loves to seek the Lord and obey
He will do anything to serve others as God says
He is thankful for all the gifts and use it for God’s glory
He manages his time, resources and energy wisely.
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There are two kinds of people in our world: the fool and the wise. Are you a wise person or a fool? The bible says that the fool’s hobby is to do wrong. They get so much kick out of wickedness. On the other hand, the wise person brings pleasure to those who are sensible.
I was a fool the first half of my life. I did so many wrong things as a result of feeding my desires to please myself. I got so wrapped up in surviving a life that was full of unmet needs and being unloved by my own family. I thank the Lord that he has delivered me from foolishness and granted me wisdom finally.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for putting some sense into me.
REFLECTION
What foolishness are you still hanging on? What hampers you from embracing wisdom?
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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

LIKE A CAST DOWN SHEEP Poem devotional

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April 16
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The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along the right paths, bringing honor to his name. – Psalm 23:1-2 (NLT)
LIKE A CAST DOWN SHEEP
A poem and essay by ILMA
I was hurting so much when you comforted me
You carried me on your shoulder and heard my plea
Like a cast down sheep, I couldn’t stand on my feet
You let me rest in the green meadow by the stream.
My strength was renewed when you came to my rescue
You guided me along the right path so I won’t be askew
You are my shepherd, I have all that I need
You are my Lord, thank you for your wondrous deed.
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Sheep has always been likened to man in the bible. There are many characteristics of this animal that are almost like humans. They are not very smart, they always stray, restless, stubborn, and very awkward. They depend so much on the shepherd to lead them and easily gets lost. When a sheep falls flat on his back, he couldn’t help himself to get up and can actually die without assistance.
The bible tells us that the Lord is our shepherd. He renews and restores us. He guides us to the right paths.
PRAYER
Lord, let me constantly depend on you.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you were cast down and God came to rescue you?
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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

WHAT DELIGHTS THE LORD Poem Devotional

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April 15
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But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone; that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things, I, the Lord, have spoken!
-Jeremiah 9:24 (NLT)
WHAT DELIGHTS THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you feel the urge to boast about anything
Line it up with what the word of God brings
There is no point in boasting about your insight
God can take away anything when you resist and fight.
Seek and truly know your Lord and Savior
It is the only thin Pg you can boast to others
He wants you to spread justice and righteousness
He takes delight when you obey and give up lawlessness.
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What brings you happiness in life? Is it a spouse who showers you with love or a child that brings you so much delight? For many years, I have worked hard to be a responsible mother and faithful servant to God. I used to take pride in being a supermom. When I was saved, God showed me what really delighted him.
The bible tells us that if there is anything that we can boast about, it is truly knowing him and understanding his unfailing love. He wants his people to be just and righteous.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your unfailing love.
REFLECTION
Why should we only boast of knowing Christ?
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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

GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU Poem Devotional

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April 14
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When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel. – Isaiah 43:2-3(NLT)
GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is troubling your heart today?
Is it something someone did or say?
Are you going through rivers of difficulty?
God is always with you; he will set you free.
The Lord promised protection in times of trouble
He will never allow you to be buried in the rubble
When you are oppressed, you will be released
When you are confused, he will make you see.
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One of the many weaknesses that has burdened me so much is “overanalyzing.” I don’t know where it comes from, but it usually creeps on me when I panic over things I have no control over. It may have been an aftermath of neglect, abandonment or abuse or it may be a stronghold passed on to me from many generations. Now that God has saved me, I have to let go of worry and anxiety. It is a sin of unbelief (Matthew 6:32).The bible says that God is always with us, in all trials and difficulties we encounter.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength and grow my faith.
REFLECTION
What concern do you have today that needs to be surrendered 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

GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU Poem Devotional

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April 14
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When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel. – Isaiah 43:2-3(NLT)
GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is troubling your heart today?
Is it something someone did or say?
Are you going through rivers of difficulty?
God is always with you; he will set you free.
The Lord promised protection in times of trouble
He will never allow you to be buried in the rubble
When you are oppressed, you will be released
When you are confused, he will make you see.
________________________________________
One of the many weaknesses that has burdened me so much is “overanalyzing.” I don’t know where it comes from, but it usually creeps on me when I panic over things I have no control over. It may have been an aftermath of neglect, abandonment or abuse or it may be a stronghold passed on to me from many generations. Now that God has saved me, I have to let go of worry and anxiety. It is a sin of unbelief (Matthew 6:32).The bible says that God is always with us, in all trials and difficulties we encounter.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength and grow my faith.
REFLECTION
What concern do you have today that needs to be surrendered 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

GOD MIRRORED IN HIS PEOPLE Poem Devotional

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April 13
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No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. – 1 John 4:12-13 (NLT)
GOD MIRRORED IN HIS PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you mirroring God by the way you live?
Do you put in action what you believe?
No one has ever seen God but we can mirror him
When we walk in love, we will overcome sin.
He sends us his spirit as proof that he is in us
He is the only one who can free, so always trust
Whenever we walk in love, we bring him to others
When we obey his commands, it pleases the Father.
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What kind of picture of God are you painting to others by the way you live? It is sad to know that there are Christians who do not reflect the true character of God. When we gave our hearts to Christ, we were given new life. A life that honors and glorifies the Lord.
Sadly, I still see believers who do not obey God’s command. I still know of Christians who cannot forgive others or who still live in condemnation and bound by religion and legalism. The bible says that if we follow God’s truth and character, we will mirror him to others.
PRAYER
Lord, let me be like you.
REFLECTION
Why should we seek God and follow his word?
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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

MADE WONDERFULLY COMPLEX Poem Devotional

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April 12
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You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous. -Psalm 139:13-14(NLT)
MADE WONDERFULLY COMPLEX
A poem and essay by ILMA
What makes you the way you are?
God made your delicate inner parts
He knitted you in your mother’s womb
He created you to win and not be doomed.
He made you wonderfully complex
He designed you into his likeness
You may not feel worthy of all of these
He longs for you and want your heart seized.
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Wouldn’t it be amazing to actually see how human beings came about? Today, technology gives us a peak into the unknown before. We can actually see the unborn baby in their mother’s womb using ultrasound. It makes the waiting worthwhile. It makes you leap for love.
The bible tells us that we were made wonderfully complex in Psalm 139. Can you imagine God being inside your mother’s womb? It sounds incomprehensible but this is what the word of God says. Just close your eyes and visualize that God shrunk himself into a size that would fit your mother’s womb. He breathed into you so all the other parts of your body will be complete and be ready soon to face the world.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for making me wonderfully complex.
REFLECTION
How have you honored God with his magnificent masterpiece in you?
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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