Monthly Archives: April 2015

ON BEING CAUTIOUS Poem Devotional

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April 11
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The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
– Proverbs 14:16 (NLT)
ON BEING CAUTIOUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think twice before you act?
Do you bridle your tongue instead of react?
The wise are cautious and avoid danger
They fear the Lord and respect even strangers.
Fools are not concerned about others
They plunge ahead with reckless confidence
They don’t even think ahead of consequences
All they want is to continue with their nonsense.
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There are so much folly in this world we live in. We need more wise and righteous people to change this corrupt world. I am sure that each person go through some sort of rebellion and recklessness in their lives. I had been a fool for the first half of my life. I am still paying the consequences of my foolishness until now. I thank God that he has delivered me from the spirit of rebellion and pride.
The bible tells us that caution and avoiding danger is a manifestation of a wise person while fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. The wise heeds advice and takes counsel from more mature persons and authority. The fool doesn’t care about listening to anyone, they only care about satisfying their pleasures. They think they are always right.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from reckless confidence.
REFLECTION
Why should we be cautious about how we live our lives?
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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

NAKED AND EXPOSED Poem Devotional

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April 10
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Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes and he is the one to whom we are accountable. – Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)
NAKED AND EXPOSED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think you can hide anything from your creator?
You can turn your back and delay repentance later
If you deny your sin, it will ricochet on your life
If you continue to be lawless, you will lose sight.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God
Everything is naked and exposed to him above
You are accountable to your Lord and Savior
Repent! He overcomes sins, he is our liberator.
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I had a very traumatic experience from a marriage support group that my husband and I ran for help. I was misunderstood for being bold to ask why communications amongst the couples were limited to some and not to all. My query was twisted by someone’s jealousy. Everything went askew and they gathered around me to point fingers at me and blame me for boldly asking and distorting it to a racial issue. It was out of line that they humiliated me publicly during my most vulnerable and stressful times. We came for help not to be exposed. The bible says that we are all naked and exposed before God. We are only accountable to him.
PRAYER
Lord, give me humility to admit my sins and repent.
REFLECTION
Who do you pledge loyalty to? Is it God or man?
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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

SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO GOOD Poem Devotional

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April 9
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Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith. – Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO GOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you go out of your way to bless someone?
Are you given a chance to be of help to anyone?
Seize opportunities to bless one another
It will glorify God when you care for others
It is more blessed to give than receive
It proves that we are obedient and really believe
Don’t let any occasion to do good pass by
You might not get another one for it easily flies.
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Are you someone who easily grabs a chance to bless another person? How many times did you regret not doing something for someone when you could easily have done it? How many opportunities have gone by that you could have shown others what Christ would have done? One of my good traits is helping. I have a gift for sensing easily when someone needs help. Even before someone asks help, I have already extended myself to them. On my first hectic day at Starbucks as a Barista, I saw a woman in crutches crossing and I dropped what I was doing and ran to assist her. She was very thankful and never forgot me for that good deed.
The bible tells us that we should always seize any opportunity to do good to everyone, especially to other believers. Whenever we bless others with something, God is pleased. It also glorifies the heavenly father because we are mirroring his generous characteristic and his loving kindness.
PRAYER
Lord, open my heart to all opportunities to do good.
REFLECTION
Why should we grab chances to help and serve others?
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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

DISCORD IN UNEQUALLY YOKED RELATIONS Poem Devotional

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April 8
Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?
-2 Corinthians 6:14-15
DISCORD IN UNEQUALLY YOKED RELATIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you vowed to believe in Jesus Christ
You must look up to his power and might
A believer guards his heart and remains pure
He is not jealous, worldly, fearful or insecure.
Don’t team up with those who live in darkness
Be with those who embrace Christ’s righteousness
Unequally yoked relations generate discord
Harmony results from two people who loves the Lord.
Are you a believer who is married to an unbeliever? Are you planning to marry someone who is an unbeliever? These questions are worth reflecting on and taken seriously if you are a Christian. When you plan to tie the knot to someone who is coming from a very different belief system, think a hundred times first before you do. The bible cautions us not to team up with unbelievers because there can never be harmony. Discord will always result in unequally yoked relationship. Paul explains this to the Corinthians when he presented the questions such as: How can righteousness partner with evil? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil?
PRAYER
Lord, guide us to choose who you want for us and not who we want.
REFLECTION
Why does the bible discourage unequally yoked relationship or marriage?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

PEACEFUL HEART EQUALS HEALTHY BODY Poem Devotional

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April 7
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
– Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)
PEACEFUL HEART EQUALS HEALTHY BODY
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your heart today?
Is it full of angst or does it pray?
Are you letting God into your life?
Do you seek peace ever so tight?
A peaceful heart brings a fit body
Jealousy is poisonous and unhealthy
Seek peace with all your heart and mind
It will bring you victory and God’s insight.
Jealousy is defined as a strong feeling of possessiveness, often caused by the possibility that something which belongs or ought to belong to one is about to be taken away. I once knew someone who was a very jealous person. It was very stressful to be with jealous people. They are insecure and very cunning. I didn’t know she was very envious of all the things I have until she stirred trouble between me and another common friend. It ruined the relationship between the three of us.
Later on, she was diagnosed with diabetes. She was enslaved by her religiosity.
The bible says that a peaceful heart leads to a healthy body and jealousy is like cancer in the bones. All believers must actively choose peace over any worry or anxiety in life. Peace protects our hearts from being corrupted by all human desires which bring discontent and jealousy.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from envy and jealousy.
REFLECTION
How is jealousy is like cancer in the bones?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

THE WISDOM OF LISTENING Poem Devotional

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April 6
Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listens to others.
-Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)
THE WISDOM OF LISTENING
A poem and essay by ILMA
A fool thinks only of himself
He doesn’t care for others or try to help
A fool always thinks he is right
He never listens but always fights.
The wise listens to others
He cares for his sisters and brothers
He fears the Lord and obey his word
He guards his heart to overcome the world.
Do you know someone who never listens to anyone? I was once a very selfish and haughty person. I never really cared much for others but I always wanted to get my way. Because I wasn’t given much love and attention as I was growing up, I learned to protect myself from rejection and criticism. I vowed to myself that no one can hurt me again. I became numb to others and learned to self-protect and relied only on myself. I hardened my heart to others and to God.
The bible says that there is wisdom in listening to others. Fools think that their own way is right. We are instructed by God to love him first, then ourselves as we love others. When we think only of ourselves, we remove others and God in the equation. The result of such removal is pain and hardened hearts. God created us for himself and for others.
PRAYER
Lord, show me to be caring and loving.
REFLECTION
Why is listening important in our lives?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

AVOID BEING LOST Poem Devotional

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If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. –Proverbs 15:22(NLT)
AVOID BEING LOST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Does your life’s purpose align with God’s will?
Do you allow the enemy to steal or kill?
If you do good, you carry the cross.
If you do evil, you will be lost.
Whenever you obey God’s commands
Life becomes clear despite all its demands
Whenever you follow your selfish nature
You become confused and remain immature.
Have you ever been so confused and lost? I have been in that road of confusion and lawlessness many years of my life. Because I didn’t consult God’s word during those dark years, I became a slave of my own desires and weaknesses. It was also in these years of turmoil that I heard a voice inside me that was inviting me back to come back and restore my relationship with the Lord. I chose to respond to the invitation with open arms. I repented of all my sins and embraced Jesus in my life.
The bible tells us that if you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. As soon as I gave up sin and chose Christ, my life became peaceful and full of light. No more confusion.
PRAYER
Lord, free me from my sinful nature.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to feed on God’s word daily?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

WISDOM RESULTS FROM DISCIPLINE Poem Devotional

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April 4
Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
– Proverbs 15:5(NLT)
WISDOM RESULTS FROM DISCIPLINE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever defied your parent’s instructions?
Do you find yourself in many adverse situation?
Wisdom results from following the wise
It will benefit your life if you listen to good advice.
Only a fool despises his parent’s discipline
It usually breeds poverty and suffering
If you honor your parents, your life will go well
If you defy correction, pain and conflicts dwell.
The spirit of rebellion and stubbornness ran in my family of origin. I didn’t know that they were sins until the Lord showed me. 1 Samuel 15:23 says that Rebellion is a sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. This biblical verse confirms the gravity of these sins. The saga of the Israelites to reach the Promised Land took longer because of these sins. God considers disobedience or defiance as a form of rebellion. Romans 13:1-2 says that everyone must submit to authority for all authority comes from God and anyone who rebels to authority is rebelling against God and will be punished.
Proverbs 15:5 says that whoever learns from correction is wise and only fools despise their parents’ discipline. This saying brings to us to Ephesians 6:2-3 which commands us to honor our parents so things will go well for us if and have long lives.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to obey.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to obey our parents?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

MOUTHS FULL OF LIES Poem Devotional

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April 3
Save me! Rescue me from the power of my enemies. Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead. – Psalm 144:11(NLT)
MOUTHS FULL OF LIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you try to cover up something you did
You usually end up covering your deed
Stay away from people who always tells lies
You will be corrupted and eventually die.
Be in the word and the Spirit of God will guide
When you love God truly, you will abide
Be cautious about what you say and do
Orchestrate your life’s purpose with God’s truth.
Have you ever been around someone who constantly lies? I used to be with someone who was a pathological liar. All that comes out of his mouth are lies or half-truths. Many people who have been blinded by the enemy automatically twists truth and tell lies so that they can use, abuse or get what they want. It was stressful to be around liars. It robs you of peace and generates suspicion, doubt and mistrust. It is very draining to be around liars.
The psalmist in Psalm 144 was pleading God to be rescued from the power of the enemies who are full of lies. They swear to tell the truth, but lie instead. He was pleading God to be delivered from the enemy’s tactic of twisting truths.
PRAYER
Lord, please deliver me from lies and liars.
REFLECTION
How can you detect a lie from the truth?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

Mouths full of lies poem devotional

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April 3
Save me! Rescue me from the power of my enemies. Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead. – Psalm 144:11(NLT)
MOUTHS FULL OF LIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you try to cover up something you did
You usually end up covering your deed
Stay away from people who always tells lies
You will be corrupted and eventually die.
Be in the word and the Spirit of God will guide
When you love God truly, you will abide
Be cautious about what you say and do
Orchestrate your life’s purpose with God’s truth.
Have you ever been around someone who constantly lies? I used to be with someone who was a pathological liar. All that comes out of his mouth are lies or half-truths. Many people who have been blinded by the enemy automatically twists truth and tell lies so that they can use, abuse or get what they want. It was stressful to be around liars. It robs you of peace and generates suspicion, doubt and mistrust. It is very draining to be around liars.
The psalmist in Psalm 144 was pleading God to be rescued from the power of the enemies who are full of lies. They swear to tell the truth, but lie instead. He was pleading God to be delivered from the enemy’s tactic of twisting truths.
PRAYER
Lord, please deliver me from lies and liars.
REFLECTION
How can you detect a lie from the truth?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
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Save me! Rescue me from the power of my enemies. Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead. – Psalm 144:11(NLT)
MOUTHS FULL OF LIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you try to cover up something you did
You usually end up covering your deed
Stay away from people who always tells lies
You will be corrupted and eventually die.
Be in the word and the Spirit of God will guide
When you love God truly, you will abide
Be cautious about what you say and do
Orchestrate your life’s purpose with God’s truth.
Have you ever been around someone who constantly lies? I used to be with someone who was a pathological liar. All that comes out of his mouth are lies or half-truths. Many people who have been blinded by the enemy automatically twists truth and tell lies so that they can use, abuse or get what they want. It was stressful to be around liars. It robs you of peace and generates suspicion, doubt and mistrust. It is very draining to be around liars.
The psalmist in Psalm 144 was pleading God to be rescued from the power of the enemies who are full of lies. They swear to tell the truth, but lie instead. He was pleading God to be delivered from the enemy’s tactic of twisting truths.
PRAYER
Lord, please deliver me from lies and liars.
REFLECTION
How can you detect a lie from the truth?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com