Monthly Archives: June 2015

PRECIOUS TRUTH Poem Devotional

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 494

June 30 ________________________________________
Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT)
PRECIOUS TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you accepted Jesus as your Savior
You were delivered from the deceiver
God’s precious truth will set you free
All lies will be exposed and will help you see
When God’s spirit lives within your heart
You have to live by the truth and guard
Keep the Spirit alive by protecting these truth
You will eventually reap a harvest of the Spirit’s fruit.
________________________________________
Have you ever guarded a treasure or a possession so much? I used to care for my very first guitar in my early teens. It was so precious to me that I never let anyone hold it without my permission or borrow it. I would always have a special cloth to clean it regularly. It shines so well that you could use it for a mirror. I played for the church choir using this guitar for around a decade. I made sure it was handled with care. God’s word should also be handled with care and ensured protection from this corrupted and evil world.
The bible tells us that through the Spirit’s power, we can carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to us. We must know, obey and live by these truth.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your truth.
REFLECTION
How can you guard God’s truth?
________________________________________
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

CORNERSTONE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 358

June 29 ________________________________________
The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. –Acts 4:11(NLT)
CORNERSTONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been hurt by someone’s oppression?
Do you feel intimidated by people’s discrimination?
Jesus Christ himself was rejected by the religious
He was considered trash instead of precious.
Christ is the cornerstone that the builders rejected
He died for all those who are oppressed and dejected
Cling to Jesus and your bondage will be set free
He will bring you into light and you will see.
________________________________________
I think that each person has somehow experienced rejection or being discriminated in some form or another. Many mental illnesses are caused by this terrible experience of oppression or being put down. The only way we can alleviate the pain of it is by being in the truth that only God can give. The enemy wants to kill and destroy us. He doesn’t want us to seek God and hunger for his words because it will expose all the lies that he tells us.
Just like any other human being, Christ was rejected, oppressed, tortured and killed. He is close to the broken hearted and rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18). He was rejected by the builders as the cornerstone. The religious was threatened by him and wanted him dead and destroyed because they didn’t really understand his kingdom. They didn’t know that he was the foundation of the church.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being my root.
REFLECTION
How have you rejected Christ in your life?
________________________________________
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 THOUGHTFUL GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 474June 28 ________________________________________
Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered. – Psalm 139:16-17 (NLT)
A THOUGHTFUL GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you sometimes feel unloved and abandoned?
Has someone let you down for very long?
Have you ever been cared for unconditionally?
Be glad for your God thinks about you relentlessly.
Every day of your life is recorded in your own book
He takes note what you go through in your life’s nooks
He thinks about you day and night and cares much
He is a thoughtful God who gives you love in a batch.
________________________________________
Have you ever experienced being loved and thought of with much passion? I once had a person who deeply cared for me. We had a long distance relationship but I had never been close with anyone as I was with him. He loved me so unconditionally and trusted me completely. The best thing I remembered about this man was how much he thought of me. He called me three times a day for over a year even if we were miles apart. He was always thinking about me and telling everyone he meets about me. He made me feel very loved and thought of.
The bible described how passionately God loves us. He knows every detail of our life and thinks of us always.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me thoughtfulness.
REFLECTION
How often do you think of God each day?
________________________________________
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

HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

wasaga 3rd anniv picnic & beatrice 3rd visit 170

June 27 ________________________________________
A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
-Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)
HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What kind of things do you chase these days?
Do they glorify God in many ways?
A wise person is hungry to know the truth
He seeks God which leads him to bear fruit.
The fool on the other hand feeds on trash
They do things to feed on their lust
They never want to change and pursue God
They will never want to praise or give him laud.
________________________________________
When I was in high school, I used to go to many different libraries. There were no internet and google search engines then. I could go for a whole day just reading books in the library. I think I was really very thirsty for knowledge even at a very young age of three. No one taught me to read the bible or else, I could have been reading it earlier than my late twenties. I didn’t know that the Holy Spirit lived in the hearts of those who believe. Maybe it was the Holy Spirit that made me so hungry to search for God because somehow I have always felt hungry for love and knowledge.
The bible tells us the difference between wise people and fools. Those who are constantly hungry for knowledge are considered wise. Those who are fools feed on trash and trivial things.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me hungry for you always.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to feed our minds and heart with truth?
________________________________________
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 CREATOR OF ALL Poem Devotional

Posted on by

barrie visit 2011 412

June 26________________________________________
Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning, they will all be destroyed. But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the creator of everything that exists.
-Jeremiah 10:15-16 (NLT)
THE CREATOR OF ALL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe in the one who is creator of all?
All other idols are powerless and dull
Only God made the heavens and earth
He is the one who knows you even before birth.
He loves us much and made us in his image
He is the only one who can free us from bondage
On the day of reckoning, all idols will be destroyed
Only in him will we know the truth and have joy.
________________________________________
Many unbelievers believe in gods that are man-made from either wood, gold or other kinds of stone. There is not much power in these things made my man. The one true God is someone who we can’t visually see, but someone who works in us, through us and for us. His spirit lives in those who believe in him. He directs the path of those who belong in his flock.
In Jeremiah 10, God used his own prophet to warn every one of the impending danger of idolatry. He exposes the powerlessness of these idols which were carved to serve their own purposes. Unlike them, God is omniscient and omnipotent and thinks about each member of his fold.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to be loyal to you.
REFLECTION
Relate a time when you had an idol in your life .
________________________________________
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

PERFECT HUSBAND Poem Devotional

Posted on by

juanita's unedited 047

June 25________________________________________
Fear not, you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid, there is no more disgrace for you. For your creator will be your husband. – Isaiah 54:4,5 (NLT)
PERFECT HUSBAND
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are rejected and abandoned
Fear not, you will be free and ransomed
Don’t be afraid and live no longer in shame
There is no need to continue the blame.
As soon as you believe in Jesus Christ
He takes the role of your husband for life
There is no more disgrace and shame
He wipes it all out with his blood and his name.
________________________________________
When my son was born, I decided to offer my life to Jesus. Since I was a single parent, I needed someone to help me raise my son. I didn’t have time to ponder on looking for another partner because the father of my child didn’t turn out to be a kind and loving man. Something inside me chose God to be my husband. He was perfect, he was never going to hurt me or abandon me. So, I made a vow to him that I will faithfully cling to him especially so I can raise my son with the right guidance. I went to commune with him intimately and regularly. I involved my son to do so with prayers, worship and reading the word three times daily. The bible says that God took the role of husband to those who come to him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me submit to you always.
REFLECTION
How has God manifested himself in your life as a husband?
________________________________________
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

ABOVE ALL Poem Devotional

Posted on by

barrie visit 2011 364

June 24________________________________________
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55: 9 (NLT)
ABOVE ALL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you wonder how God thinks?
Are you able to find the link?
The Lord your God is above all
If you fathom much, you will fall.
Just as the heavens are higher than the earth
So is God’s ways higher than the rest
His thoughts are not your thoughts
His ways will bring clarity to the lost.
________________________________________
Have you ever wondered and pondered over how God thinks or why he allows things to happen in our lives beyond our understanding and control? I did for so many years of my life. I was always curious how a supreme being would think, act and decide on in comparison with an ordinary person. The question “why” is my favorite question. I will literally not stop until I get an answer. By the time I reached fifty, I still have so many unanswered questions.
The bible says that God is all-knowing and men are limited. He rises above all. He knows all and doesn’t think like a fickle man would. He is faithful and forgiving and loves immensely. I learned to stop asking questions when God told me one day in my God moments that I don’t have to know all the answers.
PRAYER
Lord, make me hungry for knowing your character.
REFLECTION
Why is over-analyzing not really a good thing to do?
________________________________________
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

CONSEQUENCES OF SELF-RELIANCE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

001

June 23________________________________________
But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me; you will soon fall down in great torment.
-Isaiah 50:11 (NLT)
CONSEQUENCES OF SELF-RELIANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think that you can live on your own?
Have you reaped the harvest of what you’ve sown?
Watch out if you live in your own light
It will soon be extinguish and be out of sight
If you think that you can live without God’s insights
You will fall in great torment and will never be right
The consequences of self-reliance is damaging
It leads to sin; hearts are constantly hardening.
________________________________________
I have lived so many years of my life being independent and self-sufficient. I took pride in individuality and not asking help. I thought that it was a good thing to owe nothing to anyone. I was made to believe that successful people never depended on anyone but themselves. Self-reliance is a concept generated by this materialistic world. In God’s economy, the opposite of independence is what God requires from us. He wants us to be totally dependent on him for everything, just like an infant or a child would be to their parents.
The bible warns those who live in their own light. The consequences of self-reliance is fatal and destructive to the hearts and minds of believers. It hardens the heart.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me focused on your light alone.
REFLECTION
How can a believer practice total dependence on God?
________________________________________
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 POWER OF SILENCE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

halloween 2011 and sunrises 060
June 22________________________________________
But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.
-Matthew 27:14 (NLT)
THE POWER OF SILENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
How do you respond to an allegation?
Do you defend yourself without hesitation?
Do you flare up in anger in response to accusations?
Do you resist to react to lies that lead to rejection?
When Jesus Christ was betrayed and persecuted
Like a lamb, he was silent and never reacted
No matter how much charges they hurled at him
He made no response and didn’t give in to sin.
________________________________________
What do you do when someone slander you or accuse you of something you never did? Before I was a born again Christian, I used to react instantly without thinking. I learned to be reactionary from someone I lived with for so many years. This is why the bible cautions us to stay away from angry people because we can easily learn their ways. Words rain from my mouth when someone spread lies and rumors about me. I always confront people when they attack me. I had a friend, who never said a word whenever people say negative things about him and I used to tell him, that he needs to fight for his right. God dealt with my reactions one day.
Jesus was a great example of the power of silence. He never made a response to all the charges against him. He prayed for them instead.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to forgive instantly.
REFLECTION
How do you respond to accusations?
________________________________________
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

KEY TO LIFE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

halloween 2011 and sunrises 129

June 21________________________________________
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. – Deuteronomy 30:20 (NLT)
KEY TO LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been living life to the fullest?
Are you walking on the path to happiness?
Make a choice to serve the Lord your God
You will find peace and joy if you bring him laud.
Commit yourself firmly to Jesus Christ
Serving and obeying him the key to your life
It is in him that you will have wisdom and insight
Only in Christ can you be godly and be right.
________________________________________
Have you ever pondered how you live your life? I lived many decades of my life feeling empty and always running. I didn’t know that the cause of such emptiness is because I didn’t obey the Lord and commit myself to him fully.
How many people live their lives without knowing the key to it? Many just go through the motions of life without even giving it a thought. The philosopher Socrates said “An unexamined life is not worth living.” I agree with this saying. There is a thin line between a meaningful life and a worthless one. Obeying and committing yourself to the Lord is the key to life according to the bible. It is the dividing line that makes the difference between a full and an empty life.
PRAYER
Lord, fill my life with you.
REFLECTION
Where is the direction of your life going?
________________________________________
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