June 10________________________________________
For nothing is impossible with God. –Luke 1:32 (NLT)
GOD’S POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you suffering from a disease?
Do you struggle with having peace?
Is there someone making your life difficult?
Do people put you down and find fault?
Nothing is impossible with God for he has power
He can change you and make the devil cower
No matter what you are experiencing
He can alter it and keep you going.
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I have been a Christian since I was seven years old. There have been numerous events in my life that I saw God working. I wouldn’t be here now and witnessing for him if I haven’t experience his power. I have gone through life with so much adversities and pain, but he still held my hand and walked me through life. It was only through him that I had victory over all the strongholds and generational sins that were handed down to me from many generations. He has totally stripped me of all the things that distract me from being intimate with him. He loves me so much that he wouldn’t allow anything bad to happen to me. He genuinely cares for me and disciplines me with so much love.
The bible says that with God, all things are possible. It is in believing, obeying and depending on him that we can actually discern and see what he is doing in our lives.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for loving me immensely.
REFLECTION
What miracles has God done in your life?
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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
Monthly Archives: June 2015
REBORN IN CHRIST Poem Devotional
June 9________________________________________
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. –John 1:12-13 (NLT)
REBORN IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
To anyone who believes in the power of Christ
They will have a renewed heart and eternal life
They are reborn not with a physical birth
They are stronger and cannot easily be hurt.
Believers will be considered God’s children
They will not allow the enemy to hinder
Being born again in spirit will lead to victory
It will equip them with power and authority.
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When I first heard the word “born again” in my early twenties, I thought it was a spiritual movement. Because I didn’t read the bible then, I had no understanding of the actual meaning of it. Until God gave me revelation to discern what it meant in my life, I had no clue what it really meant to be reborn in Christ.
One day, as I was reading my daily bible devotionals, I thought of searching for the meaning of being born again. After much study on it, I realized that I was already born again even before I got a revelation because I have always believed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My mind was renewed and I saw things just like how God would see it.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me new life.
REFLECTION
What changes occurred in you after being born again?
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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
WITH PURPOSE Poem Devotional
June 8________________________________________
So I run with purpose in every step, I am not just shadow boxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NLT)
WITH PURPOSE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know, where you are going to?
Focus on God who gives what is true
Do you have a goal that you’d like to reach?
Does it align with what Scriptures teach?
Live life with determination and tenacity
It will give you strength and bring you victory
A purposeful life will draw you closer to Christ
It will keep you focused on him and win the fight.
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Shadow boxing is to spar with an imaginary opponent. It is used in the training for combat sports, especially as its name implies, in boxing. It aims to prepare the muscles before the person training engages in stronger physical activity. I used to do this when I did boxing fitness. It engages all your muscles to be lively and keep your reflexes up and about.
Paul talks to the Corinthians about the importance of a life with purpose. He tells them the significance of not just physical training but emphasized that spiritual training is valuable. He doesn’t want people to do shadow boxing in their lives, but he tells them to run with purpose in every step.
PRAYER
Lord, take my hand in every step I make.
REFLECTION
What is your spiritual purpose in life?
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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
KNOW WHEN TO QUIT Poem Devotional
June 7________________________________________
Don’t wear yourself out by trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.
-Proverbs 23:4 (NLT)
KNOW WHEN TO QUIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get obsessed with getting rich?
Watch out for the enemy is out to trick
When you find yourself constantly wanting
It is trouble and strife that you are welcoming.
Know when to quit and to let go
Seek God and make his kingdom grow
Enrich yourself with God’s word
It is the only way you can beat this world.
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I have known many people who get obsessed with different things. Some people think that being rich is a good goal in life. This is one of the world views that destroys so many people. They pursue wealth, possessions, power, fame because they think it will bring them satisfaction. On the contrary, it destroys their lives. When you continually want material things, it changes your perspective. You become self-centered and isolate yourself from others. You want to protect your wealth, fame or power. You become envious if someone else has more than you have. You become greedy, wanting everything for yourself. You forget others because you are so busy satisfying your desires.
The bible warns us to know when to quit. It also says that we need to seek God first before anything else. When our lives is focused on being rich, we become idolaters of material things.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on you first.
REFLECTION
What obsessions do you have that draw you away from 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
FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS Poem Devotional
June 5________________________________________
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. – Mark 9:35 (NLT)
FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to let go of things in life?
What this world offers keeps you away from the light
When you hang on to the things of this world
You will lose God’s voice and the wisdom from his Word.
Remember that only the Good News saves
The world tempts you and makes you crave
It is in letting God take control of your life
That you find peace, freedom and insight.
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I am amazed at how many people cling to the material things offered by this world. I saw a video from a third world country who had a catastrophic typhoon and saw many people swept away by the rushing flood while they clung so hard to their possessions. Some died hugging objects that they couldn’t do without. It is such a painful sight to behold when people are enslaved by their love for the things of this life. Some of these victims of calamities died because of they couldn’t let go of these things. They could have saved their lives if they did. The bible says that if you try to cling to your life, you’ll lose it.
PRAYER
Help me to cling only to you, Lord.
REFLECTION
What are some things you can’t let go?
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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
KNOWLEDGE VERSUS LOVE Poem Devotional
June 4________________________________________
But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.
-1 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NLT)
KNOWLEDGE VERSUS LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think you know everything and need no one?
No one is an island, each person longs to love someone
While knowledge makes us feel important
God doesn’t view with utmost significance.
Be careful of those who thinks they know everything
Chances are they really don’t and are just pretending
Love is what matters to our heavenly Father
Walk in it by showing it to your sisters and brothers.
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I knew someone who thinks he knows it all. He never listens to anyone’s opinion but he likes to tell everyone what he thinks of almost all things. Each time I see him approach others, those who know him already will automatically avoid him, but for the first timers to meet him, they become victims of his incessant boasting. Part of my old life was almost like this person. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut until God convicted me of my pride and arrogance.
The bible tells us that knowledge is important but not us much as wisdom is, but what counts more to God is our capacity to love. It doesn’t matter if you are not as intelligent as others, as long as your heart is big to give love.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from haughty people.
REFLECTION
How can you love even those who are proud and arrogant?
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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
WONDERFUL TRUTHS poem devotional
June 3________________________________________
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. –Psalm 119:18 (NLT)
WONDERFUL TRUTHS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you filling your life with good thoughts?
Do you let your mind stagnate and rot?
Fill your hearts and minds with wonderful truths
Allow God’s words and instructions to take root.
Only the Lord will open your eyes to what is true
Only his word will guide you and get you through
These wonderful truths are only found in Scriptures
They will bring you joy and they will be life’s treasures.
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For a very long time, I was blind to the truth. The enemy had taken over a good part of my life by telling me all kinds of lies that I believed for so many decades of my life. 2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us how Satan, who is the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. Even when I was a believer of Christ, I was still blinded because I didn’t study or put much effort in really knowing Christ and what he wants me to do for him. I lived to please myself and satisfy worldly pleasures, such as power, control, intelligence and performance based Christianity. I was religious but really didn’t understand much about the truths that comes from God’s word. The bible says that only God can open our eyes to see all the wonderful truths in God’s instructions.
PRAYER
Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear.
REFLECTION
What can stop you from missing God’s revelations?
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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
ONLY ONE GOD Poem Devotional
June 2________________________________________
But we know that there is only one God, the Father who created everything and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. -1 Corinthians 8:6(NLT)
ONLY ONE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is only one God, the Father
He created big and little matters
He made us to be like him
He wants us free from sin.
Live for Jesus Christ alone
He’ll be with you all along
Praise be to God, our Saviour
Love him first and then your brothers.
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There are so many religions in this world, praising many different gods. Some people do not even acknowledge that there is a god who created them. They go about life aimlessly and without hope and peace. It is so sad to see so many people drifting away from their true and spiritual nature. We were created in God’s image according to Genesis 1:27. He is our default setting. When we change it to our own personal settings, we mess up the plan and the maximum potentials we were made for.
The bible says that there is only one God, the Father who created everything. We should live for him because without him, we are nothing and won’t even be in this world. He gave us his son, Jesus so we can emulate him and be godly and God will be so pleased.
PRAYER
Lord, I praise you only.
REFLECTION
How has your journey been towards your heavenly Father?
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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
UNCERTAINTY Poem Devotional
June 1________________________________________
Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.
-Proverbs 27:1 (NLT)
UNCERTAINTY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t brag about tomorrow
It may bring you joy or sorrow
You don’t know what the day will bring
Your heart may be troubled or it may sing.
Be humble and live each day with love
Seek peace and believe in God
Never boast about anything
It opens the door to evil and sin.
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Boasting is defined as talking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s achievements, possession, or abilities. I didn’t get so much affirmation as a child and the only way I was able to get love and attention is when I perform well academically or with any skill I can show that I am good at. I became very proud of myself and my achievements. As I got older, I gained the confidence from a performance oriented life. I got involved in theater which heightened my conceit. The bible says that we shouldn’t brag about tomorrow since we don’t know what the day will bring. It also says that the only thing we should boast about is that we know and understand God. Boasting is considered evil according to James 4:16. When we brag or boast about something, we actually compete and try to act like we know it all, which stems from pride.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never brag about anything but knowing you.
REFLECTION
What has boasting brought about in your life?
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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