LIKE A CHILD Poem Devotional

Posted on July 12, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 13________________________________________
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it please you to do it this way. – Luke 10:21(NLT)
LIKE A CHILD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you see the world in a child’s perspective?
These little ones are pure and they believe
They are dependent and non-judgmental
They are bold, open but not critical.
You can only know God if you are like a child
Look at life from the eyes of a child and you will find
Their innocence makes them unaffected by the world
They are unafraid of being loving and bold.
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Have you ever observed children? Give them something and they will think of many different ways to use that thing. If you give a child a plank of wood, he or she might lean it on something and use it as a slide or put it on the ground and pretend that it is a boat and they start rowing, imagining that they are on it. Childlikeness is a trait that God wants us all to have even as adults. Children do not worry or are afraid. Their fearlessness and purity are so apparent that they become very vulnerable to adults who sometimes have their agendas. The bible says that we cannot enter God’s kingdom unless we are like a child.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me childlike always.
REFLECTION
Give some instances when you are childlike?
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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

HONOR GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on July 12, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 12________________________________________
No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God. – John 5:44 (NLT)
HONOR GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who do you respect and honor?
Do you prefer to achieve and clamor?
Have you given God recognition?
Are you only obsessed with your ambitions?
No wonder you can’t believe, you are deceived
You cater to your longings so you don’t receive
Bring praise to the only one who is worthy
He is the one who deserves all the glory.
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I spent many years of my life catering to my own desires and clamoring for recognition for the things I thought I did. God dealt with me. He slowly took away all those things that brought me so much acknowledgments. When I first began as a self-taught artist, I asked the Lord to grant me success in this field. As I became famous as an artist, I became proud of the achievements. Having sold over four hundred works in my lifetime got in my head.
My faith and dependence on God decreased. I became worldly and whiny, wanting more.
When I moved to Canada, I was literally stripped of the chance to gain more credit for my artistic skills. God had another plan for me. He wants me to give him all the glory. He wants all the honor because he gave me all.
PRAYER
Lord, help me remember to praise you always.
REFLECTION
How do you bring honor 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

FOR YOUR BENEFIT Poem Devotional

Posted on July 11, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 11________________________________________
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit, God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God, He made us pure and holy and he freed us from sin.
– 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)
FOR YOUR BENEFIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
The minute you believe in Jesus Christ
You will be able to live in his light
For your benefit, God has united you with him
He has sent his son so you can be redeemed.
Our heavenly Father made Christ to be wisdom
In him alone you will have joy and freedom
For your benefit, Christ made us right with God
It is only right to give him thanks and laud.
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Have you ever experienced being given much appreciation for what you do? I was a teacher of Speech, Art and Theater for fifteen years. On Teacher’s Day celebration, all of the faculty were given royal treatment and appreciation for how we mold the lives of the youth. It is a nice feeling to be thought of and admired for what one does. How would you feel if the royal treatment you will receive comes from God himself?
The bible tells us that Christ made us right with God and made us holy and pure. God gave us his only begotten Son so we can be freed from sin. What an awesome honor it is what Christ did for our benefit!
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving your Son for my benefit.
REFLECTION
How has Christ death affected 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

THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE Poem Devotional

Posted on July 10, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 10________________________________________
I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
-John 11:25 (NLT)
THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel defeated and exhausted from life’s challenges?
Do you keep on sinning despite wanting to change?
If you do it in your own strength, you will be defeated
If you allow Christ’s power, you will be resurrected.
Christ is the resurrection and the life
If you believe in him, you will have light
Death has no power over Christ
Only in him will you be right.
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Resurrection is the condition of being restored to life. There are many forms of death in our lives. Most people think of physical death when resurrection is mentioned. There is another form of death that may currently affect us even while we are still alive. This is spiritual death. The bible talks about sin as the cause of spiritual death. When we sin, we are not living life as God wants us to live. We live in darkness and confusion when we continually defy God’s commands. God made us all in his image and he has no sin, so if we decide to disobey him and go our own way, we are separating ourselves from God who is life himself. When “un-forgiveness” resides in our hearts, love is absent. When love is absent, God isn’t present because he is love.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for dying for my sins.
REFLECTION
What sins have God resurrected you from?
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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 GOOD SHEPHERD Poem Devotional

Posted on July 9, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 9________________________________________
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
– John 10:11 (NLT)
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Christ is the good shepherd who loves his herd
He never allows them to be lost or hurt
Jesus sacrificed his life for his sheep
He wants them saved and never drift.
The good shepherd knows each of his flock
He cares for them and watches their back
He will lead them to greener pastures
He will protect and guide them so they’ll be pure.
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The duty of shepherds was to keep their flock intact, protect it from predators and guide it to market areas in time for shearing. In ancient times, shepherds also commonly milked their sheep, and made cheese from this milk; few shepherds still do this today. Unlike farmers, shepherds were often wage earners, being paid to watch the sheep of others. Shepherds were most often the younger sons of farming peasants who did not inherit any land. In other societies, each family would have a family member to shepherd its flock, often a child, youth or an elder who couldn’t help much with harder work.
David was a shepherd and played the harp very well. He won the fight with Goliath and later anointed as king. The bible emphasizes the role of shepherds and how they sacrifice their lives for the flock. Christ sacrificed his life for us, his sheep.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your sacrifice.
REFLECTION
Relate a time when you sacrificed for someone else’s benefit.
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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

YOUR WILL NOT MINE Poem Devotional

Posted on July 8, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 8________________________________________
For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. – John 6:38 (NLT)
YOUR WILL NOT MINE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you live a life that is according to God’s will?
Or are you doing things according to what you feel?
Jesus came down from heaven to do it God’s way
If you follow Christ, you will never be swayed.
Focus on serving others just as Christ did
You will find it easier to do good deeds
Submit your mind, body and spirit to the Lord
You will find peace when you follow his word.
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The original sin of Adam and Eve brought about our fallen nature which defaults to selfishness. Most of us wants to do things on our own. We want it our way. When God sent his son Jesus, he wanted to reset us to our default setting which is righteousness. Jesus Christ became man and experienced all the things that man goes through. He has a physical body that feels hunger, pain, thirst, sorrow, joy and many more. What exemplify him from others is his capacity to obey and submit to the will of God. Jesus never boasted that he was God himself. God chose him to be of humble origin to show man that it is in his mercy and grace that we can be blessed.
PRAYER
Lord, make me obedient and humble.
REFLECTION
When do you find it hard to submit to God’s will?
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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

RELEASED FROM DEATH Poem Devotional

Posted on July 7, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 7________________________________________
But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. –Acts 2:24(NLT)
RELEASED FROM DEATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
What forms of death are you going through?
Does your heart needs to be renewed?
Living in sin can bring death in your life
Only in Jesus Christ can you have light
God released his Son from the horrors of death
He will also deliver you and ransom you from debts
God will keep his promise to free you from bondage
Repent and confess your sins and bring him homage.
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So many people fear the horrors of death. Some individuals do not even discuss the subject of death because they are afraid to even think about it. I was a fearless child. When my parents attend funerals, they can’t even look at the coffin of the deceased because of so many superstitious beliefs. As young as four or five, I remember asking some of my relatives to carry me so I can look at the dead body. Deep inside me, I wanted to pray for these people and feel happy that they are with God already. I secretly wished I follow soon too so I can see Jesus.
The bible says that God released Jesus from the horrors of death and raised him back to life. Death had no grip on anyone who belongs to him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me be brave to face anything for you.
REFLECTION
What forms of death have God released you from?
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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

REBELLION IS UNGRATEFULNESS Poem Devotional

Posted on July 7, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 6 ________________________________________
The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me. My people don’t recognize my care for them. – Isaiah 1:2,3 (NLT)
REBELLION IS UNGRATEFULNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ponder on God’s goodness and love for you?
Do you thank him for all things old and new?
When God’s children do not see his blessings
It is a form of ungratefulness and rebelling.
Are you grateful for what he has done?
Do you accept and believe in his Son?
Rebellion is ungratefulness at its best
Give it up and you’ll have joy and be blessed.
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Rebellion ran in my family for many generations. It has brought havoc into my life in the past 4 decades. I am thankful that God has freed me from this stronghold. At the time I defied and disobeyed God, I was in a very dark pit. It was shameful what I have done during those moments that I allowed the enemy to run my life. The devil used my traumas to justify my disobedience. I wanted to prove those people who hurt me that I am strong and will not be broken. The painful events was the open door for the enemy to infiltrate my life and hold me captive for half of my life.
The bible described how God felt when his children do not recognize his love and care for them and rebelled against him.
PRAYER
Lord, free us from rebellion.
REFLECTION
Why is rebellion a form of ungratefulness?
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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

I AM Poem Devotional

Posted on July 6, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 4 ________________________________________
As Jesus said, “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground. – John 18:6 (NLT)
I AM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who can have much power as Jesus?
Every knee will bow and everyone will sing praises
He is the “I am”, the beginning and the end
“I am” existed even before God sent.
“I am” means the greatest of all things
His name has authority over sin
He is what is and what is to come
“I am” will make you overcome.
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The word Ehyeh is used a total of 43 places in the Hebrew Bible, where it is often translated as “I will be” — as is the case for its first occurrence, in Genesis 26:3 — or “I shall be,” as is the case for its final occurrence in Zechariah 8:8. Used by God to identify himself in the Burning Bush, the importance placed on the phrase, as it is, stems from the Hebrew conception of monotheism that God exists by himself for himself, and is the uncreated Creator who is independent of any concept, force, or entity; therefore “I am who I am” (ongoing).
Have you ever encountered anyone as powerful as God? Jesus often asked his disciples the question, “Who do people say that I am?” Simon Peter answered “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God (Matthew 16:15-16). Jesus knew that it was God who revealed this answer to Simon Peter.
PRAYER
You are the great “I am.”
REFLECTION
Who do you say Jesus is to others?

WHY BETRAY? Poem Devotional

Posted on July 4, 2015 by ilmaarts

July 4 ________________________________________
Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors?
–Malachi 2:10 (NLT)
WHY BETRAY?
A poem and essay by ILMA
What part of yourself have you struggled accepting?
Do you ponder why you are not faithfully believing?
Why betray your creator instead of thanking him?
He only wants what is best so you will be redeemed.
Are we not all children of the same heavenly Father?
So why do we sometimes betray our sisters and brothers?
Why don’t we accept each other’s differences and strengths?
If we obey God’s commands, we will never be lost or bent?
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One of the meanings of the word betray in Greek is “paradidomi” which means to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death or to give into the hands of another. Judas Iscariot is a perfect example of a betrayer of Jesus. Have you ever betrayed anyone in your life? Sometimes it is hard to recognize that you have betrayed someone. Gossiping about someone is a form of betrayal. Defying authority can also be another type of betrayal. Divulging someone else’s request to keep something in secret is obviously a form of betrayal. Idolatry of other gods apart from our one true god is another example. We all come from one creator, so why betray?
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be faithful.
REFLECTION
What forms of betrayals have you struggled with?

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