Monthly Archives: August 2015

A FAITHFUL GOD! Poem Devotional

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August 22________________________________________
The Lord says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am! To a nation that did not call on my name.” –Isaiah 65:1 (NLT)
A FAITHFUL GOD!
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you hear the Lord calling your name each day?
Do you ignore him and continue going your own way?
When was the last time you ask God’s help?
Do you seek him for wisdom or rely on yourself?
The Lord is faithful to respond to your requests
Do you humble yourself to God or do you inquest?
The Lord is waiting for you to call on his name
Why do you keep making God wait in vain?
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Have you ever been pursued by someone? If it is a person that you totally like, wouldn’t you be so happy to know that he or she is after you? On the other hand, if it is someone you are not interested in, you probably wouldn’t like the idea of him or her following you around. It would probably seem like stalking to you.
When you became a born again Christian, didn’t you vow to love the Lord your God? Why is it that a lot of believers are not even in love with God? The book of Isaiah clearly illustrate how God waits on us faithfully.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your patience with me.
REFLECTION
How have you repaid God’s faithfulness?
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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

RESULT OF ENABLING Poem Devotional

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August 21________________________________________
Hot tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again. –Proverbs 19:19 (NLT)
RESULT OF ENABLING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have someone who never stops asking for help?
They run to you always and never rely on their own selves
When a person continually rescues another
They end up being constantly bothered.
If you continue to enable someone who isn’t responsible
You will be headed for futility and your life will crumble
Do not interrupt the law of responsibility
It is an insult and defiance to God the Almighty.
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I was an enabler to my only child for almost 26 years. I came from a culture where families are closely knit and there is not much room for setting boundaries. Children depend on their parents when they are young, but where I come from, even adult children in their twenties or even older, still stay with their parents. I have a brother in his 50’s who still live with my parents. Sometimes the parents even expect their adult children to care for them even if these children have their own families to take care of. It was such a culture of enmeshment where boundaries where never clear and spoken. As a result, we lived very chaotic lives.
The bible clearly warns us not to tamper with the law of responsibility. When we do, we are interrupting God’s plan.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to give up and let go.
REFLECTION
What do you think are the consequences of enabling someone irresponsible?
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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

ON TESTING GOD Poem Devotional

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August 20________________________________________
They stubbornly tested God in their hearts, demanding the foods they craved. They even spoke against God himself, saying “God can’t give us food in the wilderness.”
–Psalm 78: 18-19 (NLT)
ON TESTING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you question God’s provisions?
Do you easily succumb to temptations?
God is powerful, mighty and all-knowing
Why do you demand what he has already given?
Do not test God or speak against him
Your unbelief will cause you to continually sin
His power and wisdom is unmatched
Be faithful to him who loves you so much.
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I was in my late twenties and just coming out of a very toxic relationship. I bargained with God that he can have me if he gives me a new start and grant me that job that I wanted so badly. It didn’t occur to me that I was testing him. I was wallowing in so much sin that time so I didn’t even realize that I was demanding God to give me what I want, the way I want it and right at that time. I even told him that I will leave this unhealthy relationship if he gave me that job I thought was really good for me. He denied me that job and I was so angry with God, but later on, he actually gave me a much better job. The Israelites demanded and tested God stubbornly.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to wait on you patiently.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people test 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

THE SECRET TO PRODUCTIVITY Poem Devotional

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August 19________________________________________
Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive. – Titus 3:14 (NLT)
THE SECRET TO PRODUCTIVITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself doing and yet not completing?
Are you trapped in tasks that you are not accomplishing?
Is your day full of yourself instead of your sisters and brothers?
Are you able to meet the urgent needs of others?
The secret to productivity is to serve one another
It reduces your selfishness when you care for others
When you cater to other’s needs, you sow fruits
It allows the Spirit to bring into fruition God’s truth.
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Have you ever find yourself into a whole day of activities and yet feel at the end of the day that you were fruitless? I have spent many days of unproductivity. I think we should be well aware that the enemy’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy us. One of the easiest thing to steal from us is our time. He does it very subtly by suggesting to do worthless things and to listen to all his lies so that we get wrapped up in the cycle of the mind. He delays and wants us not to make decisions when we are faced with challenges. He wants to paralyze us into being productive. The antidote to productivity is to meet the urgent needs of others according to the bible.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for my selfishness.
REFLECTION
What kind of activities keep us from doing 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

FOOLISH DISCUSSIONS Poem Devotional

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August 18________________________________________
Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
–Titus 3:9 (NLT)
FOOLISH DISCUSSIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you try to argue and get into foolish discussions?
What good does it do to you and your relations?
Quarrels and unending discussions lead nowhere
They are useless and bring about strife somewhere.
Do not get involved in useless arguments and reasoning
They only open doors for the enemy to continue tempting
Arguing and reasoning endlessly deprives us of freedom
They distract people from seeking truth and wisdom.
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I used to love arguing and discussing different subject matter when I was high school and in college. I take so much delight in proving others wrong and showing them I am right. I could go on for many hours discussing a topic and get so much high out of it. I even taught debate to High School students. It was included in our English Curriculum. I love to motivate students to use their mind to explain and convince others to their belief. I didn’t realize that this was a product of my proud and foolish mind.
The bible warns us not to get caught up in this vicious cycle of the mind. This is why we are always commanded to guard our hearts and focus on God.
PRAYER
Lord, guard my heart and mind.
REFLECTION
How can human reasoning corrupt our hearts?
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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

ON SLANDER AND QUARRELING Poem Devotional

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August 17________________________________________
They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. –Titus 3:2 (NLT)
ON SLANDER AND QUARRELING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you talk bad about others to anyone?
Do you get satisfaction from defaming someone?
You must not slander others or God will deal with you
Avoid quarreling with others and have your hearts renewed.
Be gentle and show true humility to everyone
Follow the example of God’s only Son
He never quarreled or slandered anyone
Instead, he sacrificed for all of mankind.
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To quarrel is to have an angry argument or disagreement with someone. Why did the apostle Paul emphasize slander and quarreling to his letter to Titus? He taught believers to avoid quarreling because it obviously defiles God’s commandment to love. James 4:2 explains why people quarrel. Because one cannot obtain what he desires, he craves for something or someone which ends up in an angry argument or disagreement. It is rooted in our human desires to get something.
Slander is defined as the act of making false and damaging statements about someone. God created us all in his image. If we speak ill of someone, we are actually questioning God’s creation, thereby defiling him as well. When we slander, we are actually talking ill of God too. He wants us to treat each other as we would treat him. He wants us to be gentle and humble.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to control my mouth.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to avoid slander?
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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

SIN OF IMPATIENCE Poem Devotional

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August 16________________________________________
But the people grew impatient with the long journey and they began to speak against God and Moses. –Numbers 21:4-5(NLT)
SIN OF IMPATIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you lose your cool when you don’t get things right away
There is a danger to grumble wanting things your way
When you think that you shouldn’t wait on anyone
The sin of impatience opens up the door to the evil one.
Each time you succumb to impatience
There are more sins to face, so be patient
When you react negatively to waiting
It will lead you to react and much grumbling.
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My father didn’t like waiting on anyone. The ironic thing is that my mother is not a very punctual person. Maybe God put them together to learn something from each other. I guess my impatience was handed down to me by my father but was reinforced in my life when I lived with a very impatient and angry man. I literally walked on eggshells when I lived with this person because he exploded each time someone kept him waiting. He is a punctual man and he expects no less from others. Each time someone desecrates his punctuality, he would go on a rage fit and as a result, lost many job offers and friends because of his explosions. The bible tells us clearly that impatience led the Israelites to grumble and speak against God and Moses.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from impatience.
REFLECTION
How can one develop the virtue of patience?
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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

WHEN ONE IS TEMPTED Poem Devotional

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August 15________________________________________
The temptations in your life are no different from what others’ experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than what you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
-1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
WHEN ONE IS TEMPTED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When faced with challenges and trials
You do not have to give in to failure
When one is drawn to succumb to evil
Run to God and plead that he reveals.
The temptations in your life are expected
God won’t let you to be tempted
He allows only what you can handle
There is always a way out set by the Father.
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Have you ever been tempted beyond your ability? When I was very young, I used to easily succumb to sin. Then later on, because of strict authority figures in my life, I became very legalistic and a stickler to rules. However, it became worse because I was only following for the sake of not being blamed or to avoid being caught. There was really no genuine contrition, just making myself look good in the eyes of my family so that I won’t lose the love that is so attached to how much I follow their demands.
The bible says that all of us are tempted. Even Jesus was not exempt from temptation. God is always faithful to give us only what we can handle.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a pure heart to resist temptations.
REFLECTION
What can temptations do to our soul?
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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

TO BE OR NOT TO BE MARRIED? Poem Devotional

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August 14________________________________________
But I wish everyone was single, just as I am. But God gives to some the gift of marriage and to others, the gift of singleness. -1 Corinthians 7:7 (NLT)
TO BE OR NOT TO BE MARRIED?
A poem and essay by ILMA
Each person longs to be loved by somebody
Some people wish to belong and get married
Some are given the gift of matrimony
To others, God gives a life of celibacy.
When you get settled and have a spouse
A relationship with God may be hard to espouse
Married or single, you must make God your core
If not, you will find life a big challenge and very difficult.
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I was single for 43 years before I got married. All my single life, I wished I had a husband who can complete me. I prayed hard to God to give me that man who will love and cherish me. I had this notion that my future husband will fulfill all my needs. All my notions about marriage were very far from what God’s concept of marriage is. I was corrupted by the idea of the world’s viewpoint of marriage which were all about romance. I wanted to be single again after going through so much troubles in marriage. God revealed to me what a gift marriage is if I would look at it the way he intended it to be. When I did, I was grateful.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your gift of marriage.
REFLECTION
What are the benefits of singleness according to God’s 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

CELIBATE LIFE Poem Devotional

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August 13________________________________________
Yes, it is good to live a celibate life. -1 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT)
CELIBATE LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When I accepted Jesus as my Savior
I was called to live a life that is pure
The world offers much distraction
It is full of challenges and temptations.
As believers, we are encouraged to celibacy
It leads to a life focused on God Almighty
When you give priority to Jesus Christ
You can defeat the enemy in this life.
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There was a decade in my life that I chose to be a celibate so I can focus on God. That was the time that I was raising my only child alone. I chose to separate from the father of my son to get my life straightened out. I vowed to God that he will be the center of my life and that I will only serve him. It was a difficult period in my life but God made it an easy transition. I conversed with God daily and received him in communion regularly. My day wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t have moments spent with him. My life became peaceful despite all the challenges and trials that came my way. He poured out so much blessings in my life. It was the most prolific period in my life. The bible tells us the benefit of having a celibate life. It gives us a chance to be pure for Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me purity in this life.
REFLECTION
How can married life distract one from focusing on 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