Monthly Archives: September 2015

WHO WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE Poem Devotional

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September 20________________________________________
And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.
–John 3:36(NLT)
WHO WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who can ever grant you eternity?
Whose kingdom is infinity?
If you believe in God’s promises
You will be granted his righteousness.
Anyone who doesn’t obey the Lord
They will find it hard to give him laud
They will never experience eternal life
They will remain angry and without life.
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There were so many talks about “death” and “eternal life” when I was in college. One of my professors challenged me with researching about this topic. I read as much book as I can to expound on this very interesting matter. Even as a child, I was never scared of death. I was the only one in our family who can look at the coffin when we attend a wake or funeral. Somehow, deep inside me, I knew they are in a better place. I always thought that they can now see Jesus. But what is the pre-requisite to have eternal life?
The bible tells us that the key to eternal life is to believe in God’s Son, Jesus. If we don’t, we will remain under God’s angry judgment. It’s almost like turning our backs or not accepting a gift God has given us, the gift of freedom from sin.
PRAYER
Grant me a place in heaven beside you Lord.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God judges those who don’t believe?
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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

BELIEVE WITHOUT A DOUBT Poem Devotional

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September 19________________________________________
But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things. – John 3:12(NLT)
BELIEVE WITHOUT A DOUBT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you rely on things of this earth?
Or do you prioritize God’s truth first?
The prince of this world is the devil
He causes all schemes and every evil.
When you doubt what Jesus says
You open up yourself to worldly ways
When you believe him without uncertainty
God opens his kingdom to you absolutely.
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James 1:6 tells us that we shouldn’t waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as the wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. He says that such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Faith is essential for our salvation but James also stressed the importance of listening and doing what God’s word says.
The importance of faith is reiterated by John in chapter 3. Jesus was talking to Nicodemus who was a respected Jewish teacher and yet doubted how Jesus explained the meaning of being born in the spirit. Jesus told him that he won’t understand heavenly things if he doubts and don’t believe even earthly things he explains. Faith allows us to hear the spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me in synchronized with your Spirit always.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome doubt when you don’t understand things?
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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

UNDER THE FREEDOM OF GRACE Poem devotional

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September 18________________________________________
Sin is no longer your master for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of grace. – Romans 6:14(NLT)
UNDER THE FREEDOM OF GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you struggle doing God’s commands?
Does it matter what the law demands?
If you decide to believe in Christ
You are no longer dead but alive
The enemy will cease to be your master
What the world says will not matter
You’ll live under the freedom of grace
You will exude peace and joy in your face.
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Was there a time you desired to be good and yet ended up doing the opposite? The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans talks much about our fallen human nature. Because of the original sin, we all have a tendency to be self-serving. As a result of Adam and Eve’s sin, it is not easy for man to follow God. But because God loved us so much, he gave his only Son to free us from sin. He paid for our sins through his blood on the cross. When Christ did this, we are no longer bound by the law and sin.
The bible says that legalism is no longer the master of a born again Christian. Believers can now live under the freedom of grace. It only takes faith and a commitment to Christ so we can stay under his mercy and grace.
PRAYER
Lord thank you for your constant grace.
REFLECTION
What law still binds you in bondage to sin?
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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 BRINGS DEATH Poem Devotional

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September 17________________________________________
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away.
Colossians 2:13(NLT)
SIN BRINGS DEATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
To live out of God’s will brings darkness
It deprives us of all God’s promises
While you continually live in rebellion
You won’t be able to resist temptations.
Sin brings death, gloom and pain
Obedience brings God’s truth and gain
When you are not born again in Christ
Your sinful nature lingers in your life.
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Death means a separation of two things. Physical death is a separation of body and soul (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Spiritual death is a separation between God and man (Isaiah 59:1-2). Dead to sin is a separation between Christians and sins (Romans 6:2,11). Dead to law is separation between Christians and the law (Romans 7:4). Marriage dissolved by death is a separation between the husband and the wife (1 Corinthians 7:39). What forms of death are you experiencing in life today?
The bible tells us that when we become believers and born again in Christ, we are automatically separated from sin. When we are born again, all our past sins were erased and we get a clean slate again. We are like newborn, pure and innocent. As soon as we believe in Christ, his light shines on us and no darkness lives in us. Those who still are living in the dark, they haven’t committed to Christ.
PRAYER
Help me to rely on your strength, Lord.
REFLECTION
What sins have Christ clearly cut 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

FREE INDEED Poem Devotional

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September 16________________________________________
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. – John 8:36(NLT)
FREE INDEED
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is stopping you from being free?
Is it your love for this world or idolatry?
Do you enslave yourself with works of the flesh?
Are you performing so you could be blessed?
God gave us his son so we can be free
He loved us so dearly and so faithfully
Christ died on the cross to cleanse our sins
We will all be free indeed if we believe him.
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I was bonded to so many sins for over four decades of my life. I did everything I can to gain my own salvation. I didn’t know any better until I became a born again Christian. There were many things I was a slave to. Religion was one of my prisons. I was raised to be very materialistic and ambitious which led to many idols in my life. My mind was also another enslavement in my life. I constantly want to be in control and know as much as I can so I could manage whatever difficulties come my way. Pride and arrogance was another prison I struggled with for many years. Until God revealed to me his great love for me despite all my rottenness, I would still be a slave to all these sins. The bible tells us that when Christ died for us, we are truly free
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for freeing me.
REFLECTION
What current bondages are you still enslaved with?
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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

WISDOM SOFTENS HARSHNESS Poem Devotional

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September 15________________________________________
How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness. –Ecclesiastes 8:1(NLT)
WISDOM SOFTENS HARSHNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you oftentimes wonder about things?
Do you like analyzing and interpreting?
Whenever you seek knowledge and wisdom
You open up your mind to God’s kingdom.
Seek the Lord and you will be filled with insight
Know his truth and he will bring you light
Wisdoms softens our face removing its harshness
It brings us out of darkness into his righteousness.
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Have you ever observed how a wise person looks like? Their face literally shines. They have a peaceful look. On the other hand, a fool looks the opposite. They usually exude a tinge of darkness or confused look. It is not hard to know a person full of wisdom. Most people who believe in God and knows Christ have a certain calm and joy in them. Whereas an unbeliever doesn’t have that joy and peace that only comes in knowing God.
The bible tells us how wonderful it is to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness. When we examine our lives and try to emulate the life God wants for us to have, we become wise. When we live reckless and unexamined lives, we fall into traps and temptations that veer us away from God’s truth and love.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to meditate on your words daily.
REFLECTION
Would you consider your face softened by God’s wisdom?
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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

FINISHING VERSUS STARTING Poem Devotional

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September 14________________________________________
Finishing is better than starting, patience is better than pride. –Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NLT)
FINISHING VERSUS STARTING
A poem and essay by ILMA
What drives you to start something?
Isn’t it a passion for producing?
When something compels you to begin
Never give up until you finish and win.
Finishing is better than starting
Patience is better than boasting
A wise person persists to finish
A fool gives up and never commits.
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Procrastination is the action of delaying or postponing something. In an article written by Eric Jaffe in the Association for Psychological Science he says that “True procrastination is a complicated failure of self-regulation: experts define it as the voluntary delay of some important task that we intend to do, despite knowing that we’ll suffer as a result. A poor concept of time may exacerbate the problem, but an inability to manage emotions seems to be its very foundation.”
I can attest to the validity of this scientific observation. There was a time in my life when I procrastinated getting out of an abusive relationship. There was fear that I will lose the chance to be loved. I was desperate and unable to control my emotions.
The bible tells us that finishing is much better than starting and patience is better than pride. We are also encouraged to work and to be responsible for our own selves. Starting is easy but finishing can only be done with God’s grace and our diligence.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me the courage to finish.
REFLECTION
What causes you to delay finishing something you started?
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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

AS BOLD AS LIONS Poem Devotional

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September 13________________________________________
The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly is as bold as lions.
-Proverbs 28:1 (NLT)
AS BOLD AS LIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are wicked are usually fearful people
They don’t realize their actions create ripples
Evil doers run away when no one is chasing them
They continually control, lash and blame.
The godly are as bold as lions
They are full of good intentions
They have no fear; they live in love
They praise the only God up above.
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I know someone who lived his life in fear. I was very close to this person and has witnessed his wickedness to many people. He uses his charm to win other people’s trust. Then he invests time so that they will believe that he is faithful and good to them. After he has gotten what he targeted to get from someone, he finally shows his true color. Those who are wise can see through him, but those who are naïve and foolish, become his victims. I have seen his cowardice. Because of all the bad things he did to others, he had no peace. He was constantly paranoid and insecure but covered it up by his anger and controlling nature. The bible tells us that the wicked are cowards but the godly are as bold and courageous as lions.
PRAYER
Lord, make me as bold as the lion.
REFLECTION
What was the boldest thing you did for 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

UNDESERVED CURSE Poem Devotional

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September 12________________________________________
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. –Proverbs 26:2 (NLT)
UNDESERVED CURSE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are righteous will be blessed
God will always bring them the best
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow
A curse won’t bring believers much sorrow.
God’s children are protected from curses
He takes care of the plots of the accusers
Any undeserved curse will recoil back
They rebound to the evil and the bad.
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When I was still in my country of origin, I used to be scared of curses. There were superstitious beliefs that was passed on to me that I accepted as normal for many years of my life. Our culture dictated so many erroneous concept about blessings and curses. It was only a few years ago that God gave me revelations about curses. Gossip, idolatry, poverty and sexual sins were handed down to me through many generations from both sides of my parents. I thank God that he freed me from all these strongholds and generational sins. After attending a seminar on curses and blessings, I realized that no curse will have any effect on the faithful servants of God. Just in the last four years, I have witnessed that the curses thrown at me bounced back to the one who cursed me. The bible says that these curses don’t land on the godly.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for protecting your people.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when you were cursed and God took care of it.
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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 TELLING LIES Poem Devotional

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September 11________________________________________
Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. –Proverbs 25:18 (NLT)
ON TELLING LIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever resort to hiding the truth?
Telling lies never bring good fruit
When you attack someone else’s reputation
You are hurting others and your salvation.
Lying is as harmful as hitting others with an ax
You have no right to change the facts
Telling lies is like wounding them with a sword
Doing it is living in the standards of the world.
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Satan lied at the beginning of mankind when he enticed Eve to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree. He conned and tempted her to defy God so she can have the wisdom and power that he has. He made God appear bad by defying the boundary that he gave for Adam and Eve to follow (to refrain from eating from the Tree of Knowledge). By violating the boundary, they started lying too to cover up their disobedience.
Lies breed more lies and other sins. When we decide to cover up or make up a story that is untrue, we hurt ourselves and others.
The bible tells us how detrimental lying is. If you tell lies about others, you are almost like hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from lying.
REFLECTION
What was the biggest lie you ever told someone that hurt 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