LIGHT COVERS DARKNESS Poem Devotional

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November 2________________________________________
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. -John 1:5 (NLT)
LIGHT COVERS DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you feel down and depressed
Run to the throne so you can be refreshed
Believe in him so you can enjoy his light
It illumines the darkness in your life.
The light of Jesus brightens any sorrow
It brings you hope for a better tomorrow
When light covers darkness, it can’t be extinguished
It will expose all the evil schemes and make it perish.
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Most children are afraid of the dark. The bible tells us that God has a special place for children in his kingdom. He requires us to be childlike to be able to enter it. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 says that we are all children of the light and we don’t belong to darkness. Those who enjoy darkness have been held captive by the enemy. Satan has blinded them and kept them hostages of evil. Those who keep so many secrets are prisoners of darkness. Matthew 10:26 says that all secrets will be revealed and will be made known to all.
1 John 1:5 says that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all and John 1:5 says that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. Therefore, God triumphs over all evil and will perish the darkness.
PRAYER
Thank you for your light, Lord Jesus.
REFLECTION
What darkness in your life have you allowed God’s light to shine in?
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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

SHARING BURDENS poem devotional

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November 1________________________________________
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. –Galatians 6:2(NLT)
SHARING BURDENS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What burdens do you have that is so heavy?
Do you have the courage to share them to somebody?
Be vulnerable; open your afflictions with one another
He made us to relate to our sisters and brothers.
Share your challenges amongst the body of Christ
It will strengthen and encourage you to face life
It shows your need for God and all his chosen ones
Humility is shown when you share yourself to someone.________________________________________
The world dictates us to hide our weaknesses and show only the side that is perfect to others. These people learn to mask and cover up all their difficulties and trials. I know someone who never showed his true identity. He had a front to each person, just like playing a role to them. One day, he got so confused because he couldn’t remember what role he played to someone and mixed it up with the other pretend part he did with someone else. We could go on living masquerades in our lives but it doesn’t do us any good. In fact, it makes our lives stressful, trying to mask our weaknesses.
The bible tells us that sharing our burdens with others is a true act of humility. Humility is acknowledging both your strengths and weaknesses and sharing it with others.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to share my burdens.
REFLECTION
Why are we commanded to share our burdens with 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

OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT Poem Devotional

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October 31________________________________________
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
What keeps you in the dark?
Is it a sin that continually lurks?
You can answer God’s call
He never wants you to fail or fall
You are chosen to be his follower
You can accept him and be his disciple
He called you out of darkness into the light
He wants the best for you in all you do in this life.
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So many people continue to live in darkness because they don’t know any better. Some on the other hand purposely choose to live in the dark. God incessantly calls us to live in his will and in his light, but many people get stuck in the ways of the world. It took me many years before I gave up living in darkness. When I finally made a decision to choose God and stay in his light, my life flourished and blessings kept pouring.
The bible talks to us about our true identity in Christ. We are all brought into the light out of darkness by the sacrifice on the cross that Jesus Christ did for us.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me in your light.
REFLECTION
When did God deliver you from darkness?
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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 ONLY TRUE GOD Poem Devotional

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October 30________________________________________
Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God. – Isaiah 37:20 (NLT)
THE ONLY TRUE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who do you believe, give praise and glorify?
Is he the Son of God whom the world has crucified?
There is only one true God who created everything
He is all powerful, all seeing and all giving.
He sent his only begotten son so we can be saved
He is the only one who can free us from being slaves
All those who believe in him will have eternal life
He is the one who can bring and expose evil into the light.
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There are many gods that the world has created. Many religions believe in many different gods, but there is only one true god who can give us eternal life. His name is Jesus Christ. He is the only begotten son of God who was sent here on earth to pay for the wages of our sins.
My journey to find out who the real God is was a very painful and confusing one. I grew up where there were many different religions and traditions surrounding me. It was hard to grow up and not know the truth.
The bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the only true god because he is the only one who saves and grants eternal life.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for saving me.
REFLECTION
When did you know the one and only true 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 BIG LIE poem devotional

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October 29________________________________________
God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil. –Genesis 3:5 (NLT)
THE BIG LIE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What lies have you been told since you were young?
How has the enemy manipulated you to do wrong?
Mankind suffered because the big lie was so enticing
Adam and Eve couldn’t resist the devil’s incessant tempting
He lied and enticed them to have equality with their maker
It led them to doubt and shame when they faced the Father
When you hear untrue things that lead you to sin
Run to the bible, be convicted, confess, and be redeemed.
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In every sin or suffering in our lives is a big lie lurking within. As a child, I constantly heard that I was ugly. The people around me called me names. It made me believe the lie for many years and I embraced it. It got me confused later on when I started to have many suitors at the start of my early teen years. I had to prove these boys and men that I don’t deserve their attention since I was ugly and that they are only chasing me to give in to sex. One lie, led to many other lies.
The bible talks about the big lie Adam and Eve fell prey for. If you stay in God’s truth, the lie will be exposed.
PRAYER
Give me wisdom to abide in you always.
REFLECTION
What lies were you freed from after God’s convictions?
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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 EXPRESSING ANGER poem devotional

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October 28________________________________________
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. – Proverbs 29:11 (NLT)
ON EXPRESSING ANGER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Anger can do us good or harm; let us express it right
We can be angry but we need to do it just like Christ
Fools vent their anger, but the wise hold it back
Face and manage it so you do not have to be mad.
God gave us anger so we can use it for good
He wants us to express it without being rude
We can use it to defy evil and fear the Lord
If we abuse it, God won’t be glorified or given laud.
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I had over five decades of repressed anger living inside me. I didn’t even know I was angry because I didn’t feel it. I swept it under the rug trying to be Ms. Perfect to everyone I come in contact with. I was harsh, tactless and oftentimes confrontational without considering what the other person would feel. When I was part of the academe, one of my co-teachers told me I was a very angry person. I justified and proved to her that I wasn’t. I patched it with “performance skills.” without realizing that I was in total denial. The bible tells us not to vent our anger but quietly hold it back. By doing so, we are considered wise.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to have godly anger.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God created the emotion “anger?”
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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

WORK WILLINGLY Poem Devotional

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October 27________________________________________
Work willingly whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord, rather than for people. –Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
WORK WILLINGLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you do things for others or you’re at work
Remember that you are doing it for the Lord
If you do it for Jesus, you will be reverent
If you do it for other reasons, you will act different.
Work hard willingly; be diligent and patient
God made you in his image; he is perfect and excellent
Imitate Christ when you work so you can be efficient
He wouldn’t want you to be mediocre or deficient.
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There are many mediocre and inefficient people in our world. The lamest thing we can do is to whine about our bosses or the company and not perform the job excellently as we are expected to do. Another sad thing to watch is when people only count the time so they can clock out and come in late for work. This is mediocrity at its best.
If you were the employer or company owner and all you see and hear from your employees are complaints but never get the work done, you probably would fire these toxic people.
The bible puts so much premium on integrity and hates dishonesty. Paul said to the Colossians to work willingly whatever we are doing as though we are working for the Lord, rather than for people.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never complain but be pro-active.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to think that you work for God rather than for people?
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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

A JEALOUS GOD poem devotional

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October 26________________________________________
You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. – Exodus 34:14(NLT)
A JEALOUS GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit to God, you must be faithful
He is a very jealous God, he wants you to be truthful
He is very loyal to you so He expects the same
He loves you so he wants you to honor his name.
He doesn’t tolerate idolatry or any competition
He knows he is the only true God without question
He is jealous about his relationship with you
Will you choose to commit to him and be true?
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For many decades, I didn’t know that one of my iniquities was idolatry. Because of self-will and independence, the enemy used it to enter my heart. I was blinded by the world’s standard of greatness. I thought that being able to achieve many goals and ambitions was the ultimate indication of success. God proved me wrong. The circumstance that led me to Canada was still an idolatrous act I did. God used it to teach me and convict me of this sin.
The bible tells us that we must not worship other gods for God’s very name is Jealous. He is the essence of love and he expects no less than a sincere and truthful loyalty from those who claim that they love him.
PRAYER
Convict me right away when I become unfaithful to you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God is a very jealous 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

BENEFITS OF WISDOM poem devotional

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October 25________________________________________
Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king. Better to have wisdom than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
-Ecclesiastes 9:17-18 (NLT)
BENEFITS OF WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you seeking wisdom in your life?
Foolishness comes natural to those who love strife
Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person
Rather than the foolish king who cannot seem to reason
Better to have wisdom than weapons of war
Someone who seeks God and is wise will go very far
But one sinner can destroy much that is right
They corrupt the pure and they can’t see God’s light.
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There are many people in the world who do not seek God and what he wants for our lives. No wonder there is so much chaos and turmoil in our world today. Most people always use their self-will to navigate through life. I did it too for many decades of my life. I have mistaken intelligence for wisdom and thought they were one and the same. Wisdom can only come from God’s truth. Only God has perfect and absolute knowledge. All humans have limited understanding.
The bible tells us that it is better to hear a quiet wise person than the shouts of a fool. It is better to have wisdom than weapons of war because one sinner can destroy goodness.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be wise.
REFLECTION
What benefits have you reaped when you seek 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

Fresh Bubbling Spring poem devotional

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October 24________________________________________
Anyone who drinks this water will become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. – John 4:13-14 (NLT)
FRESH BUBBLING SPRING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Water refreshes our bodies and souls
It cleanses us and later makes us whole
If you drink from the water that Jesus offer
You will be refreshed and endure to suffer.
It is a fresh bubbling spring deep within
It renews us and restores us from sin
Christ’s spring grants eternal life
It washes away all darkness and strife.
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Water is essential in our lives. Without it, we will die and stay dirty. I remember back in my country of origin, when I lived in a studio and my landlady was so controlling, that she will just turn off the main power for water supply according to her whims. I would go crazy because I cannot wash clothes, dishes, or even take a shower or drink. It was a deprivation of my right to be clean and quench my thirst. I felt so dirty and thirsty
The bible tells us that anyone who drinks from the water that comes from Christ, will never be thirsty again. They will have eternal life. It is a fresh bubbling spring that brings them eternal life. It refreshes their whole being and quenches their thirst.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your living water.
REFLECTION
How has the fresh bubbling spring of Christ restored 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