Monthly Archives: November 2015

PRAYER AT START OF DAY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

northbayfallvisit2013 002

November 14________________________________________
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. – Psalm 5:3(NLT)
PRAYER AT START OF DAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, I call on you each morning
Bring me joy and alleviate my suffering
I lay down my burdens on your cross
Do what you need to do so I could come across
I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly
I believe that you have my best interest at heart faithfully
I am hopeful that you will hear my prayer today
Grant me an opportunity to bless someone this very day.
________________________________________
What time of day do you usually pray? I do my best to do it in the morning. Unless something really comes up that is unusual, I want to start my day with my “God time.” I noticed that when I do, I usually am able to manage whatever the day brings. During the odd times that I am not able to prioritize my time with the Lord, I still think of him and tell him that I will find time for him definitely. I never usually pass a day without praying to him.
The bible tells us that King David brought his requests to the Lord in the morning and waited expectantly for the answers to the prayer. We can learn from King David to faithfully start our day with a time for God.
PRAYER
Help me to start my day with you always
REFLECTION
What are the benefits of morning prayers for a believer?
________________________________________
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

HOPE FOR THE NEEDY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

monocliffhike 052

November 13________________________________________
The needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.
–Psalm 9:18(NLT)
HOPE FOR THE NEEDY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been neglected by anyone?
Are you often minimized by someone?
There is hope for those whose needs are never met
The needy will not be ignored forever as the bible says.
Rejoice to those among you whose spirits were crushed
It won’t be long when the enemy will be defeated and hushed
There is hope for the needy and the broken hearted
Christ came so they too, like him will be victorious and resurrected.
________________________________________
As a result of growing up in a dysfunctional family, I became a very needy person. When I studied the stages of development of a child, I realized that there were so many stages that I skipped because of many unmet need. Erik Erikson’s psychoanalytical theory focuses entirely on personality formation. Erikson suggested eight “ages” individuals progress through from birth to adulthood in order to feel self-fulfilled. Erikson looks at each age or stage as a struggle between one positive and one negative emotional state. I am a survivor of childhood complex traumas which let me to God directly.
The bible says that the needy will not be ignored forever and the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed. Christ died for people like those who are crushed and needy.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for dying for me.
REFLECTION
What do you usually do when you can’t get your needs met?
________________________________________
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

OUR SHIELD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

eugenia falls and chasing clouds 579

November 12________________________________________
God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.-Psalm 7:10 (NLT)
OUR SHIELD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there anyone who has violated you and treated you bad?
Are there people who rejoice when you are not glad?
He knows what we think of and he discerns the condition of our hearts
He understands our dilemmas and challenges even from the very start
God is our protector, our deliverer, our redeemer and our shield
If we don’t run to him, we will be tempted and easily yield.
The Lord saves those whose hearts are true and right
Have you already committed your entire life to Jesus Christ?
________________________________________
A shield is something that protects someone or something from danger or getting hurt. How many times have you resorted to using different kinds of things and tactics to protect yourself from being hurt or maligned? It is our human nature to defend ourselves especially when we are being attacked. It is supernatural for us to run to God and let him be our shield, our protector.
The bible talks about how King David depended on God solely as his shield and how important it is for us to have our hearts true and right for our heavenly Father. With a heart that is always after the Lord, he will definitely ensure our safety. He will protect us from all evil around us.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always run to you for shield.
REFLECTION
Who do you usually run to for protection when you are being attacked?
________________________________________
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

MY HELPER, MY SAVIOR Poem Devotional

Posted on by

cn tower 2013 and wasaga2013 261

November 11________________________________________
As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior, O my God; do not delay. –Psalm 40:17 (NLT)
MY HELPER, MY SAVIOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who is always there for you through thick or thin?
God is with you constantly even when you have sinned
Run to him, he will faithfully send you his helper
The Holy Spirit lives inside your heart to make you better.
Ask the Lord’s assistance for he saves you from your sin nature
Plead him to keep you in his thoughts so you will be a victor
No other god can surpass Christ’s mercy and salvation
Let us trust him completely and depend for his provision.
________________________________________
There are many people I have relationship with who are not dependable because they are just too busy with their own lives to even find out what is happening with me or don’t really care. It is only God who have proven himself to be there in all situations I am in. Whether in my successes and failures, he is always there for me. He answers all my prayers when he deemed it good for me. He protects me and he constantly understands what I am going through. The bible tells us to run to God for he is our helper and our savior. Only God can faithfully respond to us.
PRAYER
Lord, I plead for your healing.
REFLECTION
Why is seeking God for help an act that all Christians should do?
________________________________________
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

JESUS, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES Poem Devotional

Posted on by

auries 2012 visit 129

November 10________________________________________
And she will have a son and you are to name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins. – Matthew 1:21 (NLT)
JESUS, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus your name has power
You make Satan and all his principalities cower
You are powerful and your name is above all names
You have sacrificed your life to remove all kinds of shame.
You save all people from their old life and past sins
You gave us all a clean slate so we can recover and win
Praise you Jesus, you are the epitome of humility
Help us to become like you as we relate to others daily.
________________________________________
What’s in a name? I think a lot of people do not realize the importance of a name. A name can put an imprint on that person who received it. In the past, many Catholics named their babies after saints. Mary, Christina, Maria, Christian, Christie, Mari and many more variations of the same original name were used by parents so that their child will follow the virtues that these saints have lived. My name was coined after the first two letters from both my mother and father’s names. Later on, I learned that it meant “water.” What a privilege that my name means that I am cleansed and I can clean as well. The bible tells us that Jesus is a name above all names.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for the power in your name.
REFLECTION
Relate a time when you saw the power in Jesus’ name.
________________________________________
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

HEAVEN’S REGISTRY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

juanita's unedited 047

November 9________________________________________
Look I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.
– Luke 10:19, 20 (NLT)
HEAVEN’S REGISTRY
A poem and essay by ILMA
The cross of Christ has given us authority over the enemy
Remember to exercise it so the devil will flee
Love one another especially your sisters and brothers
Remember what Jesus did so you can serve others.
Those who believe will be in heaven’s registry
Rejoice all you faithful ones, you’ll have victory
The evil spirits will tremble as soon as you obey Christ
He knows that he is defeated by those who have new life.
________________________________________
Have you ever been invited in an important social function? I remember when my son was nine years old and we were invited at the palace where the president of the Philippines resided. He was to play the violin for the delegates for an international world convention. As soon as we entered the gates, they had to check the registry of visitors to come. It was such an honor and a privilege to be included in the list. It is almost the same in heaven. Our names will be in the registry if we believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. The bible tells us that we have to rejoice because our names are registered in heaven.
PRAYER
O Lord my God, thank you for including me in heaven’s registry.
REFLECTION
Why do you think you deserve to be in heaven’s registry?
________________________________________
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

PLEA FOR HEALING Poem Devotional

Posted on by

dufferincountymuseumtour 162

November 8________________________________________
Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. I am sick at heart. –Psalm 6:2-3(NLT)
PLEA FOR HEALING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Oh Lord, my God, have compassion on me
Heal my soul that I may have victory over sin
The enemy has stolen my peace and joy
Will you grant me restoration so I can rejoice?
I plead for your forgiveness and mercy
Let me not be overwhelmed in the valley
Soak me in your blood so my soul can be free
Have pity on the weak and those who cannot see.
________________________________________
Many painful and traumatic events in my life have scarred me deeply but God is so faithful and merciful that he has pulled me out of the rubbles in this world. It doesn’t exempt me from still having troubles and challenges in my life. I am being healed continually by the Lord. It is a process and he is walking me through it by giving me people and who underwent much more pain than I could ever experience. It is amazing to see the miracles God has done to those sinners who have done crimes that no one could ever imagine. How he used these people considered trash by society to proclaim his glory is beyond me.
The bible says that the Lord has compassion and will heal all our illnesses and weaknesses.
PRAYER
Lord, heal my soul that has been affected by my past sins.
REFLECTION
Why is it important that we ask God to heal our souls from past sins?
________________________________________
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

SELF-EXAMINATION Poem Devotional

Posted on by

rockwood and alines bday 284

November 7________________________________________
That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
-1 Corinthians 11:28 (NLT)
SELF-EXAMINATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
What thoughts and ideas do you have?
Do you ponder on the Lord up above?
Do you reflect how you treat others?
Do you think of the welfare of one another?
Examining yourself guides where you are going
It monitors how much you are progressing
Self-examination helps you spiritually mature
It makes you understand life and endure.
________________________________________
I am a born analytic and sometimes I can go overboard with over-analyzing things. I thank God that he has given me the capacity to monitor how I think and what my motives are on a regular basis.
Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. Lamentations 3:40 says that we must test and examine our ways and must turn back to the Lord. Why is self-examination crucial in our lives especially in our faced paced world? Without introspecting on our lives, we will lose control or have the ability to go on as planned.
The bible tells us that self-examination is crucial in partaking of the body of Christ. Paul stressed to the Corinthians the importance of preparing ourselves to be one with Christ or one with our sisters and brothers. We must be able to watch our own lives so that we are actually following and reflecting Christ in our lives.
PRAYER
Lord, than you for giving me a mind that can process things.
REFLECTION
How often do you examine yourself? What happens when you don’t?
________________________________________
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

LET GOD FLOW THROUGH YOU Poem devotional

Posted on by

monocliff 2011 068

November 6________________________________________
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.
-1 Peter 4:11(NLT)
LET GOD FLOW THROUGH YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
What gifts have God given to you?
Is it to speak or encourage others to be renewed?
If God has given you the gift to speak
Do it with passion but always be meek
If you have the gift of helping others
Do it with all your strength to aide your brothers
Use all your gifts to let God flow through you
It will bring more people to seek God’s truth.
________________________________________
My natural gifts are: literary, visual, communication, musical and theatre arts. It is ironic that communication was a gift given to me by God. I had no voice to say anything as a child. I was commanded never to answer back or explain myself. I think that desired to be heard was translated into written words. I wrote letters to my father who was working abroad many years. My letters made me closer to him than those who were physically around me. The other gifts were a venue to heal my wounded heart.
The bible tells us that we all are given gifts, but we need to use them all to bring glory to God.
PRAYER
Thank you for your gifts.
REFLECTION
What natural gifts do you have that helped you discover your spiritual gifts?
________________________________________
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

SUBMITTING TO GOD’S WILL Poem Devotional

Posted on by

Sept 20th 102

November 5________________________________________
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. – Matthew 1:24(NLT)
SUBMITTING TO GOD’S WILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
What areas of your life have you been unwilling to submit?
Is it a relationship struggle, a career or a failure to commit?
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded
He didn’t question or argue why God has clearly demanded
Despite his initial doubt about the situation
God revealed to him the importance of his submission
Submitting to God’s will is an act of love and obedience
It brings us closer to God’s promises which is all sufficient.
________________________________________
I lived many decades of my life doing things my way. No wonder I failed many times and had so much trouble navigating through life. I was made to believe by the world that life is about what you make it. In God’s economy, it is totally the opposite. Life is about submitting our lives totally to him.
How was Jesus born? God used Joseph and Mary to bring his only begotten Son here on earth to fulfill our salvation as promised in Scriptures. Why did God choose Joseph and Mary of all people? In Matthew 1:24 and in Luke 1:38, we both see the common denominator with these two special persons that God chose. They submitted to God’s will without question.
PRAYER
Lord, change me so I can totally surrender my life to you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think submission to God’s will was God’s criteria for choosing Christ’s parents?
________________________________________
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