Monthly Archives: January 2016

JUST AS GOD THROUGH CHRIST Poem Devotional

Posted on by

winter 2013 landscapes 026

February 3________________________________________
Be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. -Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
JUST AS GOD THROUGH CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
How do you treat one another?
Do you show kindness to your sisters and brothers?
Do you easily forgive them when they do wrong?
Just as God through Christ taught you to be strong
He wants you to be tender-hearted and humble
He was never self-righteous when someone stumbles
He doesn’t point fingers at someone to blame
He always ran to God and call on his name.
________________________________________
I saw the movie WWJD (What would Jesus do?) on Netflix a few years ago. It was amazing how that question could affect the way you would do something to someone or deal with a situation. One of the characters in the movie was trashing and vandalizing on a church property and was destroying the WWJD wood carving on top of the main door. This boy was so angry and frustrated at what he was going through. As a consequence, to his mischief making, he was asked to work with the man who carved those letter WWJD in his workshop, who was a very loving and forgiving and tender-hearted man. He learned later on the real essence of the WWJD question.
God commands us to love another as he loves us. He wants us to show love and mercy to each other.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be like you in all circumstance.
REFLECTION
Relate a time when you did what Jesus would have done in a situation.
________________________________________
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

HOLDS ALL CREATION TOGETHER Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_8161

February 2________________________________________
He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
-Colossians 1:17 (NLT)
HOLDS ALL CREATION TOGETHER
A poem and essay by ILMA
God has a system to make things work together
He created man so we can love one another
He placed the sky above the land and the seas
He made all kinds of animals, plants and trees.
He existed before anything else was in the universe
He made man so we can relate with him and converse
Each portion of his creation has a purpose in his plan
Do you know your destiny or do you fight and run?
________________________________________
Have you looked at nature lately? Are you not astounded at how God has made beautiful trees, landscapes, seascapes, sunsets, cloud formation, the snow, the beautiful flowers and all living creatures? Scientists have obsessed with reasoning and getting answers to all the things we cannot fathom. But the bible says that we cannot understand God’s mind because we are limited and he is not. Why can’t we just thank the Lord for everything that he has given us? Why do we have to understand? It is our fallen nature that wants to compete with God’s understanding. Sometimes, we just have to accept and be thankful.
The bible says that God existed before anything else. He created all things and holds all creation together. We need to believe that he knew what he was doing when he created us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the beautiful things you created.
REFLECTION
What part of God’s creation are you thankful for today?
________________________________________
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

DIFFERENT KIND OF NOURISHMENT Poem Devotional

Posted on by

winter 2013 landscapes 003

February 1________________________________________
I have a kind of food you know nothing about. My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work. -John 4:32,34 (NLT)
DIFFERENT KIND OF NOURISHMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you hungry for something in your life?
Is it love, attention, affirmation or God’s light?
Have you been feeding yourself with his truth?
Do you obey his commands to have the Spirit’s fruit?
God has a different kind of nourishment for you
He wants you to grow in faith and be renewed
He wants you to do his will so that you can be filled
His love is unconditional; it makes you grow and heal.
________________________________________
What kind of foods do you eat? Are they healthier options? What we put in our bodies will definitely affect how we function and how healthy we are. If you constantly eat processed food, you will have to bear the consequences of the ill effects of it. It may not be a big drastic illness. It may slowly creep into your system so subtly and later on manifest as something fatal.
The bible talks about a different kind of nourishment for us. It is a food that comes from doing God’s will and finishing his work. It is feeding on God’s word and truth that will make us eventually grow. We cannot stay healthy and grow if we don’t feed on God’s words.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to choose right nourishment for my spirit.
REFLECTION
What have you been feeding your soul and spirit lately?
________________________________________
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

STRENGTH FROM GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

burks falls 2014,barrie,erin, stanley hoop 146

January 31________________________________________
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:8(NLT)
STRENGTH FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
What troubles are you dealing with today?
Are you discouraged because of it in any way?
What has bothered you recently in life?
Is it something that has put you in strife?
We are pressed on every side but not crushed
We are perplexed but not driven to despair or hushed
We are hunted down but never abandoned
We get knocked down but not to a point of destruction.
________________________________________
The world we live in is going through so much troubled times. There is much chaos, war, confusion and noise around us these days. How do you deal with all the challenges and difficulties in life? I used to live in a very populated country, the Philippines. It was such a fast paced world that you just go through the motions of all the adversities and trials without even thinking. I guess that is how one survives a rat race. Somehow, I made it to my late fifties still alive and kicking. In fact, God made me thrive not just survive such adversities. The bible says that we can draw strength from God because he never abandons us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for letting me go through difficulties that I can handle.
REFLECTION
Where do you draw strength in times of crisis and stress?
________________________________________
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

QUALIFICATIONS FROM GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

2014 highlights 843

January 30________________________________________
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualifications come from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5(NLT)
QUALIFICATIONS FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
All our qualifications come from the Creator
He made us all different and no one is greater
He gave each one of us different gifts and skills
He also gave us choices through our own will.
Not one of us can do anything on our own
Only through Christ can we harvest what we’ve sown
Don’t ever forget to thank him for all that you are
Without him, you will not succeed or get far.
________________________________________
When you apply for a job, your qualifications for the said position are crucial for the employer to see whether you are a good fit for the job and the company. The hiring managers are trained to ask questions after you have passed their first tests to gauge how your work ethics are and what other traits you have to qualify you for the position. When people finally get hired, a lot of them forget to thank God that they have such skills that made them get the job.
The bible tells us that all our qualifications come from God. We can’t do anything on our own. We are only deceiving ourselves if we take credit for something that only our creator has given us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be grateful of all the things you have given me.
REFLECTION
What are your qualifications that will bring more people to know God?
________________________________________
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

LETTER WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS poem devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 143 (2)

January 29________________________________________
Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. -2 Corinthians 3:2(NLT)
LETTER WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Your lives are a letter written in our hearts
Everyone can read it and recognize how you start
It tells others the story about God’s work in you
It shows how you are loved much and given a life anew.
So live honorable lives that is focused on Christ
When people read the letter, it will produce light
Your pure life will glorify your heavenly Father
It will bring joy and peace to your sisters and brothers.
________________________________________
As young as seven years old, I have written letters to my father who was mostly working abroad that time. I learned early that letters will connect me to him despite the distance we have between us. He worked as a surveyor in Engineering companies in different parts of the world building highways and roads. The letters somehow shortened the geographical distance between us. It made me know more about him. It is ironic that I knew him more than I knew those who lived close to me. Written communication is a good way to keep connected to someone. The bible tells us that our lives are letters written in our hearts and everyone can read it and recognize the good work that God is doing in our lives.
PRAYER
Lord, make my life continually shine for others to know you.
REFLECTION
How many people have you led to God because of your righteous living?
________________________________________
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

TRAINING FULLY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_2199

January 27________________________________________
Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher. -Luke 6:40(NLT)
TRAINING FULLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When one wants to learn something
They will continually be probing and seeking
Students are not greater than their teacher
If they are fully trained, they can be better
Discipline is an integral part of learning
It helps you reach your goal and keep on improving
Persevere and you will reap a good harvest
Keep on practicing faithfully and it will manifest.
________________________________________
Have you ever experienced training for a marathon or a race? I was once a cyclist back in my country of origin, the Philippines. We had mini competitions among the club members and I never really competed in any until after I had fallen on my bike in an accident. I didn’t want to lose the skills I have learned in over a decade out of fear from a fall. I joined a big bike competition nationwide. My goal was to beat my fear, not to win the race. I was the only woman in that bike run. Because I have trained daily for ten years, I had the confidence and the skill to join and because I wasn’t afraid of losing, I reached my goal.
The bible points to us that students are not greater than their teacher, but when fully trained they can become like them.
PRAYER
Lord, please let my whole being be fully trained by your Spirit.
REFLECTION
What aspects of your life still needs training?
________________________________________
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

CAN THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND Poem Devotional

Posted on by

burks falls 2014,barrie,erin, stanley hoop 100

January 26________________________________________
Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? – Luke 6:39(NLT)
CAN THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND?
A poem and essay by ILMA
I struggled for many years with sin and foolishness
I rebelled and didn’t follow the path to righteousness
Because of my sins, the enemy blinded me from the truth
I was told many lies so subtly and then bitterness took root.
The enemy even made me believe that I can lead the blind
What an irony it is to think that, on my own I can have sight
The life I led was so hazy, dark and murky
When I let the Lord lead, I finally had victory.
________________________________________Visual impairment can limit people’s ability to perform everyday tasks and can affect their quality of life and ability to interact with the surrounding world. Like visual impairment is another debilitating form of disability called “spiritual blindness.” I was spiritually blind for many years of my life. I believed so many lies handed down to me from many generations. The enemy kept me from knowing the truth. Because I was in the dark, I looked for others who could lead me. But these people I ask to help me were also spiritually impaired like me; they didn’t know God too. I led a very confused and sinful life. The word of God is the only light that brings us out of darkness.
PRAYER
Lord, I pray for all those who cannot see the truth.
REFLECTION
What can keep us out of darkness in this life?
________________________________________
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 LOVING THE UNKIND Poem Devotional

Posted on by

tulipfestival 092January 25________________________________________
Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. – Luke 6:35(NLT)
ON LOVING THE UNKIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever someone demeans or attack you
Do you run to God so he can change your views?
Hurt people inflict pain to their sisters or brothers
They embrace agony and can’t show love for others.
Love your enemies, pray and do good to them
You will be rewarded by acting as God’s true children
God is kind even to those who are wicked and ungrateful
He wants us to follow him, to love others and be faithful.
________________________________________
It is easy to love those who are kind and loving but it is definitely a challenge to love the unkind and wicked. Any person could easily love someone who does good to them but the bible challenges us to love even those who are mean to us. It doesn’t mean that we will allow them to trample on us. God also taught us how to set boundaries with people around us so that we can live harmonious lives with each other. How is it possible to love those who are abusing or wicked to you? Only by God’s grace.
PRAYER
Lord, give me an unconditional heart like yours.
REFLECTION
How do you handle people who are unkind?
________________________________________
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 GREATEST RESCUER Poem Devotional

Posted on by

winter 2013 landscapes 016

January 24________________________________________
For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.
-Psalm 54:7(NLT)
THE GREATEST RESCUER
A poem and essay by ILMA
What troubles do you need to bring to the throne?
Are they concerning a struggle or does it involve someone?
Are there people persecuting you because of Jesus?
Do you run to the cross to ask help and sing praises?
God is our strength, our rescuer and defender
He is faithful to the body of all believers
Don’t lose hope when you are attacked
If you run to Christ, you will have no lack.
________________________________________
To rescue is defined as to save someone from a dangerous or distressing situation. The Hebrew word for rescue is “yasha” which means deliverance, salvation, safety, welfare. The Hebrew meaning covers a bigger act of saving someone. Deliverance is defined as “a rescue from bondage or danger.” Deliverance in the Bible is the acts of God rescuing his people from peril. Have you ever been rescued by someone from a dangerous situation?
I come from a country where there is so much disasters and catastrophe. A rescuer is a novelty in the Philippines because almost everyone experience danger, so we rescue our own selves.
The bible tells us how God is the greatest rescuer for all believers. He delivers us from all kinds of evil, strongholds and sins that keep us in bondage. He frees us from suffering.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for rescuing me from all my sins.
REFLECTION
What has God freed you from lately?
________________________________________
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.co