Monthly Archives: January 2016

CONTROLLING THE TONGUE Poem Devotional

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January 13________________________________________
For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every way. -James 3:2(NLT)
CONTROLLING THE TONGUE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What comes out of your mouth repeatedly?
Do you speak God’s words or just reason out consistently?
For if one could control the tongue, we would be perfect
If we commit our lips to God’s word, we won’t be a wreck.
The tongue is a strong force that cannot be tamed easily
It is only with God’s help that we can have victory
When you control it, you can navigate through life
When you don’t, it will make you lost and lose insight.
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What was the last thing you said to someone today? Was it an encouragement or a criticism that you just let out? One of my weaknesses is the ability to control what comes out of my mouth. Because I am not quick to listen, but fast to speak instead, I often end up saying something that I wish I could have refrained from saying. We can’t take back what has come out of our mouths. I am sure that if we submit our lips to God, we will be able to say only things that God would want us to say.
The bible tells us that controlling the tongue is imperative in order for us to be able to control ourselves. Without guiding it, we will cause pain.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to refrain from saying unkind things.
REFLECTION
Why do you think controlling our tongue is integral in spiritual maturity.
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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 RIGHTEOUS GOD Poem Devotional

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January 12________________________________________
For all people are mine to judge-both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sin is the one who will die. – Ezekiel 18:4(NLT)
A RIGHTEOUS GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
What do you do when someone you love sins?
Do you condemn or pray that they will be redeemed?
No one can judge except the heavenly father
Because he is omniscient, he knows every matter
God is righteous, he knows what is best for all
He wants us to go his way so we won’t fall
Be right with him so you won’t be judged
He judges uprightly so don’t bear a grudge.
________________________________________A judge is a government official with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. The judge in a case decides questions of law, as well as questions of fact in a non-jury trial. In a trial, the judge performs various functions, such as deciding what evidence is admissible and instructing the jury on how to apply the law based upon the facts presented. Judges are subject to certain ethical standards and have a duty to be impartial.
The bible says that we have a righteous God who can see everything we do and what is in our hearts. We cannot lie to God because even before we do, he already knows. We cannot judge each other; only God can. We can encourage one another to stay holy and pure.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me when I sin so you won’t judge me.
REFLECTION
Why don’t we have the right to judge anyone?
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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 ACCUSER’S DEFEAT Poem Devotional

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January 11________________________________________
It has come at last-salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth.
– Revelations 12:10(NLT)
THE ACCUSER’S DEFEAT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to conquer sin?
Come to God so he can forgive you and redeem
There will be a time that salvation and power will reign
The Kingdom of God is manifest in Jesus’ name.
When he comes again, the accuser will be defeated
All believers will be holy and never have sins repeated
The enemy will cower over Christ’s authority
All Christians will rule as well and have victory.
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Do you or did you ever struggle with sin? I was a bondage to sin for many years. What sin did to me was devastating. It made me rebel and disobey the Lord. It made me cater to my flesh and desires. I served myself for many years and was deluded to think that I was alright and that I actually was a good person. I did many things on my own will and effort. I wasn’t following God’s will therefore I never had victory over sin.
The bible describes to us how the end times will be in Revelation. Satan, the accuser of all believers will be defeated. Christ will rule and the enemy will be crushed under Jesus’ authority.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to rely on myself to conquer sin, but to you alone.
REFLECTION
Are you exercising your authority over the devil as a believer?
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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

HE HAS TAKEN AWAY OUR SINS poem devotional

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January 10________________________________________
“Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” – Zechariah 3:4(NLT)
HE HAS TAKEN AWAY OUR SINS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God gave us his only begotten Son
He has taken away the sins that harm
It is like wearing filthy clothes when we sin
Jesus died on the cross so we can be redeemed.
Jesus gave us a whole new life to enjoy
He wants us to seek him so we can have joy
Don’t go back to your old rotten ways
He paid a high price so you can be changed.
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I was raised by people who were obsessively clean. My mother ensured that the whole house is free of dust and that we are all well groomed and have clean surroundings. I guess it contributed to my being sickly as a child because I had no immunity to any germs around me. My mother made sure everything was spick and span. I became an obsessive cleaner as well. There was a time that I finally gave up this compulsion and learned to enjoy life even if everything wasn’t spotlessly clean.
The bible compares sin to dirty clothes and the blood of Jesus gave us the chance to change the filthy clothes with fine new clothes. When Christ died on the cross, he took away our sins.
PRAYER
Help me to always choose to do right.
REFLECTION
When did you literally feel that you were cleansed from 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 COMPROMISES HEALTH Poem Devotional

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January 9________________________________________
My health is broken because of my sins. My guilt overwhelms me-it is a burden too heavy to bear. – Psalm 38:3-4(NLT)
SIN COMPROMISES HEALTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Did you do something to feel guilty inside?
Is it giving in to sin that makes you hide?
Guilt can overwhelm us and make us ill
It is a tactic that is used by the devil.
Sin can make you sick inside and out
It makes you want to rebel and be proud
God created you as a loving and gentle person
He wants praise him and his one and only Son.
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I have had all kinds of illnesses in my life. When I was born, I had polio but thanks to therapies, they were able to cure it at its very first stages. As a young child, I would always have headaches and at about age 10, I had weak lungs and was diagnosed with mild tuberculosis. I also had frequent tonsillitis flare ups that made me experience very high fevers and chills. I had anemia and very low red blood cells. When I turned high school, there were more emotional pains rather than illnesses. In my 20’s I had terrible migraine attacks that would last over two weeks. When I confessed and repented of all my sins, all my illnesses were gone. The bible says that sin can make us literally sick and guilt-stricken.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for forgiving me when I confessed my sins.
REFLECTION
Relate a recent instance when you got sick or burdened because of a sin you committed?
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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

WHAT CUTS YOU OFF FROM GOD Poem Devotional

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January 8________________________________________
It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. -Isaiah 59:2 (NLT)
WHAT CUTS YOU OFF FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel far away from your Maker?
What sins did you do that draw you farther?
Because of your sins, you have been cut off
It is the choice to disobey that makes life tough.
Whenever you choose to do what God forbids
You are opening the door for the devil to plant seeds
Strengthen your faith and follow God’s word
It is the only way you can overcome the world.
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I know so many persons who purposely do not want to have anything to do with the Lord. There are various reasons why they cut themselves off from God. It could be because they lost a loved one, lost a job, experienced traumatic events, been abused and many other reasons. I have a first hand experience with severing my ties with God at some decades of my life. I was ashamed to have a relationship with God because I couldn’t give up my dependency on a wrong person.
The bible says that it is our sins that cut us off from God. When we sin, we destroy the relationship we have with God. God loves us but he hates sin. He cannot fulfill his promises if we live in sin.
PRAYER
Lord, convict me when I sin so I can confess and repent right away.
REFLECTION
What is the antidote to being cut off from 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

THOSE WHO DON’T BELIEVE Poem Devotional

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January 7________________________________________
Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! -Psalm 14:1 (NLT)
THOSE WHO DON’T BELIEVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever someone question the existence of Jesus
Flee from them for they think they are really precious
Only fools say in their hearts that God doesn’t exist
They are full of pride and they love to rebel and resist.
Those who don’t believe are full of wickedness
They justify their rebellion and stubbornness
Their hearts are so corrupt and never does good
They are arrogant and they are very rude.
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There was a Christian movie that was shown in the theater last year that was very powerful. It was entitled “Do you believe?” This movie focused on several lives of various people who didn’t believe in God. The writer made all these unbelievers experience the power of God to a point that they cannot resist but to believe. Most of these unbelievers were people who idolized their careers, their possessions and themselves. In the end, they were made to experience helpless situations where God worked on their hearts.
The bible says that only fools say that there is no God. They do so because they are very proud and evil people who only wants to focus on themselves and their worldly views and possessions. They think very highly of themselves.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from unbelievers.
REFLECTION
Share an experience when you met an atheist or an agnostic.
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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

WHO MAKES THE BLIND SEE Poem Devotional

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January 6________________________________________
Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” – John 10:20-21 (NLT)
WHO MAKES THE BLIND SEE?
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are blinded by the enemy with lies
It will be difficult to navigate through life
Only Jesus can make the blind see
Only the word of God will set us free.
So why do you let the world corrupt your heart?
Why not renew your minds and make a new start?
Believe in the one and only true Lord and Savior
You will soon enjoy life and burn with fervor.
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There are many people who question the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The trouble with them is that they try to make sense out of everything. When there is no logic or explanation behind something that occurred, it is often very hard for people to accept it as a miracle from God. Many unbelievers think that miracles are spectacular phenomenon, but sometimes God works very quietly in our lives. He does little miracles to change us to become more like him. He does it so subtly that sometimes we fail to actually see the miracle or change he is doing in our hearts. The bible says that only Jesus Christ can make the blind see.
PRAYER
Lord, let me recognize your works in my life.
REFLECTION
What miracles has God done 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

LISTEN TO HIS VOICE Poem Devotional

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January 5________________________________________
I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. -John 10:16(NLT)
LISTEN TO HIS VOICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you found the way that leads to your salvation?
Are you able to resist the devil’s ways and his temptations?
When you continue to cater to satisfy your own cravings
You are like a stray sheep who would not stop roaming.
The Shepherd cares especially for the lost ones
God loves them too and sent his one and only Son
When you heed to the voice of Jesus Christ
You will stop straying and have peace in your life.
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Many Christian do not actually hear the voice of their Master. It took many years before I did or maybe I wasn’t aware as much as I was when I was a little girl. I was seven years old when I accepted Jesus in my life. I talked to him every single day and even though I can’t hear his voice literally, I have thoughts in my mind that comes as I tell him my troubles and pains. The bible says that those who believe in Christ, will be able to recognize and hear his voice. We have so many distractions in this world so we can hardly hear what he says.
PRAYER
Lord, let me learn silence and focus on you to be able to hear your voice.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when God’s voice is so clear to you.
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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

BLESSINGS THROUGH THE GATE Poem Devotional

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January 4________________________________________
Yes, I am the gate, those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. -John 10:9(NLT)
BLESSINGS THROUGH THE GATE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who believe in Christ enters through the gate
Their eyes are opened to the truth and they are saved
Through Christ, they can come and go freely
They handle the world’s challenges boldly.
If you take the gate to salvation through Christ
You will be equipped to be victorious in life
There will be blessings when you believe in Jesus
You are loved deeply and is considered very precious.
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The only way we can be victorious in life is when we believe in the one and only true God. There are many ways we can live our lives. I lived it through the standards of the world for many decades. I went through life with full of trials and sufferings because I catered to my ambitions, wants and desires. When I gave up my wayward life and followed Jesus, I was freed from the enemy’s tactics. Now that I am fully aware of what I did wrong in the past and God has freed me from many strongholds and sin. The bible tells us that only Jesus Christ is the gateway to redemption. It is only through him that we get all the blessings and find good pastures.
PRAYER
Thank you for opening my door to heaven, Lord.
REFLECTION
Have you chosen to take the gateway to heaven?
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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