Monthly Archives: February 2016

WHEN YOU PLEASE GOD Poem Devotional

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February 29________________________________________
When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.
-Proverbs 16:7(NLT)
WHEN YOU PLEASE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you please God, you get that joy in your heart
When you please God, you get the chance for a brand new start
When you please God, you are able to go through adversity
When you please God, you become a threat to the enemy.
When you please God, your worldly perspective changes
When you please God, you get strength to face all challenges
When you please God, even your enemies are at peace with you
When you please God, your heart and mind are constantly renewed.
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It took many years to find out that I was a people-pleaser. Because I wasn’t showered with affection, attention and love as a child, I learned to get these needs met by people pleasing and performing. By the time I was high school, I was so desperate for love and got into a deep depression and almost ended my life. Thank God, he brought a friend of mine just at the nick of time to save me from suicide. I learned that no matter how much I please people around, I can’t force them to show me love. They probably can’t give it because they too weren’t given love.
The bible encourages us to please the Lord for even our enemies will be at peace with us.
PRAYER
Lord, let there be no other that I would rather please first but you.
REFLECTION
What is the benefit of pleasing 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

FULL TRUST BRINGS GOD’S PRESENCE Poem Devotional

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February 28________________________________________
Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. -Hebrews 10:22(NLT)
FULL TRUST BRINGS GOD’S PRESENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you let go of your guilt so you can move forward?
Focusing on the past hinders you from getting the reward
When you fully trust the Lord in all circumstance
You will experience the peace of his presence.
Do not live in guilt, instead, confess your sins and repent
You will be sprinkled with Christ’s blood and you’ll have strength
Your body have been washed with pure and living water
You will be heir to God’s kingdom that lasts forever.
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Have you ever loved someone so much that his or her presence is paramount in your life? What happens to you when this person is absent physically or emotionally? If you are like me, you will get depressed and lonely because you want the joy that comes from their presence. Statistics say that four to five months is the average time before a long distance relationship breaks down and 40% of all long distance relationships ends with a break-up.
The bible summons us to go right into God’s presence with sincere hearts fully trusting him because he has already washed our sins when he died for us.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to trust you completely always.
REFLECTION
When have you turned your back to God’s presence? What was the result?
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

RIVER OF DELIGHTS Poem Devotional

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February 27________________________________________
You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your own river of delights. -Psalm 36:8(NLT)
RIVER OF DELIGHTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you investing in God’s kingdom by hungering for him?
Are you able to live the new life He gave you that conquered sin?
God loves you so much, you must drink from his river of delights
If you believe him, you will be pulled out of darkness into his light.
Feed on his unfailing love and you will be quenched in this river
Drink and be satisfied with what he is offering you, the living water
You will be refreshed and invigorated; it cleanses and purifies
You will find peace and joy and will be constantly energized.
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Water is very important in our life. Without it, we cannot live. We can go on without food but we can’t survive without water. Water has many functions. It cleanses our bodies inside and out. It quenches our thirst and make us feel satisfied and whole. Most illnesses can be traced down when we get dehydrated or we don’t drink enough water.
The bible talks about the river of delights in Psalms 36. It refers to the unfailing love of God for his people and how he will give an abundance of his resources to those who come and seek him. All humanity can find solace in his overflowing love.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your river of delights.
REFLECTION
When has God allowed you to enjoy in his river of delights?
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

NEVER GIVE UP Poem Devotional

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February 26________________________________________
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. -2 Corinthians 4:16-17(NLT)
NEVER GIVE UP
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are discouraged, sad or feeling blue
Do you easily give up when you don’t have a clue?
Though your body is suffering, you are being transformed
Though you are being pressed down, you can still learn and grow.
Never give up! Trials can build you up and make you strong
It can produce character and fruits of the Spirit later on
Focus on the reward that God has in store for those who love him
He will never let you down or abandon you, he triumphed over sin.
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When my son was seven years old, he was acclaimed as a violin prodigy and I wanted so much to know how to make him excel more in it. I wanted to take violin lessons but was denied admittance because of my age. I didn’t take the rejection. I went to buy my own violin from a colleague who also taught me to play. I practiced four hours daily and when I went back to that teacher, she was shocked that I can play. The bible tells us never to give up.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to press on when I face challenges.
REFLECTION
When did you persist in doing something you originally wanted to give up on?
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

GOD DIRECTS THE GODLY Poem Devotional

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February 25________________________________________
The Lord directs the step of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
-Psalm 37:23(NLT)
GOD DIRECTS THE GODLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you confer with God any minor or major decisions?
He is always concerned with your life including your tribulations
The Lord directs the step of the godly and gives you wisdom
He genuinely cares and wants you to live in freedom.
He loves it when you ask for his guidance and help
He wants you to care for others instead of the self
He delights in every detail of your life
The Lord longs for you to live in his light.
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Have you ever consulted others when you need to make a decision? I used to just rely on my own judgment in order to come up with a choice. Sometimes I would succeed and other times, I would fail. I did it all for my own sake and never really thought much about following what God wants in my life. God revealed to me how he longs for me to ask him for every step and every thing under the sun. When I finally obeyed his commands, I felt peace and joy and didn’t focused much on what I can gain but was concerned more if I was pleasing God with the choices I make in life. The bible says that God directs the godly
PRAYER
Lord, grant me wisdom to know which direction you are leading me to follow.
REFLECTION
Do you hear God’s voice when he directs you to do something?

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 THE LOST Poem Devotional

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February 24________________________________________
Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing. Luke 23:34(NLT)
PLEA FOR THE LOST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, I ask you to forgive those who do not know you
They have no idea; they believe lies instead of truth
They are in bondage to strongholds, sin and curses
Father, have mercy on them and grant them forgiveness.
I cry out for the lost, those who roam around in confusion
Help those who live in bitterness, anger and those in isolation
Give them your unfailing love because they need you so
Soften their hardened hearts so they can know you more.
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It is easy to just tell someone who is so mean to “Get Lost.” Why bother with those who are hard to get along with? But the bible tells us to love our enemies and do good to them and pray for them in the book of Matthew he tells us to be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as God through Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). The bible also talks about how close Jesus is to the broken hearted and the crushed in spirit in Psalm 34:18. It is easy to get along with those who are loving and kind, but we are called to get along with everyone, even those who are difficult to love. He challenges us to live with the difficult and forgive them.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to separate people from their sins.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to forgive others and pray for them?
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

WHEN YOU CALL ON JESUS Poem Devotional

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February 23________________________________________
He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. -1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT)
WHEN YOU CALL ON JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus was sent to mankind to make us holy
He came amongst us to cleanse us from any folly
When you call on Jesus, you will have peace
When you call on Jesus, you will be able to see.
Whenever his name is praised and uttered
He comes to help his sisters and brothers
When you call on Jesus, he listens to your plea
So speak up and say his name and you will free.
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There is so power in the name of Jesus. If only people will witness the authority that his name brings, I think they call on his name more often. Just recently, I have been having challenges seeing someone I love so much and was prohibited to have a close contact with her. Since this person is still under authority of her parents, her hands were tied as well to have to see me. So, I called on Jesus, and have other Christian friends pray over the situation. Out of the blue, she was given permission to spend the night with me. When you call on Jesus, he will heed your call. His name has supremacy.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you are worthy of praise.
REFLECTION
How often do you call on Jesus?
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

ANGRY AND DEJECTED Poem Devotional

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February 22________________________________________
Why are you so angry? The Lord asked Cain. Why do you look so dejected?
-Genesis 4:6(NLT)
ANGRY AND DEJECTED
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is causing your sadness?
Why are you full of madness?
Anger is a manifestation of bitterness
It hinders your progress and makes you digress.
Why are you offended easily?
Do you think of yourself so highly?
Give up your bitterness and surrender to him
He will free you and make you overcome sin.
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Have you ever observed how an angry person looks? I have lived with many angry people in my life that I can easily spot a bitter and angry person just by looking at their eyes. Their eyes look dead, no life, no glow. There is a saying that our eye is the window to our soul. Matthew 6:22-23 says that “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness.” This is the reason why our eyes reflect our spirit. When you are angry, you will exude the darkness in your heart in your eyes. When you are peaceful and joyful, you will radiate a glow.
In Genesis 4:6, doesn’t God already know that he killed Abel? I think God is confronting Cain, waiting for him to confess and repent.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please release any form of anger and sadness in my heart.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God confronts us when we sin?

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

UNION WITH CHRIST Poem Devotional

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February 21________________________________________
Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.-John 6:56(NLT)
UNION WITH CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you burning with passion to know Christ?
Are you helping his body to have freedom in their lives?
Anyone who eats his word will be released from bondages
Those who drink his blood will have much advantages.
To be in union with Christ is to feed on his truth
To spiritually grow, one must allow his words to take root
Store what the Scriptures say in your heart
He will remain in you and will never depart.
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When a man and a woman gets married, they become husband and wife and become one flesh. The commitment to marry someone is an act of unifying two people together and think and act as one entity. In the same manner, God longs for us to be united with him always. He created us for himself. We are not on our own. When we live our lives in isolation from him, we are behaving and acting like we come from him. God created us in his own image and likeness. We all have the capacity to become more like him everyday. He gave that gift to us. He expects us to eat of his body and drink from his blood so that He can remain in us and we in him.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me never allow anything to separate me from you.
REFLECTION
How can your union with Christ deepen so he can always remain in 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

CONFRONTING COWARDICE Poem Devotional

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February 20________________________________________
So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd saying “I am innocent of the man’s blood. The responsibility is yours. -Matthew 27:24(NLT)
CONFRONTING COWARDICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are you afraid to confront in your life?
Is it a sin or fear of ending your delight?
Courage comes from taking responsibility
Cowardice is being fearful of penalties of dishonesty.
When God gives you authority over others
Be bold enough to stand for one another
Don’t hide in fear of what others will say
Do what is right and always follow God’s way.
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What was the bravest thing you ever did in your life? I remember I was nine years old when I witnessed an ongoing sin in my family. I was a very quiet and soft spoken child growing up without being seen as someone who have rights. In my heart, I knew as little as I was, I needed to speak of the sin so it will be out in the light. I confronted that person and asked him to stop what he was doing even though I was shaking with so much fear. I knew that I will be punished for standing up and speaking the truth.
Pontius Pilate washed his hands of Jesus’ blood because of his fear of what people will say about him. He knew Christ was innocent, yet he was beaten by cowardice.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to boldly stand up for the truth.
REFLECTION
Why do we need courage to speak the truth?
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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