Monthly Archives: March 2016

CALM YOUR FEARS Poem Devotional

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March 12________________________________________
He will take delight in you with gladness, with his love, he will calm all your fears, He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. – Zephaniah 3:17(NLT)
CALM YOUR FEARS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When fears beset you, remember that Jesus can make you calm
He will pacify all your doubts if you believe and run to his arms
He will take delight in you and welcome you with gladness
All your uncertainties will be replaced with peace and happiness.
He will bring into your mind what is troubling you
God lead you back to him so that you will be renewed
Be still and know that he is all-powerful and all-giving
Depend only on him and you will have all his blessings.
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Fear is one of the ways that the enemy defeats us. Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. We respond to fear either by flight, fight or freeze. These responses are the natural way we react to circumstances that present a threat whether it is perceived or real. There is a supernatural way to respond to fear. It is by knowing the truth and exposing the lie behind the fear. Most of our fears are a result of a previous painful or threatening experience. The bible tells us that only God can calm our fears.
PRAYER
Lord, please help me run to you when I am afraid.
REFLECTION
What are you afraid of these days?
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

TIMIDITY & FEAR ISN’T FROM GOD Poem Devotional

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March 15________________________________________
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. – 2 Timothy 1:7-8(NLT)
TIMIDITY & FEAR ISN’T FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel shy to share something great and Almighty?
Why will you be ashamed of blessing others with victory?
God did not give you a spirit of fear and timidity
He made you confident and gave you authority.
You were created in God’s own image and likeness
Why live in fear and never experience his fullness?
Never be embarrassed to tell others about Christ
It is an honor to share him so they can experience life.
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When I was a teacher of Speech and Theater, it was an ordeal to face some of my students’ battle with fear and shyness. Public Speaking or even just talking in front of a class is a struggle for many. I remember how timid I was as a child. I didn’t grow up with much affirmation and when I get rejected, I would literally want to melt inside and shrink making myself invisible. As I grew in my early twenties, I chose to work in the theatre. I learned to overcome my fear of speaking.
The bible tells us that timidity and fear isn’t from God. He was a confident and fearless person and we were all made in his image.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to proclaim and praise you always.
REFLECTION
Share a time when you boldly gave your testimony about 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

LIFE OR DEATH IS IN THE TONGUE Poem Devotional

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March 14________________________________________
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life, those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
– Proverbs 18:20-21(NLT)
LIFE OR DEATH IS IN THE TONGUE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What kind of words are released by your mouth?
Do they stir love or do they hurt and bring more doubt?1.
Wise words satisfy like a good meal and bring satisfaction
Unkind words are like arrows that hit and bring indignation.
The tongue can bring death or life to your sisters and brothers
Watch out what you say and ensure they don’t hurt others
Those who love to talk will reap what they say
Be slow to speak or you’ll suffer the consequence and pay.
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The bible says in Ephesians 6 that the sword of the spirit is the word of God. In Genesis, we know that God created everything with a “word” when he said, “Let there be something” and there it happened. There is power in what we say or hear. It can encourage someone and bring healing or progress in their lives. Words can also destroy and hurt someone so deeply that the recipient’s life will forever be damaged.
We are urged to watch out what comes out of our mouths for in it lies life and death. It is better to be quick to hear and slow to speak.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to guard my mouth.
REFLECTION
What unguarded words or statements have gotten you in trouble?
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

KEY TO PROSPERITY & SUCCESS Poem Devotional

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March 13________________________________________
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Joshua 1:8 – (NLT)
KEY TO PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it difficult to navigate through life?
Would you want to bring out darkness into light?
There is a Book of Instruction that brings prosperity
If you meditate on it day and night, you’ll have victory.
Be sure you don’t just read but obey and do what it says
Only then will you prosper and be blessed
This holy book God gave us is the key to his kingdom
It is also the key to peace, joy and freedom and wisdom.
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I usually don’t read manuals. I’d rather look at a quick photo instruction or figure it out myself method of using a product. Without reading the guide, we can get in trouble with damaging the product or not maximizing its use. I have had a camcorder for three years before I actually discovered things I never knew it could do. Thus, I missed utilizing it to its full capacity during those years. Isn’t our life like those products we buy? Our manual for life is written in the bible. If we don’t read it, we are not maximizing the full potential of what God has in store for us.
PRAYER
Lord, allow me to have more time to ready and study your word.
REFLECTION
Why won’t people read what is good 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

THROUGH CHRIST Poem Devotional

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March 11________________________________________
The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. -Habakkuk 3:19 (NLT)
THROUGH CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
As I go through challenges, trials and suffering
I can choose to remember God’s Son given as an offering
Through Christ, I am strengthened and can do all things
Without him, I will be defeated and can do nothing.
The Sovereign Lord gives me strength and wisdom
He makes me agile and ensures I embrace freedom
Through Jesus, there is nothing hard and impossible
If we only believe, anything can happen and will be possible.
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We all go through life with many challenges and sometimes adversities that may feel like we are getting defeated. The enemy wants to make sure that we don’t progress, so he does everything to discourage and make us doubt ourselves and others. Remember, the bible says that he is a stealer, a killer and a destroyer (John 10:10) and he is also the father of lies.
The bible also says that the Sovereign Lord is our strength. He makes us agile and skilled as a deer who can tread upon heights. In other words, God has equipped us will all the resources and skills so that we can fulfill his purpose in our lives. He wants us to reach our destiny and soar high. We can only do this through Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to depend on you alone and not in my own strength.
REFLECTION
When has God strengthen you and you made it through?
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

MEN EQUALS WOMEN Poem Devotional

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March 10________________________________________
But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men and men are not independent of women. For although the first woman came from a man, everything comes from God. -1 Corinthians 11:11(NLT)
MEN EQUALS WOMEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Men have gifts of physical strength and provision
Women are to nurture and have compassion
Men are to love their wives just as they love themselves
Women are to respect husbands and submit and serve.
For although the first woman came from a man
Men do not have greater power over women
Everything comes from God and both are equal
They both have different calling which are not identical.
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So many books have been written about gender differences. Some authors may write about the superiority of the male over the gender specie. Society have limited and stereotyped the roles and abilities that men and women can and cannot do. These messes up a lot of relationships and even identity roles that people play. There are many lies that the enemy perpetuates to destroy human relationships especially between two different genders.
The truth is that women and men are equal in the eyes of God. Although it says that Eve was taken out from Adam’s bones, it doesn’t mean that he is superior over her. Everything comes from God and he made all human different and distinct they all have different calling in his kingdom.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to accept those differences I see in others.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God created man and woman equally?
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

MEN EQUALS WOMEN Poem Devotional

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March 10________________________________________
But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men and men are not independent of women. For although the first woman came from a man, everything comes from God. -1 Corinthians 11:11(NLT)
MEN EQUALS WOMEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Men have gifts of physical strength and provision
Women are to nurture and have compassion
Men are to love their wives just as they love themselves
Women are to respect husbands and submit and serve.
For although the first woman came from a man
Men do not have greater power over women
Everything comes from God and both are equal
They both have different calling which are not identical.
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So many books have been written about gender differences. Some authors may write about the superiority of the male over the gender specie. Society have limited and stereotyped the roles and abilities that men and women can and cannot do. These messes up a lot of relationships and even identity roles that people play. There are many lies that the enemy perpetuates to destroy human relationships especially between two different genders.
The truth is that women and men are equal in the eyes of God. Although it says that Eve was taken out from Adam’s bones, it doesn’t mean that he is superior over her. Everything comes from God and he made all human different and distinct they all have different calling in his kingdom.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to accept those differences I see in others.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God created man and woman equally?
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

VICTORS OVER THE WORLD Poem Devotional

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March 9________________________________________
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. -John 4:4 (NLT)
VICTORS OVER THE WORLD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think you can conquer anything in this world?
The bible talks about his children as victors in his word
If you belong to God, you will triumph over the enemy
The Holy Spirit is greater than the spirit of the worldly.
Fear not for you are given dominion when commit to Christ
You can have his power and might over anything in this life
Look up the cross and you will never be beaten
Even when you die, later on you will be risen.
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In a conflict or a war, isn’t it always fulfilling to win? I was raised to have ambitions and goals, but somehow never taught how to achieve them. I was an underachiever my whole grade school years. I always hear voices that tell me “I am not good enough”, “Nothing you do will make you a success”, “You are never going to make it and be someone.” For twelve years I accepted these lies in my life which limited my dreams.
The bible says that we are victors in Christ. We will have victory only if we believe in him because he gives us authority and power.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me authority.
REFLECTION
What victories have you experienced 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

PRAYER FOR RESTORATION Poem Devotional

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March 8________________________________________
The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost.” -Joel 2:25(NLT)
PRAYER FOR RESTORATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, I am worn out from life’s challenges
Will you give me strength to face changes?
Some days are more difficult than other days
Will you give me hope to sustain each and everyday?
You said in your word that you’ll give back what I lost
Give me a new perspective as I look and focus on the cross
Heal me and restore my mind, body, soul and spirit
Help me to have victory and never again be beat.
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When someone experiences pain or loss, it is challenging to go on with life with the same joy and peace one use to have. I lost so many things in my life. I lost my childhood, my beloved grandfather who was the only one who understood me and gave me a love for nature. I lost my purity, my identity during a divorce, my freedom to speak my own thoughts and feelings and my careers and ability to earn a decent living. These are many loses that I never even realized had made much impact in my life. It changed the way I saw the world and it dragged me to the pit of anger, unhappiness, rebellion and bondage to sin. I thank God that he has pulled me out of that abyss. He restored me and made me new.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for bringing light into my dark pit.
REFLECTION
What can you do to get back the loses you have had over these years?
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

FRAGILE PARTS

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March 7________________________________________
God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 1 Corinthians 12:24 (NLT)
FRAGILE PARTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
How far have you gone with your walk with Jesus?
Are you ready to follow him and remain righteous?
Do you still have fragile parts of you that need attention?
Can you take part in his body by sharing all his provisions?
God has brought Christ’s body to work in harmony
He wants you to give extra care to those who have less dignity
He wants all fragile parts to be handled with respect and honor
They are all part of his body and he loves them all with fervor.
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Do you remember how your mother taking so much care of a china that she might have inherited or because it was a wedding gift? Do you own something that is so fragile that you take much precaution in handling it? I remember when I first finished my first 200 paintings that I treated them like my children. It took courage to sell my very first painting because I wasn’t sure if they will be cared for by those who will buy them.
God wants us to take extra care of those members of the body of Christ who are discouraged and broken. He wants us to encourage them so they will grow in love.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to show compassion to the broken-hearted.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God asks us to care more for those who are hurting?
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