Monthly Archives: June 2016

CONSEQUENCES OF SIN Poem Devotional

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June 29
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When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.
-Psalm 32:3 (NLT)
CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you experience pain inside your being?
Do you feel hopeless as a consequence of sin?
When you refuse to confess your wickedness
It is impossible to stay in God’s righteousness
Your body gets wasted away, your mind gets foggy
You groan and whine all day and your sight gets cloudy
Sin will stop you from receiving God’s purification
It deprives you of his mercy and salvation.
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In my twenties up until my early fifties I was in denial of anger. I repressed it and covered it up with achievements, performance and seeking approval. I piled up all my sins and never really confessed it. As a result, I experienced emotional, mental and physical pains. I was in and out of doctors’ offices and hospitals because I was always sick with something. I still denied my sins and even justified them to God. One day, I became so sick that I couldn’t literally lift my fingers. I had to rely on a very young cousin who was about twelve years old and a son who was eight years old. God taught me a hard lesson. He showed me to slow down and to confess my sin so I can get healing. He made me lean on no one else but him.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a repentant heart who is truly sorry for my sins.
REFLECTION
What were the consequences of un-repented sins in your 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

CONTRITION AND FORGIVENESS Poem Devotional

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June 28
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I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain. But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done. – Psalm 38:17-18 (NLT)
CONTRITION AND FORGIVENESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When I forget to prioritize God each day
To the enemy, I become an easy prey
The world tempts us with so many choices
Don’t be enticed to listen to all its many voices.
When I am on the verge of a breakdown
I get on my knees and focus on the one and only Son
I confess my sins and repent so I can be forgiven
Only by believing in Jesus can I also be risen.
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I used to have a severe case of migraine attacks in my early twenties up to my late thirties. I really had it so bad that I would sometimes hit my head on the wall to be relieved of pain, which was probably not good for me. But when you feel that excruciating pain coupled with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hypersensitivity to lights, sounds and smells, you will do anything to alleviate yourself of all these migraine symptoms. One can usually detect a migraine as soon as you wake up in the morning. I had collapsed and was hospitalized for a week due to it. Like migraine, Sin can bring us much pain but confession and contrition can bring us freedom and forgiveness from God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to run to you as soon as I commit a sin.
REFLECTION
What happens when you delay confession and contrition?
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

LETTING GOD ANSWER FOR YOU Poem Devotional

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June 27
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I choose to hear nothing, and I make no reply. For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God. -Psalm 38:15 (NLT)
LETTING GOD ANSWER FOR YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
When people say things to put you down
Do not retaliate back or even frown
Run to the Lord and let God answer for you
He knows everything that you are going through.
Trust in the Lord for he is your protector
He will comfort you and he is faithful
Remember all his promises to those who trust him
He will grant you mercy and shower you with blessings.
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I had a friend who never retaliated back to anyone who unjustly treat or harm him. I remember telling him that he should fight back and confront those who maltreat him. He just smiled at me and said “I let it go.” I couldn’t understand this concept because I was so worldly and arrogant. I always had to prove that I was right and others were wrong. What puzzled me was that this friend of mine had so much peace and blessings in his life and I couldn’t comprehend how he isn’t bothered by injustice done to him.
The bible tells us to choose to hear nothing and make no reply to those who hurt or treat us unfairly. He wants us to let him handle it.
PRAYER
Lord, let me surrender all control to you.
REFLECTION
Share an instance how letting God have control over those who hurt you.
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 OF AN ANGUISHED HEART Poem Devotional

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June 26
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I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart.
– Psalm 38:8 (NLT)
PLEA OF AN ANGUISHED HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
Each day I feel crushed and lonely
I am tired and beat up from agony
My groans come from an anguished heart
It makes me feel so alone and apart.
Lord, I cry out to you so you can rescue me
Help me to overcome this weakness and be free
I plead you to bring me peace and ease my pain
Grant me freedom and let me not live in vain.
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I was a very hurt as a child and stayed wounded up until my fifties. I have no idea what joy meant because I was constantly in pain inside and out. The emotional anguish I lived with manifested in my mind and even in my body. I was always sick with all kinds of illnesses that affected my health. I tried to fix myself by performing and seeking approval from others. I pursued knowledge and studied persistently how I could be a successful woman and achieve all my dreams. I tried to bury all my pain so that no one will discover that I was suffering. I ran and ran from the fact that I was hurt and angry from many losses in my life. It exhausted me and completely crushed me. I cried out to God to help me.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to confront my pain and agony.
REFLECTION
What might happen if you have unresolved pain and anger?
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

GRIEF BRINGS PAIN

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June 25
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I am bent over and racked with pain. All day long I walk around filled with grief.
-Psalm 38:6 (NLT)
GRIEF BRINGS PAIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are bent over and racked with pain
The hurt from a loss can make you insane
Grief brings much sorrow and numbness
It can make you consumed with sadness.
A loss in your life can make you lose determination
It can make you an easy prey to temptation
Bring your sorrow to the Lord so he can handle it
He will grant you peace if you accept his Spirit.
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It took me many years to realize that I have not been dealing with much losses in my life. The enemy robbed me of peace and joy for over five decades of my life. I was made to believe that I am okay and I minimized all the losses and just covered it up with work and ambitions. The funny thing about dismissing or burying your losses and skipping grief is that you are the last person to know that you are actually going through the motions of grieving. There are various stages of the grieving process and if we are not able to confront our losses, we get stuck in certain stages of it. I got trapped in anger for many years without even knowing it. The bible tells us to take our grief to the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to face all my losses and grief.
REFLECTION
How is it healthy to acknowledge our losses?
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

DISCARDING THE BAD Poem Devotional

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June 24
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Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. – Matthew 3:10 (NLT)
DISCARDING THE BAD
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your life that hampers your growth?
Is it your attitude that doesn’t honor the Lord?
Do you do everything the Lord commands?
Are you willing to give in to what God demands?
The Lord wants us to discard the bad and replace it with good
He will sever all that is impure and does not produce fruit
Remember to choose truth instead of living in lies
He wants us to join his fold so we can soar up high.
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I think it is human nature to be lawless and not follow what leads to the good. Most teenagers go through this phase in life. They are rebels without a cause. Sometimes, they just want to go against just for the heck of it or to exercise power and control over those they have no authority over. I was one of these rebels without a cause. I just wanted to prove I was right and they were wrong.
The bible tells us that we have to cut everything that doesn’t produce good fruit in our lives and throw it into the fire because in the end, the bad will be discarded.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to choose the bad.
REFLECTION
What was the consequence of a bad choice you made in the past?
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

INCOMPLETE FAITH Poem Devotional

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port elgin camping 2012 224June 23
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You say you have faith for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? -James 2:19(NLT)
INCOMPLETE FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When a believer declares his faith
It is the start to change his fate
Once you commit to the Lord as your savior
There will be transformations in your behavior.
When you continue with your old and sinful ways
Faith is incomplete when you are refuting what you say
If you only speak it without good deeds, it becomes useless
If you never renew your heart and mind, it is pointless.
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Many Christians have incomplete faith. They think that because they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, it makes their faith complete. There are many promises given to us in the bible but there are also many prerequisites that allow us to reap the benefits that God has given us. Sadly, a lot of shallow believers who have not really lived the life Jesus want for them have led others to leave the Christian faith.
The bible tells us that accepting Jesus is just the first step to build our faith. It is incomplete if we never do anything that he says in the bible to love one another as we love him. Ignoring others’ show incomplete faith.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always remember to live what I believe.
REFLECTION
How can you manifest faith in your 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

CONVENIENCE OVER REPENTANCE Poem Devotional

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June 22
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As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient. I’ll call for you again.” -Acts 24:25 (NLT)
CONVENIENCE OVER REPENTANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek convenience more than anything?
Do you prefer comfort in everything?
Have you ever listened to the voice that convicts you?
The Lord wants you to repent and your mind renewed.
Why do you choose convenience over repentance?
Blessings are lost when you continue with your resistance
Listen and heed to God’s call for you to turn to him
That is the only way you can win and overcome sin.
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There are many people who continue to turn their backs to God despite many circumstances that leads to him. I am guilty of this myself during many years of rebellion and confusion. When we are confronted with choices and hear a nudge in our hearts to do the right thing, we usually end up minimizing what could have been good for us. Human nature wants to please the “self”. We would do anything to satisfy and pleasure ourselves. It takes a supernatural power from God to be able to resist pleasuring one’s self.
The bible tells us stories about how many people try to avoid confronting their sins because they don’t want changes. They chose convenience over repentance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never to ignore your voice.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people choose to ignore that voice inside that tell them to choose to do good?
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

SINS SWEEP US AWAY Poem Devotional

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June 21
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We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away into the wind. -Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)
SINS SWEEP US AWAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who among you can say they are without sin?
We all want to satisfy ourselves and win
When we display our righteous deeds
We wither and fall like autumn leaves.
Like falling leaves, our sins sweep us away
We must be constantly on our knees to pray
Our human nature is bent and sinful
But God is always forgiving and faithful.
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Autumn is one of the prettiest time of year. For an artist like me, I revel at this wonderful color tapestry in nature. When I moved here to Canada in my forties, my first experience of falling leaves was so amazing. I was like a little kid dancing in the falling leaves. The bible likens our sins to falling leaves in the autumn. Like the dead leaves that fall and is swept away by the wind here and there, our sins bring us to spiritual fall and death.
The bible says that no one is exempt from sin. We are all infected and impure with it. When we boast about our good deeds, it is such a shameful feat. It is not going to bring us closer to Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to show off my good deeds.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we are discouraged in the bible to show off our righteousness?
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

PROOF OF REPENTANCE Poem Devotional

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June 20
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Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
– Matthew 3:8 (NLT)
PROOF OF REPENTANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the e the indication that you have repented?
Are you able to recognize the sin you have committed?
Have you confessed to God and asked for forgiveness?
Are you willing to turn to him and live in faithfulness?
Prove by the way you live that you are sorry for your sins
Mere words and talk is not enough to be redeemed
Show others that you have been transformed and cleansed
Take the straight path and you’ll never again be bent.
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Mere words such “I am sorry” does not necessarily mean that you have repented and turned to God. Sometimes people become sorry just because they don’t want to suffer the consequence of sin. They don’t have a true contrition and repentant heart. They just want to avoid discomfort or suffering. The bible says that if we confess our sins with our mouth and repent, we will be forgiven. The Holy Spirit shows us what we do wrong and guides us to the way out and ask forgiveness. All Scriptures teach us to do what is right and gives us a solution to our circumstances. The bible tells us to prove our repentant heart by the way we live and by turning to God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for guiding me back to you when I fall.
REFLECTION
When was the last time the Holy Spirit stirred you and corrected you?
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