Monthly Archives: June 2016

HEIRS OF GOD’S KINGDOM Poem Devotional

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June 9
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God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs. – Matthew 5:3(NLT)
HEIRS OF GOD’S KINGDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you live an impoverished existence?
Do you have a need for God’s providence?
God blesses those who ask his guidance and help
He blesses those who don’t focus on themselves.
Those who are poor and realize God in their lives
They will be heirs of the Kingdom of Christ
They’ll be rich because heaven will be theirs
The Lord grants as soon as he hears their prayers.
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Many people get stuck in this worldly place we live in not knowing that this is not our destiny. The world we inhabit is only a temporary place or a “stopover” so we can continue to reach our real purpose in life which is to be one with our creator in heaven. Whenever someone receives an inheritance, there’s usually a condition that is tied up with such legacy being handed down to them. It may be because they are a dearly loved one or they are someone special to the deceased.
The Lord promised those who are poor (meaning those who are actually living undignified lives or do not know the Lord) and realize their need for God that they will have his Kingdom. Those who acknowledge their brokenness and need for him will surely inherit his kingdom.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never deny my need for you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think poverty and humility is the gateway to heaven?
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

DON’T TEST THE LORD YOUR GOD Poem Devotional

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June 8
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Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.”
-Matthew 4:7(NLT)
DON’T TEST THE LORD YOUR GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you rebel against authority and force your demands
You are actually testing and questioning the Lord and his commands
When you are selfish, arrogant and think you know everything
You are challenging the Lord for a fight over something.
Don’t test the Lord your God for he knows what’s best for you
His thoughts are not your thoughts because he knows the truth
Whenever you don’t believe in his goodness and his character
You are asking for a fight that you will surely end up as the loser.
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The book of Matthew chapter 4 narrates the temptation of Jesus by the devil during his forty days of fasting. The devil used all kinds of tricks to entice Jesus to prove that he is the Son of God. The devil tempted Jesus to turn stone to bread, then to give Jesus the glory of his worldly kingdom if Jesus will worship him, then ask Jesus to jump off the cliff so he can be saved by God’s angels from falling. All of Jesus’ response started with “The Scriptures say” and in the end he says “Don’t test the Lord your God.”
We can test the Lord by unbelief, asking him to prove himself, slandering his character and grieving his spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me when I allow the enemy to use me to test you.
REFLECTION
When have you ever tested the Lord your 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

PRESS ON TO KNOW THE LORD Poem Devotional

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June 7
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In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. -Hosea 6:2-3(NLT)
PRESS ON TO KNOW THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you press on to know the Lord and his ways
You will be restored and live in his presence always
He will respond to you as surely as the arrival of dawn
He will answer and rescue you so you won’t wait long.
If you press on to study God’s character and truth
He will build a strong foundation that will take deep roots
If you constantly seek him, you will become more like him
You will know the truth, be set free and be redeemed.
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“Press on” is defined as: to continue to be determined despite setbacks, to apply direct pressure to something. There are elements that are present in “pressing on.” It involves pressure and moving forward or going against the pressure. We can’t press on, if there is no pressure or resistance involved.
The bible tells us that we need to press on knowing the Lord. It is by seeking Him that we win over the pressures of this world. It is by pushing forward to him that we are restored.
PRAYER
Lord, help me press on to you.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to continue to seek and study the Lord and his word?
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 PERFECT HUSBAND Poem Devotional

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June 6
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I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord. – Hosea 3:19-20(NLT)
THE PERFECT HUSBAND
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord promised to believers that we are his wife
He is faithful and committed to you your whole life
Don’t forget that he will be there to strengthen you
No matter what, he will be with you to get you through.
You need not worry about his frailty for he is perfect
He knows you inside and out and is always there to help
He longs for more intimacy with you each and every day
Will you allow him to lead you and show you the way?
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Haven’t we been let down by our partners in one way or another? One of the reasons why we feel this way is because there are times when we expect something from them without even verbalizing it and then we end up setting them up for trouble. We have unrealistic expectations that no one can fulfill and then we get upset after watching them unable to live up to it. The Lord is the only perfect husband we can have. He knows everything and understand our expectations, motives or intentions and our feelings. Acknowledge the perfect husband in Jesus and he will complete you.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being my husband faithfully.
REFLECTION
When have you felt the clear manifestation of God as your husband?
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

HARVESTING THE CROP OF LOVE Poem Devotional

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June 5
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I said, “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.” – Hosea 10:12(NLT)
HARVESTING THE CROP OF LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What acts do you sow in your life?
Are they good; do they bring light?
Plant good seeds of righteousness
You will find love and happiness.
Plow up the hardness of your heart
The Lord wants you to be new and start
Seek the Lord that he may bring righteousness
Then you’ll experience his love and faithfulness.
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It is spring now, the season for gardening. What do gardeners do first of all to prepare to plant and sow seeds in the garden? They try to dig and till the soil that have hardened through the past winter season so they can put new soil and nutrients in the ground in preparation for the new seeds to get in it. There are lots of things to do so that a good harvest of crops or fruits and flowers will ensue.
The book of Hosea instructs us to plow up the hard ground of our hearts so we can prepare to sow seeds of righteousness and later on harvest the crop of love. Like the ground that gardeners plant on, our hearts can also be hardened.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never give in to hardness of heart.
REFLECTION
How can you harvest love in your relationships?
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

BENT TOWARDS REBELLION Poem Devotional

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June 4

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Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. -Hosea 12:3(NLT)
BENT TOWARDS REBELLION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever done something lawless?
We all have the tendency to say “no” instead of “yes”
Have you ever argued with God to get your way?
We think we can manipulate him and get him swayed.
Why is it easy to be selfish rather than selfless?
It only leads us to ruin and a life that is pointless
Seek God so you can overcome pride and rebellion
He’s the only one who can change you and bring salvation.
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Jacob’s story in the bible is a clear example of a bent towards rebellion. He was tricked by his father-in-law to marry Laban first before he actually married Rachel for many years. Then his two wives were always fighting over which one could bear him more children. In Genesis 34 his daughter, Dinah, went out “to see the daughters of the land” and ended up in fornication. Two of his sons used the occasion to kill a whole city of men, thus causing Jacob to fear for his family’s safety. Jacob’s sons were less than shining examples of godliness. Then Jacob had a favorite son Joseph which he openly showed to his other sons and caused them to plot to kill their brother because of Jacob’s favoritism.
PRAYER
Lord, help me overcome my natural tendency to rebel.
REFLECTION
What can we do to fight our bent towards rebellion?
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 PATH TO DESTRUCTION Poem Devotional

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June 3
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Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:5-6(NLT)
THE PATH TO DESTRUCTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you walking towards Christ or to obliteration?
Do you know the path leading to salvation?
Sinners will have no place among the righteous
For the Lord considers them very precious.
He watches those who believe and follow him
But sinners and the wicked continue to live in sin
Being wicked leads to chaos and destruction
Will you do anything to avoid eternal damnation?
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There are people who embrace a life of sin. The enemy blinded them to see what is right. It’s a sad thing to watch people destroy their own lives just for temporary pleasures that Satan entices them with. I went through this path to destruction for a good number of years and it is not a good road to be in. The wage of sin is death as the bible says. I lived a dead life; no joy, no peace. I thrived in conflict, pride, arrogance and anger. It was a life not worth living.
The bible tells us that sinners and godly people can’t thrive together. The Lord watches over the righteous but allows the wicked to be destroyed. He’ll protect his people.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always walk on the road to your eternal life.
REFLECTION
Why isn’t it a good idea to associate with sinners if you are a believer?
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

TURN MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS poem devotional

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June 2
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Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money. Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. -Psalm 119:36-37(NLT)
TURN MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, I ask that you protect me from this world
Let me never choose to sin but seek your word
Turn my eyes from worthless things and love for money
Help me to hunger for you alone and not to please me.
Give me an eagerness for your commands and truth
Let me focus on seeking you so your word can take root
Allow me to be obedient to you at all cost so I can be victorious
Never allow the enemy to confuse me and bring chaos.
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Have you ever experienced being distracted and prioritized worthless or trivial things? When we don’t focus on Jesus, we tend to be an easy prey for the enemy to work on. I used to be a busybody, always doing two to six things at a time. I took pride doing many things simultaneously and oftentimes proving that I was a superwoman. What I didn’t realize was that I was trying to fill the emptiness inside by performing and perfecting things.
The bible tells us to have an eagerness for God’s word rather than love for money or for other worldly things. It is only through God’s word that we have life.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never be distracted but always focus on you.
REFLECTION
What keeps you from focusing on the Lord and his word?
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

CHRISTIANS BRING HOLINESS poem devotional

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June 1
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And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage.
-1 Corinthians 7:13-14(NLT)
CHRISTIANS BRING HOLINESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling with an unbeliever spouse?
The believer sanctifies the marriage and the house
For a Christian wife brings holiness to her matrimony
And the Christian husband leads to have harmony.
Unless the unbelieving spouse decides to leave
The Christian partner must continue to spiritually lead
God designed his own people to marry another disciple
Unequally yoked marriages is not God’s plan for his people.
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I lived many sinful years before I became a born again Christian. Even when I thought that I believed many teachings of God, I didn’t fully understand what he really expects from me because I didn’t study his word and his character. One of my strongholds is sexual promiscuity which became my coping mechanism to fill the emptiness brought about by being unloved. I chased “worldly love” because I didn’t really know what love really meant. It led to many unequally yoked relationships in the past and until now.
The bible tells us that the Christian person brings holiness to the marriage, but the bible also warns us not to marry an unbeliever.
PRAYER
Lord, guide all those who are in unequally yoked partnerships.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to be with those who have the same beliefs we have?
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