Monthly Archives: July 2016

WHEN SERVANTS ARE REWARDED Poem Devotional

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July 20
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The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat.
-Luke 12:37(NLT)
WHEN SERVANTS ARE REWARDED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you serve the Lord with all your heart
You will reap rewards that will set you apart
When Christ returns, the servants who are ready
They will reap a harvest when they abide faithfully.
Christ himself will seat them and serve as they eat
They’ll be treated like queens and kings, just like royalty
The promises that God has given will be fulfilled
All their service and humility will be revealed.
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In the past, servants were always looked down upon. I watched the “Book of Negroes” on a television mini series and was so moved by how much the black people suffered cruelty from the white people. Slavery was inhuman. One of the slave girls ended up being so strong, wise and saved many of her people in the end by faithfully serving despite injustices.
We still suffer different forms of slavery in our lives. Sometimes they are generational sins or strongholds in our family of origin. We are asked to be constantly ready and be free from sins so that when Christ comes again, we will reap the reward of being served by him. What an awesome promise!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to faithfully serve and be ready when you come back.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to be ready always to do good and serve others?
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

FLOODLIGHTS FILLING YOU Poem Devotional

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July 19
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Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light. -Luke 11:35-36 (NLT)
FLOODLIGHTS FILLING YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you declared Christ as your Lord and Savior
You are filled with lights with no dark corners
Your whole life will be radiant like a floodlight
You will shine for all others to see your new life.
Ensure that the light you think you have is not darkness
The enemy cunningly deceives you and continually seduces
Stay in God’s loving kindness so you’ll manifest his goodness
Be filled with his floodlight so you can show his righteousness.
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When I was a theater stage manager, I was responsible for all the aspects of the production. During rehearsals, I take down all notes of the director for stage movements, lighting, sounds, sets and props. During the actual performance, I call the shots and the director just watches how I execute what he wants done in the play. When floodlights are on, it is usually in scenes where there is fanfare or a climax in the play. When it is on, everyone sees every little detail of the actors’ part. Just like floodlights, all Christians need to shine radiantly so darkness can be totally covered with Christ’s radiance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to shine so all darkness will be covered.
REFLECTION
What do you do to preserve God’s radiance 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

GOD’S SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH YOU Poem Devotional

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July 18
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When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking-it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. -Matthew 10:19-20(NLT)
GOD’S SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are a believer, God lives in you
You need not worry what to say or do
When you are detained, he has you covered
He will give you the right words to utter.
It is not you who will be speaking
God’s Spirit whispers what you’ll be saying
The Holy Spirit will use you as a channel
Open your heart to convey his message to others.
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There was a time in my life when I used to rely on myself so much when it came to choices and decision making. I claimed I was a Christian and yet I did not know God’s word and his will in my life. I missed so many good things because I didn’t listen to his Spirit. I used to call him intuition and gut feeling when I should have given God credit for that voice inside me that guides me to do what is right and avoid doing wrong. Some people call is conscience, but it is God’s Spirit who speaks through you and other believers, especially when we are in trouble.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for letting your Spirit live in me.
REFLECTION
How often do you listen to God’s Spirit and allow it to speak through 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

FAITH BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT

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July 17
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Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. – Matt 9:22(NLT)
FAITH BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in the one and only Christ
You will find contentment and bliss in this life
Faith heals depression and hopelessness
It brings positive perspective and faithfulness.
Faith can move mountains and make things possible
It is the key to making life victorious and bearable
Faith brings encouragement and hope to others
It can lead to miracles that seemed highly impossible.
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Faith was a gift given to me since I was a little child. I wouldn’t have been here standing if not for my belief in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave me this gift so that I can withstand all the pain brought about by traumatic experiences and wrong choices and decisions. I remember my students and friends who when asked about me, would always mention that I am a woman of faith. It was faith that made it possible for me to raise my child alone. It was faith that brought me hope to see beyond what I am going through.
The bible tells us the story of the woman who had so much faith that it healed her of her ailment. To those who have this gift, miracles are not far to happen.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift of faith.
REFLECTION
What was the most recent miracle you received as a result of your faith?
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

POSSESSIONS ARE WORTHLESS Poem Devotional

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July 16
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Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you. – Zechariah 14:1(NLT)
POSSESSIONS ARE WORTHLESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What do you own that makes you feel superior over others?
Is it your wealth that makes you discriminate your brothers?
Why do you cling to your belongings in this world?
Possess nothing that competes with the Lord.
Worldly things do not last long and are temporary
Pursue God and his word and you will be extraordinary
Possession are worthless especially on judgment day
Don’t hoard for it will be plundered in every way.
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Hoarding is defined as “to accumulate for preservation, future use, etc., in a hidden or carefully guarded place.” Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s not clear what causes hoarding disorder. Genetics, brain chemistry and stressful life events are being studied as possible causes. Doctors point to a number of potential causes for hoarding. These include difficulty processing information, beliefs about possessions, and the emotional distress associated with discarding items or possessions. To the compulsive hoarder, each and every item is of value – often an exaggerated value. We are warned in the bible that possessions are worthless especially on judgement day.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to let go of things that have no value in your kingdom.
REFLECTION
What worldly things are you clinging to?
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

MIGHTY MAN DESTROYED Poem Devotional

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July 15
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The mighty man has been destroyed. Yes, your insolence is ended. For the Lord has crushed your wicked power and broken your evil rule. -Isaiah 14:4-5(NLT)
MIGHTY MAN DESTROYED
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is no one more powerful than God
The enemy entices us not to bring him laud
Never be afraid of the mighty man
His power is just like any other human.
The devil knows that he is going to be defeated
That is why he uses tricks to make us all tempted
He appears to be mighty and powerful
He is actually a fraud, weak and deceitful.
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How do you win a battle? First, you have to know your enemy. Many defeats happen because of lack of strategy and knowledge. We have to acknowledge and get familiar with our opponent for us to be able to win and overcome. In many athletic competition, there are rules that need to be followed in order to win tournaments or races. When the participants don’t follow the rules, they get disqualified.
Our enemy, the devil has another title, the mighty man. He likes to think that he is powerful but without doubt God is the only one who has all power and all might. The enemy’s tactic is to deceive you that he has great control but since Jesus was born, he has already been destroyed and defeated. The perfect obedience of Christ crushed him.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me never to allow the mighty man to control me.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to know your opponent when in a battle?
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

BREAKING THE YOKE OF SLAVERY Poem Devotional

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July 14
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For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
-Isaiah 9:4 (NLT)
BREAKING THE YOKE OF SLAVERY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is it an idol or a loss that enslaves your life?
Are you following traditions that covers light?
Are you constantly addicted to something?
God can break your slavery to anything.
The Lord promised freedom to all believers
Though the enemy has power, his is greater
Commit your mind, body, soul and spirit
He will break the yoke and you’ll be free from it.
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Addiction is a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. What many people don’t realize is the addiction may be a coping mechanism that people use to alleviate a loss or pain. There is also a spiritual component in addiction. The enemy uses substance dependence or repeated bad habits that trap us from growth. Satan does it ever so cunningly that we don’t recognize the different forms of slavery he brings in our lives. It took me over five decades to recognize all these strongholds that delayed my progress in kingdom work.
The bible tells us that God can break any yoke of slavery in our lives and defeat the devil’s tactics and tricks to keep us enslaved to anything.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for breaking the yokes of slavery in my life.
REFLECTION
What yokes of slavery have you been freed from by 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

LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK

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July 13
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. -Isaiah 9:2(NLT)
LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are in darkness will see a great light
Fear not for the Lord will give hope and sight
It is in total darkness the light shines through
It is by depending on him that you’ll be renewed.
Light will shine in the dark and can’t be extinguished
Hope will be given back to them; it won’t be diminished
The light will guide them back to the love of the Lord
It will help them to navigate through this dark world.
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There were many years of my life that I lived in total darkness. I went through a phase of desperation in my teen life that I almost succeeded ending my miserable life. The Lord had a plan and didn’t let me die. He used this darkness to teach me how to rely on him totally. One of my weaknesses is “rebelling”. It detoured my journey to God. Just like the Israelites took them to reach their promised land. The trip should have taken just 11 days; instead it took them 40 years. It also took me 40 years to have the light shine in my life when I gave up rebellion and opt to obey God.
PRAYER
Thank you for shining on me in my darkest times Lord.
REFLECTION
Why should a believer never lose hope?
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’S EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT Poem Devotional

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July 12
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In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David had done. – 1 Kings 11:6 (NLT)
WHAT’S EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to follow the Lord’s will?
Are you struggling finding rest and being still?
When you refuse to obey what God commands
You will have difficulty responding to life’s demands.
Do you constantly examine yourself and what you do?
Are they things that keeps close to the Lord and pure?
Obedience is very essential to keep close to him
What’s evil in God’s sight is rebellion and evil things.
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The usual challenge a parent faces with their children is disobedience. As parents, we already have experienced going through the phases of growing up. We have an idea what hurt us in the past and we don’t want our children hurt. We do our best to protect them with rules that can keep them safe and make them learn to cope with life’s demands. When they go against our will, it hurts us because we don’t want to see them suffer the consequences of wrong choices and decisions.
The bible talks about Solomon’s disobedience to the Lord and refusal to acknowledge God’s will in his life. He didn’t honor what the Lord is saying because he followed his own will and rejected God’s will.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be always in your will.
REFLECTION
Why do you think obedience is very important in our relationship with 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

ANOINTED WITH GOD’S WISDOM Poem Devotional

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July 11
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So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God has given him.
– 1 Kings 10:23-24(NLT)
ANOINTED WITH GOD’S WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
God is the only one who can give you wisdom
HIs knowledge and truth come brings freedom
Just like King Solomon who was the wisest
You too can be anointed to be the brightest.
When God anoints you with his truth
His understanding and knowledge will take root
You will be able to discern and see with his view
He will give you beyond what you can know and do.
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When I started reading and studying the bible faithfully, knowledge and understanding kept overflowing. The things I never knew before and had no answers for are now very clear. The word of God guides us in everything. It tells us what to do and corrects us when we do wrong. It gives us a way out when we are in trouble and protects us from danger. If we heed it, we will gain wisdom.
King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear God’s wisdom. Without God’s anointing, he would probably be like any other kings, but God chose him to be ruler of his people with extraordinary wisdom.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your words that give us wisdom.
REFLECTION
Why is God’s anointing important in our lives?
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