Monthly Archives: August 2016

STRENGTH RESTORER Poem Devotional

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August 30
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The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well watered garden, like an ever flowing spring.
-Isaiah 58:11(NLT)
STRENGTH RESTORER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you experiencing a lack of love and affection?
Has someone rejected you and failed to show compassion?
There is a water that restores and quenches your thirst
It is a well that never dries when you make Jesus your first.
The Lord will guide you continually and give you life
He looks after your needs and give you constant light
You will be like a well watered garden with lots of bloom
He will never allow you to suffer and stay in gloom.
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There are many things that distracts us in this very noisy and chaotic world we live in. We get so very busy that sometimes we even miss out on what is going on in our bodies and minds. We are all busy bodies, always running around, multi-tasking, doing all kinds of things. We don’t realize that our bodies can only take so much. The bible emphasized much the importance of rest for us all. In Genesis 2:2-3, even God himself blessed the seventh day to rest. If we don’t rest, we will not be able to last that long. The prophet Isaiah encourages us to run to God because he is the restorer of strength.

PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to rest in you.
REFLECTION
How often do you rest? Why do you think God wants us to rest?
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.comIMG_8747

WHY CHRIST IS FIRST Poem Devotional

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August 29
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He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. So he is first in everything. -Colossians 1:17,18(NLT)
WHY CHRIST IS FIRST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you realize that without God, you are worthless?
All accomplishments that doesn’t praise him is valueless
Nothing in this world can make us holy and complete
Only his love and grace make us whole and bring peace.
He existed before anything else and holds all creation together
When you don’t put Christ first, you will be empty and bitter
Since he is first in everything, why not prioritize him?
Freedom, love and joy abound to those who are redeemed.
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Why should we prioritize God in our lives? There are many reasons why we should choose to put Christ first in everything. We lose our joy when we put other things first. Strife or conflicts find their way in our lives when we don’t focus on Jesus. We become vain or idolaters, putting so much time and energy on pleasing ourselves or performing to get credit for it. Our lives become chaotic when we dismiss God’s presence. We can lose our energy and get depleted because they won’t bring us peace. We were created for God who is love, so when we live out of what he made us, we feel empty.
Christ was there before all creation was made. He binds us all together. He is first in everything.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to make you my priority always.
REFLECTION
What was the result when you didn’t prioritized Christ 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

WHERE YOU’LL FIND STRENGTH Poem Devotional

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August 28
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Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. – Isaiah 30: 15(NLT)
WHERE YOU’LL FIND STRENGTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been tired and depleted these days?
Are you struggling to confide in God and pray?
Only in returning to him will you find peace
Only by resting in the Lord will you be complete.
In quietness and confidence lie your strength
There is no need for worry, Jesus is your friend
Go back to him and you will never be weary
He lights up your life when your life is dreary.
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When was the last time you felt so depleted? I lived a stressful life and full of conflicts a good five decades of my life. I was always running and performing. No wonder I was so exhausted by the time I was in my mid-thirties. I was so much in bondage to proving my worth. It was a cover up for my emptiness and loneliness. Because I was very driven and stubborn, God literally allowed for me to be sick to a point where I was helpless and bedridden for many months. It was time for me to stop running and performing. Those three months of my life literally changed me. God wanted me to return to him and stop all these worldly pursuits. He wants to silence my anxious heart.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to recharge my strength only from you.
REFLECTION
What re-energizes you when you get so depleted?
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

RESPOND TO GOD’S PROMISES Poem Devotional

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August 27
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Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge. -2Peter 1:5(NLT)
RESPOND TO GOD’S PROMISES
A poem and essay by ILMA
God promised to be there for you always
Do you even follow his word and what he says?
There are numerous promises he has given
What is your response to the call of heaven?
Make every effort to respond to God’s promises
Supplement your faith with moral excellence
Look forward to all the things that he is giving
Open your heart so you can keep receiving.
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Every child gets excited when they are given a promise. I remember when I was a child and my mother would take us out on picnics with my cousins and aunts. I couldn’t sleep when I know that we would be spending time with my mom because she was always busy. It was a novelty to be given time to spend with her. I will be counting the days when that promise will materialize. Most of my waiting time will be imagining that day is already happening.
We are asked in the bible to supplement our faith with a generous provision of moral excellence and with knowledge. If you were to count the numerous promises of God to you, wouldn’t you be as excited as a child to wait for it to happen and receive these promises?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the many promises you gave us.
REFLECTION
How do you respond to God’s promises?
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

LET LOVE RULE Poem Devotional

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August 26
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For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
– 1 Corinthians 15:56 (NLT)
LET LOVE RULE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we operate in obedience of the law
It brings more power to sin and hinder us to grow
When we stick to the law just for its sake
We get into the trap that Satan makes.
Love surpasses all understanding and power
When we do things out of love, the enemy cowers
We must all live in the knowledge of God’s grace
Living under his love removes the stress of this rat race.
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There are so many Christians living under the law and stuck in the Old Testament. They have no idea that living in it without reference to the New Testament actually make them live under the law. The apostle Paul stressed the importance of living under grace in most of his letter to the Romans and Corinthians. He warns us not to live under the law. He says that the more we focus on the law, the more we sin. In John 13:34 Jesus gives us a new commandment: Love each other just as he loved you.
The bible tells us not to live with so much rules because it makes us sin more. We need to focus on God who is love. When we operate in love, Satan flees and sin has no power.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to live under your love and grace.
REFLECTION
When did the law make you more sinful?
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

LIVING BY LAW OR BY GRACE Poem Devotional

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August 25
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When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. -Romans 7:5(NLT)
LIVING BY LAW OR BY GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Before you committed to Jesus, sin controlled you
As soon as you believed him, you were renewed
The old nature works within us and dominates
The law aroused evil desires that ruminates.
What the old nature does is keep us under the law
The born again person lives under God’s grace
The old nature condemns us when we rebel
The new person in Christ lives in his will and obeys.
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Have you noticed that the more rules you are given, the more the tendency to rebel and break these rules? I know that from experience because I lived a life full of rules when I was growing up. I couldn’t understand why there were so many of them and they never made sense to me. Laws are made so we can be protected but when we don’t have love when we execute these laws, we become legalistic and harsh. A lot of people forget that laws should protect and build us up, not put us down.
Paul explains to the Romans that if we are still controlled by our old nature, sinful desires control us and the law arouses these desires to make us sin.
PRAYER
Lord, let me live by your grace and not under the law.
REFLECTION
How has legalism affected 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

CONFESSION ERASES GUILT poem devotional by ILMA

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August 24
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Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord,” and you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
-Psalm 32:5(NLT)
CONFESSION ERASES GUILT
A poem and essay by ILMA
What sins have you committed that made you remorseful?
How long have you suffered from being shameful?
If you confess your sins, your guilt will be eradicated
If you deny your wrongdoing, you will be convicted.
Confession is an act of courage and humility
It brings you to a place of peace and victory
If you admit your sins, you will reap purity
If you hide it, you will be deprived of integrity.
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Many Christians do not realize how merciful and loving our heavenly Father is. When Jesus was asked how many times should a believer forgive, he replied seventy times seven which means infinitely. Because of the original sin that we inherited from Adam and Eve, we naturally feel shame when we disobey. Prior to their sin, they had no guilt. They always had peace and joy. When they disobeyed, the enemy’s voice made them feel guilty and full of shame. They hid from God and didn’t confess their sins. God confronted them instead.
The bible tells us the benefit of confession. It cleanses us from guilt and brings us peace. It removes our guilt and shame and re-unites us with God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for always being merciful to me.
REFLECTION
What results do you get whenever you confess your sins?
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

CLEANSING PRAYER Poem Devotional

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August 23
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How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
-Psalm 19:12(NLT)
CLEANSING PRAYER
A poem and essay by ILMA
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from hidden fault as soon as it starts
You are the only one who knows me inside and out
Only you can lead me to the righteous route.
Purify my intentions and let me not be distracted
Only your grace can keep me focused and motivated
Forgive me when I become so self-centered and waylaid
Grant me mercy so I can have the courage to be brave.
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There are occasions when we get sidetracked and distracted with the things we do in life. The enemy wants us to be busy so that we won’t have time for God. When Satan traps us into his “worldly pleasures and standards,” it can be so subtle that we don’t even realize that our time, energy and peace were already stolen. One way that I get waylaid is when I start to crave for something. The desire is so indirect that it seems alright at first, then it becomes an obsession and the center of my time and effort. Before I know it, I have lost intimacy with the Lord. The bible tells us that we need to come to Jesus and ask him to constantly examine our hearts.
PRAYER
Lord, bring to my attention any hidden faults and sins I commit.
REFLECTION
How is spending time with God going to bring us victory from our daily spiritual battles?
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

ACCEPT GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional

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August 22
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So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts for it has the power to save your souls. -James 1:21 (NLT)
ACCEPT GOD’S WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any troubles and sins you want to get rid off?
Get rid of all the evil in your life and focus on the Lord
Listen to his voice inside you and accept his word
It will bring you peace and victory in this world.
The word of God is alive and has power
It can defeat the enemy and make him cower
Humbly accept what the word teaches you
It will transform your life and have your mind renewed.
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What stops people from accepting God’s word? There are many reasons why Christians fail to feed on God’s word. We live in troubled times and the enemy has infiltrated our pure hearts with all kinds of filth and evil. Satan hindered my acceptance of the word of God through idolatry, arrogance, pride and performance. I lived a life that was very worldly. I followed the standards that the world set because I was ignorant of God’s will for me. I didn’t know any better. When God called me to accept his word, my life was totally transformed. Let us rid of all the evil and humbly accept his word in order to receive salvation.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your word. Let me feed on it daily.
REFLECTION
How has the word of God transformed 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

FOR GOD’S GLORY Poem Devotional

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August 21
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Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. -Romans 6:13(NLT)
FOR GOD’S GLORY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in Christ, you have been born again
It is time to straighten all your tendencies to be bent
Do not let any part of your body do evil schemes
Instead, give yourselves completely to Him.
Use all the gifts he gives you to bring Him glory
This is the only way you can have victory
For you were dead but now have new life
You once lived in darkness but now have light.
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I used to be very religious and went to church daily to hear mass for over almost two decades. I worked at my own salvation through rituals and traditions. I am sure God knows my intentions and understood that I wanted to please him by doing these religious acts, but my life wasn’t shining for him or giving him glory. I compartmentalized my life with career, roles and religion. I didn’t completely glorified God with the way I lived because I gave myself credit for my career success. The bible says all our actions and words must point to him and give him glory.
PRAYER
Lord, please save me from my pride and arrogance.
REFLECTION
What’s the difference when you boasted and when you gave God all the glory?
¬¬¬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