Monthly Archives: August 2016

HOW TO ENJOY LIFE

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August 20
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If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. -1 Peter 3:10(NLT)
HOW TO ENJOY LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling to enjoy your life?
Do you find it difficult to live in God’s light?
If you want to see happy days ahead of you
You need to keep your mind constantly renewed.
Keep your tongue from speaking evil and lies
It will purify your heart and keep you alive
The enemy wants to steal your peace and joy
Satan wants you to stagnate and never grow.
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I spent many years of my life in strife and bitterness. I didn’t even know that I was angry as a result of the many traumatic experiences in my life. I wallowed in self pity parties for so long. One of the ways the enemy trapped me into loneliness and desperation was swearing and telling lies. I manipulated a lot of circumstances so that I can get what I wanted. Lying became automatic and sometimes I get caught in my own lies too. God delivered me from this stronghold and set me free this past decade. I will never do anything to compromise my joy in the Lord now that have his righteousness. The bible tells us to enjoy life but we must keep our tongue from evil and lies.
PRAYER
Help me daily to watch what comes out of my mouth, Lord.
REFLECTION
How can speaking evil and lies deprive you of enjoying 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

A FOLLOWER’S PRIORITY Poem Devotional

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August 19
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If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison, your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, even your own life.
-Luke 14:26(NLT)
A FOLLOWER’S PRIORITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a true believer of Jesus Christ?
Are you willing to give up everything including your life?
A true Christian seeks him first in everything
They are not ruled by selfish desires or material things.
If you want to be a follower, you must make him your priority
Even your family must not come between your loyalty
Remember, Jesus shed his blood to set you free
You must sacrifice your life to serve him faithfully.
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What are your prized possessions? For so many years, my son was my life. I did everything for him and made him the center of my life. Since I was a single mom, I got so wrapped up living my life for him and making all the sacrifices I needed to do to ensure that he was loved and looked after. There is nothing wrong with loving your own children, but if they come between you and God, then there is something amiss with that picture.
The bible tells us that one of the requirements of being a disciple or follower of Jesus is to make him first in everything. Even your family should only come second to God.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never lose focus on you.
REFLECTION
How is loving others first than God going to open doors for defeat 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

COME CLOSE TO GOD Poem Devotional

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August 18
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Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners: purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. -James 4:8(NLT)
COME CLOSE TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a believer who seeks God regularly?
Are you reading and following his word daily?
Come close to God and he will come close to you
Purify your heart and he will make you new
If your loyalty is divided between him and the world
It will be a struggle to walk in God’s word
If you draw near him, he will give you his kingdom
Pursue him constantly and you will experience freedom.
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Do you recall when you were being wooed by your spouse at the start of your courtship? I remember my husband come up with all kinds of reasons to be with me. He loves walking in shores and parks and that became our date venues. When he learned that I was into billiards and biking, (a hobby which he was so much into as well) he didn’t lose time to bring me to do these common interests. I got to know him more and saw the potential of us being together. Just like romantic love, we can also draw near to God and he will come close to us. We need to cleanse our hearts and have undivided loyalty to him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me pursue you as you seek my heart.
REFLECTION
How can you come closer to 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

TRAINING THE YOUNGER WOMEN Poem Devotional

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August 17
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These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
Titus 2:4-5 (NLT)
TRAINING THE YOUNGER WOMEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord expects the wiser women to teach others
Older women must train those ladies who are younger
They must set an example of prudence and purity
They are expected to show them how to live wisely
Training must involve managing their homes well
They must show them how to care for their family’s health
They tell them to submit to their husbands as to the Lord
Then they will bring glory to God’s word and defeat this world.
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I wish I had someone to train me when I was a younger woman. I lived a very rebellious life and didn’t heed my mother’s advice. I was too busy proving myself right when in fact. I was very wrong. My arrogance contributed to my very troubled life. I thank God that he restored me and brought me back to his path of righteousness.
The bible gives the older women the responsibility to train young women. They are expected to set good examples so that they will learn to be good wives and women of God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the older women who guide younger women.
REFLECTION
How can training from someone experienced helpful to lead a good 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

MANIFESTING YOUR LOVE Poem Devotional

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August 16
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But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. -1 John 2:5(NLT)
MANIFESTING YOUR LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you love someone, do you illustrate through actions?
Showing without saying is better than just verbalizations
Those who obey God’s word truly manifest their love
It is the highest display of your faithfulness to him up above.
How can one claim they love someone without proof?
It only negates what they vowed to be truth
When we follow God’s word and live it
We are ensured of a life that’s full of the Spirit.
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When you love someone, what are the ways you show this person that you truly care for him or her? In parental love, parents do their best to understand and know how their child thinks, responds or behaves. Each child is different so if they have the same expectations for all their kids uniformly, they are in for trouble. What makes parents inclined to like one of their children is based on how their son or daughter obey what they command them to do. Just like parents, God treats us the same. We can show our love for God through obedience. Jesus obeyed God’s will despite the pain and suffering he was going to suffer. That is why God placed him on is right hand. He was obedient.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to obey all your commands
REFLECTION
Why do you think God gives so much emphasis on obedience?
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

AVOIDING UNPRODUCTIVITY Poem Devotional

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August 15
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Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others then they will not be unproductive. – Titus 3:14(NLT)
AVOIDING UNPRODUCTIVITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you having difficulty in accomplishing things?
Do you find time fly by as you do something?
Believers must learn to do good and avoid unproductivity
How often do you reach out to help somebody?
God expects us to meet others’ urgent needs
Do you go out of your way to do a good deed?
Bless others by giving them a helping hand
It is one way to show obedience to God’s command.
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How often do you get robbed of time by the enemy? Sometimes, we even have no awareness about this. We work at performing at our jobs, relationships and other goals. We toil from day till night but never pay attention to others around us who are in pain or in so much need. We take for granted opportunities that could have been giving us spiritual fruits to harvest. We get so wrapped up in our small tiny world and pay no attention to someone just nearby who needs all they help they can get.
The bible tells us that one of the reasons why we become unproductive is because we are doing works of the flesh instead of works of the Spirit. If we meet the urgent needs of others, we will produce more spiritual fruits.
PRAYER
Lord, show me always when there is an opportunity to meet others’ needs.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God commands us to care for those in need?
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

AVOIDING YOUR SINFUL NATURE Poem Devotional

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August 14
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So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. -Galatians 5:16(NLT)
AVOIDING YOUR SINFUL NATURE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Human nature wants to satisfy the flesh
This is why we tend to end up in a mess
Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives
This way, you won’t be suffering in life.
When the Spirit leads, he shows you wisdom
He tells you what to do so you can live in freedom
By living in the Spirit, you avoid your sinful nature
By allowing God to move, you become spiritually mature.
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There were many years of my life that I was living according to my desires. I just did what would give my body and mind pleasure. This was how I grew up. I was told to work at meeting my own needs. I worked at getting things and making dreams come true. I never relied on anyone, not even on God. It made my life very difficult and full of struggles. I lived to perform and to prove to everyone that I had worth and that I was entitled to get paid for all the work I put on my goals and ambitions. It was a joyless life.
The bible says that if we are believers, we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. We can’t do God’s work, only his Spirit can.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to hear your Spirit inside me always.
REFLECTION
What do you do so the Spirit of God will constantly be alive inside 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

CONSULTATION: AN ACT OF LOVE

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August 13
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But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. – Philemon 14(NLT)
CONSULTATION: AN ACT OF LOVE
poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you consult with someone you love
You are actually showing reverence for God
By asking others, we make them feel validated
When you are overlooked, you may feel violated.
Consultation can bring much unity and harmony
It shows your love for others and can bring victory
Whenever you ask Gods’ opinion on certain matters
You gain wisdom in life and circumstances get handled.
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“Consult” is defined as to go to someone for advice; to ask for the professional opinion of someone; or to talk about something with someone in order to make a decision. When I was a Speech Teacher, many of my colleagues consulted me with syllabi and programs to enhance effective communication as teachers. It felt good to be validated but it also benefitted the school’s academic vision. I was a bookworm and would oftentimes borrow over 300 books in our library for the year. They were different subjects I read, not just those topics I taught. I always consulted experts so I can learn about things and grow.
The bible tells us how important consulting someone is in a relationship. It shows that you respect their views. It manifests humility and respect.
PRAYER
Help us to consult other believers before we make choices and decisions.
REFLECTION
Why is asking for consent vital in a relationship?

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

ANSWERING FOR YOUR BROTHER Poem Devotional

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August 12
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If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.
Philemon 18(NLT)
ANSWERING FOR YOUR BROTHER
A poem and essay by ILMA
If one of your brothers or sister has been wronged?
Do you stand up for them to make them strong?
Answering for the children of God pleases him
It shows accountability and brings much blessings.
If you forgive anyone who has done your wrong
It reveals how much you have spiritually grown
Answering for your brother shows love for the Lord
Caring for others’ welfare gives Jesus Christ laud.
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Have you ever done something good for someone who is a fellow believer? The apostle Paul writes to Philemon who was a believer in the church at Colosse. Philemon owned a slave named Onesimus, who became a great help to Paul while he was in prison. He wrote to him so that he could forgive Onesimus for fleeing from him. Paul gives us a clear example how to take responsibility and care for another believer. He did Onesimus a favor because he knows that he is one with him in believing the Lord.
It is very different when you do another Christian a favor compared to doing one for an unbeliever. When you do it for believers, you are actually glorifying God’s because you are doing it to follow God’s word of stewardship. If you do it to unbelievers, it may lead them to Christ.
PRAYER
Thank you for have fellow believers who care for us.
REFLECTION
Why is stewardship important amongst Christians?
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

ON ANGELS Poem Devotional

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August 11
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And God never said to any of the angels,” Sin the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Therefore, angels are only servants-spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
– Hebrews1:13-14(NLT)
ON ANGELS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that God created angels for a reason?
They were made to serve God’s plan for salvation
Like us, we are made to be servants for God’s kingdom
They were created so we can continue to live in freedom.
Angels don’t have the place of honor that God gave his Son
Only Jesus can free us from bondage and let the devil run
Don’t put angels on a pedestal as you would Jesus Christ
Their purpose is to protect and to help us win the fight.
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In the 80’s angels were a “craze” in my country of origin. I got into this fad myself. I collected angel statues and sculptures. I even prayed to them and taught my son to do so. There is a prayer for angels which goes like “Angel of God, my guardian dear. To whom his love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.”
The bible says we should only pray to God the father, Jesus and to the Holy Spirit. Anything other than them is idolatry.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for angels who protect us.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we are cautioned not to put angels at par with Jesus?
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