Monthly Archives: August 2016

THINK ABOUT GOD Poem Devotional

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August 10
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What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning looking for a drink of alcohol and spend long evenings drinking wine to make themselves flaming drunk. They never think about the Lord or notice what he is doing. – Isaiah 5:11,12(NLT)
THINK ABOUT GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get up each morning to satisfy yourself?
Do you think about God and ask for help?
What sorrow for those who obsess with pleasures;
And also for those who seek worldly treasures.
Think about God and notice what he is doing
Read his word daily so you can keep on obeying
It protects you from the enemy’s ploy and distractions
It brings you closer to Christ and enjoy his salvation.
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Isaiah 5 warns us of so many things that can defile us and that can make us unfruitful as children of God. In verse 11, the prophet Isaiah convicts people who live to drink. I think it is not bad to drink wine or alcohol once in a while but to seek it early in the morning and to get drunk till the wee hours of the night is bad. Being drunk distracts us from realities of life and keep our focus away from the Lord. It is the enemy’s tactic to get his foot on the door of our hearts so he can tempt us. Think of the Lord and know his word.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your conviction not to be drunk.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we are warned not to get obsessed with drinking?
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 VINEYARD Poem Devotional

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August 9
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The nation of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The people of Judah are his pleasant garden. He expected a crop of justice, but instead he found oppression. He expected to find righteousness, but instead he heard cries of violence.
– Isaiah 5:7(NLT)
GOD’S VINEYARD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord
They are considered part of God’s vineyard
They are expected to treat others fairly
Their hearts succumb to him faithfully.
God expects righteousness from his children
He wants them to store riches in heaven
Those who follow his commands and truth
They will have a strong foundation and bear fruits.
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What does it take to make wine? It all starts in the vineyard along working its way into the bottle. It is a lot of hard work, very physical undertaking. It is time consuming and you need a lot of patience. In the winter, you prune the vineyard and tend to the wine in the vats or barrels. In the Spring, you bottle and cleanup the vineyard from the winter by fixing the trellis system so it will be strong enough to carry the load of the fruit.
The bible tells us that we are God’s vineyard. He tends to us and ensure that we are all protected and nurtured so we can bear fruits of righteousness and justice.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for nurturing and protecting me.
REFLECTION
How has God cared for your spiritual growth? Are you considered the vine that produces sweet wine?
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 MOCKING GOD Poem Devotional

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August 8
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What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart. They even mock God and say, “Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do. -Isaiah 5:18-19 (NLT)
ON MOCKING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you aware of the sins you commit?
Do you keep denying that they exist?
What sorrow for those who lie about their sins
They even mock God to see what he can do to win.
To those who do not repent and stay obedient
Your foundation will be uprooted, so why not repent
Never challenge the Lord for he is good and faithful
Our mind will never fully understand; he is truthful.
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There was a very dark times in my life when I mocked God. I was in my late twenties when the Spirit convicted me to leave my sinful life and turn to God. I was so arrogant and bargained that I will only go back to him, if he granted me the job I wanted so badly that time. I waited patiently but only to hear that the job wasn’t for me. I was so enraged and gave a big tantrum fit by breaking most of my furniture and mirrors in my small studio apartment. I mocked God. Later that week, God gave me a better job than what I wanted.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never question your plan for my life.
REFLECTION
Why is denial of sin something that God doesn’t want you to do?
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

WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES Poem Devotional

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August 7
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What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.
-Isaiah 5:21(NLT)
WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you consider yourself wiser than others?
Do you put down others and think you know better?
What sorrow for those who think they are clever
They will have trouble if they consider themselves smarter.
The Lord wants us to love others as ourselves
He wants us to respect them and not focus on the “self”
Do not be haughty and think you are the best
Or you will be humbled and put into a test.
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There are many people who put so much pride in their knowledge and wisdom. They think that it came from them. They remove God in the equation. I used to be this way, until the Lord showed me that it was foolish do think that I was wiser or smarter than others. We are all made differently with different strengths and weaknesses. The Lord made us the way we are so we can complement others. Our weaknesses can be others’ strength and vice versa. When we compare ourselves with others, we question what God has created. He made us all equal in his eyes, who are we to question that. The bible says that those who think they are wise in their own eyes will have sorrow.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never be haughty but treat others as I would treat myself.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the result of arrogance or pride?
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 NEVER ABANDONS Poem Devotional

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August 6
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When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are perched from thirst, then I, the Lord will answer them. I, the God of Israel will never abandon them. – Isaiah 41:17(NLT)
GOD NEVER ABANDONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you currently struggling with some challenges?
Don’t despair for the Lord never abandons his children
To those who are poor, needy and thirsty
He will comfort you so don’t get panicky.
When your tongues are perched from thirst
Seek and search for him and make him first
He will answer your call because he is merciful
He never abandons those who are faithful.
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Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the loss of body fluids, mostly water, exceeds the amount that is taken in. With dehydration, more water is moving out of our cells and bodies than what we take in through drinking. We lose water every day in the form of water vapor in the breath we exhale and in our excreted sweat, urine, and stool. Along with the water, small amounts of salts are also lost. When we lose too much water, our bodies may become out of balance or dehydrated. Severe dehydration can lead to death.
Like water, we also need God in our lives. When we are spiritually dehydrated, we can lose sight of our purpose and feel desperate. The Lord never abandons those who are poor and needy.
PRAYER
Thank you for quenching my thirst my Lord.
REFLECTION
Have you ever felt abandoned? How did God aide you during those times?
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

CLAIMING GOD AS YOUR HELPER Poem Devotional

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August 5
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Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. -Amos 5:14 (NLT)
CLAIMING GOD AS YOUR HELPER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Remove all forms of rebellion and obey God
Seek him first in all you do and give him laud
Do what is good and run from evil
This way, you’ll surely beat the devil.
Claim God as your helper and He will come
Follow the life that is modeled by his only Son
Then the Lord God will be your helper
He will protect you from the deceiver.
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The word “claim” is defined as: (noun) an assertion of the truth of something, typically one that is disputed or in doubt; and (verb) state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof. Any form of claim entails faith or belief in that fact, truth or someone. Many prosperity seminars would always ask you to “claim” the wealth in order for you to possess it. Faith healers want you to believe and claim healing already before you receive it. There is power in believing and saying it. The more we think and speak out something, the more it happens. The bible tells us that we must claim the Lord to be our helper so he can be there for us.
PRAYER
Lord, be my Lord, my protector, my shield and Savior.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to declare your belief?
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 REBELLION BRINGS Poem Devotional

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August 4
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“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children”, says the Lord. You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.
– Isaiah 30:1(NLT)
WHAT REBELLION BRINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a spirit of lawlessness that is debilitating?
Do you wonder why you continually experience suffering?
The Lord has plans for you but you must follow
If you go against his commands, you will have sorrow.
Rebellion brings much anguish and piles up your sins
It depletes you of energy and cannot make you win
Obedience brings blessings for it manifests humility
Defiance on the other hand brings much pain and poverty.
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God made me a very obedient person but somehow the enemy stole that identity through traumatic experiences. I believed Satan’s lies regarding getting even or avenging those abusers in my life through rebellion or proving them wrong. I didn’t even consciously know that they were depleting me of energy and strength and hardening my heart. Until the Lord delivered me from the stronghold of rebellion, I was blinded by the pain I experienced. Thanks be to God that he freed me and gave me back my true identity in Christ.
The bible tells us that sorrow awaits those who are rebellious. It piles up sins that they get buried into. It deprives them of blessings and a joyful and peaceful life.
PRAYER
Thank you for teaching me obedience through your words.
REFLECTION
What has rebellion done 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

NOT DOING WHAT YOU SAY

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crawford lake 2013 049August 3
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They don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.
-Matthew 23:3-5(NLT)
NOT DOING WHAT YOU SAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe in God and love him with all your heart?
Are you able to follow what he says without a doubt?
The Pharisees do everything for a show
They don’t practice what they preach and know.
Are you able to live a pure and authentic life?
You must be obedient to all God’s commands like Christ
Not doing what you say doesn’t show a good testimony
It brings confusion and makes others doubt your sincerity.
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Many people have been discouraged or even lost their faith because of a Christian who have not been able to do what they say, preach or believe in. When Christ was here on earth, the Pharisees are one of those he exposed much and are bold with. No wonder, they plotted to kill Christ. They couldn’t bear the unapologetic honesty of Jesus.
The Pharisees don’t practice what they preach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never made it easier for others. Everything they do is for show. They never genuinely love God but they are more concerned with how people view them. They compare themselves with others and ensured that they always looked good on the outside.
PRAYER
Lord, please never let me be a hypocrite like the Pharisees.
REFLECTION
What things do you believe that you never really do? How does it affect 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

IDOLS SAP STRENGTH Poem Devotional

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August 2
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Worshiping foreign gods has sapped their strength, but they don’t even know it.
-Hosea 7:9(NLT)
IDOLS SAP STRENGTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
What distracts you from worshiping the Lord?
What things or people prevent you from giving him laud?
How much time do you use up for things that are worldly?
Do you realize they sap you of time, strength and energy?
Prioritizing God in all you do will bring you prosperity
Leaving him last will deplete you and deprive you of victory
There is only one God who can deliver you from the enemy
Christ is all knowing, all powerful, loving and full of mercy.
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There is a misnomer that idolatry only involves other foreign gods. The enemy prevents us from knowing and seeing that even other things and people can become our idols. An idol is something or someone that keeps us away from praising and worshiping the only one true God, Jesus Christ. A job can easily be an idol. If we spend long hours on it and never acknowledge God for the blessing of being employed, we are idolizing our jobs. If our relationships hinder us from being close to God, we are compromising our intimacy with God and these people become idols.
The bible talks about how the Israelites’ idolatry of foreign gods have sapped them of their strength without being aware of it. Idols distract us from focusing on God.
PRAYER
Lord, show me instantly what idols I have in my life.
REFLECTION
What idols does the enemy use to keep you away from 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

OBEDIENCE MANIFESTS TRUST Poem Devotional

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August 1
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Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right. – Isaiah 26:8-9(NLT)
OBEDIENCE MANIFESTS TRUST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you obey what the Lord tells you
You manifest trust and he changes your view
Search for his word and commands earnestly
He will make you righteous and give you victory.
Don’t wait until judgment day to do what is right
Or you will find it difficult to navigate this life
Obey him because he knows what is best for all man
His ways are not our ways for we are only human.
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Many years of my life was spent rebelling and disobeying my parents and God. I didn’t realize that emotional wounds have hardened my heart. I had problems with authority probably because I was let down by those who had authority on me as I was growing up. It made it hard to keep a job because I was always faced with dealing with bosses and employers. When I got married, I didn’t know how to submit to my husband because of this stronghold in my life. I was proud and arrogant and it didn’t show that I trusted the Lord. Obedience manifests trust.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for delivering me from rebellion.
REFLECTION
What other forms of disobedience still manifest in your life now?
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