Monthly Archives: September 2016

PROMISE OF THE CROWN OF LIFE

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September 30
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God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12(NLT)
PROMISE OF THE CROWN OF LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you experiencing challenges and troubles?
If you endure them, it will bring you out of the rubbles
God blesses those who faithfully bear difficulties
Give up anxiety and surrender to Him all your worries.
The Lord promised the crown of life to those who love him
Are you holding on to his promise so you can conquer sin?
Have patience to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ
You will be showered with and overflow of blessings in life.
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A crown is a traditional headwear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, victory, triumph, honor, and glory, as well as immortality, righteousness, and resurrection. Crowns worn by rulers often contain jewels.
In the Christian tradition of European cultures, when a new monarch assumes the throne in a coronation ceremony, the crown is placed on the new monarch’s head by a religious official. It was a new experience for me when I became a Canadian citizen and pledge allegiance to the queen.
The bible promised all Christians the crown of life, a crown more important than any worldly crown. Continue to patiently endure so you will reap this promise.
PRAYER
Help me to endure so that I can receive your crown of life.
REFLECTION
What can hinder us from receiving the crown of 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 TO ASK Poem Devotional

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September 29
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If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. -James 1:5(NLT)
WHERE TO ASK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a trial or need to pray for?
Is there a breakthrough you want to come forth?
Run to the throne of God and present your case
He will not reprimand you for all your cares.
Are you wanting to understand something?
Only God can show you wisdom on anything
Ask whatsoever in his name and he will give you
Open your heart and mind so you can be renewed.
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I think in every human, there is that desire to know or have wisdom. In this day and age, there is so much information flying around. If we are not careful, we can get some good ones and yet we can also be prey to bad sources. God gave us a mind and a heart so that both of these faculties will work together. If we only rely on head knowledge, it can bring us trouble. The enemy targets our mind first so it is easier to corrupt our hearts through our thinking and desires.
The bible says that if you need wisdom, ask God because he will be very happy to help you. He will never rebuke you for asking. He will grant you whatever your heart desires that is in line with his will.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember to ask only you for wisdom.
REFLECTION
What should we take caution of with regards to seeking wisdom?
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

SOURCE OF POWER Poem Devotional

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September 28
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Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
1 Chronicles 29:12(NLT)
SOURCE OF POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any weaknesses that needs firming?
Are you dejected and need strengthening?
Power and might comes only from the heavenly Father
He is the only source of wealth, honor and power.
Only at God’s discretion can people be made great
He alone is omniscient and knows your fate
Plug into his omnipotent source of wisdom
He can deliver you from bondage into freedom.
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In 1 Chronicle 29, we can witness David’s heart and how he gave God praise. We are clearly given a picture of David’s faithfulness, generosity and wisdom in this chapter. He knew God’s heart so well and he passionately pursue what pleases him. In this chapter, he gives willingly and donate more than 112 tons of gold and 262 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the temple of the Lord (verse 4) from his own treasures and collection. He clearly knows that God is the source of all his wealth, so he is cheerfully giving them all back to him. David’s prayer of praise in this chapter as a man who deeply loves his heavenly Father. He acknowledges the only source of wealth, honor, power and might.
PRAYER
Lord, please change my heart to one like David’s and yours.
REFLECTION
How can you honor God, the only source of power and might?
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

ALL BELONGS TO GOD Poem Devotional

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September 27
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The silver is mine and the gold is mine, says the Lord of heaven’s armies. – Haggai 2:8(NLT)
ALL BELONGS TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is it around you that you can claim as yours?
The heaven, the earth and man came from one source
He made all living creatures so he can have his plan fulfilled
All belongs to God so don’t take credit for it, just do his will.
The silver is mine and so is the gold, says the Lord
We are mere stewards, so let’s bring him all the laud
Remember how he gave his only Son because of love
Never boast but always praise the Father up above.
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What is the difference between believers and unbelievers when it comes to managing money and resources? The believers go by the principles that God gave while those who don’t believe him, follow the standards of this world. It is sad to know that even some Christians live as if they own what they worked for in life. We easily forget that nothing that we possess here on earth is ours. They are all given to us by God who loves, blesses us and meets our needs. God loves a cheerful giver and blesses those who acknowledge that all things belong to him. He prospers those who put him first in their lives and gives them an overflow.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to always be grateful for sharing all things to us.
REFLECTION
How can practically show gratitude for what God has given us?
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

ONE WHO IS OVER ALL THINGS Poem Devotional

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September 26
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Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. -1 Chronicles 29:11(NLT)
ONE WHO IS OVER ALL THINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever claim ownership to abilities and skills?
Do you acknowledge God who enables you to do his will?
Everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to Him
Why do you even boast that they’re yours to keep?
If only all persons see the one who is over all things
They will be humbled and easily overcome sin
The Lord alone is great, majestic and powerful
Praise him constantly and always stay faithful.
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Have you ever wondered why some families or companies made it successfully in growing their relationships or organizations? What is the formula for their triumph? I think that one of the factors that make relationships and businesses thrive is having someone take leadership and control in overseeing things. Notice how an office turns into chaos in the absence of a boss or higher authority? Good leadership and management is crucial to any unit or relationship.
God is the creator and owner of all things. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to him. It is only right to give him praise and let him be God.
PRAYER
Lord, let me only boast of your power.
REFLECTION
How is worshiping God and pointing to him going to change your quality of 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

DO WHAT CHRIST DID Poem Devotional

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September 25
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I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. -John 14:12(NLT)
DO WHAT CHRIST DID
A poem and essay by ILMA
Christ wants us to follow his example
That is the sign of a true disciple
Anyone who believes in him does what he did
They follow him and choose to do good deeds.
Truly, truly, Jesus wants us to do the same works
Like him, we are precious to God and have worth
He sits beside the Father and wants us to be there too
Only in doing what he did will we be saved and renewed.
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When Jesus was with his disciples, he shared with them many truths and promises. One of these truths says that the proof of our faith lies on what we do. It didn’t mention that it is based on what we say. Some Christians live double lives. They declare that they believe in Jesus and yet they live worldly lives and believe in so many lies that the enemy present in their lives. I, too am guilty of this when I was bound with the spirit of religion. I did what my religion required which was not what always Jesus did when he was still alive. We are asked to follow his example if we claim to be Christians.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always follow your example.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people don’t do what they say?
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

DISCERNING GOD’S INCREDIBLE GREATNESS

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September 24
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I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. -Ephesians 1:19(NLT)
DISCERNING GOD’S INCREDIBLE GREATNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When was the last time you were awed by God’s creation?
Isn’t it amazing how a mother blooms as she goes through conception?
Have you meditated on how the Spirit directs you to Christ?
What silent miracles has God done that changed your life?
Pray that you will understand God’s incredible greatness
Soak in his love and learn his amazing mercy and faithfulness
If you continue to believe in God’s power, he will give you wisdom
It is by faith that you will be experience peace, joy and freedom.
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Social media, material things, relationships can veer us away from God. The enemy does his best to steal our time, joy and peace so that we will not experience the life God wants us to have. I sometimes still have trouble keeping focused on Jesus. There is always something or someone that Satan uses to keep us tempted or eventually fall into sin. There are times that in my conversations with God, I find my thoughts going all over the place. The old self can get the better of me and win in getting my attention away from the Lord. The bible tells us to pray that we will have discernment of God’s incredible greatness.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me always focused on you.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the benefit of focusing on God’s greatness?
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

LIFE BY THE POWER OF HIS NAME Poem Devotional

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September 23
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But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
-John 20:31(NLT)
LIFE BY THE POWER OF HIS NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you experienced challenges, failures or defeat?
Scriptures were written so that you can learn to win
The words of God focuses on Jesus, the Messiah
When faced with trials, do you run to Him or cry out?
Believe and you will have life by the power of his name
Live by his grace and you will get over your shame
The Son of God came so that you will have power
By believing in him, you will make the devil cower.
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There were many years of my life that was wasted by thinking that it was me who have control over things and situations. I relied so much on myself and have totally forgotten that without Christ, I won’t have anything. Life without Jesus was a very difficult and daunting task, but when I accepted him as Lord of my life and my Messiah, I was transformed. I think it was because I was given discernment by the Holy Spirit how to deal with the same situations in a way God wants me to. Scriptures were written so we can have life by the power of his name.
PRAYER
Thank you for transforming me Lord.
REFLECTION
What’s the difference of a life committed to Christ and an unbelieving 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

LIGHT THAT COVERS ALL DARKNESS Poem Devotional

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September 22
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I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. -John12:46(NLT)
LIGHT THAT COVERS ALL DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there any area of your life that remains in darkness?
If you believe in Jesus Christ, he will shine over these areas
The Son of Man came so that he can be a guiding light
Look up to him so that you can have freedom in this life.
God’s one and only Son is the light that covers gloom
He transforms you like a flower, so you can bloom
Build your trust in him so you can live out of slavery
He is the light that takes you out of all forms of misery.
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People need exposure to light because sunlight provides ultraviolet B (UBV) rays that help the body produce vitamin D. Vitamin D helps balance the calcium that the body needs in order to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Sunlight and light generally also help prevent and treat depression and sadness in people of all ages. The brain begins producing the mood-influencing chemical called serotonin upon first exposure to light in the morning. Just as our bodies need light, our spirits need a beacon to free us from all forms of bondage. Jesus came so that he can be that light that covers all darkness.
PRAYER
Let me never live in darkness anymore, Lord.
REFLECTION
How can a believer stay in the light that covers all darkness?
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 these poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

BOLD AND CONFIDENT IN CHRIST poem devotional

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September 21
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Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. -Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)
BOLD AND CONFIDENT IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you often fearful to speak out your faith?
Because you trust Jesus, you are in a different place
His Spirit dwells in all those who trust him completely
You will have boldness as you share the gospel confidently.
He promised to make all things possible to believers
Have courage to face trials and you’ll defeat the deceiver
Don’t boast! Only in Christ can you be confident and bold
He is there for you and will direct you on the right road.
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In the past, I had a very wrong notion of boldness and confidence. I was a Speech teacher for 15 years and I wished I had known God’s word during those times. I taught my students confidence but not the same one that the bible speaks about. I empowered my students to believe in themselves. It would have given me different results if I knew the ultimate source of boldness and confidence.
The bible tells us that because we believe in Christ, we can now be bold and confident because the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. We can both be humble and yet self-assured that God will use us for his kingdom purpose. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your Spirit who makes me brave and bold.
REFLECTION
What was the boldest thing you did for 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