Monthly Archives: September 2016

BELIEVE NOW Poem Devotional

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 474

September 10
________________________________________
Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe -John 20:27(NLT)
BELIEVE NOW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you still being tossed here and there?
Believe and don’t be faithless any longer
The Lord wants you free, bold and tougher
Have faith like Abraham and you will be stronger.
Anything is possible to those who believe him
They will be renewed and be victorious over sin
Even if you don’t see results, continue to believe
Faithful followers will be amazed at what they’ll receive.
________________________________________
Mark 9:23 says that anything is possible to those who believe. I know many Christians who say they believe and yet don’t act like they do. When they ask God for something, they are expecting a result. When they don’t see what they expect, they panic and act on it. This is not faith; it is working at getting what you want.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. In Hebrews 11 chapter we see great examples of faith such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, Rahab, and many more. Faith is a key ingredient to one’s salvation. In Isaiah 7:9, God says that unless your faith is firm, he cannot make you stand firm. In other words, without faith, God cannot work miracles in our lives. So, what are you waiting for? Believe!
PRAYER
My heavenly Father, please grow my faith in you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires faith in order to bring what we ask for?
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

NO JUDGMENT FOR BELIEVERS Poem Devotional

Posted on by

barrie visit 2011 168

September 9
________________________________________
There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
-John 3:18(NLT)
NO JUDGMENT FOR BELIEVERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Anyone who believes in Christ is free from judgment
There is no need to worry for your predicaments
Your faith in the power of God will take you a long way
It will protect you when the enemy chooses you as his prey.
Those who are unbelievers has already been judged
They will find difficulties because of their lack of trust
Believe in God’s one and only Son and you will be free
The Holy Spirit will bring you blessings and victory.
________________________________________
When I was still in bondage from religion and legalism, I had a very scrupulous conscience. I felt condemned each time I succumb to weaknesses and sin. I was doing the changing myself on my own without heeding the Holy Spirit and God’s word. I wasn’t even aware that I was in bondage because I inherited religious rituals and beliefs from those who raised me. I am sure they passed on what they know is right for me, but God showed me eventually why my life had no victory in some aspects of it.
The bible says that those who believe in Christ are free from judgment but those who don’t are condemned.
PRAYER
Lord, let all believers witness for you so others will believe.
REFLECTION
Relate an incident how being a Christian freed you from condemnation.
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

MESSAGE CLOSE AT HAND Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_1884

September 8
________________________________________
The message is very close at hand. It is on your lips and in your heart. And that message is the very message about faith that we preach. – Romans 10:8(NLT)
MESSAGE CLOSE AT HAND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you aware of the good news that saved you?
If you believe in Jesus Christ, your mind will be renewed
The message is close at hand, no need to search far
It is on your lips; declare what is in your heart.
Believe and say that you accept Jesus as your Savior
This message needs to be preached with fervor
Remember to speak it out and live under his grace
You’ll experience much joy if you continue to be amazed.
________________________________________
We have heard people say Good News or the Message. What is the message that the Gospel preaches? Why do we need to be aware of it and spread it?
Many years of my life was spent following religious rituals that didn’t really focused on the message of the cross. Following these traditions and not heeding the Holy Spirit’s prodding to choose righteousness have opened the door for the enemy to keep me in bondage to idolatry, pride and other sins.
John 19:30 described the last word of Jesus. He said after tasting the sour wine soaked on a sponge, “It is finished.” This is the message. The work of salvation was finished when he died on the cross.
PRAYER
Thank you for dying for me so I can be free.
REFLECTION
How often do you speak out the message to 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

TRUST IN GOD’S POWER Poem Devotional

Posted on by

pinery camping 2014 and others 552

September 7
________________________________________
I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:5(NLT)
TRUST IN GOD’S POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you rely on your own strength and understanding?
Remember that your mind has limits comprehending
God on the other hand has boundless wisdom and power
Why won’t you trust him so that the enemy will cower.
He gave us his presence when we believed in him
We need to trust his Spirit’s prodding so we can win
Depending on human strength and knowledge is foolish
It will lead to failures and make us impoverished.
________________________________________
Many people put so much premium on their intelligence and knowledge. They take pride in knowing things that not other people possess. I used to be this kind of people. I read books and keep myself updated with information so I can have something to say to others whenever I get into conversations with them. I loved to argue and win a discussion, but thanks be to God that he freed me from such trivialities. It just showed how shallow I was and how immature it is to show off things that don’t really matter to God much.
The bible tells us that human understanding is limited but God’s wisdom is boundless. God designed this so that humans will find strength in their weaknesses and depend on God’s wisdom and power.
PRAYER
Lord, help me remember that I can only have strength through you.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you witnessed to man’s limited understanding compared to God’s boundless 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

HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE SINNING Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 153 (2)

September 6
________________________________________
If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. -Romans 14:23(NLT)
HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE SINNING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you bothered by a decision to do evil?
It surely is a mark of the work of the devil
When you start to focus on self preservation
You will start to do prioritize your own satisfaction.
If you do anything you believe is not right
It is one sign that you are not winning the fight
If you continue to ignore the Holy Spirit’s convictions
You will be easily fall into Satan’s tactics and temptations.
________________________________________
How do we know if we are sinning? The bible defines sins as breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God (1 John 3:4). Deuteronomy 9:7 also says that sin is rebelling against God. Adam and Eve introduced to us all the concept of sin when he desired to be like God in Genesis 3:5. The desire to be like God, knowing both good and evil was the origin of sin. It is the disobedience to get out of what God provided for them. Sin is missing the mark that God has given us. Whenever we decide satisfy our own human desires, we become easy target for the enemy to entice us to sin. The apostle Paul says that if you do anything you believe is right, you are sinning.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never want to be separated from you and your will.
REFLECTION
What are the signs that you are sinning?
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

HELPING THE POOR Poem Devotional

Posted on by

wasaga 3rd anniv picnic & beatrice 3rd visit 170

September 5
________________________________________
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
-Proverbs 14:31(NLT)
HELPING THE POOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you aware of those who live in poverty?
Do you go out of your way to help them generously?
The Lord wants you to bless your sisters and brothers
It pleases him when you think less of yourself and help others.
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker
Those who help them glorifies your heavenly Father
Helping the poor and the oppressed is pure religion
It builds up the body of Christ when you are in relations.
________________________________________
Jesus summed up all the ten commandments in this one in John 13:34-35. It says: “So now I m giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” If you look at the ten commandments closely, each of them will lead to the pre-requisite to love each other as you love God. If you love God as you love one another, you will not misuse God’s name. You will remember to keep holy the Sabbath, honor your parents, not murder or kill anyone, not be unfaithful to your spouse, not steal, not falsely testify against others, not covet anyone or anything that is not yours.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for simplifying the law into loving you as we love ourselves and others.
REFLECTION
Share an experience when that shows love conquers all?

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

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH

Posted on by

barrie visit 2011 168

September 4
________________________________________
Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him. – Proverbs 14:2(NLT)
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a believer of Jesus Christ?
Are you following him as he leads you to his path?
Those who do righteous things fear the Lord
They live life so they can bring him laud.
Those who do not heed his commands
They will find it hard to cope with life’s demands
Those who choose to follow Jesus daily
They will find joy and have tranquility.
________________________________________
There were many years of my life spent rebelling and doing things that do not give God glory. I was in bondage to sin and to lawlessness. I could have chosen to follow the right path by revering the Lord and living in his will. Many of us in our youth have done many things we are not proud of. When we are not modelled a life for Jesus, it is difficult to navigate through life with choosing the right path that leads to God. Sometimes our experience with our biological parents influences us to view God as we experienced from them. That is not how God is. He loves us unconditionally and wants always the best for us.
The bible tells us that how we live our lives reveal how we love the Lord. If we do righteous things, we revere him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never choose to be lawless.
REFLECTION
Why does the bible say that when we choose the bad, we show that we despise 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

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

rbg 182 (2)

September 3
________________________________________
Anything is possible if a person believes. -Mark 9:23NLT)
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you believe that you are a true child of God
Anything is possible to those who bring him laud
If you ask the Lord Jesus in his mighty name
You will get answers and receive his grace.
If you have faith even just like a mustard seed
Even the most hardened heart will give in and you’ll win
To those who are doubtful, hopeless and have no faith
They will never move mountains or change their fate.
________________________________________
Faith is easy to find to those who live in third world countries. They have no one else to run to but the Lord. They learn to live day by day and watch how God provides. It is amazing to find those living in poverty can even smile in the midst of such suffering. Their faces light up when even very little comfort is added in their usual difficult lives. They are so grateful. Those who live in first world countries and have everything they need sometimes find it hard to be appreciative of little blessings they receive.
The bible says that anything is possible to those who believe. This is why Abraham became the father of all nations. At the age of almost 100, they bore a child as God promised. Because of his faith, he became father of all nations.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to increase my faith daily.
REFLECTION
How much faith do you have? How has God grown 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

ON DECEIVING YOURSELF Poem Devotional

Posted on by

crawford lake 2013 048

ON DECEIVING YOURSELF

September 2
________________________________________
The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
-Proverbs 14:8(NLT)
ON DECEIVING YOURSELF
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that there is wisdom in God’s word?
Are you following the standards of this world?
The prudent understands where they are going
The fools on the other hand keeps on denying.
If you allow Scriptures to convict and teach you
You’ll have understanding and be led to the truth
Those who are fools deceive themselves continually
They don’t depend on God so they are defeated constantly.
________________________________________
There are many ways that the enemy tries to deceive us. Sometimes he uses human reasoning to make us believe that we can do things on our own strength. The bible says that we can only successfully do things through Christ. Without him, we can never defeat the enemy or be victorious to stay pure and faithful to the Lord. There were quite a number of years when I deceived myself into thinking that I was good at many things, giving myself credit for every achievement and talents I excel in. I boasted and became arrogant taking credit for the glory that wasn’t mine. Finally, after many years of success, God stripped me off all that I was good at. He convicted me that the gifts were supposed to be used for his kingdom gain and not for my own selfish gains. Scriptures showed me how to learn to give him all the glory.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to deceive myself.
REFLECTION
How can pride lead us to self-deception?
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

STRENGTH WHILE WAITING FOR JESUS Poem Deovtional

Posted on by

monocliff 2011 035

September 1
________________________________________
Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. -1 Corinthians 1:7-8(NLT)
STRENGTH WHILE WAITING FOR JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord has showered all his children with gifts
Are you using it to worship and bring others to him?
God has given you every spiritual blessings as you wait
Be hopeful and eager to bring glory to him as you participate.
He promises that he will keep you strong until he comes again
He will guide you and free you from all bondages and blame
Strength will seep through you as you boldly wait for his coming
He will always be inside you, so never give up and keep on hoping.
________________________________________
Strong is defined as “able to withstand great force or pressure.” That definition gives us a clear picture or a person who can resist something and still keep on. A good visualization of strength is when we watch a body builder lift a ton of weight which can be way over his actual weight. If you imagine that those heavy weights are your burdens.
Jesus promised to give us all the strength we need to endure the burdens we encounter until he comes back again.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me that you have given me gifts to continue to be strong.
REFLECTION
How can you be strong in the midst of adversities?
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