Monthly Archives: October 2016

ENCOURAGEMENT AND PATIENCE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

auries 2012 visit 129

October 31
________________________________________
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
-1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NLT)
ENCOURAGEMENT AND PATIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are encouraging to one another
It builds up the whole body of believers
Urge those who are lazy to begin taking a step
Encourage the timid to start asking for help.
Take very tender care of those who are vulnerable
They are very fragile and are very susceptible
Have patience with everyone as God is with you
You’re like a light that brings others to be renewed.
________________________________________
Imagine a world without encouragement and patience? Many people will be judging and putting down each other. They will probably lose their temper and start physically or verbally fight each other. Life can seem meaningless to a discouraged person. Constant lack of encouragement can make all our hard work futile and lead to isolation, depression or even suicide.
The bible instructs us to have patience and be encouraging to live in complete harmony with each other in Romans 1AS 5:5. It shows that God himself possess this attributes. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 that we give extra encouragement to the lazy, timid and weak. Accepting their weaknesses and being a light to them in darkness can lead them to Christ and built up the church.
PRAYER
Lord, help those who are weak and discouraged.
REFLECTION
What can encouragement and patience bring to 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

SHARING YOUR LIFE AND THE GOSPEL Poem Devotional

Posted on by

rbg 182 (2)

October 30
________________________________________
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives too. – 1 Thessalonians 2:8(NLT)
SHARING YOUR LIFE AND THE GOSPEL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When Jesus laid down his life for us on the cross
He ransomed us from sin so we can come across
He loved us so much that he freed us from sin
He wants us to spread his Good News so we can win.
Have you shared your life and the gospel to anyone?
Don’t waste time, reach out and give it to someone
Manifest your love for others as Christ did for you
He wants you to lay down your life and live in truth.
________________________________________
What would you do for someone you love so much? Wouldn’t you do anything for your spouse, children or your family? If you are a parent, you probably know what I am talking about. When our child is sick, we would do anything to take that illness from them and suffer instead of them experiencing the pain.
God loved us so much that he gave his only son so we can be freed from sin. He expects all those who are his people to do the same thing he did for us. He wants us to share our life and the Good News. He wants us to give our testimony to others so they can come to Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to share my testimony to others.
REFLECTION
Why is sharing what Christ did for you important for a Christian?
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

DEVOTE TIME FOR PRAYER Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_2199

October 28
________________________________________
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. – Colossians 4:2(NLT)
DEVOTE TIME FOR PRAYER
A poem and essay by ILMA
How much time do you spend in prayer?
Do you run to Jesus to cast your cares?
Devote yourselves to prayer regularly
It makes you mindful and healthy.
Connect with the Lord with gratitude
It will definitely transform your attitude
Have an alert mind when you talk to Jesus
He loves intimacy from his children who are precious.
________________________________________
According to some bible verses, prayer can be defined as a lifting up of our soul to God (Psalm 25:1), a pouring out our heart to God (Psalm 62:8), a crying out to God (Psalm 86:3), a spiritual incense (Revelations 5:8), a coming before the throne of grace (Psalm 84:1-2), a spiritual sacrifice and fruit of our lips (Hebrew 13:5) and a drawing close to God in friendship, fellowship and trust (James 4:8). Jesus taught us to pray and fast in Matthew 6:5-15. He wants us to pray to God in private and not babble on and on like the religious. He shows us that we have to forgive those who sin against us so we can also be forgiven. He gave us the Lord’s prayer which is a prayer of worship and dependence on God for all our needs. We are asked to devote ourselves to prayer with an alert min and gratitude.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never have a day pass without praying.
REFLECTION
What benefits have you reaped from praying?
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

SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION Poem Devotional

Posted on by

auries 2012 visit 068

October 27
________________________________________
When you came to Christ, you were circumcised, but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision -the cutting away of your sinful nature.
Colossians 2:11(NLT)
SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you came to Christ, you were given a new life
The sinful nature was cut away so you can live in the light
All forms of darkness have been removed and transformed
You were pulled out of bondage and a new person was formed.
You need not go back and forth to your old ways
God’s spirit will equip you and guide you each day
Remember to never look back but always press on
Keep your eyes on Jesus and you will be transformed.
________________________________________
In the old testament, Abraham made a covenant with God in Genesis 17. God required Abraham, his descendants and all the male among his household to be circumcised as a mark of the covenant between him and the family. When Christ died, all these changed. In 1 Corinthians 7:17-19, we are all called to continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed us when God first called us. For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it and the man who was uncircumcised should not be circumcised now. Spiritual circumcision means that Christ cut away your sinful nature the minute you committed to him.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for transforming me when I believed in you.
REFLECTION
What has God cut away in your old life the minute you were saved?
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

RADIANCE OF JOY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

2014 highlights 843

October 26
________________________________________
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. – Psalm 34:5(NLT)
RADIANCE OF JOY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you living in shame and darkness?
Are you isolating yourself and living in loneliness?
Give it up, ask help and run to Jesus Christ
He will fill you up with joy and change your life.
Those who look to him for help will be glowing
There is no shadow of shame, only joy overflowing
They will shine like a dazzling light to others
They will radiate God’s joy and change one another.
________________________________________
Can you spot the difference between a believer and an unbeliever? For those who do not know the Lord, they wouldn’t know the difference. However, those who are Christians would be able to detect the difference. Authentic believers have a certain exuberance in their character. They have this positive and patient attitude that attracts other people to them. Kindness and gentleness radiate in their personalities. They don’t judge others and they are forgiving and understanding. They usually don’t point fingers at other’s mistakes or faults. They are very loving and peaceful people. They know how to rest and they don’t do things to please or get approval. They pursue Jesus through his word and obey his will. There is no trace of shame or darkness in their spirits; just sheer joy.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the light that you shine on me.
REFLECTION
Why do you think that asking God for help makes a Christian radiant with joy?
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

OPEN MY EYES LORD! Poem Devotional

Posted on by

auries 2012 visit 121

October 25
________________________________________
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. -Psalm 119:18(NLT)
OPEN MY EYES LORD!
A poem and essay by ILMA
When I am feeling down and discouraged
Open my eyes Lord so I can have courage
When days are bleak and I am tested
Open my eyes so I will not be tempted
When my enemies put me down
Open my eyes to receive your crown
When I don’t see what you are doing
Open my eyes so I won’t stop believing.
________________________________________
It is sad to see so many believers whose eyes are not really open to the truth in Scriptures. Many Christians are trapped in religion and probably only a few really have an intimate and personal relationship with Christ. God has given us the bible so we can feed on it. It is our spiritual food but many believers do not partake of this food that nourishes our whole being especially our spirits. Some believers do not even realize that they are blinded by the world. James was very specific in his book that we shouldn’t only be hearers of the word of God, we should also be doers (James 1:22), otherwise, we are only fooling ourselves if we don’t walk our talk. Have the humility to ask God to open your eyes to things that you are blind to. He will give you wisdom if you do.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me light when I am in the dark.
REFLECTION
Why is the act of asking God for wisdom one of the best gesture a Christian can 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

VICTORY THROUGH FAITH Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 019-001

October 24
________________________________________
For every child of God defeats this evil world and we achieve this victory through our faith.
– 1 John 5:4(NLT)
VICTORY THROUGH FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will ensue
It is waiting eagerly and abiding in him and in what is true
For every child of God wins over this wicked world
We will have victory by confessing his powerful word.
Don’t ever lose hope when you can’t see results
God knows what’s best, so do not revolt
Keep on growing your faith so you can win
It is the best way you can overcome sin.
________________________________________
One of the best verses about faith is the centurion’s story in Matthew 8. In ancient Rome, “centurion” meant “captain of 100”. The backbone of the Roman army were the centurions who were legionaries. The centurion received pay that amounted to more than 20 times the ordinary soldiers pay, about 5,000 denarii per year.
In Matthew’s account, the centurion stooped down in humility and asked Jesus to heal one of his servants who was paralyzed and in terrible pain. The officer’s words “I am not worthy to have you come in my house, but only say the word and my servant will be healed,” is one of the strongest manifestations of faith. Jesus himself was amazed by him. Because of his faith, he was granted healing for his servant.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a faith that never wavers.
REFLECTION
Why do you think faith is the foundation of victory over sin?
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

RIGHTEOUS THROUGH FAITH Poem Devotional

Posted on by

halloween 2011 and sunrises 060

October 23
________________________________________
Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but not have been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. – Romans 4:11(NLT)
RIGHTEOUS THROUGH FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling with doing the right thing?
We are counted as righteous if we keep on believing
The Lord wants all glory given to his own Son
He sacrificed his life so we can all be one.
Abraham is our spiritual father because of his faith
When we allow God’s presence, we change our fate
You are considered holy if you believe in Jesus
He loves you much and you are very precious.
________________________________________
There are many misconceptions about being righteous. I grew up being taught to work hard to be good and avoid doing evil. The teachings that I learned were focused on performing so that God will love me more or save me. I thought that I needed to do stuff so God will approve me. I didn’t know that I had already so much value as far as God was concerned. He loved me the way I am because he made who I am. No one told me that I only need to believe in Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross and I’ll be saved. The bible says that we are counted righteous because of our faith, just as Abraham who is our spiritual father was.
PRAYER
Thank you for the gift of your son Jesus.
REFLECTION
Why do you think faith is what makes us righteous?

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

THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

winter 2013 landscapes 026

October 22
________________________________________
I will certainly bless you and I will multiply your descendants beyond number. Then Abraham waited patiently and he received what God has promised.
– Hebrews 6:14-15(NLT)
THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there anything that you have been waiting for?
Continue to be patient and rely on the Lord
He will certainly bless you and multiply what you sow
He wants you to live joyfully and have fruits grow.
Abraham waited patiently and he received
Be hopeful and enjoy life so you won’t be deceived
The fruit of patience is your dream’s realization
Because of faith, Abraham became father of all nations.
________________________________________
Patience in Hebrew is qawah, which means “to wait” or “to expect”. Parents have this joyful expectancy to see the fruit of their love come to life, their offspring. I will never forget that experience when I gave birth. I can’t stop watching my baby and figuring out how he lived inside of me and then become a person when he came out of my womb. I loved that verse from the bible that says that God intricately woven me in my mother’s womb. Before I gave birth, I experienced a lot of discomfort and pain but it was all worth it when I met my baby.
God promises to multiply our resources and blessings if we wait patiently and endure. He wants us to continue believing even through suffering.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for allowing me to suffer so I can expect your fruits.
REFLECTION
Why do you think patience is a very valuable trait a Christian can possess?
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

ROAD TO FULFILLED DREAMS Poem Devotional

Posted on by

auries 2012 visit 121

October 21
________________________________________
Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.
– Psalm 105:19(NLT)
ROAD TO FULFILLED DREAMS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you going through tests and trials in your life?
Do you have things that are not going right?
Sometimes we experience tests to build character
It brings out the best when we are tried by our Maker
Do not stop until you get right to your dream
It pays to be patient rather than being grim
Don’t be afraid of suffering for it makes you strong
It will make your dreams come true not for very long.
________________________________________
The story of Joseph in Genesis 37 is a good testimony about how the Lord tested Joseph’s character. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the son’s of his father’s wives. Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day, Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph, a beautiful robe. He dreamed about bundles of grain that bowed low before his. Another dream was that the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed low before him. When he told his brothers, the more they hated him and they plotted to kill him. Joseph was sold as a slave to the Egyptians, but later made ruler of Egypt. A dream fulfilled.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never give up when I am faced with trials?
REFLECTION
How can character be built out of suffering and trials?
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