Monthly Archives: October 2016

MAKING CERTAIN DREAMS COME TRUE Poem Devotional

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October 20
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Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. – Hebrews 6:12(NLT)
MAKING CERTAIN DREAMS COME TRUE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are the dreams that you’ve hope for?
Do they make you closer to God and faithful?
For wishes to be come true, keep on believing
To realize them, you also need to keep on loving.
Walk in love for as long as life lasts
It is the secret to fulfilling dreams fast
Living a life full of love makes anything possible
Satisfying selfish pleasures make it improbable.
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What dreams have come true for you already? What other wishes have not come to fruition yet? When I was three years old, I was captivated by paintings and wished I was a painter. That dream didn’t come true until I was thirty-two years old. What took it that long? I was living in rebellion and disobedience many years of those era of my life. When I decided to turn to God again at age twenty-nine and became celibate and more loving to those around me, he made the impossible dream come true. I became a self-taught or rather God-taught painter. I sold over 75 artworks by the time I had my very first solo exhibit. Our dreams will be realized if we keep on loving others.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never live out of love.
REFLECTION
What dreams are being hindered to happen because of your unloving ways?
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

ENDURANCE LEADS TO PERFECTION Poem Devotional

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October 19 ________________________________________
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete needing nothing. – James 1:3-4(NLT)
ENDURANCE LEADS TO PERFECTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you being challenged to press against all odds?
Your strength and patience is being stretched by God
Don’t give up, don’t hinder it while it is progressing
It will make you perfect, complete and needing nothing.
Don’t resist while pressures against you builds up
Press on and continue to focus on God’s only Son
Wait a little longer and you will reap a harvest
Don’t worry, stay faithful and you’ll be blessed.
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Back in my early 40’s, I was a member of a cycling club and was the only woman in a group of over fifty members. I needed to practice on my own daily, at least 30 kilometers per day to keep up with the boys. I also had to ensure that I slowly pace myself up to a certain speed so I can catch up with all these strong men during our weekend bike marathons with distance goal of 200 kilometers in a span of 2-3 hours. When we reach that height of the climb, I almost want to give up, but I press on and I did it. The bible encourages us to keep on enduring so we can reach perfection.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to endure even when I can’t understand.
REFLECTION
What is the most challenging test that God allowed 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

LIVING IN GOD’S WILL Poem Devotional

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October 18
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How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that. – James 4:14-15(NLT)
LIVING IN GOD’S WILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
I don’t know what tomorrow may bring
I need not hold on to material things
My life is like a fog, it is here now
It can easily be dissolved and gone.
If the Lord wants me to do this
I must obey and rejoice in it
Living in God’s will is my destiny
It is the only way I can have victory.
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There are many people who plan so much for tomorrow. Nothing wrong with that. It is good to have a plan and aim to get closer to your dreams. Some people become too obsessed with their future. It robs them of joy and peace and they keep on worrying about tomorrow. The bible tells us in Matthew 6 that we shouldn’t be worried about anything because God already knows our needs even before we can actually figure out what they are. He wants us to focus on him and put him above all things, live righteously and all our needs will be given to us. He wants us to live in his will and be close to him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me build an intimate relationship with you.
REFLECTION
What has worrying about the future brought into 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

LIVING WITHOUT DIRECTION Poem Devotional

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October 17
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When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. – Proverbs 29:18(NLT)
LIVING WITHOUT DIRECTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you faithfully following God’s will and direction?
Do you focus on him daily so you can avoid temptations?
When people don’t accept divine guidance, they run wild
Those who commit their lives to him will faithfully abide
To live without direction is compromising one’s life
Commit to his will and sacrifice your life for Christ
He will constantly be with you and never leave
Make sure that you don’t turn your back but cleave.
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Have you ever driven without really knowing where you are going? What was the result? You probably got lost or used up all your gas. We can’t live life without a purpose. Those who go through life without meaning find it hard to have peace and joy. God didn’t make us so that we can run in circles and guess all our lives. He gave us the bible so that we can have a guide to navigate through this very challenging journey of life.
The bible says that those who do not follow divine guidance will run wild. Whoever obeys him will find joy. We are summoned to live a life that is guided by our heavenly father, not by the world or other people’s philosophy. When we obey God, we find peace and joy.
PRAYER
Lord, show me where to go whenever I get lost.
REFLECTION
How can we know what purpose God has for 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

STUBBORNNESS DESTROYS Poem Devotional

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October 16
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Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. -Proverbs 29:1(NLT)
STUBBORNNESS DESTROYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is your life full of hardships and suffering?
Have you been obstinate in following?
Those who can’t take criticism
All they want to do is to argue and win
They will be destroyed beyond recovery
The devil will continually con them into slavery
The Lord detests defiance and rebelliousness
He considers it witchcraft when you are lawless.
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The life of Christ is full of obedience and humility. This is the reason why he was able to save humankind from our folly and sin. Christians are summoned to live a life like Jesus in order to thrive in this life. The world on the other hand offers us a very different way to live. The world focuses on material gain, power and winning by disobedience and disrespect.
I was a very stubborn person for many decades of my life and I can attest to this verse because it surely destroyed me and led me to more sins. Each act of lawlessness was equivalent to endless troubles and sufferings. This stronghold was one of those many that God delivered me from. I thank him that he pulled me out of it. It took over 50 years to get out of it which was a result of my resistance and denial. Learn to accept criticism and learn from it.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to have an openness to your convictions.
REFLECTION
Why do you think stubbornness is considered witchcraft or divination according to 1 Samuel 15:23?

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

MANAGING RESOURCES Poem Devotional

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October 15
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Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.
-Proverbs 27:23-24(NLT)
MANAGING RESOURCES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you aware of the state of your responsibilities?
Do you care for your flocks and watch them carefully?
The Lord has given us resources abundantly
Are you tending to them faithfully and responsibly?
Don’t take for granted all your riches and possessions
They all need to be carefully watched with great supervision
Stewardship is very important in order to thrive and prosper
Seek the Lord first and tend to his kingdom and you’ll be richer.
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Have you seen businesses that have thrived for many years? What do you think is the secret of those who have successful enterprises? One of the keys to prosper in business is to ensure that you have hands on management on it. I have seen many entrepreneurs who didn’t last long because they left everything to other people’s managerial skills who lacked the care and love that the owners actually have for the business. It is important to steward your own flock, in other words, you have to be wise enough to study and care about the health of your business.
The bible tells us that we must pay attention to all the resources we have for it may not last long.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me all the resources I need.
REFLECTION
Why is stewardship important in our lives?
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 CAN FORESEE Poem Devotional

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October 14
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A prudent person foresees danger and take precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. – Proverbs 27:12(NLT)
ONE WHO CAN FORESEE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The wise person is able to foresee danger and be warned
They are tuned in to what they do and never hurry or run
They are observant and creative of their surroundings
They can tell if there is evil and wickedness lurking.
The Holy Spirit guides them and makes them wise
They listen to God’s spirit for guidance or advise
That is why they can foresee what will transpire
They hear God’s voice, they heed and they abide.
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Have you ever been with someone who is so careless and reckless at the same time? I knew someone who just don’t care what they do or how it affects others. He is physically present yet his heart and mind is somewhere else. He says something and pretend he cares but deep inside, he has no concern for anything but to get what he wants or follow his routines. It is like watching a dead person walking and doing things. They have no life. They are physically alive but spiritually dead. They live life just for the sake of living. They don’t dream big, they live in a box and trapped there.
The bible says that the one who can foresee are the wise while fools just go through life recklessly.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please give me wisdom to foresee danger.
REFLECTION
What do you do when the Holy Spirit warns you about something?
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

SUPPLIER OF NEEDS Poem Devotional

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October 13
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And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19(NLT)
SUPPLIER OF NEEDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you desperately looking for someone to satisfy your needs?
There is not a person who can actually supply you with this
Only our heavenly Father can satisfy and give us provision
He gave us his only Son to share his riches and give us redemption
Through Christ Jesus, we can be assured of all blessings
It is through him that we can be alleviated from sufferings
God is the one who can generously supply all our needs
He is fountain of goodness and the source of all things.
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When I got married, I had this notion at the back of my mind that my husband is going to supply all my needs. Several years later, I got more frustrated each day because he couldn’t supply and meet my needs. When I started reading and studying God’s word, I finally had to give up this worldly and romantic notion that my spouse can fill all those needs. After all, he is as broken as I am himself.
The bible tells us that God is the only one who can supply all our needs. It is unrealistic to expect from people we love what only God can supply.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to only expect from you.
REFLECTION
What happens to relationships when we have very unrealistic expectations from those we are in relationship with?
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 CAN DO ANYTHING Poem Devotional

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October 12
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I know you can do anything and no one can stop you. – Job 42:2(NLT)
GOD CAN DO ANYTHING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever doubt if God can deliver his promises?
Do you trust him fully in times of crisis?
Faith in him may benefit you during difficulties
God can do anything; he has no weaknesses or frailties.
Are you assured that he will be faithful to give provision?
You must believe in him and not trust human intuition
Never question God’s will or you will be frustrated
Rely on him for anything and ask so you will be provided.
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What do you think is the difference between someone who have faith and a person who do not believe in God? Blessings and contentment are clearly seen among those who are authentic believers. Bitterness, complaining and not having enough are the clear manifestations of an unbeliever’s life.
There were years of unbelief during my early teen years. I became bitter and whiny because I relied more on my own efforts to get my goals and needs met. I didn’t have enough faith in the Lord that he will provide for me. I was proud and never really cared about God those years and I really had a hand to mouth existence. I was like the proud Job who forgot that God can do anything and no one can stop him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me remember how powerful and merciful you are always.
REFLECTION
What has God done in your life that manifested his 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

GOD CAN’T LIE Poem Devotional

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October 11
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God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
-Numbers 23:19(NLT)
GOD CAN’T LIE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been betrayed by someone’s lies?
There is one who never lies and that is Jesus Christ
He became human but he is supreme over all man
He is not weak like us, he is majestic and grand.
Christ’s very nature is love so he can’t engage in lies
He sees all things and always do what is right
God is love so he is can only do loving things
He is faithful and perfect and will never engage in lying.
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According to mentalfloss.com, in a 2002 study conducted by the University of Massachusetts, 60% of adults can’t have a ten-minute conversation without lying at least once. We lie to everyone. Our parents get the worst of it, according to The Day America Told the Truth, with 86% of us lying to them regularly, followed by friends (75%), siblings (73%), and spouses (69%). But in general we lie about things that aren’t important.
I think the first lie ever told is when Adam and Eve committed the original sin and was asked what they have done. Both of them lied, pointing at each other. Our fallen nature makes us lie, but we can avoid lying supernaturally by God’s power alone.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me from all kinds of lies.
REFLECTION
How do lies affect relationships? How can we avoid lying?
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