Monthly Archives: October 2016

HAVE COURAGE! GOD IS WITH YOU Poem Devotional

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October 10
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Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. -1 Chronicles 28:20(NLT)
HAVE COURAGE! GOD IS WITH YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you beset by an illness or failed relationship?
Have courage and don’t be afraid of hardships
Trials and challenges come to each and every person
Continue to believe in Christ who died and was risen.
God is with you always and will not leave
Better to cling to him so you will receive
Blessings and mercy are bountiful to those who love
Seek his kingdom and keep your eyes on him up above.
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Courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens one or the strength in the face of pain or grief. For someone to be called courageous or brave we can deduce that fear factor was handled successfully by that person. Courage is not absence of fear but it is victory over it. There are 365 verses in the bible that mentions fear. Why would God warn us about what we fear or feel insecure about?
The bible says that we must be strong to do the work he asked us to do. He reassures us that we will not fail in doing his work, for he will never forsake us. He is with us always.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your presence in our life.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you were afraid and felt God’s presence comforting 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

UNCHANGEABLE GOD

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October 9
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I am the Lord and I do not change. – Malachi 3:6 (NLT)
UNCHANGEABLE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been let down by someone’s indecision?
Are you tossed and turn by some situations?
Have you been heartbroken by someone’s unreliability?
Are there broken promises resulting from instability?
The Lord, your God never changes
You can depend on him to face all challenges
He is always faithful and merciful to his children
His unchanging love and character, he has freely given.
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Have you ever been with someone who is so unstable that your life became compromised? I once lived with someone who constantly changed his mind and can never come up to a decision. He is always seeking to satisfy himself and expects everyone around him to succumb to gratify himself. You’ll never know what he is thinking or feeling. He can be nice one moment and flip into a monster the next second. I walked on eggshells living with this person. I started to doubt myself and became more insecure and unstable as a result of being around him. I felt unloved, belittled and neglected. I felt non-existent because everything was about him and he never cared for anyone else except to get what he wants from those around him.
The bible describes God as someone who is unchangeable. He is constantly loving, merciful and faithful. He is the epitome of love and stability.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you that I can rely on you at all times for you never change.
REFLECTION
How has God’s faithfulness shaped your life as 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

FAITH MAKES US RIGHTEOUS Poem Devotional

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October 8
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He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. – Romans 4:21-22(NLT)
FAITH MAKES US RIGHTEOUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that God keeps his promises?
Do you continue to trust and have peace?
Are you convinced that God is faithful?
What do you do to show him you are grateful?
Faith makes us right with the Lord
Believing him brings him glory and laud
Press on and continue to grow your faith in Jesus
You are loved so much; to him, you are precious.
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One of the ways that the enemy traps us is by making us focused on the self. Human nature desires to gratify the self. The only way we can be focused on others is by the grace of God. Otherwise, we can fall into the pit of showing off or performing to get approval. I grew up thinking that I could work my way to being righteous. I followed the ten commandments religiously but the more I do, the more I sinned. The bible tells us that we were freed from the law when Christ died on the cross. If you believe in Christ, you are under his grace.
We are made righteous only through faith just like Abraham. Romans 3:22 declares us righteous by our faith in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to grow my faith in you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think faith in Jesus is essential 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

UNWAVERING FAITH Poem Devotional

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October 7
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Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this, he brought glory to God. – Romans 4:20(NLT)
UNWAVERING FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think that uncertain faith gives God praise?
What does the Scriptures say about having faith?
Continue to believe God’s promises and never waver
Keep on trusting despite not seeing; it makes you stronger.
Don’t dither for a person with divided loyalty is unbalanced
They are like the waves that tosses and turns by chance
What brings God glory is a faith that never changes
It is incessant believing even when faced with challenges.
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Mustard seed are very small, usually about 1 to 2 millimetres in diameter and may be colored from yellowish white to black. They are important spice in many different countries. They can grow as tall and wide as twenty feet. In Matthew 13:31-32, Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches. He requires us all to have faith just like mustard seeds. It only takes 1-2 millimetres of faith to grow it huge. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this, he brought glory to God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never be tossed and turn by doubts.
REFLECTION
What are the ways we can grow our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ?
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

WHEN YOU PUT GOD FIRST Poem Devotional

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October 6
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Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. -Matthew 6:33-34(NLT)
WHEN YOU PUT GOD FIRST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you make God your priority
You actually let go of idolatry
Seek God first and be right with him
When you take your eyes off God, you sin.
Worrying brings out more fear and sorrow
Let go of all your concerns about tomorrow
Today’s trouble is enough, so give up anxiety
Instead, put God first and you will have victory.
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What is the first thing you do as soon as you wake up? Do you run to the shower or rush to do your stuff? I learned early to say a prayer before anything else. Having been brought up to follow religious rituals paid off after all. As I habitually prayed as young as seven years old, the Holy Spirit taught me to find meaning in rote praying. He invited me to converse and tell Jesus my heartaches and troubles. So, at an early age, I had a personal relationship with Christ.
The bible tells us that when we put God first in everything, live a holy life following Jesus, we will be granted all our needs. We need not worry about anything.
PRAYER
Lord, help me whenever the enemy distracts my attention from you.
REFLECTION
What happens when you take off your eyes off 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

UNBELIEVERS’ THOUGHTS Poem Devotional

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October 5
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So don’t worry about these things, saying “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. – Matthew 6:31-32 (NLT)
UNBELIEVERS’ THOUGHTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you fret and take hours to choose what to wear?
Do others find you difficult to deal with and to bear?
Do you worry about what to eat or drink each day?
Don’t you believe that God provides for you everyday?
All these thoughts are what dominates unbelievers
Their minds are filled by doubts given by the deceiver
Your heavenly Father already knows your needs
He wants you to ask in his name so you can receive.
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I have been a Christian since I was seven but for many decades of my past life was lived like an unbeliever. I didn’t read the bible until I was in my late twenties which would give you an insight as to why I led a very messy life then. How can someone think that they could navigate life without God’s direction? What kind of life would that be if you claim that you are a committed follower of Jesus?
The bible says that the things that dominates unbelievers are mostly worries and anxieties over very trivial things such as what to eat, drink or wear.
PRAYER
Lord, please deliver me from worries, anxieties especially over trivial matters.
REFLECTION
What do you think an authentic believer’s mind’s pre-occupation is as opposed to the unbeliever’s thoughts?
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 BLINDNESS Poem Devotional

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October 4
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“If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.” – John 9:41(NLT)
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that God gave his only Son to save you?
Have you allowed the Holy spirit to have your mind renewed?
Those who love Jesus will be able to see
They will have peace and always be free.
Those who do not have Christ don’t have light
They do not see the truth that gives them sight
If you are a believer and yet live in the dark
You are spiritually blind and you won’t do far.
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Why did Jesus confront the Pharisees during his time? What was he trying to tell us about these religious people? In John chapter nine, we witness another miracle when Jesus healed a blind man on a Sabbath day. Notice how the religious men focused on when the miracle was done instead of being amazed at the healing and the miracle. They have no joy or thankfulness for the blind man’s healing. All they care about was to find fault in Jesus because they were threatened by the truth he tells them
Jesus confronted them about their spiritual blindness when they asked if Jesus was trying to say that they were blind. Despite the amazing miracles, they remain blind but try to cover it up with legalism.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me away from being blind from your truth.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some believers choose to stay blind despite all the amazing things God shows them?
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

PROOF YOU BELONG TO GOD Poem Devotional

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October 3
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So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me. Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.
– John 8:45,47(NLT)
PROOF YOU BELONG TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that Scriptures is truth?
Do you allow God’s word to take root?
Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly
They do what pleases the Lord faithfully.
By believing and obeying his word is the proof
It brings you blessings and the Spirit’s fruit
Those who don’t listen to the truth does not belong
They love the world much and all that is wrong.
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There are many Christians who have committed their lives to Jesus. Does it mean that they really belong to God? The bible says that our faith, our actions and what we say should line up with God’s truth which is found in his word. What good is it to say and declare God’s truth, when your life is full of worldliness and you live following the standards of this world instead of God’s?
There were many decades of my life when I was so confused and I created my own religion. I picked some traditions and laws of the church that would easily fit my desires. The bible says that you belong to God when you gladly listen and follow his word.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for moments when I don’t meditate on your words.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people question the truths laid in Scriptures?
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 BY SEEING BUT BY BELIEVING Poem Devotional

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October 2
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For we live by believing, not seeing. – 2 Corinthians 5:7(NLT)
NOT BY SEEING BUT BY BELIEVING
A poem and essay by ILMA
What have you been praying for?
Have you asked with much fervor?
Are you patient enough to wait?
Have you continued to grow your faith?
We live by believing, not by seeing
We get responses only by trusting
Don’t rely on your human understanding
Continue to hope; you’ll soon be receiving.
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Chapter twelve of Genesis narrates the story when God called Abraham to leave his native country, relatives, father’s family and go to the land he will show him. He was promised a great nation and that he will be a blessing to all families on earth.
Will you be able to do what this old man did? He left everything familiar and follow God’s call to go somewhere he has no clue about. Abraham’s father Terah was 70 years old when he had Abraham and he left Ur to head to Canaan but stopped at Haran and settled there. Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran. Abraham lived in Haran until he was seventy-five years old when God called him to head on to Canaan. He obeyed and continued to trust that God will fulfill his promise to him. He was ninety-nine and childless when God made a covenant with him to give him countless descendants. He believed even without seeing.
PRAYER
Lord, give me faith like Abraham.
REFLECTION
What and when was the greatest manifestation of faith 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.co

GOD DETESTS LIES poem devotional

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October 1
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The Lord detests lying lips but he delights in those who tell the truth.
–Proverbs 12:22(NLT)
GOD DETESTS LIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever told lies to anyone?
Have you ever been lied to by someone?
The Lord detests lips that are continually deceiving
Lies can block us from truth and receive blessings.
Lies are works of the enemy
It keeps you in constant slavery
Keep your tongue from evil and speaking lies
Speaking untrue things can ruin your entire life.
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One of the foundations of a good relationship is built on trust. When we don’t trust, it is impossible for us to have a healthy and thriving relationship. Trust is earned, it is never forced. We learn to trust as a result of being in safe situations, people and relations. We learn to trust early in life. Babies trust only those familiar faces they constantly see. They trust their mothers or caregivers because they see them constantly giving their needs. They learn to trust because these people keep them safe and secure.
I had a turbulent childhood where my trust was breached by all the people who were supposed to be responsible to care for me and keep me safe. I grew up surrounded by lies and unspoken truth. Because so many people betrayed my trust and never really cared about keeping me safe, it was hard to trust. God detests lies.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from liars and lies.
REFLECTION
How has lies and liars impacted 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