Monthly Archives: December 2016

EAGERNESS TO SERVE Poem Devotional

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December 21________________________________________
Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
-1 Peter 5:2(NLT)
EAGERNESS TO SERVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
We are all asked to be good stewards of God’s blessing
Are you able to watch over it willingly and not grudgingly?
An eagerness to serve God manifests your faithfulness
Those who are ungrateful cannot hide their carelessness.
Whenever you take responsibility over what you are given
You are showing that you love God and you’ll taste heaven
When you are diligent and persistent to grow in your faith
You are surely going to reap rewards and change your fate.
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Have you ever been with someone who drags himself or herself to do things? I know someone who wouldn’t show eagerness to do something for someone. He only does his duties and never do something out of love. It was hard to watch this person always looking glum and depressed. There is no signs of happiness or contentment in his face. All you can see is a lifeless creature moving and walking around, just like a zombie. This person claims he is a Christian. What a disgrace to God’s kingdom to see this zombie-like creature.
Christians are expected to be good stewards of God’s blessings for it shows eagerness to serve him.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from discontent and complaining.
REFLECTION
Why is eagerness to serve an important factor in opening up heaven’s gates?
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 LOVE GOD Poem Devotional

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If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar. Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. – 1 John 4:20&;21(NLT)

WHEN YOU LOVE GOD

A poem and essay by ILMA

When you love God, you will follow his will

When you love God, you will learn to be still

When you love God, you will love your neighbors

When you love God, you will respect and not force

When you love God, there is peace in your life

When you love God, you will live under his light

When you love God, you will live in his truth

When you love God, you will allow his words to take root.

Most Christians think that they love God, but a few of them do not really manifest that love in their relationships with others. Since we cannot see God, how can we show that we mean what we declare? Loving is not just saying or committing to Jesus in one day. It means that we are submitting ourselves to follow through that promise we made all of our lives.

The bible says that if we say that we love God and yet hate someone, we are called liars. He requires us to love others if we claim that we love him. We must manifest this love in the physical realm by showing it to one another.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to constantly love you through others.

REFLECTION

What happens when you claim you love God and yet are mean 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

LOVE EQUALS OBEDIENCE TO GOD Poem Devotional

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December 19
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Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. -2 John 6(NLT)
LOVE EQUALS OBEDIENCE TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you say you love God and yet not heed his call
Don’t you open up the door for you to easily fall?
Love means doing what God has commanded
When you rebel, you are sinning and will be tempted.
To obey God’s command to love one another
Is loving him through our sisters and brothers
Submission to his truth shows we are faithful
Defiance to it clearly indicates we are fools.
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There are many ways to manifest love to someone. We can shower our beloved with love by agreeing with their values and ideals. Another way is to care for their well-being and to be loyal to them. Sacrificing something we really want is another picture of love. Submitting to each other is another example of manifesting love.
The bible clearly tells us that love isn’t just a word we say to someone. Love means doing what God commanded us. He wants us to love one another as we love him and as we love ourselves. Obedience is a prerequisite to fulfillment of God’s promises for his people. He showered the faithful and obedient with an overflow of blessings and guaranteed them a spot in heaven.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for protecting us with your commands to love one another.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God puts much emphasis on obedience? What are the consequences of rebellion?
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

ABIDE IN CHRIST’S TEACHING Poem Devotional

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December 18________________________________________
Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.
-2 John 9 (NLT)
ABIDE IN CHRIST’S TEACHING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek wisdom from Christ’s teaching?
Are you constantly asking his guidance and abiding?
Anyone who wanders away from Jesus’ truth
They will find it hard to reap the Spirit’s fruits.
Those who stand by the word of God
A relationship with him brings him laud
Remain in him and he will remain in you
Your hearts will be purified and renewed.
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Many people find it hard to have a relationship with God and Christ. When we don’t grow up with a close bond with our own biological fathers, it is very hard to picture a personal relationship with God. When emotional walls were created by our parents, we will surely find it difficult to see God as someone who is there for us or just nearby. Our parents or first caregivers set the way we will relate with God and with others when we grow up. When we are deprived of a loving and caring environment, we will also view God the same way.
The bible tells us that we need to abide by God’s truths because this shows that we have a relationship both with the Father and the Son.
PRAYER
Lord, never let me go astray from your teachings.
REFLECTION
How does abiding in Jesus’ teaching demonstrate a personal relationship with 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

PROOF THAT YOU’RE GOD’S CHILD Poem Devotional

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December 17
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Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. – 3 John 11 (NLT)
PROOF THAT YOU’RE GOD’S CHILD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you claim that you are God’s child?
Do you seek him and constantly abide?
Proof that you’re his child is if you do good
You don’t know God if you don’t live in his truth.
Always do what is right and follow Jesus’ ways
You will never be wrong and not be swayed
You are a child of God if you hunger and seek him
You are his if you do his will and avoid sin.
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When you are in relationship with someone, don’t you do things for this beloved to prove your love for him or her? Would you do something that you know would offend your partner if you are in an honest and committed relationship? I am sure that you won’t purposely do something to hurt them. When you claim that you love someone, you act on it and show him or her that you follow through your commitment. Our relationship with God is no different. He expects us to follow through with our commitment with him. How would you feel if God forsakes you or purposely offend you? We prove that we are his child if we do good.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from being tempted to do evil but always do good.
REFLECTION
How do you prove your love to Jesus on a practical basis?
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 WORTHY ONE Poem Devotional

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December 16
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You are worthy, O lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased. -Revelations 4:11(NLT)
THE WORTHY ONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
We bring honor to you O Lord, the worthy one
You love without limits and you gave us your Son
You made everything in heaven and on earth
We exist because you created what you pleased.
You are worthy of our worship and praise
No other gods surpass your love that is ablaze
You are worthy, O Lord our God to receive glory
We are forever grateful; we thank you for all the beauty.
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Today is a snowstorm here where I live in this part of Canada. What a glorious day God has given us to be awed by his creation. When I moved from the Philippines to Canada, the thing that gives me so much joy is to watch winter. When the snow falls and cover those evergreen trees, it is such a delight. The ground is all white and at night, there is so much brightness because of the whiteness of the surrounding. It smells fresh and feels so clean surrounded by all the snow.
I thank the Lord for all his creation and for my existence. He is the only one worthy of praise and glory for he is the only God who created us all.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all your wonderful creation.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to give praise and worship the one true 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

PROCRASTINATING BELIEVER Poem Devotional

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December 15
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Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God. – Luke 9:60(NLT)
PROCRASTINATING BELIEVER
A poem and essay by ILMA
All believers are called to preach the Kingdom of God
We all have a duty to give the Lord all the applaud
We need to prioritize spreading the Good News
No more excuses, just talk about God’s wonderful truth.
When we delay and find worldly reasons not to do our duty
We are giving in to procrastination totally
We don’t know when Jesus will return again
Be ready: don’t take your godly duties in vain.
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Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task that needs to be accomplished. It is delaying something that needs to be done but is being put off for some other pleasurable things. According to Psychologist, the pleasure principle may be responsible for procrastination. A procrastinator may be avoiding negative emotions when delaying stressful tasks. They think that they can work better under pressure and justifies their delaying. Some psychologists associate it with perfectionism. They tend to evaluate themselves and their performance and thereby create an intense fear of the possible outcome when others view them as imperfect.
The bible cautions us from procrastinating our godly duties, especially in preaching the Kingdom of God. If we claim to be Christians, we must be able to prioritize our spiritual duties first than any earthly duties.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from delaying any of my duties to preach the Good News.
REFLECTION
How can procrastination destroy our standing with 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

HOMELESS JESUS Poem Devotional

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December 14
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Foxes have dens to line in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head. – Luke 9:58(NLT)
HOMELESS JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you alone or have a family of your own?
Do you have some place you can call home?
Foxes have dens to line in and birds have nests
But Jesus has no place to rest; he is homeless.
When you defy his commands and continue to do evil
You show hostility to Jesus and invite the devil
Can Jesus knock on your door and be welcomed?
If you let him in, your life will be joyful and calm.
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What comes to your mind when you see a homeless man or woman? When I was still in the Philippines, it was really hard to watch how these people live. I was so addicted to comfort that I never even bothered reaching out to them. I was so fearful that they might hurt me or steal from me if I let them in my home. It was a selfish life of convenience. It was self-preservation and survival of the fittest that I embraced then. I missed out opportunities to bless others thereby closing the door to Jesus.
The bible talks about how even animals have their own homes to rest like foxes have dens and birds have nests, but Jesus was homeless.
PRAYER
Lord, help me remember to open my hearts door for you.
REFLECTION
Share an experience when you welcomed a homeless or a needy person in your home.
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

WIPE THE DUST OFF Poem Devotional

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December 13
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If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate.”
– Luke 10:8,10,11(NLT)
WIPE THE DUST OFF
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you go to a place and share about your faith
Be sure they welcome Christ and don’t argue or debate
If you go to a home where the gospel is embraced
Eat whatever is set before you and enjoy your stay.
If a town rejects Jesus and his truth
There’s no way there is going to be fruit
Move on to the next call to spread the Good News
You need not force the gospel or change their views.
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What do you do when you try to share Jesus to others and they refuse to even listen or give it a chance? The bible says that we have to wipe the dust off our feet. In plain language, we need not force the Good News to those who are not ready to receive it. We are all in different stages of our spiritual walk. If the spirit of God invites them, there will also be an opportunity to be open to accept it. Move on to the next one.
PRAYER
Lord, help me bring your Good News to as much people.
REFLECTION
What would happen if you force on others the gospel when they are not ready to accept it?
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 HEAVEN’S DOOR OPENS Poem Devotional

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December 12
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If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit, even sinners do that much. – Luke 6:32-33(NLT)
WHEN HEAVEN’S DOOR OPENS
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you only love those who love you, what difference does that make?
Even sinners love those who love them for their own sake
If you do good only to those who are good to you
There is no credit for you in God’s point of view.
You must follow Jesus and go beyond the world’s ways
You have to love the unlovable, forgive them and pray
This is the way that you can get heaven’s door to open for you
It is allowing God’s love to transform you and make you new.
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The bible describes God’s Kingdom with a narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14). In other words, when we get things easy, we are probably on the road to destruction. Heaven’s door opens to us when we love the unlovable and do good even to those who are mean to us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to love those who hurt me, forgive them and be kind to them.
REFLECTION
How should we love those who are unkind and harsh to 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