Monthly Archives: March 2017

REAL FRIENDS Poem Devotional

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March 11________________________________________
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
-Proverbs 18:24(NLT)
REAL FRIENDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who do you call friends these days?
Do they listen to what God says?
Do they stand by you especially during hard times?
Are they leading you to live under God’s light?
There are friends who destroy each other
A real friend sticks closer than a sister or brother
They follow the truth and seek only Jesus Christ
They accept you and help you during trials in life.
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I had never had a problem finding friends since I was seven years old. I always had two or more best friends as I was growing up. I was hungry for connecting and communicating with people since I was a young child. It wasn’t hard to make new friends. As a result of my hunger for love and affection, Jesus became my constant friend through daily writing and praying at age seven. It was also that time that I met Marivic, my very first best friend. Because Jesus knew that I also need human friends, he always provided me with an abundance of them during my life. When I migrated to Canada, I had difficulties finding new friends. I didn’t realize that God was overhauling my friendships. When I became a born again Christian, he gave me authentic loving believers.
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PRAYER
Thank you for new friendships from your body of Christ.
REFLECTION
Why is it important that your friends build you up instead of destroying 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

FEAR CRIPPLES Poem Devotional

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March 10________________________________________
My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking. -Psalm 55:4-5(NLT)
FEAR CRIPPLES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are you afraid of these days?
Do you get consumed hear what God says?
Are you focusing much on your apprehensions?
Take a break and give up your trepidations.
Fear cripples you from your potentials
This is why running to the Lord is essential
Perfect love casts out all forms of fear
Live in his truth and all things will be clear.
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Have you ever feared someone or something that literally made you sick? There was almost one decade of my life that I lived in fear. I was afraid that the little love I got from someone will be gone one day. This person was actually violating me physically, emotionally and spiritually and yet I clung to him. I could have just run away and left him, but I allowed him to do the most terrible and undignified things to me. Eventually, God put some sense into me and pulled me out of that relationship. I was literally sick with all kinds of unexplained illnesses. Years later God showed me how that fear crippled me. I realized that I need not subject myself to torturous reactions and I can count on Jesus to help me. We were cautioned 365 times not to fear by God.
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PRAYER
Lord, do not let me be consumed with apprehensions.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome being fearful of someone or 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

GIVE IN TO GOD’S DISCIPLINE Poem Devotional

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March 9________________________________________
But God says to the wicked: “Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant? For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash.”
-Psalm 50:16-17(NLT)
GIVE IN TO GOD’S DISCIPLINE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you encounter difficulties and trials
Do you confront them or run in total denial?
Do you pretend to obey but ignore his teachings?
Are you following his truth or do you keep on arguing?
Give in to God’s discipline and you will enjoy this life
Succumb to his guidance and you will live in his light
Treat his words with respect and guard it with your heart
Allow God’s spirit to transform and give you a good start.________________________________________
When I was in high school, I joined the Citizen’s Army Training as a requirement of our secondary education. Just like in military, we were trained and taught skills in handling some weapons that we can use to defend ourselves in the battlefield. We were given orders and rules to follow strictly and bear consequences when we don’t obey them. Just like military discipline, we also need spiritual discipline in order for us to mature spiritually.
There were many years of my early adult life that I turned my back on God’s discipline because I was too stubborn to heed to his correction. As a result, I suffered the consequences of my insolence. We are encouraged to heed to God’s discipline.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be resilient and bend to your correction.
REFLECTION
Why do you think is discipline an integral factor in growth?
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

I’LL PUT MY HOPE IN GOD poem devotional

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March 8________________________________________
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again-my Savior and my God. -Psalm 43:5(NLT)
I’LL PUT MY HOPE IN GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever I feel down and discouraged
I will put my hope in God so I’ll have the courage
When things seem bleak and hopeless
I will look beyond feeling frustrated and helpless.
Why is my heart so sad when my mind can’t fathom?
I need to praise the Lord with complete abandon
I will put my hope in Christ for he is full of grace
I will focus on my God so I will continue to be amazed.
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Was there ever a time in your life when you were frustrated, desperate, helpless and hopeless? I am sure at some point you were in this predicament. There were many dark periods in over 5 decades of my life. I even came to a point when I argued and battled with the Lord over many things I did not understand. I manipulated and made vows and deals with him just so I can have my way. I was a controlling woman who’d do anything to get her wishes and dreams fulfilled. I thank God that he delivered me from this desperation, manipulation and rebellion that enslaved me. I will put my hope in my God and I will completely trust him.
PRAYER
Lord, teach us humility and obedience when we get discouraged.
REFLECTION
What do you do or who do you run to when you feel helpless?
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 DETESTS VIOLENCE Poem Devotional

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March 7________________________________________
The Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. – Psalm 11:4-5(NLT)
GOD DETESTS VIOLENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord watches everyone each moment of each day
He knows what we are thinking and what we’re about to say
Whether people are wicked or godly, he examines them
He patterned man’s hearts to his and so we can be like him.
God detests violence among other wickedness
He didn’t design our hearts for unrighteousness
Give up any forms of evil and violence
God considers it as an act of insolence.
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Proverbs 6:16-19 enumerates the seven things that God detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. If you closely look at each of these detestable things the Lord hates, they all involve a violation of another person. Why does God hate these things? Remember that the Lord has made us all in his image. God is love, therefore, our make is “to love.” We were not designed by God to destroy someone or to hurt others. This is why his greatest command is summed up in loving God above all and loving others as you love yourself.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to hear your convictions whenever I do any of these things you detest.
REFLECTION
How can one avoid all the things that God hates?
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

SIGNS OF END TIMES Poem Devotional

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March 6________________________________________
Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
-Psalms 12:1(NLT)
SIGNS OF END TIMES
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is so much violence around us today
Many hearts are hardened and many are astray
The godly are fast disappearing
The faithful have been vanishing.
Help, O Lord! The signs of end times are here
Deliver us from evil; the final days is near
There is so much deceit and corruption in this world
Give us the strength to continue to live by your word.
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No one really knows when the second coming of Christ will happen. The bible tells us in details what the last days would look like in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. He explicitly says that there will be very difficult times. People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Aren’t these signs all happening now?
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to focus on you especially these end of days that we actually witness.
REFLECTION
What can you do to bring someone to Jesus in this end times?
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

FREEDOM FROM LEGALISM Poem Devotional

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March 5________________________________________
The Law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. – John 1:17(NLT)
FREEDOM FROM LEGALISM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself being enslaved by rules and regulations?
Do you follow the law as an exercise to keep on traditions?
The law was given through Moses before the birth of Christ
When God sent his Son, he fulfilled his promise to bring us life.
Jesus summed up the law with the command to love one another
He wants us to relate with him through our sisters and brothers
Christ died for us so we would be delivered from the law
Are you still imprisoned by rules that hinder your growth?
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It is sad to see so many people who are imprisoned by rules and traditions. Each step they take is evaluated against these laws and belief system. I used to be one of these legalistic Christian. I almost took pride that I obeyed the law. Nothing wrong with obeying but if obedience to the law is tainted by watching how well one performs or by clinging to certain ways and living in a box, then I think that it will hamper our growth.
Jesus Christ lived out of the law. He walked in love instead and defied very strict inhuman rules set by the Pharisees and Scribes. He built a relationship with others and never judged or condemned anyone.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me when there are occasions that I become legalistic.
REFLECTION
How can you break out of the law and live in love?
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 I BUT GOD’S GRACE Poem Devotional

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March 4________________________________________
Whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. – 1 Corinthians 15:10(NLT)
NOT I BUT GOD’S GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whatever I possess right now is not truly mine
It is a special favor on me bestowed by Christ
It is not I but God’s grace that brought me here
Only God knows all my weaknesses and fears.
Despite all the hard work I do to for his kingdom
I cannot boast because then I won’t have freedom
I thank my Lord who constantly shower me with grace
It is only fitting that I glorify him and give him praise.
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I was a very proud person before I was a born again Christian. I always took pleasure when I accomplish something. Though I may not speak or boast openly about it, I had this sense of victory inside me that I did it and I needed to be acknowledged for it. I was so foolish to think that it was my doing and effort that me successful in those endeavors I chose.
The bible tells us that it is not I but God’s grace that brought me where I was and it wasn’t for my own but for his kingdom purpose. ________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never take my eyes of your grace.
REFLECTION
What can impede us from living in God’s grace?
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

FOOLPROOF MASTER PLAN Poem Devotional

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March 3________________________________________
Because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance and he make everything work out according to his plan.
– Ephesians 1:11(NLT)
FOOLPROOF MASTER PLAN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we decide to commit to Jesus Christ
We get to see the great plan for our lives
Because we are united with Christ when we believed
An inheritance from God is waiting to be received.
God chose us in advance to be part of his foolproof plan
He knows that we need salvation so he gave us his Son
Are you living your life according to his commands?
Why resist or turn your back on a foolproof master plan?
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When building your dream home, wouldn’t you want to make sure that you get the best architect to layout visually your specified wish list? Wouldn’t you be very detailed and specific about every aspect of realizing your dream? You will definitely not just hire anybody who didn’t have experience in that field or you will compromise your dream home. Isn’t it the same with choosing the best blueprint for your life?
The bible says that when we gave our lives to Jesus, we are going to receive an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Why should you go against a foolproof master plan for your life?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to resist your will for my life.
REFLECTION
What will happen if you resist God’s foolproof plan?
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

PERFECT TIMING Poem Devotional

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March 2________________________________________
When we were utterly helpless. Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
– Romans 5:6(NLT)
PERFECT TIMING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever know someone who’s got perfect timing?
Is this person always timely to aide your suffering?
When we were utterly helpless and needing help
He died for us so he can pick us up and give us strength.
Christ chooses the perfect time and place
He showers with blessings all of human race
Are we blocking his perfect timing and his plan?
Are we cooperating with God’s one and only Son?
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Timing is crucial in many things in life. The birth of a child, marriage, move to a new home, new job, new community and many more are some of the events or changes that can benefit with perfect timing. Sometimes our drive or obsession to get something or to embrace something new can be so powerful that we lose out on choosing the best time to do so. Another thing that can impede our triumph over some dreams or goals is the fact that our plans do not jive with what God intends for us. Who can better know and see what is good for us but our heavenly father?
Christ had perfect timing. When we were so desperate, helpless and almost hopeless, he died for us so we can be free and live an abundant life.
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PRAYER
Lord, I am so grateful for all your perfect timing to bring joy, healing and peace in my life.
REFLECTION
How can we miss out on Christ’s perfect timing?

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