THE POWER OF UNITY

Posted on May 31, 2017 by ilmaarts

June 1________________________________________
“Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! -Genesis 11:6(NLT)
THE POWER OF UNITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When two or three are speaking the same language
They begin to understand each other and become bonded
Nothing they set out to do will be impossible
Their minds will be united and anything is conceivable.
When there is division in a group or relationship
It is not possible to finish any form of craftsmanship
The power of harmony and agreement is crucial
It brings about trust and solidarity which are both essential.
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In the narration about the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, we are given a picture of the power of unity amongst people. The chapter begins by telling us that once upon a time, all people of the world spoke the same language and there were no communication barriers. Because of this, they started to plan to build a tower that would reach the sky so that the whole world will look up to them and they can become famous and that they won’t have to be scattered all over the world. In this chapter, we see that God scattered them to different places and made them speak different languages to confuse them and not continue the building of the tower of Babel which became an idol for them.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to work in unison with other Christians to spread the gospel.
REFLECTION
Describe or narrate an instance when unity proved beneficial.

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

LIFE AND HEALING FROM THE WORD Poem Devotional

Posted on May 29, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 30________________________________________
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. -Proverbs 4:20-22(NLT)
LIFE AND HEALING FROM THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord asks his children to pay attention to his word
The word will guide them to navigate in this world
He recommends them never to lose sight of it
For they bring life and healing to those who seek it.
Meditate on what Scriptures say and you’ll see his light
It will make you discern the Holy Spirit’s insight
The word is alive and brings healing to your pains
Pursue it and be hungry for it and you will reap gains.
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When I re-committed my life to Jesus and became a born again Christian, He also gave me a hunger for his word. I used to be obsessed with knowledge and I read a lot of books in the past. Reading the word of God is very different from just reading any other book on any topic. The difference is that it is alive. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scriptures is God-breathed and is there to convict us, teach us and guide us to do the right thing. It took God’s truth to heal five decades of traumas and strongholds in an instant.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your guidance and wisdom through your words.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when God’s word popped out and touched your heart.
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

CONFESS AND BE FORGIVEN Poem Devotional

Posted on May 29, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 29________________________________________
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. – 1 John 1:9 (NLT)
CONFESS AND BE FORGIVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
What have you done that needs confessing?
Is it a stronghold that you are constantly doing?
If you confess your sins to him, he will forgive you
He is the only one who can cleanse you and renew.
As soon as God convicts you when you sin
Get down on your knees, repent and confess it
He is faithful and just to pardon you immediately
Don’t delay, declare and ask for forgiveness instantly.
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The trouble with some believers is that we sometimes take a long time to hear the Spirit’s conviction when we sin. When we don’t hear the voice that tells us to confess and repent, we endanger our hearts and digging ourselves into more sins. Confession is a grace given to us by God so that we can always start with a clean slate when we get down on our knees. The bible says that if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all our wickedness. It is our gateway to get back into relationship with the Lord and spiritually mature. It is one way of guarding our hearts. Confessing and repenting right away slams the door to Satan.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift to be able to confess our sins.
REFLECTION
Why is confession integral in our walk as a believer?
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

ENJOY YOUR LIFE

Posted on May 27, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 28________________________________________
So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. – Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NLT)
ENJOY YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
No matter what your situations in life
Be thankful and look at all things bright
Appreciate your life despite circumstances
He strengthens you to face all challenges.
There is nothing better than to be happy
Focus on the true God who loves you unconditionally
Enjoy the even the trials for it builds your character
Later on you will reap the fruits of all your labor.
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So many people do not know how to enjoy their life. They get stuck with the circumstances they are into. One of the things that the Lord has given us is the capacity to enjoy whatever comes our way. Philippians 4:11-13 talks about the secret of contentment which lies in thanking the Lord for all things. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Only by believing in him will we understand the true meaning of happiness. I remember during the most adverse situations, I am still able to thank the Lord for his provision and look beyond the difficulties. I am sure that without his spirit, I will never discern this. There is nothing better than to enjoy all God’s blessings.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me the grace to be thankful despite adversities.
REFLECTION
How can thanksgiving make us enjoy our 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

GOD WORKS EVERYTHING

Posted on May 26, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 27________________________________________
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28(NLT)
GOD WORKS EVERYTHING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel overwhelmed with trials and sufferings?
Don’t give up for God causes to work together all things
You may not understand what is happening
Trust him; He is in control and knows what He’s doing.
He may even allow evil to happen to teach you something
Don’t despair for he can turn even the devil’s tempting
He works everything for the good of those who love him
Never doubt him; He can bring beauty out of anything.
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Are you a parent? If you are, I am sure that you don’t appreciate it when your children doubt your capacity to provide and protect them. As a parent, we always do what we think is best for our children. They may not understand some rules that we set for them to follow in order to protect them, but we still expect them to abide by such rules. If they trust us enough, all these values we have sowed in their lives will reap a harvest later on in their lives. God is like a parent to us. He works out everything for our good. We may sometimes not comprehend what he is doing, but he has our backs covered.
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PRAYER
Thank you for bringing beauty even out of ashes.
REFLECTION
Share a situation that seemed bleak at first and God made it work for your good.
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

VISUALIZE ANSWERS TO PRAYER Poem Devotional

Posted on May 25, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 26________________________________________
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. – Mark 11:24(NLT)
VISUALIZE ANSWERS TO PRAYER
A poem and essay by ILMA
God gave us the ability for imagination
You can use it and create visualization
If you pray for anything and believe it
You will receive a picture from God’s Spirit.
Visualize answers to prayer; it has much power
By using it, you are making the enemy cower
Rehearse them in your mind and your request materializes
Use your brain’s creativity and you will continue to be amazed.
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Visualization is defined as the formation of a mental image of something. Hellen Keller once said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” I was very much struck with this statement from her. Isn’t the one without vision worse than a blind person? Habakkuk 2:2 says that we must write the vision so it will be seen and read. What happens when we actually visualize through mental images or words? It helps our brain keep that image filed in our hearts and focus our whole being on that thing. This is why we are asked to guard what is in our minds. Like an artist has already a vision before he actually paints, he creates a masterpiece. When you pray for something and visualize the answers you asked for, you are actually making it happen.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the ability to visualize things.
REFLECTION
What have you visualized in the past that actually happened?
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’S MASTERPIECE Poem Devotional

Posted on May 25, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 25________________________________________
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10(NLT)
GOD’S MASTERPIECE
A poem and essay by ILMA
You knew me before you formed me in the womb of my mother
You had all parts of me figured out and delicately put me together
I brought joy and delight to my parents when I came out to this world
What happened? The enemy twisted many truths you said in your word.
I thought I was made in your image; made to love and be loved
How come I never got nurtured; no one talked to me about God?
You never left me during those times of confusion and deprivation
You whispered how much you loved me in all those situations
I marveled at masterpieces since I was a little girl of two
I wondered if I could learn to draw and be a painter too
I asked some people to teach me how to draw and paint
They laughed and mocked my attempts; I felt much pain
It took me thirty-seven years until I discovered my creativity
You used it to heal my hurts and delivered me so I can be free
You prospered me but it got into my head; turned my back on you
You waited patiently; pulled me out of idolatry and made me new
I rejoice for having another chance to shine with the gifts you gave me
I give you praise and thanksgiving, my Lord, my Savior, the Almighty.
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PRAYER
Praise the Lord.
REFLECTION
How can you shine for 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

SAY NO TO REVENGE

Posted on May 23, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 24________________________________________
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. – Romans 12:17(NLT)
SAY NO TO REVENGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you pay back evil with more evil?
When you do, you are cooperating with the devil
Say no to revenge because that is the opposite of love
Do things honorable just like your Father from up above.
Let the Lord fight your battles and win it
It is pointless to do it without his Spirit
Walk in love so you can say no to retaliation
Let God take control of all your tribulations.
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Many people avenge when they get wronged. I used to do so when I wasn’t filled with God’s spirit. I believe that when we live a rebellious life, it is easy to submit to the idea of revenge. It never really did me good to retaliate, because I lose in the end. I eventually lose that relationship anyway, but I also lose my closeness to God when I participate in the evil act of vengeance. When I take it in my hands, I am actually telling God that I don’t need him to fight for me, I can do it. It is almost telling God that I don’t need him.The bible tells us to never pay back evil for more evil but to do things that are honorable.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never retaliate when people do me wrong.
REFLECTION
What should we do to avoid retaliating those who do us wrong?
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

SHOWER OF HOPE Poem Devotional

Posted on May 23, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 23________________________________________
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13(NLT)
SHOWER OF HOPE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get tired of challenges you face each day?
Ask God to give you wisdom and show you the way
Pray that he fills you with his Spirit and wisdom
Ask that you have victory and always live in freedom.
A shower of hope is waiting to happen to all who believe
Do everything you can to abide in him so you can receive
When you live your life the way he plans, hope is near
You will have an overflow and all things will be clear.
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As I was growing up, there were many things I couldn’t do. I was very limited with stereotypes and norms that surrounded me. People around me have certain notions and ideas about things. When I received Christ in my life at age seven, I had a glimpse of what lies beyond those limits. The Holy Spirit always guided me into truth. I had dreamed to become a painter since age two. It took 35 before I realized that dream because I lived in the limits of people around me. God showered me with hope all those years. I cooperated with his spirit and he made it come true.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your generous overflow of hope.
REFLECTION
What blocks people from experiencing a shower of hope?
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

NEVER GIVE UP Poem Devotional

Posted on May 22, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 22________________________________________
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16(NLT)
NEVER GIVE UP
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get tired of challenges that come your way?
Don’t worry for God gives you mercy afresh each day
Though we get weak, the Lord strengthen us daily
He renews our mind if we run to him regularly.
No matter what the circumstance are in your life
Never give up because God will always shed his light
He loves you so much that he gave his Son for you
Allow him to restore, heal and make you new.
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What makes people lose hope? When we set unrealistic goals and dreams, we set ourselves up for failure. If the ideal and reality is so far from each other, it is highly improbable to happen. We know from the bible that God can make all things possible. So what are the chances that the impossible will happen if you ask him? God can only make it possible if you believe and ask him. James 4:2-3 says that we don’t have because we don’t ask and we don’t get what we ask because our motives are all wrong.
The bible also says that we must never give up even if we are suffering much because God will always refresh us and restore us each day. His mercy is fresh each morning.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your mercy each morning.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people give up or lose hope in their 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

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Monthly Archives: May 2017