Monthly Archives: June 2017

ARE YOU DEAF TO GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional

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June 30
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Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand? Are you deaf to the words of God—the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant? – Isaiah 40:21(NLT)
ARE YOU DEAF TO GOD’S WORD?
A poem and essay by ILMA
How long have you committed yourself to the Lord?
Have you given up the standards of this world?
Have you heard what he wants you to do for him?
Are you still deaf to God’s word and continue to sin?
The Lord has given you his word since it began
Have you been touched by the coming of his Son?
Jesus Christ modeled obedience and humility to all
Are you emulating him so you won’t easily fall?
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Studies have linked untreated hearing loss effects to: irritability, negativism and anger. fatigue, tension, stress and depression. avoidance or withdrawal from social situations. Isn’t this so true as well when we are deaf to the words of God? Don’t we get irritable, angry, pessimistic, tired, stressed and isolate ourselves? Our spiritual growth becomes hampered by the inability to feed and get nourished by the words that come from the mouth of God. What keeps us from hearing it or accepting it? Sin is one of the causes why we get deaf to hear what the word is teaching or telling us. Wickedness makes us turn our backs to God and disable us to hear his voice and discern his will.
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PRAYER
Lord, give us an ear that can actually hear your voice.
REFLECTION
What can hamper us hearing and discerning God’s word?
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

A WORD OF COMFORT Poem Devotional

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June 29
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“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. – Isaiah 40:1-2(NLT)
A WORD OF COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been concerned about troubles?
God will speak tenderly and grant you his power
He will whisper a word of comfort to calm you
Fear not; He will change you and make you new.
He forgives you infinitely, so run and confess it
He loves you so much and forgives quickly
Your sad days will be gone; He brings comfort
Rejoice, the Lord will make you come through.
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According to Baker’s Evangelical dictionary, the basic concept for comfort in both the Old and New Testaments is encouragement, whether by words or the presence of another to help in time of need. Synonymous words are console, help, give relief, cheer up, exhort, and fear not. In the English dictionary, it is defined as the easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress. Comfort is a much needed relief for anyone who is going through something beyond their control. We learn to give comfort because we were given comfort at a very young age since we were a baby. Like how you got comfort from your mother when you were hungry or fearful, the Lord also brings you comfort by accepting you for who you are and forgiving you no matter what you’ve done.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your comforting unconditional love.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you gave comfort to someone in need?
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

SHOUT! YOUR GOD IS COMING

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June 28
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Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, “Your God is coming!” Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. – Isaiah 40:9-10(NLT)
SHOUT! YOUR GOD IS COMING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you expecting the biggest event in all history?
Shout and don’t be afraid to tell Christ’s story
Your God is coming, yes, he comes with power
Are you telling everyone to prepare for the hour
He will rule all over this world he has created
He will bring all the rewards to all his anointed
Are you screaming out loud to praise and honor him?
Preach the good news so all can overcome sin?
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When I became a born again Christian, I was very selective with the people who taught and preached the gospel. I thank God for social media and the internet. I know some people think that we can get all kinds of junk and false information online, but we can also hear the gospel being spread all over the world. What powerful vehicle to touch people’s hearts! I used to be biased with “preachy” sounding pastors or teachers. I realized that God anointed some to boldly and shout out the gospel and the coming of the Lord so many people will be saved before he comes back. Speaking out loud is powerful.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me boldness, never to be timid to declare the good news.
REFLECTION
Why do you think that shouting out loud is powerful?
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

IDOLS PEOPLE WORSHIP Poem Devotional

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June 27
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So I went in and saw the walls covered with engravings of all kinds of crawling animals and detestable creatures. I also saw the various idols worshiped by the people of Israel.
– Ezekiel 8:10(NLT)
IDOLS PEOPLE WORSHIP
A poem and essay by ILMA
People have turned their backs to God
Minds are twisted and hearts are hard
They worship all kinds of idols to replace Him
They disconnected to his love and lived in sin.
Wealth, people, money, even family are some idols
Living your life against his will is turning against the Lord
Religious acts and legalism bring hypocrisy at its height
Jesus died so we can have relationship, stop putting up a fight.
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Many decades of my life was wasted on idols. The Lord revealed to me these past six years the real reason why he transported me to Canada. I married a Canadian, so God used this decision (which I did out of loneliness) to pull me out of a country that was predominantly dominated by the spirit of idolatry and religion. It was amazing how I got freed from these strongholds that have kept me in bondage for many years. I kneeled on images in the past and not read any of his truth in the bible. I didn’t realize how cleverly Satan created idols in the form of my own child, spouse, career, knowledge, etc. I prioritized them instead of making God first in my life.
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PRAYER
Lord, forgive me each time I idolize and prioritize other things instead of you.
REFLECTION
How does God rank 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

WHEN YOU KEEP ON SINNING Poem Devotional

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pJune 26
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Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. – 1 John 3:6(NLT)
WHEN YOU KEEP ON SINNING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you keep on sinning, you are damaging
It keeps you from the truth and is very enslaving
When you keep on sinning, you are being lawless
It means that you don’t understand who God is.
Anyone who continues to live for the Lord will not sin
They worship and love him, so they will revere him
When you love the Lord, you will obey his commands
When you love the world, you will give in to its demands.
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Many people justify sins. They call it many names such as mistakes, weaknesses, natural tendencies, and many more. They don’t acknowledge it as sin because they don’t want to be judged. What they don’t realize is that denying a sin is actually admitting that you don’t want to stop the sin. When you justify, you are actually excusing yourself and not taking responsibility for the act. This constant denial and minimization of the gravity of sin leads to spiritual stagnation or even death. If you believe in God, you will have a hunger to seek to know him and follow his word. The moment you commit to him, he lived in you and he cannot live in anyone who continues to sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, let my heart and mind please only you.
REFLECTION
What happens if we constantly minimize sin?
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

RECOGNIZING YOU ARE GOD’S CHILD Poem Devotional

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June 25
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See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. -1 John 3:1(NLT)
RECOGNIZING YOU ARE GOD’S CHILD
A poem and essay by ILMA
God created all things including all of human race
Do you give him credit for it and give him praise?
Our heavenly Father loves us and calls us his children
Do you believe in this truth that can lead us to heaven?
When you recognize that you are his beloved child
You overcome this world and learn to be kind
The world is not your destiny, the Lord is
Stop denying the truth, face it because you are his.
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One of the things that the enemy steals from us is our identity. The devil uses different strategies to twist our minds and heart because he does not want us to know that we really belong to God. He will lose his power when we recognize that we are a true child of God. He knows that we will be victorious and not be held in bondage if we know our true identity in Christ. He won’t be able to keep us imprisoned. Why not claim and declare the truth that you are a child of God, made in his image? It frees you from lies.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for letting me be your child.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to claim that you belong to the Lord?
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

CORRECTION MANIFESTS LOVE Poem Devotional

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June 24
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Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. – Proverbs 13:24(NLT)
CORRECTION MANIFESTS LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Parents are given authority over their children
They need to lead them to the path to heaven
Mothers and fathers who don’t love do not correct
They never guide their children; yet they criticize and reject.
Parenting is an opportunity to raise children in righteousness
We will be answerable to God who grants us mercy and holiness
Discipline your children in love and with all gentleness
They will learn the Lord’s love through your ways of kindness.________________________________________
When I was growing up, I was disciplined so much that I couldn’t feel the love of those who are correcting me. When you discipline children out of anger or instilling fear in them, there is a big chance that they will rebel and go wayward. That is what happened to me. The bible says in Colossians 3:21 that we must not aggravate our children or they will become discouraged. When you correct them in anger and not out of love, you make lead them to the path of lawlessness. Correct them as Jesus corrected those whom he loved. He never judged but used God’s truth to free them from sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me wisdom to raise my children in your love.
REFLECTION
How does society contribute in a world full of rebellious youth?
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

GIFT OF PEACE Poem Devotional

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June 23________________________________________
I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. – John 14:27(NLT)
GIFT OF PEACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
As soon as you declared Jesus as your Lord and Savior
His Spirit lives in you and he will help you in all troubles
You will have peace that surpasses all understanding
He will give you a life that will have much blessings.
Peace is not something you achieve or work for
It is a gift that comes from knowing God’s word
Do not be troubled or afraid for he is your Lord
Guard your heart; make sure you live by his word.
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There were many decades of my life that I didn’t experience peace. I was doing my best to achieve peace through works. It didn’t work that way because it is a gift from the Lord. I cannot force to get it. No wonder I lived a very troubled life for many years because I didn’t have the wisdom to know that I already have it when Jesus died for me. I just needed to access it. It is amazing how we go in circles not even recognizing that we already have all we need to live a righteous and blessed life. God gave us this gift when he sent his only Son to die for us.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your peace that exceeds all understanding.
REFLECTION
How can one access the gift of peace on a regular 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

OBEDIENCE IS PROOF Poem Devotional

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June 22________________________________________
All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me.
– John 14:23-24 (NLT)
OBEDIENCE IS PROOF
A poem and essay by ILMA
The best proof of your love for the Father is obedience
He loves it when you rely on him for providence
When you obey him, you are submitting to his will
When you agree to whatever he says, you’ll overcome sin.
Anyone who doesn’t love God doesn’t obey
They live in darkness and do not pray
All those who are obedient to his word get much blessings
God’s Spirit dwells in them so they are not prone to sinning.
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Obedience is key to a fruitful and blessed life. We are given many stories in the bible of people whom God used because they were obedient. Abraham obeyed the Lord to leave his native land Ur to the promised land and he became father of all nations. Mary obeyed the calling to bear Jesus’ despite her confusion at first. She became the mother of Jesus and was blessed among all women. Rahab, who despite being a prostitute followed the call to help the Israelites to conquer Jericho. Her family became part of the lineage of Jesus. The bible says that obedience is proof that you love the Lord and disobedience leads to destruction.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to constantly heed your words.
REFLECTION
What happens when people constantly disobey 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

HUMBLY ASK IN JESUS’ NAME Poem Devotional

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June 21________________________________________
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. -John 15:16(NLT)
HUMBLY ASK IN JESUS’ NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
You are blessed because God chose you to be his child
Are you protecting your heart and living in his light?
God chose you and appointed you to produce fruits
He wants Scriptures and all his truth to take root.
Do you ask your needs in Jesus’ name?
You will be given, so ask and don’t be ashamed
He will give you fruits from his Spirit
Be sure to humbly ask and he will give it.
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Some people expect to have answered prayers but they never ask in the first place. In James 4:2-3 we are given the reason why we don’t get our prayers answered. We don’t ask and sometimes when we ask, we do so for the wrong reasons. I grew up thinking God knows already what I need and want, so I never bothered asking them using his powerful name. I didn’t read his word so I didn’t know the power of his name and that I can receive anything I ask by using his name. I just ask without giving his glorious name the credit. I am glad that his Spirit reminds me to ask because he has chosen me as his own child.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for your powerful name and for choosing me.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we are encouraged to ask the Lord using his name?
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