Monthly Archives: July 2017

THE GOD AND WICKED poem devotional

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July 20
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The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the life of the wicked will be snuffed out.
– Proverbs 13:9(NLT)
THE GODLY AND WICKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are righteous and godly will be blessed
They will be full of light as they struggle and encounter tests
The life of the godly is full of joy and peace amidst trials
They don’t argue with God or go through a series of denials.
Those who are wicked will find it harder to progress
They are full of evil and will not even confess
The life of the wicked will be snuffed out
They will not have the wisdom or even freedom.
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When I became born again, I learned to discern evil ways and wicked people. God gave me bionic eyes to see through the facades that people wear. I don’t judge people’s motives but I watch their actions and attitude. The bible tells us that we will know a believer by the fruit in their lives. If their lives jive with God’s truth, then, you will easily see the manifestations of the Spirit’s fruits. They will be kind, gentle, joyful, patient, loving, good, faithful, peaceful and have self-control. They may not possess all of the gifts at one time, but you will see how they press on to obey God’s will. The godly is full of light while the wicked will be full of darkness.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me a way out when I am amidst evil.
REFLECTION
Why should we avoid participating in the evil that others do?
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

ONLY YOUR OWN HEART KNOWS Poem Devotional

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July 19
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Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
-Proverbs 14:10(NLT)
ONLY YOUR OWN HEART KNOWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are overflowing with joy, only your heart knows
You cannot fully share your feelings, joys or sorrows
Each heart knows its own grief from losses and its own bitterness
No one else can fully share what its going through or its emptiness.
Only God knows fully what your heart is capable of
No amount of words will suffice to say what you’re going through
Sometimes even your own heart may deny the painful truth
It is when you open up to God that you will be soothed.
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Have you ever opened up to someone very close to you, ¬¬yet feel that you have not been understood totally? The bible says in Romans 8:27 that only God knows the depth of our hearts. It is only him who can totally understand us and what we are going through. There is no need to hide from God whatever it is that is bothering you. We sometimes make the mistake of opening up our struggles to our loved ones and friends. Then we sometimes hear unsolicited pieces of advise or they project what they would have done in your situation. It is good to pour out your heart to a loved one, but when you share it with God, you will always hear the right thing to do.
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PRAYER
Lord, please let me only open my heart to you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to open up to 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

WHEN PLANS ARE RIGHT Poem Devotional

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July 18
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If you plan to do evil, you will be lost. If you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. -Proverbs 14:22(NLT)
WHEN PLANS ARE RIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you planning to continue to live in God’s grace?
Do you participate in the turmoil of the human race?
If you plan to do evil, you will be definitely confused
If you always do good, you’ll be rescued you when lost.
What are your plans before Christ’s second coming?
Are you prepared when he comes back for the judging?
Do the right thing and unfailing love is what you will receive
Do the opposite and you will continue to live in sin.
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Are you a planner or a spontaneous person? Do you just let the tide toss and turn you where it goes? I grew up with people who liked to control and to plan but I was never consulted or even considered in the planning stages of any project or endeavor the family was going to venture it. As a result of being unable to participate in decision making and details of planning, I became obsessive compulsive with it when I finally lived my life independently from my family. I had to have a checklist of things to do to carry out a goal I set. The bible says that we must always plan do good in order to receive unfailing love.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never plan without consulting you and your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is it a necessity to consult God when planning anything 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

TRULY HEALED, TRULY SAVED Poem Devotional

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July 17
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O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed. If you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone. – Jeremiah 17:14(NLT)
TRULY HEALED, TRULY SAVED
A poem and essay by ILMA
How do you get healing during an ailment?
It is when you ask God in all your predicaments
The moment you believe in the power of Jesus
He will rescue you from all of your diseases.
Don’t ever forget that you can always run to Him
He truly heals you of all your illnesses and sin
You must believe him totally so you can receive
You will be truly saved, delivered and healed.
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It was many decades of my life that I suffered from emotional and physical turmoil. Although on the outside, I looked normal, I was terribly dying inside. The traumas I experienced affected my mind and body. I had many kinds of illnesses that sometimes weren’t really easy to identify. I didn’t realize that they were all tied up to my bitterness and un-forgiveness. Until I became a born again and went to see a Christian counselor, I didn’t know that the ungodly soul ties and generational sins were lurking in my whole life. I have been healed already since Christ died for me but I didn’t t receive it because I didn’t let go of my old self. He truly heals and saves when you accept it.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for healing and saving me.
REFLECTION
How can healing and salvation emerge 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

PLEA FOR ANSWERS

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July 16
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Answer my prayers O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me.
– Psalm 69:16(NLT)
PLEA FOR ANSWERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, I plead you to answer my prayers
I won’t make it without you in all my struggles
Take care of me day and night so I can overcome
Give me strength and pour in me all of your wisdom.
When I am weak, assist me to speak out your truth
Help me to sow your words in me so it can take root
Please be with me especially in all of life’s challenges
You alone can bring fruit and make all the changes.
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Have you ever felt frustrated when you don’t get answered prayers? I know I have been upset many times in the past when the answers I am waiting for doesn’t happen. God is faithful and that is one of his greatest traits. When we don’t get the result that we visualized, it doesn’t mean that he hasn’t answered our prayers. Sometimes the answer is “no” or “not now”. We don’t know what is always good for us, but He does. When the timing is not right for whatever he is working on us, he will not let you have it yet. He is an all-knowing God and he is always after your best interest. Never allow impatience to set in. Waiting for God’s timing is good for us.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me patience to trust when I don’t see things the way you do.
REFLECTION
Do you think God wants you to ask him for help?
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

COMPLETE WHEN UNITED IN CHRIST Poem Devotional

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July 15
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So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every
ruler and authority. -Colossians 2:10 (NLT)
COMPLETE WHEN UNITED IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you become a believer of Jesus, you are complete
You have nothing to worry about or even want to compete
Your union with Christ concludes your purpose in life
It brings much peace, joy and gives you insights.
Christ is the head over every ruler and authority
If you trust him, you will be given stability
Never turn your back on the one true God
You will be empty and always have a lack.
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I lived many years of my life thinking that I was fulfilled by my career and roles in life. I took pride in being a self-made woman. I denied the emptiness I felt all those years that I proclaimed I was good at many things. It didn’t dawn on me that it wasn’t me but the presence of Jesus that can complete me. No wonder I was still anxious and empty inside. God released me from the thought that I was self-made. He made me and I took credit for all of it, leaving him out of the picture. When I became born again, he released me from this stronghold and gave me humility to admit that I will be nothing without him. I also learned to submit to his authority.
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PRAYER
Lord, give us an obedient and humble heart.
REFLECTION
What happens when you turn away from 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

FINISH WHAT YOU START Poem Devotional

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July 14
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Now you should finish what you started. – 2 Corinthians 8:11(NLT)
FINISH WHAT YOU START
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you start doing something
Press on, so you can reach what you’re aiming
When you get distracted and delay
You will find that you are going to stray.
Finish what you start so you can progress
If you get side-tracked, you will digress
Direct your mind on the purpose of his plan
Then you will find favor in God’s one and only Son.
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As an artist, it is very important for me to finish a painting or drawing I set out to do. At the beginning of my career as a self-taught painter, I was also a full time teacher, mother and stage actress and manager. I learned in life very early that if I don’t finish what I started, it is likely going to be a challenge to get back to concluding the project or task at hand. Discipline and focus are two very important ingredients in accomplishing what you plan to do. When you fail to press on when things go rough or when there are interruptions, failure has a big chance to happen. The bible encourages us to finish what you started. Remember that the enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. He will do anything to delay you from fulfilling God’s plan in your life.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to finish whatever I start.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to finish what you start?
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

COMPLETING THE WORK Poem Devotional

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July 13
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I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
– John 17:4(NLT)
COMPLETING THE WORK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know what God’s purpose is in your life?
Are all the things you do giving glory to Christ?
When Jesus was here on earth, he completed his work
He expects you to finish your calling in this world.
He wants each of his people to preach the gospel
It needs to reach the ends of the earth, so go and tell
Complete your work so you can bring glory to your Father
Obeying and fulfilling His plan will make you grow and prosper.
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Our God is a god of completion. When he created the world and the whole universe, he completed it in six days and on the seventh day, he rested. He felt good when he finished the things he planned to create. He did not leave anything hanging and undone. Since we are made in God’s image, we too are the same. When we accomplish a task, job or project we are tackling, we get a sense of fulfillment. Just like when we go through a journey, we’d like to reach our destination. Completing a job is the same. We feel glorious that we arrived at our set goal. When Jesus came on earth to save us, he completed the work on the cross so we will be free.
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PRAYER
Thank you for completing to save us through Christ’s death.
REFLECTION
What does finishing your work do to your spirit?
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 PROVERB IN A FOOL’S MOUTH Poem Devotional

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July 12
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A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg. – Proverbs 26:7 (NLT)
A PROVERB IN A FOOL’S MOUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When fools say something, it doesn’t jive with truth
They like to focus on themselves instead of what is true
Whenever they try to declare a wise saying
It sounds erroneous because they are boasting.
A proverb in the mouth of a fool is useless
It is like a paralyzed leg that is hopeless
Don’t listen to fools who likes to talk incessantly
They have no wisdom to share to anybody.
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I love to converse with people. I used to talk with anyone and didn’t choose who I communicated with. When I became a born again Christian, God’s word convicted me and taught me that I need to choose to surround myself with people who are righteous because I will learn their ways. Proverbs 22:24-25 tells us that we need not associate with hot-tempered people or we will learn their ways. Ephesians 4:29 says that we shouldn’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think only of what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy. When we speak foolish things, we are as useless as a paralyzed leg.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from foolish talk.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to choose who we talk with?
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

ON CURSES Poem Devotional

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July 11
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Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. -Proverbs 26:2 (NLT)
ON CURSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
An undeserved curse is like a fluttering sparrow
It won’t land its intended victim or bring sorrow
By believing in Jesus, curses have no bearing on you
They will bounce back to those who want to hurt you.
Believers will receive all kinds of provisions and blessings
They will be delivered from people who are scheming
Curses will be broken and Christ’s followers will prosper
They will find favor from God for being trusting and faithful.
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A curse is defined as a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. The first curse we learn about is in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because they ate from the forbidden tree, God pronounced judgment on the serpent who will crawl on his belly and will have to eat dust as long as it lives. The woman was cursed with pain in giving birth and will have the desire to control her man yet will be subject to him. The man was cursed with working hard and sweating to make soil produce anything to eat and survive. The curse was tied up with sin. When Christ died for us, he broke all these curses to those who will believe him.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for protecting me from the curses made against me.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the antidote to curses?
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