Monthly Archives: July 2017

ON USING JOKES Poem Devotional

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July 10
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Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says “I was only joking.” – Proverbs 26:17-18 (NLT)
ON USING JOKES
Those who are afraid to confront may use jokes
They have no idea that it is deadly and it can hurt
A madman shooting a deadly weapon is damaging
It is like someone lying to a friend saying “I was only joking.”
When you use jokes to someone just think that it can be fatal
It may be a way of covering up for your inability to be truthful
When you believe in truth, jokes have no place in your mouth
You will choose to be open and be able to speak it out.
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I knew someone who would always say a sarcastic remarks or criticize others. When he is confronted by someone bold enough to tell him that he is hurtful with his statement, he will weave out of it by saying “I was only joking.” He made fun of me one day about a fear that I was experiencing. He actually laughed and sneered at how trivial my fear was. I was appalled by the way he minimized my experience even though he knew the source of my fear. I told him how hurt I was and he said “I was only joking.” Jokes are damaging when it hurts someone else’s feelings and character.
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PRAYER
Lord, convict those who use jokes to hurt others.
REFLECTION
Did Jesus ever joked and made fun of someone? How can jokes be damaging?
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

THOSE WHO ARE LAZY Poem Devotional

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July 9
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Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.
-Proverbs 26:16 (NLT)
THOSE WHO ARE LAZY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are lazy think highly of themselves
They won’t do anything except to satisfy the self
They have no motivation to exert any work
They think that it’s only them who has worth.
Lazy people consider themselves smarter
They are so entitled and think they are better
Yet they don’t raise a finger to do something
They won’t move, but they want to have all things.
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I knew someone who will never raise a finger to do anything, and yet, he wants to have a lot of things. He envied those who have what he doesn’t have and tried to justify why he never have them. He will never admit that he is lazy. Some people have an entitlement mentality. They expect people to serve them and get what they want because they think that everyone owes them something. This is a very dangerous attitude because it never gets them anywhere and they never reach progress because they don’t want to labor. They miss out on reaching their goals or dream because they don’t want to lift a finger to do anything. Proverbs 18:9 says that a lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things while Proverbs 21:25 says despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from lazy people.
REFLECTION
Why is being lazy harmful?
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 BEING LAZY Poem Devotional

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July 8
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Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth.
-Proverbs 26:15(NLT)
ON BEING LAZY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you choose not to do anything
You will most likely miss your blessings
Lazy people do not take time to work
They are used to being without effort.
Sluggishness brings poverty
Diligence makes a person wealthy
Those who are lazy thinks they’re entitled
They’ll drag you to their lives that are very limited.
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If you talk to a successful and wealthy person, you will probably hear their testimony that surely includes hard work and diligence. I saw a video of a motivational speaker that most successful people wake up early, exercise and dream big. They have a vision and focus on realizing these dreams. They didn’t get where they are now by being lazy. They exert effort to make their dreams come true. I was asked by someone lately how I am able to be so prolific in painting, photography and writing. I showed him my vision board. I told him that without a vision, you won’t know where you are going. The biggest part of my bounty in terms of gifts is because I make it part of my daily life. Practice makes perfect. Even during the days that I don’t feel like painting or writing, I still choose to do it, then it becomes second nature and effortless. Discipline is battling laziness.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me choices to do what’s good for me.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the source of laziness?
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 TRUST A FOOL

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July 7
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Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
– Proverbs 26:6 (NLT)
WHEN YOU TRUST A FOOL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you trust a fool, you’ll be spun in their foolishness
They will do their best to keep you away from righteousness
When you trust a fool, you will not be away from trouble
It is compromising your life and getting into a big gamble.
When you trust a fool to pass on a message
It would be like jumping into a big wreckage
It is like drinking poison or cutting off your feet
You will continually experience instability and defeat.
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I lived with a fool for almost a decade. It was the most unproductive years of my life. I don’t blame everything on this man because, I too was a fool to even make that choice to relate with him intimately. It was an experience that led me to ruin. When I trusted this fool, I began to compromise my relationship with the Lord. I got involved with witchcraft because he was so much into it. Since he was way older than me, he was able to manipulate and corrupt my values. Because of the stronghold I had when I lived with him, I experienced spiritual death during those years I was linked to him. Trusting a fool brings you harm or death.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from foolish people.
REFLECTION
Why do you think foolishness is harmful?
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 DEALING WITH FOOLS AND ARGUMENTS

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July 6
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Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish argument of fools or they will become wise in their own eyes.
-Proverbs 26:4- 5(NLT)
ON DEALING WITH FOOLS AND ARGUMENTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t answer senseless arguments of fools
It is one of the enemy’s tactics and tools
He wants you to engage in foolishness
It will surely derail you from righteousness.
Learn to confront fools with truth from God’s word
If you do, they won’t be able to drag you into this world
They’ll think highly of themselves if you don’t expose them
They will create more havoc if you don’t rebuke them.
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According to a commentary by Paul Koptak on the NIV application, these two contradictory verses are actually a form of parallelism where one idea builds upon another. Verse 4 warns against arguing with a fool on his own terms or we stoop to his level and become as foolish as he is. Verse 5, on the other hand, tells us that there are times when a fool has to be addressed so that his foolishness will not go unchallenged. This way, we are exposing his foolishness so he will see his folly. He may despise and reject the wisdom, but for truth’s sake and for those who are listening, we need to bring it out in the open. so they may see the difference between wisdom and folly and be instructed.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from foolishness.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with fools?
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

HARM THAT RUMORS BRING Poem Devotional

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July 5
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Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. -Proverbs 26:22(NLT)
HARM THAT RUMORS BRING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone spreads rumors about a person
It can sometimes go out of bounds and beyond reason
Rumors can tarnish someone else’s reputation
It generates toxic thoughts and brings more temptations.
Rumors are generally lies or exaggerated suppositions
It is wrong to air out your judgments or presumptions
It ruins the character and sinks deep into one’s heart
They are lies and without truth, it will never depart.
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When I was in the academe, there were a few of my colleagues who liked to spread rumors about me. They like to test the newcomers and they need to pass the test or they’ll be eaten up alive by those who are more tenured. I hated gossipers and my background in theater taught me how to confront people who spread lies about me or others. So, when I heard that one of the senior faculty member was creating a rumor why my son’s name wasn’t the same as my family name. I came straight to her one day and she was making small talk to me, fishing for more half-truths that she can weave a rumor on. So, on a very casual tone, I told her that my son has a different name from mine because I wasn’t married to his father. She was shocked but she stopped spreading more lies.
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PRAYER
Lord, protect us from those who like to tarnish our reputation.
REFLECTION
How can rumors be stopped?
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 STOPPING GOSSIPS Poem Devotional

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July 4
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Fire goes out without wood and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
– Proverbs 26:20 (NLT)
ON STOPPING GOSSIPS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we talk about others who are not around
It is easy speak on and on and and go out of bound
Just like fire goes without wood, we don’t need to chatter
Don’t discuss things that are ungodly or evil matters.
Speak only what is true, honorable, pure and encouraging
Do not share ungodly or toxic thoughts; they are damaging
Find time to pray for those who spread rumors and engage in babbles
The Lord will shut their mouths so they can’t bring more troubles.
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I grew up surrounded with extended family talking about those who are not around to hear it. I don’t think they realize the harm that they are causing when they criticize or make fun of those who are not there to defend themselves or concoct lies to kill the character of others. This sin is one of those that God freed me from when I became a born again Christian. It was a stronghold in our family. It is like a normal thing to talk and criticize someone who isn’t around. I used to wonder why the adults around me never get to tell the person themselves what they talk about to others. The bible says that when we stop gossips, quarrel stops. It fuels conflicts.
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PRAYER
Lord, please help me never to engage or listen to gossip.
REFLECTION
What are the dangers of gossip?
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

LET THE SPIRIT PERMEATE Poem Devotional

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July 3
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But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! -Galatians 5:22-23(NLT)
LET THE SPIRIT PERMEATE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If your heart’s garden is by the riverbank of God’s truth
Your trees will always be nourished and will have fruits
It will be watered by the blessings that he generously gives
There will be no drought; you will constantly receive.
Abide in the Lord and your heart will know goodness
He will grant you self-control, faithfulness and gentleness
When you feed on his word, it allows his Spirit to permeate
It builds strong roots so that no evil can infiltrate.
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What is the best proof of an authentic Christian? Some believers get stuck with religious rituals and external acts to show their love for Christ. The bible says that someone who allows the Spirit of God permeate in their heart, mind, body and soul will produce the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In other words, if a Christian talks about these fruits but have no manifestation in their lives, they are only fooling themselves. A true believer will obey God’s command and revere God. They will honor their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and will never compromise or defile it. Our sins grieve and block the Spirit.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to never grieve your Spirit.
REFLECTION
What hinders the Spirit of God to live in 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

LIKE A WELL-WATERED GARDEN

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July 2
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The LORD will guide you continually giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
– Isaiah 58:11(NLT)
LIKE A WELL-WATERED GARDEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the condition of your heart today?
Is it dry or has it been hit by a storm these past days?
Is it full of weeds of doubt, discouragement or fear?
Or is it lush with fruits such as love, joy and peace?
The Lord will continually water your heart with His love
He will restore you and lead you to focus on things above
Like a well-watered garden, you will be full fruits and blooms
Abide in him and seek his truth so you will always have stable roots.
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Have you ever cared for a plant? Caring for one is just like caring for your own well-being. If you don’t watch out, weeds will surround it and kill it. When we don’t guard our hearts and keep it pure for God, we can be infiltrated with weed-like distractions such as idolatry, anger, resentment, bitterness, offense, lust, covetousness, jealousy and many other tactics that the enemy derails our relationship with the Lord. We also need to water our hearts with God’s word so we won’t be dry and be discouraged or defeated by the enemy He promised a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring to those who love him.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being there especially in times of drought in my life.
REFLECTION
What kind of water has your heart been nourished today?
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

SEEK SO YOU WILL FIND Poem Devotional

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July 1
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The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. – 2 Chronicles 15:2(NLT)
SEEK SO YOU WILL FIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been looking for peace in your life?
Do you seek for wisdom and God’s light?
If you pursue God, he will stay with you
He will transform you and make you new.
Whenever you seek God, you will find him
He loves to show you how to always win
Look and hunger for him and his truth
Then you will enjoy all his Spirit’s fruits.
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The Hide-and-seek is a popular children’s game in which any number of players conceal themselves in the environment, to be found by one or more seekers. The game is played by one player chosen (designated as being “it”) closing their eyes and counting to a predetermined number while the other players hide. After reaching this number, the player who is “it” calls, “Ready or not, here I come!” and then attempts to locate all concealed players. In this game, the “it” will do his or her best to find them all. Isn’t this almost like what happens when we seek hard for the Lord? We get to find know where he is hiding. We get to learn about him and become closer and intimate with him. God promised that he will reveal himself to those who pursue him.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a hunger to seek you always.
REFLECTION
How often do you pursue 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