Monthly Archives: August 2017

WHEN THERE IS DIVISION Poem Devotional

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August 31
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If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth and their own sins condemn them. -Titus 3:10-11(NLT)
WHEN THERE IS DIVISION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is division among the body of Christ
It needs to be addressed or it will lead to more fights
The person causing division have turned away from truth
Someone needs to warn them and get to its root.
When someone creates division amongst others
They are stirring up their sisters and brothers
Turn away from them when they continue to divide
Have nothing more to do with people who don’t abide.
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I have experienced a few sisters in Christ who creates division in our church. It is sad to watch that those who are the leaders are the ones who stir up troubles. No wonder we are not able to receive a revival in our church. It is a discouraging thing to watch especially when the act is so subtly done. The newly committed Christians will probably miss what’s going on, but to those who are spiritually mature, it won’t be unnoticed. I did gently confront them but they pretended it didn’t happen. As this verse say, have nothing more to do with them after you have warned them. These people have already stayed away from truth.
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PRAYER
Lord, stir the hearts of those who creates division especially in your church.
REFLECTION
Why should we gently confront people who divide?
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

TEACH THE TRUTH Poem Devotional

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August 30
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Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. -Titus 2:8 (NLT)
TEACH THE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you teach the truth, you can’t be criticized
Some people may deny it which is unwise
The truth will always stand against evil
Those who don’t believe it, open doors to the devil.
Teach the truth in love and be bold about it
You need not apologize for the gift of the Spirit
Those who oppose the truth will not be protected
They will live in darkness and will always be enslaved
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In 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Paul associates truth with one’s salvation. He says that those who oppose and refuse to accept it will perish. They will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth (verse11). What a scary thing to happen if a believer decides not to seek the truth and believe and follow it. But what a lot of people do not accept is the fact that God gave us his truth so we can be set free. It is truth that protects us from further moving away from God. It is sad to hear other believers say that truth is relative or twist it so that it will fit their desires and whims. As Christians, we need to teach the truth and faithfully obey what it says.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me courage and boldness to declare your truth.
REFLECTION
What godly truths have set you free from bondage?
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

REFLECTING INTEGRITY Poem Devotional

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August 29
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And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. -Titus 2:7(NLT)
REFLECTING INTEGRITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you committed your life to Christ
You ought to reflect his character in your life
You yourself must follow what he modeled
Take the word and apply it and you’ll find favor.
Let the truth prevail by living it faithfully
It will show your love and loyalty
Reflect a life full of integrity and humility
Then you will be a light to all of humanity.
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The definition of the word integrity that struck me most is “the state of being whole and undivided.” If you take the opposite of integrity, it would be dishonesty. If we look again at what integrity means, therefore we can say that a dishonest person is not whole and is divided. Isn’t this so true? We were made in God’s image and when we do dishonest things, it is not our default setting. Paul talks to Titus in this verse how integrity is fundamental in a Christian’s life. If we do not have it, we will be shattered to pieces. The enemy will have a feast on continually working on defeating us. This is why the bible always tells us to guard our hearts. We ought to follow the example of Jesus life of integrity.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always embrace a life of honesty.
REFLECTION
What do you think causes a person to lose integrity?
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

DEAD TO SIN’S POWER Poem Devotional

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August 28
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When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. – Romans 6:10-11(NLT)
DEAD TO SIN’S POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in Christ, your sins died
His blood will cover you and bring you to life
He broke the power of sin by his blood
That’s how much we are loved by God.
Now that Christ was resurrected and alive again
He literally opened for us the door of heaven
So consider yourselves dead to the power of sin
With Christ’s blood, he broke sin’s power so you can win.
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Many Christians take for granted the power of the blood of Jesus. No wonder they do so much to work at their salvation. Jesus Christ died only once, so we are all saved once and for all from the bondage of sin so we can live free lives. We need to believe and commit that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. When we dwell and ruminate on the consequence of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we will be able to enjoy our lives. We will be able to grasp the power we have through Jesus Christ and use this authority over sin. We must therefore believe that sin has no longer any power over us.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for sacrificing your life so we can be free.
REFLECTION
Why do some Christians still struggle with 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

WHAT HOPE IS Poem Devotional

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August 27
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We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. – Romans 8:24-25(NLT)
WHAT HOPE IS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Hope is a confident expectation of what is unknown
It is an assurance that we will experience what we long for
We were given this hope when we were saved by Christ
We are hoping for something we don’t yet have in life.
When we are looking forward to something we are expecting
We have to be patient, confident and joyfully waiting
Hope is not wishful thinking; it is believing you’ve received it
Believe in the power of God and you will experience his Spirit.
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The dictionary defines “hope” as a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen. Many people think that hope is just wishful thinking. The bible tells us a very different meaning of hope. The hope we know as Christians have certain components in it. It has faith and believes in the saving power of Christ. It is confident, patient and eagerly expectant. It is not dependent on feeling but in the truth of God’s promises. We hope for something that God has already promised. We know God never lies, so we believe that his promises will be fulfilled even though we can’t see it.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your assurance when you gave us Jesus to save us.
REFLECTION
How can we develop a hopeful attitude?
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

EMBRACE YOUR NEW LIFE Poem Devotional

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August 26
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For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
-Romans 6:4(NLT)
EMBRACE YOUR NEW LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
At that moment you committed your life to Christ
You are a new creation and you are filled with his light
When Christ died, buried and raised from the dead
You also died and was resurrected from what you dread.
You are now a new creation because of Christ’s sacrifice
Don’t waver in your faith, embrace your new life
God gave us his Son, so we can be free and be alive
Don’t go back to your old ways so you can thrive.
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The trouble with some believers is that they don’t realize the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I understand how some can be clueless about this truth. We humans have very limited minds and I think this is why the Lord himself, though he was God, went to be baptized. When John the Baptist baptized him, it was a symbol of his death and resurrection. Even before he was born, he already knew how his life would end, but his disciples and followers didn’t. Through baptism, he gave us hope for a new life ahead of us. He wants us to embrace this transformed life totally.
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PRAYER
Thank you for changing my life after you sacrificed your life, Lord Jesus.
REFLECTION
What hinders you from embracing the new life Christ gave you when you became 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

INCESSANT PRAYERS Poem Devotional

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August 25
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She never left the temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. -Luke 2:37(NLT)
INCESSANT PRAYERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
A devoted life to Christ includes incessant prayers
It is a life full of worship to their beloved Maker
We are required to pray at all times and on every occasion
This is a guarantee that we will overcome all temptations.
When you lift up your heart to your Heavenly Father
You will experience all his glory and power
Fasting and prayers leads you to have breakthroughs
It strengthens your spirit and brings out the new you.
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Is it possible to pray incessantly? Many people will probably be uncertain if this is highly likely to happen. Another similar question is this: “Is it possible to have a faithful and devoted relation to someone?” I think the second question would likely be more feasible to happen. Would you agree? I’d like you to get out of the box of your mind and take the concept of prayer out of its stereotypical notion. I think it is possible to pray unceasingly. Just imagine staying faithfully devoted after taking your vows and following through all the days of your life to love and cherish your spouse. When you pray, you are relating to this beloved. When your thoughts are full of the Lord’s truth and choose a lifestyle of obedience to his will, it is just like never-ending prayers.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us a chance to relate with you in prayer.
REFLECTION
How can praying be similar to relating?
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

LOVE MAKES UP FOR OFFENSES Poem Devotional

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August 24
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Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. – Proverbs 10:12(NLT)
LOVE MAKES UP FOR OFFENSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the condition of your heart today?
Does it pursue peace each and every day?
When you operate in envy and jealousy
It surely opens the door to the enemy.
Hatred stirs up quarrels and all kinds of conflicts
It makes the world hard to live in and chaotic
Love on the other hand makes up for all offenses
It brings peace, joy and gives the Lord much praises.
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Hatred is defined as an extremely strong feeling of dislike. When we allow our hearts to hate someone or something, we get this nudging feeling to do something to show our disgust or disapproval. When we hate something, we do not want to have anything to do with it. We want to make sure that we watch out that we will not expose ourselves to this thing or person we loathe. On the other hand, when we love something or someone, we would find every occasion to be near that person or thing.
The bible talks about the effect of hatred on people. It stirs up quarrels or conflict while love covers a multitude of wrong. Love brings patience, kindness, understanding, acceptance and forgiveness. Hate generates envy, anger, mistrust, fear, conflicts and betrayals. Let us choose to live in love rather than hate.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for teaching us to love by sending us your Son Jesus.
REFLECTION
When have you ever experienced being covered by 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

BE COMPASSIONATE & FORGIVE Poem Devotional

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August 23
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Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. – Colossians 3:13(NLT)
BE COMPASSIONATE & FORGIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone hurts or offends you seriously
Be compassionate, don’t take offense, forgive quickly
When you grant forgiveness, you will also be given mercy
The Lord wants you to make allowances wholeheartedly.
Do not allow the spirit of offense to consume you
Turn from your old self, Christ has made you new
Forgive infinitely and you will receive eternal salvation
He ransomed you and made it possible to gain redemption.
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Are you easily offended by other’s faults? I used to easily react and question the motives of people. Because of my traumatic past, it is really hard not to protect myself from possible harm or offensive attacks by others. It made me on guard about people’s purpose for inflicting pain on me. It was a life full of defense. I didn’t realize that I lived a life of fear and control. I wanted to make sure that no one is going to hurt me again and that I am always ready in case they do. It robbed me of my peace and good relationships with others.
The bible tells us that we have to make allowances for other people’s faults and shortcomings. We are reminded how much the Father forgave us all from our sins through Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be generous with forgiveness.
REFLECTION
What do you think will happen if you stay upset and unforgiving to someone?
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

AS GREAT AS THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAVEN Poem Devotional

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August 22
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For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heaven’s above the earth. -Psalm 103:12(NLT)
AS GREAT AS THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been loved so much unconditionally?
There is no greater than a love that lasts infinitely
Your heavenly Father values you as a prized possession
Are you able to reciprocate his great devotion?
God’s unfailing love to those who revere him
It is as great as the height of the heaven
He has proven his love through the sacrifice of Jesus
Why do you doubt that you are valued and precious?
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The word “doubt” is derived from Latin dubitare or dubius from which we get “dubious.”
Doubt is defined as unbelief, rejection, denial, agnosticism, faithlessness, reservation, skeptical, questioning, wavering, indeterminate. If we go back in Genesis, we will be reminded that the first sin was to instill doubt in Eve’s mind about the character of God. Genesis 3:1 tells us that the serpent asked this question to Eve to make her doubt God: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” This question made Eve start getting dubious. She now couldn’t obey God without question. She started to waver in her loyalty. The bible tells us how much we are loved by God and that his love is as great as the heavens. So, why do we usually tend to doubt instead of believe?
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PRAYER
Lord, please free me from any form of unbelief.
REFLECTION
How can doubts corrupt one’s 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