Monthly Archives: December 2017

PROOF OF LOVE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

December 31
________________________________________
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)
PROOF OF LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you love Jesus Christ with all your heart
You will prove it by obeying his truth in your life
It will manifest in actions not just words that you utter
You show love by obeying Christ and loving your brother.
All who love Jesus will follow what he says
They look up to his promises and continually pray
Anyone who doesn’t love the Lord will not obey
They will be defeated because they do not really care.
________________________________________
When someone claims they love another person, one of the best proof of this claim is obedience. Between parents and children, we know that those who obey what we say as parents actually shows that they love us. Between lovers, obeying and respecting what the other person believes or requests is a manifestation that they love each other. The bible tells us that Jesus sets the standard for true love to all his people. Obedience is his pre-requisite for proof of love. Following what he says harvests the fruits of the spirit such as joy, love, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Those who do not love Jesus will be disobedient and rebellious.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always be devoted to you by obeying your commands.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome man’s natural bent to disobedience?
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 BRINGS REVELATION Poem Devotional

Posted on by

December 30
________________________________________
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. – John 14:21 (NLT)
OBEDIENCE BRINGS REVELATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit your life to the Lord
Obedience is the proof that you are faithful
When you follow his will and commands
You will discern and understand life’s demands.
It is through your submission that you gain wisdom
It is by following his truth that you live in freedom
When you manifest your love for the Father through obedience
You will see things in God’s view and become resilient.
________________________________________
Have you ever wondered why rebellion is fatal? Let’s look back at man’s first original sin. Adam and Eve where provided with all the things in life. They didn’t have to toil or suffer because they had everything in that paradise that God made for them. The serpent enticed them to disobey the only prohibition that God gave them. They were told that they can eat any fruit from any three except one tree. If they trusted the Lord and followed, sin wouldn’t have come to life. Disobedience covers a multitude of other sins such as pride, doubt, rebellion, arrogance, haughtiness and envy. The bible tells us that when we obey, we get revelations from God himself.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to turn and disobey you.
REFLECTION
What role has disobedience played in your life? How were you delivered from it?
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

THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SPIRIT poem devotional

Posted on by

December 29
________________________________________
Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. – John 14:19-20(NLT)
THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God the Father sent his Son to save
He wants to give us a clean slate
When Christ was born in the world
God’s Spirit was manifest in the Word.
When Christ died, they can no longer see him
He sacrificed his life to free us from sin
God promised his Spirit to live in our hearts
He wants us to believe his promises from the start.
________________________________________
The greatest miracle on earth is when Jesus was born of a virgin birth and when he died and was resurrected as promised in Scriptures many years before he was born. His disciples were worried when Christ was about to be crucified. They were saddened thinking that they are losing their master whom they have followed all those years. They were almost disillusioned that he will soon leave them. Jesus reassured them that despite his absence, they will be able to do things through God’s Spirit. He will live in their hearts and that his resurrection will indicate that He is with God and yet he is in each one of all those who believe him.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Thank you for dying for me and empowering me through your Spirit.
REFLECTION
How can you ensure the Spirit lives 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

SAME OR EVEN GREATER WORKS Poem Devotional

Posted on by

December 28
________________________________________
I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. -John 14:12(NLT)
SAME OR EVEN GREATER WORKS
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
They will do the same works as he did in his life
Because they are committed and faithful
They will have blessings and will be fruitful.
The Lord promises them that they can do even better
He even said that they can do more things greater
Believe that the Lord is with you when you commit
He is faithful and true so you need to submit.
________________________________________
What is the greatest manifestation of a believer? Is it what he says or how he lives his life? Many have turned their backs to God because of hypocrites. They don’t live the life that Jesus sampled for them. They don’t obey his commands or even walk in love. They do lip service and do not take the gospel and apply it in their lives. No wonder, they are fruitless and defeated in their lives.
The bible tells us that Jesus promised us that if we believe in him, we can be able to do the same works he did or even greater. Why don’t some Christians believe this promise of greater works through God’s spirit?
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to follow your ways always.
REFLECTION
How can we faithfully lead a life like Christ?
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

ROOM IN THE FATHER’S HOME poem devotional

Posted on by

December 27
________________________________________
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? – John 14:1(NLT)
ROOM IN THE FATHER’S HOME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t worry and don’t be troubled for you are covered
When you believe in Christ, he will bring you favors
There is more than enough room in the Father’s home
Thank God for he will never abandon you or let you roam.
Jesus prepares your room in his Father’s kingdom
Guard your hearts so you can walk in freedom
He is waiting for you to join him in eternity
Are you walking in love in order to have victory?
________________________________________
Have you ever been admitted to the hospital and waited for so long to be given a room in that situation? When I was in labor for my only child’s birth, the hospital was so full that I had to literally share a bed with someone, until there were enough room to accommodate us. It was the height of much sickness and women giving birth that time. I felt so insignificant and cried knowing that I was sharing not just a room but the bed as well. The bible tells us that there is more than enough room for those who love God in his kingdom.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for making room for me in your home.
REFLECTION
What have you done to ensure your place in God’s kingdom?
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 LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

December 26
________________________________________
Grace, mercy and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father- will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3(NLT)
THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all those who live in truth and love
You will receive grace from the Father up above
Mercy and peace will be granted to you as well
It shows how God is faithful to those who dwell.
Continue to live in God’s will and you will have deep roots
Don’t ever compromise your heart and you’ll harvest fruits
The Father will abide to those who follow and obey
He will live in your heart if you do what he says.
________________________________________
There is a big reward to those who are faithful in abiding in God’s truth and love. Grace is underserved favor. It is true that we automatically receive grace when we believe in Christ, but he also rewards those who faithfully abides and follow his commands. Some Christians lack an understanding about how God sees faithfulness. Devotion is one of his characteristics, so if you show faithfulness and steadfastness, he will surely grant you this undeserved favor, forgiveness and peace. There were times in my life that I didn’t live in truth and love. It opened the door to many sins and deprived me of peace and joy.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being faithful and merciful to a sinner like me.
REFLECTION
Why is living out God’s truth and love essential in a Christian’s 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

GLORY OF GOD IN THE SON Poem Devotional

Posted on by

December 25
________________________________________
So the Word became human, and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
– John 1: 14(NLT)
GLORY OF GOD IN THE SON
A poem and essay by ILMA
God was with Mary and Joseph as they traveled
Despite the threat to his life, he was safely delivered
When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem in a manger
The Word became human in the midst of danger.
At Christ’s birth, we saw the glory of God in the Son
He was full of faithfulness, mercy and unfailing love
Magnify the gift of love given to us by God through Christ
Give him praise and worship him all throughout your life.
________________________________________
All throughout the bible, God has never shown himself to any man. But when Jesus Christ was born, we actually saw him in person. In John 1:14, we are told that the Word (who is Christ himself) became one of us. This is one of the greatest mystery that God showed us. He brought Jesus who was God and was born of virgin birth in uncertain and dangerous times. Despite the many years that God has avoided showing himself to mankind, he also brought himself to us through Jesus Christ so we would be able to relate with him as we would to him. God’s full glory is manifest in his son Jesus.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Thank you for showing yourself to us through Christ.
REFLECTION
How has Jesus clearly manifested himself 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

NEWBORN KING Poem Devotional

Posted on by

December 24
________________________________________
About that time, some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2(NLT)
NEWBORN KING
A poem and essay by ILMA
There were three wise men who searched
They humbled themselves to give Christ praise
Who would ever think that they would bow down?
This baby in swaddling cloths they finally found.
“Where is the newborn king?”, they asked
They followed God’s instructions through the star
They kneeled and gave him gifts in adoration
They were humbled by this story of salvation.
________________________________________
Many stories about the wise men were said for thousands of years. These stories focused on the gifts they gave to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6).
The great thing about these wise kings is that they travelled far to come and give this baby Jesus the honor and praise that he so deserved. They followed God’s lead through the star and witnessed God’s promise of salvation.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget giving you honor.
REFLECTION
How can we show others that we honor the Lord 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

LET US WITNESS! Poem Devotional

Posted on by

December 23
________________________________________
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.
-Luke 2:15(NLT)
LET US WITNESS!
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord called on the lowly shepherds to witness
They became part of the story of the birth of Jesus
When the angels came to tell them of this big event
They immediately ran to behold this magnificence.
They said to each other “Let’s witness to this birth”
It is the good news that brings us joy and peace
They watched in awesome wonder this baby
They praised the Lord for being part of history.
________________________________________
If you were given a chance to be witness to an event which would be historical, would you miss it at all? I am so blessed that in my lifetime, I have had many occasions to observe the many changes in our world today. In my country of origin, the Philippines, I was able to partake of the changes in the political corruption that had been going on for many years. I saw the transition of our word to technology and information eras. I also am witnessing the explosion of God’s word and the Good News these days.
When the shepherds were invited to come and see the greatest thing that will happen, they didn’t have second thoughts. They witnessed and shared it to others.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn down an occasion to witness for you.
REFLECTION
Why is witnessing an integral part of our Christian 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

SMALL YET BIG Poem Devotional

Posted on by

December 22
________________________________________
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.
– Micah 5:2 (NLT)
SMALL YET BIG
A poem and essay by ILMA
Not all good things come in big parcels
Some may be hidden in small packages
Christ came from a very insignificant town
Yet there it was where the ruler of Israel was found.
He may have come from small beginning but big ending
His purpose in mankind is to grant them salvation and mercy
Do not look down on what is small and inconsequential
It may be used for the things that are most reverential
________________________________________
Our society look down on poor people, simpletons, uneducated, weak people. Yet, God chose a very insignificant small town such as Bethlehem to bring Jesus to us. Why would he do such thing? In 1 Corinthians 1:27, God chose things that the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they re wise and chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. He wants to show us all that he is the only one who is powerful and that no one can fully understand how he is and how he operates. If we do, then there is no more need for faith. Don’t look down on small things for they may deliver something really big.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for putting us in our humble place.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God chose small things to grant us big things?
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