Monthly Archives: January 2018

ABBA JOINS US IN SPIRIT Poem Devotional

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January 31
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So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father. For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. -Romans 8:15-16(NLT)
ABBA JOINS US IN SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we become slaves of Christ
Our father Abba joins us in our lives
He grants us a spirit that does not fear
We become united with him in love and peace.
His presence in our hearts make us true heirs
He will never leave us that is truly very clear
He affirms us in many ways that we belong to him
Through Christ, he gives us authority and victory over sin
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Security is one of the main ingredient for a relationship to last and stay healthy. When our safety is breached because of an abusive relationship, we fail to thrive and become very insecure. The stability of a relationship is gauged through healthy boundaries and manifesting the love for each other. Without a loving and stable assurance of the place we have in our loved ones, we become victims of either abuse, neglect or indifference. The bible tells us how Abba, our heavenly Father joins us in spirit when we become a believer. He automatically adopts us and we have the assurance that he will love us and never forsake us.
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PRAYER
Lord, I magnify at your faithfulness as my Father.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to ask our Father like little children?
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

CHILDREN OF GOD Poem Devotional

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January 30
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For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God– Romans 8:14(NLT)
CHILDREN OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
How do you know if someone is a child of God?
It is someone spiritual and focus on things above
This person does what the word says and live it
For the Spirit of God speaks to them and they hear it.
The children of God know that they must stay pure
This is why it is hard for the devil to steal and lure
They believe in the power that lives in them and obey
They don’t compromise their integrity and they don’t lie.
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There are people who profess their faith and commit to a life with Christ. How do you know if a believer is authentic? There are counterfeit believers who use their claim that they are believers so they can deceive others. The bible warns us of those who are not doers of the word and just hearers in the book of James. We can know the tree by it’s fruit. An apple tree will not bear a banana nor a banana tree will not produce apples. We need to see the proof of faith. If their life does not contradict God’s word or go against his commands, we can be sure that they are children of God. They are led by God’s Spirit and they listen to his .
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PRAYER
Lord, I pray for all your children to stay in the only way to life which is in Jesus.
REFLECTION
How can you stay authentic in your belief?
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

PUT TO DEATH THE SINFUL NATURE Poem Devotional

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January 29
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Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.- Romans 8:12-13(NLT)
PUT TO DEATH THE SINFUL NATURE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you put to death the sinful nature
You will begin to grow fast and mature
Do not follow your inclination to sin
Let the Spirit control you so you can win.
You’ll be victorious if you listen to the Spirit
He will live in your heart if you allow him
Keep your hearts pure so you’ll feel his presence
Be filled with the Spirit and you will never be bent.
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We always have a tendency to follow our nature which likes to satisfy its desires or cravings, thus, we become bent or crooked. We see things in the natural rather than the supernatural. The bible says that we are not just physical but also spirit beings. When we live only in the physical, our spirits suffer. The apostle Paul stresses the importance of putting to death our sinful nature which is in the natural. We need to feed our spirit God’s truth that it needs so that we don’t need to follow our natural instincts alone, but also what the Spirit is saying.
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PRAYER
Lord help me to overcome my natural instincts and follow the Spirit.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to keep our hearts pure and feed on 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

WHEN GOD’S SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU Poem Devotional

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January 28
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You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you (and remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all).
– Romans 8:9(NLT)
WHEN GOD’S SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God’s Spirit lives in you
Your old life changes; you are new
When you are controlled by the Spirit
You belong to Christ and you soak in it
Your heart suddenly begins to be stirred
He ignites you to stay pure and chase peace
Those who are controlled by their sinful nature
They take awhile to grow, they stay immature.
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There are some believers who choke or grieve the Holy Spirit. Some Christians do not even acknowledge his presence inside their hearts. When Christ died on the cross to pay for our sin debt, he paved the way for the Spirit to live in us. It is the Spirit who guides, teaches and convicts us when we do wrong and gives us a way out. It is God’s spirit who prods us to do righteous things and avoid evil. We can disappoint the Spirit of God in us when we have unbelief, we question his person, we don’t listen to what he is teaching us or if we choose to sin. When God’s Spirit lives in you, you choose the good and the loving.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for allowing the Spirit to live in my heart.
REFLECTION
Why do you think is it difficult for some Christians to let the Spirit dwell?
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

CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT Poem Devotional

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January 27
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So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. – Romans 8:6(NLT)
CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you follow the path that leads to life?
The only way to this peace is through Christ
If you led the Spirit control your mind
It will bring you wisdom and see God’s light.
When sinful nature controls your life
You will either slowly or easily die
Our sinful nature brings us death
God’s truth and love bring life and rest.
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Many people don’t realize how their choices affect their lives. We make many choices daily and almost each moment. One of the gifts that God gave us is to have free will. He is a very loving God and will never force us to follow him. Instead, he gently guides us and gives us his word so we can make wise choices and decisions.
There is about five decades of my life that I chose the way of the world and it resulted in many trials and consequences that made me stuck. I allowed my sinful nature to control my mind and heart, so I failed to win over sin. The bible tells us that only the Spirit can give us that control over sin, we can’t do it on our own. We ought to cooperate with him to have life.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me be able to make choices that you want for me.
REFLECTION
How can we cooperate with the Spirit so He can take control of us?
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

END TO SIN’S CONTROL Poem Devotional

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January 26
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The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. – Romans 8:3(NLT)
END TO SIN’S CONTROL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you submit yourself to Christ
You will find victory in this life
The law wasn’t able to save us
Instead it kept us bonded to lust.
God sent his only son as a sacrifice
He did this so we can have eternal life
He brought an end to the control of sin
Let’s exercise dominion over it so we can win.
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The bible tells us that we are all sinners and only the act of Christ’s dying on the cross gave us control over sin. When we commit our lives to Jesus, everything is turned over. We begin to experience power that comes from knowing God’s word. We get be convicted by the Holy Spirit and shown a way to win over temptations. In the Old Testament, the law was the only thing that mattered but when Jesus came to the world, everything changed. We are no longer bound by the law but by love and grace that comes from God’s unfailing love.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to exercise the authority you have given me to win over sin.
REFLECTION
Why do some believers live fearful lives in this world?
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

POWER THAT FREES YOU FROM SIN Poem Devotional

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January 25
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So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life giving spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. – Romans 8:1-2(NLT)
POWER THAT FREES YOU FROM SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you committed and gave your life to Jesus
You have been considered very precious
Now, you don’t have to feel condemned
You belong to him and he has redeemed.
In your own strength, you can do nothing
Only God’s Spirit will make you win over sin
Because you belong to him, you live in freedom
He grants this to those who belong to his kingdom.
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We live in a society where there is much emphasis in human power rather than in the power that comes from the only source of life, the Lord Jesus Christ. When new year comes, many people make resolutions to change and better themselves. I used to do this but end up frustrated. I was a fool. I didn’t know the truth that without Jesus, I can do nothing. I loved self-help books that empowered me to do things through their advice. When I became born again, the Spirit corrected that wrong notion that I can do things on my own effort. We don’t give the Lord much credit for what he does. Only his power can free us from sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, always remind me that I am nothing without you.
REFLECTION
Describe a time when you had supernatural power coming from the Spirit of 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

GOD’S INTERVENTION poem devotional

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January 24
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For the time has come for me to avenge my people, to ransom them from their oppressors. I was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So I myself stepped in to save them with my strong arm, and my wrath sustained me.
-Isaiah 63: 4-5 (NLT)
GOD’S INTERVENTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are oppressed or depressed
Don’t lose hope for your Lord will be there
Your heavenly Father will intervene in your situation
And you will be amazed at his unwavering devotion.
The Lord will avenge his people and rescue them
He will ensure their oppressors will be incriminated
The Lord will always step in to ransom his people
Run to your Creator and witness his faithfulness.
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Intervention is defined as “to intentionally become involved in a difficult situation in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse.” Most counselors, social workers, therapists or mediators fulfill this duty to ensure that their clients’ situations are confronted without much damage to them.
When we encounter much trials in life, sometimes God allows us to go through it for he might be teaching us something or strengthening our faith and endurance. In this verse from Isaiah, the Lord stepped up just at the right time to ransom his people from their oppressors. You may not understand why he allows suffering, but God is in control. In his perfect timing, he will rescue you.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to hold on to your promises during trials.
REFLECTION
When and how did God intervene in your suffering?
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 GARDEN IN EARLY SPRING Poem Devotional

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January 23
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The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere. – Isaiah 61: 8(NLT)
LIKE A GARDEN IN EARLY SPRING
A poem and essay by ILMA
God’s righteousness is like a garden in early spring
Like plants springing up everywhere, his goodness will be seen
The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to all nations
He will protect all his people from all kinds of temptations.
The Lord is like a gardener who sows his seeds on the ground
His words water each seed so fruits of his Spirit can be found
Praise the Lord for his love, provision and faithfulness
Devote your life to him and you will harvest righteousness.
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I love flowers, plants, trees and gardens. When I moved to Canada from the Philippines, my visual and smell senses were heightened by the variety of colors and scents from God’s wonderful creation. When I migrated to Canada, I had to give away plants that I tended for 15 years back in the Philippines and these people I handed them down to were so grateful. Now that I am surrounded by much gardens and vast landscapes of various plants, flowers and trees, I thank the Lord for such blessings. God’s righteousness is likened to a garden in early spring. It fills the earth with all of his goodness.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your goodness that is everywhere in your creation.
REFLECTION
What can stop us from experiencing God’s righteousness and missing 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

A COVENANT WITH THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 22
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For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. – Isaiah 61: 8(NLT)
A COVENANT WITH THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you given your life to Christ?
If you did, he will transform your life
You will no longer compromise
You will look forward for his prize.
He gave you a covenant and will keep his promises
He is faithful to help you in all your weaknesses
Be joyful when you encounter sufferings
You can grow in your faith and keep enduring.
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Have you ever been into an agreement with someone? We usually want to take into consideration what we will gain when we enter into a commitment with someone. We don’t want to get involved with dishonest people or those without integrity. Just like marrying someone, we want to make sure that we are getting tangled with someone who can make us grow. Getting into an agreement with crooks or wicked people will likely turn us to the way they are.
The Lord gets into a covenant with all those who love him. He promises to protect them and take care of them. He especially rewards those who continue to live honest and pure lives. God gives them assurance of his faithfulness by keeping his promises as part of this covenant.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from ungodly and wicked people.
REFLECTION
Why is it important for us to choose carefully those whom we will get into commitment 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