Monthly Archives: January 2018

TEACH THE TRUTH Poem Devotional

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January 11
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Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. – Titus 2:7-8(NLT)
TEACH THE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
A true follower of Christ possesses integrity
He teaches the truth in love and humility
The truth is absolute and last for eternity
When you teach truth, you will have victory.
Teach the truth so that you can’t be judged
The word of God is truth and it can’t be dodged
When you turn your back on truth, you will suffer
It will enslave you and make life much harder.
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The bible says that we ought to teach truth in love and humility. We cannot teach truth to those whom we are not in relationship or we will be misunderstood. A relationship is important when we talk about God and his truth, especially to unbelievers. Another Christian may be able to relate to what you are teaching, but an unbeliever may not totally understand what you are saying. When you engage in a relationship with someone you are teaching, you reflect to them your walk and not just your talk. People like to see that you actually do what you say. Any inconsistencies with your doing and teaching will be an open door for mistrust, legalism, and judgment. If you focus on the truth, you can’t be criticized because it holds true till eternity.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to live an detach your truth.
REFLECTION
How can you bring truth to those who don’t believe in 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

THE PURE AND THE CORRUPT Poem Devotional

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January 10
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Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
– Titus 1:15(NLT)
THE PURE AND THE CORRUPT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Nothing is pure to all who do evil towards others
They have no concern for the welfare of their neighbors
Those who are pure in their hearts follow the will of God
They do everything to stay faithful and bring him laud.
The pure guard their hearts and mind so they can be new
The corrupt concern themselves with what is untrue
Greed and selfishness occupy the heart of the corrupt
Generosity and selflessness dwell in the pure and just.
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What makes a person pure? What leads them to become corrupt? The bible mentions again and again that we need to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and to become like our creator (Colossians 3:10). One way to stay pure is to have a close relationship with the Lord and to study his truth. This way we can guard our hearts and watch out for the tricks of the enemy who is out there to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10). Another thing we need to do is to obey and live the life God wants for us and not feed our selfish nature. Human desires bend our hearts and minds and make us corrupt and worldly.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to constantly guard our hearts and mind and stay pure.
REFLECTION
How can fasting and praying give us breakthrough to stay pure for 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 MANAGERS Poem Devotional

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January 9
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A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. -Titus 1: 7 (NLT)
GOD’S MANAGERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you decide to become a church leader
God requires you to be a good role model
You must not be arrogant or quick-tempered
No heavy drinking or you must not be dishonest.
Church leaders are God’s managers in his kingdom
They must be blameless and live in freedom
They need to be honest doers of the word
They cannot be easily corrupted by the world.
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When one is called to minister for God in any aspect of leading a church, there are pre-requisites that God had laid out for them to follow. 1 Timothy 3:1-2 says that they must be temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, be able to teach, faithful to only one spouse. Paul adds more to these criteria in Titus 1:7. They must be humble, not arrogant, not heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. Yet we see in so many churches how these leaders are not living up to God’s expectations and requirements.
God’s managers are obliged to follow such requirements because their flock watches them and he or she is responsible for their spiritual growth. Their lives rather than their sermons will be the preaching that the congregation will hear much louder.
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PRAYER
Lord, I pray for all church leaders to keep abiding to your will.
REFLECTION
Why is following God’s requirement essential to church leaders?
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 NEVER LIES poem devotional

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January 8
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This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. – Titus 1:2(NLT)
GOD NEVER LIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you discouraged and going through something?
Do not feel condemned about all your sins
Confess and repent for the Lord never lies
He will grant you mercy and will provide.
Believe his truth and you will be set free
Abide in his word for he is faithful to let you see
Have confidence in his promises for he is truth
Then you will eventually harvest his Spirit’s fruit.
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One of the most excruciating experience one can have is being betrayed by someone. When a person very close to you go behind your back and stabs you, it is painful. It makes you either fight back or flee from them. Trust is usually lost and it can be hard to restore it unless there is repentance and forgiveness. Oftentimes what happens it nobody wants to confront the betrayal which eventually poisons the relationship.
The bible describes to us a God who never lies. His nature is love and truth and there is no way that he will engage in telling untrue things. He gave us many promises of redemption and victory over sin but we ought to know his truth in order to have the confidence of living in truth and his will.
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PRAYER
Lord, give us wisdom to always choose truth rather than believing in lies..
REFLECTION
How do you protect yourself from the enemy’s lies?
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

PROCLAIM FAITH & LIVE HOLY Poem Devotional

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January 7
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I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. -Titus 1:1 (NLT)
PROCLAIM FAITH & LIVE HOLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
All believers are expected to be proclaimers of faith
They are commissioned to spread the gospel and satiate
Living a life of obedience to God’s will make them shine
They become a beacon of light to those who have lost sight.
Let us follow the truth that will set us all free
Guard the heart so we won’t be foolish to see
The enemy wants to devour and trick us to sin
By proclamation and godly lives, we will surely win.
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How many believers actually proclaim the Good News and live their lives righteous and holy? We cannot just be talkers but doers as well. When we live godly lives, it speaks louder than what we actually say. Jesus Christ, never really said much. Instead, he role modeled what it really meant to be a devoted follower. Christ didn’t judge even the sinners, he forgave and brought to them the truth.
We learn the truth by studying God’s word, maintaining a relationship with him and following his commands. One of the ways we can show our faithfulness is by proclaiming his word and living a life that is righteous and holy like Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always bring your gospel to those you have chosen.
REFLECTION
How can living godly lives speak much louder than words you say to others?
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

REVERENT FEAR OF THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 6
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Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. – Colossians 3:22 (NLT)
REVERENT FEAR OF THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you revere the Lord and want to please him
It will protect you from being tempted to sin
If you fear the Lord, you will show respect for others
He wants to see you manifest it by loving your brothers.
If you work for someone, do it as you would unto the Lord
Be devoted to his will and don’t do the ways of this world
Do not aim to please humans, but delight only in Jesus
See how he loves you much; to him, you are very precious.
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There are many things we fear. It could be fear of darkness, heights, not knowing what’s next, being rejected, abandoned or unloved. Most fears are very detrimental for our mental, emotional and spiritual well being. The only fear that will help us is the “fear of the Lord.” Many people think negative things when they hear this fear. The word fear here really means to revere or honor the Lord.
The bible tells us in Colossians 3:22 that we need to fear the Lord and even though no one is watching, we still need to do it as we serve others.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to only be concerned with pleasing you and not others.
REFLECTION
How can you show fear of the Lord in your dealing with others?
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

STAND FIRM IN THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 5
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So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters because you have remained strong in our faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. – 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (NLT)
STAND FIRM IN THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you are beset by troubles and suffering
Don’t lose hope, stand firm in the Lord and keep abiding
Be joyful when you are tested so your faith can grow
You will enjoy the benefits and harvest what you sowed.
Stand firm in the Lord for he will never forsake his children
He is faithful to fulfill and will grant you a place in heaven
He gives new life to those who are pressing on forward
Don’t despair for he makes a way even if it is very hard.
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One of the traits that I was acknowledged for was my resilience and perseverance. I remember my teaching days when our principal was amazed at how I was handling all the adversities coming my way. As a result of her admiration, she supported me and stood by during trials and sufferings. She had no idea that I relied strongly in the Lord and that was the only reason why I stayed strong and undefeated.
The bible tells us to stand firm in the Lord. As we rely on him, he gives us strength.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for supporting me in all that I do.
REFLECTION
How can you build up your faith in 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

WHEN CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE Poem Devotional

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January 4
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And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. – Colossians 3:4(NLT)
WHEN CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you dedicate your whole life to ChristI
You will experience his glory and his light
He shares his radiance to all who are faithful
He will grant you victory and make you whole.
When Christ is your life, there will be peace
You will have wisdom beyond what you see
When you focus on the only way, that is Jesus
You will overcome all trials and be victorious.
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There was a decade in my life where my life was spent much on religious rituals, but I also mixed these traditions with a personal relationship with Jesus. I raised my only son alone and I made a pact with Jesus that he shall supply the father that my son didn’t have. In other words, I made him my husband. He may be invisible to me and to my son, but I always visualized and allowed his presence to be felt in our lives. I was raised a Catholic and was still one during the ten years. How I did this was to read the bible daily, hear mass every day and take communion each mass I went to. My son and I prayed morning, noon and night and sang hymns for God. I couldn’t do it without Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for generously sharing your glory to me.
REFLECTION
What benefits have you received when you make Christ 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

REAL LIFE Poem Devotional

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January 3
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For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
– Colossians 3:3 (NLT)
REAL LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the focus of your life?
Is it to have pleasure or do follow Christ?
When you accepted Jesus as your Savior
Your real life is hidden in Christ as a believer.
Spend your moments with God as often as you can
He will transform you as you obey his commands
You are dead to this world and alive in Christ
Manifest it by the way you live and stay in his light.
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We live in a world where we all aim to have all the comforts and conveniences in life. Social media have created so much wants for us under the guise of needs. Do we really know why we are here on earth? Ecclesiastes 1:2 tells us that everything is meaningless. We try to visualize the life we always wanted but is that what real life is? Is that the will of God for us?
Paul talks to us about our real life hidden with Christ in God. We will only be victorious and share his glory if we follow his lead. He wants us to live the new life and seek the Lord so that we will discern what God really wants for us. Then, we will discover our purpose in fulfilling God’s kingdom here on earth.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always meditate on your will and truth.
REFLECTION
How close are you to fulfilling the real life that God planned for 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

CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS Poem Devotional

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January 2
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Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. – Colossians 3:11 (NLT)
CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who is the most important person in your life?
Have you given your loyalty to Jesus Christ?
To all those who committed to the Lord
Christ is all that matters and so is his word.
There is nothing more powerful than Jesus
God’s truth is vital and very precious
The Spirit lives in all of us, all God’s people
Make the Lord your priority and stay faithful.
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There are so many things that we are bombarded with in our world today. It is very hard to prioritize what are really important. People have been given so much choices and distractions that it is almost impossible to know how to arrange them in the hierarchy of their importance.
The bible tells us that Christ is all that matters and that he lives in all of us. It is sad that so many people, even some Christians, do not prioritize God in their lives. They surround themselves with all kinds of trivial things that distract them from making Christ the only thing that matters. Instead, we humans get sidetracked with idols which are anything that diverts us from being present with the Lord. Christ is all we need. When we are intimate with him, we can be contented, joyful and be complete.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me be contended in making you the center of my life.
REFLECTION
What happens when all that matters in your life is 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