Monthly Archives: April 2018

WHEN YOU SHOW MERCY Poem Devotional

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April 10________________________________________
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. -James 2:13 (NLT)
WHEN YOU SHOW MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you give mercy to others quickly
The Lord will forgive you easily
There’ll be no mercy to those who are merciless
You will be judged when you don’t grant forgiveness.
When you show mercy, you are loving
When you deny it, you are sinning
Granting forgiveness when others ask it
Is the key to living a life led by Spirit.
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The Lord’s Prayer specifically states that we are to forgive others first before we can ask him for forgiveness. We cannot ask something that we have not given to others. How can we expect to receive something that we have deprived others of? God is a very merciful, faithful and loving God. According to Lamentations, he gives us mercy afresh each morning. We need to live in his grace and when we do, he also expects us to give what we have been given.
James warns us of the judgment we will get when we don’t grant others the mercy that God has generously given us. He also reminds us how he will lavish us with mercy when we do forgive others.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always be quick to forgive and to ask for forgiveness for my own sins.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it is hard for many people to be merciful 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

THE SIN OF PREJUDICE Poem Devotional

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April 9________________________________________
But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. – James 2:9(NLT)
THE SIN OF PREJUDICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
God created all men differently but equal
He is patient with us and he is always loyal
He doesn’t prefer someone else over another
He wants us to love all of our sisters and brothers.
If you have a prejudice over the weak or the poor
You are guilty of breaking the law, you are a fool
When you favor someone else over another
You are sinning against God and your neighbors.
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When I came to Canada, I never thought I would experience prejudice just because I came from Asia. Moving to a small town with thirty thousand people and with a majority of Caucasians, posed a challenge for me during the first eight years of my move here. In 2004, I would say that there might have been only a handful of Asians or Black people here, probably not even a hundred out of that population. I wasn’t even aware of it at the beginning, but then as months passed by, I encountered hostile looks, being treated like you are stupid and can’t understand them. Some did silent mockery by minimizing your capacity and skills or not giving you an opportunity to get the good job positions. The bible says that it is a sin to have prejudice over others.
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PRAYER
Lord, please help me never to mistreat anyone or be biased or judged someone different from me.
REFLECTION
Why does God hate prejudice?
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

IF YOU FAVOR SOME OVER OTHERS Poem Devotional

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April 8________________________________________
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? – James 2:1(NLT)
IF YOU FAVOR SOME OVER OTHERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord made us in his own likeness
We can all live like him in righteousness
He wants us to love all our sisters and brothers
So, don’t favor someone else over others.
If you give preference to someone over another
You are doubting God’s creation and character
If you are a believer in our glorious Jesus
You will treat everyone as very precious.
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When God created the first man and woman, he patterned them in his own image. Let’s not forget that we are all seen by God equally. He is a fair and just God and he is not impartial to anyone. He loves all people. In Romans 5:8, he proved that he immensely loves us all. He sent his one and only Son while we were still sinners. God may hate the sins that we engage in, but he always loves the person he created. He is patient with all of us and can understand where we are all coming from. He gives grace and mercy equally to all but he will never force us to do what he says. The book of James challenges us to look into the issue of giving favor to some over others.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to give preference to others over another person.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the source of favoritism or discrimination?
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

WORD GIVES LIFE Poem Devotional

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April 7________________________________________
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. -James 1:18(NLT)
WORD GIVES LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God created the world
He breathed on it and spoke the word
The word brings life when it is uttered
It shines God’s light so bright and alive.
When you seek his true word, you give birth
Things multiply and continue to get big
The truth also brings about joy and freedom
It brings us closer and closer to God’s kingdom.
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Before I became born again, I had no idea how powerful the word of God was. I didn’t know that it could set me free. I didn’t even realize that it will bring healing to me in all aspects of my life. I underwent so much traumas and it manifested in my body, mind and spirit. I was sick physically, emotionally and mentally. When I became born again and recommitted my life to Jesus, the first instruction I got was to feed on his word. I didn’t understand it at first. How can it heal me bodily, mentally and emotionally? I thought that it was only something spiritual that it deals with. When I finally obeyed God’s word, it literally exposed the lies that I believed for many years. I became aware of all the sins and the darkness I lived in. After seeking the truth, I was released from darkness.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your precious word.
REFLECTION
How has the word of God given birth to 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

GET UP AND WALK! Poem Devotional

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April 6________________________________________
But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, get up and walk!” -Acts 3:6(NLT)
GET UP AND WALK!
poem and essay by ILMA
When you fail and everything seems dreary
Get up and walk towards Christ; don’t get weary.
He will do the impossible if you will only believe
So why not step up in faith, and openly receive.
When you are given the gift of healing
Share it to free others from all kinds of illness
Jesus is the greatest of all healers
Go to him, get up and accept your miracle.
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I grew up with many illnesses. I had constant headaches, tonsillitis, tuberculosis before I reached ten years old. When I was in my twenties, I had ulcers, terrible migraines and kidney stones. By the time I was in my thirties, I had hepatitis A, anemia, hypokalemia, mild scoliosis and the migraines were so severe that I would be hospitalized for several days. By the time I turned forty, I was diagnosed with asthma and emphysema, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis. In my fifties, I had post traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, vertigo, high blood pressure was borderline diabetic and heel pains.
When I became born again, I began to ask the Lord to heal all these diseases with his blood and he reminded me to get up and receive healing.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your healing powers.
REFLECTION
What has the Lord recently healed you 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

THE LORD IS YOUR ANCHOR Poem Devotional

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April 5________________________________________
I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope.
-Acts 2:25-26(NLT)
THE LORD IS YOUR ANCHOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you go through trials and suffering
It may seem hopeless and debilitating
Remember that the Lord is your anchor
He is right there, reach out and be humble.
Do not be shaken, instead, your hope in him
If you rely on Jesus, you will eventually win
He is worth all of your praise and worship
Run to him when challenges start to creep.
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An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. Anchors achieve holding power either by “hooking” into the seabed, via sheer mass, or a combination of the two. The purpose of an anchor is to give a stability and steadiness to the ship or boat. Just like how the anchor functions for vessels, the Lord Jesus Christ acts as the same for all of us who hooks up to him. The more weight and baggage we carry; the more stability Christ will give us. When life’s storms come, make sure that you are anchored on him ever so tightly.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being my anchor during life’s challenges.
REFLECTION
How can we maintain a dependency on Jesus regularly?
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

CALL ON THE LORD’S NAME Poem Devotional

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April 4________________________________________
But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. – Acts 2:24 (NLT)
CALL ON THE LORD’S HOUSE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you call on the name of the Lord
You are praising and giving him laud
Everyone who calls on the name of Jesus
He hears them and he considers them precious.
When you feel helpless and discouraged
Declare his name and you will be encouraged
The name of Jesus can save and it has power
Say his name out loud to make the devil cower.
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Have you ever known someone who is so powerful? Adolf Hitler rose to power during the World War II. Although he began his service in the first world war, it wasn’t until the second one that he began to believe the ideology that he needs to annihilate the Jews. His name became something that many people feared because he lived to propagate violence and death. I am sure that those who worked for him, used his powerful name to continue the cause he started, but for those whom he victimized, it was a terrifying name.
On the other hand, there is a name that is above all names and is the most powerful. That name is Jesus. Philippians 2:9-11 says that every knew will bow to his name because God has exalted him and gave him the name above all names. If you call on his name, you will be saved.
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PRAYER
Jesus, save me from this corrupt world.
REFLECTION
Share an experience when you called on Jesus and he responded.
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 POURS SPIRIT ON LAST DAYS Poem Devotional

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April 3________________________________________
In the last days, God says, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. – Acts 2:17(NLT)
GOD POURS SPIRIT ON LAST DAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you hear many Christians prophecy
God is pouring his Spirit to all he has assigned
Young men will see visions, old men will have dreams
While others who don’t believe, will live in fear.
On the last days, God will watch upon all people
He wants all to be saved, and no one falling
His mercy and love abound especially these last days
Watch out that you are able to receive his bountiful grace.
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like on the last days? Revelations 21:8 gives us a clear picture of what will happen to unbelievers, cowards, the corrupt, murderers, immoral and those who practice witchcraft, idolaters and liars. Their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. It is quite scary to think if you are among these enumerated in this verse.
Luke on the other hand, talks in the book of Acts of the Apostles about how the Lord will pour out his Spirit on all people. How sons and daughters of those who were listening to the apostle Paul will prophesy, see visions and how the elder men will dream dreams.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to stay faithful to you until the end of days.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to stay faithful to the Lord always?
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

HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS ABILITIES Poem Devotional

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April 2________________________________________
And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. – Acts 2:4(NLT)
HOLY SPIRIT GRANTS ABILITIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the Lord fills us with his Spirit
There’s nothing impossible, we can do it
He can give us the ability to speak in tongues
He can also give joy and make each of us strong.
The Spirit of God can make us talk in other languages
He can make a way for us to face all kinds of challenges
The Holy Spirit grants abilities so we can face anything
You can overcome and thrive if we believe in him.
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I was gifted with communication and creative skills. It is ironic that when I was growing up, you can barely hear me. I don’t usually talk and was a very introverted. God has been using me now to preach the gospel. Even though no one in my family led me to Jesus, I believe that the Holy Spirit was the one who gave me the ability to hear Jesus’ voice in my head and heart even at a very young age of seven. When I was in my late twenties, the Lord made me speak in tongues. It was amazing to speak a foreign language my head doesn’t understand but my heart knows very clearly. I was filled with God’s spirit.
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PRAYER
Lord, please keep me grateful for all the abilities you gave me.
REFLECTION
How can we thank the Lord for what he has given 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

SEARCH MY HEART LORD Poem Devotional

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April 1________________________________________
O Lord, you know every heart. – Acts 1:24(NLT)
SEARCH MY HEART LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
O Lord, you know everyone’s heart
Will you search mine and set it apart?
Let me only have righteous intentions
Convict me so I won’t give in to temptations.
Grant me a hunger to always seek your truth
Change my mind and heart so I can be renewed
Don’t allow me to be corrupted by this world
Let me always be guided by your holy word.
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How often would you let someone see you inside and out, without masks? Many people are afraid to get closer to others because they are scared that they will be exposed and others will see their weaknesses, faults and flaws. I am thankful that I am not afraid to be seen by others regardless of how much I fall short of God’s glory. The bible tells us that God allows us to experience these “thorns in the flesh” because he is honing us and refining us to be strong we can do what he has planned for us.
King David was known for a person who was after God’s heart. He was obsessed with getting closer to the Lord and he constantly leaned on him for everything. Despite his frailties and sins, the Lord chose him to be the root where the lineage of Jesus originated. Ask God to search your heart.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never be afraid to be convicted by your Spirit if I have done wrong.
REFLECTION
How can we strengthen our desire to have our hearts changed righteously?
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