Monthly Archives: July 2018

BEFORE A DISPUTE GROWS Poem Devotional

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July 21________________________________________
Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate; so stop before a dispute breaks out.
– Proverbs 17:14(NLT)
BEFORE A DISPUTE GROWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever a conflict is brewing
Be aware of it before engaging
Starting a fight is opening a floodgate
Involving yourself in it is an actual bait.
Just like poison that travels rapidly
Stop it at its core immediately
Seek and pursue peace at all cost
It will break a dispute before it grows.
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I used to love to debate and prove my point until the Lord convicted me of this futile and harmful act. Because I was deprived of being heard as a child, I learned to survive by fighting back and proving my point. It filled the void of being rejected and disrespected. When I became a born again Christian, I had to let it go because the bible says that we are to pursue peace at all cost.
The book of Proverbs warns us of engaging in conflicts. If we start a fight, we are actually opening the floodgate to hell. The antidote to fights would be choosing love and peace. When we choose to love, we are shutting the door to Satan to fill us with all kinds of lies and evil acts. Before the poison kills us, we need to stop it where it entered our body. Stop a dispute before it breaks out.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never engage in any form of conflict.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with people who love to argue or start fights?
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

IGNORING EVIL Poem Devotional

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July 20________________________________________
If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house. – Proverbs 17:13(NLT)
IGNORING EVIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever evil creeps in your life
Do not succumb but instead fight
If you allow it without confrontation
You’ll have a hard time battling temptation.
Do not ignore the evil that comes to you
Or you will find it hard to abide in truth
Soak in God’s word so you can detect sin
That is the only way you can actually win.
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There are some people who are very compliant about evil. We can be easily attacked if we don’t equip ourselves with God’s armor. In Ephesians 6, we are given the weapon to fight back evil. We do not let evil conquer us, but we win over it by abiding in God through his word and applying it in our lives. Jesus always confronted and exposed the Pharisees for their judgmental attitude and hypocrisy. That is why they were angered and plotted to kill him. They do not want to be uncovered because they won’t be able to continue their malicious acts.
The bible warns us of repaying evil with good because when we do, we are condoning it and it will never leave us alone. In Psychology, there is a term called “co-dependency” which is a relationship addiction. When we let evil dwell in our lives, it will co-exist with us and we’ll be enslaved.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from evil.
REFLECTION
What is the best way to keep evil out of 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

ON CONFRONTING FOOLS Poem Devotional

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July 19________________________________________
It is safer to meet a bear robbed of their cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.
– Proverbs 17:12(NLT)
ON CONFRONTING FOOLS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you tell a fool they are wrong
You will get them angry not for very long
They don’t want to hear what you have to say
They will always follow their selfish ways.
It is safer to meet a bear robbed of their cubs
Than to tell a foolish person what they have done
Be careful how to approach those who are unwise
They wouldn’t want to hear or take anyone else’s advice.
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When I was a teacher to high school students in my thirties, I was so used to giving unsolicited advice. I thought that I was doing the younger generation the favor when I share with them the wisdom I have gained from doing foolish things in my life. Some of them took my guidance with a warm and open heart, but some of them were angry and hostile to being given direction. At that time, I didn’t realize I had boundary issues and was also suffering from traumas I have experienced right from my childhood till my thirties. I learned later on from God’s word that we are supposed to mind our own business in 1 Thessalonians 4:11. We are also warned to take caution when confronting fools because it is worst than approaching a bear rubbed off their cubs.
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PRAYER
Lord, caution me when I need to set boundaries to myself and others.
REFLECTION
What experiences have you had on confronting fools?
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

REBUKING ONE WITH UNDERSTANDING Poem Devotional

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July 18________________________________________
A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool – Proverbs 17:10 (NLT)
REBUKING ONE WITH UNDERSTANDING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you rebuke someone with wisdom
You’ll succeed because he is walking in freedom
When you correct a fool however
It is futile because you’ll end up nowhere.
One rebuke does more for someone with understanding
Rather than altering a fool’s mind continually, he has no inkling
It is better to leave fools alone because they are unteachable
Don’t waste your precious time with those unreachable.
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Before I was born again, I didn’t know that I could teach everyone. So, as a faithful teacher, I would do my best to teach my students with all that I got. Sadly, the ones who are failing are not really dumb but they chose not to prioritize their studies, so I thought. But after God revealed to me different ways the enemy works on people, I realized that one of the hindrances to learning is a spirit of stubbornness and pride or laziness. One of the most challenging students I encountered was probably in my third year of teaching. This girl would literally defy what I was instructing her to do. She wanted power and she didn’t like that someone was telling her what to do. The bible tells us not to waste our time teaching fools.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me when to stop teaching when they don’t want to learn.
REFLECTION
How can we develop a teachable spirit?
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 A FAULT IS FORGIVEN Poem Devotional

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July 17________________________________________
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
-Proverbs 17:9(NLT)
WHEN A FAULT IS FORGIVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you forgive a wrong done to you
You are emulating Christ and being brand new
Dwelling on resentment and bad feelings
Will only open your doors to the devil.
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven
You will experience joy and blessings
Holding on to un-forgiveness makes you bitter
It doesn’t contribute to being a victor.
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How do you know that you have forgiven someone? It is not enough to say “I forgive you.” Sometimes one must allow the process to happen. Recognizing you are wronged or offended and praying for that someone who hurt you takes a lot of courage and maturity. Some people think they have forgiven someone, yet they still keep a record of wrongs done to them. The minute something brings them back to that memory, the offense comes back in their minds. And the cycle of un-forgiveness goes on. In 1 Corinthians 13, we are reminded that love is patient, kind and does not keep a record of wrongs. When we hold on to all that others did wrong to us, we are not walking in love. Instead, we are embracing “bitterness.” Whenever we choose not to forgive, we are choosing death. Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates relationships.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always forgive myself and others.
REFLECTION
How can forgiving oneself sometimes be more challenging than forgiving 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

CHILDREN AND PARENTS Poem Devotional

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July 16________________________________________
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.
-Proverbs 17:8(NLT)
CHILDREN AND PARENTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Children bring joy and delight to their parents
They are the crowning glory of grandparents
Whenever a child is born to this world
We must care for them according to God’s word.
The Lord considers them so very precious
They are their grandparents’ treasures
Parents are the pride of their children
Their role is to bring them close to heaven.
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Being a grandparent is one of the most precious thing one can experience. It is almost as delightful as watching your own child born. They are slightly different in a way because you are not first hand responsible for them. Your children are. It was such a delight when I had my only grandchild, Beatrice born. Although I had challenges relating with my son and his girlfriend, it didn’t lessen the delight and joy I experienced. It was such a great timing when she was being conceived because I was also being transformed into a new person when I became a born again Christian. God prepared me to be the good grandparent but also gave me a second chance to raise her for the first three years of her life. When I dedicated my granddaughter’s life to the Lord, he was faithful to fulfill it. She is my crowning glory.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all children and parents.
REFLECTION
How important are the roles of parents and grandparents to 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

FIRE TESTS PURITY Poem Devotional

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July 15________________________________________
Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. – Proverbs 17:3(NLT)
A poem and essay by ILMA
FIRE TESTS PURITY
As fire tests silver or gold’s purity
The Lord also tests us to reach victory
When we go through trials and suffering
We can view it as a form of cleansing.
In order for us to reach the fullness of our being
We need to go through tests as we are living
It brings us strength and makes us endure
It helps grow our faith and keeps us secure.
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The book of James has a very different approach to see life. In James 1:2, he tells us that when we have any trials or suffering of any kind, we have to be joyful or glad. Well, the world will laugh at this viewpoint. Satan doesn’t like us to see it like James viewed it. The enemy wants us trapped in the “comfort zone” so that any inconveniences that may come, we will react with either running or complaining. Further this first chapter of James, explains why we need to be joyful when we encounter challenges in our lives. He said that when we experience these difficulties, our faith has a chance to grow and that we learn to endure. When we grow our faith, he further tells us that we will be complete, needing nothing (verse 4). The Lord uses all trials to test our hearts.
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PRAYER
Thank you for allowing me to learn from trials and suffering Lord.
REFLECTION
How can one develop a positive outlook as one goes through trials and 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

SIMPLY PEACEFUL Poem Devotional

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July 14________________________________________
Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting and conflict.
– Proverbs 17:1(NLT)
SIMPLY PEACEFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
It is always good to be peaceful
Whether you are empty or full
Better a dry crust eaten in peace
Than luxurious food but in conflict.
We are commanded to live in harmony
It brings us closer to victory
It is better to be simply peaceful
Rather than stay anxious and fretful.
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According to Strong’s definition of “peace”, when we hear the word peace, which this word is usually translated as, we usually associate this to mean an absence of war or strife. However, the Hebrew word shalom has a very different meaning. The verb form of the root word is shalam and is usually used in the context of making restitution. When a person has caused another to become deficient in some way, such as a loss of livestock, it is the responsibility of the person who created the deficiency to restore what has been taken, lost or stolen. The verb shalam literally means to make whole or complete. The noun shalom has the more literal meaning of being in a state of wholeness, or being without deficiency.
The bible tells us that we ought to pursue peace and embrace it at all cost. It tells us in Proverbs that it is better to live in peace with the simple things rather than have luxury but in conflict.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never engage in conflicts.
REFLECTION
How can we live simply in peace all the time?
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

ONLY ONE GOD Poem Devotional

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July 13________________________________________
There is only one God and he made people right with himself only by faith.
– Romans 3:30(NLT)
ONLY ONE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is only one God who made us all
He sent his Son to free us from Adam’s fall
He loves us so much that he forgives our sins
All we need is to grow our faith in him.
Only our Heavenly Father can make us right
He is the only one who can give us insight
Only by faith can we grow spiritually
It is by grace that we can grow into maturity.
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According to some estimates, there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world. The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with “faith” or “belief system”, but religion differs from private belief in that it has a public aspect. This information is extracted from Wikipedia. Despite the many various religions and gods, I firmly believe that there is only one God who can make people right with himself by faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only God who became human and was resurrected. There is no other God who can do or have done such sacrifice of giving his own life for his beloved people to save them. He is also the only God who gave his word which is alive. Through many thousands of years, God inspired many people to write the gospel so all of us can grow our faith.
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PRAYER
Thank you that you are the only one God my Lord.
REFLECTION
Why is Jesus Christ the only true 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

RIGHT IN GOD’S SIGHT Poem Devotional

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July 12
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God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. – Romans 3:26(NLT)
RIGHT IN GOD’S SIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God sent his Son to redeem all sinners
He gave us the option to choose to be a believer
God did this to demonstrate his righteousness
He is faithful to fulfill all of his promises.
The Lord makes sinners right in his sight
He requires us to have faith and live in his light
Believe only in the Lord Jesus Christ
He is fair and just and easily forgives.
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Being right is a natural bent of humans. We engage in discussions and conversations to prove that we are right. Being right in our own mind is not the same as being right in God’s sight. The first involves pride while the second requires a lot of humility and also faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we want to be right on our own, we focus on serving ourselves. When we desire to be right in the sight of God, we rely on his sovereignty and his power. His grace and mercy is overflowing when he gave his only begotten Son to free us from the debt of sin.
How can we be right in God’s sight? Growing our faith is one of the best ways we can please him.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you so much for all your grace and mercy.
REFLECTION
How can we grow our faith so we can continue to be right 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