Monthly Archives: August 2018

ON ARGUING WITH YOUR MAKER Poem Devotional

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August 29________________________________________
What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong! Does the pot exclaim ‘How clumsy can you be?’ -Isaiah 45:9 (NLT)
ON ARGUING WITH YOUR MAKER
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the perfect God created humans and things
Didn’t he make them perfect and without sin?
Why then would people question his creation?
Why do they think they have all the solutions?
Be careful when you argue with your Maker
It shows a spirit of rebellion to your Father
You have no right to question his perfect plan
Just obey his will and follow his only Son.
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One of the marks of an authentic believer is “obedience.” The fall of man was caused by rebellion or lawlessness. They disobeyed the only rule that God asked them to follow. It was for their own protection that they were instructed to stay away from that only tree amongst the bountiful paradise they lived in. They were provided for with everything they needed and as they followed his will, they were safe and stayed pure. As soon as they allowed themselves to be tempted by the serpent to defy God’s rule, they were actually questioning God’s authority and wisdom. The result of that choice marked the original sin. There will be a consequence to lawlessness.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me obedient to your will always and never question your will.
REFLECTION
What causes people to rebel or argue with 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

OLD HABITS Poem Devotional

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August 28________________________________________
You used to do these things when you were still part of this world. – Colossians 3:7(NLT)
OLD HABITS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you crave for things of this world
You are likely not following God’s word
God’s ways are not governed by pleasures
It is selflessness that he always treasures.
Old habits may be hard to break on your own
If you seek and ask the Lord, he will make you grow
You are a new creation in Christ when you believe him
He will transform your mind, so you better receive it.
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I used to have a new year’s resolution each year when I was still a worldly believer. I didn’t realize that I cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24) because you will hate one and love the other. An authentic Christian cannot claim he is a follower, when he does the opposite of what the word says. When I made my resolutions at the start of the year, it doesn’t take long when I go back to my old ways. I didn’t know that God wanted me to acknowledge my weaknesses and lay it down on the cross so he can resolve it. I was a control freak doing everything to regulate my own life and the situations I got myself into. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new has begun.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always rely on you and not my own strength.
REFLECTION
How can we get rid of old habits?
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 JOY OF GOD’S PRESENCE Poem Devotional

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August 27________________________________________
You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
– Acts 2:28(NLT)
THE JOY OF GOD’S PRESENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Once you have accepted Jesus in your life
You will notice the radiance of his glorious light
He fills you with the joy of his presence
He shows you the path to his righteousness.
He will cover all darkness that permeates you
He will transform your mind and make you new
The joy of God’s presence is vital to your growth
Without it, your life will be deprived of peace and joy.
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How do you know if someone is a true believer of Jesus Christ? One of the most remarkable signs of an authentic Christian is the joy that is radiated in his own person. This joy isn’t something someone can fabricate. It is a result of the presence of God in that person’s life. I remember when I heeded the Holy Spirit’s call in my life in my late twenties, it didn’t stop me from experiencing many trials and hardships. In fact, so much adversities poured in my life. What is amazing about God’s presence is that he will never allow you to be defeated by any attacks of the enemy. He equipped me with everything I needed to go through all of it. He showed me the way of life and filled me with his Spirit.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for living inside of me.
REFLECTION
How can we maintain God’s presence inside 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

ALL TREMBLE WHEN HE COMES

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August 20________________________________________
As fire causes wood to burn and water to boil, your coming would make the nations tremble. Then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame. -Isaiah 64:2(NLT)
ALL TREMBLE WHEN HE COMES
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord is coming back again
All believers he will definitely claim
His power causes all things to tremble
He is the only one who makes all quiver.
As fire causes water to boil and wood to burn
All Christians are promised that he’ll be back again
The enemy will learn the reason for his fame
He will be defeated because Jesus always reigns.
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Have you ever observed how wood burns and water boils? When I was nine years old, our apartment got threatened by a big fire in the nearby market. I watched on our window how the fire progressed and heard all the ticking noises as the wood parts of the market burned. I also smelled the smoke as I witnessed that very huge market burned down to ashes. To this very day, smoke smells still triggers me as I recall my mother who was eight months pregnant carry a ten cubic feet refrigerator by herself to save it from the possible fire that would have hit us. I praise God it didn’t. The traumas of such experience will always be there. When Jesus comes again, all will tremble and the enemy will bow down.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your promise of second coming.
REFLECTION
How can you prepare for the biggest even in life which is Christ’s second coming?
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

POWERFUL PRESENCE Poem Devotional

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August 19________________________________________
Oh that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence. – Isaiah 64:1(NLT)
POWERFUL PRESENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Oh Lord, you are all mighty
Give me wisdom to see my destiny
You burst from the heavens to come down
You saved a wretch like me and found.
You are the most powerful presence ever
Your love is highest and it lasts forever
All your creation bows down to your power
They all quake and quiver and cower.
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Have you ever met someone who radiates so much power and attendance? Whenever they come in a room, all eyes are riveted to them and they emit such radiance. There are some people who come and go and nobody notices them at all. They try to do everything to make themselves unnoticed because they don’t want to be looked at. I knew someone who would literally make herself small and invisible so they won’t be seen. Most people who likes to hide from others are usually compensating for their lack of confidence.
The bible talks about the most powerful presence on earth, the Lord Jesus Christ. Each time he walked into a place, he turns heads and get everyone to listen to him. He radiates love and gets anyone instantly captivated by his person. He can command any of his creation to anything he says. What a powerful presence.
PRAYER
Lord, you are awesome. Let me give you praise always.
REFLECTION
How do you respond to God’s presence?
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

PROTECTION FROM SHAME Poem Devotional

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August 18________________________________________
Those who trust in me will never be put to shame. – Isaiah 49:23(NLT)
PROTECTION FROM SHAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
At the time you believed in Christ
You put an end to shame in your life
God protects all those who trust him
He makes sure that they overcome sin.
Shame is fabricated by the enemy
He lies so we can question our identity
Trust in the Lord and you won’t have it
He grants discernment from his Holy Spirit.
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As a noun, “shame” is defined as a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior. As a verb it means to make someone feel ashamed. Shame originated from the first fall of man. In Genesis, it described how Adam and Eve hid and covered themselves after being tempted and enticed by the serpent. With shame comes hiding. Because of the strong feeling of humiliation, anyone who have sinned has the tendency to keep things quiet or in secret. Shame only comes as a consequence of sin or it can manifest as a result of someone abusing or projecting something that one person is never good enough.
I had so much shame in my life for over five decades because those whom I related with made sure that I didn’t live up to their expectations. The bible says that those who trust in the Lord will never be put to shame.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for shielding me from shame.
REFLECTION
How can we get rid of shame in our lives?
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

BRING THE LORD GLORY Poem Devotional

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August 17________________________________________
You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory. – Isaiah 49:3(NLT)
BRING THE LORD GLORY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you bring the Lord glory
It manifests you love him faithfully
He called us all to serve him
He wants us to turn our backs to sin.
If you are a follower, you will obey
He wants you to follow what his word says
Serve the Lord wholeheartedly and patiently
You will bring his kingdom all the glory.
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The Lord calls Israel to be faithful servants and to bring him glory. This is not just a command to Israel, but to all who commit to become believers. How do we bring the Lord glory? The bible says that if we seek first his kingdom, all these things will be added unto you in Matthew 6:33. He also said in Deuteronomy 11:13 that we ought to love God and serve him with all our hearts. In John 12:26, it says that whoever want to serve God must follow him, so that the servant will be with the Lord wherever he is and the Father will honor those who serve him.
There were many years of my dark life that I put my whims and pleasures first than God. It did not go well with me. God had to literally strip me off all things that will distract me from making him first.
PRAYER
Lord, let me bring you glory and honor always.
REFLECTION
How can you bring glory to God in this very chaotic 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

LIKE A SHARP ARROW IN HIS QUIVER Poem Devotional

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August 16________________________________________
He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.
– Isaiah 49:2(NLT)
LIKE A SHARP ARROW IN HIS QUIVER
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all who believes in Jesus Christ
They are guided by his glory light
He hides his people in his hand’s shadow
He will never forsake those who follow.
Like a sharp arrow in his quiver
He gives strength to all his followers
Like God’s word pierces the heart
He makes sure we will never depart.
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Benson’s commentary on Isaiah 49:2 explains that “In the shadow of his hand hath he hid me — He will protect me by his power from all mine enemies, until I have finished the work for which he sent me. And made me a polished shaft — Like an arrow, whose point is bright and polished, and therefore pierces deeper. And said, Thou art my servant, O Israel — The person who is here called Israel, cannot, in any sense, be Isaiah. But, as the name of David is sometimes given to his successors, and particularly to Christ.
It is clear from the commentary that the prophet Isaiah was talking about Jesus Christ who is a sharp arrow. He pierces the hearts of people with his word. He lives for the heavenly Father’s fulfillment of his plan. He will do everything to bring people to his heavenly Father.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us Jesus who set the example of purity.
REFLECTION
In what way is Jesus and God’s word a sharp arrow in God’s hands?
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

CALLED FROM THE WOMB Poem Devotional

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August 15________________________________________
The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.
– Isaiah 49:1(NLT)
CALLED FROM THE WOMB
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord knows our destiny
He created us for his majesty
He called us in our mother’s womb
He wants us to follow his will soon.
God knows us and called us by name
He wants us to follow his commands
He has a big plan for our lives
He wants us to live in his light.
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Does anyone know you completely? Only the Lord knows everything and sees you even while you were still in your mother’s womb. Even before technology can scan the fetus in a woman’s womb, God saw that already. What is amazing is that he also knows what our name would even be before our parents thought about what name to give us.
Before my granddaughter was born, I prayed hard to the Lord to give her the name that He planned for her. They were going to name her according to the mother’s wish. I was surprised that they gave her the name “Beatrice” which meant “bringer of joy.” That was what she is. She brings joy to all she encounters. God has a plan for her and even though it doesn’t seem so clear at the moment, that plan will be for God’s purpose. We were all called to serve a majestic God.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you that you called me by name even from my mother’s womb.
REFLECTION
Have you heard God’s call in y our life? Have you obeyed?
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 TO THE WEAK Poem Devotional

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August 14________________________________________
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. – Isaiah 40:29(NLT)
POWER TO THE WEAK
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord is there for those who are powerless
He gives them strength and his love is boundless
When you are weak, he is there to give you power
He will alleviate the pain of those who suffer.
He came to redeem all those who believe in him
He died for all of us so we can overcome sin
Be joyful when you encounter suffering
He will grant you his grace and blessings.
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During the darkest years of my life, I felt very hopeless, powerless and desperate. I had experienced so much pain and abuse without realizing that I was uncomfortable with peace and joy. I wasn’t a born again believer at that time, so I only did what others would do. I followed my will and the world’s standards. I consulted all kinds of self-help books and relied on my own mind and abilities. I didn’t realize that God only wanted me to rely on him and no one else. There was a time when I was at a desperate moment that I almost ended my own life. He still saved me. I didn’t know that he had a plan for me even before I was born. A plan for flourishing his kingdom, not for my own wants. He gave me strength when I was weak and powerless.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for strengthening me in all the desperate moments in my life.
REFLECTION
How can you encourage someone who is helpless?
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