Monthly Archives: September 2018

WRITING WHEN TROUBLED Poem Devotional

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September 29________________________________________
I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
– 2 Corinthians 2:4 (NLT)
WRITING WHEN TROUBLED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Some people find it comforting to write
It releases the anguish deep inside
Be careful not to dwell on misery
Let it out so you can have victory.
Writing when in trouble can bring relief
Confront gently in love and not in grief
Letting other people know you love and care
Frees you from bondage and the devil’s snare.
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As a very young girl, I learned to resort to writing in order to communicate with my father who was abroad most of the time. It also became a regular activity to write letters to Jesus. When I felt alone and empty and no one gave me attention or acknowledged my existence, I felt relieved each time I wrote letters of anguish and pain to my Lord and friend. I was not given the freedom to air out my feelings or thoughts at home. It was impolite to do so according to my caregivers. So, when I wrote down what I cannot actually say, I felt free and stronger to bear the troubles I was experiencing. The bible encourages us to gently confront in love those whom we are in relationship with.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a gentle spirit to write and confront those whom I love.
REFLECTION
Why is being openly vulnerable to your loved ones encouraged in the bible?
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

BY YOUR OWN FAITH Poem Devotional

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September 28________________________________________
We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm. – 2 Corinthians 1:24 (NLT)
BY YOUR OWN FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
By faith, one can have joy and peace
When you believe in Jesus, you will see
For it is by your own faith that you stand firm
Seek, trust and surrender only to Him.
Work with other believers so your faith can multiply
Seek the truth in love and make sure you follow and apply
By your faith, you can shine for the Lord Jesus Christ
It is by making God first that you transform your life.
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There are some lax Christians who don’t build up their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They think that by declaring him as their Lord and Savior, they are already saved and need not do anything anymore. It is true that we live by God’s grace alone, but he also appreciates those who are faithful to obey and seek him and do what he commands. The book of James tells us that when we have trials, we have a chance to grow our faith because God gives us the strength to endure when we go through difficulties. He can always make miracles but he also wants us to grow our faith because it is by our own faith that we become strong and joyful.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to grow my faith in you.
REFLECTION
How can working together with other Christians help grow our faith?
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 ENABLES YOU Poem Devotional

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September 27________________________________________
It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us. – 2 Corinthians 1:21(NLT)
GOD ENABLES YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you feel discouraged, down and weary
Remember that he always loves you unconditionally
God enables you to go through life’s obstacles
Believe in him and you will encounter miracles.
God has commissioned you to preach the good news
Through Christ he will anoint you; don’t refuse
He commands you to make disciples of all nations
He will equip you, so don’t give in to temptations.
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Vine’s Greek New testament defines “enable” which is “endunamoo” in Hebrew as “to render strong, power or inwardly strengthened suggesting strength in soul and purpose. In 1 Timothy 1:12, we hear that it is Christ who strengthens us. 2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us that God is able to make all grace abound to us that we will always have all sufficiency in everything and may have abundance for every good deed we do. In Luke 10:19, we have been given the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and have power over the enemy and nothing will injure us.
The King James Version dictionary further expounds on its meaning. It means to furnish with competent knowledge or skill, and in general, with adequate means. God enables his people through Christ and has commissioned us to preach the Good News and make disciples of all nations.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for enabling me to do your commission.
REFLECTION
Why do some Christians fail to do the commission we were given?
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.STUD¬¬IO@gmail.com

AMEN ASCENDS TO GOD Poem Devotional

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September 26________________________________________
For all God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes” And through Christ, our “Amen” which means “Yes” ascends to God for his glory.
– 2 Corinthians 1:20(NLT)
AMEN ASCENDS TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you follow God’s commands?
Do you struggle with life’s demands?
Have you been saying “Amen” to the Lord?
It delights him and you bring him laud.
Amen is a big resounding “yes”
He loves you and gave you much promises
Say “yes” to him and you will not regret it
He will bless you and anoint you with his Spirit.
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Amen is derived from the Hebrew āmēn, which means “certainty,” “truth,” and “verily.” Jesus would often start a solemn statement by saying “Verily” or “Truly”. In John’s gospel (John 3:3) Jesus is recorded as using the word twice in succession, “Verily, verily, I say to you…”. This shows us that the underlying meaning of the word “Amen” is truth and verity. It is a solemn affirmation. However, in the New Testament, Amen can also mean “of a truth” at the start of something said, or, at the end, “so be it” or “may it occur”.
How often did you say “Amen” to what the Lord tells you to do? For a very long time, I didn’t even realize how this word was very important. The Lord wants us to says it so that we can bring him glory.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always say “Amen” to you.
REFLECTION
Why can it be a challenge for some people to say “Amen” to what 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

CONSISTENT GOD Poem Devotional

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September 25________________________________________
For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No”. He always does what he says. – 2 Corinthians 1:19(NLT)
CONSISTENT GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been let down by someone’s words?
You can be discouraged by some people of this world
The Lord Jesus Christ however, does not vacillate
He always does what he says, he doesn’t hesitate.
Humans can be fickle, changeable and waver
But there is much constancy in our Creator
He always follows through his promises
He never changes, he is always consistent.
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If there is anything more confusing, it is when people around you flip-flops or waver. James 1:6 warns us about having doubts. He says that when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. When one wavers, nothing is accomplished. No growth is possible.
Indecision is another form of wavering. When we go back and forth on something, we won’t go anywhere. It is actually a tactic of the enemy to keep us from growing or progressing and from fulfilling our dreams. The bible describes God as a very consistent God. He never changes his mind or waver. He always follows through what he says and ensures that he fulfills his promises.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for being a consistent God.
REFLECTION
How can we protect ourselves from wavering?
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 ISN’T FICKLE Poem Devotional

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September 24________________________________________
You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”?
– 2 Corinthians 1:17(NLT)
GOD ISN’T FICKLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Some people change their minds often
They can be indecisive and not open
Humans make choices out of their comfort zones
God sees all and decides without hesitation.
God isn’t fickle like most people
He doesn’t waver, he is faithful
He means what he says and follows through
He never goes against his nature and the truth.
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The hardest thing to deal with is to be with an indecisive and inconsistent person. I once lived with someone who never wanted to make any decisions about things. When you ask him, he never gives you a straight answer. “I don’t know yet” or “We will see” are the replies I usually get from him. Because I was in a relationship with him, it was very hard to make plans because he wouldn’t want to get involved in it. I think he feared that his time will be compromised when he commits to something. He just wanted it all for his convenience. When he finally gives an answer and sees that someone is benefitting, he would take it back. The bible describes God as a very decisive and consistent person.
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PRAYER
Lord, please help all believers to take responsibility for their decisions and choices.
REFLECTION
How would you help someone who doesn’t make a choice or decision about anything?
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

DEPEND ON GOD’S GRACE Poem Devotional

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September 23________________________________________
We have depended on God’s grace not on our own human wisdom.
– 1 Corinthians 1:12(NLT)
DEPEND ON GOD’S GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you do things on your own understanding?
As a believer, God wants your dependence on Him
To live a life for Christ is to depend on God’s grace
It is not doing things on your own strength.
God created all things and we only live by his grace
Without it, there will be chaos among the human race
Rely only on the mercy and faithfulness from Jesus
He loves you so much and considers you very precious.
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Many people have lived lives of independence and self-reliance. I know some Christians who are totally blind to God’s grace. The world system has corrupted them in thinking that they can apply some worldly concept in truth. I used to go to a church that didn’t understand the truth of depending on God’s grace. It was a performance based church that propagated showing off good deeds and being complacent with growing in the word of God. Some people even use the church to get their own agenda fulfilled. Sad to say that even some pastors and leaders fall into this trap.
The bible tells us that we need to depend on God’s grace and not on our own understanding. When we do things or make decisions, do we allow God’s grace to flow through it?________________________________________PRAYER
Lord, help me to live under your grace and not on my abilities.
REFLECTION
How can a believer be more aware of God’s grace?
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

PRAYERS ARE POWERFUL Poem Devotional

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September 22________________________________________
And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for safety. – 2 Corinthians 1:11(NLT)
PRAYERS ARE POWERFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When one asks in Jesus’ name
It won’t take long, it will be given
The prayers of a righteous person
Doesn’t go unheard, it is precious.
Prayer is a form of humbling one’s self
You praise the Lord, when you ask for help
Don’t take for granted the power of prayer
It can save someone and bring about miracles.
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There are some people who don’t realize the power of prayers. Have you ever heard the phrase, “I can’t do anything more but just pray”? We should actually be praying first before we do anything. By doing so, we are acknowledging our weaknesses and relying on God’s guidance and provision. Jeremiah 29:12 says that when you will call on the Lord and pray to Him, He will listen to you. James 5:16 mentions that The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 cautions us to pray continually and Ephesians 6: 18 tells us to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. When we pray, we are helping each other and the Lord will grant our prayers especially those that jive with his will.________________________________________
PRAYER
Teach me how to pray always Lord.
REFLECTION
How can one develop a habit of praying?
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

RESCUE WITHOUT LIMITS Poem Devotional

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September 21________________________________________
He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him and He will continue to rescue us. – 2 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)
RESCUE WITHOUT LIMITS
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
No need to fear for any danger in your life
He is always there to rescue you anytime
Make sure you run to him at all times.
He can save you from any kind of danger
Be close to Him and don’t be a stranger
He rescues without limits to all his children
He will never abandon you until you reach heaven.
________________________________________When I was about nine years old, there was a big earthquake that shook the Philippines so badly. I remember waking up in the middle of the night being rocked on my bed. I shared a bunk bed with my brother and I was on the top part, so I felt the shaking more than him. Because most people were asleep, massive loss of lives was inevitable. Among the 270 people who died, 268 of them were buried alive in a building that collapsed, the Ruby Tower. Of the 261 injured, 260 were from the Ruby Tower as well, some of whom died later on. The search and rescue operations involved around 6,000 volunteers.
The bible tells us that he rescues without limits those whom he loves and we need not fear.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your boundless love that makes you rescue me without limits.
REFLECTION
What’s the basis of God’s unlimited rescue?
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

RELY ONLY ON GOD Poem Devotional

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September 20________________________________________
We expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. – 2 Corinthians 1:9(NLT)
RELY ONLY ON GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a self-sufficient and independent person?
God created us so that we can emulate his Son
When we rely on our own strength and capacity
We are putting him aside and it is hard to have victory.
The Lord is the only person who can raise the dead
Why don’t we follow what his command and word says?
When we constantly rely only on God for everything
We give him honor that is deserving of the Lord Almighty.
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One of the easiest sin we can fall into is being independent. My father taught me how to be self-reliant and ensuring that I rely on my own strength and abilities rather than on others. It was a good thing because it made me a hard working person. On the downside, I had a tendency not to ask for help. I tried to figure out things on my own without relying on anyone. The problem with this is that I became proud of what I accomplish and it got into my head. I didn’t realize that the Lord wanted me to constantly depend on him for everything and anything. Paul said that when we learn to rely on God, a miracle is always possible.
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PRAYER
Lord, guard me from independence and self-sufficiency.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to depend on him for everything?
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