Monthly Archives: October 2018

WHEN YOU DELIGHT IN GOD Poem Devotional

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October 10________________________________________
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. – Psalm 37:4 (NLT)
WHEN YOU DELIGHT IN GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you delight in the Lord constantly
He will appreciate and reward you faithfully
Ask your wishes and desires enthusiastically
He won’t deprive you; he’ll give it generously.
Don’t ever be complacent in desiring Christ
He loves someone always full of life
Give your all to worship and praise
Rejoice, be glad and most of all, be amazed.
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Do you remember how excited you were when you first met your spouse? You couldn’t eat or sleep and you constantly were thinking of him or her. Sometimes a smile is kept pasted on your lips as you remember that moment you just spent together. You can’t have enough of one another. That is exactly how God wants us to feel for him. He wants us to take delight and rejoice because he loves us so much. He wants to make you happy and is willing to grant you whatever you ask in his name.
When you delight in the Lord, you will always have that zest for life and a thankful attitude. It is a proof that you are growing since one of the Sprit’s fruit is Joy. It keeps you strong to resist temptation when you rejoice in God’s love and his presence in your life.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your desire to be with me.
REFLECTION
How often do you desire to be with Jesus? What are some of your desires that hinder your spiritual growth?
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

WITH YOU ALWAYS Poem Devotional

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October 9________________________________________
Teach the new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: “I am always with you until the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20(NLT)
WITH YOU ALWAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know anyone who is ever present?
If you love Christ, you will have his presence
The moment you accept Him as your Savior
He is with you always until forevermore.
He will never forsake; He is always by your side
Seek Him first in all things and remember to abide
He will always dwell in your heart if you let him in
He can’t enter your spirit if you choose to sin.
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One of the many causes of broken relationships is abandonment or neglect. According to Peter Gerlach, MSW, “maternal abandonment” occurs when a mother physically, emotionally or psychologically removes herself from her children. She does this by ending or ignoring her responsibility to parent her children, or ending her relationship with her children. I experienced this myself so I can say that the abandonment has left me with so much emotional scars and insecurities. I often wondered, even up to now why I was never good enough for her love. Thanks be to God that his word assured me that I am a child of God and made in his image and will never be abandoned by Him. He is always with me until forever.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God always assures us of his presence once we commit to him?
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

RECEIVE WITH THANKSGIVING Poem Devotional

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October 8________________________________________
Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 1 Timothy 4:4(NLT)
RECEIVE WITH THANKSGIVING
A poem and essay by ILMA
What have you been given lately?
Do you thank the Lord God Almighty?
Don’t turn your back on what God has given
E¬¬specially on his Son who died and was risen.
Receive with thanksgiving and gratitude
It will transform your mind and your attitude
Since all God’s creation is good for his plan
Take it and use it for honoring him and his Son.
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Today is Thanksgiving Day and most of us are all busy preparing for the family meals that we celebrate each year. I come from a country where we didn’t celebrate thanksgiving. This is a new tradition for me. A part of me don’t understand why we need to do it only one special day Shouldn’t we thank the Lord each day for the many things he has provided and given us?
Many people do not see miracles in their lives because they are all grumbling about what they don’t have. They want God to give them all their requests even though they have no idea that it may not be good for them after all. The bible tells us that since all things that God made is good, we must not reject any of it but receive it with a thankful heart.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that is always grateful.
REFLECTION
How can gratitude change your attitude?
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 JESUS SAVES Poem Devotional

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October 7________________________________________
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12(NLT)
ONLY JESUS SAVES
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is no other name that can save
Only Jesus Christ has this power to redeem
He is the only one who can take your place
He died for us all so we can be free from sin.
God has given no other name such power
It is above all and makes evil cower
Trust only in the One who can save you
He can transform you and make you new.
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The Bible tells us that there is only one God in all existence (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8). However, it also mentions “other gods.” For example there is Adrammelech and Anammelech (2 Kings 17:31), Asherah (1 Kings 18:19), Baal (Judges 3:7), Chemosh (Num. 21:29), Dagon (1 Sam. 5:2), Molech (Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5), etc. The Bible is not contradicting itself. When the Bible speaks of other gods it is speaking of false gods that have no true existence. Gal. 4:8 says, “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.” See also, Isaiah 37:19 and Jeremiah 2:11. God tells us that he alone is the true God and that all of the invented gods of man do not exist except in their own minds. It also says that only Jesus can save.
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PRAYER
Thank you God for giving us your only Son to save us.
REFLECTION
How can you convince an unbeliever that only Jesus saves?
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

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT Poem Devotional

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October 6________________________________________
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. – 1 Timothy 6:12(NLT)
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you become a follower of Christ
You ought to pursue peace in your life
Fight the good fight for true faith
Don’t engage in conflicts that derails your fate.
Hold on tightly to the eternal life you are called for
Don’t’ walk blindly or live life in a stupor
Boldly declare your trust in your Lord and Savior
Live a full life that is passionate and full of fervor.
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We are called to pursue peace at all cost by the Lord Jesus Christ. Embracing peace does not mean that you won’t have an active stance at confronting evil or that you will just be quiet when you ought to be the light that shines for God. 1 Timothy 6:12 calls us to fight the good fight for true faith. It means that we need to be a true disciple of Jesus, following what he commissioned us to do: to preach the Good News and make disciples of all nations. It means that we shouldn’t compromise our integrity by following the world’s ways. We need to equip ourselves with the armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6 so that we will be able to fight the good fight.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to be able to fight evil and live in your will.
REFLECTION
How are Christians nowadays compromised when it comes to following 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

TEACH THE RICH Poem Devotional

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October 5________________________________________
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. – 1 Timothy 6:17(NLT)
TEACH THE RICH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Teach the wealthy people not to idolize their riches
Since they are material, they can be stolen or disintegrate
Remind them to focus on the giver of their possessions
They are mere stewards of God’s wonderful creation.
God promised us all to provide our needs
No need to hoard and live with the spirit of greed
Trust only God who blesses us abundantly
Don’t focus on things especially on the love of money.
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I was quite surprised when I read this verse that instructs us to teach the rich not to trust their money which is so unreliable. I don’t have much friends who are wealthy but this poses questions in my mind how to approach a rich person and remind him or her that it shouldn’t be all about their possessions and money. I have yet to meet someone filthy rich and serving the Lord. I don’t think it goes together. The bible says that we can’t serve two masters. Either we serve God or we serve money. If we use it for our selfish motives, it is an idol. If we use it to serve God’s purpose, then we are good stewards.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me never to love money.
REFLECTION
Why is it harder for the rich to focus on 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

LIGHT TO THE FARTHEST CORNERS Poem Devotional

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October 4________________________________________
I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth. – Acts 13:47(NLT)
LIGHT TO THE FARTHEST CORNERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit your life to Jesus Christ
You have been pulled out from darkness into his light
You are commanded to bring light to farthest corners
No matter how remote, you must reach out to others.
The Lord expects you to shine his light through your life
By spreading the Good News, you are exuding his light
Bring salvation to the ends of the earth, that’s his instruction
All is welcome; no one exempt to partake of his redemption.
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According to Smith’s bible dictionary, the Gentiles were all the people who were not Jews. They were alien from the worship, rites and privileges of Israel. The word was used contemptuously by them. In the New Testament, it is used as equivalent to Greek. The Gentiles were far less sharply differentiated from the Israelites in Old Testament than in New Testament times. They were simply non-Israelites, not from the stock of Abraham, but they were not hated or despised for that reason and were to be treated almost on a plane of equality, except certain tribes in Canaan.
The people of God were commanded to reach out to all Gentiles to bring salvation even to the farthest corners of the earth.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me bring the Good News of your salvation to all especially those who do not know you.
REFLECTION
Why does God ask his people to reach out without partiality?
¬¬¬¬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

OFFENSE MAY COME Poem Devotional

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October 3________________________________________
Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!” – Luke 17:1(NKJV)
OFFENSE MAY COME
A poem and essay by ILMA
In life, offenses are unavoidable
It may eventually happen; it’s inevitable
We can let offense consume us
Or we can forgive again and trust.
We are commanded to forgive without limits
When wronged, choose peace and let God’s Spirit in
To initiate offense is being rebellious and lawless
Choose to let it go instead of being bitter and ruthless.
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Many decades of my life was stolen by the enemy using offense to bring most of my relationships down. Because I wasn’t brought up in a Christian environment and forgiveness wasn’t role modelled to me, I was prone to be offended. The people around me showed anger and revenge when they were wronged. As a child, I imitated what I saw. I learned to react quickly when someone does me wrong. It went on for the next decades until the Lord revealed to me that I need not harbor negative reactions. Instead, I was commanded to forgive seventy times seven. In other words, unlimited.
The bible warns us to offend someone purposely because we will be answerable and pay for it if we do. Luke tells us that offense is inevitable and it will come in our lives one way or another.
________________________________________PRAYER
Lord, help me to forgive quickly and not hold on to offense.
REFLECTION
How can the spirit of offense hold people captive?
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 REVELLING OVER OTHER’S SUFFERING Poem Devotional

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October 2________________________________________
You should not have gloated over their destruction when they were suffering such calamity. -Obadiah 13(NLT)
ON REVELLING OVER OTHER’S SUFFERING
A poem and essay by ILMA
There are some people who gloat over other’s anguish
They compare and think they’re better off than others
We are warned not to revel at our neighbor’s misfortune
Pray for them so that they will focus on the important
Help them to focus on the Lord instead of their troubles
It will bring them to God’s light and out of the rubbles.
Comfort others who are going through difficulties
Revelling on others’ trials is listening to the enemy.
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I knew someone in the past who likes to compare herself with others. I didn’t understand how dangerous it was at that time, but now I know that it was really a sin to do this. The bible tells us that we are made in the image of God in Genesis and in John it says that God is love. If we are designed in his likeness and He is love, therefore, we are love. That is simple logic, but is also the truth. When we act in a way that is not loving, we are operating in the system of the world. The bible also says that the prince of this world is not Jesus, but Satan. The prophet Obadiah warned us of revelling over other’s suffering. It is not godly do so.
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PRAYER
Lord, forgive me if I unknowingly gloat over other’s mishaps.
REFLECTION
Why isn’t it a good practice to compare ourselves 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

A SHIELD AROUND ME Poem Devotional

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October 1________________________________________
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. – Psalm 3:3(NLT)
A SHIELD AROUND ME
A poem and essay by ILMA
When things get rough and I am compromised
The Lord protects me and puts a shield around me
My Lord is the one who holds my head high
He loves me deeply and wants to transform my life.
I will not fear anything for He is always beside me
If I continue to seek Him and his word, I will have peace
His truth is liberating; the word of God pierces
It exposes the enemy’s tactics and it defeats him.
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In this chaotic world, wouldn’t it be great to have a shield of protection wherever you go? Many of us are aware of physical dangers around us. We spend much money on installing alarm systems to ensure that we are safe. Many business establishments hire security guards to minimize the risks of danger and theft. Rich people and politicians hire body guards to safeguard their lives. Different nations have their own defense armies to protect their countries from being overtaken or conquered by another ruler.
How do you protect yourself from spiritual danger? The bible says in Ephesians 6 that we are not just made of physical bodies, but we all deal with unseen enemies around us. God is the only shield who will protect and make you victorious.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me safe from my own dark side.
REFLECTION
How secure do you feel with the truth that God is always on your side?
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