Monthly Archives: December 2018

WHOEVER BELIEVES WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN Poem Devotional

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December 20________________________________________
Look I am placing a foundation in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It’s a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
– Isaiah 28:16(NLT)
WHOEVER BELIEVES WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God promised a Messiah to all of mankind
He gave them Jesus, a solid and firm foundation
From the lineage of King David is where he came from
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone that will never be shaken.
Whoever believes in the Lord will be secure
They will be changed and their hearts renewed
If they continue to seek him for guidance and protection
They will be strong and they will always win over temptations.
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There were years of my life that I wavered in my faith. Those were the years when I was a teenager up until my late twenties. I believed in the Lord, but I was living a life of legalism and materialism as well. In other words, I was flip-flopping from the world and my faith. No one guided me to seek the Lord and his word. I was surrounded by religion, different philosophies and traditions. Sadly, in those years, I was waylaid and was consumed by the culture and worldly systems.
I am grateful and amazed at how God has delivered me from all of these wavering faith. Now, I firmly anchor my life on his word and seek him first always.
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PRAYER
Thank you for being the strength in my life Lord.
REFLECTION
Share moments when you felt so strong and not threatened by the world’s system.
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 CHOSEN ARE SET APART Poem Devotional

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December 19________________________________________
For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all the other people on earth. – Exodus 33:16(NLT)
THE CHOSEN ARE SET APART
A poem and essay by ILMA
Even before you were born, God has chosen you
You are not made by chance but you have a purpose
The chosen people of God are set apart from the world
His Spirit dwells in the hearts of those who heed his word.
Like Moses and the Israelites, he separated his chosen people
You will clearly notice how you are very different from others
God promised to care for his chosen and be with them always
He will never abandon those who faithfully abide and follow his ways.
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In Exodus, we witness how Moses pleaded God to forgive and have mercy on all those who sinned against God by idolizing other gods. He reminded God his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to multiply and fill the earth with their descendants. He praises God for all that he has done for the Israelites and also tells him in this verse that because He was always with him, that made them different from the rest of the people on earth.
When I became born again, I suddenly realized how different I was from the rest of the world. For many years I believed the lie that I am weird because I believe in God. Now, I know why.
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PRAYER
Lord, I am so grateful that you set me apart from those that don’t belong to you.
REFLECTION
Do you recognize those who belong to Jesus?
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

CHOSEN FEW FROM THE MANY Poem Devotional

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December 18________________________________________
How is it that you are here without wedding clothes? But the man had no reply. For many are called but few are chosen. – Matthew 22:12, 14(NLT)
CHOSEN FEW FROM THE MANY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you seriously thought about what it takes to be consecrated?
Committing to a life for Christ may pose many trials and obstacles
When you are given an invitation to live a righteous life
There are requirements to comply with the invite.
You cannot come to a feast in tattered clothes
You clean yourself up and make sure you don’t look gross
It is like attending God’s feast, you need to be well dressed
He deserves to be revered and wants you to wear your new self.
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In Matthew 22 Jesus tells the parable of the great feast. He compares the Kingdom of Heaven with the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. They all refused to come. He sent another batch of servants to tell them a great detail about all that they have prepared for the wedding feast, but again, the guests ignored the invitation and even some of the people killed the messengers who gave the invitation. After that, the king invited everyone they saw but one man came in drab clothes. The king threw this man out in darkness where there’s weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always be pure.
REFLECTION
Why should we always wear our new creation in 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

ALCOHOL CAN MAKE FOOLS OF US Poem Devotional

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December 16________________________________________
Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawl. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
– Proverbs 20:1(NLT)
ALCOHOL CAN MAKE FOOLS OF US
A poem and essay by ILMA
It is foolish to consume alcohol without limits
When we drink too much, we open ourselves to sin
Wine produces mockers and alcohol leads to fights
Alcohol makes fools of us and it makes us unwise.
When you drink without restraint, you are compromised
It opens the door to all kinds of temptations and surprises
You may end up saying things you didn’t mean
You may do something that you will later regret.
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I was in a wedding celebration just recently. My husband and I traveled so far to attend this wedding. We were looking forward to meeting friends and relatives, but what we expected wasn’t what happened. As the reception started, many of the guests began drinking and the room where we were in began to almost shake like an earthquake as each of the guests started getting so loud. I felt like all those who were drinking became deaf because they all started yelling and topping each other’s voice. My eardrums seemed like it was going to explode. Then I just realized that I was surrounded with unbelievers, people who loved the world and all that it offered. They only pleased themselves and satisfied their craving. They don’t know how alcohol have been making fools of them.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from worldly people and their ways.
REFLECTION
How can misuse of alcohol lead to sin?
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

FEAR OF THE LORD PREVENTS SIN Poem Devotional

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December 14________________________________________
“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” – Exodus 20:20(NLT)
FEAR OF THE LORD PREVENTS SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is reverence for the heavenly Father
There you will be able to overcome any matter
The Lord may test anyone who commits to him
He wants to protect them from corruption and sin.
Do not be afraid; He is with you always
He will shield so don’t fail to follow his way
Be courageous and keep obeying him
The Lord will ensure that you will win.
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When Moses was leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, he had direct orders from the Lord and the people of God was trembling when they heard his voice while he was talking to Moses. Even though they didn’t see him, they have witnessed his power and guidance and all his provision.
In this verse, Moses saw how scared the Israelites were to hear the Lord God Almighty. He assured them that they need not fear him. He explained to them that he may test all those who love him and that when we fear him, we will be able to overcome sin.
To fear the Lord is to revere and honor him, which would mean that we won’t do anything to displease him.
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PRAYER
Lord, we pray that you will always keep us from displeasing you.
REFLECTION
How can reverence for the Lord save us from sin?
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

LEADING THE REDEEMED Poem devotional

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December 13________________________________________
With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home. -Exodus 15:13(NLT)
LEADING THE REDEEMED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the Lord Jesus Christ saves you
He will change you and make you new
The Lord leads his people to his sacred home
With his unfailing love, he treats them like his own.
Like the people he led out of Egypt from captivity
He will also deliver you from all forms of slavery
If you are faithful to the Lord, he will be more faithful
If you turn your back on him, he can still forgive you.
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In the book of Exodus, Moses gives a detailed account how God saved his people from the Egyptians. He provided and guided his people in the desert into his Promised Land. In Exodus 13:21-22 Moses gives an account that by day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. The Lord gave them quail and manna as their food. He was faithful to redeem them and he will also faithfully bring you to his sacred home.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your unfailing love.
REFLECTION
How have you responded to God’s guidance and unfailing love?
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 THOSE WHOM GOD HELPS Poem Devotional

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December 12________________________________________
If this is the case, it is better not to marry! Not everyone can accept this statement, Jesus said “Only those whom God helps.” – Matthew 19:10-11(NLT)
ONLY THOSE WHOM GOD HELPS
A poem and essay by ILMA
God created us to serve Him and with others
We can only stay single with God’s precious help
It is only possible to be alone with his assistance
Only if we seek Him first will we discern his guidance.
Celibacy is possible only if you’ll commit to serve Christ
Otherwise, you won’t be able to make it alone in this life
You will only survive being single if you serve the Lord
You won’t stay pure in your own strength or effort.
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There was a whole decade of my life that I stayed celibate. Prior to that ten years, I was a prisoner of sexual sins. That was one of my addiction, a love addict. When I decided to raise my son alone after being in an abusive relationship, I promised the Lord that I will stay pure for him. I wanted to be a good mother and role model to my son. I couldn’t have done it if God didn’t help me. I vowed to make him first in my life and the center of my life. I made Christ my husband and the perfect father for my son. Because I was faithful to Christ, He made it possible for me to pure for a decade.
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PRAYER
Lord, hep those who are staying single to serve you.
REFLECTION
How can celibacy be possible in this corrupt 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

WHEN TWO AGREE Poem Devotional

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December 11________________________________________
I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. – Matthew 18:19(NLT)
WHEN TWO AGREE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When two people agree when you ask God
He will approve it and anoint your plan
One of the causes why we won’t succeed
Is when we are alone in what we seek.
However, there is power in agreement
In division, you will find disappointments
When two or three are gathered in his name
There, you’ll find amongst you God’s presence.
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Ecclesiastes 4 9-16 explains to us why two is better than one. The following reasons are stated in this book of the bible. First, it says that they have a good return for their labor. If one falls down, the other can help but if they are alone, no one is there to give them aide. These verses further give us the benefit of two better than one. They can keep each other warm while you can do that when you are alone. They can also defend themselves better if they are more than one. Like a chord of three strands, it has more strength.
The same thing when you have someone to agree with you when you ask the Lord for anything. If you look back at the Old Testament stories, they emphasized so much on agreements and covenants.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember to bring someone in agreement with anything I ask from you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think agreement is a requisite for answered requests?
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

AS HUMBLE AS A CHILD Poem Devotional

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December 10________________________________________
Anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4(NLT)
AS HUMBLE AS A CHILD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who want to be the greatest in heaven
They will have to be as humble as children
If we want to enter God’s kingdom
Let us stay pure and live in freedom.
If you become as meek as these innocent beings
You will have a special place in heaven
Seek the Lord and you will stay innocent and pure
You will be lost if you depart from the truth.
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Do you ever wonder why children are special in God’s eyes? Let’s look at the traits of a child. Under normal circumstances, they are innocent, pure, vulnerable and trust easily. These are only some of the reasons why we protect children. They are excited, curious, creative and open. No wonder children have a special place in God’s heart. They are uncorrupted and the purest of all human beings. God made man in his image but man defied God and defiled themselves. After man’s fall, our make was altered and tarnished. Our desires became corrupted by wanting to know and be like God. We became focused on ourselves. Children, have preserved their original form as God wanted humans to be. Humility is one of the traits that children possess that God treasures most. No wonder he requires us to be as humble as these little wonderful beings in order to enter his kingdom.
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PRAYER
Lord, make me more like a child.
REFLECTION
How can one be more childlike?
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

DANGEROUS TRAP FOR HUMANS Poem Devotional

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December 9________________________________________
“Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” – Matthew 16:23(NLT)
DANGEROUS TRAP FOR HUMANS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we are enticed to boast about knowing things
We are in a dangerous trap for humans set by the devil
Take authority against evil and rebuke it
If you don’t, you will be ensnared to listen to it.
Watch out when you rely on human reasoning
It is the devil’s tactic to keep you falling and failing
Satan will make you proud so you’ll miss God’s viewpoint
Abide in the Lord and he will make the victor.
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One of the tactics of Satan is to trap us. The most common way he steals from us is by keeping us imprisoned in our minds. This is why we are always cautioned in the bible to renew our mind and make it captive to Christ. This is what we humans easily fall into. Satan wants to keep us thinking that we can be equal with God. He steals our trust in God’s power and wisdom and entices us to think that we can rely on our human efforts and reasoning.
When we think highly of ourselves, we have commenced competition with God. This opens doors to more sins. Watch out and don’t trust your own thinking, but seek God’s viewpoint. You’ll fall easily when you do.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from the tactics of the enemy.
REFLECTION
How can one easily detect the dangerous traps set by the devil?
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