September 12
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Can we boast then that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. -Romans 3:27(NLT)
THROUGH FAITH ALONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What can we do to be accepted by Jesus Christ?
Can we boast that we have overcome difficulties in life?
Can we show off that we have done many good deeds?
Can following the rules be a good way to overcome sin?
There is no way we can work at our salvation
Only through faith alone we can be granted redemption
Our exoneration from sin is possible through faith
Only by trusting God can miracles be part of our fate.
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I spent many years of my life performing. I did my best to live up to my parents’ expectation to be academically excellent. I became obsessed being a good parent to my only son. I proved my worth to everyone by being a painter, a stage actress, manager, photographer and teacher. I didn’t know that it was futile to do so because God already loves me anyway. It was all that should have mattered but I was so busy fixing myself and others around me that I missed out on what really God requires from us.
The bible tells us that we cannot boast of anything we have done to be approved by God. Only faith alone matters to him.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for just loving me the way I am.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires faith for us to be saved?
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
Tag Archives: believe
BELIEVE NOW Poem Devotional
September 10
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Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe -John 20:27(NLT)
BELIEVE NOW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you still being tossed here and there?
Believe and don’t be faithless any longer
The Lord wants you free, bold and tougher
Have faith like Abraham and you will be stronger.
Anything is possible to those who believe him
They will be renewed and be victorious over sin
Even if you don’t see results, continue to believe
Faithful followers will be amazed at what they’ll receive.
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Mark 9:23 says that anything is possible to those who believe. I know many Christians who say they believe and yet don’t act like they do. When they ask God for something, they are expecting a result. When they don’t see what they expect, they panic and act on it. This is not faith; it is working at getting what you want.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. In Hebrews 11 chapter we see great examples of faith such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, Rahab, and many more. Faith is a key ingredient to one’s salvation. In Isaiah 7:9, God says that unless your faith is firm, he cannot make you stand firm. In other words, without faith, God cannot work miracles in our lives. So, what are you waiting for? Believe!
PRAYER
My heavenly Father, please grow my faith in you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires faith in order to bring what we ask for?
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
NOT BY WORKS BUT BY FAITH Poem Devotional
July 27
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When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. – Romans 4:4-5(NLT)
NOT BY WORKS BUT BY FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you working your way to be saved?
Do you believe in God and all he says?
When people work, their wages are not gifts
They won’t be saved until they believe him.
Your salvation lies on how much faith you have
It is not by works but how you deeply love
God makes you righteous when you make him first
He loves those who abide in him and search.
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I’ve spent many years of my Christian life working at my salvation. Nobody told me that I couldn’t have it that way but I also didn’t read the bible then because if I did, I would never have done it. The enemy wants us all to perform and compete with God. He tricks us into thinking that having a holy and ritualistic religious attitude will make use righteous.
The bible tells us that when we work, we earn from toiling, but that is not the same with salvation. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross already paid for our salvation. All we need to do is to believe in him and follow what he commands so we can be righteous.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never perform good deeds to earn my salvation.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to remember that faith is essential in our salvation?
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.co
THOSE WHO TRUST THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 22________________________________________
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like
eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
– Isaiah 40:31(NLT)
THOSE WHO TRUST THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength
They will follow the straight path and will not bend
They will soar high on wings like eagles
They won’t be defeated by life’s struggles.
Those who trust in the Lord will run and not grow weary
They will overcome all the tactics and tricks of the enemy
They will walk and not faint when there are troubles
They depend on God completely to get out of the rubbles.
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Trust is a crucial element in relationships. It is through trust that we learn to be intimate and grow our love for each other. Without trust, there will be deceit, dishonesty, confusion, fear and all kinds of evil.
I had major trust issues in the past. I learned to look after my well being because no one was there to give it to me. It ruined most of my relationships because I was always suspicious and wanted to bust people of their intentions to me. Before they can hurt me, I would run away to protect myself.
The bible says that those who trust in the Lord will have new strength. They will soar and not grow weary.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to completely trust you.
REFLECTION
How can you build up your trust in God?
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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
THOSE WHO TRUST THE LORD
January 22________________________________________
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like
eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
– Isaiah 40:31(NLT)
THOSE WHO TRUST THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength
They will follow the straight path and will not bend
They will soar high on wings like eagles
They won’t be defeated by life’s struggles.
Those who trust in the Lord will run and not grow weary
They will overcome all the tactics and tricks of the enemy
They will walk and not faint when there are troubles
They depend on God completely to get out of the rubbles.
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Trust is a crucial element in relationships. It is through trust that we learn to be intimate and grow our love for each other. Without trust, there will be deceit, dishonesty, confusion, fear and all kinds of evil.
I had major trust issues in the past. I learned to look after my well being because no one was there to give it to me. It ruined most of my relationships because I was always suspicious and wanted to bust people of their intentions to me. Before they can hurt me, I would run away to protect myself.
The bible says that those who trust in the Lord will have new strength. They will soar and not grow weary.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to completely trust you.
REFLECTION
How can you build up your trust in God?
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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
EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T SEE HIM Poem Devotional
December 26________________________________________
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. – 1 Peter 1:8 (NLT)
EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T SEE HIM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind?
Do you cling to his word so you won’t stay blind?
Do you question things that happen in your life?
Do you blame him for all the trials and the strife?
Those who are faithful believers never doubt him
Even though they don’t see him, they still believe
Though they don’t see him, they still trust his word
They follow his truth so they can conquer the world.
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Faith is defined as the complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It is believing without a doubt on someone or something. Even when I was surrounded with so much chaos and confusion in my childhood, I never doubted or waivered believing the Jesus will be there for me. It only changed when I was in my teens. The enemy ruled my mind and used my traumas and past painful experiences to lessen my faith in God.
The bible tells us that those who believe the Lord never doubt him. Even if their circumstances are difficult, they still cling to their master and never stop hoping and looking forward to God’s promises.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to stay faithful to you in any circumstance.
REFLECTION
How has God shown faithfulness to you despite your unfaithfulness?
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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 ONLY WORK GOD WANTS Poem Devotional
September 22________________________________________
This is the only work God wants from you. Believe in the one he has sent. – John 6:29(NLT)
THE ONLY WORK GOD WANTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What things do you normally do for God?
Do you face life’s challenges to rise above?
Do you perform so others would consider you good?
Do you have peace and joy or do you brood?
The only work God wants from you is to believe
He has sent his son so you’ll be free and receive
He has your best interest at heart so no need to perform
He wants you to fully trust him so you can be transformed.
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There are many believers who try to accomplish and do so many things to earn their salvation. It is not wrong to want to do good things, but it shouldn’t be to perform or earn a reward. God has given us his Son to die on the cross so that we would all be saved and enjoy the promises he has given us. I wasted so many years of my life trying to be approved by others and God. I was so concerned with what others thought of me or if I pass their standards. I thank God that he has delivered me from this approval addiction and performance based life. The bible says that the only work God wants from us to do is to believe in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, help me continually believe even if I don’t see results.
REFLECTION
How deep is your trust in Jesus?
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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
BELIEVE WITHOUT A DOUBT Poem Devotional
September 19________________________________________
But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things. – John 3:12(NLT)
BELIEVE WITHOUT A DOUBT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you rely on things of this earth?
Or do you prioritize God’s truth first?
The prince of this world is the devil
He causes all schemes and every evil.
When you doubt what Jesus says
You open up yourself to worldly ways
When you believe him without uncertainty
God opens his kingdom to you absolutely.
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James 1:6 tells us that we shouldn’t waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as the wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. He says that such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Faith is essential for our salvation but James also stressed the importance of listening and doing what God’s word says.
The importance of faith is reiterated by John in chapter 3. Jesus was talking to Nicodemus who was a respected Jewish teacher and yet doubted how Jesus explained the meaning of being born in the spirit. Jesus told him that he won’t understand heavenly things if he doubts and don’t believe even earthly things he explains. Faith allows us to hear the spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me in synchronized with your Spirit always.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome doubt when you don’t understand things?
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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
IF YOU BELIEVE poem devotional
July 29________________________________________
I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. –John 14: 12(NLT)
IF YOU BELIEVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you believe, you will follow his way
It is the only guarantee you won’t be swayed
If you believe, you will hunger for his word
It will protect you from corruption of the world.
If you believe, you will pour out your heart
You will serve God and others and never depart
If you believe, you will do the works of Christ
You will be on your way to the Father in the next life.
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What is the gauge of an authentic Christian? It is not just going to church on Sunday nor putting up stickers in your car that you are one. There is more to it than just saying you are a Christian. I was a Christian for so long but didn’t get it, until God gave me revelation about his expectations from believers.
The bible says that if we are believers, he expects us to follow the same works as Christ has done or even greater works. God promises us a place in his kingdom if we follow the example that Christ has given us when he came down here on earth as a human. He challenges all believers to follow Jesus’ work.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to follow Jesus’ works.
REFLECTION
What works of Christ have you followed?
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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
TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE Poem Devotional
July 27________________________________________
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. – John 1:10-12 (NLT)
TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Christ came so we can be redeemed
He wanted us to be freed from sin
He didn’t come from the rich and wealthy
Instead he came from a humble and poor family.
He came to his own people but they rejected him
He was oppressed and tortured to the extreme
But to all who believed him and accepted him
He gave them the right to become God’s children.
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Do you remember how it felt when someone oppressed and rejected you? My life’s theme for the first half of my life is rejection, abuse and discrimination. It was a challenge to go through life with such pressing circumstances. The only reason why I am still alive and kicking is because I chose to believe in God and allow him to take care of all my trials and tribulations.
Christ was never given respect especially in his own hometown. They rejected him and didn’t accept and believe in him, yet he promised those who believe that they are God’s children. To those who believe, he fulfills all his promises.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a faith like Abraham’s.
REFLECTION
What promises of God are you looking forward to?
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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