August 4
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FRIENDS OF PAUL
A poem by ILMA
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in Cenchrea
Welcome her in the Lord as one worthy of honor among God’s people
Help her in whatever she needs; she has been helpful to me and to many
Give my greetings to my co-workers in Christ’s ministry, Priscilla and Aquila
They once risked their lives for me and I am thankful to them
Also give my greetings to all Gentile churches and those home churches
Greet my dear friend Epenetus who was the first follower in the province of Asia Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me
They’re honored among the apostles and became followers before I did
Greet Ampliatus, Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys
Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves and Herodin, my fellow Jew
Extend my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus
Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus
Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers
Greet my dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord
And also Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own
And especially his dear mother, who has been a mother to me
Greet all with a sacred kiss coming from Christ’s churches.
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MEMORY VERSE
Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings. – Romans 16:16
Read: Romans 16
We see how much Paul loves the church and all those who became believers. He never took anyone for granted and he personally have a relationship with them.
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REFLECTION
• Do you go out of your way to bless and encourage and greet other believers?
• Why are friendships with other believers important in our spiritual growth?
Tag Archives: believers
SEVEN MEN CHOSEN TO SERVE Poem Devotional
June 2
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SEVEN MEN CHOSEN TO SERVE
A poem by ILMA
As the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent
Greeks complained about the Hebrews and how there are discrimination
So the twelve apostles called a meeting of all the believers
They said to the believers that they should spend more time teaching.
The apostles think that they need not run a food program
So the brothers selected seven men who are well respected
They are all full of the Spirit and wisdom and are responsible
They are there to let the apostles spend time praying and teaching.
Everyone like this idea and they chose Stephen to lead these men
These seven were presented to the apostle who prayed over them
Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas were the rest
These seven men brought the numbers up of believers in Jerusalem.
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MEMORY VERSE
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. – Acts 6:3
Read: Acts 6
It was great to know that the Apostles had the humility to admit that they needed more people so they could concentrate on praying and teaching. Oftentimes, we don’t confess that we really need help. In this selfish world, we need more meekness to be able to acknowledge that we can delegate other things to other people.
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REFLECTION
• Have you ever admitted that you needed help?
• What can we learn from the apostles acknowledging that they have a need for support in their ministry?
• How is prioritizing and delegating important in our walk as believers?
• What is the importance of being prayed over by believers?
THE CHOSEN ARE SET APART Poem Devotional
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
GOD KNOW HIS PEOPLE Poem Devotional
October 2
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The Lord knows those who are his, and all who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil. -2 Timothy 2:19(NLT)
GOD KNOW HIS PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Before you were born, God has a plan for you
He created each part of your being for his glory
Allow him to transform you and make you new
Turn away from evil so you can have victory.
You can not run away from his purpose for your life
Maybe you should pursue the way of Jesus Christ
God loves you immensely and longs for your company
Do you spend precious moments to create intimacy?
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We all know the story of the Israelites, the people whom God calls as his own. In the book of Exodus, we discover that an eleven-day journey to the promised land took them forty long years to reach it. What made it that long? Many sins and strongholds kept them from focusing on the promises of the Lord. They are stubborn, complaining, dissatisfied, unfaithful, ungrateful, didn’t trust the Lord enough. When they crossed the Red Sea and God delivered them from the Egyptians who enslaved them, it didn’t take long when they started to grumble to Moses that they should have stayed as slaves in Egypt. God forgave them and was faithful. It took a long time to reach their destination because they focused on selfish and worldly things.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that doesn’t easily get corrupted by this world.
REFLECTION
What can hinder you from fulfilling God’s purpose in your life?
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
NO JUDGMENT FOR BELIEVERS Poem Devotional
September 9
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There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
-John 3:18(NLT)
NO JUDGMENT FOR BELIEVERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Anyone who believes in Christ is free from judgment
There is no need to worry for your predicaments
Your faith in the power of God will take you a long way
It will protect you when the enemy chooses you as his prey.
Those who are unbelievers has already been judged
They will find difficulties because of their lack of trust
Believe in God’s one and only Son and you will be free
The Holy Spirit will bring you blessings and victory.
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When I was still in bondage from religion and legalism, I had a very scrupulous conscience. I felt condemned each time I succumb to weaknesses and sin. I was doing the changing myself on my own without heeding the Holy Spirit and God’s word. I wasn’t even aware that I was in bondage because I inherited religious rituals and beliefs from those who raised me. I am sure they passed on what they know is right for me, but God showed me eventually why my life had no victory in some aspects of it.
The bible says that those who believe in Christ are free from judgment but those who don’t are condemned.
PRAYER
Lord, let all believers witness for you so others will believe.
REFLECTION
Relate an incident how being a Christian freed you from condemnation.
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