Tag Archives: blessings

THE BLESSED LIFE Poem Devotional

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November 8________________________________________
Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” – Luke 11:28 (NLT)
THE BLESSED LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The blessed life is the result of obedience
Let us continue to hear the word and be persistent
When we only read his word without doing it
We fail to receive the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Your life will be blessed when you apply his word
You will be able to resist the corruption of this world
God is pleased when you follow the truth and his will
He wants you to enjoy his blessings and live a life that’s free.
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According to Baker’s evangelical dictionary God’s intention and desire to bless humanity is the maid focus of his covenant with humans. This is why the concept of blessing permeates the bible events and history. Two distinct ideas are considered as blessings. First, it is a public declaration of a favored status with God. Second, the blessing endowed power for prosperity and success. In all cases, the blessing served as a guide and motivation to pursue a course of life within the blessing. The Old Testament Terms for blessing abound in the Old Testament, occurring over 600 times. It meant “to kneel, ” since in earlier times one would kneel to receive a blessing. Jesus tells us that we receive a blessed life when we obey and apply his word.
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PRAYER
Lord, grant me a hunger to meditate and act on your word.
REFLECTION
What blessings have you received after putting his word into practice?
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

PEACE BE ON THIS HOUSE Poem Devotional

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June 9________________________________________
Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, “May God’s peace be on this house.”
– Luke 10:5(NLT)
PEACE BE ON THIS HOUSE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you enter someone’s home
Do you bless it as you enter the main door?
When you share the peace to someone’s dwelling
You will also get a share of God’s blessings.
Declare God’s peace on the house and their owners
Using the word of God will breathe life to believers
Make it a habit to share the fruits of the Spirit
Because it will definitely please the Holy Spirit.
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One of the most important fruit of the Holy Spirit is “peace.” This is probably why we are encouraged in the bible to pursue it at all cost. Psalm 34:14 says that we have to turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. James 3:18 discusses the reward of sowing peace which is righteousness.
There were many years of my life that “peace” was a novelty. Because of the many strongholds and generational sins that was passed on to me, I didn’t have any clue how to pursue it. I thought it was something that happens when you have all you want. What a twisted way of thinking I had then.
One of the things that God wants us to do is to bless a person’s home when we enter their dwelling places.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember to bless others with peace when I enter their homes.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it is important to bestow blessings of peace in a home?
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 CURSES Poem Devotional

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July 11
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Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. -Proverbs 26:2 (NLT)
ON CURSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
An undeserved curse is like a fluttering sparrow
It won’t land its intended victim or bring sorrow
By believing in Jesus, curses have no bearing on you
They will bounce back to those who want to hurt you.
Believers will receive all kinds of provisions and blessings
They will be delivered from people who are scheming
Curses will be broken and Christ’s followers will prosper
They will find favor from God for being trusting and faithful.
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A curse is defined as a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. The first curse we learn about is in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because they ate from the forbidden tree, God pronounced judgment on the serpent who will crawl on his belly and will have to eat dust as long as it lives. The woman was cursed with pain in giving birth and will have the desire to control her man yet will be subject to him. The man was cursed with working hard and sweating to make soil produce anything to eat and survive. The curse was tied up with sin. When Christ died for us, he broke all these curses to those who will believe him.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for protecting me from the curses made against me.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the antidote to curses?
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

WISDOM FROM ABOVE Poem Devotional

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March 18________________________________________
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. -James 3:17(NLT)
WISDOM FROM ABOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Wisdom comes from a loving God who is omniscient
No one who can compare to him; we are all deficient
The wisdom from above is pure and peace loving
It is gentle at all times and is willing to yield and give in.
The insight that comes from God’s spirit is discerning
He tells us what is good for us; he keeps us from sinning
He shows no favoritism and is always sincere and truthful
This wisdom generates blessings and makes us fruitful.________________________________________
There are two types of wisdom: earthly and heavenly. The wisdom that comes from the world focuses on the self while wisdom from above points to others’ benefit. How can we gauge if our knowledge is from God’s spirit or from the enemy? James gives us an illustration of the wisdom that comes only from our heavenly Father. He describes it as pure, peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield to others, merciful and fruitful, shows no favoritism and is always sincere. Based on these, we can deduce that worldly wisdom is corrupted, harsh, unforgiving, unfair, dishonest, legalistic, biased and selfish.
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PRAYER
Lord, always guide me when I fall into worldly wisdom.
REFLECTION
Do you think that human reasoning falls under worldly or godly wisdom?
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

BLESSINGS TO PROSPER Poem Devotional

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March 14________________________________________
And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful. -Psalm 90:17(NLT)
BLESSINGS TO PROSPER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whatever we do, we mustn’t forget to bring laud
We should always seek the approval of the Lord
Remember that our efforts will only succeed
If we constantly hunger for him and believe.
May the Lord our God show you his approval
May we live in obedience instead of denial
May he anoint us and make our efforts successful
May he guide us in his truth and make us fruitful.
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When you plan, do you usually consult the Lord? It wasn’t until I became so deprived and deep down in a terrible mess that God brought me on my knees to depend on him. I was a very self-sufficient and independent person. In the past, It never occurred to me to consult anyone when I want to make a major decision. I always thought that I carve my own destiny. “Live in God’s will” was a statement alien to me for many decades of my life, until he called me to live a life seeking his’ instead of man’s approval. I stopped being an approval addict, instead I pursued to do everything to please the Lord.
The bible tells us that if we want to prosper, we need to consult God in everything so that our efforts will succeed.
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PRAYER
Thank you for all your desire to prosper and bless me, Lord.
REFLECTION
What was the result when you consulted God in a plan?

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

GETTING GOD’S BLESSING poem devotional

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Nov 5
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The apostle testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and God’s great blessing was upon them all. – Acts 4:33(NLT)
GETTING GOD’S BLESSING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you currently in need of something?
Have you repented and confessed your sins?
When the apostles testified to Jesus’ resurrection
They received blessings and paved the path to salvation.
Have you testified to the power of what Christ did for you?
Did it make you change your heart and mind renewed?
When you believed that Christ died and rose from the dead
God pours his blessings to all those who heard and spread.
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Testimony is defined as a formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court or law. It is also an evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something. What is the importance of testifying for someone in court? It helps the judge to make the right verdict after considering all the other testimonies and evidences that are laid down in the trial. What the witness says on the stand matters a lot in the arrival at a decision on the case being tried. Do you ever think about what a testimony for Christ would do to a believer’s life?
After Christ died, his followers testified powerfully to his resurrection. As a result, they were showered with blessings and were anointed with many gifts.
PRAYER
Lord, let me know when you give me opportunities to testify for you.
REFLECTION
What would a testimony of faith do to another believer or unbeliever?
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 BLESSING OF STILLNESS Poem Devotional

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July 9
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He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! – Psalm 107:29-30 (NLT)
THE BLESSING OF STILLNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is making your life such a disaster?
Is it those dreams that you are after?
Is there a sin that you haven’t confessed?
Why do you fret and not have peace?
Jesus calms the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves
He can pacify you and give you strength to be brave
What a blessing it is if you can be still for the Lord
It brings joy and peace when you give him laud.
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I did not know how to be still for over five decades of my life. The enemy kept me in bondage to “busy-ness” and performing to prove that I was really good at what I did. I didn’t even realize how it was affecting my body because I just grinded and grinded and never paid attention to my health. One day, I became so sick that I couldn’t even raise my hands up. I was literally melting like a candle inside me. It took awhile before I was diagnosed with Hepatitis A because the symptoms of a flu are almost the same. I was bed ridden for 3 months. That was how God calmed the storm inside me. That’s when I learned to be still in the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be still always.
REFLECTION
Why is it very hard to be still these days?
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

FAVORED BY GOD poem devotional

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March 17________________________________________
The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
Proverbs 10:24, 28(NLT)
FAVORED BY GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you fear the Lord and revere him constantly?
Will you classify yourself as wicked or godly?
The fears of the wicked will definitely transpire
But believers will continually pray and aspire
God is inclined to grant requests to those who love him
He will answer the prayers of those who repent and avoid sin
The hopes of the godly end in peace and happiness
But the expectations of the wicked lead them to more mess.
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I think it is human nature to have a leaning to someone because of their character or attitude. Most parents love all their children equally but I think some parents have a tendency to favor one child over another because of so many reasons. One child may be more helpful and make their life easier therefore, it is so easy for parents to give that child favor. If they are very rebellious and difficult, it doesn’t diminish your love, but they make life harder. So you automatically favor the one who do good. Isn’t God the same with his children? Wouldn’t he be more inclined to the faithful and ignore the wishes of the wicked ones?
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be more hopeful and focus on your goodness.
REFLECTION
How can a believer gain favor with 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

SAVED FROM THE CURSE Poem Devotional

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February 17________________________________________
But Christ rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself, the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” – Galatians 3:13(NLT)
SAVED FROM THE CURSE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are there still curses lurking in your life?
Have you heard God’s invitation to come to the light?
If you have committed to believe in Christ
You have been saved from all curses, take delight!
When Jesus was hung on the cross for our sins
He took upon himself our wrongdoings and made us clean
He broke the curse on everyone who is hung on a tree
He died so we can exercise our authority over the enemy.
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The definition of a curse as a noun is “a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something.” Curses block our blessings. It is one way that the enemy keeps us in bondage to sins, transgressions or strongholds that may have been manifesting in many generations in our family. The way that the enemy keeps us enslaved with these curses is by keeping the wrongdoings in secret so cunningly. Oftentimes we are not even aware of them. The bible says that when Jesus died on the cross, he has broken all these curses if we believe him.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me blessings to triumph over all curses in my life.
REFLECTION
How can we combat the existence of curses in our lives?
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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

AN END TO CURSES Poem Devotional

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February 4________________________________________
No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there and his servants will worship him. Revelations 22:3 (NLT)
AN END TO CURSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you tired of life’s struggles and suffering?
Focus on all that God offers and his blessings
Christ’s second coming brings an end to curses
It is the day of fulfillment of all his promises.
The throne of God will be there so all can praise Him
It will be a joyful event for all those who believed
No longer will there be tears, sorrow or pain
It will be the day when all will proclaim his name.
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Curse is defined as a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. Some of our families might have passed on to us some curses that have been there for many generations without even being aware of it. Deuteronomy 28 discusses in detail the curses that may occur when we disobey God. A lot of many teachings of the apostle Paul focuses on warning us about the consequences of disobedience and sin. God has equipped us with commandments so that we don’t fall out of his grace and mercy. The bible talks about the end times when there will no longer be a curse upon anything. Something to really look forward to.
PRAYER
Lord, break all the curses in my family.
REFLECTION
How can you break curses in your life?
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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