March 7
________________________________________
PUT ON LOVE AND COMPASSION
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. – Colossians 3:12-14
________________________________________
Paul specifically explains what a believer is in verse 12. He says that they are those who have been chosen by God and who are pure and loved so much by the Father. In the other half of the verse, Paul calls the Colossian believers to put on a compassionate heart that exhibits kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says that “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” Sadly, in our world today, most people get their value from what they do. It is frowned upon by society if you are not as productive and earning enough money as others. There is a constant compulsion to be doing something or else, they won’t be accepted by others. As Dietrich states in his quote, it is more important to focus on how much one has suffered rather than how much one has achieved. Why is that? Suffering is the gauge of the depth of a person. The more they have been pained, the more they learn to endure. In James 1:2-4, we are advised to count it joy when we have suffering because we learn endurance and eventually grow our faith. Compassion will make us see the heart of people. It brings us to another level of understanding someone else. As the law of love says, we must love one another as we love ourselves.
In verse 13, Paul commands us to bear with one another, in other words, we need to be encouraging and supporting each other especially in times of hardships and troubles. The other part of this verse is about forgiving one another as God has granted us forgiveness. It is a shame that many people don’t easily give forgiveness. It is the key to love. Without it, no relationships will thrive. Without forgiveness, one paves the way to bitterness and eventually leads to destruction.
In verse 14, Paul tells the Colossian believers to put on love, meaning, to wear and exercise it at all times because it bonds and unifies the people who puts it on. The love that we are asked to put on is the same love that the Lord has for us: unconditional.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it very important to put on love and compassion?
Tag Archives: Christian devotiional
WARNING TO THE UNGRATEFUL Poem Devotional
February 12
________________________________________
I trained them and made them strong, yet now they plot evil against me. They look everywhere except to the Most High. – Hosea 7:15-16(NLT)
WARNING TO THE UNGRATEFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Heavenly Father gave you everything you have
God gives blessings to those who give him love
Stop boasting about all of your gifts and abilities
Always remember your roots so you’ll have victory.
How do you repay someone who provided for all?
Do you stay loyal or plot evil which leads to your fall?
Wake up, ungrateful people! Look up to the Lord
He will forgive you if you repent and make him proud.
________________________________________
One of the hardest kinds of people to deal with are those who are ungrateful. Behind the heart of an ingrate, is pride. I think that’s why the Lord detests idolatry. Pride is a manifestation of ingratitude. When jealousy sets in a man’s heart, he is going to prove that he is better than another and will have a hard time bowing and giving praise to his very own creator. In Adam and Eve’s first sin, we clearly see the ingratitude when they disobeyed. They were enticed to have more than what they already have. They had a perfect life without toiling, a life full of provision and promises. Pride entered their hearts when the enemy enticed them to doubt God. They schemed to claim their right to access the tree of good and evil. ________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, always remind me that everything comes from you.
REFLECTION
How can ingratitude affect one’s 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
ON STOPPING GOSSIPS Poem Devotional
July 4
________________________________________
Fire goes out without wood and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
– Proverbs 26:20 (NLT)
ON STOPPING GOSSIPS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we talk about others who are not around
It is easy speak on and on and and go out of bound
Just like fire goes without wood, we don’t need to chatter
Don’t discuss things that are ungodly or evil matters.
Speak only what is true, honorable, pure and encouraging
Do not share ungodly or toxic thoughts; they are damaging
Find time to pray for those who spread rumors and engage in babbles
The Lord will shut their mouths so they can’t bring more troubles.
________________________________________
I grew up surrounded with extended family talking about those who are not around to hear it. I don’t think they realize the harm that they are causing when they criticize or make fun of those who are not there to defend themselves or concoct lies to kill the character of others. This sin is one of those that God freed me from when I became a born again Christian. It was a stronghold in our family. It is like a normal thing to talk and criticize someone who isn’t around. I used to wonder why the adults around me never get to tell the person themselves what they talk about to others. The bible says that when we stop gossips, quarrel stops. It fuels conflicts.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, please help me never to engage or listen to gossip.
REFLECTION
What are the dangers of gossip?
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
HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR Poem Devotional
May 8________________________________________
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. – Proverbs 29:23(NLT)
HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we acknowledge the source of our life
We are giving him honor and living in his light
When our heart is full of pride and haughtiness
We will end up in humiliation and become a mess.
The act of lowering yourself to your Maker
It is a manifestation of your love to your creator
Follow the example of Jesus so you can be humble
It will help you overcome temptation and not stumble.
________________________________________
A while back I had an experience when my pride and arrogance had me fall flat on my face. It happened about seven years ago. I was a victim of a group of people who discriminated me and openly scolded me in public and twisted my intentions. The filters of complex traumas I experienced led me to think that they were rejecting me. My suspicion became real because I lived in that fear that they would reject me. Sure enough, my fears turned into reality. An envious administrator of that group, twisted my words because she was jealous of the attention that her husband was giving on my prominence in the art world. I was bold to expose that the group was more of a social club rather than helping marriages to survive. Because of my tactless judgment, they twisted my words and humiliated me publicly.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from pride and haughtiness.
REFLECTION
How can an act of humility change you and 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
BEWARE OF SCOFFERS Poem Devotional
January 5________________________________________
They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
– Jude 18-19(NLT)
BEWARE OF SCOFFERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone scorns you or puts you down
Run to Jesus Christ who is God’s one and only Son
Scoffers will satisfy their own ungodly desires
They create conflicts and make people cry.
Scoffers follow their natural instincts
They believe in lies and continually sin
Be careful that you don’t get dragged by them
They usually point fingers at others and blame.
________________________________________
We were warned in the bible that in the end days, there will be a lot of scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. They are the source of divisions among God’s people. They don’t live spiritual lives and are prompted by their natural instincts. They are similar to animals who live only based on instincts. They just gratify their own desires and do not care about how they get it. They are so wrapped up in getting what they want and devoid of what it does to others. They couldn’t care less if they hurt someone as long as they satisfy their flesh. Beware of these scoffers. Don’t let them pull you down.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from scoffers and their greed and pride.
REFLECTION
Have you ever encountered a scoffer in your life? How did you deal with them?
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 FRUIT OF PATIENCE Poem Devotional
October 22
________________________________________
I will certainly bless you and I will multiply your descendants beyond number. Then Abraham waited patiently and he received what God has promised.
– Hebrews 6:14-15(NLT)
THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there anything that you have been waiting for?
Continue to be patient and rely on the Lord
He will certainly bless you and multiply what you sow
He wants you to live joyfully and have fruits grow.
Abraham waited patiently and he received
Be hopeful and enjoy life so you won’t be deceived
The fruit of patience is your dream’s realization
Because of faith, Abraham became father of all nations.
________________________________________
Patience in Hebrew is qawah, which means “to wait” or “to expect”. Parents have this joyful expectancy to see the fruit of their love come to life, their offspring. I will never forget that experience when I gave birth. I can’t stop watching my baby and figuring out how he lived inside of me and then become a person when he came out of my womb. I loved that verse from the bible that says that God intricately woven me in my mother’s womb. Before I gave birth, I experienced a lot of discomfort and pain but it was all worth it when I met my baby.
God promises to multiply our resources and blessings if we wait patiently and endure. He wants us to continue believing even through suffering.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for allowing me to suffer so I can expect your fruits.
REFLECTION
Why do you think patience is a very valuable trait a Christian can possess?
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
THROUGH FAITH ALONE Poem Devotional
September 12
________________________________________
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.
________________________________________
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
PRAY FOR DIRECTION Poem Devotional
May 27
________________________________________
Pray that the Lord your God will show us what to do and where to go.
– Jeremiah 42:3(NLT)
PRAY FOR DIRECTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you don’t know where you are going
Do you run to God so you don’t go on straying?
Pray that the Lord will show you the road leading to him
There is no use to continue to be lost and live in sin.
There is only one way that leads to his kingdom
It is by submitting and believing in his Son
Pray that God will show you what to do and where to go
If you cling to him and abide in his words, you will know.
________________________________________
Paul talks about a weakness in us in Romans 7:15 which says “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Isn’t this an irony? We have good intentions but then we don’t have what it takes to do it. The Bible speaks of punishing the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generations in Exodus 20:5. It is called a generational stronghold. A stronghold is a fortress of thoughts that controls and influences our attitudes. The only way to break it is to acknowledge it, confess and repent. We also need to pray unceasingly for direction in our new life in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never stray away from you.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you prayed and were shown the way?
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
INTERCEDING FOR AUTHORITIES Poem Devotional
October 5________________________________________
Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. – 1 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
INTERCEDING FOR AUTHORITIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Believers are expected to pray for authorities
Intercede for them because of their duties
They need strength and wisdom to lead
It will make them maintain order and peace.
Pray that they will be led by the Spirit
It will bring harmony to their country
Entreat that they will live godly lives
Ask that they be righteous and abide.
________________________________________
If most believers pray for their leaders, we probably would have a more peaceful world. If people cared more about who to place in authority when they vote, there will be less corruption in the government and no room for much dishonesty. Just like any of us ordinary people, if we are not anointed and appointed by God to do or lead something, we will not succeed in that feat. King David was anointed to be king. Because, he was chosen by God, he led his people righteously. It didn’t exempt him from being tempted and from human’s fallen nature, but he was a king who was after God’s heart.
The bible emphasizes the importance of praying and interceding for all authorities so that we will live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
PRAYER
Lord, keep all leaders free from corruption and greed.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we need to pray more for leaders 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
LIKE A SWEET PERFUME Poem Devotional
September 3________________________________________
But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. -2 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)
LIKE A SWEET PERFUME
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you declared Christ as your Lord and Savior
You became captives of the heavenly Father
He uses each believer like a sweet perfume
Just like fragrant flowers in full bloom.
Spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere!
Be ready to give testimony and share
Like a sweet perfume, let love and joy linger
Let it cover the stench of the world’s evil.
________________________________________
The sense of smell is heightened for people who experienced trauma. When I went to trauma therapy, we had to work on a lingering smell in my memory which dated back to my very first physical trauma. It was a powerful experience to know how a certain smell can trigger me back to a past painful event. Without a good sense of smell, we miss out on our taste buds too. Some people who can’t smell also have a poor taste bud. I always associated perfumes with my mother because she always wore one daily.
The bible says that when we surrender our lives to Christ, we become captives to his love. We become crusaders for him and we cannot stop talking and telling people about him
PRAYER
Lord, motivate me to testify for you.
REFLECTION
Relate the last time you witnessed for Christ and told the world about the Good News.
________________________________________
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