November 9
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SUFFERING FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN
A poem by ILMA
In this world, we will always be encountering fiery trials
So, don’t be surprised if something strange were happening to you
Instead, be joyful-for these trials make you Christ’s partner
When you suffer for him, you share in revealing his glory.
So, If you are insulted because of Jesus, you will be blessed
If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing or other trouble
It must not be a result of your meddling into other people’s affairs
There is no shame to suffer for being a Christian but not for your own faults.
Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s people
And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits the unbelievers
If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?
If you are suffering in a manner that pleases God
Keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the Lord
He created you and he will never fail you
Sacrifice and suffer for Christ and you will be a victor.
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MEMORY VERSE
If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. – 1 Peter 4:14
Read: 1 Peter 4:12-19
There are Christians who suffer as a consequence of wrong choices and sin. That is not what this chapter is talking about. To suffer for Christ is to be rejected and ostracized for being a Christian. To suffer because you are being questioned for living the truth is what is being discussed in this verse.
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REFLECTION
• Why is suffering because of a sin not the same as suffering for Jesus?
• How can we suffer in a manner that pleases God?
Tag Archives: Chrsitian poem
SHOW DEEP LOVE FOR EACH OTHER poem devotional
November 8
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SHOW DEEP LOVE FOR EACH OTHER
A poem by ILMA
Since Christ went through physical pain, you must have his same attitude
Be ready to suffer physically for Christ just like he did for you
When you decide to do this, you won’t spend your life chasing desires
But you will be anxious to do the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy
They love to do immoral things and lustful feasting and drunken wild parties
They worship idols and their lives are only about pleasing themselves
But they’ll have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone.
The end of the world is coming soon, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers
Most important of all, show deep love for each other, for love covers all sins
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay
God has given each of you some spiritual gifts; use them to serve each other.
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MEMORY VERSE
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:7-8
Love is the biggest command of the Lord for all. Christians are encouraged to show love deeply. Love is the only thing that covers a multitude of sins. It is important for us to be able to use the spiritual gifts that God gave us so that we can actually use these gifts to serve one another. In this chapter, we are warned because the end of days might be coming soon.
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REFLECTION
• How does love conquer all things?
• Why is showing deep love and affection for someone the only thing that really matters?
• Why is Christ the epitome of unconditional love?
• Why is the discipline to pray a very important component of a Christian life?
COME CLOSE TO GOD Poem Devotional
October 30
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COME CLOSE TO GOD
A poem by ILMA
What is the source of quarrels or fights among you people?
Doesn’t it come from those evil desires at war within you?
You want what others have, so you plan to get it at all cost
You become envious, so you scheme and obsess to have it.
Yet you don’t have what you want since you don’t ask the Lord
Or when you ask, you don’t get since it is only for your own pleasure
Don’t you know that following the world makes you an enemy of God?
So why do you compromise your relationship with your Lord and Savior?
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble
So, be submissive to God and resist the devil
The enemy will flee from you, and you become the victor
Come close to God and he will definitely come close to you.
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MEMORY VERSE
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. – James 4:7-8
Read: James 4:1-10
It is interesting to know that many Christians use the excuse that God is everywhere and think that they need not make any effort to come close to him. They follow the world’s system and think that God will not be offended with that. In fact, James calls us adulterers and enemies of God when we abide by the ways of the world because that is not what his will is for us. In this chapter, James also explains the source of our conflicts which is from our human desires and cravings.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God hates the proud?
• Why is obedience to his will the pre-requisite for victory over sin?
• Why does God expect us to come close to him so he can come close to us? Why not just chase us?
FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS Poem Devotional
October 27
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FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS
A poem by ILMA
Faith is feeling certain of something even if we don’t see it
If we don’t show it by our actions, then it is no good
Undemonstrated faith doesn’t save anyone
For faith alone without works is dead and useless.
Would you just ignore someone who asks you for help?
You can’t just say to them “Have a good day and goodbye”
It doesn’t do anyone good if it doesn’t produce deeds
For faith is manifested by things that is done by the believer.
Abraham was shown to be right by his willingness to sacrifice his son
His faith and his actions when he offered Isaac worked together
His actions made his faith complete because it proved it
We are made right with God not only by faith but by actions.
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MEMORY VERSE
Faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
– James 2:17
Read: James 2:14-24
There are some Christians who claim they believe in God and yet they never showed any signs of it. As a believer, we are expected to manifest our trust in the Lord by our good deeds. We are instructed by God to love one another and by doing so, we actually show that we love him. When we don’t couple our faith with good deeds, we are being hypocritical.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we need to show by our actions our trust in God?
• How can faith in action convince an unbeliever to turn to God?
• Why do we need to grow our faith as Christians?
• Why do you think faith is very essential in a Christian’s life?
• What have you done to grow your faith?
DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS Poem Devotional
October 15
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DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS
A poem by ILMA
In the last days, there will be very difficult times
People will love only themselves and their wealth
These people will be busy being arrogant and mocking God
Nothing is sacred to them, they will be ungrateful and lawless
People in the end times will be full of themselves and unforgiving
They will slander others and will have no self control
Cruelty and hatred occupy their hearts; they’ll hate what’s true
They will betray their friends and be puffed up with pride.
Religion and rituals are important to them; they don’t have the Holy Spirit
They will love pleasure rather than please the only true God
These people work their way into people’s homes
They win the trust of vulnerable people who are guilt ridden
These teachers oppose the truth that comes form God’s word
They have immoral minds and a counterfeit faith
But they won’t get away with this for long
Someday, everyone will recognize what fools they are.
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MEMORY VERSE
in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
– 2 Timothy 3:1-2
Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-9
Paul predicts what difficult times we will have during the last days. Sadly, we witness most of these prophecies nowadays. We are plagued with people who only care for their own pleasures instead of seeking God.
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REFLECTION
• What amongst these predictions are you actually experiencing right now? Explain.
AS HUMBLE AS A CHILD Poem Devotional
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
Repent and Be Transformed poem devotional
November 18________________________________________
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing. – Matthew 3:8-9 (NLT)
REPENT & BE TRANSFORMED
A poem and essay by ILMA
How long have you been a believer?
Have fruits manifested in your life as a Christian?
Prove by the way you live that you have repented
Only when you turn to God will you be rehabilitated.
Don’t think that you can continue with your old ways
When you believed, God will bring about change
Repent and be transformed by his mercy and grace
Without repentance, redemption will be in vain.
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Some Christians think that when they believed in Jesus Christ, they are automatically saved. That may be partly true. When they become born again, their lives should manifest the new creation that God had promised all those who love him. Are there some Christians who may not enter God’s kingdom? Being a believer poses some responsibilities. The bible says in Ephesians 5:11 that we should not take part in any evil and darkness. So, if one claims they are a Christian and still continue to live in sin and not turn to God, would you consider that person really saved? Can you say that one is a believer and yet do not totally seek the Lord and heed to his will?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to manifest in my life the new creation you made me to be.
REFLECTION
What are the manifestations of a true believer of 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
UNASHAMED PERSISTENCE Poem Devotional
November 6
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If you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. – Luke 11:8(NLT)
UNASHAMED PERSISTENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit your life to God
You will surely want to walk in love
Do not give up; always persist
God will answer your prayers and plea.
He values diligence and faithfulness
Continue to pursue and live in righteousness
Have an unashamed persistence to obey
Be bold and brave to follow his ways.
________________________________________Persistence is defined as determination to do something even though it is difficult or other people oppose it. It is continuing to do something despite obstacles. In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” This was the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 that Jesus told.
Persistence can be a good thing if it is something true and right, it is pressing on and never giving up. We are urged to have shameless persistence.
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PRAYER
Lord grant me an attitude that persists and never gives up.
REFLECTION
Share a shameless persistence that you have done 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
LASTING FAVORS TO THE GODLY
October 30________________________________________
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment but his favor lasts a lifetime. -Psalm 30:4-5(NLT)
LASTING FAVORS TO THE GODLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Praise to the king of kings
Declare your love as you sing
Do not avoid his discipline
It will let you avoid sin.
He may be angry at you momentarily
Repent and confess and he forgives infinitely
He showers the godly with lifetime favors
He treasures deeply those who are faithful.
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Have you ever asked someone a favor? Wasn’t it great when they respond to your request? We don’t usually approach strangers or just anyone to ask for favors. We want to make sure that we have a relationship with that person already so that we are assured that we won’t be turned down. I think it is just courtesy to ask something from someone we know either by acquaintance, friendship or kinship. Otherwise, we would fall in the category of “entitled” persons.
In Psalm 30:4-5, we get to have a glimpse of how God loves those who are his people, especially those who worship him in spirit and truth. In these two verses, we see the generosity and mercy that God so easily gives to those who confess and repent of their sins. He showers them with much blessings and favors. So, why don’t all believers avail of these wonderful opportunities?
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PRAYER
Thank you for your generosity to all those who faithfully praise and worship you.
REFLECTION
How can you avail of such favors from a generous 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
GOD’S POWER AND JUSTICE Poem Devotional
November 11
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The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. – Nahum 1:3(NLT)
GOD’S POWER AND JUSTICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you faithfully seek the Lord?
Are you meditating on his word?
God is slow to anger but is fair
Do not test him or disobey.
The Lord deals with sin fairly
So don’t treat others unjustly
He won’t allow the guilty go unpunished
Confess and repent so he can give you mercy.
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Some people think that because God is merciful and loving, they can get away with sin. He hates sin. He loves us all but he doesn’t want us to participate in any form of evil or lawlessness. That is why he gave us Christ so that we can believe in him and be new. We need not go back to our old self which is by nature sinful. If we committed ourselves to Christ, we have the privilege to be forgiven right away and be cleansed by his blood. Some lax Christians think that God loves them and will forgive them easily, so they can just do the evil they planned and ask forgiveness. In the book of Nahum, we are warned that he never lets the guilty go unpunished. Though God is slow to anger, it doesn’t mean that he is partial. He advocates the law of sowing and reaping.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me always how sin can draw us away from you.
REFLECTION
How can you avoid being a lax Christian?
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