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?

COME CLOSE TO GOD Poem Devotional

pinery camping 2014 and others 012

August 18
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Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners: purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. -James 4:8(NLT)
COME CLOSE TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a believer who seeks God regularly?
Are you reading and following his word daily?
Come close to God and he will come close to you
Purify your heart and he will make you new
If your loyalty is divided between him and the world
It will be a struggle to walk in God’s word
If you draw near him, he will give you his kingdom
Pursue him constantly and you will experience freedom.
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Do you recall when you were being wooed by your spouse at the start of your courtship? I remember my husband come up with all kinds of reasons to be with me. He loves walking in shores and parks and that became our date venues. When he learned that I was into billiards and biking, (a hobby which he was so much into as well) he didn’t lose time to bring me to do these common interests. I got to know him more and saw the potential of us being together. Just like romantic love, we can also draw near to God and he will come close to us. We need to cleanse our hearts and have undivided loyalty to him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me pursue you as you seek my heart.
REFLECTION
How can you come closer to 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