August 25
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GOD COMFORTS US ALL
A poem by ILMA
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others
When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort.
The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort
It is for our benefit when we are weighed down with troubles
For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort others.
Then we can patiently endure the same things we suffer.
We are confident that as you share in our sufferings,
You will also share in the comfort God gives us
We think you ought to know about the trouble we went through
We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure.
We thought we would never live through it and we expected to die
But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and relied only on God
He did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again
He will continue to rescue us because God has graciously answered prayers.
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MEMORY VERSE
For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. – 2 Corinthians 1: 5
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
The world views suffering very differently as God would. Getting comforted from someone is something we all desire as human beings. When we don’t get it from people, we expect it from, we get frustrated and sometimes angry. It leads us to become needy. What we don’t realize is that God always gives us comfort, but we need to look at the sacrifice of Christ on the cross to understand this.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think comfort is something that we people can’t do without in this world?
Tag Archives: comfort
COMFORT BRINGS ENDURANCE Poem Devotional
September 19________________________________________
For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. – 2 Corinthians 1:6(NLT)
COMFORT BRINGS ENDURANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we go through pain and misery
You may want be alone or long for company
Don’t feel discouraged, reach out to others
Comfort brings strength and patient endurance.
Don’t hesitate to give others comfort
In doing so, you are going to go forth
By being generous to others who need you
It manifests Christ’s presence and a life renewed.
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I grew up in the Philippines where there is much openness and hospitality. It is a good thing and yet it can be an issue with boundaries. Filipinos have an open door policy with friends, neighbors and relatives. Anyone can just drop in your doorstep and regardless of what one is doing, they welcome these visitors and guests. You don’t need an appointment or notification to go visit someone. Filipinos are also very good at comforting others especially the sick, the grieving and those who are going through adversities. When I came to Canada, it was totally different. I learned boundaries because not all people have open door policy. I became more respectful of giving hospitality and comfort. I learned to adjust to the difference in culture and traditions.
The bible says that when we are comforted, we will also receive comforting. It helps us endure our suffering.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be sensitive when I give comfort to others.
REFLECTION
Why do some people feel uncomfortable receiving comfort from 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
A WORD OF COMFORT Poem Devotional
June 29
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“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. – Isaiah 40:1-2(NLT)
A WORD OF COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been concerned about troubles?
God will speak tenderly and grant you his power
He will whisper a word of comfort to calm you
Fear not; He will change you and make you new.
He forgives you infinitely, so run and confess it
He loves you so much and forgives quickly
Your sad days will be gone; He brings comfort
Rejoice, the Lord will make you come through.
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According to Baker’s Evangelical dictionary, the basic concept for comfort in both the Old and New Testaments is encouragement, whether by words or the presence of another to help in time of need. Synonymous words are console, help, give relief, cheer up, exhort, and fear not. In the English dictionary, it is defined as the easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress. Comfort is a much needed relief for anyone who is going through something beyond their control. We learn to give comfort because we were given comfort at a very young age since we were a baby. Like how you got comfort from your mother when you were hungry or fearful, the Lord also brings you comfort by accepting you for who you are and forgiving you no matter what you’ve done.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your comforting unconditional love.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you gave comfort to someone in need?
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
WHEN YOU SUFFER FOR CHRIST Poem Devotional
June 17________________________________________
So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. – 1 Peter 4:1(NLT)
WHEN YOU SUFFER FOR CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you accepted Jesus as your Savior
You ought to follow him and be ready to suffer
Your Lord suffered physical pain to save you
He gave you the chance to be born again and new.
When you suffer for Christ, you discern his great love
He gave up his own life so you can be above
Rejoice when you hurt for He will lift you up
Embrace endurance and you will be built up.
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Our world advocates comfort and quick fixes. We are not taught to endure. We do not know how to delay gratification. Media has bombarded us with advertisements that do not advocate patience. Every product has to deliver quick services. This is why our youth do not have the patience to wait or postpone enjoyment. We are all like children having a tantrum fit if we don’t get what we want right away.
The bible tells us the importance of suffering for Christ. Jesus died on the cross to clear us of sin and he suffered a great deal before he actually died on the cross. Suffering leads to endurance which brings growth.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you that you suffered for me.
REFLECTION
How can a believer rejoice when they are suffering?
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 SOURCE OF COMFORT Poem Devotional
June 13________________________________________
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. -2 Corinthians 1:3(NLT)
THE SOURCE OF COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are troubled and not getting love
Do you ask your heavenly Father up above?
God is full of mercy and is the comfort source
Run to Him and He will immediately open doors.
No one can fully provide for your needs except Him
Ask Hand He will grant you more blessings
When you rely on His power, you are being humble
It will bring you satisfaction and lessen your stumbles.
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Our world capitalizes much on making a lot of us become comfort addicts. We love it when we can get everything we want just at the tip of our fingers. We shop online for commodities so we don’t have to go outside to shop. We research and read everything on the internet instead of manually reading a book or asking someone’s advice about something. We like to eat food that brings us comfort. We like to make our homes and relationships comfortable. We don’t like to be challenged to change the comfort zone. We take pride that we can make our own comfortable niches and ensure that nobody takes it away from us. Yet, oftentimes, despite all these plastic comfort bubble that we protect ourselves with, we still don’t feel fulfilled. Only God can give us true comfort and joy.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to run to you when I need to be comforted.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you ran to God to be comforted?
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
A GOD OF COMFORT & COMPASSION Poem Devotional
October 9________________________________________
Sing for joy O heavens! Rejoice O earth! Burst into song O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion in them in their suffering.
– Isaiah 49:13(NLT)
A GOD OF COMFORT & COMPASSION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you going through rough moments?
You’re not alone; trials can come in increments
If you think that no one is there for you
Remember that God will see you through
For the Lord has comforted his people
He knows our suffering the how it can cripple
God has compassion for all your trials and tribulations
Rest in him and you will soon experience his salvation.
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There are times when I become very vulnerable. When I am distracted from quiet moments with God, when I lack sleep, when hungry or when my boundaries are violated, I become an easy prey for the enemy to attack. Today, I was called dumb by someone so close to me. It was hurtful and caused me much anxiety, panic and rage. I reacted instead of responding like a true Christian. After letting my anger out, I was convicted that Jesus would never do what I just did. I confessed and repented of my sin. I couldn’t take back the words that I hurled as reaction to the judgment. I asked God to forgive me for what I said and he forgave and comforted me that he understands what I went through.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for my sins.
REFLECTION
Cite an instance when God comforted you in your pain.
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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
TROUBLES BRING COMFORT Poem Devotional
September 1________________________________________
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. –2 Corinthians1:4 (NLT)
TROUBLES BRING COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is something bothering you these days?
Don’t worry, for your troubles will not last always
Whenever you are troubled, be joyful
God’s spirit will comfort so you can be fruitful.
He grants us comfort so we can serve one another
He gives us comfort so we can share it to others
When we receive comfort after our troubles
He expects us to give the same to our sisters and brothers.
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When we experience pain, suffering or traumas, it is impossible to be joyful. But the bible says that we should be happy when we have troubles because it brings us to a place of healing and builds our character and endurance (James 1:2). I experienced a lot of pain and traumas in my life as a very young child. I became a very bitter young adult because of all the effects of those painful events. I felt hurt in the nth degree that’s why I easily empathize with those in pain. Somehow deep inside me, I felt that the pain I feel with be lesser if I help comfort someone else’s pain. The bible summons us to be joyful when we have pain for God will comfort us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for comforting me always.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you comforted someone?
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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
COMFORT GIVERS Poem Devotional
July 31 The Power of God’s Word
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
–2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)
COMFORT GIVERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Christ died to relieve us from sin and pain
He sacrificed his own life so we can gain
God comforts us in our anguish and misery
Share the comfort to those who need it freely.
When others are troubled, we can provide help
When they are suffering, we can give aide and forget the self
When God grants us grace and mercy in when we are hurt
We are supposed to give it back to others in support.
The world has turned everyone around by seeking “self” first in everything. It has polluted our concept of love by pursuing love instead of giving it away. In God’s economy, we are required to give love. He will provide all that we need in return when we comfort others. He wants us to love one another as he loves us.
The bible tells us that God comforts us in all our troubles because he loves us. We must give back the comfort we received from God to others who need it. When they are troubled, we ought to give back the same comfort we received.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me to comfort someone today.
REFLECTION
Why does God require us to comfort others?
THE SOURCE OF COMFORT Poem devotional
June 20 The Power of God’s Word
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us–2 Corinthians 2:3-4 (NLT)
THE SOURCE OF COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek comfort from all your troubles?
Does it seem like you are buried in the rubbles?
The heavenly Father is the only source of comfort
He will carry your burden and give you support.
He consoles us in trials so we can soothe others
He expects us to do the same to our sisters and brothers
Amidst sufferings, God exudes his love, grace and mercy
We ought to share what we received and be a blessing.
We live in a world where people obsess about comfort. We want to avoid inconveniences. We work very hard to make our lives and our families comfortable. We rely so much on our own strength to ensure that we live lives of comfort. We resist any form of change that will compromise these comfort zones.
The bible tells us that the only source of comfort is God. He brings us comfort during our troubles but he expects us to give back the same comfort we received to others. He gives us strength to share it.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me someone I could bless.
REFLECTION
How can you give back comfort to others?