CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES Poem Devotional

February 17
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And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you, I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed. -Zephaniah 3:19(NLT)
CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are going through much oppression
Don’t despair, the Lord will bring you justification
He promised to save the weak and the helpless
He is faithful to deliver his aide even to the hopeless.
He promised you a crown of beauty for all your ashes
Rejoice when you have trials for he will bring your favor
He will give glory and fame to those who were wronged
Where they’ve been shamed, there they’ll be strong.
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Isaiah 61:3 says that all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. I could attest to this verse because it actually happened to me. I was a victim of many traumas from childhood until my early fifties. Yet, the Lord gave me so much beauty through the gifts of communication, visual arts, music and writing. All those things that people ridiculed me about became all my gifts.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for converting all my suffering to crowns of beauty.
REFLECTION
What have you gone through that God used now to give you glory?
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

CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS PRIZE Poem Devotional

October 8
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And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:8(NLT)
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS PRIZE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What awaits those who love Jesus Christ?
Is it worth all the suffering you experience in life?
Look forward to the crown of righteousness
Be eager for this is the prize of your faithfulness.
Look forward to Christ’s coming like a child
Be excited for that honor, always abide
Don’t lose hope for he will take care of all believers
Press on and focus on that promised life, that is eternal
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Have you ever joined a contest where you aim to win that prize when you finish that criteria set for you? I don’t usually join a competition to get the prize, but I usually use it to develop discipline and set deadlines for myself. The prize that I look forward to is knowing that I had the courage to join it and have the ability to go through the process of the challenge. It also is way for me to improve my skills and abilities and test myself to face changes that will improve me. We have the crown of righteousness to look forward to when Jesus Christ comes back for us.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me in the path of righteousness constantly.
REFLECTION
What have you done in your life that brings you closer to receive the crown of righteousness?
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

PROMISE OF THE CROWN OF LIFE

canadablooms 118

September 30
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God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12(NLT)
PROMISE OF THE CROWN OF LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you experiencing challenges and troubles?
If you endure them, it will bring you out of the rubbles
God blesses those who faithfully bear difficulties
Give up anxiety and surrender to Him all your worries.
The Lord promised the crown of life to those who love him
Are you holding on to his promise so you can conquer sin?
Have patience to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ
You will be showered with and overflow of blessings in life.
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A crown is a traditional headwear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, victory, triumph, honor, and glory, as well as immortality, righteousness, and resurrection. Crowns worn by rulers often contain jewels.
In the Christian tradition of European cultures, when a new monarch assumes the throne in a coronation ceremony, the crown is placed on the new monarch’s head by a religious official. It was a new experience for me when I became a Canadian citizen and pledge allegiance to the queen.
The bible promised all Christians the crown of life, a crown more important than any worldly crown. Continue to patiently endure so you will reap this promise.
PRAYER
Help me to endure so that I can receive your crown of life.
REFLECTION
What can hinder us from receiving the crown of 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