September 13
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ON DESIRING WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE
A poem by ILMA
There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun
It weighs heavily on humanity; God gives some people great wealth
Then he doesn’t give them the chance to enjoy these things
They die, and someone else, ends up enjoying their wealth.
A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old
But if he finds no satisfaction in life and doesn’t even get a decent burial
It would have been better for him to be born dead
His birth would have been meaningless, and he would have ended in darkness.
He wouldn’t even have had a name and he would never have seen the sun
Yet he would have had more peace than in growing up to be an unhappy man
He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment
Since he must die like everyone else—well, what’s the use?
All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they don’t have enough
So are wise people really better off than fools?
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have
Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
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MEMORY VERSE
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. – Ecclesiastes 6:9
Read: Ecclesiastes 6: 1-9
Ecclesiastes explains how life can be meaningless and how we humans can focus so much on what we don’t have instead of what we actually have. This constant desire to clamor for something that is unattainable is what drives many people to covet, steal or live a life of discontent.
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REFLECTION
• Why is desiring something you don’t have meaningless?
• Why should we enjoy what we have instead of focusing on what we lack?
Tag Archives: desires
ANTIDOTE TO CRAVINGS Poem Devotional
March 15
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So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. -Galatians 5:16(NLT)
ANTIDOTE TO CRAVINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
It is human to have cravings
It is divine to be led by the Spirit
Let God’s Spirit guide your life
It is the antidote to all your desires.
Believe that Jesus died to grant you victory
You have the power to overcome the enemy
Have a connection with God and you will hear his voice
Stay faithful to Jesus, it benefits you and never comes void.
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Some people are addicted to chocolates. I love fruits, and I can crave for them almost anytime. Though they are good for my body, I should also watch out that I take it in moderation or I will have to suffer the consequence of not being able to control my longings. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. A fruit is only harvested if the seed of that fruit was sowed. Self-control doesn’t happen in an instant. It is a result of cooperating with God’s will. We can’t discipline ourselves on our own because only the Holy Spirit can grant the grace to allow you to harvest his fruits. The bible tells us that the antidote to cravings is listening and being aware of what the Holy Spirit is guiding you to do. We can stifle him when we disobey and rebel.
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PRAYER
Lord, always guide me to follow your lead.
REFLECTION
How do you know if the spirit you hear is from the Lord?
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 LIVE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRES Poem Devotional
January 2________________________________________
These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. – Jude 16 (NLT)
WHEN YOU LIVE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you live to satisfy your desires
You don’t have the heart that God requires
He wants us all to be pure and free from selfishness
You will be saved only if you accept and embrace righteousness.
Selfish people are complainers and grumblers
They brag loudly about themselves and flatter others
They live only to get instant gratification
They defy God and refuse to accept salvation.
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There have been many years of my life that I was only concerned about getting what I want. I react and get angry even with myself when I am not able to hit the goal I set. As a result, I grumble at times. I didn’t know any better because I didn’t read the bible then. I didn’t realize then that if I complain, I lose the blessings from God. The Holy Spirit revealed to me how to combat my negative thinking and replaced it with a grateful attitude. When I started to count my blessings by having a “Thank You” diary, I was totally transformed. It took many years but it shifted my mind and heart to God instead of focusing on me. Let’s not live for ourselves but for God.
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PRAYER
Lord, please let me be thankful for all my blessings always.
REFLECTION
How can a complaining attitude affect your whole being?
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
DESIRES LEAD TO TEMPTATIONS Poem Devotional
October 21 The Power of God’s Word
Remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. – James 1:13-14 (NLT)
DESIRES LEAD TO TEMPTATIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are full of desires and forget to pray
You are an easy target for the enemy to prey
Temptation comes from your cravings and longings
Don’t blame God for your weakness to succumb to yearnings.
Whenever you are enticed to do wrong
Satan will use it to let you stay in sin for longing
Maintain a close relationship with the heavenly Father
Overcome temptation by following God and loving one another.
I hear a lot of people blame God for succumbing to temptation. They think that it was God who gave them the temptation. God will never test us to do wrong. The bible clearly tells us that temptation comes from our own desires which entice us and drag us away from God.
If you observe unbelievers or even Christians who live a compromised life, it is not hard to see that succumbing to their sinful nature usually come from their own wants. When you see an unhappy person, you will discover that the source of their unhappiness is a desire “to have.”
PRAYER
Lord, give me a desire only for you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to seek God daily?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com