FOLLOWERS WILL BE DESPISED Poem Devotional


November 27________________________________________
And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. – Matthew 10:22(NLT)
FOLLOWERS WILL BE DESPISED
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you believe in Jesus Christ
You must be ready to be despised
When you join Jesus’ flock
You will be antagonized and blocked.
If you continue to endure all the rejection
You will be a recipient of his salvation
If you want to be approved by everyone
You won’t find it by believing in God’s Son.
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It is shocking to find some Christians who live compromised lives. They claim that they want to follow Jesus, but are not ready to take up the cross. Luke 14:27 says that whoever does not carry their cross cannot be Jesus’ disciple. So, I don’t understand how one can say that they are a follower of Jesus and expect to be approved and accepted by others. The bible also says that we cannot serve two masters. We cannot please others and follow the ways of the world and at the same time claim to be a disciple of Christ.
In fact, we are told that if we take the path that leads to salvation, we will be despised and rejected. So how come some believers expect to be treated like queens and kings when our king Jesus came to serve and not be served?
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PRAYER
Lord, please remind me to always take the narrow path to salvation.
REFLECTION
How can rejection from others be an upside 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

DISCIPLES PRIORITIZE GOD Poem Devotional

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March 28________________________________________
If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison-your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters- yes even your own life.
-Luke 14:26(NLT)
DISCIPLES PRIORITIZE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you decide to follow Christ
Changes happen when you prioritize
You will make him first in all you do
You will be transformed and renewed.
The world will seem not as important anymore
God’ word will guide you through trials and storms
No one else including your own needs matter much
Following God’s will become top priority in your life.
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When I was a teacher of speech and visual arts, there were some students who chose to follow the lessons I taught to advance their skills. You will clearly see the difference of those who chose to be disciples of my methods. They excelled through hard work and constant practice. I emphasized on discipline and dedication plus constant practice. This formula became my life’s theme and I shared to students how it brought me success in the field of communications and visual arts.
The bible tells us what God requires of his disciples in Luke 14:16. One of the things God wants us to do is to make him our priority in everything. He asks us not to let any of our love for anyone, not even our own life will come first than him. He becomes top priority.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, remind me when I don’t prioritize you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants to be the top on our list if we become followers?
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