ON SUPPRESSING TRUTH Poem Devotional

November 14________________________________________
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. – Romans 1:18 (NLT)
ON SUPPRESSING TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
God hates those who are wicked
These people knowingly want to do evil
As they do this, they allow darkness in
It generates Satan’s purpose for all to sin.
Truth is suppressed when wickedness prevails
These people will surely receive God’s anger
Don’t participate in any unrighteousness
Instead, guard your heart and stay blessed.
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Many people are unaware how truth is suppressed. The bible says that propagating evil and wickedness is one way that we can hinder truth from prevailing. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we are told that Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. Because they are blind, they do not know the truth, and so, they are bonded to sin. As they continue to generate wickedness, they are suppressing the truth. We are cautioned by the apostle Paul about this. He warns us of God’s anger on those who wilfully do evil to others.
When one suppresses the truth from surfacing, they are going to suffer the consequence and get God’s wrath.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from all those who suppress the truth.
REFLECTION
Describe a time when someone suppressed you from knowing the truth through evil.
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 ALL EVIL Poem Devotional

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September 8
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For from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying and slander. – Matthew 15:19(NLT)
THE SOURCE OF ALL EVIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know the source of all wickedness?
Inside our hearts, we make decisions and choices
It is from it that we sort, analyze and scheme
If we are not careful, we will be tempted to sin.
Doesn’t a desire for coveting start from it?
Lust comes from the yearnings of our own spirits
Surrender your hearts to the Lord so he can change you
Guard it to be free from deceit and live a life that’s pure.
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Many people love to pinpoint evil at someone or something that happened outside of themselves. We sometimes get into the blame game and not take responsibility for our own choices. These denials open the door for the enemy to inject all sorts of evil in our minds first, then let it reside in our hearts. Before we know it, we have already committed a sin. The bible says that the source of all evil is not from outside of us, but it is from within us. It is caused by our own hearts. When we desire or long for something we don’t have, it traps us and keep us in bondage to that craving. When we entertain the fulfillment of a want in our lives, we allow evil to dominate our hearts.
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PRAYER
Lord, please guard me from thoughts of evil.
REFLECTION
How can we take ownership to our thoughts and motives so God can change our heart?
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

WHAT SEPARATES US FROM GOD Poem Devotional

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August 15
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This includes you, who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. – Colossians 1:21(NLT)
WHAT SEPARATES US FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you choose to do wrong
You won’t have peace for very long
Your evil thoughts and actions
Will lead to bad decisions.
Whenever you focus on your “self”
It will hinder you to making progress
Evil thoughts lead to wicked way
It prevents you from giving God praise.
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God always longs for our friendship, loyalty and love. It is hard for him to watch us veering away from him which becomes an obstacle for us to fulfill his plans for our lives. I used to be attracted to people who abuse me. I grew up in an environment where love does not thrive. I was used to being mistreated and minimized. It was something I was comfortable with because I already knew what to expect because it became part of me. I related with people who were evil and you can predict the outcome of my life just from the wrong choices I made. I didn’t realize that when I chose evil ways, I separated myself from God automatically. I became his enemy without even being aware of it. When God changed me after I became born again, I learned to choose the right way even though it wasn’t comfortable for me.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never entertain evil thoughts and actions.
REFLECTION
How can one avoid falling into pessimism and wrong decisions?
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.co
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WHEN TRUTH IS SUPPRESSED Poem Devotional

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August 13
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But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. – Romans 1:18(NLT)
WHEN TRUTH IS SUPPRESSED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are suppressing truth through evil
Their minds have been corrupted by the devil
When truth is suppressed by wickedness
The Lord’s anger will eventually manifest.
Defend the truth and allow it to spread
When you do, you let God be your head
The truth sets you free and makes you see
Never permit anyone to tarnish and suppress it.
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John 10:10 says that the enemy’s purpose is to kill, steal and destroy. Satan will do anything and everything to distort the truth and blind people. He uses wickedness to stop the truth from being exposed. Instead, he lies to us or gives us half-truths so that we will be confused and not know it. He can use situations, hurts and people to suppress the truth through wickedness. The devil keeps people from knowing the truth. The more we listen to the enemy’s lies, the further away he will keep us from God’s perspective. When truth is suppressed, there will be a consequence to those who stops others from knowing the truth. For as long as we embrace wickedness, the wrath of God is not far. He is a forgiving God but the bible also says that he will judge all evil and wickedness rightfully.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from people who suppress the truth.
REFLECTION
How can one stand up for truth and be bold to declare it?
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 GOD AND WICKED poem devotional

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July 20
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The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the life of the wicked will be snuffed out.
– Proverbs 13:9(NLT)
THE GODLY AND WICKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are righteous and godly will be blessed
They will be full of light as they struggle and encounter tests
The life of the godly is full of joy and peace amidst trials
They don’t argue with God or go through a series of denials.
Those who are wicked will find it harder to progress
They are full of evil and will not even confess
The life of the wicked will be snuffed out
They will not have the wisdom or even freedom.
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When I became born again, I learned to discern evil ways and wicked people. God gave me bionic eyes to see through the facades that people wear. I don’t judge people’s motives but I watch their actions and attitude. The bible tells us that we will know a believer by the fruit in their lives. If their lives jive with God’s truth, then, you will easily see the manifestations of the Spirit’s fruits. They will be kind, gentle, joyful, patient, loving, good, faithful, peaceful and have self-control. They may not possess all of the gifts at one time, but you will see how they press on to obey God’s will. The godly is full of light while the wicked will be full of darkness.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me a way out when I am amidst evil.
REFLECTION
Why should we avoid participating in the evil that others do?
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

DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE

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May 19________________________________________
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. – 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NLT)
DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Has anyone done you wrong lately?
Don’t retaliate, forgive quickly
Don’t pay back evil for evil
Or you will open doors for the devil.
The Lord wants us to do good always
It manifests our love and kindness
If you are a disciple of Jesus
You will easily grant forgiveness.________________________________________
In Exodus 21:24, we are told of the law “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot.” In his book The End of the Law: Mosaic Covenant in the Pauline Theology, Jason Meyer explains that the concept of “an eye for eye,” sometimes called jus talionis or lex talionis, is part of the Mosaic Law used in the Israelites’ justice system. Justice should be equitable; excessive harshness and excessive leniency should be avoided. Meyer clearly states in his book that this law was for the judicial system and doesn’t apply to personal relationships.
In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches the opposite of this law when he said in verse 39 to offer your other cheek if someone slaps you. Paul reiterates Christ’s teaching about doing good and letting go of being wronged. He advises us to give back good for evil.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for teaching us how to forgive.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it’s difficult to do good to those who do you wrong?
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

GOD DETESTS VIOLENCE Poem Devotional

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March 7________________________________________
The Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. – Psalm 11:4-5(NLT)
GOD DETESTS VIOLENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord watches everyone each moment of each day
He knows what we are thinking and what we’re about to say
Whether people are wicked or godly, he examines them
He patterned man’s hearts to his and so we can be like him.
God detests violence among other wickedness
He didn’t design our hearts for unrighteousness
Give up any forms of evil and violence
God considers it as an act of insolence.
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Proverbs 6:16-19 enumerates the seven things that God detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. If you closely look at each of these detestable things the Lord hates, they all involve a violation of another person. Why does God hate these things? Remember that the Lord has made us all in his image. God is love, therefore, our make is “to love.” We were not designed by God to destroy someone or to hurt others. This is why his greatest command is summed up in loving God above all and loving others as you love yourself.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to hear your convictions whenever I do any of these things you detest.
REFLECTION
How can one avoid all the things that God hates?
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

SEARCH ONLY FOR THE GOOD Poem Devotional

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Nov 15
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If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you.
– Proverbs 11:27(NLT)
SEARCH ONLY FOR THE GOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who seek the Lord and his truth
They will find favor and his teachings will take root
If you search for evil, it will find you
If you look for the good, it will renew you.
Search only for the good so you can stay out of trouble
The enemy seeks to destroy you and throw you in a rubble
Seek him and let the Lord be the first priority in your life
It will bless you and cloak you with his dazzling living light.
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Proverbs 23:7 states that as a man thinks, so is he. Dr. Becca Levy, from the Yale School of Public Health, has found some extraordinary benefits of an optimistic outlook. In one study, she looked at 660 people who’d completed a survey about their attitude to aging in 1975, then correlated their responses to the ages at which they died. “We found that individuals with a more positive view of aging tended to live seven-and-a-half years longer than those with more negative views of aging,” says Dr. Levy.
The book of Proverbs suggests that you must search for the good to find favor and avoid looking for evil, for it will find it’s way to you.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always look for only the good that comes from you.
REFLECTION
Why are we advised not to search for evil? What happens when we do?
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

HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE SINNING Poem Devotional

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September 6
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If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. -Romans 14:23(NLT)
HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE SINNING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you bothered by a decision to do evil?
It surely is a mark of the work of the devil
When you start to focus on self preservation
You will start to do prioritize your own satisfaction.
If you do anything you believe is not right
It is one sign that you are not winning the fight
If you continue to ignore the Holy Spirit’s convictions
You will be easily fall into Satan’s tactics and temptations.
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How do we know if we are sinning? The bible defines sins as breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God (1 John 3:4). Deuteronomy 9:7 also says that sin is rebelling against God. Adam and Eve introduced to us all the concept of sin when he desired to be like God in Genesis 3:5. The desire to be like God, knowing both good and evil was the origin of sin. It is the disobedience to get out of what God provided for them. Sin is missing the mark that God has given us. Whenever we decide satisfy our own human desires, we become easy target for the enemy to entice us to sin. The apostle Paul says that if you do anything you believe is right, you are sinning.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never want to be separated from you and your will.
REFLECTION
What are the signs that you are sinning?
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

WHAT’S EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT Poem Devotional

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July 12
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In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David had done. – 1 Kings 11:6 (NLT)
WHAT’S EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to follow the Lord’s will?
Are you struggling finding rest and being still?
When you refuse to obey what God commands
You will have difficulty responding to life’s demands.
Do you constantly examine yourself and what you do?
Are they things that keeps close to the Lord and pure?
Obedience is very essential to keep close to him
What’s evil in God’s sight is rebellion and evil things.
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The usual challenge a parent faces with their children is disobedience. As parents, we already have experienced going through the phases of growing up. We have an idea what hurt us in the past and we don’t want our children hurt. We do our best to protect them with rules that can keep them safe and make them learn to cope with life’s demands. When they go against our will, it hurts us because we don’t want to see them suffer the consequences of wrong choices and decisions.
The bible talks about Solomon’s disobedience to the Lord and refusal to acknowledge God’s will in his life. He didn’t honor what the Lord is saying because he followed his own will and rejected God’s will.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be always in your will.
REFLECTION
Why do you think obedience is very important in our relationship with 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