March 13
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MY SOUL WAITS FOR GOD ALONE
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone
is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him,
Like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position
They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
Those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up;
They are together lighter than a breath.10 Put no trust in extortion;
Set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
12 And that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man according to his work. – Psalm 62:1-12
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The ESV study bible says that this psalm is one that God’s people sing for encouragement as they oppressed by powerful, wealthy people. In such a situation, it would be easy to despair, or else to seek security in power and wealth rather than God, but David always faithfully sees the power of God in whatever he is going through. He believes that only God can be his refuge and that he always focuses on God’s steadfast love and waits for his deliverance alone.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord, who alone is the source of power, strength and help.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I forget that you are the only one who can help me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being the rock that I am anchored in.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a faith like David has. He never wavered.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop a faith that is strong enough to combat any adversity?
Tag Archives: Faith
FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS Poem Devotional
October 27
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FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS
A poem by ILMA
Faith is feeling certain of something even if we don’t see it
If we don’t show it by our actions, then it is no good
Undemonstrated faith doesn’t save anyone
For faith alone without works is dead and useless.
Would you just ignore someone who asks you for help?
You can’t just say to them “Have a good day and goodbye”
It doesn’t do anyone good if it doesn’t produce deeds
For faith is manifested by things that is done by the believer.
Abraham was shown to be right by his willingness to sacrifice his son
His faith and his actions when he offered Isaac worked together
His actions made his faith complete because it proved it
We are made right with God not only by faith but by actions.
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MEMORY VERSE
Faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
– James 2:17
Read: James 2:14-24
There are some Christians who claim they believe in God and yet they never showed any signs of it. As a believer, we are expected to manifest our trust in the Lord by our good deeds. We are instructed by God to love one another and by doing so, we actually show that we love him. When we don’t couple our faith with good deeds, we are being hypocritical.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we need to show by our actions our trust in God?
• How can faith in action convince an unbeliever to turn to God?
• Why do we need to grow our faith as Christians?
• Why do you think faith is very essential in a Christian’s life?
• What have you done to grow your faith?
IT WAS BY FAITH Poem Devotional
October 22
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IT WAS BY FAITH
A poem by ILMA
It was by faith that Sarah was able to have a child at a very old age
Though she was barren, she believed God will keep his promise for a child
It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God tested him
Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again.
It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings to his sons, Jacob and Esau
It was by faith that Joseph at his deathbed said that the Israelites would leave Egypt
It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born
They knew God gave them an unusual child so they hid him from being killed.
It was by faith that Moses chose to share the oppression of God’s people
Instead of enjoying pleasures, he thought it better to suffer for Christ’s sake
It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger
He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.
It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover
It was by faith that the Israelites went walked through the Red Sea as on dry ground
It was by faith that the Israelites crushed Jericho’s wall when they walked around it
It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed when her all died
For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies so they can carry out their plan.
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MEMORY VERSE
It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. – Hebrews 12:17
Read: Hebrews 12:11-31
There were so many examples of faith in the bible. These people were ordinary people made extraordinary by the faith that they exhibited. That is why God built on their trust in him and used them to make his promises come true.
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REFLECTION
• What leap of faith have you jumped into that made you experienced God’s favor?
WHOEVER BELIEVES WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN Poem Devotional
December 20________________________________________
Look I am placing a foundation in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It’s a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
– Isaiah 28:16(NLT)
WHOEVER BELIEVES WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God promised a Messiah to all of mankind
He gave them Jesus, a solid and firm foundation
From the lineage of King David is where he came from
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone that will never be shaken.
Whoever believes in the Lord will be secure
They will be changed and their hearts renewed
If they continue to seek him for guidance and protection
They will be strong and they will always win over temptations.
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There were years of my life that I wavered in my faith. Those were the years when I was a teenager up until my late twenties. I believed in the Lord, but I was living a life of legalism and materialism as well. In other words, I was flip-flopping from the world and my faith. No one guided me to seek the Lord and his word. I was surrounded by religion, different philosophies and traditions. Sadly, in those years, I was waylaid and was consumed by the culture and worldly systems.
I am grateful and amazed at how God has delivered me from all of these wavering faith. Now, I firmly anchor my life on his word and seek him first always.
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PRAYER
Thank you for being the strength in my life Lord.
REFLECTION
Share moments when you felt so strong and not threatened by the world’s system.
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
BY YOUR OWN FAITH Poem Devotional
September 28________________________________________
We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm. – 2 Corinthians 1:24 (NLT)
BY YOUR OWN FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
By faith, one can have joy and peace
When you believe in Jesus, you will see
For it is by your own faith that you stand firm
Seek, trust and surrender only to Him.
Work with other believers so your faith can multiply
Seek the truth in love and make sure you follow and apply
By your faith, you can shine for the Lord Jesus Christ
It is by making God first that you transform your life.
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There are some lax Christians who don’t build up their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They think that by declaring him as their Lord and Savior, they are already saved and need not do anything anymore. It is true that we live by God’s grace alone, but he also appreciates those who are faithful to obey and seek him and do what he commands. The book of James tells us that when we have trials, we have a chance to grow our faith because God gives us the strength to endure when we go through difficulties. He can always make miracles but he also wants us to grow our faith because it is by our own faith that we become strong and joyful.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to grow my faith in you.
REFLECTION
How can working together with other Christians help grow our faith?
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
FAITH HEALS Poem Devotional
June 2________________________________________
Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. – Luke 8:44(NLT)
FAITH HEALS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Believe the Lord your God with all your heart
For anything is possible to all those who trust
Like the woman who have much faith
Just by touching, she changed her fate.
If you have faith even just like a mustard seed
It can bring you healing and fill all your needs
Faith is what will make you grow spiritually
It is the secret to reach deep intimacy.
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One of the greatest stories of faith in the bible is the woman who had a bleeding issue for many years. Because of her faith, she touched Jesus’ robe just so she can have even just his healing powers. She was healed instantly as soon as she decided to assert her faith.
I struggled much in my life and when I was raising my son alone, there where so much trials and suffering but I never lost hope. I relied on God for everything and he was faithful to provide all that I requested and much more. Many of my friends and colleagues witnessed how I was able to thrive despite all the illnesses and poverty that my son and I went through. He almost died of asthma at age four, but I was faithful and trusted that he would heal him, and he did.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me grow my faith daily.
REFLECTION
Why is faith essential in a believer’s 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
VICTORY THROUGH FAITH Poem Devotional
May 1________________________________________
For every child of God defeats this evil world and we achieve this victory through our faith.
– 1 John 5:4(NLT)
VICTORY THROUGH FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ
You will be equipped with power to live this life
Every child of God defeats this evil world
That is what he says in his precious word.
You cannot have victory over sin through your own strength
Only through Christ can you win and straighten what’s bent
Grow your faith because it is the only thing that saves
Believe that Christ is the only one who will make you brave.
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Many believers try to overcome sin in their own strength. I used to do this before I became born again. It never really brought victory in my life. I was always striving to be good. When I became a born again, the Lord revealed to me that I didn’t have to do all the work. He taught me how to rely on his strength instead of on doing this on my own.
The reason why many believers are not able to overcome evil is because they do the work that only God can do. They do not live under his grace. We can only expose the tactics of the enemy if we grow our faith and believe in God’s power. We will not be able to win over Satan without faith.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to grow my faith and never falter.
REFLECTION
How do we submit to Jesus’ authority?
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
TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE Poem Devotional
January 13
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Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me. – John 17:7-8 (NLT)
TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all those who believe in Jesus
They will be considered very precious
Jesus acknowledges God’s gift to all
He loves us all and doesn’t want us to fall.
To those who believe in his truth
They rely heavily on Scriptures
They accept all the word has to say
They know that Jesus is the only way.
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There are people who question the existence of God. By doing this, they do not know how much they are losing. In Genesis and in the book of John, we know that even in the beginning, when the world was made, Jesus already existed. He is God himself and only those who believe that he is who he says he is will be able to receive his promise of eternal life.
When Jesus was born among us humans, he always pointed to the Father. Everything that he is and he possesses is a gift from the heavenly Father. He was given the message to pass on to all of us that we are very much loved by God. ________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift of Jesus and your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to accept all of Jesus’ teaching?
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
TRUST IN THE LORD Poem Devotional
November 28
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Those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. -Psalm 34:10(NLT)
TRUST IN THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that God is taking care of you?
He wants your pure heart and a mind that is new
If you trust in the Lord with all your heart and soul
He will provide give you a life that will overflow.
If you have confidence that he will supply
You won’t lack any good thing in your life
Continue to depend on the Lord for everything
He will grant your requests and in all good things.
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Where or who do we put our trust into? Is it in your strength or in people that you rely on? I had a big issue with trust. I grew up being let down by all those people who was supposed to be my caregivers. I didn’t have a safe environment. Being constantly criticized by those who claim they love you is a very unhealthy environment for a very young child. In a loving family, there is affirmation and positive environment, so the child learns to trust and grow into a loving person. When a child is neglected and emotionally abused, safety is a rarity. That child learns to fend for himself and not rely on anyone. The bible tells us to trust in the Lord and we will lack no good thing.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to depend on you for all things.
REFLECTION
Why is trusting the Lord essential in a Christian’s 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
FAITH IS THE GAUGE Poem Devotional
September 2
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Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. – Romans 12:3(NLT)
FAITH IS THE GAUGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you think that you are better than you really are
You are using the wrong gauge to measure so think hard
Faith is the gauge so be honest in you own evaluation
It is not intelligence nor performance that lead to salvation.
The Lord is only concerned with how much you believe
He also wants you to stop performing but to receive
He has granted you mercy and grace through Christ
Grow your faith so you will partake in his eternal life.
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Our world generates a performance based life. We are always concerned whether we measure up to the expectations placed to us by society, our loved ones, our employers, the school, and many more. We live our lives driven by performance. We beat our own record by achieving more and better than we had already done. We like to think that we live up to the standards set by important people that we look up to. We forget that God loves us for who we are. We need not prove anything to him because we are all his prized possession. The bible tells us that faith should be the gauge to measure how good we really are.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me persistent faith that will never give up.
REFLECTION
How can we give up our performance oriented thinking to a faith based one?
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