THE WISE AND FOOLISH AND FUTILITY OF WORK Poem Devotional

September 7
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THE WISE AND FOOLISH AND FUTILITY OF WORK
A poem by ILMA
I said “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness
For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark”
Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate
Both will die. So, I said to myself, what’s the value of all my wisdom?
This is all so meaningless”; the wise and the foolish both die
The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool
In the days to come, both will be forgotten, so I came to hate life
Because everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
I learned to hate my hard work here for I must leave everything I’ve earned
And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish?
Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work
How meaningless! So, I gave up questioning the value of hard work in this world.
I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy life and be satisfied with work
Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God
For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him
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MEMORY VERSE
So, I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. – Ecclesiastes 2:24
Read: Ecclesiastes 2
King Solomon presents nothing different between the wise and the foolish. They both end the same. He also emphasizes the futility of work and how important it is for us to enjoy life and our work for everything comes from the Lord and he is the one who gives wisdom and blessings to those who please him.
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REFLECTION
• Why does the world think that wise people are better of than those who are foolish? What do you think is God’s perspective on this?

ALCOHOL CAN MAKE FOOLS OF US Poem Devotional

December 16________________________________________
Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawl. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
– Proverbs 20:1(NLT)
ALCOHOL CAN MAKE FOOLS OF US
A poem and essay by ILMA
It is foolish to consume alcohol without limits
When we drink too much, we open ourselves to sin
Wine produces mockers and alcohol leads to fights
Alcohol makes fools of us and it makes us unwise.
When you drink without restraint, you are compromised
It opens the door to all kinds of temptations and surprises
You may end up saying things you didn’t mean
You may do something that you will later regret.
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I was in a wedding celebration just recently. My husband and I traveled so far to attend this wedding. We were looking forward to meeting friends and relatives, but what we expected wasn’t what happened. As the reception started, many of the guests began drinking and the room where we were in began to almost shake like an earthquake as each of the guests started getting so loud. I felt like all those who were drinking became deaf because they all started yelling and topping each other’s voice. My eardrums seemed like it was going to explode. Then I just realized that I was surrounded with unbelievers, people who loved the world and all that it offered. They only pleased themselves and satisfied their craving. They don’t know how alcohol have been making fools of them.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from worldly people and their ways.
REFLECTION
How can misuse of alcohol lead to sin?
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 FOOLS REPEAT THEIR FOOLISHNESS Poem Devotional

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July 24

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. -Proverbs 26:11-12(NLT)

WHEN FOOLS REPEAT THEIR FOOLISHNESS

A poem and essay by ILMA

Do you commit the same mistakes over again?

Doesn’t foolishness make you self-centered and vain?

When you do again the same wrong, it makes you foolish

Why repeat something that brings you anguish?

As a dog returns to its vomit, fools repeat their foolishness

They cannot help their vanity and selfishness

There is no hope for those who think they are wise

If you listen to God’s words, you will be like Christ.

Do you know someone who repeatedly does the same mistake? It is sad to watch people commit the same wrong over and over again. I did this too in the past because of my arrogance and haughtiness. The Lord allows us to commit mistakes but he is expecting us to listen to his word so that we will know how to grow and not do the same things that do not bring progress in our lives. Seeking his wisdom and understanding is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our own family. It protects us from foolishness and wasting time and effort.

The bible describes to us arrogant people. They are like dogs returning to their vomit when they repeatedly commit mistakes.

PRAYER

Lord, protect me from haughtiness.

REFLECTION

What mistakes have you done repeatedly in the past? What did it cost you?

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

WISE VERSUS FOOLISH LIVING Poem Devotional

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March 16________________________________________
Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
Proverbs 10:23 (NLT)
WISE VERSUS FOOLISH LIVING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who love to have fun even at the expense of others
They’ll reap the same seeds they gave their sisters and brothers
When you enjoy doing wrong, you are considered foolish
You will have lots of difficulties and your life will not flourish.
Those who live wisely and obey the truth in God’s words
They will be prosperous despite the challenges of this world
They pursue wisdom and apply common sense in their life
They never compromise integrity and always stay in God’s light.
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I had a classmate in college who was very pretty and rich. I sort of admired her because of her beauty, but when I saw how she treated one of her suitors, my admiration vanished. I lost my respect for her. All of a sudden the beauty I saw outside was replace by ugliness. I separated myself from this wicked person. Although I wasn’t a born again Christian then yet, deep inside me I knew that what she did wasn’t right.
The bible tells us that fools take pleasure in doing others’ wrong but sensible people focuses on living a life full of wisdom and common sense. Where would you classify yourself? Do you like doing bad things or do you pursue wisdom?
PRAYER
Lord, reveal to me right away when I am being foolish.
REFLECTION
How can a believer live wisely in this very corrupt world?
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