October 30________________________________________
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment but his favor lasts a lifetime. -Psalm 30:4-5(NLT)
LASTING FAVORS TO THE GODLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Praise to the king of kings
Declare your love as you sing
Do not avoid his discipline
It will let you avoid sin.
He may be angry at you momentarily
Repent and confess and he forgives infinitely
He showers the godly with lifetime favors
He treasures deeply those who are faithful.
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Have you ever asked someone a favor? Wasn’t it great when they respond to your request? We don’t usually approach strangers or just anyone to ask for favors. We want to make sure that we have a relationship with that person already so that we are assured that we won’t be turned down. I think it is just courtesy to ask something from someone we know either by acquaintance, friendship or kinship. Otherwise, we would fall in the category of “entitled” persons.
In Psalm 30:4-5, we get to have a glimpse of how God loves those who are his people, especially those who worship him in spirit and truth. In these two verses, we see the generosity and mercy that God so easily gives to those who confess and repent of their sins. He showers them with much blessings and favors. So, why don’t all believers avail of these wonderful opportunities?
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PRAYER
Thank you for your generosity to all those who faithfully praise and worship you.
REFLECTION
How can you avail of such favors from a generous 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
Tag Archives: godly
PROMISE TO THE GODLY Poem Devotional
July 29________________________________________
The godly will flourish like palm trees and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.
– Psalm 92:12(NLT)
PROMISE TO THE GODLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who lead a life of holiness
Blessings from the Lord is boundless
In all they do, they usually flourish
God will never let them be impoverished.
Choose to live a life of conviction
It will make you avoid temptations
Like the cedar of Lebanon, they grow very tall
In all they do, God never allows them to fall.
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The tallest palm trees can grow as tall as 197 feet like the Quindio wax palm. Archeological finds have shown that the date palm was commonly used in Mesopotamian society, for food and other purposes. Romans gave palm branches as a symbol of triumph to the triumphant champions of games and wars. In the Bible, the people of Jerusalem greeted a triumphant Jesus just one week before his death and resurrection, a tradition now known and celebrated as Palm Sunday the week before Easter. Palms are mentioned dozens of times in both the Bible. The cedar of Lebanon is a tall evergreen tree which has been prized for its high quality timber, oils and resins for thousands of years
No wonder the godly are likened to palm trees and cedars of Lebanon. They are going prosper and flourish because of their righteousness and be looked up because they are anchored on a strong foundation.
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PRAYER
Lord, I am grateful that you gave me the opportunity to choose godliness.
REFLECTION
How can we stay godly 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
THE GODLY ARE RARE Poem Devotional
February 4
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The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. They are all murderers, setting traps even for their own brother. – Micah 7:2(NLT)
THE GODLY ARE RARE
A poem and essay by ILMA
These day and age, righteous people are a novelty
Evil predominates and there’s so much cruelty
Many wicked people set traps for their own brothers
It’s a pity there are very few honest and godly people.
Why would anyone want to turn their backs to God?
Violence everywhere prevails; good deeds are gone
Turn your back on evil and confess to God and repent
It is never late to believe in the only Son God has sent.
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In the past, there were probably more honest people than in our current world. With the proliferation of evil, the godly are becoming a novelty. Even those who claim to be Christians sometimes find it hard to live their faith because of the demands of society and this corrupt world.
I am so glad that I moved to Canada to a very small town with a 30,000 population as compared to the 21 million population of the city area in the Philippines. In a dense population, there are very few opportunities to even connect to someone. Much crimes are almost like a normal occurrence. I find it so refreshing to find more righteous and honest people in a town rather than in a big city.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me keep living in integrity so I can shine for you.
REFLECTION
How can we change the world in our own small way?
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
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
IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Poem Devotional
December 27________________________________________
We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. – Luke 1:74-75(NLT)
IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus Christ was born so we can be rescued and saved
We need to enjoy life and be fearless and brave
Christ died for us so we can be victorious
He wants us to live in purity and be righteous.
In holiness and righteousness lie the secret to success
Living in fear and apprehension will make us helpless
Receive the grace and mercy that God provides
He will cleanse you from sin if you constantly abide.
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Why do we humans mess up a lot in life? After the fall of Adam and Eve, we have the tendency to be selfish and proud. We were created in God’s image and given dominion over all things on earth, but Adam and Eve relinquished this authority and gave it to the enemy when they disobeyed eating the fruit from the prohibited tree.
When God sent Jesus, his only son amongst us and born from a virgin, he showed us great mercy and grace. We didn’t deserve to be given another chance but he gives us plenty of chances whenever we confess and repent of our sins. We have been redeemed from our sins through Christ and we can be holy and righteous because of him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to constantly live by your mercy and grace to be constantly righteous.
REFLECTION
How can holiness and righteousness be twisted by the 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
HOW TO INCREASE STRENGTH Poem Devotional
Nov 12
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For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.” – Psalm 75:10 (NLT)
HOW TO INCREASE STRENGTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling with some weaknesses?
Don’t fret, for God will manifest his faithfulness
If you want your strength to increase
Stay in his love, righteousness and peace.
He promises provision to those who love him
Stay faithful and abide in him to avoid sin
He will break those who perpetuate evil
To his people, he lets them defeat the devil.
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Have you ever been so sick that you had no strength to even lift your hands or go to the bathroom by yourself? There were three months of my life in my early thirties that I was bogged down by Hepatitis A. It was probably caused by ingesting with contaminated food from street food. In the Philippines, it is a common practice to buy foods from street vendors. It was the most helpless experience I have ever had. My son was about 8 years old that time and I had a cousin who was vacationing with us who was 12 years old. I felt so weak and tired and couldn’t even get on my feet or sit up in bed. Just like we need physical strength and good health, we need spiritual strength, which can only be given to those who are godly.
PRAYER
Lord, please remind me to run to you when I need strength.
REFLECTION
What does the bible mean when it says we are strong when we are weak?
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 PATH TO DESTRUCTION Poem Devotional
June 3
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Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:5-6(NLT)
THE PATH TO DESTRUCTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you walking towards Christ or to obliteration?
Do you know the path leading to salvation?
Sinners will have no place among the righteous
For the Lord considers them very precious.
He watches those who believe and follow him
But sinners and the wicked continue to live in sin
Being wicked leads to chaos and destruction
Will you do anything to avoid eternal damnation?
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There are people who embrace a life of sin. The enemy blinded them to see what is right. It’s a sad thing to watch people destroy their own lives just for temporary pleasures that Satan entices them with. I went through this path to destruction for a good number of years and it is not a good road to be in. The wage of sin is death as the bible says. I lived a dead life; no joy, no peace. I thrived in conflict, pride, arrogance and anger. It was a life not worth living.
The bible tells us that sinners and godly people can’t thrive together. The Lord watches over the righteous but allows the wicked to be destroyed. He’ll protect his people.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always walk on the road to your eternal life.
REFLECTION
Why isn’t it a good idea to associate with sinners if you are a believer?
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
FAVORED BY GOD poem devotional
March 17________________________________________
The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
Proverbs 10:24, 28(NLT)
FAVORED BY GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you fear the Lord and revere him constantly?
Will you classify yourself as wicked or godly?
The fears of the wicked will definitely transpire
But believers will continually pray and aspire
God is inclined to grant requests to those who love him
He will answer the prayers of those who repent and avoid sin
The hopes of the godly end in peace and happiness
But the expectations of the wicked lead them to more mess.
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I think it is human nature to have a leaning to someone because of their character or attitude. Most parents love all their children equally but I think some parents have a tendency to favor one child over another because of so many reasons. One child may be more helpful and make their life easier therefore, it is so easy for parents to give that child favor. If they are very rebellious and difficult, it doesn’t diminish your love, but they make life harder. So you automatically favor the one who do good. Isn’t God the same with his children? Wouldn’t he be more inclined to the faithful and ignore the wishes of the wicked ones?
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be more hopeful and focus on your goodness.
REFLECTION
How can a believer gain favor 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