September 21
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JOY OF CHRIST’S MESSAGE PREACHED
A poem by ILMA
Everything that has happened to me here helped me to spread the gospel
Everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains
I was imprisoned because of Christ and most of the believers were happy
They have gained confidence and boldly spoke God’s message without fear.
It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry
But others preach about Christ with pure motives because they love me
For they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News
Others preach with selfish ambition, intending to make my chains more painful.
But that doesn’t matter whether their motives are false or genuine
The message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice
The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me and will lead to my deliverance
I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past.
I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better
I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow
And when I come back, you’ll see what Jesus is doing through me.
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MEMORY VERSE
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. – Philippians 1:20
Read: Philippians 1:22-26
What an amazing joy we find in this letter of Paul to the Philippians! He can’t stop sharing the happiness he felt that that the message of Christ was being preached. He didn’t care whether the motives of those who are sharing it is for good or not, as long as it is being preached.
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REFLECTION
• Are you bold enough to spread the Good News to as much people as you can?
Tag Archives: gospel
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
PROCLAIM FAITH & LIVE HOLY Poem Devotional
January 7
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I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. -Titus 1:1 (NLT)
PROCLAIM FAITH & LIVE HOLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
All believers are expected to be proclaimers of faith
They are commissioned to spread the gospel and satiate
Living a life of obedience to God’s will make them shine
They become a beacon of light to those who have lost sight.
Let us follow the truth that will set us all free
Guard the heart so we won’t be foolish to see
The enemy wants to devour and trick us to sin
By proclamation and godly lives, we will surely win.
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How many believers actually proclaim the Good News and live their lives righteous and holy? We cannot just be talkers but doers as well. When we live godly lives, it speaks louder than what we actually say. Jesus Christ, never really said much. Instead, he role modeled what it really meant to be a devoted follower. Christ didn’t judge even the sinners, he forgave and brought to them the truth.
We learn the truth by studying God’s word, maintaining a relationship with him and following his commands. One of the ways we can show our faithfulness is by proclaiming his word and living a life that is righteous and holy like Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always bring your gospel to those you have chosen.
REFLECTION
How can living godly lives speak much louder than words you say to others?
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
ON REJECTING THE GOOD NEWS Poem Devotional
November 7
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And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven, He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgement on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8(NLT)
ON REJECTING THE GOOD NEWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who think that they know it all
They are proud and they’ll have a great fall
God gave us his Son so we can have eternal life
If you reject the Good News, you will eventually die.
The Lord provides rest to those who suffer for him
He promises them endless life and a piece of heaven
Jesus will come back to judge those who reject the gospel
They’ll forfeit God’s inheritance if they choose to follow evil.
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John 1:14-15 tells us about the Good News. After John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. He announced that the promise of God has come at last. He says that God’s kingdom is near and that all must repent of their sins and believe the Good News. Those who will refuse to obey the message will be judged and lose their inheritance in God’s kingdom. It was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that will be our ticket to receive God’s inheritance.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me be an instrument to spread your Good News.
REFLECTION
How have you responded to the Good News that will save 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
WHEN YOU OPPOSE GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional
September 13
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Shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. – Isaiah 8:19,20(NLT)
WHEN YOU OPPOSE GOD’S WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you oppose God’s word
You will struggle much in this world
Believing God’s truth will set you free
When you deny it, you won’t be able to see.
When people contradict God’s truth
Nothing in their lives will bear fruits
Those who reject his word embrace darkness
They embrace a life devoid of obedience and holiness.
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Many people don’t realize what they are missing when they reject the word of God or do not seek it. Scriptures give us an instructional manual so we can navigate life much better. It is a guide for us to fully enjoy the life that he gave us and avoid being lost in this world’s standards and demands.
What happens to us when we oppose the word of God? We actually lose out many things such as favor and blessings, peace, joy, seeing the way God sees things, fulfillment of the promises of God and inability to discern or hear his voice. In other words, we live in confusion, conflict and darkness. That sounds pretty much like an empty life.
The bible admonishes us to seek the word so we can better understand the character of God and what his purpose is for us.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your guidance through your truth.
REFLECTION
What happens when we totally block out the truth in our lives?
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
ON PRESERVING GOD’S TEACHING Poem Devotional
September 12
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Preserve the teaching of God; entrust his instructions to those who follow me.
-Isaiah 8:16(NLT)
ON PRESERVING GOD’S TEACHING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek the word of God each day?
Does the truth bring you to your knees to pray?
We are to preserve God’s teaching
He wants us to live it and keep on following.
Those who heed all of the Lord’s instructions
They will find favor and overcome temptations
Seek and be faithful to follow God’s word
You will find wisdom navigating this world.
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Why must we preserve the teaching of God? Because the word of God is alive. It is not just ordinary words. 2 Timothy 3:16 says Scripture is God-breathed and inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
What happens when we do not seek the word? We clearly do not preserve and spread it when we don’t even know the truth that will set us free. The enemy wants to ensure that we won’t pursue God’s teaching. He steals the word so that we won’t maintain a relationship with God. Satan hates relationships, so he destroys it. When we keep the truth alive, we are preserving God’s teaching.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to pursue your truth.
REFLECTION
In your own little way, how can you preserve God’s 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
MY WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH Poem Devotional
August 12
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And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!’” – Isaiah 51:16(NLT)
MY WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
I, the Lord have put my words in your mouth
Are you using it to ward off evil out?
My truth will expose lies and set you free
Do you seek it so you will always see?
My words in your mouth has power
Do you speak it out to make the enemy cower?
I have given you my words so you can overcome sin
They are there to protect you from evil and win.
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I was a Speech teacher for 15 years in my country of origin. I taught the importance of verbalizing thoughts and ideas and be an effective communicator. It is amazing how many people do not realize the power in spoken words. We set high expectations on others to understand us without us saying a single word. No wonder, there is a breakdown of communication in relationships.
God created the word by speaking the phrase “Let there be…” and so it happened. How often do we say out loud God’s word in order to break lies that we are bombarded each day? God have us a mouth to proclaim his word.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to meditate on your word so I can declare it.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when God’s word showed power?
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
ON TEACHING GOD’S WORD
March 30________________________________________
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. -Hebrews 5:12(NLT)
ON TEACHING GOD’S WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
How long have you committed to Christ?
Have you been faithful to follow his light?
Believers are expected to grow in the word
The gospel has to reach all the parts of the world.
Are you doing your part in spreading the Good News?
Are you living your life anchored on his truth?
Don’t delay your responsibility to teach
All believers are expected to preach.
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As a Christian, we are all expected to spread the Good News of Christ, who came to sacrifice his life for us. We are to preach the gospel of the grace. God gave his only begotten Son to pay for our sins. He forgave and cleared us from all sins when Jesus died on the cross. Some believers think that they need to have a degree in bible studies to be able to teach the word of God. I used to have the same mentality until the Lord revealed to me in 2 Timothy 3:16 that all Scripture is God-breathed and is supposed to teach us what we ought to do and correct us when we are wrong. All believers are commissioned to spread the word of God to all the ends of the earth.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to bring your gospel to as much people as I can.
REFLECTION
What have you done to obey the commission to teach God’s word?
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
ANNOUNCE THE GOOD NEWS poem devotional
March 13________________________________________
Jesus travelled throughout the region of Galilee teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. – Matthew 4:23(NLT)
ANNOUNCE THE GOOD NEWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you committed to Jesus Christ as your Savior
Did you have that hunger for him and his word?
Jesus travelled to preach the Good News
Do you emulate Christ and allow yourself to be used?
Announce the Good News to all the ends of the earth
This is why he gave his Son so you can witness his birth
All believers are called to preach the gospel of Jesus’ coming
We need to shout out loud and praise God who is all-forgiving.
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Are you a kind of Christian who is unashamed? Are you bold to declare the Good News to anyone you are given an opportunity to share with? I used to be an ignorant Christian who didn’t know any better because I didn’t seek the Lord with all my heart, my soul and my strength. I didn’t know that he required believers to follow the examples he set during his time on earth. We were encouraged to be a light to this dark world by sharing the gospel about Jesus’ coming and his sacrifice to save us from sin. Jesus travelled everywhere to preach and teach about God’s kingdom. Are you doing the same?
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PRAYER
Lord, always equip me with courage and boldness to announce the Good News.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires us to share his gospel everywhere?
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
WIPE THE DUST OFF Poem Devotional
December 13
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If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate.”
– Luke 10:8,10,11(NLT)
WIPE THE DUST OFF
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you go to a place and share about your faith
Be sure they welcome Christ and don’t argue or debate
If you go to a home where the gospel is embraced
Eat whatever is set before you and enjoy your stay.
If a town rejects Jesus and his truth
There’s no way there is going to be fruit
Move on to the next call to spread the Good News
You need not force the gospel or change their views.
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What do you do when you try to share Jesus to others and they refuse to even listen or give it a chance? The bible says that we have to wipe the dust off our feet. In plain language, we need not force the Good News to those who are not ready to receive it. We are all in different stages of our spiritual walk. If the spirit of God invites them, there will also be an opportunity to be open to accept it. Move on to the next one.
PRAYER
Lord, help me bring your Good News to as much people.
REFLECTION
What would happen if you force on others the gospel when they are not ready to accept 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