Tag Archives: grace

SIGN OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE Poem Devotional

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December 24________________________________________
Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. -Luke 2:34 (NLT)
SIGN OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The child Jesus is a sign of God’s mercy and love for mankind
People don’t realize this great gift, they continue to be blind
Christ was prophesied to cause many in Israel to fall
But he will also bring to many other people so much joy.
Jesus is a sign from God but many will oppose him
He will be the way for us all to be freed and redeemed
Do you welcome this Jesus that God has sent to save you?
Have you opened your heart and mind to be renewed?
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Many people like to believe in signs. Some cultures have many superstitious beliefs that they have embraced for many years and have passed on from generations to generations. Not all signs come from God. We have an enemy who knows us very well. He knows all our weaknesses, our history and especially our vulnerabilities. If we have a relationship with God, the enemy will have a hard time using his own tactics to trick us.
Jesus is the sign that God’s mercy and grace has come.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your gift of salvation.
REFLECTION
Why should we be careful to ask for signs when making decisions or choices?
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

THOSE WHO TWIST GOD’S GRACE Poem Devotional

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December 4
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I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only master and Lord, Jesus Christ. – Jude 4(NLT)
THOSE WHO TWIST GOD’S GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Some people twist the truth of God’s marvelous grace
They go to churches to and pretend to worship and praise
They turn the doctrine of “grace” to pursue sin and power
They justify doing bad because they say God’s grace will cover.
God will judge anyone who alters his truth in his word
They will be condemned and be lost in this world
It illustrates their rebellion and denial of God’s authority
It shows their allegiance and loyalty to the enemy.
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Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scriptures is inspired by God. John 17:17 says that the word of God is truth. Revelation 22:18-19 tells us what happens if anyone removes any word from Scriptures. They will be removed from their share in the tree of life in the holy city that are described in the bible. In other words, they will miss their inheritance from God.
What do you think will happen to those who not only remove some words but actually twist them and corrupt other people? They will be condemned for twisting his word and denying the truth.
PRAYER
Lord, give me wisdom to know when someone twists your truth.
REFLECTION
How can one know if the truth is being twisted and what do 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

POWER IN WEAKNESS Poem Devotional

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December 3
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My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. – 2 Corinthians 12:9(NLT)
POWER IN WEAKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you feeling weak these days?
Have no fear, God is with you today
His grace is sufficient for all your challenges
His power works best in your weaknesses.
Whenever you feel discouraged or weary
Hopelessness is a trick of the enemy
Even when we’re undeserving, he grants us grace
He loves all his creation especially the human race.
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The bible defines “Grace” in Ephesians 2:4-8 as a gift from God and we can’t take credit for it. It is something given to undeserving people like us. The doctrine of the “Grace of God is the very center and core of the whole Bible according to J. Gresham Machen.
Here are some of the paraphrased definition of “grace” according to some Christians.
• Justin Holcomb’s – the love of God shown to the unlovely; the peace of God given to the restless; the unmerited favor of God.
• Paul Zahl’s- unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.
• Jerry Bridges – God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.
• John Stott -love that cares and stoops and rescues.
• B. B. Warfield – free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.
God gave us grace and it is all sufficient for us to live a life that he wanted for all of us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you so much for the grace that you have bestowed on us.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some people won’t receive God’s grace?
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’S WONDERFUL GRACE

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Nov 6
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This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. – Colossians 1:6 (NLT)
GOD’S WONDERFUL GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Grace is unmerited favor from God
It reminds us of our heavenly Father’s love
The Good News that Jesus came to free
Is bearing fruit and changing lives daily.
Live freely under this merited favor
It brings peace and much fervor
God’s wonderful grace allows you freedom
It invites you a step closer to his great kingdom.
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For many years of captivity from many generational strongholds, I can confirm that God’s wonderful grace has freed me from all of it. The biggest stronghold I have been freed from is legalism. Through the years, the enemy made me believe all sorts of lies that kept me from living a full, peaceful and enjoyable life. I always had to rely on self-effort and performance until I received this grace that has been given to me for the longest time. The devil didn’t want me to receive this truth so he kept on distracting me from enjoying living my life under God’s provision. What an awesome change it was to stop all the effort and just live a life of “God-dependence” instead of independence.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the unmerited favor you give me daily.
REFLECTION
What favors have you received from the Lord as soon as you committed your life to him?
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

LET LOVE RULE Poem Devotional

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August 26
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For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
– 1 Corinthians 15:56 (NLT)
LET LOVE RULE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we operate in obedience of the law
It brings more power to sin and hinder us to grow
When we stick to the law just for its sake
We get into the trap that Satan makes.
Love surpasses all understanding and power
When we do things out of love, the enemy cowers
We must all live in the knowledge of God’s grace
Living under his love removes the stress of this rat race.
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There are so many Christians living under the law and stuck in the Old Testament. They have no idea that living in it without reference to the New Testament actually make them live under the law. The apostle Paul stressed the importance of living under grace in most of his letter to the Romans and Corinthians. He warns us not to live under the law. He says that the more we focus on the law, the more we sin. In John 13:34 Jesus gives us a new commandment: Love each other just as he loved you.
The bible tells us not to live with so much rules because it makes us sin more. We need to focus on God who is love. When we operate in love, Satan flees and sin has no power.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to live under your love and grace.
REFLECTION
When did the law make you more sinful?
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

UNDER THE FREEDOM OF GRACE Poem devotional

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September 18________________________________________
Sin is no longer your master for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of grace. – Romans 6:14(NLT)
UNDER THE FREEDOM OF GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you struggle doing God’s commands?
Does it matter what the law demands?
If you decide to believe in Christ
You are no longer dead but alive
The enemy will cease to be your master
What the world says will not matter
You’ll live under the freedom of grace
You will exude peace and joy in your face.
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Was there a time you desired to be good and yet ended up doing the opposite? The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans talks much about our fallen human nature. Because of the original sin, we all have a tendency to be self-serving. As a result of Adam and Eve’s sin, it is not easy for man to follow God. But because God loved us so much, he gave his only Son to free us from sin. He paid for our sins through his blood on the cross. When Christ did this, we are no longer bound by the law and sin.
The bible says that legalism is no longer the master of a born again Christian. Believers can now live under the freedom of grace. It only takes faith and a commitment to Christ so we can stay under his mercy and grace.
PRAYER
Lord thank you for your constant grace.
REFLECTION
What law still binds you in bondage to sin?
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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

SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY Poem Devotional

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March 19
He saved us not because of the righteous thing we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:15(NLT)
SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
We can never achieve our own salvation
He washed away our sins through his sanctification
He saved us not because of the righteous things we’ve done
He ransomed our sins through Jesus, his only begotten Son.
We can never boast any works we are doing
His mercy is given freely to those who are trusting
He gave us new birth and new life through his Spirit
We have to be thankful and grateful as we receive it.
I used to work at my own salvation. I didn’t understand “mercy and grace” then. I grew up being taught that performing works for God is the only way I was going to be saved. Just like how I was conditioned to perform well in school to attain my parents’ approval, I also thought that God was the same way with me.
The bible tells us that he saved us not because of the righteous things we do but because of God’s mercy. He washed our sins away and gave us new life through the Holy Spirit who convicts us when we do wrong and correct us so we can be righteous in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for saving me.
REFLECTION
How can mercy and grace change our thinking?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

DEPENDING ON GOD’S GRACE Poem Devotional

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Sept 4                                                                     The Power of God’s Word
We can say with confidence that we have lived with a God given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace not on our own human wisdom. –2 Corinthians 1:12(NLT)
DEPENDING ON GOD’S GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you live a life of purity and holiness?
God wants you to abide by his righteousness
Do you depend on God’s grace for everything?
He wants you to rely on him for anything.
Do you always count on your own intelligence?
If you do, you won’t have God’s grace and his essence
Reliance on God is the measure of one’s holiness
It protects us from selfishness, pride and foolishness.
What is holiness? Many people view holiness as a pious act or religious ritual that shows they belong to a church. Some people think that going to church on Sundays and wearing your church behavior is an act of holiness. Others think that being holy is going out on a mission and helping the poor. These are all acts of love, but they do not necessarily make one holy.
The bible tells us that when we rely on God for everything and not depend on our own understanding, that is when we are considered holy. We need to heavily rely on God to be holy. We need to give up independence.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to depend on you always.
REFLECTION
How is independence a manifestation of pride?