February 3
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MY SOUL WAITS FOR THE LORD
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! 2O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning,
More than watchmen for the morning.7 O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. – Psalm 130:1-8
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This psalm is an individual lament, expressing repentance and trust in God’s mercy. The psalmist reaches out from the depth of his agony. The plea for God to hear him is so marked in this cry for forgiveness. He recognizes his sinfulness and magnifies at how God could stand such sins he has committed, but also sees hope because he knows how great is God’s faithfulness and mercy. He waits on the Lord’s forgiveness after the acknowledgement of his sins with an expectancy that is such a picture of hope and new life.
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ADORATION: You are the Maker of all things. Mercy and grace abound in you and you give it so generously to all your creation. Praise the Lord, he is all good and faithful.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to magnify at the generosity of your heart and when I forget to bow down on my knees to ask forgiveness and depend on you.
THANKSGIVING: I am grateful for all that you are and all that you grant us. You fulfill all my needs.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a repentant heart and always hopefully wait on the Lord’s mercy whenever they recognize their sins.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop a heart that cries to God especially when we realize our sinfulness and pride?
• How is righteous lamenting different from condemning oneself when we are convicted of sins?
Tag Archives: hope
PUT YOUR HOPE IN THE WORD Poem Devotional
October 13________________________________________
I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. Let me be revived by following your regulations. -Psalm 119:145 & 149(NLT)
PUT YOUR HOPE IN THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
I thank God that when I cry out for help, His word is there
He hears me and responds even before I ask for help
How amazing that He is way ahead of all situations
He already knows and provides the solutions.
I put my hope in God’s word because they are truth
Lord, grant me obedience to all your loving rules
Without your word, we will be lost and confused
Guide me constantly and never allow me to refuse.
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What makes Christianity different from other religions? We have a God who is alive. He is the only God who came in human form and was risen after he died. Another distinct difference is how God inspired forty different writers of the bible spread in many periods of years. Yet, if you read it, it flows like there is only one writer. That is magnificent and amazing. Our Lord can create anything and use anyone or everything according to His plan. Another distinct difference from other religions is that He lives in our heart. He watches and knows every little detail of what is going on in our hearts, mind, body and spirit. When you put your hope in his word, he will revive you.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for the hope that you give us in your word.
REFLECTION
How can living in this world’s standard make us hopeless?
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
ADVANTAGE OF TRUSTING GOD Poem Devotional
October 23
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I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. – Romans 15:13(NLT)
ADVANTAGE OF TRUSTING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe that the source of hope is Christ
You will experience joy and peace in your life
Trust the Lord completely and you will be free
Doubt him, and you will be unable to see.
As you seek a relationship with Jesus
You will realize how much you are precious
Your life will be full and you will have strength
So, trust only in his Son whom he has sent.
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The most visible manifestations of an authentic Christian life are the abundance of joy and peace in the believer’s life. It doesn’t mean that they don’t encounter trials and sufferings. In fact, they might have more of it. Their choice to constantly relate to the Lord and trust him in all things brings about an expectant hope that is so pronounced in their lives. Unbelievers couldn’t fathom these joy, peace and hope because they do not know the truth. The advantage of knowing the Lord is that they experience a divine power that makes them go through everything in life with courage, boldness and wisdom.
The book of Romans stresses the source of our hope, who is our heavenly Father. He fills us with joy and peace when we completely trust him.
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PRAYER
Lord, grow my faith in you so I can be more hopeful.
REFLECTION
What quenches a person’s hope? How can trusting the Lord be the antidote to hopelessness?
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
WHAT HOPE IS Poem Devotional
August 27
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We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. – Romans 8:24-25(NLT)
WHAT HOPE IS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Hope is a confident expectation of what is unknown
It is an assurance that we will experience what we long for
We were given this hope when we were saved by Christ
We are hoping for something we don’t yet have in life.
When we are looking forward to something we are expecting
We have to be patient, confident and joyfully waiting
Hope is not wishful thinking; it is believing you’ve received it
Believe in the power of God and you will experience his Spirit.
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The dictionary defines “hope” as a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen. Many people think that hope is just wishful thinking. The bible tells us a very different meaning of hope. The hope we know as Christians have certain components in it. It has faith and believes in the saving power of Christ. It is confident, patient and eagerly expectant. It is not dependent on feeling but in the truth of God’s promises. We hope for something that God has already promised. We know God never lies, so we believe that his promises will be fulfilled even though we can’t see it.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your assurance when you gave us Jesus to save us.
REFLECTION
How can we develop a hopeful attitude?
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
SHOWER OF HOPE Poem Devotional
May 23________________________________________
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13(NLT)
SHOWER OF HOPE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get tired of challenges you face each day?
Ask God to give you wisdom and show you the way
Pray that he fills you with his Spirit and wisdom
Ask that you have victory and always live in freedom.
A shower of hope is waiting to happen to all who believe
Do everything you can to abide in him so you can receive
When you live your life the way he plans, hope is near
You will have an overflow and all things will be clear.
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As I was growing up, there were many things I couldn’t do. I was very limited with stereotypes and norms that surrounded me. People around me have certain notions and ideas about things. When I received Christ in my life at age seven, I had a glimpse of what lies beyond those limits. The Holy Spirit always guided me into truth. I had dreamed to become a painter since age two. It took 35 before I realized that dream because I lived in the limits of people around me. God showered me with hope all those years. I cooperated with his spirit and he made it come true.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your generous overflow of hope.
REFLECTION
What blocks people from experiencing a shower of hope?
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
NEVER GIVE UP Poem Devotional
May 22________________________________________
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16(NLT)
NEVER GIVE UP
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get tired of challenges that come your way?
Don’t worry for God gives you mercy afresh each day
Though we get weak, the Lord strengthen us daily
He renews our mind if we run to him regularly.
No matter what the circumstance are in your life
Never give up because God will always shed his light
He loves you so much that he gave his Son for you
Allow him to restore, heal and make you new.
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What makes people lose hope? When we set unrealistic goals and dreams, we set ourselves up for failure. If the ideal and reality is so far from each other, it is highly improbable to happen. We know from the bible that God can make all things possible. So what are the chances that the impossible will happen if you ask him? God can only make it possible if you believe and ask him. James 4:2-3 says that we don’t have because we don’t ask and we don’t get what we ask because our motives are all wrong.
The bible also says that we must never give up even if we are suffering much because God will always refresh us and restore us each day. His mercy is fresh each morning.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your mercy each morning.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people give up or lose hope in their 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
HOPE IN THE WORD Poem Devotional
May 9________________________________________
I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.
-Psalm 130:5(NLT)
HOPE IN THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel overwhelmed by things in this world?
Distractions are everywhere to keep us out of God’s word
No wonder we feel lost, hopeless and always struggling
We don’t focus on God, yet we keep on demanding.
Seek the Lord and you will find comfort in his truth
Abide in his words, meditate on it so it can take root
Sow seeds of goodness for it will bear fruit
Expose the enemy’s lies and believe only what is true.
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Today, our world faces so much chaos and pain. Technology and social media has turned our lives into a world of many choices. We have become very distracted people. We lost our sense of priorities and value. We have focused on ourselves because we are enticed to acquire things and wealth so we can look better or feel powerful. It is such a sad thing to watch how people get blinded by what the world offers and discard what God promises. We get consumed by all these noise around us which diminishes our time to connect with God. We disconnect ourselves from God by choosing all the things the world offers. Run to his word and you’ll find hope. Don’t turn your back on the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me peace and wisdom to always choose you.
REFLECTION
When was the last time God’s word popped out of the pages to stir 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
I’LL PUT MY HOPE IN GOD poem devotional
March 8________________________________________
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again-my Savior and my God. -Psalm 43:5(NLT)
I’LL PUT MY HOPE IN GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever I feel down and discouraged
I will put my hope in God so I’ll have the courage
When things seem bleak and hopeless
I will look beyond feeling frustrated and helpless.
Why is my heart so sad when my mind can’t fathom?
I need to praise the Lord with complete abandon
I will put my hope in Christ for he is full of grace
I will focus on my God so I will continue to be amazed.
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Was there ever a time in your life when you were frustrated, desperate, helpless and hopeless? I am sure at some point you were in this predicament. There were many dark periods in over 5 decades of my life. I even came to a point when I argued and battled with the Lord over many things I did not understand. I manipulated and made vows and deals with him just so I can have my way. I was a controlling woman who’d do anything to get her wishes and dreams fulfilled. I thank God that he delivered me from this desperation, manipulation and rebellion that enslaved me. I will put my hope in my God and I will completely trust him.
PRAYER
Lord, teach us humility and obedience when we get discouraged.
REFLECTION
What do you do or who do you run to when you feel helpless?
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 HOPE IS DEFERRED Poem Devotional
February 6________________________________________
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
-Proverbs 13:12(NLT)
WHEN HOPE IS DEFERRED
A poem and essay by ILMA
What keeps you pressing on in life?
Are you easily discouraged or do you fight?
When hope is deferred, it makes the heart sick
It pulls you down and gets you weak.
Why do you delay something that may fulfill your dream?
The Lord wants us to grow our faith and not be grim
Ask him and he will give you your desire
He wants to bless you, so let your heart be on fire.
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In Romans 5:2, we get a glimpse of what hope is. It says that because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. I think it is very hard to hope when we do not believe in a creator who is greater than us. Faith and hope are almost interchangeable. It is faith that makes us hope and it is hope that makes our faith grow.
When we delay our hope, we move a step backwards in our faith. It weakens us and gives the enemy a chance to tempt and deceive us. So, why do we choose to defer hope? It delays our dreams to come true. It makes the enemy’s delaying tactic succeed.
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PRAYER
Lord, grow my faith and let me never defer hope.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some people get hopeless?
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