September 12
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Can we boast then that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. -Romans 3:27(NLT)
THROUGH FAITH ALONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What can we do to be accepted by Jesus Christ?
Can we boast that we have overcome difficulties in life?
Can we show off that we have done many good deeds?
Can following the rules be a good way to overcome sin?
There is no way we can work at our salvation
Only through faith alone we can be granted redemption
Our exoneration from sin is possible through faith
Only by trusting God can miracles be part of our fate.
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I spent many years of my life performing. I did my best to live up to my parents’ expectation to be academically excellent. I became obsessed being a good parent to my only son. I proved my worth to everyone by being a painter, a stage actress, manager, photographer and teacher. I didn’t know that it was futile to do so because God already loves me anyway. It was all that should have mattered but I was so busy fixing myself and others around me that I missed out on what really God requires from us.
The bible tells us that we cannot boast of anything we have done to be approved by God. Only faith alone matters to him.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for just loving me the way I am.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires faith for us to be saved?
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: hope
LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK
July 13
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. -Isaiah 9:2(NLT)
LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are in darkness will see a great light
Fear not for the Lord will give hope and sight
It is in total darkness the light shines through
It is by depending on him that you’ll be renewed.
Light will shine in the dark and can’t be extinguished
Hope will be given back to them; it won’t be diminished
The light will guide them back to the love of the Lord
It will help them to navigate through this dark world.
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There were many years of my life that I lived in total darkness. I went through a phase of desperation in my teen life that I almost succeeded ending my miserable life. The Lord had a plan and didn’t let me die. He used this darkness to teach me how to rely on him totally. One of my weaknesses is “rebelling”. It detoured my journey to God. Just like the Israelites took them to reach their promised land. The trip should have taken just 11 days; instead it took them 40 years. It also took me 40 years to have the light shine in my life when I gave up rebellion and opt to obey God.
PRAYER
Thank you for shining on me in my darkest times Lord.
REFLECTION
Why should a believer never lose 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
LET LOVE RULE poem devotional
April 27
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Three things will last forever; faith, hope and love-and the greatest of these is love. Let love be your highest goal. -Corinthians 13:13-14:1 (NLT)
LET LOVE RULE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you are not able to get your way, let love rule
When things are unclear and hazy, let love rule
When someone abuses or neglect you, let love rule
When you lose someone and feel sad, let love rule
Whenever you see injustice and oppression, let love rule
When someone offends you and brings you down, let love rule
When someone you love is difficult and disrespectful, let love rule
When you are ostracized or marginalized, let love rule.
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Love is the most used and abused word in the English language. People use it to mean a strong liking to something or someone. In weddings, the famous Corinthians 13 chapter is widely used. Why do you think God puts so much emphasis on love than anything else? The bible says that God is love in 1 John 4:8. Genesis mentions that man is made in God’s image. Therefore, we could surmise that we are also made of love. When we do not do things out of love, we defy what our true character is. Whenever we don’t love, we suffer and experience pain. That is why God commanded us to love him first, then others as we love ourselves.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to operate in love.
REFLECTION
When should we exercise love?
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 TRUST THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 22________________________________________
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like
eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
– Isaiah 40:31(NLT)
THOSE WHO TRUST THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength
They will follow the straight path and will not bend
They will soar high on wings like eagles
They won’t be defeated by life’s struggles.
Those who trust in the Lord will run and not grow weary
They will overcome all the tactics and tricks of the enemy
They will walk and not faint when there are troubles
They depend on God completely to get out of the rubbles.
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Trust is a crucial element in relationships. It is through trust that we learn to be intimate and grow our love for each other. Without trust, there will be deceit, dishonesty, confusion, fear and all kinds of evil.
I had major trust issues in the past. I learned to look after my well being because no one was there to give it to me. It ruined most of my relationships because I was always suspicious and wanted to bust people of their intentions to me. Before they can hurt me, I would run away to protect myself.
The bible says that those who trust in the Lord will have new strength. They will soar and not grow weary.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to completely trust you.
REFLECTION
How can you build up your trust in God?
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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