September 22
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CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE
A poem by ILMA
Is there any reassurance from being a follower of Christ?
Any relief from his love? Any closeness with the Spirit?
Are your hearts affectionate and kind like Jesus’ heart?
Then agree with each other, love, and work harmoniously.
Avoid thinking of yourself always and don’t impress others
Be modest and think of others as better than yourselves
Don’t be concerned only for your own benefit, but think of others too
Do your best have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Jesus could have thought of being equal with God
But he gave up his divine rights, something to be awed?
Instead, he gave up his divine privilege and became a slave
He was born as a human being in obedience to God.
Jesus died a criminal’s death on a cross
So, God raised him to the place of highest honor
He gave him the name above all other names
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.
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MEMORY VERSE
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. – Philippians 2:5
Read: Philippians 2:1-11
The apostle Paul warns the Philippians about the importance of a Christ-like attitude. He gives further guidance how to be a true follower of Jesus. The importance of modesty and humility is further stressed in this letter. He gave the example of Jesus who could have used his own power to be equal with God but instead chose to be a slave.
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REFLECTION
• Why is humility one of the most important trait that we can emulate from Christ?
• Why is self-centeredness something that a Christian must never indulge in?
• Why is it important that we Christians think highly of others instead of ourselves?
Tag Archives: Humility
AS HUMBLE AS A CHILD Poem Devotional
December 10________________________________________
Anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4(NLT)
AS HUMBLE AS A CHILD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who want to be the greatest in heaven
They will have to be as humble as children
If we want to enter God’s kingdom
Let us stay pure and live in freedom.
If you become as meek as these innocent beings
You will have a special place in heaven
Seek the Lord and you will stay innocent and pure
You will be lost if you depart from the truth.
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Do you ever wonder why children are special in God’s eyes? Let’s look at the traits of a child. Under normal circumstances, they are innocent, pure, vulnerable and trust easily. These are only some of the reasons why we protect children. They are excited, curious, creative and open. No wonder children have a special place in God’s heart. They are uncorrupted and the purest of all human beings. God made man in his image but man defied God and defiled themselves. After man’s fall, our make was altered and tarnished. Our desires became corrupted by wanting to know and be like God. We became focused on ourselves. Children, have preserved their original form as God wanted humans to be. Humility is one of the traits that children possess that God treasures most. No wonder he requires us to be as humble as these little wonderful beings in order to enter his kingdom.
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PRAYER
Lord, make me more like a child.
REFLECTION
How can one be more childlike?
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
HUMBLE YOURSELF Poem Devotional
May 11________________________________________
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
-James 4:7(NLT)
HUMBLE YOURSELF
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you humble yourself to the Lord
You are bringing him praise and laud
It is the way Christ lived his life
He wants you to soak in his bright light.
Do not think highly of yourself than others
Remember, they are all your sisters and brothers
When you live in humility, you resist the devil
When you give up pride, you are running from evil.
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There are many ways to fight the devil but the most effective is to obey the Lord and humble oneself. This is how we ensure that we close tightly the door so that there is no chance that he can penetrate in our hearts.
The Lord Jesus Christ lived an example of humility. Even though he was God himself, he chose to be born of humble origins. Despite his lordship and power, he decided to become a man and fulfill the promise of God to save us all from sin.
Humility is only achieved through the grace that God gives us. We cannot attain it in our own strength. It is a free gift that can only be received by obedience. When we have a relationship with Christ, we hear his voice. We have a choice to obey what he asks and have the humility to give him praise.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for sampling humility to us.
REFLECTION
How can we learn to obey and be humble?
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
HUMILITY IN SHARING Poem Devotional
March 18
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Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2(NLT)
HUMILITY IN SHARING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are going through some difficulties
Reach out to others in your area or community
God didn’t make us isolated and alone
He gave us each other so we can grow.
When you humbly share your burdens to others
You are admitting your weakness to your sisters and brothers
We are all called to help each other in our lives
Let us heed God’s command and give up our pride.
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In our world today, independence and self-reliance is predominant. Gone are those days when people openly offer their help to their neighbors and community. We get absorbed by society’s dictate that we must earn money to thrive and in the process, we barely have time for anyone, not even to ourselves. How many of your neighbors do you actually know or talk to? Do you reach out when you see them struggling?
The bible encourages us to share our burdens with others. In fact, it is said in Galatians 6:2 that it is a law of Christ to share your struggles with others. We need to be wise who to share it with because not all people can be trusted. Share it with another believer who understands and live the commands of the Lord. By doing this, you are humbling yourself.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you that you created others to be around us when we are in need.
REFLECTION
Why do you think reaching out to others is a law of Christ?
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
TEACH THE TRUTH Poem Devotional
January 11
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Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. – Titus 2:7-8(NLT)
TEACH THE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
A true follower of Christ possesses integrity
He teaches the truth in love and humility
The truth is absolute and last for eternity
When you teach truth, you will have victory.
Teach the truth so that you can’t be judged
The word of God is truth and it can’t be dodged
When you turn your back on truth, you will suffer
It will enslave you and make life much harder.
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The bible says that we ought to teach truth in love and humility. We cannot teach truth to those whom we are not in relationship or we will be misunderstood. A relationship is important when we talk about God and his truth, especially to unbelievers. Another Christian may be able to relate to what you are teaching, but an unbeliever may not totally understand what you are saying. When you engage in a relationship with someone you are teaching, you reflect to them your walk and not just your talk. People like to see that you actually do what you say. Any inconsistencies with your doing and teaching will be an open door for mistrust, legalism, and judgment. If you focus on the truth, you can’t be criticized because it holds true till eternity.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to live an detach your truth.
REFLECTION
How can you bring truth to those who don’t believe in 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
HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR Poem Devotional
May 8________________________________________
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. – Proverbs 29:23(NLT)
HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we acknowledge the source of our life
We are giving him honor and living in his light
When our heart is full of pride and haughtiness
We will end up in humiliation and become a mess.
The act of lowering yourself to your Maker
It is a manifestation of your love to your creator
Follow the example of Jesus so you can be humble
It will help you overcome temptation and not stumble.
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A while back I had an experience when my pride and arrogance had me fall flat on my face. It happened about seven years ago. I was a victim of a group of people who discriminated me and openly scolded me in public and twisted my intentions. The filters of complex traumas I experienced led me to think that they were rejecting me. My suspicion became real because I lived in that fear that they would reject me. Sure enough, my fears turned into reality. An envious administrator of that group, twisted my words because she was jealous of the attention that her husband was giving on my prominence in the art world. I was bold to expose that the group was more of a social club rather than helping marriages to survive. Because of my tactless judgment, they twisted my words and humiliated me publicly.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from pride and haughtiness.
REFLECTION
How can an act of humility change you and 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
GOD’S GRACE BRINGS WISDOM Poem Devotional
March 16________________________________________
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. -James 3:13(NLT)
GOD’S GRACE BRINGS WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you love the Lord with all your heart
You are transformed; you want a new start
You turn your back from old and become new
Your heart is opened and your mind renewed.
If you are wise and understand God’s ways
Your life will shine and you won’t be easily swayed
God gives you the grace by giving you wisdom
He wants you to choose the path to his kingdom.
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We know that grace means undeserved favor from the Lord. The only reason why we have what we are currently enjoying is because God has poured his grace and mercy on us. Wisdom is not pure knowledge. We say that someone is wise when that person has actually manifested in his life the things he has learned. Otherwise, he is just called a knowledgeable person rather than a wise one. We don’t need to be literate to be wise. I know someone who cannot read or write and yet was able to succeed in life. He was a very strong believer of Jesus. Whenever he is to make a choice or decision, he consulted God through prayer and reading Scriptures. Most of all, he applied the truths in his life.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget that wisdom only comes from you.
REFLECTION
Do you believe that God is the source of your wisdom and all your blessings?
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
A PLEA FOR HUMILITY Poem Devotional
October 20________________________________________
O Lord, God of Israel, you are just. We come before you in our guilt as nothing but an escaped remnant, though in such a condition none of us can stand in your presence.
-Ezra 9:15 (NLT)
A PLEA FOR HUMILITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, you are most powerful, most merciful
You are awesome in mercy and always faithful
I am nothing compared to your greatness
I am but a remnant of people who were lawless
Forgive me and let me stand in your presence
Give me wisdom so I can turn from disobedience
Give me a humble heart so I can understand your word
Grant me strength and courage to overcome this world.
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What is the solution to all the conflicts in our world today? Why are there so much lawlessness in our society? One of the causes of strife is pride. It is probably why the church considers it the gravest of all the deadliest sins. Pride is defined as arrogance, cynical insensitivity to the needs of others, and presumption. Pride is both a disposition, an attitude and a type of conduct. Pride is the cause of many if not all sins. Pride caters to the “self”. It is a form of idolatry because it seeks to glorify its own.
The bible talks about the people of God who lawlessly disobeyed his command not to intermarry. Because of pride, they disobeyed and reaped the consequences of sin.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from pride.
REFLECTION
What prideful things have you done in the past that brought you to your knees to 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
SIN OF IMPATIENCE Poem Devotional
August 16________________________________________
But the people grew impatient with the long journey and they began to speak against God and Moses. –Numbers 21:4-5(NLT)
SIN OF IMPATIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you lose your cool when you don’t get things right away
There is a danger to grumble wanting things your way
When you think that you shouldn’t wait on anyone
The sin of impatience opens up the door to the evil one.
Each time you succumb to impatience
There are more sins to face, so be patient
When you react negatively to waiting
It will lead you to react and much grumbling.
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My father didn’t like waiting on anyone. The ironic thing is that my mother is not a very punctual person. Maybe God put them together to learn something from each other. I guess my impatience was handed down to me by my father but was reinforced in my life when I lived with a very impatient and angry man. I literally walked on eggshells when I lived with this person because he exploded each time someone kept him waiting. He is a punctual man and he expects no less from others. Each time someone desecrates his punctuality, he would go on a rage fit and as a result, lost many job offers and friends because of his explosions. The bible tells us clearly that impatience led the Israelites to grumble and speak against God and Moses.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from impatience.
REFLECTION
How can one develop the virtue of patience?
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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
IN GOD’S HANDS Poem Devotional
August 1
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He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. – 1 Peter 2:23 (NLT)
IN GOD’S HANDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you experiencing oppression?
Do not wallow in sorrow and depression
Has someone crushed your heart?
Leave it in God’s hand, he will sort it out.
When Jesus was insulted, he never reacted
When he suffered, he never retaliated
Christ left his case in God’s hands
He continue to obey his commands.
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In the past, when someone hurls unkind words to me, I react automatically with harshness. When I get hurt by someone, I used to get even by plotting revenge. I was taught to fight back and assert myself when I am being treated unfairly. My early childhood traumas taught me to retaliate so I can protect myself from harm. It became my coping mechanism.
The bible clearly describes how Jesus responded to all the beatings, betrayals, insults, and abuse he experienced here on earth. He never retaliated or answered back to any accusations or injustice. Instead, he just kept his mouth shut like a lamb to its shearers. He humbly allowed them to do what they did to him in order to fulfill what Scriptures said. He left his case in God’s hands because he trusted God’s plan and his love and mercy.
PRAYER
Lord, show me mercy when I am sinning.
REFLECTION
How would you react or respond to abuse and rejection?
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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