June 16
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1 JOHN 4
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
– 1 John 4:7-12
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1 JOHN 4 WHOEVER LOVES KNOWS GOD
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
God is love and whoever he has chosen will manifest love
True love is that God loved first us and sent his only Son
Love is the manifestation of God’s presence in us
Because God is love, those who knows him walks in love.
If someone doesn’t show compassion or hate his brothers
They must not have known the Lord who commands to love one another
Because God loves us, shouldn’t we also love each other?
Who are we to say that we can love God if we don’t love our brothers?
God is the only source of love; without him, we can’t have it
Whoever loves knows God and he has his Spirit in him
The absence of love manifests the love for the world
When there is love, there is also a hunger for God’s word.
If someone says they know how to love but doesn’t show it
That person is a liar; he clearly doesn’t have God’s spirit
To love one another is the demonstration of God’s presence
To hate another person is the evidence of the works of the devil.
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REFLECTION
• How different is the world view of “love” from this true love that John was talking about in these following verses?
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PSALM 105 THE PURSUITS OF THE UPRIGHT & THE WICKED
January 14
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PSALM 105
Oh, give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
7 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,
10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.”
– Psalm 105:1-11
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PSALM 105 THE PURSUITS OF THE UPRIGHT & THE WICKED
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Many people in our world seek earthly things in their lives
They are concerned after their reputation, image, power and wealth
They get consumed by such desires that they forget their calling
So, they get into Satan’s trap of lust, greed and constant sinning
Their desires are insatiable and once conceived, generate more sins
They’ve no idea that when they are fully grown, they’ll bring forth death.
The righteous seek after things that are unseen, spiritual and eternal
They are genuinely concerned and interested in the well-being of others
The blameless do not isolate themselves but seek God’s presence always
They do not panic or worry when they lack, their strength is God’s Spirit
Make God first in all that you do and he will direct your path
Lover others and please the Lord always, then you’ll never be astray
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the psalmist recommends verse 4 to all Christians?
PSALM 6 THE LORD HEARD THE SOUND OF MY WEEPING
August 6
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PSALM 6 THE LORD HEARD THE SOUND OF MY WEEPING
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long?
4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?
6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. -Psalm 6:1-10
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O my Lord, I cry out to you and plead you to hear my prayer
Please, grant me grace for I am hurting so much from this torture
Heal me O Lord for my soul is distressed and troubled
I am so tired from the enemy’s pulling me down to the rubble
Often, I cry myself in bed; it’s too painful to watch violence
The world is full of people who don’t care for others but themselves.
I know you are steadfast in your love and your mercy abounds
Please hear the sound of my weeping and wrap your arms on me
Let the unrighteous and wicked people leave me alone
My Lord, please accept my prayer for deliverance and wisdom
Grant me peace and strength so I can endure for your sake
Let me never forget that all your elect will have to go through trials.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think it’s alright to weep to God? Why do some people think that it isn’t appropriate to do so?
• Why did David sound so depressed in this psalm?
• What is the spiritual antidote for anxiety and depression according to the bible?
KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE ILMA’S VLOG
March 4
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KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. – Colossians 3:1-4
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In this letter, Paul reminds the Gentile believers in Colossae what it means to be a servant of Christ. In verse 1, he tells them the importance of focusing on things that are spiritual, things that are above, where Jesus is beside the right hand of God. He further explains in verse 2 that these things are not the ones that we see and physically belongs to this world. In verse 3, Paul tells them the reason why they need to focus on these spiritual things: because they have accepted Jesus in their lives, they have already died to their flesh, their earthly desires and their lives belong to Christ now. In verse 4, he gives them hope to aim at that glory that comes with the promise of eternal life to those who follow Him.
What are the things that are above?
Guzik comments that “The best Christian living comes from minds that are fixed on heaven. They realize that their lives are now hidden with Christ in God, and since Jesus is enthroned in heaven, their thoughts and hearts are connected to heaven also. Clarke commends us to “Love heavenly things; study them; let your hearts be entirely engrossed by them. Now, that you are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth.” Vaughn says “‘Earthly things’ are not all evil, but some of them are. Even things harmless in themselves become harmful if permitted to take the place that should be reserved for the things above.” While Barclays says “We must note carefully what Paul means by that. He is certainly not pleading for an other-worldliness in which the Christian withdraws himself from all the work and activities of this world and does nothing but contemplate eternity. Immediately after this Paul goes on to lay down a series of ethical principles which make it quite clear that he expects the Christian to go on with the work of this world and to maintain all its normal relationships. But there will be this difference–from now on the Christian will view everything against the background of eternity and no longer live as if this world was all that mattered.
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REFLECTION
• How can a believer continue seeking the things that are above?
THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS ISCARIOT ILMA’S VLOG
August 29
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THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS ISCARIOT
18 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” – John 18:1-11
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In this account, John highlights the purpose why Jesus became human. He was going to be persecuted and die on the cross. This scene was the beginning of that promise of a Savior for all mankind. Judas Iscariot had to be the person to betray Jesus so that this prophecy may be fulfilled. It was in the garden at night when Judas decided to do this act of treason to his Master. The garden was one of the places that we have seen Jesus in many occasions to spend quiet time with his Father, and it was in this sanctuary that the betrayal also happened. What an irony. It actually shows us the opposite sides of the sanctity of the place against the evil plot of the Pharisees to apprehend Jesus and persecute Him. The soldiers were so used to using force apprehending criminals and law breakers. They were harsh and Jesus assured them that He will not have any resistance and that they can get Him and leave the others alone. We get another glimpse of the impulsive Peter who wanted to fight back and struck the ear of one of the high priest’s slave. Jesus would not put up with violence, so He stopped Peter from this act and reminded Him that the will of God needs to be fulfilled and no one can stop it.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God used a greedy man Judas to be part of this big scene?
LEAD ME TO THE ROCK Poem Devotional
January 27
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LEAD ME TO THE ROCK
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
2 From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name
6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
Appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
As I perform my vows day after day. -Psalm 61:1-8
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In this psalm, we witness how intimate David’s relationship with God is. He talks to him as someone who would talk to a friend who is so close and dear to him. David humbly acknowledges his status quo which is someone who is desperately in need of protection and strength. His dependence on God’s strength as he calls him the rock higher than him is something each believer should emulate. Le us always remember that we are nothing without God’s unwavering love and faithfulness.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for his steadfast love that endures forever. Blessed be the God who exudes all the love in all of his creation. I sing praise to your name.
CONFESSION: Pardon me Lord when I forget to walk intimately with you or run to the rock that is higher than me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for giving me an inheritance that you also gave your Son.
SUPPLICATION: May all your people continue to be faithful to focus on the only source of power, strength and resources. May all Christians look up to only you, Lord.
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REFLECTION
• What makes David’s relationship with God so unique? How is his dependence on God so moving? Are there kings and queens today who is like David?
THE RESCUER Poem Devotional
April 20________________________________________
Then call on me when you are in trouble and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.
-Psalm 50:15(NLT)
THE RESCUER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there something that troubles you today?
Are you so discouraged by what people say?
Does grief or pain overcome your whole being?
Run to the rescuer and he will bring you healing.
Summon Jesus when you are in distress and very weak
He promises to deliver you from any situation, just speak
Call the name above all names and he will come to you
He will give you strength, courage and change your view.
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According to an article written by Kara Pendleton on how long on average it takes for a police to respond to a 911 call, as of 2013, the reported national average for police response was 11 minutes. Not many cities ‘advertise’ their response times. Of those that have numbers that have gone public, the most recent data shows that emergency calls dispatched through 911 are not generating the quick response times the public would like. According to the latest Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) data (2008), police response times when violent crimes were called in ranged from under 5 minutes to longer than one day. Can you imagine how much life was at risk when there is no response right away?
The bible asks us to call on Jesus and he will instantly rescue you.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always call on you when I am in trouble.
REFLECTION
What happens when we don’t call on God during trouble or difficulties?
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
SHARE YOUR MIRACLES Poem Devotional
April 26
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So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
-Mark 5:20(NLT)
SHARE YOUR MIRACLES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What has Christ done for you lately?
Has he saved someone from your family?
Have you been delivered from a stronghold?
Has he freed you from fear and taught you to be bold?
Proclaim what he has done and share your miracles
Tell everyone how he made you win over obstacles
Rejoice and be glad that he loves and cares for you
Praise and glorify him with thanksgiving and a life renewed.
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There are many people who miss out so many things that God has done for them because they are so focused on their problems, trials and suffering. When we are pessimistic and only see the negative in our circumstances, we are actually unable to see what might be blessings in disguise in our lives. I used to be a whiny person and very critical of myself and others. A book changed my life when the concept of a “Thank You” diary was suggested. As soon as I listed the things to be thankful for, my attitude changed.
We are asked to share our miracles to others because in doing so, we proclaim God’s greatness and we are showing him gratitude.
PRAYER
Thank you for all the miracles you’ve done in my life.
REFLECTION
How can you not miss out on every miracle God does in your 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