November 9
________________________________________
SUFFERING FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN
A poem by ILMA
In this world, we will always be encountering fiery trials
So, don’t be surprised if something strange were happening to you
Instead, be joyful-for these trials make you Christ’s partner
When you suffer for him, you share in revealing his glory.
So, If you are insulted because of Jesus, you will be blessed
If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing or other trouble
It must not be a result of your meddling into other people’s affairs
There is no shame to suffer for being a Christian but not for your own faults.
Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s people
And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits the unbelievers
If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?
If you are suffering in a manner that pleases God
Keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the Lord
He created you and he will never fail you
Sacrifice and suffer for Christ and you will be a victor.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. – 1 Peter 4:14
Read: 1 Peter 4:12-19
There are Christians who suffer as a consequence of wrong choices and sin. That is not what this chapter is talking about. To suffer for Christ is to be rejected and ostracized for being a Christian. To suffer because you are being questioned for living the truth is what is being discussed in this verse.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is suffering because of a sin not the same as suffering for Jesus?
• How can we suffer in a manner that pleases God?
Tag Archives: ILMA BARAUGA-DOHERTY
REWARD FOR NEEDING CHRIST Poem Devotional
March 23
________________________________________
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. – Matthew 5:3(NLT)
REWARD FOR NEEDING CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who do not ask for help from Christ
They will fail and struggle much in life
God blesses those who realize their need for him
To them, the kingdom of heaven, he will bring.
Wouldn’t you want to be spending eternity with God?
Why continue to be self-sufficient and not bring him laud?
When you acknowledge your weakness and seek his guidance
You are humbling yourself and you’ll receive divine assistance.
________________________________________
Have you ever had a relationship with someone who is so independent that he thinks that he doesn’t need anyone else in his life? They believe the lie that they have it altogether and have no desire to reach out or give help to anyone. They think that in their own strength, they are perfect. What a pity it is to watch these people who have accepted the lie that they are okay without anyone else’s assistance. I have had many relationships with these kind of people. It was draining to be with them because they resist to accept any form of care or love and concern for them.
The bible tells us that those who have realized their need for Christ and others will inherit the kingdom of heaven. He values God-dependence.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, always remind me to be dependent on you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God gives his kingdom to those who acknowledge their need for 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
ONLY ONE GOD Poem Devotional
June 2________________________________________
But we know that there is only one God, the Father who created everything and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. -1 Corinthians 8:6(NLT)
ONLY ONE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is only one God, the Father
He created big and little matters
He made us to be like him
He wants us free from sin.
Live for Jesus Christ alone
He’ll be with you all along
Praise be to God, our Saviour
Love him first and then your brothers.
________________________________________
There are so many religions in this world, praising many different gods. Some people do not even acknowledge that there is a god who created them. They go about life aimlessly and without hope and peace. It is so sad to see so many people drifting away from their true and spiritual nature. We were created in God’s image according to Genesis 1:27. He is our default setting. When we change it to our own personal settings, we mess up the plan and the maximum potentials we were made for.
The bible says that there is only one God, the Father who created everything. We should live for him because without him, we are nothing and won’t even be in this world. He gave us his son, Jesus so we can emulate him and be godly and God will be so pleased.
PRAYER
Lord, I praise you only.
REFLECTION
How has your journey been towards your heavenly Father?
________________________________________
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 POWER Poem Devotional
Aug 19 The Power of God’s Word
What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open.
– Revelation 3:7(NLT)
GOD’S POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you realize how much power God has?
He can let you move on and forget the past
God can close doors that no one can
He has the power to alleviate your pain.
What he opens, no one else can close
He will protect believers from all evil and foes
He only allows what is good for us
He will test our strength so we can pass.
Has God opened doors and opportunities for you to grow or has he actually closed something that you enjoyed so long?
God opened doors in my life that brought so much recognition to me. He gave me teaching, acting, and painting careers simultaneously. He made me do things that I normally could not do. Later on, it became the source of pride. God took it away from me because it was destroying my priorities. He opened the chance for me to display his power but I used it to idolize myself. It is like a child being given a new toy and that child never wants to let go of it. It was consuming the child’s time and energy. God took it away from me so I can focus only on him.
PRAYER
Lord, give me discernment and trust.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to trust God no matter what?