April 23
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AHAZ RULES IN JUDAH
A poem by ILMA
Ahaz, son of Jotham began to rule over Judah in the 17th year of Pekah’s reign
He was twenty years old when he became king and ruled for sixteen years
He did not do what was pleasing in the sigh of the Lord, as his ancestors did
Instead, he followed the example of kings of Israel, and sacrificed his own son.
He sacrificed his son in the fire and followed the pagan practices
He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the pagan shrines
Then Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel came up to attack Jerusalem
These two kings, Rezin and Pekah besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him.
At that time, the king of Edom recovered the town of Elath for Edom
He drove out the people of Judah and sent Edomites to live there
King Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to rescue him
He told the Assyrian king that he will be his servant and vassal.
Ahaz took the silver and gold from the Temple of the Lord
He gave it as payment to the Assyrian king, so King Rezin was killed
When he died, he was buried with his ancestors in the city of David
Then his son Hezekiah became the next king to rule Judah.
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MEMORY VERSE
He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord his God, as his ancestor David had done. – 2 Kings 16:2
Read: 2 Kings 16
Many of these kings did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. Sometimes it is hard to understand how the Lord allows evil to prevail. But many times we suffer the consequences of our decisions.
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REFLECTION
• What led Ahaz to go the Assyrian King for help?
• Why do you think this king continued to do evil in the Lord while his father Jotham did what was pleasing to God?
Tag Archives: ilma poem devotional
PRAYERS ARE POWERFUL Poem Devotional
September 22________________________________________
And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for safety. – 2 Corinthians 1:11(NLT)
PRAYERS ARE POWERFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When one asks in Jesus’ name
It won’t take long, it will be given
The prayers of a righteous person
Doesn’t go unheard, it is precious.
Prayer is a form of humbling one’s self
You praise the Lord, when you ask for help
Don’t take for granted the power of prayer
It can save someone and bring about miracles.
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There are some people who don’t realize the power of prayers. Have you ever heard the phrase, “I can’t do anything more but just pray”? We should actually be praying first before we do anything. By doing so, we are acknowledging our weaknesses and relying on God’s guidance and provision. Jeremiah 29:12 says that when you will call on the Lord and pray to Him, He will listen to you. James 5:16 mentions that The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 cautions us to pray continually and Ephesians 6: 18 tells us to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. When we pray, we are helping each other and the Lord will grant our prayers especially those that jive with his will.________________________________________
PRAYER
Teach me how to pray always Lord.
REFLECTION
How can one develop a habit of praying?
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
CALLED FROM THE WOMB Poem Devotional
August 15________________________________________
The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.
– Isaiah 49:1(NLT)
CALLED FROM THE WOMB
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord knows our destiny
He created us for his majesty
He called us in our mother’s womb
He wants us to follow his will soon.
God knows us and called us by name
He wants us to follow his commands
He has a big plan for our lives
He wants us to live in his light.
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Does anyone know you completely? Only the Lord knows everything and sees you even while you were still in your mother’s womb. Even before technology can scan the fetus in a woman’s womb, God saw that already. What is amazing is that he also knows what our name would even be before our parents thought about what name to give us.
Before my granddaughter was born, I prayed hard to the Lord to give her the name that He planned for her. They were going to name her according to the mother’s wish. I was surprised that they gave her the name “Beatrice” which meant “bringer of joy.” That was what she is. She brings joy to all she encounters. God has a plan for her and even though it doesn’t seem so clear at the moment, that plan will be for God’s purpose. We were all called to serve a majestic God.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you that you called me by name even from my mother’s womb.
REFLECTION
Have you heard God’s call in y our life? Have you obeyed?
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
SHAKE THE DUST OFF Poem Devotional
June 6________________________________________
And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate. – Luke 9:5(NLT)
SHAKE THE DUST OFF
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are preaching the good news
Don’t force it on others or you will be rebuked
When people turn their backs on Jesus Christ
Shake the dust off your feet, go on with your life.
If some people welcomes you, stay with them
No use to remain there when they reject or blame
Move on to your next assignment and don’t look back
There are others who will receive it and not be taken aback
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There are some believers who try to force the message of Christ to others by being preachy or legalistic. This doesn’t really help because they more the unbelievers become repulsed by such attitude. Jesus never pushed his teachings to anyone who won’t want to hear it. He gave us a choice to take it or leave it.
Jesus instructed the disciples to travel light as they preached the good news to the ends of the earth. He warned them not to be discouraged when people refuses to welcome them. He told them to shake the dust off their feet as they leave as a sign that they have abandoned their faith. He wanted them to press on and not be bothered by such hostilities.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to learn to shake the dust off my feet when others turn their backs on you.
REFLECTION
How can one accept rejection?
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 CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE Poem Devotional
January 4
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And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. – Colossians 3:4(NLT)
WHEN CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you dedicate your whole life to ChristI
You will experience his glory and his light
He shares his radiance to all who are faithful
He will grant you victory and make you whole.
When Christ is your life, there will be peace
You will have wisdom beyond what you see
When you focus on the only way, that is Jesus
You will overcome all trials and be victorious.
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There was a decade in my life where my life was spent much on religious rituals, but I also mixed these traditions with a personal relationship with Jesus. I raised my only son alone and I made a pact with Jesus that he shall supply the father that my son didn’t have. In other words, I made him my husband. He may be invisible to me and to my son, but I always visualized and allowed his presence to be felt in our lives. I was raised a Catholic and was still one during the ten years. How I did this was to read the bible daily, hear mass every day and take communion each mass I went to. My son and I prayed morning, noon and night and sang hymns for God. I couldn’t do it without Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for generously sharing your glory to me.
REFLECTION
What benefits have you received when you make Christ 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
TO THE PATH OF PEACE Poem Devotional
December 28________________________________________
Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. – Luke 1:78-79(NLT)
TO THE PATH OF PEACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you constantly beset with discouragement and helplessness?
The mercy of God will bring you light from heaven during weaknesses
He will never allow his people to live in the shadow of death
He wants all things to work out for us; He give us the best.
He guides us to the path of peace, where we can enjoy life
He created us all so we can bask in his mercy and in his light
Are you in pursuit of peace and embracing it regularly?
Don’t compromise your relationship with God, seek it faithfully.
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Our world is beset with so much conflict these days. There is war and rumors of it in many places. Children, women and the innocent are suffering because many people allow the spirit of conflict to prevail. Some believers are even choosing a life full of struggles and fights instead of pursuing the path of peace. The enemy has constantly blinded many of us to dismiss the importance of seeking peace at all cost. We allow the devil to make puppets of us all when we don’t chase peace.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to remember to choose peace at all times.
REFLECTION
How can you maintain peace when you are surrounded by conflicts?
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
THE CREATOR OF ALL Poem Devotional
June 26________________________________________
Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning, they will all be destroyed. But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the creator of everything that exists.
-Jeremiah 10:15-16 (NLT)
THE CREATOR OF ALL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe in the one who is creator of all?
All other idols are powerless and dull
Only God made the heavens and earth
He is the one who knows you even before birth.
He loves us much and made us in his image
He is the only one who can free us from bondage
On the day of reckoning, all idols will be destroyed
Only in him will we know the truth and have joy.
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Many unbelievers believe in gods that are man-made from either wood, gold or other kinds of stone. There is not much power in these things made my man. The one true God is someone who we can’t visually see, but someone who works in us, through us and for us. His spirit lives in those who believe in him. He directs the path of those who belong in his flock.
In Jeremiah 10, God used his own prophet to warn every one of the impending danger of idolatry. He exposes the powerlessness of these idols which were carved to serve their own purposes. Unlike them, God is omniscient and omnipotent and thinks about each member of his fold.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to be loyal to you.
REFLECTION
Relate a time when you had an idol in your life .
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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
JESUS GIVES LIFE Poem Devotional
June 14________________________________________
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me. Yet you refuse to come to me to this life. – John 5:39-40 (NLT)
JESUS GIVES LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Give your life and surrender to Jesus
He will give you wisdom in all seasons
He is the one that the Scriptures point to
He brings us life, joy, peace and truth.
Whenever you run to his word
You will know how to overcome the world
Jesus gives light to those who are confused
There will be no eternal life to those who refuse.
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There are many people who live in darkness almost all their whole lives. It is sad to watch people wallow in sin and confusion when they can always have a choice for a better life. The enemy blinds those who do not believe God that is why we are always encouraged to grow our faith so that we can overcome the lies that are perpetuated by the enemy. I have trouble understanding why people would not want a better life for themselves. So many of us live in darkness and do not want to let go of something we have been so used to.
The bible says that Scriptures point only to Jesus. It is only in Christ that we can have eternal life, but so many refuse to receive this gift that he lovingly offers to all.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your Son.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people refuse the life Jesus offers.
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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
Mouths full of lies poem devotional
April 3
Save me! Rescue me from the power of my enemies. Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead. – Psalm 144:11(NLT)
MOUTHS FULL OF LIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you try to cover up something you did
You usually end up covering your deed
Stay away from people who always tells lies
You will be corrupted and eventually die.
Be in the word and the Spirit of God will guide
When you love God truly, you will abide
Be cautious about what you say and do
Orchestrate your life’s purpose with God’s truth.
Have you ever been around someone who constantly lies? I used to be with someone who was a pathological liar. All that comes out of his mouth are lies or half-truths. Many people who have been blinded by the enemy automatically twists truth and tell lies so that they can use, abuse or get what they want. It was stressful to be around liars. It robs you of peace and generates suspicion, doubt and mistrust. It is very draining to be around liars.
The psalmist in Psalm 144 was pleading God to be rescued from the power of the enemies who are full of lies. They swear to tell the truth, but lie instead. He was pleading God to be delivered from the enemy’s tactic of twisting truths.
PRAYER
Lord, please deliver me from lies and liars.
REFLECTION
How can you detect a lie from the truth?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
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April 3
Save me! Rescue me from the power of my enemies. Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead. – Psalm 144:11(NLT)
MOUTHS FULL OF LIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you try to cover up something you did
You usually end up covering your deed
Stay away from people who always tells lies
You will be corrupted and eventually die.
Be in the word and the Spirit of God will guide
When you love God truly, you will abide
Be cautious about what you say and do
Orchestrate your life’s purpose with God’s truth.
Have you ever been around someone who constantly lies? I used to be with someone who was a pathological liar. All that comes out of his mouth are lies or half-truths. Many people who have been blinded by the enemy automatically twists truth and tell lies so that they can use, abuse or get what they want. It was stressful to be around liars. It robs you of peace and generates suspicion, doubt and mistrust. It is very draining to be around liars.
The psalmist in Psalm 144 was pleading God to be rescued from the power of the enemies who are full of lies. They swear to tell the truth, but lie instead. He was pleading God to be delivered from the enemy’s tactic of twisting truths.
PRAYER
Lord, please deliver me from lies and liars.
REFLECTION
How can you detect a lie from the truth?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com