COME CLOSE TO GOD Poem Devotional

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August 18
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Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners: purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. -James 4:8(NLT)
COME CLOSE TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a believer who seeks God regularly?
Are you reading and following his word daily?
Come close to God and he will come close to you
Purify your heart and he will make you new
If your loyalty is divided between him and the world
It will be a struggle to walk in God’s word
If you draw near him, he will give you his kingdom
Pursue him constantly and you will experience freedom.
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Do you recall when you were being wooed by your spouse at the start of your courtship? I remember my husband come up with all kinds of reasons to be with me. He loves walking in shores and parks and that became our date venues. When he learned that I was into billiards and biking, (a hobby which he was so much into as well) he didn’t lose time to bring me to do these common interests. I got to know him more and saw the potential of us being together. Just like romantic love, we can also draw near to God and he will come close to us. We need to cleanse our hearts and have undivided loyalty to him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me pursue you as you seek my heart.
REFLECTION
How can you come closer to 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

FAVOR THAT LASTS A LIFETIME Poem Devotional

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July 24________________________________________
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. –Psalm 30:5 (NLT)
FAVOR THAT LASTS A LIFETIME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Ask the Lord for favor and he will grant it
He forgives those who repent and believe him
When you disobey, he waits for your return
He wants your mind and heart renewed.
Weeping may last through the night
Joy comes in the morning; it gives new life
His anger is momentary; his favor lasts forever
He wants you to love your sisters and brothers.
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Have you ever know someone who would do you favors? They are a blessing. The bible tells us that God’s anger only last a moment but his favor lasts a lifetime. Even though we are experiencing suffering and agony, we should always look forward to the joy that comes after such pain and weeping.
When I went through the darkest moments of my life, I relied only on the Lord. I raised my only son alone, without any help from any person. My son’s father turned his back on his responsibility as a provider and it was God who gave me favor to raise this son of mine alone. After living in sin for many years prior to my being a parent, it wasn’t hard to run to God again. He forgave all my sins and gave me favor.
PRAYER
Lord, let me hope in you always.
REFLECTION
What favors have you received from God lately?
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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

ON USING JESUS’ NAME Poem Devotional

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February 22
John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.” But Jesus said,
“Don’t stop him. Anyone who is not against you is for you.” – Luke 9:49-50(NLT)
ON USING JESUS’ NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is power in using Jesus’ name
It can bring healing and take out your shame
It can protect someone from destruction
It leads you to the truth and path to salvation.
God uses unbelievers who say the name of Christ
It can restore them and bring godly insight
Don’t stop anyone who use it for it has its own power
Whenever it is uttered, all evil spirits and demons cower.
Philippians 2:9-11 explains the power of Jesus’ name. It is the name above all names and that every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and below the earth when this name is spoken. Even John 14:13 says that you can have anything you ask in Jesus’ name. What a powerful name!
The bible tells us the story when John was reporting to Jesus that someone was using his name to cast out demons. He said to Jesus that they asked this man to stop because he didn’t belong to their group, but Jesus told him not to. He told John that if he uses his name, then he is not against them.
PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus for your powerful name.
REFLECTION
When have you used Jesus’ name and experience its power?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

ALL QUALIFICATIONS ARE FROM GOD Poem devotional

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November 30                                                                    The Power of God’s Word
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualifications come from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT)
ALL QUALIFICATIONS ARE FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where do your skills and abilities come from?
Do you think you worked hard for it so it will be honed?
Do you take pride in what you can do without thanking the Lord?
Our qualifications come from God who fills us with things we shouldn’t hoard.
God gave us gifts so we can glorify him
Taking credit for ourselves and being ungrateful is a sin
Without the grace and mercy of God, we are nothing
Look above and be grateful that he gave you everything!
There are a lot of ungrateful people on this planet. I used to be one. It took me many years to get a revelation from God that I was a proud, arrogant and self-glorifying person. I always worked hard at everything I do and took so much credit and pride when I have success on it. I thank God that he has freed me from this arrogance.
The bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:5 that our qualifications come from God. Science wants us to believe that we are born with gifts or talents. The bible on the other hand tells us that they all originate from God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to have a grateful attitude.
REFLECTION
What gifts has God given you?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com