March 10
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JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up
And have not let my foes rejoice over me.2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
And you have healed me.3 O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
You restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”
7 By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face;
I was dismayed.8 To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth
And clothed me with gladness,12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! -Psalm 30: 1-12
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According to the ESV study bible, this psalm was written by David for the temple’s dedication which took place after his death. It was King Solomon, his son who finished the building of the temple. It praises the faithful God who always brings joy in the morning. In Lamentations 3:22-23 it says that God’s mercy never ends and they are fresh and new each morning. No matter what we are going through, joy always comes after. No matter how bleak circumstances are, God generously gives us hope and joy especially when we are faithful to love him.
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ADORATION: I exult you Lord. You are worthy, you are Mighty, you are Lord and Savior.
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I resort to being discouraged and hopeless.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your mercy, always fresh each morning.
SUPPLICATION: May we all find joy in trials for it grows our faith and endurance.
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REFLECTION
• What do you do when you get discouraged with a challenging situation?
Tag Archives: joy
THE NAME THAT BRINGS HOPE Poem Devotional
November 30________________________________________
And his name will be the hope of all the world. – Matthew 12:21(NLT)
THE NAME THAT BRINGS HOPE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you lost your joy and passion?
What have you lately been focusing on?
If you listen to all the lies that the enemy says
You will loose hope and get trapped in his ways.
God gave us his only Son to bring salvation
Call on his name so you can come out of oblivion
Jesus’ name is the only one that brings hope and joy
Say it out loud and you’ll enjoy a life that is full.
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There was probably over two decades of my life that I was desperately hopeless and lonely. I wasn’t loved for who I was but for how I can live up to the unrealistic expectations set before me. It was a very tiring life because I was always walking on eggshells, fearing that if I didn’t follow what I was told to do, I will be punished and more pain from the rejection and criticism will ensue. At a very young age, I learned to cope with this impossible life. They wanted me to be perfect, to perform all the talents they want me to excel in, and to academically outshine all of my classmates. If I didn’t, they will withdraw their attention and love. I learned to call on Jesus at age seven and his name brought me hope and comfort.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your most powerful name.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when Jesus’ name brought you joy and hope.
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
JOY SUSTAINER poem devotional
October 18________________________________________
If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.
-Psalm 119:82 (NLT)
JOY SUSTAINER
A poem and essay by ILMA
What could bring joy to you?
Could it be money or a change of view?
The truth will set you free and make you glad
There is freedom when you follow God’s commands.
I would have died in my suffering and misery
If God didn’t rescue me and gave me full recovery
I never would have experienced joy overflowing
If not for God’s unfailing love and blessings.
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Many different things can bring happiness to some people. We traverse this life in pursuit of that momentary pleasure to be happy. Sadly, many of us don’t experience it because we try to find it in the wrong things such as material wealth, fame, a relation or a career. I am a testament to this quest. Many decades of my life was wasted on chasing the wrong things that will bring me happiness. In the end, all these things made me feel even more empty than I already was. I kept looking for answers as to what could fill up that void inside me. What I didn’t realize was that I didn’t have to go far. I found it eventually when I heed to God’s call for me to come back to him and follow his commands. When I obeyed, it sustained my joy.________________________________________
PRAYER
Thank you for your commands that bring much joy to us.
REFLECTION
What would happen if you constantly seek God and obey his commands?
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 YOU DELIGHT IN GOD Poem Devotional
October 10________________________________________
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. – Psalm 37:4 (NLT)
WHEN YOU DELIGHT IN GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you delight in the Lord constantly
He will appreciate and reward you faithfully
Ask your wishes and desires enthusiastically
He won’t deprive you; he’ll give it generously.
Don’t ever be complacent in desiring Christ
He loves someone always full of life
Give your all to worship and praise
Rejoice, be glad and most of all, be amazed.
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Do you remember how excited you were when you first met your spouse? You couldn’t eat or sleep and you constantly were thinking of him or her. Sometimes a smile is kept pasted on your lips as you remember that moment you just spent together. You can’t have enough of one another. That is exactly how God wants us to feel for him. He wants us to take delight and rejoice because he loves us so much. He wants to make you happy and is willing to grant you whatever you ask in his name.
When you delight in the Lord, you will always have that zest for life and a thankful attitude. It is a proof that you are growing since one of the Sprit’s fruit is Joy. It keeps you strong to resist temptation when you rejoice in God’s love and his presence in your life.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your desire to be with me.
REFLECTION
How often do you desire to be with Jesus? What are some of your desires that hinder your spiritual growth?
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 JOY OF GOD’S PRESENCE Poem Devotional
August 27________________________________________
You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
– Acts 2:28(NLT)
THE JOY OF GOD’S PRESENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Once you have accepted Jesus in your life
You will notice the radiance of his glorious light
He fills you with the joy of his presence
He shows you the path to his righteousness.
He will cover all darkness that permeates you
He will transform your mind and make you new
The joy of God’s presence is vital to your growth
Without it, your life will be deprived of peace and joy.
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How do you know if someone is a true believer of Jesus Christ? One of the most remarkable signs of an authentic Christian is the joy that is radiated in his own person. This joy isn’t something someone can fabricate. It is a result of the presence of God in that person’s life. I remember when I heeded the Holy Spirit’s call in my life in my late twenties, it didn’t stop me from experiencing many trials and hardships. In fact, so much adversities poured in my life. What is amazing about God’s presence is that he will never allow you to be defeated by any attacks of the enemy. He equipped me with everything I needed to go through all of it. He showed me the way of life and filled me with his Spirit.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for living inside of me.
REFLECTION
How can we maintain God’s presence inside of us?
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
PRAYER FOR JOY Poem Devotional
July 7
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Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good.
– Psalm 90:15(NLT)
PRAYER FOR JOY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, help us to find happiness and contentment
Give us gladness to replace all the disgruntlement
Make us focus on you so we will be set free
Guide us through life so we can be able to see.
Lord, never let us be corrupted by this world
Help us to constantly seek the truth in your word
Let us rejoice and be glad for you have been faithful
Grant us a heart that is pure and never resentful.
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Joy was a fruit of the Spirit that was absent in many years of my past life. The enemy made sure that I was stuck in misery and discontentment. This was the reason why I was a very complaining person and always found something to criticize about. I didn’t have joy because I was always longing for something I didn’t have. No wonder I had many broken relationships.
When I became born again, the Lord revealed to me how I could experience joy. It was when I started reading the word of God that I became aware of my complaining nature. I was convicted to learn to be content with what I have and be thankful for every little blessing I received. God will replace all your past misery with gladness. Run to him.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to find joy in obeying and living out your will.
REFLECTION
How can you experience joy amidst suffering?
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
REJOICE AT HIS BIRTH Poem Devotional
December 3
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You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. -Luke 1:14(NLT)
REJOICE AT HIS BIRTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God sent his Son on earth
He wants us to rejoice in his birth
It is the manifestation of his great love
The baby Jesus was sent from up above.
Rejoice, rejoice, for we are set free
He brought light so we can be able to see
He removes all our guilt and shame
Just call on his most powerful name.
There is no darkness in him
He brings to light all our sins
Be glad that he was born
Give up all forms of scorn.
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Consumerism and traditions have destroyed the real essence of Christmas. We have completely lost focus on the true meaning of it. It was spun to worldly pursuits and people pleasing. What happened to the “give love” instead of “give me what I want?” In this selfie generation, each person thinks of what they can get instead of what they can give. Even in the giving, shouldn’t we ask ourselves what the motives behind it are?
Christmas is about rejoicing at the birth of the promised one who could free us from our prisons of greed, envy, jealousy, anger, lust, pride, independence, idolatry, disobedience, rebellion, stubbornness and all other sins. It is to remember how we shout be rejoicing and spreading God’s good news of salvation.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me focused on the reason for Christ’s birth.
REFLECTION
How can we protect our hearts from corruption of the true meaning of Christmas?
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
OVERFLOWING JOY Poem Devotional
June 19________________________________________
When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! – John 15:10-11(NLT)
OVERFLOWING JOY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Joy doesn’t come from good things happening in your life
It isn’t from getting what you want or being free from strife
When you obey God’s commands and remain in his love
You are going to experience overflowing joy from up above.
The joy that comes from the world is temporary and fleeting
To those whose faith is anchored on God, joy is overflowing
Remain in His love and you will have an abundance of joy
Depart from the Lord and you will be discontented then fall.
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Many people interchange happiness with joy. I think that they work equally together. How long the state of joy or the feeling of happiness last depends on their faith. It is easy to be happy when things go your way, but it is also possible to have joy despite all the trials and suffering you experience. Joy is one of the things that the enemy steals from us. He knows that if we don’t have it, it will be easy to get us in prison to discontent. The bible tells us to remain in the Lord so we will have joy overflowing.
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PRAYER
Thank you for the joy that you grant to all your people.
REFLECTION
How can we focus more on rejoicing rather than just being happy?
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 OIL OF JOY
June 16________________________________________
You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else. -Psalm 45:7(NLT)
THE OIL OF JOY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you treat others with love and kindness
God will bless you with the oil of joy; you’ll have gladness
When you choose love over wickedness, you will have peace
If you wallow in all kinds of evil, you’ll open doors to slavery.
When you love justice and hate evil, you have God’s anointing
He will pour out his joy on you and grant you all kinds of blessings
Let the oil of joy remain with you always the rest of your life
He chose you to shine for him; He will lead you to his light.
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I lived many years of my life in regret and never really knew how to enjoy life. I wallowed in self-pity and played over and over again the voices of those who treated me harshly and unjustly. As a result of this bad choice, I opened doors to the enemy to take over my entire life for over four decades. I was a prisoner of my emotions and pain. I let the “bad” in instead of the good. We can choose the life God wants for us. When we do,
God anoints us with the oil of joy and make us free.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your anointing.
REFLECTION
What things block people from experiencing the joy of the Lord?
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
ENJOY YOUR LIFE
May 28________________________________________
So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. – Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NLT)
ENJOY YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
No matter what your situations in life
Be thankful and look at all things bright
Appreciate your life despite circumstances
He strengthens you to face all challenges.
There is nothing better than to be happy
Focus on the true God who loves you unconditionally
Enjoy the even the trials for it builds your character
Later on you will reap the fruits of all your labor.
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So many people do not know how to enjoy their life. They get stuck with the circumstances they are into. One of the things that the Lord has given us is the capacity to enjoy whatever comes our way. Philippians 4:11-13 talks about the secret of contentment which lies in thanking the Lord for all things. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Only by believing in him will we understand the true meaning of happiness. I remember during the most adverse situations, I am still able to thank the Lord for his provision and look beyond the difficulties. I am sure that without his spirit, I will never discern this. There is nothing better than to enjoy all God’s blessings.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me the grace to be thankful despite adversities.
REFLECTION
How can thanksgiving make us enjoy our 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