December 22
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SIN NO MORE
A poem by ILMA
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but the next day he was back at the Temple
A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them
As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law brought a woman
Since she had been caught in the act of adultery, she was put in front of a crowd
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery
The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” trying to trap Jesus
Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again
So, Jesus said, “But let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”
Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one
Beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers?
Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more”
And the woman walked and repented and was freed.
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MEMORY VERSE
All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” – John 8:7
Read: John 8:1-11
In this story, we see how much compassion and mercy the Lord Jesus had for this woman caught in adultery. We also saw how these religious leaders wanted to punish her and stone her to death as that was the verdict on such sin. They were trying to trick Jesus if he was going to follow the law of Moses. In this scene, we witness that love is stronger than the law. When he challenged them to throw the stone if anyone is sinless, they all went away and left. There were many theories as to what Jesus was writing in the dust, probably their own sins.
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REFLECTION
• Why is compassion and forgiveness powerful for repentance to happen?
Tag Archives: judgment
ON CRITICISM Poem Devotional
March 20________________________________________
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. – James 4:11(NLT)
ON CRITICISM
A poem and essay by ILMA
When was the last time you judged or criticized?
Did you realize it was wrong; did you apologize?
Don’t speak evil against one another
You are all made into the image of your Father.
When you find fault with another person
You are judging God’s law with human reason
Obey the law and you will be free from judgment
God gave you these commands for your atonement.
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Criticism is defined as the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes. Notice the word “perceived” in the definition? The one judging is actually applying his perception to the person’s behavior. Perception is usually colored by beliefs, experiences, culture and traditions. When you start thinking that someone’s behavior or attitude. You see it in the light of your own belief system and experiences. It is not necessarily true.
The bible cautions us on criticizing or judging others. We are all made in God’s image, so when we judge others, we are actually judging God himself. Our duty is to obey the commands set by God, not to justify ourselves and find fault in others.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from a critical spirit.
REFLECTION
What should you do when you feel the urge to judge someone?
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’S SPIRIT KNOWS Poem Devotional
September 11
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No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit -1 Corinthians 2:11(NLT)
ONLY ONE’S SPIRIT KNOWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is a danger when we pry into other’s thinking
It is not our business to understand or to be assuming
No one can know someone’s thoughts except his own spirit
So there is no point in finding out or guessing what it is.
Presuming other people’s motives and thoughts leads to sin
Only God knows their hearts so don’t let the devil win
No one can comprehend God’s point of view or thoughts
Only the Holy Spirit knows it, don’t be confused or lost.
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When I was a stage actress, we were trained to learn to read the minds of the characters we are portraying based on the facts given in the script. One of our responsibility as actors is to go through the stream of consciousness of the character based on what was given in the play or possibly add more to it. We observe how they would react to certain situations so it would help us bring to life the nuances of the person we were playing. As a result of professionally working onstage for over 20 years, it became second nature for me to presume and assume. The bible says only one’s spirit knows what that person is thinking.
PRAYER
Lord, do not allow me to assume anything.
REFLECTION
Why do you think presumption leads to sin?
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
NO JUDGMENT FOR BELIEVERS Poem Devotional
September 9
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There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
-John 3:18(NLT)
NO JUDGMENT FOR BELIEVERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Anyone who believes in Christ is free from judgment
There is no need to worry for your predicaments
Your faith in the power of God will take you a long way
It will protect you when the enemy chooses you as his prey.
Those who are unbelievers has already been judged
They will find difficulties because of their lack of trust
Believe in God’s one and only Son and you will be free
The Holy Spirit will bring you blessings and victory.
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When I was still in bondage from religion and legalism, I had a very scrupulous conscience. I felt condemned each time I succumb to weaknesses and sin. I was doing the changing myself on my own without heeding the Holy Spirit and God’s word. I wasn’t even aware that I was in bondage because I inherited religious rituals and beliefs from those who raised me. I am sure they passed on what they know is right for me, but God showed me eventually why my life had no victory in some aspects of it.
The bible says that those who believe in Christ are free from judgment but those who don’t are condemned.
PRAYER
Lord, let all believers witness for you so others will believe.
REFLECTION
Relate an incident how being a Christian freed you from condemnation.
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
PROTECTION FROM JUDGMENT Poem Devotional
April 21
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God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgement against anyone who believes in him. -John 3:17-18 (NLT)
PROTECTION FROM JUDGEMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been judged by people around you?
Is what they are accusing you valid and true?
Do not be condemned by what others think or say
There’s no condemnation for those who follow his way.
God sent his son into the world to save but not to judge
Believers are protected from judgment and all kinds of grudge
Continue to grow your faith and believe in Jesus Christ
You will be guaranteed a shield of protection in this life.
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Because of our fallen nature as humans, it is easy for us to judge others. We are quick to find fault when we see someone unable to live up to our standards or expectations. But the bible says that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. We are all sinners and before we can point our fingers on someone, we should first take the log of our own eye (Matthew 7:5).
The bible says that God sent his Son into the world not to judge it but save it through him. There is no judgement against anyone who believes in him. God convicts us of sin but never condemns us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for convicting me when I am wrong, so I don’t stray.
REFLECTION
Why is the act of judging something we should just leave to God alone?
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 JUDGING Poem Devotional
November 23________________________________________
Hypocrites! First get rid of the log in your own eye, then you will see enough to see the speck in your friend’s eye. – Luke 6:42 (NLT)
ON JUDGING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you easily offended by what others do different from you?
Do you find yourself assuming or presuming what is possible true?
How can you examine others without looking at yourself first?
It is easy to point your finger at someone or have an outburst.
First get rid of the log in your own eye to see the speck in others
You will then understand the point of view of your sisters and brothers
Only God can judge perfectly for he sees everything and knows all
When humans judge, we usually miss out something, fail or fall.
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I was raised in an environment where criticism was the norm. Because I was criticized and judged a lot, I learned to become critical too. I may not say it out loud to someone that I don’t agree with him or her, but my mind has already come with different presumptions of why that person did something very different from me. God convicted me after many years of bondage to the spirit of criticism.
The bible tells us that we must never judge others especially if there are so many things that we need to repent about in our lives. Judging others is an act hypocrisy.
PRAYER
Lord, convict me when I start to assume or presume or criticize.
REFLECTION
Why is examining our hearts and mind critical in our Christian walk?
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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 JUDGMENT Poem Devotional
Sept 11 The Power of God’s Word
It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but certainly it is your responsibility to judge those who are inside the church and are sinning. God will judge those on the outside, but as Scriptures say “You must remove the evil person from among you.” -1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NLT)
ON JUDGMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you follow what the word of God says?
Do you evaluate yourself according to his ways?
It isn’t your responsibility to judge unbelievers
However, you are accountable for your sisters and brothers.
God will judge those who deliberately follow the devil
You must purify Christ’s body by eliminating evil
Believers need to take accountability for God’s people
They must eliminate all forms of evil to be victors.
There are many misconceptions about “judgment.” I always hear a lot of excuses for sinful ways like “You must never judge me.” The bible says that Christians are all part of the body of Christ. Just like our own bodies, we take care of it and ensure that all parts contribute to good health. Doctors usually prescribe to take out anything that will further contaminate wellness.
Scriptures says that we must remove evil amongst believers. It is our responsibility to judge those who claim to be Christians and continually sin. We need to be accountable for the purity of Christ’s body.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to take responsibility for other believers.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to judge believers?