October 28
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TRUE WISDOM FROM ABOVE
A poem by ILMA
True wisdom comes only from one source, our Creator
Though the world claims knowledge, it isn’t true wisdom
When you live an honorable life, you understand God’s ways
Your actions become the result of humility from His righteousness.
If you are jealous and ambitious, don’t cover up truth by boasting and lying
Envy and selfishness are not from God, they are earthly and demonic
Where jealousy and selfish ambition thrives, there’s chaos and all kinds of evil
Where there is ambition and envy, you will find competition and division.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure and good
It is always sincere and full of compassion for people
It is peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others
It shows no favoritism and is always sincere and pursues peace.
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MEMORY VERSE
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. – James 3:17
Read: James 3:13-18
The world views wisdom differently from God. Godly wisdom focuses on what is righteous and good and what’s good for others and what is glorifying to God. Worldly wisdom on the other hand focuses on satisfying selfish desires and cravings. It does not consider others. It only looks after their own selfish needs, goals and pleasures while God’s wisdom is all inclusive. It focuses on the welfare of humankind.
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REFLECTION
• What have you done to protect yourself from the world systems and beliefs?
• Why is true wisdom a scarcity now in our world?
• What should we do when we encounter envy and jealousy in the body of Christ?
• How can we grow in true wisdom?
Tag Archives: KNOWLEDGE
EVEN BEFORE WE SAY IT Poem Devotional
April 20________________________________________
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. -Psalm 139:4(NLT)
EVEN BEFORE WE SAY IT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Can someone know what you are about to say?
Can a person see your heart’s condition in every way?
No human can comprehend what’s in the mind of a man
Only our heavenly Father can see through every human.
We cannot hide from God; he knows us inside and out
He recognises in vivid details what we are all about
Even before we say it, he already recognizes it
Why not seek his truth so you can hear his Spirit?
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Is it really possible to discern what someone else is thinking? If you are very intimate with a person you are in relationship with, there may be instances that you can foresee what they are about to say or guess their thoughts. But, I am sure that you can’t always know at all times what these thoughts are.
Only the Lord knows everything and can see all things before, during and after a person says something. He even sees the condition of our hearts. He can discern our motives or intentions, our desires and our schemes. Despite his omniscience and omnipotence, he still respects us and gave us free will? What will it take to be open and honest with Jesus?
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PRAYER
Lord, please give me a heart that is open and honest.
REFLECTION
How can a believer establish an intimate relationship with God where he or she can honestly pour his or her hearts to Jesus?
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
FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE
October 24
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For the Lord grants wisdom. From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding
– Proverbs 2:6(NLT)
FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to understand things in life?
Are there struggles resulting from losing insight
Run to the Lord who is the fountain of knowledge
When he reveals his wisdom, it is a privilege.
From the Lord’s mouth comes understanding
When you consult him, you will keep on winning
He is the source of all truth and wisdom
In him alone will you experience freedom.
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I’ve lived many decades of my life thinking that knowledge comes from different books and experts on certain fields of studies. I read many books for many years and yet I wasn’t peaceful and joyful. I made many foolish choices which led to struggles and sufferings. It wasn’t until I got revelation from the Lord that I was getting knowledge from the world and not from him. That was the reason why I failed despite the work I put into making my goals met. It was based on the world’s imperfect knowledge. The Lord’s Spirit led me to start reading and studying his word. Then he gave me discernment to understand the meaning of his truth and how I had to apply it in my life. It’s sad to see many believers who don’t have God’s wisdom because they never ask him or seek his truth. They don’t acknowledge that he is the fountain of knowledge.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always consult you in every little or big thing.
REFLECTION
What is the difference between worldly and godly wisdom?
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 YOUR OWN HEART KNOWS Poem Devotional
July 19
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Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
-Proverbs 14:10(NLT)
ONLY YOUR OWN HEART KNOWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are overflowing with joy, only your heart knows
You cannot fully share your feelings, joys or sorrows
Each heart knows its own grief from losses and its own bitterness
No one else can fully share what its going through or its emptiness.
Only God knows fully what your heart is capable of
No amount of words will suffice to say what you’re going through
Sometimes even your own heart may deny the painful truth
It is when you open up to God that you will be soothed.
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Have you ever opened up to someone very close to you, ¬¬yet feel that you have not been understood totally? The bible says in Romans 8:27 that only God knows the depth of our hearts. It is only him who can totally understand us and what we are going through. There is no need to hide from God whatever it is that is bothering you. We sometimes make the mistake of opening up our struggles to our loved ones and friends. Then we sometimes hear unsolicited pieces of advise or they project what they would have done in your situation. It is good to pour out your heart to a loved one, but when you share it with God, you will always hear the right thing to do.
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PRAYER
Lord, please let me only open my heart to you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to open up 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
WISDOM FROM A WISE GOD Poem Devotional
January 10________________________________________
Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
–Proverbs 19:20 (NLT)
WISDOM FROM A WISE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have challenges that are overwhelming?
Fear not, the Lord will provide so you can start discerning
The Holy Spirit dwells inside you if you are a follower
He will give you protection from all the tactics of the deceiver.
Wisdom from a wise God is all you need to be victorious
He will never forsake you so you can continue to be righteous
Get all the advice and instruction you can from his word
It will equip you to navigate successfully in this world.
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Do you usually seek counsel from wise people or do you just solve your problems by yourself because you think no one knows better than you? The bible cautions us not to be wise in our own eyes. Even kings and queens have advisers to guide them to make the right decisions. It is always wise to seek advice and instruction from God’s people because there may be some truth that you have missed out that they can remind you. The best source of wisdom is God himself. He gave us his word, so we can be able to go through life victoriously. A lot of people do not even realize the importance of seeking counsel from God through his word.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to meditate on your words daily so I can be guided always.
REFLECTION
What happens when we seek counsel from the bible and other believers?
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
HOW TO GAIN WISDOM Poem Devotional
Nov 19
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If you stop listening to instruction my child, you will turn your back on knowledge.
– Proverbs 19:27(NLT)
HOW TO GAIN WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you allow yourself to learn from wise persons?
Do you heed experienced people’s instruction?
If you seek knowledge and truth in God’s word
You will be able to victoriously live in this world.
You need humility and obedience to gain insight
Pride and arrogance keeps you away from God’s light
Pursue it and never turn your back on knowledge
You will discover that it will bring you lots of privileges.
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In this day and age, we are bombarded by so much information. Gone are those days when people go to a library to read and research about something. Now, everything is at your fingertips. Just open your computer and voila, the internet will give you lots of data to choose from. Sometimes it is a good thing and yet we still have to check the validity of such sources and find out whether they are legit or not. We need to discern which ones are telling the truth and which ones are fabricated. The only way we can gauge authenticity is by knowing God’s word. If you know the truth, it will set you free from all forms of lies and deception in this world. Heed God’s instructions and you’ll gain knowledge. Listening to instructions brings you closer to wisdom.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to heed your instructions always.
REFLECTION
What blocks people from pursuing wisdom and knowledge?
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
HIDDEN TREASURES OF WISDOM Poem Devotional
July 30
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I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
-Colossians 2:2-3(NLT)
HIDDEN TREASURES OF WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to have knowledge and wisdom?
Run to Christ’s throne, he gives you freedom
He releases you from bondages of ignorance
He exposes all obstacles and hindrance.
The Lord wants you all to be knit together in love
He expects you to have confidence in Christ above
In him lie hidden all the treasures of knowledge
He wants you to live in the light and out of bondage.
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There are so many people who would die to excavate and dig hidden treasures. Sometimes it even cost their deaths. They become obsessed with acquiring such treasures at all cost. Treasures do not only involve material things but there is a kind of treasure that will never be stolen or that will never rust. Wisdom and knowledge is a treasure that will be free from all kinds of danger. It is something that the Lord wants us to seek more than any material wealth.
The bible says that we have to encouraged and be united by strong bonds of love. God wants us to understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us Christ to give us wisdom.
REFLECTION
What treasures do you seek? Do they bring you closer to Christ?
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
THERE’S LIFE IN SEEKING WISDOM Poem Devotional
July 2
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For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death. – Proverbs 8:35-36(NLT)
THERE’S LIFE IN SEEKING WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Listen when wisdom calls out for you
He wants to put some sense and lead you to what’s true
Whoever finds wisdom receives favor from the Lord
Those who miss it can suffer and be easily injured.
Seek wisdom and you will find life
Avoid it and you will surely die
Do everything you can to embrace it
You will then reap fruits from the Holy Spirit.
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Some people think that there are those born without common sense or wisdom. The fact is that we have to purposely seek it. It is not just granted to us at birth. Usually babies are so naïve and pure. Eventually as they experience things and circumstances daily, they learn to process and have some common sense not to do the same mistakes again.
Proverbs 8 up to 9 talks specifically about wisdom. It tells us in detail the benefits and consequences of wisdom applied in our lives. Wisdom doesn’t come natural with us. It is a supernatural gift from God. Mere knowledge does not make us wise, but God’s words and his commands make us discern and understand things that our limited minds cannot fathom. It is wise for us to seek it to have life.
PRAYER
Lord, let me have a hunger for your wisdom.
REFLECTION
What benefits have you reaped from seeking wisdom?
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
WHAT FOOLS AND WISE PEOPLE FEED ON Poem Devotional
March 20________________________________________
A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
-Proverbs 15:14(NLT)
WHAT FOOLS AND WISE PEOPLE FEED ON
A poem and essay by ILMA
Fools talk about trivial matters
They like delaying things much later
The foolish person makes fun of others
They don’t listen to their sisters or brothers.
A wise person is always seeking the truth
They rely on God’s words to take root
They don’t waste their time on selfish yearnings
They work hard to please God and that is their longing.
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I used to be in a work environment where people criticize each other and openly say nasty things to each other. It was always a competition to prove who is right or to show who is better. It was stressful to be around people who constantly criticize and who would make fun of others’ weaknesses. I stayed in that place for almost 2 decades of my life. No wonder I was such a mess because all I did was to feed on trash and gratify myself.
The bible tells us that a wise person is hungry for knowledge while fools feed on trash. I used to tell my students that not all educated and intelligent people are wise. Wisdom comes from an insatiable hunger for knowing the truth and applying all the things you know in reality. Fools have no desire to seek the truth because they don’t want change.
PRAYER
Lord, never let me feed on trivial matters.
REFLECTION
Why should believers avoid fools especially in their beginnings as a Christian?
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
HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE Poem Devotional
June 27 ________________________________________
A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
-Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)
HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What kind of things do you chase these days?
Do they glorify God in many ways?
A wise person is hungry to know the truth
He seeks God which leads him to bear fruit.
The fool on the other hand feeds on trash
They do things to feed on their lust
They never want to change and pursue God
They will never want to praise or give him laud.
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When I was in high school, I used to go to many different libraries. There were no internet and google search engines then. I could go for a whole day just reading books in the library. I think I was really very thirsty for knowledge even at a very young age of three. No one taught me to read the bible or else, I could have been reading it earlier than my late twenties. I didn’t know that the Holy Spirit lived in the hearts of those who believe. Maybe it was the Holy Spirit that made me so hungry to search for God because somehow I have always felt hungry for love and knowledge.
The bible tells us the difference between wise people and fools. Those who are constantly hungry for knowledge are considered wise. Those who are fools feed on trash and trivial things.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me hungry for you always.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to feed our minds and heart with truth?
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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