January 7
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SEND YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR TRUTH
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. – Psalm 43:1-5
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In this psalm, we discover how the psalmist run to the Lord for protection. How often do we do that today in our world? We have isolated ourselves from God and think that we can live our lives the way we want them without a consequence. The humility and faith of the psalmist is refreshing to hear as he humbly asks God to be taken under his wings. Hope in God is not always evident in many Christians’ lives. We allow the world to corrupt our dependency on God. We don’t always remember to let the truth set us free and end up being comfortable living in bondage to lies.
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ADORATION: You are the God who knows what is best for us. You are protector of all those who love you. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ for the powerful shield you provide.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord each time I forget that I need to run to you for truth and light and for protection. Let me never to assume that I can do anything without you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all that you do for sinners like me. Even though we don’t deserve it, you always faithfully deliver all your promises to us.
SUPPLICATION: Help us to never entertain thoughts of doing things on our own strength. When I automatically do things independently, please remind me to seek your wisdom.
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REFLECTION
• Why is seeking God for truth and light important to walk in the Spirit?
• Why do we need to worship God in spirit and in truth?
• Are you a true worshiper? How do you worship God in Spirit and in truth?
Tag Archives: light
LIVE IN THE LIGHT Poem Devotional
November 29
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LIVE IN THE LIGHT
A poem by ILMA
We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning
We ourselves have heard and seen Him with our own eyes
We touched him with our own hands; He is the Word of life
This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him.
Now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life
He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us
We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard
This way you may have fellowship with us, with the Father and with the Son.
We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you
We are lying if we say we have fellowship with God
When we live in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship others
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
If we claim we haven’t sinned, we call God a liar shows no place for him in our hearts.
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MEMORY VERSE
So, we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. – 1 John 1:6
Read: 1 John 1
Many believers have no idea how to live in the light. In this verse, John explains to us how to practically apply this concept in our lives. In verse 6, it is shown by how we relate to God and how we have fellowship with the body of Christ as well.
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REFLECTION
• How can we live in the light when we are isolating ourselves from God and others?
• Why is light and darkness not compatible?
• What happens when we continue to live in the dark and yet we say we believe?
LIGHT CAN’T LIVE WITH DARKNESS Poem Devotional
September 1
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LIGHT CAN’T LIVE WITH DARKNESS
A poem by ILMA
Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers
How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness?
How can light live with darkness?
What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil?
How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?
And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols?
For we are the temple of the living God
As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them.
He further said: “I will be their God, and they will be my people
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
And separate yourselves from them, says the LORD
Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,
Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves
We need to stay away from everything that can defile our body or spirit
And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
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MEMORY VERSE
Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.
– 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Read: 2 Corinthians 6: 14-7:1
Paul explains to the Corinthians how light and dark can never live together. We are asked to work toward complete holiness if we are believers. Never compromise purity.
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REFLECTION
• Why are we discouraged to live with unbelievers if we are true believers?
• What happens if we associate with those who are living in darkness?
LIKE FRAGILE CLAY JARS Poem Devotional
August 28
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LIKE FRAGILE CLAY JARS
A poem by ILMA
Since God in his mercy has given us a new way, we never give up
We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods
We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God
We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
Satan, the god of this world, has blinded unbeliever’s minds
God’s truth is hidden only from people who are perishing
They’re unable to see the glorious light of the Good News
They don’t understand the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
God said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” and allowed believers’ to see
They know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ
We now have this light in our hearts, but we’re like fragile clay jars
We have this great treasure inside us and feel God’s power in us.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed
We are perplexed, but not driven to anguish
We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God
We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
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MEMORY VERSE
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:7
Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-9
The Greek word for clay is ostrakinos, from which the archaeological term “ostraca”—pottery sherds—is derived. He argued that the references to light in verses 4 and 6 strongly suggest that clay lamps were the ceramic objects in Paul’s mind when he wrote this passage. So Paul developed his analogy about the fragility of the human body from the clay lamps used in antiquity to provide light. -extracted from biblical archeology.com
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REFLECTION
• Have you allowed God’s light to shine and praise his power inside your heart?
LIGHT TO THE FARTHEST CORNERS Poem Devotional
October 4________________________________________
I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth. – Acts 13:47(NLT)
LIGHT TO THE FARTHEST CORNERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit your life to Jesus Christ
You have been pulled out from darkness into his light
You are commanded to bring light to farthest corners
No matter how remote, you must reach out to others.
The Lord expects you to shine his light through your life
By spreading the Good News, you are exuding his light
Bring salvation to the ends of the earth, that’s his instruction
All is welcome; no one exempt to partake of his redemption.
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According to Smith’s bible dictionary, the Gentiles were all the people who were not Jews. They were alien from the worship, rites and privileges of Israel. The word was used contemptuously by them. In the New Testament, it is used as equivalent to Greek. The Gentiles were far less sharply differentiated from the Israelites in Old Testament than in New Testament times. They were simply non-Israelites, not from the stock of Abraham, but they were not hated or despised for that reason and were to be treated almost on a plane of equality, except certain tribes in Canaan.
The people of God were commanded to reach out to all Gentiles to bring salvation even to the farthest corners of the earth.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me bring the Good News of your salvation to all especially those who do not know you.
REFLECTION
Why does God ask his people to reach out without partiality?
¬¬¬¬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
GOD’S GUIDING LIGHT Poem Devotional
August 3________________________________________
I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them.
-Isaiah 42:16(NLT)
GOD’S GUIDING LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who belong to the Lord
They are directed by his precious word
His guiding light brightens all darkness
He smooths out the road that was crooked.
God’s glorious light exposes all dark nooks
He ensures wisdom to those who read his book
There is no lie that his truth won’t expose
Depend on him and he will give you all the resource.
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Have you over sat in a place surrounded by pitch darkness? Do you recall how it made you feel? Fear usually creeps in because you never really know what’s lurking in that darkness. This can be likened to our spiritual poverty where we have lost our way and have turned our backs on God. The experience envelopes one with fear, insecurity and a feeling of hopelessness and gloom. During the dark years of my life, I lived in that abyss and emptiness. It was a miracle how God turned it around when I re-dedicated my life back to him and chose a devoted path to him. He smoothened the road ahead of me and brighten the dark spots. He convicted me of the sins I was imprisoned in and freed me through his word. The truth actually set me free and transformed me into the new person he had always intended me to be.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your glorious light that guides my dark paths.
REFLECTION
How can you live in God’s glorious light?
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
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE Poem Devotional
August 2________________________________________
You will be a light to guide the nations. – Isaiah 42:6(NLT)
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit your life to Jesus Christ
You are expected to shine your light
He is the one who guides all nations
He makes you strong to fight temptations.
When you make God first in your life
You will definitely walk in his light
He shines his glorious radiance on you
He wants you to exude it to others too.
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One of the ways that a true believer is apparent is how they live their lives. You can see how they manifest the fruits of the spirit such as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). One of the best ways we can attract others to Jesus is by living a life of integrity, obedience to his will and faithful devotion to seeking his truth. In John 1:5 we know that the light exposes darkness as it shines through it. Darkness cannot hide in the light Even just a tinge of light will compromise the total blackness of it.
All believers are commissioned by God to preach the Good News and to make disciples of all nations. When we obey his commands and spread his word, we are the light that guide all nations and we are also manifesting the true character of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always shine so bright for you.
REFLECTION
Who have you brought to Jesus through exuding Christ’s character in 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
EXUDE YOUR LIGHT Poem Devotional
March 4
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Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine in you.
– Isaiah 60:1(NLT)
EXUDE YOUR LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you exude the light that comes from Christ
Your heavenly Father is going to transform your life
Let your light shine for all the people to see
It will glorify your Lord and he will set you free.
Darkness can never hide in God’s light
He exposes all evil as he shines so bright
Radiate your love for it will bring many to Christ
Jesus’ radiance manifests in all of believers’ lives.
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I’ve been a photographer for almost three decades now. The camera lens consists of one or more precisely shaped pieces of glass or plastic called elements. Its main function is to focus and direct the incoming light. The light coming through the elements is “bent” or directed to the image sensor where the information about the light is captured
The camera lens is an extremely important part of the camera. That is because the type of lens and the quality of the lens being used will contribute greatly to the sharpness and overall appearance of the picture.
I’d like to compare the role of light in producing great pictures through the lens. Just like how important light is in photography, we also need to exude God’s light so we can affect other’s lives and make a difference.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always exude your light to everyone I meet.
REFLECTION
How can a believer exude God’s light in practical ways?
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
EVERLASTING LIGHT Poem Devotional
January 19
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No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night,
for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
-Isaiah 60:19 (NLT)
EVERLASTING LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been living in the dark all your life?
Don’t lose hope; you can avail of everlasting light
With this light, you no longer need the sun to shine by day
Nor will you need the moon to give its light by night
For the Lord your God will be your everlasting light
He will be your glory and you will receive eternal life
This everlasting light can only be found in Jesus
Run to his arms and you will know how you are very precious.
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Light is very important in our lives. Without it, it is impossible to do much. Just as our eyes need light as an aid so we can accomplish our daily tasks, our spirits need everlasting light that is constantly there to guide our paths. Do you wonder why most children are scared of the dark? The absence of light makes us fear. It makes us ponder what could be around us and if we are safe. The same way that when our soul is covered with much darkness, we fear our spiritual death. The bible talks about an everlasting light which only comes from Jesus Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always stay in your guiding light.
REFLECTION
What are the signs that our lives need everlasting light?
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
THOSE WHO HATE THE LIGHT Poem Devotional
December 15
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All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. – John 2:20-21(NLT)
THOSE WHO HATE THE LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who do evil will fear the light
It will expose what they’re not doing right
The wicked hates light; they don’t want change
They like to remain doing what keeps them in bondage.
The righteous on the other hand, comes right into the light
They walk into it to shine Jesus and show they obey what’s right
Stay away from those who hate the truth and life
They will pull you down into evil ways and you’ll soon die.
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I know someone who don’t like the light literally. He’d prefer to be in the dark. He turns off anything that will bring in light and work in the dark. I didn’t realize that there was something deeper than just not wanting any form of light. As I got to know him deeper, I found out that there were many secrets he kept and the psychological and spiritual things that he hid caught up with him.
The bible has always referred to Jesus as the source of light and life. Where there is darkness, there is death. In him, there is no darkness at all.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from those who hate the light that comes from your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is light essential in life both literally and spiritually?
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