Tag Archives: love

UNRECOGNIZED Poem Devotional

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March 10
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My people don’t recognize my care for them. – Isaiah 1:3(NLT)
UNRECOGNIZED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you able to show appreciation for your blessings?
When you count them, you are praising him
Take time to look at the flowers and smell them
God made creation so you will remember him.
He is there whether you are having a good or bad day
He rescues all those who love him in every way
He grants your requests and provide for your needs
Do you praise him and do you constantly believe?
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When children reach their teen years, they sometimes pull away from the parents. They can be vulnerable in their search for identity if they get into the wrong company. For the first 13 years of my son’s life, we were very close and open with each other. I was a single parent and we were inseparable. By the time he was 11, he started rebelling and did his best to stay away from me. He did the opposite of what we used to do, praising the Lord and praying to him daily. I didn’t realize that was going on but after his father died, I found out that his own father was teaching him the ways of the world and contradicting all the values I taught him. It was that time that he didn’t recognize my love for him. Sometimes our heavenly father may feel the same way with us.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always focus on your love for me.
REFLECTION
How can you consciously know how much God loves you?
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

END TO SIN’S CONTROL Poem Devotional

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January 26
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The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. – Romans 8:3(NLT)
END TO SIN’S CONTROL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you submit yourself to Christ
You will find victory in this life
The law wasn’t able to save us
Instead it kept us bonded to lust.
God sent his only son as a sacrifice
He did this so we can have eternal life
He brought an end to the control of sin
Let’s exercise dominion over it so we can win.
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The bible tells us that we are all sinners and only the act of Christ’s dying on the cross gave us control over sin. When we commit our lives to Jesus, everything is turned over. We begin to experience power that comes from knowing God’s word. We get be convicted by the Holy Spirit and shown a way to win over temptations. In the Old Testament, the law was the only thing that mattered but when Jesus came to the world, everything changed. We are no longer bound by the law but by love and grace that comes from God’s unfailing love.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to exercise the authority you have given me to win over sin.
REFLECTION
Why do some believers live fearful lives in this world?
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

TEACH THE TRUTH Poem Devotional

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January 11
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Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. – Titus 2:7-8(NLT)
TEACH THE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
A true follower of Christ possesses integrity
He teaches the truth in love and humility
The truth is absolute and last for eternity
When you teach truth, you will have victory.
Teach the truth so that you can’t be judged
The word of God is truth and it can’t be dodged
When you turn your back on truth, you will suffer
It will enslave you and make life much harder.
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The bible says that we ought to teach truth in love and humility. We cannot teach truth to those whom we are not in relationship or we will be misunderstood. A relationship is important when we talk about God and his truth, especially to unbelievers. Another Christian may be able to relate to what you are teaching, but an unbeliever may not totally understand what you are saying. When you engage in a relationship with someone you are teaching, you reflect to them your walk and not just your talk. People like to see that you actually do what you say. Any inconsistencies with your doing and teaching will be an open door for mistrust, legalism, and judgment. If you focus on the truth, you can’t be criticized because it holds true till eternity.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to live an detach your truth.
REFLECTION
How can you bring truth to those who don’t believe in 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

THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE Poem Devotional

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December 26
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Grace, mercy and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father- will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3(NLT)
THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all those who live in truth and love
You will receive grace from the Father up above
Mercy and peace will be granted to you as well
It shows how God is faithful to those who dwell.
Continue to live in God’s will and you will have deep roots
Don’t ever compromise your heart and you’ll harvest fruits
The Father will abide to those who follow and obey
He will live in your heart if you do what he says.
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There is a big reward to those who are faithful in abiding in God’s truth and love. Grace is underserved favor. It is true that we automatically receive grace when we believe in Christ, but he also rewards those who faithfully abides and follow his commands. Some Christians lack an understanding about how God sees faithfulness. Devotion is one of his characteristics, so if you show faithfulness and steadfastness, he will surely grant you this undeserved favor, forgiveness and peace. There were times in my life that I didn’t live in truth and love. It opened the door to many sins and deprived me of peace and joy.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being faithful and merciful to a sinner like me.
REFLECTION
Why is living out God’s truth and love essential in a Christian’s 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

A PASSION FOR CHRIST Poem Devotional

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October 13
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But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.
-Revelations 2:4-5(NLT)
A PASSION FOR CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you forgotten the first time you committed to Christ?
You were full of passion to give him your whole life
You couldn’t stop thinking of him day and night
You couldn’t get enough of his radiant glory light.
What happened to you? Now you lost your passion
You are corrupted by the world and live in deception
Turn back to God who is full of love for you
Give him your all and continue to live a life that’s new.
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Do you remember the first time your heart was on fire for someone? Maybe it is the first time you met your spouse or the first time you laid eyes on your child. Could it be that passion you first felt for a job that you so wanted? We all have experienced to be full of love for someone or something. Then, after a while, you become so familiar and used to being with this person and take him or her for granted.
The Lord admonishes us when we give him lukewarm love. He wants us to repent and return to him whenever we are not passionate for him.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me on fire always for you.
REFLECTION
What can hinder us from a life of passion for Jesus 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

LOVE MAKES UP FOR OFFENSES Poem Devotional

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August 24
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Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. – Proverbs 10:12(NLT)
LOVE MAKES UP FOR OFFENSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the condition of your heart today?
Does it pursue peace each and every day?
When you operate in envy and jealousy
It surely opens the door to the enemy.
Hatred stirs up quarrels and all kinds of conflicts
It makes the world hard to live in and chaotic
Love on the other hand makes up for all offenses
It brings peace, joy and gives the Lord much praises.
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Hatred is defined as an extremely strong feeling of dislike. When we allow our hearts to hate someone or something, we get this nudging feeling to do something to show our disgust or disapproval. When we hate something, we do not want to have anything to do with it. We want to make sure that we watch out that we will not expose ourselves to this thing or person we loathe. On the other hand, when we love something or someone, we would find every occasion to be near that person or thing.
The bible talks about the effect of hatred on people. It stirs up quarrels or conflict while love covers a multitude of wrong. Love brings patience, kindness, understanding, acceptance and forgiveness. Hate generates envy, anger, mistrust, fear, conflicts and betrayals. Let us choose to live in love rather than hate.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for teaching us to love by sending us your Son Jesus.
REFLECTION
When have you ever experienced being covered by love?
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 LOVE GOD Poem Devotional

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If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar. Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. – 1 John 4:20&;21(NLT)

WHEN YOU LOVE GOD

A poem and essay by ILMA

When you love God, you will follow his will

When you love God, you will learn to be still

When you love God, you will love your neighbors

When you love God, you will respect and not force

When you love God, there is peace in your life

When you love God, you will live under his light

When you love God, you will live in his truth

When you love God, you will allow his words to take root.

Most Christians think that they love God, but a few of them do not really manifest that love in their relationships with others. Since we cannot see God, how can we show that we mean what we declare? Loving is not just saying or committing to Jesus in one day. It means that we are submitting ourselves to follow through that promise we made all of our lives.

The bible says that if we say that we love God and yet hate someone, we are called liars. He requires us to love others if we claim that we love him. We must manifest this love in the physical realm by showing it to one another.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to constantly love you through others.

REFLECTION

What happens when you claim you love God and yet are mean to others?

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

LOVE EQUALS OBEDIENCE TO GOD Poem Devotional

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December 19
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Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. -2 John 6(NLT)
LOVE EQUALS OBEDIENCE TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you say you love God and yet not heed his call
Don’t you open up the door for you to easily fall?
Love means doing what God has commanded
When you rebel, you are sinning and will be tempted.
To obey God’s command to love one another
Is loving him through our sisters and brothers
Submission to his truth shows we are faithful
Defiance to it clearly indicates we are fools.
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There are many ways to manifest love to someone. We can shower our beloved with love by agreeing with their values and ideals. Another way is to care for their well-being and to be loyal to them. Sacrificing something we really want is another picture of love. Submitting to each other is another example of manifesting love.
The bible clearly tells us that love isn’t just a word we say to someone. Love means doing what God commanded us. He wants us to love one another as we love him and as we love ourselves. Obedience is a prerequisite to fulfillment of God’s promises for his people. He showered the faithful and obedient with an overflow of blessings and guaranteed them a spot in heaven.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for protecting us with your commands to love one another.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God puts much emphasis on obedience? What are the consequences of rebellion?
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

MAKING CERTAIN DREAMS COME TRUE Poem Devotional

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October 20
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Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. – Hebrews 6:12(NLT)
MAKING CERTAIN DREAMS COME TRUE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are the dreams that you’ve hope for?
Do they make you closer to God and faithful?
For wishes to be come true, keep on believing
To realize them, you also need to keep on loving.
Walk in love for as long as life lasts
It is the secret to fulfilling dreams fast
Living a life full of love makes anything possible
Satisfying selfish pleasures make it improbable.
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What dreams have come true for you already? What other wishes have not come to fruition yet? When I was three years old, I was captivated by paintings and wished I was a painter. That dream didn’t come true until I was thirty-two years old. What took it that long? I was living in rebellion and disobedience many years of those era of my life. When I decided to turn to God again at age twenty-nine and became celibate and more loving to those around me, he made the impossible dream come true. I became a self-taught or rather God-taught painter. I sold over 75 artworks by the time I had my very first solo exhibit. Our dreams will be realized if we keep on loving others.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never live out of love.
REFLECTION
What dreams are being hindered to happen because of your unloving 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

LET LOVE RULE Poem Devotional

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August 26
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For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
– 1 Corinthians 15:56 (NLT)
LET LOVE RULE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we operate in obedience of the law
It brings more power to sin and hinder us to grow
When we stick to the law just for its sake
We get into the trap that Satan makes.
Love surpasses all understanding and power
When we do things out of love, the enemy cowers
We must all live in the knowledge of God’s grace
Living under his love removes the stress of this rat race.
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There are so many Christians living under the law and stuck in the Old Testament. They have no idea that living in it without reference to the New Testament actually make them live under the law. The apostle Paul stressed the importance of living under grace in most of his letter to the Romans and Corinthians. He warns us not to live under the law. He says that the more we focus on the law, the more we sin. In John 13:34 Jesus gives us a new commandment: Love each other just as he loved you.
The bible tells us not to live with so much rules because it makes us sin more. We need to focus on God who is love. When we operate in love, Satan flees and sin has no power.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to live under your love and grace.
REFLECTION
When did the law make you more sinful?
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