Tag Archives: MERCY

CALLING ALL REPENTANT SINNERS Poem Devotional

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October 22________________________________________
I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent. – Luke 5:32(NLT)
CALLING ALL REPENTANT SINNERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus didn’t come for self righteous people
He came for all the repentant sinners
He’ll be there for those who have humility
Those who confess their sins will have victory.
Calling all those who need eternal life
You’ll have it if you believe in Jesus Christ
You need to confess your sins to receive it
If you do, your heart will be the host for His Spirit.
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Each person is invited to partake of the gift of salvation. Just like a regular invitation that you receive, you have the option to come or not to come. God gave us all a free will to decide whether we want eternal life or not. It is sad to know why some people would reject or take for granted this grand invitation to the most important thing for us all, salvation.
Some of us are held captive by the enemy to dwell on those sins so we will not receive the greatest gift of freedom. Jesus came for all the repentant sinners. He didn’t come for those who think they are perfect and sinless because unless they repent and confess their sins, they won’t be transformed in Christ. He came for those who acknowledge their sins and repent.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always repent and confess when I sin.
REFLECTION
Why do you think Jesus wants us to confess our sins and repent?
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 SHOW MERCY Poem Devotional

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April 10________________________________________
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. -James 2:13 (NLT)
WHEN YOU SHOW MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you give mercy to others quickly
The Lord will forgive you easily
There’ll be no mercy to those who are merciless
You will be judged when you don’t grant forgiveness.
When you show mercy, you are loving
When you deny it, you are sinning
Granting forgiveness when others ask it
Is the key to living a life led by Spirit.
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The Lord’s Prayer specifically states that we are to forgive others first before we can ask him for forgiveness. We cannot ask something that we have not given to others. How can we expect to receive something that we have deprived others of? God is a very merciful, faithful and loving God. According to Lamentations, he gives us mercy afresh each morning. We need to live in his grace and when we do, he also expects us to give what we have been given.
James warns us of the judgment we will get when we don’t grant others the mercy that God has generously given us. He also reminds us how he will lavish us with mercy when we do forgive others.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always be quick to forgive and to ask for forgiveness for my own sins.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it is hard for many people to be merciful 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

UNWAVERING MERCY Poem Devotional

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February 26
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Whenever your people turned and cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them many times.
– Nehemiah 9:28(NLT)
UNWAVERING MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been forgiven again and again?
The Lord gives you mercy seventy times seven
He gives you forgiveness afresh each morning
He listens to your cry for help as you are praying.
He is faithful to understand you and give you grace
He never fails to hear the pleas of the human race
Run to his throne and he will never fail you
He is all-loving, he always rescues and renews.
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One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who has done you wrong. Human nature makes us respond to hurt in a vengeful reaction. We react to pain with either a flight or fight response. In Exodus 21, we hear that an eye for an eye is how we should respond to a fight. In Matthew 5, we hear the teaching that we must not resist an evil person but if someone slaps us on the right cheek, we must offer the other cheek. Does this mean that we are to allow ourselves to be abused? It means that we need not avenge ourselves from the wrong done to us, but forgive instead. The Lord grants us mercy without cease. Why can’t we do the same for others?
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PRAYER
Lord, give me the grace to grant forgiveness to those who have wronged me.
REFLECTION
How do you know that you have already forgiven 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

MERCY THROUGH GRACE Poem Devotional

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January 17
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Foreigners will come to rebuild your towns, and their kings will serve you. For though I have destroyed you in my anger, I will now have mercy on you through my grace.
-Isaiah 60:10(NLT)
MERCY THROUGH GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you done something so wrong?
You can be forgiven not for very long
Run to the Lord and ask for forgiveness
He is full of grace and will grant you mercy.
No matter what you have done
Confess and repent and don’t run
Receive his mercy through his grace
And you will finally be amazed.
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I was a believer for very long but I never understood the concept of grace until the Lord revealed to me how amazing it is. I grew up thinking that I could work for my salvation but it was wrong to think so. Despite all the sins I have committed, Jesus loved me so much and forgave me all that I confessed and repented for. He gave me new life so I can also forgive myself and live a life that is full.
Grace is unmerited favor that we receive through God’s unfailing mercy and love. We receive it when we asked for forgiveness for the wrong we have done. Nothing we will ever do can make up for the sins we have committed. Only the mercy and grace of God will bring us restoration and healing in our lives.
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PRAYER
Lord, please show me how to be worthy of your mercy.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to acknowledge God’s mercy and grace as we receive it?
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

BE COMPASSIONATE & FORGIVE Poem Devotional

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August 23
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Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. – Colossians 3:13(NLT)
BE COMPASSIONATE & FORGIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone hurts or offends you seriously
Be compassionate, don’t take offense, forgive quickly
When you grant forgiveness, you will also be given mercy
The Lord wants you to make allowances wholeheartedly.
Do not allow the spirit of offense to consume you
Turn from your old self, Christ has made you new
Forgive infinitely and you will receive eternal salvation
He ransomed you and made it possible to gain redemption.
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Are you easily offended by other’s faults? I used to easily react and question the motives of people. Because of my traumatic past, it is really hard not to protect myself from possible harm or offensive attacks by others. It made me on guard about people’s purpose for inflicting pain on me. It was a life full of defense. I didn’t realize that I lived a life of fear and control. I wanted to make sure that no one is going to hurt me again and that I am always ready in case they do. It robbed me of my peace and good relationships with others.
The bible tells us that we have to make allowances for other people’s faults and shortcomings. We are reminded how much the Father forgave us all from our sins through Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be generous with forgiveness.
REFLECTION
What do you think will happen if you stay upset and unforgiving to 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

MERCY EACH MORNING Poem Devotional

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February 25________________________________________
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. -Lamentations 3:23(NLT)
MERCY EACH MORNING
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who love the Lord with all their heart
They will have mercy each morning; what a start!
God’s love is unconditional and unfailing
Be faithful in return so you won’t keep falling.
Is there anyone else who could forgive you each time?
He waits for you to return when you commit a crime
Great is his faithful, his mercies begin afresh each day
Seek him constantly; he is faithful to those who obey.
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There were many years that I tortured myself with guilt when I did something wrong. I sometimes punished myself for my sins. It was a life full of remorse and condemnation. I never felt that I was good enough for anyone especially for God. I always critiqued myself harshly. I get so down and hopeless at times when I know I broke a rule or a law of the church. I did not realize that these attitude and thinking were the result of the legalism I grew up into. Corporal punishment was the way adults disciplined children. So much rules, but very little love and affection.
The bible tells us that God is faithful and he forgives and gives us grace and mercy each morning. We need not compare God with our parents and other caregivers. He is a merciful God.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness and mercy.
REFLECTION
What are the ways that you can manifest mercy 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

SHOW MERCY TO OTHERS Poem Devotional

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January 4________________________________________
And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution hating the sins that contaminate their lives. – Jude 22-23 (NLT)
SHOW MERCY TO OTHERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering
Rescue them from judgment and keep on helping
When you show understanding and compassion
You help them from falling into temptation.
Whenever you see a believer sinning
Don’t hate them, but continue forgiving
Remember what Jesus did to show us an example
He gave mercy and grace to all of God’s people.
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I know someone who never forgives. Her motto in life is never to show mercy to those who have done something wrong to her. I never understood why it was difficult for her to forgive until I learned all the abuses she underwent even as a young child. She allowed her circumstances to harden her heart. Later on, she was beset by cancer which was probably an aftermath of her heart’s un-forgiveness.
The bible tells us to show mercy to those whose faith is wavering and to snatch them from the flames of judgment. We have to be careful when we show forgiveness and understanding so that we don’t fall into the danger of contaminating our own lives. Keep a close relationship with the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to follow your example of generously granting mercy.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires us to give mercy 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

SIGN OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE Poem Devotional

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December 24________________________________________
Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. -Luke 2:34 (NLT)
SIGN OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The child Jesus is a sign of God’s mercy and love for mankind
People don’t realize this great gift, they continue to be blind
Christ was prophesied to cause many in Israel to fall
But he will also bring to many other people so much joy.
Jesus is a sign from God but many will oppose him
He will be the way for us all to be freed and redeemed
Do you welcome this Jesus that God has sent to save you?
Have you opened your heart and mind to be renewed?
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Many people like to believe in signs. Some cultures have many superstitious beliefs that they have embraced for many years and have passed on from generations to generations. Not all signs come from God. We have an enemy who knows us very well. He knows all our weaknesses, our history and especially our vulnerabilities. If we have a relationship with God, the enemy will have a hard time using his own tactics to trick us.
Jesus is the sign that God’s mercy and grace has come.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your gift of salvation.
REFLECTION
Why should we be careful to ask for signs when making decisions or choices?
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 RECEIVING MERCY Poem Devotional

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July 1
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People who conceal their sins will not prosper but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. – Proverbs 28:13(NLT)
ON RECEIVING MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you easily grant forgiveness to those who wrong you?
God wants us to change our hearts and have our minds renewed
People who hide their sins will not prosper and move forward
They will have a hard time receiving mercy and reap God’s rewards.
Confess your sins and turn from them so you can be forgiven
You’ll be granted mercy if you remember to heed his voice and listen
He is faithful to absolve you from sin if you follow his lead
Ask and plead for mercy so he can grant your every need.
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One of the blocks of peace and joy is a lack of repentance. I would like to compare it to wearing clothes that have been soiled with dirt. When someone has spilled a drink on you, it is only logical to clean yourself up right away or you would be walking around with the stain in your clothes. Like sin, we usually don’t realize that we wear it on our sleeves. It shows in our demeanor and can even manifest in our bodies. We are summoned to confess our sins and turn from it so we can prosper. People who conceal their sins are blocked from receiving mercy and their dreams to come true.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that is quick to repent.
REFLECTION
How has sin blocked you from moving towards your dreams or goals?
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

SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY Poem Devotional

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March 19
He saved us not because of the righteous thing we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:15(NLT)
SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
We can never achieve our own salvation
He washed away our sins through his sanctification
He saved us not because of the righteous things we’ve done
He ransomed our sins through Jesus, his only begotten Son.
We can never boast any works we are doing
His mercy is given freely to those who are trusting
He gave us new birth and new life through his Spirit
We have to be thankful and grateful as we receive it.
I used to work at my own salvation. I didn’t understand “mercy and grace” then. I grew up being taught that performing works for God is the only way I was going to be saved. Just like how I was conditioned to perform well in school to attain my parents’ approval, I also thought that God was the same way with me.
The bible tells us that he saved us not because of the righteous things we do but because of God’s mercy. He washed our sins away and gave us new life through the Holy Spirit who convicts us when we do wrong and correct us so we can be righteous in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for saving me.
REFLECTION
How can mercy and grace change our thinking?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com