November 10
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LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS
A poem by ILMA
This letter is to the angel of the church in Ephesus
This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars
The one who walks among the seven gold lampstands
God knew all you did, especially their patient endurance
You do not let wickedness thrive or tolerate evil people
You examine the claims of those who claim they are apostles
You have discovered they are liars and have patiently suffered without quitting
But God has this one complaint against you; they don’t love God as they did before.
Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first
If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying
To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in God’s paradise.
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MEMORY VERSE
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!
– Revelations 2:4
Read: Revelations 2:1-7
This letter is for the people of God whose love has turned sour on him. When Christians grow in years of becoming a believer, there is a big tendency to take for granted their initial feeling of love for Jesus. Passion and fire gets lost over time as we grow complacent and used to loving someone.
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REFLECTION
• How can we prevent losing the passion we once had for our loved ones?
• Why is living on fire for the one you love important in a relationship?
• Why do you think did God filed this complaint of not having passion to this church of Ephesus?
• Why wasn’t their good works enough for the Lord Jesus Christ?
• Why did the Lord remind this church how they lost their ardor for him important?
Tag Archives: passion
THE NAME THAT BRINGS HOPE Poem Devotional
November 30________________________________________
And his name will be the hope of all the world. – Matthew 12:21(NLT)
THE NAME THAT BRINGS HOPE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you lost your joy and passion?
What have you lately been focusing on?
If you listen to all the lies that the enemy says
You will loose hope and get trapped in his ways.
God gave us his only Son to bring salvation
Call on his name so you can come out of oblivion
Jesus’ name is the only one that brings hope and joy
Say it out loud and you’ll enjoy a life that is full.
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There was probably over two decades of my life that I was desperately hopeless and lonely. I wasn’t loved for who I was but for how I can live up to the unrealistic expectations set before me. It was a very tiring life because I was always walking on eggshells, fearing that if I didn’t follow what I was told to do, I will be punished and more pain from the rejection and criticism will ensue. At a very young age, I learned to cope with this impossible life. They wanted me to be perfect, to perform all the talents they want me to excel in, and to academically outshine all of my classmates. If I didn’t, they will withdraw their attention and love. I learned to call on Jesus at age seven and his name brought me hope and comfort.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your most powerful name.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when Jesus’ name brought you joy and hope.
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
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