NARROW GATE TO LIFE Poem devotional

Posted on July 11, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 11 The Power of God’s Word
The gate to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. –Matthew 7:14 (NLT)
NARROW GATE TO LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who believe in Christ
There is a narrow gate to life
Only a few ever find this entrance
God’s people are assured of deliverance.
When your life is full of barriers
Your heavenly Father will carry you further
Keep focused on him and he’ll hold your hands
Don’t be distracted; just obey his commands.
Have you been doing things that will lead to the narrow gate or have you chosen the snares by the enemy? When you hear yourself complaining and counting your bad fate, you are probably on the road to that wide gate. If you are a Christian, you wouldn’t want to choose that wide one. Instead, you want to focus on leading to that narrow path that leads to God.
The bible talks about the difference between the gate that leads to God’s kingdom and the one that leads to the enemy. It describes the gate as narrow and difficult and that only a few will ever find it. Are you one of those who found it already or are you nowhere near that gate? Remember that when you encounter trials and difficulties, you are probably near God’s narrow gate.
PRAYER
Lord, lead me to your narrow gate.
REFLECTION
Why do you think the gate is narrow in God’s kingdom?

LEGACY TO THE GODLY Poem Devotional

Posted on July 10, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 10 The Power of God’s Word
How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. – Psalm 112:1-2 (NLT)
LEGACY TO THE GODLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Reverence for God is the foundation of true wisdom
Those who are godly will have a place in his kingdom
How joyful are those who delight in obeying his commands
Their children will be blessed in God’s mighty hands.
You need not be materially rich to hand down a legacy
You are loved by your heavenly father faithfully
An entire generation of godly people will be blessed
They will victoriously defeat the enemy and pass all tests.
Do you have the right treasures that your children can inherit? A responsible parent invests on the future of their children and the coming generations. The best inheritance you can hand down is “love for God.” All the wealth in the world can never compare to God’s promises to those who love him.
God repays those who are faithful with a legacy. He brings joy to those who honor him and delight in his commands. He promises an entire generation of blessings and success in everything they undertake. The parents will be wealthy and their good deeds will last forever. What an awesome promise!
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a hunger for you.
REFLECTION
How much time have you invested in God that benefits your lineage?

WATCH OUT FOR JEALOUSY Poem Devotional

Posted on July 9, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 9 The Power of God’s Word
If you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual and demonic.
–James 3:14-15 (NLT)
WATCH OUT FOR JEALOUSY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself longing for someone or something you don’t have?
Do you feel empty and compare yourself with others and obsess for love?
If you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart
Don’t cover up the truth; seek God first, be faithful and he will impart.
Jealousy is a poison that contaminates your whole person
It can disguise itself in compliments, concern or reason
Jealousy is rooted in selfishness, pride and envy
It binds you to lies and is a scheme of the enemy.
Watch out for any form of jealousy in your life! The bible cautions us in Galatians 5:19-21 about the manifestations of the sinful nature. Jealousy is one of them. Many bible stories show the aftermath of jealousy. Cain killed Abel because of jealousy. Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him because their father favored Joseph more than them. Saul plotted to exterminate David because of jealousy. Jealousy roots from selfishness and is not from God.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me away from any form of envy or jealousy.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with jealousy according to the book of James?

THE FOLLY OF WICKEDNESS Poem Devotional

Posted on July 8, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 8 The Power of God’s Word
The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a deep pit to trap others then fall into it themselves.
–Psalm 7: 14-15(NLT)
THE FOLLY OF WICKEDNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you conceive things that are evil or pure?
Are you easily trapped by the tactics of the devil and lured?
Those who are sinful conceive wickedness and are full of trouble
They give birth to lies which lead them to the rubbles.
Those who choose to turn away from righteousness
They dig a trap when they opt for wickedness
If you stay in God’s word and believe in him
You will avoid the folly of iniquity and be redeemed.
Have you ever experienced trouble after trouble? When you do, think carefully what your mind has been preoccupied with. Likely, selfishness and evil lurk inside you. This is why we have been cautioned to guard our hearts and choose only thoughts that are pure, lovely and beautiful. Once your mind swings to the negative realm and dwells on the self, the door opens for the enemy to consume you with wickedness. The bible says that the wicked conceive evil. They are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. The folly of wickedness is that they dig a deep pit which they themselves fall into.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me aligned with your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to avoid evil always?

NO ONE LIKE YOU Poem Devotional

Posted on July 6, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 5 The Power of God’s Word
Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms, of the world, there is no one like you. – Jeremiah 10: 6, 7(NLT)
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you met anyone completely perfect?
Is there someone you know who can affect?
Do you know someone who constantly seeks your love?
He is your creator and father up above?
There is no one like Jesus Christ
He came on earth to break all the lies
There is no one who can ever be full of wisdom
He is the only who can lead us to God’s kingdom.
Do you know of anyone who totally loves you unconditionally and accepts you for who you really are? All our earthly relationships fall short of perfect love. Humans are imperfect and naturally cater to gratifying the self. We don’t normally seek others first. The world has influenced us to think of ourselves first than anyone else.
The bible tells us that there is no one like our Lord. He is great and his name is powerful. He is the epitome of wisdom. He knows everything even before we think, act or plan something. God deserves our faithfulness because he is faithful forever.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be faithful.
REFLECTION
Why do you have to be faithful to God?

WARNING ABOUT ANTICHRISTS Poem devotional

Posted on July 4, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 4 The Power of God’s Word

Many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.– 2 John:7,11 (NLT)

WARNING ABOUT ANTICHRISTS

A poem and essay by ILMA

There are many false prophets and deceivers

Be careful especially those who are unbelievers

If they deny that Christ came into this world

Study God’s word for it is your sword.

Have nothing to do with the antichrists

This is the only way you can fight

Do not participate in their evil work

Never let them in your home or engage in talks.

Believers have been warned about the antichrists. One of the tactics of Satan is to let Christians think that there is only one antichrist. In the book of Daniel, vision and revelations about the different and various antichrists have been revealed to him.

The bible tells us that there will come a time that there will be many deceivers, but the true sign of an antichrist is when they deny the truth that Jesus Christ was born of a man and that he died on the cross. Don’t engage or listen to their destructive evil plans.

PRAYER

Lord, keep me close to you and study your word constantly.

REFLECTION

How can a believer be protected from antichrists’ tactics?

MANAGING ANGER Poem Devotional

Posted on July 3, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 3 The Power of God’s Word
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.– Psalm 4:4 (NLT)
MANAGING ANGER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Anger is an emotion created for a reason
It can protect you from the enemy’s treason
It can make you defend those who are oppressed
It can drive you to do something for the depressed.
Don’t sin by letting anger control you
Instead, control it by thinking it through
Remain silent until you reach tranquility
Then you will have victory over the enemy.
I was a slave of many generational sins before I became a born again. Among the list would be: seeking approval, perfectionism, performance, reasoning, judgment and anger. Each of these sins leads to the other. Because of rejection, it was a big deal for me to seek approval and attention which brought me to always perform. I reason and argue to prove my point and that I am right. When I don’t persuade others or they don’t live up to my expectations, I judge and then get angry. Sometimes this anger is manifests in many ways like irritations, sarcasms, jokes or confrontations and outbursts.
The bible tells us to manage our anger and not let it control us. Thinking about it overnight and remaining silent helps us calm down and win the battle.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to manage anger.
REFLECTION
How can awareness of anger and its source help us manage it?

LIVE AS LONG AS TREES Poem Devotional

Posted on July 2, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 2 The Power of God’s Word
For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. Isaiah 65:22(NLT)
LIVE AS LONG AS TREES
A poem and essay by ILMA
A tree that has grown deep roots will live long
No one can kill it without being so strong
Dig it up from its core or they’ll come again
Leaves come back with the sun and rain.
Like trees, believers will have time to flourish
Take pleasure from how much you are nourished
Despite all the hard work you put into your life
Enjoy your harvest and give up the fight.
Since I was a child, I have always basked in the beauty of various trees around me. I wrote a song when I was fourteen, describing a tree that was very thick. I love trees. Trees have many uses but mainly as lumber. Houses are made from mostly lumber.
Trees are mentioned many times in many books of the bible. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was surrounded by trees. Zaccheus the tax collector, who wasn’t tall enough had to climb a tree to watch Jesus as he taught. Isaiah likens a believer’s life to trees. They will live as long as trees. They are deeply rooted in the truth and promises of God. They will be given time to enjoy their hard-won gains.
PRAYER
Lord, nourish me with your truth.
REFLECTION
How deep is your foundation in Christ?

THE BRIDE OF GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on July 1, 2014 by ilmaarts

July 1 The Power of God’s Word
Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride.–Isaiah 62:4 (NLT)
THE BRIDE OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in God, he claimed you as his bride
Are you ecstatic and delighted to be by his side?
Are you wearing the wedding gown of purity?
Does your head have the tiara of security?
The covenant to submit to his authority will be your ring
All the cherubs, seraphs and angels will sing
God will honor you with love and faithfulness
He will take care of you and your needs with kindness.
Over two decades ago, I made a vow to be Jesus’ bride and the father of my son. I was raising my child alone and I was in my late twenties. Somehow, there was a voice inside my mind that told me to marry Jesus and give my son the perfect father. I read the bible then but didn’t really study it. I didn’t come across Isaiah’s and Hosea’s verses about the bride of God when I made this vow. Now, I know that it was God’s spirit who whispered to me that I am his bride. All believers are brides of God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be faithful to you as you are to me.
REFLECTION
How can you be the most beautiful bride of God?

EMPATHY VERSUS SYMPATHY Poem Devotional

Posted on June 30, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 30 The Power of God’s Word
Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
-Hebrews 13:3(NLT)
A poem and essay by ILMA
To sympathize is to recognize someone else’s situation
It is when you observe and say something about their condition
To empathize is to put your own shoes in their own difficulties
It is deeper than just saying something about their realities.
Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself
It will bring you to forget one’s self and help
Remember those who are being mistreated and abused
You will feel grateful and realize that gifts are to be used.
Sympathy and Empathy have been used interchangeably by many. While they may be synonymous, there is a difference in the degree and realm of emotion and understanding involved. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. When you identify with what others are feeling because you have experienced it yourself or have been through a similar situation. Sympathy is a feeling of pity or sense of kindness. It is when you feel bad for someone else who’s going through something hard. It is recognizing another person’s situation but not necessarily taking active part in alleviating their sorrow or pain. Christians are called to empathize not sympathize.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a compassionate heart.
REFLECTION
Why are believers called to empathize rather than sympathize?

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