May 22 The Power of God’s Word
“Don’t be afraid”, he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” –Daniel 10:19 (NLT)
BE ENCOURAGED!
Are you anxious and worried about challenges?
Don’t be afraid, for God will bring changes
You are very precious to him like a treasure
He gives you favors for his own pleasure.
Be encouraged and have peace
Doubting and hopelessness must cease
Be strong, he will not take long
His timing is perfect and he is never wrong.
Do you know that you are very precious to God? A lot of people do not realize this truth and go in circles trying to find value in their identity. I lived many years believing the enemy’s lies that I don’t deserve to be loved. It made me obsessed with finding love from others. God freed me after many decades pursuing human love and attention. He revealed my true identity as his child many years later. After that revelation, I had peace and knew my identity in Christ.
In Daniel 10, the prophet had a vision of great hardship and times of war. So he mourned for three weeks, fasting. He grew weak because of this but was consoled by God that he is very precious and that he will regain his strength and be encouraged and have peace for he provides for his people.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for encouraging me.
REFLECTION
Do you feel precious and encouraged by God’s love?
Tag Archives: Poem devotional
LIVING BY GOD’S POWER Poem Devotional
May 21 The Power of God’s Word
For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
–1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)
LIVING BY GOD’S POWER
Do you live in the standards set by this world?
Do you depend on God’s power shown in his word?
For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk
It is about believing and following Jesus’ walk.
Can you discern the wisdom that God provides?
Do you listen to all the things he reveals and confides?
Living by God’s power is accepting the spirit within
It is by walking in love that we can be free and redeemed.
The world we live in puts much emphasis on “power.” Everyone wants a bite of this power. The clamor for recognition, success, wealth, possessions have all led to a life of corruption and conflict. Each one wants to prove who is better at something. In God’s economy, power is only granted to those who seek the Lord.
It is the power to let go and surrender every need, craving and desire our hearts yearn for.
The bible tells us to live in God’s power. How can we live by his power? We can look at how Jesus lived amongst us. He was the son of God, yet he did not exercise any of his powers, he surrendered to his father’s will.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to humbly surrender.
REFLECTION
Why is humility essential in salvation?
GIVING UP IMMATURITY Poem Devotional
May 20 The Power of God’s Word
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like truth.
–Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)
GIVING UP IMMATURITY
Can you honestly say that you have grown up?
Have your tantrum fits and whining stopped?
Are you easily swayed by lies that appear like truth?
Do worldly teachings appear inviting to you?
Faith and knowledge of the Lord brings maturity
It makes us admit our mistakes and take responsibility
Wisdom protects us from sly tactics of the enemy
The word of God will free us from deceit and slavery.
The bible says in Matthew 18:3 that we cannot enter God’s kingdom unless we become like little children. Why did God require us to be like these little ones as a pre-requisite to a place in his kingdom? Children are pure. They are excited, bold, adventurous, creative, full of energy and fearless. They have no schemes or ill intentions. They don’t judge. They easily forgive.
In Ephesians, we are told to no longer be immature like children. Kids are vulnerable. Because of their purity, they can be deceived and victimized. We are asked to stop being vulnerable to worldly influence through scriptures. Only God’s word will protect us from lies.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a hunger for knowing you.
REFLECTION
Why do we have to give up immaturity?
THE GREATEST TEACHER Poem Devotional
May 15 The Power of God’s Word
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you, and leads you along the paths you should follow. –Isaiah 48:17(NLT)
THE GREATEST TEACHER
A poem by ILMA
Do you rely on others to teach and tell you what to do?
There is no one else who knows you through and through
God alone sees your heart, thoughts and intentions
He knows how to handle your trials and tribulations.
The greatest teacher leads you along paths you should follow
He has your best interest at heart and hears your sorrow
Do not lose hope, come to him and he will show you the way
He will confront all your enemies and he will make them pay.
There are many people who can tell you what to do and how to live your life. Do they really know what is good for you? Only God knows our thoughts, feelings and heart. He knows us be name, even before we were born. He knows every strand in our hair (Luke 12:7).
God is all-knowing and all seeing. He invites us to allow him to teach us and lead us to the paths we should take. He is the greatest teacher. When we rely on him for guidance, we are guaranteed a life full of promises and fruits of his spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to consult with you always.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to seek guidance from him?
PRAYING FROM THE HEART Poem Devotional
May 13 The Power of God’s Word
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. –Matthew 6:7(NLT)
PRAYING FROM THE HEART
A poem by ILMA
Babbling and repeated prayers are futile
They do not involve your heart which is vital
When you pray, be in a secret place
Listen to his voice and hear what he says.
Don’t repeat your words again and again
It is only a waste of time and gets no gain.
Cry or shout for joy when you talk to the Lord
Pour out your heart to bring him laud.
When I was a child, the Our Father was the first prayer I was taught. The process of memorizing something is like storing the words in your heart. Be careful to be mindful when you utter memorized prayer. If you do not take the time to let your heart process the words, it will just be repeated words with no meaning. There were so many formula prayers I learned in the past that were futile.
The bible tells us that we shouldn’t repeat again and again what we say when we pray. God isn’t deaf. In fact, he already knows what we need even before we pray. Praying is like having intimate conversations with God where there’s interaction.
PRAYER
Lord, guard me from futile praying.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to use our hearts when we talk to God?
FAITH HEALS Poem Devotional
May 12 The Power of God’s Word
“Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. –Matthew 9:22(NLT)
FAITH HEALS
A poem by ILMA
Do you believe that faith can save you?
Trust completely in the Lord and he will renew
Your confidence in him will bring healing
It will lead you to freedom and rejoicing.
When you have a weakness or an illness
Be encouraged, faith will bring hopefulness
If you surrender anything to God’s power
He will bring a miracle right at that hour.
Do you realize how faith can actually save you from darkness and illnesses? I have seen actual healing happen when I went to a faith healer who got his spiritual gift of healing from the Lord. He received God’s gift to heal and he was used by the Lord so God will be glorified. Millions of people followed him and I actually saw cripples and bed ridden cancer patients literally standing up and walking as he laid his hands and prayed on them. The first thing he asks from them is if they totally believe that God will free them from their predicament. The moment they declare their faith, they were instantly healed. The bible has many faith stories that would attest to healing as an offshoot of faith. Matthew mentions the woman who instantly received healing by trusting Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to grow in faith.
REFLECTION
Why is faith essential in healing?
LIKE A MOTHER Poem Devotional
May 11 The Power of God’s Word
I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.
- Isaiah66:13(NLT)
LIKE A MOTHER
A poem by ILMA
Who can ever provide a love that is unconditional?
Women are gifted with instincts that are maternal
A mother provides all she can to protect her family
She will do everything to bring them up righteously.
Like a mother, God comforts his children daily
He gives them hope and loves them completely
He promises his beloved children great riches
His faithfulness endures forever which brings fullness.
Motherhood is one of the hardest roles a person could ever handle. I think God gave mothers special gifts and the power to press on in life. From the time of conception, it is amazing how mothers are given the strength to handle the changes in their bodies and their emotions. When women are pregnant, they go through major hormonal changes in their bodies, which often times are hard to deal with. If you are a woman, you probably know what I am talking about. The cravings, the mood swings, the heightened sensitivities to different things. God has equipped women to have emotional strength to bear difficulties. How awesome is our God who designed women to have the capacity to nurture and care. The bible tells us that God is like a mother who constantly comforts her child.
PRAYER
Lord, make me more caring and nurturing.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God likens himself to a mother?
GOD ANSWERS Poem Devotional
May 8 The Power of God’s Word
I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayer. –Isaiah 65:24(NLT)
A poem by ILMA
Pray whenever you have a need
It will be answered when you heed
Call upon the Lord when you are in pain
He will hear your prayers; it will not be in vain.
Even before you ask, he knows already what you’ll say
He loves you so much and he will always find a way
While you are still requesting in prayer
He has already granted and answered.
How often do you pray? The prophet Daniel is a perfect example of the power of prayer. In chapter 9:4-19, he confessed and pleaded God to forgive the sins of Israel. He used the word “we” even though he has not sinned. Unlike the Pharisees who prayed lifting themselves up and putting down other sinners in Luke 18:11, Daniel’s heart cried out for his people. He wasn’t righteous like the Pharisee. He interceded for Israel and believed that God will have mercy as he has shown the prophet Jeremiah. Daniel quoted scriptures and believed it.
The bible tells us that God answers prayer while we are still praying. Sometimes we don’t hear or see the answers because we don’t want the answers.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a humble heart that prays always.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to pray?
LIVING GODLY LIVES Poem Devotional
May 7 The Power of God’s Word
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. –1 Timothy 3:12(NLT)
A poem by ILMA
The moment you accept Christ as your savior
Let your actions reflect righteous behavior
Every believer who wants to live a godly life
Be ready to avoid all forms of strife
It is easy to give in to temptation and sin
It takes grace and trust to be redeemed
Each person who wants to serve the Lord
Press on the challenges to bring him laud.
There are many challenges a Christian face. One of them is persecutions or discrimination. Most unbelievers test you or question your faith and beliefs. In fact, the more you follow Christ, the more the enemy would want to steal your peace, joy and your heart.
When I chose Christ as my Lord and Savior, I wasn’t exempt from suffering. The difference between a believer and an unbeliever lies in knowing that one is not alone when they go through challenges and trials. As they humbly admit their weakness, Christ strengthens them.
The bible tells us that persecution will be part of a godly life. Just as Christ suffered when he was on earth, those who claim to be his followers must face these challenges that are inevitable when they embrace righteousness living.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me strength to face challenges.
REFLECTION
Why do you think suffering is inevitable in a Christian’s life?
NOTHING WITHOUT GOD Poem Devotional
May 6 The Power of God’s Word
I can do nothing on my own, I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.
– John 5:30 (NLT)
NOTHING WITHOUT GOD
A poem by ILMA
Whenever you do things separate from God’s will
You make yourself vulnerable for the enemy to steal
God made humans so they can love him back
He doesn’t want people to be isolated and have a lack.
Christ didn’t do anything separate from God’s plans
He obeyed and did all his Father’s commands
The son carried out the will of the Father
He was a perfect example to his sisters and brothers.
Do you consult God when you make a decision or do something? There are many reasons why we fail or succeed in life. We will never be able to comprehend why we fall short of something or why someone else succeeds and we don’t. Has it ever occurred to you that it might be because you didn’t have the humility to ask God? It might be because you have been taking credit for something that God needs to be praised for.
The bible tells us that we can do nothing on our own. Even Christ who was divine had the humility to do nothing without God’s consent.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a hunger to align my will with yours.
REFLECTION
Why is humility important in life?