July 31
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OWE NOTHING EXCEPT TO LOVE EACH OTHER
A poem by ILMA
Everyone must submit to authorities for all authority comes from God
Those in positions of authority have been placed there by the Lord
Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against his creator
For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right.
Would you like to live without fear of the authorities?
Then do what is right, and they will honor you.
The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good
But if you are doing wrong, they have the power to punish you.
They are God’s servants, so you must submit to them
Don’t do it only to avoid punishment, but keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons, they ought to be paid as well
They are serving God in what they do and give to everyone what you owe them.
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another
If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law
Love your neighbor as yourself for love does no wrong to others
There is nothing impossible with love; love conquers all.
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MEMORY VERSE
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. – Romans 13:8
Read: Romans 13
The Lord doesn’t want us to owe anything from anyone. He commands us to submit to authorities and be responsible citizens. He placed all those in positions of authority to represent him, so he wants us to submit to them as to the Lord. He reminds us that the only debt we need to have is to love one another.
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REFLECTION
• Do you have trouble submitting to authorities?
• Why is it important to love one another?
Tag Archives: poetry spoken word
JESUS’ BLOOD MADE US FRIENDS WITH GOD Poem Devotional
July 16
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JESUS’ BLOOD MADE US FRIENDS WITH GOD
A poem by ILMA
We have been made right in God’s sight by faith and we have peace
Because of what Jesus our lord has done for us, we are reconciled
Christ gave us the undeserved privilege when he died for us on the cross
We now stand and confidently share this sacrifice with much joy.
We can rejoice too when we run into problems and trials
For we know that they help us develop endurance
Endurance progresses strength of character
Character strengthen our confident hope of salvation.
We know how much God loves us for he gave us his Spirit
When we were utterly helpless, Christ died for us sinners
God showed us his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us
Since we have been made right by his blood, we are free from condemnation.
Since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son
Even though we were still enemies, we will be saved through Christ’s life
So, we can rejoice now in our new relationship with God
Jesus made us friends of God by his death and blood on the cross.
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MEMORY VERSE
So we can now rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. – Romans 5:11
Read: Romans 5:1-11
Isn’t it such a privilege to know that because of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ has done for us, we don’t get the punishment that we really deserve? In the Old Testament, they didn’t have the Holy Spirit living in them. They had to go through someone like Abraham or Moses to speak to God. Now, we are considered friends of God because of Jesus’ sacrifice.
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REFLECTION
• Do you treasure the fact that Jesus died for you so you can be God’s friend?
• Why do you think faith is important for us to have joy in life?
PAUL’S JOURNEY TO MACEDONIA Poem Devotional
June 29
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PAUL’S JOURNEY TO MACEDONIA
A poem by ILMA
When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them
Then he started for Macedonia and heartened believers in all towns he passed by
He travelled down to Greece where he stayed for three months
Then he prepared to sail back to Syria but discovered a plot so he went back.
Several men traveled with him namely Sopater, Aristarchus and Secundus
Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, Trophimus from the province of Asia joined him too
Then he went ahead and waited at Troas and after Passover, they boarded a ship
They headed to Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas.
The first day, they gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper
Paul was preaching to them and the next day, he talked till midnight
Then Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy
Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death.
Paul went down, bent over him and took him in his arms
“Don’t worry,” he said “he’s alive!”, then they all went back upstairs
They shared in the Lord’s Supper and ate together and he continued
The young man was taken home alive and all were greatly relieved.
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MEMORY VERSE
Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly received. – Acts 20:12
Read: Acts 20
Paul’s journey to Macedonia happened just after the riot in Ephesus. We still see how he continued to encourage believers and preached the Good News. In this journey, he miraculously brought back to life Eutychus who fell from the windowsill.
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REFLECTION
• What kind of a disciple Paul was?
• Would you go all the way to risk your life as a believer just to preach the Good News?
ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE Poem Devotional
May 7
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ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE
A poem by ILMA
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel how Elijah killed Baal’s prophets
Jezebel threatened Elijah that she would kill him as he killed them
Elijah was so afraid and fled for his life and went to Beersheba
He left his servant Elisha in that small town of Judah.
Then Elijah went on alone into the wilderness travelling all day
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die
He prayed to the Lord to take his life for he isn’t better than his ancestor
Elijah laid down and slept under the broom tree when an angel came.
The angel instructed the prophet to get up and eat some bread just by his head
Then the prophet did as he was told so he proceeded to Mt. Sinai
The bread and the jar of water sustained him forty days and forty nights
There he spent the night as he reached that quiet place of refuge.
The Lord confronted the prophet what he was doing in that place
He tells the Lord how he ran for his life, as all the prophets were killed
The Lord gave him further instruction to go back and go to Damascus
As he arrived, the prophet was to appoint Hazael to become king of Aram.
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MEMORY VERSE
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba and he left his servant there.
– 1 Kings 19:3
Read: 1 Kings 19
It is interesting to see a very powerful prophet running and being so scared for his life. He heard what Jezebel did to all of God’s prophets, It is interesting how fear played a role in Elijah’ls live?
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REFLECTION
• How powerful is the Jezebel spirit?
• What made a very powerful prophet get debilitated?
• Why was Jezebel chasing the prophet?
OLD HAS GONE, NEW HAS BEGUN Poem Devotional
December 31________________________________________
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17(NLT)
OLD HAS GONE, NEW HAS BEGUN
A poem and essay by ILMA
The old year has gone by quickly
Have we loved faithfully?
If anyone is seeking Christ
They will be transformed and be full of life.
Are there areas of your life that is in bondage?
Run to the throne so you will have an advantage
God didn’t create you with the spirit of fear
He made you powerful, loving and disciplined.
Renew your mind and make it captive to Jesus
He loves all the faithful, he considers them precious
Embrace the new year with a new attitude and stay objective
Welcome the challenges; they’ll give a new perspective.
Dream big and present it to the Lord so he can bless them
When you request anything, remember to ask in his name
Be joyful and humble and keep on loving others
You will totally be blessed if you love one another.
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The old year has passed and a new beginning for the coming year is just around the corner. Have you reflected on the past year? What needs to be changed? Many people make new year’s resolution but I think we all should have our minds renewed in Christ Jesus so that we will have his perspective when challenges arise in the coming year.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the things I learned this past year.
REFLECTION
How can we change our thinking or doing things successfully?
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
CHOSEN FEW FROM THE MANY Poem Devotional
December 18________________________________________
How is it that you are here without wedding clothes? But the man had no reply. For many are called but few are chosen. – Matthew 22:12, 14(NLT)
CHOSEN FEW FROM THE MANY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you seriously thought about what it takes to be consecrated?
Committing to a life for Christ may pose many trials and obstacles
When you are given an invitation to live a righteous life
There are requirements to comply with the invite.
You cannot come to a feast in tattered clothes
You clean yourself up and make sure you don’t look gross
It is like attending God’s feast, you need to be well dressed
He deserves to be revered and wants you to wear your new self.
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In Matthew 22 Jesus tells the parable of the great feast. He compares the Kingdom of Heaven with the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. They all refused to come. He sent another batch of servants to tell them a great detail about all that they have prepared for the wedding feast, but again, the guests ignored the invitation and even some of the people killed the messengers who gave the invitation. After that, the king invited everyone they saw but one man came in drab clothes. The king threw this man out in darkness where there’s weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always be pure.
REFLECTION
Why should we always wear our new creation in Christ?
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
JESUS’ SACRIFICE MAKES US RIGHT Poem Devotional
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July 11
________________________________________People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. – Romans 3:25 (NLT)
JESUS’ SACRIFICE MAKES US RIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe how powerful is the sacrifice of Jesus?
He died for us because he considers us very precious
People are made right with God when they believe
The faith in his sacrifice is crucial for us to receive.
Are you able to reflect on the blood that saved you?
Have you allowed yourself to be renewed?
The blood of Jesus restores all relationships
It manifests his faithfulness and kingship.
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Many people do their best to make things right. No one can really be truly right unless we acknowledge the power of the sacrifice on the cross. When Jesus died for our sins, his bloodshed paid our sin debt. He erased our sins through his faithful sacrifice on the cross.
He bridged the gap that was created by our sin. He became the link or the bridge for us to renew our relationship with the heavenly Father. Whenever we fall into sin, all he wants us to do is to confess it, repent and renew our lives so we can have a new beginning again. He forgives us when we repent and is always faithful to guide and teach us to do the right thing. So, always reflect on the blood that was shed for you.
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PRAYER
Thank you that you have shed your own blood to save me.
REFLECTION
Do you constantly reflect on the sacrifice made for 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
WHEN YOU SEARCH AND SEEK GOD Poem Devotional
April 27________________________________________
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. -Psalm 105:4(NLT)
WHEN YOU SEARCH AND SEEK GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a heart that searches to know the Lord?
Do your priorities include seeking God’s word?
When you search for him, you will know him
When you seek him first, you will win over sin.
Whenever you give your loyalty to our faithful God
You will have life, harvest his Spirit’s fruit and be glad
When you seek his truth, you will be set free
When you search for him, he will make you see.
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The trouble with our world today is that we don’t even know our priorities or if we do, they are based on our human desires. No wonder we live in chaos and confusion. How do we live a life of clarity and peace? So many different religions offer many different ways to achieve such happiness. In God’s economy, we are commanded to seek him first and everything will be given to us. Christianity does not offer a fixed answer to trials and sufferings. God gave us his son Jesus to redeem us from the corrupt world we live. He did this by being born among us and experiencing the deepest and gravest kind of persecution, pain and death. He sampled us a man who, even though he was God did nothing to prove it. He prioritized God’s will over his.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that seeks you and your will.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God commands us to seek him first?
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
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING Poem Devotional
April 27________________________________________
There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her. -Luke 10:42(NLT)
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
A poem and essay by ILMA
What things do you consider valuable in life?
Is it to be looked up to or to stay in God’s light?
Seeking and obeyin¬¬g Christ’s teaching is essential
Those who discover it, they will find it beneficial.
Only by depending on Jesus will we be victorious
It is by focusing on others that we become less oblivious
There is no other way but to follow Jesus
Come to the only one who is worthy and glorious.
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Many of us seem to be distracted by things that are not really that important. Sometimes we get caught up in the details and chaos in our lives and we miss out what is really valuable in life. I taught Art for many decades and one of the hardest things to do is to choose the subject you want to draw or paint. It may take awhile before one can decide which one to select. I usually give only a ten-minute time frame for my students to decide from a few choices. The more choices, the longer it takes to decide.
Just like in painting, we also need to make choices in life in order to grow. Following Jesus and obeying his teachings are essential to live a victorious life.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me away from all sorts of distractions and focus only on you.
REFLECTION
Why is seeking God the most important thing in 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
LIFE SPAN OF HUMANS
February 1________________________________________
Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.” – Genesis 5:27,6:3(NLT)
LIFE SPAN OF HUMANS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever wonder how old can humans live?
They use to survive for as long 969 years
Methuselah was the oldest man on earth
He was the grandfather of Noah who built the ark.
Later on God observed how people lived in wickedness
It broke his heart that they are full of unrighteousness
He found that Noah was a good man to start a new world
He wanted people to seek him more and abide by his word.
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The longest human lifespan is that of Jeanne Calment of France (1875–1997), who lived to the age of 122 years. In Genesis 5, we are given an account of the oldest man to live, Methuselah. He died at 969 years old. If you will take a close look at the descendants of Adam, most of them lived from 777-969 years of age. In Genesis 6 we find out why God had shortened the lifespan of men. The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness and decided to save only the good and start a new world with Noah and his family.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me live all the days of my life for you.
REFLECTION
Who was the oldest person you have met? What was it life to meet them?
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