May 1
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GIDEON’S FALL AS A JUDGE
A poem by ILMA
It was amazing how the Lord brought Gideon as their deliverer
He used to be so humble and always consulted God before battle
As his brothers were killed by Zebah and Zalmunna, his heart changed
He began to do things on his own and endangered his kingship over Israel.
Gideon began to tread the smaller towns of Succoth and Peniel differently
He dealt with the offense of the people of Ephraim with cunning flattery
Yet, he threatened the smaller towns that he will get back at them
When he was victorious, these two small towns got what they deserved.
When Israel asked him to be their ruler, yet Gideon declined
He only requested for a gold earring from their plunder from enemies
From all their contributions, the gold weighed forty-three pounds
Out of all this, he made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah.
Why did he want to make a vessel fit for a high priest or a king?
Did he want power and recognition for all his victorious battles?
This ephod became an idol for the Israelites, they worshiped it
It became a trap for Gideon’s as it directly made them adulterous to God.
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MEMORY VERSE
Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family. – Judges 8:27
Read: Judges 8
What happened to Gideon? He started out as a very humble servant of God. Just after a victory over the Midianites, his heart immediately changed and greed and power came out of what began as a humble and faithful heart for God.
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REFLECTION
• What led to Gideon’s change of heart?
• Why do you think he made an ephod for himself and put it in his hometown?
Tag Archives: power
POWER TO THE WEAK Poem Devotional
August 14________________________________________
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. – Isaiah 40:29(NLT)
POWER TO THE WEAK
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord is there for those who are powerless
He gives them strength and his love is boundless
When you are weak, he is there to give you power
He will alleviate the pain of those who suffer.
He came to redeem all those who believe in him
He died for all of us so we can overcome sin
Be joyful when you encounter suffering
He will grant you his grace and blessings.
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During the darkest years of my life, I felt very hopeless, powerless and desperate. I had experienced so much pain and abuse without realizing that I was uncomfortable with peace and joy. I wasn’t a born again believer at that time, so I only did what others would do. I followed my will and the world’s standards. I consulted all kinds of self-help books and relied on my own mind and abilities. I didn’t realize that God only wanted me to rely on him and no one else. There was a time when I was at a desperate moment that I almost ended my own life. He still saved me. I didn’t know that he had a plan for me even before I was born. A plan for flourishing his kingdom, not for my own wants. He gave me strength when I was weak and powerless.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for strengthening me in all the desperate moments in my life.
REFLECTION
How can you encourage someone who is helpless?
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
GOD’S POWER AND JUSTICE Poem Devotional
November 11
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The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. – Nahum 1:3(NLT)
GOD’S POWER AND JUSTICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you faithfully seek the Lord?
Are you meditating on his word?
God is slow to anger but is fair
Do not test him or disobey.
The Lord deals with sin fairly
So don’t treat others unjustly
He won’t allow the guilty go unpunished
Confess and repent so he can give you mercy.
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Some people think that because God is merciful and loving, they can get away with sin. He hates sin. He loves us all but he doesn’t want us to participate in any form of evil or lawlessness. That is why he gave us Christ so that we can believe in him and be new. We need not go back to our old self which is by nature sinful. If we committed ourselves to Christ, we have the privilege to be forgiven right away and be cleansed by his blood. Some lax Christians think that God loves them and will forgive them easily, so they can just do the evil they planned and ask forgiveness. In the book of Nahum, we are warned that he never lets the guilty go unpunished. Though God is slow to anger, it doesn’t mean that he is partial. He advocates the law of sowing and reaping.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me always how sin can draw us away from you.
REFLECTION
How can you avoid being a lax Christian?
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
SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL Poem Devotional
October 30
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You are permitting that woman-that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.
– Revelation 2:20(NLT)
SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the spirit of Jezebel is present
There is control, idolatry and sins of the flesh
Don’t allow this spirit to prevail in Christ’s body
It defiles God’s people who are living holy.
When you allow this spirit to thrive
It will destroy anything that has life
Rebuke in Jesus’ name this evil by exposing it
Scripture has power to cast it out and cleanse it.
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1 King 16:29-32 gives us an account of how King Ahab began to rule over Israel and reigned in Samaria for twenty-two years. He married Jezebel and began to bow down in worship of Baal. He built a temple and altar for Baal in Samaria. In Kings 18:4-5, we get a picture of what kind of woman Jezebel was. She tried to kill all of the Lord’s prophets but Obadiah hid 100 prophets in two caves. She had been behind all of the plots to kill God’s people by controlling her husband. She was determined to annihilate God’s people and propagate the pagan god Baal. This Jezebel spirit lurking in people’s mind and heart, churches and relationships need to be casted out in Jesus’ name and blood. Let us shine Jesus light on this spirit.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver us from the Jezebel spirit and expose it when it manifests.
REFLECTION
Share any encounter you’ve had with the Jezebel spirit.
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
MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY Poem Devotional
March 25________________________________________
The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity.
-Psalm 114:16(NLT)
MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God made all creatures
He gave dominion for man to rule
The heavens belong to the Lord
But he gave man authority over the world.
All humans are responsible for the earth
They need to nurture it and constantly care
Without taking ownership, it will deteriorate
Without love, this world will disintegrate.
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One of the skills needed to succeed in running a theater performance is to delegate to others some of the things that you cannot all simultaneously do. As a stage manager for over two decades, I learned to hold others responsible for some things. I can’t do it all. Just like any other managers in any other field or sector, one has to be the leader. When there is no leader, there is chaos because everyone will try to assume roles that are not theirs. Boundaries are essential in relationships because if there are no set parameters, there will be overlapping and conflicts.
The bible tells us that the Lord owns everything, yet he gave mankind dominion over all creatures in the world. Because he created man in his image, he is well aware that all man possesses all that he has. So, he made humans rule over all things here on earth. Are we taking responsibility for the authority God gave us?
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be a godly leader and steward?
REFLECTION
Why do you think God gave humans the authority over all creation?
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
SOURCE OF POWER Poem Devotional
September 28
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Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
1 Chronicles 29:12(NLT)
SOURCE OF POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any weaknesses that needs firming?
Are you dejected and need strengthening?
Power and might comes only from the heavenly Father
He is the only source of wealth, honor and power.
Only at God’s discretion can people be made great
He alone is omniscient and knows your fate
Plug into his omnipotent source of wisdom
He can deliver you from bondage into freedom.
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In 1 Chronicle 29, we can witness David’s heart and how he gave God praise. We are clearly given a picture of David’s faithfulness, generosity and wisdom in this chapter. He knew God’s heart so well and he passionately pursue what pleases him. In this chapter, he gives willingly and donate more than 112 tons of gold and 262 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the temple of the Lord (verse 4) from his own treasures and collection. He clearly knows that God is the source of all his wealth, so he is cheerfully giving them all back to him. David’s prayer of praise in this chapter as a man who deeply loves his heavenly Father. He acknowledges the only source of wealth, honor, power and might.
PRAYER
Lord, please change my heart to one like David’s and yours.
REFLECTION
How can you honor God, the only source of power and might?
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
ONE WHO IS OVER ALL THINGS Poem Devotional
September 26
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Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. -1 Chronicles 29:11(NLT)
ONE WHO IS OVER ALL THINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever claim ownership to abilities and skills?
Do you acknowledge God who enables you to do his will?
Everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to Him
Why do you even boast that they’re yours to keep?
If only all persons see the one who is over all things
They will be humbled and easily overcome sin
The Lord alone is great, majestic and powerful
Praise him constantly and always stay faithful.
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Have you ever wondered why some families or companies made it successfully in growing their relationships or organizations? What is the formula for their triumph? I think that one of the factors that make relationships and businesses thrive is having someone take leadership and control in overseeing things. Notice how an office turns into chaos in the absence of a boss or higher authority? Good leadership and management is crucial to any unit or relationship.
God is the creator and owner of all things. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to him. It is only right to give him praise and let him be God.
PRAYER
Lord, let me only boast of your power.
REFLECTION
How is worshiping God and pointing to him going to change your quality of 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
POWER & WISDOM OF GOD Poem Devotional
February 18
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. –1 Corinthians 1:24(NLT)
POWER & WISDOM OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we believe and follow Christ in our lives
It exposes all darkness and the enemy’s lies
The Son of God is the epitome of his Father
Christ exudes all of God’s power.
It is through Jesus alone that we can gain wisdom
God used his Son to bring us to freedom
Through Christ, we clearly see God’s insight
The power and wisdom of God is manifest in Jesus Christ.
The amazing act of love God showed his children was manifested when he gave Jesus to save us all from sin. Many believers do not fully comprehend this great act of generosity. If they do, they wouldn’t take for granted every gift they receive from God.
Do you know that Jesus Christ is actually God’s power and wisdom? When we believe in Christ, we also trust in God’s existence. When we seek Christ, we also seek our father. They are one and the same.
The bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the very power and wisdom of God. It means that when we search and seek Christ, we also seek God. If we reject Christ, we also reject our heavenly Father. It is only through Christ that we gain power and wisdom. Without him, we are nothing because all things come from God.
PRAYER
Lord, draw me closer to you.
REFLECTION
What power have you received from knowing Christ?
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
AUTHORITY IN CHRIST Poem Devotional
December 1 The Power of God’s Word
I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority. – 2 Corinthians 10:8 (NLT)
AUTHORITY IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we become believers of Christ
Authority is given to us to exercise
We can trample over the enemy in Jesus’ name and be victorious
We can also encourage each other and proclaim that God is glorious.
All believers are expected to use only their authority in Christ
If they do it on their own, they will be defeated and lose sight
Without Christ, we can do nothing
Power comes only from seeking him and obeying.
The Hebrew for authority is “toqeph” which means power, strength, or energy. In the English language, authority is defined as the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience or a person or organization having power or control in a particular, typically political or administrative, sphere. The Hebrew definition focuses more on an inner strength or energy while the English definition is more a position that controls someone or something.
Paul explains in Corinthians that believers were given the authority by Christ to empower others and build up the kingdom of God. It isn’t used for personal gains or gratification.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to exercise the authority you gave me.
REFLECTION
When have you exercised authority over other believers?
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
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?