September 20
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PAUL’S JOY AT THE CHURCH’S REPENTANCE
A poem by ILMA
When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us
We faced conflict from all direction, both from outside and inside
God encouraged us by the arrival of Titus, one of Paul’s followers
His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought with him
When he told us how much you long to see me
And how sorry you are for what happened
Including how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!
I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you,
I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while
I am glad I sent it, not to hurt you, but because the pain caused repentance
Such repentance led to change your way and it was that a kind of sorrow
It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to have leads us away from sin and saves us.
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MEMORY VERSE
Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. – 2 Corinthians 7:9
Read: 2 Corinthians 7:6-16
In this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he expressed his joy over the repentance of the church in Corinth. He assures them that when he confronted them of what needs to be addressed so that they can actually face the sins and be convicted and repent so that they can be saved.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important that we confront and rebuke in gentleness another sister or brother in Christ?
• What made Paul joyful when God encouraged him when Titus came?
• Why is repentance important for salvation?
Tag Archives: repentance
Repent and Be Transformed poem devotional
November 18________________________________________
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing. – Matthew 3:8-9 (NLT)
REPENT & BE TRANSFORMED
A poem and essay by ILMA
How long have you been a believer?
Have fruits manifested in your life as a Christian?
Prove by the way you live that you have repented
Only when you turn to God will you be rehabilitated.
Don’t think that you can continue with your old ways
When you believed, God will bring about change
Repent and be transformed by his mercy and grace
Without repentance, redemption will be in vain.
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Some Christians think that when they believed in Jesus Christ, they are automatically saved. That may be partly true. When they become born again, their lives should manifest the new creation that God had promised all those who love him. Are there some Christians who may not enter God’s kingdom? Being a believer poses some responsibilities. The bible says in Ephesians 5:11 that we should not take part in any evil and darkness. So, if one claims they are a Christian and still continue to live in sin and not turn to God, would you consider that person really saved? Can you say that one is a believer and yet do not totally seek the Lord and heed to his will?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to manifest in my life the new creation you made me to be.
REFLECTION
What are the manifestations of a true believer of Jesus?
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
CALLING ALL REPENTANT SINNERS Poem Devotional
October 22________________________________________
I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent. – Luke 5:32(NLT)
CALLING ALL REPENTANT SINNERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus didn’t come for self righteous people
He came for all the repentant sinners
He’ll be there for those who have humility
Those who confess their sins will have victory.
Calling all those who need eternal life
You’ll have it if you believe in Jesus Christ
You need to confess your sins to receive it
If you do, your heart will be the host for His Spirit.
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Each person is invited to partake of the gift of salvation. Just like a regular invitation that you receive, you have the option to come or not to come. God gave us all a free will to decide whether we want eternal life or not. It is sad to know why some people would reject or take for granted this grand invitation to the most important thing for us all, salvation.
Some of us are held captive by the enemy to dwell on those sins so we will not receive the greatest gift of freedom. Jesus came for all the repentant sinners. He didn’t come for those who think they are perfect and sinless because unless they repent and confess their sins, they won’t be transformed in Christ. He came for those who acknowledge their sins and repent.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always repent and confess when I sin.
REFLECTION
Why do you think Jesus wants us to confess our sins and repent?
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
IF WE CLAIM WE ARE SINLESS Poem Devotional
December 2
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If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. – 1 John 1:8,10(NLT)
IF WE CLAIM WE ARE SINLESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
All of mankind have an inclination to sin
We all need a Savior to help us win
If we claim we have no sin, we are fools
We are in denial and not thinking it through.
If we continue to believe that we are sinless
We are calling God a liar and we are faithless
Only Jesus is without sin despite being a human
Only he can claim he is sinless though he was a man.
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I don’t know of anyone who have never ever sinned in his or her life. Some people are blinded by the enemy to think that they are sinless. I think only those who do not know the truth can ever think that they have no sin. Once you get revelations about the truth in God’s word, you will have light and wisdom to admit that you can never be sinless because that is our nature as humans. Those who claim that they are sinless are only fooling themselves and not living in truth. Making such a claim is a defiance to God’s truth.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that examines my deeds in your eyes.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some people claim they are without sin?
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.co
CONFESSION ERASES GUILT poem devotional by ILMA
August 24
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Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord,” and you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
-Psalm 32:5(NLT)
CONFESSION ERASES GUILT
A poem and essay by ILMA
What sins have you committed that made you remorseful?
How long have you suffered from being shameful?
If you confess your sins, your guilt will be eradicated
If you deny your wrongdoing, you will be convicted.
Confession is an act of courage and humility
It brings you to a place of peace and victory
If you admit your sins, you will reap purity
If you hide it, you will be deprived of integrity.
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Many Christians do not realize how merciful and loving our heavenly Father is. When Jesus was asked how many times should a believer forgive, he replied seventy times seven which means infinitely. Because of the original sin that we inherited from Adam and Eve, we naturally feel shame when we disobey. Prior to their sin, they had no guilt. They always had peace and joy. When they disobeyed, the enemy’s voice made them feel guilty and full of shame. They hid from God and didn’t confess their sins. God confronted them instead.
The bible tells us the benefit of confession. It cleanses us from guilt and brings us peace. It removes our guilt and shame and re-unites us with God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for always being merciful to me.
REFLECTION
What results do you get whenever you confess your sins?
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
CONVENIENCE OVER REPENTANCE Poem Devotional
June 22
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As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient. I’ll call for you again.” -Acts 24:25 (NLT)
CONVENIENCE OVER REPENTANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek convenience more than anything?
Do you prefer comfort in everything?
Have you ever listened to the voice that convicts you?
The Lord wants you to repent and your mind renewed.
Why do you choose convenience over repentance?
Blessings are lost when you continue with your resistance
Listen and heed to God’s call for you to turn to him
That is the only way you can win and overcome sin.
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There are many people who continue to turn their backs to God despite many circumstances that leads to him. I am guilty of this myself during many years of rebellion and confusion. When we are confronted with choices and hear a nudge in our hearts to do the right thing, we usually end up minimizing what could have been good for us. Human nature wants to please the “self”. We would do anything to satisfy and pleasure ourselves. It takes a supernatural power from God to be able to resist pleasuring one’s self.
The bible tells us stories about how many people try to avoid confronting their sins because they don’t want changes. They chose convenience over repentance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never to ignore your voice.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people choose to ignore that voice inside that tell them to choose to do good?
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
HOW TO WIPE YOUR SINS AWAY Poem Devotional
May 6
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Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
-Acts 3:19(NLT)
HOW TO WIPE YOUR SINS AWAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have sins lurking in your heart?
Confess and repent so you can have a new start
You need not live in guilt and condemnation
He sent Jesus so we can hear his convictions.
Allow yourself to be moved by his word
Listen to the Spirit so you can conquer the world
Turn to God and never let sin rule your life
Your sins will be wiped away if you stay in his light.
________________________________________In the Hebrew of the Old Covenant two words are used in the concept of repentance, they are: NAHUM – to lament, to grieve (describing the emotions that are aroused when motivated to take a different course of action and SHUB – expresses a radical change of mind toward sin and implies a conscious moral separation from sin and a decision to forsake it and agree with God. There are three Hebrew words that are translated “Sin” in the Old Testament: iniquity, perversity, depravity and guilt. So, when we sin, we can choose to just grieve or take action and give up the sin.
The bible commands us to repent of our sins and turn to God so that our sins may be wiped away. Without God’s grace, there can be no repentance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to have a genuine repentance when I disobey you.
REFLECTION
What was the result when you gave up sin that you have been keeping for so long?
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