August 5
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PSALM 5 LEAD ME O LORD IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. 4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.6 You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. 10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. 11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. – Psalm 5:1-12
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I plead you to lead me to your righteousness
Without your guidance, I will succumb to my weaknesses
Let your Holy Spirit help me discern how to show grace
It is difficult to bear those unrighteous and wicked men
Help me to surrender to you all these trials and difficulties
Never let me figure this out for myself; you are my vindicator
Give me strength to endure all these so I can exalt you
Grant me a pure heart and a mind that is always renewed
Bless the righteous and cover him with favor as with a shield
Keep me safe in your steadfast love and grant me peace.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it a good habit for a Christian to let go of independence and depend on God instead especially in difficult circumstances?
Tag Archives: righteousness
JOB: A MAN OF INTEGRITY Poem Devotional
June 1
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JOB: A MAN OF INTEGRITY
A poem by ILMA
There was once a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz
He was blameless- a man of complete integrity and honor
He feared God and stayed away from all kinds of evil
He had seven sons and also had three daughters.
He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen.
He also had 500 female donkeys and many servants
He was in fact the richest person in that entire area
Job’s son took turns to hold feasts including their sisters.
When these celebrations of Job’s children end after several days
Job would purify his children, get up early morning for offering
He offered a burnt offering for each of them to cleanse them
It was his regular practice so that they will be right in God’s sight.
One day, God and the member of his heavenly court met and Satan came
God asked where he was and he said he’d been watching over the earth
God asked Satan if he noticed Job who was full of integrity and blameless
Satan challenged God that if he was stripped off his riches, he will do evil.
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MEMORY VERSE
Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. – Job 1:9-10
Read: Job 1
This man Job sounds like a fairy tale good person. It almost didn’t look real because he was living in so much comfort and wealth. The only difference with other characters in real life is how much he wants to stay uncorrupted by the world. It is interesting how God boasts about this blameless man who is full of integrity.
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REFLECTION
• Do you think that God boasts about you when you live a pure and blameless life?
• What separates a righteous and an evil person? Don’t they both sin?
THE WAY OF THE LORD Poem Devotional
March 12
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The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.
– Proverbs 10:29(NLT)
THE WAY OF THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been following the way of the Lord?
If you haven’t, you will struggle in this world
God’s path is a stronghold for those with integrity
It destroys the wicked and all the tactics of the enemy.
There is power if you follow Jesus’ lead
He is always there to help and intercede
Only Jesus will lead us to eternal life
Follow him and you will never lose sight.
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It was a custom in the Philippines to do the Stations of the cross on Good Friday. Parishioners go through 12 stations depicting the various events that led to the cross. In some regions, some penitents willingly experience Jesus’ suffering themselves, from being whipped or lashed on the back (by himself or by others) to carrying the cross, and even up to being tied or nailed to the cross. The church is in a state of mourning after Jesus’ death. While this may sound “holy”, What is really in the hearts of believers? Do they receive the free life they have as a result Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? Are they transformed by the renewal of their minds?
The way of the Lord focuses on following Christ’s example of a holy and righteous life through obedience and humility.
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PRAYER
Lord, guide me to follow your obedient and humble heart.
REFLECTION
How come the “wicked” are destroyed by the Lord’s ways?
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 ONE WHO SINS Poem Devotional
October 17
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The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. -Ezekiel 18:20(NLT)
THE ONE WHO SINS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you deliberately choose a life in sin
You will die spiritually and your life will be grim
No one else will bear your own wrongdoing
You will be rewarded if you choose the right things.
The one who sins forfeits heaven if they continue
If you repent, God will transform and change you
Righteous people will be rewarded for their good choices
Wickedness will always lead you to bad consequences
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In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 18 gives us a clear picture of the justice of a righteous God. This verse we are talking about answers the question if a child pays for the sins of his or her parents. It clearly says that the one who sins is the one who receives death. It is not passed on to the children. The parents are not also going to die because of their children’s death. Galatians 6:5 supports this verse as well since it says that we are each responsible for our own conduct. There is a reward to those who repent and turn from wickedness.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being a just God.
REFLECTION
How can you influence others to repent and turn back to God?
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
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS PRIZE Poem Devotional
October 8
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And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:8(NLT)
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS PRIZE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What awaits those who love Jesus Christ?
Is it worth all the suffering you experience in life?
Look forward to the crown of righteousness
Be eager for this is the prize of your faithfulness.
Look forward to Christ’s coming like a child
Be excited for that honor, always abide
Don’t lose hope for he will take care of all believers
Press on and focus on that promised life, that is eternal
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Have you ever joined a contest where you aim to win that prize when you finish that criteria set for you? I don’t usually join a competition to get the prize, but I usually use it to develop discipline and set deadlines for myself. The prize that I look forward to is knowing that I had the courage to join it and have the ability to go through the process of the challenge. It also is way for me to improve my skills and abilities and test myself to face changes that will improve me. We have the crown of righteousness to look forward to when Jesus Christ comes back for us.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me in the path of righteousness constantly.
REFLECTION
What have you done in your life that brings you closer to receive the crown of righteousness?
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
IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Poem Devotional
December 27________________________________________
We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. – Luke 1:74-75(NLT)
IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus Christ was born so we can be rescued and saved
We need to enjoy life and be fearless and brave
Christ died for us so we can be victorious
He wants us to live in purity and be righteous.
In holiness and righteousness lie the secret to success
Living in fear and apprehension will make us helpless
Receive the grace and mercy that God provides
He will cleanse you from sin if you constantly abide.
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Why do we humans mess up a lot in life? After the fall of Adam and Eve, we have the tendency to be selfish and proud. We were created in God’s image and given dominion over all things on earth, but Adam and Eve relinquished this authority and gave it to the enemy when they disobeyed eating the fruit from the prohibited tree.
When God sent Jesus, his only son amongst us and born from a virgin, he showed us great mercy and grace. We didn’t deserve to be given another chance but he gives us plenty of chances whenever we confess and repent of our sins. We have been redeemed from our sins through Christ and we can be holy and righteous because of him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to constantly live by your mercy and grace to be constantly righteous.
REFLECTION
How can holiness and righteousness be twisted by the world?
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
GODLY LIVING Poem Devotional
Nov 9
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Don’tmake your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. -Psalm 62:10(NLT)
GODLY LIVING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you live a life of integrity?
Do you make God your priority?
Don’t make your living by extortion
Don’t allow wealth to bring much distortion.
Godly living is guided by biblical principles
It is not complex but it is very simple
Wealth must never be the center of your life
If you seek God first, you will be in the light.
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There are people who live dishonest and impure lives. They become obsessed having power and wealth. They forget the more important things in this life, which is not always material wealth. Matthew 6:19-20 tells us not to store treasures here on earth where moths and rust can destroy and thieves can steal but to store treasures in heaven. The next verse tells us too that where our treasure is, there our hearts will also be. In plain words, when we treasure material things so much, it becomes our master. It will be very hard to live a godly life and serve money and wealth as your master. Many Christians do not realize that love for money and wealth is evil. If it becomes the center of your life, then you are not putting God first. This is a form of idolatry.
PRAYER
Lord, help me watch that I always never compromise my relationship with you.
REFLECTION
How can the love of wealth and money ruin a person’s 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
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH
September 4
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Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him. – Proverbs 14:2(NLT)
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a believer of Jesus Christ?
Are you following him as he leads you to his path?
Those who do righteous things fear the Lord
They live life so they can bring him laud.
Those who do not heed his commands
They will find it hard to cope with life’s demands
Those who choose to follow Jesus daily
They will find joy and have tranquility.
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There were many years of my life spent rebelling and doing things that do not give God glory. I was in bondage to sin and to lawlessness. I could have chosen to follow the right path by revering the Lord and living in his will. Many of us in our youth have done many things we are not proud of. When we are not modelled a life for Jesus, it is difficult to navigate through life with choosing the right path that leads to God. Sometimes our experience with our biological parents influences us to view God as we experienced from them. That is not how God is. He loves us unconditionally and wants always the best for us.
The bible tells us that how we live our lives reveal how we love the Lord. If we do righteous things, we revere him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never choose to be lawless.
REFLECTION
Why does the bible say that when we choose the bad, we show that we despise God?
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 VINEYARD Poem Devotional
August 9
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The nation of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The people of Judah are his pleasant garden. He expected a crop of justice, but instead he found oppression. He expected to find righteousness, but instead he heard cries of violence.
– Isaiah 5:7(NLT)
GOD’S VINEYARD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord
They are considered part of God’s vineyard
They are expected to treat others fairly
Their hearts succumb to him faithfully.
God expects righteousness from his children
He wants them to store riches in heaven
Those who follow his commands and truth
They will have a strong foundation and bear fruits.
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What does it take to make wine? It all starts in the vineyard along working its way into the bottle. It is a lot of hard work, very physical undertaking. It is time consuming and you need a lot of patience. In the winter, you prune the vineyard and tend to the wine in the vats or barrels. In the Spring, you bottle and cleanup the vineyard from the winter by fixing the trellis system so it will be strong enough to carry the load of the fruit.
The bible tells us that we are God’s vineyard. He tends to us and ensure that we are all protected and nurtured so we can bear fruits of righteousness and justice.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for nurturing and protecting me.
REFLECTION
How has God cared for your spiritual growth? Are you considered the vine that produces sweet wine?
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
INTENDED TO TURN YOU FROM SIN Poem Devotional
November 28________________________________________
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness in intended to turn you from your sin?
– Romans 2:4(NLT)
INTENDED TO TURN YOU FROM SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
What makes you turn away from a God who gave you all?
Haven’t you learned from Adam and Eve’s fall?
Do you not see how forgiving and patient he is with you?
Does it mean nothing when he wants your mind renewed?
When God showers us with his mercy, grace and blessings
He wants us to run away from sin so there will be less suffering
He intends for us to live in his promises and in his will
This is the only way we can have victory over the devil.
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When you were children, weren’t your parents very protective of you? They taught you not to touch things that can hurt you. They warned you about the dangers of speaking with strangers or they told you to never disobey them when rules are set. Parents are not just doing these to make children suffer. They want to ensure their safety. God is the same way with us. He gives us all we need so we can be equipped to fight evil. The bible reminds us how God is so wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient so we can turn from sin.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget your goodness and protection.
REFLECTION
Share with us a time when God showed you kindness, tolerance and patience.
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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