HEALING OF A MAN BORN BLIND Poem Devotional

May 5
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HEALING OF A MAN BORN BLIND
A poem by ILMA
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth
His disciple asked Jesus if the parents’ caused this man’s blindness
Jesus told them that it was to show the power of God through him
He reminded them that while he’s in the world, he will be the light.
Then Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with his saliva
He spread the mud over the man’s eyes and asked him to wash it
He sent him to go to the pool of Siloam which means “sent”
So, the man followed and went, washed and came back seeing.
Those who knew the blind beggar couldn’t believe he was the same man
The beggar kept on saying that he was actually that beggar they knew
When the Pharisees heard what Jesus have done for this blind person
They went to the man’s parents to ask if he was born blind.
The Pharisees kept on telling him not give Jesus the glory but only to God
They kept on convincing that Jesus was a sinner and they knew God more
But the man said how come they don’t know where Jesus came from
If Jesus was not from God, how could he have healed the blind.
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MEMORY VERSE
If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it. – John 9:33
Read: John 9
It is amazing how many times God has done a miracle in a person’s life and yet people who have witnessed it do not seem to believe what they have actually seen. They start to analyze, justify and question the validity of it, instead of declaring what had been done and praising the Lord for the miracle.
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REFLECTION
• Why is unbelief rampant both in believers and unbelievers alike?
• What hinders us from actually being amazed at little or big miracles we have seen?
• What is behind the lack of faith in the human heart?

WHEN I AM SINKING Poem Devotional

October 15
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But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” -Matthew 14:30-31(NLT)
WHEN I AM SINKING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When I am drowning in fear
I feel your presence so near
When I get tossed by challenges
You are there to make changes.
When I am sinking in unbelief
You are still there to give me relief
When I am overwhelmed and discouraged
You lift me up so I can be encouraged.
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What do you do when you start sinking? The instinctive drowning response is an instinctive reaction that occurs in humans when close to drowning. While distress and panic may sometimes take place beforehand, drowning itself is quick and often silent. A person close to the point of drowning is unable to keep their mouth above water long enough to breathe properly and is unable to shout. Lacking air, their body cannot perform the voluntary efforts involved in waving or seeking attention.
When we start to sink in debt, losses, unbelief, addiction, worries, troubles, our initial reaction is usually fear. We’d do anything to cope with the helplessness the situation. They are called coping mechanisms. Couldn’t we just run to the Lord and ask him to save us instead?
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me that you are always there to pull me out when I am sinking.
REFLECTION
What are you sinking into right now? Have you asked God’s assistance?
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

WORSE THAN UNBELIEF Poem Devotional

eugenia falls and chasing clouds 579

September 14
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Those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. -1 Timothy 5:8(NLT)
WORSE THAN UNBELIEF
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are a believer of Jesus, you will heed his instructions
Obeying his commands will let you overcome temptations
He also called you to love others as you love him and yourself
That includes loving all your relatives and giving them help.
When you do not care for your immediate family members
You are worse than the wicked and those who are unbelievers
You can show your faith in God by loving your sisters and brothers
Best of all, prioritize those who are closest to you than any other.
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We are all created in God’s image. God is love therefore we can also be love like him. Pain and suffering result from a life that is not ruled by love. I know we can also experience physical pain from illnesses and accidents. The enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy our relationship with God so he comes up with all kinds of strategies to keep us from loving.
The apostle Paul talks to Timothy about God’s instructions to love and care for our relatives, especially those in our own household. He compares these unloving people to unbelievers and considers them worse than them. This is a command for us to be stewards of our kin.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be a loving family member to my relatives.
REFLECTION
Why does God command you to care for your family?