August 1
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PSALM 1 THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish. – Psalm 1:1-6
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RIGHT VERSUS WRONG LIVING by ILMA
Beware, the Lord warns us how we ought to live
We are not to participate in anything that makes us sin
Instead, we ought to ponder on his word day and night
For he delights in those who follow and walk in his light
The upright will be prosperous like a tree by the river
Whose leaves doesn’t scorch despite extreme hot weather
Its roots are anchored on the soil and bears much vegetation
It stands firm and does not shake despite different seasons
Those who choose to go against the Lord wilfully sins
They are like chaff that is blown easily by the wind
In all that they do, they struggle and fail eventually
For they do not heed God’s laws but disobey constantly
They do not care for the righteous or hear God’s word
For they are already judged and stuck in this world.
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REFLECTION
• What picture do we see from this psalm that talks about righteous and wrong living?
• Why do you think this first psalm became the opening song of the whole book of psalms?
• How is this psalm the best navigation to living our lives?
• How is a tree by streams of water like a Christian besides living water?
Tag Archives: wicked
THE WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS Poem Devotional
September 16
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THE WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS
A poem by ILMA
I have thought deeply how people have the power to hurt each other
There are wicked people who commit crimes and hide them to appear right
If a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong
Those who fear God will be better off than those who live long in sin.
The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God
Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows
In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked
While the wicked are often treated as though they were good.
So, I recommend having fun, because all these things are meaningless
Experience some happiness along with all the hard work and you’ll be satisfied
In our search for wisdom and watching people’s burdens here on earth,
I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night.
I found out that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun
Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim
So, all this comparison with the wicked and the righteous are all meaningless
Live for the Lord and you will find meaning and purpose in your life.
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MEMORY VERSE
I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim. – Ecclesiastes 8:17
Read: Ecclesiastes 8:9-17
The world we live in is full of comparison mostly of good and evil. The author of Ecclesiastes expounds on the futility of comparing the life of both the wicked and the righteous. He emphasizes that those who fear God are better off than those who live long in sin. We cannot totally comprehend what God is doing and no one can actually understand it and boast that they know things.
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REFLECTION
• Why is enjoying your life essential in life? What happens when you don’t?
LIVE AND NOT DIE Poem Devotional
October 18
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But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. – Ezekiel 18:21-22(NLT)
LIVE AND NOT DIE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Turn away from evil and you will have a new life
Do what is just and right so you will surely live
Seek the Lord first and the truth so you’ll be free.
Confess and repent so you will be forgiven
Even here on earth you can experience heaven
Choose to live in truth and you will never die
Christ died so you can be free and live a joyful life.
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Do you ever wonder why someone would choose death over life? It doesn’t make sense why we would want to die instead of live. In the physical realm, we normally always choose to live but sometimes we choose death in our spiritual walk. When believers make choices based on their whims and desires, they choose death instead of life. When they knowingly disobey his commands, we lose our right standing with God. God will forgive transform you into the new person he planned for you to be. Choose God and you will never die.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for dying for me so I can live.
REFLECTION
When have you chosen death over life in your spiritual walk? How did God pull you out of death?
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
WHEN TRUTH IS SUPPRESSED Poem Devotional
August 13
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But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. – Romans 1:18(NLT)
WHEN TRUTH IS SUPPRESSED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are suppressing truth through evil
Their minds have been corrupted by the devil
When truth is suppressed by wickedness
The Lord’s anger will eventually manifest.
Defend the truth and allow it to spread
When you do, you let God be your head
The truth sets you free and makes you see
Never permit anyone to tarnish and suppress it.
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John 10:10 says that the enemy’s purpose is to kill, steal and destroy. Satan will do anything and everything to distort the truth and blind people. He uses wickedness to stop the truth from being exposed. Instead, he lies to us or gives us half-truths so that we will be confused and not know it. He can use situations, hurts and people to suppress the truth through wickedness. The devil keeps people from knowing the truth. The more we listen to the enemy’s lies, the further away he will keep us from God’s perspective. When truth is suppressed, there will be a consequence to those who stops others from knowing the truth. For as long as we embrace wickedness, the wrath of God is not far. He is a forgiving God but the bible also says that he will judge all evil and wickedness rightfully.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from people who suppress the truth.
REFLECTION
How can one stand up for truth and be bold to declare it?
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 GOD AND WICKED poem devotional
July 20
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The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the life of the wicked will be snuffed out.
– Proverbs 13:9(NLT)
THE GODLY AND WICKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are righteous and godly will be blessed
They will be full of light as they struggle and encounter tests
The life of the godly is full of joy and peace amidst trials
They don’t argue with God or go through a series of denials.
Those who are wicked will find it harder to progress
They are full of evil and will not even confess
The life of the wicked will be snuffed out
They will not have the wisdom or even freedom.
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When I became born again, I learned to discern evil ways and wicked people. God gave me bionic eyes to see through the facades that people wear. I don’t judge people’s motives but I watch their actions and attitude. The bible tells us that we will know a believer by the fruit in their lives. If their lives jive with God’s truth, then, you will easily see the manifestations of the Spirit’s fruits. They will be kind, gentle, joyful, patient, loving, good, faithful, peaceful and have self-control. They may not possess all of the gifts at one time, but you will see how they press on to obey God’s will. The godly is full of light while the wicked will be full of darkness.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me a way out when I am amidst evil.
REFLECTION
Why should we avoid participating in the evil that others do?
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 DETESTS VIOLENCE Poem Devotional
March 7________________________________________
The Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. – Psalm 11:4-5(NLT)
GOD DETESTS VIOLENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord watches everyone each moment of each day
He knows what we are thinking and what we’re about to say
Whether people are wicked or godly, he examines them
He patterned man’s hearts to his and so we can be like him.
God detests violence among other wickedness
He didn’t design our hearts for unrighteousness
Give up any forms of evil and violence
God considers it as an act of insolence.
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Proverbs 6:16-19 enumerates the seven things that God detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. If you closely look at each of these detestable things the Lord hates, they all involve a violation of another person. Why does God hate these things? Remember that the Lord has made us all in his image. God is love, therefore, our make is “to love.” We were not designed by God to destroy someone or to hurt others. This is why his greatest command is summed up in loving God above all and loving others as you love yourself.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to hear your convictions whenever I do any of these things you detest.
REFLECTION
How can one avoid all the things that God hates?
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 PATH TO DESTRUCTION Poem Devotional
June 3
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Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:5-6(NLT)
THE PATH TO DESTRUCTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you walking towards Christ or to obliteration?
Do you know the path leading to salvation?
Sinners will have no place among the righteous
For the Lord considers them very precious.
He watches those who believe and follow him
But sinners and the wicked continue to live in sin
Being wicked leads to chaos and destruction
Will you do anything to avoid eternal damnation?
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There are people who embrace a life of sin. The enemy blinded them to see what is right. It’s a sad thing to watch people destroy their own lives just for temporary pleasures that Satan entices them with. I went through this path to destruction for a good number of years and it is not a good road to be in. The wage of sin is death as the bible says. I lived a dead life; no joy, no peace. I thrived in conflict, pride, arrogance and anger. It was a life not worth living.
The bible tells us that sinners and godly people can’t thrive together. The Lord watches over the righteous but allows the wicked to be destroyed. He’ll protect his people.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always walk on the road to your eternal life.
REFLECTION
Why isn’t it a good idea to associate with sinners if you are a believer?
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
FAVORED BY GOD poem devotional
March 17________________________________________
The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
Proverbs 10:24, 28(NLT)
FAVORED BY GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you fear the Lord and revere him constantly?
Will you classify yourself as wicked or godly?
The fears of the wicked will definitely transpire
But believers will continually pray and aspire
God is inclined to grant requests to those who love him
He will answer the prayers of those who repent and avoid sin
The hopes of the godly end in peace and happiness
But the expectations of the wicked lead them to more mess.
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I think it is human nature to have a leaning to someone because of their character or attitude. Most parents love all their children equally but I think some parents have a tendency to favor one child over another because of so many reasons. One child may be more helpful and make their life easier therefore, it is so easy for parents to give that child favor. If they are very rebellious and difficult, it doesn’t diminish your love, but they make life harder. So you automatically favor the one who do good. Isn’t God the same with his children? Wouldn’t he be more inclined to the faithful and ignore the wishes of the wicked ones?
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be more hopeful and focus on your goodness.
REFLECTION
How can a believer gain favor with 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