September 7
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THE WISE AND FOOLISH AND FUTILITY OF WORK
A poem by ILMA
I said “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness
For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark”
Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate
Both will die. So, I said to myself, what’s the value of all my wisdom?
This is all so meaningless”; the wise and the foolish both die
The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool
In the days to come, both will be forgotten, so I came to hate life
Because everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
I learned to hate my hard work here for I must leave everything I’ve earned
And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish?
Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work
How meaningless! So, I gave up questioning the value of hard work in this world.
I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy life and be satisfied with work
Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God
For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him
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MEMORY VERSE
So, I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. – Ecclesiastes 2:24
Read: Ecclesiastes 2
King Solomon presents nothing different between the wise and the foolish. They both end the same. He also emphasizes the futility of work and how important it is for us to enjoy life and our work for everything comes from the Lord and he is the one who gives wisdom and blessings to those who please him.
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REFLECTION
• Why does the world think that wise people are better of than those who are foolish? What do you think is God’s perspective on this?
Tag Archives: wise
NOT ONE IS WISE OR RIGHTEOUS Poem Devotional
July 9
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As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. – Romans 3:10-11(NLT)
NOT ONE IS WISE OR RIGHTEOUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
We only get wisdom if we consult the word
No one is truly wise to overcome this world
If we don’t seek God, we will fail to thrive
We will lack blessings if we don’t abide.
Scriptures say, no one is seeking God
Most people have turned their backs
That is why we need to seek him again
It will keep us winning against Satan.
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Do you know anyone who is truly righteous, wise and without sin? There is no human who is exempt from sinning. The only person who is sinless is the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though he was God, he became human to save us.
In Romans 3, we are reminded that no human is righteous-not one person. We cannot be truly wise if we turn our backs to God. But in Romans chapter three, we see that we need not compare and judge one another since we are all sinners and that the only way we can be right with God is by abiding in him and meditating and living his word. Apart from him, we are nothing. So, let us all make sure that we seek him and follow his word.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me the humility to praise and glorify you always.
REFLECTION
How can you be continually wise and righteous?
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
ON REJECTING WISDOM Poem Devotional
March 29________________________________________
If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. – Proverbs 9:12(NLT)
ON REJECTING WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you reject the truth from God’s word
You are opening yourself to be corrupted by the world
If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer
You’ll find it hard to win and be prone to make blunders.
If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit
It will help you navigate life and you will profit
If you turn your back on it, it will lead you to chaos
You will always stumble struggle being righteous.
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There is so much emphasis on accumulation of information in our society these days. It seems like everyone wants to know what is going on in the world. Does it always benefit someone if they keep themselves up to date with the events in the world? Does the bible actually encourage you to always keep ourselves in the know? What do we usually hear or read when we listen or watch news? Are they not mostly about chaos, corruption, violence and evil things going on?
The bible tells us to become wise because it benefits us to do so. When we reject wisdom, we will be the one to suffer. If we embrace it, it will bring us much blessings and favor.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to reject wisdom.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people reject wisdom?
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
TONGUE OF THE WISE Poem Devotional
July 23
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The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. – Proverbs 15:2(NLT)
TONGUE OF THE WISE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you use your tongue to speak the truth?
Have you allowed God’s word to take root?
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing
The mouth of a fool belches out many forms of lying.
Use your mouth only to utter only what will encourage
To dwell on the negative will make others discouraged
The wise will make your life better and not bitter
The fool will find a way to always criticize and belittle.
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Have you ever been with an emotional vampire? They are those who suck out the energy off you. They drain your positive outlook and progress. They usually focus on the negative and find fault and someone to blame. They do not take responsibility for any mistake or fault they have. Instead, they project all their weaknesses on others because they are not brave enough to admit their imperfections. I have had relationships with a few emotional vampires and it was really tiring to be around these people. No matter how optimistic you are, they will find a way to dampen it. I used to be affected by these kind of people, but when I learned to set boundaries on them, I learned not to engage in their foolishness. The wise always encourages.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from negative people.
REFLECTION
Why must we avoid critical and pessimistic people?
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 CAN FORESEE Poem Devotional
October 14
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A prudent person foresees danger and take precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. – Proverbs 27:12(NLT)
ONE WHO CAN FORESEE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The wise person is able to foresee danger and be warned
They are tuned in to what they do and never hurry or run
They are observant and creative of their surroundings
They can tell if there is evil and wickedness lurking.
The Holy Spirit guides them and makes them wise
They listen to God’s spirit for guidance or advise
That is why they can foresee what will transpire
They hear God’s voice, they heed and they abide.
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Have you ever been with someone who is so careless and reckless at the same time? I knew someone who just don’t care what they do or how it affects others. He is physically present yet his heart and mind is somewhere else. He says something and pretend he cares but deep inside, he has no concern for anything but to get what he wants or follow his routines. It is like watching a dead person walking and doing things. They have no life. They are physically alive but spiritually dead. They live life just for the sake of living. They don’t dream big, they live in a box and trapped there.
The bible says that the one who can foresee are the wise while fools just go through life recklessly.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please give me wisdom to foresee danger.
REFLECTION
What do you do when the Holy Spirit warns you about something?
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
WALK WITH THE WISE Poem Devotional
April 16
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Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
-Proverbs 13:20(NLT)
WALK WITH THE WISE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who do you spend time with these days?
Are they reflecting Jesus in many ways?
Walk with the wise and you will become wise
If you associate with fools, you will hear many lies.
The Lord wants you to follow him always
If you associate with fools, you will learn their ways
Those who are wise usually bear fruits in their lives
Fools on the other hand end up in stagnation and dies.
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I’ve spent many years of my life associating and even living with fools. During the time I was living in or friends with foolish people, I lived a very unproductive and chaotic life. It is very stressful and tiring to live with fools. They drain you of your energy and drag you into their pessimism and passivity. The enemy has used these unwise persons in my life to keep me from realizing dreams and goals I have set for myself. Just recently, God convicted me of my boundary issues. I didn’t know what they were since I grew up in a family were most of my boundaries were violated. I thank God that he delivered me from such bondage to dwelling in the past and walking with fools. When I learned to set boundaries, I know better to set myself apart from fools.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for warning me about the way of the fools.
REFLECTION
Why is boundary setting important in relationships?
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
WHAT FOOLS AND WISE PEOPLE FEED ON Poem Devotional
March 20________________________________________
A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
-Proverbs 15:14(NLT)
WHAT FOOLS AND WISE PEOPLE FEED ON
A poem and essay by ILMA
Fools talk about trivial matters
They like delaying things much later
The foolish person makes fun of others
They don’t listen to their sisters or brothers.
A wise person is always seeking the truth
They rely on God’s words to take root
They don’t waste their time on selfish yearnings
They work hard to please God and that is their longing.
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I used to be in a work environment where people criticize each other and openly say nasty things to each other. It was always a competition to prove who is right or to show who is better. It was stressful to be around people who constantly criticize and who would make fun of others’ weaknesses. I stayed in that place for almost 2 decades of my life. No wonder I was such a mess because all I did was to feed on trash and gratify myself.
The bible tells us that a wise person is hungry for knowledge while fools feed on trash. I used to tell my students that not all educated and intelligent people are wise. Wisdom comes from an insatiable hunger for knowing the truth and applying all the things you know in reality. Fools have no desire to seek the truth because they don’t want change.
PRAYER
Lord, never let me feed on trivial matters.
REFLECTION
Why should believers avoid fools especially in their beginnings as a 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
WISE VERSUS FOOLISH LIVING Poem Devotional
March 16________________________________________
Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
Proverbs 10:23 (NLT)
WISE VERSUS FOOLISH LIVING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who love to have fun even at the expense of others
They’ll reap the same seeds they gave their sisters and brothers
When you enjoy doing wrong, you are considered foolish
You will have lots of difficulties and your life will not flourish.
Those who live wisely and obey the truth in God’s words
They will be prosperous despite the challenges of this world
They pursue wisdom and apply common sense in their life
They never compromise integrity and always stay in God’s light.
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I had a classmate in college who was very pretty and rich. I sort of admired her because of her beauty, but when I saw how she treated one of her suitors, my admiration vanished. I lost my respect for her. All of a sudden the beauty I saw outside was replace by ugliness. I separated myself from this wicked person. Although I wasn’t a born again Christian then yet, deep inside me I knew that what she did wasn’t right.
The bible tells us that fools take pleasure in doing others’ wrong but sensible people focuses on living a life full of wisdom and common sense. Where would you classify yourself? Do you like doing bad things or do you pursue wisdom?
PRAYER
Lord, reveal to me right away when I am being foolish.
REFLECTION
How can a believer live wisely in this very corrupt 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
THE FOOL AND THE WISE Poem Devotional
April 17
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Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
– Proverbs 10:23 (NLT)
THE FOOL AND THE WISE
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is a man who loves so much fun
He satisfies himself of all things under the sun
He thinks of everything he could get to please himself
He couldn’t care less to give someone help.
Another man loves to seek the Lord and obey
He will do anything to serve others as God says
He is thankful for all the gifts and use it for God’s glory
He manages his time, resources and energy wisely.
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There are two kinds of people in our world: the fool and the wise. Are you a wise person or a fool? The bible says that the fool’s hobby is to do wrong. They get so much kick out of wickedness. On the other hand, the wise person brings pleasure to those who are sensible.
I was a fool the first half of my life. I did so many wrong things as a result of feeding my desires to please myself. I got so wrapped up in surviving a life that was full of unmet needs and being unloved by my own family. I thank the Lord that he has delivered me from foolishness and granted me wisdom finally.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for putting some sense into me.
REFLECTION
What foolishness are you still hanging on? What hampers you from embracing wisdom?
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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