Author Archives: ilmaarts

TRUE HOME Poem Devotional

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July 4
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Lord, through all the generations, you have been my home. – Psalm 90:1(NLT)
TRUE HOME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get lost in the corruption of this world?
Do you consult God’s truth by meditating on his word?
Life can sometimes become chaotic and confusing at times
We can be consumed with many different things in our lives.
The Lord is always with us through many generations
He is our home, let’s run to him as we face temptations
When we go through many challenges, trials and sufferings
Let us go to our true home, the one true God Almighty.
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Have you ever travelled for a number of days, weeks, months that you became so homesick? When you are in transit to many places, you pine for the comfort of your own home and wish that your journey ends where you are comfortable and familiar with. Other places or people can sometimes become alienating, especially if you are a “home person.”
The bible tells us that the Lord has always been with us through many generations. He never leaves or forsakes us despite our feelings that we are abandoned. But we can get muddled and lost in this very cruel and confusing world. The prodigal son’s story shows us how he left his father and asked for his inheritance, just to squander it later. He realized later that his Father’s home is still the best.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never lose my way in this life.
REFLECTION
Share an experience how you felt at home in God’s love.
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

ALL WILL DIE Poem Devotional

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July 3
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No one can live forever. All will die. No one can escape the power of the grave.
-Psalm 89:48(NLT)
ALL WILL DIE
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is a time for everything
A time to be born and to die
No one can live forever
No one can escape.
All of us is going to die
But if you believe Christ
You will live and rise again
Just as he overcame the grave.
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There are some people who do not like to think about dying or even discuss it. Even as a young child, I never had a problem dealing with deaths and I am always the bravest to look at the coffins when some family members died. I didn’t see death as a scary thing. always thought that it was just a part of life and that those who die are going somewhere much better. I was never afraid of dying and this was what made me live life to the fullest always.
The bible tells us that no one can live forever and everyone will die. No one can escape the power of the grave. The bible also says in John 11:25-26 that if you believe in Jesus, you will live even when you die and everyone who lives and believes in him, will never die. These verses talk about the promise of eternal life which goes beyond physical death.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to look at death as a part of life.
REFLECTION
Why do you think many people fear 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

JOYFUL CALL TO WORSHIP Poem Devotional

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July 2
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Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence Lord. -Psalm 89:15(NLT)
JOYFUL CALL TO WORSHIP
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you adore and give praise to the Lord?
Are you worshiping him and walking in his presence?
Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship
They will walk in the light and applaud his kingship.
Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving
Let us rejoice and be glad for all his favors and blessings
Call everyone to revere him and gather in adoration
Make all know that you are giving Christ due adulation.
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How often do you hear of people jumping around joyfully praising the Lord? Some church denominations probably practice this, but an individual person actually doing it alone and infecting others to joyfully give praise to the Lord may be becoming a novelty nowadays. More and more people are becoming impersonal and sloppy with their worship. The distractions and busy-ness of life have contributed to people’s lax way of showing their adulation to the Lord.
The bible tells us that those who hear and heed the joyful call to worship will walk in the light and the presence of the Lord. In other words, their passion to exude the light of God to others will make them more intimate and closer to Christ Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart on fire to worship you.
REFLECTION
Have you ever met someone on fire and joyfully worshiping the Lord?
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

GIFTS TO HEAR AND SEE Poem Devotional

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July 1
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Ears to hear and eyes to see, both are gifts from the Lord. -Proverbs 20:12(NLT)
GIFTS TO HEAR AND SEE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord gave us ears to hear and eyes to see
He wants us to discern and to continue to be free
You were given two ears so you can listen more
And also two eyes so you can watch and explore.
Only the Lord can make you understand
Without him, you won’t be able to withstand
Use your heart in order to be able to see clearly
Keep your eyes focused on him so you’ll have victory.
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In Mark 8, Jesus fed four thousand from seven loaves of bread and a few fish. It was one of those miracles that many people witnessed. In verses 17-18 Jesus questions the disciples because they were getting influenced by the hardened hearts of the Pharisees. They became unable to hear what was really being said and fail to see things with pure hearts. Their faith began to waver and they argued why they haven’t brought any bread at that time. Jesus confronted and warned them of losing their faith despite all the miracles that they have witnessed.
We are cautioned to keep our hearts pure many times in the bible because when the heart is hardened, we will fail to see and hear God’s voice.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me pure so I can be able to hear and see what you are teaching me.
REFLECTION
What hinders you from seeing and hearing?
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

ALL HAVE SINNED Poem Devotional

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June 30
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Who can say “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin?”
– Proverbs 20:9(NLT)
ALL HAVE SINNED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who can say that they have not sinned?
Since man’s fall, humans are not totally free
Only in Christ will we be cleansed
Without him, we will have no defense.
Whenever we deny our sins and don’t repent
We open doors for the enemy to torment
All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory
Let us run to Jesus so we can have victory.
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1 John 3:4 defines sin as lawlessness. Being lawless is synonymous to being a rebel or someone who is disobedient. The story of the fall of man in Genesis reminds us of the first rebels on earth, Adam and Eve. Because of their disobedience, the whole mankind suffered and we inherited “sin.” It made us all prone to lawlessness. It imprinted us all to have the tendency to disobey rather than to submit.
Despite our natural tendency to sin, God showed us how much he loves us by giving his only Son to pay the debt for our transgressions. Although all have sinned, God gave us a way out through the sacrifice of his Son. He only wants us to confess and repent of our sins and he is ready to forgive anyone who asks for his forgiveness.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to have the humility to come back to you and ask for forgiveness whenever we sin.
REFLECTION
How can one protect himself from lawlessness?
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 MARK OF HONOR Poem Devotional

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June 29
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Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. -Proverbs 20:3(NLT)
THE MARK OF HONOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you avoid quarrels at all cost?
Or do you insist on being the boss?
It is a mark of honor when you avoid fights
Pursue peace, that’s what God wants in our lives.
When you walk in love, there’s no room for conflicts
God wants us to love others and walk in the Spirit
Remember to follow Christ who always served others
He commanded us to love our sisters and brothers.
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When people grow up in the midst of conflicts, they automatically react to life either defensively or offensively. I witnessed a life of passive aggression. I didn’t know what peace looked like because I didn’t have a role model for it. When I reached high school, I didn’t realize how much I thrived in arguing. It became mechanical to respond to things by arguing to proving myself right. It was difficult to concede to any suggestions that didn’t jive with my ideas. It became an obsession to argue and I lost so many relationships because of this foolish pursuit. Pride became my lifestyle and I didn’t realize that I was my own idol. Thanks be to God that he delivered me from this and showed me that he wants me to pursue peace at all cost. Avoiding fights is a mark of honor.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to choose peace all the time.
REFLECTION
How can you change a high conflict personality?
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 WHO COMFORTS & PROVIDES Poem Devotional

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June 28
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The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down. The LORD loves the godly. – Psalm 146:8(NLT)
THE GOD WHO COMFORTS & PROVIDES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are you struggling with nowadays?
Are you discouraged and feeling down today?
The Lord lifts those who are tired and weary
He will comfort those who are feeling dreary.
God loves those who are righteous and godly
He guides them all and brings them victory
He opens the eyes of the blind and lets them see
Believe and commit your life to Christ and you’ll be free
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When we are weighed down by many challenges in our lives, it is natural to feel discouraged. When one becomes a believer and commits to Jesus, the tendency to follow one’s nature changes. When we become born again, we see things new because the Lord transform the way we think and see things. While we were still unbelievers and living in sin, we become blind to see the truth. Only God’s Holy Spirit can open the eyes of the blind, we cannot do it in our own. It is very essential for a Christian to deepen their relationship with the Lord so they can be set free. The Lord loves all his creation but most especially those who lead a godly life. He comforts and provides for all his people.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord that you comfort us when we are weighed down and lost.
REFLECTION
Who do you run to for comfort when you are feeling down?
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

WHOLEHEARTED WORSHIP Poem Devotional

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June 27
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Let all that I am praise the Lord. – Psalm 146:1(NLT)
WHOLEHEARTED WORSHIP
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus Christ died to give his life for you
He loves you so and wants you to be renewed
Let all that you are praise the Lord Almighty
He is the only one that can bring you victory.
Bring your heart, mind and soul to your Creator
Be faithful to devote your life to your only Savior
Wholehearted worship makes you intimate with God
It brings your focus to pleasing your Father up above.
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“Worship” is an active response to the character, words and actions of God, initiated by His revelation and enabled by His redemption, whereby the mind is transformed, the heart is renewed and actions are surrendered all in accordance with His will and in order to declare His infinite worthiness. In both Hebrew and Greek, there are two categories of words for worship. The first is about body language that demonstrates respect and submission; to bow down, to kneel, to prostrate oneself. The second is about doing something for God that demonstrates sacrifice and obedience; to offer, to serve.
So how can a believer manifest wholehearted worship? A Christian may use different ways to worship the Lord, but the main point in worship is to give yourself to your creator and focus only your whole being to glorifying the most divine and holy person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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PRAYER
Thank you for giving me a chance to worship you Lord.
REFLECTION
How do you worship the Lord?
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

DIVISION DESTROYS Poem Devotional

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June 26
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Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.– Luke 11:17(NLT)
DIVISION DESTROYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where there is a disagreement and fighting
Follows shattered vision and victorious living
Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed
A family splintered by feuding will not bloom.
Let go of divisions and embrace peace
Be grateful that you are not bound but free
Division destroys all kinds of relationships
Do not let it be a hindrance to growing friendships.
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When there is a sign of disorder, there usually is division that caused it. Many relationships can be challenged by disagreements and lack of respect and communication. Many things can cause breakdowns in a church, an organization or company, marriages, family or friendships. Division usually is one of the major causes of many broken relationships and communities.
My first husband and I were very divided in terms of our beliefs, culture and traditions, way of thinking and preferences over many issues. It completely destroyed my ideals and my vision of what a marriage should be. I thank the Lord for delivering me from this ungodly and destructive relationship. The Lord allowed my wrong choice to happen so that I can learn to let go of things that will take me away from him.
Where there is division, love cannot thrive and faith won’t grow. Agreement is essential in walking in love.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to agree with all your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is an agreement essential in any relationship or partnership?
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

GET UP AND GO Poem Devotional

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June 25
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“Young man” he said. I tell you. “Get up!” – Luke 7:14(NLT)
GET UP AND GO
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we are asleep, we accomplish less
Standing up and start moving keep us afresh
Get up and go is a command to spring to life
It protects us from believing the devil’s lies.
When we limit ourselves from our potentials
We are asleep, let’s focus on what’s essential
Take all weaknesses to Jesus and arise
It will free you from bondage and you will thrive.
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There are many verses in the bible that we hear God or Jesus commanding someone to get up or arise. In Leviticus 19:32, God commands Moses to rise up and revere God. In Joshua 7:10, the Lord asks Joshua to rise up because he has fallen on his face. Isaiah 52:2 was a message to Jerusalem to rise up and shake themselves out from the dust. The prophet Micah in chapter 2 verse 10 was summoned to arise and go because of the destruction of uncleanliness. In 2 Samuel 19:7, he was commanded to go out and speak kindly to his servant.
Almost all the miraculous healing of Jesus included this command to “Get up” or “Arise.” Why did the bible use this words often, especially to those significant persons that God gave the anointing? The act of getting up is an active stance while sleeping and not doing something is likened to being dead.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always obey when you command me to arise.
REFLECTION
What bondages or weaknesses have God asked you to rise from?
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