Author Archives: ilmaarts

HE CALMS YOUR FEARS

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February 16
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For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. -Zephaniah 3:17(NLT)
HE CALMS YOUR FEARS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who can calm all your fears in an instant?
Run and be close to Christ instead of being distant!
He will live inside you and will wipe all your fears
He will take delight in you and wipe your tears.
The Lord is a mighty Savior and rejoices over you
Receive and enjoy his power to make your mind new
Perfect love casts out fear so always choose love
It is the only way to get closer to the Father up above.
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A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms: accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath or smothering, choking feeling, chest pain, nausea, dizzy or faint, chills or heat sensations, tingling or numbness, fear of going crazy or dying. Panic attacks typically reach their peak level of intensity in 10 minutes or less and then begin to subside. I had panic attacks in five decades without ever being diagnosed. It was debilitating. Only God’s word and his truth freed me from all the fear and these panic attacks.
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PRAYER
Thank you for releasing me from all kinds of fear Lord.
REFLECTION
Describe how God literally calmed you from a fearful circumstance in your 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

COMPLACENCY TO SIN Poem Devotional

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February 15
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I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.
-Zephaniah 1:12(NLT)
COMPLACENCY TO SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you have sinned and feel contented to stay that way
You are compromising your heart which leads you to go astray
Do not think that the Lord takes for granted sin’s seriousness
He will deal with all those who partake in evil and wickedness.
Always remember that God sees everything you do
You cannot hide anywhere especially not from truth
Confess your sins and repent and God will forgive
If you continue to be complacent, you will be more deceived.
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Complacency is defined as a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation or condition. I believe that complacency can pull us down to dangerous territories. The prophet Zephaniah warns the people about the consequence of complacency to sin. He cautions those who think that the Lord isn’t going to deal with this contentment to continue doing evil or sinning.
In relationships, complacency can actually destroy the passion and love in that relationship. When there is no more desire to keep the love going, there is a danger to become indifferent and later on be divided.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from any form of complacency in my life.
REFLECTION
Why do you think that the Lord warns us not to be complacent especially when it comes to sin?
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

DISLOYALTY TO GOD Poem Devotional

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February 14
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They claim to follow the Lord, but then they worship Molech, too. And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek my blessings. – Zephaniah 1:5-6(NLT)
DISLOYALTY TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you claim to be a believer and yet follow the world
It is like being unfaithful to who God is your creator
You cannot serve two masters and not be destroyed
You cannot be friends with God and also with the world.
Remember that our Lord is a very jealous God
He will not put up with those who love idols and bow
He wants his followers to be faithful to only him
He will let you be simultaneously in his love and also in sin.
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Matthew Henry’s commentary on Zephaniah 1:1-6 says: Ruin is coming from the Almighty. There is no peace for the wicked. The expressions are figurative, speaking every where desolation; the land shall be left without inhabitants. The sinners to be consumed are, the professed idolaters. Those that think to divide their affections and worship between God and idols, will come short of acceptance with God; for what communion can there be between light and darkness? If Satan have half, he will have all; if the Lord have but half, he will have none. Neglect of God shows impiety and contempt.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never coast in two places, let me only be in your camp.
REFLECTION
Show an example how a Christian can have two masters even unknowingly.
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

AIMING FOR SINCERE HEARTS Poem Devotional

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February 13
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Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. – 2 Corinthians 5:12(NLT)
AIMING FOR SINCERE HEARTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord wants for all his followers to be pure
This is the only way we can avoid to be lured
Let us aim for hearts that are sincere
It will help us see lies and think ever so clear.
Having a spectacular ministry is nothing to boast about
Pure hearts are what is important to God up above
Aim for a church that is after God’s heart
It will make God’s Spirit dwell inside and never depart.
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We live in a society where social media has exploded and the platforms for ministry has broadened in various forms. Many megachurches have been born in our age and yet it is not really a guarantee of great intimacy with the Lord. A big church doesn’t really mean that each member is saved. Some false teachers capitalize on people’s vulnerabilities as they search to find their true identity in Christ. They may use all kinds of tricks and performances that actually compromises the integrity of Christ’s teachings.
In this verse, we hear how the apostle Paul warns us the importance of sincere hearts rather than a ministry that is remarkable.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for always warning us how to guard our hearts.
REFLECTION
How can one protect one’s self from the external appearance of the church and get deeper?
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

WARNING TO THE UNGRATEFUL Poem Devotional

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February 12
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I trained them and made them strong, yet now they plot evil against me. They look everywhere except to the Most High. – Hosea 7:15-16(NLT)
WARNING TO THE UNGRATEFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Heavenly Father gave you everything you have
God gives blessings to those who give him love
Stop boasting about all of your gifts and abilities
Always remember your roots so you’ll have victory.
How do you repay someone who provided for all?
Do you stay loyal or plot evil which leads to your fall?
Wake up, ungrateful people! Look up to the Lord
He will forgive you if you repent and make him proud.
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One of the hardest kinds of people to deal with are those who are ungrateful. Behind the heart of an ingrate, is pride. I think that’s why the Lord detests idolatry. Pride is a manifestation of ingratitude. When jealousy sets in a man’s heart, he is going to prove that he is better than another and will have a hard time bowing and giving praise to his very own creator. In Adam and Eve’s first sin, we clearly see the ingratitude when they disobeyed. They were enticed to have more than what they already have. They had a perfect life without toiling, a life full of provision and promises. Pride entered their hearts when the enemy enticed them to doubt God. They schemed to claim their right to access the tree of good and evil. ________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, always remind me that everything comes from you.
REFLECTION
How can ingratitude affect one’s attitude?
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

CHARGES AGAINST THE UNFAITHFUL Poem Devotional

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February 11
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The Lord has brought charges against you saying: There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. -Hosea 4:1(NLT)
CHARGES AGAINST THE UNFAITHFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord has brought charges to the unfaithful
Because there is no kindness in them at all
They couldn’t care less about knowing their God
They wouldn’t bow down to bring him laud.
The Lord will bless those who are faithful
There are no promises for those who are fools
When you seek the Lord and abide in him
He will ensure that you can overcome sin.
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We always hear that “We ought not to judge one another.” Some people use this phrase to excuse themselves from doing evil and turning their backs on God. They serve the world rather than the Lord and have no qualms prioritizing their pleasures over worshiping their own creator.
Psalm 75:7 says God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another and Psalm 96:13 warns us that He is coming to judge the earth He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness. Jeremiah 17:10 says “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. What would you do if you hear Hosea’s warning to the unkind, the unfaithful and those who don’t want to know the Lord?
PRAYER
Lord, grant grace to those who are lost and don’t know you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to stay devoted to seeking 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

REFUSING TO KNOW THE LORD Poem Devotional

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February 10
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My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. – Hosea 4:6(NLT)
REFUSING TO KNOW THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever resisted to get intimate with the Lord?
There is a consequence when you deny to bring him laud
When you are a believer and refuse to know God deeply
You will find it hard to know his character and grow spiritually.
When a Christian refuse to know his Lord
He misses out on much blessings and favors
People who turn their back on God are being destroyed
They become more blinded, disobedient and rebellious.
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We were all designed for God. Whenever we turn our backs on our Maker, we suffer the consequence of that decision. I learned this truth the hard way because I lived my life for myself many decades. I could have experienced more joy and peace in my earlier life had I not refused to know the Lord deeply. I got busy doing my own will instead of following his commands and knowing his character. As a result, I got destroyed inside and missed out on so many of his promises. My son also got affected by such choices. He still currently struggles much in life.
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PRAYER
Lord, I pray that no one would ever refuse to know you.
REFLECTION
What makes people refuse to know 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

WHEN THE LORD CALLS YOU poem devotional

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February 9
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But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel. – Amos 7:14-15(NLT)
WHEN THE LORD CALLS YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
No matter how little you know or how unskilled you are
The Lord can call you to tend his flock and care for it now
Though you are lacking in abilities and capacity to answer his call
He will make a way to equip you, just give him all the control.
When he calls you, be ready to say “yes” and he will provide
He wants your obedience and for you to constantly abide
He is a God of miracles and can do anything to empower you
Trust him and he can transform you and make you new.
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When the Lord called me to ministry, I was such a mess. I dwelled in my hurts and traumas. I wanted to leave my husband and run once again because I couldn’t control my situation. The Lord led me to Mark’s gospel about how the Lord hates divorce. He told me to feed on his word daily and I will be given a verse to write daily. It had been six years now that I worked for God’s ministry and he has equipped me to write beyond my abilities.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faith in us.
REFLECTION
What can happen if you say yes to God’s call?
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 HATES HYPOCRISY Poem Devotional

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February 8
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I hate all your show and pretense- the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. -Amos 5:21(NLT)
GOD HATES HYPOCRISY
A poem and essay by ILMA
In every show and pretense
Lies guilt and shame
When you do religious festivals
God is jealous, he doesn’t want rivals.
God hates all forms of hypocrisy
It hampers you from getting victory
Be honest and live a life of integrity
He will reward those who lives by honesty.
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According to Easton’s bible dictionary, a “hypocrite” is one who puts on a mask and pretends himself to be what he is not. Our Lord severely rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy ( Matthew 6:2,5,16) and in Job 8:13, he warns that they shall perish. The Hebrew word here rendered “hypocrite” means the “godless” or “profane,” as it is rendered in Jeremiah 23:11, polluted with crimes.
How come a lot of religious rituals and traditions are still widely practiced in the present? If the Lord hates hypocrisy, why is it very prevalent in our society. John 10:10 says that the enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. One of his tactics to destroy our relationship with the Lord is through religious rituals, traditions and festivals. It distracts us from actually having a personal relationship with the Lord. The bible tells us that God hates hypocrisy. The lies they live is an abomination to God’s character.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from all forms of hypocrisy.
REFLECTION
How can one know that someone is pretending to be someone they’re not? How do you deal with hypocrites in your 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

HOW TO BE ALIVE AGAIN Poem Devotional

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February 7
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Come back to me and live! – Amos 5:4(NLT)
HOW TO BE ALIVE AGAIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to live a life that is full?
Run to the Lord for he is faithful
He asks you to come back to him
You won’t thrive if you live in sin.
Come back to the Lord right now
If you have sinned, repent and bow
It is the only way you can come to the light
Only the Lord can save you and give you life.
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For many years I didn’t realize that I was spiritually dead. Everything I did revolved around my wants, desires, ambitions and dreams. I thought that success had to do with getting all my goals met and being looked up to. I never consulted God’s will or plan in my life. I lived like a strong-willed child, insisting on doing things my way and scheming for things. You will likely have guessed correctly. I didn’t get far. I lost joy, peace and living a full life. The Lord loves me so much. He didn’t give all that I wanted because they were not all good for me. If he granted all that I asked for, I wouldn’t learn to hunger for him. I will continue to be distracted and focus my attention on things of this world. The bible says that the only way we can be alive is through Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the life you gave us through your son Jesus.
REFLECTION
What are the manifestations that you are compromising your 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