Author Archives: ilmaarts

LIKE A MOTHER’S COMFORT

Posted on by

burks falls 2014,barrie,erin, stanley hoop 093

October 4________________________________________
I will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity. I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child. – Isaiah 66:12,13 (NLT)
LIKE A MOTHER’S COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When your life is full of challenges and trials
Do you run to God for comfort or are you in denial?
God promises his people to have peace and prosperity
He consoles you like a mother gives comfort and stability.
The Lord nurtures us and wants us to grow in love
He commands us to love one another and look above
He is faithful to meet your needs and be there for you
He will lavish you with blessings and make your life new.
________________________________________
Mothers are one of the greatest gifts that God gave mankind. Without them, we will never be born. They have a special place in God’s heart. He has given them the responsibility to nurture and be the first person to show love to the baby. Even in the womb, the woman was given a special bond to communicate her love for the unborn child. She was chosen by God to be instrumental to bring life into this world.
The bible clearly shows us that God is very nurturing and loving. He is love. He promises those who love him that they will have peace and prosperity. He comforts his people like a mother comforts her own child.
PRAYER
Thank you for all mothers and using them to bring life and love.
REFLECTION
Share an experience when God comforted you like a mother would.
________________________________________
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 ANSWERS HIS PEOPLE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

halloween 2011 and sunrises 129

October 3________________________________________
I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! – Isaiah 65:24(NLT)
GOD ANSWERS HIS PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
God is full of wisdom, love and is all-giving
He knows what we need even before we start talking
He wants us to run to him, ask anything and everything
He answers his people and showers them with blessings.
God grants requests and intercessions
He is kind and always gives us provisions
Lay down your needs; he wants you to honor him
God responds to you even while you are still speaking.
________________________________________
Have you ever asked someone and didn’t get a reply? How did that make you feel? Humans can react to a “no” response in many different ways. They may repeat the question for fear that they might not have been heard. They may feel rejected from being minimized or feel insecure from the vague subtexts that the silence can bring about. They may judge the person who ignored and didn’t give them an answer and close their minds on them.
The bible tells us that God always answers his people even before they call them. While they are still presenting their needs to him, he already answered them even before they are finished talking. Daniel is a perfect example of this when he interceded for his people (chapter 9).
PRAYER
Lord, help us to never cease praying and interceding for others.
REFLECTION
When did you pray and got answers even before you finished your prayer?
________________________________________
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

HARDENED HEARTS Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 153 (2)

October 2________________________________________
For when I called, you did not answer. When I spoke, you did not listen. You deliberately sinned-before my very eyes-and chose to do what you know I despise. – Isaiah 65:12(NLT)
HARDENED HEARTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is your heart pining for God or for this world?
How often do you connect with him through his word?
Do you answer when he calls you to do something?
Do you hear him speak especially when he is convicting?
Do you ignore and pretend he doesn’t exist in your life?
Have you hardened your heart to miss seeing his light?
Do you continually defy his commands and follow your will?
Run to him so he can soften your hearts and win over sin.
________________________________________
The hardest people to deal with are those who have hardened hearts. How do you know people who have hardened hearts? They are not hard to spot. They usually have a frown pasted on their face. They complain a lot and make other people’s lives miserable. They are very unforgiving and judgmental. They kill your joy and don’t appreciate anyone or anything. They always look at the dark side of things and sometimes suck the life out of you. The bible always warns us to guard our hearts. If our hearts are not pure, we are opening the door for the enemy to enslave us in sin. Do you deliberately ignore God’s call and defy him by continually sinning?
PRAYER
Lord, let me be connected to you so I can hear your voice.
REFLECTION
What is your heart’s condition?
________________________________________
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

CALL ON THE LORD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

pinery camping 2014 and others 552

October 1________________________________________
The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. – Psalm 145: 13,18 (NLT)
CALL ON THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you feel down and low
Don’t delay but run to the Lord
He always keeps his promises
He is merciful and constantly gracious.
The Lord is close to all who call on him
He hears them and forgives their sins
See him and his truth then you’ll be free
Release yourself from bondage and misery.
________________________________________
Have you ever relied and depended on someone so badly and got disappointed. Humans can sometimes be unreliable and untrue to what they say. Some people are bad at keeping their promises and have no integrity or honesty. I used to expect those who I am in relationship with to fulfill my needs. It just made my life more miserable each time those expectations were never met or even minimized. I learned to take care of myself and never depended on anyone. For a while, I isolated myself from others because I had so bad experiences with people.
The bible tells us that there is only one person who could be trusted and whom we can depend on and never be let down. God keeps his promises and is always gracious. He’s close to all who call on him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always remember to call on you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it is important to God for us to call on him?
________________________________________
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 YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND Poem devotional

Posted on by

halloween 2011 and sunrises 060

September 30________________________________________
You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will. – John 13:7(NLT)
WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND
A poem and essay by ILMA
When times are rough and you don’t understand
Run to Scriptures and find out what God commands
When you don’t understand what you are doing
Seek wisdom from what the bible is saying.
When you don’t comprehend what is happening
Seek Christ, know his commands and keep on obeying
Someday when you don’t stop hungering for him
He will bring you wisdom and let you finally win.
________________________________________
I always asked so many questions since I was a child. God gave us a mind so we can be motivated to pursue him and know more about him. He didn’t give us a brain so we can use it for our own personal gains. He gave us all that we have, so we can bring back to him the glory and praise that he alone is worthy of. The enemy used my mind and misled me to take the proud path to intelligence. I hoarded so much information and kept it to myself thinking that I know many things than other people. After many years of boasting, God convicted me that he gave me all so that I can glorify him and not myself.
The bible warns us to be careful when we start asking questions to gain approval or recognition. God wants us to be patient when we don’t understand.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to seek you first in everything.
REFLECTION
What kind of questions in your mind led you to frustration and hopelessness?
________________________________________
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 NOT TO LOSE YOUR LIFE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

barrie visit 2011 412

September 29________________________________________
Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. – John 12:25(NLT)
HOW NOT TO LOSE YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you desire the standards of the world
You are clearly misled and not following the word
Those who love their life in this world will lose it
If you don’t care for worldly ways, you will keep it.
Seek the kingdom of God and you will have wisdom
Follow God’s commands and you’ll experience freedom
If you don’t want to be in the dark or lose your life
Continually trust Christ and you will be full of his light.
________________________________________
Have you ever held on to something and realized that you are losing it? Hold a handful of sand in your hands and notice that the more you grip it, the more it falls. Our life is no different. The more you cling to things in this world, the more likely you will lose it. I had an only child and he was my life. I focused so much on being a supermom that I actually missed out on so many things and enabled him that he became a procrastinator.
Those who love their life in this world will lose it, but those who don’t care much for worldly ways will keep it for eternity.
PRAYER
Lord help me never to be deceived by the world.
REFLECTION
What lies has the world deceived you with?
________________________________________
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

YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME LORD

Posted on by

crawford lake 2013 049

September 28________________________________________
Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here so they will believe you sent me. – John 11:41-42(NLT)
YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you run to the Lord for guidance?
Do you know that he will give you assistance?
No matter what you are going through
He is always there to support you.
Father, thank you for hearing me
I don’t often run to you so I don’t see clearly
You always hear me Lord even when I disobey
Help me to seek you and follow what you say.
________________________________________
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he prayed aloud amongst the witnesses in Lazarus’ tomb. He did this because the people didn’t believe that he can bring to life someone who is already dead. Jesus’ very word before he commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb were “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here so they will believe you sent me.”
Jesus prayed aloud so people will believe that he is the one God sent and that he can raise even those who are dead already. Uttering out loud something has power especially if it is a request in the name of God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being able to speak my heart.
REFLECTION
Relate an experience when speaking God’s truth and words brought power 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

GIVING SIGHT TO THE BLIND Poem Devotional

Posted on by

auries 2012 visit 068

September 27________________________________________
I entered this world to render judgment-to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind. – John 9:39 (NLT)
GIVING SIGHT TO THE BLIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus came to give sight to the blind
He wants to restore their hearts and minds
He is the only one who can bring life
He alone can make them win their fight.
The Lord will bring judgment to all
This is why he doesn’t want us to fall
Sin can make us confused and wallow in evil
Christ came so we can overcome the devil.
________________________________________
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, they started feeling shame and confusion. That is what sin normally brings about in our lives. The enemy tempt us and sows lies in our minds, which later on penetrates in our hearts if we constantly do it and not confess and repent the sin, it builds up to more sins. This is why the bible always tells us to guard our hearts. An unguarded heart is an entry point to the enemy. A heart that seeks God will be much harder for the enemy to penetrate. King David was known as the man who seizes God’s heart. Jesus Christ came to give judgment, to bring back sight to those who are blind and show those who think that they see that they are blind.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for saving the whole mankind.
REFLECTION
How has the enemy blinded you? What lies did he let you believe for so long?
________________________________________
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

WAS BLIND AND NOW CAN SEE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

halloween 2011 and sunrises 060

September 26________________________________________
“I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. I was blind and now I can see.
-John 9:25(NLT)
WAS BLIND AND NOW CAN SEE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself struggling to understand life?
When we live in sin for so long, we lose God’s insight
Whenever we decide to wallow in rebellion
We suffer the consequence of this decision.
Why do you continue to live in darkness?
God wants you to live in righteousness
Once we were blinded by the world
Christ saved us by his blood and his word.
________________________________________
The bible says that those who are constantly living in sin will not be able to see things the way he sees it. As soon as we allow sin to live in our hearts, you open the door for the enemy to get you enslaved by different lies and sins. I remember the many years that I lived in darkness because of my choice to rebel. I was hurt and deprived of love in my growing years, but I had a choice to forgive and release all these people who traumatized me. Instead, I clung to the pain and carried it for many decades. It brought me to a constant state of panic and confusion. Satan entered my heart’s door and infiltrated it with so many lies. Only Christ can heal and make the blind see.
PRAYER
Thank you for healing those who are blind.
REFLECTION
What were the things you didn’t see when you were living in 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

DO WHAT PLEASES GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 118 

canadablooms 153 (2)

September 25________________________________________
And the one who sent me is with me-he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him. – John 8:29(NLT)
DO WHAT PLEASES GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you do what pleases God, you will have peace
You will be free and will be able to see
When you obey what God has commanded
He will be faithful and never abandon.
Whenever you seek and follow Christ’s ways
You will have authority and never be swayed
Do what pleases the Lord for he never deserts you
He will always protect, correct, guide and renew.
________________________________________
Have you ever suffered from doing the opposite of what God asks you to do? Many years of my life was spent following my own will. As a result, I became a very proud and confused person. I was lawless. I only followed my own desires and gratified my selfish ambitions. I did a lot of people pleasing but didn’t do much God-pleasing. In my selfishness, I reaped selfishness as well. Because I did things for my own pleasures, I didn’t sow faithfulness in others. Why would they want to have anything to do with someone who only thinks of herself?
The bible tells us that we ought to please only the Lord. We must never live for our own desires, but we must always think about others. Christ came to serve others. Shouldn’t we do the same?
PRAYER
Lord, let me serve others more than myself.
REFLECTION
Whom did you serve in the past that let you 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