Author Archives: ilmaarts

WHO MAKES THE BLIND SEE Poem Devotional

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January 6________________________________________
Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” – John 10:20-21 (NLT)
WHO MAKES THE BLIND SEE?
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are blinded by the enemy with lies
It will be difficult to navigate through life
Only Jesus can make the blind see
Only the word of God will set us free.
So why do you let the world corrupt your heart?
Why not renew your minds and make a new start?
Believe in the one and only true Lord and Savior
You will soon enjoy life and burn with fervor.
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There are many people who question the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The trouble with them is that they try to make sense out of everything. When there is no logic or explanation behind something that occurred, it is often very hard for people to accept it as a miracle from God. Many unbelievers think that miracles are spectacular phenomenon, but sometimes God works very quietly in our lives. He does little miracles to change us to become more like him. He does it so subtly that sometimes we fail to actually see the miracle or change he is doing in our hearts. The bible says that only Jesus Christ can make the blind see.
PRAYER
Lord, let me recognize your works in my life.
REFLECTION
What miracles has God done in your life?
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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

LISTEN TO HIS VOICE Poem Devotional

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January 5________________________________________
I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. -John 10:16(NLT)
LISTEN TO HIS VOICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you found the way that leads to your salvation?
Are you able to resist the devil’s ways and his temptations?
When you continue to cater to satisfy your own cravings
You are like a stray sheep who would not stop roaming.
The Shepherd cares especially for the lost ones
God loves them too and sent his one and only Son
When you heed to the voice of Jesus Christ
You will stop straying and have peace in your life.
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Many Christian do not actually hear the voice of their Master. It took many years before I did or maybe I wasn’t aware as much as I was when I was a little girl. I was seven years old when I accepted Jesus in my life. I talked to him every single day and even though I can’t hear his voice literally, I have thoughts in my mind that comes as I tell him my troubles and pains. The bible says that those who believe in Christ, will be able to recognize and hear his voice. We have so many distractions in this world so we can hardly hear what he says.
PRAYER
Lord, let me learn silence and focus on you to be able to hear your voice.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when God’s voice is so clear to you.
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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

BLESSINGS THROUGH THE GATE Poem Devotional

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January 4________________________________________
Yes, I am the gate, those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. -John 10:9(NLT)
BLESSINGS THROUGH THE GATE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who believe in Christ enters through the gate
Their eyes are opened to the truth and they are saved
Through Christ, they can come and go freely
They handle the world’s challenges boldly.
If you take the gate to salvation through Christ
You will be equipped to be victorious in life
There will be blessings when you believe in Jesus
You are loved deeply and is considered very precious.
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The only way we can be victorious in life is when we believe in the one and only true God. There are many ways we can live our lives. I lived it through the standards of the world for many decades. I went through life with full of trials and sufferings because I catered to my ambitions, wants and desires. When I gave up my wayward life and followed Jesus, I was freed from the enemy’s tactics. Now that I am fully aware of what I did wrong in the past and God has freed me from many strongholds and sin. The bible tells us that only Jesus Christ is the gateway to redemption. It is only through him that we get all the blessings and find good pastures.
PRAYER
Thank you for opening my door to heaven, Lord.
REFLECTION
Have you chosen to take the gateway to heaven?
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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

ENTER THROUGH THE GATE Poem Devotional

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January 3________________________________________
I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate must surely be a thief and a robber. But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd for the sheep. -John 10:1-2(NLT)
ENTER THROUGH THE GATE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Why would anyone choose to sneak?
Wouldn’t you rather openly look or peak?
Why would you not enter through the gate?
It is the only way you can be free and saved?
Enter through the gate who is Jesus Christ
Don’t listen to the devil who is full of lies
Listen to Christ’s voice and follow him
He will free you and lead you to conquer sin.
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Sheep have often been associated with man in the bible. There are many characteristics of sheep that are likened to man. They are both stubborn, restless, sometimes love to go astray, they love to roam aimlessly. We are almost like sheep. We disobey and go through life without purpose and meaning.
The bible tells us that anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold rather than going through the gate must be a thief. The one enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. Jesus is the shepherd of all believers. The enemy tries to sneak in people’s lives and make them go astray and disobey God. Christ leads them back through the gate to eternity.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to hear your voice always.
REFLECTION
Do you hear God’s voice and follow his lead?
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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

MILK VERSUS SOLID FOOD Poem Devotional

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January 2________________________________________
For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. – Hebrews 5:13-14(NLT)
MILK VERSUS SOLID FOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you were babies, you fed on milk alone
You need to take in solid food when you are grown
For someone who lives on milk do not know what’s right
Their minds and hearts are limited to understand life.
Solid food is for those who are mature and have wisdom
If you feed on it, you will grow and enjoy freedom
Those who live on milk don’t know what’s wrong or right
They are unstable and cannot be victorious in life.
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My only child was overweight at a month old. The doctor prescribed I give him solid food to wean him off too much breast milk and not gain more weight. He grew up quick and a very gifted and mature boy. He was a choir member at age 18 months was a violin child prodigy at age 7. Did the solid food have something to do with maturity? Maybe so.
The bible tells us that we can’t live on milk alone meaning we can’t just get second hand information about God’s word. We are encouraged to feed on the solid food which is in depth study of Scriptures.
PRAYER
Lord, help me hunger for you deeply.
REFLECTION
Do you consider yourself still an infant Christian or a mature one?
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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

HOLD ON TO CHRIST Poem Devotional

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January 1________________________________________
I am coming soon, hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
– Revelations 3:11(NLT)
HOLD ON TO CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
What things keep you away from Christ?
Is it something or someone that makes you lose sight
Hold on to Jesus and keep on seeking him
There’s a big reward to those who stay away from sin.
No matter what little progress you make, be close to God
Press on and never get tired of bringing him laud
Christ is coming soon and he wants you to be saved
All who love him will find the strength to be brave.
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In my mid 30’s. I joined a cycling group of over fifty members and I am the only woman in the club. I biked daily a total of 30-40 kilometers every morning before breakfast and before I headed to the school I taught. On weekends, all the 55 members go on a ride about 200 kilometers in about a span of two hours. There were days that I almost didn’t make it but I pressed on and all those weekends, I managed to finish it. The men were all challenged to finish when they see me make it to the end of the bike run. Like a race, we too have to hold on to our progress so we can be ready to see Jesus when he comes again.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for leading me constantly to focus on you.
REFLECTION
What keeps you going when you get disappointed in life?
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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

POISONOUS ROOT OF BITTERNESS Poem Devotional

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December 31________________________________________
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
– Hebrews 12:15(NLT)
POISONOUS ROOT OF BITTERNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself angry or irritable with everyone?
Do you gripe about past hurts and blame someone?
Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness creeps up
It can damage many relationships easily and so abrupt.
Look after each other so you won’t miss God’s grace
Have the courage to take responsibility and face
Beware of any form of resentment or hostility
It can destroy your faith, joy and tranquility.
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There were many years of my life that I was bitter. I didn’t even know I was full of resentment and hostility towards many people and many things. After five decades of stronghold on this poisonous root, God delivered me from it and made me understand the damage it had on my life and relationships. Bitterness came in many forms in my life. It robbed me of joy and made me criticize automatically people around me who reminded me of those people who neglected and abused me. It made my heart heavy and I actually made myself sick physically as well. The bible tells us to watch out for any form of bitterness for it deprives us of God’s grace and it corrupts us too.
PRAYER
Lord make me aware when this poisonous root of bitterness strikes me.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the antidote to bitterness?
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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

LIVE IN PEACE TO SEE THE LORD Poem Devotional

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December 30________________________________________
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14(NLT)
LIVE IN PEACE TO SEE THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are living in peace with everyone
Will eventually see the one and only Son
Work at living a life that is pure and holy
Avoid falling into sin and all kinds of folly
Those who are not holy won’t see the Lord
They will always complain and dwell on faults
Those who seek the Lord and obey
Will not be lost but find their way.
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Have you ever been lost looking for a place in a foreign place? It can get frustrating not to know how to navigate around in an area that is new to you. I was lost when I was around 6 years old. My mother and I were shopping and then I realized that she wasn’t beside me. It took probably over 6 hours of walking until I found my way back home. That six hours of confusion left emotional scars in me. I still find myself panicking when I am in strange places. The bible tells us that if we want to see the Lord, we have to work at living in peace with everyone and work at living a holy life. In order for us not to be lost, we must anchor our lives on God’s truth.
PRAYER
Lord, help me whenever I am lost and not abiding in you.
REFLECTION
What stops you from experiencing peace?
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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

GOD WILL NEVER FAIL YOU Poem Devotional

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December 29________________________________________
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you. For he will never fail you. -1 Peter 4:19(NLT)
GOD WILL NEVER FAIL YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
How much pain and suffering are you going through?
Do you cling to God and are you faithful to his truth?
If you suffer in a manner that pleases God
You are actually honoring him and giving him laud
Trust your life to the God who created you
He will never fail and will always see you through
Keep on doing what is right and follow his lead
He will ensure that you will be free and have victory.
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There is no human that is foolproof. We always make mistakes and we have that fallen nature that is bent to cater to our own selfish desires. This is the reason why we sometimes fail to meet someone else’s needs because most of the time, we prioritize our own instead of others’. It is automatic for most humans to complain when things do not go the way they expected it to. Then, we blame someone or if there’s no one else to take it, we blame God.
The bible says that if you are suffering, you must never feel defeated because God will never fail you. He always has our best interest at heart.

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being faithful to me.
REFLECTION
Why is it hard for humans to wholly trust in God?
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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

SINCERE LOVE FOR EACH OTHER Poem Devotional

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December 28________________________________________
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
-1 Peter 1:22(NLT)
SINCERE LOVE FOR EACH OTHER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you love your brothers and sisters like yourself?
Do you go out of your way to bless them and be of help?
We were all commanded to love one another
There is no excuse for not caring for each other.
Christ died so you can be cleansed from sin
You must also sincerely love others so you can be free
Love each other deeply with all your heart
It is the only way we can have a brand new start.
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I have been a Christian for many years but took many decades before I actually found a spiritual family who sincerely loved each other. Having been born raised in a very populated Asian country, I didn’t experience intimacy with fellow believer for many years. I don’t know if it is just a cultural thing or is it because of so many people that you constantly deal with that hinders the growth of fellowship in the congregation. I even became active in the group activities to have direct contact and friendship with other believers. Yet, it took many years before I found the body of Christ who sincerely care and love each other as Christ loves us.
PRAYER
Thank you for leading me to my church family Lord.
REFLECTION
How do you show sincere love for your fellow believers?
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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