May 4
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EARLY YEARS OF ASA’S REIGN
A poem by ILMA
When Abijah died, his son Asa became the next king
There was peace in the land for ten straight years
Asa did what was pleasing and good in God’s sight
He removed the foreign altars and pagan shrines.
Asa smashed the sacred pils and cut down the Asherah poles
He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord
He instructed them to obey God’s laws and his commands
He also removed the incense altars from every town of Judah.
King Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace
Because of that, he built up the fortified towns of Judah.
No one made war against him at this time
For the Lord was giving him rest from his enemies.
He told the people of Judah to build towns and fortify them
He reminded them that since they sought the Lord, he gave them peace
So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion
He had an army of 580.000 warriors from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
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MEMORY VERSE
He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors and to obey his law and his commands. – 2 Chronicles 14:4
Read: 2 Chronicles 14
It is refreshing to hear of a good king in those days. We see the reward of following the Lord and leading the people into obedience to God
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REFLECTION
• What did King Asa achieve as a result of the peace they received from being obedient and faithful to the Lord?
• Why is it important to follow the Lord’s instruction?
Category Archives: Poem devotionals
JESUS CALLS LEVI (MATTHEW) Poem Devotional
May 3
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JESUS CALLS LEVI (MATTHEW)
A poem by ILMA
As Jesus left the town, he saw Levi, the tax collector sitting at his booth
“Follow me and be my disciple” Jesus said to him so he got up
He left everything he had and followed Jesus immediately
Later, Jesus was the guest of honor at a banquet he hosted.
Then the Pharisees and teachers of the law complained bitterly
“Why do you eat and drink with such scum as Levi?” they asked Jesus
Christ replied, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do”
“I have come to call those who acknowledge their sins and repent.
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MEMORY VERSE
Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think thy are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.
– Luke 5:31-32
Read: Luke 5:27-32
I heard one preacher describe what a church is. He said that the church is like a hospital and all the members represent the patients who are sick, not one is totally healed or they won’t be in the hospital anymore. When I heard him say this, an image comes to mind. A picture of people waiting to be given care and attention, waiting to get healed and get back to their normal lives, recuperating and getting stronger.
Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus called those who are not perfect to be his disciples? In fact, he chose messed up and sick people like Levi. His desire to follow him and turn his back on sin was truly Spirit led. ________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do we go to church and think that everyone in it has it altogether?
• How can we give compassion as Jesus did to those who are sinners and weak?
• How can we guard ourselves from giving a verdict to someone we don’t really know what’s going on in their hearts?
• How do we set other people up for failure when we have unrealistic expectations from them?
JESUS, THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER Poem Devotional
May 2
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JESUS, THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER
A poem by ILMA
Don’t let your hearts be troubled; trust in God and also in the Son
Jesus assures that there is enough room in his Father’s home
He said that he is preparing a place for those who believe him
When everything is ready, he will come back to get all who believe.
Thomas, one of his disciples said, “We have no clue where you’re going”
He added “How can we know where we are going if we don’t know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way the truth and the life
It is only through me that you will come to the Father.”
Philip said “Lord, show us the Father and we’ll be satisfied”
And he said, “Haven’t I been with you this long and still not see me?”
Jesus said to them, “Don’t you believe I am in the Father and He’s in me?”
He told them to believe that the Father and he are one and believe it.
Anyone who believes in the Son will follow what he has done
They’ll be doing greater works than Him for He will be with the Father
If they ask anything in Jesus’ name, He will do it to bring the Father glory
So he urges all of us to ask in his mighty name and it will be done.
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MEMORY VERSE
I am the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
– John 14:6
Read: John 14
Are you not excited as a Christian to know that Jesus is preparing a room for you in His Father’s house? What an exciting promise to look forward to compared to all the things we are going through in this world. Let’s believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father.
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REFLECTION
• What makes Jesus different from other gods in the world?
• How do you visualize the room that Jesus is preparing for you?
• If Jesus is the way, how come, some Christians are not totally sold out on this?
GIDEON’S FALL AS A JUDGE Poem Devotional
May 1
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GIDEON’S FALL AS A JUDGE
A poem by ILMA
It was amazing how the Lord brought Gideon as their deliverer
He used to be so humble and always consulted God before battle
As his brothers were killed by Zebah and Zalmunna, his heart changed
He began to do things on his own and endangered his kingship over Israel.
Gideon began to tread the smaller towns of Succoth and Peniel differently
He dealt with the offense of the people of Ephraim with cunning flattery
Yet, he threatened the smaller towns that he will get back at them
When he was victorious, these two small towns got what they deserved.
When Israel asked him to be their ruler, yet Gideon declined
He only requested for a gold earring from their plunder from enemies
From all their contributions, the gold weighed forty-three pounds
Out of all this, he made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah.
Why did he want to make a vessel fit for a high priest or a king?
Did he want power and recognition for all his victorious battles?
This ephod became an idol for the Israelites, they worshiped it
It became a trap for Gideon’s as it directly made them adulterous to God.
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MEMORY VERSE
Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family. – Judges 8:27
Read: Judges 8
What happened to Gideon? He started out as a very humble servant of God. Just after a victory over the Midianites, his heart immediately changed and greed and power came out of what began as a humble and faithful heart for God.
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REFLECTION
• What led to Gideon’s change of heart?
• Why do you think he made an ephod for himself and put it in his hometown?
AHAZ RULES IN JUDAH Poem Devotional
April 23
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AHAZ RULES IN JUDAH
A poem by ILMA
Ahaz, son of Jotham began to rule over Judah in the 17th year of Pekah’s reign
He was twenty years old when he became king and ruled for sixteen years
He did not do what was pleasing in the sigh of the Lord, as his ancestors did
Instead, he followed the example of kings of Israel, and sacrificed his own son.
He sacrificed his son in the fire and followed the pagan practices
He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the pagan shrines
Then Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel came up to attack Jerusalem
These two kings, Rezin and Pekah besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him.
At that time, the king of Edom recovered the town of Elath for Edom
He drove out the people of Judah and sent Edomites to live there
King Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to rescue him
He told the Assyrian king that he will be his servant and vassal.
Ahaz took the silver and gold from the Temple of the Lord
He gave it as payment to the Assyrian king, so King Rezin was killed
When he died, he was buried with his ancestors in the city of David
Then his son Hezekiah became the next king to rule Judah.
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MEMORY VERSE
He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord his God, as his ancestor David had done. – 2 Kings 16:2
Read: 2 Kings 16
Many of these kings did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. Sometimes it is hard to understand how the Lord allows evil to prevail. But many times we suffer the consequences of our decisions.
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REFLECTION
• What led Ahaz to go the Assyrian King for help?
• Why do you think this king continued to do evil in the Lord while his father Jotham did what was pleasing to God?
OLD HAS GONE, NEW HAS BEGUN Poem Devotional
December 31________________________________________
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17(NLT)
OLD HAS GONE, NEW HAS BEGUN
A poem and essay by ILMA
The old year has gone by quickly
Have we loved faithfully?
If anyone is seeking Christ
They will be transformed and be full of life.
Are there areas of your life that is in bondage?
Run to the throne so you will have an advantage
God didn’t create you with the spirit of fear
He made you powerful, loving and disciplined.
Renew your mind and make it captive to Jesus
He loves all the faithful, he considers them precious
Embrace the new year with a new attitude and stay objective
Welcome the challenges; they’ll give a new perspective.
Dream big and present it to the Lord so he can bless them
When you request anything, remember to ask in his name
Be joyful and humble and keep on loving others
You will totally be blessed if you love one another.
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The old year has passed and a new beginning for the coming year is just around the corner. Have you reflected on the past year? What needs to be changed? Many people make new year’s resolution but I think we all should have our minds renewed in Christ Jesus so that we will have his perspective when challenges arise in the coming year.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the things I learned this past year.
REFLECTION
How can we change our thinking or doing things successfully?
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
LOVE GOD’S COMMANDS Poem Devotional
December 30________________________________________
Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
-Psalm 119:165(NLT)
LOVE GOD’S COMMANDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
There’s a secret to peace and victory
It comes form loving God’s command and authority
When you constantly seek the Lord and obey
You will have strength and peace along the way.
God loves those who live in obedience and wisdom
He blesses them with joy and constant freedom
Love all of God’s instructions and your life will be good
He ensures protection to all those who obey and are faithful.
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So many people in the world today live in a spirit of rebellion and pride. True believers who love to follow the laws of God are a novelty these days. Laws are usually made so that the laws who were made to and the law-making body will both be protected under such boundaries. God created many boundaries that we need to honor and respect. When we do not respect such boundaries or laws, we eventually get in trouble if not right at the instance that we defy it.
We were all created in God’s image and when God made all these commands for us to follow, it is for our own good. The bible says that if we want to live in peace and stay out of trouble, we need to follow and love his commands or instructions. It protects us from stumbling.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a love for your instructions.
REFLECTION
What happens when we don’t obey God’s laws?
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
REBUKE AND DISCIPLINE PURIFY HEART Poem Devotional
December 29________________________________________
Physical punishment cleanses away evil, such discipline purifies the heart.
-Proverbs 20:30(NLT)
REBUKE AND DISCIPLINE PURIFY HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we are faithful believers of Christ
We will not avoid rebuke and correction in life
Physical punishment cleanses away evil
Discipline purifies and wards off the devil.
Do not be afraid when you are rebuked by truth
Because God loves you, he wants you to choose good
Don’t fear pain and suffering, it will make you endure
Jesus went through pain so you can be made new.
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Matthew Henry’s concise commentary on Proverbs 20:30 says that “Severe rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good. But such is the corruption of nature, that men are loth to be rebuked for their sins. If God uses severe afflictions, to purify our hearts and fit us for his service, we have cause to be very thankful.”
It is a wonder how our world has become a world of comfort. It avoids all forms of hardships, trials and sufferings. Not many people want to be corrected or told what to do or referred to face the truth. Discipline has become a novelty in our society. Very few people are responsible for the consequences of their own actions. Freedom has been twisted in its meaning.
The bible reminds us that rebuke, physical punishment and discipline are all very important processes that we need to go through in order to grow.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to face rebuke and correction from you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people are scared of suffering and discipline?
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
WHY QUESTION GOD’S WAYS? Poem Devotional
December 28________________________________________
The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
– Proverbs 20:24(NLT)
WHY QUESTION GOD’S WAYS?
A poem and essay by ILMA
Didn’t the Lord create all humans?
He knows what’s best for all men
How come people want to understand everything?
When we do, it only leads us to rebellion and sin.
Why try to understand when God knows best?
Isn’t it better to trust him and never ask or guess?
When we question God’s ways, we don’t trust him
If we leave all things to him, we grow up and avoid sin.
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I love to ask the “why” questions since I was a little girl. I think God made me a very inquisitive person and for the longest time, I used this curiosity. Sometimes it did me good to know what I wanted to know but many times, it also got me in trouble. I am a very analytical and deductive thinker. Sometimes it takes me hours to ponder on something. I go around in circles going back and forth on something that catches my curiosity. It can be a rewarding thing to get answers but sometimes it can be an obsession to find answers as well.
When things don’t go well in my life, I ask God many questions but in the process. One day he revealed to me that I don’t have to have to have answers all the time.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to trust you more and more.
REFLECTION
How can curiosity be a bad thing sometimes?
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
SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT BODY’S WEAK Poem Devotional
December 27________________________________________
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! – Matthew 26:41 (NLT)
SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT BODY’S WEAK
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we want to overcome evil
The more we will be tempted by the devil
Watch out and constantly pray
That is the greatest and only way.
The spirit may be wanting and willing
The body is easily tempted and feeble.
Pray long and hard and focus on Jesus Christ
Give him praise for he brings peace, joy and life.
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How many times do people make a new year’s resolution and end up unsuccessful even in less than two months? The spirit is willing, but our nature is very weak. We easily succumb to our cravings and desires. We do things out of our own effort and expect to be blessed by the Lord.
I used to rely on my strength in so many ways. I read a lot of self-help books when I wasn’t born again. I patted myself on the back or rewarded my own efforts. What an ungodly thing to do. It was boasting and an exercise of pride. But I didn’t know that when I was doing all these works of the flesh. One day the Lord revealed to me that the only thing we can boast is how much we love and how much we pray.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never boast about what I can do.
REFLECTION
How can one overcome a weak body and mind and strengthen one’s spirit?
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