Category Archives: Poem devotionals

CONVENIENCE OVER REPENTANCE Poem Devotional

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June 22
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As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient. I’ll call for you again.” -Acts 24:25 (NLT)
CONVENIENCE OVER REPENTANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek convenience more than anything?
Do you prefer comfort in everything?
Have you ever listened to the voice that convicts you?
The Lord wants you to repent and your mind renewed.
Why do you choose convenience over repentance?
Blessings are lost when you continue with your resistance
Listen and heed to God’s call for you to turn to him
That is the only way you can win and overcome sin.
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There are many people who continue to turn their backs to God despite many circumstances that leads to him. I am guilty of this myself during many years of rebellion and confusion. When we are confronted with choices and hear a nudge in our hearts to do the right thing, we usually end up minimizing what could have been good for us. Human nature wants to please the “self”. We would do anything to satisfy and pleasure ourselves. It takes a supernatural power from God to be able to resist pleasuring one’s self.
The bible tells us stories about how many people try to avoid confronting their sins because they don’t want changes. They chose convenience over repentance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never to ignore your voice.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people choose to ignore that voice inside that tell them to choose to do good?
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

SINS SWEEP US AWAY Poem Devotional

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June 21
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We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away into the wind. -Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)
SINS SWEEP US AWAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who among you can say they are without sin?
We all want to satisfy ourselves and win
When we display our righteous deeds
We wither and fall like autumn leaves.
Like falling leaves, our sins sweep us away
We must be constantly on our knees to pray
Our human nature is bent and sinful
But God is always forgiving and faithful.
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Autumn is one of the prettiest time of year. For an artist like me, I revel at this wonderful color tapestry in nature. When I moved here to Canada in my forties, my first experience of falling leaves was so amazing. I was like a little kid dancing in the falling leaves. The bible likens our sins to falling leaves in the autumn. Like the dead leaves that fall and is swept away by the wind here and there, our sins bring us to spiritual fall and death.
The bible says that no one is exempt from sin. We are all infected and impure with it. When we boast about our good deeds, it is such a shameful feat. It is not going to bring us closer to Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to show off my good deeds.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we are discouraged in the bible to show off our righteousness?
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

PROOF OF REPENTANCE Poem Devotional

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June 20
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Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
– Matthew 3:8 (NLT)
PROOF OF REPENTANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the e the indication that you have repented?
Are you able to recognize the sin you have committed?
Have you confessed to God and asked for forgiveness?
Are you willing to turn to him and live in faithfulness?
Prove by the way you live that you are sorry for your sins
Mere words and talk is not enough to be redeemed
Show others that you have been transformed and cleansed
Take the straight path and you’ll never again be bent.
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Mere words such “I am sorry” does not necessarily mean that you have repented and turned to God. Sometimes people become sorry just because they don’t want to suffer the consequence of sin. They don’t have a true contrition and repentant heart. They just want to avoid discomfort or suffering. The bible says that if we confess our sins with our mouth and repent, we will be forgiven. The Holy Spirit shows us what we do wrong and guides us to the way out and ask forgiveness. All Scriptures teach us to do what is right and gives us a solution to our circumstances. The bible tells us to prove our repentant heart by the way we live and by turning to God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for guiding me back to you when I fall.
REFLECTION
When was the last time the Holy Spirit stirred you and corrected you?
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

SORROW THAT FREES Poem Devotional

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June 19
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For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance results in spiritual death. -2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT)
SORROW THAT FREES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Sorrow that doesn’t involve penitence
Usually doesn’t clear the conscience
When we grieve and wallow in sadness
It doesn’t lead us to peace and happiness.
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience
Is that kind that results in salvation and repentance
This sadness shields us from death and brings life
It frees us from guilt and leads us to God’s light.
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Whenever we have a loss, we usually go through the process of grief. Never was it mentioned in the bible that believers will be free from sorrow. In fact, Jesus Christ himself wept in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was captured. He felt such sadness because he knows exactly how he will be betrayed by his own disciple and how he will be put to death. He wasn’t afraid of death or suffering, he was weeping for the hardened hearts of those who will crucify him and not being saved. It was a godly sorrow. He was repenting for the sins of his accusers.
The bible talks about the sorrow that frees. It leads us away from sin and brings us to seek God.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from worldly sorrow and lead me to godly sorrow.
REFLECTION
What was the consequences of worldly sorrow 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

RIGHTEOUS LIPS BRING NOURISHMENT Poem Devotional

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June 18
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The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
-Proverbs 10:21 (NIV)
RIGHTEOUS LIPS BRING NOURISHMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
What comes out of your lips?
Does your word give good tips?
The lips of the righteous nourish
But fools say things that diminish.
Righteous lips declare God’s word
It asserts authority over the world
Those who are good lead others to truth
They bring Scriptures to take root and have fruits.
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I have experienced many harsh speaking people in my life for many years. When I entered adulthood, I made a decision to surround myself with positive speaking people. It was very hard to come by when you don’t align your will with God. If you surround yourself with unbelievers and sinners, there is no way that you can be nourished and be encouraged. They will always make you little, oppressed, ridiculed or minimized.
The bible tells us that the lips of the righteous nourish many but fools die for lack of judgment. Those who open their mouths to use it to benefit others will make a big difference in other people’s lives. They bring life and light, order and peace in their brothers and sisters. However, those who are wicked will not have wisdom and understanding and will always be unable to have the truth that sets them free and make them decipher Satan’s tactics and lies.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from those who do not speak life.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to filter our mouths with words that encourage?
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

BENEFITS OF PATIENCE Poem Devotional

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June 17
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Through patience a ruler can be persuaded and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
-Proverbs 25:15(NIV)
BENEFITS OF PATIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you struggle waiting and being still?
Run to the word so you can learn his will
He wants us to have the fruit of the Spirit
He blesses us with gifts so we can enjoy it.
Through patience we can persuade anyone
Through gentle speech we can encourage someone
Patience opens up the floodgates of heaven
It can bring understanding to all our brethren.
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One of the fruits of the spirit is patience. This gift has often been set aside because so many people have turned to instant gratification for everything in their lives. Not many people know how to wait or to persevere. There is a tendency to easily give up when they don’t get right away their wants or desires. I used to be a very impatient person, but when my son was born, I needed to learn this virtue. It was very essential when you are raising a child. If you don’t have patience, you will not make it through rearing children. Marriages can also benefit from having this gift from God. Without patience, the marriages can turn into a battlefield.
The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of patience in our lives. It can persuade rulers and authorities and win over any weaknesses.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to harvest patience in my life.
REFLECTION
How has impatience impacted your life? How did God reveal to you the essence of patience?
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 CREDIT TO GOD Poem Devotional

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June 16
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It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
-Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
GIVING CREDIT TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you able to achieve the things you dream about?
Do you give credit to God by opening your mouth?
Speak to others what he has done in your life
It will give him glory and will bring you light.
It is God who works in you to will and act accordingly
Without him, you won’t be able to do things righteously
He is the only reason why you have life and blessings
He alone must be given praise for his goodness and mercy.
________________________________________I volunteered to help in curating an exhibit for an art contest where I live in. Because I had many years of curating experiences, I thought that I could do the town a favor by helping. They only had one day of set up for about 100 paintings in a very small room at the town library. I came in early to help and saved them about an estimate of four hours work because they needed to open the show that same day. To my surprise, when acknowledgements were mentioned, the two people I helped took credit for my work.
The bible tells us that it is God who gave us the will to act according to his good purpose. Without it, we can’t do good.
PRAYER
Lord, please let me always give you praise for what you do for me.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to give God the credit in everything?
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

THOSE WHO ARE QUICKLY PROVOKED

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June 15
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Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
-Ecclesiastes 7:9(NIV)
THOSE WHO ARE QUICKLY PROVOKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is a spirit of offense
There is temptation to use defense
Those who are quickly provoked
Their spirits have been hurt and broke.
For anger resides in the lap of fools
Their fury or rage can make them cruel
Watch out when you are reactive and explosive
A hardened heart can make you be very impulsive.
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One of the generational sins that I inherited from my family of origin is the spirit of offense. Most of the people who raised me had anger issues. Some of them are explosive but others are implosive. I learned at a very young age to guard what I do or say because it might get me in trouble and be deprived of love and attention. I literally walked on eggshells because I don’t even know why they get to be so easily angered even when I just ask simple questions. It was inevitable that I learned their ways because I was too young to process and understand why they behave in such impulsive and reactive ways. I learned it the hard way when I became a high school teacher. Some of my students got my implosions and on some occasions my explosions as well. The bible tells us not to be easily angered.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for my spirit of offense.
REFLECTION
When have you regretted an explosion, irritability or implosion?
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

KNOW YOUR PLACE BEFORE GOD Poem Devotional

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June 14
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Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth so let your words be few.
-Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV)
KNOW YOUR PLACE BEFORE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you speak to the Lord, do you prepare what to say?
Do you have a stance or posture that you follow when you pray?
When you converse with God, do not be quick with your mouth
Remember that he knows already what you’re going to speak about.
Know your place before God; revere him with all your heart and mind
Do not lean on your own understanding so you can discern and find
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few
He knows everything and can see things in a bigger view.
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Many different religions have different rituals and ways to worship and pray to their gods. What is so amazing with Christianity is that despite the fact that we have a very powerful and all-knowing God, he still wants us to have a personal relationship with him. He brought his Son amongst us so we can be closer to him. He gave the Holy Spirit so he can actually live in our hearts and direct us to the right path. The bible says that we must know our place before God.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me always where I stand before you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important never to forget our place in our relationship with God?
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

DANGER OF TOO MUCH WORDS Poem Devotional

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June 13
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When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
-Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)
DANGER OF TOO MUCH WORDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you ask for something, be concise!
More words are not always right and precise
When words are many, sin is not absent
Hold your tongue and there’ll be no lament.
Use few words when you communicate
It lessens confusion and mistakes
Hold your tongue so you don’t open doors to sin
Lesser words will give your more chances to win.
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I love words. I think most writers do. But writers need to be wise in using lesser words than more. I find it difficult to use fewer words so I decided to take the route of writing poetry. The beauty of this genre is that you can use the least words and yet convey so much meaning in these fewer words. The challenge with writing poetry is to find the appropriate words that could rhyme or stir the readers’ attention through imagery and the different figures of speech. When I started reading the bible especially Proverbs, I learned that there is too much danger in too much words. It opens up more avenue to misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
The bible says that too much words put you at risk to sin. When you hold your tongue and think carefully what to say with few words, you learn prudence.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to communicate with less words.
REFLECTION
When have you used much words and led you to sin or confusion?
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