April 4
Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
– Proverbs 15:5(NLT)
WISDOM RESULTS FROM DISCIPLINE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever defied your parent’s instructions?
Do you find yourself in many adverse situation?
Wisdom results from following the wise
It will benefit your life if you listen to good advice.
Only a fool despises his parent’s discipline
It usually breeds poverty and suffering
If you honor your parents, your life will go well
If you defy correction, pain and conflicts dwell.
The spirit of rebellion and stubbornness ran in my family of origin. I didn’t know that they were sins until the Lord showed me. 1 Samuel 15:23 says that Rebellion is a sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. This biblical verse confirms the gravity of these sins. The saga of the Israelites to reach the Promised Land took longer because of these sins. God considers disobedience or defiance as a form of rebellion. Romans 13:1-2 says that everyone must submit to authority for all authority comes from God and anyone who rebels to authority is rebelling against God and will be punished.
Proverbs 15:5 says that whoever learns from correction is wise and only fools despise their parents’ discipline. This saying brings to us to Ephesians 6:2-3 which commands us to honor our parents so things will go well for us if and have long lives.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to obey.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to obey our parents?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
Category Archives: Uncategorized
STAY FREE FROM SLAVERY Poem Devotional
January 10
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. – Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
STAY FREE FROM SLAVERY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed Christ, he made you free
Don’t get tied up again in any form of slavery
Make sure you are regularly seeking God’s Word
It makes you have victory over this corrupt world.
Humanity brings about many forms of bondage
If you are a true believer, you have an advantage
The law that used to enslave you has no more power over you
Love rules your life and the Spirit helps you see God’s view.
When you become a born again Christian, you are given the promise of freedom from any fear or form of slavery. That is the reason why Christ died for you. He gave you freedom so you can use it to exercise love and care for each other and not to serve your own purpose.
The bible tells us that Christ has truly set us free. He wants us to stay free and not tied up again in slavery to the law. It means that we don’t have to be legalistic and strictly following it just to appear good. That’s why he summed all laws to “Love God above all, then love your neighbor as yourself.”
PRAYER
Lord, help me when I am being legalistic.
REFLECTION
How can you enjoy freedom God’s way?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
LOVING OTHERS WITH ALL YOUR HEART Poem Devotional
October 26 The Power of God’s Word
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. – 1 Peter 1:23 (NLT)
LOVING OTHERS WITH ALL YOUR HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
As soon as you obeyed God’s truth, you are set free from sins
Leave your sinful nature and don’t look back where you’ve been
God is love and he created us to be like him
Walking in love is the surest way to be redeemed.
You are cleansed from sins if you believe that Jesus died for you
Love each other deeply with all your heart and you’ll reap the Spirit’s fruit
Show sincere love for your sisters and brothers in Christ
When you love others genuinely, you will gain wisdom and insight.
Perhaps the word “love” is the most misused and abused word in the human vocabulary. Love is viewed romantically and lustfully by many. The enemy has blinded everyone to think that love is about mushy feelings and physical attraction.
The bible tells us that God is love and that is why God sent us his only son to cleanse us from sin and be reconciled with him. He expects us to love others with all our hearts just as he loves us so much.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to walk in love always.
REFLECTION
How can you show love to difficult people?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
CRY OUT AND RUN TO GOD Poem Devotional
Aug 22 The Power of God’s Word
I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him and he answered my prayer.
– Psalm 120:1(NLT)
CRY OUT AND RUN TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have troubles and difficulties in life?
Who can make you understand and give you light?
I took my troubles to the Lord and cried out to him
He listened to me and made me see.
What a compassionate God we have
He is always there to give me love
He is waiting for me to run to him
He unconditionally forgives and redeems.
When you seek solace from someone, they may help you or worsen your situation. I used to depend on counselors so much because I wanted to overcome my abuse cycle. It became an addiction to run to them whenever I have panic attacks. Sometimes I feel better after talking to them but most of the time, I still go to the same patterns of seeking comfort from them. There was a trauma therapist who I saw for almost a year. The more I came to him, the more troubles I got into.
I took my troubles to God, cried out to him and he answered my prayer. The spirit told me to seek and study God’s word so I will see what lies I have been listening to.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me faithful to seek your word.
REFLECTION
Share how God’s word has healed you ?
POUR OUT YOUR HEARTS Poem Devotional
June 7 The Power of God’s Word
Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children. –Lamentations 2:19 (NLT)
A poem and essay by ILMA
Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord
Be humble and ask him to replace the old
Lift up your hands in prayer for your children
Allow God to help you carry your burdens.
Your tears will cleanse your fears
You will be protected from the enemy who steals
Pray and pour out your hearts incessantly
Until something happens, keep praying faithfully.
Do you have children who have lost their way and turned their backs to God? It is one of the most painful experiences when you watch our own children turn their backs to God. I did the same thing when I was a teenager. I disobeyed my parents because I was living in pride. I thought I knew better. I rebelled constantly which pained my parents so badly. Now, the wheels have turned in on me.
The bible tells us to pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children. Prayer is the most powerful way for changes to happen. It cleanses our souls when we pour out our hearts to God.
PRAYER
Lord, hear our pleas for our children.
REFLECTION
How is praying for our children the best gift we can give them?
LIVING GODLY LIVES Poem Devotional
May 7 The Power of God’s Word
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. –1 Timothy 3:12(NLT)
A poem by ILMA
The moment you accept Christ as your savior
Let your actions reflect righteous behavior
Every believer who wants to live a godly life
Be ready to avoid all forms of strife
It is easy to give in to temptation and sin
It takes grace and trust to be redeemed
Each person who wants to serve the Lord
Press on the challenges to bring him laud.
There are many challenges a Christian face. One of them is persecutions or discrimination. Most unbelievers test you or question your faith and beliefs. In fact, the more you follow Christ, the more the enemy would want to steal your peace, joy and your heart.
When I chose Christ as my Lord and Savior, I wasn’t exempt from suffering. The difference between a believer and an unbeliever lies in knowing that one is not alone when they go through challenges and trials. As they humbly admit their weakness, Christ strengthens them.
The bible tells us that persecution will be part of a godly life. Just as Christ suffered when he was on earth, those who claim to be his followers must face these challenges that are inevitable when they embrace righteousness living.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me strength to face challenges.
REFLECTION
Why do you think suffering is inevitable in a Christian’s life?
HUMILITY BREAKS ENTITLEMENTS Poem Devotional
April 16 The Power of God’s Word
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
– Philippians 2:5-6 (NLT)
HUMILITY BREAKS ENTITLEMENTS
A poem by ILMA
Do you often expect people to treat you right?
Do you seek approval and recognition in your life?”
Do you get angry when you are oppressed?
Do you struggle when you are treated less?
You must have the same attitude as Christ had
Though he was divine, he didn’t think equality with God
Instead, he chose to be humble and lowly
He knows he is loved and no one can change his identity.
As a young adult, I always fight for my rights and never tolerated injustice or discrimination towards me. It was a result of not having a voice and not being seen during the first formative years of my life. I continued on with this crusade to be treated right up until my forties. I role modeled this kind of entitlement with my son. I reaped what I sowed. The spirit of entitlement consumed my life and sadly, it was passed on to my son. He absorbed that same spirit of pride. The bible tells believers that we must have the same attitude as Christ had. Though he was God, he did not claim equality with him.
PRAYER
Lord, break away the spirit of entitlement in my life.
REFLECTION
How can humility break down entitlements?
LIFE GIVING FOUNTAIN Poem Devotional
April 15 The Power of God’s Word
The words of the godly are a life giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. –Proverbs 10:11 (NLT)
LIFE GIVING FOUNTAIN
A poem by ILMA
Those who are godly and righteous
They are prudent and courteous
Their words are life giving fountain
They help you overcome your own mountains.
The words of the wicked conceal violent intentions
They deceive you and bring you confusion
Feed on God’s word and stay away from evil
Put on God’s armor to stand firm against the devil.
I have had many encounters with wicked and ungodly people. I became an easy prey to target because I didn’t know God’s truth. I read the bible in my late twenties but didn’t really study it until a few years ago. When I started seeking God’s word and following them, convictions and revelations finally dawned on me. Everything I needed to know about God, myself, family, friends and all the relationships in my life were explicitly explained in the bible. Suddenly, everything became lucid to me. I can distinguish clearly between evil and good. The enemy always wants us to be in a state of confusion so that we will stay in sin. The only way we can discern evil intentions is when we soak in God’s words. It reveals to us lies from the truth.
COMMON SENSE FROM THE WORD Poem Devotional
April 14 The Power of God’s Word
My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. –Proverbs 8:9 (NLT)
COMMON SENSE FROM THE WORD
A poem by ILMA
The word of God is alive
It brings light and makes you thrive
Only those who have faith can understand
They gain knowledge by following his commands.
It becomes plain to anyone who believes
It brings clarity to those who pursue and seek
God brings revelations and convictions to the wise
Their common sense comes from following God’s advice.
There are so many Christians I know that have a hard time understanding God’s word. In the past, I also struggled with it. These past three years I have gotten some revelations from reading it. The bible is not like any other book. It breathes life on the heart of the reader. It speaks to us when we need to hear some things in our lives. It teaches and guides us to the truth. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us what is right. (2 Timothy 2:16)
Proverbs 8:9 specifically states that those who seek God’s word are granted understanding and knowledge. It becomes second nature to hear God’s voice and discern things when you are consumed by it. Like lovers, the more you want to know your beloved, the deeper your relationship turns out to be.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a constant hunger for you.
REFLECTION
What has God’s word taught you in life lately?
STUBBORNNESS LEADS TO TROUBLE Poem Devotional
April 13 The Power of God’s Word
Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. –Proverbs 28:14 (NLT)
STUBBORNNESS LEADS TO TROUBLE
A poem by ILMA
Being stubborn is a manifestation of pride
It brings too much conflict in life
The obstinate find it hard to agree
They want to take all the control and be free.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord
They cling on God’s word as their sword
They enjoy liberty that comes from righteousness
They are protected from evil all forms of wickedness.
I have been stubborn for almost three decades of my life and I can attest to what the bible says about heading for serious trouble when one is obstinate. I was fearless and did everything to satisfy my flesh. I was obsessed with human knowledge and used it to achieve goals in life. I didn’t consult God with my plans. I thought I know it all. Despite my rebellion, he didn’t give up on me. He watched over me as I rebelled and disobeyed him. I was a very arrogant, prideful and judgmental person. God dealt with me very patiently and he still wants me back despite all. He gave me tough love until I realized my foolishness brought much trouble and held me prisoner to sin. Then God freed me when I finally obeyed him.
PRAYER
Lord, free me from pride and rebellion.
REFLECTION
Why is obedience a prerequisite to freedom and peace?