WHEN CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE Poem Devotional

January 4
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And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. – Colossians 3:4(NLT)
WHEN CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you dedicate your whole life to ChristI
You will experience his glory and his light
He shares his radiance to all who are faithful
He will grant you victory and make you whole.
When Christ is your life, there will be peace
You will have wisdom beyond what you see
When you focus on the only way, that is Jesus
You will overcome all trials and be victorious.
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There was a decade in my life where my life was spent much on religious rituals, but I also mixed these traditions with a personal relationship with Jesus. I raised my only son alone and I made a pact with Jesus that he shall supply the father that my son didn’t have. In other words, I made him my husband. He may be invisible to me and to my son, but I always visualized and allowed his presence to be felt in our lives. I was raised a Catholic and was still one during the ten years. How I did this was to read the bible daily, hear mass every day and take communion each mass I went to. My son and I prayed morning, noon and night and sang hymns for God. I couldn’t do it without Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for generously sharing your glory to me.
REFLECTION
What benefits have you received when you make Christ 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

REAL LIFE Poem Devotional

January 3
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For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
– Colossians 3:3 (NLT)
REAL LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the focus of your life?
Is it to have pleasure or do follow Christ?
When you accepted Jesus as your Savior
Your real life is hidden in Christ as a believer.
Spend your moments with God as often as you can
He will transform you as you obey his commands
You are dead to this world and alive in Christ
Manifest it by the way you live and stay in his light.
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We live in a world where we all aim to have all the comforts and conveniences in life. Social media have created so much wants for us under the guise of needs. Do we really know why we are here on earth? Ecclesiastes 1:2 tells us that everything is meaningless. We try to visualize the life we always wanted but is that what real life is? Is that the will of God for us?
Paul talks to us about our real life hidden with Christ in God. We will only be victorious and share his glory if we follow his lead. He wants us to live the new life and seek the Lord so that we will discern what God really wants for us. Then, we will discover our purpose in fulfilling God’s kingdom here on earth.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always meditate on your will and truth.
REFLECTION
How close are you to fulfilling the real life that God planned for 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

CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS Poem Devotional

January 2
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Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. – Colossians 3:11 (NLT)
CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who is the most important person in your life?
Have you given your loyalty to Jesus Christ?
To all those who committed to the Lord
Christ is all that matters and so is his word.
There is nothing more powerful than Jesus
God’s truth is vital and very precious
The Spirit lives in all of us, all God’s people
Make the Lord your priority and stay faithful.
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There are so many things that we are bombarded with in our world today. It is very hard to prioritize what are really important. People have been given so much choices and distractions that it is almost impossible to know how to arrange them in the hierarchy of their importance.
The bible tells us that Christ is all that matters and that he lives in all of us. It is sad that so many people, even some Christians, do not prioritize God in their lives. They surround themselves with all kinds of trivial things that distract them from making Christ the only thing that matters. Instead, we humans get sidetracked with idols which are anything that diverts us from being present with the Lord. Christ is all we need. When we are intimate with him, we can be contented, joyful and be complete.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me be contended in making you the center of my life.
REFLECTION
What happens when all that matters in your life is Christ?
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 LOVE Poem Devotional

December 31
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All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me.
– John 14:23-24(NLT)
PROOF OF LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you love Jesus Christ with all your heart
You will prove it by obeying his truth in your life
It will manifest in actions not just words that you utter
You show love by obeying Christ and loving your brother.
All who love Jesus will follow what he says
They look up to his promises and continually pray
Anyone who doesn’t love the Lord will not obey
They will be defeated because they do not really care.
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When someone claims they love another person, one of the best proof of this claim is obedience. Between parents and children, we know that those who obey what we say as parents actually shows that they love us. Between lovers, obeying and respecting what the other person believes or requests is a manifestation that they love each other. The bible tells us that Jesus sets the standard for true love to all his people. Obedience is his pre-requisite for proof of love. Following what he says harvests the fruits of the spirit such as joy, love, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Those who do not love Jesus will be disobedient and rebellious.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always be devoted to you by obeying your commands.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome man’s natural bent to disobedience?
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

THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SPIRIT poem devotional

December 29
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Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. – John 14:19-20(NLT)
THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God the Father sent his Son to save
He wants to give us a clean slate
When Christ was born in the world
God’s Spirit was manifest in the Word.
When Christ died, they can no longer see him
He sacrificed his life to free us from sin
God promised his Spirit to live in our hearts
He wants us to believe his promises from the start.
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The greatest miracle on earth is when Jesus was born of a virgin birth and when he died and was resurrected as promised in Scriptures many years before he was born. His disciples were worried when Christ was about to be crucified. They were saddened thinking that they are losing their master whom they have followed all those years. They were almost disillusioned that he will soon leave them. Jesus reassured them that despite his absence, they will be able to do things through God’s Spirit. He will live in their hearts and that his resurrection will indicate that He is with God and yet he is in each one of all those who believe him.
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PRAYER
Thank you for dying for me and empowering me through your Spirit.
REFLECTION
How can you ensure the Spirit lives in 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

SAME OR EVEN GREATER WORKS Poem Devotional

December 28
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I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. -John 14:12(NLT)
SAME OR EVEN GREATER WORKS
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
They will do the same works as he did in his life
Because they are committed and faithful
They will have blessings and will be fruitful.
The Lord promises them that they can do even better
He even said that they can do more things greater
Believe that the Lord is with you when you commit
He is faithful and true so you need to submit.
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What is the greatest manifestation of a believer? Is it what he says or how he lives his life? Many have turned their backs to God because of hypocrites. They don’t live the life that Jesus sampled for them. They don’t obey his commands or even walk in love. They do lip service and do not take the gospel and apply it in their lives. No wonder, they are fruitless and defeated in their lives.
The bible tells us that Jesus promised us that if we believe in him, we can be able to do the same works he did or even greater. Why don’t some Christians believe this promise of greater works through God’s spirit?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to follow your ways always.
REFLECTION
How can we faithfully lead a life like Christ?
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

ROOM IN THE FATHER’S HOME poem devotional

December 27
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“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? – John 14:1(NLT)
ROOM IN THE FATHER’S HOME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t worry and don’t be troubled for you are covered
When you believe in Christ, he will bring you favors
There is more than enough room in the Father’s home
Thank God for he will never abandon you or let you roam.
Jesus prepares your room in his Father’s kingdom
Guard your hearts so you can walk in freedom
He is waiting for you to join him in eternity
Are you walking in love in order to have victory?
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Have you ever been admitted to the hospital and waited for so long to be given a room in that situation? When I was in labor for my only child’s birth, the hospital was so full that I had to literally share a bed with someone, until there were enough room to accommodate us. It was the height of much sickness and women giving birth that time. I felt so insignificant and cried knowing that I was sharing not just a room but the bed as well. The bible tells us that there is more than enough room for those who love God in his kingdom.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for making room for me in your home.
REFLECTION
What have you done to ensure your place in God’s kingdom?
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 LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE Poem Devotional

December 26
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Grace, mercy and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father- will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3(NLT)
THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all those who live in truth and love
You will receive grace from the Father up above
Mercy and peace will be granted to you as well
It shows how God is faithful to those who dwell.
Continue to live in God’s will and you will have deep roots
Don’t ever compromise your heart and you’ll harvest fruits
The Father will abide to those who follow and obey
He will live in your heart if you do what he says.
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There is a big reward to those who are faithful in abiding in God’s truth and love. Grace is underserved favor. It is true that we automatically receive grace when we believe in Christ, but he also rewards those who faithfully abides and follow his commands. Some Christians lack an understanding about how God sees faithfulness. Devotion is one of his characteristics, so if you show faithfulness and steadfastness, he will surely grant you this undeserved favor, forgiveness and peace. There were times in my life that I didn’t live in truth and love. It opened the door to many sins and deprived me of peace and joy.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being faithful and merciful to a sinner like me.
REFLECTION
Why is living out God’s truth and love essential in a Christian’s 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

NEWBORN KING Poem Devotional

December 24
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About that time, some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2(NLT)
NEWBORN KING
A poem and essay by ILMA
There were three wise men who searched
They humbled themselves to give Christ praise
Who would ever think that they would bow down?
This baby in swaddling cloths they finally found.
“Where is the newborn king?”, they asked
They followed God’s instructions through the star
They kneeled and gave him gifts in adoration
They were humbled by this story of salvation.
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Many stories about the wise men were said for thousands of years. These stories focused on the gifts they gave to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6).
The great thing about these wise kings is that they travelled far to come and give this baby Jesus the honor and praise that he so deserved. They followed God’s lead through the star and witnessed God’s promise of salvation.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget giving you honor.
REFLECTION
How can we show others that we honor the Lord Jesus?
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

LET US WITNESS! Poem Devotional

December 23
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When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.
-Luke 2:15(NLT)
LET US WITNESS!
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord called on the lowly shepherds to witness
They became part of the story of the birth of Jesus
When the angels came to tell them of this big event
They immediately ran to behold this magnificence.
They said to each other “Let’s witness to this birth”
It is the good news that brings us joy and peace
They watched in awesome wonder this baby
They praised the Lord for being part of history.
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If you were given a chance to be witness to an event which would be historical, would you miss it at all? I am so blessed that in my lifetime, I have had many occasions to observe the many changes in our world today. In my country of origin, the Philippines, I was able to partake of the changes in the political corruption that had been going on for many years. I saw the transition of our word to technology and information eras. I also am witnessing the explosion of God’s word and the Good News these days.
When the shepherds were invited to come and see the greatest thing that will happen, they didn’t have second thoughts. They witnessed and shared it to others.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn down an occasion to witness for you.
REFLECTION
Why is witnessing an integral part of our Christian 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