Tag Archives: Christian devotional

EMBRACE YOUR NEW LIFE Poem Devotional

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August 26
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For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
-Romans 6:4(NLT)
EMBRACE YOUR NEW LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
At that moment you committed your life to Christ
You are a new creation and you are filled with his light
When Christ died, buried and raised from the dead
You also died and was resurrected from what you dread.
You are now a new creation because of Christ’s sacrifice
Don’t waver in your faith, embrace your new life
God gave us his Son, so we can be free and be alive
Don’t go back to your old ways so you can thrive.
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The trouble with some believers is that they don’t realize the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I understand how some can be clueless about this truth. We humans have very limited minds and I think this is why the Lord himself, though he was God, went to be baptized. When John the Baptist baptized him, it was a symbol of his death and resurrection. Even before he was born, he already knew how his life would end, but his disciples and followers didn’t. Through baptism, he gave us hope for a new life ahead of us. He wants us to embrace this transformed life totally.
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PRAYER
Thank you for changing my life after you sacrificed your life, Lord Jesus.
REFLECTION
What hinders you from embracing the new life Christ gave you when you became a believer?
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

INCESSANT PRAYERS Poem Devotional

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August 25
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She never left the temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. -Luke 2:37(NLT)
INCESSANT PRAYERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
A devoted life to Christ includes incessant prayers
It is a life full of worship to their beloved Maker
We are required to pray at all times and on every occasion
This is a guarantee that we will overcome all temptations.
When you lift up your heart to your Heavenly Father
You will experience all his glory and power
Fasting and prayers leads you to have breakthroughs
It strengthens your spirit and brings out the new you.
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Is it possible to pray incessantly? Many people will probably be uncertain if this is highly likely to happen. Another similar question is this: “Is it possible to have a faithful and devoted relation to someone?” I think the second question would likely be more feasible to happen. Would you agree? I’d like you to get out of the box of your mind and take the concept of prayer out of its stereotypical notion. I think it is possible to pray unceasingly. Just imagine staying faithfully devoted after taking your vows and following through all the days of your life to love and cherish your spouse. When you pray, you are relating to this beloved. When your thoughts are full of the Lord’s truth and choose a lifestyle of obedience to his will, it is just like never-ending prayers.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us a chance to relate with you in prayer.
REFLECTION
How can praying be similar to relating?
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 MAKES UP FOR OFFENSES Poem Devotional

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August 24
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Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. – Proverbs 10:12(NLT)
LOVE MAKES UP FOR OFFENSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the condition of your heart today?
Does it pursue peace each and every day?
When you operate in envy and jealousy
It surely opens the door to the enemy.
Hatred stirs up quarrels and all kinds of conflicts
It makes the world hard to live in and chaotic
Love on the other hand makes up for all offenses
It brings peace, joy and gives the Lord much praises.
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Hatred is defined as an extremely strong feeling of dislike. When we allow our hearts to hate someone or something, we get this nudging feeling to do something to show our disgust or disapproval. When we hate something, we do not want to have anything to do with it. We want to make sure that we watch out that we will not expose ourselves to this thing or person we loathe. On the other hand, when we love something or someone, we would find every occasion to be near that person or thing.
The bible talks about the effect of hatred on people. It stirs up quarrels or conflict while love covers a multitude of wrong. Love brings patience, kindness, understanding, acceptance and forgiveness. Hate generates envy, anger, mistrust, fear, conflicts and betrayals. Let us choose to live in love rather than hate.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for teaching us to love by sending us your Son Jesus.
REFLECTION
When have you ever experienced being covered by love?
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

BE COMPASSIONATE & FORGIVE Poem Devotional

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August 23
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Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. – Colossians 3:13(NLT)
BE COMPASSIONATE & FORGIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone hurts or offends you seriously
Be compassionate, don’t take offense, forgive quickly
When you grant forgiveness, you will also be given mercy
The Lord wants you to make allowances wholeheartedly.
Do not allow the spirit of offense to consume you
Turn from your old self, Christ has made you new
Forgive infinitely and you will receive eternal salvation
He ransomed you and made it possible to gain redemption.
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Are you easily offended by other’s faults? I used to easily react and question the motives of people. Because of my traumatic past, it is really hard not to protect myself from possible harm or offensive attacks by others. It made me on guard about people’s purpose for inflicting pain on me. It was a life full of defense. I didn’t realize that I lived a life of fear and control. I wanted to make sure that no one is going to hurt me again and that I am always ready in case they do. It robbed me of my peace and good relationships with others.
The bible tells us that we have to make allowances for other people’s faults and shortcomings. We are reminded how much the Father forgave us all from our sins through Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be generous with forgiveness.
REFLECTION
What do you think will happen if you stay upset and unforgiving to someone?
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

AS GREAT AS THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAVEN Poem Devotional

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August 22
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For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heaven’s above the earth. -Psalm 103:12(NLT)
AS GREAT AS THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been loved so much unconditionally?
There is no greater than a love that lasts infinitely
Your heavenly Father values you as a prized possession
Are you able to reciprocate his great devotion?
God’s unfailing love to those who revere him
It is as great as the height of the heaven
He has proven his love through the sacrifice of Jesus
Why do you doubt that you are valued and precious?
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The word “doubt” is derived from Latin dubitare or dubius from which we get “dubious.”
Doubt is defined as unbelief, rejection, denial, agnosticism, faithlessness, reservation, skeptical, questioning, wavering, indeterminate. If we go back in Genesis, we will be reminded that the first sin was to instill doubt in Eve’s mind about the character of God. Genesis 3:1 tells us that the serpent asked this question to Eve to make her doubt God: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” This question made Eve start getting dubious. She now couldn’t obey God without question. She started to waver in her loyalty. The bible tells us how much we are loved by God and that his love is as great as the heavens. So, why do we usually tend to doubt instead of believe?
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PRAYER
Lord, please free me from any form of unbelief.
REFLECTION
How can doubts corrupt one’s heart?
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

WHEN GOD IS FOR US Poem Devotional

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August 21
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If God is for us, who can ever be against us? – Romans 8:31(NLT)
WHEN GOD IS FOR US
A poem and essay by ILMA
The moment we accept God, we are given power
We can overcome evil and let the devil cower
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Fear nothing! Seek God and constantly trust.
Why do you worry about many things?
He’ll never leave you, he wants you to win
Hold on to your strength that comes from Jesus
He loves you much; To him, you are precious.
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There are many things that we are afraid of. The bible says that the opposite of love is not hate but fear. It also says that we were not given a spirit of fear and timidity, but of love and power. So, how come that even some Christians do not live a life of love and power?
Have you ever been enslaved by fears that kept you from trusting the Lord’s faithfulness? I used to fear the unknown and what the future is going to bring. It made me become obsessively controlling, trying to beat what lies ahead and analyzing and presuming that I can always handle things for my benefit. Sadly, life doesn’t work that way. There was always something that I cannot control like the weather, other people’s decision and choices or even my own emotions. If God is for us, who else can beat us?
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for staying by my side always.
REFLECTION
How can you focus on who is for you rather than fear?
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

GREATEST ADVOCATE

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August 20
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But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. – 1 John 2:1(NLT)
GREATEST ADVOCATE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been supported by someone all the way?
Does anyone ensure that you don’t go far and stray?
Is there someone passionate about your concerns?
Give up your worries for Jesus is your faithful friend.
When you sin, an advocate pleads for your case
He is passionate to fight for you each and every day
The greatest advocate who is so faithful, is Jesus Christ
He wants you to know that he is concerned for your life.
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When you have been exposed to much traumas, you will be able to comprehend the degree of helplessness that may be brought about by the painful experiences. One of the hardest thing to deal with when traumatized is the fact that many don’t feel the pain you are going through and have no compassion or understanding of the effect it has on your total being. This can be very discouraging. A support system is vital when we go through much suffering but it may be hard to find this kind of help.
The bible tells us that the greatest advocate is Jesus Christ. He totally understands what you are experiencing and he is there to plead for your case to God.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your support all the way in all my trials and tribulations.
REFLECTION
How can the presence of Jesus in your life change your perspective on suffering?
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

PURIFICATION THROUGH JESUS’ BLOOD Poem Devotional

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August 19
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For the life of the body is in the blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. -Leviticus 17:11(NLT)
PURIFICATION THROUGH JESUS’ BLOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you want to be right with Jesus Christ
You must purify your entire life
Believe in the blood that was sacrificed for you
Christ’s blood canceled your sins and made you new.
For the life of the body is in the blood
The death of his Son was a proof of God’s love
Believe in the sacrificial offering of Jesus
And you will be guaranteed a life that’s victorious.
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There were many years of my Christian life that I didn’t focus on the blood of Jesus and what it really did for me. I didn’t value the sacrifice that the heavenly Father did when he allowed his one and only son to die for us so we can be redeemed from our sins. If you are a parent, would you allow your child to be slaughtered as a sacrifice to ransom someone? I am quite sure that it would be heart-breaking to see your child die just so someone else will be free. Since the life of the body is in the blood, we need to remember that Jesus paid a high price to set us free.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your blood that gave me salvation.
REFLECTION
What have you sacrificed in your life that made you right 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

BY HIS POVERTY, WE WERE MADE RICH

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August 17
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You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, so that by his poverty, he could make you rich.
-2 Corinthians 8:9(NLT)
BY HIS POVERTY, WE WERE MADE RICH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus Christ was born from a poor family
He could have been rich, but he chose poverty
We all know that he is the richest person
Yet he sacrificed comforts for our redemption.
By his poverty, we were made rich
By his death, he ransomed us from sin
Do you appreciate the sacrifice he made for you?
Do you praise him after he gave you a life that is new?
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In my late twenties, I read the story of St. Francis of Assisi. He came from a wealthy family and squandered his father’s money. Sounds almost like the story of the prodigal son. He enlisted in the army and later on became a captive for a year. It probably was during those times of captivity that he found his spiritual awakening. He had visions and later on he embraced poverty and begged for other poor people. He started preaching the gospel on the streets and later on had many followers. He founded the Franciscan order who embraced poverty to build God’s church and help the poor. Christ chose a life of discomfort rather than a life of prosperity to give us a rich life.
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PRAYER
Lord, forgive me when I complain from discomfort and inconvenience.
REFLECTION
How can poverty draw you closer to 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

MY WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH Poem Devotional

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August 12
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And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!’” – Isaiah 51:16(NLT)
MY WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
I, the Lord have put my words in your mouth
Are you using it to ward off evil out?
My truth will expose lies and set you free
Do you seek it so you will always see?
My words in your mouth has power
Do you speak it out to make the enemy cower?
I have given you my words so you can overcome sin
They are there to protect you from evil and win.
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I was a Speech teacher for 15 years in my country of origin. I taught the importance of verbalizing thoughts and ideas and be an effective communicator. It is amazing how many people do not realize the power in spoken words. We set high expectations on others to understand us without us saying a single word. No wonder, there is a breakdown of communication in relationships.
God created the word by speaking the phrase “Let there be…” and so it happened. How often do we say out loud God’s word in order to break lies that we are bombarded each day? God have us a mouth to proclaim his word.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to meditate on your word so I can declare it.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when God’s word showed power?
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