Tag Archives: Christian devotional

WHEN GOD BLESSES poem devotional

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August 11
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Abraham was only one man when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.” -Isaiah 51:2(NLT)
WHEN GOD BLESSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God blesses your life
You will be illuminated by his light
He will turn all your weaknesses to strengths
When you seek him, he straightens what is bent.
Before Abraham was called by God to lead
He made sure that he was also freed
When God blessed Abraham, he became a nation
When make God first, you overcome temptations.
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A “berakhah” (blessing) is a special kind of prayer that is very common in Judaism. Berakhot are recited both as part of the synagogue services and as a response or prerequisite to a wide variety of daily occurrences. The words barukh and berakhah are both derived from the Hebrew root Beit-Reish-Kaf, meaning “knee,” and refer to the practice of showing respect by bending the knee and bowing. According to Jewish tradition, a person should recite 100 berakhot each day! This is not as difficult as it sounds. Repeating the Shemoneh Esrei three times a day (as all observant Jews do) covers 57 berakhot all by itself, and there are dozens of everyday occurrences that require berakhot. I think that this is one of the reasons why the Jews were blessed by God in so many ways. Many Jews are one of the richest people on earth. When God blesses us, he multiplies whatever we have.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me recite blessings for others and my family.
REFLECTION
Why do you think blessings are essential in our lives?
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

FEAR NO SCORN OR INSULT Poem Devotional

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August 10
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“Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts.
Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults. -Isaiah 51:7(NLT)
FEAR NO SCORN OR INSULT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are being insulted
Remember, Christ was also mistreated
All those who believe and love Jesus,
You are all his treasure and considered precious.
When you believe God, you are free
His unconditional love covers all fears
Do not be afraid of people’s ridicules
They use them because they are insecure.
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Insults and judgments have crippled my first four decades of life. Because I didn’t grow up where positive reinforcements were the norm, I was always afraid of being criticized or scorned. When I became a born again Christian, the Lord freed me from these fears. The bible says that God is love and that there is no fear in love. When I studied that truth, I was set free. God showed me that those who love to insult are usually having trouble with their own insecurities. I need not listen to the lies because I already know the truth. He made me understand why I was reacting to belittling so much. I believed all the lies that people around me told me. I didn’t know any better because I didn’t know God’s words then. He promised those who love and obey him that He will be there to make us strong.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me listen only to your truth and voice.
REFLECTION
What were you fearful of that God freed you from?
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 ROCK WHERE YOU WERE CUT FROM Poem Devotional

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August 9
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“Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance— all who seek the LORD. Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined. – Isaiah 51:1(NLT)
THE ROCK WHERE YOU WERE CUT FROM
A poem and essay by ILMA
All those who seek the Lord will be delivered
He gives hope to all who are believers
The rock that you came from is precious
That strength only comes from Jesus.
You were cut from the rock that will stand time
No matter what storms come, you will be fine
The quarry that you were mined from is full
It is only by believing in God that you will be whole.
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I was fascinated by rocks because my father studied them. As a geodetic engineer, he did a lot of surveying. Whenever he came home from the field, he would show me different beautiful kinds of rock that he discovered. It was one of the most exciting moments I ever spent with my father and my ears were all open to hear his knowledge on these rocks. AS I grew up, I would always pick up a rock and imagine what these rocks went through to have that characteristics they have. The bible tells us that we were cut from the most magnificent rock, Jesus Christ. We will stand storms and different weather changes and turn out to be a unique and magnificent one.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to appreciate even the storms that make me beautiful.
REFLECTION
What trials and storms have made you who you are now?
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

DETERMINED TO DO HIS WILL

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August 8
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Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.
– Isaiah 50:7(NLT)
DETERMINED TO DO HIS WILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind
You will have wisdom, peace, joy and never go blind
When you are determined to do his will, you won’t be shamed
The sovereign Lord will help you when you call on his name.
Those who are resolute to follow his truth
They will be blessed to reap his Spirit’s fruits
Set your mind on obeying all of his commands
Then, you will win over the world and not cave to its demands.
________________________________________One of the hallmarks of a successful person is determination. “Determination” is defined as the ability to continue trying to do something, although it is very difficult. As the bible says “press on.” In other words, when we do not stop despite forces against us, we will be able to reap the fruits of that continued effort. When I was raising my son alone, so many trials and challenges were formed against me. I had a choice not to have my baby because I had no partner, jobless and had nothing. The Lord provided for everything when I became resolute to follow his will and keep my child.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, give me the determination to follow your will so I can experience your protection.
REFLECTION
How is determination synonymous to faithfulness?
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

LIVING IN YOUR OWN LIGHT Poem Devotional

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August 7
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But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.
– Isaiah 50:11 (NLT)
LIVING IN YOUR OWN LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Be watchful, you who live in your own light
You will be missing many things and lose sight
If you rely only in your own strength and ability
You are going to enter a period of instability.
The consequence of living in your own is fatal
Without the Lord’s guidance, your life is detrimental
He created you to be dependent on him
If you alienate yourself from God, you will sin.
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“Ichabad” is the Hebrew word for “independent” which means to be without glory or the loss of God’s favor or presence. When someone is acting in isolation from God, they are risking a blessed life. I can attest to this truth because I lived many decades of my life thinking that I can do it all on my own. To be “self-reliant” in our world today is very much accepted. With the “selfie-generation,” we believe the lie that everything is about “me” and doing things in my own way, without consulting a higher being. We make decisions without asking for guidance, no wonder we make mistakes. The bible tells us that the consequence of living in your own light is great torment.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to depend on you for all things.
REFLECTION
How is independence considered a form of idolatry and pride?
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 CHOSEN ONES Poem Devotional

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August 6
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For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won games. They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. – Isaiah 65:22-23(NLT)
THE CHOSEN ONES
A poem and essay by ILMA
All of God’s people will live as long as trees
They will be delivered and always be free
They will have time to enjoy their hard-won games
All their faithfulness and perseverance will not be in vain.
The Chosen ones will be rooted in God’s word
They will never be corrupted by this world
The people of God will not be doomed to disaster
They will be blessed and will enjoy life ever after.
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I just watched a movie about the Jewish people who were the victims of Hitler’s atrocity. It is about a Hungarian-Jewish man who was able to save many Jewish from the hands of the Germans by posing as one of them. The movie’s title was “Walking with the Enemy.” I am always fascinated about the stories of war especially the Jewish captivity and annihilation by the Germans. I think it shows the hand of God in their fate in the second world war. I’d like to think that we live in a constant spiritual battle just like in a war where we are targeted constantly. God promises many things to those whom he has chosen.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for choosing me to be one of your people.
REFLECTION
How can you repay back God’s faithfulness to 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

SPEAK NO EVIL

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August 3
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Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. -James 4:11(NLT)
SPEAK NO EVIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you criticize and judge each other
You are also attacking God who is your creator
Speak no sinful things about anyone; rend your lips
If it is not good, don’t say it; have your mouth sealed.
When you judge or criticize someone behind their back
You will also be judged with the same measure, don’t be shocked
Let no lies come out of your mouth for it ruins relationships
Watch that no impure thoughts tarnish your friendships.
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The bible says in James that the tongue is one of the deadliest thing here on earth. In chapter 3, James describes the tongue as a flame of fire and is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting our entire bodies. He says that it can set our whole life on fire for it is set on fire by hell itself. Our tongues cannot be tamed. Blessing and pouring come out of the same mouth. We are cautioned not to speak evil against each other. The bible says that when we criticize or judge someone, we are doing so as well to God. Our work is to obey God and not judge.
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PRAYER
Lord, please help me to see through your eyes, not my own.
REFLECTION
What happens when we speak evil or criticize and judge?
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

PRAYING OVER & ANOINTING WITH OIL Poem Devotional

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August 1
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Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. -James 5:14(NLT)
PRAYING OVER & ANOINTING WITH OIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are sick and feeling weak
The name of Jesus is what you must speak
You should come to your church elders to be prayed over
They will anoint you with oil and then all evil spirits cower.
All sickness and death comes from the enemy
If you utter out loud Jesus’ name, you’ll have victory
Where two or three people are gathered in his name
It brings about miracles that removes illnesses and shame.
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Before I became a born again Christian, I wasn’t aware of the power of being praying over and anointed with oil by elders of the church. It was something that my former religion never practiced. We only get anointing of the oil when someone is about to die already. It was a powerful experience. I was slain and was out for a few minutes but I was never the same again after the Holy Spirit came down on me to heal me. My life was taken over by the Spirit of God as soon as I re-committed myself to him and humbly asked his healing over me. We are encouraged to be prayed over and be anointed with oil in the bible.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to always humbly ask for prayers when I most need it.
REFLECTION
Share a time when you were prayed over.
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

LIFE AND DEATH Poem Devotional

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July 31
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For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.- Proverbs 8:35-36 (NLT)
LIFE AND DEATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whoever believes in Jesus Christ, finds life
They hear his wisdom and see his light
Those who continue to be faithful to Christ
They will receive much favor in their lives.
Those who live for themselves, finds death
Without Christ, they won’t have breath
All those who hate Jesus loves self and sin
They are unable to see the warfare that is within.
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In my twenties up until my early fifties, I lived my life to satisfy my own desires. I set out goals without consulting the Lord. I didn’t realize that without Jesus, my life will be empty. I chose to live in sin that time and it kept me from being able to discern what my calling was. I thought that all the natural gifts he gave me should be the focal point of my life. I aimed at being successful and competent in my talents and gifts. I didn’t care much about really pleasing the Lord, I only catered to satisfy my flesh. As a result, my life became such a mess and I was blinded and confused by the world’s demands. When I stopped resisting and committed back to Jesus, I received much favor and enjoyed a peaceful life.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me choose you and not this world.
REFLECTION
Relate an instance when you have injured yourself in the past by turning away from 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

PLAIN & CLEAR Poem Devotional

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July 30
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My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.
-Proverbs 8:9(NLT)
PLAIN & CLEAR
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who have wisdom and can hear God’s voice
His words are plain and clear; they rejoice
The Lord grants wisdom to those who hunger for him
He protects them from danger and all kinds of sins.
Only the ones who seek the truth are free
They are able to discern and easily see
Their hearts understand the simple truth
Their love for the Lord makes them choose the good.
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There are those who choose not to read the word of God because they don’t want correction or change anything in their lives. They are comfortable in their mess and are not able to hear God’s voice. I know how it is to be without wisdom and guidance from God. I lived many years of my life doing things my way. As a result of my rebellion, I missed out many opportunities to grow. I got sidetracked with many distractions, not realizing that the enemy was stealing my joy, peace and God’s vision for my life. The moment I re-committed to the Lord and became born again, I realized how much I could have done to realize the plans of God in my life. I allowed my selfishness and fear to cloud my mind and heart. God’s words are plain and clear.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to accept your wisdom and not the world’s ways.
REFLECTION
Show and tell an instance how God’s words are plain and clear.
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