May 17________________________________________
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. – Matthew 24:13-14(NLT)
ENDURANCE LEADS TO SALVATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you encounter much trouble and suffering
Be thankful! Your faith will surely be growing
The one who endures to the end will be protected
Those who easily give up will not be included.
Endurance is a manifestation of being faithful
It also shows that you are diligent and hopeful
Jesus endured all kinds of violence and cruelty
He wants us to embrace challenges courageously.
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Endurance is defined as a noun as the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. As an adjective, it is denoting or relating to a race or other sporting event that takes place over a long distance or otherwise demands great physical stamina. Endurance is an important ingredient in overcoming obstacles or winning a competition. James 1:2-3 tells us that the testing of our faith produces endurance. In other words, if we easily give up at the first trial or testing, we won’t finish the race to God’s kingdom. It is also a pre-requisite in order for us to be saved. When we endure and persevere, we show strength in our character.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on you instead of the circumstance when my faith is being tested.
REFLECTION
How can we develop endurance in our character?
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
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
SIN AND INDIFFERENCE Poem Devotional
May 16________________________________________
Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
– Matthew 24:12(NLT)
SIN AND INDIFFERENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The second coming of the Lord is near
War, conflicts and violence will be here
There will be earthquakes and many disasters
Much deception and lies will happen thereafter.
People will experience all kinds of tribulation
Many will grow cold and love isolation
Sin and indifference will be rampant everywhere
It will be a trap to keep people from going nowhere.
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Indifference in Hebrew is “adish” meaning “couldn’t care less. Some synonym to this words are: emotionless, apathy, passivity, negligence, carelessness, inattention, unconcern, unimportance. A lot of people think that the opposite of love is hate. It is actually indifference on the other side of love. Many of mental illnesses and crimes are usually a product of people who were victims of an indifferent parent or caregiver. This is why “negligence” is also as harmful as abuse. Being indifferent shows that you also don’t care for the Lord. It signifies selfishness.
Hebrew has words for “sin.” The word “pasha”, or “trespass”, means a sin done out of rebelliousness. The word “aveira” means “transgression”. And the word “avone”, or “iniquity”, means a sin done out of moral failing. My own definition of sin is to live out of God’s truth and to live for the “self.” Prevalence of sin and indifference are signs of end times.
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PRAYER
Lord, guard my heart from indifference and sin.
REFLECTION
What do we need to do to protect ourselves from being indifferent and sinful?
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
EXAMINE SPIRITS Poem devotional
May 14________________________________________
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. – 1 John 4:1(NLT)
EXAMINE SPIRITS
A poem and essay by ILMA
As a follower of Christ, you need to examine spirits
Do not believe everyone who claims they are godly
Test them to see if they align with God’s truth
Some prophets’ teachings are not at all true.
Strengthen yourself with God’s word; meditate on it
It makes us win over the world’s corruption and defeat it
The Spirit that comes from God is full of love and peace
The one that is in the world is about selfishness and conflicts.
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The bible tells us to be watchful and examine spirits. Because we do not see the invisible realm, it can be challenging to detect what is really going on in the spirit. Since we are not omniscient and omnipotent like God, we can be a prey to the enemy. This is why we are instructed to meditate on God’s word and follow his will. When we are in relationship with God, we become aware of the spirit world. If we have developed an intimacy with him, we can hear what he says about things, persons and circumstances. He wants us to examine every spirit so we can discern false teachings.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your guidance and protection.
REFLECTION
What are some signs to spot a false teacher or a false teaching?
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
A GOD OF ORDER
May 13________________________________________
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. -1 Corinthians 14:33(NLT)
A GOD OF ORDER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever get overwhelmed with so much disorder?
Watch out because, it shows your mind’s clutter
When you constantly live a life of confusion
You are not living God’s vision but of illusion.
God is not a God of chaos but of peace
He wants us to live a life that is free
Give up disorder and you will feel better
Let go of un-forgiveness and don’t stay bitter.
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Whenever conflicts and confusion presents itself in our marriage, I know that we are being attacked by the enemy. The bible says that Satan’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy God’s people. I wish I could have known this truth four decades ago. There were many years of my life that was stolen from me. My childhood was snatched from me with generational sins and strongholds that have been passed by our parents to us unknowingly. It is very essential for a Christian to know that we are battling with unseen forces as the book of Ephesians clearly states. Since we do not see them, it can be a challenge to identify how we are being attacked.
The bible describes God as a god of peace, not of disorder. We must recognize the stealthy way the enemy can creep into our lives by creating confusion.
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PRAYER
Lord, protect me when confusion pops in my life.
REFLECTION
How do we defend ourselves from the enemy’s tactics?
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
CHOICES Poem Devotional
May 11________________________________________
But when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue and let you speak. Then you will say to them, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says! Those who choose to listen will listen, but those who refuse will refuse for they are rebels. – Ezekiel 3:27 (NLT)
CHOICES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you exert conscious effort to make the right choices?
Are your choices bringing you closer to godliness?
Do you allow the Lord to lead you to make decisions?
Are your choices leaning towards God’s intervention?
Choose to listen to the Lord so your life will prosper
If you constantly defy him, you will continue to be a rebel
Allow the Lord to lead you to where he wants you to go
Let him lead you in all aspects of life so you may grow.
________________________________________Researchers Verplanken and Holland found that individuals only made choices consistent with their values if those values were ‘cognitively activated’. The research reveals that when we make values-based decisions we tend to feel more positive about them and they can actually lend themselves to our ongoing motivation.
The bible tells us to choose life instead of death. In other words, if we live in love, we are choosing life and God. If we live in darkness and the dictates of this world, we are choosing death and the Prince of this world, Satan. Which camp do you belong?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to turn my back on you.
REFLECTION
What choices have you made in the past that brought you where 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
LET IT SINK DEEP IN YOUR HEART Poem Devotional
May 10________________________________________
Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. -Ezekiel 3:10 (NLT)
LET IT SINK DEEP IN YOUR HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
Let all of God’s word affect your mind, soul and body.
Listen to them and let it sink deep in your heart fully
When you meditate on it day and night, it will change you
You will experience wisdom which will make you new.
When you allow God’s truth to soak deep inside your mind
The enemy cannot trick you anymore to stay blind
Seek the Lord first and he will give you what you ask
Stay in his word and bask at how he loves you so very much.
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If all people will give up their stubborn hearts and seek God and his word, there will be no conflicts and violence in our world today. There is much benefit to reading God’s word, meditating and living what it says. Why don’t people want what is good for them? Instead, we choose what brings us trouble. Paul says in Romans7: 15, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Man have struggled with this inner conflict since the fall of Adam and Eve. Let God’s word sink deep in your heart so you can hear his voice.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to run to your word and store it in my heart each day.
REFLECTION
How often do you meditate on God’s word?
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
HOPE IN THE WORD Poem Devotional
May 9________________________________________
I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.
-Psalm 130:5(NLT)
HOPE IN THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel overwhelmed by things in this world?
Distractions are everywhere to keep us out of God’s word
No wonder we feel lost, hopeless and always struggling
We don’t focus on God, yet we keep on demanding.
Seek the Lord and you will find comfort in his truth
Abide in his words, meditate on it so it can take root
Sow seeds of goodness for it will bear fruit
Expose the enemy’s lies and believe only what is true.
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Today, our world faces so much chaos and pain. Technology and social media has turned our lives into a world of many choices. We have become very distracted people. We lost our sense of priorities and value. We have focused on ourselves because we are enticed to acquire things and wealth so we can look better or feel powerful. It is such a sad thing to watch how people get blinded by what the world offers and discard what God promises. We get consumed by all these noise around us which diminishes our time to connect with God. We disconnect ourselves from God by choosing all the things the world offers. Run to his word and you’ll find hope. Don’t turn your back on the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me peace and wisdom to always choose you.
REFLECTION
When was the last time God’s word popped out of the pages to stir 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
REQUESTING GOD FAVORS Poem Devotional
May 7________________________________________
O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches. Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. -Proverbs 30:7-8(NLT)
REQUESTING GOD FAVORS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, I plead you to grant me favors in my life
Bless and guide me to constantly walk in your light
Help me never to tell a lie or long for things
Give me wisdom so I can always avoid sin.
Grant me a pure heart and keep me away from poverty
Just provide for me what will satisfy all my needs
Show me a life full of joy, faithfulness and peace
Help me to walk in love and to enjoy being free.
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How often do you ask God for favors? I grew up thinking that God was a genie who can give me all that I want. I wasn’t taught how to ask though. I expected God to do miracles for me without me requesting it. As I reached puberty, I got discouraged and felt into a deep depression that made me turned my back to the Lord. When I became born again, I learned that never really asked, no wonder I wasn’t getting. Now, I want to request the Lord to keep me from lying and to give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
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PRAYER
Lord, please grant me favors that will keep me close to you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we should ask for just enough to satisfy our needs? Why not more?
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
GOD’S WORD IS A SHIELD
May 6________________________________________
Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.
– Proverbs 30:5-6(NLT)
GOD’S WORD IS A SHIELD
A poem and essay by ILMA
In this world of chaos and confusion
We need a shield from all kinds of temptations
Every word of God proves true
It teaches, convicts and rebukes.
When you read his word and ask the Holy Spirit
It comes to life and shortly, wisdom is released
Do not add to his words or he may reprove you
Allow the Lord to transform and let your mind be renewed.
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As a trauma survivor, I learned to manage the anxiety, helplessness and emotional pain that sometimes debilitates me. Complex trauma is an accumulation of various exposure to repeated abuse which can be emotional, physical or sexual or even neglect. Diane Langberg a trauma specialist from the Global Trauma Recovery Institute, used a term that really struck me. She said that people with complex trauma is like being “marinated in pain and confusion.” This is an accurate description of what I experienced. When I became a born again Christian, I was freed from so many lies and learned God’s truth. In his word, I found comfort, relief and freedom. The word shields me from all temptations and trauma memories and taught me how to forgive and let go.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us your word that shields us from evil.
REFLECTION
Share an experience how God’s word shielded you from evil.
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
UNBRIDLED TONGUE Poem Devotional
May 5________________________________________
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
-Proverbs 29:20(NLT)
UNBRIDLED TONGUE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever a thought starts hovering in your mind
Do you filter it so that you won’t sound harsh or unkind?
Do you guard your heart so that nothing impure will be spoken?
Do you say encouraging words to release others from being broken?
There is more hope for a fool than an unbridled tongue
When your speech is unfiltered, is sounds like a grunt
When you think first before saying something,
You allow the Lord to prevent you from sinning.
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How many times have you released a word without even thinking? We usually do this when we are reacting to something said or insinuated. I learned for many years that when I don’t filter my thoughts, words can just sneak out of our mouths. Sometimes, people may miss the uncalled statements but other times, it could compromise your friendships or relationships. The bible tells us to guard our mouths and our lips in Proverbs 141:3. It also tells us to guard what we think in Philippians 4:8 Only these thoughts should be entertained: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. So if our thoughts are these, then your tongue will be bridled.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to think first before I speak. Let my thoughts only be what you want it to be.
REFLECTION
How can we avoid an unbridled tongue?
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