Tag Archives: Christian devotional

ACCEPT GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 019 (2)

August 22
________________________________________
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts for it has the power to save your souls. -James 1:21 (NLT)
ACCEPT GOD’S WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any troubles and sins you want to get rid off?
Get rid of all the evil in your life and focus on the Lord
Listen to his voice inside you and accept his word
It will bring you peace and victory in this world.
The word of God is alive and has power
It can defeat the enemy and make him cower
Humbly accept what the word teaches you
It will transform your life and have your mind renewed.
________________________________________
What stops people from accepting God’s word? There are many reasons why Christians fail to feed on God’s word. We live in troubled times and the enemy has infiltrated our pure hearts with all kinds of filth and evil. Satan hindered my acceptance of the word of God through idolatry, arrogance, pride and performance. I lived a life that was very worldly. I followed the standards that the world set because I was ignorant of God’s will for me. I didn’t know any better. When God called me to accept his word, my life was totally transformed. Let us rid of all the evil and humbly accept his word in order to receive salvation.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your word. Let me feed on it daily.
REFLECTION
How has the word of God transformed 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

FOR GOD’S GLORY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

p

August 21
________________________________________
Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. -Romans 6:13(NLT)
FOR GOD’S GLORY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in Christ, you have been born again
It is time to straighten all your tendencies to be bent
Do not let any part of your body do evil schemes
Instead, give yourselves completely to Him.
Use all the gifts he gives you to bring Him glory
This is the only way you can have victory
For you were dead but now have new life
You once lived in darkness but now have light.
________________________________________
I used to be very religious and went to church daily to hear mass for over almost two decades. I worked at my own salvation through rituals and traditions. I am sure God knows my intentions and understood that I wanted to please him by doing these religious acts, but my life wasn’t shining for him or giving him glory. I compartmentalized my life with career, roles and religion. I didn’t completely glorified God with the way I lived because I gave myself credit for my career success. The bible says all our actions and words must point to him and give him glory.
PRAYER
Lord, please save me from my pride and arrogance.
REFLECTION
What’s the difference when you boasted and when you gave God all the glory?
¬¬¬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

HOW TO ENJOY LIFE

Posted on by

peonies harvest 2012 007

August 20
________________________________________
If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. -1 Peter 3:10(NLT)
HOW TO ENJOY LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling to enjoy your life?
Do you find it difficult to live in God’s light?
If you want to see happy days ahead of you
You need to keep your mind constantly renewed.
Keep your tongue from speaking evil and lies
It will purify your heart and keep you alive
The enemy wants to steal your peace and joy
Satan wants you to stagnate and never grow.
________________________________________
I spent many years of my life in strife and bitterness. I didn’t even know that I was angry as a result of the many traumatic experiences in my life. I wallowed in self pity parties for so long. One of the ways the enemy trapped me into loneliness and desperation was swearing and telling lies. I manipulated a lot of circumstances so that I can get what I wanted. Lying became automatic and sometimes I get caught in my own lies too. God delivered me from this stronghold and set me free this past decade. I will never do anything to compromise my joy in the Lord now that have his righteousness. The bible tells us to enjoy life but we must keep our tongue from evil and lies.
PRAYER
Help me daily to watch what comes out of my mouth, Lord.
REFLECTION
How can speaking evil and lies deprive you of enjoying 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

A FOLLOWER’S PRIORITY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

island lake2013 reflector studies 023-003

August 19
________________________________________
If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison, your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, even your own life.
-Luke 14:26(NLT)
A FOLLOWER’S PRIORITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a true believer of Jesus Christ?
Are you willing to give up everything including your life?
A true Christian seeks him first in everything
They are not ruled by selfish desires or material things.
If you want to be a follower, you must make him your priority
Even your family must not come between your loyalty
Remember, Jesus shed his blood to set you free
You must sacrifice your life to serve him faithfully.
________________________________________
What are your prized possessions? For so many years, my son was my life. I did everything for him and made him the center of my life. Since I was a single mom, I got so wrapped up living my life for him and making all the sacrifices I needed to do to ensure that he was loved and looked after. There is nothing wrong with loving your own children, but if they come between you and God, then there is something amiss with that picture.
The bible tells us that one of the requirements of being a disciple or follower of Jesus is to make him first in everything. Even your family should only come second to God.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never lose focus on you.
REFLECTION
How is loving others first than God going to open doors for defeat in 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

COME CLOSE TO GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

pinery camping 2014 and others 012

August 18
________________________________________
Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners: purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. -James 4:8(NLT)
COME CLOSE TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a believer who seeks God regularly?
Are you reading and following his word daily?
Come close to God and he will come close to you
Purify your heart and he will make you new
If your loyalty is divided between him and the world
It will be a struggle to walk in God’s word
If you draw near him, he will give you his kingdom
Pursue him constantly and you will experience freedom.
________________________________________
Do you recall when you were being wooed by your spouse at the start of your courtship? I remember my husband come up with all kinds of reasons to be with me. He loves walking in shores and parks and that became our date venues. When he learned that I was into billiards and biking, (a hobby which he was so much into as well) he didn’t lose time to bring me to do these common interests. I got to know him more and saw the potential of us being together. Just like romantic love, we can also draw near to God and he will come close to us. We need to cleanse our hearts and have undivided loyalty to him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me pursue you as you seek my heart.
REFLECTION
How can you come closer to 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

TRAINING THE YOUNGER WOMEN Poem Devotional

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 358

August 17
________________________________________
These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
Titus 2:4-5 (NLT)
TRAINING THE YOUNGER WOMEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord expects the wiser women to teach others
Older women must train those ladies who are younger
They must set an example of prudence and purity
They are expected to show them how to live wisely
Training must involve managing their homes well
They must show them how to care for their family’s health
They tell them to submit to their husbands as to the Lord
Then they will bring glory to God’s word and defeat this world.
________________________________________
I wish I had someone to train me when I was a younger woman. I lived a very rebellious life and didn’t heed my mother’s advice. I was too busy proving myself right when in fact. I was very wrong. My arrogance contributed to my very troubled life. I thank God that he restored me and brought me back to his path of righteousness.
The bible gives the older women the responsibility to train young women. They are expected to set good examples so that they will learn to be good wives and women of God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the older women who guide younger women.
REFLECTION
How can training from someone experienced helpful to lead a good 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

AVOIDING UNPRODUCTIVITY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 494

August 15
________________________________________
Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others then they will not be unproductive. – Titus 3:14(NLT)
AVOIDING UNPRODUCTIVITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you having difficulty in accomplishing things?
Do you find time fly by as you do something?
Believers must learn to do good and avoid unproductivity
How often do you reach out to help somebody?
God expects us to meet others’ urgent needs
Do you go out of your way to do a good deed?
Bless others by giving them a helping hand
It is one way to show obedience to God’s command.
________________________________________
How often do you get robbed of time by the enemy? Sometimes, we even have no awareness about this. We work at performing at our jobs, relationships and other goals. We toil from day till night but never pay attention to others around us who are in pain or in so much need. We take for granted opportunities that could have been giving us spiritual fruits to harvest. We get so wrapped up in our small tiny world and pay no attention to someone just nearby who needs all they help they can get.
The bible tells us that one of the reasons why we become unproductive is because we are doing works of the flesh instead of works of the Spirit. If we meet the urgent needs of others, we will produce more spiritual fruits.
PRAYER
Lord, show me always when there is an opportunity to meet others’ needs.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God commands us to care for those in need?
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

AVOIDING YOUR SINFUL NATURE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_2199

August 14
________________________________________
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. -Galatians 5:16(NLT)
AVOIDING YOUR SINFUL NATURE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Human nature wants to satisfy the flesh
This is why we tend to end up in a mess
Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives
This way, you won’t be suffering in life.
When the Spirit leads, he shows you wisdom
He tells you what to do so you can live in freedom
By living in the Spirit, you avoid your sinful nature
By allowing God to move, you become spiritually mature.
________________________________________
There were many years of my life that I was living according to my desires. I just did what would give my body and mind pleasure. This was how I grew up. I was told to work at meeting my own needs. I worked at getting things and making dreams come true. I never relied on anyone, not even on God. It made my life very difficult and full of struggles. I lived to perform and to prove to everyone that I had worth and that I was entitled to get paid for all the work I put on my goals and ambitions. It was a joyless life.
The bible says that if we are believers, we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. We can’t do God’s work, only his Spirit can.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to hear your Spirit inside me always.
REFLECTION
What do you do so the Spirit of God will constantly be alive inside 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

CONSULTATION: AN ACT OF LOVE

Posted on by

canadablooms 143 (2)

August 13
________________________________________
But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. – Philemon 14(NLT)
CONSULTATION: AN ACT OF LOVE
poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you consult with someone you love
You are actually showing reverence for God
By asking others, we make them feel validated
When you are overlooked, you may feel violated.
Consultation can bring much unity and harmony
It shows your love for others and can bring victory
Whenever you ask Gods’ opinion on certain matters
You gain wisdom in life and circumstances get handled.
________________________________________
“Consult” is defined as to go to someone for advice; to ask for the professional opinion of someone; or to talk about something with someone in order to make a decision. When I was a Speech Teacher, many of my colleagues consulted me with syllabi and programs to enhance effective communication as teachers. It felt good to be validated but it also benefitted the school’s academic vision. I was a bookworm and would oftentimes borrow over 300 books in our library for the year. They were different subjects I read, not just those topics I taught. I always consulted experts so I can learn about things and grow.
The bible tells us how important consulting someone is in a relationship. It shows that you respect their views. It manifests humility and respect.
PRAYER
Help us to consult other believers before we make choices and decisions.
REFLECTION
Why is asking for consent vital in a relationship?

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

ANSWERING FOR YOUR BROTHER Poem Devotional

Posted on by

crawford lake 2013 048

August 12
________________________________________
If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.
Philemon 18(NLT)
ANSWERING FOR YOUR BROTHER
A poem and essay by ILMA
If one of your brothers or sister has been wronged?
Do you stand up for them to make them strong?
Answering for the children of God pleases him
It shows accountability and brings much blessings.
If you forgive anyone who has done your wrong
It reveals how much you have spiritually grown
Answering for your brother shows love for the Lord
Caring for others’ welfare gives Jesus Christ laud.
________________________________________
Have you ever done something good for someone who is a fellow believer? The apostle Paul writes to Philemon who was a believer in the church at Colosse. Philemon owned a slave named Onesimus, who became a great help to Paul while he was in prison. He wrote to him so that he could forgive Onesimus for fleeing from him. Paul gives us a clear example how to take responsibility and care for another believer. He did Onesimus a favor because he knows that he is one with him in believing the Lord.
It is very different when you do another Christian a favor compared to doing one for an unbeliever. When you do it for believers, you are actually glorifying God’s because you are doing it to follow God’s word of stewardship. If you do it to unbelievers, it may lead them to Christ.
PRAYER
Thank you for have fellow believers who care for us.
REFLECTION
Why is stewardship important amongst Christians?
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