HOPE FOR THE NEEDY Poem Devotional

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November 13________________________________________
The needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.
–Psalm 9:18(NLT)
HOPE FOR THE NEEDY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been neglected by anyone?
Are you often minimized by someone?
There is hope for those whose needs are never met
The needy will not be ignored forever as the bible says.
Rejoice to those among you whose spirits were crushed
It won’t be long when the enemy will be defeated and hushed
There is hope for the needy and the broken hearted
Christ came so they too, like him will be victorious and resurrected.
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As a result of growing up in a dysfunctional family, I became a very needy person. When I studied the stages of development of a child, I realized that there were so many stages that I skipped because of many unmet need. Erik Erikson’s psychoanalytical theory focuses entirely on personality formation. Erikson suggested eight “ages” individuals progress through from birth to adulthood in order to feel self-fulfilled. Erikson looks at each age or stage as a struggle between one positive and one negative emotional state. I am a survivor of childhood complex traumas which let me to God directly.
The bible says that the needy will not be ignored forever and the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed. Christ died for people like those who are crushed and needy.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for dying for me.
REFLECTION
What do you usually do when you can’t get your needs met?
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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 HELPER, MY SAVIOR Poem Devotional

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November 11________________________________________
As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior, O my God; do not delay. –Psalm 40:17 (NLT)
MY HELPER, MY SAVIOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who is always there for you through thick or thin?
God is with you constantly even when you have sinned
Run to him, he will faithfully send you his helper
The Holy Spirit lives inside your heart to make you better.
Ask the Lord’s assistance for he saves you from your sin nature
Plead him to keep you in his thoughts so you will be a victor
No other god can surpass Christ’s mercy and salvation
Let us trust him completely and depend for his provision.
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There are many people I have relationship with who are not dependable because they are just too busy with their own lives to even find out what is happening with me or don’t really care. It is only God who have proven himself to be there in all situations I am in. Whether in my successes and failures, he is always there for me. He answers all my prayers when he deemed it good for me. He protects me and he constantly understands what I am going through. The bible tells us to run to God for he is our helper and our savior. Only God can faithfully respond to us.
PRAYER
Lord, I plead for your healing.
REFLECTION
Why is seeking God for help an act that all Christians should do?
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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

HEAVEN’S REGISTRY Poem Devotional

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November 9________________________________________
Look I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.
– Luke 10:19, 20 (NLT)
HEAVEN’S REGISTRY
A poem and essay by ILMA
The cross of Christ has given us authority over the enemy
Remember to exercise it so the devil will flee
Love one another especially your sisters and brothers
Remember what Jesus did so you can serve others.
Those who believe will be in heaven’s registry
Rejoice all you faithful ones, you’ll have victory
The evil spirits will tremble as soon as you obey Christ
He knows that he is defeated by those who have new life.
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Have you ever been invited in an important social function? I remember when my son was nine years old and we were invited at the palace where the president of the Philippines resided. He was to play the violin for the delegates for an international world convention. As soon as we entered the gates, they had to check the registry of visitors to come. It was such an honor and a privilege to be included in the list. It is almost the same in heaven. Our names will be in the registry if we believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. The bible tells us that we have to rejoice because our names are registered in heaven.
PRAYER
O Lord my God, thank you for including me in heaven’s registry.
REFLECTION
Why do you think you deserve to be in heaven’s registry?
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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

SELF-EXAMINATION Poem Devotional

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November 7________________________________________
That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
-1 Corinthians 11:28 (NLT)
SELF-EXAMINATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
What thoughts and ideas do you have?
Do you ponder on the Lord up above?
Do you reflect how you treat others?
Do you think of the welfare of one another?
Examining yourself guides where you are going
It monitors how much you are progressing
Self-examination helps you spiritually mature
It makes you understand life and endure.
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I am a born analytic and sometimes I can go overboard with over-analyzing things. I thank God that he has given me the capacity to monitor how I think and what my motives are on a regular basis.
Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. Lamentations 3:40 says that we must test and examine our ways and must turn back to the Lord. Why is self-examination crucial in our lives especially in our faced paced world? Without introspecting on our lives, we will lose control or have the ability to go on as planned.
The bible tells us that self-examination is crucial in partaking of the body of Christ. Paul stressed to the Corinthians the importance of preparing ourselves to be one with Christ or one with our sisters and brothers. We must be able to watch our own lives so that we are actually following and reflecting Christ in our lives.
PRAYER
Lord, than you for giving me a mind that can process things.
REFLECTION
How often do you examine yourself? What happens when you don’t?
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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 GOD FLOW THROUGH YOU Poem devotional

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November 6________________________________________
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.
-1 Peter 4:11(NLT)
LET GOD FLOW THROUGH YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
What gifts have God given to you?
Is it to speak or encourage others to be renewed?
If God has given you the gift to speak
Do it with passion but always be meek
If you have the gift of helping others
Do it with all your strength to aide your brothers
Use all your gifts to let God flow through you
It will bring more people to seek God’s truth.
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My natural gifts are: literary, visual, communication, musical and theatre arts. It is ironic that communication was a gift given to me by God. I had no voice to say anything as a child. I was commanded never to answer back or explain myself. I think that desired to be heard was translated into written words. I wrote letters to my father who was working abroad many years. My letters made me closer to him than those who were physically around me. The other gifts were a venue to heal my wounded heart.
The bible tells us that we all are given gifts, but we need to use them all to bring glory to God.
PRAYER
Thank you for your gifts.
REFLECTION
What natural gifts do you have that helped you discover your spiritual gifts?
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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

PEACE ON EARTH Poem Devotional

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November 4________________________________________
Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.
-Luke 2:14(NLT)
PEACE ON EARTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is so much chaos and disorder in this world
This is not what God wants for us according to his word
He wants us to give glory to the highest heaven
He wants peace on earth on all his brethren
The real meaning of Jesus’ birth is peace on earth
It is not clamoring for gifts according to our worth
God is pleased when we embrace peace intentionally
He wants us to embrace it so we can live joyfully.
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The word peace is defined as an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from internal and external strife. The biblical concept of peace is larger than that and rests heavily on the Hebrew root slm, which means “to be complete” or “to be sound.” The verb conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning “to be complete or whole” or “to live well.”
I remember growing up in the church saying “Peace be with you”, bowing my head and greeting the other members of the congregation when that part of the mass comes. As the Lord has matured me through his word, I now know that there is much more to it. The bible tells us the real meaning of Jesus’ birth. It means peace on earth.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me peace in my heart.
REFLECTION
How can you relay peace to others this coming Christmas?
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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

ON LOVING YOUR ENEMIES Poem Devotional

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November 3________________________________________
But I say “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:44-45(NLT)
ON LOVING YOUR ENEMIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Has someone betrayed your trust?
Don’t despair for God loves you so much
When people persecute and hurt you
Remember that Jesus suffered and died too
Love your enemies and pray for them
This way they will know Christ and learn.
Intercede for those who persecute others
They don’t know how to forgive their brothers
When you do good to those who treat you bad
You are really acting as true children of God
Blessings and peace will be poured in your life
You will enjoy everything and life will be bright.
What good is it if you only love those who love you?
Even pagans can do that and it’s nothing new
But if you learn to die to yourself and follow Christ
You will have grace to imitate him in your life
God commands you to love even those who hate you
He wants you to pray for them so they can be renewed.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me grace to see you in my enemies and see past through their actions. Give me a humble heart to forgive them and press on loving them.
REFLECTION
How have you reflected Christ when people bring you down? Relate an experience that shows that you did what Jesus would do.
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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

LIGHT COVERS DARKNESS Poem Devotional

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November 2________________________________________
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. -John 1:5 (NLT)
LIGHT COVERS DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you feel down and depressed
Run to the throne so you can be refreshed
Believe in him so you can enjoy his light
It illumines the darkness in your life.
The light of Jesus brightens any sorrow
It brings you hope for a better tomorrow
When light covers darkness, it can’t be extinguished
It will expose all the evil schemes and make it perish.
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Most children are afraid of the dark. The bible tells us that God has a special place for children in his kingdom. He requires us to be childlike to be able to enter it. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 says that we are all children of the light and we don’t belong to darkness. Those who enjoy darkness have been held captive by the enemy. Satan has blinded them and kept them hostages of evil. Those who keep so many secrets are prisoners of darkness. Matthew 10:26 says that all secrets will be revealed and will be made known to all.
1 John 1:5 says that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all and John 1:5 says that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. Therefore, God triumphs over all evil and will perish the darkness.
PRAYER
Thank you for your light, Lord Jesus.
REFLECTION
What darkness in your life have you allowed God’s light to shine in?
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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

OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT Poem Devotional

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October 31________________________________________
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
What keeps you in the dark?
Is it a sin that continually lurks?
You can answer God’s call
He never wants you to fail or fall
You are chosen to be his follower
You can accept him and be his disciple
He called you out of darkness into the light
He wants the best for you in all you do in this life.
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So many people continue to live in darkness because they don’t know any better. Some on the other hand purposely choose to live in the dark. God incessantly calls us to live in his will and in his light, but many people get stuck in the ways of the world. It took me many years before I gave up living in darkness. When I finally made a decision to choose God and stay in his light, my life flourished and blessings kept pouring.
The bible talks to us about our true identity in Christ. We are all brought into the light out of darkness by the sacrifice on the cross that Jesus Christ did for us.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me in your light.
REFLECTION
When did God deliver you from darkness?
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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 ONLY TRUE GOD Poem Devotional

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October 30________________________________________
Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God. – Isaiah 37:20 (NLT)
THE ONLY TRUE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who do you believe, give praise and glorify?
Is he the Son of God whom the world has crucified?
There is only one true God who created everything
He is all powerful, all seeing and all giving.
He sent his only begotten son so we can be saved
He is the only one who can free us from being slaves
All those who believe in him will have eternal life
He is the one who can bring and expose evil into the light.
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There are many gods that the world has created. Many religions believe in many different gods, but there is only one true god who can give us eternal life. His name is Jesus Christ. He is the only begotten son of God who was sent here on earth to pay for the wages of our sins.
My journey to find out who the real God is was a very painful and confusing one. I grew up where there were many different religions and traditions surrounding me. It was hard to grow up and not know the truth.
The bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the only true god because he is the only one who saves and grants eternal life.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for saving me.
REFLECTION
When did you know the one and only true God?
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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