Tag Archives: Christian devotional

ACCEPTANCE BRINGS GLORY TO GOD Poem Devotional

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January 24
Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. –Romans 15:7 (NLT)
ACCEPTANCE BRINGS GLORY TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you suffer from criticism and rejection?
Are you seeking approval from all your relations?
Do people constantly misunderstand your intentions?
Do not worry about human interpretations.
Accept others just as Christ has accepted you
It brings God glory when your mind is renewed
Forgive one another just as you are forgiven by the Father
He created us all different but he wants us to love one another.
Criticism and rejection are very harsh things to experience. I grew up in an environment where these experiences enslaved almost five decades of my life. Acceptance was hardly present in my growing years. I learned to cope with these painful events by doing my best to seek approval. You can imagine what havoc it brought to my life. Being an approval addict made me lose my identity.
The bible tells us to accept each other just as Christ has accepted us so that God will be glorified. In other words, when we don’t accept ourselves and others as God designed us to be, we are questioning God’s creation. We are dishonoring what God made by trying to change the way he did that person. Acceptance is a manifestation of love. Without it, criticism and rejection thrive and results in conflicts.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for accepting me.
REFLECTION
How can you accept others?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

LET ME SPEAK ONLY OF PRAISE Poem Devotional

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January 23
Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. –Psalm 51:15(NLT)
LET ME SPEAK ONLY OF PRAISE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Make my lips speak only of your words
Protect my mind from the corruption of this world
Let my whole being meditate on your faithfulness
So I can speak only of giving you praise.
Do not let my mind linger on my needs
Bless me so I can sow good seeds
Let me speak only to give you glory
Let me never tire of sharing life’s testimonies.
There are many fruits of the Spirit that show that someone is a believer. The fruits of the Spirit are mentioned in Galatians such as kindness, goodness, patience, gentleness, self-control, joy, love, peace and faithfulness. You can also gauge an authentic believer by what they say. They usually speak the truth based on God’s words and you won’t hear curses or filthy words coming out of their mouths. The psalmist in Psalm 51:15 prayed to the Lord that his lips will only say praises.
How can this be practically applied in our modern day setting? I think that if one has developed a relationship with Christ, one becomes spiritually mature. Do you know Jesus intimately? Do you follow his commands and emulate what he did. The enemy wants to steal any truth that you have learned. Guard it.
PRAYER
Lord, I surrender my mouth to you.
REFLECTION
How can a believer learn to control his tongue?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

DAILY DOSE OF MERCY Poem Devotional

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January 22
The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
-Lamentations 3:22-23(NLT)
DAILY DOSE OF MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord loves unconditionally and without end
He gives a dose of mercy even when we are bent
He readily forgives when we confess and atone
He gives us his Spirit so we can face the storm.
His faithfulness is great and his mercies begin anew
Each morning we can start again and be renewed
His arms are wide open to always forgive
He wants to bless us with many good deeds.
When you are sick, you go to a doctor and get a prescription for your illness according to doctor’s advice. The medicine alleviates the symptoms or it either expels the virus or bacteria in your body. We can liken God’s mercy to daily doses of medicine. When we are spiritually ill, we also need to have a dose of spiritual medicines: Scriptures, His mercy and grace.
The bible tells us that the faithful love of God never ends. His mercy never stops. It is reassuring and comforting to know that when we sin, we can always repent, confess and ask to be forgiven. He never says “no” to anyone who asks for forgiveness. His arms are always wide open to take us back.
PRAYER
Thank you for your mercy.
REFLECTION
Give an instance when God granted you great mercy.
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

HONOR MARRIAGE

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January 21
Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
– Hebrews 13:4(NLT)
HONOR MARRIAGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you see marriage as Christ sees it?
Do you honor your vow to commit?
Remain faithful to your spouse
Do not let conflict thrive in your house.
Love each other as Christ loves his body
Be humble and avoid being haughty
God will surely judge you if you commit infidelity
Accept and forgive each other and love your spouse purely.
Do you know how much God honors “marriage?” He likens it to Christ’s relationship to his church (his body). Christ will do anything for his church and so husbands are also expected to do anything for their wives. Marriage is a sacred commitment that God expects all husbands and wives to respect, just as Christ honored his church.
The bible expects marriage to be honored. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. It is a dishonor to God when a spouse breaches their vow to be faithful to each other. God considers unfaithfulness as adultery. James 4:4 says that we commit adultery when we follow the ways of the world. When we don’t follow Gods’ ways, we go astray. God wants us to be loyal to him and honor marriage.
PRAYER
Lord, help me respect my vows in marriage.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God detests adultery?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

GRATITUDE CHANGES ATTITUDE Poem Devotional

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pinery camping 2014 and others 562January 20
Great is the Lord who delights in blessing his servant with peace. Then I will proclaim your justice and I will praise you all day long. – Psalm 35:27-28 (NLT)
GRATITUDE CHANGES ATTITUDE
A poem and essay by ILMA
God delights in blessing his servant with peace
Do you seek and hunt it down without cease?
When you sow seeds of love to others
You are blessing your sisters and brothers.
Proclaim God’s goodness and justice all day long
Praising Him will protect you from doing wrong
Lavish the Lord with gratitude and fortitude
You will reap a harvest of righteous attitude.
Do you know that gratitude changes your attitude? I used to be a very whiny and pessimistic person. I always found something to complain or criticize about. A book written by Norman Vincent Peale changed me. I wasn’t reading the bible when I read this book. Somehow, God used this book to change my pessimism and tendency to complain. The book prescribed to have a thank you list daily. It was 27 years ago when I took the prescription of this book. Just 3 years ago, as I became a born again Christian, I learned that this author who has passed away was a Christian writer.
The bible tells us the importance of praising God all day long. It changes and transforms us into becoming more like Christ. Gratitude changes our attitude.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to count all my blessings always.
REFLECTION
How can gratitude change attitude?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail

RETURN TO GOD!

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January 15
If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them, do not let them influence you. – Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT)
RETURN TO GOD!
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you drifted away from the Almighty God?
Obey and seek his word; it makes him glad
If you return to him, he will restore you
If you speak his word, he will make you new.
Do not be influenced by the world’s corruption
Seek his Word, follow it, and he will bring revelations
If you use Scriptures, you will be transformed
Speak God’s truth for it is your weapon; your sword.
Some people have turned their backs on God when they can’t see or fathom his truth. Even Jesus’ very own disciple, Thomas, doubted that Christ rose from the dead. Thomas needed a proof to believe that Jesus came back and fulfilled Scriptures. In response to Thomas’ doubt, Jesus said in John 20:29 “Blessed are those who believe even if they don’t see.”
The bible tells us that if we return to God, he will restore us. If we speak good words instead of worthless ones, we will be God’s mouthpiece or spokesman. He promised authority to those who use his word and victory to influence others when we abide in him.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness.
REFLECTION
What part of your life needs restoration?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT AT ALL TIMES Poem Devotional

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January 13
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too.
-Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT AT ALL TIMES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you talk to God at all times?
He always listens to your joy and cries
Allow the Spirit of God to teach you
Stay alert and you will be free from rue.
Ask God to give you the right words
Only his truth can defeat this world
Be persistent in your prayers for all believers
We ought to care for all our sisters and brothers.
The bible tells us to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. In other words, it means “every moment.” God tells us in Scriptures that we ought to “pray in the spirit” which simply means, pray with your heart and allow God’s Spirit to fill you with his truth. God wants us to speak our hearts out to him and desires for intimacy through constant meditations on his word. When we feed on his word, the conversations will bring us closer to him and make us grow. It will make us learn to know God’s character and become more like him every day.
PRAYER
Lord, let your Spirit never depart from my heart.
REFLECTION
What do you talk to God about? How often do you pray?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

PRESS ON DOING GOOD Poem Devotional

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January 12
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. –Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
PRESS ON DOING GOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Let’s not get tired of doing what is good
God wants us to walk in love and not brood
Whenever circumstances pose challenges
Be brave and openly accept the changes.
If we diligently press on in life
We will have wisdom and see the light
At just the right time, we will harvest
A bounty of blessing will manifest.
What kind of challenges are you facing these days? God doesn’t want you to give up but press on whatever it is he is making you confront. Most of the time, these challenges are given to us to refine us and make us strong and resilient so we could honor and bring his kingdom the glory it so deserves.
The bible tells us to never get tired of doing good. God promises a harvest of blessings when we persevere diligently and endure for him. No matter how grave the situation we are facing, He wants us to embrace and face these trials courageously and constantly depending on him. He will reward those who are pressing on because he himself is faithful to his children.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be thankful always for trials and challenges.
REFLECTION
Why is giving up not an option with an authentic Christian?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Poem Devotional

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crawford lake 2013 049January 11
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone.
–Galatians 6:4 (NLT)
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you work on something
Pay careful attention to what you are doing
Do your best to make the job well done
Then you won’t compare yourself with anyone.
God created each one uniquely different
There is no need to feel insecure and insufficient
Whenever you seek and do what pleases God
You are gratefully exulting and giving him laud.
I had been a very insecure person for the first two decades of my life. I was very shy and felt undeserving or incapable of doing things. It became a problem as I grew up in my teen years because I always felt rejected and minimized by friends and family. I became an approval addict and my own best critique. It blew my view of the world in a very limited way and made me fearful of failure, rejection and criticism.
The bible tells us to pay careful attention to the work we do because it will give us the satisfaction of a job well done and will stop us from comparing ourselves with others or living up to expectations beyond our capacities. Focusing on God when we do things free us from approval addiction.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for my uniqueness.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with differences with others?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

STAY FREE FROM SLAVERY Poem Devotional

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January 10
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. – Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
STAY FREE FROM SLAVERY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed Christ, he made you free
Don’t get tied up again in any form of slavery
Make sure you are regularly seeking God’s Word
It makes you have victory over this corrupt world.
Humanity brings about many forms of bondage
If you are a true believer, you have an advantage
The law that used to enslave you has no more power over you
Love rules your life and the Spirit helps you see God’s view.
When you become a born again Christian, you are given the promise of freedom from any fear or form of slavery. That is the reason why Christ died for you. He gave you freedom so you can use it to exercise love and care for each other and not to serve your own purpose.
The bible tells us that Christ has truly set us free. He wants us to stay free and not tied up again in slavery to the law. It means that we don’t have to be legalistic and strictly following it just to appear good. That’s why he summed all laws to “Love God above all, then love your neighbor as yourself.”
PRAYER
Lord, help me when I am being legalistic.
REFLECTION
How can you enjoy freedom God’s way?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com