December 16 The Power of God’s Word
Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)
EXEMPLARY LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you living your new life as Jesus did?
Are you exuding love in all your deeds?
Be an example to all believers by your faith
Be a witness to Christ; it can change their fate.
Do you speak the truth by declaring God’s word?
Store it in your hearts and use it like a sword
Keep your hearts pure and walk in love
It brings glory and it magnifies God.
It is challenging to go through our lives without having someone to follow. That is why the bible tells us to fellowship with other believers because isolation is not an option in the Christian walk (Proverbs 18:1-2). We were all made to be in loving relationships.
The bible tells us to live exemplary lives. What we say, how we live, how we love, how much we believe and how pure we keep our hearts for Jesus affect all who we come in contact with. We can create confusion and misguide other believers if don’t live what we believe. We open doors to the enemy when we live a life lacking integrity.
PRAYER
Lord, let me follow your life.
REFLECTION
Why is integrity essential in our walk as believers?
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
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
A CONSISTENT GOD Poem Devotional
December 15 The Power of God’s Word
But you are always the same, you will live forever. The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.
– Psalm 102:27-28 (NLT)
A CONSISTENT GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When everyone else around shows inconsistency
Be glad that you can turn to God who loves you faithfully
His character never fluctuates; his love never changes
He is always the same, stable and very consistent.
You can count on God always
Seek his word and know what he says
You and your children’s children will live securely
He will take care of all needs, bringing them prosperity.
I used to walk on eggshells when I was in a relationship with a very troubled man. I never knew when he was going to explode. He was a very controlling person, always telling me what needs to be done. I always felt manipulated into doing something I wouldn’t normally do. It was a very tiring and depressing time of my life when I was with him. I became insecure and confused.
The bible tells us that God is a consistent God who is always the same and will live forever. With him, you will have no chance to be confused or insecure. His children will always be provided with all their needs and will thrive in his presence.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being consistent.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to follow God’s consistency?
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
SPEAK THE TRUTH Poem Devotional
December 14 The Power of God’s Word
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
– Proverbs 12:22 (NLT)
SPEAK THE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lies can be exposed when one know the truth
It is vital to seek God’s word to have the Spirit’s fruit
If we constantly seek to please the Lord
He will ensure our protection from fraud.
The Lord detests those who tell lies
It opens up the door for the enemy to entice
Speak the truth by declaring God’s word
It will cut the lies perpetuated in the world.
Can you detect when someone is lying? One can never know a person’s intention or motives when they say something. There is a way to know if someone lies to you. The spirit of God tells you. This is called the fruit of discernment or knowledge given to those who have been walking with the Lord. The world calls it a “hunch”, “intuition” or “gut feeling.” Because they do not know God and his word, they have a different term for it. You can also observe the actions of the person telling the lie. They can’t look at you in the eye.
The bible says the God detests lying lips but he delights in those who tell the truth. The only way we can speak the truth is if we know the word of God.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from liars.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God hates liars?
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
WEALTH SLIPS FROM SINNERS Poem Devotional
December 13 The Power of God’s Word
God gives wisdom, knowledge and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. – Ecclesiastes 2:26 (NLT)
WEALTH SLIPS FROM SINNERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek the truth and abide in God’s word?
Are you ruled by the standards of this world?
God gives wisdom, knowledge and joy to the godly
He takes care of them and gives them prosperity.
If a sinner becomes rich and wealthy
God takes it away and gives it to the needy
Their possessions last only momentarily
He gives it to the righteous to alleviate their poverty.
One of the causes of poverty is selfishness. When we do not give, we do not reap so much as well. God wants a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). This verse says that God provides for all our needs and if we give generously from our hearts, He will give us an overflow and still have plenty leftover to share with others.
In Ecclesiastes, God promised a reward to those who please him: wisdom, knowledge and joy. He warns sinners who accrue riches. Their wealth will slip away from them because he will give them to those who are faithful to him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to seek you and be generous to others.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God strips sinful wealthy people of their wealth?
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
UNCOMPROMISED LIFE Poem Devotional
December 12 The Power of God’s Word
Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil and they walk only in his paths.
– Psalm 119:2-3 (NLT)
UNCOMPROMISED LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Joyful are those who obey the Lord
They will never stop giving him applaud
Their lives reflect only God’s faithfulness
They don’t compromise with evil but choose righteousness.
When evil tempts them, they are unwavering
When challenges arise, they keep on hoping
They walk on the road that God prepared for them
They look forward to the promise that they will be redeemed.
Do you ever compromise with evil? Many people do. Sometimes they don’t even realize it. What does a compromised life look like? Are you depressed, negative, moody, angry, lazy, irresponsible, dishonest or fearful? These are only some of the symptoms of a life that is compromised.
The bible says that those who are true believers of Christ have joyful hearts and are obedient to God. They do not negotiate with the devil. They don’t have anything to do with evil ways. Pleasing the Lord is their business. They will press on when there are obstacles presented and look forward to the promises that God gave them.
PRAYER
Lord, guard me from evil.
REFLECTION
What parts of your life are still compromised? Have you asked God to break it?
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
CLEANSED THROUGH FAITH Poem Devotional
December 11 The Power of God’s Word
He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. – Acts 15:9 (NLT)
CLEANSED THROUGH FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
God created each one of us uniquely
Yet, the Heavenly Father loves us all equally
He made no distinction between us
He wants his children to completely trust.
The Lord cleansed our hearts through faith
When God transforms us, we change our fate
Our whole being is washed by believing
Rely on him and you will keep on growing.
What is the purpose of cleaning? We clean our houses so we can have order, peace and harmony. We clean our bodies to be more acceptable to others and ourselves. We clean our minds so that we can think better and become wiser. We clean our hearts so we can stay focused on God and open doors for the enemy to infiltrate our lives. We detoxify our bodies so that we can be healthier.
God created us in his image. He gives us equal promises to be fulfilled in our lives if we believe. The cleansing agent in our spiritual growth is faith in the Lord. Without it, we won’t be redeemed. Without believing, we are not covered by the blood of Jesus. We will still be covered in sin, without the cross.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the blood of Jesus that purifies me.
REFLECTION
What do you do to clean your hearts, mind and bodies?
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
BREATH THAT BRINGS FAITH ALIVE
December 10 The Power of God’s Word
Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. – James 2:26(NLT)
BREATH THAT BRINGS FAITH ALIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe in God like Abraham did?
He was God’s friend when he believed
Abraham was ready to do anything for the Lord
He was willing to give his son to bring God laud.
Faith alone will not totally glorify God
It will fire it up but does not show true love
Good works will be the breath that brings faith alive
It is when we put faith in action that brings light and life.
We come to Christ through faith but he has commanded us to love one another and it is best shown in acts of kindness. The book of James boldly challenges believers to show their faith through works. He says that faith without good deeds is dead. He poses questions for practical application of our faith in James 2:15-16. Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Goodbye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”- but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to show acts of kindness to others.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to do good works?
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
REBELLION BRINGS RUIN Poem Devotional
December 8 The Power of God’s Word
What sorrow awaits my rebellious children, says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my spirit, thus piling up your sins. – Isaiah 30:1(NLT)
REBELLION BRINGS RUIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who believe the Lord and continue to sin
They will be held answerable to only Him
If you want to stay faithful to your creator
You acknowledge that no one else is greater.
Those who continually rebel and disobey the Lord
They will find sorrow at the end of the road
If you makes alliances not directed by God’s spirit
You will find out later that the enemy is the culprit.
Do you have any idea how a rebel’s life is like? Rebellion brings ruin. I can testify to the validity of this statement. I was a strong willed child and was brought up by 2 strong willed parents. Another strong willed aunt added to the picture of many strong willed people living with each other. It brought so much ruin and sorrow to our family. God revealed to me that these strongholds of rebellion were passed on from many generations.
Isaiah 30:1 says that sorrow awaits those who are lawless. He also says that the more you rebel, the more you get buried in sin. Obedience was something that Jesus exampled in his life. He saved our sins through perfect obedience.
PRAYER
I will obey you Lord.
REFLECTION
What other areas of your life need obedience?
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
DEVOTING TIME TO PRAY Poem Devotional
December 4 The Power of God’s Word
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
– Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
DEVOTING TIME TO PRAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you wake up looking forward to a new day?
Are you thankful for seeing the sun’s ray?
How much of your thoughts are in disarray
Are you alert to everything that happens or do you stray?
Devote yourselves to prayer with a renewed mind
Allow God’s word to make you see and not stay blind
When you spend time with the Lord, you are using your time wisely
When you waste your time, you will be consumed by the enemy.
Making prayer a task or duty rather than an act of love is one of the many causes why people don’t pray enough. Do you remember the last time you were in love? Didn’t you want to be with that person always and talk to him or her? You want to know everything about the person’s thoughts and character. It’s the same with prayer. If we love God, then we will devote time to talk to him and be with him so we can know him deeply. We would drop everything we are doing, just to be with him. Just like any relationship, the more time we invest, the more intimacy and growth we gain.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to talk to you at all times.
REFLECTION
What are the challenges you face with regards to your prayer life?
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
UPSIDE OF SUFFERING Poem Devotional
November 27 The Power of God’s Word
I am glad when I suffer for you in my body for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continued for his body, the church. –Colossians 1:26 (NLT)
UPSIDE OF SUFFERING
A poem and essay by ILMA
What do you do when you are continually abused and people put you down?
Do you react by being angry, withdraw or do you succumb?
Believers are called to embrace suffering, just like Christ
We are called to participate in his body without a fight.
We don’t need to endure when there is no resistance
The test is in the trials; that is the source of patience
The upside of suffering is going through the finish
Focus on the kingdom and you’ll be able to put up with the anguish.
Human suffering is part of life. The “world” has bombarded society with the avoidance of suffering. We live in a “microwave age” where everything is about quick self-gratification. Society has put so much premium on getting quick fixes and fast results in almost everything.
Paul teaches the Colossians to look at the upside of suffering. He invites believers to be glad when they suffer in their bodies. It is a privilege to partake in Christ’s suffering. By dying to our wants and desires, we are participating in the suffering that Christ endured in order to pay in full our debts and free us from sin.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to endure quietly.
REFLECTION
What challenges are you enduring for Christ?
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