July 1
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Ears to hear and eyes to see, both are gifts from the Lord. -Proverbs 20:12(NLT)
GIFTS TO HEAR AND SEE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord gave us ears to hear and eyes to see
He wants us to discern and to continue to be free
You were given two ears so you can listen more
And also two eyes so you can watch and explore.
Only the Lord can make you understand
Without him, you won’t be able to withstand
Use your heart in order to be able to see clearly
Keep your eyes focused on him so you’ll have victory.
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In Mark 8, Jesus fed four thousand from seven loaves of bread and a few fish. It was one of those miracles that many people witnessed. In verses 17-18 Jesus questions the disciples because they were getting influenced by the hardened hearts of the Pharisees. They became unable to hear what was really being said and fail to see things with pure hearts. Their faith began to waver and they argued why they haven’t brought any bread at that time. Jesus confronted and warned them of losing their faith despite all the miracles that they have witnessed.
We are cautioned to keep our hearts pure many times in the bible because when the heart is hardened, we will fail to see and hear God’s voice.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me pure so I can be able to hear and see what you are teaching me.
REFLECTION
What hinders you from seeing and hearing?
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 poem
THE MARK OF HONOR Poem Devotional
June 29
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Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. -Proverbs 20:3(NLT)
THE MARK OF HONOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you avoid quarrels at all cost?
Or do you insist on being the boss?
It is a mark of honor when you avoid fights
Pursue peace, that’s what God wants in our lives.
When you walk in love, there’s no room for conflicts
God wants us to love others and walk in the Spirit
Remember to follow Christ who always served others
He commanded us to love our sisters and brothers.
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When people grow up in the midst of conflicts, they automatically react to life either defensively or offensively. I witnessed a life of passive aggression. I didn’t know what peace looked like because I didn’t have a role model for it. When I reached high school, I didn’t realize how much I thrived in arguing. It became mechanical to respond to things by arguing to proving myself right. It was difficult to concede to any suggestions that didn’t jive with my ideas. It became an obsession to argue and I lost so many relationships because of this foolish pursuit. Pride became my lifestyle and I didn’t realize that I was my own idol. Thanks be to God that he delivered me from this and showed me that he wants me to pursue peace at all cost. Avoiding fights is a mark of honor.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to choose peace all the time.
REFLECTION
How can you change a high conflict personality?
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
DIVISION DESTROYS Poem Devotional
June 26
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Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.– Luke 11:17(NLT)
DIVISION DESTROYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where there is a disagreement and fighting
Follows shattered vision and victorious living
Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed
A family splintered by feuding will not bloom.
Let go of divisions and embrace peace
Be grateful that you are not bound but free
Division destroys all kinds of relationships
Do not let it be a hindrance to growing friendships.
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When there is a sign of disorder, there usually is division that caused it. Many relationships can be challenged by disagreements and lack of respect and communication. Many things can cause breakdowns in a church, an organization or company, marriages, family or friendships. Division usually is one of the major causes of many broken relationships and communities.
My first husband and I were very divided in terms of our beliefs, culture and traditions, way of thinking and preferences over many issues. It completely destroyed my ideals and my vision of what a marriage should be. I thank the Lord for delivering me from this ungodly and destructive relationship. The Lord allowed my wrong choice to happen so that I can learn to let go of things that will take me away from him.
Where there is division, love cannot thrive and faith won’t grow. Agreement is essential in walking in love.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to agree with all your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is an agreement essential in any relationship or partnership?
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
GET UP AND GO Poem Devotional
June 25
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“Young man” he said. I tell you. “Get up!” – Luke 7:14(NLT)
GET UP AND GO
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we are asleep, we accomplish less
Standing up and start moving keep us afresh
Get up and go is a command to spring to life
It protects us from believing the devil’s lies.
When we limit ourselves from our potentials
We are asleep, let’s focus on what’s essential
Take all weaknesses to Jesus and arise
It will free you from bondage and you will thrive.
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There are many verses in the bible that we hear God or Jesus commanding someone to get up or arise. In Leviticus 19:32, God commands Moses to rise up and revere God. In Joshua 7:10, the Lord asks Joshua to rise up because he has fallen on his face. Isaiah 52:2 was a message to Jerusalem to rise up and shake themselves out from the dust. The prophet Micah in chapter 2 verse 10 was summoned to arise and go because of the destruction of uncleanliness. In 2 Samuel 19:7, he was commanded to go out and speak kindly to his servant.
Almost all the miraculous healing of Jesus included this command to “Get up” or “Arise.” Why did the bible use this words often, especially to those significant persons that God gave the anointing? The act of getting up is an active stance while sleeping and not doing something is likened to being dead.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always obey when you command me to arise.
REFLECTION
What bondages or weaknesses have God asked you to rise from?
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
BIG LEAP OF FAITH Poem Devotional
June 24
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I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are and my servant will be healed. -Luke 7:7(NLT)
BIG LEAP OF FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Growing their faith is crucial to all believers
Without it, they will easily be targeted by the deceiver
The centurion’s humility was worth emulating
Jesus cited him to have big faith worth following.
Abraham, David, Mary, Joseph, Daniel and also Moses
They all are examples of faith, they received God’s promises
Why don’t we all make a big leap to prove that we believe
Totally surrender to Jesus and you will definitely receive.
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It is one thing to say that you believe in Jesus and another thing to actually exercise it. Talking about what you believe may not necessarily jive with that you are doing. In this verse, we witness the epitome of humility and faith in the centurion’s story. The centurions were high officials in the Roman empire and they had servants. In Luke 7:2, a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, whom he highly valued. When he heard about Jesus, he went to see him so his servant can be healed. What was amazing with this humble officer was to plead Jesus even at his position, to heal his servant. Even more astounding, was his words that he wasn’t worthy, but Jesus’ word is enough to heal his servant.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me faith like the centurion.
REFLECTION
Share a big leap of faith that you witnessed to Jesus.
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
PRAY IN SOLITUDE Poem Devotional
June 23
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Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. – Luke 5:16 (NLT)
PRAY IN SOLITUDE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you pray, go to a place of solitude
It will set you for the right attitude
To spend time with the Lord requires intimacy
It allows you to hear his voice easily.
Even Jesus withdrew often to pray in the wilderness
He took all the chance to be with God regularly
Pour out your heart and spend time to pray quietly
The Lord waits on you to make him your priority.
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The movie “War Room” inspires us believers to find a place where we can cry our hearts out to the Lord in prayer. In it, the wife converted a walk in closet to be her war room where she puts sticky notes all over the walls with her requests and spends much time with God. She learned how to do this from a much older woman whose life was focused on getting down on her knees and being intimate with the Lord. As she went deeper in prayer, she got transformed into a new person. The husband and daughter witnessed how changed she was that they became curious what was in the closet. As they discovered all the prayer requests, they too began to follow what she was doing. Their family got renewed. Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness to pray in solitude. No distractions.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to find time to always be in solitude with you.
REFLECTION
What would your advice be to someone who is new in praying?
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.c
FOCUS ON WHAT LIES AHEAD Poem Devotional
June 21
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Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. – Proverbs 4:25(NLT)
FOCUS ON WHAT LIES AHEAD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there something that distracts you from Christ?
Do you get consumed with busy-ness and life?
Look straight and focus on what lies ahead
Count your blessings and always be glad.
Do not listen to the lies of the enemy
It will divert you from receiving the victory
When you fix your eyes on Jesus Christ
You will find wisdom to do what is right.
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Have you ever learned to ride a bike? The first thing they ask you is to look straight ahead so that you don’t lose your balance. Even in dancing, the instructors ask you to have a straight posture and chin up. They discourage you from looking down at your feet as you are learning the steps. In driving, you also need to look ahead even though you are being conscious of your peripheral vision. It keeps you from head on collisions and other life threatening accidents. Many accidents now are caused by distracted driving.
The same is true in life, you need to focus on what lies ahead and not be consumed by the situation and challenges you are going through. When you don’t look ahead, you will likely be discouraged, lose hope and find no meaning in life. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you that I can look up to you and you’ll never fail me.
REFLECTION
How can being distracted with worldly stuff prevent us from reaching our goals?
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
EVADE PERVERSE & CORRUPT TALK Poem Devotional
June 20
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Avoid all perverse talk. Stay away from corrupt speech. -Proverbs 4:24(NLT)
EVADE PERVERSE & CORRUPT TALK
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you live your Christian life
Your words must bring light
Evade perverse or corrupt talk
They do not jive with a believer’s walk.
Stay away from harsh speech and lies
They only open doors for the devil to strike
Let only honorable things come out of your mouth
It glorifies God when you speak his word out loud.
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The word that comes out of our mouth has power. It can either destroy or build up someone. Proverbs 18:21 says “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” No wonder King David prayed in Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” He understands how a mouth can easily destroy us or someone else.
I cringe when I hear someone utter a harsh word or a judgment. It wasn’t too long ago when I used to recklessly say things without rending my tongue. It has brought havoc to many of my relationships because I didn’t align my thoughts and mouth with God’s truth. I was focused on getting my thoughts out because I have been minimized many years of my youth.
The bible cautions us to avoid any perverse or corrupt speech. We will benefit from a prudent mouth.
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PRAYER
Lord, rend my mouth. Let it only speak your truth in love.
REFLECTION
How can one change a foul mouth?
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
WORDS THAT BRING LIFE Poem Devotional
June 19
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Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep you’re your heart, for they bring life to those who find them. – Proverbs 4:20-22(NLT)
WORDS THAT BRING LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you experiencing discouragement lately?
Have you been feeding on Scriptures faithfully?
When you listen carefully to what God’s word says
It will bring you to your knees and call you to pray.
Let the word of God penetrate deep in your heart
Meditate on it each morning for a good start
They bring life to those who find them
It brings them wisdom; they thrive when they abide.
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Have you ever read a regular book that changed and transformed your life? I did have one in my late twenties when I got hold of a book entitled “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale. I was a Christian and a young mother but I wasn’t born again that time. I haven’t even read the bible when I bumped into this book. It taught me to change my very negative thinking by suggesting a “thank you” diary. I was in a transition in my life at this period of my life. I was desperate for change. It actually changed my attitude from complaining to thankfulness. What I didn’t know then was it all came from the bible. The words of God brought life into a desolate life.
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PRAYER
Thank you for giving us hope in your word.
REFLECTION
How has God’s word transformed your life? Was there any particular verse that did it?
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
STUMBLING IN TOTAL DARKNESS Poem Devotional
June 18
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The way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. – Proverbs 4:19(NLT)
STUMBLING IN TOTAL DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there something in your life that you cannot understand?
Was there an experience that kept you fearful and sad?
The ways of the wicked is like total darkness
They are stumbling and feel hopeless.
They have no idea how to get out of this pit
Because they have already grieved the Holy Spirit
Wickedness will always bring you to desolation
Righteousness on the other hand, leads to salvation.
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Have you ever experienced groping in a dark room or place? If it is something you are familiar with, just like going to the bathroom in the middle of your sleep, it’s probably not a big deal. When it is some place or situation that you are unfamiliar with, it poses a bigger challenge. As you walk in that dark area, you stumble over things or can fall over something. It might even be dangerous and cost you to get hurt.
The bible explains how the ways of the wicked is like total darkness where they stumble over things. Proverbs is likening it to life. When we remain in our evil ways, we become blinded by the enemy from the lies he tells us. We are unable to see the truth because we get absorbed in worldly ways
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to discern when I go astray.
REFLECTION
How can we totally avoid evil ways?
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








