NO HOLDING BACK Poem Devotional

June 16
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When you walk, you won’t be held back, when you run, you won’t stumble.
-Proverbs 4:12(NLT)
NO HOLDING BACK
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
You won’t be held back, he leads your life
Even when you run, you won’t stumble
His wisdom will guard you from troubles.
The Lord is all out to assist and lead you
Abide in him and he will make you new
There is no holding back when you love him
Love with all your heart and you will win over sin.
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Have you ever had a relationship with someone who always held back their love, affection or attention? I grew up surrounded by people who always hide their emotions and care for someone. It was very hard to be around these kinds of individuals. You never know where you stand or how they really feel about you. It makes one doubtful and insecure of their identity.
God on the other hand loves us very unconditionally and faithfully. He doesn’t wait for us to ask to be shown or given love. He gives it generously always. Sometimes we don’t always recognize the love because he uses other people or situations to care for us or remind us that he is always there, watching over us.
Proverbs tells us that if we choose to commit our lives to Jesus, there is no holding back to his love for us.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your faithful and unconditional love Lord.
REFLECTION
How can we give our all to God amidst sufferings and challenges?
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

LIKE THE START OF DAWN Poem Devotional

June 17
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The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. – Proverbs 4:18 (NLT)
LIKE THE START OF DAWN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who choose a life of righteousness
They become a light to those who are hopeless
Like the first gleam of dawn that shines so bright
They illumine and expose all of the enemy’s lies.
Though there’s darkness and valleys you are treading
Keep on focusing on the Lord and continue abiding
His glorious light illumines even in the darkest corners
Even just a tinge of his light will make the devil cower.
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One of the most magnificent sight to behold is the crack of dawn. You will see the glimpse of light rising up the horizon and maybe slowly pushing its way out of a cloud or a mountain landscape. It gives us an occasion to praise the Lord for his wonderful creation. But what is so great about dawn is what it symbolizes. A new day always gives us a chance to thank God that we have another day to live and another occasion to touch someone else’s life. It is a time to remember that the Lord gives mercy afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:23).
Proverbs 4:18 likens the way of the righteous to the first glimpse of dawn which shines ever so bright until the full light of day.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to take the righteous path so I can shine for you.
REFLECTION
How can we give hope to those who are desperate and hopeless?
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

WISDOM’S WAYS Poem Devotional

June 15________________________________________
I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. -Proverbs 4:11(NLT)
WISDOM’S WAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The way of the Lord leads to straight paths
It teaches us to do what’s right and avoid the bad
When you seek the word of God, you will be guided
It leads to the truth and makes you enlightened.
Follow God’s commands and it leads to righteousness
Obedience of his word makes anyone wise
Seek the Lord first and he will add it unto you
Meditate on his truth always and you will be made new.
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I have met many intelligent people in over fifty years of my life, but very few of them are really wise. I viewed wisdom very differently before I was a born again Christian. I thought that wise people are educated, smart and practical. When I further studied God’s word, I was surprised to know that only God’s words can teach, correct and guide a person (2 Timothy 3:16). I realized that the world’s concept of knowledge and intelligence is not the same as God’s ways. Most people’s idea of knowledge comes from achieving and having the things one desires or having to know many things. I used to believe in this worldly system as well.
In Proverbs, we are encouraged to embrace wisdom and pursue it. Wisdom can only be a result of seeking the word of God and doing it.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn my back on your words.
REFLECTION
How can God’s truth bring about the straight path to him?
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

REMEMBER GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional

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June 13________________________________________
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. -Proverbs 4:5 (NLT)
REMEMBER GOD’S WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you go through life each and everyday
Do you consult the word in every way?
The Lord wants you never to forget his word
It is the only guide to navigate this world.
Eat the word by meditating on it day and night
It will surely change and transform your life
Remember to memorize Scriptures as often
It protects your heart from being hardened.
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There were many years of my life that I didn’t consult God’s word. It was a shame because I missed out on so much wisdom and blessings. If I were only guided and brought up by seekers of God’s truth, my life wouldn’t have been such full of trials and sufferings. I could have focused more on what the Lord wants me to do for him instead of feeding cravings and pleasures.
I sought human knowledge almost as an obsession, not knowing that it actually enslaved me. 1 Corinthians 2:5 cautions us not to rely on human wisdom but on God’s power. 1 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scriptures is God-breathed and teaches, corrects and trains us in righteousness. If we don’t meditate on it, how can we ever learn from our mistakes? John 1:1 tells us that God and Jesus is the word. Without it we will perish.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to forget feeding on your word.
REFLECTION
How has the word of God affected 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

USE THE MOST POWERFUL NAME Poem devotional

June 12________________________________________
Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name! – Luke 10:17 (NLT)
USE THE MOST POWERFUL NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you encountered challenging situations in your life?
Try using the most powerful name and you will take delight
Even the demons will obey you when you use Jesus’ name
Every knee will bow down to this title of God’s Son.
If you have faith in the omnipotence of Christ
When you declare this name, everything comes to light
God has given this name dominion over everything
As soon as you utter it, you will constantly win.
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It is sad to know that some believers do not often use the name of the Lord Jesus to ward off evil, to expose lies or to discern the tactics of the enemy. The bible says in Philippians 2:9-11 this, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.” Wow! Have you ever heard of any other names that can have that power?
Names are very important because it signifies the character and the person himself. Only the name of Jesus has that power to win over sin and evil.
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PRAYER
Jesus, I praise your holy name. Help me to say it out loud to praise you.
REFLECTION
What happens if you take the name of Jesus in vain?
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

ACCEPT OR REJECT THE MESSAGE Poem Devotional

June 11________________________________________
Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God who sent me. – Luke 10:16(NLT)
ACCEPT OR REJECT THE MESSAGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you heard the Good News about Jesus?
Seek the truth from the word, it is very precious
Anyone who accepts the message of salvation
They will be saved and will overcome temptation.
Those who reject the gospel is rejecting God
They are turning their back instead of giving him laud
Why would you even cast off a message that benefits you?
If you accept it, you will be transformed and your mind renewed.
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Do you ever say no to something that will benefit you? I think it is unwise to do so. Some people purposely reject the message of salvation. The enemy has blinded those who have not believed that they don’t need Jesus. Accepting the news that you will be saved if you believe in him will benefit the recipient. On the other hand, if you reject it, it will do you harm.
Luke explains in this verse that if you turn your back on the truth that comes from another believer or from the word of God, you are actually rejecting Jesus himself. The bible says that Jesus is the word, so when you reject it, you are really turning your back on him.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me bring the good news to those who need it.
REFLECTION
What is the consequence of rejecting the message of 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

ACCEPT HOSPITALITY poem devotional

June 10________________________________________
Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
– Luke 10:8(NLT)
ACCEPT HOSPITALITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone is welcoming you with much blessings
Why would you not accept hospitality when it’s given?
Don’t hesitate to receive what you deserve when you work
God cares and provides for your needs; he’s after your growth.
Accepting hospitality from others shows your humility
We all need each other’s support to grow spiritually
Give and be generous too, God loves a cheerful giver
He wants you to share what you have to other believers.
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Hospitality is defined as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Hospitality is one of the inherent traits that most Filipinos have. Hosting parties and having a feast when friends and relatives visit is the norm in my country of origin. When I came to Canada, I was shocked to discover that some Canadians are uncomfortable with my gift for entertaining. It wasn’t a welcome idea for some people. Some feel obliged to give back what I generously share with them. No matter how much I explain that I am not expecting anything back, I pose a threat to some. I remember one of my friends mentioned that she can’t compete with my hosting skills. I felt sad knowing that she was a believer and can’t accept my gift of hospitality. We are encouraged in the bible to receive it.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me wisdom to respect those who cannot accept my hospitality.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we are encouraged to receive hospitality?
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 BE ON THIS HOUSE Poem Devotional

June 9________________________________________
Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, “May God’s peace be on this house.”
– Luke 10:5(NLT)
PEACE BE ON THIS HOUSE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you enter someone’s home
Do you bless it as you enter the main door?
When you share the peace to someone’s dwelling
You will also get a share of God’s blessings.
Declare God’s peace on the house and their owners
Using the word of God will breathe life to believers
Make it a habit to share the fruits of the Spirit
Because it will definitely please the Holy Spirit.
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One of the most important fruit of the Holy Spirit is “peace.” This is probably why we are encouraged in the bible to pursue it at all cost. Psalm 34:14 says that we have to turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. James 3:18 discusses the reward of sowing peace which is righteousness.
There were many years of my life that “peace” was a novelty. Because of the many strongholds and generational sins that was passed on to me, I didn’t have any clue how to pursue it. I thought it was something that happens when you have all you want. What a twisted way of thinking I had then.
One of the things that God wants us to do is to bless a person’s home when we enter their dwelling places.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember to bless others with peace when I enter their homes.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it is important to bestow blessings of peace in a home?
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 THEM BE! Poem Devotional

June 8________________________________________
Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you. – Luke 9:50 (NLT)
LET THEM BE!
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone is not against the Lord Jesus Christ
Let them be! They will not hinder his glorious light
Even if they are unbelievers, they are still loved by him
God is in control and sometimes, he permits sin
Whatever their motives are when they teach
Give them the benefit to be able to preach
If they are not against the truth that comes from the word
God can always use anything to shine light to this world.
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When the disciples where being commissioned to spread the Good News, they were given specific instructions what to do. They were told by Jesus not to bring anything on their journey and to accept hospitality of those who welcomes them. The Lord also told them to shake the dust of their feet when they are not welcomed and move on. He also reminded them to respect children for when they do, they are also respecting him. As they were going through their ministry, there were another group of people preaching to others and some disciples came and reported to Jesus that they were also spreading what they were teaching. They became very clannish and was soliciting approval from the Lord to stop such people. Jesus told them to let them be since they were not against them.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be accepting of other believers who are different from me.
REFLECTION
How do you know when someone is against the truth and 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

SHAKE THE DUST OFF Poem Devotional

June 6________________________________________
And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate. – Luke 9:5(NLT)
SHAKE THE DUST OFF
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are preaching the good news
Don’t force it on others or you will be rebuked
When people turn their backs on Jesus Christ
Shake the dust off your feet, go on with your life.
If some people welcomes you, stay with them
No use to remain there when they reject or blame
Move on to your next assignment and don’t look back
There are others who will receive it and not be taken aback
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There are some believers who try to force the message of Christ to others by being preachy or legalistic. This doesn’t really help because they more the unbelievers become repulsed by such attitude. Jesus never pushed his teachings to anyone who won’t want to hear it. He gave us a choice to take it or leave it.
Jesus instructed the disciples to travel light as they preached the good news to the ends of the earth. He warned them not to be discouraged when people refuses to welcome them. He told them to shake the dust off their feet as they leave as a sign that they have abandoned their faith. He wanted them to press on and not be bothered by such hostilities.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to learn to shake the dust off my feet when others turn their backs on you.
REFLECTION
How can one accept rejection?
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