ON PRESERVING GOD’S TEACHING Poem Devotional

Posted on September 12, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 12
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Preserve the teaching of God; entrust his instructions to those who follow me.
-Isaiah 8:16(NLT)
ON PRESERVING GOD’S TEACHING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek the word of God each day?
Does the truth bring you to your knees to pray?
We are to preserve God’s teaching
He wants us to live it and keep on following.
Those who heed all of the Lord’s instructions
They will find favor and overcome temptations
Seek and be faithful to follow God’s word
You will find wisdom navigating this world.
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Why must we preserve the teaching of God? Because the word of God is alive. It is not just ordinary words. 2 Timothy 3:16 says Scripture is God-breathed and inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
What happens when we do not seek the word? We clearly do not preserve and spread it when we don’t even know the truth that will set us free. The enemy wants to ensure that we won’t pursue God’s teaching. He steals the word so that we won’t maintain a relationship with God. Satan hates relationships, so he destroys it. When we keep the truth alive, we are preserving God’s teaching.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to pursue your truth.
REFLECTION
In your own little way, how can you preserve God’s teaching?
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 ONE YOU MUST FEAR Poem Devotional

Posted on September 11, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 11
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Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe. – Isaiah 8:13-14(NLT)
THE ONE YOU MUST FEAR
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you become a believer of Christ
No one else can threaten your life
He is there to protect and guide you
Don’t fear anything that is untrue.
You must never fear the lies of the enemy
Fear only the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
He is the only one you must please and revere
When you do, you will overcome all other fears.
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So many people live in fear. It literally robs them of joy and peace. I lived over four decades fearing so many things. Fear of rejection and abandonment were top of my list. The bible says that as a man thinks, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). So, the more you think of what you are afraid of, the more these fears will manifest in your life. It was so guarded and protecting myself with so much effort and didn’t realize at that time that I didn’t have peace and joy. I was so hard on myself and others because I was afraid to be rejected and forsaken.
We must only fear one person, the Lord. It is a godly fear because it protects us from doing anything that will displease him.
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PRAYER
Thank you for giving me a godly fear.
REFLECTION
Why is revering the Lord and loving him above all else important in a Christian’s 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

PRAYER FOR GOD’S PEOPLE Poem Devotional

Posted on September 10, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 9
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Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard in until now. -Philippians 1:3-5(NLT)
PRAYER FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
I am so grateful that you have blessed me Lord!
I feel great when other followers spread your word
I am filled with joy that they are my partners
Thank you for granting us a chance to encourage each other.
I pray that you shower us with strength and persistence
I am glad that you allow us to grow our wisdom and patience
May we always choose to tread that narrow path to your kingdom
May you continue to keep us safe and to continually enjoy freedom.
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It is amazing how the Lord brings people in our lives to encourage us and to grow our faith. When I became born again, the Lord changed all of my friends. He discarded those who weren’t going to bring me closer to him. Each day, I thank the Lord for allowing me to grow spiritually and being given opportunities to minister to those who are hurting and neglected and especially those who do not know him. I am praying for all those who are my partners in spreading the Good News.
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PRAYER
Thank you for letting me freely tell others about you Lord.
REFLECTION
Why is it important for us to pray for God’s people?
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 SOURCE OF ALL EVIL Poem Devotional

Posted on September 8, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 8
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For from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying and slander. – Matthew 15:19(NLT)
THE SOURCE OF ALL EVIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know the source of all wickedness?
Inside our hearts, we make decisions and choices
It is from it that we sort, analyze and scheme
If we are not careful, we will be tempted to sin.
Doesn’t a desire for coveting start from it?
Lust comes from the yearnings of our own spirits
Surrender your hearts to the Lord so he can change you
Guard it to be free from deceit and live a life that’s pure.
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Many people love to pinpoint evil at someone or something that happened outside of themselves. We sometimes get into the blame game and not take responsibility for our own choices. These denials open the door for the enemy to inject all sorts of evil in our minds first, then let it reside in our hearts. Before we know it, we have already committed a sin. The bible says that the source of all evil is not from outside of us, but it is from within us. It is caused by our own hearts. When we desire or long for something we don’t have, it traps us and keep us in bondage to that craving. When we entertain the fulfillment of a want in our lives, we allow evil to dominate our hearts.
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PRAYER
Lord, please guard me from thoughts of evil.
REFLECTION
How can we take ownership to our thoughts and motives so God can change our heart?
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

WHEN EYES AND MINDS ARE SHUT Poem Devotional

Posted on September 7, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 6
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Their eyes are closed and they cannot see. Their minds are shut and they cannot think.
-Isaiah 44:18(NLT)
WHEN EYES AND MINDS ARE SHUT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone’s eyes are closed to the truth
They won’t be able to get deep into the roots
Their minds have been shut and cannot think
They can’t discern so they easily sink.
Their minds have been blinded by the enemy
Without running to God, they won’t have victory
Watch and guard your heart and mind
It will transform you and keep you from being blind.
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During those years that I turned my back on God, I was doing all kinds of foolish things. I attracted people whose eyes were close and minds were shut to the truth. So, you could probably imagine what kind of life I lived at those stage of my life. Yes…I wallowed in sin because I was patching the pain with dependency. I wasn’t a drug addict but I was a love addict. I pursued love with a passion, not knowing that this is not the kind of love that will set me free from bondage. I was totally blind to the thing that would set me free: God’s love. My mind was shut from understanding the unconditional love that God has already granted me through the sacrifice of Jesus’ life. I thank God he freed me from this oppression. Now I am free.
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PRAYER
Lord, free me from not seeing or knowing your truth.
REFLECTION
What were you freed from when you believed in 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

ON THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS Poem Devotional

Posted on September 5, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 5
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I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person.
-Revelation 2:23(NLT)
ON THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Can someone really know what you’re thinking?
The Lord can, he is all-powerful and all-knowing
No one knows you better than he does
Even your own self, you cannot trust.
Do not assume you know other people’s intentions
Or you will open up doors for more temptations
Leave the searching to the one true God
You won’t be able to do it; it is really hard.
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When I was a stage actress, I studied the character I am portraying to the minutest detail. I had to understand why I say things and act the way I do or I won’t give justice to my character. The whole production staff brainstorm the entire play. Production usually runs for three to four months of daily rehearsals. We have to study the character even on and off the production sessions. During the pre-prod, we discuss the totality of the story; it’s ups and downs. With the director’s expertise, we are led to look at the idiosyncrasies of the role we play and how he or she is part of the whole story. We cannot make up or add our own thoughts or we won’t give justice to the character as written by the playwright.
The bible says that only God can search our hearts and minds. He alone knows.
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PRAYER
Lord, forgive me when I try to search other people’s thoughts and intentions.
REFLECTION
How can we search our own thoughts and intentions?
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

WORK IS VANITY Poem Devotional

Posted on September 3, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 3
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Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard but all in vain. – Habakkuk 2:13(NLT)
WORK IS VANITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you work to gain wealth
It isn’t beneficial for your spiritual health
It is working in vain when you do it for your gain
It is a form of idolatry instead of giving God praise.
To work for your own advantage isn’t really a treasure
It compromises your growth when you seek pleasure
To work so hard for self-seeking reason is vanity
To serve the Lord and others benefits humanity.
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Our world today focuses much on performance. Each person’s value is proven by how hard they work and how much wealth they have incurred. Here in North America, people marginalize those who don’t work or those who earn money. You become worthless in the world’s standard if you don’t contribute to the country’s wealth gains. When I moved to Canada, it was difficult to continue my teaching and art careers. I was looked down by others because I didn’t earn much income as I did back in the Philippines.
The bible says that the Lord looks down on those who pursue wealth for personal gains. He said that wealth of nations will turn to ashes and the work they put on such worldly pursuits are all vain.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on depending on you instead of proving my worth through work.
REFLECTION
Why do you think the bible says that work can be a form of vanity?
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

FAITH IS THE GAUGE Poem Devotional

Posted on September 2, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 2
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Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. – Romans 12:3(NLT)
FAITH IS THE GAUGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you think that you are better than you really are
You are using the wrong gauge to measure so think hard
Faith is the gauge so be honest in you own evaluation
It is not intelligence nor performance that lead to salvation.
The Lord is only concerned with how much you believe
He also wants you to stop performing but to receive
He has granted you mercy and grace through Christ
Grow your faith so you will partake in his eternal life.
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Our world generates a performance based life. We are always concerned whether we measure up to the expectations placed to us by society, our loved ones, our employers, the school, and many more. We live our lives driven by performance. We beat our own record by achieving more and better than we had already done. We like to think that we live up to the standards set by important people that we look up to. We forget that God loves us for who we are. We need not prove anything to him because we are all his prized possession. The bible tells us that faith should be the gauge to measure how good we really are.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me persistent faith that will never give up.
REFLECTION
How can we give up our performance oriented thinking to a faith based one?
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

KNOWING GOD’S WILL Poem Devotional

Posted on September 2, 2017 by ilmaarts

September 1
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Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.
-Romans 12:2(NLT)
KNOWING GOD’S WILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any clue what God’s plan is for you?
If you are hungry for him, you will seek his truth
You need to constantly relate and bond with him
He will transform your ways and change how you think
Then you’ll learn to know God’s will which is pleasing
You will discern what is good and you’ll avoid sinning
His voice will be clear if you stay tuned to his word
Then you will heed his plans and overcome this world.
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Many people including some Christians have no clue what God’s will is for their lives. There were many years of my Christian life that I didn’t know his plans for me either. I was too busy living according to the world’s standards and ways that I missed out on hearing his voice. How can I hear it when I stuffed my mind with so many toxic things and was too focused on myself? How can I feel his presence when I didn¬¬¬’t even have time to be quiet and relax or focus on him? How will I know his plans when I never consulted him for anything? The bible says that if you allow him to transform your thinking, you will learn his will.
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PRAYER
Lord, teach me to consult you for everything.
REFLECTION
How can you let God transform your thinking?
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

WHEN THERE IS DIVISION Poem Devotional

Posted on August 31, 2017 by ilmaarts

August 31
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If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth and their own sins condemn them. -Titus 3:10-11(NLT)
WHEN THERE IS DIVISION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is division among the body of Christ
It needs to be addressed or it will lead to more fights
The person causing division have turned away from truth
Someone needs to warn them and get to its root.
When someone creates division amongst others
They are stirring up their sisters and brothers
Turn away from them when they continue to divide
Have nothing more to do with people who don’t abide.
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I have experienced a few sisters in Christ who creates division in our church. It is sad to watch that those who are the leaders are the ones who stir up troubles. No wonder we are not able to receive a revival in our church. It is a discouraging thing to watch especially when the act is so subtly done. The newly committed Christians will probably miss what’s going on, but to those who are spiritually mature, it won’t be unnoticed. I did gently confront them but they pretended it didn’t happen. As this verse say, have nothing more to do with them after you have warned them. These people have already stayed away from truth.
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PRAYER
Lord, stir the hearts of those who creates division especially in your church.
REFLECTION
Why should we gently confront people who divide?
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

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