Tag Archives: Christian poem

TRUE WORSHIP Poem Devotional

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April 26________________________________________
Her sister, Mary, sat the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. -Luke 10:39-40(NLT)
TRUE WORSHIP
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your heart and mind today?
Do you have peace and joy each day?
Do you listen to Jesus when he teaches you?
Are you allowing your heart and mind to be renewed?
What distracts you from true worship and praise?
Is it your busy-ness that keeps you from being amazed?
True worship is quietly listening to what he is teaching
It is hearing what he is convicting you with and obeying it.
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The two sisters, Martha and Mary are examples of how true worship should be according to Christ. In Luke 10, we are given a picture of the differences of how people worship. Strong’s Hebrew definition of worship is “sagad” which means to bow down or fall down. In both Hebrew and Greek, there are two categories of words for worship. The first is about body language that demonstrates respect and submission; to bow down, to kneel, to prostrate oneself. The second is about doing something for God that demonstrates sacrifice and obedience; to offer, to serve. Martha was worshiping God with her service. She was very distracted by what is really more important which is what Mary did, to sit on Jesus’ feet and listening to his teachings. Worship is about focusing on Jesus, not on our works.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from distractions that s top me from losing out on your teachings.
REFLECTION
How do you worship?
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 UNDERSTANDING TRUTH

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April 25________________________________________
Help me to understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. – Psalm 119:27(NLT)
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Help me to understand the meaning of your word, Lord
Give me time to meditate on it to overcome this world
May your wisdom penetrate all human reasoning
May you give us discernment to have your understanding
May your truth pierce our hearts so we can be free
May we obey your commands so we will be able to see
May all our faculties seek you first in everything we do
May we remember to praise you and always seek the truth.
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So many confusing teachings have penetrated people’s thinking. The enemy does everything to keep us from knowing the truth. He distracts us either subtly or outright. How do we protect ourselves from such dangerous tactics? It took me a long time to finally seek the truth. I had a long journey because I believed so many lies perpetuated by the enemy. It kept me over four decades in captivity. Satan stole many years of understanding. How he did it was so clever. He gave me half-truths and prevented me from really knowing the real truth by many distractions.
The bible tells us to ask God for help so we can understand the meaning of his commands and meditate o his wonderful deeds.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me focused on your truth.
REFLECTION
What are some of the half-truths that you were delivered from by God’s word?
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

A STRAIGHT AND SAFE PATH Poem Devotional

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April 24________________________________________
Mark out a straight path for your feet: stay on the safe path. Don’t get side tracked. Keep your feet from following evil. – Proverbs 4:26-27(NLT)
A STRAIGHT AND SAFE PATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you choose the crooked path to life
You begin to divert and lose God’s light
Mark out a straight path for your feet
Stay with Jesus and you’ll be far from defeat.
Don’t get side tracked, keep away from evil
When you abide in Christ, it angers the devil
Fix your eyes on Jesus and you will be brave
Keep a pure heart and God will make you safe.
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Have you ever planned to go somewhere ahead of time? When going on a camping or a vacation, I usually plan ahead on the easiest route to take. With technology advancement, google maps and other navigation devices have made people’s travel easier. They may not always be foolproof but they can guide you to your destination. It is beneficial if you know the place you are going to rather than just relying on these devices’ direction. When we depend on these navigation technologies too much, it can divert us from relying on the Lord’s leading. Sometimes the world will tell us to choose a certain path that draws us away from what God is teaching us. Fixing your eyes Jesus will bring you to the straight and safe path to him.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me safe in your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is total surrender to God the best way we can stay on track towards heaven?
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

FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS

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April 23________________________________________
Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies ahead before you. – Proverbs 4:25(NLT)
FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is going on in your life these days?
Do they align with God’s commands and his ways?
Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on Jesus
Have a relationship with him and break being religious.
The Lord has great plans to prosper your life
Look straight on what lies ahead and stay in his light
Don’t allow delays and distractions to keep you going
These are the devil’s tactics to stop you from progressing.
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In Matthew 14:22-36, we are told of the story of Jesus walking on the water and Peter wanting to come to him and be able to do so too. In verse 27 Jesus tells Peter not to be afraid because he was there. Peter, being bold, asked Jesus to let him walk on the water and he was told to come and join him. He was already walking on the water until he got distracted by the strong winds and the waves. He began to sink because he didn’t fix his gaze on Jesus. He took of his eyes of him and looked around him. Just like Peter, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus so we can see what is ahead of us. We need not be distracted by our past and what is around us.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me keep my eyes fixed on you always.
REFLECTION
What distracts you from making Jesus your priority?
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 REWARD OF FINISHING Poem Devotional

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THE REWARD OF FINISHING
April 22________________________________________
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. -Ecclesiastes 7:8(NLT)
THE REWARD OF FINISHING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you bring a concept to reality, you are beginning something
It takes courage and inspiration to present your ideas into being
You will need diligence and perseverance to continue working
It may present some challenges and bumps but keep on grinding.
Bringing the plan into reality and finishing it will reap rewards
It will teach you patience and endurance like you never had
Finishing is better than starting and patience is better than pride
Let the Lord be in all your endeavors and never put him aside.
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How many people start a project or something and never really finished it? I began my visual arts career as a painter and photographer over two decades ago. Without any formal training in Fine Arts, I was able to sell over 400 works in my lifetime up to this day. Some masters of Arts like Van Gogh passed away without seeing the rewards of their hard work. If he could only see how much value people have put in his paintings, then he would have been fulfilled as a painter. I thank the Lord that he has blessed me with a prolific art career. The secret ingredient in my art prowess is to paint daily to exercise and to finish what I started each time.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me each time the enemy steals my time and ideas to hinder my progress.
REFLECTION
What stops you from starting or finishing a work?
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

GIVE JESUS YOUR HEART Poem Devotional

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April 21________________________________________
O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
-Proverbs 23:26(NLT)
GIVE JESUS YOUR HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
How many times have your heart been broken by someone?
Have you become callous as a result of being hurt by anyone?
Have you been discouraged by evil that is in this world?
Trust Jesus for he will cleanse you with his word.
Give your heart to Jesus and he will make you pure again
Seek his help and your prayers will not be in vain
Surrender yourself to the one who gave you life
He will transform you if you stay in his light.
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For many years, my heart was hardened because of the many painful experiences that I underwent. I wallowed in self-pity and lived in the city of regret. I complained about what I don’t have and compared myself with others. As a result, I became a very bitter and critical person. I didn’t realize that it was poisoning my whole being. My mind kept on thinking about all the painful events. It didn’t take long before the detrimental effects if such stinking thinking manifested in my life. I became very proud and relied heavily on myself. Independence and self-sufficiency became my coping mechanism. It completely closed my heart to reach out to God. When I gave my heart to Jesus, he changed it and made me hungry for him.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that desires you always.
REFLECTION
What do you think makes a person’s heart hardened?
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 RESCUER Poem Devotional

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April 20________________________________________
Then call on me when you are in trouble and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.
-Psalm 50:15(NLT)
THE RESCUER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there something that troubles you today?
Are you so discouraged by what people say?
Does grief or pain overcome your whole being?
Run to the rescuer and he will bring you healing.
Summon Jesus when you are in distress and very weak
He promises to deliver you from any situation, just speak
Call the name above all names and he will come to you
He will give you strength, courage and change your view.
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According to an article written by Kara Pendleton on how long on average it takes for a police to respond to a 911 call, as of 2013, the reported national average for police response was 11 minutes. Not many cities ‘advertise’ their response times. Of those that have numbers that have gone public, the most recent data shows that emergency calls dispatched through 911 are not generating the quick response times the public would like. According to the latest Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) data (2008), police response times when violent crimes were called in ranged from under 5 minutes to longer than one day. Can you imagine how much life was at risk when there is no response right away?
The bible asks us to call on Jesus and he will instantly rescue you.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always call on you when I am in trouble.
REFLECTION
What happens when we don’t call on God during trouble or difficulties?
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

AGREEING WITH THE LORD Poem Devotional

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April 19________________________________________
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)
AGREEING WITH THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know what God has planned for your life?
Are your plans contrary to his or do you live in his light?
If you totally agree with the Lord, there is much anointing
If you make alliances not directed by him, you’ll lose his blessings.
Agreeing with the Lord in everything you do will bring you success
If you defy his plans, you will not make any progress
Be sure to consult and make your plans according to his will
It will definitely bring you closer to him and farther from sin.
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I once lived with someone who was a high conflict person. He always contradicts anyone automatically, almost like a reflex. After a while, I couldn’t understand why I was always drained. He sucks the energy out of me. The more I respond, the bigger his reaction. When I realized that he will not stop, I learned to disengage and just be quiet. I started agreeing with him even though I don’t think he is right. The conflicts stopped and I had peace.
Agreeing with someone close to you is very important in a relationship. Discord and arguments destroy relationships and people. Living out of God’s plan is rebellion and leads to sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to live in your will always.
REFLECTION
What happens when you contradict God’s plans for you?
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

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO BELIEVERS Poem Devotional

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April 18________________________________________
I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly. -Jeremiah 24:7(NLT)
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO BELIEVERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know how much God loves you?
Have you personally been changed and renewed?
God is faithful to all those who believe and give him laud
He will give them wisdom to recognize him as Lord
He will claim believers as his own people and will bless them
He will restore each one who believes in the one he has sent
He promises salvation to all who return to him wholeheartedly
They will experience countless favors, victory, power and authority.
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Wouldn’t you want a life of peace, joy and victory? What else is preventing you from surrendering your life to God? For many years, I lived dwelling in pain. I tried to compensate the hurt with over-achievements. As a result, I became focused on patting my back for a job well done which turned into idolatry. I idolized my abilities and used it to cover up the emptiness of being devalued and loved. It prevented me from recognizing the Lord as the source of all my gifts. It muted God’s voice in my heart. When I returned and re-committed to him wholeheartedly, he transformed me and gave me a new life.
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PRAYER
Lord, remove anything that would mute your voice in my life or distract me from praising you.
REFLECTION
Why is it necessary to give our whole life 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

GIVE UP YOUR HEART OF STONE Poem Devotional

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April 17________________________________________
I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. -Ezekiel 36:26(NLT)
GIVE UP YOUR HEART OF STONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been garnering doubts and resentments?
Is stubbornness preventing you from making commitments?
Has your progress been hampered by un-forgiveness?
Accept Christ and you’ll experience peace and happiness.
Give up your heart of stone, let Jesus replace it with tenderness
Allow him to give you a new heart that is full of meekness
He promised that he will live in your heart if you believe
If you commit to Jesus, you will learn to give and to forgive.
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There were many decades of my life consumed by hurts and pains. I didn’t even realize that I had a hardened heart. It became a coping mechanism to cover up the pain through performance and proving to everyone that I had worth. I believed in the lies that I wasn’t good enough for anyone to love. It went on for so long because I opened the door for the enemy to use the painful experiences to keep me from growing spiritually. When I became a born-again Christian, God gave changed my stony, stubborn heart to a compassionate, generous, tender and forgiving heart. What a transformation! He gave me a new heart, new friends and new life.
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PRAYER
May all persons who cling to their hardened hearts experience your love.
REFLECTION
Why is it essential for a Christian to receive healing from hardened 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