TONGUE OF THE WISE Poem Devotional

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July 23
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The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. – Proverbs 15:2(NLT)
TONGUE OF THE WISE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you use your tongue to speak the truth?
Have you allowed God’s word to take root?
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing
The mouth of a fool belches out many forms of lying.
Use your mouth only to utter only what will encourage
To dwell on the negative will make others discouraged
The wise will make your life better and not bitter
The fool will find a way to always criticize and belittle.
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Have you ever been with an emotional vampire? They are those who suck out the energy off you. They drain your positive outlook and progress. They usually focus on the negative and find fault and someone to blame. They do not take responsibility for any mistake or fault they have. Instead, they project all their weaknesses on others because they are not brave enough to admit their imperfections. I have had relationships with a few emotional vampires and it was really tiring to be around these people. No matter how optimistic you are, they will find a way to dampen it. I used to be affected by these kind of people, but when I learned to set boundaries on them, I learned not to engage in their foolishness. The wise always encourages.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from negative people.
REFLECTION
Why must we avoid critical and pessimistic 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

MANIFESTATION OF WISDOM poem devotional

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July 22
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Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
-Proverbs 14:33(NLT)
MANIFESTATION OF WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where there is understanding, there you will find wisdom
Where there is truth and fear of the Lord, you’ll find freedom
Revering the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
It brings about a heart that is enshrined in courage.
Wisdom comes from believing in the Lord Jesus Christ
He brings us guidance and leads us to good insights
Fools do not have this kind of thoughts, they cannot discern
They are blind to truth and have no use for care or concern.
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There are many people today that do not have wisdom. They go through life without guidance. They coast along and follow the world’s standards. As a result, they live difficult lives and get hurt or inflict pain on others. I used to live a foolish life because I followed my own will. I was blinded by what the world offered and didn’t realize that it led me to a troubled and sinful life. I relied on my own understanding and thought I was intelligent enough to go through life successfully. I was wrong. When I became a born again Christian and started pursuing God’s word and his will, I realized how blind and foolish I had been. Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart which can only come from knowing God and his truth.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for this truth that sets me free.
REFLECTION
Why do you think the bible emphasizes much on wisdom?
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

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT Poem Devotional

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July 21
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Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about their foolishness
– Proverbs 13:16(NLT)
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are sensible, you will think before you act
Thoughtlessness is dangerous and is very unwise
Wise people think before acting and making decisions
Fools don’t think, they live in their own delusions.
When you don’t think before you act, you make mistakes
It puts you in trouble and sometimes lead to high stakes
It is prudent to calculate your actions and their consequences
Fools don’t ruminate, they even brag about their foolishness.
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I once lived with someone who only acts on impulse. He never liked to plan. It was very hard to be with him because everything has to be spontaneous. I think that it is great to have spontaneity, but I also know that planning is one of the marks of a good leader and manager. I used to be a stickler for planning, but my creative side balanced this obsession to micro-manage everything. I learned to plan and not be upset when what I originally thought of do not happen exactly as I visualized. I found out that it is good to think in a box but also good to have an open mind to think out of the box. The bible tells us that wise people think before they act while fools don’t and even flaunt their foolishness.
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PRAYER
Lord, guide me to be prudent always.
REFLECTION
How can thoughtlessness bring about chaos?
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 GOD AND WICKED poem devotional

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July 20
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The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the life of the wicked will be snuffed out.
– Proverbs 13:9(NLT)
THE GODLY AND WICKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are righteous and godly will be blessed
They will be full of light as they struggle and encounter tests
The life of the godly is full of joy and peace amidst trials
They don’t argue with God or go through a series of denials.
Those who are wicked will find it harder to progress
They are full of evil and will not even confess
The life of the wicked will be snuffed out
They will not have the wisdom or even freedom.
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When I became born again, I learned to discern evil ways and wicked people. God gave me bionic eyes to see through the facades that people wear. I don’t judge people’s motives but I watch their actions and attitude. The bible tells us that we will know a believer by the fruit in their lives. If their lives jive with God’s truth, then, you will easily see the manifestations of the Spirit’s fruits. They will be kind, gentle, joyful, patient, loving, good, faithful, peaceful and have self-control. They may not possess all of the gifts at one time, but you will see how they press on to obey God’s will. The godly is full of light while the wicked will be full of darkness.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me a way out when I am amidst evil.
REFLECTION
Why should we avoid participating in the evil that others do?
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

TRULY HEALED, TRULY SAVED Poem Devotional

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July 17
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O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed. If you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone. – Jeremiah 17:14(NLT)
TRULY HEALED, TRULY SAVED
A poem and essay by ILMA
How do you get healing during an ailment?
It is when you ask God in all your predicaments
The moment you believe in the power of Jesus
He will rescue you from all of your diseases.
Don’t ever forget that you can always run to Him
He truly heals you of all your illnesses and sin
You must believe him totally so you can receive
You will be truly saved, delivered and healed.
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It was many decades of my life that I suffered from emotional and physical turmoil. Although on the outside, I looked normal, I was terribly dying inside. The traumas I experienced affected my mind and body. I had many kinds of illnesses that sometimes weren’t really easy to identify. I didn’t realize that they were all tied up to my bitterness and un-forgiveness. Until I became a born again and went to see a Christian counselor, I didn’t know that the ungodly soul ties and generational sins were lurking in my whole life. I have been healed already since Christ died for me but I didn’t t receive it because I didn’t let go of my old self. He truly heals and saves when you accept it.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for healing and saving me.
REFLECTION
How can healing and salvation emerge in 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

COMPLETE WHEN UNITED IN CHRIST Poem Devotional

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July 15
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So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every
ruler and authority. -Colossians 2:10 (NLT)
COMPLETE WHEN UNITED IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you become a believer of Jesus, you are complete
You have nothing to worry about or even want to compete
Your union with Christ concludes your purpose in life
It brings much peace, joy and gives you insights.
Christ is the head over every ruler and authority
If you trust him, you will be given stability
Never turn your back on the one true God
You will be empty and always have a lack.
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I lived many years of my life thinking that I was fulfilled by my career and roles in life. I took pride in being a self-made woman. I denied the emptiness I felt all those years that I proclaimed I was good at many things. It didn’t dawn on me that it wasn’t me but the presence of Jesus that can complete me. No wonder I was still anxious and empty inside. God released me from the thought that I was self-made. He made me and I took credit for all of it, leaving him out of the picture. When I became born again, he released me from this stronghold and gave me humility to admit that I will be nothing without him. I also learned to submit to his authority.
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PRAYER
Lord, give us an obedient and humble heart.
REFLECTION
What happens when you turn away from 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 CURSES Poem Devotional

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July 11
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Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. -Proverbs 26:2 (NLT)
ON CURSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
An undeserved curse is like a fluttering sparrow
It won’t land its intended victim or bring sorrow
By believing in Jesus, curses have no bearing on you
They will bounce back to those who want to hurt you.
Believers will receive all kinds of provisions and blessings
They will be delivered from people who are scheming
Curses will be broken and Christ’s followers will prosper
They will find favor from God for being trusting and faithful.
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A curse is defined as a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. The first curse we learn about is in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because they ate from the forbidden tree, God pronounced judgment on the serpent who will crawl on his belly and will have to eat dust as long as it lives. The woman was cursed with pain in giving birth and will have the desire to control her man yet will be subject to him. The man was cursed with working hard and sweating to make soil produce anything to eat and survive. The curse was tied up with sin. When Christ died for us, he broke all these curses to those who will believe him.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for protecting me from the curses made against me.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the antidote to curses?
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 BEING LAZY Poem Devotional

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July 8
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Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth.
-Proverbs 26:15(NLT)
ON BEING LAZY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you choose not to do anything
You will most likely miss your blessings
Lazy people do not take time to work
They are used to being without effort.
Sluggishness brings poverty
Diligence makes a person wealthy
Those who are lazy thinks they’re entitled
They’ll drag you to their lives that are very limited.
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If you talk to a successful and wealthy person, you will probably hear their testimony that surely includes hard work and diligence. I saw a video of a motivational speaker that most successful people wake up early, exercise and dream big. They have a vision and focus on realizing these dreams. They didn’t get where they are now by being lazy. They exert effort to make their dreams come true. I was asked by someone lately how I am able to be so prolific in painting, photography and writing. I showed him my vision board. I told him that without a vision, you won’t know where you are going. The biggest part of my bounty in terms of gifts is because I make it part of my daily life. Practice makes perfect. Even during the days that I don’t feel like painting or writing, I still choose to do it, then it becomes second nature and effortless. Discipline is battling laziness.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me choices to do what’s good for me.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the source of laziness?
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 DEALING WITH FOOLS AND ARGUMENTS

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July 6
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Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish argument of fools or they will become wise in their own eyes.
-Proverbs 26:4- 5(NLT)
ON DEALING WITH FOOLS AND ARGUMENTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t answer senseless arguments of fools
It is one of the enemy’s tactics and tools
He wants you to engage in foolishness
It will surely derail you from righteousness.
Learn to confront fools with truth from God’s word
If you do, they won’t be able to drag you into this world
They’ll think highly of themselves if you don’t expose them
They will create more havoc if you don’t rebuke them.
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According to a commentary by Paul Koptak on the NIV application, these two contradictory verses are actually a form of parallelism where one idea builds upon another. Verse 4 warns against arguing with a fool on his own terms or we stoop to his level and become as foolish as he is. Verse 5, on the other hand, tells us that there are times when a fool has to be addressed so that his foolishness will not go unchallenged. This way, we are exposing his foolishness so he will see his folly. He may despise and reject the wisdom, but for truth’s sake and for those who are listening, we need to bring it out in the open. so they may see the difference between wisdom and folly and be instructed.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from foolishness.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with fools?
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 STOPPING GOSSIPS Poem Devotional

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July 4
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Fire goes out without wood and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
– Proverbs 26:20 (NLT)
ON STOPPING GOSSIPS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we talk about others who are not around
It is easy speak on and on and and go out of bound
Just like fire goes without wood, we don’t need to chatter
Don’t discuss things that are ungodly or evil matters.
Speak only what is true, honorable, pure and encouraging
Do not share ungodly or toxic thoughts; they are damaging
Find time to pray for those who spread rumors and engage in babbles
The Lord will shut their mouths so they can’t bring more troubles.
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I grew up surrounded with extended family talking about those who are not around to hear it. I don’t think they realize the harm that they are causing when they criticize or make fun of those who are not there to defend themselves or concoct lies to kill the character of others. This sin is one of those that God freed me from when I became a born again Christian. It was a stronghold in our family. It is like a normal thing to talk and criticize someone who isn’t around. I used to wonder why the adults around me never get to tell the person themselves what they talk about to others. The bible says that when we stop gossips, quarrel stops. It fuels conflicts.
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PRAYER
Lord, please help me never to engage or listen to gossip.
REFLECTION
What are the dangers of gossip?
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