RIGHTEOUS THROUGH FAITH Poem Devotional

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October 23
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Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but not have been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. – Romans 4:11(NLT)
RIGHTEOUS THROUGH FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling with doing the right thing?
We are counted as righteous if we keep on believing
The Lord wants all glory given to his own Son
He sacrificed his life so we can all be one.
Abraham is our spiritual father because of his faith
When we allow God’s presence, we change our fate
You are considered holy if you believe in Jesus
He loves you much and you are very precious.
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There are many misconceptions about being righteous. I grew up being taught to work hard to be good and avoid doing evil. The teachings that I learned were focused on performing so that God will love me more or save me. I thought that I needed to do stuff so God will approve me. I didn’t know that I had already so much value as far as God was concerned. He loved me the way I am because he made who I am. No one told me that I only need to believe in Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross and I’ll be saved. The bible says that we are counted righteous because of our faith, just as Abraham who is our spiritual father was.
PRAYER
Thank you for the gift of your son Jesus.
REFLECTION
Why do you think faith is what makes us righteous?

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 FRUIT OF PATIENCE Poem Devotional

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October 22
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I will certainly bless you and I will multiply your descendants beyond number. Then Abraham waited patiently and he received what God has promised.
– Hebrews 6:14-15(NLT)
THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there anything that you have been waiting for?
Continue to be patient and rely on the Lord
He will certainly bless you and multiply what you sow
He wants you to live joyfully and have fruits grow.
Abraham waited patiently and he received
Be hopeful and enjoy life so you won’t be deceived
The fruit of patience is your dream’s realization
Because of faith, Abraham became father of all nations.
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Patience in Hebrew is qawah, which means “to wait” or “to expect”. Parents have this joyful expectancy to see the fruit of their love come to life, their offspring. I will never forget that experience when I gave birth. I can’t stop watching my baby and figuring out how he lived inside of me and then become a person when he came out of my womb. I loved that verse from the bible that says that God intricately woven me in my mother’s womb. Before I gave birth, I experienced a lot of discomfort and pain but it was all worth it when I met my baby.
God promises to multiply our resources and blessings if we wait patiently and endure. He wants us to continue believing even through suffering.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for allowing me to suffer so I can expect your fruits.
REFLECTION
Why do you think patience is a very valuable trait a Christian can possess?
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

ROAD TO FULFILLED DREAMS Poem Devotional

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October 21
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Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.
– Psalm 105:19(NLT)
ROAD TO FULFILLED DREAMS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you going through tests and trials in your life?
Do you have things that are not going right?
Sometimes we experience tests to build character
It brings out the best when we are tried by our Maker
Do not stop until you get right to your dream
It pays to be patient rather than being grim
Don’t be afraid of suffering for it makes you strong
It will make your dreams come true not for very long.
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The story of Joseph in Genesis 37 is a good testimony about how the Lord tested Joseph’s character. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the son’s of his father’s wives. Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day, Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph, a beautiful robe. He dreamed about bundles of grain that bowed low before his. Another dream was that the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed low before him. When he told his brothers, the more they hated him and they plotted to kill him. Joseph was sold as a slave to the Egyptians, but later made ruler of Egypt. A dream fulfilled.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never give up when I am faced with trials?
REFLECTION
How can character be built out of suffering and trials?
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

MAKING CERTAIN DREAMS COME TRUE Poem Devotional

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October 20
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Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. – Hebrews 6:12(NLT)
MAKING CERTAIN DREAMS COME TRUE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are the dreams that you’ve hope for?
Do they make you closer to God and faithful?
For wishes to be come true, keep on believing
To realize them, you also need to keep on loving.
Walk in love for as long as life lasts
It is the secret to fulfilling dreams fast
Living a life full of love makes anything possible
Satisfying selfish pleasures make it improbable.
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What dreams have come true for you already? What other wishes have not come to fruition yet? When I was three years old, I was captivated by paintings and wished I was a painter. That dream didn’t come true until I was thirty-two years old. What took it that long? I was living in rebellion and disobedience many years of those era of my life. When I decided to turn to God again at age twenty-nine and became celibate and more loving to those around me, he made the impossible dream come true. I became a self-taught or rather God-taught painter. I sold over 75 artworks by the time I had my very first solo exhibit. Our dreams will be realized if we keep on loving others.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never live out of love.
REFLECTION
What dreams are being hindered to happen because of your unloving 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

ENDURANCE LEADS TO PERFECTION Poem Devotional

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October 19 ________________________________________
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete needing nothing. – James 1:3-4(NLT)
ENDURANCE LEADS TO PERFECTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you being challenged to press against all odds?
Your strength and patience is being stretched by God
Don’t give up, don’t hinder it while it is progressing
It will make you perfect, complete and needing nothing.
Don’t resist while pressures against you builds up
Press on and continue to focus on God’s only Son
Wait a little longer and you will reap a harvest
Don’t worry, stay faithful and you’ll be blessed.
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Back in my early 40’s, I was a member of a cycling club and was the only woman in a group of over fifty members. I needed to practice on my own daily, at least 30 kilometers per day to keep up with the boys. I also had to ensure that I slowly pace myself up to a certain speed so I can catch up with all these strong men during our weekend bike marathons with distance goal of 200 kilometers in a span of 2-3 hours. When we reach that height of the climb, I almost want to give up, but I press on and I did it. The bible encourages us to keep on enduring so we can reach perfection.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to endure even when I can’t understand.
REFLECTION
What is the most challenging test that God allowed 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

LIVING IN GOD’S WILL Poem Devotional

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October 18
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How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that. – James 4:14-15(NLT)
LIVING IN GOD’S WILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
I don’t know what tomorrow may bring
I need not hold on to material things
My life is like a fog, it is here now
It can easily be dissolved and gone.
If the Lord wants me to do this
I must obey and rejoice in it
Living in God’s will is my destiny
It is the only way I can have victory.
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There are many people who plan so much for tomorrow. Nothing wrong with that. It is good to have a plan and aim to get closer to your dreams. Some people become too obsessed with their future. It robs them of joy and peace and they keep on worrying about tomorrow. The bible tells us in Matthew 6 that we shouldn’t be worried about anything because God already knows our needs even before we can actually figure out what they are. He wants us to focus on him and put him above all things, live righteously and all our needs will be given to us. He wants us to live in his will and be close to him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me build an intimate relationship with you.
REFLECTION
What has worrying about the future brought into 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

LIVING WITHOUT DIRECTION Poem Devotional

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October 17
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When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. – Proverbs 29:18(NLT)
LIVING WITHOUT DIRECTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you faithfully following God’s will and direction?
Do you focus on him daily so you can avoid temptations?
When people don’t accept divine guidance, they run wild
Those who commit their lives to him will faithfully abide
To live without direction is compromising one’s life
Commit to his will and sacrifice your life for Christ
He will constantly be with you and never leave
Make sure that you don’t turn your back but cleave.
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Have you ever driven without really knowing where you are going? What was the result? You probably got lost or used up all your gas. We can’t live life without a purpose. Those who go through life without meaning find it hard to have peace and joy. God didn’t make us so that we can run in circles and guess all our lives. He gave us the bible so that we can have a guide to navigate through this very challenging journey of life.
The bible says that those who do not follow divine guidance will run wild. Whoever obeys him will find joy. We are summoned to live a life that is guided by our heavenly father, not by the world or other people’s philosophy. When we obey God, we find peace and joy.
PRAYER
Lord, show me where to go whenever I get lost.
REFLECTION
How can we know what purpose God has for us?
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

STUBBORNNESS DESTROYS Poem Devotional

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October 16
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Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. -Proverbs 29:1(NLT)
STUBBORNNESS DESTROYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is your life full of hardships and suffering?
Have you been obstinate in following?
Those who can’t take criticism
All they want to do is to argue and win
They will be destroyed beyond recovery
The devil will continually con them into slavery
The Lord detests defiance and rebelliousness
He considers it witchcraft when you are lawless.
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The life of Christ is full of obedience and humility. This is the reason why he was able to save humankind from our folly and sin. Christians are summoned to live a life like Jesus in order to thrive in this life. The world on the other hand offers us a very different way to live. The world focuses on material gain, power and winning by disobedience and disrespect.
I was a very stubborn person for many decades of my life and I can attest to this verse because it surely destroyed me and led me to more sins. Each act of lawlessness was equivalent to endless troubles and sufferings. This stronghold was one of those many that God delivered me from. I thank him that he pulled me out of it. It took over 50 years to get out of it which was a result of my resistance and denial. Learn to accept criticism and learn from it.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to have an openness to your convictions.
REFLECTION
Why do you think stubbornness is considered witchcraft or divination according to 1 Samuel 15:23?

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

MANAGING RESOURCES Poem Devotional

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October 15
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Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.
-Proverbs 27:23-24(NLT)
MANAGING RESOURCES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you aware of the state of your responsibilities?
Do you care for your flocks and watch them carefully?
The Lord has given us resources abundantly
Are you tending to them faithfully and responsibly?
Don’t take for granted all your riches and possessions
They all need to be carefully watched with great supervision
Stewardship is very important in order to thrive and prosper
Seek the Lord first and tend to his kingdom and you’ll be richer.
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Have you seen businesses that have thrived for many years? What do you think is the secret of those who have successful enterprises? One of the keys to prosper in business is to ensure that you have hands on management on it. I have seen many entrepreneurs who didn’t last long because they left everything to other people’s managerial skills who lacked the care and love that the owners actually have for the business. It is important to steward your own flock, in other words, you have to be wise enough to study and care about the health of your business.
The bible tells us that we must pay attention to all the resources we have for it may not last long.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me all the resources I need.
REFLECTION
Why is stewardship important in our lives?
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

ONE WHO CAN FORESEE Poem Devotional

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October 14
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A prudent person foresees danger and take precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. – Proverbs 27:12(NLT)
ONE WHO CAN FORESEE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The wise person is able to foresee danger and be warned
They are tuned in to what they do and never hurry or run
They are observant and creative of their surroundings
They can tell if there is evil and wickedness lurking.
The Holy Spirit guides them and makes them wise
They listen to God’s spirit for guidance or advise
That is why they can foresee what will transpire
They hear God’s voice, they heed and they abide.
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Have you ever been with someone who is so careless and reckless at the same time? I knew someone who just don’t care what they do or how it affects others. He is physically present yet his heart and mind is somewhere else. He says something and pretend he cares but deep inside, he has no concern for anything but to get what he wants or follow his routines. It is like watching a dead person walking and doing things. They have no life. They are physically alive but spiritually dead. They live life just for the sake of living. They don’t dream big, they live in a box and trapped there.
The bible says that the one who can foresee are the wise while fools just go through life recklessly.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please give me wisdom to foresee danger.
REFLECTION
What do you do when the Holy Spirit warns you about something?
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