IDOLS SAP STRENGTH Poem Devotional

Posted on August 3, 2016 by ilmaarts

August 2
________________________________________
Worshiping foreign gods has sapped their strength, but they don’t even know it.
-Hosea 7:9(NLT)
IDOLS SAP STRENGTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
What distracts you from worshiping the Lord?
What things or people prevent you from giving him laud?
How much time do you use up for things that are worldly?
Do you realize they sap you of time, strength and energy?
Prioritizing God in all you do will bring you prosperity
Leaving him last will deplete you and deprive you of victory
There is only one God who can deliver you from the enemy
Christ is all knowing, all powerful, loving and full of mercy.
________________________________________
There is a misnomer that idolatry only involves other foreign gods. The enemy prevents us from knowing and seeing that even other things and people can become our idols. An idol is something or someone that keeps us away from praising and worshiping the only one true God, Jesus Christ. A job can easily be an idol. If we spend long hours on it and never acknowledge God for the blessing of being employed, we are idolizing our jobs. If our relationships hinder us from being close to God, we are compromising our intimacy with God and these people become idols.
The bible talks about how the Israelites’ idolatry of foreign gods have sapped them of their strength without being aware of it. Idols distract us from focusing on God.
PRAYER
Lord, show me instantly what idols I have in my life.
REFLECTION
What idols does the enemy use to keep you 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

OBEDIENCE MANIFESTS TRUST Poem Devotional

Posted on August 1, 2016 by ilmaarts

August 1
________________________________________
Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right. – Isaiah 26:8-9(NLT)
OBEDIENCE MANIFESTS TRUST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you obey what the Lord tells you
You manifest trust and he changes your view
Search for his word and commands earnestly
He will make you righteous and give you victory.
Don’t wait until judgment day to do what is right
Or you will find it difficult to navigate this life
Obey him because he knows what is best for all man
His ways are not our ways for we are only human.
________________________________________
Many years of my life was spent rebelling and disobeying my parents and God. I didn’t realize that emotional wounds have hardened my heart. I had problems with authority probably because I was let down by those who had authority on me as I was growing up. It made it hard to keep a job because I was always faced with dealing with bosses and employers. When I got married, I didn’t know how to submit to my husband because of this stronghold in my life. I was proud and arrogant and it didn’t show that I trusted the Lord. Obedience manifests trust.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for delivering me from rebellion.
REFLECTION
What other forms of disobedience still manifest in your life now?
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

OVERFLOW WITH THANKFULNESS Poem Devotional

Posted on August 1, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 31
________________________________________
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7(NLT)
OVERFLOW WITH THANKFULNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you acknowledge the source of your life
It will bring you to the foundation which is in Christ
Let your roots grow down into him and build it on him
You will reap an overflow of thankfulness and be redeemed.
Thank the Lord for each and every blessing you receive
You will have a bounty of faith and easily overcome sin
Focus on the groundwork for a meaningful existence
Only in Jesus Christ will you have purpose and substance.
________________________________________
Being thankful to God for every little thing that you have in life is essential for us to have a purposeful life. Many believers get drawn into a worldly existence and forget the source of all things. When we deny that everything comes from the Lord, we live very difficult lives. Remember that God is love and he created us out of love. When we minimize the fact that we won’t have anything without him, we open the doors for the enemy to keep us confused and distract us from God’s love. We should let our roots grow down into Christ and our lives be built on him so we’ll have an overflow of gratitude.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never lose focus on you.
REFLECTION
Why is it essential to acknowledge Christ as our foundation?
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

HIDDEN TREASURES OF WISDOM Poem Devotional

Posted on July 31, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 30
________________________________________
I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
-Colossians 2:2-3(NLT)
HIDDEN TREASURES OF WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to have knowledge and wisdom?
Run to Christ’s throne, he gives you freedom
He releases you from bondages of ignorance
He exposes all obstacles and hindrance.
The Lord wants you all to be knit together in love
He expects you to have confidence in Christ above
In him lie hidden all the treasures of knowledge
He wants you to live in the light and out of bondage.
________________________________________
There are so many people who would die to excavate and dig hidden treasures. Sometimes it even cost their deaths. They become obsessed with acquiring such treasures at all cost. Treasures do not only involve material things but there is a kind of treasure that will never be stolen or that will never rust. Wisdom and knowledge is a treasure that will be free from all kinds of danger. It is something that the Lord wants us to seek more than any material wealth.
The bible says that we have to encouraged and be united by strong bonds of love. God wants us to understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us Christ to give us wisdom.
REFLECTION
What treasures do you seek? Do they bring you closer to Christ?

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

UPSIDE OF LISTENING Poem Devotional

Posted on July 27, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 26
________________________________________
To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
-Proverbs 25:12(NLT)
UPSIDE OF LISTENING
A poem and essay by IL
To anyone who has an open mind to criticism
They end up growing and having optimism
If you listen to what God’s words say to you
You get transformed and have your mind renewed.
The upside of listening is precious like jewels
It is valuable just like any treasure
Keep on listening and you will profit from it
It is essential in order for you to hear God’s Spirit.
________________________________________Do you get offended when someone gives you a feedback on how you affect others or how your demeanor is? I always want comments from others regarding the way I act or relate with them or my attitude towards others. It is like having a mirror in front of me so I can actually see how I look.
The bible says that those who listen to valid criticism finds a treasure. It is always beneficial to have someone give you an actual and objective feedback of how you are because it can help in your growth. The most important person to listen to is the Spirit of God. You can hear his voice clearly as you read and study God’s word. It gives you detailed advice as to where you are right now and where you need to be.
PRAYER
Lord, give me an open heart to hear clearly your convictions.
REFLECTION
How is listening essential in one’s growth?

TIMELY ADVICE Poem Devotional

Posted on July 25, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 25
________________________________________
Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. -Proverbs 25:11(NLT)
TIMELY ADVICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is only one place you can get timely advice
The bible guides you in everything so you can be wise
Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket
They are precious so cherish them and lock it.
When you need help in making choices and decisions
Timely advice will give you accurate solutions
Give the right counsel at the right time to others
You bring blessings and favors to your sisters and brothers.
________________________________________
There are many times when others give us advice that sometimes do not really work for us. Just like a doctor’s advice is important to a patient, we need wise advice from others too in order to live a life of joy and peace. I have consulted many counselors in my life because I know I need others t o help me be well balanced. But not all advisers or counselors give the appropriate solutions for our challenges. Sometimes, others perspectives and value system are so different from ours, that it sometimes does more damage than help. There is only one place and one person who can give us the right advice in everything, the bible and God. Timely advice is compared to golden apples in a silver basket in the bible. It is priceless.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always run to you for advice rather than the world.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you gave timely advise to others? What was the result?
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 FOOLS REPEAT THEIR FOOLISHNESS Poem Devotional

Posted on July 25, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 24

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. -Proverbs 26:11-12(NLT)

WHEN FOOLS REPEAT THEIR FOOLISHNESS

A poem and essay by ILMA

Do you commit the same mistakes over again?

Doesn’t foolishness make you self-centered and vain?

When you do again the same wrong, it makes you foolish

Why repeat something that brings you anguish?

As a dog returns to its vomit, fools repeat their foolishness

They cannot help their vanity and selfishness

There is no hope for those who think they are wise

If you listen to God’s words, you will be like Christ.

Do you know someone who repeatedly does the same mistake? It is sad to watch people commit the same wrong over and over again. I did this too in the past because of my arrogance and haughtiness. The Lord allows us to commit mistakes but he is expecting us to listen to his word so that we will know how to grow and not do the same things that do not bring progress in our lives. Seeking his wisdom and understanding is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our own family. It protects us from foolishness and wasting time and effort.

The bible describes to us arrogant people. They are like dogs returning to their vomit when they repeatedly commit mistakes.

PRAYER

Lord, protect me from haughtiness.

REFLECTION

What mistakes have you done repeatedly in the past? What did it cost you?

TESTING & ARGUING

Posted on July 21, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 23
________________________________________
Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying “Is the Lord here with us or not?” – Exodus17:7(NLT
TESTING & ARGUING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Arguing robs us of joy and peace
It makes us question and not see
It deprives us of blessings and growing
The Lord doesn’t want us complaining.
To test the Lord is to prove you are better
It only makes us go and circles and be bitter
Why would you want to be stripped of good things?
Give up arguing so you will continually be winning.
________________________________________
There was a time in my life that I thought questioning and arguing was cool. I had this wrong notion that if I prove them wrong and persuaded them to look at it my way, I had a good chance of winning the disagreement or argument. I did not know that it was pure whining. Who are we to question a god who knows everything and can see simultaneously all things at the same time?
The bible talks about how God named a place Massah ( which means test) and Meribah (which means argue) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying “Is the Lord here with us or not? They questioned his omniscience and omnipotence because they wanted to prove something.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me never to question you about anything.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you argued with God or any authority figure?
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

YAHWEH IS HIS NAME Poem Devotional

Posted on July 21, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 22

The Lord is my strength and my song. He has given me victory. This is my God and I will praise him-my father’s God and I will exalt him! The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name. -Exodus 15:2-3 (NLT)

YAHWEH IS HIS NAME

A poem and essay by ILMA

There is only one source of strength

He is the one who has his own son sent

He gives me victory when I need it badly

He is a warrior who continually protects me.

He is the Lord my God and I will praise him

I will exalt the Lord who faithfully redeems

Yahweh is his name and he is a warrior

He helps remove all bondages and barriers.

Many people take credit for their successes in life. This is one of the reasons why their victories don’t last long. They do not give God credit for fighting their battles and for blessings received. They think they can boast and glorify themselves for such conquests. We need to give recognition where credit is due or else we are actually idolizing our own selves.

The bible says that the Lord is our strength and our song. He gives us victory. We ought to praise him for he is our God. He is a warrior who fights for all our battles. His name is Yahweh and he is there to protect us. He alone deserves praise and worship.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for being my warrior.

REFLECTION

What did God give you that you took credit for?

INSEPARABLE MAN AND WOMAN Poem Devotional

Posted on July 18, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 21
________________________________________
This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called woman, because she was taken from man. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife and the two are united into one. – Genesis 2:23-24(NLT)
INSEPARABLE MAN AND WOMAN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Woman, you are taken from man’s bone
You were made so that man will not be alone
When a man and a woman are united in matrimony
No one can separate them if they live in harmony.
Man is the head of the woman and his family
He will do anything to cleave to his one and only
This is why a man leaves his father and mother
So don’t try to separate them from each other.
________________________________________
God created marriage as one of the most important and core of family unit. He likened husbands and wives to Christ and his bride, the church. This is the reason why Satan is doing his best to destroy marriages because he knows that God treasures marriages. When a man and a woman decide to unite themselves in marriage, they become inseparable. The enemy attacks matrimony more than anything else because he knows how sacred it is.
The bible tells us that Eve was taken from Adam’s bone and flesh. God gave him a woman so he doesn’t have to be alone.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the sanctity of marriage.
REFLECTION
How does the enemy entice couples to desecrate marriage?
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

ILMA ARTS STUDIO

Where Visual & Literary Arts Thrives

Tag Archives: Christian poem