JESUS GIVES LIFE Poem Devotional

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June 14________________________________________
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me. Yet you refuse to come to me to this life. – John 5:39-40 (NLT)
JESUS GIVES LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Give your life and surrender to Jesus
He will give you wisdom in all seasons
He is the one that the Scriptures point to
He brings us life, joy, peace and truth.
Whenever you run to his word
You will know how to overcome the world
Jesus gives light to those who are confused
There will be no eternal life to those who refuse.
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There are many people who live in darkness almost all their whole lives. It is sad to watch people wallow in sin and confusion when they can always have a choice for a better life. The enemy blinds those who do not believe God that is why we are always encouraged to grow our faith so that we can overcome the lies that are perpetuated by the enemy. I have trouble understanding why people would not want a better life for themselves. So many of us live in darkness and do not want to let go of something we have been so used to.
The bible says that Scriptures point only to Jesus. It is only in Christ that we can have eternal life, but so many refuse to receive this gift that he lovingly offers to all.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your Son.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people refuse the life Jesus offers.
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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

MADE RIGHT BY FAITH Poem devotional

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June 12________________________________________
Therefore since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.- Romans 5:1 (NLT)
MADE RIGHT BY FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
You don’t have to do much but have faith
It will make you right and bring good fate
When Jesus Christ died for us on the cross
He cleansed us from sin and brought back the lost.
We can have peace if we believe
We can choose Him and receive
We are made righteous by our faith
We are made holy by God’s grace.
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I grew up in an environment where criticism was the norm and affirmation hardly was ever given away. No matter how hard I tried to do the right thing, I always fell short of my family’s expectations. I grew up bitter and resentful. I became a pessimist and was very hard on myself.
Until a few years ago, God revealed to me the spirit of performance and approval that had enslaved many years of my life. He stirred my heart and told me that I don’t have to do anything for him to love me more. He already does. The bible says that it is only in our faith that we are made right in God’s sight and that we can have peace because Christ has already died for us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross.
REFLECTION
What struggles do you have that keeps you from experiencing peace?
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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

MAY GOD’S WILL BE DONE Poem Devotional

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June 11________________________________________
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true. “- Luke 1:38 (NLT)
MAY GOD’S WILL BE DONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you struggle to hear God’s voice?
Are you constantly faced with a choice?
If you are a servant of the Lord
You will want to bring him laud.
It is meditating on his words that you see
He will speak to you directly and clearly
He will make you understand his plans
If you will follow the footsteps of his Son.
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When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary about her conception of the son of God, she was confused and disturbed at first (Luke 1:29). She had questions about how her conception will happen when she was a virgin. She didn’t have an argument with Gabriel. It was enough for her to hear that it is the Holy Spirit’s power that will do everything planned by God. She obeyed despite her confusion.
How often do we just obey like Mary did? Oftentimes when we are presented with circumstances beyond our understanding, we wallow in the perplexity of the situation. I sometimes fall into analysis and human reasoning and most of the time, it paralyzes me to just do what needs to be done.
Mary was a great model of obedience and this is probably why God chose her to be the person to bring Christ into this world.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me obedience.
REFLECTION
What stops you from obeying God’s will?¬¬¬
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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 POWER Poem Devotional

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June 10________________________________________
For nothing is impossible with God. –Luke 1:32 (NLT)
GOD’S POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you suffering from a disease?
Do you struggle with having peace?
Is there someone making your life difficult?
Do people put you down and find fault?
Nothing is impossible with God for he has power
He can change you and make the devil cower
No matter what you are experiencing
He can alter it and keep you going.
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I have been a Christian since I was seven years old. There have been numerous events in my life that I saw God working. I wouldn’t be here now and witnessing for him if I haven’t experience his power. I have gone through life with so much adversities and pain, but he still held my hand and walked me through life. It was only through him that I had victory over all the strongholds and generational sins that were handed down to me from many generations. He has totally stripped me of all the things that distract me from being intimate with him. He loves me so much that he wouldn’t allow anything bad to happen to me. He genuinely cares for me and disciplines me with so much love.
The bible says that with God, all things are possible. It is in believing, obeying and depending on him that we can actually discern and see what he is doing in our lives.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for loving me immensely.
REFLECTION
What miracles has God done in your life?
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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

REBORN IN CHRIST Poem Devotional

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June 9________________________________________
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. –John 1:12-13 (NLT)
REBORN IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
To anyone who believes in the power of Christ
They will have a renewed heart and eternal life
They are reborn not with a physical birth
They are stronger and cannot easily be hurt.
Believers will be considered God’s children
They will not allow the enemy to hinder
Being born again in spirit will lead to victory
It will equip them with power and authority.
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When I first heard the word “born again” in my early twenties, I thought it was a spiritual movement. Because I didn’t read the bible then, I had no understanding of the actual meaning of it. Until God gave me revelation to discern what it meant in my life, I had no clue what it really meant to be reborn in Christ.
One day, as I was reading my daily bible devotionals, I thought of searching for the meaning of being born again. After much study on it, I realized that I was already born again even before I got a revelation because I have always believed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My mind was renewed and I saw things just like how God would see it.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me new life.
REFLECTION
What changes occurred in you after being born again?
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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

WITH PURPOSE Poem Devotional

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June 8________________________________________
So I run with purpose in every step, I am not just shadow boxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NLT)
WITH PURPOSE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know, where you are going to?
Focus on God who gives what is true
Do you have a goal that you’d like to reach?
Does it align with what Scriptures teach?
Live life with determination and tenacity
It will give you strength and bring you victory
A purposeful life will draw you closer to Christ
It will keep you focused on him and win the fight.
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Shadow boxing is to spar with an imaginary opponent. It is used in the training for combat sports, especially as its name implies, in boxing. It aims to prepare the muscles before the person training engages in stronger physical activity. I used to do this when I did boxing fitness. It engages all your muscles to be lively and keep your reflexes up and about.
Paul talks to the Corinthians about the importance of a life with purpose. He tells them the significance of not just physical training but emphasized that spiritual training is valuable. He doesn’t want people to do shadow boxing in their lives, but he tells them to run with purpose in every step.
PRAYER
Lord, take my hand in every step I make.
REFLECTION
What is your spiritual purpose in life?
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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

KNOW WHEN TO QUIT Poem Devotional

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June 7________________________________________
Don’t wear yourself out by trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.
-Proverbs 23:4 (NLT)
KNOW WHEN TO QUIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get obsessed with getting rich?
Watch out for the enemy is out to trick
When you find yourself constantly wanting
It is trouble and strife that you are welcoming.
Know when to quit and to let go
Seek God and make his kingdom grow
Enrich yourself with God’s word
It is the only way you can beat this world.
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I have known many people who get obsessed with different things. Some people think that being rich is a good goal in life. This is one of the world views that destroys so many people. They pursue wealth, possessions, power, fame because they think it will bring them satisfaction. On the contrary, it destroys their lives. When you continually want material things, it changes your perspective. You become self-centered and isolate yourself from others. You want to protect your wealth, fame or power. You become envious if someone else has more than you have. You become greedy, wanting everything for yourself. You forget others because you are so busy satisfying your desires.
The bible warns us to know when to quit. It also says that we need to seek God first before anything else. When our lives is focused on being rich, we become idolaters of material things.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on you first.
REFLECTION
What obsessions do you have that draw you away from God?
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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

CAN’T HIDE FROM GOD Poem Devotional

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June 6________________________________________
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. – Psalm 139:11-12 (NLT)
CAN’T HIDE FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are living in chaos and darkness
You can run to God for light and brightness
No matter what you do, you cannot hide
He is always there for you to help and guide.
You can choose to stay in the gloom
He overpowers sin so you can bloom
You have nowhere to run to avoid his love
He made you so you can win and rise above.
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I ran for so many years from what God wanted me to be. I was consumed by traumas and denied myself the joy that I could have had if only I didn’t turn my back on God. He wanted the best for me but I was so arrogant to even listen or find out what he has in store for me. There was a time that I was so angry with him and hibernated for weeks after he didn’t give me the job I so wanted. I had a big argument with him and blamed him for all the bad things that happened to me. He still gave me a better job than what I wanted. The bible says that we can turn from God but He always sees us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me not resist your light.
REFLECTION
What have you been running from?
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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

FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS Poem Devotional

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June 5________________________________________
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. – Mark 9:35 (NLT)
FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to let go of things in life?
What this world offers keeps you away from the light
When you hang on to the things of this world
You will lose God’s voice and the wisdom from his Word.
Remember that only the Good News saves
The world tempts you and makes you crave
It is in letting God take control of your life
That you find peace, freedom and insight.
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I am amazed at how many people cling to the material things offered by this world. I saw a video from a third world country who had a catastrophic typhoon and saw many people swept away by the rushing flood while they clung so hard to their possessions. Some died hugging objects that they couldn’t do without. It is such a painful sight to behold when people are enslaved by their love for the things of this life. Some of these victims of calamities died because of they couldn’t let go of these things. They could have saved their lives if they did. The bible says that if you try to cling to your life, you’ll lose it.
PRAYER
Help me to cling only to you, Lord.
REFLECTION
What are some things you can’t let go?
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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

KNOWLEDGE VERSUS LOVE Poem Devotional

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June 4________________________________________
But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.
-1 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NLT)
KNOWLEDGE VERSUS LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think you know everything and need no one?
No one is an island, each person longs to love someone
While knowledge makes us feel important
God doesn’t view with utmost significance.
Be careful of those who thinks they know everything
Chances are they really don’t and are just pretending
Love is what matters to our heavenly Father
Walk in it by showing it to your sisters and brothers.
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I knew someone who thinks he knows it all. He never listens to anyone’s opinion but he likes to tell everyone what he thinks of almost all things. Each time I see him approach others, those who know him already will automatically avoid him, but for the first timers to meet him, they become victims of his incessant boasting. Part of my old life was almost like this person. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut until God convicted me of my pride and arrogance.
The bible tells us that knowledge is important but not us much as wisdom is, but what counts more to God is our capacity to love. It doesn’t matter if you are not as intelligent as others, as long as your heart is big to give love.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from haughty people.
REFLECTION
How can you love even those who are proud and arrogant?
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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