May 14
________________________________________
ZEDEKIAH’S HARD HEART DESTROYS JERUSALEM
A poem by ILMA
Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king and reigned 11 years
He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and refused to humble himself
Even when the prophet Jeremiah spoke to him directly from the Lord
He continued to be a hard and stubborn man, refusing to turn to God.
Likewise, all the leaders of the priests and the people became unfaithful
They followed all the pagan practices of the surrounding nations
They desecrated the Temple of the Lord that had been consecrated
God repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them but they didn’t listen.
The people of God mocked these messengers and despised their words
They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could not be restrained
So, the Lord brought the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar against them
The Babylonians killed Judah’s young men, chasing them to the Temple.
Nebuchadnezzar took home to Babylon all the articles used in the Temple
Then his army burned the Temple of God and tore Jerusalem walls down
The few who survived were taken as exiles to Babylon and became servants
So, Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled and the land enjoyed Sabbath rest.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. – 2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Read: 2 Chronicles 36
It is a sad thing to watch God’s people turn their backs on Him after the many times they have been delivered from enemies. Their hardened hearts and stubbornness led God to destroy Jerusalem. Though they were warned, they never listened.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What causes people’s hearts to be hardened?
• Why can we sometimes become deaf to warnings from God’s Spirit?
Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO
JOSIAH: HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT KING Poem Devotional
May 13
________________________________________
JOSIAH: HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT KING
A poem by ILMA
Despite having an evil father in Amon, you pleased the Lord your God
Though you were only eight years old when you were put in the throne
You never turned away from doing right and stayed humble and pure
During the 8th year of your reign you began to seek your ancestor David’s God.
On your 12th year of reign, you started to purify Judah and Jerusalem
You began destroying all pagan shrines, Asherah poles and carved idols
You ordered the demolishing of Baal’s altar and incense altars broken down
You also demanded to smash the cast images; had bones of the pagan priests burned.
When Hilkiah discovered the original scroll that Moses has written the laws of God’s
You summoned all your advisers and inquired about the words written in the scroll
The prophet Hildah, the wife of Shallum, keeper of the Temple wardrobe was consulted
She talked of God’s anger towards the people for turning to Baal and other pagan idols.
Because you were sorry and humbled yourself to God for the people’s sins
He blessed you with such glorious kingship and the best Passover festivals
No other kings can compare to your Festivals in all of the history of Israel
You were greatly blessed with bringing an end to idolatry that happened.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping his commands, laws and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll. – 2 Chronicles 34:31
Read: 2 Chronicles 34
So far, from all the many readings I have encountered of Israel’s kings, I think Josiah is one of the humblest and obedient kings Israel would have had. He followed King David’s footsteps. Despite the sins of his father and ancestors, the Lord blessed him.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is obedience and humility very important in being victorious and blessed in the life of a Christian?
TEACHINGS ON THE MOUNT Poem Devotional
May 12
________________________________________
TEACHINGS ON THE MOUNT
A poem by ILMA
One day as Jesus saw the crowds gathering, he went up the mount
He sat down and his disciples gathered around him and began to teach
He started saying that the kingdom of heaven is for those who are poor
These poor people are those who also recognize their need for the Lord.
Those who are grieving will be blessed for they will be comforted
Those who are humble will surely receive the whole earth
While those who hunger and thirst for justice will be satisfied
God blesses those who are forgiving, for they will be shown mercy.
The promise for those with pure hearts is that they will see God
Those who work and pursue peace will be called His children
While the ones who are persecuted for doing what is right
They shall rejoice for the kingdom of heaven will surely be theirs.
Have joy when people insult, lie and say evil things because you’re a follower
A great reward awaits you in heaven, for the ancient prophets suffered the same
These were the teachings of Jesus to those who want to enter God’s kingdom
These were encouraging teachings about the promises to those who love Him.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy. – Matthew 5:7
Read: Matthew 5
What a wonderful way of wording the old testament law of Moses. Jesus’ sermon on the mount focused on what not to do but on the promises of what awaits those who love and follow the ways of the Lord.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What was the most encouraging promise for you on this sermon on the mount?
• Why do you think it is important to focus on positive things rather than putting it in a rule or a law?
• What is the greatest among these promises for you as a believer? Why?
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA Poem Devotional
May 9
________________________________________
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
A poem by ILMA
A certain couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold some property
The man brought part of the money but not all of it to the apostles
With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest and Peter reproved him
Peter asked Ananias why he allowed Satan to fill his heart.
Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit and kept some money for himself
Since the property was his to sell and the money to give away
He didn’t have to lie but when he did, he was lying to God as well
As soon as Ananias heard Peter’s rebuke, he fell on the floor and died.
Everyone who witnessed this was terrified, they carried Ananias and buried him
Three hours later, Sapphira, not knowing what happened, came in
Peter asked her how much they received for the property they sold
And she replied with the same lie that Ananias, her husband gave.
Peter said “How could the two of you test the Spirit of the Lord?”
He said that her husband just died after lying about their gain
Instantly, she fell on the floor as well, like Ananias and died
Great fear gripped all those who heard what have happened.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. – Acts 5:2
Read: Acts 5
A lot of people take lightly the sin of lying. We do not realize how grieved the Holy Spirit is when we lie. It is an insult to God’s all-knowing and all-seeing characteristics. Most people think it is alright to lie. The world even uses euphemisms calling them “white lies.”
A lie is a lie and it is a sin that grieves the Holy Spirit.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think “death” was the punishment for the lies that Ananias and Sapphira purposefully planned to tell Peter?
JEZEBEL’S MANIPULATION AND CONTROL Poem Devotional
May 8
________________________________________
JEZEBEL’S MANIPULATION AND CONTROL
A poem by ILMA
When Jezebel married Ahab, he convinced him to worship her god Baal
Neighboring vineyard owner Naboth refused to sell his own property to Ahab
The king wanted to buy his land to use it as his garden but the man declined
He sulked and didn’t eat for days, so Jezebel stepped up and reminded him of his
She later used her evil schemes by sending a letter with Ahab’s signature on it
The elders and all those informed became convinced that Naboth did evil
She gave instructions to fast and put Naboth in public view and humiliation
She twisted truth and told he cursed God and the king and he was exposed.
As a result of the lie that says Naboth cursed God and King Ahab
He was dragged outside the town and stoned to death
The Lord instructed Elijah to confront Ahab at Naboth’s vineyard
Because you and Jezebel have done this, dogs will lick your blood.
Then Elijah set out to kill all of Baal’s prophets to stop all the evil
When Jezebel heard what he did, she sent a message to Elijah he will be killed
Elijah fled to Sinai, fearful for his life as he knew that he was the remaining prophet
God, however, assured him to go back the same way and anoint Hazael to be king.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Seize all the prophets of Baal. Don’t let a single one escape. So, the people seized them all and Elijah took them down to the Kishon Valley and killed them there. – 1 Kings 18:40
Read: 1 Kings 18,19,21
Jezebel is depicted here as a very controlling, manipulative and wicked person. She killed many prophets of God and ensured that King Ahab will never share his power. How can we watch out for possible entry of Jezebel spirit to come to destroy us?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why did Elijah kill the prophets of Baal? Is it the same mandate for believers to destroy all their idols?
• How can the Jezebel spirit manifest itself in the body of Christ?
ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE Poem Devotional
May 7
________________________________________
ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE
A poem by ILMA
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel how Elijah killed Baal’s prophets
Jezebel threatened Elijah that she would kill him as he killed them
Elijah was so afraid and fled for his life and went to Beersheba
He left his servant Elisha in that small town of Judah.
Then Elijah went on alone into the wilderness travelling all day
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die
He prayed to the Lord to take his life for he isn’t better than his ancestor
Elijah laid down and slept under the broom tree when an angel came.
The angel instructed the prophet to get up and eat some bread just by his head
Then the prophet did as he was told so he proceeded to Mt. Sinai
The bread and the jar of water sustained him forty days and forty nights
There he spent the night as he reached that quiet place of refuge.
The Lord confronted the prophet what he was doing in that place
He tells the Lord how he ran for his life, as all the prophets were killed
The Lord gave him further instruction to go back and go to Damascus
As he arrived, the prophet was to appoint Hazael to become king of Aram.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba and he left his servant there.
– 1 Kings 19:3
Read: 1 Kings 19
It is interesting to see a very powerful prophet running and being so scared for his life. He heard what Jezebel did to all of God’s prophets, It is interesting how fear played a role in Elijah’ls live?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How powerful is the Jezebel spirit?
• What made a very powerful prophet get debilitated?
• Why was Jezebel chasing the prophet?
THE CRUCIFIXION Poem Devotional
May 6
________________________________________
THE CRUCIFIXION
A poem by ILMA
Along the way, they came across a man named Simon from Cyrene
He was forced by the soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus
They went out to Golgotha which means “place of the skull”
The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall.
When Jesus tasted the wine with gall, he refused to drink it
After they have nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled
They betted on his clothes by throwing dice while they kept guard
As Jesus was hung there, a singed was fastened above Jesus’ head.
The sign announced the charge against Jesus saying “King of the Jews”
Two criminals were crucified beside him, one on his right and one on the left
People passing by shouted abuse and shaking their heads in mockery
“Look at you now, you said you’ll destroy and rebuild the Temple in 3 days.”
The leading priests, the teachers of religious law and the elders taunted him too
They scoffed “But he can’t save himself! If he comes down, we will believe him
Even the two criminals beside him also joined in the mockery with the people
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land at three o’clock.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
A sing was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” – Matthew 27:37
Read: Matthew 27:32-45
The main focus of a believer’s life is this crucifixion, which symbolized the greatest love of God to mankind, giving us his only begotten Son just so we can be reconciled with him. He paid for the penalty of our sin so he can bridge that gap that was created when we sinned.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Can you think of anything that would be close to the brutality that Jesus bore so we could be reconciled with the Father? Explain.
EARLY YEARS OF ASA’S REIGN Poem Devotional
May 4
________________________________________
EARLY YEARS OF ASA’S REIGN
A poem by ILMA
When Abijah died, his son Asa became the next king
There was peace in the land for ten straight years
Asa did what was pleasing and good in God’s sight
He removed the foreign altars and pagan shrines.
Asa smashed the sacred pils and cut down the Asherah poles
He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord
He instructed them to obey God’s laws and his commands
He also removed the incense altars from every town of Judah.
King Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace
Because of that, he built up the fortified towns of Judah.
No one made war against him at this time
For the Lord was giving him rest from his enemies.
He told the people of Judah to build towns and fortify them
He reminded them that since they sought the Lord, he gave them peace
So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion
He had an army of 580.000 warriors from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors and to obey his law and his commands. – 2 Chronicles 14:4
Read: 2 Chronicles 14
It is refreshing to hear of a good king in those days. We see the reward of following the Lord and leading the people into obedience to God
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What did King Asa achieve as a result of the peace they received from being obedient and faithful to the Lord?
• Why is it important to follow the Lord’s instruction?
JESUS, THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER Poem Devotional
May 2
________________________________________
JESUS, THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER
A poem by ILMA
Don’t let your hearts be troubled; trust in God and also in the Son
Jesus assures that there is enough room in his Father’s home
He said that he is preparing a place for those who believe him
When everything is ready, he will come back to get all who believe.
Thomas, one of his disciples said, “We have no clue where you’re going”
He added “How can we know where we are going if we don’t know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way the truth and the life
It is only through me that you will come to the Father.”
Philip said “Lord, show us the Father and we’ll be satisfied”
And he said, “Haven’t I been with you this long and still not see me?”
Jesus said to them, “Don’t you believe I am in the Father and He’s in me?”
He told them to believe that the Father and he are one and believe it.
Anyone who believes in the Son will follow what he has done
They’ll be doing greater works than Him for He will be with the Father
If they ask anything in Jesus’ name, He will do it to bring the Father glory
So he urges all of us to ask in his mighty name and it will be done.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
I am the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
– John 14:6
Read: John 14
Are you not excited as a Christian to know that Jesus is preparing a room for you in His Father’s house? What an exciting promise to look forward to compared to all the things we are going through in this world. Let’s believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What makes Jesus different from other gods in the world?
• How do you visualize the room that Jesus is preparing for you?
• If Jesus is the way, how come, some Christians are not totally sold out on this?
OLD HAS GONE, NEW HAS BEGUN Poem Devotional
December 31________________________________________
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17(NLT)
OLD HAS GONE, NEW HAS BEGUN
A poem and essay by ILMA
The old year has gone by quickly
Have we loved faithfully?
If anyone is seeking Christ
They will be transformed and be full of life.
Are there areas of your life that is in bondage?
Run to the throne so you will have an advantage
God didn’t create you with the spirit of fear
He made you powerful, loving and disciplined.
Renew your mind and make it captive to Jesus
He loves all the faithful, he considers them precious
Embrace the new year with a new attitude and stay objective
Welcome the challenges; they’ll give a new perspective.
Dream big and present it to the Lord so he can bless them
When you request anything, remember to ask in his name
Be joyful and humble and keep on loving others
You will totally be blessed if you love one another.
________________________________________
The old year has passed and a new beginning for the coming year is just around the corner. Have you reflected on the past year? What needs to be changed? Many people make new year’s resolution but I think we all should have our minds renewed in Christ Jesus so that we will have his perspective when challenges arise in the coming year.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the things I learned this past year.
REFLECTION
How can we change our thinking or doing things successfully?
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