NEWBORN KING Poem Devotional

December 24
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About that time, some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2(NLT)
NEWBORN KING
A poem and essay by ILMA
There were three wise men who searched
They humbled themselves to give Christ praise
Who would ever think that they would bow down?
This baby in swaddling cloths they finally found.
“Where is the newborn king?”, they asked
They followed God’s instructions through the star
They kneeled and gave him gifts in adoration
They were humbled by this story of salvation.
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Many stories about the wise men were said for thousands of years. These stories focused on the gifts they gave to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6).
The great thing about these wise kings is that they travelled far to come and give this baby Jesus the honor and praise that he so deserved. They followed God’s lead through the star and witnessed God’s promise of salvation.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget giving you honor.
REFLECTION
How can we show others that we honor the Lord Jesus?
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

LET US WITNESS! Poem Devotional

December 23
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When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.
-Luke 2:15(NLT)
LET US WITNESS!
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord called on the lowly shepherds to witness
They became part of the story of the birth of Jesus
When the angels came to tell them of this big event
They immediately ran to behold this magnificence.
They said to each other “Let’s witness to this birth”
It is the good news that brings us joy and peace
They watched in awesome wonder this baby
They praised the Lord for being part of history.
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If you were given a chance to be witness to an event which would be historical, would you miss it at all? I am so blessed that in my lifetime, I have had many occasions to observe the many changes in our world today. In my country of origin, the Philippines, I was able to partake of the changes in the political corruption that had been going on for many years. I saw the transition of our word to technology and information eras. I also am witnessing the explosion of God’s word and the Good News these days.
When the shepherds were invited to come and see the greatest thing that will happen, they didn’t have second thoughts. They witnessed and shared it to others.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn down an occasion to witness for you.
REFLECTION
Why is witnessing an integral part of our Christian 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

SMALL YET BIG Poem Devotional

December 22
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But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.
– Micah 5:2 (NLT)
SMALL YET BIG
A poem and essay by ILMA
Not all good things come in big parcels
Some may be hidden in small packages
Christ came from a very insignificant town
Yet there it was where the ruler of Israel was found.
He may have come from small beginning but big ending
His purpose in mankind is to grant them salvation and mercy
Do not look down on what is small and inconsequential
It may be used for the things that are most reverential
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Our society look down on poor people, simpletons, uneducated, weak people. Yet, God chose a very insignificant small town such as Bethlehem to bring Jesus to us. Why would he do such thing? In 1 Corinthians 1:27, God chose things that the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they re wise and chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. He wants to show us all that he is the only one who is powerful and that no one can fully understand how he is and how he operates. If we do, then there is no more need for faith. Don’t look down on small things for they may deliver something really big.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for putting us in our humble place.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God chose small things to grant us big things?
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

HUMBLE KING COMES poem devotional

December 21
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O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey. -Zechariah 9:9(NLT)
HUMBLE KING COMES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Rejoice! There’s good news to mankind!
A king comes very humble, riding in a donkey
He has been born from a poor family
Yet he is righteous and brings us victory.
The Lord Jesus Christ was given to us
God wants to free us from sin very fast
There is no time to waste, let’s abide in Him
It is the only way we can overcome sin.
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Jesus came to this world and defied all traditions. He didn’t follow the ways of all the kings in the world. He chose to be born of a poor family instead of living in a palace and having all the worldly riches. No king has ever been born in a feeding trough for animals. No king was wrapped in swaddling cloths. No king had shepherds and lowly people witness his birth. Most of all, no other king was born of a virgin mother. That was a big dishonor for the traditions of his time. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says that, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. What a humble king we have in Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me not to be afraid to go against human traditions.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God breaks traditions?
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 GIFT OF AUTHORITY poem devotional

December 20
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They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star. -Revelations 2:28(NLT)
THE GIFT OF AUTHORITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit a life to Jesus Christ
You will begin to see things through his eyes
God will grant you authority as He gave Jesus
He blesses the faithful; to him they are precious.
They will have authority in Jesus’ name
The Lord will protect and provide for his children
Use your authority to overcome the enemy
He will grant if you ask and you’ll have victory.
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So many believers are living lives of defeat instead of victory because most of them do not know the gift of authority given to them as soon as they commit to Jesus Christ. I used to be one of these ignorant Christians. I allowed the devil to toss and turn me around. I had the authority but since I didn’t know it, I never used it. I praise God that he has revealed to me that I do have dominion over the enemy. Luke 10:19 says “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”. What a promise for all those who love him. When I got this revelation, I began to use and exercise my authority in Jesus’ name.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for the authority you gave me as you gave Jesus.
REFLECTION
How can we exercise dominion over the enemy in this modern age?
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

TO THE OBEDIENT Poem Devotional

December 19
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To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end. To them I will give authority over all the nations. -Revelations 2:26(NLT)
TO THE OBEDIENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you choose a path of obedience to God
You are showing your devotion and bringing him laud
God promises victory to all who obey his instructions
He gives them authority over all the nations.
Continue to follow all of God’s commands
You will find favor in going through life’s demands
Stay faithful to the truth that will set you free
The Lord will anoint you and you will have peace.
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One of the strongholds in my family of origin is rebellion and stubbornness. I learned to be a rebel since I was a young girl. I didn’t know it was a sin that my whole family struggled with because no one was a born again Christian. No one read the bible to know the truth that will set us free. We all followed our own desires and ambitions without any reverence to what the Lord wants for us. Disobedience made my life very challenging because I didn’t even count all the blessings I was receiving. I was blinded by my selfish nature and was just concerned with satisfying my cravings. The bible promises victory to the obedient and God gives them dominion over all nations. When we obey, we show that we love the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never be disobedient to your will.
REFLECTION
Who were the best example in the bible of obedience? How did God repay their faithfulness?
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

PARTNERING IN GOD’S MINISTRY Poem Devotional

December 18
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They are traveling for the Lord and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. -3 John 1:7-8 NLT)
PARTNERING IN GOD’S MINISTRY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you meet someone who works for the Lord
Give them your support so they can spread his word
They sacrifice to bring the Good News to all
We need to be there to support them in their cause.
Let’s partner in God’s ministry
It paves the way for victory
Be generous in sharing all that you can
The Lord will bless you and give you a hand.
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During Jesus’ time, there were no means of transportation except by horses, camels and donkeys. Most of Jesus’ ministry were done in foot. They walked from one place to another to preach the gospel. They were full of integrity and wouldn’t take anything from unbelievers as per God’s instruction. John was explaining to believers that we need to partner and support the cause of God. Those who are doing kingdom work are giving their best to ensure that the word of God is preached in all the ends of the earth.
There was a time that I partnered with a big international ministry to bring the gospel to those countries that were very poor, I felt blessed doing such support for God’s kingdom.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all those who do work for your kingdom.
REFLECTION
How can you give support to the work of the Lord?
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

CARING FOR GOD’S TEACHERS Poem Devotional

December 17
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You are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. – 3 John 1:5, 6(NLT)
CARING FOR GOD’S TEACHERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all who want to stay faithful to the Lord
Take care of all teachers of God’s word
Those who are given the gift of teaching
They are obedient and they are sacrificing.
Believers are called to care for these teachers
They spread God’s word and teach the gospel
It pleases God if you provide for their needs
It brings him praise when you openly care and give.
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Matthew 28:19-20 instructs us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that God has commanded. All believers of God are called to teach his word and his commands. Not all believers follow this commission. Those who take this instruction from God seriously to all the ends of the earth (Mark 16:15), God will never forsake them. Romans 12:6-7 mentions some of the spiritual gifts we can receive from the Holy Spirit. It mentions the teacher who ought to teach well. In 3 John 1:5,6, the faithful ones need to care for these teachers even though we don’t personally know them.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to provide care for your teachers.
REFLECTION
Why do you think teachers of his word have a special place in God’s heart?
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

PROOF OF BEING WITH GOD Poem Devotional

December 16
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Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God.
-2 John:9 (NLT)
PROOF OF BEING WITH GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Committing yourself to Jesus Christ
Means that you are emulating his life
The proof of your relationship is obedience
It also manifests in your humble endurance.
Anyone who wanders away from his teaching
It shows that they are turning their back and rebelling
It clearly exhibits a breach of their vow to believe him
The proof is in the Sprit’s fruits and in turning from sin.
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Has anyone vowed to love you and got into relationship with you but never showed it in actions? Many people get into relationships for selfish reasons. Some delve into commitments just so they can have someone meet their needs. This clearly is the worst reason why you should get involved with someone. It will definitely end badly. Many marriages end up in divorce because of unrealistic expectations. No one can meet anyone else’s needs except the Lord. He created us to crave for him. We were made to love because God is love. When we do things out of selfish reasons, we do not love.
John, the apostle whom Jesus loved explains what is the real sign that we love the Lord. Most of the books of the bible that John wrote focuses on “love”. We show love to Christ when we obey and follow his teachings.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never wander away from your truth.
REFLECTION
What causes a believer to turn away from God’s teachings?
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

THOSE WHO HATE THE LIGHT Poem Devotional

December 15
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All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. – John 2:20-21(NLT)
THOSE WHO HATE THE LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who do evil will fear the light
It will expose what they’re not doing right
The wicked hates light; they don’t want change
They like to remain doing what keeps them in bondage.
The righteous on the other hand, comes right into the light
They walk into it to shine Jesus and show they obey what’s right
Stay away from those who hate the truth and life
They will pull you down into evil ways and you’ll soon die.
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I know someone who don’t like the light literally. He’d prefer to be in the dark. He turns off anything that will bring in light and work in the dark. I didn’t realize that there was something deeper than just not wanting any form of light. As I got to know him deeper, I found out that there were many secrets he kept and the psychological and spiritual things that he hid caught up with him.
The bible has always referred to Jesus as the source of light and life. Where there is darkness, there is death. In him, there is no darkness at all.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from those who hate the light that comes from your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is light essential in life both literally and spiritually?
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