WHAT REBELLION BRINGS Poem Devotional

Posted on August 4, 2016 by ilmaarts

August 4
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“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children”, says the Lord. You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.
– Isaiah 30:1(NLT)
WHAT REBELLION BRINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a spirit of lawlessness that is debilitating?
Do you wonder why you continually experience suffering?
The Lord has plans for you but you must follow
If you go against his commands, you will have sorrow.
Rebellion brings much anguish and piles up your sins
It depletes you of energy and cannot make you win
Obedience brings blessings for it manifests humility
Defiance on the other hand brings much pain and poverty.
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God made me a very obedient person but somehow the enemy stole that identity through traumatic experiences. I believed Satan’s lies regarding getting even or avenging those abusers in my life through rebellion or proving them wrong. I didn’t even consciously know that they were depleting me of energy and strength and hardening my heart. Until the Lord delivered me from the stronghold of rebellion, I was blinded by the pain I experienced. Thanks be to God that he freed me and gave me back my true identity in Christ.
The bible tells us that sorrow awaits those who are rebellious. It piles up sins that they get buried into. It deprives them of blessings and a joyful and peaceful life.
PRAYER
Thank you for teaching me obedience through your words.
REFLECTION
What has rebellion done 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

NOT DOING WHAT YOU SAY

Posted on August 4, 2016 by ilmaarts

August 3
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They don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.
-Matthew 23:3-5(NLT)
NOT DOING WHAT YOU SAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe in God and love him with all your heart?
Are you able to follow what he says without a doubt?
The Pharisees do everything for a show
They don’t practice what they preach and know.
Are you able to live a pure and authentic life?
You must be obedient to all God’s commands like Christ
Not doing what you say doesn’t show a good testimony
It brings confusion and makes others doubt your sincerity.
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Many people have been discouraged or even lost their faith because of a Christian who have not been able to do what they say, preach or believe in. When Christ was here on earth, the Pharisees are one of those he exposed much and are bold with. No wonder, they plotted to kill Christ. They couldn’t bear the unapologetic honesty of Jesus.
The Pharisees don’t practice what they preach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never made it easier for others. Everything they do is for show. They never genuinely love God but they are more concerned with how people view them. They compare themselves with others and ensured that they always looked good on the outside.
PRAYER
Lord, please never let me be a hypocrite like the Pharisees.
REFLECTION
What things do you believe that you never really do? How does it affect you?
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

IDOLS SAP STRENGTH Poem Devotional

Posted on August 3, 2016 by ilmaarts

August 2
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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

CHRIST’S AGONY ON LACK OF INTIMACY Poem Devotional

Posted on July 30, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 29
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I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. Colossians2:1(NLT)
CHRIST’S AGONY ON LACK OF INTIMACY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you claim you believe in Christ
He expects you to commit your life
How can you say you are a believer?
If all you do is all kinds of religious rituals?
To have a personal relationship means you know him
It shows that you please him and avoid sin
Don’t let Jesus agonize over your coldness
Let him know every iota of your faithfulness.
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There are many Christians who have never really have an intimate relationship with Christ. It is sad to watch that they have no clue what God requires of them and sadder to watch them do the opposite of what he commands. I used to be a shallow Christian who did all kinds of religious rituals. Going to church on Sundays, being a member of church organization, wearing my Sunday attitudes and changing as soon as I get home. It was a pathetic claim that I was a believer. When Christ touched my life, I was convicted of my lack of intimacy with him.
The bible says that Christ agonizes when we don’t have a personal relationship with him. He wants us to show him how much we love him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to prioritize you in all things.
REFLECTION
Evaluate how intimate you are with Christ. Give us details of your relationship.

ON SETTLING DISAGREEMENTS Poem Devotional

Posted on July 29, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 28
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Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. -Philippians 4:2(NLT)
ON SETTLING DISAGREEMENTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where there are conflicts, the enemy thrives
He loves to watch people when they strive
If you belong to God, you will settle disagreements
There is no need to dwell on fights and arguments.
Do not give the devil an open door for bondage
If you are God’s child, you won’t be at a disadvantage
He always wants you to be free and never chained
Let God renew you and so you can embrace change.
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I have wasted a lot of years arguing. It gave me so much pleasure then when I win an argument. What I did not know is that it was keeping me in bondage to conflicts. The enemy loves to watch people in all kinds of fights. I didn’t realize I was like a puppet to him. Each opportunity he gives me to have conflicts. I just followed the strings he pulls to bring me where he wants me to. God delivered me from this stronghold of conflict and since then, I learned to embrace peace at all cost.
The bible tells us to settle disagreements. He addresses all believers to seek and pursue peace at all times. He wants us all to live in harmony, love and understanding. The sooner we settle arguments, the faster the devil will flee.
PRAYER
Lord, show me any form of conflict when it comes.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to settle conflicts as soon as it arise?
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

NOT BY WORKS BUT BY FAITH Poem Devotional

Posted on July 28, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 27
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When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. – Romans 4:4-5(NLT)
NOT BY WORKS BUT BY FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you working your way to be saved?
Do you believe in God and all he says?
When people work, their wages are not gifts
They won’t be saved until they believe him.
Your salvation lies on how much faith you have
It is not by works but how you deeply love
God makes you righteous when you make him first
He loves those who abide in him and search.
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I’ve spent many years of my Christian life working at my salvation. Nobody told me that I couldn’t have it that way but I also didn’t read the bible then because if I did, I would never have done it. The enemy wants us all to perform and compete with God. He tricks us into thinking that having a holy and ritualistic religious attitude will make use righteous.
The bible tells us that when we work, we earn from toiling, but that is not the same with salvation. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross already paid for our salvation. All we need to do is to believe in him and follow what he commands so we can be righteous.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never perform good deeds to earn my salvation.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to remember that faith is essential in our salvation?
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.co

UPSIDE OF LISTENING Poem Devotional

Posted on July 27, 2016 by ilmaarts

July 26
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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?

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