Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO

BREAKING THE YOKE OF SLAVERY Poem Devotional

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July 14
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For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
-Isaiah 9:4 (NLT)
BREAKING THE YOKE OF SLAVERY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is it an idol or a loss that enslaves your life?
Are you following traditions that covers light?
Are you constantly addicted to something?
God can break your slavery to anything.
The Lord promised freedom to all believers
Though the enemy has power, his is greater
Commit your mind, body, soul and spirit
He will break the yoke and you’ll be free from it.
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Addiction is a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. What many people don’t realize is the addiction may be a coping mechanism that people use to alleviate a loss or pain. There is also a spiritual component in addiction. The enemy uses substance dependence or repeated bad habits that trap us from growth. Satan does it ever so cunningly that we don’t recognize the different forms of slavery he brings in our lives. It took me over five decades to recognize all these strongholds that delayed my progress in kingdom work.
The bible tells us that God can break any yoke of slavery in our lives and defeat the devil’s tactics and tricks to keep us enslaved to anything.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for breaking the yokes of slavery in my life.
REFLECTION
What yokes of slavery have you been freed from by 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

LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK

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July 13
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. -Isaiah 9:2(NLT)
LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are in darkness will see a great light
Fear not for the Lord will give hope and sight
It is in total darkness the light shines through
It is by depending on him that you’ll be renewed.
Light will shine in the dark and can’t be extinguished
Hope will be given back to them; it won’t be diminished
The light will guide them back to the love of the Lord
It will help them to navigate through this dark world.
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There were many years of my life that I lived in total darkness. I went through a phase of desperation in my teen life that I almost succeeded ending my miserable life. The Lord had a plan and didn’t let me die. He used this darkness to teach me how to rely on him totally. One of my weaknesses is “rebelling”. It detoured my journey to God. Just like the Israelites took them to reach their promised land. The trip should have taken just 11 days; instead it took them 40 years. It also took me 40 years to have the light shine in my life when I gave up rebellion and opt to obey God.
PRAYER
Thank you for shining on me in my darkest times Lord.
REFLECTION
Why should a believer never lose hope?
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

WHAT’S EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT Poem Devotional

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July 12
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In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David had done. – 1 Kings 11:6 (NLT)
WHAT’S EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to follow the Lord’s will?
Are you struggling finding rest and being still?
When you refuse to obey what God commands
You will have difficulty responding to life’s demands.
Do you constantly examine yourself and what you do?
Are they things that keeps close to the Lord and pure?
Obedience is very essential to keep close to him
What’s evil in God’s sight is rebellion and evil things.
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The usual challenge a parent faces with their children is disobedience. As parents, we already have experienced going through the phases of growing up. We have an idea what hurt us in the past and we don’t want our children hurt. We do our best to protect them with rules that can keep them safe and make them learn to cope with life’s demands. When they go against our will, it hurts us because we don’t want to see them suffer the consequences of wrong choices and decisions.
The bible talks about Solomon’s disobedience to the Lord and refusal to acknowledge God’s will in his life. He didn’t honor what the Lord is saying because he followed his own will and rejected God’s will.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be always in your will.
REFLECTION
Why do you think obedience is very important in our relationship with 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

ANOINTED WITH GOD’S WISDOM Poem Devotional

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July 11
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So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God has given him.
– 1 Kings 10:23-24(NLT)
ANOINTED WITH GOD’S WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
God is the only one who can give you wisdom
HIs knowledge and truth come brings freedom
Just like King Solomon who was the wisest
You too can be anointed to be the brightest.
When God anoints you with his truth
His understanding and knowledge will take root
You will be able to discern and see with his view
He will give you beyond what you can know and do.
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When I started reading and studying the bible faithfully, knowledge and understanding kept overflowing. The things I never knew before and had no answers for are now very clear. The word of God guides us in everything. It tells us what to do and corrects us when we do wrong. It gives us a way out when we are in trouble and protects us from danger. If we heed it, we will gain wisdom.
King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear God’s wisdom. Without God’s anointing, he would probably be like any other kings, but God chose him to be ruler of his people with extraordinary wisdom.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your words that give us wisdom.
REFLECTION
Why is God’s anointing important in our lives?
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

CHAINS OF MISERY Poem Devotional

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July 10
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Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High.
-Psalm 107:10-11(NLT)
CHAINS OF MISERY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you have sins that are unconfessed
There will be no peace and you’ll be walled by darkness
Those who rebel against God’s word and counsel
Will find life hard and will be constantly bitter.
The chains of misery will keep you in bondage
Surrender to God and you will be at an advantage
Break those shackles and you will experience healing
No longer will you be bound by the misery of sinning.
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A painting by a Filipino national artist named Juan Luna stirred me so deeply that it paved the way for me to become an artist myself. As I stood before this monumental work entitled “Spoliarium” which was about 30 feet by 40 feet, I cried for 2 hours and felt all the pain and suffering those dying slaves were experiencing on that scene. It was in a dungeon cell where dying men were imprisoned. I actually felt and smelled blood as I was viewing the painting. I think it stirred me so much because I was in chains of misery myself from a sinful life.
The bible tells us that if we don’t confess our sins and turn to God, we will be in total darkness.
PRAYER
Lord, please remind me to confess my sins and repent always.
REFLECTION
Share an experience of gloom and darkness as a result of unconfessed sins.
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 BLESSING OF STILLNESS Poem Devotional

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July 9
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He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! – Psalm 107:29-30 (NLT)
THE BLESSING OF STILLNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is making your life such a disaster?
Is it those dreams that you are after?
Is there a sin that you haven’t confessed?
Why do you fret and not have peace?
Jesus calms the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves
He can pacify you and give you strength to be brave
What a blessing it is if you can be still for the Lord
It brings joy and peace when you give him laud.
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I did not know how to be still for over five decades of my life. The enemy kept me in bondage to “busy-ness” and performing to prove that I was really good at what I did. I didn’t even realize how it was affecting my body because I just grinded and grinded and never paid attention to my health. One day, I became so sick that I couldn’t even raise my hands up. I was literally melting like a candle inside me. It took awhile before I was diagnosed with Hepatitis A because the symptoms of a flu are almost the same. I was bed ridden for 3 months. That was how God calmed the storm inside me. That’s when I learned to be still in the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be still always.
REFLECTION
Why is it very hard to be still these days?
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 MIGHT Poem Devotional

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July 8
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Oh please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. -Psalm 108:12-13(NLT)
GOD’S MIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you rely on your own strength to fight enemies?
Remember that you are only human and have frailties
Whenever you feel compromised and defeated
Run to God for he will help you as you are being tempted.
With God’s help, we will do mighty things and overcome
On our own, we will fail, so why not run to Christ his Son
He is a god who can do the impossible and improbable
He has power and might beyond what humans can be capable.
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I remember how Julie Andrews impressed and influenced me to look up to governesses and teachers in the Sound of Music movie. I was six years old and that was my very first big screen movie. In about the same year, the Singing Nun was also very popular. I guess those two movies influenced me to be a teacher, a singer and a nun.
The bible tells us that if we run to God, he will do mighty things for us. If we keep our eyes on the Lord and make him first in our lives, he will trample down our foes and ensure that we are winners in this life. Is God your superhero?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always run and look up to you.
REFLECTION
Why is self-reliance not as good as relying on 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

WHAT DEFILES US IN GOD’S SIGHT Poem Devotional

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July 7
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They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love for idols was adultery in the Lord’s sight. – Psalm 106:39(NLT)
WHAT DEFILES US IN GOD’S SIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we think of evil thoughts
We delay and hamper or spiritual growth
Each time we do things to please ourselves
We end up displeasing him and we need help.
Prioritizing other things over the Lord defiles us
It opens the door for the enemy to tempt us fast
God considers loving other idols as an adultery
It disgusts him when we treat him unfaithfully.
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If you are a parent, you probably made rules for your children in order to protect them and ensure that they are not being influenced by others who are totally believe differently from you. This is why parents consider carefully the schools that they enrol their kids in and filter the kind of friends their children go with. Because we love them and want them to grow up in a safe and healthy environment, we set boundaries for them to follow so that they can stay unharmed and grow up fully. God is the same with us. That is why we have Scriptures so we follow his commands and be safe to live in this corrupted world. He warns us not to be defiled by evil deeds and to avoid idolatry. These things defile us in the Lord’s sight.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never desecrate what is holy and what you’ve created.
REFLECTION
What have you done in the past that defiled you in God’s sight?
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

ON ENDURING HARDSHIPS

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July 6
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If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.
-2 Timothy 2:12(NLT)
ON ENDURING HARDSHIPS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you going through difficult times now?
Don’t worry; continue to believe and never doubt
If we endure hardship, we will reign with Christ
If we deny it, we will lose reason to live in this life.
Remember that Jesus experienced the worst suffering
Just look up the cross and keep on remembering
Hardships can stretch our character and discipline
It gives us the power to overcome sin and win.
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There is a misnomer in our society today that we should have a trouble-free life. Many people are in pursuit of happiness and getting what they want. I used to chase these same things before God changed my heart. I endured hardship in a way that God didn’t want me to. I used my talents and skills to overcome adversities and never really relied on God’s grace and mercy. I proved to others that I am a survivor and took pride in it. It was the worldly way to endure hardships. But when I was saved, God showed me that all the things I went through had a purpose. It was to bring me strength and character so I could contribute to build up his kingdom and to spread the good news about his redemption through Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember that you died for me.
REFLECTION
What do you usually do when you encounter difficulties?
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

BE CONSIDERATE Poem Devotional

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July 5
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Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. – Philippians 4:5(NLT)
BE CONSIDERATE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you understand and accept others’ differences?
Are you easily succumbing to offenses?
Let everyone see that you are considerate to all
It will protect you from the enemy’s pitfalls.
Be considerate and sympathetic to others
God wants you to be loving to one another
Just as Christ had been patient and kind to you
He expects you to always be good and true.
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Since I have gone through so much pain and traumas in life, many people I meet feel that I understand what they are going through. Sometimes even if I don’t say anything, they sense that I am there for them. When I was a teacher, those troubled students somehow found that I can understand them because I have been where they are.
The bible says that we should show consideration in all that we do. When Christ was here on earth, he never judged anyone even though he can. He was amongst sinners but he was sympathetic and understanding to them. He confronted their sins but also allowed them to recognize their sins and respect their choices. Yet, Jesus never forced anyone to repent, he invited them to be free from sin so they can experience the glory that he so openly shares with his people.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that understands.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you were considerate to someone?
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