Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO

GRIEF BRINGS PAIN

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 215

June 25
________________________________________
I am bent over and racked with pain. All day long I walk around filled with grief.
-Psalm 38:6 (NLT)
GRIEF BRINGS PAIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are bent over and racked with pain
The hurt from a loss can make you insane
Grief brings much sorrow and numbness
It can make you consumed with sadness.
A loss in your life can make you lose determination
It can make you an easy prey to temptation
Bring your sorrow to the Lord so he can handle it
He will grant you peace if you accept his Spirit.
________________________________________
It took me many years to realize that I have not been dealing with much losses in my life. The enemy robbed me of peace and joy for over five decades of my life. I was made to believe that I am okay and I minimized all the losses and just covered it up with work and ambitions. The funny thing about dismissing or burying your losses and skipping grief is that you are the last person to know that you are actually going through the motions of grieving. There are various stages of the grieving process and if we are not able to confront our losses, we get stuck in certain stages of it. I got trapped in anger for many years without even knowing it. The bible tells us to take our grief to the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to face all my losses and grief.
REFLECTION
How is it healthy to acknowledge our losses?
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

DISCARDING THE BAD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 118

June 24
________________________________________
Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. – Matthew 3:10 (NLT)
DISCARDING THE BAD
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your life that hampers your growth?
Is it your attitude that doesn’t honor the Lord?
Do you do everything the Lord commands?
Are you willing to give in to what God demands?
The Lord wants us to discard the bad and replace it with good
He will sever all that is impure and does not produce fruit
Remember to choose truth instead of living in lies
He wants us to join his fold so we can soar up high.
________________________________________
I think it is human nature to be lawless and not follow what leads to the good. Most teenagers go through this phase in life. They are rebels without a cause. Sometimes, they just want to go against just for the heck of it or to exercise power and control over those they have no authority over. I was one of these rebels without a cause. I just wanted to prove I was right and they were wrong.
The bible tells us that we have to cut everything that doesn’t produce good fruit in our lives and throw it into the fire because in the end, the bad will be discarded.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to choose the bad.
REFLECTION
What was the consequence of a bad choice you made in the past?
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

INCOMPLETE FAITH Poem Devotional

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 224June 23
________________________________________
You say you have faith for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? -James 2:19(NLT)
INCOMPLETE FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When a believer declares his faith
It is the start to change his fate
Once you commit to the Lord as your savior
There will be transformations in your behavior.
When you continue with your old and sinful ways
Faith is incomplete when you are refuting what you say
If you only speak it without good deeds, it becomes useless
If you never renew your heart and mind, it is pointless.
________________________________________
Many Christians have incomplete faith. They think that because they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, it makes their faith complete. There are many promises given to us in the bible but there are also many prerequisites that allow us to reap the benefits that God has given us. Sadly, a lot of shallow believers who have not really lived the life Jesus want for them have led others to leave the Christian faith.
The bible tells us that accepting Jesus is just the first step to build our faith. It is incomplete if we never do anything that he says in the bible to love one another as we love him. Ignoring others’ show incomplete faith.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always remember to live what I believe.
REFLECTION
How can you manifest faith 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

CONVENIENCE OVER REPENTANCE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

wasaga 3rd anniv picnic & beatrice 3rd visit 170

June 22
________________________________________
As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient. I’ll call for you again.” -Acts 24:25 (NLT)
CONVENIENCE OVER REPENTANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek convenience more than anything?
Do you prefer comfort in everything?
Have you ever listened to the voice that convicts you?
The Lord wants you to repent and your mind renewed.
Why do you choose convenience over repentance?
Blessings are lost when you continue with your resistance
Listen and heed to God’s call for you to turn to him
That is the only way you can win and overcome sin.
________________________________________
There are many people who continue to turn their backs to God despite many circumstances that leads to him. I am guilty of this myself during many years of rebellion and confusion. When we are confronted with choices and hear a nudge in our hearts to do the right thing, we usually end up minimizing what could have been good for us. Human nature wants to please the “self”. We would do anything to satisfy and pleasure ourselves. It takes a supernatural power from God to be able to resist pleasuring one’s self.
The bible tells us stories about how many people try to avoid confronting their sins because they don’t want changes. They chose convenience over repentance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never to ignore your voice.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people choose to ignore that voice inside that tell them to choose to do good?
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 REPENTANCE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_2199

June 20
________________________________________
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
– Matthew 3:8 (NLT)
PROOF OF REPENTANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the e the indication that you have repented?
Are you able to recognize the sin you have committed?
Have you confessed to God and asked for forgiveness?
Are you willing to turn to him and live in faithfulness?
Prove by the way you live that you are sorry for your sins
Mere words and talk is not enough to be redeemed
Show others that you have been transformed and cleansed
Take the straight path and you’ll never again be bent.
________________________________________
Mere words such “I am sorry” does not necessarily mean that you have repented and turned to God. Sometimes people become sorry just because they don’t want to suffer the consequence of sin. They don’t have a true contrition and repentant heart. They just want to avoid discomfort or suffering. The bible says that if we confess our sins with our mouth and repent, we will be forgiven. The Holy Spirit shows us what we do wrong and guides us to the way out and ask forgiveness. All Scriptures teach us to do what is right and gives us a solution to our circumstances. The bible tells us to prove our repentant heart by the way we live and by turning to God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for guiding me back to you when I fall.
REFLECTION
When was the last time the Holy Spirit stirred you and corrected 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

SORROW THAT FREES Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 153 (2)

June 19
________________________________________
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance results in spiritual death. -2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT)
SORROW THAT FREES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Sorrow that doesn’t involve penitence
Usually doesn’t clear the conscience
When we grieve and wallow in sadness
It doesn’t lead us to peace and happiness.
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience
Is that kind that results in salvation and repentance
This sadness shields us from death and brings life
It frees us from guilt and leads us to God’s light.
________________________________________
Whenever we have a loss, we usually go through the process of grief. Never was it mentioned in the bible that believers will be free from sorrow. In fact, Jesus Christ himself wept in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was captured. He felt such sadness because he knows exactly how he will be betrayed by his own disciple and how he will be put to death. He wasn’t afraid of death or suffering, he was weeping for the hardened hearts of those who will crucify him and not being saved. It was a godly sorrow. He was repenting for the sins of his accusers.
The bible talks about the sorrow that frees. It leads us away from sin and brings us to seek God.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from worldly sorrow and lead me to godly sorrow.
REFLECTION
What was the consequences of worldly sorrow 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

RIGHTEOUS LIPS BRING NOURISHMENT Poem Devotional

Posted on by

tulipfestival 092

June 18
________________________________________
The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
-Proverbs 10:21 (NIV)
RIGHTEOUS LIPS BRING NOURISHMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
What comes out of your lips?
Does your word give good tips?
The lips of the righteous nourish
But fools say things that diminish.
Righteous lips declare God’s word
It asserts authority over the world
Those who are good lead others to truth
They bring Scriptures to take root and have fruits.
________________________________________
I have experienced many harsh speaking people in my life for many years. When I entered adulthood, I made a decision to surround myself with positive speaking people. It was very hard to come by when you don’t align your will with God. If you surround yourself with unbelievers and sinners, there is no way that you can be nourished and be encouraged. They will always make you little, oppressed, ridiculed or minimized.
The bible tells us that the lips of the righteous nourish many but fools die for lack of judgment. Those who open their mouths to use it to benefit others will make a big difference in other people’s lives. They bring life and light, order and peace in their brothers and sisters. However, those who are wicked will not have wisdom and understanding and will always be unable to have the truth that sets them free and make them decipher Satan’s tactics and lies.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from those who do not speak life.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to filter our mouths with words that encourage?
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

BENEFITS OF PATIENCE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_1884

June 17
________________________________________
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
-Proverbs 25:15(NIV)
BENEFITS OF PATIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you struggle waiting and being still?
Run to the word so you can learn his will
He wants us to have the fruit of the Spirit
He blesses us with gifts so we can enjoy it.
Through patience we can persuade anyone
Through gentle speech we can encourage someone
Patience opens up the floodgates of heaven
It can bring understanding to all our brethren.
________________________________________
One of the fruits of the spirit is patience. This gift has often been set aside because so many people have turned to instant gratification for everything in their lives. Not many people know how to wait or to persevere. There is a tendency to easily give up when they don’t get right away their wants or desires. I used to be a very impatient person, but when my son was born, I needed to learn this virtue. It was very essential when you are raising a child. If you don’t have patience, you will not make it through rearing children. Marriages can also benefit from having this gift from God. Without patience, the marriages can turn into a battlefield.
The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of patience in our lives. It can persuade rulers and authorities and win over any weaknesses.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to harvest patience in my life.
REFLECTION
How has impatience impacted your life? How did God reveal to you the essence of patience?
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

GIVING CREDIT TO GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_8656

June 16
________________________________________
It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
-Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
GIVING CREDIT TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you able to achieve the things you dream about?
Do you give credit to God by opening your mouth?
Speak to others what he has done in your life
It will give him glory and will bring you light.
It is God who works in you to will and act accordingly
Without him, you won’t be able to do things righteously
He is the only reason why you have life and blessings
He alone must be given praise for his goodness and mercy.
________________________________________I volunteered to help in curating an exhibit for an art contest where I live in. Because I had many years of curating experiences, I thought that I could do the town a favor by helping. They only had one day of set up for about 100 paintings in a very small room at the town library. I came in early to help and saved them about an estimate of four hours work because they needed to open the show that same day. To my surprise, when acknowledgements were mentioned, the two people I helped took credit for my work.
The bible tells us that it is God who gave us the will to act according to his good purpose. Without it, we can’t do good.
PRAYER
Lord, please let me always give you praise for what you do for me.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to give God the credit in everything?
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 ARE QUICKLY PROVOKED

Posted on by

canadablooms 118

June 15
________________________________________
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
-Ecclesiastes 7:9(NIV)
THOSE WHO ARE QUICKLY PROVOKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is a spirit of offense
There is temptation to use defense
Those who are quickly provoked
Their spirits have been hurt and broke.
For anger resides in the lap of fools
Their fury or rage can make them cruel
Watch out when you are reactive and explosive
A hardened heart can make you be very impulsive.
________________________________________
One of the generational sins that I inherited from my family of origin is the spirit of offense. Most of the people who raised me had anger issues. Some of them are explosive but others are implosive. I learned at a very young age to guard what I do or say because it might get me in trouble and be deprived of love and attention. I literally walked on eggshells because I don’t even know why they get to be so easily angered even when I just ask simple questions. It was inevitable that I learned their ways because I was too young to process and understand why they behave in such impulsive and reactive ways. I learned it the hard way when I became a high school teacher. Some of my students got my implosions and on some occasions my explosions as well. The bible tells us not to be easily angered.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for my spirit of offense.
REFLECTION
When have you regretted an explosion, irritability or implosion?
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