Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO

FOR THE LOST Poem Devotional

Posted on by

winter 2013 landscapes 001

December 11________________________________________
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. –Luke 19:10(NLT)
FOR THE LOST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you confused, bewildered or perplexed?
Do you keep on running and find it hard to rest?
Rejoice! The Son of Man came to save the lost
This is the reason why Jesus died on the cross.
Do not be afraid to admit that you are weak
It is in your weakness that he convicts and speaks
Christ died to save us from sin; no need for denial
He wants us to run to him in our suffering and trials.
________________________________________
How often do people admit that they are lost or confused? The world dictates that we hide our weaknesses and confusion. In God’s economy, we are encouraged to acknowledge or admit it. It is called humility to be able to recognize both one’s weakness or strength and use the knowledge to encourage or lead others to God. The enemy on the other hand wants to ensure that we deny it and keep on living in the lies so that there is more mix-up. It is a wide open door for the enemy to thrive when we are very proud to admit that we are vulnerable, weak and confused. The bible says that the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost and no need to deny it.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember that you came for the lost.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when God was present in your confusion and agony.
________________________________________
For more darkness in our lives. 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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

SOURCE OF HOPE, JOY AND PEACE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

winter 2013 landscapes 013

December 10________________________________________
I pray that God, the source of hope will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13(NLT)
SOURCE OF HOPE, JOY AND PEACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is weighing you down in life these days?
Is it the suffering and trials that bother you today?
What stops you from experiencing peace?
What is distracting you which doesn’t allow you to see?
The only source of hope is to seek God’s truth in the word
Why are you believing the lies propagated by this world?
Trust in the Lord and in the power of the Almighty
Then you will have hope, joy and tranquility.
________________________________________
When we are bombarded with so much distractions and desires, we will have difficulty navigating through life in peace. I didn’t have peace for many years in my life because I was a very needy person. I gauge my happiness in my achievements, circumstances and in the knowledge that other people loves me truly. Because of these human cravings, it took me a while to experience joy. When I depended much on the results of my hard work, my thirst for human love and approval was insatiable. No wonder, I felt very hopeless as well. The bible tells us that the only source of hope, joy and peace is God.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always run to your throne and follow you.
REFLECTION
What things distract you from experiencing God’s love, peace and joy?
________________________________________
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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

TOO WONDERFUL FOR WORDS Poem Devotional

Posted on by

crawford lake 2013 049

December 9________________________________________
Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! – 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)
TOO WONDERFUL FOR WORDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone gives you something incredible
Are you awed and consider it a miracle?
Do you express gratitude for the gift that you received?
Do you pass on the blessing to others and give?
Thank God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ
Without his blood, we will never be right
The cross is too wonderful for words
God saved mankind from this impure world.
________________________________________
Are you a grateful person? Do you realize how God loves you so much? There were many years of my life that I didn’t know how loved I am by my heavenly Father. My mind cannot fathom unconditional love because the rejection I experienced clouded my ability to receive and view love without conditions. It didn’t come second nature to me to be thankful. I was bitter for so many years of my life because I didn’t know how to get my needs met. After over two decades of pessimism, I finally heeded to God’s conviction to change me into a grateful believer.
The bible tells us to thank God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. Without God’s generosity we will still be prisoners of sin. While we were still sinful, he gave his only begotten son so that we will be free. He forgave us and gave us a clean slate.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your gift of love in Christ’s blood.
REFLECTION
How can you express gratitude to 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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

WRAPPED IN STRIPS OF CLOTH Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_2199

December 8________________________________________
The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. – Luke 2:11-12(NLT)
WRAPPED IN STRIPS OF CLOTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Savior was born in Bethlehem
After his birth, the world was never the same
He chose to come wrapped in strips of cloth
He wants to show us that we have so much worth.
He came to give us freedom from bondage to sin
He knows what we endure and where we’ve been
He wants to save especially those who are lost
This is the true essence of his blood and the cross.
________________________________________
Why did God use poor and ordinary people to bring Jesus into this world? Why was Jesus wrapped in strips of cloth and born in a manger instead of being in a palace and surrounded by all the comforts? This is God’s way of shocking the world with the simplicity and the peace that comes from a silent night when Mary gave birth in a trough wrapped snugly in improvised blanket. God chose a baby, a vulnerable being to be the entry of Christ in this world. We will never experience God’s magnificence unless we are humble, weak and poor. God works best in our weaknesses.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never be dazzled by opulence and materialism.
REFLECTION
Share how God has worked in your weaknesses and poverty?
________________________________________
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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

GOD NEVER CHANGES Poem Devotional

Posted on by

badlands fall2012 077-001

December 7________________________________________
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. –James 1:17(NLT)
GOD NEVER CHANGES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you afraid of changes in your life?
Do you fear that you will be compromised?
Whatever is good and perfect comes from the Father
God never changes, he is always after our welfare.
You can be reassured that God loves us without conditions
It doesn’t matter if we are imperfect; he still gives provisions
He never casts a shifting shadow, he loves you constantly
He doesn’t waiver in his character; he waits for you faithfully.
________________________________________
Have you ever experienced being tossed around by someone’s instability? Have you ever felt insecure because someone never reassures you of their love for you? I was raised in a very unstable home where you one walks on eggshells daily. I was always a very hopeful person but after many years of exposure to so much negativity and criticism, I learned to defend myself and ensure I will never be hurt again. Even before someone can be close to me, I stay away from them as soon as I feel a need to be dependent on them. It took many years until I got revelations from God that he has me covered.
The bible says that God never changes. He is love and light.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be like you.
REFLECTION
Why is constancy important in relationships and 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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

GOD LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN Poem Devotional

Posted on by

pinery camping 2014 and others 552

December 6________________________________________
God looks down from heaven on the entire human race, he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. – Palms 53:2(NLT)
GOD LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Keep a close guard on what you do
God looks down from heaven to look at you
He looks to see if anyone is truly wise
He wants to know if you’d take his advice.
He is concerned when you don’t walk in love
You are important to him or he won’t watch from above
He longs for you to seek him and hunger for his word
That is the only way you can be a victor and conquer the world.
________________________________________
Have you ever felt safe when someone you love looks after your welfare? Babies and young children cannot be safe in the world if their parents and caregivers do not provide a safe environment for them in their vulnerability. The reason why a lot of people who suffer from mental illness or depression and other disorders is because they weren’t provided a safe environment to go through the different stages of development from their birth up to their adolescence.
The bible tells us that God looks down from heaven on the entire human race, he looks to see if anyone is truly wise and if anyone seeks him at all. He pines for us to long for him and hunger to follow his word.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for looking out for me.
REFLECTION
When have you ever felt abandoned by God? Did he truly leave 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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

WHITER THAN SNOW Poem Devotiional

Posted on by

monocliffhike 052

December 5________________________________________
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
-Psalm 51:7(NLT)
WHITER THAN SNOW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, cleanse me from my sins so I can be renewed
Help me to follow your word so I can change my views
Forgive me for all my sins and my wrong choices
Help me to always hear you so I can mute other voices.
Purify me from my sins so I can be clean
Protect me from selfishness and all cravings
Wash me so I can be whiter than snow
Bless me in everything so I can have an overflow.
________________________________________
I come from a family of compulsive cleaners. I grew up with people who were meticulously clean. It was very hard to live up to the expectations of these people because it kills all the joy of being a child. I understand we all need to learn to be clean, tidy and organized. I learned from these compulsive clean people also to be so detailed when it comes to cleanliness. When I was raising my son 25 years ago, I realized that it is not just all about making everything clean outwardly. The bible tells us that God can purify us if we confess our sins and repent and can make as whiter than snow. He alone can cleanse us from sins and be born again.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for forgiving me and making me clean again.
REFLECTION
What sins and strongholds still lurks in your life that you need cleansing from?
________________________________________
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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

GOD VALUES YOU Poem Devotional

Posted on by

pinery camping 2014 and others 552

December 4________________________________________
So don’t be afraid, you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
-Matthew 10:31(NLT)
GOD VALUES YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel ignored, unimportant, unloved or rejected?
You are more valuable to God, no need to feel dejected
Among all his creation, he made you into his own likeness
Doesn’t it make you special that he gave you his righteousness?
The very hairs on your head are numbered by the heavenly father
He knows everything and he wants you to love one another
Don’t ever be afraid for you are God’s very own possession
He will ensure that you are going to be part of his plan for salvation.
________________________________________
In our world today, there is so much anger, hatred, violence and unloving acts. No wonder depression has played a big role in our lives. Depression has contributed to many mental as well as physical illnesses in our lives today. The root of most of these hopelessness is due to being devalued, unloved or rejected. I lived so many years with these negative feelings because the enemy has perpetuated many lies in my family that ran for so many generations. I stopped getting depressed when God revealed to me how much he loves me.
The bible tells us that we are God’s very own possession and that we are more valuable to him than all his creations. God knows all the details about us.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to value you as much as you value me.
REFLECTION
How has God shown you tangibly that he values 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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

TRUE PERFECTION Poem Devotional

Posted on by

xmasoutdoorandindoor 024
December 2________________________________________
For by one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.
–Hebrews 10:14(NLT)
TRUE PERFECTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself wanting to be perfect always?
Do you continuously want to show off your best?
True perfection comes only from the greatest sacrifice
It is through Christ’s death that we receive our prize.
We were made perfect by his blood on the cross
It cleansed us of our sins and brought back the lost
True perfection is manifested in following Christ
It is the only way we can be perfect and have new life.
________________________________________
Being a perfectionist can sometimes be a blessing and a curse. The world views perfection very differently from God’s point of view. We are bombarded with so much ideas of being perfect through media. Sometimes, the standard of the world becomes very cruel to someone who doesn’t actually exhibit visual perfection. I used to be a perfectionist and it did me some good but it caused more harm in my relationships than good. I became very demanding and judgmental when others couldn’t live up to my expectations. I was trivial because all I cared was the details and not the real essence of someone or something.
The bible tells us that there is only one kind of perfection that we need to be concerned about. It is perfecting ourselves by following the example that Christ left for us to emulate.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to be perfect in love.
REFLECTION
How can you contribute in perfecting this world according to God’s truth?
________________________________________
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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

ESSENCE OF SCRIPTURES Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 019-001

December 1________________________________________
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. – 2 Timothy 3:16(NLT)
ESSENCE OF SCRIPTURES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you felt God’s word stir something in your heart?
Does it make you realize what is wrong and have another start?
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us the truth
It is important that we feed on it and let it have root
Whenever we face challenges and trials in life
Run to the word and you will see clearly in God’s light
The essence of his word is to lead us to become more like Christ
It brings us to a place of joy, peace, love and a life that is bright.
________________________________________
A lot of people take for granted the essence of Scriptures. Even many Christians do not realize what the word of God brings in our lives. The bible is not like any other books that we just read. It is the manual for our life. It is a map to help us navigate this world’s challenges and trials. It talks to you personally whatever you are going through in your life. It corrects you when you are sinning and gives you a way out. It leads you to be closer to God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your word.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to feed on God’s word regularly?
________________________________________
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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com