GOD IN NATURE Poem Devotional

Posted on May 24, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 24 The Power of God’s Word
Only fools say in their hearts, ”There is no God.” They are corrupt and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! Psalm 53:1(NLT)
GOD IN NATURE
Tulips gracefully rising, cupping the sun’s light coming out
What a beautiful spring sunny day where birds come about
Leaves sprouting out from the branches of some trees
They finally come to life and survive the severe winter freeze.
Only fools say “There is no God”
The trees, birds and flowers give him laud
God cares and nourishes all his creatures
He manifests himself in all of nature.
Many unbelievers claim that there is no god. They make all kinds of theories of how the universe and everything came about. They concoct all kinds of stories to disprove the existence of God. The enemy has blinded them with lies that appear like truth to them. Their choice to believe these lies deprive them to see that there is a God who is magnificent and has created everything we can’t explain and understand.
Psalm 53 talks about fools that claim there is no God. They are corrupt and choose evil deeds. What will it take for people to believe that there is a higher being who made everything? Just watch the birds, the trees, the flowers, the river, the seas, and the skies. Who can create such magnificence?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your presence in nature!
REFLECTION
Soak yourself in nature and feel God’s presence.

SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT Poem Devotional

Posted on May 23, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 23 The Power of God’s Word
My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me and from finishing his work. –John 4:34 (NLT)
SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
Do you feed on God’s truth and his word?
Are you contented with what is in this world?
Spiritual nourishment comes from doing God’s will
Starving your spirit brings havoc and makes you ill.
Just as your body needs food to keep alive
So does your spirit needs truth to break the lies
Feed your spirit with what will make you see
Seeking and following God’s will is what sets you free.
It is amazing how so many people put so much emphasis on their physical well being. They spend much money being a member of a health club or a gym just so they can look good and stay fit. Sadly, the mental and spiritual health is often neglected by many of us. This is one of the reasons why so many people are mentally or spiritually ill. Because we see our bodies and not our minds and spirit, it is often ignored.
The bible tells us that our nourishment must come from doing God’s will who gave us life. Our purpose in life is not just to care for our bodies, but also to put priority to the real reason for our existence. We were created to fit in God’s big plan.
PRAYER
Lord, help me keep spiritually fit.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to feed our spirits?

BE ENCOURAGED! Poem Devotional

Posted on May 23, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 22 The Power of God’s Word
“Don’t be afraid”, he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” –Daniel 10:19 (NLT)
BE ENCOURAGED!
Are you anxious and worried about challenges?
Don’t be afraid, for God will bring changes
You are very precious to him like a treasure
He gives you favors for his own pleasure.
Be encouraged and have peace
Doubting and hopelessness must cease
Be strong, he will not take long
His timing is perfect and he is never wrong.
Do you know that you are very precious to God? A lot of people do not realize this truth and go in circles trying to find value in their identity. I lived many years believing the enemy’s lies that I don’t deserve to be loved. It made me obsessed with finding love from others. God freed me after many decades pursuing human love and attention. He revealed my true identity as his child many years later. After that revelation, I had peace and knew my identity in Christ.
In Daniel 10, the prophet had a vision of great hardship and times of war. So he mourned for three weeks, fasting. He grew weak because of this but was consoled by God that he is very precious and that he will regain his strength and be encouraged and have peace for he provides for his people.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for encouraging me.
REFLECTION
Do you feel precious and encouraged by God’s love?

LIVING BY GOD’S POWER Poem Devotional

Posted on May 21, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 21 The Power of God’s Word
For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
–1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)
LIVING BY GOD’S POWER
Do you live in the standards set by this world?
Do you depend on God’s power shown in his word?
For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk
It is about believing and following Jesus’ walk.
Can you discern the wisdom that God provides?
Do you listen to all the things he reveals and confides?
Living by God’s power is accepting the spirit within
It is by walking in love that we can be free and redeemed.
The world we live in puts much emphasis on “power.” Everyone wants a bite of this power. The clamor for recognition, success, wealth, possessions have all led to a life of corruption and conflict. Each one wants to prove who is better at something. In God’s economy, power is only granted to those who seek the Lord.
It is the power to let go and surrender every need, craving and desire our hearts yearn for.
The bible tells us to live in God’s power. How can we live by his power? We can look at how Jesus lived amongst us. He was the son of God, yet he did not exercise any of his powers, he surrendered to his father’s will.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to humbly surrender.
REFLECTION
Why is humility essential in salvation?

GIVING UP IMMATURITY Poem Devotional

Posted on May 20, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 20 The Power of God’s Word
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like truth.
–Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)
GIVING UP IMMATURITY
Can you honestly say that you have grown up?
Have your tantrum fits and whining stopped?
Are you easily swayed by lies that appear like truth?
Do worldly teachings appear inviting to you?
Faith and knowledge of the Lord brings maturity
It makes us admit our mistakes and take responsibility
Wisdom protects us from sly tactics of the enemy
The word of God will free us from deceit and slavery.
The bible says in Matthew 18:3 that we cannot enter God’s kingdom unless we become like little children. Why did God require us to be like these little ones as a pre-requisite to a place in his kingdom? Children are pure. They are excited, bold, adventurous, creative, full of energy and fearless. They have no schemes or ill intentions. They don’t judge. They easily forgive.
In Ephesians, we are told to no longer be immature like children. Kids are vulnerable. Because of their purity, they can be deceived and victimized. We are asked to stop being vulnerable to worldly influence through scriptures. Only God’s word will protect us from lies.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a hunger for knowing you.
REFLECTION
Why do we have to give up immaturity?

WORK ENTHUSIASTICALLY Poem Devotional

Posted on May 20, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 18 The Power of God’s Word

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. –1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)

WORK ENTHUSIASTICALLY

Press on when you do things for the Lord

It will help you focus on God and be strong

Nothing you do for him will ever be useless

His love, mercy and provision are boundless.

Always work enthusiastically for your creator

It will bring much harvest in your life later

When you view life with a thankful attitude

You will reap wisdom, self-control and fortitude.

Do you serve the Lord with enthusiasm? You do not have to literally serve a church or do faith works to serve the Lord. Your ministry may be your own family, your co-workers, your neighbors or even strangers. Your workplace can be a venue to get people to believe in the Lord by your attitude and demeanor. When you live a life of integrity and honesty, you become a role model to others.

The bible tells us to work enthusiastically for the Lord. Nothing we do for the Lord will be useless, but every work we do that will bring glory to God will be rewarded in the end. It may not be a physical reward, but a spiritual gift or fruit of the spirit.

PRAYER

Lord, keep me joyful while I serve you.

REFLECTION

Why is enthusiasm important in what you say or do?

GOD’S GRACE POURED IN ME Poem Devotional

Posted on May 19, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 18 The Power of God’s Word
But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me. It was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

–1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT)
GOD’S GRACE POURED IN ME
A poem by ILMA
All that I am and all that I have
Whatever gifts I received I cannot brag
They are God’s grace poured in me
He loves me so much so I can be free.
God’s amazing love pours grace and mercy
He wants us to walk in love generously
He works in us, through us and with us
Even if we can’t understand, we must trust.
Grace is defined as the free and unmerited favor from God. It is given to those whom he loves and he calls his children. There is nothing we can do that will earn us his grace and mercy. Since God is love, it is his nature to shower us with his love through grace.
The bible tells us that we are only able to do and accomplish things because of God’s grace. He pours out special favors to his faithful followers and those who believe and love him. It is wrong to boast about anything we own; any gift we have or any favors we get from him. Without his grace, we will be nothing.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to proclaim your greatness.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God gives his people grace?

SERVE GOD NO MATTER WHAT Poem Devotional

Posted on May 18, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 17 The Power of God’s Word
We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. – 2 Corinthians 6:8(NLT)
SERVE GOD NO MATTER WHAT
A poem by ILMA
Do you serve God to bring glory and praise?
Continue to be loyal to him, that’s what the bible says
Do you expect honor and recognition for doing so?
The more you must press on when people despise you.
We serve a faithful and loving heavenly father
We ought to bring love to our sisters and brothers
Catering to our agenda is the opposite of serving him
It is by selflessly following his commands that we are redeemed.
The bible tells us that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), either you will hate the one or love the other. Sadly, there are so many people who are confused who to serve. Some try to serve both money and God. No wonder their lives are messed up.
We are asked to serve God whether people honor or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. If we are so concerned to take credit for what we do for God, then we are only fooling ourselves because that is really not serving God but ourselves. Real servants of God are selfless and always points to the source of mercy and grace, the Lord almighty.
PRAYER
Lord, please help me to serve you only.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to be aware who we really serve?

WALK IN LOVE Poem Devotional

Posted on May 16, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 16 The Power of God’s Word
The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
–Micah 6:8 (NLT)
WALK IN LOVE
A poem by ILMA
Whenever you show impartiality
You are walking rightly
Whenever you forgive quickly
You are choosing to give mercy.
Walking in love and humility
Wipes out all conflicts and hostility
It breaks all forms of sins and strongholds
It makes us access God’s promises and grow.
The Mechanicsville paper published an article on the statistics of the effects of broken homes. “Did you know that more than three in ten children grow up in broken homes and children from broken homes account for 70% of those in juvenile detention; 57% of all prison inmates; 63 % of teen suicides; 71% of teen pregnancies; 90% of homeless juveniles and runaways; 71% of high school dropouts; 75% of all drug users; and 85% of behavioral disorders. This is the sad truth about the lack of love in our society.
The bible tells us through the prophet Micah what God requires of us. The message is for all of us to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with him. If we follow these guidelines, we can avoid social diseases in our society.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to walk in your love.
REFLECTION
How can walking in love contribute to a healthy society?

THE GREATEST TEACHER Poem Devotional

Posted on May 15, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 15 The Power of God’s Word
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you, and leads you along the paths you should follow. –Isaiah 48:17(NLT)
THE GREATEST TEACHER
A poem by ILMA
Do you rely on others to teach and tell you what to do?
There is no one else who knows you through and through
God alone sees your heart, thoughts and intentions
He knows how to handle your trials and tribulations.
The greatest teacher leads you along paths you should follow
He has your best interest at heart and hears your sorrow
Do not lose hope, come to him and he will show you the way
He will confront all your enemies and he will make them pay.
There are many people who can tell you what to do and how to live your life. Do they really know what is good for you? Only God knows our thoughts, feelings and heart. He knows us be name, even before we were born. He knows every strand in our hair (Luke 12:7).
God is all-knowing and all seeing. He invites us to allow him to teach us and lead us to the paths we should take. He is the greatest teacher. When we rely on him for guidance, we are guaranteed a life full of promises and fruits of his spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to consult with you always.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to seek guidance from him?

ILMA ARTS STUDIO

Where Visual & Literary Arts Thrives

Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO