Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

A GOD LONGING FOR HIS PEOPLE Poem Devotional

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September 11________________________________________
I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found but no one was looking for me. – Isaiah 65:1(NLT)
A GOD LONGING FOR HIS PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When two people love each other, they usually want to be together
Just like a parent always want to watch over their children’s welfare
Our heavenly father longs for all his beloved children
How come they have neglected to come to him for help?
God is always waiting for all his people to run to him
How can we be so proud not to do so; and choose to sin?
If you claim you love Jesus, why don’t you stay faithful?
Why can’t you be open to his Spirit so you can be fruitful?
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My own father just died two weeks ago. He had been longing for me to spend time with him ever since he stopped working abroad and retired. I was too busy making a career, raising my son alone and running a business. My son and I were the only one who lived far from my parents. He would manage to find time to see me and my son.
Like my biological father, our heavenly Father is also pining for us to run to him and ask help. He wants us to depend on him for anything and everything. Why do we get so busy giving that time that he so longs from us?
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for patiently waiting for me to come around.
REFLECTION
Why do some Christians never find time for 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

Practice Truth poem devotional

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September 10________________________________________
So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. -1 John 1:6(NLT)
PRACTICE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
What good is it to get revelations from truth
If we don’t do it and allow it to take root?
If we claim to have fellowship with the Lord
And yet not obey regularly his teachings in his word.
We are liars and hypocrites since we don’t follow it
We can’t live in darkness and let in the Holy Spirit.
To practice truth, we must abide and be in the Lord
Without his grace, we won’t prosper in this world
Live in his light and you will be free from bondage
Stay in darkness and you will be at a disadvantage.
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How many Christians get revelations from Scriptures and yet unable to apply it in their own personal lives? In the book of James, we are encouraged to follow the word and not just hear it. When we hear it and not do what it says, it keeps us bound and makes us unable to see with God’s viewpoint. In other words, we will continue to live in spiritual darkness. This was why Jesus constantly confronted the Pharisees because they teach the word of God academically but don’t really practice what it says. Practicing truth is what transforms us into the new creation God intended us to be.
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PRAYER
Help me to constantly wear my new self Lord.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some Christians fail to practice 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.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

PARTAKE OF CHRIST’S BODY Poem Devotional

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September 7________________________________________
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body- 1 Corinthians 12:18-20(NLT)
PARTAKE OF CHRIST’S BODY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe and commit to Christ
It is best that you follow Jesus in your whole life
You are expected to be part of his body
To grow, you must be involved with somebody
He created his church so we can encourage one another
He didn’t create man to be alone and live a life that’s isolated
Being part of the body of Christ is a sign of obedience and respect
When you wilfully defy being part of his body, you are actually a rebel.
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Does the bible literally say that you must be a member of a church? Some Christians have created their own beliefs regarding being part of the body of Christ. Some may have had bad experiences in the past when they were once members of it. That is a lame excuse not to obey what Christ required us. In gotquestions.org, they expounded on what it means to be the bride of Christ. The imagery and symbolism of marriage is applied to Christ and the body of believers, the church. When we don’t partake in his church, we are acting as an unfaithful wife.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to stay faithful to you by being part of your body.
REFLECTION
How can you convince Christians who doesn’t partake of Christ’s body to do so?
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

GRIEF CAN BLUR VISION Poem Devotional

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September 5________________________________________
I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with tears. My vision is blurred by grief. -Psalm 6:6-7 (NLT)
GRIEF CAN BLUR VISION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When one looses someone; they may have bouts of weeping
It is hard to deal with the loss of someone they love so deeply
Grief oftentimes blurs someone’s perspective and vision
It can bring back painful moments and bring confusion.
When one looses a loved one, it can bring much sadness
For believers of Jesus, there will be a day of hope and gladness
Run to his arms so you can experience God’s comfort and peace
He will wipe your tears away, just be still and know he is there.
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My father just died a week ago. It was such a sudden death. Even though he was eighty- six, he had no other conditions but just old age. It was a very hot day according to my brother who witnessed him vomiting and in just a few hours died. When I heard the news on the phone, I was in shock. I couldn’t go home to the Philippines in four days to bury him. We were in the middle of doing our own renovation and practically drained of resources. I sobbed for three days straight. The Lord reminded me of his love, comfort and peace. I am grateful that he comforted me.
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PRAYER
Lord, let those who are grieving experience your comfort.
REFLECTION
What can you do when you feel sadness from your loss?
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

BOLDNESS FROM THE LORD Poem Devotional

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September 6________________________________________
But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. – Acts 14:3(NLT)
BOLDNESS FROM THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you declare the word of the Lord
He will give you boldness to proclaim his word
His apostles confidently preached the Good news
They were not afraid to face any kinds of threat or abuse.
Their faith was so strong that they were able to do wonders
They healed the sick and bring many people to think and ponder
Such courage only came upon them by the grace of Jesus
He will bless and prosper anyone who believes, they are all precious.
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There are many confident people who does not know the Lord. Anyone who have such assurance to declare or do something for their own pleasure is not the same as having boldness to do things for the Lord Jesus Christ. I used to be a haughty person, speaking confidently about all that I know and the things I excelled in. Yes, I can be able to show off to others my talents and abilities, but if I do it so that I can be praised, it isn’t for God’s glory that they are doing it. The bible says that he will be with anyone who will boldly proclaim the Good News.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to have the boldness to always spread your word.
REFLECTION
How is the world’s concept of boldness different from God’s vision of it?
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

A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART Poem Devotional

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September 4________________________________________
I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do. – Acts 13:22(NLT)
A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you willing to commit your life to Christ?
If so, are you passionately after his own heart?
David was a man who will do everything God wants
He may be a sinner, but he’ll never turn his back
He seeks the Lord and wants to know him deeply
He always pours out his own heart to God openly
His honesty with his own weaknesses is astounding
He often cried out to him for grace that is so amazing.
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One of the most interesting bible character is King David. Even before he was king, he had the audacity to fight against Goliath who is a giant. Though he was a very young lad when he did this, his faith is so huge that with a sling and a stone, he was able to defeat this huge and strong Philistine. He was such a musician, always playing the harp or lyre. He was a poet and the Psalms were filled with his writing. Though he was very weak and sinned by killing Bathsheba’s husband so he can have her, he never stopped seeking God. His honesty and openness truly exemplifies his desire to seek God’s own heart.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for showing us a very human King David who was relentless to pursue you.
REFLECTION
Would you consider yourself as someone who is pursuing and seeking to know the Lord?
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

FORGIVENESS ONLY THROUGH CHRIST Poem Devotional

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September 3________________________________________
“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.” – Acts 13:38(NLT)
FORGIVENESS ONLY THROUGH CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you think you can forgive others easily
You’re wrong, only Christ can grant mercy
Without faith in him, it is impossible to forgive
Go and request his grace and learn to receive.
Jesus died on the cross to pardon our sins
No other gods have conquered death and win
Through his blood, we can have grace to forgive
Commit your life to him, and constantly believe.
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The hardest thing to do is to forgive someone you love who has betrayed you. I have been betrayed by many loved ones. It was many years before I realized that it took a while for me to forgive others. Just saying “I forgive them Lord” didn’t really mean I wasn’t going to go through the process of healing the pain it inflicted on me. It took even longer to forgive myself for allowing these people to abuse, minimize and neglect me. When I became born again, I suddenly got revelations that I was forgiving the “worldly” way. I learned that when I have forgiven someone, I have already discarded the list of wrongs they have done to me.
The bible tells us that we can only forgive because God loved and forgave us first. Without him, it’s impossible to forgive.
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PRAYER
Lord, grant me grace to forgive easily.
REFLECTION
Who was that person who was most challenging to forgive? How did you eventually grant that person forgiveness?
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

WHEN YOU REJECT THE WORD Poem Devotional

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September 2________________________________________
It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles.
– Acts 13:46(NLT)
WHEN YOU REJECT THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you first heard the word of God
Did you heed it or did you turn your back?
It’s essential the word is preached to believers
But when they reject the word, they’re rebelling.
Once you defy Scriptures, you are losing out in life
It is the only way we will be led to God’s glorious light
The word is the only food we have for our spirit
We will be struggling and lost without it.
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There were many years of my life when I didn’t know the word of God. I wasn’t raised in a Christ believing family. And yet, the Holy Spirit has taught me that I have a friend in Jesus. No one talked to me about the Lord but something inside me told me that there is someone who watches over me. I believed and was faithful to keep my relationship with the Lord even when I really didn’t know his word. When I was in my late twenties, I began to read Scriptures. It was amazing what I discovered. Yet, I didn’t really follow what it said. When I finally studied and obeyed it, it transformed me.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me who to share the word with.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people would reject the word of 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

GOD DETESTS LAWLESSNESS Poem Devotional

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September 1________________________________________
God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. – Proverbs 28:9(NLT)
GOD DETESTS LAWLESSNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you pray to the Lord
Make sure that you are obeying his word
God detests those who ignores his commands
He cannot hear the prayers of those who demands.
Those who follow his law diligently
They will know how to walk in victory
The Lord hears the prayers of those who are faithful
Stay in his word and in his will so you will be fruitful.
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“Lawless” is defined as someone who do not follow or abide the law. Laws are made so that there will be order and peace in a community or a place. Those whom the law is made for is usually the one who will receive the most benefit of if the rule is followed. When laws are breached or broken, chaos usually is the result. Without order and obedience to an authority, anarchy is not far from happening.
God honors those who are obedient and living in his will. When I lived in rebellion and disobedience in my twenties up until my fifties, I reaped disorder and confusion. So much pain and bitterness became part much of my life. When I became born again, the Lord convicted me of this rebellion. He showed me why my prayers weren’t answered then. I was ignoring his law. Thanks be to God that he granted me the grace to obey.
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PRAYER
Lord, please let me never disobey you.
REFLECTION
What should you do before you pray and expect God to answer 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

BENEFITS OF SCRIPTURES Poem Devotional

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August 31________________________________________
He used the Scriptures to reason with the people. They searched the scriptures day after day. – Acts 17:2, 11(NLT)
BENEFITS OF SCRIPTURES
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you want to be free from bondage
Use Scriptures so you can be at an advantage
God’s word brings truth and wisdom
It keeps us away from lies and bring freedom.
The apostles used Scriptures to reason with people
They know that the word of God is always useful
Seek it daily and you will have wisdom and understanding
Search the truth from Scriptures, it will keep you growing.
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The word of God is alive. It is not like any other philosophy or saying. In fact, many wise sayings originate from the word of God. I was amazed that even before I read the bible, I was given revelations about some truth. I didn’t even know that time that as soon as I accepted Christ in my life, I had the Holy Spirit dwelling inside my heart. It was God’s spirit who led me to truth but when I read Scriptures, all of the wisdom came flowing out of my mind and heart. God is the source of all knowledge. He alone is all-knowing and all-seeing. Scriptures is God-breathed, so it is powerful. It can make people see whatever it is that keeps them in bondage. The word of God can reveal something that no human words can ever do.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your words Lord.
REFLECTION
How has Scripture changed your life or someone else’s?
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