Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

NAILED AND CRUCIFIED Poem Devotional

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March 16
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Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. -Galatians 5:24(NLT)
NAILED AND CRUCIFIED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When Jesus died for you on the cross
He saved you and you are no longer lost
When you become born again in Christ
Your passions and desires have also died.
Believers have nailed on the cross their cravings
They have repented and turned their back to sinning
Their old ways are gone and a new creation has begun
They are transformed because of God’s one and only Son.
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There are some Christians who professed their faith and yet never nailed and crucified their old lives on the cross. How do we know if someone is really saved? Not all Christians will be saved even though it is God’s desire for us. He gave us all a free will and he never forces us to follow him. You will know a true believer by the fruits of the Spirit manifested in their lives. If they have love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, patience, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, then you can be sure that they are authentic Christians. They don’t have to have to have all of the nine simultaneously, because we are all a work in progress. A true disciple of Jesus has nailed and crucified their old sinful nature on the cross.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for dying for me on the cross and so I can also nail my old life there.
REFLECTION
What have you nailed on the cross that you struggled for so long?
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

ANTIDOTE TO CRAVINGS Poem Devotional

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March 15
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So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. -Galatians 5:16(NLT)
ANTIDOTE TO CRAVINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
It is human to have cravings
It is divine to be led by the Spirit
Let God’s Spirit guide your life
It is the antidote to all your desires.
Believe that Jesus died to grant you victory
You have the power to overcome the enemy
Have a connection with God and you will hear his voice
Stay faithful to Jesus, it benefits you and never comes void.
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Some people are addicted to chocolates. I love fruits, and I can crave for them almost anytime. Though they are good for my body, I should also watch out that I take it in moderation or I will have to suffer the consequence of not being able to control my longings. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. A fruit is only harvested if the seed of that fruit was sowed. Self-control doesn’t happen in an instant. It is a result of cooperating with God’s will. We can’t discipline ourselves on our own because only the Holy Spirit can grant the grace to allow you to harvest his fruits. The bible tells us that the antidote to cravings is listening and being aware of what the Holy Spirit is guiding you to do. We can stifle him when we disobey and rebel.
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PRAYER
Lord, always guide me to follow your lead.
REFLECTION
How do you know if the spirit you hear is from 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

VICTORY THROUGH CHRIST Poem Devotional

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March 14
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Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.
– Romans 8:37(NLT)
VICTORY THROUGH CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
Trials may come, but you’ll win and thrive in life
Despite what may seemingly be overwhelming
Don’t lose hope for victory is beaming.
Keep growing your faith and you will behold victory
The battle was already won by the blood of Jesus
Seek the only true God who can grant salvation
Jesus leads the way to victory over temptations.
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I used to bicycle at least 30-60 kilometers daily. It was almost fifteen straight years that I did it. I joined a national bicycle competition in my forties and was the only woman in the 300 cyclists run in the Philippines on our Independence day celebration. I just had a bike accident before the contest so I wanted to overcome my fear of riding again. Those men who competed were in their teens up to their thirties. I was in my early forties. I wanted to see how I’d survived the many other cyclists beside me in a velodrome set up. We needed to finish 50 laps and I did over half of that. I may not have won the contest, but I was victorious to overcome my fear and age factor. When we discipline ourselves to be devoted to seek Jesus faithfully, victory is not far.
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PRAYER
Thank you that I can be victorious when I abide in you.
REFLECTION
Why do some Christians fail to be victorious in their trials and sufferings?
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 WAY OF THE LORD Poem Devotional

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March 12
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The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.
– Proverbs 10:29(NLT)
THE WAY OF THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been following the way of the Lord?
If you haven’t, you will struggle in this world
God’s path is a stronghold for those with integrity
It destroys the wicked and all the tactics of the enemy.
There is power if you follow Jesus’ lead
He is always there to help and intercede
Only Jesus will lead us to eternal life
Follow him and you will never lose sight.
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It was a custom in the Philippines to do the Stations of the cross on Good Friday. Parishioners go through 12 stations depicting the various events that led to the cross. In some regions, some penitents willingly experience Jesus’ suffering themselves, from being whipped or lashed on the back (by himself or by others) to carrying the cross, and even up to being tied or nailed to the cross. The church is in a state of mourning after Jesus’ death. While this may sound “holy”, What is really in the hearts of believers? Do they receive the free life they have as a result Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? Are they transformed by the renewal of their minds?
The way of the Lord focuses on following Christ’s example of a holy and righteous life through obedience and humility.
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PRAYER
Lord, guide me to follow your obedient and humble heart.
REFLECTION
How come the “wicked” are destroyed by the Lord’s ways?
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

WHY INVITE PUNISHMENT? Poem Devotional

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March 11
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Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured and your heart is sick. – Isaiah 1:5(NLT)
WHY INVITE PUNISHMENT?
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you turn your back on Christ
You are surely endangering your life
When you rebel, you are inviting punishment
Lawlessness deprives you of God’s promises.
Confess and repent your disobedience
You must learn to give up resentment
Why do you live in chastisement?
Choose God and you will have enlightenment.
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Have you ever invited someone in your home who is totally opposed to your beliefs? In the past, I had many friends who were unbelievers and even those who claimed they were Christians, didn’t actually practice and obey God’s will and commands. It didn’t matter to me what they were before because I wasn’t born again that time. When the Lord freed me from all my strongholds and invited me to live a free life, I accepted it. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I got convicted of rebellion. It was one of those strongholds that I inherited from my family. Almost the majority of my relatives were rebels in one way or another. There were those that defied their parents, others lived promiscuous lives. Some were always arguing with authority.
The bible tells us how the Lord warned the Israelites to stop rebelling for it invites punishment in their lives.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from any form of rebellion.
REFLECTION
Why do you think rebellion opens door for suffering?
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

SEARCH AND YOU’LL FIND Poem Devotional

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March 9
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I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. – Proverbs 8:17(NLT)
SEARCH AND YOU’LL FIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you seek the Lord with all your heart
You will find him, he will stay and never depart
He loves all those who love faithfully seek him
He shows himself to them and grants them peace.
Whenever you hunger for knowing Jesus
You will know that he considers you very precious
Search and you will find, ask and it will be given
If you follow his will, you’ll have a taste of heaven.
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Have you ever lost something and had a hard time finding it? Many times I struggle to remember where I put something. I am usually a very organized person but when I get overwhelmed with “busy-ness” and lack of sleep, I fail to have a mind that is clear and focused.
The bible tells us that God is love and that he loves us all. Proverbs 8:17 gives us more reassurance that when we search or seek him, he will show himself to us. Though God loves us unconditionally, he also rewards those who faithfully loves him and manifest their devotion by hungering for him and having a personal relationship with him and the people around them. How many times did we fail to see the Lord’s will in our lives because we were so busy chasing other things instead of seeking him?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me prioritize you first in all that I do.
REFLECTION
How come some believers struggle knowing their purpose in 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

TRUTH IS SIMPLE AND CLEAR Poem Devotional

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March 8
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My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.
– Proverbs 8:9(NLT)
TRUTH IS SIMPLE AND CLEAR
A poem and essay by ILMA
The word of God is truth
It frees us from what is untrue
Truth is simple, clear and not complex
It brings us freedom and is never fuzzy.
Scriptures is plain to those with understanding
It is vague to the lawless and those living in sin.
Truth exposes lies and sets a person free
Sin makes us blind and bound to slavery.
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Some people find it hard to read the bible and get something out of it. One of the reasons they fail to benefit from Scriptures, is because they are treating it like any other ordinary book. They fail to see that it extraordinary and has life in itself. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scriptures is God-breathed and is there to guide us, teach us, correct us when we do wrong and provide a way out. In other words, it is like a map so that we can navigate effectively this corrupt world. Since it is unlike any other book, it should be read differently. It is through God’s word that we learn more about the character of God and how he wants us to live. He reveals to us many things in this powerful book. Only those who seek him will hear his voice and will understand it.
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PRAYER
Lord, let your Holy Spirit never depart from my heart and mind.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it is hard for unbelievers to comprehend Scriptures?
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

GRACIOUS TO THE HUMBLE Poem Devotional

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March 7
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The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. – Proverbs 3:34(NLT)
GRACIOUS TO THE HUMBLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who put down their brothers and sisters
The Lord isn’t please how you treat others
There is no room for mockers in God’s kingdom
He won’t allow oppression to all his children.
God is gracious to the humble
He guides them so they won’t stumble
When one lives in humility
They are living in sanctity.
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The problem with our world today is that it propagates selfishness and pride. We boast about our abilities, possessions, power, fame and many things and fail to recognize that we are nothing without God. We take credit for all the gifts and blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us. We perform and show off all that we have without praising the Lord for whatever we were endowed with. Sometimes, we do it unknowingly or at times we purposely do it.
When Christ was among us during his lifetime here on earth, he set an example for us to follow. He wants us to live in humility. The fact that even though he was God, he didn’t brag about it. He always pointed back to the Father who sent him and yet, he was equal with God. He never flaunted his power and authority. He used it to give God glory. God is gracious to the humble.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me humility so I can point to you always.
REFLECTION
Why is it easy for us to boast about things we have?
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

CHOOSE PEACE OVER CONFLICT Poem Devotional

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March 6
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Don’t pick a fight without reason, where no one has done you harm. -Proverbs 3:30(NLT)
CHOOSE PEACE OVER CONFLICT
A poem and essay by ILMA
A true believer pursues peace at all times
Conflicts or arguments, he doesn’t find
When someone has done you wrong
Pray and gently confront the person.
Don’t pick a fight without reason
Jesus will never overreact to treason
He kept silent instead of retaliating
He chose peace over all kinds of fighting.
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Psalm 34:14 asks us to turn from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it. Hebrews 12:14 says that we must make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy.
Romans 14:19 tells us to aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. James 3:18 states that those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. Why do you think God asks us to choose peace over conflict?
In English, the word peace means an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities or a personality free from internal or external strife. The bible meaning of peace is deeper than this English definition. The Hebrew root “slm” means to be complete or whole or to be well. No wonder we are commanded to pursue it. Peace is not just a passive result of not having conflicts. It is a state of wholeness that God wants us to always be experiencing.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me whenever my peace is being compromised.
REFLECTION
How can a person literally pursue peace on a daily basis?
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

WISEST THING TO DO Poem Devotional

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March 5
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Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever you do, develop good judgment. -Proverbs 4:7(NLT)
WISEST THING TO DO
A poem and essay by ILMA
It is good to ask the Lord for understanding
He knows how to help you in your suffering
He sees everything and can direct your life
Don’t rely on human counsel, they are finite.
Getting wisdom from God is the wisest thing to do
It will give you knowledge because it is all true
You won’t gain good insight when you follow this world
The fountain of knowledge can only be found in God’s word.
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There are many people who pursue knowledge without wisdom. These two concepts are oftentimes interchanged. Some people could be educated and have all the intelligence in the world, but that doesn’t make them wise.
Wisdom is the quality or state of being wise. It is understanding what is true or right coupled and making good judgment to act upon it. Knowledge is facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education. It may be theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. In knowledge, we have the data we need stored in our brain while in wisdom, we apply an act of choosing and making the right decision to act or apply what we know.
The bible recommends that the wisest thing to do is to get wisdom and develop good judgment.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me discern what is true always.
REFLECTION
Can intelligence be a sign of wisdom? Why or why not?
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