Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

COMPASSIONATE GOD Poem Devotional

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February 21
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I will restore them because of my compassion. It will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, who will hear their cries. – Zechariah10:6 (NLT)
COMPASSIONATE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whatever you are going through right now
Run to Jesus, give him praise and bow down
He will restore you for he is a God of compassion
He is there to provide relief and a resolution.
The Lord created us all to be like him
When we cry out to him, he hears and redeems
Stay devoted and true to someone who treasures you
He understands you totally, he knows things concerning you.
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Racham is the Hebrew for “compassion.” Strong’s exhaustive concordance defines it as
tender love, great, tender mercy, pity, womb. It is interesting how the definition includes pity. I personally think that without a sense of pity, one cannot be compassionate. The word womb also gives us a picture of a baby in a woman’s womb where she can literally experience what the baby feels because it’s inside of her. One cannot give compassion if one cannot put himself or herself in the same shoe as the person suffering. It is as if she or she is actually experiencing that person’s predicament.
The bible tells us that God is full of compassion and he hears our cries and understand everything that we are going through.
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PRAYER
Lord, grant me a heart that is full of compassion.
REFLECTION
What hinders us from being compassionate to others who are going through something?
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 THERE’S NO SHEPHERD Poem Devotional

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February 20
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Household gods give worthless advice, fortune-tellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce falsehoods that give no comfort. So my people are wandering like lost sheep, they are attacked because they have no shepherd. – Zechariah 10:2(NLT)
WHEN THERE’S NO SHEPHERD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is no one leading a flock
It is easy to get lost and be stuck
Like a sheep without a shepherd
We can become very helpless.
If one ever goes astray from God’s fold
He will look for him and leave them all
When you feel lost and start wandering
Your beloved Jesus will always be rescuing.
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Hundreds of sheep followed their leader off a cliff in eastern Turkey, plunging to their deaths this week while shepherds looked on in dismay. Four hundred sheep fell 15 metres to their deaths in a ravine in Van province near Iran but broke the fall of another 1,100 animals who survived. Shepherds from a nearby village neglected the flock while eating breakfast, leaving the sheep to roam free. The loss to local farmers was estimated at $74,000. One sheep wandered off a cliff and 1,499 others just followed along. This shows how dumb sheep are. Another trait they have is that they are directionless. This is why they need a shepherd because they have no clue where they are going. The bible says that when we don’t have a shepherd to watch us, we will stray.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never lose focus on you shepherding me.
REFLECTION
What happens to believers who have no one to lead them?
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

PRAY FOR RAIN Poem Devotional

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February 19
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Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture. – Zechariah 10:1(NLT)
PRAY FOR RAIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you had a drought in your life lately?
Pray for a shower of blessings from God Almighty
Ask the Lord for rain and he will grant it to you
He is faithful to deliver his promises if you don’t let go.
Diligently ask anything in his name, and you will get it
Pray for rain of gifts and anointing from the Holy Spirit
If you have already envisioned you have it, it will be done
Nothing is impossible the most powerful one and only Son.
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In 1 Kings 18, we hear the story of Elijah praying for rain and the Lord granting him such request. If you live in a desert, the rain is a much welcome thought especially if you have been walking in the heat of the desert. Probably those poor people living in developing countries only access to clean water is from the rain.
In John 14:14, we are told that if we ask anything in his name, he will do it. Mark 11:24 says that you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. So, why don’t people boldly and confidently ask in God’s name?
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PRAYER
Lord, shower me with anointing so I can do the work for your kingdom.
REFLECTION
Why is faith essential in order for prayers to be answered?
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 PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE Poem Devotional

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February 18
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The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones. -Zechariah 9: 15(NLT)
GOD PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling to overcome temptations?
Run to the Lord so you can get wise instructions
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people
He will defeat anyone who will treat them so cruel.
God is faithful and just to deliver us from harm
Seek and abide in him who is the Son of God
Your obedience and faith will be your shield against evil
If you walk in love, you will keep away the devil.
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Insurance is defined as something providing protection against a possible eventuality. We often insure something of value to us, either our lives and material properties. We want to make sure that in the even of a calamity, theft, or accident, we can be guaranteed some form of compensation for our loss.
How can we insure our spiritual life? Who will cover and protect us when we are being attacked by the enemy either with an illness, disease, a broken relationship, a job loss, the death of someone we love, divorce, or a debilitating fear?
The bible tells us that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people. He will literally bring down the enemy and hurl back at him all that he uses to harm God’s children.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for shielding me from all the tactics of the enemy.
REFLECTION
How can we cooperate with God in destroying all of the attacks of Satan?
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

CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES Poem Devotional

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February 17
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And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you, I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed. -Zephaniah 3:19(NLT)
CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are going through much oppression
Don’t despair, the Lord will bring you justification
He promised to save the weak and the helpless
He is faithful to deliver his aide even to the hopeless.
He promised you a crown of beauty for all your ashes
Rejoice when you have trials for he will bring your favor
He will give glory and fame to those who were wronged
Where they’ve been shamed, there they’ll be strong.
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Isaiah 61:3 says that all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. I could attest to this verse because it actually happened to me. I was a victim of many traumas from childhood until my early fifties. Yet, the Lord gave me so much beauty through the gifts of communication, visual arts, music and writing. All those things that people ridiculed me about became all my gifts.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for converting all my suffering to crowns of beauty.
REFLECTION
What have you gone through that God used now to give you glory?
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

HE CALMS YOUR FEARS

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February 16
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For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. -Zephaniah 3:17(NLT)
HE CALMS YOUR FEARS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who can calm all your fears in an instant?
Run and be close to Christ instead of being distant!
He will live inside you and will wipe all your fears
He will take delight in you and wipe your tears.
The Lord is a mighty Savior and rejoices over you
Receive and enjoy his power to make your mind new
Perfect love casts out fear so always choose love
It is the only way to get closer to the Father up above.
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A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms: accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath or smothering, choking feeling, chest pain, nausea, dizzy or faint, chills or heat sensations, tingling or numbness, fear of going crazy or dying. Panic attacks typically reach their peak level of intensity in 10 minutes or less and then begin to subside. I had panic attacks in five decades without ever being diagnosed. It was debilitating. Only God’s word and his truth freed me from all the fear and these panic attacks.
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PRAYER
Thank you for releasing me from all kinds of fear Lord.
REFLECTION
Describe how God literally calmed you from a fearful circumstance 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

COMPLACENCY TO SIN Poem Devotional

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February 15
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I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.
-Zephaniah 1:12(NLT)
COMPLACENCY TO SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you have sinned and feel contented to stay that way
You are compromising your heart which leads you to go astray
Do not think that the Lord takes for granted sin’s seriousness
He will deal with all those who partake in evil and wickedness.
Always remember that God sees everything you do
You cannot hide anywhere especially not from truth
Confess your sins and repent and God will forgive
If you continue to be complacent, you will be more deceived.
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Complacency is defined as a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation or condition. I believe that complacency can pull us down to dangerous territories. The prophet Zephaniah warns the people about the consequence of complacency to sin. He cautions those who think that the Lord isn’t going to deal with this contentment to continue doing evil or sinning.
In relationships, complacency can actually destroy the passion and love in that relationship. When there is no more desire to keep the love going, there is a danger to become indifferent and later on be divided.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from any form of complacency in my life.
REFLECTION
Why do you think that the Lord warns us not to be complacent especially when it comes to sin?
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

DISLOYALTY TO GOD Poem Devotional

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February 14
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They claim to follow the Lord, but then they worship Molech, too. And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek my blessings. – Zephaniah 1:5-6(NLT)
DISLOYALTY TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you claim to be a believer and yet follow the world
It is like being unfaithful to who God is your creator
You cannot serve two masters and not be destroyed
You cannot be friends with God and also with the world.
Remember that our Lord is a very jealous God
He will not put up with those who love idols and bow
He wants his followers to be faithful to only him
He will let you be simultaneously in his love and also in sin.
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Matthew Henry’s commentary on Zephaniah 1:1-6 says: Ruin is coming from the Almighty. There is no peace for the wicked. The expressions are figurative, speaking every where desolation; the land shall be left without inhabitants. The sinners to be consumed are, the professed idolaters. Those that think to divide their affections and worship between God and idols, will come short of acceptance with God; for what communion can there be between light and darkness? If Satan have half, he will have all; if the Lord have but half, he will have none. Neglect of God shows impiety and contempt.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never coast in two places, let me only be in your camp.
REFLECTION
Show an example how a Christian can have two masters even unknowingly.
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

WARNING TO THE UNGRATEFUL Poem Devotional

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February 12
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I trained them and made them strong, yet now they plot evil against me. They look everywhere except to the Most High. – Hosea 7:15-16(NLT)
WARNING TO THE UNGRATEFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Heavenly Father gave you everything you have
God gives blessings to those who give him love
Stop boasting about all of your gifts and abilities
Always remember your roots so you’ll have victory.
How do you repay someone who provided for all?
Do you stay loyal or plot evil which leads to your fall?
Wake up, ungrateful people! Look up to the Lord
He will forgive you if you repent and make him proud.
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One of the hardest kinds of people to deal with are those who are ungrateful. Behind the heart of an ingrate, is pride. I think that’s why the Lord detests idolatry. Pride is a manifestation of ingratitude. When jealousy sets in a man’s heart, he is going to prove that he is better than another and will have a hard time bowing and giving praise to his very own creator. In Adam and Eve’s first sin, we clearly see the ingratitude when they disobeyed. They were enticed to have more than what they already have. They had a perfect life without toiling, a life full of provision and promises. Pride entered their hearts when the enemy enticed them to doubt God. They schemed to claim their right to access the tree of good and evil. ________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, always remind me that everything comes from you.
REFLECTION
How can ingratitude affect one’s attitude?
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

CHARGES AGAINST THE UNFAITHFUL Poem Devotional

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February 11
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The Lord has brought charges against you saying: There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. -Hosea 4:1(NLT)
CHARGES AGAINST THE UNFAITHFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord has brought charges to the unfaithful
Because there is no kindness in them at all
They couldn’t care less about knowing their God
They wouldn’t bow down to bring him laud.
The Lord will bless those who are faithful
There are no promises for those who are fools
When you seek the Lord and abide in him
He will ensure that you can overcome sin.
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We always hear that “We ought not to judge one another.” Some people use this phrase to excuse themselves from doing evil and turning their backs on God. They serve the world rather than the Lord and have no qualms prioritizing their pleasures over worshiping their own creator.
Psalm 75:7 says God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another and Psalm 96:13 warns us that He is coming to judge the earth He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness. Jeremiah 17:10 says “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. What would you do if you hear Hosea’s warning to the unkind, the unfaithful and those who don’t want to know the Lord?
PRAYER
Lord, grant grace to those who are lost and don’t know you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to stay devoted to seeking 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