January 7
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I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. -Titus 1:1 (NLT)
PROCLAIM FAITH & LIVE HOLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
All believers are expected to be proclaimers of faith
They are commissioned to spread the gospel and satiate
Living a life of obedience to God’s will make them shine
They become a beacon of light to those who have lost sight.
Let us follow the truth that will set us all free
Guard the heart so we won’t be foolish to see
The enemy wants to devour and trick us to sin
By proclamation and godly lives, we will surely win.
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How many believers actually proclaim the Good News and live their lives righteous and holy? We cannot just be talkers but doers as well. When we live godly lives, it speaks louder than what we actually say. Jesus Christ, never really said much. Instead, he role modeled what it really meant to be a devoted follower. Christ didn’t judge even the sinners, he forgave and brought to them the truth.
We learn the truth by studying God’s word, maintaining a relationship with him and following his commands. One of the ways we can show our faithfulness is by proclaiming his word and living a life that is righteous and holy like Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always bring your gospel to those you have chosen.
REFLECTION
How can living godly lives speak much louder than words you say to others?
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
Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY
REVERENT FEAR OF THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 6
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Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. – Colossians 3:22 (NLT)
REVERENT FEAR OF THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you revere the Lord and want to please him
It will protect you from being tempted to sin
If you fear the Lord, you will show respect for others
He wants to see you manifest it by loving your brothers.
If you work for someone, do it as you would unto the Lord
Be devoted to his will and don’t do the ways of this world
Do not aim to please humans, but delight only in Jesus
See how he loves you much; to him, you are very precious.
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There are many things we fear. It could be fear of darkness, heights, not knowing what’s next, being rejected, abandoned or unloved. Most fears are very detrimental for our mental, emotional and spiritual well being. The only fear that will help us is the “fear of the Lord.” Many people think negative things when they hear this fear. The word fear here really means to revere or honor the Lord.
The bible tells us in Colossians 3:22 that we need to fear the Lord and even though no one is watching, we still need to do it as we serve others.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to only be concerned with pleasing you and not others.
REFLECTION
How can you show fear of the Lord in your dealing with others?
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
STAND FIRM IN THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 5
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So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters because you have remained strong in our faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. – 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (NLT)
STAND FIRM IN THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you are beset by troubles and suffering
Don’t lose hope, stand firm in the Lord and keep abiding
Be joyful when you are tested so your faith can grow
You will enjoy the benefits and harvest what you sowed.
Stand firm in the Lord for he will never forsake his children
He is faithful to fulfill and will grant you a place in heaven
He gives new life to those who are pressing on forward
Don’t despair for he makes a way even if it is very hard.
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One of the traits that I was acknowledged for was my resilience and perseverance. I remember my teaching days when our principal was amazed at how I was handling all the adversities coming my way. As a result of her admiration, she supported me and stood by during trials and sufferings. She had no idea that I relied strongly in the Lord and that was the only reason why I stayed strong and undefeated.
The bible tells us to stand firm in the Lord. As we rely on him, he gives us strength.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for supporting me in all that I do.
REFLECTION
How can you build up your faith in 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
WHEN CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE Poem Devotional
January 4
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And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. – Colossians 3:4(NLT)
WHEN CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you dedicate your whole life to ChristI
You will experience his glory and his light
He shares his radiance to all who are faithful
He will grant you victory and make you whole.
When Christ is your life, there will be peace
You will have wisdom beyond what you see
When you focus on the only way, that is Jesus
You will overcome all trials and be victorious.
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There was a decade in my life where my life was spent much on religious rituals, but I also mixed these traditions with a personal relationship with Jesus. I raised my only son alone and I made a pact with Jesus that he shall supply the father that my son didn’t have. In other words, I made him my husband. He may be invisible to me and to my son, but I always visualized and allowed his presence to be felt in our lives. I was raised a Catholic and was still one during the ten years. How I did this was to read the bible daily, hear mass every day and take communion each mass I went to. My son and I prayed morning, noon and night and sang hymns for God. I couldn’t do it without Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for generously sharing your glory to me.
REFLECTION
What benefits have you received when you make Christ 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
REAL LIFE Poem Devotional
January 3
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For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
– Colossians 3:3 (NLT)
REAL LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the focus of your life?
Is it to have pleasure or do follow Christ?
When you accepted Jesus as your Savior
Your real life is hidden in Christ as a believer.
Spend your moments with God as often as you can
He will transform you as you obey his commands
You are dead to this world and alive in Christ
Manifest it by the way you live and stay in his light.
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We live in a world where we all aim to have all the comforts and conveniences in life. Social media have created so much wants for us under the guise of needs. Do we really know why we are here on earth? Ecclesiastes 1:2 tells us that everything is meaningless. We try to visualize the life we always wanted but is that what real life is? Is that the will of God for us?
Paul talks to us about our real life hidden with Christ in God. We will only be victorious and share his glory if we follow his lead. He wants us to live the new life and seek the Lord so that we will discern what God really wants for us. Then, we will discover our purpose in fulfilling God’s kingdom here on earth.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always meditate on your will and truth.
REFLECTION
How close are you to fulfilling the real life that God planned for 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
CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS Poem Devotional
January 2
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Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. – Colossians 3:11 (NLT)
CHRIST IS ALL THAT MATTERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who is the most important person in your life?
Have you given your loyalty to Jesus Christ?
To all those who committed to the Lord
Christ is all that matters and so is his word.
There is nothing more powerful than Jesus
God’s truth is vital and very precious
The Spirit lives in all of us, all God’s people
Make the Lord your priority and stay faithful.
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There are so many things that we are bombarded with in our world today. It is very hard to prioritize what are really important. People have been given so much choices and distractions that it is almost impossible to know how to arrange them in the hierarchy of their importance.
The bible tells us that Christ is all that matters and that he lives in all of us. It is sad that so many people, even some Christians, do not prioritize God in their lives. They surround themselves with all kinds of trivial things that distract them from making Christ the only thing that matters. Instead, we humans get sidetracked with idols which are anything that diverts us from being present with the Lord. Christ is all we need. When we are intimate with him, we can be contented, joyful and be complete.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me be contended in making you the center of my life.
REFLECTION
What happens when all that matters in your life is Christ?
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
BE RENEWED Poem Devotional
January 1
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Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. – Colossians 3:10(NLT)
BE RENEWED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we choose to commit to a new life
We ought to put on our new nature in Christ
When you allow your mind to dwell on his truth
You will be transformed and God’s wisdom will take root.
Guard your heart and you’ll discern his character
He wants you to be a faithful believer
As you are changed into the new person
You will know more about your Creator.
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The year has just begun. Many people try to make resolutions for the coming year. I used to do that myself until I learned the truth about grace. Nothing we do will ever make us right because only God’s underserved favor will give us that privilege to be right and victorious. I used to do things in my own effort, trying to be good and following the law. The bible tells us to put on our new nature and be renewed. Christ died for us on the cross so that we will live free lives. God sent us his son so we will be full of love and not fearful. When you constantly walk in love and not go back and forth to your old life, you learn to know more about your Creator and become like him.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me become more like you daily.
REFLECTION
Why is renewing your mind and heart essential to a Christian’s walk?
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
OBEDIENCE BRINGS REVELATION Poem Devotional
December 30
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Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. – John 14:21 (NLT)
OBEDIENCE BRINGS REVELATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit your life to the Lord
Obedience is the proof that you are faithful
When you follow his will and commands
You will discern and understand life’s demands.
It is through your submission that you gain wisdom
It is by following his truth that you live in freedom
When you manifest your love for the Father through obedience
You will see things in God’s view and become resilient.
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Have you ever wondered why rebellion is fatal? Let’s look back at man’s first original sin. Adam and Eve where provided with all the things in life. They didn’t have to toil or suffer because they had everything in that paradise that God made for them. The serpent enticed them to disobey the only prohibition that God gave them. They were told that they can eat any fruit from any three except one tree. If they trusted the Lord and followed, sin wouldn’t have come to life. Disobedience covers a multitude of other sins such as pride, doubt, rebellion, arrogance, haughtiness and envy. The bible tells us that when we obey, we get revelations from God himself.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to turn and disobey you.
REFLECTION
What role has disobedience played in your life? How were you delivered from 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
THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SPIRIT poem devotional
December 29
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Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. – John 14:19-20(NLT)
THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God the Father sent his Son to save
He wants to give us a clean slate
When Christ was born in the world
God’s Spirit was manifest in the Word.
When Christ died, they can no longer see him
He sacrificed his life to free us from sin
God promised his Spirit to live in our hearts
He wants us to believe his promises from the start.
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The greatest miracle on earth is when Jesus was born of a virgin birth and when he died and was resurrected as promised in Scriptures many years before he was born. His disciples were worried when Christ was about to be crucified. They were saddened thinking that they are losing their master whom they have followed all those years. They were almost disillusioned that he will soon leave them. Jesus reassured them that despite his absence, they will be able to do things through God’s Spirit. He will live in their hearts and that his resurrection will indicate that He is with God and yet he is in each one of all those who believe him.
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PRAYER
Thank you for dying for me and empowering me through your Spirit.
REFLECTION
How can you ensure the Spirit lives in 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
SAME OR EVEN GREATER WORKS Poem Devotional
December 28
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I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. -John 14:12(NLT)
SAME OR EVEN GREATER WORKS
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
They will do the same works as he did in his life
Because they are committed and faithful
They will have blessings and will be fruitful.
The Lord promises them that they can do even better
He even said that they can do more things greater
Believe that the Lord is with you when you commit
He is faithful and true so you need to submit.
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What is the greatest manifestation of a believer? Is it what he says or how he lives his life? Many have turned their backs to God because of hypocrites. They don’t live the life that Jesus sampled for them. They don’t obey his commands or even walk in love. They do lip service and do not take the gospel and apply it in their lives. No wonder, they are fruitless and defeated in their lives.
The bible tells us that Jesus promised us that if we believe in him, we can be able to do the same works he did or even greater. Why don’t some Christians believe this promise of greater works through God’s spirit?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to follow your ways always.
REFLECTION
How can we faithfully lead a life like Christ?
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