Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

ROOM IN THE FATHER’S HOME poem devotional

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December 27
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“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? – John 14:1(NLT)
ROOM IN THE FATHER’S HOME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t worry and don’t be troubled for you are covered
When you believe in Christ, he will bring you favors
There is more than enough room in the Father’s home
Thank God for he will never abandon you or let you roam.
Jesus prepares your room in his Father’s kingdom
Guard your hearts so you can walk in freedom
He is waiting for you to join him in eternity
Are you walking in love in order to have victory?
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Have you ever been admitted to the hospital and waited for so long to be given a room in that situation? When I was in labor for my only child’s birth, the hospital was so full that I had to literally share a bed with someone, until there were enough room to accommodate us. It was the height of much sickness and women giving birth that time. I felt so insignificant and cried knowing that I was sharing not just a room but the bed as well. The bible tells us that there is more than enough room for those who love God in his kingdom.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for making room for me in your home.
REFLECTION
What have you done to ensure your place in God’s kingdom?
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

THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE Poem Devotional

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December 26
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Grace, mercy and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father- will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3(NLT)
THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all those who live in truth and love
You will receive grace from the Father up above
Mercy and peace will be granted to you as well
It shows how God is faithful to those who dwell.
Continue to live in God’s will and you will have deep roots
Don’t ever compromise your heart and you’ll harvest fruits
The Father will abide to those who follow and obey
He will live in your heart if you do what he says.
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There is a big reward to those who are faithful in abiding in God’s truth and love. Grace is underserved favor. It is true that we automatically receive grace when we believe in Christ, but he also rewards those who faithfully abides and follow his commands. Some Christians lack an understanding about how God sees faithfulness. Devotion is one of his characteristics, so if you show faithfulness and steadfastness, he will surely grant you this undeserved favor, forgiveness and peace. There were times in my life that I didn’t live in truth and love. It opened the door to many sins and deprived me of peace and joy.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being faithful and merciful to a sinner like me.
REFLECTION
Why is living out God’s truth and love essential in a Christian’s 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

GLORY OF GOD IN THE SON Poem Devotional

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December 25
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So the Word became human, and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
– John 1: 14(NLT)
GLORY OF GOD IN THE SON
A poem and essay by ILMA
God was with Mary and Joseph as they traveled
Despite the threat to his life, he was safely delivered
When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem in a manger
The Word became human in the midst of danger.
At Christ’s birth, we saw the glory of God in the Son
He was full of faithfulness, mercy and unfailing love
Magnify the gift of love given to us by God through Christ
Give him praise and worship him all throughout your life.
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All throughout the bible, God has never shown himself to any man. But when Jesus Christ was born, we actually saw him in person. In John 1:14, we are told that the Word (who is Christ himself) became one of us. This is one of the greatest mystery that God showed us. He brought Jesus who was God and was born of virgin birth in uncertain and dangerous times. Despite the many years that God has avoided showing himself to mankind, he also brought himself to us through Jesus Christ so we would be able to relate with him as we would to him. God’s full glory is manifest in his son Jesus.
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PRAYER
Thank you for showing yourself to us through Christ.
REFLECTION
How has Jesus clearly manifested himself 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

NEWBORN KING Poem Devotional

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December 24
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About that time, some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2(NLT)
NEWBORN KING
A poem and essay by ILMA
There were three wise men who searched
They humbled themselves to give Christ praise
Who would ever think that they would bow down?
This baby in swaddling cloths they finally found.
“Where is the newborn king?”, they asked
They followed God’s instructions through the star
They kneeled and gave him gifts in adoration
They were humbled by this story of salvation.
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Many stories about the wise men were said for thousands of years. These stories focused on the gifts they gave to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6).
The great thing about these wise kings is that they travelled far to come and give this baby Jesus the honor and praise that he so deserved. They followed God’s lead through the star and witnessed God’s promise of salvation.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget giving you honor.
REFLECTION
How can we show others that we honor the Lord Jesus?
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

LET US WITNESS! Poem Devotional

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December 23
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When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.
-Luke 2:15(NLT)
LET US WITNESS!
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord called on the lowly shepherds to witness
They became part of the story of the birth of Jesus
When the angels came to tell them of this big event
They immediately ran to behold this magnificence.
They said to each other “Let’s witness to this birth”
It is the good news that brings us joy and peace
They watched in awesome wonder this baby
They praised the Lord for being part of history.
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If you were given a chance to be witness to an event which would be historical, would you miss it at all? I am so blessed that in my lifetime, I have had many occasions to observe the many changes in our world today. In my country of origin, the Philippines, I was able to partake of the changes in the political corruption that had been going on for many years. I saw the transition of our word to technology and information eras. I also am witnessing the explosion of God’s word and the Good News these days.
When the shepherds were invited to come and see the greatest thing that will happen, they didn’t have second thoughts. They witnessed and shared it to others.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn down an occasion to witness for you.
REFLECTION
Why is witnessing an integral part of our Christian 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

SMALL YET BIG Poem Devotional

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December 22
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But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.
– Micah 5:2 (NLT)
SMALL YET BIG
A poem and essay by ILMA
Not all good things come in big parcels
Some may be hidden in small packages
Christ came from a very insignificant town
Yet there it was where the ruler of Israel was found.
He may have come from small beginning but big ending
His purpose in mankind is to grant them salvation and mercy
Do not look down on what is small and inconsequential
It may be used for the things that are most reverential
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Our society look down on poor people, simpletons, uneducated, weak people. Yet, God chose a very insignificant small town such as Bethlehem to bring Jesus to us. Why would he do such thing? In 1 Corinthians 1:27, God chose things that the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they re wise and chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. He wants to show us all that he is the only one who is powerful and that no one can fully understand how he is and how he operates. If we do, then there is no more need for faith. Don’t look down on small things for they may deliver something really big.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for putting us in our humble place.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God chose small things to grant us big things?
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 GIFT OF AUTHORITY poem devotional

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December 20
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They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star. -Revelations 2:28(NLT)
THE GIFT OF AUTHORITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit a life to Jesus Christ
You will begin to see things through his eyes
God will grant you authority as He gave Jesus
He blesses the faithful; to him they are precious.
They will have authority in Jesus’ name
The Lord will protect and provide for his children
Use your authority to overcome the enemy
He will grant if you ask and you’ll have victory.
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So many believers are living lives of defeat instead of victory because most of them do not know the gift of authority given to them as soon as they commit to Jesus Christ. I used to be one of these ignorant Christians. I allowed the devil to toss and turn me around. I had the authority but since I didn’t know it, I never used it. I praise God that he has revealed to me that I do have dominion over the enemy. Luke 10:19 says “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”. What a promise for all those who love him. When I got this revelation, I began to use and exercise my authority in Jesus’ name.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for the authority you gave me as you gave Jesus.
REFLECTION
How can we exercise dominion over the enemy in this modern age?
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

TO THE OBEDIENT Poem Devotional

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December 19
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To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end. To them I will give authority over all the nations. -Revelations 2:26(NLT)
TO THE OBEDIENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you choose a path of obedience to God
You are showing your devotion and bringing him laud
God promises victory to all who obey his instructions
He gives them authority over all the nations.
Continue to follow all of God’s commands
You will find favor in going through life’s demands
Stay faithful to the truth that will set you free
The Lord will anoint you and you will have peace.
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One of the strongholds in my family of origin is rebellion and stubbornness. I learned to be a rebel since I was a young girl. I didn’t know it was a sin that my whole family struggled with because no one was a born again Christian. No one read the bible to know the truth that will set us free. We all followed our own desires and ambitions without any reverence to what the Lord wants for us. Disobedience made my life very challenging because I didn’t even count all the blessings I was receiving. I was blinded by my selfish nature and was just concerned with satisfying my cravings. The bible promises victory to the obedient and God gives them dominion over all nations. When we obey, we show that we love the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never be disobedient to your will.
REFLECTION
Who were the best example in the bible of obedience? How did God repay their faithfulness?
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

PARTNERING IN GOD’S MINISTRY Poem Devotional

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December 18
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They are traveling for the Lord and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. -3 John 1:7-8 NLT)
PARTNERING IN GOD’S MINISTRY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you meet someone who works for the Lord
Give them your support so they can spread his word
They sacrifice to bring the Good News to all
We need to be there to support them in their cause.
Let’s partner in God’s ministry
It paves the way for victory
Be generous in sharing all that you can
The Lord will bless you and give you a hand.
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During Jesus’ time, there were no means of transportation except by horses, camels and donkeys. Most of Jesus’ ministry were done in foot. They walked from one place to another to preach the gospel. They were full of integrity and wouldn’t take anything from unbelievers as per God’s instruction. John was explaining to believers that we need to partner and support the cause of God. Those who are doing kingdom work are giving their best to ensure that the word of God is preached in all the ends of the earth.
There was a time that I partnered with a big international ministry to bring the gospel to those countries that were very poor, I felt blessed doing such support for God’s kingdom.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all those who do work for your kingdom.
REFLECTION
How can you give support to the work of 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

CARING FOR GOD’S TEACHERS Poem Devotional

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December 17
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You are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. – 3 John 1:5, 6(NLT)
CARING FOR GOD’S TEACHERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all who want to stay faithful to the Lord
Take care of all teachers of God’s word
Those who are given the gift of teaching
They are obedient and they are sacrificing.
Believers are called to care for these teachers
They spread God’s word and teach the gospel
It pleases God if you provide for their needs
It brings him praise when you openly care and give.
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Matthew 28:19-20 instructs us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that God has commanded. All believers of God are called to teach his word and his commands. Not all believers follow this commission. Those who take this instruction from God seriously to all the ends of the earth (Mark 16:15), God will never forsake them. Romans 12:6-7 mentions some of the spiritual gifts we can receive from the Holy Spirit. It mentions the teacher who ought to teach well. In 3 John 1:5,6, the faithful ones need to care for these teachers even though we don’t personally know them.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to provide care for your teachers.
REFLECTION
Why do you think teachers of his word have a special place in God’s heart?
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