Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

WHATEVER IS GOOD AND PERFECT Poem Devotional

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December 4
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Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. -James 1:17(NLT)
WHATEVER IS GOOD AND PERFECT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Each time we have something good going
We ought to give the Lord thanksgiving
Whatever is right and flawless
It comes from our God who is faultless.
Watch out for blessings that come your way
It is from our good God, so continue to pray
Ask and you will receive from our Lord and Savior
He loves you and grants you a life that is bountiful.
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Do you count all the good things that come your way? Are you thankful for these blessings in every way? What makes a person happier in life? When someone is complaining all the time, it is very hard to learn to be thankful. I used to be a negative and whiny person. I allowed bitterness to creep in my heart. By doing that, I allowed myself to become a grumpy and difficult person to be with. People started avoiding me, until someone I loved honestly assessed my pessimism and bitterness.
I started to count my blessings. Each day, I would keep a list of things that I can be grateful for. It started out as a short list, but progressed to longer ones later on. We are reminded to thank the Lord for every good and perfect thing that we receive.
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PRAYER
Thank you Jesus, for your generosity.
REFLECTION
What happens if we don’t acknowledge the blessings we receive?
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

REJOICE AT HIS BIRTH Poem Devotional

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December 3
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You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. -Luke 1:14(NLT)
REJOICE AT HIS BIRTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God sent his Son on earth
He wants us to rejoice in his birth
It is the manifestation of his great love
The baby Jesus was sent from up above.
Rejoice, rejoice, for we are set free
He brought light so we can be able to see
He removes all our guilt and shame
Just call on his most powerful name.
There is no darkness in him
He brings to light all our sins
Be glad that he was born
Give up all forms of scorn.
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Consumerism and traditions have destroyed the real essence of Christmas. We have completely lost focus on the true meaning of it. It was spun to worldly pursuits and people pleasing. What happened to the “give love” instead of “give me what I want?” In this selfie generation, each person thinks of what they can get instead of what they can give. Even in the giving, shouldn’t we ask ourselves what the motives behind it are?
Christmas is about rejoicing at the birth of the promised one who could free us from our prisons of greed, envy, jealousy, anger, lust, pride, independence, idolatry, disobedience, rebellion, stubbornness and all other sins. It is to remember how we shout be rejoicing and spreading God’s good news of salvation.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me focused on the reason for Christ’s birth.
REFLECTION
How can we protect our hearts from corruption of the true meaning of Christmas?
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

GREAT JOY IN CHRIST

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December 1
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She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.
– Revelations 12:5(NLT)
OF VIRGIN BIRTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
A son was born from a virgin mother
He is to rule all nations and be our Savior
This baby was born to bring peace and joy
He was given dominion to lead and to rule.
There is no other king who owns all kingdoms
Only Christ has the power to give us freedom
Jesus is ruler of all domains in heaven and on earth
Keep your eyes on the one who was of a virgin birth.
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What makes Jesus so different from all of humankind? Although he was born of a woman, that person was kept pure and undefiled by any sexual impurity. Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus. That keeps her apart from all the rest of the mothers here on earth. Why did you think God chose Mary as a vessel for Jesus to be born here among us? The bible says that God is love and that out of that love, he gave his only son to us so we can have the life that he wanted for us all to enjoy. Jesus had to be born in an environment of purity and sanctity.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to keep pure for you always as you are for me.
REFLECTION
Why is it important for us to keep our hearts pure at all times?
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

December 1
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She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.
– Revelations 12:5(NLT)
OF VIRGIN BIRTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
A son was born from a virgin mother
He is to rule all nations and be our Savior
This baby was born to bring peace and joy
He was given dominion to lead and to rule.
There is no other king who owns all kingdoms
Only Christ has the power to give us freedom
Jesus is ruler of all domains in heaven and on earth
Keep your eyes on the one who was of a virgin birth.
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What makes Jesus so different from all of humankind? Although he was born of a woman, that person was kept pure and undefiled by any sexual impurity. Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus. That keeps her apart from all the rest of the mothers here on earth. Why did you think God chose Mary as a vessel for Jesus to be born here among us? The bible says that God is love and that out of that love, he gave his only son to us so we can have the life that he wanted for us all to enjoy. Jesus had to be born in an environment of purity and sanctity.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to keep pure for you always as you are for me.
REFLECTION
Why is it important for us to keep our hearts pure at all times?
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

HOLD YOUR TONGUE poem devotional

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November 30
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I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me. – Psalm 39:1(NLT)
HOLD YOUR TONGUE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are with ungodly people
Watch what do you and be careful
Do not sin by carelessly saying things
Guard your mouth so you won’t sin.
Do not let any lie come out of it
Select your words, guided by God’s Spirit
Learn to speak less and listen more
Declare only what is in God’s word.
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Have you ever said something that you wished you could have taken back? The enemy uses our tongue to speak evil. In James, he calls the tongue as the smallest thing but the hardest to tame. He explains how the tongue can actually praise the Lord and also later, the same tongue could speak all kinds of evil. God is still working on me on this matter. I am quick to react at times and then from my mouth came out words that were not filtered by God’s truth. The bible warns us to be careful what we do and say especially in front of unbelievers. As a Christian, we ought to be the light for Christ, when we say and do things that Jesus will never do, we are confusing those who do not know him and not shining for him.
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PRAYER
Lord, rend my tongue especially when I am hungry, angry, lonely and tired.
REFLECTION
How can you learn to tame your tongue?
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

PRIDE CAN MAKE US BLIND Poem Devotional

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November 29
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Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. -Psalm 36:1-2(NLT)
PRIDE CAN MAKE US BLIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you proud and haughty with others?
Do you often compare and think you are better?
Those who are wicked have no fear of God at all
They cannot see the truth and how evil they are.
In their blind conceit, they become slaves of Satan
They can’t see that their actions are so fatal
Those who are arrogant have been blinded
Pride keeps them in darkness and in bondage.
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Have you ever dealt with a very arrogant person? I have been in relationship with many proud people in my past. I became haughty because I enmeshed myself with these conceited people. I learned their ways. The bible warns us from having any involvement with any form of wickedness. Pride is the deadliest of all sins because it is the root of many other sins. When we are proud, we surely have envy and bitterness inside our hearts. Pride leads to many other sins such as anger, impatience, irritability, judgment, discrimination, jealousy, insecurity, control, and many more. Scriptures also warn us of the repercussion of being proud, we become blind to the truth and we give the enemy ammunition to kill and destroy us.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from pride.
REFLECTION
As a Christian, how do you deal with proud people?
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

TRUST IN THE LORD Poem Devotional

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November 28
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Those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. -Psalm 34:10(NLT)
TRUST IN THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that God is taking care of you?
He wants your pure heart and a mind that is new
If you trust in the Lord with all your heart and soul
He will provide give you a life that will overflow.
If you have confidence that he will supply
You won’t lack any good thing in your life
Continue to depend on the Lord for everything
He will grant your requests and in all good things.
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Where or who do we put our trust into? Is it in your strength or in people that you rely on? I had a big issue with trust. I grew up being let down by all those people who was supposed to be my caregivers. I didn’t have a safe environment. Being constantly criticized by those who claim they love you is a very unhealthy environment for a very young child. In a loving family, there is affirmation and positive environment, so the child learns to trust and grow into a loving person. When a child is neglected and emotionally abused, safety is a rarity. That child learns to fend for himself and not rely on anyone. The bible tells us to trust in the Lord and we will lack no good thing.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to depend on you for all things.
REFLECTION
Why is trusting the Lord 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

GETTING ALL YOUR NEEDS MET poem devotional

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November 27
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Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
-Psalm 34:9(NLT)
GETTING ALL YOUR NEEDS MET
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to get all your needs met?
Fear the Lord and he will grant all of them
If you expect humans to satisfy your necessities
You will be let down, they won’t think it is necessary.
Humans are restricted unlike God who is limitless
If you revere him, you will experience his faithfulness’/>
He provides for all his people and gives them provision
Why not rely on him for all your needs and wisdom?________________________________________
I think that not everyone have their needs met. In my opinion, I think if our needs are all met, we won’t have much crime, mental illnesses, broken relationships and a corrupted society. Much studies have been made over the hierarchy of our needs and the different needs of the various stages of our life cycle. I had a tough childhood because as I was growing up, people focused more on the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing and maybe education in my country of origin. The emotional, mental and spiritual needs were not something people focused on that time.
The bible says that if we fear the Lord and we are righteous, we will be satisfied because the Lord will meet all our needs. So, why do we expect man to fulfill what only God can?
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PRAYER
Thank you for providing for all my needs, Lord.
REFLECTION
Why do we have unrealistic expectations from people we are in relationship with?
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

LIFE OFFERING Poem Devotional

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November 26
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O Lord, I give my life to you, my God.-Psalm 25:1 (NLT)
LIFE OFFERING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Today, I re-commit my entire life to you
You knitted me together in my mother’s womb
I was held in your arms as soon as I was born
You were my God from that moment on
It’s been a long journey of pain and sorrow
But I want to look forward to a bright tomorrow
Thank you for dying for me so I can be free
Help me meditate on your truth so I can always see
Allow me to put on my new self and let the old die
I welcome the new creation, the one living for Christ
Thank you for using me to spread the gospel
I am grateful for your Spirit, my great helper
I receive your anointing as I am baptized today
O give my mind, body and spirit to you in every way
Hold me tight in your unfailing love and never let me go
May I give back that passion that you generously sowed?
My heart burns with much love for you my Lord
I put on the new self so I can overcome this world.
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Do you remember how you first vowed to love someone? It is sad how we easily forget the passion we had for Christ when we first committed our life to him. Be on fire for him.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never lose my passion for you
REFLECTION
Why is it important to never be complacent in your relationship with 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

THE REBELLIOUS SINS OF YOUTH Poem Devotional

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November 25
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Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love. For you are merciful O Lord. -Psalm 25:7(NLT)
THE REBELLIOUS SINS OF YOUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been a rebellious youth?
It is foolish to be lawless, it is uncouth
When you commit to the Lord
Seek his counsel in his word.
Ask forgiveness for sins when you were young
He will give you mercy and correct your wrong
He faithfully loves you and will be merciful
Confess and repent and don’t be a fool.
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In this psalm, King David pleads the Lord not to remember those days that he was rebellious. It is amazing how confidently he asks the Lord just like a child would ask his father or mother for something. David is after God’s heart. He opens his heart to God with so much honesty. This is probably why God gave him so much favor. He seeks God in everything he does and consults him, especially when it comes to dealing with his enemies. He talks to God and reminds him of his character and promises and God loves that. He wants us to run to him for little or big things. David knew his weaknesses especially in his youth but he wasn’t hesitant to ask God favor for he knows how God’s unfailing love is.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always remember to open up my heart to you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think rebellion is something God despises?
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