CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK Poem Devotional

Posted on June 8, 2017 by ilmaarts

June 8________________________________________
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12: 2(NLT)
CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you get negative thoughts
It is a waste of time and of no worth
Don’t copy the customs of this world
Instead, consult always God’s word.
Let God transform you into a new being
It will help you from constantly sinning
You will learn God’s will which is pleasing
Then you will realize all of his gifts and blessings.
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What do you do when you are bombarded with negative thoughts? Do you get tossed and turned by these toxic way of thinking? I used to be enslaved by thoughts that make me literally worried sick. I thank the Lord that he has delivered me and set me free from this stronghold of harmful thinking. These do not come from God, they are from the enemy who wants to steal, kill and destroy us.
The bible warns us to be careful that we don’t get corrupted by the world’s standards. It is very easy to be swayed by our society. If you pursue God and hunger for his word, he will change the way you think and transform you into the person he created you to be.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your concern for me Lord.
REFLECTION
How can we protect ourselves from the standards of this world?
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

GRUMBLING BRINGS DESTRUCTION Poem Devotional

Posted on June 6, 2017 by ilmaarts

June 7________________________________________
And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death.
– 1 Corinthians 10:10 (NLT)
GRUMBLING BRINGS DESTRUCTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Be careful when you start to compare and complain
The enemy wants to steal, destroy and bring you much pain
When you grumble, you open up the door for destruction
It makes you focus on yourself and not on God’s redemption.
Where there is whining, there is no contentment
Where there is thanksgiving, we find encouragement
Grumbling brings about all kinds of conflicts and division
It shows ingratitude to a God who gives us all kinds of provision.
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One of the many strongholds that the Lord delivered me from was “grumbling.” I was neglected, minimized and criticized a lot as a child. One of the coping mechanisms I learned from those people around me was to complain and voice out my unmet needs. I retaliated with grumbling to the criticisms I got. It destroyed many years of my life because no one told me it was a sin. I presumed that it was just what people did to deal with situations like I had.
In 1 Corinthians 10:10, we are reminded of the consequences of grumbling to the Israelites. They were destroyed by the angel of death. Philippians 2:14 commands us to do everything without complaining and arguing. Grumbling is the opposite of thanksgiving. We lose blessings when we complain.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the blessings you shower us with.
REFLECTION
How can you avoid complaining?
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

GUIDED BY A CLOUD Poem Devotional

Posted on June 6, 2017 by ilmaarts

June 6________________________________________
I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. – 1 Corinthians 10: 1-2(NLT)
GUIDED BY A CLOUD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Our ancestors were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them
It was a provision so they can go unharmed through the wilderness
All of them were baptized as followers of Moses
They all knew the promise of the coming of Jesus.
Remember that God is with his people always
Don’t turn your back on God’s faithfulness
Remember that you are being watched and protected
Look up to him and you will never be defeated.
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I was fascinated by clouds since I was a child. I see images when I look at it and can imagine many things as I observe deeper. The cloud formations make me feel closer to God. It’s as if he is just behind each of the various shapes I see at various weather conditions. My favorite is the storm clouds towering over us because it seems so powerful and gives us a foreboding of the coming storm. Remember that God is always there watching over us during storms in our lives.
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PRAYER
Thank you for always guiding us Lord, especially in the storms.
REFLECTION
How does the presence of clouds affect 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

LISTEN AND OBEY THE WORD Poem Devotional

Posted on June 3, 2017 by ilmaarts

June 4________________________________________
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
– James 1:22-24(NLT)
LISTEN AND OBEY THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you hear the word of God and not do it
You are not welcoming the Holy Spirit
Don’t fool yourself, do what it says
If you receive the truth, you must obey
Otherwise, you are only fooling yourself
Scriptures provide you with all kinds of help
Not heeding the word is like ignoring your own reflection
Without doing the word, you open doors to more temptations.________________________________________
How many times have you been convicted by the word of God and not obey what it says? There were years in my life that I was a rebel and never heeded what the truth articulated. I followed my own desires and lived my life the way I have always wanted to. It was a life devoid of peace and joy. I was never fulfilled. I felt empty inside.
When God called me to re-commit my life to him, the Lord began showing me what went wrong with my life through Scriptures. He revealed to me how disobedience and pride made my heart hardened. I decided to live in his will.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to obey what I hear from you.
REFLECTION
What stops you from hearing and heeding God’s word?
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

ACCEPT THE WORD Poem devotional

Posted on June 2, 2017 by ilmaarts

June 3________________________________________
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. – James 1:21 (NLT)

ACCEPT THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
You were saved when you believed in Christ
He gave you his word so you can choose life
So, get rid of all the filth and humbly accept the word
He placed them in your heart so you will win over the world.
What is stopping you from feeding on God’s truth?
Why haven’t you allowed for it to take root?
The word of God has the power to save your soul
It can fill your hearts and mind and make you whole.
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It is puzzling to know that there are Christians who have not fully accepted the word of God in their lives. They have no idea what they are missing. One of the benefits on feeding on God’s truth is that you become wise and mature in your walk as a believer. I often wonder when I meet Christians who have been born again many years and yet still act like baby Christians.
The more we study the word of God regularly, the deeper our intimacy with God would be. Sadly, we get side-tracked with the busy lives we live that are superficial and not beneficial for our salvation. Accept the word of God.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your truth that guides me constantly.
REFLECTION
How can you continually hunger for God’s word?
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 REWARD OF ABIDING IN CHRIST Poem Devotional

Posted on June 1, 2017 by ilmaarts

June 2________________________________________
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
-John 15:5,7(NLT)
THE REWARD OF ABIDING IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you make a choice to believe in Jesus Christ
The Spirit of God begins to unfold in your life
The more you abide in him, the more you’ll have victory
To live apart from the vine, you are in dangerous territory.
Those who remain in Christ will produce much fruit
They will overflow in wisdom from God’s truth
Remain in him and you may ask for anything you want
He will answer your prayers and all the dreams you ask.
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Do you often wonder why you never get answers to your prayer? 1 John 5:14-15 clearly tells us that if we ask, we will receive. In James 4:3, we find out that the reason why we don’t get our requests answered is because we either don’t ask or if we do, we ask for the wrong reasons and is out of his will. When your children ask you something that is bad for them, you won’t probably grant it to them. The reward of abiding in Christ is eternal life.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness to live up to your promises.
REFLECTION
What do you do to protect yourself from straying from God’s flock?
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 POWER OF UNITY

Posted on May 31, 2017 by ilmaarts

June 1________________________________________
“Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! -Genesis 11:6(NLT)
THE POWER OF UNITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When two or three are speaking the same language
They begin to understand each other and become bonded
Nothing they set out to do will be impossible
Their minds will be united and anything is conceivable.
When there is division in a group or relationship
It is not possible to finish any form of craftsmanship
The power of harmony and agreement is crucial
It brings about trust and solidarity which are both essential.
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In the narration about the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, we are given a picture of the power of unity amongst people. The chapter begins by telling us that once upon a time, all people of the world spoke the same language and there were no communication barriers. Because of this, they started to plan to build a tower that would reach the sky so that the whole world will look up to them and they can become famous and that they won’t have to be scattered all over the world. In this chapter, we see that God scattered them to different places and made them speak different languages to confuse them and not continue the building of the tower of Babel which became an idol for them.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to work in unison with other Christians to spread the gospel.
REFLECTION
Describe or narrate an instance when unity proved beneficial.

LIFE AND HEALING FROM THE WORD Poem Devotional

Posted on May 29, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 30________________________________________
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. -Proverbs 4:20-22(NLT)
LIFE AND HEALING FROM THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord asks his children to pay attention to his word
The word will guide them to navigate in this world
He recommends them never to lose sight of it
For they bring life and healing to those who seek it.
Meditate on what Scriptures say and you’ll see his light
It will make you discern the Holy Spirit’s insight
The word is alive and brings healing to your pains
Pursue it and be hungry for it and you will reap gains.
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When I re-committed my life to Jesus and became a born again Christian, He also gave me a hunger for his word. I used to be obsessed with knowledge and I read a lot of books in the past. Reading the word of God is very different from just reading any other book on any topic. The difference is that it is alive. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scriptures is God-breathed and is there to convict us, teach us and guide us to do the right thing. It took God’s truth to heal five decades of traumas and strongholds in an instant.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your guidance and wisdom through your words.
REFLECTION
Share an instance when God’s word popped out and touched your 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

CONFESS AND BE FORGIVEN Poem Devotional

Posted on May 29, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 29________________________________________
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. – 1 John 1:9 (NLT)
CONFESS AND BE FORGIVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
What have you done that needs confessing?
Is it a stronghold that you are constantly doing?
If you confess your sins to him, he will forgive you
He is the only one who can cleanse you and renew.
As soon as God convicts you when you sin
Get down on your knees, repent and confess it
He is faithful and just to pardon you immediately
Don’t delay, declare and ask for forgiveness instantly.
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The trouble with some believers is that we sometimes take a long time to hear the Spirit’s conviction when we sin. When we don’t hear the voice that tells us to confess and repent, we endanger our hearts and digging ourselves into more sins. Confession is a grace given to us by God so that we can always start with a clean slate when we get down on our knees. The bible says that if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all our wickedness. It is our gateway to get back into relationship with the Lord and spiritually mature. It is one way of guarding our hearts. Confessing and repenting right away slams the door to Satan.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift to be able to confess our sins.
REFLECTION
Why is confession integral in our walk as a believer?
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

ENJOY YOUR LIFE

Posted on May 27, 2017 by ilmaarts

May 28________________________________________
So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. – Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NLT)
ENJOY YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
No matter what your situations in life
Be thankful and look at all things bright
Appreciate your life despite circumstances
He strengthens you to face all challenges.
There is nothing better than to be happy
Focus on the true God who loves you unconditionally
Enjoy the even the trials for it builds your character
Later on you will reap the fruits of all your labor.
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So many people do not know how to enjoy their life. They get stuck with the circumstances they are into. One of the things that the Lord has given us is the capacity to enjoy whatever comes our way. Philippians 4:11-13 talks about the secret of contentment which lies in thanking the Lord for all things. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Only by believing in him will we understand the true meaning of happiness. I remember during the most adverse situations, I am still able to thank the Lord for his provision and look beyond the difficulties. I am sure that without his spirit, I will never discern this. There is nothing better than to enjoy all God’s blessings.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me the grace to be thankful despite adversities.
REFLECTION
How can thanksgiving make us enjoy our 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

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