Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

HOW TO BE FREE FROM FEAR Poem Devotional

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March 27________________________________________
I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. -Psalm 34:4(NLT)
HOW TO BE FREE FROM FEAR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you afraid of someone or something?
Run to the Lord and keep on praying
If you listen to his truth, you will know
Believe and heed his commands in order to grow.
To be free from fear, you must focus on Christ
He alone can set you free and give you insight
Ask him to reveal to you the origin of your fear
He will bring to your recollection so very clear.
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Fear that is out of proportion can be very crippling. One of my fears was claustrophobia (fear of small spaces). It debilitated me so much that I hyperventilated and had panic attacks when I get into elevators. I was a worrier and always thought about the future and wanted to ensure that I provide a happy life for my son. I dreaded people rejecting me and was constantly out to seek approval. I was apprehensive of being a failure which led me to chase perfection at all cost. These fears totally incapacitated me for many decades. I followed all kinds of self-help books but they were all just temporary relief.
The bible tells us that if we run to the Lord and ask him to free us from our fears, he is faithful to do so.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to ask your help when I am fearful.
REFLECTION
What fears have God released you from?
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

MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY Poem Devotional

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March 25________________________________________
The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity.
-Psalm 114:16(NLT)
MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God made all creatures
He gave dominion for man to rule
The heavens belong to the Lord
But he gave man authority over the world.
All humans are responsible for the earth
They need to nurture it and constantly care
Without taking ownership, it will deteriorate
Without love, this world will disintegrate.
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One of the skills needed to succeed in running a theater performance is to delegate to others some of the things that you cannot all simultaneously do. As a stage manager for over two decades, I learned to hold others responsible for some things. I can’t do it all. Just like any other managers in any other field or sector, one has to be the leader. When there is no leader, there is chaos because everyone will try to assume roles that are not theirs. Boundaries are essential in relationships because if there are no set parameters, there will be overlapping and conflicts.
The bible tells us that the Lord owns everything, yet he gave mankind dominion over all creatures in the world. Because he created man in his image, he is well aware that all man possesses all that he has. So, he made humans rule over all things here on earth. Are we taking responsibility for the authority God gave us?
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be a godly leader and steward?
REFLECTION
Why do you think God gave humans the authority over all creation?
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

UNGRATEFUL Poem devotional

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March 24________________________________________
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)
UNGRATEFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Look around you and see how much blessings you got?
The enemy doesn’t want you to see it, that’s his plot
You were freed from sin when Jesus died on the cross
He gave you life so you won’t go astray or be lost.
Are you giving the Lord tribute for all his gifts?
Do you get consumed by life or do you always seek him?
Be thankful for every little thing you have received
It will please the Lord if you continue to praise and believe.
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Don’t you find it offensive if someone you have mentored and developed into a skilled person is actually plotting evil against you? They never give you credit, instead they ignore you. This is exactly the case of God against the Israelites. He brought them to the Promised Land and delivered them from harm and the Egyptians, yet, they turned against him and never thanked him for all that he did for them. If you are a parent, you could probably sympathize with God’s reaction. In fact, parents often pose very high expectations on their children and assume that they will be grateful for all the things they do for them. So, why can’t we give the same gratitude to God?
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PRAYER
Lord, always convict me when I forget to thank you.
REFLECTION
How can gratitude change a person’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

UNGRACIOUS Poem Devotional

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March 23________________________________________
I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t’ know or even care that it was I who took care of him. -Hosea 11:3(NLT)
UNGRACIOUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you someone who is thankful?
Are you gracious enough to be grateful?
The Lord God gave us much blessings
Do we take time to give him thanksgiving?
When we do not care about his faithfulness
We will miss out on his gift of fruitfulness
Don’t be ungracious for he has given us all
Ingratitude will lead us to constantly fall.
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Gracious is defined as courteous, kind and pleasant. The opposite of being gracious is an entitled attitude, tactless and rude. How do you react to ungrateful and tactless people? Don’t you just want to stay away from them? You would on the other hand always want to be with gracious and kind people, won’t you?
When I became a born again Christian, God replaced all whiny and entitled people in my life with a bounty of gracious Christians. It is just such a joy to be with those who do not live in resistance and conflicts. Ingratitude can usually be detected easily. Ungrateful people live very difficult lives and don’t have much blessings. They live bitter lives and always want to take control. The Lord calls us to be gracious and grateful because it hurts him when we are uncaring.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me a heart like yours.
REFLECTION
How can you live a grateful 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

DON’T SLIP BACK

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March 21________________________________________
So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. – 1 Peter 1:14-15NLT)
DON’T SLIP BACK
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you have been touched by God’s grace
Don’t slip back into your old worldly ways
You were blind and didn’t know any better then
You were lost and now you’re found and unbent.
You didn’t know the truth before but now you must be holy
You need to give your whole being to the Lord fully
Don’t slip back or you open doors for the enemy
Live and obey God’s commands to gain victory.
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There were many years of my life that was wasted on slipping back and forth to my old ways and old stinking thinking. I would obey and then I would rebel. It was wavering faith that hindered my spiritual growth. It delayed many blessings and fruits of the Spirit. I made it impossible for God to do miracles in my life when I didn’t totally trust him.
The bible says that we must live as obedient children and not slip back into our old ways that focused much on self-preservation. Now that we are born again, we need to chose to live a holy life.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never waver in my faith.
REFLECTION
How can obedience contribute to growing your faith?
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

ON CRITICISM Poem Devotional

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March 20________________________________________
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. – James 4:11(NLT)
ON CRITICISM
A poem and essay by ILMA
When was the last time you judged or criticized?
Did you realize it was wrong; did you apologize?
Don’t speak evil against one another
You are all made into the image of your Father.
When you find fault with another person
You are judging God’s law with human reason
Obey the law and you will be free from judgment
God gave you these commands for your atonement.
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Criticism is defined as the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes. Notice the word “perceived” in the definition? The one judging is actually applying his perception to the person’s behavior. Perception is usually colored by beliefs, experiences, culture and traditions. When you start thinking that someone’s behavior or attitude. You see it in the light of your own belief system and experiences. It is not necessarily true.
The bible cautions us on criticizing or judging others. We are all made in God’s image, so when we judge others, we are actually judging God himself. Our duty is to obey the commands set by God, not to justify ourselves and find fault in others.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from a critical spirit.
REFLECTION
What should you do when you feel the urge to judge someone?
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

UNGODLY SOUL TIES Poem Devotional

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March 19________________________________________
But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
-James 5:12(NLT)
UNGODLY SOUL TIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you swear that you will never do something
Watch out! The enemy will challenge you into sinning
Never take an oath by heaven or earth or anything else
It will open doors for you to experience vignettes of hell.
Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin
Anything vague and unclear makes the devil win
Do not vow that you will do something, just do it
Say only what’s true and what you hear from the Spirit.
________________________________________A soul tie is an emotional bond or connection that unites you with someone else. You can become bound to a person through your soul. If you have been anguished, obsessed or extremely thinking or worrying about someone, you may have soul ties. If you have grieved and never gotten over a severed relationship, you may have been tied with this person’s soul. Soul ties may be an offshoot of close friendships or blood-relations through oaths and promises, and through physical intimacy. Not all soul ties are bad. God wants us to have healthy relationships that build us up, provide wisdom, and give godly counsel.
The bible warns us of any ungodly soul ties.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me discern any ungodly soul ties I have and release it to you.
REFLECTION
How can you break ungodly soul ties?
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

WISDOM FROM ABOVE Poem Devotional

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March 18________________________________________
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. -James 3:17(NLT)
WISDOM FROM ABOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Wisdom comes from a loving God who is omniscient
No one who can compare to him; we are all deficient
The wisdom from above is pure and peace loving
It is gentle at all times and is willing to yield and give in.
The insight that comes from God’s spirit is discerning
He tells us what is good for us; he keeps us from sinning
He shows no favoritism and is always sincere and truthful
This wisdom generates blessings and makes us fruitful.________________________________________
There are two types of wisdom: earthly and heavenly. The wisdom that comes from the world focuses on the self while wisdom from above points to others’ benefit. How can we gauge if our knowledge is from God’s spirit or from the enemy? James gives us an illustration of the wisdom that comes only from our heavenly Father. He describes it as pure, peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield to others, merciful and fruitful, shows no favoritism and is always sincere. Based on these, we can deduce that worldly wisdom is corrupted, harsh, unforgiving, unfair, dishonest, legalistic, biased and selfish.
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PRAYER
Lord, always guide me when I fall into worldly wisdom.
REFLECTION
Do you think that human reasoning falls under worldly or godly wisdom?
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

ENVY AND SELFISHNESS IS EVIL Poem Devotional

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March 17________________________________________
If you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual and demonic. James 3:14-15(NLT)
ENVY AND SELFISHNESS IS EVIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you compare yourself with others
Watch out! You’ll eventually envy a sister or brother
When you have selfish ambitions in your heart
It is an opening for the devil to easily start.
Don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying
Be honest with God for he is very forgiving
Envy and selfishness can lead you to other evil
It is earthly, unspiritual and comes from the devil.
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“Envy” is defined as a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck or it is also desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to someone else. Selfishness, as we all know is the quality of being self-centered or desiring to always satisfy one’s own desires. Both envy and selfishness focus on I, me and myself.
The apostle Paul gives us an antidote to these two evils in Philippians 4:11-12. He gives us contentment and thanksgiving as the cure for envy and selfishness. James warns us not to cover up these evil with boasting and lying, but to be honest with God and to confess and repent.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be thankful always so I don’t fall envious of others.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome selfishness in this very corrupt 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

GOD’S GRACE BRINGS WISDOM Poem Devotional

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March 16________________________________________
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. -James 3:13(NLT)
GOD’S GRACE BRINGS WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you love the Lord with all your heart
You are transformed; you want a new start
You turn your back from old and become new
Your heart is opened and your mind renewed.
If you are wise and understand God’s ways
Your life will shine and you won’t be easily swayed
God gives you the grace by giving you wisdom
He wants you to choose the path to his kingdom.
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We know that grace means undeserved favor from the Lord. The only reason why we have what we are currently enjoying is because God has poured his grace and mercy on us. Wisdom is not pure knowledge. We say that someone is wise when that person has actually manifested in his life the things he has learned. Otherwise, he is just called a knowledgeable person rather than a wise one. We don’t need to be literate to be wise. I know someone who cannot read or write and yet was able to succeed in life. He was a very strong believer of Jesus. Whenever he is to make a choice or decision, he consulted God through prayer and reading Scriptures. Most of all, he applied the truths in his life.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget that wisdom only comes from you.
REFLECTION
Do you believe that God is the source of your wisdom and all your blessings?
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