Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

BUILD THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 26________________________________________
Anyone of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you.
–Ezra 1:3 (NLT)
BUILD THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Anyone of you who is a believer must be faithful
Be obedient to the Lord and build his temple
Read his word and meditate on it day and night
You will be given strength and have a share of the Lord’s might.
All believers are called to preach the good news
They are expected not only to read but actively use
Invest your time and effort in building God’s kingdom
Your rewards from him will be beyond what you can fathom.
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In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through the prophet Jeremiah (29:10-14). This king was instructed by God to rebuild his temple by releasing all the Jews in Babylon. All those who were captives were to take part in rebuilding the temple. It was the beginning of the promise of God to save his people spoken by Jeremiah in one of his prophecies before they were taken captives by the Babylonians.
As believers, we are expected to rebuild the Temple of the Lord, not just in physical state, but also in a spiritual level.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to execute my part in rebuilding your temple.
REFLECTION
What have you done to partake of spreading 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

WHEN YOU COMMIT TO GOD Poem Devotional

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January 25________________________________________
For the gracious hands of his God was on him. This was because Ezra was determined to study and obey the law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people. – Ezra 7:9-10 (NLT)
WHEN YOU COMMIT TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who choose to commit to God
You are actually bringing him praise and laud
When you commit to God, you become the offering
It brings you anointing and many more blessings.
When you commit to God, your views changes
He makes you see things his way so you can face challenges
When you commit to God, you become wise
It makes you qualified to give good advice.
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The book of Ezra provides a link in the history of the Israelites. When their king was dethroned and captured, the Israelites were exiled to Babylon. They stopped being a nation because of this captivity. This book gives us a narrative of the Jews, gathering their strength and rebuilding what had been destroyed. Ezra declared that they were still God’s people and that God had not forgotten them. In this significant book, we witness the rebuilding of the new temple, the unification of the returning tribes as they shared common struggles and were challenged to work together.
The bible tells us that when we commit to studying God’s character and his commands, his gracious hands is on us.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to stay committed to following you and getting to know you deeper.
REFLECTION
What results from a faithful studying and following 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

WELL DONE MY CHILD!

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January 24________________________________________
Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrated together.
–Matthew 25:21 (NLT)
WELL DONE MY CHILD!
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the Lord lets you take care of his flock
Are you able to follow his will or do you get stuck?
If you want to have an abundance or overflow
You must be faithful to continue in order for you to grow.
If you want more gifts and blessings
Prove that you can be responsible with little things
He wants to say to you “Well done my child”
Keep on seeking the Lord and always abide.
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Each person has a longing to be approved and hear that we did well. In order for us to get that affirmation, we need to work at something. God is overflowing with generosity and mercy. He wants the best for us always, but a lot of us turn our backs and mistreat our own selves. Have you been faithful enough to steward the things that God has blessed you with? Just like when you work for someone, you only get a promotion if you have proven your dedication to your job. We are expected to be faithful in handling small things in order for us to be given more. We can only be promoted if we continue to be good and faithful to the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to live up to your expectations.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you heard God approved of your 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

HOLD ON TO INTEGRITY Poem Devotional

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January 22________________________________________
Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. – Proverbs 28:6(NLT)
HOLD ON TO INTEGRITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who gain wealth by dishonest means
They will lose their riches and continually sin
Better to be poor than cheat your way to prosperity
God blesses those who are pure and full of integrity.
Do not ever compromise your dignity by cheating
It opens the door for you to be constantly sinning
Choose to be pure in God’s righteousness
It will keep you on track to focus on God’s goodness.
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There are many people who compromise their beliefs just to be rich. Money in itself is not bad but the love for money is the root of all evil (1Timothy 6:10). The world has tainted our priorities by making us desire and long for more.
In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar confronted of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were friends of Daniel for not bowing to his god. They were tied up and thrown into the blazing furnace, but God saved these three faithful servant of his and showed the king a miracle. He saved the three so change Nebuchadnezzar’s heart. Because these three Christians held on to their integrity, God blessed and protected them. The same happened with Daniel in chapter 6 when the people tested the king’s rule about Daniel having a different God. Daniel was also saved from the lion.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me pure and righteous for you.
REFLECTION
How did God show his faithfulness to those who are faithful in the story of Daniel and his friends.

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

GIVE THE BEST TO THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 21________________________________________
When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift-the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry and dejected. – Genesis 4:3-5(NLT)
GIVE THE BEST TO THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you prioritize God in everything you do?
He created you like him and he is always true
He faithfully gives you all that you need
Are you willing and able to give the best to him?
He expects the best portions from his children
It is only right because he wants us to inherit heaven
When we do not give our finest harvest to him
We are ungrateful for all the gifts and blessings.
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God made us all into his likeness. The bible says that God is love. So, if he made us out of love, we have the capacity to give love as well. Why do a lot of people give God the least and worst they have? He owns all things and yet we act like we do and not give him the best portions of the blessings he gave us.
In Genesis, we are shown that God accepts those who give the best portion to him, Abel and rejects Cain’s gift which isn’t the best of his harvest.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always give you the best.
REFLECTION
Why is it important that we give our best to God?
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

WHY WE STRUGGLE IN LIFE Poem Devotional

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January 20
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Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. – Genesis 3:17(NLT)
WHY WE STRUGGLE IN LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever wonder why we always struggle?
We find ourselves faced with challenges and troubles
One day we can conquer, other days we lose
We seek to satisfy our desires and sometimes get lost.
So many people cannot understand why we struggle
They search and look for things that will win them battles
The fall of man is the reason why we face trials constantly
Struggling and striving are results of sinning incessantly.
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“Struggle” is defined as to try very hard to do, achieve, or deal with something that is difficult or that causes problems. When we struggle, we have compromised our peace and joy. Struggle originated from the first sin of man. In Genesis 3:17 we are given a clear picture of the consequence of sin which is to struggle.
I remember my dark years when I turned my back on God and lived for myself. Because I was hurt and not shown love, I rebelled and blamed God for the pain and suffering I went through. I didn’t realize that because I was living in sin, it automatically made me struggle.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn my back on you.
REFLECTION
What does the Lord want you to do when you are beset by struggles?
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 RESULT OF SIN Poem Devotional

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January 19________________________________________
Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”– Genesis 3:10(NLT)
THE RESULT OF SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you purposely go against God’s will
It will result in feelings of shame and guilt
Sin puts a wall between God and man
It opens the door for the enemy called Satan.
Shame is a lie that the enemy tricks us with
He wants us to wallow in pity and not get over sin
Run to God, confess your sins and you will be forgiven
He loves you that he allowed Jesus to die and be risen.
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The origin of “shame” can be traced back in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve decided to go against the will of God. Before they were tempted by Satan, they lived a very comfortable life. They didn’t have to work or do anything. They were surrounded by everything they could enjoy but there was only one thing that God asked them not to eat from, the tree of life. They were both naked before the fall of man. It never bothered them because they were innocent and pure. When they chose to disobey, something happened. They felt guilt and tried to hide from God. Shame became the result of their sin. They didn’t feel right to face God.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never choose to go against you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think shame results from sin? How can you let go shame?
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 YOU NEGLECT THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 17________________________________________
Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? – Haggai 1:4 (NLT)
WHEN YOU NEGLECT THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are always busy working to prosper yourself
You are neglecting your creator, the Lord God Himself
Whenever you prioritize other things instead of Him
You are opening the door for the enemy to win.
When you surround yourself with all the comforts in life
And then miss out God’s truth that brings us light
You are neglecting the Lord’s house by letting it lie in ruins
Don’t turn your back on the only one who can free you from sins.
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There are many people who get so busy accumulating wealth and hoarding comforts and conveniences in life. They have no time to read the word of God or even pray because they are so wrapped up in getting what they want in life. “Busy-ness” is a trick of the enemy to veer us away from our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ. The devil wants to create wants in life and make it appear like needs. Then we start to aspire and desire that thing which becomes a never ending goal to get. Then he creates more things for us to be busy with so we won’t have time for praising the Lord and building his kingdom. We should watch out that we don’t neglect the Lord and his kingdom.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never neglect my priority which is to serve you first.
REFLECTION
What have you done to build 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

LIKE THE YEAST Poem Devotional

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January 16________________________________________
The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.
–Matthew 13:33 (NLT)
LIKE THE YEAST
A poem and essay by ILMA
God’s kingdom is like the yeast used to make breads
Even a small amount is used, it permeates and spreads
Each verse in the bible will make us grow spiritually
No matter how small it is, it will help us continually.
The word of God is useful for us to mature
It makes us see things clearly in a big picture
Like the yeast that helps to make the bread grow
The kingdom of heaven eases all trials and sorrows.
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Yeast is a microscopic fungus consisting of single oval cells that reproduce by budding., and are capable of converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The main purpose of yeast is to serve as a catalyst in the process of fermentation, which is essential in the making of bread. The purpose of any leavener is to produce the gas that makes bread rise. Yeast does this by feeding on the sugars in flour, and expelling carbon dioxide in the process. It is amazing how this little fungus is responsible for producing bread that is the staple food of some cultures. God’s kingdom is likened to a yeast that produces bread which brings life.
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PRAYER
Lord, allow me to be like a yeast in spreading your word.
REFLECTION
How often do you reflect on God’s truth and allow it to grow?
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

UNCONDITIONAL GIVING Poem Devotional

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January 15________________________________________
Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
–Matthew 5:42 (NLT)
UNCONDITIONAL GIVING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you give to those who ask from you?
Do you respond right away or think it through?
Don’t turn away from those who want to borrow
Do it now and don’t wait until tomorrow .
Give unconditionally and expect nothing
You will reap God’s reward if you are giving
Look forward to the fruit of your generosity
You will be given blessings and have victory.
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I grew up in a third world country and people where I come from have to work very hard to be able to afford the basic necessities in life. We take care of what we earned and usually there is nothing extra to save. Sometimes, many people live in deficit for many years. Only those who are well off can actually afford to lend money or things. When I wasn’t a born again Christian yet, I cared much for things I worked hard for and rarely lend anyone my stuff. God changed me.
Do you weigh many things before you lend or give someone something? The bible tells us to give to those who ask. It didn’t specify that we have to scrutinize the situation before we give. We are also asked never to turn our backs to those who want to borrow something from us.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be generous like you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to be generous?
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