Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

HOMELESS JESUS Poem Devotional

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December 14
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Foxes have dens to line in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head. – Luke 9:58(NLT)
HOMELESS JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you alone or have a family of your own?
Do you have some place you can call home?
Foxes have dens to line in and birds have nests
But Jesus has no place to rest; he is homeless.
When you defy his commands and continue to do evil
You show hostility to Jesus and invite the devil
Can Jesus knock on your door and be welcomed?
If you let him in, your life will be joyful and calm.
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What comes to your mind when you see a homeless man or woman? When I was still in the Philippines, it was really hard to watch how these people live. I was so addicted to comfort that I never even bothered reaching out to them. I was so fearful that they might hurt me or steal from me if I let them in my home. It was a selfish life of convenience. It was self-preservation and survival of the fittest that I embraced then. I missed out opportunities to bless others thereby closing the door to Jesus.
The bible talks about how even animals have their own homes to rest like foxes have dens and birds have nests, but Jesus was homeless.
PRAYER
Lord, help me remember to open my hearts door for you.
REFLECTION
Share an experience when you welcomed a homeless or a needy person in your home.
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 HEAVEN’S DOOR OPENS Poem Devotional

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December 12
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If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit, even sinners do that much. – Luke 6:32-33(NLT)
WHEN HEAVEN’S DOOR OPENS
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you only love those who love you, what difference does that make?
Even sinners love those who love them for their own sake
If you do good only to those who are good to you
There is no credit for you in God’s point of view.
You must follow Jesus and go beyond the world’s ways
You have to love the unlovable, forgive them and pray
This is the way that you can get heaven’s door to open for you
It is allowing God’s love to transform you and make you new.
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The bible describes God’s Kingdom with a narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14). In other words, when we get things easy, we are probably on the road to destruction. Heaven’s door opens to us when we love the unlovable and do good even to those who are mean to us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to love those who hurt me, forgive them and be kind to them.
REFLECTION
How should we love those who are unkind and harsh to us?
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 HELP Poem Devotional

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December 11
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Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. -Luke 6:30(NLT)
UNCONDITIONAL HELP
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you respond quickly when someone’s in need?
Give to anyone who asks; don’t give in to greed
Find out how you can be of assistance to the needy
Be sensitive to others’ difficulty and always be ready.
Unconditional love gives help without expectations
It is extending one’s self without gratification
Unconditional help manifests God’s true love
We are expected to give it out by our Father up above.
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I was in a thrift store one day and this lady was having a hard time carrying a small coffee table that she purchased. It was a winter snowy day that afternoon. I held the door open for her so she could squeeze it out without much difficulty. I didn’t wait for her to ask help but I saw she needed it. As she struggled to walk and carry it in the snow, I offered to help her carry it to her car. She said she didn’t have any and was going to walk to her house with the purchase. I had my van just right in front of the store, so I offered to bring her home. She was shocked that a total stranger would do that for her. Giving unconditional help to those in need is required from believers.
PRAYER
Lord, give me opportunities to give assistance to those in need.
REFLECTION
Should you be careful who to help these days or should you help anyone who asks?
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

ARGUMENTS ARE USELESS Poem Devotional

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December 10
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Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. – 2 Timothy 2:14(NLT)
ARGUMENTS ARE USELESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The bible reminds us about using words
Our minds get twisted by this corrupted world
Arguments are a way of proving you are right
It is a futile activity that fuels up fights.
Whenever you feel the urge to reason out
The enemy wants you to take his route
Give up the temptation to argue to win
It opens door to pride, conflicts and ruin.
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I had so much hunger for knowledge in college, I thought I was doing the right thing by seeking it at all cost. Philosophy allowed me to reason out and I was obsessed with knowing and fascinated by many Western philosophers. Because I was silenced much when I was a child, I enjoyed having the freedom to speak what I thought of. It became a way of life for me. I tried to prove I was right to those I relate with wanting to win the argument most of the time.
The bible changed my mind about human reasoning. God commands us to stop any form of arguments and not partake in it. It only leads to fights. A servant of God must not quarrel but be kind (2 Timothy 2:23-24).
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never engage in human reasoning.
REFLECTION
How can you stop the urge to engage in arguing?
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

FOOLISH TALK

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December 9
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Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer. -2 Timothy 2:16-17(NLT)
FOOLISH TALK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you engage in worthless chattering?
Does your time go by just constantly talking?
The Lord wants us to only speak what’s pure and lovely
He never wants us to talk negatively and critically.
Engaging in foolish talk only leads to more godlessness
Minding your own business is one form of righteousness
Unwise babbling is harmful and spreads like cancer
It brings about offense, conflicts and destroys others.
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When I was growing up, we weren’t encouraged to talk much. It was like a rule that communication was banned. I had no voice, neither did I hear much of my family spoke things in the open. I was a very shy and introverted girl who had no confidence at all. I can’t recall what made me start communicating but I decided to overcome the shyness by taking up communications when I reached my college years. It was in school that I learned to speak up or I would fail the subjects like Speech, Acting, Directing and Journalism. After college, I got a stage management job at the Cultural Center and I learned to engage in foolish talk.
Foolish talk leads to more godlessness. It spreads like cancer and ruins relationships and right standing with God. Avoid it at all cost.
PRAYER
Lord, please guard my mouth to speak only of what pleases you.
REFLECTION
What do you usually do when someone engages you in foolish conversation?
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

BE A GOOD WORKER Poem Devotional

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December 8
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Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15(NLT)
BE A GOOD WORKER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you do your best in everything you do?
Work hard to be righteous and seek what is true
Present yourself to God so you can be approved by him
Don’t be tempted to be slack, be diligent so you can win.
A good worker consults with God’s truth always
He seeks God first in all things and obey his ways
He is bold to declare his love for the Lord
He is not easily swayed by this corrupt world.
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In this day and age, it is a novelty to find a good worker. Those who work in the offices sometimes come to work late and leave early. Some do not give their best in performing their duties and responsibilities. Some are not totally honest. When the boss isn’t around, they would do their personal stuff in the computers or talk on the phone or with their co-workers during work hours.
We are asked to work hard in such a way that we can be approved by God. Work as if God is your employer. Work with integrity and live by the truth in God’s word.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to remember to do things for you always even if we work for others.
REFLECTION
Why is integrity and honesty in the workplace a rarity in our world today?
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 SON OF GOD Poem Devotional

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December 6
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Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35(NLT)
THE SON OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Our heavenly father is the source of love and light
In him, there is no darkness and we can enjoy life
When he chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus
Purity and obedience made her very precious
She was a simple woman who had much humility
Despite her apprehension she followed God’s call faithfully
The angel explained that the Holy Spirit will come upon her
The power of the Most High will overshadow; no need to cower
She was chosen as the vessel to make the prophecies come true
God gave her great favor so others can change and be renewed
The Son of God was given to us as proof of the Father’s faithfulness
He is reassuring us all that we shall be filled with much joyfulness
No one expected that Jesus Christ will be born in a manger
He was wrapped in swaddled cloths and was amidst danger
Yet, God delivered his promise of salvation through Christ
He wants us all to know that we are all precious in his sight
Have you ever been loved unconditionally like this?
Who can ever give everything just for you to be free?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you.
REFLECTION
What has Jesus done for 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

A SIGN OF END DAYS Poem Devotional

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December 5
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Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days, scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. – 2 Peter 3:3(NLT)
A SIGN OF END DAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
One of the signs of end days is when scoffers mock the truth
These evil people will do anything to steal the Spirit’s fruits
They will be concerned with following their own desires
They are not disturbed with other’s concerns but only theirs.
Be warned of these people who want to corrupt the pure
The enemy has blinded them and is using them to lure
Be careful that you do not entertain the thoughts they share
Stay in God’s word and abide in him so you can be his heir.
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It used to scare me when I think about what is going to happen in the end of the world. After God’s revelation to me of his great love from Scriptures, I realized that there is no need for me to worry. I used to believe in so many false prophets and religious beliefs about the end times. I thank the Lord that I have been freed from such bondages.
The bible tells us that one of the signs of the end of days is that there will be a lot of scoffers or ridiculers who will mock the truth about God’s existence and truth. They’ll only follow their own desires.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me whenever I only think of myself.
REFLECTION
How can a Christian fight the human nature of satisfying self instead of 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

THOSE WHO TWIST GOD’S GRACE Poem Devotional

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December 4
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I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only master and Lord, Jesus Christ. – Jude 4(NLT)
THOSE WHO TWIST GOD’S GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Some people twist the truth of God’s marvelous grace
They go to churches to and pretend to worship and praise
They turn the doctrine of “grace” to pursue sin and power
They justify doing bad because they say God’s grace will cover.
God will judge anyone who alters his truth in his word
They will be condemned and be lost in this world
It illustrates their rebellion and denial of God’s authority
It shows their allegiance and loyalty to the enemy.
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Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scriptures is inspired by God. John 17:17 says that the word of God is truth. Revelation 22:18-19 tells us what happens if anyone removes any word from Scriptures. They will be removed from their share in the tree of life in the holy city that are described in the bible. In other words, they will miss their inheritance from God.
What do you think will happen to those who not only remove some words but actually twist them and corrupt other people? They will be condemned for twisting his word and denying the truth.
PRAYER
Lord, give me wisdom to know when someone twists your truth.
REFLECTION
How can one know if the truth is being twisted and what do we do?
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

POWER IN WEAKNESS Poem Devotional

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December 3
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My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. – 2 Corinthians 12:9(NLT)
POWER IN WEAKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you feeling weak these days?
Have no fear, God is with you today
His grace is sufficient for all your challenges
His power works best in your weaknesses.
Whenever you feel discouraged or weary
Hopelessness is a trick of the enemy
Even when we’re undeserving, he grants us grace
He loves all his creation especially the human race.
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The bible defines “Grace” in Ephesians 2:4-8 as a gift from God and we can’t take credit for it. It is something given to undeserving people like us. The doctrine of the “Grace of God is the very center and core of the whole Bible according to J. Gresham Machen.
Here are some of the paraphrased definition of “grace” according to some Christians.
• Justin Holcomb’s – the love of God shown to the unlovely; the peace of God given to the restless; the unmerited favor of God.
• Paul Zahl’s- unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.
• Jerry Bridges – God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.
• John Stott -love that cares and stoops and rescues.
• B. B. Warfield – free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.
God gave us grace and it is all sufficient for us to live a life that he wanted for all of us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you so much for the grace that you have bestowed on us.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some people won’t receive God’s grace?
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