Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

MADE RIGHT BY CHRIST’S BLOOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

badlands fall2012 157

February 12________________________________________
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believed that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. – Romans 3:25(NLT)
MADE RIGHT BY CHRIST’S BLOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
How can man resist’s his natural tendency to be wicked?
Why do we usually want to do what is restricted?
Is it doing good works that makes one overcome evil?
Or is it fighting and arguing openly with the devil?
God sent Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins and transgressions
His blood erased our offenses and brought us close to salvation
People are made right with God when we believe in Christ’s blood
Why don’t you turn away from sin, obey and seek only God?
________________________________________
In the beginning, Adam and Eve had everything they ever wanted. Their life was very easy. They didn’t have to work hard. God provided everything that they could ever want or imagine. They were given all the animals to dominate and were provided trees and plants to get their nourishment. When they disobeyed God’s prohibition with the tree of good and evil, their lives changed. They became impure and guilt and shame began to fill their hearts. We all inherited that shame, guilt and impurity.
The bible tells us that we can only be made right by the blood of Jesus because his sacrifice on the cross was the perfect example of unconditional love.
PRAYER
Lord, let me learn to “let go” of shame and guilt.
REFLECTION
How has Christ’s blood cleansed you of shame and guilt?

________________________________________
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

AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST Poem Devotional

Posted on by

canadablooms 019-001
February 11________________________________________
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. -Psalm 103:12 (NLT)
AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you done something wrong in your life?
Don’t live in guilt, allow God to bring you into his light
If you confess your sin, ask forgiveness and repent
He will forgive you then you’ll never again be bent.
He has removed your sins as far as east is from the west
When God forgave you, you will be renewed and be blessed
Though your past sins are as black as night
He can change it to make you as pure as white.
________________________________________
According to Wikipedia, Eratosthenes of Cyrene is best known for being the first person to calculate the circumference of the Earth, which he did by applying a measuring system using stadia, which was a standard unit of measure during that time period. His calculation was remarkably accurate. Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth without leaving Egypt. Using a gnomon, he measured the Sun’s angle of elevation at noon on the solstice in Alexandria, and found it to be 1/50th of a circle circumference. Great genius of a man is he. The bible says that God removes our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Based on Eratosthenes calculation, you now have a concept how much God forgives.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace.
REFLECTION
How far have you departed from your past sins? What brought you that far?
________________________________________
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

AS GREAT AS HEAVEN’S HEIGHT Poem Devotional

Posted on by

barrie visit 2011 364

February 10________________________________________
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. -Psalm 103:11 (NLT)
AS GREAT AS HEAVEN’S HEIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you love the Lord as much as he loves you?
Those who fear and revere him will have a life anew
For his unfailing love toward those who love and fear him
Will be victorious in this life and be redeemed.
His unfailing love is as great as the heaven’s height
He won’t let you down or let be defeated in this fight
If you are a believer, you have authority over the devil
Satan cowers and gets crushed when the truth is revealed.
________________________________________
Have you ever loved someone so great? Parents love their children so much but because we are human and we are imperfect, we don’t have the capacity to love as our heavenly Father does. He loves us unconditionally. His love for all his creation is unfathomable by mere humans. We will never understand his great love for us unless he allows us to discern and grasp it. His love us boundless and his mercy and forgiveness is beyond words to describe. He gave his only begotten son to pay for our sins.
The bible describes his unfailing love for those who love and revere him for his love is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
PRAYER
Teach me how to love unconditionally Lord.
REFLECTION
How has God manifested his boundless love 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 KIND AND FAIR GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

2014 highlights 843

February 9________________________________________
He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
-Psalm 103:10(NLT)
A KIND AND FAIR GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you done someone wrong that merited a consequence?
Have you done something to make someone react with much offense?
God never punishes you for your sins, he forgives when you confess
He does not deal harshly with you even when you don’t pass the test.
God is kind and fair to all those who believe him
He gave his only Son so we can be redeemed
He expects you to treat each other the same way
He wants you to be strong and never turn astray.
________________________________________
Have you ever been treated unfairly by someone? How did you feel when there was an unjust act done to you? I have experienced many forms of maltreatment and discrimination in my young life and it has scarred me so deeply. It has stunted my brain to grow and made me see things in the filter of pain and abuse. It is terrible to survive traumas. I have always felt insecure and never had the confidence that someone really loves me. Somehow I felt that I don’t deserve to be loved. There was much shame and guilt in my heart for many years. The bible tells us that God does not punish or treat us harshly even though we deserve it.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being such a fair and kind father.
REFLECTION
Relate an instance when you treated someone kindly despite their hostility.
________________________________________
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

AS WHITE AS WOOL Poem Devotional

Posted on by

winter 2013 landscapes 001

February 8________________________________________
Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red as crimson, I will make them as white as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)
AS WHITE AS WOOL
A poem and essay by ILMA
By the blood of Jesus, you are purified from your sins
He sacrificed his life so you can be free and redeemed
Though our sins are like scarlet, it is now white as snow
Though they are red as crimson, now it’s as white as wool.
Come to the throne of God and be renewed in your mind
He never wants you to be perplexed and blind
Abide and seek him always all the days of your life
Then you will discover the true joy and peace in his light.
________________________________________
As a painter using watercolors, I know that it is impossible to make white from something that is red. The addition method is used in watercolor where you plan to work from light colors to dark and maintain a wash effect on the paper while water runs with the colors that you use. You either use a white paper and leave it white then color the different parts of the painting progressively from light to dark hues.
The bible compares our sins to the color crimson red. Jesus’ blood which is another shade of red is the one that turned as white as snow or wool.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your sacrifice to purify me.
REFLECTION
What sins have you been cleansed when you committed to Christ as your Lord and Savior?
________________________________________
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

FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT

Posted on by

halloween 2011 and sunrises 060

February 7________________________________________
He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. -Romans 8:4(NLT)
FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you living to satisfy your own desires?
Do you realize how God’s love for you is on fire?
He gave his only Son to save you from sin
He would do anything to ensure you are redeemed.
Follow the Spirit instead of your sinful nature
It will make you grow and be spiritually mature
Living in his will brings about the Spirit’s fruits
It will keep you continually seeking his truth.
________________________________________
There are some Christians who do not believe in the Spirit of God. Some only believe in God and Jesus Christ, but make it hard for them to acknowledge the Spirit. I knew the Holy Spirit living in me since I was a young child even though no one taught me about him. Someone inside me taught me many things that I never really heard from my parents or my caregivers. He taught me to be hopeful even in my most painful and helpless experiences. He told me to continue to talk with Jesus and depend on him.
The bible says that God sent us his Son so that we will conquer sin and follow his Spirit instead of being ruled by our sinful nature.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to be childlike to hear your Spirit.
REFLECTION
How has God’s Spirit manifested in your life lately?
________________________________________
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

AN END TO SIN Poem Devotional

Posted on by

wasaga 3rd anniv picnic & beatrice 3rd visit 170

February 6________________________________________
God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. -Romans 8:3 (NLT)
AN END TO SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to follow God’s commands?
What hinders you from following his instructions and demands?
God did what the law could not do when he sent Jesus in a body
He declared an end to sin, so we can bring him glory.
He loved us first by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins
He wants us to exercise authority over Satan and win
When Christ sacrificed his life on the cross, sin ended
Living a holy and righteous life is how we can be mended.
________________________________________
The sacrifice of Christ on the cross has already put an end to sin. Why can’t some Christians understand that the blood of Jesus has already redeemed us from sin? For a very long time in my Christian life, I never really understood one of the last words of Jesus when he was dying on the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30). I thought Jesus was just foreshadowing his death. As I studied in-depth the word of God, I learned that it means that redemption is already done.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to think I can redeem myself by doing good works.
REFLECTION
How can you put an end to sin in your own way?
________________________________________
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 TRUE BELIEVER Poem Devotional

Posted on by

tulipfestival 092

February 5________________________________________
You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 (NLT)
THE TRUE BELIEVER
A poem and essay by ILMA
A true believer is someone who abides in Christ
He serves only one true God and he lives in the light
He is hungry to know Jesus and follow his ways
He reveres the Lord and is not easily tempted or swayed.
A true disciple remains faithful to Christ’s teachings
He never doubts or waivers; he focuses on praising
He seeks the truth so he is never corrupted by the world
He is wise because he constantly feed on God’s word.
________________________________________
Christianity is ranked the largest religion in the world today. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, in 2010 there were 2.18 billion Christians around the world, nearly a third of the global population. How much of these Christian population are true believers?
I have been a believer for five decades, but I couldn’t claim I was a true disciple during these years. I came from a religion that didn’t really instill a hunger for God’s word. It taught me to just follow rules. God set me free and showed me what a true believer is. The bible says that if you remain faithful to the truth and his teachings, then you are a true disciple.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that will seek you and serve you only.
REFLECTION
How can one be a true disciple in this corrupted 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

AN END TO CURSES Poem Devotional

Posted on by

barrie visit 2011 412

February 4________________________________________
No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there and his servants will worship him. Revelations 22:3 (NLT)
AN END TO CURSES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you tired of life’s struggles and suffering?
Focus on all that God offers and his blessings
Christ’s second coming brings an end to curses
It is the day of fulfillment of all his promises.
The throne of God will be there so all can praise Him
It will be a joyful event for all those who believed
No longer will there be tears, sorrow or pain
It will be the day when all will proclaim his name.
________________________________________
Curse is defined as a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. Some of our families might have passed on to us some curses that have been there for many generations without even being aware of it. Deuteronomy 28 discusses in detail the curses that may occur when we disobey God. A lot of many teachings of the apostle Paul focuses on warning us about the consequences of disobedience and sin. God has equipped us with commandments so that we don’t fall out of his grace and mercy. The bible talks about the end times when there will no longer be a curse upon anything. Something to really look forward to.
PRAYER
Lord, break all the curses in my family.
REFLECTION
How can you break curses in your 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

HOLDS ALL CREATION TOGETHER Poem Devotional

Posted on by

IMG_8161

February 2________________________________________
He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
-Colossians 1:17 (NLT)
HOLDS ALL CREATION TOGETHER
A poem and essay by ILMA
God has a system to make things work together
He created man so we can love one another
He placed the sky above the land and the seas
He made all kinds of animals, plants and trees.
He existed before anything else was in the universe
He made man so we can relate with him and converse
Each portion of his creation has a purpose in his plan
Do you know your destiny or do you fight and run?
________________________________________
Have you looked at nature lately? Are you not astounded at how God has made beautiful trees, landscapes, seascapes, sunsets, cloud formation, the snow, the beautiful flowers and all living creatures? Scientists have obsessed with reasoning and getting answers to all the things we cannot fathom. But the bible says that we cannot understand God’s mind because we are limited and he is not. Why can’t we just thank the Lord for everything that he has given us? Why do we have to understand? It is our fallen nature that wants to compete with God’s understanding. Sometimes, we just have to accept and be thankful.
The bible says that God existed before anything else. He created all things and holds all creation together. We need to believe that he knew what he was doing when he created us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the beautiful things you created.
REFLECTION
What part of God’s creation are you thankful for 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