Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

A JEALOUS GOD poem devotional

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October 26________________________________________
You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. – Exodus 34:14(NLT)
A JEALOUS GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit to God, you must be faithful
He is a very jealous God, he wants you to be truthful
He is very loyal to you so He expects the same
He loves you so he wants you to honor his name.
He doesn’t tolerate idolatry or any competition
He knows he is the only true God without question
He is jealous about his relationship with you
Will you choose to commit to him and be true?
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For many decades, I didn’t know that one of my iniquities was idolatry. Because of self-will and independence, the enemy used it to enter my heart. I was blinded by the world’s standard of greatness. I thought that being able to achieve many goals and ambitions was the ultimate indication of success. God proved me wrong. The circumstance that led me to Canada was still an idolatrous act I did. God used it to teach me and convict me of this sin.
The bible tells us that we must not worship other gods for God’s very name is Jealous. He is the essence of love and he expects no less than a sincere and truthful loyalty from those who claim that they love him.
PRAYER
Convict me right away when I become unfaithful to you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God is a very jealous god?
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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

BENEFITS OF WISDOM poem devotional

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October 25________________________________________
Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king. Better to have wisdom than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
-Ecclesiastes 9:17-18 (NLT)
BENEFITS OF WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you seeking wisdom in your life?
Foolishness comes natural to those who love strife
Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person
Rather than the foolish king who cannot seem to reason
Better to have wisdom than weapons of war
Someone who seeks God and is wise will go very far
But one sinner can destroy much that is right
They corrupt the pure and they can’t see God’s light.
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There are many people in the world who do not seek God and what he wants for our lives. No wonder there is so much chaos and turmoil in our world today. Most people always use their self-will to navigate through life. I did it too for many decades of my life. I have mistaken intelligence for wisdom and thought they were one and the same. Wisdom can only come from God’s truth. Only God has perfect and absolute knowledge. All humans have limited understanding.
The bible tells us that it is better to hear a quiet wise person than the shouts of a fool. It is better to have wisdom than weapons of war because one sinner can destroy goodness.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be wise.
REFLECTION
What benefits have you reaped when you seek God’s wisdom?
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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

Fresh Bubbling Spring poem devotional

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October 24________________________________________
Anyone who drinks this water will become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. – John 4:13-14 (NLT)
FRESH BUBBLING SPRING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Water refreshes our bodies and souls
It cleanses us and later makes us whole
If you drink from the water that Jesus offer
You will be refreshed and endure to suffer.
It is a fresh bubbling spring deep within
It renews us and restores us from sin
Christ’s spring grants eternal life
It washes away all darkness and strife.
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Water is essential in our lives. Without it, we will die and stay dirty. I remember back in my country of origin, when I lived in a studio and my landlady was so controlling, that she will just turn off the main power for water supply according to her whims. I would go crazy because I cannot wash clothes, dishes, or even take a shower or drink. It was a deprivation of my right to be clean and quench my thirst. I felt so dirty and thirsty
The bible tells us that anyone who drinks from the water that comes from Christ, will never be thirsty again. They will have eternal life. It is a fresh bubbling spring that brings them eternal life. It refreshes their whole being and quenches their thirst.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your living water.
REFLECTION
How has the fresh bubbling spring of Christ restored your life?
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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 NEW LIFE BEGINS Poem Devotional

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October 23________________________________________
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.
The old life is gone; a new life has begun. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
A NEW LIFE BEGINS
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you ever meet Jesus and fall for him
You will discover that a new life will begin
To all who will commit their lives to Christ
They will come out of darkness into the light.
Your old life will be washed away by Jesus
You become a new person, one who is righteous
You will see everything in God’s point of view
He will transform you and have your mind renewed.
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Spring is one of the greatest season because new life begins everywhere. It is a time when people de-clutter and clean and make things fresh again. It is the season after the cold winter days and when people can get out again and be rejuvenated by the flowers and grass just sprouting out of the ground. It is a season when you can start planting and later on harvest what you sowed.
The bible tells us that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. I can attest to this experience when God called me and I re-committed myself to him with the hunger to know him more and to follow his word no matter what.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the new life in you.
REFLECTION
What transformation has God done in your life after you were born again?
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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

BLESSING IN DISGUISE Poem Devotional

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October 22________________________________________
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is more precious than real gold.
-1Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)
BLESSING IN DISGUISE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you go through many trials and difficulties
Don’t despair! It purifies you and leads you to victory
These hardships will show your genuine faith
It tests how much you can endure and change your fate.
So, be truly glad when your faith is tested
It means that God is refining the people he created
He is preparing you for a bigger task and calling
Don’t forget to thank him for the disguised blessing.________________________________________
Blessing in disguise is and idiom which means a bad thing at first but later on turns out to be good. Remember that the God will never give us anything that is beyond what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). I had so much pain and traumas as a child. It came to a point of desperation and wanted to end my agony at age 14. I didn’t understand until in my early 50s what God was doing to prepare me for this ministry to spread his word. I am truly glad that he made me endure all the pain. It was a test of my faith.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the blessings in disguise.
REFLECTION
What blessings do you enjoy now that was a result of all your trials?
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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 JOY OF YOUR PRESENCE Poem Devotional

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October 21________________________________________
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. –Psalm 16:11(NLT)
THE JOY OF YOUR PRESENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Show me how wonderful it is to be in your presence
I long to overcome challenges and learn life’s lessons
Bring me joy that I can only have in your goodness
Help me live in your love and righteousness.
Lead me to the pleasures of living with your forever
I want to soak in your peace and prosperity river
Let me experience your power, might and glory
Transport me from this world into your majesty.
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The word “joy” comes from the Greek root word “chara” and means “to be exceedingly glad. It is not as shallow or as superficial as the word “happiness.” Joy is not dependent on circumstances as happiness is. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he was able to rejoice (where the word joy is extracted from) despite the fact that he was in prison. He felt joyful because the guards in prison was able to hear about the Good News and were saved and he was able to do the work of God despite his circumstance.
The bible tells us that we will only experience joy in God’s presence and in knowing that we are going to live with him forever if we give our whole life to him.
PRAYER
Grant me your presence so I can have joy Lord.
REFLECTION
What experiences in your life gave you much joy?
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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 PLEA FOR HUMILITY Poem Devotional

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October 20________________________________________
O Lord, God of Israel, you are just. We come before you in our guilt as nothing but an escaped remnant, though in such a condition none of us can stand in your presence.
-Ezra 9:15 (NLT)
A PLEA FOR HUMILITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, you are most powerful, most merciful
You are awesome in mercy and always faithful
I am nothing compared to your greatness
I am but a remnant of people who were lawless
Forgive me and let me stand in your presence
Give me wisdom so I can turn from disobedience
Give me a humble heart so I can understand your word
Grant me strength and courage to overcome this world.
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What is the solution to all the conflicts in our world today? Why are there so much lawlessness in our society? One of the causes of strife is pride. It is probably why the church considers it the gravest of all the deadliest sins. Pride is defined as arrogance, cynical insensitivity to the needs of others, and presumption. Pride is both a disposition, an attitude and a type of conduct. Pride is the cause of many if not all sins. Pride caters to the “self”. It is a form of idolatry because it seeks to glorify its own.
The bible talks about the people of God who lawlessly disobeyed his command not to intermarry. Because of pride, they disobeyed and reaped the consequences of sin.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from pride.
REFLECTION
What prideful things have you done in the past that brought you to your knees to God?
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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 HEART’S CONDITION poem devotiional

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October 19________________________________________
The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7(NLT)
THE HEART’S CONDITION
A poem and essay by ILMA
How is the condition of your heart?
Do you long for someone who is apart?
Have you pardoned that person who offended you?
Are you keeping a record of wrongs that make you blue?
The Lord doesn’t care about outward appearances
He is after your own heart and your faithfulness
Make your hearts clean so you can be sure
A place in his kingdom waits on all the pure.
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In our bodies, the heart has a very big function in keeping us alive. This is why we are told by our doctors to take care of our hearts by eating the right food, exercising and being worry and anxiety free. In the same manner as the physical heart, our spirits are dependent on the condition of our inner heart. We are commanded to keep our hearts pure for him. When we are corrupted by our desires, our spiritual heart malfunctions.
The Lord doesn’t see superficial things that people normally see. We usually see the externals but God focuses on the condition of our hearts. He knows what we are going through and he knows every intention and action we choose to make. Does your heart long for God like King David did?
PRAYER
Lord, cleanse me from sin and temptations around me.
REFLECTION
What does your heart long for? Does it yearn for God?
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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

RESURRECTION AND LIFE Poem Devotional

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October 17________________________________________
I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
-John 11:26(NLT)
RESURRECTION AND LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When Christ came to save mankind
He expected us to be free and not be blind
Anyone who believes in him will never die
Even after physical death, they will still thrive.
We are not just physical but also spiritual beings
Come to Christ and you will live even after dying
The Son of God is the resurrection and the life
Believe in him for you will have eternity and insight.
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A lot of people are scared of death. Death in a family brings grief to the left kin and relatives. Are you scared of dying? I have never been scared of death even as a young child. When other people ask me about death, I would always answer this: “They finally will see Jesus and have no more problems.” I saw death as life. Maybe it was because I had a relationship with Jesus as young as a seven year old girl. I am sure now that it was the Holy Spirit whispering to me in my heart that death is the end of the worldly life and the beginning of the spiritual life.
The bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in him will live even after dying. What an awesome promise to look forward to!
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for dying for me.
REFLECTION
Why should you not fear physical death especially if you are a believer?
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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 GODLY WAY Poem Devotional

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October 16________________________________________
Stop at the crossroads and look around, Ask for the old, godly way and walk in it. Travel its path and you will find rest for your souls. – Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT)
THE GODLY WAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever stop at the crossroads and look around?
What lessons in life presented itself that you have found?
Do you examine which way is easier or harder?
Do you choose the wider road or the narrower?
The godly way may have more challenges and trials
It brings us closer to our purpose rather than be in denial
The road less travelled is the way to everlasting life
It is the only path that leads us to God and his light.
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In a world where everything is fast paced and people seek comfort and convenience, it is easy to choose the path that leads to worldliness. My life used to be focused on making things easier for me. Because I had a very difficult life growing up and being raised in a third world country, I learned to live in survivor mode. I would do anything to ensure that I get what I deserve and worked for. I relied on no one and trusted nobody. It was a life of independence and self-care. The bible says that we have to choose the godly way and walk in it through faith and dependence on God.
PRAYER
Lord, may we never choose the worldly way.
REFLECTION
Which path are you treading on right now? Is it leading you to God?

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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