Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

RELENTLESS Poem Devotional

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June 13________________________________________
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7 (NLT)
RELENTLESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a need that hasn’t been met?
Are you in bondage and afraid of death?
Are you hungry to be loved and accepted?
Have you been abandoned or rejected?
Relentlessly ask the Lord and he will answer
Keep on seeking and you fill find it later
The door will open if you keep on knocking
The Lord will reveal himself if you keep on seeking.
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Persistence is one of my traits. I don’t stop until I find what I am looking for. I don’t easily give up when I want to do something. I can be relentless oftentimes especially when it entails creativity. Sewing was my first taste of creativity. I grew up with an aunt who was a seamstress and just kept on watching her sew. By age 9, I can sew my own clothes from undoing some of my old clothes. I figured out how to sew by destroying some of my clothes and redoing it again like a puzzle.
The bible tells us to be relentless in our prayer requests and in seeking the Lord. It is in our persistent diligence that we get answered prayers and blessings poured out on us.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to be diligent.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you prayed persistently and got answers?
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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

MAY GOD’S WILL BE DONE Poem Devotional

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June 11________________________________________
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true. “- Luke 1:38 (NLT)
MAY GOD’S WILL BE DONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you struggle to hear God’s voice?
Are you constantly faced with a choice?
If you are a servant of the Lord
You will want to bring him laud.
It is meditating on his words that you see
He will speak to you directly and clearly
He will make you understand his plans
If you will follow the footsteps of his Son.
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When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary about her conception of the son of God, she was confused and disturbed at first (Luke 1:29). She had questions about how her conception will happen when she was a virgin. She didn’t have an argument with Gabriel. It was enough for her to hear that it is the Holy Spirit’s power that will do everything planned by God. She obeyed despite her confusion.
How often do we just obey like Mary did? Oftentimes when we are presented with circumstances beyond our understanding, we wallow in the perplexity of the situation. I sometimes fall into analysis and human reasoning and most of the time, it paralyzes me to just do what needs to be done.
Mary was a great model of obedience and this is probably why God chose her to be the person to bring Christ into this world.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me obedience.
REFLECTION
What stops you from obeying God’s will?¬¬¬
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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

REBORN IN CHRIST Poem Devotional

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June 9________________________________________
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. –John 1:12-13 (NLT)
REBORN IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
To anyone who believes in the power of Christ
They will have a renewed heart and eternal life
They are reborn not with a physical birth
They are stronger and cannot easily be hurt.
Believers will be considered God’s children
They will not allow the enemy to hinder
Being born again in spirit will lead to victory
It will equip them with power and authority.
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When I first heard the word “born again” in my early twenties, I thought it was a spiritual movement. Because I didn’t read the bible then, I had no understanding of the actual meaning of it. Until God gave me revelation to discern what it meant in my life, I had no clue what it really meant to be reborn in Christ.
One day, as I was reading my daily bible devotionals, I thought of searching for the meaning of being born again. After much study on it, I realized that I was already born again even before I got a revelation because I have always believed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My mind was renewed and I saw things just like how God would see it.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me new life.
REFLECTION
What changes occurred in you after being 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

KNOW WHEN TO QUIT Poem Devotional

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June 7________________________________________
Don’t wear yourself out by trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.
-Proverbs 23:4 (NLT)
KNOW WHEN TO QUIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get obsessed with getting rich?
Watch out for the enemy is out to trick
When you find yourself constantly wanting
It is trouble and strife that you are welcoming.
Know when to quit and to let go
Seek God and make his kingdom grow
Enrich yourself with God’s word
It is the only way you can beat this world.
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I have known many people who get obsessed with different things. Some people think that being rich is a good goal in life. This is one of the world views that destroys so many people. They pursue wealth, possessions, power, fame because they think it will bring them satisfaction. On the contrary, it destroys their lives. When you continually want material things, it changes your perspective. You become self-centered and isolate yourself from others. You want to protect your wealth, fame or power. You become envious if someone else has more than you have. You become greedy, wanting everything for yourself. You forget others because you are so busy satisfying your desires.
The bible warns us to know when to quit. It also says that we need to seek God first before anything else. When our lives is focused on being rich, we become idolaters of material things.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on you first.
REFLECTION
What obsessions do you have that draw you away from 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

CAN’T HIDE FROM GOD Poem Devotional

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June 6________________________________________
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. – Psalm 139:11-12 (NLT)
CAN’T HIDE FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are living in chaos and darkness
You can run to God for light and brightness
No matter what you do, you cannot hide
He is always there for you to help and guide.
You can choose to stay in the gloom
He overpowers sin so you can bloom
You have nowhere to run to avoid his love
He made you so you can win and rise above.
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I ran for so many years from what God wanted me to be. I was consumed by traumas and denied myself the joy that I could have had if only I didn’t turn my back on God. He wanted the best for me but I was so arrogant to even listen or find out what he has in store for me. There was a time that I was so angry with him and hibernated for weeks after he didn’t give me the job I so wanted. I had a big argument with him and blamed him for all the bad things that happened to me. He still gave me a better job than what I wanted. The bible says that we can turn from God but He always sees us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me not resist your light.
REFLECTION
What have you been running from?
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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

KNOWLEDGE VERSUS LOVE Poem Devotional

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June 4________________________________________
But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.
-1 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NLT)
KNOWLEDGE VERSUS LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think you know everything and need no one?
No one is an island, each person longs to love someone
While knowledge makes us feel important
God doesn’t view with utmost significance.
Be careful of those who thinks they know everything
Chances are they really don’t and are just pretending
Love is what matters to our heavenly Father
Walk in it by showing it to your sisters and brothers.
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I knew someone who thinks he knows it all. He never listens to anyone’s opinion but he likes to tell everyone what he thinks of almost all things. Each time I see him approach others, those who know him already will automatically avoid him, but for the first timers to meet him, they become victims of his incessant boasting. Part of my old life was almost like this person. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut until God convicted me of my pride and arrogance.
The bible tells us that knowledge is important but not us much as wisdom is, but what counts more to God is our capacity to love. It doesn’t matter if you are not as intelligent as others, as long as your heart is big to give love.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from haughty people.
REFLECTION
How can you love even those who are proud and arrogant?
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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

WONDERFUL TRUTHS poem devotional

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June 3________________________________________
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. –Psalm 119:18 (NLT)
WONDERFUL TRUTHS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you filling your life with good thoughts?
Do you let your mind stagnate and rot?
Fill your hearts and minds with wonderful truths
Allow God’s words and instructions to take root.
Only the Lord will open your eyes to what is true
Only his word will guide you and get you through
These wonderful truths are only found in Scriptures
They will bring you joy and they will be life’s treasures.
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For a very long time, I was blind to the truth. The enemy had taken over a good part of my life by telling me all kinds of lies that I believed for so many decades of my life. 2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us how Satan, who is the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. Even when I was a believer of Christ, I was still blinded because I didn’t study or put much effort in really knowing Christ and what he wants me to do for him. I lived to please myself and satisfy worldly pleasures, such as power, control, intelligence and performance based Christianity. I was religious but really didn’t understand much about the truths that comes from God’s word. The bible says that only God can open our eyes to see all the wonderful truths in God’s instructions.
PRAYER
Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear.
REFLECTION
What can stop you from missing God’s revelations?
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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

UNCERTAINTY Poem Devotional

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June 1________________________________________
Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.
-Proverbs 27:1 (NLT)
UNCERTAINTY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t brag about tomorrow
It may bring you joy or sorrow
You don’t know what the day will bring
Your heart may be troubled or it may sing.
Be humble and live each day with love
Seek peace and believe in God
Never boast about anything
It opens the door to evil and sin.
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Boasting is defined as talking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s achievements, possession, or abilities. I didn’t get so much affirmation as a child and the only way I was able to get love and attention is when I perform well academically or with any skill I can show that I am good at. I became very proud of myself and my achievements. As I got older, I gained the confidence from a performance oriented life. I got involved in theater which heightened my conceit. The bible says that we shouldn’t brag about tomorrow since we don’t know what the day will bring. It also says that the only thing we should boast about is that we know and understand God. Boasting is considered evil according to James 4:16. When we brag or boast about something, we actually compete and try to act like we know it all, which stems from pride.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never brag about anything but knowing you.
REFLECTION
What has boasting brought about in 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

MEDITATING ON GOD’S TRUTH

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May 30________________________________________
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. –Psalm 1:1-2 (NLT)
MEDITATING ON GOD’S TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you live in awe of God and in his righteousness?
He will bless you with joy, love and holiness
Don’t follow the advice of the sinners and mockers
They will lead you to destruction and make you bitter.
Delight and meditate in the law of the Lord
If you obey him, you are bringing him laud
Think about his truth and you will be free
It will guide you and protect you from the enemy.
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What can meditating on God’s truth bring about in one’s life? When I started studying the bible instead of just reading, God showed me so many things that I didn’t understand before. The truths that I daily studied brought answers to questions I have asked that were never answered. I suddenly learned so many generational sins that I have unconsciously received. I didn’t even know that I was living with so much bondage to sin until I started reflecting and memorizing God’s word.
The bible warns us to not participate in the activities of sinners or mockers. The Lord delights in those who seek him and meditate on his commands and truth.
PRAYER
Give me a heart that obeys your commands and seek you.
REFLECTION
What verse or truth have specifically released you from slavery to sin.
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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

KEEP WATCH! Poem Devotional

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May 29________________________________________
You too must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return – in the evening, at midnight, before dawn or at daybreak. –Mark 13:35 (NLT)
KEEP WATCH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you always long for the truth and seek God?
Do you do everything to protect yourself from fraud?
Are you pursuing peace and walking in love?
Keep watch, to have a place in his kingdom up above.
We can’t predict when the Lord is coming again
We can prepare, remain in him and always abide
He may come in the evening, at midnight or daybreak
Keep watch and be ready for your own sake.
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I had a Canadian friend come over Manila, the capital city of my country of origin shortly before I migrated to Canada. He was amazed at how much security guards (holding guns or rifles) were in almost all the places I brought him in such as banks, restaurants, malls, schools, offices and even homes of those who are rich. It showed how people try to guard their wealth and even the safety of children who becomes target for kidnapping. Peace and safety was a novelty in that part of the world
The bible talks about the importance of being ready and watching always in order to be ready when Christ comes back because we don’t know when that would be. It can be anytime.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me ready for your coming.
REFLECTION
What have you done to ready yourself for Christ’s second coming?
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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