Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

YOUR TRUE FAMILY Poem Devotional

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May 7
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Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother, sister and mother. –Mark 3:34-35 (NLT)
YOUR TRUE FAMILY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you close with your mother?
Do you have sisters and brothers?
How much does your family know Christ?
Do they live their lives under God’s light?
Are your family believers or unbelievers?
Do they seek the truth from God the Father?
Your true family is those who does God’s will
They are the ones who obey, is truthful and real.
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I have one sister and two brothers. Although we were a complete family, I have never really felt that I belonged. My father worked out of the country since I was born until my late twenties. My mother was always busy working too. I was the eldest and my brother and I had two year difference. It was just me and Danny for 13 years until my next brother Michael was born, followed by Iris after two years. My aunts and two cousins lived with us and my mother delegated her parental duties to her twin sisters. None of my family read the bible. They attended church occasionally.
The bible tells us that our true family are those who does God’s will. They are our spiritual family. They are the ones that God wants us to belong to.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me your family of believers.
REFLECTION
Why did Jesus stressed the hierarchy of spiritual over biological family?
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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

HUMAN REASONING STRONGHOLD Poem Devotional

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May 6
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We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thought and teach them to obey Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLT)
HUMAN REASONING STRONGHOLD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself constantly justifying and reasoning?
God gave you a mind so you can relentlessly obey him
You are only human but don’t wage war as humans do
Only God knows what is best; we don’t have a clue.
Use God’s mighty weapons to knock down strongholds
Only his word and the Spirit can make you fearless and bold
Destroy every proud obstacle that stops you from seeking him
Capture rebellious thoughts; surrender it and you’ll have peace.
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I used to love philosophy. A topic can just go on and on, provoking more arguments, debates and syllogisms. I used to attend seminars and talks in the philosophical circle when I was in college. It gave me much delight to exercise my logic and persuasion skills. I was in pursuit of knowledge and reasoning. God opened my eyes one day and revealed to me that “human reasoning” was one of my many strongholds. The bible says that we need to use God’s mighty weapons to destroy strongholds. God’s word is the sword of the spirit.
PRAYER
Help me to align my thoughts to your truth.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to surrender all our faculties to him?
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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

GOD’S CREATION IS GOOD Poem Devotional

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May 5
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Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. -1 Timothy 4:4 (NLT)
GOD’S CREATION IS GOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
What do you have that God hasn’t given you?
Hasn’t he provided you with everything good?
Each of God’s creation is for his own glory
Give thanks to him and you will never be sorry.
Gratefulness means never rejecting his creation
Receiving it gratefully brings us close to perfection
God knows all things and has control your destiny
He has your interest at hand; embrace peace to be free.
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Thankfulness changes everything in one’s life. I used to be a very negative thinker and a worrier. It was not hard for me to be filled with all kinds of stinking thinking. A book written by a Christian changed the way I think. Being grateful for little and big things that God has given you daily was one of the tips he recommended. So I started listing down things daily for all things to be thankful for. Only after a few months, I noticed that it wasn’t involuntary for me to entertain negative thoughts anymore. My perspective changed from pessimism to optimism. So many verses in the bible tells us the importance of gratitude. It changes our attitudes. God created everything good and we should never reject any of his creation but receive it with gratitude.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all your creation.
REFLECTION
How can you express gratitude for all that God has given you?
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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

HOPE FOR THE WEAK Poem Devotional

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May 4
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He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. – Isaiah 40:29(NLT)
HOPE FOR THE WEAK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you hurting from a big challenge?
Is there any circumstance you wish changed?
The Lord gives you strength in difficulties
He brings hope to the weak in their frailties.
The powerless need not be hopeless
God can calm the troubled and restless
Even if you don’t see change or movement
He is surely working for your improvement.
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Are you overwhelmed with the many roles you play and the many challenges life brings?
God is always there for you. He guides you and protects you even if you don’t think so. I used to be a very impatient and a decisive person. I always troubleshoot when things are not working the way I want it. I learned to surrender to God the hard way. God had to strip me of all my self-sufficiency so I can learn to rely and be God-dependent instead. I was angry for a number of years as I watch all the things I used to be good at faded away. I felt helpless not to have control over them. I used to live by the world’s standard of “power.” I thought that power comes from intelligence and self-will. The bible says that we are stronger in weakness because God shows his power when we are weak and helpless.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength.
REFLECTION
Why does God love the weak and powerless?
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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

WHAT EVERYONE’S DUTY IS Poem Devotional

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May 3—
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Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NLT)
WHAT EVERYONE’S DUTY IS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have any secrets that you’ve been keeping?
Are you struggling with reverence for God and obeying?
Everyone’s duty is to fear God and obey his commands
Are you living up to his standards and demands?
God will judge us for everything we do
He sees our heart and all our rues
Everything is naked and exposed to him
Embrace humility so you can be redeemed.
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Duty is defined as a legal or moral obligation, a responsibility. It is a task or action someone is required to perform. Most of our duties come with the roles we play in life. Our duties are like boundaries that protect our relationships and lead us to progress and blessings in life. I was a mother since 28 years ago and was bound by the privilege to take care of my son. My obligation as a mother is to ensure that my son grew up in the love and knowledge of God and his will. I also have the duty to provide physical and emotional stability in his life.
The bible says that everyone’s duty is to fear God and obey his commands because God will judge all things, including our secrets.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be responsible.
REFLECTION
What duties in life are you struggling with?
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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

WISDOM PROTECTS Poem Devotional

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May 2
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Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her and she will guard you.
-Proverbs 4:5-6 (NLT)
WISDOM PROTECTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you met wisdom in your life?
Wisdom can prevent you from losing insight
Seek God’s word and he will grant you revelations
It is a hunger for him that will lead to salvation.
Wisdom will protect you from ruin
It guarantees triumph over sin
Love wisdom and you will avoid disaster
Hate it and you will never prosper.
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Do you know the best investment you can ever have that will guarantee victory in all aspects of your life? It is not buying a house, a car or getting into financial investments. The ultimate investment that you can get into is to capitalize on seeking God and his word. When you are able to get access to the manual that God gave us in the bible, your life will totally be transformed and you will be showered with heavenly blessings beyond what you can imagine.
The book of Proverbs emphasizes much on the importance of wisdom in our lives. Wisdom is not just getting information but actually putting into use what facts you have gathered. Wisdom brings protection in our lives. If we love wisdom, we will be sheltered from destruction and ruin.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me wisdom to know you and all your truths.
REFLECTION
How can you cultivate wisdom 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

RESTLESS SPIRITS Poem Devotional

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May 1
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Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
-Ecclesiastes 5:3 (NLT)
RESTLESS SPIRITS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself unable to finish something?
Do you struggle focusing on one thing?
Too much activity gives you restless dreams
It makes you ambitious resorting to so much schemes.
Do you use too many words when you talk?
The more you say, the more you ought to walk
Limit your speech and activities to God’s truth
It will transform you and bring the Spirit’s fruits.
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The enemy uses so many distractions in our lives. One of his tactics is to give us too much distractions or too much activities. I used to think that multi-tasking is an indispensable skill in life but after God transformed me into a new born person, God replaced that twisted worldly viewpoint. I didn’t realize that too much activity brought about restlessness in my life. I wanted to do so much. I remember when I reached the age of 30 that I was speeding so badly to get all my dreams and goals met. I was also raising my son during this plunge into proving to others and to myself that I can do good in many things simultaneously. Just as the old adage “jack of all trades, master of none,” says, I was beginning to spread myself so thinly. My body suffered and my restlessness took over my life.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me simplicity.
REFLECTION
How can you avoid “busy” ness 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

WISDOM PROTECTS Poem Devotional

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April 30
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Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her and she will guard you.
-Proverbs 4:5-6 (NLT)
WISDOM PROTECTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you run to God’s word for guidance?
Obeying Scriptures will keep sin at a distance
Good judgment is developed from the truth
It leads to wisdom and the Spirit’s fruit.
Don’t turn away from God’s revelations
It guards you from succumbing to temptations
Seek God and his word and it will protect you
It keeps your heart pure and your mind renewed.
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So many people live today without guidance from God. No wonder their lives are all messed up. It is a very dangerous and risky thing to go through life without a map. Just like tourists needs a guide and a map to traverse to a new place, we also need the word or God and his truth to navigate to our destination in this world. Some people do not realize the power of Scriptures to guide us to live the life that God wants for us.
The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of wisdom and good judgment in our lives. When we turn to God’s word, we automatically get protection from the world’s view.
PRAYER
Lord, help me navigate to your will for my life.
REFLECTION
What will happen if we do not run to the word for wisdom and guidance?
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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

FEAR NOT Poem Devotional

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April 28
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Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me, your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 (NLT)
FEAR NOT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you go through the darkest valley
Fear not for God will be with you totally
He is close beside you when you’re in pain
Believe and your hope will not be in vain.
When you feel overwhelmed with sorrow
Don’t worry for there is always a tomorrow
Fear not for he will protect and comfort you
He came to save you and get you through.
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Are you struggling with something in your life? Are you feeling sad and burdened right now? Don’t be afraid. You are not alone. There may be others who are going through the same things you are experiencing, maybe worse than where you are right now. When you start to get overwhelmed, look around you or talk to someone and you will be surprised that you are probably much in a better place than someone else. Count your blessings instead of focusing on what you don’t have.
The bible tells us that even when we walk through the darkest valley, we shouldn’t be afraid for God will always be there to protect and comfort us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on your love, power and protection.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome fear when you are overwhelmed with life’s challenges?
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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

CONCERN FOR OTHERS Poem Devotional

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April 27
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Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
-1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT)
CONCERN FOR OTHERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you only concerned for your own sake?
Do you think of others or do you just take?
Whenever we do things without consideration
We are not serving Christ or giving compassion.
Are your intentions geared only for pleasing yourself?
Do you thoughtfully think of others and help?
Christ genuinely loves and cares for others
Are you also blessing your sisters and brothers?
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How many people are really concerned about others rather than their own selves? In our world today, so much focus is about the satisfaction of the “self.” Each time we are presented with choices and decisions, aren’t they always about what will be good for our own sake rather than the good of others? Our fallen nature’s default is to self-protect and self-care. It is only by the grace of God that we can be dead to the desires of our own flesh and only in his mercy can we bask at how he can transform our fallen nature into his righteousness. Think of how much of your choices gear towards concern for others.The bible tells us that we have to be concerned for the good of others.
PRAYER
Lord, convict me of selfishness.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to focus more on others than ourselves?
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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