Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

A HOUSE WITHOUT FOUNDATION

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March 4
But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins. –Luke 6:49(NLT)
A HOUSE WITHOUT FOUNDATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
A house without foundation will easily disintegrate
Just as a person would fail without a walk of faith
Anyone who hears God’s word and don’t obey
Will bring a heap of ruins and will easily be swayed.
Without a relationship and intimacy with the Lord
You will be consumed and corrupted by the world
When you decide to seek, hear and follow God’s word
You will be strong and will be like a soldier for the Lord.
There are many Christians who do not walk their talk. You will see it with the way they interact with others. They live double lives, pretending to be what who they are really not. They want to show others that they are good but their minds and hearts are full of un-forgiveness and wickedness. I used to be like this counterfeit Christian. Thank God that he delivered me from hypocrisy.
The bible says that anyone who hears God’s word and doesn’t obey will be weak and easily collapse with challenges. On the other hand, those who obey God’s word, they will have a strong foundation and will not be easily tossed.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me strength.
REFLECTION
How strong is your foundation with God?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

DO AS GOD SAYS Poem Devotional

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March 3
So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. – Luke 6:46-47(NLT)
DO AS GOD SAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know what the Lord says?
Do you take time to seek his word, obey and pray?
The Lord our God wants us to do what he commands
It is for our own good when he convicts and reprimands.
Do as God says and he will fulfill all his promises
He wants us to live with integrity instead of compromises
Seek the Lord with all your heart and follow his instructions
When you do, he will bring you close to redemption.
When my son was a little boy, I would always give him incentives when he did something I told him to do. Some of the rewards I gave him were additional bedtime stories, more cuddle times or picnic treat. I had a chart that he looked at when he finished a little chore. He gets a star for it and it made him happy to collect such rewards after doing what is expected of him. The bible tells us that God is like a father to us. He expects us to do what he says. He rewards us with blessings and protection.
PRAYER
Lord, let me follow you always.
REFLECTION
What do you think is the benefit of doing what God says?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS Poem Devotional

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March 2
I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. -Mark 11:23NLT)
FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you glide back and forth in your faith?
Are you able to trust God more and relate?
Faith can move mountains; it can bring victory
It can make you resist and defeat the enemy.
You must really believe that God is able to fulfill
Believe in your heart that he forgives and heals
Seek and obey his commands so you will be strong
This is the only way to withstand trials in life for long.
Abraham became the father of faith because he was able to show his faithfulness to God. Sarah and Abraham had Isaac in their very late years of life. God grew them in patience. God had a reason for doing so. In Abraham, the lineage of Christ will descend from. The act of faith that Abraham showed when he willingly offered Isaac as a sacrifice was the epitome of trust in the Lord. He became the perfect example of faith for all Christian to emulate.
Jesus himself says that you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart; then you can move mountains.
PRAYER
Lord, help me grow in faith.
REFLECTION
What mountains are you facing now that needs faith in God?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART Poem Devotional

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March 1
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26(NLT)
THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
I am so weak and frail from past pains and rejection
Will you heal me now that I am full of affliction?
My health is compromised and my spirit is weak
Shower me with your strength but keep me meek.
You are the most high and you remain my strength
Without you, life is bleak and full of discontent
Keep me focused on you so I will endure
You are the only one that can make me secure.
Do you suffer from any health issues, lack of faith or lost hope? I have experienced all these challenges in life. How I survived all of my adversities is beyond comprehension. I am sure that God was the strength that kept my heart going and eventually my body, mind and feelings followed. One of God’s names is “Elohim” meaning “strength” or “power.” Do you ever wonder how you can withstand trials and sufferings? That is because God is the source of our strength.
Psalm 73:26 shows us that the psalmist got comfort from knowing that God remains the strength of his heart. He may have many challenges in life, but he knows that God will be his strength and that he belongs to him.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me secure in your strength. Let me lean on you always.
REFLECTION
How do you differentiate the concept of strength in God’s economy to how the world views it?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

GOD CHANGES HEARTS Poem Devotional

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February 28
The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live. -Deuteronomy 30:6 (NLT)
GOD CHANGES HEARTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
As the physical heart may need transplant to survive
So does the spiritual heart needs change to thrive
God changes our hearts so we will love him immensely
Even our descendants will benefit from God’s generosity.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul
It will bring transformation that will make you whole
No matter how much you’ve turn back to him
He will make a way to pursue you and redeem.
One of the many reasons why people struggle in life is because they have hardened their hearts to the Lord. Unbelief, unforgiveness, stubbornness, rebellion, doubt and fear can contribute to a hardened heart. Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
The bible shows us a generous and merciful God in Deuteronomy 30:6. He changes our hearts and all of our offspring so that we will love him with all our hearts and soul in order for us to live. Without God’s mercy and forgiveness, we will experience “death” in many forms such as struggles, bondage and conflicts. We must never boast about changing ourselves because it is God who does it.
PRAYER
Change my heart, O Lord.
REFLECTION
How much do you let God cleanse your heart?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL Poem Devotional

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February 27
If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. -Deuteronomy 28:13
THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
What makes one the head and not the tail?
If you listen to God’s command, you’ll smoothly sail
Pay careful attention to his commands and obey
God’s word will free you from the enemy’s ways.
You will always be on top and never at the bottom
The Lord ensures that you discern beyond human reason
Protect yourself from sufferings, failure and misery
Seek the Lord in all your ways and you’ll have victory.
Do you ever wonder how some Christians are blessed with a good life and the others are struggling or defeated? What is the secret of those who live victorious lives? Why do they have bounty and overflow from God? There are many Christians who are saved but still live in bondage to sin or strongholds.
The bible says that if you listen and carefully obey the Lord’s commands, you will be the head and not the tail and will always be on top and never at the bottom. I am sure that the secret to a victorious life is to listen and follow God’s commands.
PRAYER
Lord, make me obedient to you always.
REFLECTION
Why is obedience the key to victory?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

DON’T PARTNER IN EVIL WORK Poem Devotional

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February 26
If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes partner in their evil work.
-2 John 10-11 (NLT)
DON’T PARTNER IN EVIL WORK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know anyone who is contrary to Christ’s teachings?
Don’t take any part in their evil work or be encouraging
Protect yourself, stay away and never invite them over
When you leave a door open, they revel and get more power.
Use all of God’s armor so you can defeat wickedness
Put on peace and the body armor of God’s righteousness
Wear the belt of truth and the helmet of salvation
It will bring down any form of the enemy’s manipulation.
We ought to be wary of anyone who does not teach the truth about Christ. He mentions in this letter that we must never encourage anyone who perpetuates lies and does not acknowledge that Christ came and that he is the Son of God. 2 John letter focuses on the importance of loving one another and following God’s commandments. He warns us of those that deny that Jesus came in a real body. It even mentions in the letter that such persons are considered antichrists. So, he instructs us never to be involved with these wicked people.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from antichrists.
REFLECTION
How can you protect yourself from antichrists?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

ON USING JESUS’ NAME Poem Devotional

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February 22
John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.” But Jesus said,
“Don’t stop him. Anyone who is not against you is for you.” – Luke 9:49-50(NLT)
ON USING JESUS’ NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is power in using Jesus’ name
It can bring healing and take out your shame
It can protect someone from destruction
It leads you to the truth and path to salvation.
God uses unbelievers who say the name of Christ
It can restore them and bring godly insight
Don’t stop anyone who use it for it has its own power
Whenever it is uttered, all evil spirits and demons cower.
Philippians 2:9-11 explains the power of Jesus’ name. It is the name above all names and that every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and below the earth when this name is spoken. Even John 14:13 says that you can have anything you ask in Jesus’ name. What a powerful name!
The bible tells us the story when John was reporting to Jesus that someone was using his name to cast out demons. He said to Jesus that they asked this man to stop because he didn’t belong to their group, but Jesus told him not to. He told John that if he uses his name, then he is not against them.
PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus for your powerful name.
REFLECTION
When have you used Jesus’ name and experience its power?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

SERVE ONLY CHRIST Poem Devotional

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February 21
Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own personal interests. –Romans 16:17-18 (NLT)
SERVE ONLY CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Seek the truth that comes from God’s word
It will protect you from the wickedness of the world
Watch out for those who upset people’s faith and cause divisions
They serve their own purpose and thrive in conflicts and deception.
Serve only Christ who is the only way to life
Being in the word will expose the enemy’s lies
Stay away from people who do not serve Christ
They’ll drag you down and turn you from God’s insight.
There are so many counterfeits these days. They mislead people from knowing the truth. The enemy has blinded those who do not believe in God and kept them from enjoying life and having peace. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44) and he will do anything to keep people in the dark so that they won’t have a relationship with God. The bible warns us against those who cause divisions and those who upset people’s faith by teaching counterfeit teachings contrary to truth. We are to stay away from them since they do not serve Christ. They come to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
PRAYER
Lord, guard me from counterfeits.
REFLECTION
How can we combat the enemy’s tricks?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

REBELLION & STUBBORNNESS Poem Devotional

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February 20
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. – 1 Samuel 15:23(NLT)
REBELLION & STUBBORNNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you currently defying an authority in your life?
Do you realize that it snaps out God’s light?
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft
It is ignoring the power and the plan of God.
Stubbornness is as bad as worshipping idols
It opens the enemy’s door and makes you vulnerable
Rebellion and stubbornness are sins of pride
It makes life difficult and we lose wisdom and insight.
Does rebellion or stubbornness reside in your home? Many Christians do not realize how much lawlessness and pride can cause havoc in their lives and in their relationships. I can attest to this truth. Rebellion and stubbornness ran in my veins in the past from many generations in my family. I was enslaved with these sins and it caused my life so much pain and suffering. When God showed me in his word that these were sins, I repented quickly and gave it up.
The bible says that rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. These sins are very grave and they all originate from pride. The bible says that God is a very jealous god, so if we rebel against all that he wants us to follow, it will all be to our detriment.
PRAYER
Lord, show me to be totally obedient to you.
REFLECTION
How can rebellion and stubbornness ruin a relationship?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com