Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

LISTEN CAREFULLY Poem Devotional

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January 6
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard or we may drift away from it. – Hebrews 2:1 (NLT)
LISTEN CAREFULLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you spend time in the Word?
Only through Scriptures can you conquer the world
You must listen carefully to the truth you have heard
It will make you to understand God’s ways and learn.
Seek the Lord first and follow what he says
If you do, you have protection from being swayed
Spend time regularly to read the bible
It will bring you victory and make you a survivor.
When we love someone, we always want to spend time with that person. When we have developed a strong bond with each other through constant connection, we make the foundation of our relationship with that person stronger and more stable. It is the same concept when you relate with God. When you are constantly in his word, you are able to hear what he wants you to know. You develop intimacy with the Lord.
The bible says that we must listen very carefully to the truth that we hear from his word or we may drift away from it. We cannot hear what he says if we don’t spend time in prayer and studying his truth. So, we must listen so we can hear what he wants to reveal.
PRAYER
Lord, let me focus on you always.
REFLECTION
How intimate is your relationship with the Lord?
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

HARVEST OF GOOD DEEDS Poem Devotional

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January 4
You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. – Romans 7:4 (NLT)
HARVEST OF GOOD DEEDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in Christ
He has made you right
You died to the power of the law
Because of this, He will make you grow.
God wants you to walk in love
That’s what Jesus died for us to have
We can produce a harvest of good deeds
That was what the sacrifice on the cross did.
Do you ever wonder what Christians would be without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? We would probably still be going around in circles trying to take away the sins we inherited on our own. We would always be striving to be good and yet have no progress in our effort.
The bible says that we have died to the power of the law when Christ died. When he was raised from the dead, we were also raised and as a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. In other words, we won’t have victory in this life without the sacrifice on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our sins.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on the cross.
REFLECTION
What good deeds have you harvested as a result of Christ’s sacrifice?
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

LIKE UNTHINKING ANIMALS Poem Devotional

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January 1
These people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. What sorrow awaits them! – Jude 10-11 (NLT)
LIKE UNTHINKING ANIMALS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What sorrow awaits those who mock the Lord!
They only listen to their whims and reject his word
Like animals, they don’t think but follow their instincts
They bring their own destruction by wallowing in sin.
Those who defy the truth and continually disobey
They become blind and never see the light of day
They cannot reap the harvest from God’s promises
They don’t have God’s Spirit who frees and releases.
What was the most selfish thing you have ever done? Perhaps it is stealing an idea of someone and taking credit for it. It could be controlling someone to do something that will bring them progress and you don’t want to be left behind.
The bible talks about people who defy the truth. It compares lawless people to unthinking animals. Like them, they do whatever their instincts tell them. They justify their sins to serve their own purposes. They become blind to the truth and believe the lies that substantiate their choices and actions. They bring about their own destruction. The bible cautions us to avoid being like them. Sorrow awaits such rebellion.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to obey you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we are cautioned never to mock God’s truth?
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 ANOINTED ONE Poem Devotional

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December 31                                                                    The Power of God’s Word
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see and that the oppressed will be set free. – Luke 4:18 (NLT)
THE ANOINTED ONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Because of God’s love for humankind
He has brought Christ for us to find
The Spirit of God is upon Him
He was anointed for us to be redeemed.
He came so we can hear the Good News
He brought us spiritual gifts that we can use
He makes the blind see and the oppressed free
He loves you so much that he wants you to see.
Anointing is a ceremony conferring divine or holy office upon a priest or monarch by smearing or rubbing with oil. David was anointed (1 Samuel 16:13) before he became king. What does an anointing do? In Isaiah 11:2, we are shown that the Spirit of the Lord rests on the anointed giving him wisdom, understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord. That is what anointing does. It brings his power in us through his Spirit.
Christ is the anointed one. He brings Good News to the poor, release captives, let the blind see and the oppressed free.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your anointing.
REFLECTION
What gifts are you anointed with?
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

FELLOWSHIP WEAKENS DARKNESS Poem Devotional

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December 30                                                                         The Power of God’s Word
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son cleanses us from sin.
– 1 John 1:7 (NLT)
FELLOWSHIP WEAKENS DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are there areas of your life that still need needs light?
Come and gather as believers so you won’t lose sight
Where two or three people are gathered in Jesus’ name
He is there to forgive and erase your shame.
If we are living in the light, we will have fellowship
It helps us mature and grow when we have kinship
It paves the way to the truth and keeps us away from evil
It diminishes opportunities and shuts the door to the devil.
Who are your friends? The old adage “Friends of the same feathers, flock together” was probably coined from Proverbs 13:20 which says “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
The bible tells us that if we are living in the light, then we have fellowship with each other and Jesus’ blood will cleanse us from sin. Proverbs 18:1-2 cautions us from isolating ourselves from our sisters and brothers. It makes us self-centered and focused only on our own understanding and opinion. We were made for others not just for ourselves.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me godly people to fellowship with.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to choose your friends?
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

SINNERS DIE BY THE SWORD Poem Devotional

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December 29                                                                     The Power of God’s Word
But all the sinners will die by the sword – all those who say, “Nothing bad will happen to us.”– Amos 9:10 (NLT)
SINNERS DIE BY THE SWORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have any sins that you need to confess?
You need to repent so you will press on and progress
He knows your sins and you can’t hide from Him
He will forgive you if you declare your sins.
All those who stay in sin will die by the sword
You will suffer if you live by the rules of this world
The sword of God is manifested in his own Word
It will pierce your heart if you turn from the Lord.
There are many people who have no conscience. They do whatever pleases them and have no qualms whatsoever. They think they can get away with turning their backs on God. They fool themselves thinking that they can be without God’s guidance. They suffer the consequences of their rebellion and find themselves without peace, without contentment, bitter, resentful, without blessings. These are only some of the “dying” that sinners can experience. They may not literally be dead, but they do not realize that they straying from God is spiritual death. The Lord told the prophet Amos that all sinners will die by the sword.
PRAYER
Lord, save me from sin.
REFLECTION
What forms of “dying” have you encountered in life?
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.co

A TRUE FRIEND Poem Devotional

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December 28                                                                         The Power of God’s Word
They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere. – Psalm 41:6 (NLT)
A TRUE FRIEND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Can you trust your friends with anything?
Are they honest and full of integrity?
Can they keep secrets faithfully?
Are they encouraging and trustworthy?
A true friend never gossips about you
Through thick or thin, they will see you through
They can keep secrets and never betray
They will treasure in their hearts what you say.
Have you ever experienced betrayal from a friend? It is one of the most hurtful experiences one can ever have. I used to have many friends back in my country of origin in the Philippines. When I moved to Canada, it was a novelty to have as much friends as I used to have. I guess it is the culture that makes it difficult to have more relationships because of the varying seasons. I noticed though that all the many friends I had were not all true friends. They spread rumors about me as soon as I turn my back.
The bible talks about what true friends are. They are loyal and will never gather gossip and spread it everywhere when you turn your back. A true friend knows and respect boundaries. They never talk ill of their friend.
PRAYER
Thank you for friends Lord.
REFLECTION
How can you maintain true friendships?
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 EXPRESSED IN LOVE Poem Devotional

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December 26                                                                         The Power of God’s Word
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. – Galatians 5:6 (NLT)
FAITH EXPRESSED IN LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you express your faith in loving ways?
When you believe, you need to show care
Faith without love is pretending
Love is the expression of believing.
For when we place our faith in Christ
We are no longer bound by the regulations
Faith expressed in love brings us close to light
Love will always bring you close to salvation.
Do you know why a lot of people have lost their faith? So many Christians walk only in faith and not by expressing them in loving ways. James specifically challenges believers not just to be hearers of the word, but also doers. He also poses questions regarding our responsibility to those who need our help, those who are poor and vulnerable.
Paul talks about the importance of faith expressed in love in his letter to the Galatians. He urged them to free themselves from the law, because as soon as Christ died on the cross, the only thing we are bound to follow is the law of love. It is through the expression of love that we can actually manifest our faith in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross.
REFLECTION
How do you manifest your faith to others?
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 BIRTH OF CHRIST

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December 24                                                         The Power of God’s Word
After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. – Luke 2:17-19(NLT)
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
The coming of a baby to a family
Is a day to celebrate kinship and ancestry
When Jesus was born in a manger
We were given hope to be out of danger.
The birth of a baby, a mother will always delight
These memories are kept deep inside her heart
All who heard Jesus’ birth was astonished
Mary treasured these moments that she lavished.
The birth of a child is one of the most magical moments a woman and a father can experience. You can’t stop looking in amazement because you can’t fathom that this baby came from you. I am sure, it is also the same experience for the father. It makes the parents leap for joy after waiting nine months to behold the product of their love come to life.
When Jesus was born, the shepherds couldn’t stop telling everyone the amazement they beheld, but Mary was quietly enjoying the precious moment of her child being born. She locked it in her heart.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for Jesus.
REFLECTION
How can you lock in your heart the birth of Christ?
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

WRAPPED IN STRIPS OF CLOTH

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December 23                                                                  The Power of God’s Word
The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.-Luke 2:11-12 (NLT)
WRAPPED IN STRIPS OF CLOTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Why did Jesus come wrapped in strips of cloth?
Why did kings come to give respect and pay him tribute?
Why did God choose a manger for him to be born?
He could have chosen a palace comfortable for his Son.
The strips of cloth cannot be bought
They symbolize humility that has to be sought
A baby wrapped snugly in strips of rag
Shows perfect humility and perfect love.
A manger is a long open box or trough for horses or cattle to eat from. Why did God choose a manger for Jesus to be born in? Is Jesus food that animals need to feed on? What a sense of humor God has. He brought Jesus into this world on a manger. Does that mean we have to feed on Jesus? Isn’t Jesus the food for our soul and spirit? The bible describes how the Savior, the Messiah was wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. God chose Jesus to come as a baby in a feeding through.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to feed on Jesus.
REFLECTION
What vulnerabilities do you struggle with that needs to be given up to 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