Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

EMBRACING THE SPIRIT OF GOD Poem Devotional

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Sept 25                                                                    The Power of God’s Word
And we have received God’s spirit (not the world’s spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. -1 Corinthians 2:12(NLT)
EMBRACING THE SPIRIT OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you inclined to help others or satisfy yourself?
Are you bold to proclaim God’s word or do you play safe?
The people of God listens and hears God’s spirit
They follow his commands and faithfully live it.
It is the Spirit that tells us when we do wrong
He makes us recognize sin and not stay there long
God has freely given us many wonderful promises
We must allow the spirit to live in us so we won’t miss it.
Some Christians do not recognize the spirit of God living in them. If you have God’s spirit, you will get revelations from God. Derek Prince, a Christian preacher says that a believer hears God’s voice. The bible says that the people of God recognize his voice. How do they know his voice? It is God’s spirit dwelling in their hearts that helps them identify God’s voice. So, if God’s spirit lives in your heart, you will know it. The moment we believe in God and Jesus, the spirit of God lives in our hearts. Are you able to distinguish if it is God’s spirit in you?
PRAYER
Lord, live in me.
REFLECTION
What can you do to allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in you?

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD Poem Devotional

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Sept 24                                                                    The Power of God’s Word
No eye has seen, no ear has heard; and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. -1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know what’s in store for those who love God?
Seek him with all your heart; you’ll be at peace and be glad
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has envisioned
Faithful believers will be taken cared off for all seasons.
No one can know the Lord’s thoughts unless the Spirit reveals
Human wisdom can never totally comprehend God’s will
Only God’s Spirit can help you evaluate all things
Without him, there will be confusion and chaos in everything.
I used to feed my mind with logic and reasoning. In fact, I even taught high school students the foundations of Logic and Public Speaking. The art of Persuasion was something that I enjoyed. I didn’t realize until the Holy Spirit revealed to me that it wasn’t the way of God but it was the world’s system.
Scripture says that there is no one who can fathom the mind of God. No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. Only the spiritual can understand what the Spirit reveals to them.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from human reasoning.
REFLECTION
Why is it important not to rely much on human wisdom?

BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN Poem Devotional

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Sept 23                                                                    The Power of God’s Word
No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God-his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.
-1 Corinthians 2:7 (NLT)
BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Did you know that God planned for you before the world began?
He already knew from the beginning what you would become
God the Father had great plans for you long before you came
He created you in his image so that like him, you will also reign.
He reveals the mystery of his plan to those who have faith in him
The Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of all those who believe
If you dwell in him and seek the truth that comes from his word
He will fulfill all his promises and bring you victory over the world.
Are you feeling down and defeated? Has life been a struggle for you lately? Be glad for the Lord promised that he will bless those who are poor, grieving and those who hunger and thirst for justice. Before the world began, God had a master plan for you. This mystery is revealed to you through the Holy Spirit and written in the book of life, the bible.
PRAYER
Lord, make me hunger for your words every day.
REFLECTION
How are you responding to the legacy he gave you so that you can enjoy all the fullness of his promises?

SIMPLE AND CLEAR Poem Devotional

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Sept 22                                                                The Power of God’s Word
I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.
-1 Corinthians 2:1(NLT)
SIMPLE AND CLEAR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you use simple words to tell others of God’s plan?
Are others focusing on your prowess or on God’s son?
Whenever we try to impress others with lofty words
We are walking on the brink of following the standards of this world.
The Spirit tells us the precise words to use
He never misleads people or makes them confused
It is the enemy that wants people to be perplexed
The devil’s strategy is to make simple things more complex.
I used to be a very complex person. Attention to details and analyzing things gave me so much pleasure until the Lord revealed to me that it was a stronghold in my life. I always wanted to have an answer whenever my mind starts figuring out how something works or how someone thinks. It kept me in the wheel of worry and judgment. It became an impediment for me to enjoy life and to accept others as they were.
The bible tells us that Paul talks about using simple and precise words to tell others of God’s secret plan. He discourages believers to use lofty words and impressive wisdom. God is very clear with his plan, no gray areas.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being clear.
REFLECTION
Why is precision and clarity important in preaching God’s word?

BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME Poem Devotional

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Sept 21                                                                       The Power of God’s Word
For the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. –John 16:27 (NLT)

A poem and essay by ILMA
You reap a harvest of blessings because you love me
Those who love me will have peace and be free
For the Father loves you dearly because of your faith
HIs promises will be fulfilled and you will feel great.
You will spread love to your sisters and brothers
Because you love me, you will take care of each other
Your obedience to my word will manifest in your life
It will bring to completion your purpose of being the light.
Have you ever been in love? Do you remember how elated you were when you were at the stage of courtship? It was invigorating when you were all bubbly and excited to know this person more and experience his or her love. Because you love this person, you got into commitment and probably married him or her. As you become one, you learn to accept each other and try to learn to do everything out of love.
The bible promises those who believe that they will have the love of God the father if they continually believe in Jesus Christ. They will experience the same love that was given to Christ by God.
PRAYER
What an honor to be loved by you, heavenly Father.
REFLECTION
Does your life manifest the love of God?

PERFECT UNITY Poem Devotional

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Sept 20                                                                    The Power of God’s Word
I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. -John 17:23 (NLT)
PERFECT UNITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in Christ, you will have his love
He will dwell in your heart and also in the Father up above
You will experience perfect unity when you seek him
He was sent by God so that you will be redeemed.
Make certain that you are one with the Son
This will bring victory and make the devil run
God loves you as much as he loves Christ
Be with him and you will never lose sight.
Some Christians do not comprehend the love that God has for those who believe in him. God’s love for his people is just as much as his love for Christ. It took me many years to actually accept the truth that God loves me. Sometimes when children have unhappy experiences with parents and caregivers, they tend to grow up having relational problems with God too. Our biological parents usually become our basis for viewing God. If we have punishing parents, we tend to look at God the same way. Jesus that God loves us as much as God loves him.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for loving me.
REFLECTION
How can we receive God’s love for us without feeling unworthy.

BRING GLORY TO GOD Poem Devotional

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Sept 19                                                                                  The Power of God’s Word

I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me.  

                                                                                                     -John 17:4(NLT)          

BRING GLORY TO GOD

A poem and essay by ILMA

Do you do your work to honor the Lord?

Do you have time to engage in his word?

He created you in his image and likeness

He wants you to excel in his righteousness.

When you align your life in his will

Peace dwells in you and you’ll enjoy being still

You bring glory to God by following Christ

It magnifies him when you don’t lose sight.

I used to do things for myself and got so much pleasure when I accomplish things I planned. I felt proud of myself for being able to execute goals that I set. When I came to Canada I thought I will just continue my art career and sell my paintings like I did in my country of origin. I was in for a shock. The Lord stripped me off the opportunities to continue my art career. I was so angry. I didn’t realize that He had a different plan for me. I resisted for many years until he revealed to me why took me out of my comfort zone. He wants me to glorify him instead of myself. He uses me now to give testimonies so I can bring him glory.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for bringing me back to you.

REFLECTION

Are your plans aligned with God’s?

 

 

GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH

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Sept 18                                                               The Power of God’s Word
Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
-John 17:17(NLT)
GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is your life anchored on the standards of this world?
Do you study and live by God’s word?
Those who believe in Christ are called to live a holy life
They are expected to seek him and stay in the light.
Staying constantly focused on the truth will set you free
It will keep you from sin and will bring you victory
The word of God guides and makes you holy
It is the truth that strengthens you if you follow it.
Are you a believer of God? Do you know the difference between the truth and a lie? There are many Christians that live in confusion because they choose to follow their human nature. Our nature tends to focus on “satisfying the self.” It is selfish by nature but God can change that if we know the truth and follow his Spirit’s call to become more like him. The word of God changes lives. I testify to this because it is the truth that freed me from all the bondages of sin and strongholds in my life. Jesus prayed for all believers in John 17:17 for us to seek the word, which is the truth. It protects us from our fallen nature.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me hungry for your word.
REFLECTION
How has the word changed you?

BOASTING IN GOD’S ECONOMY Poem Devotional

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Sept 17                                                                        The Power of God’s Word
If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
-2 Corinthians 11:30(NLT)
BOASTING IN GOD’S ECONOMY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you take pride in your wealth, possessions and achievements?
Do you brag about your work or do you give others compliments?
Boasting in the world’s standard is to exhibit your own work and effort
Boasting in God’s economy is acknowledging your weakness and seeking support.
If you must boast, think of your handicaps and limitations
God works best when you admit your imperfections
When you humbly accept your need for God
You are glorifying him and giving him laud.
We live in a world where competition is very tight. Each person almost always wants to seek recognition for anything he or she accomplishes. I used to be part of this worldly view of boasting. Being an actress onstage made me hungry for applaud from audiences. Sadly, I also clamored for recognition for all the things I did. Maybe it stemmed from growing up with expectations from my parents way too high. I needed to perform very hard to be approved and be given love. God freed me from seeking approval.
The bible tells us that if we must boast, we should boast about our weaknesses. It is in our weakness that he works best.
PRAYER
Lord, show me to accept my weaknesses.
REFLECTION
How comfortable are you revealing your weaknesses to others?

OBEYING CHRIST Poem Devotional

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Sept 16                                                                     The Power of God’s Word
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
-2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)
OBEYING CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you faithfully given your life to Christ?
Is there any part of you that still fights?
Destroy every proud obstacle that keeps you from knowing
Capture your rebellious thoughts and continually seek him.
To love Christ is to completely obey
Follow him and do whatever he says
Let all your faculties surrender to his ways
Through your obedience, Christ will reign.
One of my biggest weaknesses before I totally submitted my life to Christ was my rebellious mind. I was raised to think very independently and not to rely on anyone for any decisions in my life. It brought havoc to my life because I never consulted Christ’s plans for me. I lived a life to please my own will and desires. As a consequence of doing things on my own, the enemy got a good reason to manipulate me into disobedience.
The bible tells us that we must remove every obstacle that keeps us from knowing God. We need to capture our thoughts and make it obedient to Christ. By complete surrender, we reap a harvest of all the promises of God. We fulfill all that God wants for us.
PRAYER
Lord, show me when I resist obeying you.
REFLECTION
How is obedience an antidote to rebellion?