Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

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

INTERCESSOR FOR REBELS Poem Devotional

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February 19
Because he exposed himself to death, he was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. –Isaiah 53:12(NLT)
INTERCESSOR FOR REBELS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What have you rebelled against lately?
Is it for something you want or for defying authority?
Do you realize the gravity of rebellion?
It shows arrogance and retaliation.
Christ exposed himself to death and counted among rebels
He bore the sins of many and he was the ultimate giver
When you rebel, you are questioning God’s authority and power
Give it up! Christ paid the price so you can be the victor.
The word “rebel” or a form of it is used in the bible 98 times. What does rebellion mean? It is the refusal to come under authority of someone who is above you. Rebellion is an open door to the enemy in a person’s life. We are strictly warned in God’s word against rebellion and its consequences shouldn’t be taken lightly. God’s Word tells us that rebellion is in the same category of sin as witchcraft itself in 1 Samuel 15:23, Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols.”
Christ exposed himself to death on the cross and was counted among other rebels even though he was innocent. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. What an act of love and mercy!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for interceding for all rebels.
REFLECTION
What manifestations of rebellion do you have?
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

POWER & WISDOM OF GOD Poem Devotional

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February 18
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. –1 Corinthians 1:24(NLT)
POWER & WISDOM OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we believe and follow Christ in our lives
It exposes all darkness and the enemy’s lies
The Son of God is the epitome of his Father
Christ exudes all of God’s power.
It is through Jesus alone that we can gain wisdom
God used his Son to bring us to freedom
Through Christ, we clearly see God’s insight
The power and wisdom of God is manifest in Jesus Christ.
The amazing act of love God showed his children was manifested when he gave Jesus to save us all from sin. Many believers do not fully comprehend this great act of generosity. If they do, they wouldn’t take for granted every gift they receive from God.
Do you know that Jesus Christ is actually God’s power and wisdom? When we believe in Christ, we also trust in God’s existence. When we seek Christ, we also seek our father. They are one and the same.
The bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the very power and wisdom of God. It means that when we search and seek Christ, we also seek God. If we reject Christ, we also reject our heavenly Father. It is only through Christ that we gain power and wisdom. Without him, we are nothing because all things come from God.
PRAYER
Lord, draw me closer to you.
REFLECTION
What power have you received from knowing 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

THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS Poem Devotional

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February 15
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction. But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
–1 Corinthians 1:18(NLT)
THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the message of the cross?
Has it been in your heart and embossed?
The meaning of the cross is foolish to the wicked
They choose to head for destruction instead.
For the believer, it is the very power of God
It is the symbol of His absolute love
The cross is Christ who loves us and gave
It is the only act of love that we can rave.
Some Christians do not really comprehend the depth of the meaning of the cross. They do not realize that it was the cross that freed them from debt and death. I didn’t fully understand the message of the cross, until a few years back when God revealed to me that I didn’t have to do anything to save myself. The sacrifice of Christ’s life on the cross was fulfilled according to Scriptures many years after it was prophesied by many generations before Christ was born.
For those who choose to live in their sinful nature, the message of the cross is foolish but for those who are being saved, they know that it is the very power of God.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me focused on the cross.
REFLECTION
What has the cross freed you from?
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

ATTRIBUTES OF LOVE Poem Devotional

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February 14
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. – 1 Corinthians 13:7(NLT)
ATTRIBUTES OF LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Love is a commitment you undertake with someone
It doesn’t give up easily when romance is gone
Even in desperate moments of frustration
Love never loses faith in all situations.
Love is always hopeful even when things are bleak
It endures through trials; it doesn’t focus on the weak
It continues to trust in every circumstance
Believing, giving and forgiving are “love’s” stance.
The world has romanticized the meaning of love. It has corrupted its true meaning by highlighting more on what one can receive from someone rather than what one can give to the loved one. The world sees love as a business transaction. They only give if they are guaranteed something back in return. When they don’t gain anything, they sever their relationship with the one who can’t live up to their criteria.
In God’s economy, love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. It is like God because God is love. He is faithful and never gives up on us. He’s always there even if we turn from Him. He waits for us patiently to come back and reunite with him. This is the true meaning of love.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to love like you do.
REFLECTION
What worldly view of love do you need to give up?
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

BE OF ONE MIND Poem Devotional

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February 13
Live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. – 1 Corinthians 1:10(NLT)
BE OF ONE MIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are in a relation
There is no place for division
Be of one mind with believers
Conflicts bring about discord in others.
Live in harmony and patiently pursue peace
Be open and respect others so that you can see
Let there be no divisions in the body of Christ
Agree with one another so you won’t have to fight.
Division is spreading wildly in the church. There are so many religions in the world today. When one person does not agree with the leadership in a congregation, they separate themselves from the church, go to another one or build a new church. The world view relationships as a business partnership. That is why there are so much separations, divorces and annulments in marriages. When one spouse discovers a difference, they run away instead of working it out with their partners.
The bible instructs the church (body of Christ) to be of one mind in order to avoid divisions. Jesus didn’t die for us to have many religions. He wants us all to have a relationship with God. He wants us to seek God in order to be unified with him and other believers.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never stray from you.
REFLECTION
Why is “agreement” very important in relationships and the church?
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