Tag Archives: ILMA BARAYUGA-DOHERTY

GOSSIP DESECRATES GOD

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July 7                                                                                   The Power of God’s Word
Who may worship in your sanctuary Lord? Who may enter your presence in your holy hill? Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.–Psalm 15:1,3 (NLT)
GOSSIP DESECRATES GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself discussing other people’s faults to someone?
Be wary when a person engages you to judge anyone
Think and say only what is honorable, pure and lovely
Bring corrections to the person directly and gently.
Gossip desecrates the house of the Lord
He despises chattering that doesn’t bring him laud
He welcomes in his house those who refuse to speak evil of others
It brings him much honor when you respect your sisters and brothers.
There are many bible verses that mentions about gossip and how God loathes it. Proverbs 20:19 cautions us from those who tells secrets and not hang around with chatterers. Matthew 12:36 tells us that you must give an account for every idle word you speak. Philippians 4:8 suggests the things we must think about. It says to fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. Gossip desecrates God. He doesn’t want you to worship and enter his presence when you engage in it or harm your neighbors or speak evil of others. Avoid partaking in it.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from gossip and gossipers.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with gossip and gossipers?

MANAGING ANGER Poem Devotional

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July 3                                                                                        The Power of God’s Word
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.– Psalm 4:4 (NLT)
MANAGING ANGER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Anger is an emotion created for a reason
It can protect you from the enemy’s treason
It can make you defend those who are oppressed
It can drive you to do something for the depressed.
Don’t sin by letting anger control you
Instead, control it by thinking it through
Remain silent until you reach tranquility
Then you will have victory over the enemy.
I was a slave of many generational sins before I became a born again. Among the list would be: seeking approval, perfectionism, performance, reasoning, judgment and anger. Each of these sins leads to the other. Because of rejection, it was a big deal for me to seek approval and attention which brought me to always perform. I reason and argue to prove my point and that I am right. When I don’t persuade others or they don’t live up to my expectations, I judge and then get angry. Sometimes this anger is manifests in many ways like irritations, sarcasms, jokes or confrontations and outbursts.
The bible tells us to manage our anger and not let it control us. Thinking about it overnight and remaining silent helps us calm down and win the battle.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to manage anger.
REFLECTION
How can awareness of anger and its source help us manage it?

LIVE AS LONG AS TREES Poem Devotional

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July 2                                                                            The Power of God’s Word
For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. Isaiah 65:22(NLT)
LIVE AS LONG AS TREES
A poem and essay by ILMA
A tree that has grown deep roots will live long
No one can kill it without being so strong
Dig it up from its core or they’ll come again
Leaves come back with the sun and rain.
Like trees, believers will have time to flourish
Take pleasure from how much you are nourished
Despite all the hard work you put into your life
Enjoy your harvest and give up the fight.
Since I was a child, I have always basked in the beauty of various trees around me. I wrote a song when I was fourteen, describing a tree that was very thick. I love trees. Trees have many uses but mainly as lumber. Houses are made from mostly lumber.
Trees are mentioned many times in many books of the bible. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was surrounded by trees. Zaccheus the tax collector, who wasn’t tall enough had to climb a tree to watch Jesus as he taught. Isaiah likens a believer’s life to trees. They will live as long as trees. They are deeply rooted in the truth and promises of God. They will be given time to enjoy their hard-won gains.
PRAYER
Lord, nourish me with your truth.
REFLECTION
How deep is your foundation in Christ?

THE BRIDE OF GOD Poem Devotional

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July 1                                                                                      The Power of God’s Word
Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride.–Isaiah 62:4 (NLT)
THE BRIDE OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in God, he claimed you as his bride
Are you ecstatic and delighted to be by his side?
Are you wearing the wedding gown of purity?
Does your head have the tiara of security?
The covenant to submit to his authority will be your ring
All the cherubs, seraphs and angels will sing
God will honor you with love and faithfulness
He will take care of you and your needs with kindness.
Over two decades ago, I made a vow to be Jesus’ bride and the father of my son. I was raising my child alone and I was in my late twenties. Somehow, there was a voice inside my mind that told me to marry Jesus and give my son the perfect father. I read the bible then but didn’t really study it. I didn’t come across Isaiah’s and Hosea’s verses about the bride of God when I made this vow. Now, I know that it was God’s spirit who whispered to me that I am his bride. All believers are brides of God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be faithful to you as you are to me.
REFLECTION
How can you be the most beautiful bride of God?

DO YOUR BEST IN LIFE Poem Devotional

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June 29                                                   The Power of God’s Word
Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.–Ecclesiastes 9:10(NLT)
DO YOUR BEST IN LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you bring out your best in whatever you do?
Do you settle for mediocrity and not care too?
Whatever you do, do the best you can
Excellence in using your gifts is part of his plan.
God created you to be like him
He is perfect in everything
He has equipped you with all things
Treasure this life; it is worth living.
Do you settle for anything less? My father taught me to do my best in anything I do. It is good to aim for the best, but when you chase excellence, be sure that you are guided with God’s truth and his will. I made a big mistake in the past to chase ambitions and dreams. I forgot that it was not mine and claimed the trophy for myself. The world view achievement for one’s own self. In God’s economy, everything must be done to bring glory only to the one and only creator. The bible tells us to do well in whatever we do. For when we go to the grave, there will be no work, no planning or knowledge or wisdom.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to bring excellence to your name.
REFLECTION
Why do you think “mediocrity” is not welcome in God’s kingdom?

INNER BEAUTY THROUGH WISDOM Poem Devotional

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June 28                                                                               The Power of God’s Word
How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.–Ecclesiastes 8:1 (NLT)
INNER BEAUTY THROUGH WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
How wonderful to be wise and analyze things
It makes you have confidence in almost everything
One who has wisdom will profit from it
It makes a person’s face soft and constantly lit.
Whenever you behold a wise person
Their face radiates and is softened
Their eyes light up reflecting God’s light
Their aura is a product of a well lived life.
Who do you consider beautiful? Is it the ramp models flaunting those clothes? Is it the actors and actresses in Hollywood who are famous for what they portrayed? Is it someone who is able to afford to have facelifts and alter their looks? I consider those who went through a lot in their lives and have overcome their troubles through their faith and wisdom the most beautiful people. They have that inner peace and confidence that is not arrogant or proud. I got a compliment today from a friend on a photo of me. She said that my face radiates with joy. I thank God for what he has done in my life. He changed me to a new person in Christ. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.
PRAYER
Lord, let me bask in your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is having a relationship with God the best makeover one can have?

COOPERATE WITH GOD AND BE HAPPY Poem Devotional

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June 27                                                               The Power of God’s Word
Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.
-Ecclesiastes 6:10 (NLT)
COOPERATE WITH GOD AND BE HAPPY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get up each day, thinking what God has to say?
Do you want to get things done your own way?
Do you know God’s destiny for your life?
Do you cooperate with him or do you constantly fight?
Everything was made by God to fit in his design
Each one plays a big role in his kingdom plan
It was known long ago what each person would be
So there’s no use arguing with God, just cooperate and be happy.
“I did it my way”, that was the phrase that ended the famous song “My Way.” As young as two years old, I heard and sang that song many times. I didn’t realize that by doing so I have disobeyed God’s plan for me. It is so sad to watch people destroy their own lives by not cooperating with God’s will for them. No wonder many of us feel incomplete, empty and have no joy.
The bible says that everything has already been decided by God even before we were born. There’s no use arguing with the one planned and who knows it all.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always cooperate with your plan.
REFLECTION
How do you actualize God’s plan for you?

PRUDENCE LEADS TO FORESIGHT Poem Devotional

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June 26                                                                          The Power of God’s Word
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.–Proverbs 27:12 (NLT)
PRUDENCE LEADS TO FORESIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you do things thoughtlessly and in haste?
Tactlessness and rushing brings so much waste
Those who are prudent foresees threat
They take precaution and never bet.
A fool goes on with life recklessly
He doesn’t see the future and lives wildly
A prudent person on the other hand has foresight
He lives in truth and in the heavenly light.
There was someone I knew who always rushes making decisions. It’s as if he hears a voice in his head telling him to do things in haste. He ends up suffering the consequences of his choices that were not carefully thought of. I watch him continually do the same mistakes over and over again like he never sees what he is doing wrong.
The bible says that a prudent person foresees danger and takes precaution. The fool goes blindly on and suffers the consequence. Prudence leads to foresight. When one carefully thinks of the outcome of their actions, they take precaution. Those who do not even care to give a thought on what they are about to do usually ends up in failure. Young people are usually reckless and carefree. Those who have experienced life learn prudence.
PRAYER
Lord, help me watch what I do.
REFLECTION
How can prudence lead to foresight?

ANTIDOTE TO INDIFFERENCE Poem Devotional

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June 25                                                                          The Power of God’s Word
Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hoped for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent.–Hebrews 6:11-12(NLT)
ANTIDOTE TO INDIFFERENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you full of life or are you indifferent?
Do you live life in peace or in discontent?
Is your spirit seeking God’s kingdom?
Are you passive and living in boredom?
Keep on loving others as long as life lasts
It will bring you victory and make you pass
Your life will be full of hope and have meaning
Loving is the antidote to indifference and sinning.
In weddings, we hear couples declare their vows of love. It is the greatest feeling a person could ever experience. To have someone promise to commit to love you is usually what most people dream about their entire lives. This is because God designed us for love. The world has polluted our genuine desire for love and the enemy has thwarted our priorities by making us gratify ourselves rather than love others. Hate is not the opposite of love, indifference is.
The antidote to indifference is love. Without it, we become spiritually dull and indifferent. When we love God and others, we don’t feel discontent or emptiness. We enjoy life.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me focused on loving.
REFLECTION
How can “love” prevent us from being indifferent?

BOUNDARIES OF FREEDOM

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June 24                                                                                   The Power of God’s Word
For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.–1 Peter 2:16 (NLT)
BOUNDARIES OF FREEDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you view freedom as doing anything you want?
The enemy thwarts and uses it to keep you in his camp
When you believed in God, you were set free by the cross
So don’t use your freedom to cater to evil and be lost.
When you believed, you were freed from sin
Your freedom was granted on the cross when Christ redeemed
Be righteous and stay away from corruption and evil
It shut the doors that are opened to the devil.
Dictionary meaning of freedom is the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. On the other hand, freedom in Christ is very different from this worldly view. Galatians 5:13 says “For you have been called to live in freedom my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another.” The responsibility that comes with being free lies in serving one another.
The bible also tells us that since we are slaves of God, we use our freedom to do good and not evil. Love is the boundary that keeps freedom alive.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to abuse freedom.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to love in order to be free?