Tag Archives: ilmaarts.com

WHAT HOPE IS Poem Devotional

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August 27
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We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. – Romans 8:24-25(NLT)
WHAT HOPE IS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Hope is a confident expectation of what is unknown
It is an assurance that we will experience what we long for
We were given this hope when we were saved by Christ
We are hoping for something we don’t yet have in life.
When we are looking forward to something we are expecting
We have to be patient, confident and joyfully waiting
Hope is not wishful thinking; it is believing you’ve received it
Believe in the power of God and you will experience his Spirit.
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The dictionary defines “hope” as a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen. Many people think that hope is just wishful thinking. The bible tells us a very different meaning of hope. The hope we know as Christians have certain components in it. It has faith and believes in the saving power of Christ. It is confident, patient and eagerly expectant. It is not dependent on feeling but in the truth of God’s promises. We hope for something that God has already promised. We know God never lies, so we believe that his promises will be fulfilled even though we can’t see it.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your assurance when you gave us Jesus to save us.
REFLECTION
How can we develop a hopeful attitude?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

INCESSANT PRAYERS Poem Devotional

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canadablooms 153 (2)

August 25
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She never left the temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. -Luke 2:37(NLT)
INCESSANT PRAYERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
A devoted life to Christ includes incessant prayers
It is a life full of worship to their beloved Maker
We are required to pray at all times and on every occasion
This is a guarantee that we will overcome all temptations.
When you lift up your heart to your Heavenly Father
You will experience all his glory and power
Fasting and prayers leads you to have breakthroughs
It strengthens your spirit and brings out the new you.
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Is it possible to pray incessantly? Many people will probably be uncertain if this is highly likely to happen. Another similar question is this: “Is it possible to have a faithful and devoted relation to someone?” I think the second question would likely be more feasible to happen. Would you agree? I’d like you to get out of the box of your mind and take the concept of prayer out of its stereotypical notion. I think it is possible to pray unceasingly. Just imagine staying faithfully devoted after taking your vows and following through all the days of your life to love and cherish your spouse. When you pray, you are relating to this beloved. When your thoughts are full of the Lord’s truth and choose a lifestyle of obedience to his will, it is just like never-ending prayers.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us a chance to relate with you in prayer.
REFLECTION
How can praying be similar to relating?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

BE COMPASSIONATE & FORGIVE Poem Devotional

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August 23
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Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. – Colossians 3:13(NLT)
BE COMPASSIONATE & FORGIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone hurts or offends you seriously
Be compassionate, don’t take offense, forgive quickly
When you grant forgiveness, you will also be given mercy
The Lord wants you to make allowances wholeheartedly.
Do not allow the spirit of offense to consume you
Turn from your old self, Christ has made you new
Forgive infinitely and you will receive eternal salvation
He ransomed you and made it possible to gain redemption.
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Are you easily offended by other’s faults? I used to easily react and question the motives of people. Because of my traumatic past, it is really hard not to protect myself from possible harm or offensive attacks by others. It made me on guard about people’s purpose for inflicting pain on me. It was a life full of defense. I didn’t realize that I lived a life of fear and control. I wanted to make sure that no one is going to hurt me again and that I am always ready in case they do. It robbed me of my peace and good relationships with others.
The bible tells us that we have to make allowances for other people’s faults and shortcomings. We are reminded how much the Father forgave us all from our sins through Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be generous with forgiveness.
REFLECTION
What do you think will happen if you stay upset and unforgiving to someone?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

AS GREAT AS THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAVEN Poem Devotional

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August 22
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For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heaven’s above the earth. -Psalm 103:12(NLT)
AS GREAT AS THE HEIGHT OF THE HEAVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been loved so much unconditionally?
There is no greater than a love that lasts infinitely
Your heavenly Father values you as a prized possession
Are you able to reciprocate his great devotion?
God’s unfailing love to those who revere him
It is as great as the height of the heaven
He has proven his love through the sacrifice of Jesus
Why do you doubt that you are valued and precious?
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The word “doubt” is derived from Latin dubitare or dubius from which we get “dubious.”
Doubt is defined as unbelief, rejection, denial, agnosticism, faithlessness, reservation, skeptical, questioning, wavering, indeterminate. If we go back in Genesis, we will be reminded that the first sin was to instill doubt in Eve’s mind about the character of God. Genesis 3:1 tells us that the serpent asked this question to Eve to make her doubt God: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” This question made Eve start getting dubious. She now couldn’t obey God without question. She started to waver in her loyalty. The bible tells us how much we are loved by God and that his love is as great as the heavens. So, why do we usually tend to doubt instead of believe?
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PRAYER
Lord, please free me from any form of unbelief.
REFLECTION
How can doubts corrupt one’s heart?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

WHEN GOD IS FOR US Poem Devotional

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August 21
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If God is for us, who can ever be against us? – Romans 8:31(NLT)
WHEN GOD IS FOR US
A poem and essay by ILMA
The moment we accept God, we are given power
We can overcome evil and let the devil cower
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Fear nothing! Seek God and constantly trust.
Why do you worry about many things?
He’ll never leave you, he wants you to win
Hold on to your strength that comes from Jesus
He loves you much; To him, you are precious.
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There are many things that we are afraid of. The bible says that the opposite of love is not hate but fear. It also says that we were not given a spirit of fear and timidity, but of love and power. So, how come that even some Christians do not live a life of love and power?
Have you ever been enslaved by fears that kept you from trusting the Lord’s faithfulness? I used to fear the unknown and what the future is going to bring. It made me become obsessively controlling, trying to beat what lies ahead and analyzing and presuming that I can always handle things for my benefit. Sadly, life doesn’t work that way. There was always something that I cannot control like the weather, other people’s decision and choices or even my own emotions. If God is for us, who else can beat us?
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for staying by my side always.
REFLECTION
How can you focus on who is for you rather than fear?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

GREATEST ADVOCATE

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August 20
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But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. – 1 John 2:1(NLT)
GREATEST ADVOCATE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been supported by someone all the way?
Does anyone ensure that you don’t go far and stray?
Is there someone passionate about your concerns?
Give up your worries for Jesus is your faithful friend.
When you sin, an advocate pleads for your case
He is passionate to fight for you each and every day
The greatest advocate who is so faithful, is Jesus Christ
He wants you to know that he is concerned for your life.
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When you have been exposed to much traumas, you will be able to comprehend the degree of helplessness that may be brought about by the painful experiences. One of the hardest thing to deal with when traumatized is the fact that many don’t feel the pain you are going through and have no compassion or understanding of the effect it has on your total being. This can be very discouraging. A support system is vital when we go through much suffering but it may be hard to find this kind of help.
The bible tells us that the greatest advocate is Jesus Christ. He totally understands what you are experiencing and he is there to plead for your case to God.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your support all the way in all my trials and tribulations.
REFLECTION
How can the presence of Jesus in your life change your perspective on suffering?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

PURIFICATION THROUGH JESUS’ BLOOD Poem Devotional

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August 19
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For the life of the body is in the blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. -Leviticus 17:11(NLT)
PURIFICATION THROUGH JESUS’ BLOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you want to be right with Jesus Christ
You must purify your entire life
Believe in the blood that was sacrificed for you
Christ’s blood canceled your sins and made you new.
For the life of the body is in the blood
The death of his Son was a proof of God’s love
Believe in the sacrificial offering of Jesus
And you will be guaranteed a life that’s victorious.
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There were many years of my Christian life that I didn’t focus on the blood of Jesus and what it really did for me. I didn’t value the sacrifice that the heavenly Father did when he allowed his one and only son to die for us so we can be redeemed from our sins. If you are a parent, would you allow your child to be slaughtered as a sacrifice to ransom someone? I am quite sure that it would be heart-breaking to see your child die just so someone else will be free. Since the life of the body is in the blood, we need to remember that Jesus paid a high price to set us free.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your blood that gave me salvation.
REFLECTION
What have you sacrificed in your life that made you right with God?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

MINDS FULL OF DARKNESS Poem Devotional

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canadablooms 153 (2)

August 16
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Their minds are full of darkness, they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and have hardened their hearts against him.
– Ephesians 4:18(NLT)
MINDS FULL OF DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When your mind is pre-occupied with selfishness
Chances are that you have deviated from righteousness
When you constantly dwell on worldly matters
You are likely to run from your heavenly father.
Those who wander away from the life God gives
They forfeit their blessings; they fail to receive
Their minds close and their hearts hardened
Darkness draw them further away from the Father.
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When I was in my twenties, I turned my back on God. I was dazzled by the world and what it offered. Because I had no knowledge about the truth that comes from God’s word, I became an easy prey for the enemy to target. My mind was full of darkness and I drowned in the sea of confusion and pain. I sank deep into the bottom of hopelessness and desperation. I stayed there for over three decades until I re-committed my life to Christ in my early fifties. After that, the veil of darkness was removed and God led me to hunger for him and his word. Little by little, the chains of strongholds and sins were dealt with and I became bold to apply God’s word to light the darkness in my heart and mind.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for constantly guiding me through your word.
REFLECTION
What things contributed to your emotional and spiritual demise?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

WHAT SEPARATES US FROM GOD Poem Devotional

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August 15
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This includes you, who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. – Colossians 1:21(NLT)
WHAT SEPARATES US FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you choose to do wrong
You won’t have peace for very long
Your evil thoughts and actions
Will lead to bad decisions.
Whenever you focus on your “self”
It will hinder you to making progress
Evil thoughts lead to wicked way
It prevents you from giving God praise.
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God always longs for our friendship, loyalty and love. It is hard for him to watch us veering away from him which becomes an obstacle for us to fulfill his plans for our lives. I used to be attracted to people who abuse me. I grew up in an environment where love does not thrive. I was used to being mistreated and minimized. It was something I was comfortable with because I already knew what to expect because it became part of me. I related with people who were evil and you can predict the outcome of my life just from the wrong choices I made. I didn’t realize that when I chose evil ways, I separated myself from God automatically. I became his enemy without even being aware of it. When God changed me after I became born again, I learned to choose the right way even though it wasn’t comfortable for me.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never entertain evil thoughts and actions.
REFLECTION
How can one avoid falling into pessimism and wrong decisions?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.co
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WHEN TRUTH IS SUPPRESSED Poem Devotional

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August 13
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But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. – Romans 1:18(NLT)
WHEN TRUTH IS SUPPRESSED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are suppressing truth through evil
Their minds have been corrupted by the devil
When truth is suppressed by wickedness
The Lord’s anger will eventually manifest.
Defend the truth and allow it to spread
When you do, you let God be your head
The truth sets you free and makes you see
Never permit anyone to tarnish and suppress it.
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John 10:10 says that the enemy’s purpose is to kill, steal and destroy. Satan will do anything and everything to distort the truth and blind people. He uses wickedness to stop the truth from being exposed. Instead, he lies to us or gives us half-truths so that we will be confused and not know it. He can use situations, hurts and people to suppress the truth through wickedness. The devil keeps people from knowing the truth. The more we listen to the enemy’s lies, the further away he will keep us from God’s perspective. When truth is suppressed, there will be a consequence to those who stops others from knowing the truth. For as long as we embrace wickedness, the wrath of God is not far. He is a forgiving God but the bible also says that he will judge all evil and wickedness rightfully.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from people who suppress the truth.
REFLECTION
How can one stand up for truth and be bold to declare it?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com