Tag Archives: ilmaarts.com

WHEN THERE’S NO SHEPHERD Poem Devotional

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February 20
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Household gods give worthless advice, fortune-tellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce falsehoods that give no comfort. So my people are wandering like lost sheep, they are attacked because they have no shepherd. – Zechariah 10:2(NLT)
WHEN THERE’S NO SHEPHERD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is no one leading a flock
It is easy to get lost and be stuck
Like a sheep without a shepherd
We can become very helpless.
If one ever goes astray from God’s fold
He will look for him and leave them all
When you feel lost and start wandering
Your beloved Jesus will always be rescuing.
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Hundreds of sheep followed their leader off a cliff in eastern Turkey, plunging to their deaths this week while shepherds looked on in dismay. Four hundred sheep fell 15 metres to their deaths in a ravine in Van province near Iran but broke the fall of another 1,100 animals who survived. Shepherds from a nearby village neglected the flock while eating breakfast, leaving the sheep to roam free. The loss to local farmers was estimated at $74,000. One sheep wandered off a cliff and 1,499 others just followed along. This shows how dumb sheep are. Another trait they have is that they are directionless. This is why they need a shepherd because they have no clue where they are going. The bible says that when we don’t have a shepherd to watch us, we will stray.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never lose focus on you shepherding me.
REFLECTION
What happens to believers who have no one to lead them?
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

PRAY FOR RAIN Poem Devotional

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February 19
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Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture. – Zechariah 10:1(NLT)
PRAY FOR RAIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you had a drought in your life lately?
Pray for a shower of blessings from God Almighty
Ask the Lord for rain and he will grant it to you
He is faithful to deliver his promises if you don’t let go.
Diligently ask anything in his name, and you will get it
Pray for rain of gifts and anointing from the Holy Spirit
If you have already envisioned you have it, it will be done
Nothing is impossible the most powerful one and only Son.
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In 1 Kings 18, we hear the story of Elijah praying for rain and the Lord granting him such request. If you live in a desert, the rain is a much welcome thought especially if you have been walking in the heat of the desert. Probably those poor people living in developing countries only access to clean water is from the rain.
In John 14:14, we are told that if we ask anything in his name, he will do it. Mark 11:24 says that you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. So, why don’t people boldly and confidently ask in God’s name?
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PRAYER
Lord, shower me with anointing so I can do the work for your kingdom.
REFLECTION
Why is faith essential in order for prayers to be answered?
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

GOD PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE Poem Devotional

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February 18
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The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones. -Zechariah 9: 15(NLT)
GOD PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling to overcome temptations?
Run to the Lord so you can get wise instructions
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people
He will defeat anyone who will treat them so cruel.
God is faithful and just to deliver us from harm
Seek and abide in him who is the Son of God
Your obedience and faith will be your shield against evil
If you walk in love, you will keep away the devil.
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Insurance is defined as something providing protection against a possible eventuality. We often insure something of value to us, either our lives and material properties. We want to make sure that in the even of a calamity, theft, or accident, we can be guaranteed some form of compensation for our loss.
How can we insure our spiritual life? Who will cover and protect us when we are being attacked by the enemy either with an illness, disease, a broken relationship, a job loss, the death of someone we love, divorce, or a debilitating fear?
The bible tells us that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people. He will literally bring down the enemy and hurl back at him all that he uses to harm God’s children.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for shielding me from all the tactics of the enemy.
REFLECTION
How can we cooperate with God in destroying all of the attacks of Satan?
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

CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES Poem Devotional

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February 17
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And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you, I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed. -Zephaniah 3:19(NLT)
CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are going through much oppression
Don’t despair, the Lord will bring you justification
He promised to save the weak and the helpless
He is faithful to deliver his aide even to the hopeless.
He promised you a crown of beauty for all your ashes
Rejoice when you have trials for he will bring your favor
He will give glory and fame to those who were wronged
Where they’ve been shamed, there they’ll be strong.
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Isaiah 61:3 says that all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. I could attest to this verse because it actually happened to me. I was a victim of many traumas from childhood until my early fifties. Yet, the Lord gave me so much beauty through the gifts of communication, visual arts, music and writing. All those things that people ridiculed me about became all my gifts.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for converting all my suffering to crowns of beauty.
REFLECTION
What have you gone through that God used now to give you glory?
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

AIMING FOR SINCERE HEARTS Poem Devotional

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February 13
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Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. – 2 Corinthians 5:12(NLT)
AIMING FOR SINCERE HEARTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord wants for all his followers to be pure
This is the only way we can avoid to be lured
Let us aim for hearts that are sincere
It will help us see lies and think ever so clear.
Having a spectacular ministry is nothing to boast about
Pure hearts are what is important to God up above
Aim for a church that is after God’s heart
It will make God’s Spirit dwell inside and never depart.
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We live in a society where social media has exploded and the platforms for ministry has broadened in various forms. Many megachurches have been born in our age and yet it is not really a guarantee of great intimacy with the Lord. A big church doesn’t really mean that each member is saved. Some false teachers capitalize on people’s vulnerabilities as they search to find their true identity in Christ. They may use all kinds of tricks and performances that actually compromises the integrity of Christ’s teachings.
In this verse, we hear how the apostle Paul warns us the importance of sincere hearts rather than a ministry that is remarkable.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for always warning us how to guard our hearts.
REFLECTION
How can one protect one’s self from the external appearance of the church and get deeper?
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

WARNING TO THE UNGRATEFUL Poem Devotional

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February 12
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I trained them and made them strong, yet now they plot evil against me. They look everywhere except to the Most High. – Hosea 7:15-16(NLT)
WARNING TO THE UNGRATEFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Heavenly Father gave you everything you have
God gives blessings to those who give him love
Stop boasting about all of your gifts and abilities
Always remember your roots so you’ll have victory.
How do you repay someone who provided for all?
Do you stay loyal or plot evil which leads to your fall?
Wake up, ungrateful people! Look up to the Lord
He will forgive you if you repent and make him proud.
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One of the hardest kinds of people to deal with are those who are ungrateful. Behind the heart of an ingrate, is pride. I think that’s why the Lord detests idolatry. Pride is a manifestation of ingratitude. When jealousy sets in a man’s heart, he is going to prove that he is better than another and will have a hard time bowing and giving praise to his very own creator. In Adam and Eve’s first sin, we clearly see the ingratitude when they disobeyed. They were enticed to have more than what they already have. They had a perfect life without toiling, a life full of provision and promises. Pride entered their hearts when the enemy enticed them to doubt God. They schemed to claim their right to access the tree of good and evil. ________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, always remind me that everything comes from you.
REFLECTION
How can ingratitude affect one’s 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

CHARGES AGAINST THE UNFAITHFUL Poem Devotional

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February 11
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The Lord has brought charges against you saying: There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. -Hosea 4:1(NLT)
CHARGES AGAINST THE UNFAITHFUL
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord has brought charges to the unfaithful
Because there is no kindness in them at all
They couldn’t care less about knowing their God
They wouldn’t bow down to bring him laud.
The Lord will bless those who are faithful
There are no promises for those who are fools
When you seek the Lord and abide in him
He will ensure that you can overcome sin.
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We always hear that “We ought not to judge one another.” Some people use this phrase to excuse themselves from doing evil and turning their backs on God. They serve the world rather than the Lord and have no qualms prioritizing their pleasures over worshiping their own creator.
Psalm 75:7 says God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another and Psalm 96:13 warns us that He is coming to judge the earth He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness. Jeremiah 17:10 says “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. What would you do if you hear Hosea’s warning to the unkind, the unfaithful and those who don’t want to know the Lord?
PRAYER
Lord, grant grace to those who are lost and don’t know you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to stay devoted to seeking the Lord?
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 THE LORD CALLS YOU poem devotional

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February 9
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But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel. – Amos 7:14-15(NLT)
WHEN THE LORD CALLS YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
No matter how little you know or how unskilled you are
The Lord can call you to tend his flock and care for it now
Though you are lacking in abilities and capacity to answer his call
He will make a way to equip you, just give him all the control.
When he calls you, be ready to say “yes” and he will provide
He wants your obedience and for you to constantly abide
He is a God of miracles and can do anything to empower you
Trust him and he can transform you and make you new.
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When the Lord called me to ministry, I was such a mess. I dwelled in my hurts and traumas. I wanted to leave my husband and run once again because I couldn’t control my situation. The Lord led me to Mark’s gospel about how the Lord hates divorce. He told me to feed on his word daily and I will be given a verse to write daily. It had been six years now that I worked for God’s ministry and he has equipped me to write beyond my abilities.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faith in us.
REFLECTION
What can happen if you say yes to God’s call?
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

GOD HATES HYPOCRISY Poem Devotional

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February 8
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I hate all your show and pretense- the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. -Amos 5:21(NLT)
GOD HATES HYPOCRISY
A poem and essay by ILMA
In every show and pretense
Lies guilt and shame
When you do religious festivals
God is jealous, he doesn’t want rivals.
God hates all forms of hypocrisy
It hampers you from getting victory
Be honest and live a life of integrity
He will reward those who lives by honesty.
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According to Easton’s bible dictionary, a “hypocrite” is one who puts on a mask and pretends himself to be what he is not. Our Lord severely rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy ( Matthew 6:2,5,16) and in Job 8:13, he warns that they shall perish. The Hebrew word here rendered “hypocrite” means the “godless” or “profane,” as it is rendered in Jeremiah 23:11, polluted with crimes.
How come a lot of religious rituals and traditions are still widely practiced in the present? If the Lord hates hypocrisy, why is it very prevalent in our society. John 10:10 says that the enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. One of his tactics to destroy our relationship with the Lord is through religious rituals, traditions and festivals. It distracts us from actually having a personal relationship with the Lord. The bible tells us that God hates hypocrisy. The lies they live is an abomination to God’s character.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from all forms of hypocrisy.
REFLECTION
How can one know that someone is pretending to be someone they’re not? How do you deal with hypocrites in your life?
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

HOW TO BE ALIVE AGAIN Poem Devotional

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February 7
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Come back to me and live! – Amos 5:4(NLT)
HOW TO BE ALIVE AGAIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to live a life that is full?
Run to the Lord for he is faithful
He asks you to come back to him
You won’t thrive if you live in sin.
Come back to the Lord right now
If you have sinned, repent and bow
It is the only way you can come to the light
Only the Lord can save you and give you life.
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For many years I didn’t realize that I was spiritually dead. Everything I did revolved around my wants, desires, ambitions and dreams. I thought that success had to do with getting all my goals met and being looked up to. I never consulted God’s will or plan in my life. I lived like a strong-willed child, insisting on doing things my way and scheming for things. You will likely have guessed correctly. I didn’t get far. I lost joy, peace and living a full life. The Lord loves me so much. He didn’t give all that I wanted because they were not all good for me. If he granted all that I asked for, I wouldn’t learn to hunger for him. I will continue to be distracted and focus my attention on things of this world. The bible says that the only way we can be alive is through Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the life you gave us through your son Jesus.
REFLECTION
What are the manifestations that you are compromising your life?
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