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CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES Poem Devotional

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January 21
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To 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. – Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)
CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been grieving for something lost?
You have been promised a crown from the Lord
This crown replaces all the pain from your losses
He will replace all the ashes of death with beauty.
The Lord gives you hope when there is despair
He will bring you to a resolution and find a way
Run to the Lord for all your cares and burdens
He will restore and bring you closer to heaven.
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For five decades, the enemy have kept me in bondage from all the pain that traumatic experiences and losses brought in my life. There were stages in these years that I was in deep despair. I was blinded by the enemy to keep believing the lies that I have learned since I was a small child. I had no idea that there were many promises to those who love the Lord until I became born again and hungered for knowing the truth. The Lord revealed to me many of his teachings to correct all the lies that I was made to believe. In a few years, he delivered me from all the ugliness of my experiences and gave me a crown of beauty.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for recycling all the ashes into the beauty you have made me.
REFLECTION
How can we easily recognize the beauty in the ugly experiences we encounter?
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

END OF MOURNING Poem Devotional

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January 20
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Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down. For the Lord will be your everlasting light. Your days of mourning will come to an end. – Isaiah 60:20(NLT)
END OF MOURNING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there a loss that you are grieving for?
Don’t fret, pray instead and take it to the Lord
God cares for all his people who are suffering
He will give you his light that is everlasting.
The Lord is there to help and give you comfort
Your days of mourning will come to a halt
He loves you and will release you from pain
Your dark days will be over and you will finally gain.
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When you have lost something or someone in your life, it may take a while to recover. Denial of the loss usually makes it longer to heal from it. We can easily deceive ourselves when we refuse to accept that we had a loss. For many decades, I went through so many losses and it was much later that I realized how I used many coping mechanisms such as denial in order to alleviate the pain that came with it. The longer I kept shrugging it and hiding from the agony of it, the further I regressed. We can be stuck in a stage of grieving and hamper us from moving forward. The bible says we must give up mourning and let God’s light shine on us.
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PRAYER
Lord, be with me in my agony and losses.
REFLECTION
How can we deal with grief in a positive way?
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

EVERLASTING LIGHT Poem Devotional

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January 19
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No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night,
for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
-Isaiah 60:19 (NLT)
EVERLASTING LIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been living in the dark all your life?
Don’t lose hope; you can avail of everlasting light
With this light, you no longer need the sun to shine by day
Nor will you need the moon to give its light by night
For the Lord your God will be your everlasting light
He will be your glory and you will receive eternal life
This everlasting light can only be found in Jesus
Run to his arms and you will know how you are very precious.
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Light is very important in our lives. Without it, it is impossible to do much. Just as our eyes need light as an aid so we can accomplish our daily tasks, our spirits need everlasting light that is constantly there to guide our paths. Do you wonder why most children are scared of the dark? The absence of light makes us fear. It makes us ponder what could be around us and if we are safe. The same way that when our soul is covered with much darkness, we fear our spiritual death. The bible talks about an everlasting light which only comes from Jesus Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always stay in your guiding light.
REFLECTION
What are the signs that our lives need everlasting light?
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’S RESTORATION BUSINESS Poem Devotional

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January 18
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Though you were once despised and hated, with no one traveling through you, I will make you beautiful forever, a joy to all generations. -Isaiah 60:18(NLT)
GOD’S RESTORATION BUSINESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you felt despised and hated by someone
Don’t feel alone, God sent you his only Son
He will restore your former beauty by his truth
He will make you new and let peace take root.
When you are ignored and neglected
He will refresh you and make you rejuvenated
He loves those who are poor and oppressed
He sent Jesus for you to follow and bring out your best.
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There are many renovation and restoration architectural shows on television these days. What amazes me is one show called Grand Designs where some people would buy properties and very old dilapidated buildings and the hard work they put into restoring or renovating it to something definitely new or to its old glory. God is into the restoration business. The prophet Isaiah talks about the promise of God’s restoration to Israel in this verse. He told them that even if they were once loathed and hated by many other countries, he will make them almost new and bring about blessings and favor to the next generations to come.
God is in the restoration business. Will we put our life and all our resources and invest in his kingdom so we can be restored and renewed?
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for restoring me and making me beautiful again after all the pain I went through.
REFLECTION
How can we participate in God’s restoration business?
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

WOE TO IDOLS & IDOLATRY Poem Devotional

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January 16
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What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? – Habakkuk 2:19 (NLT)
WOE TO IDOLS & IDOLATRY
A poem and essay by ILMA
What sort of idols are you giving praise?
Is it money, power or any new craze
What sorrow awaits those who have idols
They are making God so very jealous.
When people prioritize other things over the Lord
They lose much by following the standards of this world
Why waste time on things that fade away
Only the Lord is the real God who can save.
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The New Living Translation gives a background to the book of Prophet Habakkuk. He preached during the last days of Judah, before its fall to Babylon in 586 B.C. He foresaw the impending doom and was troubled by two things: why God allowed the people of Judah to sin and how God could use a sinful nation like Babylon to punish Judah. Desperate for answers, Habakkuk boldly and confidently took his complaints directly to God which the Lord replied with righteousness ultimately prevailing despite the impending dark days ahead.
Habakkuk 2:18-19 is a warning to all regarding idols and idolatry. How meaningless it is to put your trust in idols carved by man. He warns the people to give up idolatry for there is much sorrow awaiting them.
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PRAYER
Lord, convict me of any idols in my life.
REFLECTION
What is the gauge that something or someone is becoming an idol?
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

POWER OF HIS NAME Poem Devotional

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January 14
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Holy Father, you have given me your name, now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. – John 17:11(NLT)
POWER OF HIS NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
The heavenly Father gave Jesus his name
When we declare it, it will erase all the shame
The name of Jesus will protect you from evil
It is the only name that brings fear to the devil.
It is amazing how this name can bring victory
It wards off all kind of wickedness and fury
Say the name that is above all names often
it will surely make believers’ heart soften.
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Have you ever said someone else’s name and get benefit from saying it? We usually call out the name of someone when we want to call their attention. We may call out someone’s name to identify them just like a teacher calls her student. Have you ever said your child or spouse’s name and gain something by just declaring it? Have you been saved just by uttering the name of any human being?
John tells us that the name of Jesus was actually given to him by the heavenly Father (Matthew 1:23). The name of our Father is significant because it tells us the legacy that will be handed down to us. Just as God has power, so is the name given to his Son, Jesus.
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PRAYER
Jesus, you possess the holiest and most powerful name.
REFLECTION
Share a testimony how the name of Jesus brought about power, healing and peace.
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

TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE Poem Devotional

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January 13
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Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me. – John 17:7-8 (NLT)
TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all those who believe in Jesus
They will be considered very precious
Jesus acknowledges God’s gift to all
He loves us all and doesn’t want us to fall.
To those who believe in his truth
They rely heavily on Scriptures
They accept all the word has to say
They know that Jesus is the only way.
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There are people who question the existence of God. By doing this, they do not know how much they are losing. In Genesis and in the book of John, we know that even in the beginning, when the world was made, Jesus already existed. He is God himself and only those who believe that he is who he says he is will be able to receive his promise of eternal life.
When Jesus was born among us humans, he always pointed to the Father. Everything that he is and he possesses is a gift from the heavenly Father. He was given the message to pass on to all of us that we are very much loved by God. ________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift of Jesus and your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to accept all of Jesus’ teaching?
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

TEACH THE TRUTH Poem Devotional

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January 11
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Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. – Titus 2:7-8(NLT)
TEACH THE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
A true follower of Christ possesses integrity
He teaches the truth in love and humility
The truth is absolute and last for eternity
When you teach truth, you will have victory.
Teach the truth so that you can’t be judged
The word of God is truth and it can’t be dodged
When you turn your back on truth, you will suffer
It will enslave you and make life much harder.
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The bible says that we ought to teach truth in love and humility. We cannot teach truth to those whom we are not in relationship or we will be misunderstood. A relationship is important when we talk about God and his truth, especially to unbelievers. Another Christian may be able to relate to what you are teaching, but an unbeliever may not totally understand what you are saying. When you engage in a relationship with someone you are teaching, you reflect to them your walk and not just your talk. People like to see that you actually do what you say. Any inconsistencies with your doing and teaching will be an open door for mistrust, legalism, and judgment. If you focus on the truth, you can’t be criticized because it holds true till eternity.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to live an detach your truth.
REFLECTION
How can you bring truth to those who don’t believe in 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

THE PURE AND THE CORRUPT Poem Devotional

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January 10
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Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
– Titus 1:15(NLT)
THE PURE AND THE CORRUPT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Nothing is pure to all who do evil towards others
They have no concern for the welfare of their neighbors
Those who are pure in their hearts follow the will of God
They do everything to stay faithful and bring him laud.
The pure guard their hearts and mind so they can be new
The corrupt concern themselves with what is untrue
Greed and selfishness occupy the heart of the corrupt
Generosity and selflessness dwell in the pure and just.
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What makes a person pure? What leads them to become corrupt? The bible mentions again and again that we need to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and to become like our creator (Colossians 3:10). One way to stay pure is to have a close relationship with the Lord and to study his truth. This way we can guard our hearts and watch out for the tricks of the enemy who is out there to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10). Another thing we need to do is to obey and live the life God wants for us and not feed our selfish nature. Human desires bend our hearts and minds and make us corrupt and worldly.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to constantly guard our hearts and mind and stay pure.
REFLECTION
How can fasting and praying give us breakthrough to stay pure for 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

PROCLAIM FAITH & LIVE HOLY Poem Devotional

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January 7
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I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. -Titus 1:1 (NLT)
PROCLAIM FAITH & LIVE HOLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
All believers are expected to be proclaimers of faith
They are commissioned to spread the gospel and satiate
Living a life of obedience to God’s will make them shine
They become a beacon of light to those who have lost sight.
Let us follow the truth that will set us all free
Guard the heart so we won’t be foolish to see
The enemy wants to devour and trick us to sin
By proclamation and godly lives, we will surely win.
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How many believers actually proclaim the Good News and live their lives righteous and holy? We cannot just be talkers but doers as well. When we live godly lives, it speaks louder than what we actually say. Jesus Christ, never really said much. Instead, he role modeled what it really meant to be a devoted follower. Christ didn’t judge even the sinners, he forgave and brought to them the truth.
We learn the truth by studying God’s word, maintaining a relationship with him and following his commands. One of the ways we can show our faithfulness is by proclaiming his word and living a life that is righteous and holy like Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always bring your gospel to those you have chosen.
REFLECTION
How can living godly lives speak much louder than words you say to others?
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