Tag Archives: ilmaarts.com

ABIDE IN CHRIST’S TEACHING Poem Devotional

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December 18________________________________________
Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.
-2 John 9 (NLT)
ABIDE IN CHRIST’S TEACHING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek wisdom from Christ’s teaching?
Are you constantly asking his guidance and abiding?
Anyone who wanders away from Jesus’ truth
They will find it hard to reap the Spirit’s fruits.
Those who stand by the word of God
A relationship with him brings him laud
Remain in him and he will remain in you
Your hearts will be purified and renewed.
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Many people find it hard to have a relationship with God and Christ. When we don’t grow up with a close bond with our own biological fathers, it is very hard to picture a personal relationship with God. When emotional walls were created by our parents, we will surely find it difficult to see God as someone who is there for us or just nearby. Our parents or first caregivers set the way we will relate with God and with others when we grow up. When we are deprived of a loving and caring environment, we will also view God the same way.
The bible tells us that we need to abide by God’s truths because this shows that we have a relationship both with the Father and the Son.
PRAYER
Lord, never let me go astray from your teachings.
REFLECTION
How does abiding in Jesus’ teaching demonstrate a personal relationship 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

PROOF THAT YOU’RE GOD’S CHILD Poem Devotional

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December 17
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Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. – 3 John 11 (NLT)
PROOF THAT YOU’RE GOD’S CHILD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you claim that you are God’s child?
Do you seek him and constantly abide?
Proof that you’re his child is if you do good
You don’t know God if you don’t live in his truth.
Always do what is right and follow Jesus’ ways
You will never be wrong and not be swayed
You are a child of God if you hunger and seek him
You are his if you do his will and avoid sin.
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When you are in relationship with someone, don’t you do things for this beloved to prove your love for him or her? Would you do something that you know would offend your partner if you are in an honest and committed relationship? I am sure that you won’t purposely do something to hurt them. When you claim that you love someone, you act on it and show him or her that you follow through your commitment. Our relationship with God is no different. He expects us to follow through with our commitment with him. How would you feel if God forsakes you or purposely offend you? We prove that we are his child if we do good.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from being tempted to do evil but always do good.
REFLECTION
How do you prove your love to Jesus on a practical basis?
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 WORTHY ONE Poem Devotional

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December 16
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You are worthy, O lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased. -Revelations 4:11(NLT)
THE WORTHY ONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
We bring honor to you O Lord, the worthy one
You love without limits and you gave us your Son
You made everything in heaven and on earth
We exist because you created what you pleased.
You are worthy of our worship and praise
No other gods surpass your love that is ablaze
You are worthy, O Lord our God to receive glory
We are forever grateful; we thank you for all the beauty.
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Today is a snowstorm here where I live in this part of Canada. What a glorious day God has given us to be awed by his creation. When I moved from the Philippines to Canada, the thing that gives me so much joy is to watch winter. When the snow falls and cover those evergreen trees, it is such a delight. The ground is all white and at night, there is so much brightness because of the whiteness of the surrounding. It smells fresh and feels so clean surrounded by all the snow.
I thank the Lord for all his creation and for my existence. He is the only one worthy of praise and glory for he is the only God who created us all.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all your wonderful creation.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to give praise and worship the one true 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

PROCRASTINATING BELIEVER Poem Devotional

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December 15
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Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God. – Luke 9:60(NLT)
PROCRASTINATING BELIEVER
A poem and essay by ILMA
All believers are called to preach the Kingdom of God
We all have a duty to give the Lord all the applaud
We need to prioritize spreading the Good News
No more excuses, just talk about God’s wonderful truth.
When we delay and find worldly reasons not to do our duty
We are giving in to procrastination totally
We don’t know when Jesus will return again
Be ready: don’t take your godly duties in vain.
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Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task that needs to be accomplished. It is delaying something that needs to be done but is being put off for some other pleasurable things. According to Psychologist, the pleasure principle may be responsible for procrastination. A procrastinator may be avoiding negative emotions when delaying stressful tasks. They think that they can work better under pressure and justifies their delaying. Some psychologists associate it with perfectionism. They tend to evaluate themselves and their performance and thereby create an intense fear of the possible outcome when others view them as imperfect.
The bible cautions us from procrastinating our godly duties, especially in preaching the Kingdom of God. If we claim to be Christians, we must be able to prioritize our spiritual duties first than any earthly duties.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from delaying any of my duties to preach the Good News.
REFLECTION
How can procrastination destroy our standing 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

HOMELESS JESUS Poem Devotional

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December 14
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Foxes have dens to line in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head. – Luke 9:58(NLT)
HOMELESS JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you alone or have a family of your own?
Do you have some place you can call home?
Foxes have dens to line in and birds have nests
But Jesus has no place to rest; he is homeless.
When you defy his commands and continue to do evil
You show hostility to Jesus and invite the devil
Can Jesus knock on your door and be welcomed?
If you let him in, your life will be joyful and calm.
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What comes to your mind when you see a homeless man or woman? When I was still in the Philippines, it was really hard to watch how these people live. I was so addicted to comfort that I never even bothered reaching out to them. I was so fearful that they might hurt me or steal from me if I let them in my home. It was a selfish life of convenience. It was self-preservation and survival of the fittest that I embraced then. I missed out opportunities to bless others thereby closing the door to Jesus.
The bible talks about how even animals have their own homes to rest like foxes have dens and birds have nests, but Jesus was homeless.
PRAYER
Lord, help me remember to open my hearts door for you.
REFLECTION
Share an experience when you welcomed a homeless or a needy person in your home.
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 HEAVEN’S DOOR OPENS Poem Devotional

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December 12
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If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit, even sinners do that much. – Luke 6:32-33(NLT)
WHEN HEAVEN’S DOOR OPENS
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you only love those who love you, what difference does that make?
Even sinners love those who love them for their own sake
If you do good only to those who are good to you
There is no credit for you in God’s point of view.
You must follow Jesus and go beyond the world’s ways
You have to love the unlovable, forgive them and pray
This is the way that you can get heaven’s door to open for you
It is allowing God’s love to transform you and make you new.
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The bible describes God’s Kingdom with a narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14). In other words, when we get things easy, we are probably on the road to destruction. Heaven’s door opens to us when we love the unlovable and do good even to those who are mean to us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to love those who hurt me, forgive them and be kind to them.
REFLECTION
How should we love those who are unkind and harsh to us?
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

UNCONDITIONAL HELP Poem Devotional

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December 11
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Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. -Luke 6:30(NLT)
UNCONDITIONAL HELP
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you respond quickly when someone’s in need?
Give to anyone who asks; don’t give in to greed
Find out how you can be of assistance to the needy
Be sensitive to others’ difficulty and always be ready.
Unconditional love gives help without expectations
It is extending one’s self without gratification
Unconditional help manifests God’s true love
We are expected to give it out by our Father up above.
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I was in a thrift store one day and this lady was having a hard time carrying a small coffee table that she purchased. It was a winter snowy day that afternoon. I held the door open for her so she could squeeze it out without much difficulty. I didn’t wait for her to ask help but I saw she needed it. As she struggled to walk and carry it in the snow, I offered to help her carry it to her car. She said she didn’t have any and was going to walk to her house with the purchase. I had my van just right in front of the store, so I offered to bring her home. She was shocked that a total stranger would do that for her. Giving unconditional help to those in need is required from believers.
PRAYER
Lord, give me opportunities to give assistance to those in need.
REFLECTION
Should you be careful who to help these days or should you help anyone who asks?
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

ARGUMENTS ARE USELESS Poem Devotional

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December 10
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Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. – 2 Timothy 2:14(NLT)
ARGUMENTS ARE USELESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The bible reminds us about using words
Our minds get twisted by this corrupted world
Arguments are a way of proving you are right
It is a futile activity that fuels up fights.
Whenever you feel the urge to reason out
The enemy wants you to take his route
Give up the temptation to argue to win
It opens door to pride, conflicts and ruin.
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I had so much hunger for knowledge in college, I thought I was doing the right thing by seeking it at all cost. Philosophy allowed me to reason out and I was obsessed with knowing and fascinated by many Western philosophers. Because I was silenced much when I was a child, I enjoyed having the freedom to speak what I thought of. It became a way of life for me. I tried to prove I was right to those I relate with wanting to win the argument most of the time.
The bible changed my mind about human reasoning. God commands us to stop any form of arguments and not partake in it. It only leads to fights. A servant of God must not quarrel but be kind (2 Timothy 2:23-24).
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never engage in human reasoning.
REFLECTION
How can you stop the urge to engage in arguing?
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

FOOLISH TALK

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December 9
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Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer. -2 Timothy 2:16-17(NLT)
FOOLISH TALK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you engage in worthless chattering?
Does your time go by just constantly talking?
The Lord wants us to only speak what’s pure and lovely
He never wants us to talk negatively and critically.
Engaging in foolish talk only leads to more godlessness
Minding your own business is one form of righteousness
Unwise babbling is harmful and spreads like cancer
It brings about offense, conflicts and destroys others.
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When I was growing up, we weren’t encouraged to talk much. It was like a rule that communication was banned. I had no voice, neither did I hear much of my family spoke things in the open. I was a very shy and introverted girl who had no confidence at all. I can’t recall what made me start communicating but I decided to overcome the shyness by taking up communications when I reached my college years. It was in school that I learned to speak up or I would fail the subjects like Speech, Acting, Directing and Journalism. After college, I got a stage management job at the Cultural Center and I learned to engage in foolish talk.
Foolish talk leads to more godlessness. It spreads like cancer and ruins relationships and right standing with God. Avoid it at all cost.
PRAYER
Lord, please guard my mouth to speak only of what pleases you.
REFLECTION
What do you usually do when someone engages you in foolish conversation?
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 A GOOD WORKER Poem Devotional

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December 8
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Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15(NLT)
BE A GOOD WORKER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you do your best in everything you do?
Work hard to be righteous and seek what is true
Present yourself to God so you can be approved by him
Don’t be tempted to be slack, be diligent so you can win.
A good worker consults with God’s truth always
He seeks God first in all things and obey his ways
He is bold to declare his love for the Lord
He is not easily swayed by this corrupt world.
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In this day and age, it is a novelty to find a good worker. Those who work in the offices sometimes come to work late and leave early. Some do not give their best in performing their duties and responsibilities. Some are not totally honest. When the boss isn’t around, they would do their personal stuff in the computers or talk on the phone or with their co-workers during work hours.
We are asked to work hard in such a way that we can be approved by God. Work as if God is your employer. Work with integrity and live by the truth in God’s word.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to remember to do things for you always even if we work for others.
REFLECTION
Why is integrity and honesty in the workplace a rarity in our world today?
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