Tag Archives: ilmaarts.com

FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS

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April 23________________________________________
Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies ahead before you. – Proverbs 4:25(NLT)
FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is going on in your life these days?
Do they align with God’s commands and his ways?
Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on Jesus
Have a relationship with him and break being religious.
The Lord has great plans to prosper your life
Look straight on what lies ahead and stay in his light
Don’t allow delays and distractions to keep you going
These are the devil’s tactics to stop you from progressing.
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In Matthew 14:22-36, we are told of the story of Jesus walking on the water and Peter wanting to come to him and be able to do so too. In verse 27 Jesus tells Peter not to be afraid because he was there. Peter, being bold, asked Jesus to let him walk on the water and he was told to come and join him. He was already walking on the water until he got distracted by the strong winds and the waves. He began to sink because he didn’t fix his gaze on Jesus. He took of his eyes of him and looked around him. Just like Peter, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus so we can see what is ahead of us. We need not be distracted by our past and what is around us.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me keep my eyes fixed on you always.
REFLECTION
What distracts you from making Jesus your priority?
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 REWARD OF FINISHING Poem Devotional

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THE REWARD OF FINISHING
April 22________________________________________
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. -Ecclesiastes 7:8(NLT)
THE REWARD OF FINISHING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you bring a concept to reality, you are beginning something
It takes courage and inspiration to present your ideas into being
You will need diligence and perseverance to continue working
It may present some challenges and bumps but keep on grinding.
Bringing the plan into reality and finishing it will reap rewards
It will teach you patience and endurance like you never had
Finishing is better than starting and patience is better than pride
Let the Lord be in all your endeavors and never put him aside.
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How many people start a project or something and never really finished it? I began my visual arts career as a painter and photographer over two decades ago. Without any formal training in Fine Arts, I was able to sell over 400 works in my lifetime up to this day. Some masters of Arts like Van Gogh passed away without seeing the rewards of their hard work. If he could only see how much value people have put in his paintings, then he would have been fulfilled as a painter. I thank the Lord that he has blessed me with a prolific art career. The secret ingredient in my art prowess is to paint daily to exercise and to finish what I started each time.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me each time the enemy steals my time and ideas to hinder my progress.
REFLECTION
What stops you from starting or finishing a work?
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

GIVE JESUS YOUR HEART Poem Devotional

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April 21________________________________________
O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
-Proverbs 23:26(NLT)
GIVE JESUS YOUR HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
How many times have your heart been broken by someone?
Have you become callous as a result of being hurt by anyone?
Have you been discouraged by evil that is in this world?
Trust Jesus for he will cleanse you with his word.
Give your heart to Jesus and he will make you pure again
Seek his help and your prayers will not be in vain
Surrender yourself to the one who gave you life
He will transform you if you stay in his light.
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For many years, my heart was hardened because of the many painful experiences that I underwent. I wallowed in self-pity and lived in the city of regret. I complained about what I don’t have and compared myself with others. As a result, I became a very bitter and critical person. I didn’t realize that it was poisoning my whole being. My mind kept on thinking about all the painful events. It didn’t take long before the detrimental effects if such stinking thinking manifested in my life. I became very proud and relied heavily on myself. Independence and self-sufficiency became my coping mechanism. It completely closed my heart to reach out to God. When I gave my heart to Jesus, he changed it and made me hungry for him.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that desires you always.
REFLECTION
What do you think makes a person’s heart hardened?
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

AGREEING WITH THE LORD Poem Devotional

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April 19________________________________________
You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. -Isaiah 30:1(NLT)
AGREEING WITH THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know what God has planned for your life?
Are your plans contrary to his or do you live in his light?
If you totally agree with the Lord, there is much anointing
If you make alliances not directed by him, you’ll lose his blessings.
Agreeing with the Lord in everything you do will bring you success
If you defy his plans, you will not make any progress
Be sure to consult and make your plans according to his will
It will definitely bring you closer to him and farther from sin.
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I once lived with someone who was a high conflict person. He always contradicts anyone automatically, almost like a reflex. After a while, I couldn’t understand why I was always drained. He sucks the energy out of me. The more I respond, the bigger his reaction. When I realized that he will not stop, I learned to disengage and just be quiet. I started agreeing with him even though I don’t think he is right. The conflicts stopped and I had peace.
Agreeing with someone close to you is very important in a relationship. Discord and arguments destroy relationships and people. Living out of God’s plan is rebellion and leads to sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to live in your will always.
REFLECTION
What happens when you contradict God’s plans for you?
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

PATIENCE IN TROUBLE Poem Devotional

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April 16________________________________________
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.
– Romans 12:12(NLT)
PATIENCE IN TROUBLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you encounter difficulties and trials
Run to God’s throne instead of being in denial
Be patient in trouble and keep on praying
He will guide you, keep on trusting.
Continue to rejoice and be hopeful
There’s no point in being doubtful
Expect the best despite all adversities
God will bring about favor and victory.
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When we are beset by troubles, our natural reaction is usually panic and worry. We analyze and problem solve instead of running to God for help. We like to think that we can do it on our own and as a result, we fail. Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It is not something we can work on. The dictionary definition of patience is “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” I think that this meaning is close to how the word of God meant it as well. The capacity to have this fruit of the Spirit is a favor or grace given to that person who believes and rely on God’s goodness. It is not something we can automatically do or work at. The more we believe, the more we will be hopeful. When we are expecting the best out of something, we receive the fruit of patience.
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PRAYER
Lord, grant me an unwavering faith so I can reap patience.
REFLECTION
How does impatience manifest in your daily 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

INNOCENT YET MATURE Poem Devotional

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April 14________________________________________
Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. -1 Corinthians 14:20(NLT)
INNOCENT YET MATURE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you let no corrupt thoughts occupy your mind
You are guarding your heart and staying pure
When you feed on God’s word, you won’t be blind
You become aware of the enemy’s tactics to lure.
Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil
By staying pure, you protect yourself from corruption
Be watchful with all the tricks of the devil
By seeking God, you are going to receive His redemption.
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Ignorance is defined as lack of knowledge or information while innocence means being pure or uncorrupted. When it comes to civil laws, each citizen of a country will you be obliged to follow it, wouldn’t they? They can’t tell the cop that I didn’t know that the speed limit for that area was such. They will still be given a ticket if they go over the limit and have consequences on their driver’s license. Is ignorance of God’s law an excuse to be judged by the Lord? In 1 Corinthians 14:20m we are specifically instructed to be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but mature in understanding when it comes to God’s will and commands. Staying pure but hungering for knowing his desires and plan for us is the formula for salvation.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to stay focused on you and not on this world.
REFLECTION
How can you stay innocent yet mature in this corrupt world?
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

SPECIAL ABILITIES Poem Devotional

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April 13________________________________________
Let love be your highest goal. But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives. -1 Corinthians 14:1(NLT)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God formed us in our mother’s womb
He gave us special abilities to use for good
He provided us a heart so we can love abundantly
He bestowed on us gifts to use them wisely.
Let love and not performance be your highest goal
By loving one another, we will make this a better world
Use the natural gifts you were given to serve the Lord
If you do it to prosper yourself, you are defying God’s word.
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It took me a while to find out the special gifts I had because of so much turmoil in my life. I believed so many lies that clouded these special abilities the Lord gave me. When I discovered some of these gifts, I hoarded them and glorified myself instead of thanking God for these blessings. I was fool to think that it was all mine. I didn’t know that they were supposed to be used for prospering God’s kingdom instead of consuming it for my own purpose. I think this is what is wrong with the world. We are all twisted to think that whatever we got is ours. The enemy wants us to focus on the “self” and blinds us to operate in fear and selfishness instead of love.
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PRAYER
Lord, protect me from selfishness so I can love fully.
REFLECTION
What roadblocks in your life prevent you from your highest goal which is “to love” ¬¬¬?

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

ACCOUNTABILITY Poem Devotional

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April 12________________________________________
For we are all responsible for our own conduct. -Galatians 6:5(NLT)
ACCOUNTABILITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord created humans and gave him full authority
What do you do to exercise your own accountability?
Do you apply the laws of boundaries in your life?
Do you take ownership for mistakes or do you fight?
We are all responsible for our own demeanor
Do we admit whenever we chose wrong behavior?
Accountability is the first step to grow spiritually
It is a rousing from the Spirit that gives us humility.
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When I was a teacher, I took delight in those students who were very responsible, diligent and persistent. I remembered a few of those girls during my fifteen-year tenure as a Speech and Visual Arts teacher. These students gave me inspiration to grow personally and professionally. They taught me to persist despite the others who were always blaming someone or something with their shortcomings. I witnessed how God blessed and showered them with many favors.
I grew up surrounded by blamers and it was very easy for me to take on what I learned from authorities around me. It made it very difficult to deal with people who whines and blames. They spin you around as well.
The bible tells us that we are all responsible for our own conduct. We need to exercise humility when we make mistakes and confess it and be accountable for it.
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PRAYER
Lord, caution me when I tend to blame.
REFLECTION
How can we be more responsible for our own choices and actions?
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 LONG AS I HAVE BREATH Poem Devotional

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canadablooms 153 (2)April 11________________________________________
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath. -Psalm 116:2 (NLT)
AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When I wake up each morning, I will pray
I will thank the Lord for his favor each day
Because he bends down to listen to me
I will connect to him in order to be free.
I will pray to the Lord as long as I have breath
Because he is forever faithful, I will do my best
He gives me mercy and grace to overcome all evil
I will stay loyal and grateful to him forever.
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When people get married, they vow to love each other for as long as they live. In our society today, we find that many married people have breached these vows they made. Changes, circumstances and other factors come along the way that made them forget how much they loved each other. This is why it is always good to remind ourselves if we are married to renew these vows. The Lord has given us so many promises and stayed faithful to each of us, we also need to pray unceasingly to him. When we committed ourselves to Christ, we got married to him. We vowed to stay faithful and make him first in our lives. We sometimes forget that we made that promise to serve Him faithfully.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember the commitment I made to you daily.
REFLECTION
What can we do to stay faithful to the Lord for as long as we live?
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

DISHONESTY TEST Poem Devotional

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April 10________________________________________
If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. – Luke 16:10(NLT)
DISHONESTY TEST
A poem and essay by ILMA
What occupies your heart and mind?
Do you feed on God’s word or are you blind?
Do you do good only when someone is watching?
Are you honest to always choose the right thing?
Your trustworthiness can be tested in little things
So does deceit show also in bigger responsibilities
Live a life full of integrity and you will thrive
Continue to live in lies and you will surely die.
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East Anglia research on honesty found that people’s honesty varies significantly between countries. The study examined whether people from different countries were more or less honest and how this related to a country’s economic development. More than 1500 participants from Brazil, China, Greece, Japan, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States, Argentina, Denmark, the United Kingdom, India, Portugal, South Africa, and South Korea – were chosen to provide a mix of regions, levels of development and levels of social trust. The four least honest countries resulting from their quiz were China, Japan, South Korea and India.
The bible tells us that the test for integrity is in little things. If one is honest in little things, they will also be honest in large ones and in bigger responsibilities.
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PRAYER
Lord, convict me when I compromise my integrity.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some people choose dishonesty over integrity?
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