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ON DECEIVING YOURSELF Poem Devotional

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ON DECEIVING YOURSELF

September 2
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The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
-Proverbs 14:8(NLT)
ON DECEIVING YOURSELF
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that there is wisdom in God’s word?
Are you following the standards of this world?
The prudent understands where they are going
The fools on the other hand keeps on denying.
If you allow Scriptures to convict and teach you
You’ll have understanding and be led to the truth
Those who are fools deceive themselves continually
They don’t depend on God so they are defeated constantly.
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There are many ways that the enemy tries to deceive us. Sometimes he uses human reasoning to make us believe that we can do things on our own strength. The bible says that we can only successfully do things through Christ. Without him, we can never defeat the enemy or be victorious to stay pure and faithful to the Lord. There were quite a number of years when I deceived myself into thinking that I was good at many things, giving myself credit for every achievement and talents I excel in. I boasted and became arrogant taking credit for the glory that wasn’t mine. Finally, after many years of success, God stripped me off all that I was good at. He convicted me that the gifts were supposed to be used for his kingdom gain and not for my own selfish gains. Scriptures showed me how to learn to give him all the glory.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to deceive myself.
REFLECTION
How can pride lead us to self-deception?
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

STRENGTH WHILE WAITING FOR JESUS Poem Deovtional

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September 1
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Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. -1 Corinthians 1:7-8(NLT)
STRENGTH WHILE WAITING FOR JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord has showered all his children with gifts
Are you using it to worship and bring others to him?
God has given you every spiritual blessings as you wait
Be hopeful and eager to bring glory to him as you participate.
He promises that he will keep you strong until he comes again
He will guide you and free you from all bondages and blame
Strength will seep through you as you boldly wait for his coming
He will always be inside you, so never give up and keep on hoping.
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Strong is defined as “able to withstand great force or pressure.” That definition gives us a clear picture or a person who can resist something and still keep on. A good visualization of strength is when we watch a body builder lift a ton of weight which can be way over his actual weight. If you imagine that those heavy weights are your burdens.
Jesus promised to give us all the strength we need to endure the burdens we encounter until he comes back again.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me that you have given me gifts to continue to be strong.
REFLECTION
How can you be strong in the midst of adversities?
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

REVIVAL OF THE HUMBLE AND REPENTANT Poem Devotional

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August 31
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I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. -Isaiah 57:15(NLT)
REVIVAL OF THE HUMBLE AND REPENTANT
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who have been crushed and humbled
Their spirits will be restored and they won’t crumble
The Lord will always be there for the heartbroken
He revives the courage of those who are downtrodden.
Those who were once lost but have repented
They will be protected and will be rejuvenated
Jesus Christ died so that the oppressed will be saved
The Lord’s power will help them once again to be brave.
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Whenever we are oppressed and discriminated, we usually react very negatively. We either get angry or keep a grudge inside us or we start making vows that we will never allow anyone again to put us down. This is the natural reaction we humans respond with in times of being treated unjustly. How does God want us to respond to such injustice? What would Jesus do when he was treated unfairly? 1 Peter 1:6-7 commands us to be truly glad when we have trials and sufferings while we are here on earth because it shows that our faith is genuine.
Jesus Christ is the restorer of the crushed spirit of the humble and he revives the courage of those who have contrite hearts. All of those who are unjustly treated will have a revival.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for dying for the oppressed and broken hearted.
REFLECTION
What manifestations of revival have you experienced after much pain and 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

STRENGTH RESTORER Poem Devotional

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August 30
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The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well watered garden, like an ever flowing spring.
-Isaiah 58:11(NLT)
STRENGTH RESTORER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you experiencing a lack of love and affection?
Has someone rejected you and failed to show compassion?
There is a water that restores and quenches your thirst
It is a well that never dries when you make Jesus your first.
The Lord will guide you continually and give you life
He looks after your needs and give you constant light
You will be like a well watered garden with lots of bloom
He will never allow you to suffer and stay in gloom.
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There are many things that distracts us in this very noisy and chaotic world we live in. We get so very busy that sometimes we even miss out on what is going on in our bodies and minds. We are all busy bodies, always running around, multi-tasking, doing all kinds of things. We don’t realize that our bodies can only take so much. The bible emphasized much the importance of rest for us all. In Genesis 2:2-3, even God himself blessed the seventh day to rest. If we don’t rest, we will not be able to last that long. The prophet Isaiah encourages us to run to God because he is the restorer of strength.

PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to rest in you.
REFLECTION
How often do you rest? Why do you think God wants us to rest?
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.comIMG_8747

WHY CHRIST IS FIRST Poem Devotional

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August 29
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He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. So he is first in everything. -Colossians 1:17,18(NLT)
WHY CHRIST IS FIRST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you realize that without God, you are worthless?
All accomplishments that doesn’t praise him is valueless
Nothing in this world can make us holy and complete
Only his love and grace make us whole and bring peace.
He existed before anything else and holds all creation together
When you don’t put Christ first, you will be empty and bitter
Since he is first in everything, why not prioritize him?
Freedom, love and joy abound to those who are redeemed.
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Why should we prioritize God in our lives? There are many reasons why we should choose to put Christ first in everything. We lose our joy when we put other things first. Strife or conflicts find their way in our lives when we don’t focus on Jesus. We become vain or idolaters, putting so much time and energy on pleasing ourselves or performing to get credit for it. Our lives become chaotic when we dismiss God’s presence. We can lose our energy and get depleted because they won’t bring us peace. We were created for God who is love, so when we live out of what he made us, we feel empty.
Christ was there before all creation was made. He binds us all together. He is first in everything.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to make you my priority always.
REFLECTION
What was the result when you didn’t prioritized Christ 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

WHERE YOU’LL FIND STRENGTH Poem Devotional

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August 28
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Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. – Isaiah 30: 15(NLT)
WHERE YOU’LL FIND STRENGTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been tired and depleted these days?
Are you struggling to confide in God and pray?
Only in returning to him will you find peace
Only by resting in the Lord will you be complete.
In quietness and confidence lie your strength
There is no need for worry, Jesus is your friend
Go back to him and you will never be weary
He lights up your life when your life is dreary.
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When was the last time you felt so depleted? I lived a stressful life and full of conflicts a good five decades of my life. I was always running and performing. No wonder I was so exhausted by the time I was in my mid-thirties. I was so much in bondage to proving my worth. It was a cover up for my emptiness and loneliness. Because I was very driven and stubborn, God literally allowed for me to be sick to a point where I was helpless and bedridden for many months. It was time for me to stop running and performing. Those three months of my life literally changed me. God wanted me to return to him and stop all these worldly pursuits. He wants to silence my anxious heart.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to recharge my strength only from you.
REFLECTION
What re-energizes you when you get so depleted?
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

RESPOND TO GOD’S PROMISES Poem Devotional

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August 27
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Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge. -2Peter 1:5(NLT)
RESPOND TO GOD’S PROMISES
A poem and essay by ILMA
God promised to be there for you always
Do you even follow his word and what he says?
There are numerous promises he has given
What is your response to the call of heaven?
Make every effort to respond to God’s promises
Supplement your faith with moral excellence
Look forward to all the things that he is giving
Open your heart so you can keep receiving.
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Every child gets excited when they are given a promise. I remember when I was a child and my mother would take us out on picnics with my cousins and aunts. I couldn’t sleep when I know that we would be spending time with my mom because she was always busy. It was a novelty to be given time to spend with her. I will be counting the days when that promise will materialize. Most of my waiting time will be imagining that day is already happening.
We are asked in the bible to supplement our faith with a generous provision of moral excellence and with knowledge. If you were to count the numerous promises of God to you, wouldn’t you be as excited as a child to wait for it to happen and receive these promises?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the many promises you gave us.
REFLECTION
How do you respond to God’s promises?
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

LET LOVE RULE Poem Devotional

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August 26
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For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
– 1 Corinthians 15:56 (NLT)
LET LOVE RULE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we operate in obedience of the law
It brings more power to sin and hinder us to grow
When we stick to the law just for its sake
We get into the trap that Satan makes.
Love surpasses all understanding and power
When we do things out of love, the enemy cowers
We must all live in the knowledge of God’s grace
Living under his love removes the stress of this rat race.
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There are so many Christians living under the law and stuck in the Old Testament. They have no idea that living in it without reference to the New Testament actually make them live under the law. The apostle Paul stressed the importance of living under grace in most of his letter to the Romans and Corinthians. He warns us not to live under the law. He says that the more we focus on the law, the more we sin. In John 13:34 Jesus gives us a new commandment: Love each other just as he loved you.
The bible tells us not to live with so much rules because it makes us sin more. We need to focus on God who is love. When we operate in love, Satan flees and sin has no power.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to live under your love and grace.
REFLECTION
When did the law make you more sinful?
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

CLEANSING PRAYER Poem Devotional

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August 23
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How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
-Psalm 19:12(NLT)
CLEANSING PRAYER
A poem and essay by ILMA
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from hidden fault as soon as it starts
You are the only one who knows me inside and out
Only you can lead me to the righteous route.
Purify my intentions and let me not be distracted
Only your grace can keep me focused and motivated
Forgive me when I become so self-centered and waylaid
Grant me mercy so I can have the courage to be brave.
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There are occasions when we get sidetracked and distracted with the things we do in life. The enemy wants us to be busy so that we won’t have time for God. When Satan traps us into his “worldly pleasures and standards,” it can be so subtle that we don’t even realize that our time, energy and peace were already stolen. One way that I get waylaid is when I start to crave for something. The desire is so indirect that it seems alright at first, then it becomes an obsession and the center of my time and effort. Before I know it, I have lost intimacy with the Lord. The bible tells us that we need to come to Jesus and ask him to constantly examine our hearts.
PRAYER
Lord, bring to my attention any hidden faults and sins I commit.
REFLECTION
How is spending time with God going to bring us victory from our daily spiritual battles?
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

ACCEPT GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional

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August 22
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So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts for it has the power to save your souls. -James 1:21 (NLT)
ACCEPT GOD’S WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any troubles and sins you want to get rid off?
Get rid of all the evil in your life and focus on the Lord
Listen to his voice inside you and accept his word
It will bring you peace and victory in this world.
The word of God is alive and has power
It can defeat the enemy and make him cower
Humbly accept what the word teaches you
It will transform your life and have your mind renewed.
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What stops people from accepting God’s word? There are many reasons why Christians fail to feed on God’s word. We live in troubled times and the enemy has infiltrated our pure hearts with all kinds of filth and evil. Satan hindered my acceptance of the word of God through idolatry, arrogance, pride and performance. I lived a life that was very worldly. I followed the standards that the world set because I was ignorant of God’s will for me. I didn’t know any better. When God called me to accept his word, my life was totally transformed. Let us rid of all the evil and humbly accept his word in order to receive salvation.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your word. Let me feed on it daily.
REFLECTION
How has the word of God transformed 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