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LESS TALKING IS BETTER Poem Devotional

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February 22________________________________________
The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they?
-Ecclesiastes 6:11(NLT)
LESS TALKING IS BETTER
A poem and essay by ILMA
The more words you speak
The less they mean
Less talking is better for you
You don’t have to explain your views.
Let the word of God be uttered as is
He wants you to share without changing it
The Lord is concise and speaks less
Talking much is futile and meaningless.
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I used to talk and explain myself a lot. I have always been a detailed person. I think I became obsessed with details and explaining a lot because I was deprived of talking when I was growing up. It was the way I coped with that freedom to speak up. From a young girl who had no confidence in airing out her thoughts and ideas, I became a very outspoken and opinionated teenager to others outside my family. I got into the theater profession as a stage manager and actress, so that totally changed that quiet soft spoken girl into an over-confident and haughty woman. I loved Philosophy during my college days and I love to read so I could be knowledgeable and show off to others that I am good at many things. I would argue my way into persuading others with my verbosity. The bible tells us to speak less or much words can be used by Satan to make us sin.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for being concise but a man of few words.
REFLECTION
How do you open doors to Satan when you talk too much?
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

YOUR DESTINY Poem Devotional

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February 21________________________________________
Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny. – Ecclesiastes 6:10(NLT)
YOUR DESTINY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you aware of what your destiny is?
God decided how you will live in bliss
He knew already what each person would be
He gave you gifts to spread his word and bring
There is no point in arguing what you are made for
He created you in his image so you can explore
Our heavenly Father has a plan to bring all in his kingdom
Live in his love, peace, blessings and enjoy your freedom.
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I lived many years arguing with God what my destiny was. I didn’t even realize then that I was living out of his will because I didn’t know what he wanted me to be. No one has told me about God’s truth in his word, so I coasted along for so many years conforming to this world’s standards. I didn’t acknowledge and praise God for whatever gifts I had because I thought that I was entitled to such gifts after all the pains and traumas I have been through. It was many decades later that I found out that I had been resisting the plans God had for me by following worldly ways. There’s no use contesting what has already been planned for your life.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to live according to your plans.
REFLECTION
What was the result when you argued with God about your destiny?
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 WATCHES AND RESCUE Poem Devotional

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February 20________________________________________
But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. – Psalm 33:18-19(NLT)
GOD WATCHES AND RESCUES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is troubling you today?
Don’t you believe what the word says?
Those who rely on his unfailing love
They will be guarded from up above.
He sends his army of angel to recue you
Believe his word for it is right and true
God watches and rescues all those who fear him
Are you one of those who want to be redeemed?
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Trust is an integral factor in relationships. Without it, there is no way that the relationship can thrive. In a parent-child relationship, the children, especially before they turn to adolescents have no choice but to trust and believe what their parents say. Parents are entrusted their offspring and expects parents to love and care for them. When parents are not living up to the responsibilities that are entrusted to them by God, they are not faithful to God’s plan for them.
God loves children so much that no one can enter his kingdom unless they are like little children. He watches and protects them from any danger and ensures they are nourished and nurtured. He is the same way to all those who believe in him. He is faithfully watching and rescuing them.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being such a good father to all your children.
REFLECTION
Why is faith very important in your 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

GOD KNOWS EACH PERSON’S HEART Poem Devotional

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February 19________________________________________
From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do. – Psalm 33:14-15(NLT)
GOD KNOWS EACH PERSON’S HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who can ever know what is in a man’s heart?
Who knows you through and through from the very start?
God made every living creature and each human being
He patterned them in his image so there is no hiding.
God knows each person’s heart from the very core
He can understand how it works even before it is formed
There is no point in running away from your heavenly father
He knows everything; after all, he is your maker.
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Before I was a born again Christian, I had this habit of guessing people’s intentions and thinking. I think I learned this ungodly behavior from my work as a stage manager and an actor. When we make a character sketch of the role we are playing, we presume and assume certain traits of the person based on what they are saying and doing in the manuscript. I didn’t realize that this habit intersected my real life. I began guessing what people think and judge their actions.
1 Samuel 16:7 says that God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. Only God knows each person’s heart for he made us all.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to try to interpret people’s hearts.
REFLECTION
Why is it dangerous to assume or presume other people’s intentions?
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

JOY TO GOD’S PEOPLE Poem Devotional

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February 18________________________________________
What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. – Psalm 33:12(NLT)
JOY TO GOD’S PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What joy for those who believe in the Lord
They will be victorious and overcome this world
If you are committed to Christ, you will be his heir
You will experience his joy for he is generous and fair.
He will shower his people with an overflow
They will reap a harvest from the seeds they’ve sown
Rejoice and be glad for you will have an abundance
He will gladly fulfill his promises and hand you an inheritance.
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For so many years, I didn’t know how to enjoy life. I strived and worked so hard at every dream or goal I set. I was so consumed with I, me and myself? I think it’s impossible to experience joy if one is so self-centered and self-driven. There is always that nagging thought that I have to possess more or that I have to perform well in anything I get myself into. I have to aim for perfection. When things do not go well as I envisioned it, I become so frustrated and feel like a failure. Then I beat myself up to reach the maximum effort or performance. What a tiring and stressful life. No wonder, I had so much trouble. The bible says that joy comes only from choosing God.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be faithful to you so I can experience joy always.
REFLECTION
What manifestations of joy have you experienced after choosing Christ?
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 POWER OF SPOKEN WORD Poem Devotional

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February 15________________________________________
The Lord merely spoke and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. – Psalm 33:6(NLT)
THE POWER OF SPOKEN WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord merely spoke when he created the world
He breathed on anything he made and said the word
The power of spoken word is astonishing
It will bring your wishes to happen, it is amazing.
The power is in your tongue which can bring life or death
Are you using your mouth to build up and encourage?
Are your words bringing others closer to Christ?
Use your words to bring about the truth and to give life.
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I used to be a Speech Teacher for fifteen years. I was blessed to have the chance to make a difference in the youth by building teaching oral communication skills to freshmen high school students. It was a very rewarding vocation because I was able to see the fruit of my labors. For many, verbal communication can be terrifying, especially with teenagers. I wished that I could have been a born again Christian back then, I would have stressed to my students the importance of using God’s word and truth to make a difference.
The bible tells us that God breathed and spoke a word and whatever he commanded was created. Since we were created in his image, we too have the power of spoken word.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to speak only what is good and true and encouraging.
REFLECTION
What have you uttered that made or broke someone? Share your experience.
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

WHATEVER IS JUST AND GOOD Poem devotional

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February 14________________________________________
He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
Psalm 33:5(NLT)
WHATEVER IS JUST AND GOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whatever is just and good is loved by the Lord
He doesn’t want evil and cruelty in this world
He designed us for righteousness and not evil
He doesn’t want us to be controlled by the devil.
Think only of what is pure and good and honorable
Then you will be godly and totally admirable
The Lord’s love is unconditional and unfailing
Do whatever is just and good so you won’t be sinning.
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Do you ever wonder why people choose to do evil rather than do good? The apostle Paul talks about human nature. We usually desire good but end up doing the opposite. Why are we not victorious over our nature to be bent on satisfying our flesh? It took me many years to understand it because I was raised to believe that I make my own destiny and build my own dreams and career. I was foolish to think that I can do anything in my own strength. I believed that I can change myself, people around me and the world. What a dreamer!!!
The bible tells us that the Lord loves whatever is just and good and his unfailing love fills the earth. Do we allow his love to rule our lives?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to do only what pleases you.
REFLECTION
Why is it important do focus on God’s unfailing love 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

TRUST IN THE WORD Poem Devotional

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For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.
-Psalm 33:4(NLT)
TRUST IN THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you need wisdom, run to the Word
It will guide you to navigate this corrupt world
When you need help and guidance
It gives you practical options and assistance.
Trust in the Word, for it holds true
We can be safe; it will deliver us from rue
The word is the sword that can beat all evil
Use it at all times to expose the lies of the devil.
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It is a pity that a lot of Christians do not know the benefits of knowing and meditating on God’s word. I wasn’t aware of its benefit for many decades because I wasn’t surrounded by believers while I was growing up. There are many people who do not regard the bible as the main source of life. Without God’s word, we will all be living in the dark.
There are many advantages in knowing, meditating and memorizing Scriptures. It says in 2 Timothy 3:16 that all Scriptures is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. In Matthew 4, Christ used God’s word to answer the devil’s tempting. Trust in the word.
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PRAYER
Please give me a hunger for your word, Lord.
REFLECTION
Describe a time when God’s word popped out of the pages and pierced your heart.
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

WHY PRAY? Poem Devotional

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February 11________________________________________
When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before. -Job 42:10(NLT)
WHY PRAY?
A poem and essay by ILMA
To pray is to communicate and openly say
It is not just asking favors but preventing being astray
To pray is to acknowledge God’s power
It helps us to be strong and let the enemy cower.
When we pray, we get answered if it’s for our good
We receive blessings and be pulled out from gloom
When we pray, we receive God’s grace and mercy
It brings us to a place of abundance and victory.
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Many people live their lives without prayers. I began to learn to pray rote prayers when I was taught in school all those formula prayers. At the age of seven, I was so hungry for someone to hear me and talk to. I felt invisible because children were never listened to during the time I was growing up. They were just supposed to obey anything the older people say. We can’t question anything or it will be considered defiance or rebellion. So, I grew up not talking much. I became a compliant and just obeyed what I was told to do. Deep inside, I had this desire to reach out and talk to someone. I needed to pour out my thoughts and my pain. That’s when I learned to converse with God.
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PRAYER
Lord, open up my heart so your Spirit can take over when I pray.
REFLECTION
Share the answer or result of a long prayer.
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

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Poem Devotional

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February 10________________________________________
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance. – Job 42:5-6(NLT)
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
A poem and essay by ILMA
How do get to know someone who arouses you?
Do you not want to find out about his ideas and views?
If you heard about someone before and have never met him
Wouldn’t you be curious to know more and dig in?
If you want to know the Lord, get up close and personal
Like a lover, you need to pursue, seek and be sensational
Experience him through his word and living his truth
It’s the only way you’ll be intimate and harvest his Spirit’s fruits.
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How many Christians really know the Lord intimately? Why do we call ourselves a follower if we don’t even know, follow or live his word? How can we live the life he wants us to have if we don’t know it? I was a fake Christian for a long time before God called me to seek him. I had religion, not relationship with him. I was wrong. I didn’t really know the Lord because I didn’t study his word. I could follow if I didn’t know his truth. To know the Lord, we need to be up close and personal. We can’t watch from a distance.
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PRAYER
Lord, draw me closer to you daily.
REFLECTION
How can you be more up close and personal 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