July 27
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When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. – Romans 4:4-5(NLT)
NOT BY WORKS BUT BY FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you working your way to be saved?
Do you believe in God and all he says?
When people work, their wages are not gifts
They won’t be saved until they believe him.
Your salvation lies on how much faith you have
It is not by works but how you deeply love
God makes you righteous when you make him first
He loves those who abide in him and search.
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I’ve spent many years of my Christian life working at my salvation. Nobody told me that I couldn’t have it that way but I also didn’t read the bible then because if I did, I would never have done it. The enemy wants us all to perform and compete with God. He tricks us into thinking that having a holy and ritualistic religious attitude will make use righteous.
The bible tells us that when we work, we earn from toiling, but that is not the same with salvation. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross already paid for our salvation. All we need to do is to believe in him and follow what he commands so we can be righteous.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never perform good deeds to earn my salvation.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to remember that faith is essential in our salvation?
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.co
Tag Archives: ilmaarts.com
UPSIDE OF LISTENING Poem Devotional
July 26
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To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
-Proverbs 25:12(NLT)
UPSIDE OF LISTENING
A poem and essay by IL
To anyone who has an open mind to criticism
They end up growing and having optimism
If you listen to what God’s words say to you
You get transformed and have your mind renewed.
The upside of listening is precious like jewels
It is valuable just like any treasure
Keep on listening and you will profit from it
It is essential in order for you to hear God’s Spirit.
________________________________________Do you get offended when someone gives you a feedback on how you affect others or how your demeanor is? I always want comments from others regarding the way I act or relate with them or my attitude towards others. It is like having a mirror in front of me so I can actually see how I look.
The bible says that those who listen to valid criticism finds a treasure. It is always beneficial to have someone give you an actual and objective feedback of how you are because it can help in your growth. The most important person to listen to is the Spirit of God. You can hear his voice clearly as you read and study God’s word. It gives you detailed advice as to where you are right now and where you need to be.
PRAYER
Lord, give me an open heart to hear clearly your convictions.
REFLECTION
How is listening essential in one’s growth?
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
TIMELY ADVICE Poem Devotional
July 25
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Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. -Proverbs 25:11(NLT)
TIMELY ADVICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is only one place you can get timely advice
The bible guides you in everything so you can be wise
Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket
They are precious so cherish them and lock it.
When you need help in making choices and decisions
Timely advice will give you accurate solutions
Give the right counsel at the right time to others
You bring blessings and favors to your sisters and brothers.
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There are many times when others give us advice that sometimes do not really work for us. Just like a doctor’s advice is important to a patient, we need wise advice from others too in order to live a life of joy and peace. I have consulted many counselors in my life because I know I need others t o help me be well balanced. But not all advisers or counselors give the appropriate solutions for our challenges. Sometimes, others perspectives and value system are so different from ours, that it sometimes does more damage than help. There is only one place and one person who can give us the right advice in everything, the bible and God. Timely advice is compared to golden apples in a silver basket in the bible. It is priceless.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always run to you for advice rather than the world.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you gave timely advise to others? What was the result?
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 FOOLS REPEAT THEIR FOOLISHNESS Poem Devotional
July 24
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. -Proverbs 26:11-12(NLT)
WHEN FOOLS REPEAT THEIR FOOLISHNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you commit the same mistakes over again?
Doesn’t foolishness make you self-centered and vain?
When you do again the same wrong, it makes you foolish
Why repeat something that brings you anguish?
As a dog returns to its vomit, fools repeat their foolishness
They cannot help their vanity and selfishness
There is no hope for those who think they are wise
If you listen to God’s words, you will be like Christ.
Do you know someone who repeatedly does the same mistake? It is sad to watch people commit the same wrong over and over again. I did this too in the past because of my arrogance and haughtiness. The Lord allows us to commit mistakes but he is expecting us to listen to his word so that we will know how to grow and not do the same things that do not bring progress in our lives. Seeking his wisdom and understanding is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our own family. It protects us from foolishness and wasting time and effort.
The bible describes to us arrogant people. They are like dogs returning to their vomit when they repeatedly commit mistakes.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from haughtiness.
REFLECTION
What mistakes have you done repeatedly in the past? What did it cost 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
TESTING & ARGUING
July 23
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Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying “Is the Lord here with us or not?” – Exodus17:7(NLT
TESTING & ARGUING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Arguing robs us of joy and peace
It makes us question and not see
It deprives us of blessings and growing
The Lord doesn’t want us complaining.
To test the Lord is to prove you are better
It only makes us go and circles and be bitter
Why would you want to be stripped of good things?
Give up arguing so you will continually be winning.
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There was a time in my life that I thought questioning and arguing was cool. I had this wrong notion that if I prove them wrong and persuaded them to look at it my way, I had a good chance of winning the disagreement or argument. I did not know that it was pure whining. Who are we to question a god who knows everything and can see simultaneously all things at the same time?
The bible talks about how God named a place Massah ( which means test) and Meribah (which means argue) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying “Is the Lord here with us or not? They questioned his omniscience and omnipotence because they wanted to prove something.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me never to question you about anything.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you argued with God or any authority figure?
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
YAHWEH IS HIS NAME Poem Devotional
July 22
The Lord is my strength and my song. He has given me victory. This is my God and I will praise him-my father’s God and I will exalt him! The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name. -Exodus 15:2-3 (NLT)
YAHWEH IS HIS NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is only one source of strength
He is the one who has his own son sent
He gives me victory when I need it badly
He is a warrior who continually protects me.
He is the Lord my God and I will praise him
I will exalt the Lord who faithfully redeems
Yahweh is his name and he is a warrior
He helps remove all bondages and barriers.
Many people take credit for their successes in life. This is one of the reasons why their victories don’t last long. They do not give God credit for fighting their battles and for blessings received. They think they can boast and glorify themselves for such conquests. We need to give recognition where credit is due or else we are actually idolizing our own selves.
The bible says that the Lord is our strength and our song. He gives us victory. We ought to praise him for he is our God. He is a warrior who fights for all our battles. His name is Yahweh and he is there to protect us. He alone deserves praise and worship.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being my warrior.
REFLECTION
What did God give you that you took credit for?
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 SERVANTS ARE REWARDED Poem Devotional
July 20
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The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat.
-Luke 12:37(NLT)
WHEN SERVANTS ARE REWARDED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you serve the Lord with all your heart
You will reap rewards that will set you apart
When Christ returns, the servants who are ready
They will reap a harvest when they abide faithfully.
Christ himself will seat them and serve as they eat
They’ll be treated like queens and kings, just like royalty
The promises that God has given will be fulfilled
All their service and humility will be revealed.
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In the past, servants were always looked down upon. I watched the “Book of Negroes” on a television mini series and was so moved by how much the black people suffered cruelty from the white people. Slavery was inhuman. One of the slave girls ended up being so strong, wise and saved many of her people in the end by faithfully serving despite injustices.
We still suffer different forms of slavery in our lives. Sometimes they are generational sins or strongholds in our family of origin. We are asked to be constantly ready and be free from sins so that when Christ comes again, we will reap the reward of being served by him. What an awesome promise!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to faithfully serve and be ready when you come back.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to be ready always to do good and serve 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
FLOODLIGHTS FILLING YOU Poem Devotional
July 19
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Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light. -Luke 11:35-36 (NLT)
FLOODLIGHTS FILLING YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you declared Christ as your Lord and Savior
You are filled with lights with no dark corners
Your whole life will be radiant like a floodlight
You will shine for all others to see your new life.
Ensure that the light you think you have is not darkness
The enemy cunningly deceives you and continually seduces
Stay in God’s loving kindness so you’ll manifest his goodness
Be filled with his floodlight so you can show his righteousness.
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When I was a theater stage manager, I was responsible for all the aspects of the production. During rehearsals, I take down all notes of the director for stage movements, lighting, sounds, sets and props. During the actual performance, I call the shots and the director just watches how I execute what he wants done in the play. When floodlights are on, it is usually in scenes where there is fanfare or a climax in the play. When it is on, everyone sees every little detail of the actors’ part. Just like floodlights, all Christians need to shine radiantly so darkness can be totally covered with Christ’s radiance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to shine so all darkness will be covered.
REFLECTION
What do you do to preserve God’s radiance 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
GOD’S SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH YOU Poem Devotional
July 18
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When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking-it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. -Matthew 10:19-20(NLT)
GOD’S SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are a believer, God lives in you
You need not worry what to say or do
When you are detained, he has you covered
He will give you the right words to utter.
It is not you who will be speaking
God’s Spirit whispers what you’ll be saying
The Holy Spirit will use you as a channel
Open your heart to convey his message to others.
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There was a time in my life when I used to rely on myself so much when it came to choices and decision making. I claimed I was a Christian and yet I did not know God’s word and his will in my life. I missed so many good things because I didn’t listen to his Spirit. I used to call him intuition and gut feeling when I should have given God credit for that voice inside me that guides me to do what is right and avoid doing wrong. Some people call is conscience, but it is God’s Spirit who speaks through you and other believers, especially when we are in trouble.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for letting your Spirit live in me.
REFLECTION
How often do you listen to God’s Spirit and allow it to speak through 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
FAITH BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT
July 17
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Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. – Matt 9:22(NLT)
FAITH BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in the one and only Christ
You will find contentment and bliss in this life
Faith heals depression and hopelessness
It brings positive perspective and faithfulness.
Faith can move mountains and make things possible
It is the key to making life victorious and bearable
Faith brings encouragement and hope to others
It can lead to miracles that seemed highly impossible.
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Faith was a gift given to me since I was a little child. I wouldn’t have been here standing if not for my belief in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave me this gift so that I can withstand all the pain brought about by traumatic experiences and wrong choices and decisions. I remember my students and friends who when asked about me, would always mention that I am a woman of faith. It was faith that made it possible for me to raise my child alone. It was faith that brought me hope to see beyond what I am going through.
The bible tells us the story of the woman who had so much faith that it healed her of her ailment. To those who have this gift, miracles are not far to happen.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift of faith.
REFLECTION
What was the most recent miracle you received as a result of your faith?
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