Tag Archives: ilmaarts.com

GOD’S ANOINTING AND BLESSING Poem Devotional

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December 17________________________________________
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that. Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans and all such boasting is evil.
– James 4:15-16 (NLT)
GOD’S ANOINTING AND BLESSING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ask the Lord for anointing on things you are given?
If the Lord appoints us to do something, we will be driven
There is no need to boast about your own plans or gifts
Only God knows what is best and you will be totally equipped.
He wants you to believe that he has a purpose in your life
He created you so you can be faithful to Him and be right
God’s anointing and blessing will manifest if you are faithful
He loves those who are loving, obedient, joyful and hopeful.
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There are things in our lives that God has anointed and blessed us with. Some people never discover their anointing and blessings because they are so tainted with the world’s point of view. It took me many years to realize what God has anointed me with because I was so wrapped up in achieving my own goals and ambitions.
The bible says that we should never boast about our own plans but rely on what God has anointed us with. He gives us natural and spiritual gifts so we can spread the good news and glorify him.
PRAYER
Thank you for all the gifts you gave me.
REFLECTION
What has God anointed or blessed you with?
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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

BOUGHT WITH A HIGH PRICE Poem Devotional

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December 16________________________________________
For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
-1 Corinthians 6:20(NLT)
BOUGHT WITH A HIGH PRICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
God loves you so much that he values you immensely
He sacrificed his only Son; he loves you unconditionally
He bought you with a high price to save you from sin
Jesus Christ’s blood allowed you to be free
How are you going to repay his generosity?
Are you honoring your whole body?
He wants you to care for every gift he gave you
He cares when the world tarnishes your view.
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Have you ever owned something that was bought with a high price? When my husband proposed to me, he gave me the option to choose one of the most expensive engagement rings. I felt valued and loved when he did that. I consider one of my paintings as a valued possession because it was a painting I did for a total of 100 hours, something I did painstakingly in a matter of time. I actually don’t want to part with it because it reminded me of the many hours it took me to finish the work. It may not be considered a masterpiece by many, but for me, it is one.
God bought you with a high price so you must honor God with your body. It cost his Son’s life to purchase our freedom.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for setting me free with Jesus’ blood.
REFLECTION
How can you repay God for the high price he paid for your sin?
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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

ALL KNOWING GOD Poem Devotional

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December 15________________________________________
Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him.
– Matthew 6:8 (NLT)
ALL KNOWING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever met someone who knows you all the way?
God knows everything that you will go through today
He is there to help you when you are tempted
He is there to celebrate with you when you are delighted.
Your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need
Even if you think he doesn’t answer, he already did
Even before you ask him, he already anticipated
Run to him; ask him anyway then it will be granted.
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In my country of origin, the culture demands highly from God. God is treated like a vending machine to give what they ask for. We are so wrapped up in getting our needs met and forgot that God already knows what we need before we even ask for it. The problem with the requests lies in the fact that we actually ask for wants rather than needs. If we examine our lives, most of our needs are provided already by God. We are bombarded with marketing strategies to desire many wants and present them to us like needs. Just watch television and all the subliminal messages in the commercials will make you pine for something that you really have no need for. Have a close relationship with God and he will give you favor.
PRAYER
Lord, purify my view of what I really need in life.
REFLECTION
What are some wants that people usually turn into needs?
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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

NO LOOKING BACK Poem Devotional

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December 14________________________________________
Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. – Luke 9:62(NLT)
NO LOOKING BACK
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the Lord calls you to follow him and do his work
There is no looking back whatever you are doing in the world
He wants you to let go of your concerns and obey
No more delays, he wants you to do it today.
Anyone who says they accept him yet cling to their old life
Is not fit for the kingdom and is not ready to shine his light
You cannot serve the world and claim that you are a believer
Don’t look back; commit to Christ to be a faithful follower.
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There are many believers who are swayed to and fro by the demands of their lives or by the circumstances they encounter. James 1:6 clearly said that we have to be sure that our faith is in God alone. We must not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. When I was serving myself, I was tossed back and forth by my divided loyalty to God and to myself.
In Luke, he said a similar statement. Don’t look back because if you do, you are not fit for God’s kingdom. If you commit to follow him, do it all the way.
PRAYER
Teach me to be firm and loyal to you Lord.
REFLECTION
Why is attachment to things of the world destructive?
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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

MEETING JESUS IN THE CLOUDS Poem Devotional

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December 13________________________________________
Then together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
-1 Thessalonians 4:17(NLT)
MEETING JESUS IN THE CLOUDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you visualize how it would be on the day of the Lord’s coming?
There will be much joy to believers and those who are faithful
Christ will show himself to all while he is descending
The announcement will be delegated to the archangel.
First, he will command those who have died to arise
Then, he will call all those who are still alive
There will be a grand meeting up in the clouds
Jesus will lead all the faithful to rise with him up above.
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I am a visual person and I once saw a painting of the day of the Lord’s coming from an Asian artist. I had memorized in my heart and mind that this artist’s interpretation of what will really happen. When I saw this painting, I didn’t study much the bible, but now that I do, I realize how accurate his interpretation of end times was.
I used to be scared to think of the end times but now that I know that the saints will meet Jesus in the clouds, I am looking forward to it with much excitement.
PRAYER
Lord, help me prepare for your second coming.
REFLECTION
What have you done to make yourself ready for Christ’s second coming?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

SOURCE OF HOPE, JOY AND PEACE Poem Devotional

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December 10________________________________________
I pray that God, the source of hope will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13(NLT)
SOURCE OF HOPE, JOY AND PEACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is weighing you down in life these days?
Is it the suffering and trials that bother you today?
What stops you from experiencing peace?
What is distracting you which doesn’t allow you to see?
The only source of hope is to seek God’s truth in the word
Why are you believing the lies propagated by this world?
Trust in the Lord and in the power of the Almighty
Then you will have hope, joy and tranquility.
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When we are bombarded with so much distractions and desires, we will have difficulty navigating through life in peace. I didn’t have peace for many years in my life because I was a very needy person. I gauge my happiness in my achievements, circumstances and in the knowledge that other people loves me truly. Because of these human cravings, it took me a while to experience joy. When I depended much on the results of my hard work, my thirst for human love and approval was insatiable. No wonder, I felt very hopeless as well. The bible tells us that the only source of hope, joy and peace is God.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always run to your throne and follow you.
REFLECTION
What things distract you from experiencing God’s love, peace and joy?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

TOO WONDERFUL FOR WORDS Poem Devotional

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December 9________________________________________
Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! – 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)
TOO WONDERFUL FOR WORDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone gives you something incredible
Are you awed and consider it a miracle?
Do you express gratitude for the gift that you received?
Do you pass on the blessing to others and give?
Thank God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ
Without his blood, we will never be right
The cross is too wonderful for words
God saved mankind from this impure world.
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Are you a grateful person? Do you realize how God loves you so much? There were many years of my life that I didn’t know how loved I am by my heavenly Father. My mind cannot fathom unconditional love because the rejection I experienced clouded my ability to receive and view love without conditions. It didn’t come second nature to me to be thankful. I was bitter for so many years of my life because I didn’t know how to get my needs met. After over two decades of pessimism, I finally heeded to God’s conviction to change me into a grateful believer.
The bible tells us to thank God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. Without God’s generosity we will still be prisoners of sin. While we were still sinful, he gave his only begotten son so that we will be free. He forgave us and gave us a clean slate.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your gift of love in Christ’s blood.
REFLECTION
How can you express gratitude to God?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

WRAPPED IN STRIPS OF CLOTH Poem Devotional

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December 8________________________________________
The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. – Luke 2:11-12(NLT)
WRAPPED IN STRIPS OF CLOTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Savior was born in Bethlehem
After his birth, the world was never the same
He chose to come wrapped in strips of cloth
He wants to show us that we have so much worth.
He came to give us freedom from bondage to sin
He knows what we endure and where we’ve been
He wants to save especially those who are lost
This is the true essence of his blood and the cross.
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Why did God use poor and ordinary people to bring Jesus into this world? Why was Jesus wrapped in strips of cloth and born in a manger instead of being in a palace and surrounded by all the comforts? This is God’s way of shocking the world with the simplicity and the peace that comes from a silent night when Mary gave birth in a trough wrapped snugly in improvised blanket. God chose a baby, a vulnerable being to be the entry of Christ in this world. We will never experience God’s magnificence unless we are humble, weak and poor. God works best in our weaknesses.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never be dazzled by opulence and materialism.
REFLECTION
Share how God has worked in your weaknesses and poverty?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

GOD NEVER CHANGES Poem Devotional

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December 7________________________________________
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. –James 1:17(NLT)
GOD NEVER CHANGES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you afraid of changes in your life?
Do you fear that you will be compromised?
Whatever is good and perfect comes from the Father
God never changes, he is always after our welfare.
You can be reassured that God loves us without conditions
It doesn’t matter if we are imperfect; he still gives provisions
He never casts a shifting shadow, he loves you constantly
He doesn’t waiver in his character; he waits for you faithfully.
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Have you ever experienced being tossed around by someone’s instability? Have you ever felt insecure because someone never reassures you of their love for you? I was raised in a very unstable home where you one walks on eggshells daily. I was always a very hopeful person but after many years of exposure to so much negativity and criticism, I learned to defend myself and ensure I will never be hurt again. Even before someone can be close to me, I stay away from them as soon as I feel a need to be dependent on them. It took many years until I got revelations from God that he has me covered.
The bible says that God never changes. He is love and light.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be like you.
REFLECTION
Why is constancy important in relationships and in our lives?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

WHITER THAN SNOW Poem Devotiional

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December 5________________________________________
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
-Psalm 51:7(NLT)
WHITER THAN SNOW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, cleanse me from my sins so I can be renewed
Help me to follow your word so I can change my views
Forgive me for all my sins and my wrong choices
Help me to always hear you so I can mute other voices.
Purify me from my sins so I can be clean
Protect me from selfishness and all cravings
Wash me so I can be whiter than snow
Bless me in everything so I can have an overflow.
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I come from a family of compulsive cleaners. I grew up with people who were meticulously clean. It was very hard to live up to the expectations of these people because it kills all the joy of being a child. I understand we all need to learn to be clean, tidy and organized. I learned from these compulsive clean people also to be so detailed when it comes to cleanliness. When I was raising my son 25 years ago, I realized that it is not just all about making everything clean outwardly. The bible tells us that God can purify us if we confess our sins and repent and can make as whiter than snow. He alone can cleanse us from sins and be born again.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for forgiving me and making me clean again.
REFLECTION
What sins and strongholds still lurks in your life that you need cleansing from?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com