February 22
John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.” But Jesus said,
“Don’t stop him. Anyone who is not against you is for you.” – Luke 9:49-50(NLT)
ON USING JESUS’ NAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is power in using Jesus’ name
It can bring healing and take out your shame
It can protect someone from destruction
It leads you to the truth and path to salvation.
God uses unbelievers who say the name of Christ
It can restore them and bring godly insight
Don’t stop anyone who use it for it has its own power
Whenever it is uttered, all evil spirits and demons cower.
Philippians 2:9-11 explains the power of Jesus’ name. It is the name above all names and that every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and below the earth when this name is spoken. Even John 14:13 says that you can have anything you ask in Jesus’ name. What a powerful name!
The bible tells us the story when John was reporting to Jesus that someone was using his name to cast out demons. He said to Jesus that they asked this man to stop because he didn’t belong to their group, but Jesus told him not to. He told John that if he uses his name, then he is not against them.
PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus for your powerful name.
REFLECTION
When have you used Jesus’ name and experience its power?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
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SERVE ONLY CHRIST Poem Devotional
February 21
Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own personal interests. –Romans 16:17-18 (NLT)
SERVE ONLY CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Seek the truth that comes from God’s word
It will protect you from the wickedness of the world
Watch out for those who upset people’s faith and cause divisions
They serve their own purpose and thrive in conflicts and deception.
Serve only Christ who is the only way to life
Being in the word will expose the enemy’s lies
Stay away from people who do not serve Christ
They’ll drag you down and turn you from God’s insight.
There are so many counterfeits these days. They mislead people from knowing the truth. The enemy has blinded those who do not believe in God and kept them from enjoying life and having peace. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44) and he will do anything to keep people in the dark so that they won’t have a relationship with God. The bible warns us against those who cause divisions and those who upset people’s faith by teaching counterfeit teachings contrary to truth. We are to stay away from them since they do not serve Christ. They come to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
PRAYER
Lord, guard me from counterfeits.
REFLECTION
How can we combat the enemy’s tricks?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
REBELLION & STUBBORNNESS Poem Devotional
February 20
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. – 1 Samuel 15:23(NLT)
REBELLION & STUBBORNNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you currently defying an authority in your life?
Do you realize that it snaps out God’s light?
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft
It is ignoring the power and the plan of God.
Stubbornness is as bad as worshipping idols
It opens the enemy’s door and makes you vulnerable
Rebellion and stubbornness are sins of pride
It makes life difficult and we lose wisdom and insight.
Does rebellion or stubbornness reside in your home? Many Christians do not realize how much lawlessness and pride can cause havoc in their lives and in their relationships. I can attest to this truth. Rebellion and stubbornness ran in my veins in the past from many generations in my family. I was enslaved with these sins and it caused my life so much pain and suffering. When God showed me in his word that these were sins, I repented quickly and gave it up.
The bible says that rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. These sins are very grave and they all originate from pride. The bible says that God is a very jealous god, so if we rebel against all that he wants us to follow, it will all be to our detriment.
PRAYER
Lord, show me to be totally obedient to you.
REFLECTION
How can rebellion and stubbornness ruin a relationship?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
INTERCESSOR FOR REBELS Poem Devotional
February 19
Because he exposed himself to death, he was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. –Isaiah 53:12(NLT)
INTERCESSOR FOR REBELS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What have you rebelled against lately?
Is it for something you want or for defying authority?
Do you realize the gravity of rebellion?
It shows arrogance and retaliation.
Christ exposed himself to death and counted among rebels
He bore the sins of many and he was the ultimate giver
When you rebel, you are questioning God’s authority and power
Give it up! Christ paid the price so you can be the victor.
The word “rebel” or a form of it is used in the bible 98 times. What does rebellion mean? It is the refusal to come under authority of someone who is above you. Rebellion is an open door to the enemy in a person’s life. We are strictly warned in God’s word against rebellion and its consequences shouldn’t be taken lightly. God’s Word tells us that rebellion is in the same category of sin as witchcraft itself in 1 Samuel 15:23, Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols.”
Christ exposed himself to death on the cross and was counted among other rebels even though he was innocent. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. What an act of love and mercy!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for interceding for all rebels.
REFLECTION
What manifestations of rebellion do you have?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
POWER & WISDOM OF GOD Poem Devotional
February 18
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. –1 Corinthians 1:24(NLT)
POWER & WISDOM OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we believe and follow Christ in our lives
It exposes all darkness and the enemy’s lies
The Son of God is the epitome of his Father
Christ exudes all of God’s power.
It is through Jesus alone that we can gain wisdom
God used his Son to bring us to freedom
Through Christ, we clearly see God’s insight
The power and wisdom of God is manifest in Jesus Christ.
The amazing act of love God showed his children was manifested when he gave Jesus to save us all from sin. Many believers do not fully comprehend this great act of generosity. If they do, they wouldn’t take for granted every gift they receive from God.
Do you know that Jesus Christ is actually God’s power and wisdom? When we believe in Christ, we also trust in God’s existence. When we seek Christ, we also seek our father. They are one and the same.
The bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the very power and wisdom of God. It means that when we search and seek Christ, we also seek God. If we reject Christ, we also reject our heavenly Father. It is only through Christ that we gain power and wisdom. Without him, we are nothing because all things come from God.
PRAYER
Lord, draw me closer to you.
REFLECTION
What power have you received from knowing Christ?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
GOD USES THE DESPISED Poem Devotional
February 17
God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
-1 Corinthians 1:28(NLT)
GOD USES THE DESPISED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been abused, oppressed or scorned down?
Do you feel down and devalued by someone?
God uses those who are broken and unimportant
He shames the proud by using those who are insignificant.
Remember to treat others equally at all times
Those who are simple and plain can be used by God anytime
He can use unexpectedly those who are repressed
God shames the proud who likes to impress.
God has a great sense of humor. He uses the weak, the oppressed, the abused, or the simple minded to mock those who are rich, powerful and proud. The story of David and Goliath is a clear example of how he used David to beat the giant Goliath with a sling and stone (1 Samuel 17). It wasn’t the mere strength of David that made him win the fight. It was his faith that God will be with him that made him have victory over the Philistines. Moses is another example in the bible that God used to lead his people to the Promised Land.
The bible shows us that God can use anyone to proclaim his power and glory. He can make the impossible possible or the weak stronger.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never underestimate anyone.
REFLECTION
Share an event that you witnessed God’s power over someone’s weakness.
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
BE OF ONE MIND Poem Devotional
February 13
Live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. – 1 Corinthians 1:10(NLT)
BE OF ONE MIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are in a relation
There is no place for division
Be of one mind with believers
Conflicts bring about discord in others.
Live in harmony and patiently pursue peace
Be open and respect others so that you can see
Let there be no divisions in the body of Christ
Agree with one another so you won’t have to fight.
Division is spreading wildly in the church. There are so many religions in the world today. When one person does not agree with the leadership in a congregation, they separate themselves from the church, go to another one or build a new church. The world view relationships as a business partnership. That is why there are so much separations, divorces and annulments in marriages. When one spouse discovers a difference, they run away instead of working it out with their partners.
The bible instructs the church (body of Christ) to be of one mind in order to avoid divisions. Jesus didn’t die for us to have many religions. He wants us all to have a relationship with God. He wants us to seek God in order to be unified with him and other believers.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never stray from you.
REFLECTION
Why is “agreement” very important in relationships and the church?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
PLEADING FOR HELP Poem Devotional
February 12
I am exhausted from crying for help, my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me. –Psalm 69:3(NLT)
PLEADING FOR HELP
A poem and essay by ILMA
My throat is dry and tears welling down my cheeks
I am exhausted from crying for help as I speak
I plead God to save my loved ones from their unbelief
It is so painful to see their lives in bondage and without relief.
If only they can see how much they are missing
They are blinded by the world, so they keep on sinning
Lord, have mercy on me and save my family
Bring us light and peace so we can have harmony.
God acknowledges a believer who has a humble heart. He is touched when someone gets down on his or her knees and declares weaknesses and need for God. He loves an honest and pure heart.
In Psalm 69:3, the psalmist is describing his posture while he pleads for God’s help. He honestly opens up his heart and weeps, waiting for God’s help. Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 in the bible clearly manifests the power of a humble man who intercedes for Israel. He asked forgiveness even if he was pure. He pleaded God to give the Israelites another chance. Because of his plea, the Israelites were spared.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a humble heart.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to have a humble heart that pleads?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
PROPHESYING Poem Devotional
February 11
But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. – 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NLT)
PROPHESYING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you allow God’s Spirit to prophesy through you
You are strengthening others when you do
The gift of prophecy is given by the Holy Spirit alone
You are given this gift so sin cannot be condoned.
The gifts of the Spirit are given to strengthen others
They must be released to your sisters and brothers
It helps other believers to be comforted and encouraged
It releases captives and the oppressed from bondage.
Are you someone who has a drive to apply the word of God to a situation so that sin is exposed and relationships are restored? Do you easily discern true motives of people? Do you consider compromise as unacceptable? Do you call attention to sin and wrong attitudes? Are you passionate about exposing sin so that truth can be revealed and fellowship with God can be restored? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may be given the gift of prophecy. The apostle Paul speaks of the variety of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. At the moment of salvation, a believer receives one of seven motivational gifts: prophecy, serving, teaching, exhorting, giving, organizing or mercy. The bible says that prophets strengthens others, encourages them and comforts them. Are you able to identify with this gift?
PRAYER
Lord, show me what my spiritual gift is.
REFLECTION
Why are spiritual gifts essential?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com









