YOU ARE MY MASTER! Poem Devotional

Posted on January 18, 2015 by ilmaarts

http://youtu.be/hAdGQJ7WP2Y

January 18

I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.

Psalm 16:2 (NLT)

YOU ARE MY MASTER!

A poem and essay by ILMA

I said to the Lord, “You are my Master”

You cleanse my heart to make me better

You reveal to me all your truth and decrees

You give all the good things so that I can be free.

You are the only one who knows all things

You gave your Son to redeem and make me see

My Master, my teacher, my Savior and my Lord

From the bottom of my heart, I bring you laud.

Do you know how the enemy attacks most Christians? He steals our joy and creates conflicts by perpetuating lies. He entices us to have equality with God. How do we combat the tactics of the enemy? First, we obey God’s commands; second, we forgive others and ask forgiveness for our sins; third, we speak with authority to the devil to flee. Lastly, we walk in love and seek peace.

There is another way to resist the devil. Say and request everything in His name aloud or sing praises. Declare that He is your master and every good thing you have comes from him. Lucifer used to be the head of worship. It really bugs the enemy when he hears God’s people declare his word and that He is Master.

PRAYER

Jesus, you are my only Master.

REFLECTION

How often do you testify to God’s greatness?

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’S WONDROUS DEEDS Poem Devotional

Posted on January 17, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 17
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him, yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. – 1 Chronicle 16:8-9 (NLT)
GOD’S WONDROUS DEEDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What has God done to you lately?
Has he made you peaceful and healthy?
What has He blessed you with today?
Did you feel His love as you look at the sun’s rays?
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness
Tell everyone about his wondrous deeds and faithfulness
Let the whole world know how he has transformed you
Give him praise and your heart will be renewed.
Do you remember your first love? You were so excited about the person’s character and how he or she made you feel. You almost want to shout to the world what a great person he or she is. You can’t stop talking about your beloved. If we can be so full of joy and excitement about the people we love, how much more should we proclaim God’s wondrous deeds?
The bible tells us that we ought to give thanks to the Lord and announce his greatness to the whole word. We need to sing praises to him and talk about his wonderful deeds. We bring glory to the only one who so deserves it when we give him praise.
PRAYER
Thank you for your majesty, Lord.
REFLECTION
How often do you tell others what God has done for you?
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

ACTION EQUALS FRUIT Poem Devotional

Posted on January 16, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 16
Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. – Matthew 7:20 (NLT)
ACTION EQUALS FRUIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you follow God’s will faithfully?
Do your actions reveal righteousness?
Continue to do things lovingly
You will manifest peace and happiness.
You can identify a tree by its fruit
The word of God can appease and soothe
Align your actions with his truth
Then you will be strong because of deep roots.
Have you ever seen an apple on a pear tree? When you see a fruit, you identify the tree as well. In Galatians, the bible talks about the fruits of the Spirit such as love, peace, joy, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control, goodness and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22-23). So, if anyone claims that they are a Christian, they must show at least one of these fruits. We may not have all of them because sometimes we don’t want to cooperate with God, so the fruits don’t come out.
Matthew said that you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. In other words, you can’t say you are a Christian and not follow what Jesus did or what God commands. You can’t call yourself a Christian and not know Jesus’ character or have a relationship with him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me cooperate with you so I can bear fruits.
REFLECTION
What fruit of the Spirit are you still struggling with?
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

RETURN TO GOD!

Posted on January 15, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 15
If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them, do not let them influence you. – Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT)
RETURN TO GOD!
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you drifted away from the Almighty God?
Obey and seek his word; it makes him glad
If you return to him, he will restore you
If you speak his word, he will make you new.
Do not be influenced by the world’s corruption
Seek his Word, follow it, and he will bring revelations
If you use Scriptures, you will be transformed
Speak God’s truth for it is your weapon; your sword.
Some people have turned their backs on God when they can’t see or fathom his truth. Even Jesus’ very own disciple, Thomas, doubted that Christ rose from the dead. Thomas needed a proof to believe that Jesus came back and fulfilled Scriptures. In response to Thomas’ doubt, Jesus said in John 20:29 “Blessed are those who believe even if they don’t see.”
The bible tells us that if we return to God, he will restore us. If we speak good words instead of worthless ones, we will be God’s mouthpiece or spokesman. He promised authority to those who use his word and victory to influence others when we abide in him.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness.
REFLECTION
What part of your life needs restoration?
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

FAITH BRINGS ABOUT BREAKTHROUGHS Poem Devotional

Posted on January 14, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 14
A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family. And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles. – Mark 6:4-5 (NLT)
FAITH BRINGS ABOUT BREAKTHROUGHS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been minimized by your own family?
Did you ever feel ostracized by your community?
Christ was honored everywhere except his own hometown
No need to feel inadequate when people turn you down.
Unbelief hampers breakthroughs and miracles
They can delay progress and pose obstacles
If you believe that Christ can do all things
Success and victory will manifest in everything.
I became a painter by believing that God will grant me my dream of being able to paint. I learned to paint at age thirty one but dreamt about it since I was three years old. I decided to get over my fear of not knowing how to draw or paint by believing that God will show me how to be an artist. After three diligent years of practice, I sold artworks. I wasn’t recognized immediately by my community and family, but after selling over 70 % of artworks in my first exhibit, people believed.
The bible tells us Jesus was a prophet and was honored everywhere else except in his own hometown and among his family and relatives. The unbelief of people hampered breakthroughs and miracles they could have had.
PRAYER
Grant me more faith Lord.
REFLECTION
How can unbelief hamper growth and breakthroughs?
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

PRESS ON DOING GOOD Poem Devotional

Posted on January 12, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 12
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. –Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
PRESS ON DOING GOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Let’s not get tired of doing what is good
God wants us to walk in love and not brood
Whenever circumstances pose challenges
Be brave and openly accept the changes.
If we diligently press on in life
We will have wisdom and see the light
At just the right time, we will harvest
A bounty of blessing will manifest.
What kind of challenges are you facing these days? God doesn’t want you to give up but press on whatever it is he is making you confront. Most of the time, these challenges are given to us to refine us and make us strong and resilient so we could honor and bring his kingdom the glory it so deserves.
The bible tells us to never get tired of doing good. God promises a harvest of blessings when we persevere diligently and endure for him. No matter how grave the situation we are facing, He wants us to embrace and face these trials courageously and constantly depending on him. He will reward those who are pressing on because he himself is faithful to his children.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be thankful always for trials and challenges.
REFLECTION
Why is giving up not an option with an authentic Christian?
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

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Poem Devotional

Posted on January 12, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 11
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone.
–Galatians 6:4 (NLT)
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you work on something
Pay careful attention to what you are doing
Do your best to make the job well done
Then you won’t compare yourself with anyone.
God created each one uniquely different
There is no need to feel insecure and insufficient
Whenever you seek and do what pleases God
You are gratefully exulting and giving him laud.
I had been a very insecure person for the first two decades of my life. I was very shy and felt undeserving or incapable of doing things. It became a problem as I grew up in my teen years because I always felt rejected and minimized by friends and family. I became an approval addict and my own best critique. It blew my view of the world in a very limited way and made me fearful of failure, rejection and criticism.
The bible tells us to pay careful attention to the work we do because it will give us the satisfaction of a job well done and will stop us from comparing ourselves with others or living up to expectations beyond our capacities. Focusing on God when we do things free us from approval addiction.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for my uniqueness.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with differences with others?
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

STAY FREE FROM SLAVERY Poem Devotional

Posted on January 10, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 10
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. – Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
STAY FREE FROM SLAVERY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed Christ, he made you free
Don’t get tied up again in any form of slavery
Make sure you are regularly seeking God’s Word
It makes you have victory over this corrupt world.
Humanity brings about many forms of bondage
If you are a true believer, you have an advantage
The law that used to enslave you has no more power over you
Love rules your life and the Spirit helps you see God’s view.
When you become a born again Christian, you are given the promise of freedom from any fear or form of slavery. That is the reason why Christ died for you. He gave you freedom so you can use it to exercise love and care for each other and not to serve your own purpose.
The bible tells us that Christ has truly set us free. He wants us to stay free and not tied up again in slavery to the law. It means that we don’t have to be legalistic and strictly following it just to appear good. That’s why he summed all laws to “Love God above all, then love your neighbor as yourself.”
PRAYER
Lord, help me when I am being legalistic.
REFLECTION
How can you enjoy freedom God’s way?
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

WORD STAYS FOREVER Poem Devotional

Posted on January 9, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 9
Heaven and earth will disappear but my words will never disappear.
– Matthew 24:35 (NLT)
WORD STAYS FOREVER
A poem and essay by ILMA
All things in this world pass
Our bodies grow old and sag
Our circumstances change
Our points of view range.
Heaven and earth will disappear
God’s word will still be here
If you abide in it, things will be clear
Nothing in this world will bring fear.
The only thing constant in this world is “change.” All physical matters go through change and deteriorate eventually. The book of Ecclesiastes likened our life to a mist. It disappears like it. All the things we work for which we possess can end in an instant. Beauty is momentary. A person grows old and as he or she does, youth is gone and beauty fades away. All the things we cling to are sometimes gone before we know it.
The bible says that heaven and earth will pass away, but the word of God will never disappear. God identifies himself with his word. Scripture is eternal like him. He created the world and mankind using the ”word.” He made everything by breathing “word” to bring it to life. Do we use the “word” to breath with?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your word.
REFLECTION
How often do you use God’s word to bring wisdom into your life? What has the word of God taught you lately?
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

THE WORLD HATES THE GODLY Poem Devotional

Posted on January 8, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 8
The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world, I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
– John 15:19 (NLT)
THE WORLD HATES THE GODLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever get misunderstood by worldly people?
Pay attention to this corrupt world and be careful
If you belong to Christ, you are no longer part of this world
It will start to hate you, twist your beliefs and contradict you.
No matter what the system of the world says
Do not allow yourself to be swayed
Never let it affect your walk with the Lord
Only be concerned with following God’s word.
As a believer, it is challenging to deal with the world. There was always something that offended unbelievers or shallow Christians. Many times, what I say or did offended someone even though I only spoke of the truth from God’s word. Sometimes, little things become so humungous and lead to strife or to a misunderstanding that poisons relationships. I used to be very affected by what others think of me or what I did and God delivered me from that.
The bible says that the world hates the godly. When we become Christians, we are no longer part of the world, so, it hates us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for setting me apart from the world.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with the world’s hatred?
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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