June 22________________________________________
But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.
-Matthew 27:14 (NLT)
THE POWER OF SILENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
How do you respond to an allegation?
Do you defend yourself without hesitation?
Do you flare up in anger in response to accusations?
Do you resist to react to lies that lead to rejection?
When Jesus Christ was betrayed and persecuted
Like a lamb, he was silent and never reacted
No matter how much charges they hurled at him
He made no response and didn’t give in to sin.
________________________________________
What do you do when someone slander you or accuse you of something you never did? Before I was a born again Christian, I used to react instantly without thinking. I learned to be reactionary from someone I lived with for so many years. This is why the bible cautions us to stay away from angry people because we can easily learn their ways. Words rain from my mouth when someone spread lies and rumors about me. I always confront people when they attack me. I had a friend, who never said a word whenever people say negative things about him and I used to tell him, that he needs to fight for his right. God dealt with my reactions one day.
Jesus was a great example of the power of silence. He never made a response to all the charges against him. He prayed for them instead.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to forgive instantly.
REFLECTION
How do you respond to accusations?
________________________________________
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
Tag Archives: ilmaarts.com
KEY TO LIFE Poem Devotional
June 21________________________________________
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. – Deuteronomy 30:20 (NLT)
KEY TO LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been living life to the fullest?
Are you walking on the path to happiness?
Make a choice to serve the Lord your God
You will find peace and joy if you bring him laud.
Commit yourself firmly to Jesus Christ
Serving and obeying him the key to your life
It is in him that you will have wisdom and insight
Only in Christ can you be godly and be right.
________________________________________
Have you ever pondered how you live your life? I lived many decades of my life feeling empty and always running. I didn’t know that the cause of such emptiness is because I didn’t obey the Lord and commit myself to him fully.
How many people live their lives without knowing the key to it? Many just go through the motions of life without even giving it a thought. The philosopher Socrates said “An unexamined life is not worth living.” I agree with this saying. There is a thin line between a meaningful life and a worthless one. Obeying and committing yourself to the Lord is the key to life according to the bible. It is the dividing line that makes the difference between a full and an empty life.
PRAYER
Lord, fill my life with you.
REFLECTION
Where is the direction of your life going?
________________________________________
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
IN JESUS poem devotional
June 20________________________________________
Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. –John 16:33 (NLT)
IN JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you experiencing challenges and suffering?
Is there a trial that you are currently undergoing?
Here on earth, you will have sorrows and pain
Don’t give up; believe in Christ and you will gain
He came and lived like you to overcome this world
He summons you to seek God and be in the word
In Jesus, you can have victory over the enemy
In Christ, you will find light and life through eternity.
________________________________________
I lived for over four decades of my life thinking that I am the only one who can make my dreams and ambitions possible. I had no clue that I was never in control because it is only my creator who has the say in all that happens to me. The great thing about God is that he gave us “free will” and we can either use it for his glory or for our own selfish gains. When we use this gift of choice for our own purpose, we bear the consequence of that selfishness. When it is used to bring his kingdom glory, we reap a harvest of blessings and joy in our lives. The bible says we will have trials and sorrows here on earth, but if we do everything in Christ, we will overcome the world.
PRAYER
Lord, let me only serve you.
REFLECTION
What have you overcome in life when you did it in Jesus’ name?
________________________________________
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
RESCUED FROM EVIL Poem Devotional
June 19________________________________________
Jesus gave his life for our sins just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. –Galatians 1:4 (NLT)
RESCUED FROM EVIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
We live in a world full of evil
Where pain and suffering is real
Many of us are bonded to sin
But Christ has no sin in him.
Jesus gave his life to recue us
He freed us from bondage and lust
He paid a high price on the cross
Are you accepting him or staying lost?
________________________________________
Rescue is defined as saving someone from a distressing situation. I lived in the Philippines for 43 years and had witnessed a lot of calamities such as earthquakes, typhoons, fires, and illnesses and accidents. After being exposed to such disasters, one becomes immune to the effects of helplessness and trauma brought about by such experience. You learn to live on survivor mode almost always. When I came to Canada, it was a long time before I actually learned to relax and let go. What I didn’t realize was the aftermath of all those traumas on my whole being. It made me a very independent and self-sufficient person, never depending on anyone but myself. It made me distrustful and always watching my back. Jesus rescued us from this evil world when he died. He obeyed God’s plan to wipe all our sins and be born again.
PRAYER
Remind me to ask your help always, Lord.
REFLECTION
What bondages and sin have God rescued you from?
________________________________________
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
PRAYER FOR RESTORATION Poem Devotional
June 18________________________________________
Restore me to the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels and they will return to you. – Psalm 51:12-13 (NLT)
PRAYER FOR RESTORATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, forgive me for all of my transgressions
Give me a repentant heart so I can have salvation
Restore me and free me from all my iniquities
Help me to focus on you amidst trials and adversities.
Renew my mind and heart so I can be free
Help me to seek your word so I can see
Bless me as I humbly repent and confess
Bring me back to you and never digress.
________________________________________
When a calamity has just destroyed a house, it takes a lot of time to actually deal with the damages. We clean it up first and take an inventory as to how much loss the disaster brought about. Then we sit down and calculate how we are going about repairing against what our budgets can afford. After the declaration of the state of the catastrophe, sometimes it takes a while before we can go through the motions of the restoration. We go through a state of shock and some people stay long in the point and they become immobilized by the trauma. Going through a calamity is just like being beaten up by the enemy. In Psalm 51, David prays for restoration after many years of unconfessed sins.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a contrite heart.
REFLECTION
What is the importance of confessing a sin?
________________________________________
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
Beauty for Ashes poem devotional
June 17________________________________________
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. – Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)
BEAUTY FOR ASHES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you mourning over losing someone?
Have you been enslaved by anyone?
How much have you been suffering in this life?
There’s hope for those who cannot see the light.
God promised a crown of beauty for ashes
Jesus received beatings and so many lashes
He died so that sinners can be redeemed
Be joyful, he saved us and cleared us of sin.
________________________________________
It is not hard to feel despair in this wicked and chaotic world we live in. There are so many hopeless and lonely people. I used to be one when I was bonded to sin. What is ironic is that I thought I was saved but then my life was still full of discontent and longings. I did everything to satisfy my cravings and to provide for all my needs. I didn’t’ realize that Christ had already died for me and that I am free from the darkness of sin. I didn’t have to do anything for him to love me more. He already does and he has died for me already.
The bible talks in Isaiah about the promise of God to those who mourn. He will replace their sorrow with a crown of beauty. He will deliver them from despair.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to despair.
REFLECTION
Relate a time when you were delivered from hopelessness.
________________________________________
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 BECAUSE OF OBEDIENCE Poem Devotional
June 16________________________________________
And through your descendants, all nations of the earth will be blessed, all because you have obeyed. – Genesis 22:18 (NLT)
ALL BECAUSE OF OBEDIENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you struggle following God’s commands?
Has there been much trials from life’s demands?
All because of one man’s obedience
Abraham became God’s preference
Because he followed without question
God made him father of all nations
When obedience becomes paramount
Blessings will be poured out in much amount.
________________________________________
Obedience is defined as compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority. Obedience is very important in families, organization, companies, and in our relationships. Without it, chaos, confusion, rebellion and conflicts. When children do not obey their parents, consequences of their wrong actions rebound on them. When Christians do not follow God’s commands, they separate themselves to him through sin. No wonder, God made a big deal of obedience. He chose Mary to be the mother who bore Jesus because of her obedience. Joseph became the father of Jesus because he obeyed the instructions of the angel to marry the virgin mother of Christ.
The bible talks about the aftermath of Abraham’s obedience. He became the vehicle for which the people of God became blessed. He was the epitome of faith because he was able to obey God even if it involved giving up his most beloved son, Isaac. As a result. God made him father of all believers.
PRAYER
Lord, instill in me an obedient spirit.
REFLECTION
What hinders you from obeying God’s will?
________________________________________
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
JESUS GIVES LIFE Poem Devotional
June 14________________________________________
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me. Yet you refuse to come to me to this life. – John 5:39-40 (NLT)
JESUS GIVES LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Give your life and surrender to Jesus
He will give you wisdom in all seasons
He is the one that the Scriptures point to
He brings us life, joy, peace and truth.
Whenever you run to his word
You will know how to overcome the world
Jesus gives light to those who are confused
There will be no eternal life to those who refuse.
________________________________________
There are many people who live in darkness almost all their whole lives. It is sad to watch people wallow in sin and confusion when they can always have a choice for a better life. The enemy blinds those who do not believe God that is why we are always encouraged to grow our faith so that we can overcome the lies that are perpetuated by the enemy. I have trouble understanding why people would not want a better life for themselves. So many of us live in darkness and do not want to let go of something we have been so used to.
The bible says that Scriptures point only to Jesus. It is only in Christ that we can have eternal life, but so many refuse to receive this gift that he lovingly offers to all.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your Son.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people refuse the life Jesus offers.
________________________________________
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
REBORN IN CHRIST Poem Devotional
June 9________________________________________
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. –John 1:12-13 (NLT)
REBORN IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
To anyone who believes in the power of Christ
They will have a renewed heart and eternal life
They are reborn not with a physical birth
They are stronger and cannot easily be hurt.
Believers will be considered God’s children
They will not allow the enemy to hinder
Being born again in spirit will lead to victory
It will equip them with power and authority.
________________________________________
When I first heard the word “born again” in my early twenties, I thought it was a spiritual movement. Because I didn’t read the bible then, I had no understanding of the actual meaning of it. Until God gave me revelation to discern what it meant in my life, I had no clue what it really meant to be reborn in Christ.
One day, as I was reading my daily bible devotionals, I thought of searching for the meaning of being born again. After much study on it, I realized that I was already born again even before I got a revelation because I have always believed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My mind was renewed and I saw things just like how God would see it.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving me new life.
REFLECTION
What changes occurred in you after being born again?
________________________________________
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
WITH PURPOSE Poem Devotional
June 8________________________________________
So I run with purpose in every step, I am not just shadow boxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NLT)
WITH PURPOSE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know, where you are going to?
Focus on God who gives what is true
Do you have a goal that you’d like to reach?
Does it align with what Scriptures teach?
Live life with determination and tenacity
It will give you strength and bring you victory
A purposeful life will draw you closer to Christ
It will keep you focused on him and win the fight.
________________________________________
Shadow boxing is to spar with an imaginary opponent. It is used in the training for combat sports, especially as its name implies, in boxing. It aims to prepare the muscles before the person training engages in stronger physical activity. I used to do this when I did boxing fitness. It engages all your muscles to be lively and keep your reflexes up and about.
Paul talks to the Corinthians about the importance of a life with purpose. He tells them the significance of not just physical training but emphasized that spiritual training is valuable. He doesn’t want people to do shadow boxing in their lives, but he tells them to run with purpose in every step.
PRAYER
Lord, take my hand in every step I make.
REFLECTION
What is your spiritual purpose in 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