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LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL Poem Devotional

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May 31                                                                                 The Power of God’s Word
If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. –Matthew 10:37 (NLT)
LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL
A poem by ILMA
Do you spend more time honoring your father and mother?
Do you take time to pray and be with your heavenly father?
What preoccupies your mind and heart?
Do you invest in spending time with God or stay apart?
If you love your sons or daughters more than the Lord
You do not deserve to be worthy of his love and his word
Love God above all else and you will reap a harvest
He promised all will be will if you make him first.
There are many kinds of things that we can idolize such as a house or a car that we love so much, but what if it is a loved one that is your idol? When you have a family, it is good to be in a healthy relationship with them, but when you prioritize your parents or children more than God, then you are not worthy of being called God’s people. The bible says that we must put God first in all. His command says that we love him first, then our neighbors as ourselves.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to make you first in everything.
REFLECTION
Why should we prioritize God?

FAITH MAKES YOU RECEIVE THE SPIRIT

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May 28                                                                           The Power of God’s Word
You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. –Galatians 3:2 (NLT)
FAITH MAKES YOU RECEIVE THE SPIRIT
When you received Christ as your savior
You also got his spirit living inside your heart and soul
Faith makes your heart the home of Christ
It protects you from the devil’s tactics and lies.
The spirit of God will teach and guide you
It helps your mind to be aware and renewed
It protects you from going against God’s will
It defends you from the enemy’s ploy to steal.
Ephesians 6:12 says: For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. This means that there is a constant spiritual war that we don’t visually see, but is real. How can we win a battle when we don’t know how the enemy’s strategies? The devil has kept many people living in lies that gave him a foothold on their hearts. They became his slaves.
The bible tells us that faith makes us receive the Spirit of God. It is the first step to allowing the spirit to work and strengthen us to win the spiritual battle of unseen forces. It is the spirit that corrects us and teaches us to do right.
PRAYER
Lord, let your spirit stay in my heart.
REFLECTION
Why is faith essential in salvation?

EXAMINE YOUR WAYS

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May 27                                                                             The Power of God’s Word
Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord. Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven. –Lamentations 3:40-41 (NLT)
When things don’t go well in your life
Do you examine your ways or continually fight?
Do you resort to blaming and pitying yourself?
Why not confess instead and ask God for help.
When rebellion and disobedience dominate your heart
Everything is a struggle no matter where you start
Lift your heart and hands to God in heaven
He will protect and provide you with a haven.
Do you examine your ways on a daily basis? Many people do not reflect on what they think and do. Actions speak out our minds and hearts. Our decisions and reactions are greatly influenced by what preoccupy our minds. If we constantly think of negative things, the results will be destructive choices. On the other hand, if we renew our minds and feed it with the truth that comes from God, we will reap all the promises he has made to us. We will harvest the fruits of the spirit and have peace and joy.
In Lamentations, we are summoned to examine and test our ways and turn back to the Lord. We must lift our hearts and hands to God in prayer and supplication.
PRAYER
Lord, hold captive my heart and mind.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to examine our thoughts and ways regularly?

WISDOM BUILDS, FOOLISHNESS DESTROYS Poem Devotional

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eugenia falls and chasing clouds 579May 26                                                                         The Power of God’s WordA wise woman builds her home but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. –Proverbs 14:1 (NLT)Does love and kindness live in your home?Is perseverance and trust your goals during a storm?A wise woman builds her home with faith and hard workShe’s a foundation that makes this life a better world.Are you obsessed with power and ambition?Does it bring you happiness and more possessions?A foolish woman prioritizes material things that doesn’t lastShe tears down her home with her own hands in a blast.If you have met someone who is very wholesome and intact, that person probably comes from a home where wisdom prevailed. She or he might have been raised by either a wise mother or grandmother. On the other hand, look at the story behind delinquents or criminals. Behind their stories you will probably discover a foolish woman who controlled their lives which contributed to their destructive tendencies.The bible presents to us two kinds of women, the wise one and the foolish one. The wise woman is nurturing and walks in love. She thinks of her family’s welfare. The foolish one is only concerned with herself. She couldn’t care less about other people’s needs. Her independent behavior leads to her home’s destruction and chaos.PRAYERLord, please guide all women to be nurturers and lovers of God.REFLECTIONWhat is the role of women in our society?

GOD IN NATURE Poem Devotional

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May 24                                                                                 The Power of God’s Word
Only fools say in their hearts, ”There is no God.” They are corrupt and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! Psalm 53:1(NLT)
GOD IN NATURE
Tulips gracefully rising, cupping the sun’s light coming out
What a beautiful spring sunny day where birds come about
Leaves sprouting out from the branches of some trees
They finally come to life and survive the severe winter freeze.
Only fools say “There is no God”
The trees, birds and flowers give him laud
God cares and nourishes all his creatures
He manifests himself in all of nature.
Many unbelievers claim that there is no god. They make all kinds of theories of how the universe and everything came about. They concoct all kinds of stories to disprove the existence of God. The enemy has blinded them with lies that appear like truth to them. Their choice to believe these lies deprive them to see that there is a God who is magnificent and has created everything we can’t explain and understand.
Psalm 53 talks about fools that claim there is no God. They are corrupt and choose evil deeds. What will it take for people to believe that there is a higher being who made everything? Just watch the birds, the trees, the flowers, the river, the seas, and the skies. Who can create such magnificence?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your presence in nature!
REFLECTION
Soak yourself in nature and feel God’s presence.

SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT Poem Devotional

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May 23                                                                              The Power of God’s Word
My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me and from finishing his work. –John 4:34 (NLT)
SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
Do you feed on God’s truth and his word?
Are you contented with what is in this world?
Spiritual nourishment comes from doing God’s will
Starving your spirit brings havoc and makes you ill.
Just as your body needs food to keep alive
So does your spirit needs truth to break the lies
Feed your spirit with what will make you see
Seeking and following God’s will is what sets you free.
It is amazing how so many people put so much emphasis on their physical well being. They spend much money being a member of a health club or a gym just so they can look good and stay fit. Sadly, the mental and spiritual health is often neglected by many of us. This is one of the reasons why so many people are mentally or spiritually ill. Because we see our bodies and not our minds and spirit, it is often ignored.
The bible tells us that our nourishment must come from doing God’s will who gave us life. Our purpose in life is not just to care for our bodies, but also to put priority to the real reason for our existence. We were created to fit in God’s big plan.
PRAYER
Lord, help me keep spiritually fit.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to feed our spirits?

LIVING BY GOD’S POWER Poem Devotional

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May 21 The Power of God’s Word
For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
–1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)
LIVING BY GOD’S POWER
Do you live in the standards set by this world?
Do you depend on God’s power shown in his word?
For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk
It is about believing and following Jesus’ walk.
Can you discern the wisdom that God provides?
Do you listen to all the things he reveals and confides?
Living by God’s power is accepting the spirit within
It is by walking in love that we can be free and redeemed.
The world we live in puts much emphasis on “power.” Everyone wants a bite of this power. The clamor for recognition, success, wealth, possessions have all led to a life of corruption and conflict. Each one wants to prove who is better at something. In God’s economy, power is only granted to those who seek the Lord.
It is the power to let go and surrender every need, craving and desire our hearts yearn for.
The bible tells us to live in God’s power. How can we live by his power? We can look at how Jesus lived amongst us. He was the son of God, yet he did not exercise any of his powers, he surrendered to his father’s will.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to humbly surrender.
REFLECTION
Why is humility essential in salvation?

SERVE GOD NO MATTER WHAT Poem Devotional

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monocliff 2011 310May 17                                                                              The Power of God’s Word
We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. – 2 Corinthians 6:8(NLT)
SERVE GOD NO MATTER WHAT
A poem by ILMA
Do you serve God to bring glory and praise?
Continue to be loyal to him, that’s what the bible says
Do you expect honor and recognition for doing so?
The more you must press on when people despise you.
We serve a faithful and loving heavenly father
We ought to bring love to our sisters and brothers
Catering to our agenda is the opposite of serving him
It is by selflessly following his commands that we are redeemed.
The bible tells us that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), either you will hate the one or love the other. Sadly, there are so many people who are confused who to serve. Some try to serve both money and God. No wonder their lives are messed up.
We are asked to serve God whether people honor or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. If we are so concerned to take credit for what we do for God, then we are only fooling ourselves because that is really not serving God but ourselves. Real servants of God are selfless and always points to the source of mercy and grace, the Lord almighty.
PRAYER
Lord, please help me to serve you only.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to be aware who we really serve?

WALK IN LOVE Poem Devotional

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May 16                                                                               The Power of God’s Word
The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
–Micah 6:8 (NLT)
WALK IN LOVE
A poem by ILMA
Whenever you show impartiality
You are walking rightly
Whenever you forgive quickly
You are choosing to give mercy.
Walking in love and humility
Wipes out all conflicts and hostility
It breaks all forms of sins and strongholds
It makes us access God’s promises and grow.
The Mechanicsville paper published an article on the statistics of the effects of broken homes. “Did you know that more than three in ten children grow up in broken homes and children from broken homes account for 70% of those in juvenile detention; 57% of all prison inmates; 63 % of teen suicides; 71% of teen pregnancies; 90% of homeless juveniles and runaways; 71% of high school dropouts; 75% of all drug users; and 85% of behavioral disorders. This is the sad truth about the lack of love in our society.
The bible tells us through the prophet Micah what God requires of us. The message is for all of us to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with him. If we follow these guidelines, we can avoid social diseases in our society.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to walk in your love.
REFLECTION
How can walking in love contribute to a healthy society?

THE GREATEST TEACHER Poem Devotional

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May 15                                                                                   The Power of God’s Word
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you, and leads you along the paths you should follow. –Isaiah 48:17(NLT)
THE GREATEST TEACHER
A poem by ILMA
Do you rely on others to teach and tell you what to do?
There is no one else who knows you through and through
God alone sees your heart, thoughts and intentions
He knows how to handle your trials and tribulations.
The greatest teacher leads you along paths you should follow
He has your best interest at heart and hears your sorrow
Do not lose hope, come to him and he will show you the way
He will confront all your enemies and he will make them pay.
There are many people who can tell you what to do and how to live your life. Do they really know what is good for you? Only God knows our thoughts, feelings and heart. He knows us be name, even before we were born. He knows every strand in our hair (Luke 12:7).
God is all-knowing and all seeing. He invites us to allow him to teach us and lead us to the paths we should take. He is the greatest teacher. When we rely on him for guidance, we are guaranteed a life full of promises and fruits of his spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to consult with you always.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to seek guidance from him?