Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional

DEPEND ON GOD’S GRACE Poem Devotional

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September 23________________________________________
We have depended on God’s grace not on our own human wisdom.
– 1 Corinthians 1:12(NLT)
DEPEND ON GOD’S GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you do things on your own understanding?
As a believer, God wants your dependence on Him
To live a life for Christ is to depend on God’s grace
It is not doing things on your own strength.
God created all things and we only live by his grace
Without it, there will be chaos among the human race
Rely only on the mercy and faithfulness from Jesus
He loves you so much and considers you very precious.
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Many people have lived lives of independence and self-reliance. I know some Christians who are totally blind to God’s grace. The world system has corrupted them in thinking that they can apply some worldly concept in truth. I used to go to a church that didn’t understand the truth of depending on God’s grace. It was a performance based church that propagated showing off good deeds and being complacent with growing in the word of God. Some people even use the church to get their own agenda fulfilled. Sad to say that even some pastors and leaders fall into this trap.
The bible tells us that we need to depend on God’s grace and not on our own understanding. When we do things or make decisions, do we allow God’s grace to flow through it?________________________________________PRAYER
Lord, help me to live under your grace and not on my abilities.
REFLECTION
How can a believer be more aware of God’s grace?
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

RESCUE WITHOUT LIMITS Poem Devotional

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September 21________________________________________
He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him and He will continue to rescue us. – 2 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)
RESCUE WITHOUT LIMITS
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
No need to fear for any danger in your life
He is always there to rescue you anytime
Make sure you run to him at all times.
He can save you from any kind of danger
Be close to Him and don’t be a stranger
He rescues without limits to all his children
He will never abandon you until you reach heaven.
________________________________________When I was about nine years old, there was a big earthquake that shook the Philippines so badly. I remember waking up in the middle of the night being rocked on my bed. I shared a bunk bed with my brother and I was on the top part, so I felt the shaking more than him. Because most people were asleep, massive loss of lives was inevitable. Among the 270 people who died, 268 of them were buried alive in a building that collapsed, the Ruby Tower. Of the 261 injured, 260 were from the Ruby Tower as well, some of whom died later on. The search and rescue operations involved around 6,000 volunteers.
The bible tells us that he rescues without limits those whom he loves and we need not fear.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your boundless love that makes you rescue me without limits.
REFLECTION
What’s the basis of God’s unlimited rescue?
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

RELY ONLY ON GOD Poem Devotional

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September 20________________________________________
We expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. – 2 Corinthians 1:9(NLT)
RELY ONLY ON GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a self-sufficient and independent person?
God created us so that we can emulate his Son
When we rely on our own strength and capacity
We are putting him aside and it is hard to have victory.
The Lord is the only person who can raise the dead
Why don’t we follow what his command and word says?
When we constantly rely only on God for everything
We give him honor that is deserving of the Lord Almighty.
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One of the easiest sin we can fall into is being independent. My father taught me how to be self-reliant and ensuring that I rely on my own strength and abilities rather than on others. It was a good thing because it made me a hard working person. On the downside, I had a tendency not to ask for help. I tried to figure out things on my own without relying on anyone. The problem with this is that I became proud of what I accomplish and it got into my head. I didn’t realize that the Lord wanted me to constantly depend on him for everything and anything. Paul said that when we learn to rely on God, a miracle is always possible.
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PRAYER
Lord, guard me from independence and self-sufficiency.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to depend on him for everything?
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

COMFORT BRINGS ENDURANCE Poem Devotional

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September 19________________________________________
For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. – 2 Corinthians 1:6(NLT)
COMFORT BRINGS ENDURANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we go through pain and misery
You may want be alone or long for company
Don’t feel discouraged, reach out to others
Comfort brings strength and patient endurance.
Don’t hesitate to give others comfort
In doing so, you are going to go forth
By being generous to others who need you
It manifests Christ’s presence and a life renewed.
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I grew up in the Philippines where there is much openness and hospitality. It is a good thing and yet it can be an issue with boundaries. Filipinos have an open door policy with friends, neighbors and relatives. Anyone can just drop in your doorstep and regardless of what one is doing, they welcome these visitors and guests. You don’t need an appointment or notification to go visit someone. Filipinos are also very good at comforting others especially the sick, the grieving and those who are going through adversities. When I came to Canada, it was totally different. I learned boundaries because not all people have open door policy. I became more respectful of giving hospitality and comfort. I learned to adjust to the difference in culture and traditions.
The bible says that when we are comforted, we will also receive comforting. It helps us endure our suffering.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be sensitive when I give comfort to others.
REFLECTION
Why do some people feel uncomfortable receiving comfort from others?
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

MERCIFUL & COMFORTING GOD Poem Devotional

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September 17________________________________________
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3(NLT)
MERCIFUL & COMFORTING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
To the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
May all praise be given to Him all your life
He is the only god who forgives you infinitely
Turn your focus on Him who can grant you mercy.
There is no other human who can give you comfort
Only the Father and the Son will bring you forth
Remember to rely only on him for your well-being
He is the only God who can provide for anything and everything.
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¬When my husband and I went through marriage counseling, we bumped into the book “How we Love” by Milan and Kay Yerkovich. Our counselor used this book to address our marriage issues. It mainly focused on the principles of how we love based on the love and we got from our first caregivers. The first thing we were asked was “How were you comforted as a child?” My husband and I apparently couldn’t answer the question or recall any situation when we were given comfort as far back in our childhood that we can remember. It was obvious that we weren’t able to be provided with it. Thus we learned to be independent and self-sufficient. The bible tells us the source of all comfort who is our merciful God.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for comforting me in my pain and grief.
REFLECTION
Why do you think comfort giving is becoming a novelty today?
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

PRIDE DECEIVES Poem Devotional

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September 16________________________________________
You have been deceived by your own pride. – Obadiah 1:3(NLT)
PRIDE DECEIVES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you allow pride to control your life
You are going to be deceived and lose insight
Pride is a sin that will bring about many more
It is like cancer; it brings you down to your core.
Give up this deadly disease or you’ll die
Look up the cross so you can see the light
Jesus died so you can be free from wickedness
Pride roots from evil and selfishness.
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One of the many generational sins that the Lord has freed me from these past six years was pride. It was prevalent in our family and manifests in many different ways. Ambition was one way it showed in our lives. My father and mother worked hard so they can show others that they are better than them. It was almost like competing with others and the more they become good at what they do, the more my parents would ensure that we can live up to their lifestyle. They set such high standards for their children that destroyed them in terms of relational skills. All of my siblings and I struggled very hard in keeping relationships because we were all set up to reach an unreachable and unrealistic standard. Pride has deceived many people and the more we cling to it, the more we feel empty inside.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to choose humility instead of my selfish ambitions.
REFLECTION
How can pride sneak in your life? What ways can it show?
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

FAMINE ON HEARING SCRIPTURES Poem Devotional

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September 15________________________________________
“The time is surely coming” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land-not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.
– Amos 8:11(NLT)
FAMINE ON HEARING SCRIPTURES
A poem and essay by ILMA
There will come a time when people won’t hear Scriptures
People will be focused on satisfying their whims and pleasures
We may have all kinds wealth and all of material possessions
Do we seek God’s word, listen and engage in meditations?
There is a famine on being unable to hear God’s word
The prince of darkness has captured much of this world
What are you doing to ensure that Scriptures is heard?
Do you ensure that the Good News is preached?
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There is much chaos going on in our world today primarily because many people have turned their backs on the Lord and His word. How far do you think would anyone go without nourishment? They would starve and eventually die. So much poverty is prevalent in many parts or the world. Many children die from malnourishment and sickness. Some people get out in the mission field to help these people and ensure that they are not forgotten.
There is another famine that the prophet Amos was prophesying to us. He saw the vision that people will experience a poverty of hearing the truth that comes from the word of God. Isn’t this currently going on now?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to be deaf to your word.
REFLECTION
What makes people unable to hear the truth that comes from Scriptures?
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

EVEN BEFORE YOU CALL Poem Devotional

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September 14________________________________________
I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers. – Isaiah 65:24 (NLT)
EVEN BEFORE YOU CALL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know that God answers even before you call?
You can count on him to save you from your fall
He is always waiting on you to come to him
This is the only way you can overcome sin.
The Lord sees everything at all times
While you are still talking, he provides
Even before you call, he already answered
Run to your faithful God, your heavenly Father.
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I was a telephone operator for a couple of years in the Directory Assistance and Overseas Calls Departments. It was a job that I had right after graduating from Mass Communication Arts degree. I got many compliments as a teenager how my voice sounded well on the telephone. This was way back before computers became popular. We referred to a more complete yellow pages than the public were given. As one of our responsibilities, we were encouraged to memorize frequently asked queries such as hotels, big companies and to facilitate giving them answers. Sometimes, we operators would bet on what is going to be asked to amuse ourselves from boredom and routine.
The bible tells us that even before we call, our God already answered. He doesn’t guess. He knows and responds quickly.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your knowing our needs.
REFLECTION
Why do we still need to pray knowing that God answers even before we call?

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

IDOLATRY INSULTS THE LORD Poem Devotional

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September 13________________________________________
All day long they insult me to my face by worshiping idols. – Isaiah 65:3(NLT)
IDOLATRY INSULTS THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you aware of the idols in your life?
The literally snuff off God’s glorious light
Is it a career or an obsession that steals your time?
What are you idolizing that makes you lose insight?
It insults the Lord when you praise other gods and things
He considers it unfaithfulness and a grave sin
He is a jealous God and he doesn’t want competition
He wants you to make him first, so resist the temptation.
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What is the worst thing one can do when he or she is in a relationship? Unfaithfulness is what breaks and ruins relationships. Why do you think it is so? The bible says that God is love in 1 John 4:8. In Genesis 1:27, we are told that we are made in the image of God. The way God created us is exactly like him. We were not created for betrayal, unfaithfulness and adultery. It is the exact opposite of love. So, when we focus our attention, priorities, time and adulation to someone or something other than the Lord Jesus Christ, we are committing adultery. James 4:4 bluntly calls us adulterers when we become friends with the world. Idolatry is one way that Satan derails us from the straight path to Jesus. It insults the Lord seriously when we worship idols.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from anything that will take away my focus on you.
REFLECTION
What kinds of idols can easily sneak in our lives?
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

REBELLIOUSNESS Poem Devotional

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September 12________________________________________
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes. – Isaiah 65:2 (NLT)
REBELLIOUSNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you oftentimes question and defy things in life?
Have you purposely disobeyed a command of Christ?
The rebellious spirit wants you to go against the Lord
Fight against being bound by it through God’s word.
Do you know that God always waits on you to obey?
He has your welfare look after, that is his way
Do not follow evil paths and crooked plans
You’ll invite trouble if you resist his commands.
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Why are people inclined to rebel instead of obey? Do you notice how children in their innocence still have that tendency to not follow? The spirit of rebelliousness is an aftermath of the first original sin. After the fall of Adam and Eve, we naturally tend to go against rules or laws. The whole theme of the old testament is the rebelliousness of the Israelites against a God who had a good plan for them. This is why it took them forty years to go on a journey to the promised land when it was just an eleven-day travel. Don’t we rebel at some point in our lives? I was freed from this spirit when I became born again. The word of God led me to obey because it was the antidote for it.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord that you are always there to welcome me back when I turn against your will.
REFLECTION
What consequences have you suffered through rebellion?
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