THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SPIRIT poem devotional

December 29
________________________________________
Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. – John 14:19-20(NLT)
THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When God the Father sent his Son to save
He wants to give us a clean slate
When Christ was born in the world
God’s Spirit was manifest in the Word.
When Christ died, they can no longer see him
He sacrificed his life to free us from sin
God promised his Spirit to live in our hearts
He wants us to believe his promises from the start.
________________________________________
The greatest miracle on earth is when Jesus was born of a virgin birth and when he died and was resurrected as promised in Scriptures many years before he was born. His disciples were worried when Christ was about to be crucified. They were saddened thinking that they are losing their master whom they have followed all those years. They were almost disillusioned that he will soon leave them. Jesus reassured them that despite his absence, they will be able to do things through God’s Spirit. He will live in their hearts and that his resurrection will indicate that He is with God and yet he is in each one of all those who believe him.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Thank you for dying for me and empowering me through your Spirit.
REFLECTION
How can you ensure the Spirit lives in you?
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

ROOM IN THE FATHER’S HOME poem devotional

December 27
________________________________________
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? – John 14:1(NLT)
ROOM IN THE FATHER’S HOME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t worry and don’t be troubled for you are covered
When you believe in Christ, he will bring you favors
There is more than enough room in the Father’s home
Thank God for he will never abandon you or let you roam.
Jesus prepares your room in his Father’s kingdom
Guard your hearts so you can walk in freedom
He is waiting for you to join him in eternity
Are you walking in love in order to have victory?
________________________________________
Have you ever been admitted to the hospital and waited for so long to be given a room in that situation? When I was in labor for my only child’s birth, the hospital was so full that I had to literally share a bed with someone, until there were enough room to accommodate us. It was the height of much sickness and women giving birth that time. I felt so insignificant and cried knowing that I was sharing not just a room but the bed as well. The bible tells us that there is more than enough room for those who love God in his kingdom.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for making room for me in your home.
REFLECTION
What have you done to ensure your place in God’s kingdom?
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

THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE Poem Devotional

December 26
________________________________________
Grace, mercy and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father- will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3(NLT)
THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH AND LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To all those who live in truth and love
You will receive grace from the Father up above
Mercy and peace will be granted to you as well
It shows how God is faithful to those who dwell.
Continue to live in God’s will and you will have deep roots
Don’t ever compromise your heart and you’ll harvest fruits
The Father will abide to those who follow and obey
He will live in your heart if you do what he says.
________________________________________
There is a big reward to those who are faithful in abiding in God’s truth and love. Grace is underserved favor. It is true that we automatically receive grace when we believe in Christ, but he also rewards those who faithfully abides and follow his commands. Some Christians lack an understanding about how God sees faithfulness. Devotion is one of his characteristics, so if you show faithfulness and steadfastness, he will surely grant you this undeserved favor, forgiveness and peace. There were times in my life that I didn’t live in truth and love. It opened the door to many sins and deprived me of peace and joy.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being faithful and merciful to a sinner like me.
REFLECTION
Why is living out God’s truth and love essential in a Christian’s 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

GLORY OF GOD IN THE SON Poem Devotional

December 25
________________________________________
So the Word became human, and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
– John 1: 14(NLT)
GLORY OF GOD IN THE SON
A poem and essay by ILMA
God was with Mary and Joseph as they traveled
Despite the threat to his life, he was safely delivered
When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem in a manger
The Word became human in the midst of danger.
At Christ’s birth, we saw the glory of God in the Son
He was full of faithfulness, mercy and unfailing love
Magnify the gift of love given to us by God through Christ
Give him praise and worship him all throughout your life.
________________________________________
All throughout the bible, God has never shown himself to any man. But when Jesus Christ was born, we actually saw him in person. In John 1:14, we are told that the Word (who is Christ himself) became one of us. This is one of the greatest mystery that God showed us. He brought Jesus who was God and was born of virgin birth in uncertain and dangerous times. Despite the many years that God has avoided showing himself to mankind, he also brought himself to us through Jesus Christ so we would be able to relate with him as we would to him. God’s full glory is manifest in his son Jesus.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Thank you for showing yourself to us through Christ.
REFLECTION
How has Jesus clearly manifested himself in your 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

NEWBORN KING Poem Devotional

December 24
________________________________________
About that time, some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2(NLT)
NEWBORN KING
A poem and essay by ILMA
There were three wise men who searched
They humbled themselves to give Christ praise
Who would ever think that they would bow down?
This baby in swaddling cloths they finally found.
“Where is the newborn king?”, they asked
They followed God’s instructions through the star
They kneeled and gave him gifts in adoration
They were humbled by this story of salvation.
________________________________________
Many stories about the wise men were said for thousands of years. These stories focused on the gifts they gave to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6).
The great thing about these wise kings is that they travelled far to come and give this baby Jesus the honor and praise that he so deserved. They followed God’s lead through the star and witnessed God’s promise of salvation.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget giving you honor.
REFLECTION
How can we show others that we honor the Lord Jesus?
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

LET US WITNESS! Poem Devotional

December 23
________________________________________
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.
-Luke 2:15(NLT)
LET US WITNESS!
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord called on the lowly shepherds to witness
They became part of the story of the birth of Jesus
When the angels came to tell them of this big event
They immediately ran to behold this magnificence.
They said to each other “Let’s witness to this birth”
It is the good news that brings us joy and peace
They watched in awesome wonder this baby
They praised the Lord for being part of history.
________________________________________
If you were given a chance to be witness to an event which would be historical, would you miss it at all? I am so blessed that in my lifetime, I have had many occasions to observe the many changes in our world today. In my country of origin, the Philippines, I was able to partake of the changes in the political corruption that had been going on for many years. I saw the transition of our word to technology and information eras. I also am witnessing the explosion of God’s word and the Good News these days.
When the shepherds were invited to come and see the greatest thing that will happen, they didn’t have second thoughts. They witnessed and shared it to others.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn down an occasion to witness for you.
REFLECTION
Why is witnessing an integral part of our Christian 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

SMALL YET BIG Poem Devotional

December 22
________________________________________
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.
– Micah 5:2 (NLT)
SMALL YET BIG
A poem and essay by ILMA
Not all good things come in big parcels
Some may be hidden in small packages
Christ came from a very insignificant town
Yet there it was where the ruler of Israel was found.
He may have come from small beginning but big ending
His purpose in mankind is to grant them salvation and mercy
Do not look down on what is small and inconsequential
It may be used for the things that are most reverential
________________________________________
Our society look down on poor people, simpletons, uneducated, weak people. Yet, God chose a very insignificant small town such as Bethlehem to bring Jesus to us. Why would he do such thing? In 1 Corinthians 1:27, God chose things that the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they re wise and chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. He wants to show us all that he is the only one who is powerful and that no one can fully understand how he is and how he operates. If we do, then there is no more need for faith. Don’t look down on small things for they may deliver something really big.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for putting us in our humble place.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God chose small things to grant us big things?
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

HUMBLE KING COMES poem devotional

December 21
________________________________________
O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey. -Zechariah 9:9(NLT)
HUMBLE KING COMES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Rejoice! There’s good news to mankind!
A king comes very humble, riding in a donkey
He has been born from a poor family
Yet he is righteous and brings us victory.
The Lord Jesus Christ was given to us
God wants to free us from sin very fast
There is no time to waste, let’s abide in Him
It is the only way we can overcome sin.
________________________________________
Jesus came to this world and defied all traditions. He didn’t follow the ways of all the kings in the world. He chose to be born of a poor family instead of living in a palace and having all the worldly riches. No king has ever been born in a feeding trough for animals. No king was wrapped in swaddling cloths. No king had shepherds and lowly people witness his birth. Most of all, no other king was born of a virgin mother. That was a big dishonor for the traditions of his time. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says that, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. What a humble king we have in Jesus.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me not to be afraid to go against human traditions.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God breaks traditions?
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

THE GIFT OF AUTHORITY poem devotional

December 20
________________________________________
They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star. -Revelations 2:28(NLT)
THE GIFT OF AUTHORITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you commit a life to Jesus Christ
You will begin to see things through his eyes
God will grant you authority as He gave Jesus
He blesses the faithful; to him they are precious.
They will have authority in Jesus’ name
The Lord will protect and provide for his children
Use your authority to overcome the enemy
He will grant if you ask and you’ll have victory.
________________________________________
So many believers are living lives of defeat instead of victory because most of them do not know the gift of authority given to them as soon as they commit to Jesus Christ. I used to be one of these ignorant Christians. I allowed the devil to toss and turn me around. I had the authority but since I didn’t know it, I never used it. I praise God that he has revealed to me that I do have dominion over the enemy. Luke 10:19 says “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”. What a promise for all those who love him. When I got this revelation, I began to use and exercise my authority in Jesus’ name.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for the authority you gave me as you gave Jesus.
REFLECTION
How can we exercise dominion over the enemy in this modern age?
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

TO THE OBEDIENT Poem Devotional

December 19
________________________________________
To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end. To them I will give authority over all the nations. -Revelations 2:26(NLT)
TO THE OBEDIENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you choose a path of obedience to God
You are showing your devotion and bringing him laud
God promises victory to all who obey his instructions
He gives them authority over all the nations.
Continue to follow all of God’s commands
You will find favor in going through life’s demands
Stay faithful to the truth that will set you free
The Lord will anoint you and you will have peace.
________________________________________
One of the strongholds in my family of origin is rebellion and stubbornness. I learned to be a rebel since I was a young girl. I didn’t know it was a sin that my whole family struggled with because no one was a born again Christian. No one read the bible to know the truth that will set us free. We all followed our own desires and ambitions without any reverence to what the Lord wants for us. Disobedience made my life very challenging because I didn’t even count all the blessings I was receiving. I was blinded by my selfish nature and was just concerned with satisfying my cravings. The bible promises victory to the obedient and God gives them dominion over all nations. When we obey, we show that we love the Lord.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, let me never be disobedient to your will.
REFLECTION
Who were the best example in the bible of obedience? How did God repay their faithfulness?
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