THE JOY OF GOD’S PRESENCE Poem Devotional

August 27________________________________________
You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
– Acts 2:28(NLT)
THE JOY OF GOD’S PRESENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Once you have accepted Jesus in your life
You will notice the radiance of his glorious light
He fills you with the joy of his presence
He shows you the path to his righteousness.
He will cover all darkness that permeates you
He will transform your mind and make you new
The joy of God’s presence is vital to your growth
Without it, your life will be deprived of peace and joy.
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How do you know if someone is a true believer of Jesus Christ? One of the most remarkable signs of an authentic Christian is the joy that is radiated in his own person. This joy isn’t something someone can fabricate. It is a result of the presence of God in that person’s life. I remember when I heeded the Holy Spirit’s call in my life in my late twenties, it didn’t stop me from experiencing many trials and hardships. In fact, so much adversities poured in my life. What is amazing about God’s presence is that he will never allow you to be defeated by any attacks of the enemy. He equipped me with everything I needed to go through all of it. He showed me the way of life and filled me with his Spirit.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for living inside of me.
REFLECTION
How can we maintain God’s presence inside of us?
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 TREMBLE WHEN HE COMES

August 20________________________________________
As fire causes wood to burn and water to boil, your coming would make the nations tremble. Then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame. -Isaiah 64:2(NLT)
ALL TREMBLE WHEN HE COMES
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Lord is coming back again
All believers he will definitely claim
His power causes all things to tremble
He is the only one who makes all quiver.
As fire causes water to boil and wood to burn
All Christians are promised that he’ll be back again
The enemy will learn the reason for his fame
He will be defeated because Jesus always reigns.
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Have you ever observed how wood burns and water boils? When I was nine years old, our apartment got threatened by a big fire in the nearby market. I watched on our window how the fire progressed and heard all the ticking noises as the wood parts of the market burned. I also smelled the smoke as I witnessed that very huge market burned down to ashes. To this very day, smoke smells still triggers me as I recall my mother who was eight months pregnant carry a ten cubic feet refrigerator by herself to save it from the possible fire that would have hit us. I praise God it didn’t. The traumas of such experience will always be there. When Jesus comes again, all will tremble and the enemy will bow down.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your promise of second coming.
REFLECTION
How can you prepare for the biggest even in life which is Christ’s second coming?
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

POWERFUL PRESENCE Poem Devotional

August 19________________________________________
Oh that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence. – Isaiah 64:1(NLT)
POWERFUL PRESENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Oh Lord, you are all mighty
Give me wisdom to see my destiny
You burst from the heavens to come down
You saved a wretch like me and found.
You are the most powerful presence ever
Your love is highest and it lasts forever
All your creation bows down to your power
They all quake and quiver and cower.
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Have you ever met someone who radiates so much power and attendance? Whenever they come in a room, all eyes are riveted to them and they emit such radiance. There are some people who come and go and nobody notices them at all. They try to do everything to make themselves unnoticed because they don’t want to be looked at. I knew someone who would literally make herself small and invisible so they won’t be seen. Most people who likes to hide from others are usually compensating for their lack of confidence.
The bible talks about the most powerful presence on earth, the Lord Jesus Christ. Each time he walked into a place, he turns heads and get everyone to listen to him. He radiates love and gets anyone instantly captivated by his person. He can command any of his creation to anything he says. What a powerful presence.
PRAYER
Lord, you are awesome. Let me give you praise always.
REFLECTION
How do you respond to God’s presence?
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

PROTECTION FROM SHAME Poem Devotional

August 18________________________________________
Those who trust in me will never be put to shame. – Isaiah 49:23(NLT)
PROTECTION FROM SHAME
A poem and essay by ILMA
At the time you believed in Christ
You put an end to shame in your life
God protects all those who trust him
He makes sure that they overcome sin.
Shame is fabricated by the enemy
He lies so we can question our identity
Trust in the Lord and you won’t have it
He grants discernment from his Holy Spirit.
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As a noun, “shame” is defined as a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior. As a verb it means to make someone feel ashamed. Shame originated from the first fall of man. In Genesis, it described how Adam and Eve hid and covered themselves after being tempted and enticed by the serpent. With shame comes hiding. Because of the strong feeling of humiliation, anyone who have sinned has the tendency to keep things quiet or in secret. Shame only comes as a consequence of sin or it can manifest as a result of someone abusing or projecting something that one person is never good enough.
I had so much shame in my life for over five decades because those whom I related with made sure that I didn’t live up to their expectations. The bible says that those who trust in the Lord will never be put to shame.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for shielding me from shame.
REFLECTION
How can we get rid of shame 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

BRING THE LORD GLORY Poem Devotional

August 17________________________________________
You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory. – Isaiah 49:3(NLT)
BRING THE LORD GLORY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you bring the Lord glory
It manifests you love him faithfully
He called us all to serve him
He wants us to turn our backs to sin.
If you are a follower, you will obey
He wants you to follow what his word says
Serve the Lord wholeheartedly and patiently
You will bring his kingdom all the glory.
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The Lord calls Israel to be faithful servants and to bring him glory. This is not just a command to Israel, but to all who commit to become believers. How do we bring the Lord glory? The bible says that if we seek first his kingdom, all these things will be added unto you in Matthew 6:33. He also said in Deuteronomy 11:13 that we ought to love God and serve him with all our hearts. In John 12:26, it says that whoever want to serve God must follow him, so that the servant will be with the Lord wherever he is and the Father will honor those who serve him.
There were many years of my dark life that I put my whims and pleasures first than God. It did not go well with me. God had to literally strip me off all things that will distract me from making him first.
PRAYER
Lord, let me bring you glory and honor always.
REFLECTION
How can you bring glory to God in this very chaotic world?
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

INFINITE GOD Poem Devotional

August 13________________________________________
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. -Isaiah 40:28(NLT)
INFINITE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t worry about your life too much
You serve an infinite God who cares
He never grows weak or weary
He loves you much faithfully.
He created all things on earth
He is pleased with all that he made
Serve only the God who is endless
There is no other god who is boundless.
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There are many people who have no concept of the infiniteness of the Lord. He alone created the whole universe with his spoken words. No person or other gods can ever do what he did. It is sad to see people live in unbelief and rebellion to an infinite God. He loved us so much and created all things for himself. We were all designed to please him because that is what we were made for. But because of the first fall, we have veered away from the plan that he had for us since the beginning of creation. How can we ever repay a God who did everything for us with such unfaithfulness and lawlessness?
The bible tells us how good our Lord is and how infinite he is. He knows all things. He defeated death by dying on the cross for us and redeeming us from the debt of sin. He never grows weak or weary.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me meditate you’re your infinite mercy, glory and love for us.
REFLECTION
How can you give praise to an infinite God like 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

THE GODLY OUTLIVES EVIL Poem Devotional

August 12________________________________________
When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall. – Proverbs 29:16 (NLT)
THE GODLY OUTLIVES EVIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
The righteous people can discern evil
They see the tactics of the enemy
When the wicked are in authority
People witness sin flourishing.
Even if wickedness thrives
The word of God is alive
The godly outlives evil
God wins over the devil.
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Many unbelievers question how God can allow evil to thrive in parts of our lives. Some Christians lost their way because they couldn’t understand how the Lord permits wickedness in this world. What they do not understand is that God is still in control and that when someone believes him he can work on their weaknesses and use it to exercise his authority.
The bible says that the Spirit who lives in us is greater than the one who lives in this world in 1 John 4:4. We also know the truth that the ruler of this world is not from God in John 14:30. The evil one rules in this life that we live in. A lot of us do not see these evil forces because they are not visible to our naked eyes. As long as we are alive in this world, we will deal with the evil around us. God promised that the godly will outlive the evil around them because God is with them.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on you when evil comes my way.
REFLECTION
How can we stay pure in this wicked world?
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 DISCIPLINE OR NOT TO Poem Devotional

August 11________________________________________
To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. – Proverbs 29:15(NLT)
TO DISCIPLINE OR NOT TO
A poem and essay by ILMA
When a child is disciplined at a young age
He will learn to be wise and brave
It is good for parents to implement discipline
It keeps them righteous and win over sin.
When you don’t discipline a child
You are actually ruining their lives
A child out of control brings dishonor
He will be selfish and out of control.
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When I was growing up, they put more emphasis on discipline. Parents were very particular how their children behaved especially in public or when there were guests coming to their homes. It was of utmost importance that they were respectful and have good manners. I think that discipline is become a novelty nowadays in our society. I remember clearly how we are going to get punished when we didn’t follow right conduct. Most youth juvenile delinquent are product of undisciplined children. Because they weren’t corrected early in life, they will do what they please and will not learn to submit to authority.
The bible says that when we discipline our children, they learn to be wise. It is one of the best things we can give our offspring so that they will thrive in life. It is a shame to see undisciplined children and youth who later on becomes problems in society.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to accept correction from you openly.
REFLECTION
Why is correction essential in a person’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

THOSE WHO CARE FOR THE POOR Poem Devotional

August 10________________________________________
The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all.
– Proverbs 29:7(NLT)
THOSE WHO CARE FOR THE POOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are righteous are concerned with the poor
They care for them and cling to the Lord and stay faithful
The godly takes accountability for each other
The wicked never thinks about their sisters and brothers.
Those who care for the poor will be granted blessings
We are all instructed to look after God’s people
Be sensitive to others’ needs and you will be blessed
Forget the poor in Spirit and you will regress.
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My country of origin is the Philippines. Poverty is rampant everywhere. The gap between the rich and the poor is so huge that the rights of the poor are almost minimized. I was brought up by my mother to treat the poor as equal. Even though we had helpers at home as I was growing up, she made sure that we did our chores and treated them well. We were instructed to treat them like family. I love that about my mother. She had the heart for the poor and was always helping them. I think I learned this virtue from her. Even at a very young age, I had the passion to help and look after those who are marginalized. The bible tells us to care for the poor.
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PRAYER
Lord, bring me an opportunity to help others especially the poor.
REFLECTION
How can one develop a sensitivity to the needs of the poor?
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

WHEN YOU WALK IN WISDOM Poem Devotional

August 9________________________________________
Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
– Proverbs 28:26(NLT)
WHEN YOU WALK IN WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who believe only in their own insight
They are in for trouble in this life
When you walk in wisdom
You will always have freedom.
Pursue wisdom and you will be safe
Turn your back on it and you will fail
Always run to the truth that comes from Christ
Then you will always have the best insight.
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There are many people who want to know a lot of things. The big irony is that the more they crave for the things of this world, the more they get in bondage to pride. I know a lot of people who love to accumulate information and boast about it to others. They never give due credit to the Lord who gave them all. It is the Lord who is the source of all knowledge and without him, we cannot thrive and be safe.
There were many years of my life that I relied on my own insight. I wanted to prove to most people that I had it all and that the intelligence I had was something I worked hard for. I never acknowledged the Lord for all that I knew. When I became born again, I was given truth which made me learn humility and granted wisdom from his word.
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PRAYER
Lord, please keep me humble so I can discern your will.
REFLECTION
What happens when you walk in wisdom?
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