November 28
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Those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. -Psalm 34:10(NLT)
TRUST IN THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you believe that God is taking care of you?
He wants your pure heart and a mind that is new
If you trust in the Lord with all your heart and soul
He will provide give you a life that will overflow.
If you have confidence that he will supply
You won’t lack any good thing in your life
Continue to depend on the Lord for everything
He will grant your requests and in all good things.
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Where or who do we put our trust into? Is it in your strength or in people that you rely on? I had a big issue with trust. I grew up being let down by all those people who was supposed to be my caregivers. I didn’t have a safe environment. Being constantly criticized by those who claim they love you is a very unhealthy environment for a very young child. In a loving family, there is affirmation and positive environment, so the child learns to trust and grow into a loving person. When a child is neglected and emotionally abused, safety is a rarity. That child learns to fend for himself and not rely on anyone. The bible tells us to trust in the Lord and we will lack no good thing.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to depend on you for all things.
REFLECTION
Why is trusting the Lord 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
November 27
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Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
-Psalm 34:9(NLT)
GETTING ALL YOUR NEEDS MET
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to get all your needs met?
Fear the Lord and he will grant all of them
If you expect humans to satisfy your necessities
You will be let down, they won’t think it is necessary.
Humans are restricted unlike God who is limitless
If you revere him, you will experience his faithfulness’/>
He provides for all his people and gives them provision
Why not rely on him for all your needs and wisdom?________________________________________
I think that not everyone have their needs met. In my opinion, I think if our needs are all met, we won’t have much crime, mental illnesses, broken relationships and a corrupted society. Much studies have been made over the hierarchy of our needs and the different needs of the various stages of our life cycle. I had a tough childhood because as I was growing up, people focused more on the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing and maybe education in my country of origin. The emotional, mental and spiritual needs were not something people focused on that time.
The bible says that if we fear the Lord and we are righteous, we will be satisfied because the Lord will meet all our needs. So, why do we expect man to fulfill what only God can?
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PRAYER
Thank you for providing for all my needs, Lord.
REFLECTION
Why do we have unrealistic expectations from people we are in relationship with?
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
November 26
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O Lord, I give my life to you, my God.-Psalm 25:1 (NLT)
LIFE OFFERING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Today, I re-commit my entire life to you
You knitted me together in my mother’s womb
I was held in your arms as soon as I was born
You were my God from that moment on
It’s been a long journey of pain and sorrow
But I want to look forward to a bright tomorrow
Thank you for dying for me so I can be free
Help me meditate on your truth so I can always see
Allow me to put on my new self and let the old die
I welcome the new creation, the one living for Christ
Thank you for using me to spread the gospel
I am grateful for your Spirit, my great helper
I receive your anointing as I am baptized today
O give my mind, body and spirit to you in every way
Hold me tight in your unfailing love and never let me go
May I give back that passion that you generously sowed?
My heart burns with much love for you my Lord
I put on the new self so I can overcome this world.
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Do you remember how you first vowed to love someone? It is sad how we easily forget the passion we had for Christ when we first committed our life to him. Be on fire for him.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never lose my passion for you
REFLECTION
Why is it important to never be complacent in your relationship with the Lord?
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
November 25
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Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love. For you are merciful O Lord. -Psalm 25:7(NLT)
THE REBELLIOUS SINS OF YOUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been a rebellious youth?
It is foolish to be lawless, it is uncouth
When you commit to the Lord
Seek his counsel in his word.
Ask forgiveness for sins when you were young
He will give you mercy and correct your wrong
He faithfully loves you and will be merciful
Confess and repent and don’t be a fool.
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In this psalm, King David pleads the Lord not to remember those days that he was rebellious. It is amazing how confidently he asks the Lord just like a child would ask his father or mother for something. David is after God’s heart. He opens his heart to God with so much honesty. This is probably why God gave him so much favor. He seeks God in everything he does and consults him, especially when it comes to dealing with his enemies. He talks to God and reminds him of his character and promises and God loves that. He wants us to run to him for little or big things. David knew his weaknesses especially in his youth but he wasn’t hesitant to ask God favor for he knows how God’s unfailing love is.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always remember to open up my heart to you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think rebellion is something God despises?
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
November 24
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Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions. – 1 Samuel 2:3(NLT)
THE GOD WHO KNOWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you think you can get away with anything?
Watch out for God knows everything
Stop acting proud and being haughty
He judges your action if you are naughty.
There is a God who sees and knows all
Why would you want to choose to fall?
No matter how much you run or hide it
God will convict you through his Holy Spirit.
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There are some people who think they can get away with things they do in secret and cover up their wrongdoing. They can maybe deceive someone for a while but there is a God who knows and sees everything. I was made to hide many wrong things that I witnessed as a child so that the name of the family will be preserved. It was almost like a norm to cover up the family’s secrets and sins and it was taboo to even talk about it. People were afraid to be looked down or criticized by their neighbors or friends. They put up an act that they are good and perfect people. The bible says that when you are proud and arrogant, the Lord sees it. You will reap what you sow.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to give up my pride and follow your humble example.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God punishes the proud?
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
November 22
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The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this book of instructions, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. -Deuteronomy 30:10(NLT)
ON DELIGHTING THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a passion for knowing God?
Do you seek his word and give him laud?
The Lord your God will delight if you obey
He wants you to hear all that he has to say.
His commands are written in his book
You can read for yourself and look
Meditate on his word day and night
Then you will bring the Lord much delight.
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So much of our time are wasted on trying to please the wrong people. Shouldn’t we prioritize pleasing God instead of humans? When we seek human approval, we will be disappointed at some time of our lives. I was an approval addict for many years and I didn’t realize that I was putting much stress on myself until I became so sick for many months. I placed much pressure on myself to live up to expectations of my family members and those I am in relationship with but I didn’t seek God’s approval.
The bible tells us that there is a way to delight the Lord. It is by hearing his voice and keeping his instructions followed.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to prioritize seeking your approval instead of humans.
REFLECTION
How can you develop a habit of seeking to please and delight God?
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
November 21
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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 YOUR LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know the purpose of your life?
Are you walking in God’s light?
The key to your life is to choose the Lord
You must obey and bring him laud.
Seek the Lord and study his word
It will help you navigate this world
Commit yourself to him regularly
You will receive favor and blessings daily.
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Many people live their lives without knowing their purpose. The Lord inspired many writers to compile his words so that we can be guided as to the meaning of our lives. How do you know your destiny? God created us all so that we can become like him. He is love and our default setting is to love. If we don’t operate in love, we lose sight of what it the meaning of our lives.
The key to life is to make a choice to love God, obey and commit to him all your entire body, mind, soul, spirit. When we do this, we get a clearer picture of how he operates. He is totally different from what the world says or dictates. If you want you gain success in anything, you need to commit yourself to God so he can fulfill his promise in your life.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never lose sight of my purpose in your kingdom.
REFLECTION
How have you manifested your commitment to the Lord?
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
November 20
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To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. – Proverbs 12:1(NLT)
KEY TO LEARNING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to be a wise person?
You must not just rely on human reason
To learn, you must love discipline
It is the key to progress and to win.
If you hate correction, you are foolish
When you don’t want it, you will be losing
Discipline is the key to learning
It teaches you to keep on persevering.
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One of the values that I learned from my family is “discipline.” Though I didn’t like it when I was being corrected at the beginning of my young life, I learned to appreciate it later when I became an adult. Most of my classmates and friends struggled at following deadlines and implementing a structure to follow through when they take on a task or project. It made me learn to obey even if I didn’t want to or had no idea why I needed to do it. When I was a high school teacher, it was rare to see students living disciplined lives.
Discipline made me become a self-taught artist which later on bore fruit with over 400 painting sales. “Mistakes” was also a good teacher to me because when I commit an error, it makes me do better the next time. The bible says that discipline is key to learning and it is foolish to hate correction.
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PRAYER
Lord, teach me to always choose a disciplined life.
REFLECTION
Why do you think discipline can bring wisdom and blessings?
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 November 20
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To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. – Proverbs 12:1(NLT)
KEY TO LEARNING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to be a wise person?
You must not just rely on human reason
To learn, you must love discipline
It is the key to progress and to win.
If you hate correction, you are foolish
When you don’t want it, you will be losing
Discipline is the key to learning
It teaches you to keep on persevering.
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One of the values that I learned from my family is “discipline.” Though I didn’t like it when I was being corrected at the beginning of my young life, I learned to appreciate it later when I became an adult. Most of my classmates and friends struggled at following deadlines and implementing a structure to follow through when they take on a task or project. It made me learn to obey even if I didn’t want to or had no idea why I needed to do it. When I was a high school teacher, it was rare to see students living disciplined lives.
Discipline made me become a self-taught artist which later on bore fruit with over 400 painting sales. “Mistakes” was also a good teacher to me because when I commit an error, it makes me do better the next time. The bible says that discipline is key to learning and it is foolish to hate correction.
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PRAYER
Lord, teach me to always choose a disciplined life.
REFLECTION
Why do you think discipline can bring wisdom and blessings?
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
November 16
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But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. – 1 Thessalonians 5:8(NLT)
PRAYER FOR A CLEAR HEAD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, please grant me a clear head at all times
Protect me from all thoughts of evil and crime
Let me never forget to wear the helmet of salvation
Allow the armor of faith to shield me from temptations.
Let me discern whenever I am being attacked
Let me pursue peace and love to fight back
Give me a clear head and cleanse my heart always
I receive the wisdom you give to those who obeys.
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How often do you ask the Lord to give you a clear head? Sometimes when I forget do to so, my mind can spin and listen to all the lies being thrown at me by the enemy. In Ephesians 6, we are warned that we are not dealing with enemies that we can see and touch but with unseen forces and powers. The battlefield starts in the mind and if we are not aware of it and not exercise our authority over the devil, our soul and spirit can be literally attacked. The apostle Paul tells us to clear our head at all times and wear the armor of faith and love. We must protect our minds with the confidence we have in Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, always give me a clear mind.
REFLECTION
What can cloud a person’s mind?
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
November 15
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So be on guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
-1 Thessalonians 5:6(NLT)
STAY AWAKE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you going through life conscious of your surroundings?
Do you give thanks to the Lord for all his gifts and blessings?
Be on guard, stay awake and alert for the enemy’s attacks
He is there to keep you defeated; be aware of his tactics.
Meditate on God’s word daily so you can be aware
It is a weapon to speak the truth when you are scared
Guard your heart and your mind; stay holy and pure
This way, the enemy cannot enter or get you lured.________________________________________
Many people live zombie lives. They go through life asleep. They don’t even know their purposes. Some have been spiritually dead for many years and do not find a reason to live. I, too, lived a dead life for many years because I was hypnotized by the enemy to believe so many lies that kept me blinded and dead to so many things. I grinded to work to satisfy my own desires and to prove that I was worth something. I didn’t realize that God was always there for me, just waiting to be asked for help. I made my own decisions without consulting him or his truth. I lived a life that catered only to my physical body and mind. I failed to feed my spirit.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me awake always with your truth.
REFLECTION
How can we stay awake and be clearheaded 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
