Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional

WHEN YOU TRUST A FOOL

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July 7
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Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
– Proverbs 26:6 (NLT)
WHEN YOU TRUST A FOOL
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you trust a fool, you’ll be spun in their foolishness
They will do their best to keep you away from righteousness
When you trust a fool, you will not be away from trouble
It is compromising your life and getting into a big gamble.
When you trust a fool to pass on a message
It would be like jumping into a big wreckage
It is like drinking poison or cutting off your feet
You will continually experience instability and defeat.
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I lived with a fool for almost a decade. It was the most unproductive years of my life. I don’t blame everything on this man because, I too was a fool to even make that choice to relate with him intimately. It was an experience that led me to ruin. When I trusted this fool, I began to compromise my relationship with the Lord. I got involved with witchcraft because he was so much into it. Since he was way older than me, he was able to manipulate and corrupt my values. Because of the stronghold I had when I lived with him, I experienced spiritual death during those years I was linked to him. Trusting a fool brings you harm or death.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from foolish people.
REFLECTION
Why do you think foolishness is harmful?
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

ON DEALING WITH FOOLS AND ARGUMENTS

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July 6
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Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish argument of fools or they will become wise in their own eyes.
-Proverbs 26:4- 5(NLT)
ON DEALING WITH FOOLS AND ARGUMENTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t answer senseless arguments of fools
It is one of the enemy’s tactics and tools
He wants you to engage in foolishness
It will surely derail you from righteousness.
Learn to confront fools with truth from God’s word
If you do, they won’t be able to drag you into this world
They’ll think highly of themselves if you don’t expose them
They will create more havoc if you don’t rebuke them.
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According to a commentary by Paul Koptak on the NIV application, these two contradictory verses are actually a form of parallelism where one idea builds upon another. Verse 4 warns against arguing with a fool on his own terms or we stoop to his level and become as foolish as he is. Verse 5, on the other hand, tells us that there are times when a fool has to be addressed so that his foolishness will not go unchallenged. This way, we are exposing his foolishness so he will see his folly. He may despise and reject the wisdom, but for truth’s sake and for those who are listening, we need to bring it out in the open. so they may see the difference between wisdom and folly and be instructed.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from foolishness.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with fools?
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

HARM THAT RUMORS BRING Poem Devotional

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July 5
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Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. -Proverbs 26:22(NLT)
HARM THAT RUMORS BRING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone spreads rumors about a person
It can sometimes go out of bounds and beyond reason
Rumors can tarnish someone else’s reputation
It generates toxic thoughts and brings more temptations.
Rumors are generally lies or exaggerated suppositions
It is wrong to air out your judgments or presumptions
It ruins the character and sinks deep into one’s heart
They are lies and without truth, it will never depart.
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When I was in the academe, there were a few of my colleagues who liked to spread rumors about me. They like to test the newcomers and they need to pass the test or they’ll be eaten up alive by those who are more tenured. I hated gossipers and my background in theater taught me how to confront people who spread lies about me or others. So, when I heard that one of the senior faculty member was creating a rumor why my son’s name wasn’t the same as my family name. I came straight to her one day and she was making small talk to me, fishing for more half-truths that she can weave a rumor on. So, on a very casual tone, I told her that my son has a different name from mine because I wasn’t married to his father. She was shocked but she stopped spreading more lies.
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PRAYER
Lord, protect us from those who like to tarnish our reputation.
REFLECTION
How can rumors be stopped?
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 THE SPIRIT PERMEATE Poem Devotional

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July 3
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But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! -Galatians 5:22-23(NLT)
LET THE SPIRIT PERMEATE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If your heart’s garden is by the riverbank of God’s truth
Your trees will always be nourished and will have fruits
It will be watered by the blessings that he generously gives
There will be no drought; you will constantly receive.
Abide in the Lord and your heart will know goodness
He will grant you self-control, faithfulness and gentleness
When you feed on his word, it allows his Spirit to permeate
It builds strong roots so that no evil can infiltrate.
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What is the best proof of an authentic Christian? Some believers get stuck with religious rituals and external acts to show their love for Christ. The bible says that someone who allows the Spirit of God permeate in their heart, mind, body and soul will produce the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In other words, if a Christian talks about these fruits but have no manifestation in their lives, they are only fooling themselves. A true believer will obey God’s command and revere God. They will honor their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and will never compromise or defile it. Our sins grieve and block the Spirit.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to never grieve your Spirit.
REFLECTION
What hinders the Spirit of God to live 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

SEEK SO YOU WILL FIND Poem Devotional

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July 1
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The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. – 2 Chronicles 15:2(NLT)
SEEK SO YOU WILL FIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been looking for peace in your life?
Do you seek for wisdom and God’s light?
If you pursue God, he will stay with you
He will transform you and make you new.
Whenever you seek God, you will find him
He loves to show you how to always win
Look and hunger for him and his truth
Then you will enjoy all his Spirit’s fruits.
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The Hide-and-seek is a popular children’s game in which any number of players conceal themselves in the environment, to be found by one or more seekers. The game is played by one player chosen (designated as being “it”) closing their eyes and counting to a predetermined number while the other players hide. After reaching this number, the player who is “it” calls, “Ready or not, here I come!” and then attempts to locate all concealed players. In this game, the “it” will do his or her best to find them all. Isn’t this almost like what happens when we seek hard for the Lord? We get to find know where he is hiding. We get to learn about him and become closer and intimate with him. God promised that he will reveal himself to those who pursue him.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a hunger to seek you always.
REFLECTION
How often do you pursue 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

ARE YOU DEAF TO GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional

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June 30
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Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand? Are you deaf to the words of God—the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant? – Isaiah 40:21(NLT)
ARE YOU DEAF TO GOD’S WORD?
A poem and essay by ILMA
How long have you committed yourself to the Lord?
Have you given up the standards of this world?
Have you heard what he wants you to do for him?
Are you still deaf to God’s word and continue to sin?
The Lord has given you his word since it began
Have you been touched by the coming of his Son?
Jesus Christ modeled obedience and humility to all
Are you emulating him so you won’t easily fall?
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Studies have linked untreated hearing loss effects to: irritability, negativism and anger. fatigue, tension, stress and depression. avoidance or withdrawal from social situations. Isn’t this so true as well when we are deaf to the words of God? Don’t we get irritable, angry, pessimistic, tired, stressed and isolate ourselves? Our spiritual growth becomes hampered by the inability to feed and get nourished by the words that come from the mouth of God. What keeps us from hearing it or accepting it? Sin is one of the causes why we get deaf to hear what the word is teaching or telling us. Wickedness makes us turn our backs to God and disable us to hear his voice and discern his will.
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PRAYER
Lord, give us an ear that can actually hear your voice.
REFLECTION
What can hamper us hearing and discerning God’s word?
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

A WORD OF COMFORT Poem Devotional

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June 29
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“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. – Isaiah 40:1-2(NLT)
A WORD OF COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been concerned about troubles?
God will speak tenderly and grant you his power
He will whisper a word of comfort to calm you
Fear not; He will change you and make you new.
He forgives you infinitely, so run and confess it
He loves you so much and forgives quickly
Your sad days will be gone; He brings comfort
Rejoice, the Lord will make you come through.
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According to Baker’s Evangelical dictionary, the basic concept for comfort in both the Old and New Testaments is encouragement, whether by words or the presence of another to help in time of need. Synonymous words are console, help, give relief, cheer up, exhort, and fear not. In the English dictionary, it is defined as the easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress. Comfort is a much needed relief for anyone who is going through something beyond their control. We learn to give comfort because we were given comfort at a very young age since we were a baby. Like how you got comfort from your mother when you were hungry or fearful, the Lord also brings you comfort by accepting you for who you are and forgiving you no matter what you’ve done.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your comforting unconditional love.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you gave comfort to someone in need?
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

IDOLS PEOPLE WORSHIP Poem Devotional

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June 27
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So I went in and saw the walls covered with engravings of all kinds of crawling animals and detestable creatures. I also saw the various idols worshiped by the people of Israel.
– Ezekiel 8:10(NLT)
IDOLS PEOPLE WORSHIP
A poem and essay by ILMA
People have turned their backs to God
Minds are twisted and hearts are hard
They worship all kinds of idols to replace Him
They disconnected to his love and lived in sin.
Wealth, people, money, even family are some idols
Living your life against his will is turning against the Lord
Religious acts and legalism bring hypocrisy at its height
Jesus died so we can have relationship, stop putting up a fight.
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Many decades of my life was wasted on idols. The Lord revealed to me these past six years the real reason why he transported me to Canada. I married a Canadian, so God used this decision (which I did out of loneliness) to pull me out of a country that was predominantly dominated by the spirit of idolatry and religion. It was amazing how I got freed from these strongholds that have kept me in bondage for many years. I kneeled on images in the past and not read any of his truth in the bible. I didn’t realize how cleverly Satan created idols in the form of my own child, spouse, career, knowledge, etc. I prioritized them instead of making God first in my life.
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PRAYER
Lord, forgive me each time I idolize and prioritize other things instead of you.
REFLECTION
How does God rank 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

WHEN YOU KEEP ON SINNING Poem Devotional

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pJune 26
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Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. – 1 John 3:6(NLT)
WHEN YOU KEEP ON SINNING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you keep on sinning, you are damaging
It keeps you from the truth and is very enslaving
When you keep on sinning, you are being lawless
It means that you don’t understand who God is.
Anyone who continues to live for the Lord will not sin
They worship and love him, so they will revere him
When you love the Lord, you will obey his commands
When you love the world, you will give in to its demands.
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Many people justify sins. They call it many names such as mistakes, weaknesses, natural tendencies, and many more. They don’t acknowledge it as sin because they don’t want to be judged. What they don’t realize is that denying a sin is actually admitting that you don’t want to stop the sin. When you justify, you are actually excusing yourself and not taking responsibility for the act. This constant denial and minimization of the gravity of sin leads to spiritual stagnation or even death. If you believe in God, you will have a hunger to seek to know him and follow his word. The moment you commit to him, he lived in you and he cannot live in anyone who continues to sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, let my heart and mind please only you.
REFLECTION
What happens if we constantly minimize sin?
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

CORRECTION MANIFESTS LOVE Poem Devotional

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June 24
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Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. – Proverbs 13:24(NLT)
CORRECTION MANIFESTS LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Parents are given authority over their children
They need to lead them to the path to heaven
Mothers and fathers who don’t love do not correct
They never guide their children; yet they criticize and reject.
Parenting is an opportunity to raise children in righteousness
We will be answerable to God who grants us mercy and holiness
Discipline your children in love and with all gentleness
They will learn the Lord’s love through your ways of kindness.________________________________________
When I was growing up, I was disciplined so much that I couldn’t feel the love of those who are correcting me. When you discipline children out of anger or instilling fear in them, there is a big chance that they will rebel and go wayward. That is what happened to me. The bible says in Colossians 3:21 that we must not aggravate our children or they will become discouraged. When you correct them in anger and not out of love, you make lead them to the path of lawlessness. Correct them as Jesus corrected those whom he loved. He never judged but used God’s truth to free them from sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me wisdom to raise my children in your love.
REFLECTION
How does society contribute in a world full of rebellious youth?
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