Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional

LET IT SINK DEEP IN YOUR HEART Poem Devotional

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May 10________________________________________
Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. -Ezekiel 3:10 (NLT)
LET IT SINK DEEP IN YOUR HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
Let all of God’s word affect your mind, soul and body.
Listen to them and let it sink deep in your heart fully
When you meditate on it day and night, it will change you
You will experience wisdom which will make you new.
When you allow God’s truth to soak deep inside your mind
The enemy cannot trick you anymore to stay blind
Seek the Lord first and he will give you what you ask
Stay in his word and bask at how he loves you so very much.
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If all people will give up their stubborn hearts and seek God and his word, there will be no conflicts and violence in our world today. There is much benefit to reading God’s word, meditating and living what it says. Why don’t people want what is good for them? Instead, we choose what brings us trouble. Paul says in Romans7: 15, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Man have struggled with this inner conflict since the fall of Adam and Eve. Let God’s word sink deep in your heart so you can hear his voice.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to run to your word and store it in my heart each day.
REFLECTION
How often do you meditate on 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

HOPE IN THE WORD Poem Devotional

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May 9________________________________________
I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.
-Psalm 130:5(NLT)
HOPE IN THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel overwhelmed by things in this world?
Distractions are everywhere to keep us out of God’s word
No wonder we feel lost, hopeless and always struggling
We don’t focus on God, yet we keep on demanding.
Seek the Lord and you will find comfort in his truth
Abide in his words, meditate on it so it can take root
Sow seeds of goodness for it will bear fruit
Expose the enemy’s lies and believe only what is true.
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Today, our world faces so much chaos and pain. Technology and social media has turned our lives into a world of many choices. We have become very distracted people. We lost our sense of priorities and value. We have focused on ourselves because we are enticed to acquire things and wealth so we can look better or feel powerful. It is such a sad thing to watch how people get blinded by what the world offers and discard what God promises. We get consumed by all these noise around us which diminishes our time to connect with God. We disconnect ourselves from God by choosing all the things the world offers. Run to his word and you’ll find hope. Don’t turn your back on the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me peace and wisdom to always choose you.
REFLECTION
When was the last time God’s word popped out of the pages to stir 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

HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR Poem Devotional

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May 8________________________________________
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. – Proverbs 29:23(NLT)
HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we acknowledge the source of our life
We are giving him honor and living in his light
When our heart is full of pride and haughtiness
We will end up in humiliation and become a mess.
The act of lowering yourself to your Maker
It is a manifestation of your love to your creator
Follow the example of Jesus so you can be humble
It will help you overcome temptation and not stumble.
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A while back I had an experience when my pride and arrogance had me fall flat on my face. It happened about seven years ago. I was a victim of a group of people who discriminated me and openly scolded me in public and twisted my intentions. The filters of complex traumas I experienced led me to think that they were rejecting me. My suspicion became real because I lived in that fear that they would reject me. Sure enough, my fears turned into reality. An envious administrator of that group, twisted my words because she was jealous of the attention that her husband was giving on my prominence in the art world. I was bold to expose that the group was more of a social club rather than helping marriages to survive. Because of my tactless judgment, they twisted my words and humiliated me publicly.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from pride and haughtiness.
REFLECTION
How can an act of humility change you and 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

GOD’S WORD IS A SHIELD

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May 6________________________________________
Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.
– Proverbs 30:5-6(NLT)
GOD’S WORD IS A SHIELD
A poem and essay by ILMA
In this world of chaos and confusion
We need a shield from all kinds of temptations
Every word of God proves true
It teaches, convicts and rebukes.
When you read his word and ask the Holy Spirit
It comes to life and shortly, wisdom is released
Do not add to his words or he may reprove you
Allow the Lord to transform and let your mind be renewed.
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As a trauma survivor, I learned to manage the anxiety, helplessness and emotional pain that sometimes debilitates me. Complex trauma is an accumulation of various exposure to repeated abuse which can be emotional, physical or sexual or even neglect. Diane Langberg a trauma specialist from the Global Trauma Recovery Institute, used a term that really struck me. She said that people with complex trauma is like being “marinated in pain and confusion.” This is an accurate description of what I experienced. When I became a born again Christian, I was freed from so many lies and learned God’s truth. In his word, I found comfort, relief and freedom. The word shields me from all temptations and trauma memories and taught me how to forgive and let go.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for giving us your word that shields us from evil.
REFLECTION
Share an experience how God’s word shielded you from evil.
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

UNBRIDLED TONGUE Poem Devotional

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May 5________________________________________
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
-Proverbs 29:20(NLT)
UNBRIDLED TONGUE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever a thought starts hovering in your mind
Do you filter it so that you won’t sound harsh or unkind?
Do you guard your heart so that nothing impure will be spoken?
Do you say encouraging words to release others from being broken?
There is more hope for a fool than an unbridled tongue
When your speech is unfiltered, is sounds like a grunt
When you think first before saying something,
You allow the Lord to prevent you from sinning.
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How many times have you released a word without even thinking? We usually do this when we are reacting to something said or insinuated. I learned for many years that when I don’t filter my thoughts, words can just sneak out of our mouths. Sometimes, people may miss the uncalled statements but other times, it could compromise your friendships or relationships. The bible tells us to guard our mouths and our lips in Proverbs 141:3. It also tells us to guard what we think in Philippians 4:8 Only these thoughts should be entertained: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. So if our thoughts are these, then your tongue will be bridled.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to think first before I speak. Let my thoughts only be what you want it to be.
REFLECTION
How can we avoid an unbridled tongue?
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

SYMPTOMS OF JEALOUSY Poem Devotional

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May 3________________________________________
For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. -James 3:16(NLT)
SYMPTOMS OF JEALOUSY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is insecurity in someone’s heart
That’s an opening for the enemy to start
Longing to have something others possess produces envy
It breeds contempt, anger, bitterness and folly.
Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition
There you will find disorder, chaos and division
Whenever there is discontent and comparison
There’ll be unkind and evil things beyond reason.
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Baker’s Evangelical dictionary defines “envy” as the sin of jealousy over the blessings and achievements of others, especially the spiritual advancement that is being done for God’s kingdom. Envy certainly leads to disorder and all kinds of evil, affecting one’s physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Unchecked, it slowly leads to a detrimental and regretful way of life ( Proverbs 27:4 ), and eventually, to estrangement from God ( Roman 1:28-32 ). Envy manifests the treacherousness of sin and human wickedness apart from God’s redeeming grace. If you are a believer, it is wise to avoid the company of such envious, godless people ( Proverbs 24:1 ). Envy is listed among the sins of the flesh that must be conquered through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 2:1 ). Where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, you will find chaos, stagnation and proliferation of other sins.
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PRAYER
Lord, heal the hearts of those who are in bondage of the spirit of envy.
REFLECTION
Why do you think the bible instructs us to stay away from envious people?
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

JEALOUSY IS LIKE CANCER Poem Devotional

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May 2________________________________________
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
-Proverbs 14:30(NLT)
JEALOUSY IS LIKE CANCER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever your heart desires what others have
Be careful! That is not totally walking in love
When you fail to give the Lord thanksgiving
You are going to miss out on many blessings.
Jealousy is like cancer in the bones
Selfishness and Pride is where it comes from
If you think the world owes you something
You lose peace opens the door to continuously sin.
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Jealousy is defined as an unhappy or angry feeling of wanting to have what someone else has. Notice the presence of unhappiness and anger in the definition. The origin of jealousy dates back to our first parents, Adam and Eve. The fall of man was an offshoot of jealousy of Adam and Eve. They want to have the all-knowing character of God. Their desire to want to be like him led them to disobey his command not to eat from the fruit from the tree of good and evil. Prior to their sin, they had everything they could ever want. They were well provided for and had no need to toil. After the fall, all sins came about. The mother of all sins is pride. It centers on the “self” rather than others. A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body but jealousy is like cancer. It poisons and kills.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from jealous people.
REFLECTION
How do you know that you or someone you know manifests jealousy or envy?
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

PRAISE TO A GREAT KING Poem Devotional

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April 30________________________________________
Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. -Psalm 95:1-3(NLT)
PRAISE TO A GREAT KING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lift up your hands and shout joyfully to Jesus, our great king
Let us come with a humble heart and much thanksgiving
Let us sing psalms and hymns for he is worthy of all praise
He is faithful grant us forgiveness and constantly give us grace.
The Lord is a great God who looks after his own people
He grants us mercy and never wants us to be crippled
The Lord is all-powerful, all-knowing and full of wisdom
Praise to a great king, who redeems and grants us freedom.
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Praise means to express admiration or approval of the achievements or characteristics of a person or thing. It has seven Hebrew words for praise.
1. “Halal” means to rave or celebrate
2. “Yadah” means worshiping with extended hands
3. “Towdah” means acceptance
4. “Shabach” means to shout out
5. “Barak” means to kneel down
6. “Zamar” means to sing or pluck an instrument
7. “Tehillah” means to involve music and hymns
Doesn’t it amaze you how much depth of meaning is into this word? We are asked to praise a great king, Jesus Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, I praise and glorify your most precious name.
REFLECTION
What is your preferred form of praising 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

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING Poem Devotional

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April 27________________________________________
There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her. -Luke 10:42(NLT)
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
A poem and essay by ILMA
What things do you consider valuable in life?
Is it to be looked up to or to stay in God’s light?
Seeking and obeyin¬¬g Christ’s teaching is essential
Those who discover it, they will find it beneficial.
Only by depending on Jesus will we be victorious
It is by focusing on others that we become less oblivious
There is no other way but to follow Jesus
Come to the only one who is worthy and glorious.
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Many of us seem to be distracted by things that are not really that important. Sometimes we get caught up in the details and chaos in our lives and we miss out what is really valuable in life. I taught Art for many decades and one of the hardest things to do is to choose the subject you want to draw or paint. It may take awhile before one can decide which one to select. I usually give only a ten-minute time frame for my students to decide from a few choices. The more choices, the longer it takes to decide.
Just like in painting, we also need to make choices in life in order to grow. Following Jesus and obeying his teachings are essential to live a victorious life.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me away from all sorts of distractions and focus only on you.
REFLECTION
Why is seeking God the most important thing 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

TRUE WORSHIP Poem Devotional

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April 26________________________________________
Her sister, Mary, sat the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. -Luke 10:39-40(NLT)
TRUE WORSHIP
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your heart and mind today?
Do you have peace and joy each day?
Do you listen to Jesus when he teaches you?
Are you allowing your heart and mind to be renewed?
What distracts you from true worship and praise?
Is it your busy-ness that keeps you from being amazed?
True worship is quietly listening to what he is teaching
It is hearing what he is convicting you with and obeying it.
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The two sisters, Martha and Mary are examples of how true worship should be according to Christ. In Luke 10, we are given a picture of the differences of how people worship. Strong’s Hebrew definition of worship is “sagad” which means to bow down or fall down. In both Hebrew and Greek, there are two categories of words for worship. The first is about body language that demonstrates respect and submission; to bow down, to kneel, to prostrate oneself. The second is about doing something for God that demonstrates sacrifice and obedience; to offer, to serve. Martha was worshiping God with her service. She was very distracted by what is really more important which is what Mary did, to sit on Jesus’ feet and listening to his teachings. Worship is about focusing on Jesus, not on our works.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from distractions that s top me from losing out on your teachings.
REFLECTION
How do you worship?
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