HOW TO WIPE YOUR SINS AWAY Poem Devotional

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May 6
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Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
-Acts 3:19(NLT)
HOW TO WIPE YOUR SINS AWAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have sins lurking in your heart?
Confess and repent so you can have a new start
You need not live in guilt and condemnation
He sent Jesus so we can hear his convictions.
Allow yourself to be moved by his word
Listen to the Spirit so you can conquer the world
Turn to God and never let sin rule your life
Your sins will be wiped away if you stay in his light.
________________________________________In the Hebrew of the Old Covenant two words are used in the concept of repentance, they are: NAHUM – to lament, to grieve (describing the emotions that are aroused when motivated to take a different course of action and SHUB – expresses a radical change of mind toward sin and implies a conscious moral separation from sin and a decision to forsake it and agree with God. There are three Hebrew words that are translated “Sin” in the Old Testament: iniquity, perversity, depravity and guilt. So, when we sin, we can choose to just grieve or take action and give up the sin.
The bible commands us to repent of our sins and turn to God so that our sins may be wiped away. Without God’s grace, there can be no repentance.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to have a genuine repentance when I disobey you.
REFLECTION
What was the result when you gave up sin that you have been keeping for so long?

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 ISN’T SLOW, JUST PATIENT Poem Devotional

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May 5
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The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. -2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
GOD ISN’T SLOW, JUST PATIENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been waiting for so long to get results?
Do you think God is slow to grant and solve?
How much faith do you really have?
Do you rely on his wisdom from above?
God isn’t slow, he is just patient
He wants you to be persistent
He protects you from falling
He wants you to win instead of failing.
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How many of your prayers and requests have been answered? Don’t we all get impatient when we don’t get the expected answers we want to see? For all you know, he has already answered your prayer. You just don’t see it because you are so focused on your own idea of the results. There was a time that I kept praying for a job and a career that I will be able to use all of my skills. I applied to over 3,000 job positions, only to be turned down. Sometimes I would almost make it to two interviews and then still not get hired. What I didn’t realize was God was directing me to be a writer for him. He wasn’t slow, he was patient and wanted me to work for him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me see with your eyes.
REFLECTION
Why do we sometimes miss God’s answers to our prayers?
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

HELP US LORD! Poem Devotional

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I have heard all about you Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. -Habakkuk 3:1(NLT)
HELP US LORD!
A poem and essay by ILMA
When I am sad, lonely and feeling beaten
Will you help me Lord, so I can be strengthened?
In times of my deepest need for comfort and reassurance
Will you be there to grant me mercy and patience?
You have delivered me many times from many afflictions
Will you listed to my cries for help in all my tribulations?
I am filled with awe by your amazing works and power
Will you lift up my spirit, so I can let the enemy cower?
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Many people fear the word “pray.” They have no idea that when they acknowledge God in their weaknesses and trials and use the word “help me!”, they are actually intimately praying. Praying is an act of humility that acknowledges the presence of God and that you need him. How often do you say “Help me, Lord?” If you have never asked help from anyone or from God, you are in serious trouble.
The bible says that we only need to say the magic words, “Help me, Lord.” He wants us to acknowledge our need for his forgiveness, blessings, grace and mercy. When was the last time you asked God for help?
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to ask help from you always.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it is hard for some people to ask help from 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

GOD’S SPECIAL TREASURE Poem Devotional

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May 2
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They will be my people, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. – Malachi 4:1(NLT)
GOD’S SPECIAL TREASURE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you realize how important you are to Christ?
He cherishes every detail in your life
He wants to protect and ensure your salvation
He pleads you to listen to his word and be in relation.
God considers you as his child, his treasure
He wants you to obey and bring him pleasure
Like any other parent, he spares those who are obedient
Seek his will and follow it and he will show you his radiance.
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When you join a club or an organization, one thing that people will want is the guarantee that they will grow or gain something out of being part of it. This is why we become members of a group. When I joined a cycling club back in the Philippines, I did so in order to improve my cycling skills and challenge myself to beat my own record and be better at it. I was the only woman cyclist in a fifty-member club. I felt special knowing that I can be protected and gain skills from this club.
The bible says that we are God’s special treasure and that he promises protection to those who obey him.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for making me part of your family.
REFLECTION
Do you treasure yourself as God treasures 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

AWARENESS OF GOD’S GLORY Poem Devotional

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May 1
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For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord. – Habakkuk 2:14(NLT)
AWARENESS OF GOD’S GLORY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you look at the skies and get reminded of your creator?
Has someone blessed you today and made you feel better?
Did you experience a breakthrough that was unexpected?
Was a prayer answered that made you so joyful and excited?
Have you wondered how the sea was filled with water?
Did you have an awareness of God’s magnificence and power?
For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will see God’s glory
Bask amidst God’s creation and you will experience true beauty.
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So many people are living like zombies. They wake up, do their routines, rush to work, go back home, eat, sleep. They have no time to even look at the wonderful creation of God. They don’t stop to look and enjoy what God has given them in nature. They miss out the drama that the clouds bring against the sky in a stormy day. They hardly even see the sun dropping down at the horizon and show off it’s colorful reflections in the sky. They hardly go out of their boxed life to see God’s glory through their surroundings. The bible says that we will be filled with awareness of God’s glory as the waters fill the sea.
PRAYER
Lord, let me remember to look at all your wonderful creation.
REFLECTION
Why do people miss out the good stuff from 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

SINCE BIRTH Poem Devotional

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April 30
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I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born. – Psalm 22:10(NLT)
SINCE BIRTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
You claimed me as your child from the day I was born
You walked me through life and now I am grown
You have been my one true God since birth
You allowed me to experience both pain and mirth.
Each time I try to do things on my own, I get in trouble
You are always there to pull me out of the rubble
Thank you for claiming me to be your beloved daughter
I am grateful that you who live inside of me is greater.
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One of my favorite verses is Psalm 139:13 which says “For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb and also Jeremiah 1:15 says “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” What an amazing God he is that he already planned our lives even before we were born. He claims us as his children. It was these two verses that actually busted all the enemy’s lies about my true identity in Christ.
The bible tells us that God has claimed us as his own from the time we were born. He destined us to be his children.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for claiming me as your child.
REFLECTION
Do people see you as God’s true child?
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 FEELING ABANDONED Poem Devotional

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April 29
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My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? -Psalm 22:1(NLT)
WHEN FEELING ABANDONED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you feel that God is far away
Don’t despair, instead, go to him and pray
God knows exactly what you are experiencing
Do not allow the enemy to control your feelings.
When you feel alone and forsaken
Remember all those who are broken
He died for all the oppressed and rejected
So do not allow yourself to feel dejected.
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I used to always feel lonely and sad when I get triggered with memories of being neglected or abandoned. It is not a very pleasant feeling. The enemy twisted my perspective about being forsaken. He made me believe so many lies about my true identity in Christ. He whispered words to me such as “I don’t deserve to be loved.” It drove me to a point of desperation for about two decades of my life, but I thank God that he has delivered me from this bondage and set me free. I don’t feel despair anymore but he replaced my discouragement with courage and boldness to use all my traumatic experiences to share the gospel.
The psalmist in this verse actually felt abandoned. Our feelings are not always necessarily true. God never leaves us. He only allows us to experience pain so we can grow and be strong.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage whenever I feel dejected.
REFLECTION
How can you overcome feelings of abandonment?
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

SHARE YOUR MIRACLES Poem Devotional

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April 26
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So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
-Mark 5:20(NLT)
SHARE YOUR MIRACLES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What has Christ done for you lately?
Has he saved someone from your family?
Have you been delivered from a stronghold?
Has he freed you from fear and taught you to be bold?
Proclaim what he has done and share your miracles
Tell everyone how he made you win over obstacles
Rejoice and be glad that he loves and cares for you
Praise and glorify him with thanksgiving and a life renewed.
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There are many people who miss out so many things that God has done for them because they are so focused on their problems, trials and suffering. When we are pessimistic and only see the negative in our circumstances, we are actually unable to see what might be blessings in disguise in our lives. I used to be a whiny person and very critical of myself and others. A book changed my life when the concept of a “Thank You” diary was suggested. As soon as I listed the things to be thankful for, my attitude changed.
We are asked to share our miracles to others because in doing so, we proclaim God’s greatness and we are showing him gratitude.
PRAYER
Thank you for all the miracles you’ve done in my life.
REFLECTION
How can you not miss out on every miracle God does 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

BE INTO OTHERS Poem Devotional

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April 25
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Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. -Philippians 2:3-4(NLT)
BE INTO OTHERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you overwhelmed with all your own interests?
Do you pay attention to others’ concern and happiness?
Don’t be selfish and try to boast only about your prowess
Take interest in others and don’t think only of your own progress.
Take time to know other people’s well being and diversions
Go also out of your way to know and discover their tribulations
Don’t look out only for yourself and your own family
Reach out to those who are in your church and your community.
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Do you take time out to know someone? The reason why I left the religious sect I use to attend was because I can’t find anyone in this church to really take interest in others. Each time I find an opportunity to connect and get close to them outside of the Sunday service, they wouldn’t even accept the invitation to fellowship or get to know others. They were all just too concerned with church activities.
The bible tells us to go out of our way to take interest in others. We need not be all concerned with church activities, but we need to personally reach out to others.
PRAYER
Teach me to reach out to others and not just focus on myself.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to be concerned with 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

A GOD OF EMPATHY Poem Devotional

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April 24
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Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. -Hebrews 2:18 (NLT)
A GOD OF EMPATHY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you undergo trials and suffering in life
He is always there to ease your burden and bring light
Since he himself has undergone suffering and testing
He is able to understand what challenges you are facing.
He hears your cries and empathizes with our situations
He knows what is in your heart during tribulations
God is a god who sees everything in this world
Believe that he is there with you, just read his word.
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Have you ever been misunderstood? One of the tricks of Satan in my life is to create misunderstandings in my relationships. He has stolen so much of my peace and joy because of the spirit of confusion and offense. God is a god of order. He never brings chaos or disorganization in our lives. It is the enemy that lays down tactics so we will be lost and confused or offended. Be encouraged because we have a god who empathizes with us since he has gone through the same pain and suffering we are undergoing. In fact, I think that Jesus’ suffering will be unparalleled in this lifetime. Just reflect how much wounds and beatings his body underwent. He empathizes with your pains and sorrows. Run to him.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always run to you when I am in trouble.
REFLECTION
What is your deepest pain that God has consoled you 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