DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

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February 14________________________________________
He tried to look at Jesus but he was too short to see over the crowd. -Luke 19:3(NLT)
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you see life as Christ would see it?
Do you know his teachings and listen to his Spirit?
When you acknowledge your sin, you admit your littleness
It makes you see through the lens of his wisdom and greatness.
If you admit your weaknesses, God will lift you up
If you deny it, you will stagnate and not grow up
Take God’s viewpoint in everything you do
His perspective will make all things new.
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In drawing, perspectives are very crucial. When you draw on the spot, it is important to just stay in one viewpoint or else, you will distort the finished work. This is why when you have a model, you only stay in one angle and ensure that the model doesn’t move as well. Looking at it in one perspective will make it work right, but seeing it from many angles will cloud your sight and your visual memory.
In Luke 19, we hear the story of Zaccheus, the chief tax collector in Jericho. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree beside the road to get a better perspective. Jesus asked Zaccheus to make him guest in his home.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for showing me your view through your holy book.
REFLECTION
What viewpoint do you have of God that was contaminated by the world?
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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

WAIT PATIENTLY AND BE STILL Poem Devotional

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February 13________________________________________
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. -Psalm 37:7(NLT)
WAIT PATIENTLY AND BE STILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
What stops you from keeping still?
Is it your work or is what you feel?
Is it something you want and desire?
Is it ambition that keeps you on fire?
Whatever you are waiting for in this life
Have patience and soon you’ll see the light
You will be rewarded when you wait patiently
It will bring you a life that will last eternally.
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The world has been generating the culture of getting everything quickly. We have been programmed to believe that we are entitled to so many things. We get irritated and upset when we don’t get things swiftly. When we line up in the cash tills, we get frustrated when the cashier is taking so much time to finish with someone. Everyone is running and seems to be in this whirlpool of “busy-ness.” It seems like no one has time for others or even for themselves.
The bible has repeatedly been emphasizing the importance of being still and waiting patiently. Waiting for the Lord to answer prayers is not a passive act. It entails trust and hope that what you prayed for is coming and that you are eagerly expecting it to be granted even before you receive it. Like a child excitedly waiting, we too must have that faith that it is coming.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me an expectant heart.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you waited on the Lord so eagerly and patiently?
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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

MADE RIGHT BY CHRIST’S BLOOD Poem Devotional

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February 12________________________________________
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believed that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. – Romans 3:25(NLT)
MADE RIGHT BY CHRIST’S BLOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
How can man resist’s his natural tendency to be wicked?
Why do we usually want to do what is restricted?
Is it doing good works that makes one overcome evil?
Or is it fighting and arguing openly with the devil?
God sent Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins and transgressions
His blood erased our offenses and brought us close to salvation
People are made right with God when we believe in Christ’s blood
Why don’t you turn away from sin, obey and seek only God?
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In the beginning, Adam and Eve had everything they ever wanted. Their life was very easy. They didn’t have to work hard. God provided everything that they could ever want or imagine. They were given all the animals to dominate and were provided trees and plants to get their nourishment. When they disobeyed God’s prohibition with the tree of good and evil, their lives changed. They became impure and guilt and shame began to fill their hearts. We all inherited that shame, guilt and impurity.
The bible tells us that we can only be made right by the blood of Jesus because his sacrifice on the cross was the perfect example of unconditional love.
PRAYER
Lord, let me learn to “let go” of shame and guilt.
REFLECTION
How has Christ’s blood cleansed you of shame and guilt?

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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

AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST Poem Devotional

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February 11________________________________________
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. -Psalm 103:12 (NLT)
AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you done something wrong in your life?
Don’t live in guilt, allow God to bring you into his light
If you confess your sin, ask forgiveness and repent
He will forgive you then you’ll never again be bent.
He has removed your sins as far as east is from the west
When God forgave you, you will be renewed and be blessed
Though your past sins are as black as night
He can change it to make you as pure as white.
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According to Wikipedia, Eratosthenes of Cyrene is best known for being the first person to calculate the circumference of the Earth, which he did by applying a measuring system using stadia, which was a standard unit of measure during that time period. His calculation was remarkably accurate. Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth without leaving Egypt. Using a gnomon, he measured the Sun’s angle of elevation at noon on the solstice in Alexandria, and found it to be 1/50th of a circle circumference. Great genius of a man is he. The bible says that God removes our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Based on Eratosthenes calculation, you now have a concept how much God forgives.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace.
REFLECTION
How far have you departed from your past sins? What brought you that far?
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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

AS GREAT AS HEAVEN’S HEIGHT Poem Devotional

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February 10________________________________________
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. -Psalm 103:11 (NLT)
AS GREAT AS HEAVEN’S HEIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you love the Lord as much as he loves you?
Those who fear and revere him will have a life anew
For his unfailing love toward those who love and fear him
Will be victorious in this life and be redeemed.
His unfailing love is as great as the heaven’s height
He won’t let you down or let be defeated in this fight
If you are a believer, you have authority over the devil
Satan cowers and gets crushed when the truth is revealed.
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Have you ever loved someone so great? Parents love their children so much but because we are human and we are imperfect, we don’t have the capacity to love as our heavenly Father does. He loves us unconditionally. His love for all his creation is unfathomable by mere humans. We will never understand his great love for us unless he allows us to discern and grasp it. His love us boundless and his mercy and forgiveness is beyond words to describe. He gave his only begotten son to pay for our sins.
The bible describes his unfailing love for those who love and revere him for his love is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
PRAYER
Teach me how to love unconditionally Lord.
REFLECTION
How has God manifested his boundless love for you?
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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 KIND AND FAIR GOD Poem Devotional

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February 9________________________________________
He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
-Psalm 103:10(NLT)
A KIND AND FAIR GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you done someone wrong that merited a consequence?
Have you done something to make someone react with much offense?
God never punishes you for your sins, he forgives when you confess
He does not deal harshly with you even when you don’t pass the test.
God is kind and fair to all those who believe him
He gave his only Son so we can be redeemed
He expects you to treat each other the same way
He wants you to be strong and never turn astray.
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Have you ever been treated unfairly by someone? How did you feel when there was an unjust act done to you? I have experienced many forms of maltreatment and discrimination in my young life and it has scarred me so deeply. It has stunted my brain to grow and made me see things in the filter of pain and abuse. It is terrible to survive traumas. I have always felt insecure and never had the confidence that someone really loves me. Somehow I felt that I don’t deserve to be loved. There was much shame and guilt in my heart for many years. The bible tells us that God does not punish or treat us harshly even though we deserve it.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being such a fair and kind father.
REFLECTION
Relate an instance when you treated someone kindly despite their hostility.
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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

AS WHITE AS WOOL Poem Devotional

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February 8________________________________________
Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red as crimson, I will make them as white as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)
AS WHITE AS WOOL
A poem and essay by ILMA
By the blood of Jesus, you are purified from your sins
He sacrificed his life so you can be free and redeemed
Though our sins are like scarlet, it is now white as snow
Though they are red as crimson, now it’s as white as wool.
Come to the throne of God and be renewed in your mind
He never wants you to be perplexed and blind
Abide and seek him always all the days of your life
Then you will discover the true joy and peace in his light.
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As a painter using watercolors, I know that it is impossible to make white from something that is red. The addition method is used in watercolor where you plan to work from light colors to dark and maintain a wash effect on the paper while water runs with the colors that you use. You either use a white paper and leave it white then color the different parts of the painting progressively from light to dark hues.
The bible compares our sins to the color crimson red. Jesus’ blood which is another shade of red is the one that turned as white as snow or wool.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your sacrifice to purify me.
REFLECTION
What sins have you been cleansed when you committed to Christ as your Lord and Savior?
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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

FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT

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February 7________________________________________
He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. -Romans 8:4(NLT)
FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you living to satisfy your own desires?
Do you realize how God’s love for you is on fire?
He gave his only Son to save you from sin
He would do anything to ensure you are redeemed.
Follow the Spirit instead of your sinful nature
It will make you grow and be spiritually mature
Living in his will brings about the Spirit’s fruits
It will keep you continually seeking his truth.
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There are some Christians who do not believe in the Spirit of God. Some only believe in God and Jesus Christ, but make it hard for them to acknowledge the Spirit. I knew the Holy Spirit living in me since I was a young child even though no one taught me about him. Someone inside me taught me many things that I never really heard from my parents or my caregivers. He taught me to be hopeful even in my most painful and helpless experiences. He told me to continue to talk with Jesus and depend on him.
The bible says that God sent us his Son so that we will conquer sin and follow his Spirit instead of being ruled by our sinful nature.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to be childlike to hear your Spirit.
REFLECTION
How has God’s Spirit manifested in your life lately?
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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

AN END TO SIN Poem Devotional

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February 6________________________________________
God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. -Romans 8:3 (NLT)
AN END TO SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to follow God’s commands?
What hinders you from following his instructions and demands?
God did what the law could not do when he sent Jesus in a body
He declared an end to sin, so we can bring him glory.
He loved us first by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins
He wants us to exercise authority over Satan and win
When Christ sacrificed his life on the cross, sin ended
Living a holy and righteous life is how we can be mended.
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The sacrifice of Christ on the cross has already put an end to sin. Why can’t some Christians understand that the blood of Jesus has already redeemed us from sin? For a very long time in my Christian life, I never really understood one of the last words of Jesus when he was dying on the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30). I thought Jesus was just foreshadowing his death. As I studied in-depth the word of God, I learned that it means that redemption is already done.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to think I can redeem myself by doing good works.
REFLECTION
How can you put an end to sin in your own way?
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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

HOLDS ALL CREATION TOGETHER Poem Devotional

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February 2________________________________________
He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
-Colossians 1:17 (NLT)
HOLDS ALL CREATION TOGETHER
A poem and essay by ILMA
God has a system to make things work together
He created man so we can love one another
He placed the sky above the land and the seas
He made all kinds of animals, plants and trees.
He existed before anything else was in the universe
He made man so we can relate with him and converse
Each portion of his creation has a purpose in his plan
Do you know your destiny or do you fight and run?
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Have you looked at nature lately? Are you not astounded at how God has made beautiful trees, landscapes, seascapes, sunsets, cloud formation, the snow, the beautiful flowers and all living creatures? Scientists have obsessed with reasoning and getting answers to all the things we cannot fathom. But the bible says that we cannot understand God’s mind because we are limited and he is not. Why can’t we just thank the Lord for everything that he has given us? Why do we have to understand? It is our fallen nature that wants to compete with God’s understanding. Sometimes, we just have to accept and be thankful.
The bible says that God existed before anything else. He created all things and holds all creation together. We need to believe that he knew what he was doing when he created us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for all the beautiful things you created.
REFLECTION
What part of God’s creation are you thankful for today?
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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