KINDNESS VERSUS CRUELTY Poem Devotional

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May 28
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Your kindness will reward you but your cruelty will destroy you. -Proverbs 11:17 (NLT)
KINDNESS VERSUS CRUELTY
A poem and essay by ILMA
A kind word encourages everyone
A thoughtful act brings joy to someone
Your kindness will go a long way
It will surely make Satan go away.
When you are wicked and cruel to anybody
You are manifesting pride and being haughty
Any form of cruelty destroys you and others
It will bring death to your sisters and brothers.
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Have you ever been with someone cruel? It is exhausting to be around wicked people. They will always find something to bicker about. They take pleasure in putting down others. If you closely watch the lives of those who are wicked, you will notice that they live bitter, hopeless and discontented lives.
Kind people on the other hand encourages others and keeps a positive outlook in life. They go out of their way to help or bless someone just because they love God so much. Their kindness is always remembered by the recipient of their generosity. You will find out that kind people are always blessed by God and others. They inspire and draw people
to be closer to God and to praise and glorify him.
The bible tells us that kindness is always rewarded by the heavenly Father while cruelty ruins or destroys the person and those around him.
PRAYER
Lord, protect me from the temptation to be cruel.
REFLECTION
How would you respond to someone’s cruelty?
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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

DISCIPLINE IS A SIGN OF GOD’S LOVE Poem Devotional

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May 27
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If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. –Hebrews 12:8 (NLT)
DISCIPLINE IS A SIGN OF GOD’S LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you love and discipline your own children?
Do you do it to protect and safeguard their well-being?
God corrects his own people with love and tenderness
He loves us like his own and wants us to live in righteousness.
If you get convicted by the Holy Spirit of God
He wants you to be victorious and rise above
Discipline is a sign that you belong to him
It guarantees all his promises to be redeemed.
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It is a challenge to discipline children, but it always brings out the best for them. If you have children or is taking care of a child, you know the importance of correction in their lives. If you do not correct a mistake, they will constantly do it until it hurts them badly. God is the same with us. Like a parent or a caregiver, he wants the best for his children. He watches over them ensuring that they are free from harm and danger.
The bible talks about the importance of being convicted and corrected by God. It is a good thing even though at the time of being disciplined, it feels like we are hurting so much. It pays off in the end.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for correcting me.
REFLECTION
What was the hardest correction you got from God?
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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

HOW TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD Poem Devotional

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May 26
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And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasure. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God. – Titus 2:12 (NLT)
HOW TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it difficult to live in this world?
The enemy wants to distract us from God’s word
Turn from godless living and sinful pleasures
Embrace wisdom, seek God and be righteous.
The prince of this world is out to kill and destroy
Stick to God’s truth and you will know Satan’s ploy
Embrace wisdom and be faithful and dedicated
You will overcome this world when you are devoted.
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In Ephesians 6, we are told that we are not just physical beings but spiritual as well. That we don’t fight a physical battle but a battle with unseen forces. This is why so many times we get defeated living righteous lives because the enemy, who is unseen is able to manipulate us because he sees and knows us but half of the time, we don’t see him and he is able to deceive us because of that invisibility. But God is more powerful than the prince of this world, Satan.
We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures, instead, we should live this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to live in godliness.
REFLECTION
What are your weaknesses that the enemy likes to target?
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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

TROUBLES IN MARRIAGE Poem Devotional

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May 25
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However those who get married at this time will have troubles. I am trying to spare you those problems. -1 Corinthians 7:28(NLT)
TROUBLES IN MARRIAGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Did you marry so you can be trouble free?
There is no running from them, you will see
When you vow to love someone forever
Satan will keep you apart and ruin each other.
Troubles will always be part of marriage
Let God take have control over your baggage
Make him the focus of your matrimony
Then you will find joy, peace and harmony.
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The world view perpetuates romantic love. The truth is that romantic love doesn’t last forever as media would want us to believe. The happy endings we watch in movies are not real as they chop the other part of life’s reality: “facing the challenges that marriage brings.” It is this discrepancy between the romantic notion of love and the reality of facing troubles together that has ruined so many marriages.
The bible tells us that marriage will have troubles. It is a fact of life. We can never avoid troubles in relationships, especially in marriage. How can two people of two genders and different upbringing be the same? The world views marriage as a romance that is trouble-free. The truth is, God created marriage so that we can make him in control of such differences.
PRAYER
Lord, watch over all marriages.
REFLECTION
What is the hardest challenge you faced in your marriage?
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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

HIGH PRICE OF FREEDOM Poem Devotional

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May 23
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God paid a high price for you so you won’t be enslaved by the world.
-1 Corinthians 7:23 (NLT)
HIGH PRICE OF FREEDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Can you imagine being constantly chased?
Relaxing is not something you can face
What if you are addicted to something?
Do you not constantly crave for that thing?
God paid a high price for you so you will be free
He doesn’t want you enslaved and not see
The world can corrupt you and entice you to sin
If you don’t obey God’s commands, you will find ruin.
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Many years of my life was spent running from something. I didn’t even know what I was running from. I was enslaved by my pursuit of human love, affection and attention. Anything or anyone that would compromise my ability to pursue these needs, I ran as fast as I could from them. Seeking for approval and doing things so I could fill in the emptiness I felt inside for many years became my coping mechanism. I mastered it so much that I actually believed so many lies resulting from the lack of love in my life. For over four decades, I was a slave to “busy”ness just to avoid confronting my loneliness and emptiness. It made me view life out of proportion because I didn’t focus on the cross of Christ. Now I know that God paid a high price for my freedom.
PRAYER
Thank you for the sacrifice on the cross, Lord.
REFLECTION
What would you sacrifice in order to maintain your freedom.
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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

WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS Poem Devotional

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May 22
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I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. – 1 Corinthians 7:35 (NLT)
WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself overwhelmed with so much tasks?
Do whatever it takes to focus on the Lord and things that last
When your life is centered on God and his truth
You will find that his words bring joy and boosts.
Without distractions, you can have intimacy
Without it, you can be quiet and bring God glory
One of the enemy’s many tactics is to distract
He steals our time so we get derailed and lose track.
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How many times have you planned on doing something and discover later on that you never got to it? This is a very subtle trick of the devil. He steals your time so you won’t be able to do what you planned, especially if it will bring God the glory. He is a stealer, destroyer and a killer. Distractions can come in many forms. One of the ways I avoided getting distracted is having my journal and bible just beside my bedside so that when I wake up each morning, I can do it right away. The bible tells us to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. Paul talks to the Corinthians and tells them the importance of being without distractions.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me away from distractions.
REFLECTION
What distracts you from being close to God?
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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

NEW IN CHRIST Poem Devotional

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May 20
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This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has now become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. -2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
NEW IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you long to be renewed in your mind, body and spirit?
If you accept Christ as your Saviour, God will do it
When you receive him as Lord of your life
You will be blessed with his Spirit and light.
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person
There is no room for sin, guilt or condemnation
The old life is gone and the new has begun
God’s children and the Father is now one.
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I lived for so long in condemnation and guilt before I was born again in Christ. I had so many strongholds handed down to me by past generations. Guilt is one of the many of these generational sins. I used to do things out of guilt and to seek approval. It never gave me peace and joy whenever I succumbed to it. When I received Christ as my Savior at a very young age of seven, I didn’t totally understood what it meant to be one of God’s children. When God revealed to me his unconditional love much later in life, I know realized that I am new in Christ and that the old life has gone, a new life begun.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for my new life in you.
REFLECTION
What is in your new life that has changed from your old life?
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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

THOSE WHO BELONG TO GOD Poem Devotional

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May 18

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Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. -1 John 3:10 (NLT)
THOSE WHO BELONG TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you dedicated your life to Christ?
Do you purposely chose to live in the light?
Anyone who does not live righteously
They don’t belong to God truthfully.
Those who belong to God obey his words
They do not live in the system of the world
They love other believers and inspire others
They faithfully serve Christ and one another.
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Can you easily spot an authentic Christian? What makes them apart from the rest of the crowd? The first sign of a true believer is someone with a calm and gentle nature. They are very positive and cheerful. You will find that they are very encouraging and generous with their resources, time and attention. They are patient and very understanding. They treat everyone equally and are not judgmental. They easily forgive and don’t get envious of others. They do not make a habit of sinning. They are humble and accept correction from the Holy Spirit. They are not perfect but their dependence on God is truly amazing. They love to be amongst their sisters and brothers, the body of Christ. The bible says that anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
PRAYER
Lord, please change me to a truly authentic Christian.
REFLECTION
How do you reflect Christ in your attitude and actions?
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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

PRIDE DISGUISED Poem Devotional

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May 17
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Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. –Ezekiel 28:17 (NLT)
PRIDE DISGUISED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you take pleasure in your beauty?
Do you desire to be adored by everybody?
Pride can be disguised in many ways
The enemy will do everything to sway.
Watch what your heart is filled with
Is it filled with love and not full of guilt?
Fill your mind and hearts with God’s truth
It is the only way that your heart will stay pure.
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Ezekiel 28 talks about the King of Tyre in this chapter. In verses 13 to 19 the details of how God crafted a model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite beauty. It also talks about how his beauty became an impediment for him to be with God. Isn’t this still very true in our present age now? We are bombarded with materialism and love for what this world can offer: beauty, wealth, success, money, power and many more.
The bible warns us of the many ways that pride can be disguised. It can manifest in many ways. In Ezekiel 28:17, we are asked to watch what we fill our hearts with. Beauty can be a way that the enemy can trick us into turning from God. Human knowledge is another manifestation of pride. If you don’t seek God’s truth, you can be fooled by seeking knowledge.
PRAYER
Lord, guard my heart.
REFLECTION
What manifestations of pride have you struggled with?
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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

THE PAIN & JOY OF WOMANHOOD Poem Devotional

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May 16
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Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule you.”
-Genesis3:16 (NLT)
THE PAIN & JOY OF WOMANHOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you experience pain
You usually have something to gain
While giving birth, it may be unbearable
But beholding your child is pleasurable.
Because women are nurturers, they give more
They worry and care for others to the core
They feel more and are affected by things
They love more and learn from what has been.
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Women are very complex beings. They were made very differently from men. A woman’s brain is like many rooms in it while a man’s brain is just one big room. This is why women can multi-task more than men. When you ask a man what he is thinking, and he answers “Nothing”, this is really true. Women cannot fathom this “nothing” box that men’s brain likes to dwell in. While women can go to many rooms in their brains simultaneously, man has to go into the different boxes in his one big room, one at a time.
In Genesis, we learn the first sin of Adam and Eve and as a consequence of that sin, women were given painful childbirth and submission to their husbands. Out of the pain is the joy of bringing this child into the world.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for women.
REFLECTION
What attributes of a woman fascinates you most?
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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