THE SOURCE OF COMFORT Poem devotional

Posted on June 20, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 20 The Power of God’s Word
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us–2 Corinthians 2:3-4 (NLT)
THE SOURCE OF COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek comfort from all your troubles?
Does it seem like you are buried in the rubbles?
The heavenly Father is the only source of comfort
He will carry your burden and give you support.
He consoles us in trials so we can soothe others
He expects us to do the same to our sisters and brothers
Amidst sufferings, God exudes his love, grace and mercy
We ought to share what we received and be a blessing.
We live in a world where people obsess about comfort. We want to avoid inconveniences. We work very hard to make our lives and our families comfortable. We rely so much on our own strength to ensure that we live lives of comfort. We resist any form of change that will compromise these comfort zones.
The bible tells us that the only source of comfort is God. He brings us comfort during our troubles but he expects us to give back the same comfort we received to others. He gives us strength to share it.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me someone I could bless.
REFLECTION
How can you give back comfort to others?

WHEN INSULTED FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN Poem Devotional

Posted on June 19, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 19 The Power of God’s Word
So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then, the glorious spirit of God will rest upon you.–1 Peter 4:14 (NLT)
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do people think you are weird when you declare Christ as your Savior?
Do they say you are crazy when you sing praises to the Father?
Are you being picked on for staying away from corruption?
Are people angry at you for declaring the truth and shaking their illusions?
Be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian
The spirit of God will rest upon you and will strengthen
It will bring grace, mercy and blessings from your creator
You are part of God’s chosen people and he will bring you favor.
Are you being questioned for believing in God? I have experienced being ostracized because I have a close relationship with the heavenly father since I was a kid. Some people think I am much too creative and that I made up things about my direct communication with the Lord. The movie “Heaven is for real” would attest to the fact that the Lord is there for us when we are insulted. The bible tells us to be happy when we are persecuted for being a Christian for we will have God’s spirit in us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being present in those who believe.
REFLECTION
What would insults do to those who are faithful?

THE ONE AND ONLY SOURCE Poem Devotional

Posted on June 18, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 18 The Power of God’s Word
They all depend on you to give them food as they need it. When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied. But if you turn away from them, they panic. – Psalm 104:27-29
THE ONE AND ONLY SOURCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
You are the one and only source of life
Without your mercy and love, we will lose light
We all depend on you for food for survival
If you don’t supply our needs, we are bound to die.
We open our hands to receive your provision
We are deeply grateful for your wisdom and vision
Lord, never leave me alone in this world, for I will panic
You are the only reason for my life to be ecstatic.
Have you ever wondered how the birds and the bees and all of living creatures survive and thrive? If you look around nature, you will experience God’s magnificence. He will whisper to you through the gentle breeze. He will shine and make you feel alive as you look at the sun. He will make you feel his presence at the landscape and seascapes around you. Psalm 104 praises the Lord for the provision he gives all his creatures. We all depend on the one and only source of life, God.
PRAYER
Lord, I praise you for your creation.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to magnify and praise the Lord daily?

THE MESSAGE NOURISHES Poem Devotional

Posted on June 17, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 17 The Power of God’s Word
You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious. Son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not join them in their rebellion. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.–Ezekiel 2:8,9 (NLT)

A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you hear the message that God sent?
Do you ignore, twist it or bend?
Are you obeying and following his commands?
Do you fight him and constantly demand?
The message comes from your creator
Without his word, you will continually make blunders
Do not join the rebels, open your mouth and receive his message
Consume the truth that will set you free and you’ll be granted courage.
What happens when someone sends you a message? In this Information age, we receive and give messages constantly. Sometimes we are aware of what we send or receive, but there are also moments when we clearly do not comprehend the message we get or give out. Communication barriers are hindrances to receiving the correct information. These hurdles block us from receiving or giving the message clearly.
In Ezekiel, the Lord gives him a message to tell the Israelites to stop rebelling and accept his spiritual food, which is his word. The Lord commands them to receive his message which will set them free.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me constantly hungry for you.
REFLECTION
How is the message our spirit’s nourishment?

POOR BUT RICH Poem Devotional

Posted on June 16, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 16 The Power of God’s Word
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing and yet we have everything.
–2 Corinthians 6:10 (NLT)
POOR BUT RICH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Be glad when you are in pain, for you are chosen
You are promised a place in God’s kingdom in heaven
Your heartaches here on earth are temporary
Joy will replace that pain on the contrary.
You are poor and yet rich in spirit
Share openly what you have and give it
Be a blessing to others and you will be blessed
The Father gives to those who follow what he says.
The world’s connotation of poor and rich are so different from God’s perspective. Society puts premium on material wealth, power, fame, outward beauty, intelligence and human skills or talents to be considered as rich. It is very different in God’s economy. He considers those who are pure in heart, mind and soul as those who are rich. Those who are undergoing so much pain in life and have lost their way are the poor in spirit. God sent Jesus, to save those who are hurting and lost. The bible tells us that those in pain and are poor must not stop giving spiritual riches to others. Even if they own nothing, they have God’s spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me joyful despite hardships.
REFLECTION
Why are we supposed to bless others?

WHEN CRUSHED AND OVERWHELMED Poem Devotional

Posted on June 15, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 15 The Power of God’s Word
We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. –2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT)
WHEN CRUSHED AND OVERWHELMED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When times are tough and you are crushed
You must rely on God and trust
Even though you feel you can’t endure
You will overcome this trial and mature.
When you are ignored, ridiculed and belittled
Don’t lose hope and be defeated
Stop relying on yourself and turn to God
He has the answers and he will provide.
There are times when I feel so crushed and overwhelmed. It usually is a sign that there is some unmet need or that my expectations are not met. Do you think God expects you to do something for him or be someone that you are not? Many people live without uncovering the lies that was passed on to them by generations of traditions and rituals.
The bible tells us to rely on the Lord, when we are crushed and overwhelmed. God is a god who can raise the dead. In other words, no matter how bad the situation is or how seemingly hopeless it is, God has an answer.
PRAYER
Lord, give me strength to carry on.
REFLECTION
Why is “trusting” God the only solution to overwhelming situations?

THORN IN THE FLESH Poem Devotional

Posted on June 14, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 14 The Power of God’s Word
Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
–2 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)
A THORN IN THE FLESH
A poem and essay by ILMA
As we continue to follow and believe Christ
A thorn in the flesh, we will find
Although we have received revelations
We are not exempt from trials and tribulations.
We are not to become proud so we won’t stumble
We accept the thorn to prompt us to stay humble
God wants us to stay on track
He never wants us to turn our backs.
The interesting part of being a Christian is that we are not free from troubles. Many unbelievers think that believers have more earthly privileges than them. On the contrary, the closer you are with Christ, the more hardships you encounter. As humans, we have limited minds and we will never be able to fathom what God is doing in our lives. Sometimes, he refines us with trials so we can be purified and cleansed just as gold is refined through fire. The bible tells us that even though we have revelations from God, He protects us from becoming proud, so he allows a thorn in our flesh.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to accept the thorn in my flesh.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to be positive amidst suffering?

PRIORITIZE PREACHING GOD’S KINGDOM Poem Devotional

Posted on June 13, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 13 The Power of God’s Word
Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.–Luke 9:60 (NLT)
PRIORITIZE PREACHING GOD’S KINGDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you consumed by worries and apprehensions?
Do you find excuses to avoid prayers and devotions?
Are your family concerns more important than your godly duties?
Is your work or career hampering you from divine responsibilities?
You were created to be part of a heavenly plan
Preach God’s truth and follow his commands
Prioritize God and be guided by his word and Spirit
Make him first in everything and you’ll easily overcome defeat.
Many Christians find it hard to prioritize preaching God’s kingdom. Many believers are consumed with earthly duties. It is good to take care of one’s physical needs and responsibly provide for your families, but a follower of Christ must put spiritual duties first and foremost in their lives.
In Luke 9:60, Jesus replied to a man who desired to follow him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” This response was to challenge the disciple and show him how much worldly concerns he uses to justify follow Jesus right away. We, believers sometimes get caught up in the world and forget to prioritize our godly duties.
PRAYER
Lord, help me prioritize.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to prioritize God above all things and people?

TROUBLES PRODUCE GLORY Poem Devotional

Posted on June 11, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 11 The Power of God’s Word
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.
–2 Corinthians 4:16-17(NLT)
TROUBLES PRODUCE GLORY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Does trouble bring you down?
Do you constantly feel consumed and bound?
When we are beset by tribulations
We need to focus on God’s love and salvation.
Though our bodies are dying
God is constantly renewing
Troubles may seem disheartening
Yet it produces for us a glory that is astounding.
I grew up surrounded by people who constantly complained. It was a common thing to hear criticisms and demands from members of my family. It seems like there is never enough one can do to satisfy the expectations of someone. The worst thing is that these expectations were all unspoken and hidden. Thus, trouble and conflicts thrived greatly in our household. Yet, something inside me told me to never give up. I didn’t realize then that it was God’s spirit who walked me through my life’s troubles.
The bible tells us that we must never give up when we encounter troubles. It is so small in comparison to the glory that is awaiting us when we die for Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, let me see trouble as a stepping stone to glory.
REFLECTION
How can troubles strengthen us?

HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S MERCY Poem Devotional

Posted on June 10, 2014 by ilmaarts

June 10 The Power of God’s Word

But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols. -Jeremiah 7:5,6(NLT)

HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S MERCY

A poem and essay by ILMA

Are you in need of God’s grace and mercy?

What does it take to receive his promises and be happy?

If you despise unfair treatment and advocate justice

The Lord will keep his promises and grant you peace.

If you treat orphans, widows and foreigners kindly

He will meet all your needs and bring your prosperity

If you stop harming yourselves by worshipping idols

He will fill your life with bounty and make you very capable.

“Mercy is like a judge finding you guilty, but then withholding any punishment. Grace is getting something you could never have imagined; an unfathomable gift.!” – I was struck by this in Acts 17:11 article on the web. It clearly defines the word mercy and grace.

God talks to Jeremiah in chapter 7 how we are to receive God’s mercy. He gave a list of requirements to fulfill to be able to access it:

Stop evil thoughts and deeds
Treat each other justly
Stop killing
Stop worshipping idols

PRAYER

Lord, grant me mercy.

REFLECTION

Why do you think God gave requirements to grant mercy?

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