EXAMINE YOUR WAYS

Posted on May 28, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 27 The Power of God’s Word
Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord. Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven. –Lamentations 3:40-41 (NLT)
When things don’t go well in your life
Do you examine your ways or continually fight?
Do you resort to blaming and pitying yourself?
Why not confess instead and ask God for help.
When rebellion and disobedience dominate your heart
Everything is a struggle no matter where you start
Lift your heart and hands to God in heaven
He will protect and provide you with a haven.
Do you examine your ways on a daily basis? Many people do not reflect on what they think and do. Actions speak out our minds and hearts. Our decisions and reactions are greatly influenced by what preoccupy our minds. If we constantly think of negative things, the results will be destructive choices. On the other hand, if we renew our minds and feed it with the truth that comes from God, we will reap all the promises he has made to us. We will harvest the fruits of the spirit and have peace and joy.
In Lamentations, we are summoned to examine and test our ways and turn back to the Lord. We must lift our hearts and hands to God in prayer and supplication.
PRAYER
Lord, hold captive my heart and mind.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to examine our thoughts and ways regularly?

WISDOM BUILDS, FOOLISHNESS DESTROYS Poem Devotional

Posted on May 26, 2014 by ilmaarts

GOD IN NATURE Poem Devotional

Posted on May 24, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 24 The Power of God’s Word
Only fools say in their hearts, ”There is no God.” They are corrupt and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! Psalm 53:1(NLT)
GOD IN NATURE
Tulips gracefully rising, cupping the sun’s light coming out
What a beautiful spring sunny day where birds come about
Leaves sprouting out from the branches of some trees
They finally come to life and survive the severe winter freeze.
Only fools say “There is no God”
The trees, birds and flowers give him laud
God cares and nourishes all his creatures
He manifests himself in all of nature.
Many unbelievers claim that there is no god. They make all kinds of theories of how the universe and everything came about. They concoct all kinds of stories to disprove the existence of God. The enemy has blinded them with lies that appear like truth to them. Their choice to believe these lies deprive them to see that there is a God who is magnificent and has created everything we can’t explain and understand.
Psalm 53 talks about fools that claim there is no God. They are corrupt and choose evil deeds. What will it take for people to believe that there is a higher being who made everything? Just watch the birds, the trees, the flowers, the river, the seas, and the skies. Who can create such magnificence?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your presence in nature!
REFLECTION
Soak yourself in nature and feel God’s presence.

SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT Poem Devotional

Posted on May 23, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 23 The Power of God’s Word
My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me and from finishing his work. –John 4:34 (NLT)
SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
Do you feed on God’s truth and his word?
Are you contented with what is in this world?
Spiritual nourishment comes from doing God’s will
Starving your spirit brings havoc and makes you ill.
Just as your body needs food to keep alive
So does your spirit needs truth to break the lies
Feed your spirit with what will make you see
Seeking and following God’s will is what sets you free.
It is amazing how so many people put so much emphasis on their physical well being. They spend much money being a member of a health club or a gym just so they can look good and stay fit. Sadly, the mental and spiritual health is often neglected by many of us. This is one of the reasons why so many people are mentally or spiritually ill. Because we see our bodies and not our minds and spirit, it is often ignored.
The bible tells us that our nourishment must come from doing God’s will who gave us life. Our purpose in life is not just to care for our bodies, but also to put priority to the real reason for our existence. We were created to fit in God’s big plan.
PRAYER
Lord, help me keep spiritually fit.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to feed our spirits?

BE ENCOURAGED! Poem Devotional

Posted on May 23, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 22 The Power of God’s Word
“Don’t be afraid”, he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” –Daniel 10:19 (NLT)
BE ENCOURAGED!
Are you anxious and worried about challenges?
Don’t be afraid, for God will bring changes
You are very precious to him like a treasure
He gives you favors for his own pleasure.
Be encouraged and have peace
Doubting and hopelessness must cease
Be strong, he will not take long
His timing is perfect and he is never wrong.
Do you know that you are very precious to God? A lot of people do not realize this truth and go in circles trying to find value in their identity. I lived many years believing the enemy’s lies that I don’t deserve to be loved. It made me obsessed with finding love from others. God freed me after many decades pursuing human love and attention. He revealed my true identity as his child many years later. After that revelation, I had peace and knew my identity in Christ.
In Daniel 10, the prophet had a vision of great hardship and times of war. So he mourned for three weeks, fasting. He grew weak because of this but was consoled by God that he is very precious and that he will regain his strength and be encouraged and have peace for he provides for his people.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for encouraging me.
REFLECTION
Do you feel precious and encouraged by God’s love?

LIVING BY GOD’S POWER Poem Devotional

Posted on May 21, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 21 The Power of God’s Word
For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
–1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)
LIVING BY GOD’S POWER
Do you live in the standards set by this world?
Do you depend on God’s power shown in his word?
For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk
It is about believing and following Jesus’ walk.
Can you discern the wisdom that God provides?
Do you listen to all the things he reveals and confides?
Living by God’s power is accepting the spirit within
It is by walking in love that we can be free and redeemed.
The world we live in puts much emphasis on “power.” Everyone wants a bite of this power. The clamor for recognition, success, wealth, possessions have all led to a life of corruption and conflict. Each one wants to prove who is better at something. In God’s economy, power is only granted to those who seek the Lord.
It is the power to let go and surrender every need, craving and desire our hearts yearn for.
The bible tells us to live in God’s power. How can we live by his power? We can look at how Jesus lived amongst us. He was the son of God, yet he did not exercise any of his powers, he surrendered to his father’s will.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to humbly surrender.
REFLECTION
Why is humility essential in salvation?

GIVING UP IMMATURITY Poem Devotional

Posted on May 20, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 20 The Power of God’s Word
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like truth.
–Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)
GIVING UP IMMATURITY
Can you honestly say that you have grown up?
Have your tantrum fits and whining stopped?
Are you easily swayed by lies that appear like truth?
Do worldly teachings appear inviting to you?
Faith and knowledge of the Lord brings maturity
It makes us admit our mistakes and take responsibility
Wisdom protects us from sly tactics of the enemy
The word of God will free us from deceit and slavery.
The bible says in Matthew 18:3 that we cannot enter God’s kingdom unless we become like little children. Why did God require us to be like these little ones as a pre-requisite to a place in his kingdom? Children are pure. They are excited, bold, adventurous, creative, full of energy and fearless. They have no schemes or ill intentions. They don’t judge. They easily forgive.
In Ephesians, we are told to no longer be immature like children. Kids are vulnerable. Because of their purity, they can be deceived and victimized. We are asked to stop being vulnerable to worldly influence through scriptures. Only God’s word will protect us from lies.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a hunger for knowing you.
REFLECTION
Why do we have to give up immaturity?

THE GREATEST TEACHER Poem Devotional

Posted on May 15, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 15 The Power of God’s Word
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you, and leads you along the paths you should follow. –Isaiah 48:17(NLT)
THE GREATEST TEACHER
A poem by ILMA
Do you rely on others to teach and tell you what to do?
There is no one else who knows you through and through
God alone sees your heart, thoughts and intentions
He knows how to handle your trials and tribulations.
The greatest teacher leads you along paths you should follow
He has your best interest at heart and hears your sorrow
Do not lose hope, come to him and he will show you the way
He will confront all your enemies and he will make them pay.
There are many people who can tell you what to do and how to live your life. Do they really know what is good for you? Only God knows our thoughts, feelings and heart. He knows us be name, even before we were born. He knows every strand in our hair (Luke 12:7).
God is all-knowing and all seeing. He invites us to allow him to teach us and lead us to the paths we should take. He is the greatest teacher. When we rely on him for guidance, we are guaranteed a life full of promises and fruits of his spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to consult with you always.
REFLECTION
Why does God want us to seek guidance from him?

PRAYING FROM THE HEART Poem Devotional

Posted on May 13, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 13 The Power of God’s Word
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. –Matthew 6:7(NLT)
PRAYING FROM THE HEART
A poem by ILMA
Babbling and repeated prayers are futile
They do not involve your heart which is vital
When you pray, be in a secret place
Listen to his voice and hear what he says.
Don’t repeat your words again and again
It is only a waste of time and gets no gain.
Cry or shout for joy when you talk to the Lord
Pour out your heart to bring him laud.
When I was a child, the Our Father was the first prayer I was taught. The process of memorizing something is like storing the words in your heart. Be careful to be mindful when you utter memorized prayer. If you do not take the time to let your heart process the words, it will just be repeated words with no meaning. There were so many formula prayers I learned in the past that were futile.
The bible tells us that we shouldn’t repeat again and again what we say when we pray. God isn’t deaf. In fact, he already knows what we need even before we pray. Praying is like having intimate conversations with God where there’s interaction.
PRAYER
Lord, guard me from futile praying.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to use our hearts when we talk to God?

FAITH HEALS Poem Devotional

Posted on May 12, 2014 by ilmaarts

May 12 The Power of God’s Word
“Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. –Matthew 9:22(NLT)
FAITH HEALS
A poem by ILMA
Do you believe that faith can save you?
Trust completely in the Lord and he will renew
Your confidence in him will bring healing
It will lead you to freedom and rejoicing.
When you have a weakness or an illness
Be encouraged, faith will bring hopefulness
If you surrender anything to God’s power
He will bring a miracle right at that hour.
Do you realize how faith can actually save you from darkness and illnesses? I have seen actual healing happen when I went to a faith healer who got his spiritual gift of healing from the Lord. He received God’s gift to heal and he was used by the Lord so God will be glorified. Millions of people followed him and I actually saw cripples and bed ridden cancer patients literally standing up and walking as he laid his hands and prayed on them. The first thing he asks from them is if they totally believe that God will free them from their predicament. The moment they declare their faith, they were instantly healed. The bible has many faith stories that would attest to healing as an offshoot of faith. Matthew mentions the woman who instantly received healing by trusting Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to grow in faith.
REFLECTION
Why is faith essential in healing?

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