Tag Archives: poetry

OBEDIENCE: A SPIRITUAL WEAPON

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November 4________________________________________
This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments. – Psalm 119:56(NLT)
OBEDIENCE: A SPIRITUAL WEAPON
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you submitted yourself to Jesus Christ?
What have you done to imitate his life?
A life of obedience glorifies the Lord
It leads to you overcome this world.
Without obedience, one can’t have victory
Rebellion is how we are attacked by the enemy
When we follow God’s instructions
It becomes a weapon against temptations.
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Many of the people that God used in fulfilling the promise of a Messiah had one thing in common. They were all obedient to God’s call. Abraham was the epitome of complete surrender to God’s call. In Genesis 12, Abram was called by the Lord and instructed to leave his native country, his relatives and his father’s family to go to a land that he wasn’t sure of. God instructed him in verse 1-2 that he will show him where that place is going to be and that he will make him into a great nation. In verse 3, God said that all families on earth will be blessed through him. Abram came from Ur in the Chaldees and they were from a pagan land. God used him to bring his people to Canaan, the promised land. Because of his obedience, he became the father of all nations. He became the leader of many nations.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always live in obedience to your will.
REFLECTION
How is obedience a spiritual weapon against Satan?
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

Babbling Prayers poem devotional

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November 2________________________________________
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. -Matthew 6:7(NLT)
BABBLING PRAYERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you repeat again and again your request
It leads you nowhere, it is a futile quest
Some people think that by nagging the Lord
They can have every wish they have in this world.
God knows already what you need even before you ask
Why not just be honest with Him and open your heart?
Babbling and rote prayers doesn’t have meaning
They are just an exercise for sound uttering.
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I grew up surrounded by people who prayed formula prayers. At age seven, I can remember the mass in Latin where I just heard sounds and a language I can’t understand. It seemed like it was all a ritual. We were going inside the church, genuflecting before I sat in the pews and making sure my head was covered with veil, not making noise aside from what we were told to answer and saying out loud in unison with everybody the prayers that were taught to us in school. It is amazing that even at that young age, the Holy Spirit was teaching me that this kind of praying was wrong. So, I had this voice inside my mind that told me to talk to Jesus instead. It felt right to pray this way. ________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, please let me never babble on when I pray.
REFLECTION
How can one avoid babbling when praying?
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 GOOD STEWARD Poem Devotional

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November 1________________________________________
Guard what God has entrusted to you. – 1 Timothy 6:20 (NLT)
A GOOD STEWARD
A poem and essay by ILMA
A good steward cares for what’s given him
He doesn’t hoard for his pleasure such gifts
He makes sure that what’s entrusted will prosper
He guards it and uses it to give God the honor.
The more gifts we are given, the more is expected
God gave us all this so that his kingdom will be propagated
Use what is assigned to you with love and wisdom
He rewards good stewards with much joy and freedom.
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In Matthew 25:13-40, a master entrusted money to three of his servants. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. Then he left them. The one who got five bags invested it and earned five more. The one who received two also went to work and earned two more. The last servant who got one, dug a hole in the ground and hid it there. After a long time, the master came back and asked for an account from the three servants what they did with the money he left them. When he found out what the three did, he praised the first and the second servants but threw the third one out because he didn’t steward well what was entrusted to him.
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PRAYER
Lord, please help me never to take for granted what you give me.
REFLECTION
How can you be a good steward to God’s gifts to 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

STUDY AND REFLECT ON GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional

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October 31________________________________________
I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. – Psalm 119:15-16(NLT)
STUDY AND REFLECT ON GOD’S WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you become a believer of Jesus Christ
Follow his words and changes happen in your life
As you study and reflect on God’s ways
You will be stronger not to be swayed.
If you hide his truth in your heart
He will live in it and never depart
Delight in his commands and obey it
It is how we can have the fruits of the Spirit.
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As a new born again Christian, I was surprised to know that there are many Christians who do not really spend time on the word of God. I was a voracious reader of many different subjects before I became born again, but since I started studying the bible, there is no other book that can transform me and heal me. In Timothy 3:16 we know that Scriptures is God breathed and is there to teach us, correct us and tell us what to do. If this is the map to life, how come many believers don’t use it. It is sad to know that many of us don’t want to grow spiritually or else we won’t miss a day in reading, meditating and applying the word of God. We need to feed on it daily.
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PRAYER
Lord, give us all a hunger for your truth in the word.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some Christians fail to study and meditate on the word of 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

LASTING FAVORS TO THE GODLY

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October 30________________________________________
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment but his favor lasts a lifetime. -Psalm 30:4-5(NLT)
LASTING FAVORS TO THE GODLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Praise to the king of kings
Declare your love as you sing
Do not avoid his discipline
It will let you avoid sin.
He may be angry at you momentarily
Repent and confess and he forgives infinitely
He showers the godly with lifetime favors
He treasures deeply those who are faithful.
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Have you ever asked someone a favor? Wasn’t it great when they respond to your request? We don’t usually approach strangers or just anyone to ask for favors. We want to make sure that we have a relationship with that person already so that we are assured that we won’t be turned down. I think it is just courtesy to ask something from someone we know either by acquaintance, friendship or kinship. Otherwise, we would fall in the category of “entitled” persons.
In Psalm 30:4-5, we get to have a glimpse of how God loves those who are his people, especially those who worship him in spirit and truth. In these two verses, we see the generosity and mercy that God so easily gives to those who confess and repent of their sins. He showers them with much blessings and favors. So, why don’t all believers avail of these wonderful opportunities?
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PRAYER
Thank you for your generosity to all those who faithfully praise and worship you.
REFLECTION
How can you avail of such favors from a generous 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

IDOLS COMPETE WITH GOD Poem Devotional

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October 29________________________________________
How foolish to trust in your own creation-a god that can’t even talk. – Habakkuk 2:18(NLT)
IDOLS COMPETE WITH GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When one trusts his own creations
It is an impediment to receive salvation
God is the only one who has infinite wisdom
How foolish to turn away from God’s kingdom!
When you turn to idols created by mere creatures
You are competing with God’s sovereignty and power
Anything man-made is fleeting and temporary
Trust only in the Lord who can bring you eternity.
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According to the international bible society, Habakkuk is somewhat unique among the prophetic writings in that it includes no oracle addressed to Israel. It contains, rather, a dialogue between the prophet and God. This account of wrestling with God is, however, not just a fragment from a private journal but that it was composed for Israel. No doubt it represented the voice of the godly in Judah, struggling to comprehend the ways of God. God’s answers therefore spoke to all who shared Habakkuk’s troubled doubts. And Habakkuk’s confession became a public expression—as indicated by its liturgical notations. Anything that distracts us from having a relationship with God or making him first in our lives is a form of idol. Habakkuk warns us not to rely on idols because it is not going to bring us eternal life. It is actually allowing competition to hinder our pure relationship with God.
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PRAYER
Help me Lord to never allow any idols to come between us.
REFLECTION
How can idols become a way of competing with 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 SATISFIES EVERY NEED Poem Devotional

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October 28________________________________________
He himself gives life and breath to everything and he satisfies every need.
– Acts 17:25(NLT)
GOD SATISFIES EVERY NEED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you always longing to meet your needs?
Does it lead you to desperation and greed?
If you look for someone to fulfill it
You’ll be disillusioned, no one can give it.
Only God can give life and breath
He is the answer for your quest
Turn to Jesus so you can be contented
He is faithful to provide, have you requested?
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Many years of my life was a quest to have someone provide for my needs. I was desperate in my search because I thought another person could actually fill in all the unfulfilled needs I had. I felt empty and alone for many decades because I didn’t know that no human being can ever fill that void.
When I became born again six years ago, God revealed to me that no one but him can satisfy every need I have. I began seeing everything different. I had always set up very high expectations from the people I have relationships with. Because I lived a life of neglect growing up, I became an anxious person.
When I got deep into studying God’s word, he showed me how to rely on him and not on others or myself. I began to live under his grace and mercy and it was awesome.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for meeting all my needs.
REFLECTION
What need has God satisfied in your life lately?
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

ETERNAL WEALTH Poem Devotional

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October 27________________________________________
Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.
– Luke 12:21(NLT)
ETERNAL WEALTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you like to gather wealth and material things?
These are all fleeting and will only tempt you to sin
You are a fool if your life focuses on what do not last
Gather the wealth that is eternal, seek Jesus Christ.
Build a relationship with God and make him always first
You will benefit from focusing your life on Christ
Prioritize him and you will receive a life that does not end
Make him last and you have just made the world your friend.
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How would you like to be a spiritual millionaire? It is sad to watch people who spend their lives accumulating wealth, power, fame, possessions and not give the Lord even a tiny bit of time and attention. We humans get all hyped up and obsessed with the things that belong to this world. In Ephesians 6, we are all warned that we are not just dealing with physical things but with unseen forces. Life is not all about this world. James warned us that we cannot be friends of this world and retain our relationship with God. We cannot serve two masters.
Luke warns us that we need to gather eternal wealth rather than physical things because this is the one that will give us a life that lasts forever. ¬________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always maintain making you first in my life.
REFLECTION
How can you maintain a rich relationship with 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

WARNING TO THE WORLDLY poem devotional

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October 26________________________________________
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed.
– Luke 9:25 (NLT)
WARNING TO THE WORLDLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you focused much on following this world’s system?
Do you only care to satisfy your pleasures and cravings?
Be warned! If you do so, you will lose yourself
You may be let down and not even get help.
When you are consumed by the ways of the world
You will suffer its consequences according to God’s word
There is no benefit in seeking approval from mankind
Seek the Lord and you won’t be swayed to stay blind.
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Many decades of my life was spent on following the ways of this world. Gaining knowledge, having control over others and situations, aiming to reach my goals to be recognized and looked up to, idolizing myself and the talents I had were just some of the ways I lived before I became a born again Christian. I didn’t know any better because I didn’t read the word of God even though I thought I have already been saved when I was baptized as an infant. That’s what I was taught. Ambition, success, earning money, hard work to gain others’ approval where some of the systems I anchored my life on. No wonder I was so confused, got lost, and eventually destroyed. Now that God has released me from such bondage, I am forever grateful.
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PRAYER
Lord, always convict me when I get corrupted by this world.
REFLECTION
How can the world system sneak and steal your joy and peace?
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

OUTSMARTING SATAN Poem Devotional

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October 25________________________________________
When I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
-2 Corinthians 2:10-11(NLT)
OUTSMARTING SATAN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know that you have a hidden enemy who attacks you?
You need to live in God’s truth and have your minds renewed
Satan’s out to destroy and create havoc and confusion in your life
Un-forgiveness gives a foothold to the devil and snuffs off God’s light.
When you harbor resentment and do not forgive others
You are the one who will actually be affected and suffer
To outsmart the enemy, you need to forgive right away
Abide in Jesus and you will never be corrupted and swayed.
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How do you strategize so you can win a contest, a battle or competition? First, you have to know your enemy or the other people involved in the competition if it was one. Then you have to equip yourself so that you have a big chance to win it. Next, you exercise and build up your discipline and bodies if it was a marathon or physical contest. Not knowing your enemy’s tactics, capabilities and schemes will not ensure a winning stance.
The bible says that one of the biggest ways we can outsmart Satan is by forgiving others who have wronged us. This keeps him out of our heart’s door.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a repentant and forgiving heart always.
REFLECTION
How can forgiveness keep our heart’s door shut towards the devil?
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