Tag Archives: poetry

DIVISION DESTROYS Poem Devotional

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June 26
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Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.– Luke 11:17(NLT)
DIVISION DESTROYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where there is a disagreement and fighting
Follows shattered vision and victorious living
Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed
A family splintered by feuding will not bloom.
Let go of divisions and embrace peace
Be grateful that you are not bound but free
Division destroys all kinds of relationships
Do not let it be a hindrance to growing friendships.
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When there is a sign of disorder, there usually is division that caused it. Many relationships can be challenged by disagreements and lack of respect and communication. Many things can cause breakdowns in a church, an organization or company, marriages, family or friendships. Division usually is one of the major causes of many broken relationships and communities.
My first husband and I were very divided in terms of our beliefs, culture and traditions, way of thinking and preferences over many issues. It completely destroyed my ideals and my vision of what a marriage should be. I thank the Lord for delivering me from this ungodly and destructive relationship. The Lord allowed my wrong choice to happen so that I can learn to let go of things that will take me away from him.
Where there is division, love cannot thrive and faith won’t grow. Agreement is essential in walking in love.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to agree with all your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is an agreement essential in any relationship or partnership?
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

GET UP AND GO Poem Devotional

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June 25
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“Young man” he said. I tell you. “Get up!” – Luke 7:14(NLT)
GET UP AND GO
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we are asleep, we accomplish less
Standing up and start moving keep us afresh
Get up and go is a command to spring to life
It protects us from believing the devil’s lies.
When we limit ourselves from our potentials
We are asleep, let’s focus on what’s essential
Take all weaknesses to Jesus and arise
It will free you from bondage and you will thrive.
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There are many verses in the bible that we hear God or Jesus commanding someone to get up or arise. In Leviticus 19:32, God commands Moses to rise up and revere God. In Joshua 7:10, the Lord asks Joshua to rise up because he has fallen on his face. Isaiah 52:2 was a message to Jerusalem to rise up and shake themselves out from the dust. The prophet Micah in chapter 2 verse 10 was summoned to arise and go because of the destruction of uncleanliness. In 2 Samuel 19:7, he was commanded to go out and speak kindly to his servant.
Almost all the miraculous healing of Jesus included this command to “Get up” or “Arise.” Why did the bible use this words often, especially to those significant persons that God gave the anointing? The act of getting up is an active stance while sleeping and not doing something is likened to being dead.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always obey when you command me to arise.
REFLECTION
What bondages or weaknesses have God asked you to rise from?
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

BIG LEAP OF FAITH Poem Devotional

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June 24
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I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are and my servant will be healed. -Luke 7:7(NLT)
BIG LEAP OF FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Growing their faith is crucial to all believers
Without it, they will easily be targeted by the deceiver
The centurion’s humility was worth emulating
Jesus cited him to have big faith worth following.
Abraham, David, Mary, Joseph, Daniel and also Moses
They all are examples of faith, they received God’s promises
Why don’t we all make a big leap to prove that we believe
Totally surrender to Jesus and you will definitely receive.
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It is one thing to say that you believe in Jesus and another thing to actually exercise it. Talking about what you believe may not necessarily jive with that you are doing. In this verse, we witness the epitome of humility and faith in the centurion’s story. The centurions were high officials in the Roman empire and they had servants. In Luke 7:2, a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, whom he highly valued. When he heard about Jesus, he went to see him so his servant can be healed. What was amazing with this humble officer was to plead Jesus even at his position, to heal his servant. Even more astounding, was his words that he wasn’t worthy, but Jesus’ word is enough to heal his servant.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me faith like the centurion.
REFLECTION
Share a big leap of faith that you witnessed to Jesus.
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

PRAY IN SOLITUDE Poem Devotional

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June 23
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Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. – Luke 5:16 (NLT)
PRAY IN SOLITUDE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you pray, go to a place of solitude
It will set you for the right attitude
To spend time with the Lord requires intimacy
It allows you to hear his voice easily.
Even Jesus withdrew often to pray in the wilderness
He took all the chance to be with God regularly
Pour out your heart and spend time to pray quietly
The Lord waits on you to make him your priority.
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The movie “War Room” inspires us believers to find a place where we can cry our hearts out to the Lord in prayer. In it, the wife converted a walk in closet to be her war room where she puts sticky notes all over the walls with her requests and spends much time with God. She learned how to do this from a much older woman whose life was focused on getting down on her knees and being intimate with the Lord. As she went deeper in prayer, she got transformed into a new person. The husband and daughter witnessed how changed she was that they became curious what was in the closet. As they discovered all the prayer requests, they too began to follow what she was doing. Their family got renewed. Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness to pray in solitude. No distractions.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to find time to always be in solitude with you.
REFLECTION
What would your advice be to someone who is new in 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.c

SIDETRACKED Poem Devotional

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June 22
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Don’t get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil. – Proverbs 4:27(NLT)
SIDETRACKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Different distractions may veer you away from doing right
Don’t get sidetracked but keep your eyes on Jesus Christ
The enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy you
What are you doing to keep your mind constantly renewed?
Paying attention on what’s not your priority
Will keep you away from reaching victory
Keep focused on truth that comes from the word
It will protect you from the corruption in this world.
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Cambridge English dictionary defines “sidetracked” as directing one’s attention away from an activity or subject towards another one that is less important. Notice how the discrepancy of this act is caused by shifting priorities. Many people live distracted lives simply because they have not set their priorities and managed their time.
Dr. Caroline Leaf is a neuro-plastic scientist who teaches how to switch the brain from negative to positive thoughts and thereby change the way one thinks. She tells us that it takes 21 days to train your brain to get rid of toxic thoughts and another 21 days to replace it. It can even take more than 21 days if you allow yourself to be sidetracked by negative self-talk and fail to regularly keep track of your thoughts.
The bible says that we must not allow ourselves to get sidetracked from doing right by following evil ways.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from all kinds of distractions.
REFLECTION
How can we learn not to be sidetracked by evil and unimportant things?
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

FOCUS ON WHAT LIES AHEAD Poem Devotional

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June 21
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Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. – Proverbs 4:25(NLT)
FOCUS ON WHAT LIES AHEAD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there something that distracts you from Christ?
Do you get consumed with busy-ness and life?
Look straight and focus on what lies ahead
Count your blessings and always be glad.
Do not listen to the lies of the enemy
It will divert you from receiving the victory
When you fix your eyes on Jesus Christ
You will find wisdom to do what is right.
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Have you ever learned to ride a bike? The first thing they ask you is to look straight ahead so that you don’t lose your balance. Even in dancing, the instructors ask you to have a straight posture and chin up. They discourage you from looking down at your feet as you are learning the steps. In driving, you also need to look ahead even though you are being conscious of your peripheral vision. It keeps you from head on collisions and other life threatening accidents. Many accidents now are caused by distracted driving.
The same is true in life, you need to focus on what lies ahead and not be consumed by the situation and challenges you are going through. When you don’t look ahead, you will likely be discouraged, lose hope and find no meaning in life. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you that I can look up to you and you’ll never fail me.
REFLECTION
How can being distracted with worldly stuff prevent us from reaching our goals?
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

EVADE PERVERSE & CORRUPT TALK Poem Devotional

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June 20
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Avoid all perverse talk. Stay away from corrupt speech. -Proverbs 4:24(NLT)
EVADE PERVERSE & CORRUPT TALK
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you live your Christian life
Your words must bring light
Evade perverse or corrupt talk
They do not jive with a believer’s walk.
Stay away from harsh speech and lies
They only open doors for the devil to strike
Let only honorable things come out of your mouth
It glorifies God when you speak his word out loud.
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The word that comes out of our mouth has power. It can either destroy or build up someone. Proverbs 18:21 says “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” No wonder King David prayed in Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” He understands how a mouth can easily destroy us or someone else.
I cringe when I hear someone utter a harsh word or a judgment. It wasn’t too long ago when I used to recklessly say things without rending my tongue. It has brought havoc to many of my relationships because I didn’t align my thoughts and mouth with God’s truth. I was focused on getting my thoughts out because I have been minimized many years of my youth.
The bible cautions us to avoid any perverse or corrupt speech. We will benefit from a prudent mouth.
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PRAYER
Lord, rend my mouth. Let it only speak your truth in love.
REFLECTION
How can one change a foul mouth?
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

WORDS THAT BRING LIFE Poem Devotional

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June 18
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The way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. – Proverbs 4:19(NLT)
STUMBLING IN TOTAL DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there something in your life that you cannot understand?
Was there an experience that kept you fearful and sad?
The ways of the wicked is like total darkness
They are stumbling and feel hopeless.
They have no idea how to get out of this pit
Because they have already grieved the Holy Spirit
Wickedness will always bring you to desolation
Righteousness on the other hand, leads to salvation.
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Have you ever experienced groping in a dark room or place? If it is something you are familiar with, just like going to the bathroom in the middle of your sleep, it’s probably not a big deal. When it is some place or situation that you are unfamiliar with, it poses a bigger challenge. As you walk in that dark area, you stumble over things or can fall over something. It might even be dangerous and cost you to get hurt.
The bible explains how the ways of the wicked is like total darkness where they stumble over things. Proverbs is likening it to life. When we remain in our evil ways, we become blinded by the enemy from the lies he tells us. We are unable to see the truth because we get absorbed in worldly ways
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to discern when I go astray.
REFLECTION
How can we totally avoid evil ways?
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

NO HOLDING BACK Poem Devotional

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June 16
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When you walk, you won’t be held back, when you run, you won’t stumble.
-Proverbs 4:12(NLT)
NO HOLDING BACK
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
You won’t be held back, he leads your life
Even when you run, you won’t stumble
His wisdom will guard you from troubles.
The Lord is all out to assist and lead you
Abide in him and he will make you new
There is no holding back when you love him
Love with all your heart and you will win over sin.
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Have you ever had a relationship with someone who always held back their love, affection or attention? I grew up surrounded by people who always hide their emotions and care for someone. It was very hard to be around these kinds of individuals. You never know where you stand or how they really feel about you. It makes one doubtful and insecure of their identity.
God on the other hand loves us very unconditionally and faithfully. He doesn’t wait for us to ask to be shown or given love. He gives it generously always. Sometimes we don’t always recognize the love because he uses other people or situations to care for us or remind us that he is always there, watching over us.
Proverbs tells us that if we choose to commit our lives to Jesus, there is no holding back to his love for us.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your faithful and unconditional love Lord.
REFLECTION
How can we give our all to God amidst sufferings and challenges?
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