June 6________________________________________
And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate. – Luke 9:5(NLT)
SHAKE THE DUST OFF
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are preaching the good news
Don’t force it on others or you will be rebuked
When people turn their backs on Jesus Christ
Shake the dust off your feet, go on with your life.
If some people welcomes you, stay with them
No use to remain there when they reject or blame
Move on to your next assignment and don’t look back
There are others who will receive it and not be taken aback
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There are some believers who try to force the message of Christ to others by being preachy or legalistic. This doesn’t really help because they more the unbelievers become repulsed by such attitude. Jesus never pushed his teachings to anyone who won’t want to hear it. He gave us a choice to take it or leave it.
Jesus instructed the disciples to travel light as they preached the good news to the ends of the earth. He warned them not to be discouraged when people refuses to welcome them. He told them to shake the dust off their feet as they leave as a sign that they have abandoned their faith. He wanted them to press on and not be bothered by such hostilities.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to learn to shake the dust off my feet when others turn their backs on you.
REFLECTION
How can one accept rejection?
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
Tag Archives: poetry
THE WISDOM OF SILENCE Poem Devotional
June 4________________________________________
Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened. -Luke 8:56 (NLT)
THE WISDOM OF SILENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are asked to keep something quiet
Are you inconspicuous and do you keep silent?
There is wisdom in exercising discretion
You will gain trust and avoid chaos and confusion.
Jesus never wanted to flaunt his powers
He wants you to be humble and love others
The wisdom of silence is beyond words
It brings about emotional and spiritual growth.
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Proverbs 17:28 says that even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise and when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Isn’t that amazing that you might be misconstrued to be a genius just by keeping your mouth zipped? People would want to be with discreet and quiet people rather than those who can’t stop talking. There is something attractive about those who know how to keep silent and know how to say something at the right moment.
In Luke 8, we see Jesus healed some people. He requested the parents of one of those he healed to keep it to themselves because he needed to do his Father’s business. Sometimes, when we let some works we’ve done escape our lips, it can ruin what the Father’s plan is. We also cannot talk and hear what God is saying when we are not silent. There is wisdom in silence and discretion.
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PRAYER
Lord, rend my mouth to only say what needs to be spoken.
REFLECTION
Why are discreet people more attractive to be around with?
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
FEAR BLOCKS HEALING Poem Devotional
June 3________________________________________
Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed. – Luke 8:50 (NLT)
FEAR BLOCKS HEALING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you ask the Lord to cure an illness
Do you surrender to him completely?
Do not be afraid or it will block healing
Fear means wavering and questioning.
Faith without hesitating is more than enough
It can bring about miracles without a doubt
Do not be afraid, just believe in Christ
He will reward anyone who has much faith.
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In Luke 8, we witness the healing powers that the woman who was bleeding for twelve years received just by touching the fringe of Jesus’ robe. It shows how desperately she wanted to be healed from the many years of suffering. Another man named Jairus came to ask the Lord if he can heal the daughter who was dying and Jesus’ reply was “Don’t be afraid, just have faith.” We will know in the end of the chapter who the daughter died already but Jesus assured him that she was just asleep. Some people who were outside the house was laughing at Jesus because they all know she was dead already. So, this is another miracle like Lazarus who was commanded to get up from the dead.
How many times have we prayed but didn’t totally believe and receive what is already given to us? We doubt and take control and it doesn’t help.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me faith that never falters.
REFLECTION
How can fear block healing?
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
FAITH HEALS Poem Devotional
June 2________________________________________
Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. – Luke 8:44(NLT)
FAITH HEALS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Believe the Lord your God with all your heart
For anything is possible to all those who trust
Like the woman who have much faith
Just by touching, she changed her fate.
If you have faith even just like a mustard seed
It can bring you healing and fill all your needs
Faith is what will make you grow spiritually
It is the secret to reach deep intimacy.
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One of the greatest stories of faith in the bible is the woman who had a bleeding issue for many years. Because of her faith, she touched Jesus’ robe just so she can have even just his healing powers. She was healed instantly as soon as she decided to assert her faith.
I struggled much in my life and when I was raising my son alone, there where so much trials and suffering but I never lost hope. I relied on God for everything and he was faithful to provide all that I requested and much more. Many of my friends and colleagues witnessed how I was able to thrive despite all the illnesses and poverty that my son and I went through. He almost died of asthma at age four, but I was faithful and trusted that he would heal him, and he did.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me grow my faith daily.
REFLECTION
Why is faith essential in a believer’s life?
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
DEMONS COWER Poem Devotional
June 1________________________________________
The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. -Luke 8:31 (NLT)
DEMONS COWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
You will experience power in your life
He is the name above all names
Demons cower when it is spoken.
Jesus is the beginning and the end
Declare his name and it won’t be in vain
He has authority over all creation and beings
No any other evil forces can ever beat him.
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One of the most unpopular and neglected ministry in the church is the deliverance and healing ministry. Luke 10:19 says that we have authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and overcome the enemy and nothing will harm us. How come, there are many Christians who live defeated lives. They have relinquished the given power to them by God to the father of all lies, the devil. In Matthew 17, the father of a demon possessed boy came to Jesus so that his son may be healed. He mentioned that the apostles were unable to heal him. Jesus confronted the apostles about their faithlessness and corrupt heart that made them unable to heal. In Matthew 10:1, Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness but because of impure hearts and lack faith, they failed. Even demons cower to Christ when he speaks.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to use the power you gave me to heal.
REFLECTION
Why is a pure heart and faith essential to exercise power and authority?
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
LEAVE YOUR CASE TO GOD Poem Devotional
May 31________________________________________
He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. – 1 Peter 2:23(NLT)
LEAVE YOUR CASE TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone hurts you, do not retaliate
Remember God loves you and have you covered
Jesus didn’t fight back with those who hurt him
He prayed for them instead so they can repent of sin.
When you trust in the Lord despite what you’re going through
God will deliver you from suffering and bring the Spirit’s fruits
Follow what Christ did; he quietly suffered and obeyed
Let God’s Spirit lead you to freedom to Jesus who leads the way.
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When someone hits or inflicts pain on you, how do you respond? Isn’t it automatic for us to react with either defense or retaliation? One of the many reasons why there has been a high divorce rate today is because we respond with the fight or flight reaction. When Jesus was here on earth, we didn’t hear stories of him walking away or abandoning someone who asks for help. He didn’t fight back or engage in useless discussion of who is wrong or right. He didn’t mislead others by saving himself. Instead, he only spoke of truth and obeyed God’s will. Even though he could have evaded the cross, he left his case to God and followed his will.
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PRAYER
Thank you for teaching us how to respond with love to those who hurt us.
REFLECTION
How can we avoid automatic fight or flight reactions?
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 GREAT RESTORER Poem Devotional
May 30________________________________________
I will give you back your health and heal your wounds. – Jeremiah 30:17(NLT)
THE GREAT RESTORER
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are going through much pains
Run to the Lord for he will break your chains
He will restore you and will heal your illnesses
He is also concerned with your spiritual wellness.
He promised to heal all our wounds
Let us receive it and so we will abound
Let us run to Jesus Christ, the great restorer
Only in him will we be healthier and wealthier.
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Is there anyone who can give you a guarantee of healing and restoration? We go to the doctor to find out what might be wrong with us, but they can never give us an assurance that we will be well again. The medicine that he might prescribe might or might not work. He may not be able to totally figure out what is wrong with us because he can only diagnose based on what information we give him. We cannot rely also on other kinds of healing because they do not work a hundred percent.
There is however, only one who can restore and heal all our wounds, suffering, pain and illnesses. The great restorer is Jesus Christ. He gave us life, so he can repair it because he is the only source of our existence. Rely only on the one who gave you life, our Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to always trust you when illnesses and sufferings beset me.
REFLECTION
How can we be able to build trust in the Lord when we are wounded?
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
SEARCHING WHOLEHEARTEDLY Poem Devotional
May 29________________________________________
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. -Jeremiah 29:13(NLT)
SEARCHING WHOLEHEARTEDLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you search wholeheartedly for Jesus Christ
He will satiate your hunger for him in your life
Those who seek will surely find him
In their hearts will live his Holy Spirit.
He will only show himself to those who abide
He sees your heart, so don’t entertain pride
Guard that your mind, soul and spirit are his’ alone
It will bring you victory when you trust in his precious Son.
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Treasure hunting doesn’t need to be expensive. You don’t really have to be part of an exploration team in order to reap the fruits of this adventurous hobby. You can go hunting for treasures in your own home, old places, neighborhood, thrift shops or even abandoned places. I love a show in Britain that features a well awarded lady designer who goes to the junkyard before people throw away their stuff. In each episode, she tries to salvage three items that she will convert into an upcycled product or totally re-use it for a different purpose. It is amazing how she converts junk into money making treasures.
I love to go through thrift shops, garage sales or even look at what people throw away in the curbs along their houses.
The bible says that if you search wholeheartedly for the Lord, you will find him, just like discovering a treasure.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me hunting for your truths and promises.
REFLECTION
What happens when you seek the Lord with all your heart?
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
BOAST ONLY ABOUT KNOWING GOD Poem Devotional
May 28________________________________________
Those who wish to boast should boast in this alone; that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord. -Jeremiah 9:24(NLT)
BOAST ONLY ABOUT KNOWING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you truly know Jesus, you will praise him
For he is the only one who is without sin
He became man just to redeem us all
Why can’t we be like him; He’s so faithful?
Boast only of how you intimately know him
Nothing else matters but to hear His Spirit
When you hunger for him, he will live in you
Focusing on him will transform and make you new.
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Before I became a born again Christian, I never really talked much about my faith and walk with Christ. I was made to believe that we keep our faith to ourselves or it will be boasting and disrespectful of other religions and beliefs. One day, a new believer who was on fire for Jesus asked me if I was a Christian and I said yes. He was perplexed why I never spoke about the Lord. He shared Luke 11:33 to me which says “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. He also mentioned that I should only be boasting about how much I know God.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never forget to declare my faith to others.
REFLECTION
How is sharing testimonials important in your Christian maturity and growth?
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
THANKSGIVING HONORS GOD Poem Devotional
May 27________________________________________
Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. -Psalm 50:23 (NLT)
THANKSGIVING HONORS GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Each time you are thankful
You become more bountiful
Being grateful is an act of humility
You are giving praise to the Lord Almighty.
When you have an attitude of gratitude
You will increase wisdom in such magnitude
Give thanks to the Lord who is so good
His mercy is fresh each day, he always soothes.
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Two psychologists, Dr. Robert A. Emmons and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the have done much of the research on gratitude. In one study, they asked all participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics. One group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative). After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation.
The bible tells us that gratitude truly honors the Lord. Whenever we count our blessings and focus on the things we can be thankful for, we are humbling ourselves to glorify the one who gave us all, the Lord Almighty.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a thankful heart always.
REFLECTION
How can gratitude change our negative attitude?
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







