Tag Archives: poetry

LIKE TREES IN AUTUMN Poem Devotional

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January 6________________________________________
When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled by the roots. – Jude 12 (NLT)
LIKE TREES IN AUTUMN
A poem and essay by ILMA
There are people who are dangerous
They are shameless and oblivious
They cunningly worm themselves into your fellowships
Their purpose is to bring havoc and destroy relationships.
They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead
They bear no fruit and are not Spirit-led
Like shameless shepherds only caring for themselves
They give no assistance to anyone or give any form of help.
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I know someone who live only for themselves. They couldn’t care less about others and are unaware of their surroundings or even the people they live with. It is dangerous to have a relationship with people who are like dead trees. They can’t produce fruit. They are not growing anymore and can make your life seem hopeless and empty.
The bible warns us about people who are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain.
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PRAYER
Lord, please deliver me from spiritually dead people.
REFLECTION
Why should we stay away from those who only care for themselves?
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

BEWARE OF SCOFFERS Poem Devotional

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January 5________________________________________
They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
– Jude 18-19(NLT)
BEWARE OF SCOFFERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone scorns you or puts you down
Run to Jesus Christ who is God’s one and only Son
Scoffers will satisfy their own ungodly desires
They create conflicts and make people cry.
Scoffers follow their natural instincts
They believe in lies and continually sin
Be careful that you don’t get dragged by them
They usually point fingers at others and blame.
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We were warned in the bible that in the end days, there will be a lot of scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. They are the source of divisions among God’s people. They don’t live spiritual lives and are prompted by their natural instincts. They are similar to animals who live only based on instincts. They just gratify their own desires and do not care about how they get it. They are so wrapped up in getting what they want and devoid of what it does to others. They couldn’t care less if they hurt someone as long as they satisfy their flesh. Beware of these scoffers. Don’t let them pull you down.
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PRAYER
Lord, protect me from scoffers and their greed and pride.
REFLECTION
Have you ever encountered a scoffer in your life? How did you deal with them?
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

SHOW MERCY TO OTHERS Poem Devotional

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January 4________________________________________
And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution hating the sins that contaminate their lives. – Jude 22-23 (NLT)
SHOW MERCY TO OTHERS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering
Rescue them from judgment and keep on helping
When you show understanding and compassion
You help them from falling into temptation.
Whenever you see a believer sinning
Don’t hate them, but continue forgiving
Remember what Jesus did to show us an example
He gave mercy and grace to all of God’s people.
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I know someone who never forgives. Her motto in life is never to show mercy to those who have done something wrong to her. I never understood why it was difficult for her to forgive until I learned all the abuses she underwent even as a young child. She allowed her circumstances to harden her heart. Later on, she was beset by cancer which was probably an aftermath of her heart’s un-forgiveness.
The bible tells us to show mercy to those whose faith is wavering and to snatch them from the flames of judgment. We have to be careful when we show forgiveness and understanding so that we don’t fall into the danger of contaminating our own lives. Keep a close relationship with the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to follow your example of generously granting mercy.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires us to give mercy to others?
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

BUILD UP EACH OTHER IN FAITH Poem Devotional

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January 3________________________________________
But you dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. – Jude 20-21(NLT)
BUILD UP EACH OTHER IN FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who among you needs encouragement?
In the Lord’s house, there is no room for discouragement
Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit so you will be content
He fills your emptiness and gives you strength.
Our Lord will give us his mercy daily
He brings eternal life to those who obey faithfully
Keep yourself safe in God’s love by building each other up
He gave you one another so you can all be lifted up.
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When God created Adam, it didn’t take long for him to figure out that he needs a helper. He gave Eve to Adam so that they can both build each other up and grow and propagate. It is sad that our society encourages isolation and independence. We make decisions on our own without consulting someone, then we wonder why we are not successful or why we struggle so much.
The bible tells us that we must build each other up in faith and pray to the Holy Spirit. This way, we keep ourselves safe in God’s love.
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PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to encourage others all the time.
REFLECTION
What can encouragement do to someone who is feeling down?
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

WHEN YOU LIVE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRES Poem Devotional

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January 2________________________________________
These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. – Jude 16 (NLT)
WHEN YOU LIVE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you live to satisfy your desires
You don’t have the heart that God requires
He wants us all to be pure and free from selfishness
You will be saved only if you accept and embrace righteousness.
Selfish people are complainers and grumblers
They brag loudly about themselves and flatter others
They live only to get instant gratification
They defy God and refuse to accept salvation.
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There have been many years of my life that I was only concerned about getting what I want. I react and get angry even with myself when I am not able to hit the goal I set. As a result, I grumble at times. I didn’t know any better because I didn’t read the bible then. I didn’t realize then that if I complain, I lose the blessings from God. The Holy Spirit revealed to me how to combat my negative thinking and replaced it with a grateful attitude. When I started to count my blessings by having a “Thank You” diary, I was totally transformed. It took many years but it shifted my mind and heart to God instead of focusing on me. Let’s not live for ourselves but for God.
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PRAYER
Lord, please let me be thankful for all my blessings always.
REFLECTION
How can a complaining attitude affect your whole being?
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

GIVE GLORY TO THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 1________________________________________
Give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains. For then, when you look for light, you will find only terrible darkness and gloom.
–Jeremiah 13:16 (NLT)
GIVE GLORY TO THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is no time, give glory to the Lord now
You will be free from darkness if you bow
Acknowledge him before gloom prevails
He is the only one who can free you and unveil.
Give glory to the Lord before it is too late
You wouldn’t want to continue to live as slaves
Don’t wait until the wrath of God is here
Repent and run to his throne my dear.
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There are so many people who have no time to give God glory. They are so busy with their work, ambitions and other worldly pursuits and can’t be bothered to even have a relationship with the Lord. What happens when we are consumed with material stuff and continually obsess about power and fame? We become idolaters. One of the things that God abhors is idolatry (Jeremiah 1:16). He made us for himself. If we bow down to other gods or things and it steals the time we are supposed to give to him, we are idolaters. Give glory to God before it is too late.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to take my eyes off you.
REFLECTION
What or who are your gods that hinder or distract you from making God your first?
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

BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION Poem Devotional

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December 31________________________________________
But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins. – Luke 6:49(NLT)
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who hear the word of God and obey
They are relying on his strength and might each day
Their foundation is solid and will not collapse
They will not be swept down and they will adapt.
Those who does not heed God’s guidance in his word
They will find it difficult to navigate this world
Building a strong foundation in God’s truth
Makes you strong and allows the Spirit to bear fruit.
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When people build their houses, they have to make sure that the foundation is strong enough so that they can ensure a house that will be stable to hold up in the midst of weather changes. Can it withstand storms, floods, earthquakes, fires and other disasters?
Building a strong foundation is crucial even in our spiritual lives.
The bible tells us that Jesus is the rock that we can build our lives on. Anyone who seeks God and obey him is actually building a strong foundation that will stand the most challenging trials and tests that will come their way. It cautions those who hear his word and not heed it. They will collapse and be ruined.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never stop abiding in you and seeking you.
REFLECTION
What aspects of your life needs a strong foundation?
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

LEAP FOR JOY WHEN MOCKED OR CURSED Poem Devotional

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December 30________________________________________
What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. -Luke 6:22-23(NLT)
LEAP FOR JOY WHEN MOCKED OR CURSED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you react angrily when people have mocked you?
Do you get trapped with things they say that aren’t true?
What blessings await you when you are discriminated
You will reap great rewards when you are cursed or omitted.
Leap for joy whenever you are treated badly
It will bring you fast next to the Almighty
For the Lord cares and rescues those who are oppressed
He sent his Son so they can be liberated and blessed.
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What is your initial reaction when people hurt you or are mean to you? Human nature reacts either angrily or they run away from the person inflicting hurt on them. It is called the fight or flight. The world teaches us to fight back or avoid the source of pain in our lives. The bible has a very different solution to the pain inflicted on us by someone. In Luke 6, we are encouraged to leap for joy when we are mocked and cursed when we do what God wants us to do. He promises a reward in heaven when we are oppressed.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to control my reactions to those who inflict pain on me.
REFLECTION
How does God want us to react to those who mock us?
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

PROVE BY THE WAY YOU LIVE Poem Devotional

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December 29________________________________________
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing. For I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.
– Luke 3:8(NLT)
PROVE BY THE WAY YOU LIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Repenting doesn’t only mean asking for forgiveness through words
It is acknowledging your sin and allowing God to transform your world
Prove by the way you live that you won’t go back to the old ways
Being complacent and lazy will make you fall again one day.
Demonstrate your repentance by following God’s commands
It protects you from falling into sin as you go through life’s demands
Show by example that you are God’s faithful children
By doing this, you lead others to come close to heaven.
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Complacency is defined as a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like. It also means self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation or condition. Why is complacency a hindrance to growth? When one becomes complacent, they stop working and pressing on for a better outcome.
The bible tells us that repentance doesn’t just involve confessing our sins. It means that we are allowing God’s words to transform our minds and heart, and eventually our actions and character.
PRAYER
Lord, don’t ever let me be complacent with my right standing with you.
REFLECTION
How can complacency and entitlements block our spiritual maturity?
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

TO THE PATH OF PEACE Poem Devotional

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December 28________________________________________
Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. – Luke 1:78-79(NLT)
TO THE PATH OF PEACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you constantly beset with discouragement and helplessness?
The mercy of God will bring you light from heaven during weaknesses
He will never allow his people to live in the shadow of death
He wants all things to work out for us; He give us the best.
He guides us to the path of peace, where we can enjoy life
He created us all so we can bask in his mercy and in his light
Are you in pursuit of peace and embracing it regularly?
Don’t compromise your relationship with God, seek it faithfully.
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Our world is beset with so much conflict these days. There is war and rumors of it in many places. Children, women and the innocent are suffering because many people allow the spirit of conflict to prevail. Some believers are even choosing a life full of struggles and fights instead of pursuing the path of peace. The enemy has constantly blinded many of us to dismiss the importance of seeking peace at all cost. We allow the devil to make puppets of us all when we don’t chase peace.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to remember to choose peace at all times.
REFLECTION
How can you maintain peace when you are surrounded by conflicts?
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