Tag Archives: poetry

PROCRASTINATING BELIEVER Poem Devotional

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December 15
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Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God. – Luke 9:60(NLT)
PROCRASTINATING BELIEVER
A poem and essay by ILMA
All believers are called to preach the Kingdom of God
We all have a duty to give the Lord all the applaud
We need to prioritize spreading the Good News
No more excuses, just talk about God’s wonderful truth.
When we delay and find worldly reasons not to do our duty
We are giving in to procrastination totally
We don’t know when Jesus will return again
Be ready: don’t take your godly duties in vain.
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Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task that needs to be accomplished. It is delaying something that needs to be done but is being put off for some other pleasurable things. According to Psychologist, the pleasure principle may be responsible for procrastination. A procrastinator may be avoiding negative emotions when delaying stressful tasks. They think that they can work better under pressure and justifies their delaying. Some psychologists associate it with perfectionism. They tend to evaluate themselves and their performance and thereby create an intense fear of the possible outcome when others view them as imperfect.
The bible cautions us from procrastinating our godly duties, especially in preaching the Kingdom of God. If we claim to be Christians, we must be able to prioritize our spiritual duties first than any earthly duties.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from delaying any of my duties to preach the Good News.
REFLECTION
How can procrastination destroy our standing 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

HOMELESS JESUS Poem Devotional

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December 14
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Foxes have dens to line in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head. – Luke 9:58(NLT)
HOMELESS JESUS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you alone or have a family of your own?
Do you have some place you can call home?
Foxes have dens to line in and birds have nests
But Jesus has no place to rest; he is homeless.
When you defy his commands and continue to do evil
You show hostility to Jesus and invite the devil
Can Jesus knock on your door and be welcomed?
If you let him in, your life will be joyful and calm.
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What comes to your mind when you see a homeless man or woman? When I was still in the Philippines, it was really hard to watch how these people live. I was so addicted to comfort that I never even bothered reaching out to them. I was so fearful that they might hurt me or steal from me if I let them in my home. It was a selfish life of convenience. It was self-preservation and survival of the fittest that I embraced then. I missed out opportunities to bless others thereby closing the door to Jesus.
The bible talks about how even animals have their own homes to rest like foxes have dens and birds have nests, but Jesus was homeless.
PRAYER
Lord, help me remember to open my hearts door for you.
REFLECTION
Share an experience when you welcomed a homeless or a needy person in your home.
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

WIPE THE DUST OFF Poem Devotional

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December 13
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If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate.”
– Luke 10:8,10,11(NLT)
WIPE THE DUST OFF
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you go to a place and share about your faith
Be sure they welcome Christ and don’t argue or debate
If you go to a home where the gospel is embraced
Eat whatever is set before you and enjoy your stay.
If a town rejects Jesus and his truth
There’s no way there is going to be fruit
Move on to the next call to spread the Good News
You need not force the gospel or change their views.
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What do you do when you try to share Jesus to others and they refuse to even listen or give it a chance? The bible says that we have to wipe the dust off our feet. In plain language, we need not force the Good News to those who are not ready to receive it. We are all in different stages of our spiritual walk. If the spirit of God invites them, there will also be an opportunity to be open to accept it. Move on to the next one.
PRAYER
Lord, help me bring your Good News to as much people.
REFLECTION
What would happen if you force on others the gospel when they are not ready to accept it?
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 HEAVEN’S DOOR OPENS Poem Devotional

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December 12
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If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit, even sinners do that much. – Luke 6:32-33(NLT)
WHEN HEAVEN’S DOOR OPENS
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you only love those who love you, what difference does that make?
Even sinners love those who love them for their own sake
If you do good only to those who are good to you
There is no credit for you in God’s point of view.
You must follow Jesus and go beyond the world’s ways
You have to love the unlovable, forgive them and pray
This is the way that you can get heaven’s door to open for you
It is allowing God’s love to transform you and make you new.
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The bible describes God’s Kingdom with a narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14). In other words, when we get things easy, we are probably on the road to destruction. Heaven’s door opens to us when we love the unlovable and do good even to those who are mean to us.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to love those who hurt me, forgive them and be kind to them.
REFLECTION
How should we love those who are unkind and harsh to 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

UNCONDITIONAL HELP Poem Devotional

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December 11
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Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. -Luke 6:30(NLT)
UNCONDITIONAL HELP
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you respond quickly when someone’s in need?
Give to anyone who asks; don’t give in to greed
Find out how you can be of assistance to the needy
Be sensitive to others’ difficulty and always be ready.
Unconditional love gives help without expectations
It is extending one’s self without gratification
Unconditional help manifests God’s true love
We are expected to give it out by our Father up above.
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I was in a thrift store one day and this lady was having a hard time carrying a small coffee table that she purchased. It was a winter snowy day that afternoon. I held the door open for her so she could squeeze it out without much difficulty. I didn’t wait for her to ask help but I saw she needed it. As she struggled to walk and carry it in the snow, I offered to help her carry it to her car. She said she didn’t have any and was going to walk to her house with the purchase. I had my van just right in front of the store, so I offered to bring her home. She was shocked that a total stranger would do that for her. Giving unconditional help to those in need is required from believers.
PRAYER
Lord, give me opportunities to give assistance to those in need.
REFLECTION
Should you be careful who to help these days or should you help anyone who asks?
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

ARGUMENTS ARE USELESS Poem Devotional

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December 10
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Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. – 2 Timothy 2:14(NLT)
ARGUMENTS ARE USELESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The bible reminds us about using words
Our minds get twisted by this corrupted world
Arguments are a way of proving you are right
It is a futile activity that fuels up fights.
Whenever you feel the urge to reason out
The enemy wants you to take his route
Give up the temptation to argue to win
It opens door to pride, conflicts and ruin.
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I had so much hunger for knowledge in college, I thought I was doing the right thing by seeking it at all cost. Philosophy allowed me to reason out and I was obsessed with knowing and fascinated by many Western philosophers. Because I was silenced much when I was a child, I enjoyed having the freedom to speak what I thought of. It became a way of life for me. I tried to prove I was right to those I relate with wanting to win the argument most of the time.
The bible changed my mind about human reasoning. God commands us to stop any form of arguments and not partake in it. It only leads to fights. A servant of God must not quarrel but be kind (2 Timothy 2:23-24).
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never engage in human reasoning.
REFLECTION
How can you stop the urge to engage in arguing?
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

FOOLISH TALK

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December 9
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Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer. -2 Timothy 2:16-17(NLT)
FOOLISH TALK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you engage in worthless chattering?
Does your time go by just constantly talking?
The Lord wants us to only speak what’s pure and lovely
He never wants us to talk negatively and critically.
Engaging in foolish talk only leads to more godlessness
Minding your own business is one form of righteousness
Unwise babbling is harmful and spreads like cancer
It brings about offense, conflicts and destroys others.
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When I was growing up, we weren’t encouraged to talk much. It was like a rule that communication was banned. I had no voice, neither did I hear much of my family spoke things in the open. I was a very shy and introverted girl who had no confidence at all. I can’t recall what made me start communicating but I decided to overcome the shyness by taking up communications when I reached my college years. It was in school that I learned to speak up or I would fail the subjects like Speech, Acting, Directing and Journalism. After college, I got a stage management job at the Cultural Center and I learned to engage in foolish talk.
Foolish talk leads to more godlessness. It spreads like cancer and ruins relationships and right standing with God. Avoid it at all cost.
PRAYER
Lord, please guard my mouth to speak only of what pleases you.
REFLECTION
What do you usually do when someone engages you in foolish conversation?
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

BE A GOOD WORKER Poem Devotional

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December 8
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Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15(NLT)
BE A GOOD WORKER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you do your best in everything you do?
Work hard to be righteous and seek what is true
Present yourself to God so you can be approved by him
Don’t be tempted to be slack, be diligent so you can win.
A good worker consults with God’s truth always
He seeks God first in all things and obey his ways
He is bold to declare his love for the Lord
He is not easily swayed by this corrupt world.
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In this day and age, it is a novelty to find a good worker. Those who work in the offices sometimes come to work late and leave early. Some do not give their best in performing their duties and responsibilities. Some are not totally honest. When the boss isn’t around, they would do their personal stuff in the computers or talk on the phone or with their co-workers during work hours.
We are asked to work hard in such a way that we can be approved by God. Work as if God is your employer. Work with integrity and live by the truth in God’s word.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to remember to do things for you always even if we work for others.
REFLECTION
Why is integrity and honesty in the workplace a rarity in our world today?
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

ONTO THE RIGHT PATH Poem Devotional

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December 7
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If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. – Galatians 6: 1(NLT)
ONTO THE RIGHT PATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
As believers of Jesus, we are called to help others
Reach out to those who are deceived sisters and brothers
Show them back to the godly path gently and humbly
Be genuinely concerned for them persistently.
Be careful that you are not falling into the same trap
The enemy cunningly steals our progress and want us back
Focus only on Jesus so that you will continue to grow
Walk in the love of others so you can have God’s overflow.
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The Bayanihan spirit is a Filipino custom which means community spirit. This custom is traced back in rural areas, where the town’s people were asked especially the men to lend a hand to a family who will move into a new place. A traditional Filipino house called Bahay Kubo is moved lifted up on a pole by about 13 men. The Bayanihan spirit shows Filipinos’ concept of helping one another most especially in times of need without expecting anything in return.
The bible tells us to be accountable to the body of Christ. We must help our brothers and sisters who are overcome by sin gently and humbly bring them onto the right path.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to give help to those who are stumbling in sin.
REFLECTION
Why are we accountable for our sisters and brothers?
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 SON OF GOD Poem Devotional

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December 6
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Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35(NLT)
THE SON OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Our heavenly father is the source of love and light
In him, there is no darkness and we can enjoy life
When he chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus
Purity and obedience made her very precious
She was a simple woman who had much humility
Despite her apprehension she followed God’s call faithfully
The angel explained that the Holy Spirit will come upon her
The power of the Most High will overshadow; no need to cower
She was chosen as the vessel to make the prophecies come true
God gave her great favor so others can change and be renewed
The Son of God was given to us as proof of the Father’s faithfulness
He is reassuring us all that we shall be filled with much joyfulness
No one expected that Jesus Christ will be born in a manger
He was wrapped in swaddled cloths and was amidst danger
Yet, God delivered his promise of salvation through Christ
He wants us all to know that we are all precious in his sight
Have you ever been loved unconditionally like this?
Who can ever give everything just for you to be free?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you.
REFLECTION
What has Jesus done for 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