A SIGN OF END DAYS Poem Devotional

Posted on December 5, 2016 by ilmaarts

December 5
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Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days, scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. – 2 Peter 3:3(NLT)
A SIGN OF END DAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
One of the signs of end days is when scoffers mock the truth
These evil people will do anything to steal the Spirit’s fruits
They will be concerned with following their own desires
They are not disturbed with other’s concerns but only theirs.
Be warned of these people who want to corrupt the pure
The enemy has blinded them and is using them to lure
Be careful that you do not entertain the thoughts they share
Stay in God’s word and abide in him so you can be his heir.
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It used to scare me when I think about what is going to happen in the end of the world. After God’s revelation to me of his great love from Scriptures, I realized that there is no need for me to worry. I used to believe in so many false prophets and religious beliefs about the end times. I thank the Lord that I have been freed from such bondages.
The bible tells us that one of the signs of the end of days is that there will be a lot of scoffers or ridiculers who will mock the truth about God’s existence and truth. They’ll only follow their own desires.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me whenever I only think of myself.
REFLECTION
How can a Christian fight the human nature of satisfying self instead 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

POWER IN WEAKNESS Poem Devotional

Posted on December 3, 2016 by ilmaarts

December 3
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My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. – 2 Corinthians 12:9(NLT)
POWER IN WEAKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you feeling weak these days?
Have no fear, God is with you today
His grace is sufficient for all your challenges
His power works best in your weaknesses.
Whenever you feel discouraged or weary
Hopelessness is a trick of the enemy
Even when we’re undeserving, he grants us grace
He loves all his creation especially the human race.
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The bible defines “Grace” in Ephesians 2:4-8 as a gift from God and we can’t take credit for it. It is something given to undeserving people like us. The doctrine of the “Grace of God is the very center and core of the whole Bible according to J. Gresham Machen.
Here are some of the paraphrased definition of “grace” according to some Christians.
• Justin Holcomb’s – the love of God shown to the unlovely; the peace of God given to the restless; the unmerited favor of God.
• Paul Zahl’s- unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.
• Jerry Bridges – God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.
• John Stott -love that cares and stoops and rescues.
• B. B. Warfield – free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.
God gave us grace and it is all sufficient for us to live a life that he wanted for all of us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you so much for the grace that you have bestowed on us.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some people won’t receive God’s grace?
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

IF WE CLAIM WE ARE SINLESS Poem Devotional

Posted on December 2, 2016 by ilmaarts

December 2
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If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. – 1 John 1:8,10(NLT)
IF WE CLAIM WE ARE SINLESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
All of mankind have an inclination to sin
We all need a Savior to help us win
If we claim we have no sin, we are fools
We are in denial and not thinking it through.
If we continue to believe that we are sinless
We are calling God a liar and we are faithless
Only Jesus is without sin despite being a human
Only he can claim he is sinless though he was a man.
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I don’t know of anyone who have never ever sinned in his or her life. Some people are blinded by the enemy to think that they are sinless. I think only those who do not know the truth can ever think that they have no sin. Once you get revelations about the truth in God’s word, you will have light and wisdom to admit that you can never be sinless because that is our nature as humans. Those who claim that they are sinless are only fooling themselves and not living in truth. Making such a claim is a defiance to God’s truth.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that examines my deeds in your eyes.
REFLECTION
Why do you think some people claim they are without sin?
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.co

LIVING IN GRACE AND DEVOTION TO GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on December 1, 2016 by ilmaarts

December 1
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For the grace of God has been revealed bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God. – Titus 2:11-12(NLT)
LIVING IN GRACE AND DEVOTION TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you acknowledge that without God, you are nothing?
Grace is a gift from God so you don’t have to continue sinning
This undeserved favor is given to you through Jesus Christ
He came so that you can have peace and enjoy life.
In order to embrace salvation, make sure you live in his grace
Follow Jesus’ ways and obey his commands all of your days
You should live in this evil world with wisdom and devotion
Never allow the enemy to succeed in destroying your relations.
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I didn’t understand the gift of grace for many years of my Christian life. I was always performing and doing things to earn my salvation. I relied so much on my own strength and understanding. It was hard for me to accept God’s grace.
When God revealed to me about my performing works and asked me to focus on the cross, then I began to accept this undeserved favor. I learned to give up self-reliance and replaced it with God dependence. I started to enjoy devoting my time to him and live in his grace.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to remember to rely on your grace.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people have a hard time accepting and living in God’s grace?
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

PROOF THAT WE KNOW GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on November 30, 2016 by ilmaarts

Nov 30
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And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. – 1 John 2:3-4 (NLT)
PROOF THAT WE KNOW GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know your Savior Jesus Christ?
Have you vowed to commit to him your life?
How can one claim that he knows his Redeemer?
Is it only by saying that you love him to one another?
We can be sure that we know him if we obey him
If someone claims he knows God and live in sin
That person is a liar and is not living in the truth
Not anything he does will bring about the Spirit’s fruit.
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How can you know if a person really loves you? If he was a man, he would probably propose to marry the woman he is after. If he was the woman, she would accept that proposal for marriage. Before they tie the knot, they usually find enough proofs that the two of them will be able to trust each other and stay together for life. No one really think of marrying and plan to divorce right away unless they have evil schemes.
The bible tells us that the proof that we know God is by following his commandments. Obedience to his will is evidence of our faithfulness.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me the grace to always obey you.
REFLECTION
Why should action accompany any vow for faithfulness?

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

PRACTICE THE TRUTH Poem Devotional

Posted on November 28, 2016 by ilmaarts

Nov 29
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God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.
– 1 John 1:5-6(NLT)
PRACTICE THE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you first heard the truth about God who is our Father
Did you also heed his command to love your sisters and brothers?
God is light and there is no darkness in him at all
Practice the truth by living in light so you don’t fall.
To live in the light means that you’ll live by God’s word
You will give up darkness that is in this corrupted world
If we claim that we love Jesus yet live in darkness
We are lying because we are not in his righteousness.
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In John 17:14, Jesus says that the world hates God’s children because they do not belong to the world, just as he doesn’t belong to it. James 4:4 cautions us not to be friends with the world or we become an enemy of God. Matthew 6:24, it talks about the impossibility of serving two masters which will eventually bent on one.
We are called liars if we claim we love God but live in darkness. We cannot live in this world and love it because God’s kingdom is not of this world.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always practice truth by living and doing what you require from me.
REFLECTION
What happens when we live double lives claiming we believe in Christ and yet love the world?
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

WHAT CASTS OUT FEAR Poem Devotional

Posted on November 28, 2016 by ilmaarts

Nov 28

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experience his perfect love.

– 1 John 4:18(NLT)

WHAT CASTS OUT FEAR

A poem and essay by ILMA

What kinds of fears have kept you enslaved?

The enemy brings insecurities so we won’t be saved?

If we are afraid, it is usually for fear of punishment

It may also be fear of rejection or abandonment.

God’s faithful love for us is perfect and total

The kind of love that casts out fear is unconditional

Such perfect love expels all kinds of anxiety

It brings us peace, joy and tranquility.

There are many things that people fear. Fear of rejection, being unloved, abandoned, ostracized, misjudged, laughed at, belittled, and many more are just some of the many kinds of fear we experience. I used to have claustrophobia. It probably resulted from being confined in a sack when I was a small child. It took many years before I got over the fear of small spaces. One friend exposed me slowly and assured me of being confined in tiny places. He first stayed with me to walk me through overcoming it. Because he built that trust, I felt safe to go through it.

The bible says that perfect love casts out fear. Only God is the source of this perfect love.

PRAYER

Lord, always let me cast my fears on you.

REFLECTION

How has unconditional love freed you from fear?

GOOD PEOPLE DIE EARLY Poem Devotional

Posted on November 27, 2016 by ilmaarts

Nov 27
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Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.
– Isaiah 57:1-2(NLT)
GOOD PEOPLE DIE EARLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you often wonder why good people die early?
Don’t they deserve to live long and share God’s victory?
No one seems to understand why God allows these things
The Father is protecting them from all kinds of sins.
The Lord shields those who love him faithfully
He wants them to remain pure and live freely
Good people are taken early so they can abide in him
They will rest in peace because they have been redeemed.
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Have you ever wondered why the good people die early? I remember my grandfather who was the only person who gave me comfort when I was growing up. Everyone around him were cruel and harsh, but he had a very gentle and caring heart. He listens and encourages those around him. He works so earnestly using his hands and creativity. Whenever I was with him, I felt safe, secure and understood. God took him early. In the past, I couldn’t understand why.
The bible says in Isaiah 57 that God takes good people early because he is protecting them from evil.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your protection over your faithful ones.
REFLECTION
How many good people did you know have passed away early in their lives?
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

BLESSED ARE THE JUST Poem Devotional

Posted on November 26, 2016 by ilmaarts

Nov 26
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Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. -Isaiah 56:1(NLT)
BLESSED ARE THE JUST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you treat others equally as you would yourself?
Are you compassionate to the oppressed and give help?
Blessed are the just and fair, they are doing what’s right
They are following what God has required in their life.
Do what is right and good, for God will come to rescue
He wants you to have your minds and heart renewed
If you treat others fairly and with no favoritisms
You are imitating Jesus in all his conduct and mannerisms.
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If only everyone would treat each other fairly, there would probably be more peace on earth. One of the reasons why people revolt is because of injustice. Because, God designed us in his own image, we are actually made out of love. When we are not treated right, our spirits sense it inside. We have the option to revolt and react but we can also respond lovingly by gently saying our right to be treated fairly. It is exercising boundary when we do this. It also helps those who are treating others unreasonably to think twice. The Lord blesses those who are just and fair to all.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to treat others lovingly and justly always.
REFLECTION
How do you think fair treatment eliminates conflicts and troubles in 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

EAT HEALTHY FOOD Poem Devotional

Posted on November 24, 2016 by ilmaarts

Nov 25
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Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. -Isaiah 55:2(NLT)
EAT HEALTHY FOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
What kinds of food do you feed your body?
Do they nourish you and make you healthy?
Why spend on food that doesn’t do you good?
Why compromise your health by eating junk food?
As our bodies need good nourishment
So does our spirits need replenishment
Listen to Scriptures, they bring you wholeness
Eat food that brings you strength and fullness.
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When I was growing up, everyone ate simple food. There were processed or instant foods. We didn’t have big burger chain stores that we dine in. Our parents made sure we had about three basic meals a day at almost exactly the same time. We followed routine and most families cook their own meals. In my country of origin, there were lots of wet market, where we buy newly caught fish and fresh meat and vegetables. Today, the food industry has manipulated our food preferences and changed the way we eat. We now live in a fast paced world where we don’t take time to plan our meals. The bible tells us to feed on God’s word for our spirits to grow and be nourished. Eat healthy food.
PRAYER
Show me whenever I choose junk food Lord.
REFLECTION
What kinds of food do you eat? Are they nourishing or destroying 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

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