Tag Archives: poetry

BOLD AND CONFIDENT IN CHRIST poem devotional

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September 21
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Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. -Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)
BOLD AND CONFIDENT IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you often fearful to speak out your faith?
Because you trust Jesus, you are in a different place
His Spirit dwells in all those who trust him completely
You will have boldness as you share the gospel confidently.
He promised to make all things possible to believers
Have courage to face trials and you’ll defeat the deceiver
Don’t boast! Only in Christ can you be confident and bold
He is there for you and will direct you on the right road.
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In the past, I had a very wrong notion of boldness and confidence. I was a Speech teacher for 15 years and I wished I had known God’s word during those times. I taught my students confidence but not the same one that the bible speaks about. I empowered my students to believe in themselves. It would have given me different results if I knew the ultimate source of boldness and confidence.
The bible tells us that because we believe in Christ, we can now be bold and confident because the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. We can both be humble and yet self-assured that God will use us for his kingdom purpose. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your Spirit who makes me brave and bold.
REFLECTION
What was the boldest thing you did for 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

GOD’S SUPERVISION

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September 17
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The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. -Psalm 32:8(NLT)
GOD’S SUPERVISION
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are a believer, you are being watched
The Lord shines his light upon your path
He will advise you and lead you to his righteousness
He will never allow you to be trapped in wickedness.
God promises protection and comfort for his children
He will never abandon them until they reach heaven
Our heavenly Father will show us the best pathway in life
Always choose the way he wants you to go and focus on Christ.
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Do you remember how much your parents hovered and watched over you when you were a very young kid? Your dad or mom probably won’t let you out of their sight. This is the same way God watches over his beloved children. He cares for them so much that he oversees everything they do. Unlike some parents who can become overbearing and controlling, God allows us to make the choices with his loving supervision. If we decide to choose the wicked path, he still watches over us and allows us to experience the consequences of our decision to live out of his will. He sometimes uses these painful experiences to teach us and make us learn patience and endurance. You are never alone if you are a believer.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for watching over me all the time.
REFLECTION
How does God’s supervision affect the life you live?
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

GIVING GENEROUSLY Poem Devotional

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September 15
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The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. -Psalm37:21(NLT)
GIVING GENEROUSLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are wicked borrows and never repay
The godly are generous givers each and every day
When you share what you have been given
You are acting like Jesus Christ who was risen.
Those who are able to bless others wholeheartedly
They are reflecting God’s heart to others so kindly
Give enthusiastically and you will reap rewards later
It blesses you, your family and your heavenly Father.
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There are many things we can generously share or give to others. It doesn’t have to be money. You could share your knowledge, talents, resources, time and whatever it is that God is asking you to bless others with. The problem with the world today is that we don’t go out of our way to give others what we are given by God. We think that we possess these resources on our own and need to hoard it or keep it to ourselves. This is dangerous for our spirits when we only think of ourselves. This is how the enemy wants us to behave. He wants us to be selfish and not give. Sometimes when we give, we expect to be given back what we have shared. This is not giving. It’s a business transaction. The bible says that the godly gives generously.
PRAYER
Lord, give me opportunities to bless others.
REFLECTION
What can you generously share to others that God has given you? What are the benefits of giving?
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

WORSE THAN UNBELIEF Poem Devotional

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September 14
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Those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. -1 Timothy 5:8(NLT)
WORSE THAN UNBELIEF
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are a believer of Jesus, you will heed his instructions
Obeying his commands will let you overcome temptations
He also called you to love others as you love him and yourself
That includes loving all your relatives and giving them help.
When you do not care for your immediate family members
You are worse than the wicked and those who are unbelievers
You can show your faith in God by loving your sisters and brothers
Best of all, prioritize those who are closest to you than any other.
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We are all created in God’s image. God is love therefore we can also be love like him. Pain and suffering result from a life that is not ruled by love. I know we can also experience physical pain from illnesses and accidents. The enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy our relationship with God so he comes up with all kinds of strategies to keep us from loving.
The apostle Paul talks to Timothy about God’s instructions to love and care for our relatives, especially those in our own household. He compares these unloving people to unbelievers and considers them worse than them. This is a command for us to be stewards of our kin.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be a loving family member to my relatives.
REFLECTION
Why does God command you to care for your family?

TRUE WEALTH Poem Devotional

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September 13

True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.

– 1 Timothy 6:6-7(NLT)

TRUE WEALTH

A poem and essay by ILMA

Wealth and possessions are all temporary

They can be used against you by the enemy

Too much love for your money and belongings

They open the door for much longings.

Godliness and contentment are true wealth

They make us preserve our joy and health

What really matters is how you enjoy life

Staying away from idols keeps you close to Christ.

Many of us have the wrong notion about wealth. Human nature wants us to possess and own stuff in this world so we can be recognized or respected. We study and get degrees so people can look up to us. We buy things so that we can say to ourselves that we are better off than others. We work hard to earn money and mostly compromise our own families.  We get ourselves so busy gaining recognition and wealth that we lose our sense of priorities. We leave out God in the equation. No wonder we don’t get far.

The bible tells us that true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. When we were born, we had nothing, so when we die, we can’t take anything with us too.

PRAYER

Lord, please teach me how to be contented and live a simple life.

REFLECTION

How can contentment be considered true wealth?

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

THROUGH FAITH ALONE Poem Devotional

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Can we boast then that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. -Romans 3:27(NLT)
THROUGH FAITH ALONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What can we do to be accepted by Jesus Christ?
Can we boast that we have overcome difficulties in life?
Can we show off that we have done many good deeds?
Can following the rules be a good way to overcome sin?
There is no way we can work at our salvation
Only through faith alone we can be granted redemption
Our exoneration from sin is possible through faith
Only by trusting God can miracles be part of our fate.
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I spent many years of my life performing. I did my best to live up to my parents’ expectation to be academically excellent. I became obsessed being a good parent to my only son. I proved my worth to everyone by being a painter, a stage actress, manager, photographer and teacher. I didn’t know that it was futile to do so because God already loves me anyway. It was all that should have mattered but I was so busy fixing myself and others around me that I missed out on what really God requires from us.
The bible tells us that we cannot boast of anything we have done to be approved by God. Only faith alone matters to him.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for just loving me the way I am.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires faith for us to be saved?
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

ONLY ONE’S SPIRIT KNOWS Poem Devotional

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September 11
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No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit -1 Corinthians 2:11(NLT)
ONLY ONE’S SPIRIT KNOWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is a danger when we pry into other’s thinking
It is not our business to understand or to be assuming
No one can know someone’s thoughts except his own spirit
So there is no point in finding out or guessing what it is.
Presuming other people’s motives and thoughts leads to sin
Only God knows their hearts so don’t let the devil win
No one can comprehend God’s point of view or thoughts
Only the Holy Spirit knows it, don’t be confused or lost.
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When I was a stage actress, we were trained to learn to read the minds of the characters we are portraying based on the facts given in the script. One of our responsibility as actors is to go through the stream of consciousness of the character based on what was given in the play or possibly add more to it. We observe how they would react to certain situations so it would help us bring to life the nuances of the person we were playing. As a result of professionally working onstage for over 20 years, it became second nature for me to presume and assume. The bible says only one’s spirit knows what that person is thinking.
PRAYER
Lord, do not allow me to assume anything.
REFLECTION
Why do you think presumption leads to 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.com

BELIEVE NOW Poem Devotional

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September 10
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Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe -John 20:27(NLT)
BELIEVE NOW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you still being tossed here and there?
Believe and don’t be faithless any longer
The Lord wants you free, bold and tougher
Have faith like Abraham and you will be stronger.
Anything is possible to those who believe him
They will be renewed and be victorious over sin
Even if you don’t see results, continue to believe
Faithful followers will be amazed at what they’ll receive.
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Mark 9:23 says that anything is possible to those who believe. I know many Christians who say they believe and yet don’t act like they do. When they ask God for something, they are expecting a result. When they don’t see what they expect, they panic and act on it. This is not faith; it is working at getting what you want.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. In Hebrews 11 chapter we see great examples of faith such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, Rahab, and many more. Faith is a key ingredient to one’s salvation. In Isaiah 7:9, God says that unless your faith is firm, he cannot make you stand firm. In other words, without faith, God cannot work miracles in our lives. So, what are you waiting for? Believe!
PRAYER
My heavenly Father, please grow my faith in you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires faith in order to bring what we ask for?
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

MESSAGE CLOSE AT HAND Poem Devotional

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September 8
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The message is very close at hand. It is on your lips and in your heart. And that message is the very message about faith that we preach. – Romans 10:8(NLT)
MESSAGE CLOSE AT HAND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you aware of the good news that saved you?
If you believe in Jesus Christ, your mind will be renewed
The message is close at hand, no need to search far
It is on your lips; declare what is in your heart.
Believe and say that you accept Jesus as your Savior
This message needs to be preached with fervor
Remember to speak it out and live under his grace
You’ll experience much joy if you continue to be amazed.
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We have heard people say Good News or the Message. What is the message that the Gospel preaches? Why do we need to be aware of it and spread it?
Many years of my life was spent following religious rituals that didn’t really focused on the message of the cross. Following these traditions and not heeding the Holy Spirit’s prodding to choose righteousness have opened the door for the enemy to keep me in bondage to idolatry, pride and other sins.
John 19:30 described the last word of Jesus. He said after tasting the sour wine soaked on a sponge, “It is finished.” This is the message. The work of salvation was finished when he died on the cross.
PRAYER
Thank you for dying for me so I can be free.
REFLECTION
How often do you speak out the message 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

TRUST IN GOD’S POWER Poem Devotional

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September 7
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I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:5(NLT)
TRUST IN GOD’S POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you rely on your own strength and understanding?
Remember that your mind has limits comprehending
God on the other hand has boundless wisdom and power
Why won’t you trust him so that the enemy will cower.
He gave us his presence when we believed in him
We need to trust his Spirit’s prodding so we can win
Depending on human strength and knowledge is foolish
It will lead to failures and make us impoverished.
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Many people put so much premium on their intelligence and knowledge. They take pride in knowing things that not other people possess. I used to be this kind of people. I read books and keep myself updated with information so I can have something to say to others whenever I get into conversations with them. I loved to argue and win a discussion, but thanks be to God that he freed me from such trivialities. It just showed how shallow I was and how immature it is to show off things that don’t really matter to God much.
The bible tells us that human understanding is limited but God’s wisdom is boundless. God designed this so that humans will find strength in their weaknesses and depend on God’s wisdom and power.
PRAYER
Lord, help me remember that I can only have strength through you.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you witnessed to man’s limited understanding compared to God’s boundless wisdom?
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