Tag Archives: poetry

FAITH BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT

Posted on by

IMG_1884

July 17
________________________________________
Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. – Matt 9:22(NLT)
FAITH BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in the one and only Christ
You will find contentment and bliss in this life
Faith heals depression and hopelessness
It brings positive perspective and faithfulness.
Faith can move mountains and make things possible
It is the key to making life victorious and bearable
Faith brings encouragement and hope to others
It can lead to miracles that seemed highly impossible.
________________________________________
Faith was a gift given to me since I was a little child. I wouldn’t have been here standing if not for my belief in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave me this gift so that I can withstand all the pain brought about by traumatic experiences and wrong choices and decisions. I remember my students and friends who when asked about me, would always mention that I am a woman of faith. It was faith that made it possible for me to raise my child alone. It was faith that brought me hope to see beyond what I am going through.
The bible tells us the story of the woman who had so much faith that it healed her of her ailment. To those who have this gift, miracles are not far to happen.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift of faith.
REFLECTION
What was the most recent miracle you received as a result of your faith?
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

POSSESSIONS ARE WORTHLESS Poem Devotional

Posted on by

collingwood2013 025 (2)

July 16
________________________________________
Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you. – Zechariah 14:1(NLT)
POSSESSIONS ARE WORTHLESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What do you own that makes you feel superior over others?
Is it your wealth that makes you discriminate your brothers?
Why do you cling to your belongings in this world?
Possess nothing that competes with the Lord.
Worldly things do not last long and are temporary
Pursue God and his word and you will be extraordinary
Possession are worthless especially on judgment day
Don’t hoard for it will be plundered in every way.
________________________________________
Hoarding is defined as “to accumulate for preservation, future use, etc., in a hidden or carefully guarded place.” Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s not clear what causes hoarding disorder. Genetics, brain chemistry and stressful life events are being studied as possible causes. Doctors point to a number of potential causes for hoarding. These include difficulty processing information, beliefs about possessions, and the emotional distress associated with discarding items or possessions. To the compulsive hoarder, each and every item is of value – often an exaggerated value. We are warned in the bible that possessions are worthless especially on judgement day.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to let go of things that have no value in your kingdom.
REFLECTION
What worldly things are you clinging to?
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

MIGHTY MAN DESTROYED Poem Devotional

Posted on by

crawford lake 2013 049

July 15
________________________________________
The mighty man has been destroyed. Yes, your insolence is ended. For the Lord has crushed your wicked power and broken your evil rule. -Isaiah 14:4-5(NLT)
MIGHTY MAN DESTROYED
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is no one more powerful than God
The enemy entices us not to bring him laud
Never be afraid of the mighty man
His power is just like any other human.
The devil knows that he is going to be defeated
That is why he uses tricks to make us all tempted
He appears to be mighty and powerful
He is actually a fraud, weak and deceitful.
________________________________________
How do you win a battle? First, you have to know your enemy. Many defeats happen because of lack of strategy and knowledge. We have to acknowledge and get familiar with our opponent for us to be able to win and overcome. In many athletic competition, there are rules that need to be followed in order to win tournaments or races. When the participants don’t follow the rules, they get disqualified.
Our enemy, the devil has another title, the mighty man. He likes to think that he is powerful but without doubt God is the only one who has all power and all might. The enemy’s tactic is to deceive you that he has great control but since Jesus was born, he has already been destroyed and defeated. The perfect obedience of Christ crushed him.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me never to allow the mighty man to control me.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to know your opponent when in a battle?
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

BREAKING THE YOKE OF SLAVERY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

port elgin camping 2012 224

July 14
________________________________________
For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
-Isaiah 9:4 (NLT)
BREAKING THE YOKE OF SLAVERY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is it an idol or a loss that enslaves your life?
Are you following traditions that covers light?
Are you constantly addicted to something?
God can break your slavery to anything.
The Lord promised freedom to all believers
Though the enemy has power, his is greater
Commit your mind, body, soul and spirit
He will break the yoke and you’ll be free from it.
________________________________________
Addiction is a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. What many people don’t realize is the addiction may be a coping mechanism that people use to alleviate a loss or pain. There is also a spiritual component in addiction. The enemy uses substance dependence or repeated bad habits that trap us from growth. Satan does it ever so cunningly that we don’t recognize the different forms of slavery he brings in our lives. It took me over five decades to recognize all these strongholds that delayed my progress in kingdom work.
The bible tells us that God can break any yoke of slavery in our lives and defeat the devil’s tactics and tricks to keep us enslaved to anything.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for breaking the yokes of slavery in my life.
REFLECTION
What yokes of slavery have you been freed from by 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

LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK

Posted on by

pinery camping 2014 and others 562

July 13
________________________________________
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. -Isaiah 9:2(NLT)
LIGHT WILL SHINE IN THE DARK
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who are in darkness will see a great light
Fear not for the Lord will give hope and sight
It is in total darkness the light shines through
It is by depending on him that you’ll be renewed.
Light will shine in the dark and can’t be extinguished
Hope will be given back to them; it won’t be diminished
The light will guide them back to the love of the Lord
It will help them to navigate through this dark world.
________________________________________
There were many years of my life that I lived in total darkness. I went through a phase of desperation in my teen life that I almost succeeded ending my miserable life. The Lord had a plan and didn’t let me die. He used this darkness to teach me how to rely on him totally. One of my weaknesses is “rebelling”. It detoured my journey to God. Just like the Israelites took them to reach their promised land. The trip should have taken just 11 days; instead it took them 40 years. It also took me 40 years to have the light shine in my life when I gave up rebellion and opt to obey God.
PRAYER
Thank you for shining on me in my darkest times Lord.
REFLECTION
Why should a believer never lose hope?
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’S EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT Poem Devotional

Posted on by

rbg 182 (2)

July 12
________________________________________
In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David had done. – 1 Kings 11:6 (NLT)
WHAT’S EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it hard to follow the Lord’s will?
Are you struggling finding rest and being still?
When you refuse to obey what God commands
You will have difficulty responding to life’s demands.
Do you constantly examine yourself and what you do?
Are they things that keeps close to the Lord and pure?
Obedience is very essential to keep close to him
What’s evil in God’s sight is rebellion and evil things.
________________________________________
The usual challenge a parent faces with their children is disobedience. As parents, we already have experienced going through the phases of growing up. We have an idea what hurt us in the past and we don’t want our children hurt. We do our best to protect them with rules that can keep them safe and make them learn to cope with life’s demands. When they go against our will, it hurts us because we don’t want to see them suffer the consequences of wrong choices and decisions.
The bible talks about Solomon’s disobedience to the Lord and refusal to acknowledge God’s will in his life. He didn’t honor what the Lord is saying because he followed his own will and rejected God’s will.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be always in your will.
REFLECTION
Why do you think obedience is very important in our relationship 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

ANOINTED WITH GOD’S WISDOM Poem Devotional

Posted on by

peonies harvest 2012 007

July 11
________________________________________
So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God has given him.
– 1 Kings 10:23-24(NLT)
ANOINTED WITH GOD’S WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
God is the only one who can give you wisdom
HIs knowledge and truth come brings freedom
Just like King Solomon who was the wisest
You too can be anointed to be the brightest.
When God anoints you with his truth
His understanding and knowledge will take root
You will be able to discern and see with his view
He will give you beyond what you can know and do.
________________________________________
When I started reading and studying the bible faithfully, knowledge and understanding kept overflowing. The things I never knew before and had no answers for are now very clear. The word of God guides us in everything. It tells us what to do and corrects us when we do wrong. It gives us a way out when we are in trouble and protects us from danger. If we heed it, we will gain wisdom.
King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear God’s wisdom. Without God’s anointing, he would probably be like any other kings, but God chose him to be ruler of his people with extraordinary wisdom.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your words that give us wisdom.
REFLECTION
Why is God’s anointing important in our 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

CHAINS OF MISERY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

auries 2012 visit 129

July 10
________________________________________
Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High.
-Psalm 107:10-11(NLT)
CHAINS OF MISERY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you have sins that are unconfessed
There will be no peace and you’ll be walled by darkness
Those who rebel against God’s word and counsel
Will find life hard and will be constantly bitter.
The chains of misery will keep you in bondage
Surrender to God and you will be at an advantage
Break those shackles and you will experience healing
No longer will you be bound by the misery of sinning.
________________________________________
A painting by a Filipino national artist named Juan Luna stirred me so deeply that it paved the way for me to become an artist myself. As I stood before this monumental work entitled “Spoliarium” which was about 30 feet by 40 feet, I cried for 2 hours and felt all the pain and suffering those dying slaves were experiencing on that scene. It was in a dungeon cell where dying men were imprisoned. I actually felt and smelled blood as I was viewing the painting. I think it stirred me so much because I was in chains of misery myself from a sinful life.
The bible tells us that if we don’t confess our sins and turn to God, we will be in total darkness.
PRAYER
Lord, please remind me to confess my sins and repent always.
REFLECTION
Share an experience of gloom and darkness as a result of unconfessed sins.
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 BLESSING OF STILLNESS Poem Devotional

Posted on by

barrie visit 2011 412

July 9
________________________________________
He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! – Psalm 107:29-30 (NLT)
THE BLESSING OF STILLNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is making your life such a disaster?
Is it those dreams that you are after?
Is there a sin that you haven’t confessed?
Why do you fret and not have peace?
Jesus calms the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves
He can pacify you and give you strength to be brave
What a blessing it is if you can be still for the Lord
It brings joy and peace when you give him laud.
________________________________________
I did not know how to be still for over five decades of my life. The enemy kept me in bondage to “busy-ness” and performing to prove that I was really good at what I did. I didn’t even realize how it was affecting my body because I just grinded and grinded and never paid attention to my health. One day, I became so sick that I couldn’t even raise my hands up. I was literally melting like a candle inside me. It took awhile before I was diagnosed with Hepatitis A because the symptoms of a flu are almost the same. I was bed ridden for 3 months. That was how God calmed the storm inside me. That’s when I learned to be still in the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be still always.
REFLECTION
Why is it very hard to be still these days?
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 MIGHT Poem Devotional

Posted on by

012

July 8
________________________________________
Oh please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. -Psalm 108:12-13(NLT)
GOD’S MIGHT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you rely on your own strength to fight enemies?
Remember that you are only human and have frailties
Whenever you feel compromised and defeated
Run to God for he will help you as you are being tempted.
With God’s help, we will do mighty things and overcome
On our own, we will fail, so why not run to Christ his Son
He is a god who can do the impossible and improbable
He has power and might beyond what humans can be capable.
________________________________________
I remember how Julie Andrews impressed and influenced me to look up to governesses and teachers in the Sound of Music movie. I was six years old and that was my very first big screen movie. In about the same year, the Singing Nun was also very popular. I guess those two movies influenced me to be a teacher, a singer and a nun.
The bible tells us that if we run to God, he will do mighty things for us. If we keep our eyes on the Lord and make him first in our lives, he will trample down our foes and ensure that we are winners in this life. Is God your superhero?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always run and look up to you.
REFLECTION
Why is self-reliance not as good as relying on 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