Tag Archives: poetry

HARVESTING THE CROP OF LOVE Poem Devotional

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June 5
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I said, “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.” – Hosea 10:12(NLT)
HARVESTING THE CROP OF LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What acts do you sow in your life?
Are they good; do they bring light?
Plant good seeds of righteousness
You will find love and happiness.
Plow up the hardness of your heart
The Lord wants you to be new and start
Seek the Lord that he may bring righteousness
Then you’ll experience his love and faithfulness.
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It is spring now, the season for gardening. What do gardeners do first of all to prepare to plant and sow seeds in the garden? They try to dig and till the soil that have hardened through the past winter season so they can put new soil and nutrients in the ground in preparation for the new seeds to get in it. There are lots of things to do so that a good harvest of crops or fruits and flowers will ensue.
The book of Hosea instructs us to plow up the hard ground of our hearts so we can prepare to sow seeds of righteousness and later on harvest the crop of love. Like the ground that gardeners plant on, our hearts can also be hardened.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never give in to hardness of heart.
REFLECTION
How can you harvest love in your relationships?
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

BENT TOWARDS REBELLION Poem Devotional

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June 4

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Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. -Hosea 12:3(NLT)
BENT TOWARDS REBELLION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever done something lawless?
We all have the tendency to say “no” instead of “yes”
Have you ever argued with God to get your way?
We think we can manipulate him and get him swayed.
Why is it easy to be selfish rather than selfless?
It only leads us to ruin and a life that is pointless
Seek God so you can overcome pride and rebellion
He’s the only one who can change you and bring salvation.
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Jacob’s story in the bible is a clear example of a bent towards rebellion. He was tricked by his father-in-law to marry Laban first before he actually married Rachel for many years. Then his two wives were always fighting over which one could bear him more children. In Genesis 34 his daughter, Dinah, went out “to see the daughters of the land” and ended up in fornication. Two of his sons used the occasion to kill a whole city of men, thus causing Jacob to fear for his family’s safety. Jacob’s sons were less than shining examples of godliness. Then Jacob had a favorite son Joseph which he openly showed to his other sons and caused them to plot to kill their brother because of Jacob’s favoritism.
PRAYER
Lord, help me overcome my natural tendency to rebel.
REFLECTION
What can we do to fight our bent towards rebellion?
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 PATH TO DESTRUCTION Poem Devotional

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June 3
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Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:5-6(NLT)
THE PATH TO DESTRUCTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you walking towards Christ or to obliteration?
Do you know the path leading to salvation?
Sinners will have no place among the righteous
For the Lord considers them very precious.
He watches those who believe and follow him
But sinners and the wicked continue to live in sin
Being wicked leads to chaos and destruction
Will you do anything to avoid eternal damnation?
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There are people who embrace a life of sin. The enemy blinded them to see what is right. It’s a sad thing to watch people destroy their own lives just for temporary pleasures that Satan entices them with. I went through this path to destruction for a good number of years and it is not a good road to be in. The wage of sin is death as the bible says. I lived a dead life; no joy, no peace. I thrived in conflict, pride, arrogance and anger. It was a life not worth living.
The bible tells us that sinners and godly people can’t thrive together. The Lord watches over the righteous but allows the wicked to be destroyed. He’ll protect his people.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always walk on the road to your eternal life.
REFLECTION
Why isn’t it a good idea to associate with sinners if you are a believer?
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

TURN MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS poem devotional

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June 2
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Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money. Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. -Psalm 119:36-37(NLT)
TURN MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, I ask that you protect me from this world
Let me never choose to sin but seek your word
Turn my eyes from worthless things and love for money
Help me to hunger for you alone and not to please me.
Give me an eagerness for your commands and truth
Let me focus on seeking you so your word can take root
Allow me to be obedient to you at all cost so I can be victorious
Never allow the enemy to confuse me and bring chaos.
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Have you ever experienced being distracted and prioritized worthless or trivial things? When we don’t focus on Jesus, we tend to be an easy prey for the enemy to work on. I used to be a busybody, always doing two to six things at a time. I took pride doing many things simultaneously and oftentimes proving that I was a superwoman. What I didn’t realize was that I was trying to fill the emptiness inside by performing and perfecting things.
The bible tells us to have an eagerness for God’s word rather than love for money or for other worldly things. It is only through God’s word that we have life.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never be distracted but always focus on you.
REFLECTION
What keeps you from focusing on the Lord and his word?
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

CHRISTIANS BRING HOLINESS poem devotional

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June 1
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And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage.
-1 Corinthians 7:13-14(NLT)
CHRISTIANS BRING HOLINESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling with an unbeliever spouse?
The believer sanctifies the marriage and the house
For a Christian wife brings holiness to her matrimony
And the Christian husband leads to have harmony.
Unless the unbelieving spouse decides to leave
The Christian partner must continue to spiritually lead
God designed his own people to marry another disciple
Unequally yoked marriages is not God’s plan for his people.
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I lived many sinful years before I became a born again Christian. Even when I thought that I believed many teachings of God, I didn’t fully understand what he really expects from me because I didn’t study his word and his character. One of my strongholds is sexual promiscuity which became my coping mechanism to fill the emptiness brought about by being unloved. I chased “worldly love” because I didn’t really know what love really meant. It led to many unequally yoked relationships in the past and until now.
The bible tells us that the Christian person brings holiness to the marriage, but the bible also warns us not to marry an unbeliever.
PRAYER
Lord, guide all those who are in unequally yoked partnerships.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God wants us to be with those who have the same beliefs we have?
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

THOSE WHO OFFER GOOD COUNSEL Poem Devotional

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May 31
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The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path. -Psalm 37:30-31(NLT)
THOSE WHO OFFER GOOD COUNSEL
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are in trouble and want guidance
Be with those who can give you good assistance
The godly offer good counsel and direction
They know how to navigate through tribulations.
They have decided to live out God’s laws
That is why they keep on track and don’t get lost
Run to those who offer righteous help and advice
They will lead you to Jesus and keep you from lies.
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Have you asked someone for counsel and got in trouble later on? I have been going to counselors in some stages of my life because I wanted to thrive in life. There is a misnomer that those who go to counselors are crazy or have mental issues. I think that people who believe this have defeatist attitude and are cowardly. There are many benefits to seeking counsel but you should also ensure that the person you are asking for guidance are those who are not directly opposite your beliefs, or they can mess you up big. I once had a counselor who I saw for about a year, weekly and didn’t realize that he made me more confused because he was indoctrinating me another belief system. Go with the godly for counsel.
PRAYER
Lord, lead me only to believers who live your truth for counsel.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to choose who you seek direction from?
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

PROMISE TO PEACE LOVERS Poem Devotional

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May 30

Look at those who are honest and good; for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future. -Psalm 37:37-38(NLT)

PROMISE TO PEACE LOVERS

A poem and essay by ILMA

Do you pursue peace with passion?

Peace lovers are given much provision

Their future is bright and wonderful

They have no need to be fearful.

Look at those who are good and honest

They are promised a life that is blessed

The rebellious on the other hand will be demolished

They have no future because they want to stay foolish.

God wants us to have peace at all cost. Romans 12:18 says “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone”; and Hebrews 12:14 says that we should work at living in peace with everyone. The Lord has clearly instructed all believers to work at chasing peace. It is not a state that is a result of something but we ought to consciously make a decision to pursue it. I didn’t know his word during my younger years so I didn’t make a mindful effort to chase it as the bible says. My past life was infested with so much conflicts and chaos that led to so much pain and adversities.

The bible says that God has a future awaiting the peace seekers and lovers. Unlike the rebels, they will have a future.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for granting peace to those who seek you.

REFLECTION

How can the pursuit of peace be rewarding?

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

HEARING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS Poem Devotional

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May 28
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Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go, whether to the right or to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21(NLT)
HEARING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a regular conversation with the Lord?
It is rewarding to connect with him and give him laud
Just like your earthly relationships need time and devotion
The Lord also longs for your faithfulness and deep connection.
As you grow in your intimacy with your heavenly father
You will easily hear God’s voice and his command to love others
He will tell you which way to go, whether to the left or to the right
He will lead you to the path that leads to peace and an everlasting life.
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I started to talk to God since I was seven years old. It was him who made me survive and later on thrive the adversities I went through at a very young age. I didn’t realize how deeply connected I was with him until I re-committed to him and became a born again Christian. The Holy Spirit have been teaching me all along since that day I committed to him at age seven. I didn’t read the bible until I was in my late twenties. It was amazing to know that what I’ve been studying now have been whispered in my heart by the voice of God.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for allowing me to hear you daily.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you heard God’s instructions?
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

PRAY FOR DIRECTION Poem Devotional

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May 27
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Pray that the Lord your God will show us what to do and where to go.
– Jeremiah 42:3(NLT)
PRAY FOR DIRECTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you don’t know where you are going
Do you run to God so you don’t go on straying?
Pray that the Lord will show you the road leading to him
There is no use to continue to be lost and live in sin.
There is only one way that leads to his kingdom
It is by submitting and believing in his Son
Pray that God will show you what to do and where to go
If you cling to him and abide in his words, you will know.
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Paul talks about a weakness in us in Romans 7:15 which says “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Isn’t this an irony? We have good intentions but then we don’t have what it takes to do it. The Bible speaks of punishing the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generations in Exodus 20:5. It is called a generational stronghold. A stronghold is a fortress of thoughts that controls and influences our attitudes. The only way to break it is to acknowledge it, confess and repent. We also need to pray unceasingly for direction in our new life in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never stray away from you.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you prayed and were shown the way?
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

FOLLOWED WITHOUT A DOUBT

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May 26
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It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. -Hebrews 11:8(NLT)
FOLLOWED WITHOUT A DOUBT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been fearful of changes in your life?
If you follow Jesus, you will be guided by his light
It was by faith that Abraham became father of all nations
He followed without a doubt all of God’s instructions.
Are you willing to obey whatever you are called to do?
He will equip you with wisdom and strength to follow through
To obey the Lord brings you an overflow of inheritance
To have victory, you need to give up all forms of resistance.
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Rebellion and stubbornness ran in my family of origin. It strongly manifested for many decades of my life. My life was chaotic when I lived in lawlessness, but as soon as I obeyed God’s will in my late twenties, many things changed. I had an overflow of blessings. When I reverted back to self-serving motives, once again, my life became very hard. So, I finally succumbed to his will then I experienced deliverance from many strongholds.
The bible says that Abraham obeyed God when he was instructed to leave him to another land. He followed even without knowing where God was leading him. He just obeyed.

PRAYER
Lord, help me follow you always.
REFLECTION
What was the consequence of your disobedience to God’s will?
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