Tag Archives: poetry

IN PURSUIT OF DREAMS Poem Devotional

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April 15
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It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
-Proverbs 13:19 (NLT)
IN PURSUIT OF DREAMS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you dream of spiritual or worldly things?
Does it parallel God’s truth; is it within his will?
Do you do your part to make your dreams come true?
Or do you refuse to turn from evil like other fools?
It is pleasant to see dreams come into fruit
Are we seeking God and living in his truth?
Wise people pursue their dreams pro-actively
While fools just wait passively and impatiently.
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When I was three years old, I wanted to be a nun and later on a saint. I think I wanted to be a nun because I thought they were really closer to Jesus and I was surrounded by them in school I know now that it was the Holy Spirit that really drove me to pursue this dream. I read the book of saints to know them but no one pointed me to the bible. I had a very long journey searching what was missing in my life but I always longed to be close to God. That voice inside me was the Holy Spirit guiding me to pursue God which is the main purpose in my life. I thank God that even without direct human supervision, he still led me to him.
PRAYER
Thank you for living in my heart Lord and letting my dreams come true.
REFLECTION
What dreams have you realized in your 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

WORK YOUR WAY TO WEALTH Poem Devotional

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April 14
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Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappear; wealth from hard work grows over time. -Proverbs 13:11 (NLT)
WORK YOUR WAY TO WEALTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you invest time and effort on working hard
It will reap results and make you glad
No need to get rich so fast or quickly
Wealth disappear this way so easily.
Hard work brings a harvest that is fruitful
It guarantees you a life that is joyful
Work your way to wealth with diligence
It brings you to a life of fullness and excellence.
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I would like to quote an article in “The Atlantic.com” about what happens to people who win lottery tickets. They studied 35,000 lottery winners in Florida and found that 1900 winners filed for bankcruptcy within five years and that while the large infusion of cash reduced the probability of bankruptcy during the first two years of winning, it increased the odds of bankruptcy three to five years out. As for the long term, research regarding an 1832 land lottery in Georgia found that the descendants of those winners did not go on to be wealthier after a few generations. This is just a clear example that wealth obtained from get-rich-quick schemes disappears quickly.
The bible tells us that when wealth is a result of hard work and diligence, it tends to last longer and grow overtime. It clearly shows that God rewards those who work earnestly.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to embrace integrity in my personal and professional life.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God rewards those who diligently work hard 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

GOD’S GUARANTEE FOR INHERITANCE Poem Devotional

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April 13________________________________________
The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised us and that he has purchased us to be his own people so that we will praise and glorify him.
-Ephesians 1:14 (NLT)
GOD’S GUARANTEE FOR INHERITANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When Jesus died on the cross, God purchased us
He gave his only Son so we can believe, yet we lack trust
God guaranteed us an inheritance through his Spirit
We need to open up our hearts so he can live in it.
He also gave us the power to use his name to gain
He wants us to have victory and not wait in vain
As heirs to his kingdom, must we not be thankful?
As children of God, shouldn’t we be hopeful?
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When someone gets an announcement that they inherited money or a property unexpectedly, that person must feel so special. It may come as a blessing specially if it never occurred to them that they’ll be handed such legacy. They would be grateful and hopeful if they are people of goodwill. If they are foolish, they would probably mismanage the gift they have received and splurge it recklessly.
The bible tells us that God purchased us to be his children and gave us a guarantee of our inheritance through his Spirit. He chose our hearts to live in so he can be with us always.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be open to your Spirit always.
REFLECTION
What can block the Spirit to live in our hearts?
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

LEARN TO DO GOOD Poem Devotional

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April 12________________________________________
Learn to do good. Seek Justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. – Isaiah 1:17(NLT)
LEARN TO DO GOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
We are summoned to always do the right thing
It protects us from the enemy and from sin
Seek justice, comfort the poor and help the oppressed
Defend those who are lost and confused; help them find rest.
Learn to do good always by obeying God’s commands
He equipped us to be able to cope with life’s demands
Fight for the right of widows and take care of them
It is the only way we can be free and cleansed.
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Man is naturally inclined to do wrong. Notice how effortless it is for us be bad. It seems automatic to do so. It didn’t use to be this way until Adam and Eve sinned and made it easy for us to be sinful. It usually takes effort and help from God to be able to do good. When we raise a child, we want him or her to be able to function well in society and do good in life. We show them slowly how to be able to learn things in the different stages of their early development up until they are grown enough to live by themselves. The bible wants us to learn to do good always, seek justice and care for orphans and widows.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always do and choose the good.
REFLECTION
How can we have a conscious awareness to do good instead of evil?
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

SPIRIT POWERED Poem Devotional

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April 11________________________________________
I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources, he will empower you with inner strength though his Spirit. – Ephesian 3:16(NLT)
SPIRIT POWERED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you able to face all of life’s challenges?
God has much glorious unlimited resources
If you believe and seek him, he will empower you
He cares and loves you; he wants you changed and renewed.
There is a way man can be powered by God’s Spirit
It is by believing him that you will receive it
He will endow you with inner strength to face life
He will lead you to do what is God’s will and right.
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Have you ever experienced and felt the Holy Spirit in your life? I lived a very difficult and painful life yet somehow, there is a power inside me that kept me going, held my head up high and made me press on with life. I wasn’t sure what it was until I was baptized by the Spirit in my late twenties. That is when I was able to realize that God never left me and despite all the disobedience and rebellion, he still looked after me. It was powerful to keep on living amidst all the circumstances I have experienced.
The bible tells us that God has glorious unlimited resources and that heh empowers us with inner strength through his Spirit. We are Spirit powered when we commit to him faithfully.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for living in my heart.
REFLECTION
Do you have a relationship with God’s Spirit? How well do you know him?
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

GREED: ROBBER OF LIFE Poem Devotional

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April 10________________________________________
These people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. – Proverbs 1:18-19(NLT)
GREED: ROBBER OF LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you being robbed of your life?
Do you always stay in God’s light?
When you are greedy, you set traps for yourself
Such appetite doesn’t bring you much help.
Selfishness and greed is the key to all evil
It opens your heart’s door to the devil
Give up covetousness and you’ll be blessed
Be generous and God will do the rest.
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I have observed many greedy and selfish people in my life. I lived with some of these covetous persons and it really was a challenge to watch their lives robbed of peace, joy and contentment. They become so obsessed with hoarding things, wealth, money and other possessions. They work and toil so hard to get what they want and never want to share these things they have. All they do is boast about them and use it to gain power and control of many aspects of their lives. They have no idea that they are being robbed of time, relationships and fellowship with others. They are constantly suspicious of others motives because they think they will be robbed of their material possession. What they don’t realize is that the enemy has stolen their peace and joy.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be generous.
REFLECTION
How can greed be removed in man’s heart?
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

LIKE LEAVES THAT NEVER WITHER Poem devotiona

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April 8________________________________________
They delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season, their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:2-3 (NLT)
LIKE LEAVES THAT NEVER WITHER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who believe in God, delight in all his commands
They do not give in to their selfish motives and demands
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruits
Their leaves never wither because they have deep roots.
They seek the Lord day and night and abide in him
They stay pure and holy and choose not to fall into sin
They prosper in all they do because God always delivers
They are faithful and will never be defeated by the devil.
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Have you ever watched or observed leaves of trees and plants by the riverbanks? Their leaves look so healthy? The trees will never fail to bear fruit because they are always nourished by the water beside them. If we constantly abide in the Lord, meditating on his commands and truth day and night, we will also prosper like the leaves of trees by the riverbanks that never wither.
When we constantly feed on the word of God, we are constantly blessed with the fruits of the Spirit which is joy, love, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, peace, self-control. If we abide in Christ, we will all have the fruits.
PRAYER
Lord, let me constantly abide and obey you.
REFLECTION
Are you abiding in Christ? Are you reaping the fruits of His Spirit?
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

HOLY SPIRIT, THE HELPER Poem Devotional

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April 7________________________________________
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. – Romans 8:26(NLT)
HOLY SPIRIT, THE HELPER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever we are in trouble, we are not alone
Just remember to go and run to the throne
The Holy Spirit was given to us by Christ
He teaches and guides us in everything in this life.
Whenever we have difficulties and challenges
He is there to tell us how to face changes
He prays for us even when we can’t express it in words
He teaches us how to overcome sin and this world.
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Have you ever paused while you are praying and didn’t know what to say? The bible tells us in Ephesians 6 to pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion. What does praying in the Spirit means? It is opening your heart to the Lord and honestly telling him what is going on inside you. It is showing how weak you are and acknowledging that you need his help on everything, no matter how big or little it is.
Paul tells the Romans that the Holy Spirit is our helper. He is there in times of weakness and when we don’t know what to pray for. He can express our hearts through groanings.
PRAYER
Lord, lead me to pray in the Spirit always.
REFLECTION
Have you ever prayed in the Spirit? What was it like?
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

WHERE YOUR HEART IS Poem Devotional

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Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. – Luke 12:34(NLT)
WHERE YOUR HEART IS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What occupies your mind these days?
Do you think of pursuing God’s ways?
What is in your heart lately?
Is it pure or is it worldly?
Watch out what is in your mind and heart
It’s your treasure that you won’t want to depart
Wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be
Seek the Lord first and you will always be free.
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Here is a quote the Pursuit of Happiness article:
Optimism is a trait that should become more common, judging by Winston Churchill’s famous quote that “a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Optimism has been proven to improve the immune system, prevent chronic disease, and help people cope with unfortunate news. Gratitude is associated with optimism and has been determined that grateful people are happier, receive more social support, are less stressed, and are less depressed. Recent research indicates that optimists and pessimists approach problems differently, and their ability to cope successfully with adversity differs as a result.
The bible tells us that wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. If we pursue God daily, we will learn what he wants for us, we can have joy. If we chase the world’s standards, we won’t be free.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to dwell on the spiritual riches and not material wealth.
REFLECTION
How can gratitude help us to gather spiritual 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

REJOICE AND BE GLAD Poem Devotional

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April 5________________________________________
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24(NLT)
REJOICE AND BE GLAD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you grateful for all the things you have?
God provides for our needs; so rejoice and be glad
He brings us the sunshine so we can be warm
He gave us the rain to grow crops in our farm.
He brought people to love us so we can feel special
He wants us to know that he will always be loyal
Rejoice and be glad that he gave us this day
Enjoy and live it to the fullest everyday
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I have been with so many people who do not know how to enjoy their lives. Their pessimism can affect others around them and I admit that I became joyless for many years. Somehow, the Holy Spirit took hold of my heart early when I was in my teens and whispered to me to enjoy life despite all the pain I was going through. This led me to become hungry for knowledge. I learned to channel all my energies to sports, the performing arts and reading books. I discovered that pursuing and training myself with things that interests me took my mind off all the suffering. I began to enjoy life from all that God gave me. So I learned to rejoice and be glad.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for each day, help me enjoy it and rejoice.
REFLECTION
How can you maintain joy in our lives on a regular basis?
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