Tag Archives: poetry

WRAPPED IN STRIPS OF CLOTH Poem Devotional

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December 8________________________________________
The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. – Luke 2:11-12(NLT)
WRAPPED IN STRIPS OF CLOTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
The Savior was born in Bethlehem
After his birth, the world was never the same
He chose to come wrapped in strips of cloth
He wants to show us that we have so much worth.
He came to give us freedom from bondage to sin
He knows what we endure and where we’ve been
He wants to save especially those who are lost
This is the true essence of his blood and the cross.
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Why did God use poor and ordinary people to bring Jesus into this world? Why was Jesus wrapped in strips of cloth and born in a manger instead of being in a palace and surrounded by all the comforts? This is God’s way of shocking the world with the simplicity and the peace that comes from a silent night when Mary gave birth in a trough wrapped snugly in improvised blanket. God chose a baby, a vulnerable being to be the entry of Christ in this world. We will never experience God’s magnificence unless we are humble, weak and poor. God works best in our weaknesses.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never be dazzled by opulence and materialism.
REFLECTION
Share how God has worked in your weaknesses and poverty?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

GOD NEVER CHANGES Poem Devotional

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December 7________________________________________
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. –James 1:17(NLT)
GOD NEVER CHANGES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you afraid of changes in your life?
Do you fear that you will be compromised?
Whatever is good and perfect comes from the Father
God never changes, he is always after our welfare.
You can be reassured that God loves us without conditions
It doesn’t matter if we are imperfect; he still gives provisions
He never casts a shifting shadow, he loves you constantly
He doesn’t waiver in his character; he waits for you faithfully.
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Have you ever experienced being tossed around by someone’s instability? Have you ever felt insecure because someone never reassures you of their love for you? I was raised in a very unstable home where you one walks on eggshells daily. I was always a very hopeful person but after many years of exposure to so much negativity and criticism, I learned to defend myself and ensure I will never be hurt again. Even before someone can be close to me, I stay away from them as soon as I feel a need to be dependent on them. It took many years until I got revelations from God that he has me covered.
The bible says that God never changes. He is love and light.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be like you.
REFLECTION
Why is constancy important in relationships and in our lives?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

GOD LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN Poem Devotional

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December 6________________________________________
God looks down from heaven on the entire human race, he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. – Palms 53:2(NLT)
GOD LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Keep a close guard on what you do
God looks down from heaven to look at you
He looks to see if anyone is truly wise
He wants to know if you’d take his advice.
He is concerned when you don’t walk in love
You are important to him or he won’t watch from above
He longs for you to seek him and hunger for his word
That is the only way you can be a victor and conquer the world.
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Have you ever felt safe when someone you love looks after your welfare? Babies and young children cannot be safe in the world if their parents and caregivers do not provide a safe environment for them in their vulnerability. The reason why a lot of people who suffer from mental illness or depression and other disorders is because they weren’t provided a safe environment to go through the different stages of development from their birth up to their adolescence.
The bible tells us that God looks down from heaven on the entire human race, he looks to see if anyone is truly wise and if anyone seeks him at all. He pines for us to long for him and hunger to follow his word.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for looking out for me.
REFLECTION
When have you ever felt abandoned by God? Did he truly leave you?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

WHITER THAN SNOW Poem Devotiional

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December 5________________________________________
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
-Psalm 51:7(NLT)
WHITER THAN SNOW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, cleanse me from my sins so I can be renewed
Help me to follow your word so I can change my views
Forgive me for all my sins and my wrong choices
Help me to always hear you so I can mute other voices.
Purify me from my sins so I can be clean
Protect me from selfishness and all cravings
Wash me so I can be whiter than snow
Bless me in everything so I can have an overflow.
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I come from a family of compulsive cleaners. I grew up with people who were meticulously clean. It was very hard to live up to the expectations of these people because it kills all the joy of being a child. I understand we all need to learn to be clean, tidy and organized. I learned from these compulsive clean people also to be so detailed when it comes to cleanliness. When I was raising my son 25 years ago, I realized that it is not just all about making everything clean outwardly. The bible tells us that God can purify us if we confess our sins and repent and can make as whiter than snow. He alone can cleanse us from sins and be born again.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for forgiving me and making me clean again.
REFLECTION
What sins and strongholds still lurks in your life that you need cleansing from?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

GOD VALUES YOU Poem Devotional

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December 4________________________________________
So don’t be afraid, you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
-Matthew 10:31(NLT)
GOD VALUES YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel ignored, unimportant, unloved or rejected?
You are more valuable to God, no need to feel dejected
Among all his creation, he made you into his own likeness
Doesn’t it make you special that he gave you his righteousness?
The very hairs on your head are numbered by the heavenly father
He knows everything and he wants you to love one another
Don’t ever be afraid for you are God’s very own possession
He will ensure that you are going to be part of his plan for salvation.
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In our world today, there is so much anger, hatred, violence and unloving acts. No wonder depression has played a big role in our lives. Depression has contributed to many mental as well as physical illnesses in our lives today. The root of most of these hopelessness is due to being devalued, unloved or rejected. I lived so many years with these negative feelings because the enemy has perpetuated many lies in my family that ran for so many generations. I stopped getting depressed when God revealed to me how much he loves me.
The bible tells us that we are God’s very own possession and that we are more valuable to him than all his creations. God knows all the details about us.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to value you as much as you value me.
REFLECTION
How has God shown you tangibly that he values you?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

TRUE REST poem devotional

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December 3________________________________________
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. –Matthew 11:28,30(NLT)
TRUE REST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you feel burdened by life’s challenges?
Don’t lose hope, God can always make changes
He wants you to come to him and experience true rest
He will bring you a way out and give you what’s best.
Come to him all those who carry heavy burdens and are weary
He ensures that you feel peace while he brings you victory
His yoke is easy to bear and the burden is light to carry
He will bring restoration and refresh your mind, spirit and body.
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Have you ever felt so exhausted from so much stressful events and activities that you encounter? The daily demands of this world is so much that a lot of times we really don’t realize how much we need rest. Now that I am in the prime of my life, I really need much rest. After living a very stressful life from age seven up to my late forties, I make it a point to rest enough so I can have peace and enjoy life. True rest comes from knowing that God is there for us and he is willing to carry our burdens for us if we come to him.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to run to you when I feel exhausted.
REFLECTION
How has God refreshed you when you were exhausted from life’s demands?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

TRUE PERFECTION Poem Devotional

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December 2________________________________________
For by one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.
–Hebrews 10:14(NLT)
TRUE PERFECTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself wanting to be perfect always?
Do you continuously want to show off your best?
True perfection comes only from the greatest sacrifice
It is through Christ’s death that we receive our prize.
We were made perfect by his blood on the cross
It cleansed us of our sins and brought back the lost
True perfection is manifested in following Christ
It is the only way we can be perfect and have new life.
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Being a perfectionist can sometimes be a blessing and a curse. The world views perfection very differently from God’s point of view. We are bombarded with so much ideas of being perfect through media. Sometimes, the standard of the world becomes very cruel to someone who doesn’t actually exhibit visual perfection. I used to be a perfectionist and it did me some good but it caused more harm in my relationships than good. I became very demanding and judgmental when others couldn’t live up to my expectations. I was trivial because all I cared was the details and not the real essence of someone or something.
The bible tells us that there is only one kind of perfection that we need to be concerned about. It is perfecting ourselves by following the example that Christ left for us to emulate.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to be perfect in love.
REFLECTION
How can you contribute in perfecting this world according to God’s truth?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

ESSENCE OF SCRIPTURES Poem Devotional

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December 1________________________________________
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. – 2 Timothy 3:16(NLT)
ESSENCE OF SCRIPTURES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you felt God’s word stir something in your heart?
Does it make you realize what is wrong and have another start?
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us the truth
It is important that we feed on it and let it have root
Whenever we face challenges and trials in life
Run to the word and you will see clearly in God’s light
The essence of his word is to lead us to become more like Christ
It brings us to a place of joy, peace, love and a life that is bright.
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A lot of people take for granted the essence of Scriptures. Even many Christians do not realize what the word of God brings in our lives. The bible is not like any other books that we just read. It is the manual for our life. It is a map to help us navigate this world’s challenges and trials. It talks to you personally whatever you are going through in your life. It corrects you when you are sinning and gives you a way out. It leads you to be closer to God.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your word.
REFLECTION
Why do we need to feed on God’s word regularly?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

ENEMIES OF GOD Poem Devotional

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November 30________________________________________
This includes you who were once far away from God, you were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Colossians 1:21(NLT)
ENEMIES OF GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you friend or an enemy of God?
Do you defy him or bring him laud?
When you are separated from him by evil
You are perpetuating the camp of the devil.
Those who sow seeds of wickedness
They are rebelling against God’s righteousness
They are considered as God’s enemies
They will be slaves to evil and won’t have happiness.
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When I was a kid, we used to play camps. Some of my playmates join the bad camp and others choose the good camp. Then we do many things that will bring points to our camps and the one who gets the highest points get to win. It was pretty easy to be in the bad camp, because they didn’t even have to think hard to do bad things to show they belong to their camp. Those who are in the good camp sometimes struggle of thinking what to do to win the bad to the good camp. It is almost so true in our lives. It is almost second nature to humans to do bad, but takes much effort to do good. The bible says that you are an enemy of God if you turn your backs on him and embrace evil thoughts and actions.
PRAYER
Lord, never forsake me to be in the enemy’s camp.
REFLECTION
How can you avoid being an enemy of God?
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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.ARTSTUDIO@gmail.com

AVOIDING GOD’S WRATH Poem Devotiional

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November 29________________________________________
But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil. – Romans 2: 8-9(NLT)
AVOIDING GOD’S WRATH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you stop when you realize that you are sinning?
Do you get bothered when you are constantly disobeying?
There will be trouble for those who choose evil and wickedness
The wrath of God will be inevitable to all the proud and the lawless.
We are made into God’s image and in his righteousness
Whenever we choose the opposite, we live in darkness
We can avoid God’s wrath by following his will and commands
It will surely help us navigate through life and all of its demands.
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How can many Christians avoid the wrath of God? Do you realize that there is something that God hates? It is refusing to obey the truth and choosing to live lives that are evil and wicked. God loves all people but he doesn’t love it when they do evil purposely. We have a very forgiving and merciful father in heaven, but he also allows us to choose the right things and the truth. If we opt to do the wrong thing and continue to live in darkness, there will be consequences to these choices.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to sin purposely and to repent and confess when I do.
REFLECTION
How can we avoid God’s wrath?
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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