WHY ARE YOU AFRAID? Poem Devotional

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November 16________________________________________
The Lord is my light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid? –Psalm 27:1(NLT)
WHY ARE YOU AFRAID?
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you declared God as your Redeemer
Have you set aside fears that usually takes over?
The Lord is your light and your salvation
There is no need to fear for he brings all solutions.
Why are you afraid of things that has no power?
God will grant you victory and make the devil cower.
Do not be afraid for he is right beside you
God never abandons, he saves and renews.
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What scares you in life? The biggest fear I have is that the end times will come and my family still do not know the Lord. I fear that they are losing their souls to this world we live in. The bible mentions the word fear or afraid about 365 times. God is awesome, he gives us a caution “Do not fear” and we can reflect on one each day of the year. This is how much God wants us never to live in fear. Fear is the opposite of love, not hate. When we fear, we are living in bondage. We are always catastrophizing and never at peace.
When I renewed my vow to Christ some time ago, he gave me courage to face any circumstance. The Lord is my light and salvation. I need not fear.
PRAYER
Lord, free me from “fear” of anything.
REFLECTION
Share an instance how God worked in one of your fears.
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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

WHEN YOU LOVE Poem Devotional

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November 15________________________________________
For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. – Ephesians 5:28 (NLT)
WHEN YOU LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you love God, loving yourself comes easy
When you turn your back on him, you will have difficulty
When you love someone unconditionally
You are following Christ who loves you faithfully.
When you love only because you want to gain something
It will eventually corrupt your heart and leave you with nothing
For a person who loves someone actually shows love for himself
And those who cannot love cannot stop prioritizing themselves.
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What is the true gauge of love? Our world has corrupted many hearts of people by dictating that love is something we give so we can get back something in return. God, on the other hand teaches us perfect love which is called “agape.” It is to love someone unconditionally. Agape is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible.
In Ephesians 5:28, the husbands are instructed to love their wives as a manifestation of their love for themselves. I often wonder how many wives feel so unloved by their husbands. Could it be because these men did not receive love at all in the past and therefore not able to give love to others and to their wives? Or could it be that they don’t actually love themselves that’s why they can’t show it?
PRAYER
Lord, help me manifest my love to others clearly.
REFLECTION
How can you love someone who is not giving back the love you give?
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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

OUR SHIELD Poem Devotional

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November 12________________________________________
God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.-Psalm 7:10 (NLT)
OUR SHIELD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there anyone who has violated you and treated you bad?
Are there people who rejoice when you are not glad?
He knows what we think of and he discerns the condition of our hearts
He understands our dilemmas and challenges even from the very start
God is our protector, our deliverer, our redeemer and our shield
If we don’t run to him, we will be tempted and easily yield.
The Lord saves those whose hearts are true and right
Have you already committed your entire life to Jesus Christ?
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A shield is something that protects someone or something from danger or getting hurt. How many times have you resorted to using different kinds of things and tactics to protect yourself from being hurt or maligned? It is our human nature to defend ourselves especially when we are being attacked. It is supernatural for us to run to God and let him be our shield, our protector.
The bible talks about how King David depended on God solely as his shield and how important it is for us to have our hearts true and right for our heavenly Father. With a heart that is always after the Lord, he will definitely ensure our safety. He will protect us from all evil around us.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always run to you for shield.
REFLECTION
Who do you usually run to for protection when you are being attacked?
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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

MY HELPER, MY SAVIOR Poem Devotional

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November 11________________________________________
As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior, O my God; do not delay. –Psalm 40:17 (NLT)
MY HELPER, MY SAVIOR
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who is always there for you through thick or thin?
God is with you constantly even when you have sinned
Run to him, he will faithfully send you his helper
The Holy Spirit lives inside your heart to make you better.
Ask the Lord’s assistance for he saves you from your sin nature
Plead him to keep you in his thoughts so you will be a victor
No other god can surpass Christ’s mercy and salvation
Let us trust him completely and depend for his provision.
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There are many people I have relationship with who are not dependable because they are just too busy with their own lives to even find out what is happening with me or don’t really care. It is only God who have proven himself to be there in all situations I am in. Whether in my successes and failures, he is always there for me. He answers all my prayers when he deemed it good for me. He protects me and he constantly understands what I am going through. The bible tells us to run to God for he is our helper and our savior. Only God can faithfully respond to us.
PRAYER
Lord, I plead for your healing.
REFLECTION
Why is seeking God for help an act that all Christians should do?
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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

PLEA FOR HEALING Poem Devotional

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November 8________________________________________
Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. I am sick at heart. –Psalm 6:2-3(NLT)
PLEA FOR HEALING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Oh Lord, my God, have compassion on me
Heal my soul that I may have victory over sin
The enemy has stolen my peace and joy
Will you grant me restoration so I can rejoice?
I plead for your forgiveness and mercy
Let me not be overwhelmed in the valley
Soak me in your blood so my soul can be free
Have pity on the weak and those who cannot see.
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Many painful and traumatic events in my life have scarred me deeply but God is so faithful and merciful that he has pulled me out of the rubbles in this world. It doesn’t exempt me from still having troubles and challenges in my life. I am being healed continually by the Lord. It is a process and he is walking me through it by giving me people and who underwent much more pain than I could ever experience. It is amazing to see the miracles God has done to those sinners who have done crimes that no one could ever imagine. How he used these people considered trash by society to proclaim his glory is beyond me.
The bible says that the Lord has compassion and will heal all our illnesses and weaknesses.
PRAYER
Lord, heal my soul that has been affected by my past sins.
REFLECTION
Why is it important that we ask God to heal our souls from past sins?
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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

SELF-EXAMINATION Poem Devotional

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November 7________________________________________
That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
-1 Corinthians 11:28 (NLT)
SELF-EXAMINATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
What thoughts and ideas do you have?
Do you ponder on the Lord up above?
Do you reflect how you treat others?
Do you think of the welfare of one another?
Examining yourself guides where you are going
It monitors how much you are progressing
Self-examination helps you spiritually mature
It makes you understand life and endure.
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I am a born analytic and sometimes I can go overboard with over-analyzing things. I thank God that he has given me the capacity to monitor how I think and what my motives are on a regular basis.
Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. Lamentations 3:40 says that we must test and examine our ways and must turn back to the Lord. Why is self-examination crucial in our lives especially in our faced paced world? Without introspecting on our lives, we will lose control or have the ability to go on as planned.
The bible tells us that self-examination is crucial in partaking of the body of Christ. Paul stressed to the Corinthians the importance of preparing ourselves to be one with Christ or one with our sisters and brothers. We must be able to watch our own lives so that we are actually following and reflecting Christ in our lives.
PRAYER
Lord, than you for giving me a mind that can process things.
REFLECTION
How often do you examine yourself? What happens when you don’t?
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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

LET GOD FLOW THROUGH YOU Poem devotional

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November 6________________________________________
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.
-1 Peter 4:11(NLT)
LET GOD FLOW THROUGH YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
What gifts have God given to you?
Is it to speak or encourage others to be renewed?
If God has given you the gift to speak
Do it with passion but always be meek
If you have the gift of helping others
Do it with all your strength to aide your brothers
Use all your gifts to let God flow through you
It will bring more people to seek God’s truth.
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My natural gifts are: literary, visual, communication, musical and theatre arts. It is ironic that communication was a gift given to me by God. I had no voice to say anything as a child. I was commanded never to answer back or explain myself. I think that desired to be heard was translated into written words. I wrote letters to my father who was working abroad many years. My letters made me closer to him than those who were physically around me. The other gifts were a venue to heal my wounded heart.
The bible tells us that we all are given gifts, but we need to use them all to bring glory to God.
PRAYER
Thank you for your gifts.
REFLECTION
What natural gifts do you have that helped you discover your spiritual gifts?
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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

SUBMITTING TO GOD’S WILL Poem Devotional

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November 5________________________________________
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. – Matthew 1:24(NLT)
SUBMITTING TO GOD’S WILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
What areas of your life have you been unwilling to submit?
Is it a relationship struggle, a career or a failure to commit?
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded
He didn’t question or argue why God has clearly demanded
Despite his initial doubt about the situation
God revealed to him the importance of his submission
Submitting to God’s will is an act of love and obedience
It brings us closer to God’s promises which is all sufficient.
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I lived many decades of my life doing things my way. No wonder I failed many times and had so much trouble navigating through life. I was made to believe by the world that life is about what you make it. In God’s economy, it is totally the opposite. Life is about submitting our lives totally to him.
How was Jesus born? God used Joseph and Mary to bring his only begotten Son here on earth to fulfill our salvation as promised in Scriptures. Why did God choose Joseph and Mary of all people? In Matthew 1:24 and in Luke 1:38, we both see the common denominator with these two special persons that God chose. They submitted to God’s will without question.
PRAYER
Lord, change me so I can totally surrender my life to you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think submission to God’s will was God’s criteria for choosing Christ’s parents?
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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

PEACE ON EARTH Poem Devotional

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November 4________________________________________
Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.
-Luke 2:14(NLT)
PEACE ON EARTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is so much chaos and disorder in this world
This is not what God wants for us according to his word
He wants us to give glory to the highest heaven
He wants peace on earth on all his brethren
The real meaning of Jesus’ birth is peace on earth
It is not clamoring for gifts according to our worth
God is pleased when we embrace peace intentionally
He wants us to embrace it so we can live joyfully.
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The word peace is defined as an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from internal and external strife. The biblical concept of peace is larger than that and rests heavily on the Hebrew root slm, which means “to be complete” or “to be sound.” The verb conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning “to be complete or whole” or “to live well.”
I remember growing up in the church saying “Peace be with you”, bowing my head and greeting the other members of the congregation when that part of the mass comes. As the Lord has matured me through his word, I now know that there is much more to it. The bible tells us the real meaning of Jesus’ birth. It means peace on earth.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me peace in my heart.
REFLECTION
How can you relay peace to others this coming Christmas?
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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

LIGHT COVERS DARKNESS Poem Devotional

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November 2________________________________________
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. -John 1:5 (NLT)
LIGHT COVERS DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you feel down and depressed
Run to the throne so you can be refreshed
Believe in him so you can enjoy his light
It illumines the darkness in your life.
The light of Jesus brightens any sorrow
It brings you hope for a better tomorrow
When light covers darkness, it can’t be extinguished
It will expose all the evil schemes and make it perish.
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Most children are afraid of the dark. The bible tells us that God has a special place for children in his kingdom. He requires us to be childlike to be able to enter it. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 says that we are all children of the light and we don’t belong to darkness. Those who enjoy darkness have been held captive by the enemy. Satan has blinded them and kept them hostages of evil. Those who keep so many secrets are prisoners of darkness. Matthew 10:26 says that all secrets will be revealed and will be made known to all.
1 John 1:5 says that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all and John 1:5 says that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. Therefore, God triumphs over all evil and will perish the darkness.
PRAYER
Thank you for your light, Lord Jesus.
REFLECTION
What darkness in your life have you allowed God’s light to shine in?
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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