THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS Poem Devotional

Posted on February 15, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 15
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction. But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
–1 Corinthians 1:18(NLT)
THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is the message of the cross?
Has it been in your heart and embossed?
The meaning of the cross is foolish to the wicked
They choose to head for destruction instead.
For the believer, it is the very power of God
It is the symbol of His absolute love
The cross is Christ who loves us and gave
It is the only act of love that we can rave.
Some Christians do not really comprehend the depth of the meaning of the cross. They do not realize that it was the cross that freed them from debt and death. I didn’t fully understand the message of the cross, until a few years back when God revealed to me that I didn’t have to do anything to save myself. The sacrifice of Christ’s life on the cross was fulfilled according to Scriptures many years after it was prophesied by many generations before Christ was born.
For those who choose to live in their sinful nature, the message of the cross is foolish but for those who are being saved, they know that it is the very power of God.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me focused on the cross.
REFLECTION
What has the cross freed you from?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

ATTRIBUTES OF LOVE Poem Devotional

Posted on February 14, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 14
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. – 1 Corinthians 13:7(NLT)
ATTRIBUTES OF LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Love is a commitment you undertake with someone
It doesn’t give up easily when romance is gone
Even in desperate moments of frustration
Love never loses faith in all situations.
Love is always hopeful even when things are bleak
It endures through trials; it doesn’t focus on the weak
It continues to trust in every circumstance
Believing, giving and forgiving are “love’s” stance.
The world has romanticized the meaning of love. It has corrupted its true meaning by highlighting more on what one can receive from someone rather than what one can give to the loved one. The world sees love as a business transaction. They only give if they are guaranteed something back in return. When they don’t gain anything, they sever their relationship with the one who can’t live up to their criteria.
In God’s economy, love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. It is like God because God is love. He is faithful and never gives up on us. He’s always there even if we turn from Him. He waits for us patiently to come back and reunite with him. This is the true meaning of love.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to love like you do.
REFLECTION
What worldly view of love do you need to give up?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

BE OF ONE MIND Poem Devotional

Posted on February 13, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 13
Live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. – 1 Corinthians 1:10(NLT)
BE OF ONE MIND
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are in a relation
There is no place for division
Be of one mind with believers
Conflicts bring about discord in others.
Live in harmony and patiently pursue peace
Be open and respect others so that you can see
Let there be no divisions in the body of Christ
Agree with one another so you won’t have to fight.
Division is spreading wildly in the church. There are so many religions in the world today. When one person does not agree with the leadership in a congregation, they separate themselves from the church, go to another one or build a new church. The world view relationships as a business partnership. That is why there are so much separations, divorces and annulments in marriages. When one spouse discovers a difference, they run away instead of working it out with their partners.
The bible instructs the church (body of Christ) to be of one mind in order to avoid divisions. Jesus didn’t die for us to have many religions. He wants us all to have a relationship with God. He wants us to seek God in order to be unified with him and other believers.
PRAYER
Lord, let me never stray from you.
REFLECTION
Why is “agreement” very important in relationships and the church?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

PLEADING FOR HELP Poem Devotional

Posted on February 12, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 12
I am exhausted from crying for help, my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me. –Psalm 69:3(NLT)
PLEADING FOR HELP
A poem and essay by ILMA
My throat is dry and tears welling down my cheeks
I am exhausted from crying for help as I speak
I plead God to save my loved ones from their unbelief
It is so painful to see their lives in bondage and without relief.
If only they can see how much they are missing
They are blinded by the world, so they keep on sinning
Lord, have mercy on me and save my family
Bring us light and peace so we can have harmony.
God acknowledges a believer who has a humble heart. He is touched when someone gets down on his or her knees and declares weaknesses and need for God. He loves an honest and pure heart.
In Psalm 69:3, the psalmist is describing his posture while he pleads for God’s help. He honestly opens up his heart and weeps, waiting for God’s help. Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 in the bible clearly manifests the power of a humble man who intercedes for Israel. He asked forgiveness even if he was pure. He pleaded God to give the Israelites another chance. Because of his plea, the Israelites were spared.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a humble heart.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to have a humble heart that pleads?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

WHAT LOVE IS

Posted on February 10, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 10
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. -1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NLT)
WHAT LOVE IS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Love is giving up your life for someone
It is dying to self and serving a loved one
Love is patient, kind and is humble
It does not put down or grumble.
It doesn’t keep a record of being wronged
It doesn’t dwell on past mistakes for long
Love does not demand its own way
It is never offensive in what it says.
“Love” is the most abused word in our world. Society has used this word in whatever way and form without really understanding the true meaning of it. It is loosely used as a synonym for a want or for something a person might like. You often hear people saying “Oh! I love that dress or car, or house.”
The bible defines the true meaning of love in 1 Corinthians. Love is patient, kind, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, and not rude. It doesn’t demand its own way. It is not irritable and keeps no record of wrongs. So when someone is being demanding, unkind, cruel, controlling, disrespectful, irritable or angry, you wouldn’t really call them “walking in love.” Christ is the epitome of love.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to love.
REFLECTION
Are you a loving person?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

HARVESTING WHAT YOU PLANTED Poem Devotional

Posted on February 9, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 9
Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit –Galatians 6:8(NLT)
HARVESTING WHAT YOU PLANTED
A poem and essay by ILMA
What you sow is what you will reap
If you plant trouble, you will weep
Those who live to please their sinful nature
They are considered foolish and immature.
Those who follow their hearts and please God’s Spirit
They will never be poor one bit
When you seek to follow God’s laws
You will have all that you need and an overflow.
The law of sowing and reaping is one of the laws of God which is essential in attaining and keeping a peaceful and prosperous life. Matthew 7:20 says that we can identify a tree by its fruit just as we can identify people by their actions. An apple can never be produced by a pear tree.
The bible tells us that if we live to satisfy our own sinful nature, then we will surely harvest decay and death but if we constantly seek to please God, then we will reap everlasting life. Many believers want to be saved but do not have what it takes to obey and honor God’s commands. They wonder why their lives are messy when do don’t invest their time on serving God.
PRAYER
Lord, instill a clean heart in me.
REFLECTION
What do you sow in life?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

ACCOUNTABILITY Poem Devotional

Posted on February 9, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 8
For we are each responsible for our own conduct.–Galatians 6:5(NLT)
ACCOUNTABILITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
What different roles are you responsible for?
Are you being accountable for them all?
Even if someone isn’t looking on your shoulders
You ought to be in charge as you grow older.
For we are each answerable for our own conduct
We have to watch how our actions create an impact
We must take responsibility for our choices and decisions
It affects everyone and creates a chain reaction.
Being accountable for our own conduct and actions is a manifestation of a mature person. There are so many immature and irresponsible people in this planet. Not taking responsibility for one’s demeanor and actions are signs of a spirit in bondage. There are many forms of slavery involved when people do not take responsibility for what they do and how they behave. It may be a spirit of pride, anger, abuse, trauma, dishonesty, entitlement, stubbornness, defiance, disobedience and the list goes on. For as long as the person does not acknowledge the sin involved in their actions, they go through the blame game all their lives.
The bible says that we are each responsible for our own conduct. We can’t point fingers at anybody. We need to take accountability for our actions and demeanor.
PRAYER
Lord, show me responsibility.
REFLECTION
Why do we need be accountable for our own actions and behavior? What happens if we don’t?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

TRUTH LEADS TO HOLINESS Poem Devotional

Posted on February 7, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 7
Make them holy by your truth, teach them your word which is the truth.
-John 17:17(NLT)
TRUTH LEADS TO HOLINESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you able to distinguish a lie from truth?
If you dwell on the word, it will take root
God gave you his truth through his word
He wants you to abide in it to overcome this world.
Truth leads to holiness
It reveals lies and cleanses
If you dwell and feed on all it says
You are on the road to righteousness.
There are many people who are so confused these days. Even those who are closest to God can get messed up by worldly systems. That is why the bible says in Hebrews 2:1 that we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard or we may drift away from it. 2 Timothy 3:16 also says that “ 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 straightens and teaches us to do what is right.”
John said that we are made holy by truth and the word is the truth. We are summoned to seek his word so we can be holy. Are you compelled to follow the call to holiness?
PRAYER
Lord, give me a hunger for your word always.
REFLECTION
How can God’s word protect you from evil and lies?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

A HUNDRED TIMES MORE Poem Devotional

Posted on February 5, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 5
Yes, Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News will receive now in return a hundred times.”
-Mark 10:29-30 (NLT)
A HUNDRED TIMES MORE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you give your all to Jesus Christ
He will honor you and bless your life
For everything you give up for his sake
You will be given a hundred times more to take.
When he asks you to sacrifice someone you treasure
Trust him with all your heart for he will reassure
Honor God by giving him what he requires
He will give back to you more than you can ever desire.
Have you ever been with someone who is generous? They make you feel so loved. On the other hand, a stingy person makes you feel worthless. God is the epitome of love and giving. He gave us everything he has, even his one and only begotten Son.
The bible tells us God’s assurance to those who would give up anything for his sake and the Good News. His promise is a hundred times more for those who do everything to glorify him and his word. What an abundant promise!
PRAYER
Lord, I give you all I have.
REFLECTION
Can you give up what you treasure most for God’s sake and the gospel?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

TRUST IN THE LORD Poem Devotional

Posted on February 4, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 4
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. – Psalm 34:10(NLT)
TRUST IN THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a lack in your life?
Do you dwell on his word to be in the light?
He promised to protect and care for his children
He will never allow them to be overcome and beaten.
Trust in the Lord for he has you covered
You will lack no good thing if you give your life over
He provides abundantly for those who love him
When you believe in him, you will be redeemed.
Trust is defined as a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something. When trust is present in a relationship, usually, things go well. Trust can be an aftermath of respect or love. It can never be imposed. It is usually earned over a period of time when honesty and integrity is clearly manifested in the relationship. It is very hard to trust someone you don’t know.
When you trust in the Lord, you will lack no good thing. Abraham was considered the Father of all those who believe in Romans 4:16.Because of his great trust in God, he became the father of all believers.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to trust you.
REFLECTION
When did you trust God the most? What was the aftermath?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

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