Tag Archives: poetry

CONTENTMENT: THE SECRET OF LIFE Poem Devotional

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February 3
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. –Philippians 4:11-12(NLT)
CONTENTMENT: THE SECRET OF LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you feel the urge to complain
Remember that you are not alone in your pain
Contentment is the secret to a peaceful life
It will change your attitude and give you insight,
Thank God for everything you experience
He works in your life to make you resilient
Count your blessings and be grateful for whatever you have
It will prevent you from complaining and being mad.
Have you ever been with a whiny person? It is very exhausting and draining to be around whiners. It is the same thing with pessimistic people. All they ever do and think of is to dwell on what they don’t have instead of counting their blessings. I used to be a complainer so I know how hard it is to be with someone who is one.
Paul talks to the Philippians about the secret to life which is contentment. He advises them to learn to focus not just on what they don’t have, but to be thankful for everything whether they have something or nothing.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for everything.
REFLECTION
How can you be contented 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

SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY Poem Devotional

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February 2
Everyone must submit to governing authority. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.– Romans 13:1-2NLT)
SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you respect and come under authority?
Are you struggling to follow them in all capacity?
Everyone must submit to authorities
God anointed them to bring peace and harmony.
When you defy those who are in positions of power
You are rebelling against God and you should cower
When you are lawless and disobedient to authority
You are questioning God’s choice and sovereignty.
I used to have problems with authority figures. My negative experiences with authority from childhood contributed to having formed a resistant attitude towards them. I became very obstinate and rebellious as a coping mechanism so that I will never be hurt by those who have power over me. Defiance became my survival skill to protect myself from being traumatized. When God revealed to me that rebellion was a sin, I repented of every lawless deed I ever made and realized that my life was very hard because of disobedience. The bible tells us that we have to learn to submit to authority. They represent him, so if we don’t follow them, we are also not following God.
PRAYER
Thank you for all authorities in my life.
REFLECTION
When is it hard to submit to authority?
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

STUBBORNESS BRINGS DESTRUCTION Poem Devotional

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February 1
But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. – Romans 2:5(NLT)
STUBBORNESS BRINGS DESTRUCTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been obstinate to admit your sins?
Do you know that it leads you to ruin?
Stubbornness is a manifestation of pride
It clearly indicates that you do not want to abide.
When you continually rebel against God’s truth
You are inviting destruction to take root
When you turn your back on God’s commands
You will find that ruin is at hand.
Samuel tells King Saul that rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. (1 Samuel 15:23) Because the king rejected the Lord’s command, he was stripped of his position as king. Samuel anointed Saul as king through God’s instruction, but he became proud, stubborn and refused to follow God. Because of his disobedience, God took away his anointing as king and gave it to someone else.
Paul was teaching the Romans the aftermath of stubbornness. He said that when someone rebels, they store up terrible punishments for themselves, just like digging their own graveyard. As Samuel likens rebellion to witchcraft and stubbornness to idolatry, we can clearly see how God loathes it.
PRAYER
Lord, let me constantly obey you.
REFLECTION
Cite an instance when stubbornness let you to trouble.
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

WICKEDNESS OBSTRUCTS BLESSINGS Poem Devotional

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January 31
Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. –Jeremiah 5:25(NLT)
WICKEDNESS OBSTRUCTS BLESSINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get tired and frustrated at life’s challenges?
When you get trial after trial yet nothing changes
Wickedness may be lurking behind all these poverty
Sin robs you of all harvest and prosperity.
Wickedness and evil deprive you of God’s blessings
It opens the door wide to the enemy
Repent, confess and ask God’s forgiveness
Then you will be amazed at how you’ll be blessed.
Do you struggle in life and go through difficulties and trials day after day? I used to live a turbulent life. Just before one difficulty is over, I have another one coming. It was unending. Sin thrived in my life during my early adult life. Denying the sins I was doing kept me from receiving God’s blessings. When my son was born right in my late twenties, God convicted me of these sins and I surrendered my life to him. He poured to me so many blessings after I sought him. It was unbelievably amazing. All my needs were met plus more to share with others.
The bible tells us that wickedness deprives us of blessings. Sin robs us of good things from God. Obedience and faithfulness opens the door to blessings from God.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me faithful and obedient to you.
REFLECTION
Share what blessings you received after giving up sin.
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

LIKE A LAMB Poem Devotional

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January 30
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. –Isaiah 53:7 (NLT)
LIKE A LAMB
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus experienced all kinds of oppression
He never fought back to any of the abuse and aggressions
Like a lamb, he was quiet and never retaliated to his abusers
Instead, he prayed for all the wickedness of his accusers.
He was treated harshly and ridiculed by his torturers
Like a lamb to be slaughtered, he was silent before the shearers
He did not open his mouth to say a word or complain
He quietly suffered and fulfilled Scriptures as he endured the pain.
I had a friend who was a very patient and enduring person. He never answered back or fought for his rights. I couldn’t understand it at that time why never fought back to his abusers. I always had to retaliate and answer back any form of oppression or abuse done to me. I always wanted to get even and prove that I can fight for my rights. It wasn’t until I became a born again Christian that I realized that my friend was very Christ-like. The bible likens Jesus to a lamb. He was silent before the shearers.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be quiet while I endure.
REFLECTION
Why is Christ likened to a lamb?
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

SIN IS BREAKING GOD’S LAW

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January 29
Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.
– 1 John 3:4-5 (NLT)
SIN IS BREAKING GOD’S LAW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know the laws of the Lord?
Are you following them or do you uphold?
Anyone who breaks his commands is sinning
For all sin is always against the law and contradicting.
Jesus became human to take away our sins
He wants us to conquer it and be free
Guard your mind and hearts from corruption
Live his word so you can receive salvation.
There are many Christians who justify their sins. They call it mistakes or blame it on a circumstance or someone. They do not take responsibility for what law they broke and they continue to hide it. When they do this, they open the door for the enemy to just barge in and tempt them to sin more. So, one sin leads to another and then another. The only way to break sin is by allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us, repent, confess the sin and ask forgiveness.
The bible tells us that everyone who sins is breaking God’s law. All sins are contrary to the commands of God. Jesus came so we can be freed from our sin nature.
PRAYER
Lord, convict me when I sin.
REFLECTION
What stops you from acknowledging your sins?
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

WORKINGS OF THE SPIRIT Poem Devotional

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January 28
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit- he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. – John 14:26 (NLT)
WORKINGS OF THE SPIRIT
A poem and essay by ILMA
As soon as we believe that Christ is our Savior
We are anointed with power and valor
God expects his people to bring Good News to the poor
He sent them to free those who are oppressed by the cruel.
The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of those anointed
He reveals the gifts to each one who are appointed
God’s people are used to release all those enslaved
His Spirit brings peace and Jesus assures that they are saved.
What does God’s Spirit do in our lives? The spirit is our teacher, our counselor, our helper and our guide. John 14:26 says he is our Helper and brings us to memory all things we need to learn. He also helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26).
The bible says that God’s people are anointed by God’s Spirit to bring Good News to the poor, release the captives, let the blind see and let the oppressed free. Apparently, this is what is expected of all Christians.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to use my anointing for your glory.
REFLECTION
What does the anointing of the Spirit do in our lives as Christians?
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

ANOINTING FROM GOD Poem Devotional

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January 27
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see and that the oppressed will be set free. – Luke 4:18 (NLT)
ANOINTING FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
As we turn to God for help and blessing
He will give us the power through his anointing
The Lord has given us authority to bring Good News
He gave us his word so we can have our minds renewed.
God sent his people to proclaim that captives will be released
He gave them authority to heal all kinds of disease
God promised the broken and oppressed to be set free
If we rely on him and follow his words, we will be able to see.
There are many people who plan things in their lives on their own. They do not consult God’s word or seek his wisdom. We do not have an omniscient point of view like God, so we usually miss out on what’s best for us in making decisions and choices.
The bible says that the Spirit of God is on his people. They are anointed to bring the Good News, to set the captives free and let the blind see. Anointing is very essential in a believer’s life.
PRAYER
Lord, show me what you have anointed me with.
REFLECTION
Are you aware of your own anointing?
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

PLEASING THOUGHTS Poem Devotional

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January 26
May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
– Psalm 104:34(NLT)

PLEASING THOUGHTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Does your mind think of worldly things?
Does it dwell on God’s word or sin?
Let only pleasing thoughts occupy your mind
It will free you from sin and being blind.
Fill your mind only with things that are pure
They will protect you from the devil’s lure
Are your thoughts honorable and worthy of praise?
Are they about justice and what God says?
Do you find yourself drifting from many thoughts? What kind of thoughts fills your mind? I used to be an analytic person. The question “Why” had always been a part of my thinking. I am fascinated by how things work and finding the reasons why things happen the way they did. I took pleasure in dwelling on the cause and effect of things. I didn’t realize that my analytic mind enslaved me until much later in life. It is good to exercise and keep your minds healthy, but it is also important to filter what thoughts should get in it.
The bible tells us to think of thoughts that are pleasing to God. It also says that they must be lovely, pure, honorable, just, true and admirable. In other words, our minds should be aligned to how God thinks.
PRAYER
Lord, keep my mind focused on you alone.
REFLECTION
What thoughts constantly fill your mind?
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

PRAYER FOR MERCY Poem Devotional

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January 25
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. – Psalm 86:3-4 (NLT)
PRAYER FOR MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Lord, hear me as I cry out to you for help
Show me how to think more of others and less of myself?
Will you grant me happiness despite my situation?
Will you bring me wisdom in my frustration?
Be merciful, O Lord, for I am calling you constantly
Allow me to be patient and not expect results instantly
Melt my heart so I will always long to please you only
Keep me focused on your word so I can be healed swiftly.
Do you know how abounding in mercy the Lord is? The bible says that he forgives us infinitely and that he gives us mercy afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). The psalmist in Psalm 86 cries out to God for help and for favor. How often do you come on your knees and open up your troubles to the Lord. It is a humbling act when you come to him. The Lord wants you to be intimate with him. He wants every detail of your life. Even if he knows everything about you, he still expects you to ask him for help, forgiveness and mercy. He loves a contrite and pure heart. He wants us to depend on him for everything.
PRAYER
Lord, help me.
REFLECTION
Who do you run to for help>
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