SUFFERING’S LESSON Poem Devotional

October 17________________________________________
My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
– Psalm 119:71(NLT)
SUFFERING’S LESSON
A poem and essay by ILMA
When I went through much suffering
I learned many ways of enduring
It wasn’t pleasant during the experience
But later on, it made me strong and resilient.
God convicted me to heed his commands
I began to learn to cope with life’s demands
I realized Jesus died a horrible death for me
My pain is no comparison to what he did.
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Human tendency is to avoid pain. We want to ensure that we are comfortable and safe. When we get in trouble, the flight or fight mode kicks in so we can survive. When I was about young girl, there was an earthquake in the Philippines that killed many people in a building that collapsed. It was early morning when it happened so many people died because they were asleep when it happened. I watched on television how the victims where being pulled out from the ruins of the building. After seeing those dead people on the news, I began getting nightmares. Many years later, I still fear disasters especially earthquakes. Several painful events ensued after that disaster. Many years later, the Lord convicted me and assured me from his word that he was always with me and that he died for all those who are in pain and oppressed.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me discern what to learn when I suffer.
REFLECTION
How can suffering make us resilient and strong?
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

LIFE THROUGH THE WORD Poem Devotional

October 16________________________________________
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
-Psalm 119:37 (NLT)
LIFE THROUGH THE WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Each time you consult the word
You will find out more about the world
It makes you see things clearly
It guides you to live life righteously.
Turn your eyes from worthless things
God’s word will make you overcome sin
You will be alive when you obey his commands
It makes you learn to deal with life’s demands.
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When I became born again and started studying his word, my whole life changed. I didn’t realize that all the years before that, I was dead. It wasn’t a physical death. I was dead because I was living in sin and out of God’s will. I had no peace or joy because I didn’t know how much loved I was. I wasn’t aware of all of God’s promises until I got to the word of God. It was Scriptures that convicted me of all the wrong things I have done. It was also in His truth that he changed my point of view about the things that really matters in life. I realized how shallow I was. I lived in the world’s standard instead of living a spiritual life.
The bible taught me what are more important while we live in this world. It taught me how to live the life God wants me to live.
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PRAYER
Lord thank you that you gave us your word so we can be alive and not dead.
REFLECTION
What worthless things have you been distracted with?
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

UNTIL GOD DISCIPLINES YOU Poem Devotional

October 15________________________________________
I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.
– Psalm 119:67 (NLT)
UNTIL GOD DISCIPLINES YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
I used to rebel and live a life of reckless abandon
Until the Lord called my full attention
He convicted me as I read his word
He asked me to let go of the system of this world.
I began to study and follow his will
His word calmed me and made me still
His only Son Jesus died so I can be saved
Until I obeyed him, I wasn’t bold and brave.
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I have wandered off from the Lord almost four decades of my life. I accepted Jesus when I was seven years old as a result of being neglected and ignored. I was desperate for attention. I felt invisible and minimized by the people I lived with. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t provided with love. As a result, I started talking aloud to Jesus on my way to my kindergarten class. The Holy Spirit guided me all those first fourteen years of my life even though no one from my family guided me.
I began to deepen my relationship with God, but the enemy snatched that wonderful relationship by using the abandonment and lack of love in my family. I became rebellious towards my family. Until God disciplined me and asked me to turn to him again, I lived in anger.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never resist your discipline.
REFLECTION
How can rebellion derail you from God’s will?
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 CONSTANT GUIDE Poem Devotional

October 14________________________________________
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.
– Psalm 119:98(NLT)
MY CONSTANT GUIDE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The love of the Lord protects me
His commands bring me peace
His instructions guide me as I live
I can win the battle if only I believe.
The Lord’s guidance makes me wiser
I don’t have to live being a loser
I will obey his word and his instructions
It leads me to the path to salvation.
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It is unwise to be a Christian and not be guided by the Lord’s instructions. Our lives will bring troubles and confusion if we do not follow the Lord’s commands. I’d like to liken his instructions to the rules made my parents for their babies and toddlers to learn to follow. We tell them to keep out of electrical outlets, appliances that would hurt them or to watch where they are going. As they grow up and learn to do things on their own, often, they cease to follow the parent’s regulations because they are experimenting with having their own independence. Once they go their own way and forget how these rules have protected them, they can be in trouble.
It is almost like our Father in heaven, who lays down rules for us to follow. It is to ensure that we are guided and protected against evil attacks of the enemy and the world’s corruption.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be wiser by following your commands.
REFLECTION
How can obedience to God make us wise?
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

INCOMPARABLE poem devotional

October 12________________________________________
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. – Philippians 3:8(NLT)
INCOMPARABLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
If only people will discover Jesus’ value
They will surely obey and live his truth
The desire to know Christ is priceless
It is incomparable with all the world’s riches.
Gather spiritual treasures instead of worldly things
Seeking God first is the only key to overcome sin
You’ll be transformed and reap fruits in your life
All things become incomparable to knowing Christ. ¬¬
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So many people have been captured by the world system. We are surrounded by lies that trick us to focus our lives on the material things of this world. We get so busy with so many things that we put God last in our list of things to do (if it is at all included in our list). Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In Matthew 31:33, we are instructed to seek God’s kingdom first and his righteousness and all these things will be given to us.
The world has commercialized the value of knowing Christ and replaced it with seeking to gratify the desires of the flesh. We became idolaters of the “self.” Paul reminds us that nothing is comparable to the infinite value of knowing Christ as our Lord and Savior.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never remove my focus on you.
REFLECTION
How is seeking and knowing Christ incomparable to anything and everything in this world?
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

PRAY LONG Poem Devotional

October 11________________________________________
One day soon afterward, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray and he prayed to God all night. – Luke 6:12(NLT)
PRAY LONG
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we find time to pray to the Lord
We are manifesting our praise and giving Him laud
When we hunger to be intimate with Jesus Christ
We are going to long to be with him and stay in his light.
When we love someone, we don’t count the time
We want to be with that person always
When we pray long, we show that we hunger for him
Don’t put a limit to someone who can free us from sin.
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It was once during my divorce that I prayed all night long. I felt led to pray until my pain was gone. Divorce was one of the worst thing anyone could ever experience It is like you yourself died. The dream to be loved and cherish, the loss of being with the person you vowed to be with forever, the brokenness and betrayal of someone who wants out from the commitment. The Holy Spirit pulled me out of the abyss of pain. He nudged me to pray all night long so I can be comforted and get closer to him. Christ championed praying incessantly. He is inviting us not to put limits to praying because that is how we can be intimate with him and grow.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never put limits on time when I pray to you.
REFLECTION
Why is it hard for many of us to pray all night or all day long?

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 DELIGHT IN GOD Poem Devotional

October 10________________________________________
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. – Psalm 37:4 (NLT)
WHEN YOU DELIGHT IN GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you delight in the Lord constantly
He will appreciate and reward you faithfully
Ask your wishes and desires enthusiastically
He won’t deprive you; he’ll give it generously.
Don’t ever be complacent in desiring Christ
He loves someone always full of life
Give your all to worship and praise
Rejoice, be glad and most of all, be amazed.
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Do you remember how excited you were when you first met your spouse? You couldn’t eat or sleep and you constantly were thinking of him or her. Sometimes a smile is kept pasted on your lips as you remember that moment you just spent together. You can’t have enough of one another. That is exactly how God wants us to feel for him. He wants us to take delight and rejoice because he loves us so much. He wants to make you happy and is willing to grant you whatever you ask in his name.
When you delight in the Lord, you will always have that zest for life and a thankful attitude. It is a proof that you are growing since one of the Sprit’s fruit is Joy. It keeps you strong to resist temptation when you rejoice in God’s love and his presence in your life.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your desire to be with me.
REFLECTION
How often do you desire to be with Jesus? What are some of your desires that hinder your spiritual growth?
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

WITH YOU ALWAYS Poem Devotional

October 9________________________________________
Teach the new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: “I am always with you until the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20(NLT)
WITH YOU ALWAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know anyone who is ever present?
If you love Christ, you will have his presence
The moment you accept Him as your Savior
He is with you always until forevermore.
He will never forsake; He is always by your side
Seek Him first in all things and remember to abide
He will always dwell in your heart if you let him in
He can’t enter your spirit if you choose to sin.
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One of the many causes of broken relationships is abandonment or neglect. According to Peter Gerlach, MSW, “maternal abandonment” occurs when a mother physically, emotionally or psychologically removes herself from her children. She does this by ending or ignoring her responsibility to parent her children, or ending her relationship with her children. I experienced this myself so I can say that the abandonment has left me with so much emotional scars and insecurities. I often wondered, even up to now why I was never good enough for her love. Thanks be to God that his word assured me that I am a child of God and made in his image and will never be abandoned by Him. He is always with me until forever.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God always assures us of his presence once we commit to 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

RECEIVE WITH THANKSGIVING Poem Devotional

October 8________________________________________
Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 1 Timothy 4:4(NLT)
RECEIVE WITH THANKSGIVING
A poem and essay by ILMA
What have you been given lately?
Do you thank the Lord God Almighty?
Don’t turn your back on what God has given
E¬¬specially on his Son who died and was risen.
Receive with thanksgiving and gratitude
It will transform your mind and your attitude
Since all God’s creation is good for his plan
Take it and use it for honoring him and his Son.
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Today is Thanksgiving Day and most of us are all busy preparing for the family meals that we celebrate each year. I come from a country where we didn’t celebrate thanksgiving. This is a new tradition for me. A part of me don’t understand why we need to do it only one special day Shouldn’t we thank the Lord each day for the many things he has provided and given us?
Many people do not see miracles in their lives because they are all grumbling about what they don’t have. They want God to give them all their requests even though they have no idea that it may not be good for them after all. The bible tells us that since all things that God made is good, we must not reject any of it but receive it with a thankful heart.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a heart that is always grateful.
REFLECTION
How can gratitude change your attitude?
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

ONLY JESUS SAVES Poem Devotional

October 7________________________________________
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12(NLT)
ONLY JESUS SAVES
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is no other name that can save
Only Jesus Christ has this power to redeem
He is the only one who can take your place
He died for us all so we can be free from sin.
God has given no other name such power
It is above all and makes evil cower
Trust only in the One who can save you
He can transform you and make you new.
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The Bible tells us that there is only one God in all existence (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8). However, it also mentions “other gods.” For example there is Adrammelech and Anammelech (2 Kings 17:31), Asherah (1 Kings 18:19), Baal (Judges 3:7), Chemosh (Num. 21:29), Dagon (1 Sam. 5:2), Molech (Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5), etc. The Bible is not contradicting itself. When the Bible speaks of other gods it is speaking of false gods that have no true existence. Gal. 4:8 says, “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.” See also, Isaiah 37:19 and Jeremiah 2:11. God tells us that he alone is the true God and that all of the invented gods of man do not exist except in their own minds. It also says that only Jesus can save.
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PRAYER
Thank you God for giving us your only Son to save us.
REFLECTION
How can you convince an unbeliever that only Jesus saves?
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