Tag Archives: spoken word

UPSIDE OF SUFFERING Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 18________________________________________
For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. – 2 Corinthians 1:5(NLT)
UPSIDE OF SUFFERING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you going through a series of suffering?
Fear not! God will shower you with blessings
He uses all kinds of trials so you can come to Him
He strengthens you through it so you can win over sin.
Don’t be discouraged when things are going wrong
Let it be a reminder how God will keep you strong
He will never allow anything beyond your limits
For you to thrive, He gave his Son and His Holy Spirit.
________________________________________Have you ever been bombarded with adversity like it was never going to be over? I experienced unending misery in my late twenties. My son was just born then when I was going through all these painful situations and being surrounded by constant rejection and persecution from others. Many years later, I realized what those rainfall of suffering did to me. It made me strong and closer to the Lord. It made me run to him and depend on him because there was no one else to rely on.
In the book of James, we are encouraged to be joyful when we encounter trials and suffering because it will give us a chance to grow our faith. The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us his comfort through him.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to thank you even for the suffering that can bring me strength and endurance.
REFLECTION
Why do people usually avoid suffering?
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

MERCIFUL & COMFORTING GOD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 17________________________________________
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3(NLT)
MERCIFUL & COMFORTING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
To the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
May all praise be given to Him all your life
He is the only god who forgives you infinitely
Turn your focus on Him who can grant you mercy.
There is no other human who can give you comfort
Only the Father and the Son will bring you forth
Remember to rely only on him for your well-being
He is the only God who can provide for anything and everything.
________________________________________
¬When my husband and I went through marriage counseling, we bumped into the book “How we Love” by Milan and Kay Yerkovich. Our counselor used this book to address our marriage issues. It mainly focused on the principles of how we love based on the love and we got from our first caregivers. The first thing we were asked was “How were you comforted as a child?” My husband and I apparently couldn’t answer the question or recall any situation when we were given comfort as far back in our childhood that we can remember. It was obvious that we weren’t able to be provided with it. Thus we learned to be independent and self-sufficient. The bible tells us the source of all comfort who is our merciful God.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for comforting me in my pain and grief.
REFLECTION
Why do you think comfort giving is becoming a novelty today?
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

PRIDE DECEIVES Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 16________________________________________
You have been deceived by your own pride. – Obadiah 1:3(NLT)
PRIDE DECEIVES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you allow pride to control your life
You are going to be deceived and lose insight
Pride is a sin that will bring about many more
It is like cancer; it brings you down to your core.
Give up this deadly disease or you’ll die
Look up the cross so you can see the light
Jesus died so you can be free from wickedness
Pride roots from evil and selfishness.
________________________________________
One of the many generational sins that the Lord has freed me from these past six years was pride. It was prevalent in our family and manifests in many different ways. Ambition was one way it showed in our lives. My father and mother worked hard so they can show others that they are better than them. It was almost like competing with others and the more they become good at what they do, the more my parents would ensure that we can live up to their lifestyle. They set such high standards for their children that destroyed them in terms of relational skills. All of my siblings and I struggled very hard in keeping relationships because we were all set up to reach an unreachable and unrealistic standard. Pride has deceived many people and the more we cling to it, the more we feel empty inside.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to choose humility instead of my selfish ambitions.
REFLECTION
How can pride sneak in your life? What ways can it show?
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

FAMINE ON HEARING SCRIPTURES Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 15________________________________________
“The time is surely coming” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land-not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.
– Amos 8:11(NLT)
FAMINE ON HEARING SCRIPTURES
A poem and essay by ILMA
There will come a time when people won’t hear Scriptures
People will be focused on satisfying their whims and pleasures
We may have all kinds wealth and all of material possessions
Do we seek God’s word, listen and engage in meditations?
There is a famine on being unable to hear God’s word
The prince of darkness has captured much of this world
What are you doing to ensure that Scriptures is heard?
Do you ensure that the Good News is preached?
________________________________________
There is much chaos going on in our world today primarily because many people have turned their backs on the Lord and His word. How far do you think would anyone go without nourishment? They would starve and eventually die. So much poverty is prevalent in many parts or the world. Many children die from malnourishment and sickness. Some people get out in the mission field to help these people and ensure that they are not forgotten.
There is another famine that the prophet Amos was prophesying to us. He saw the vision that people will experience a poverty of hearing the truth that comes from the word of God. Isn’t this currently going on now?
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to be deaf to your word.
REFLECTION
What makes people unable to hear the truth that comes from Scriptures?
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

A GOD LONGING FOR HIS PEOPLE Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 11________________________________________
I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found but no one was looking for me. – Isaiah 65:1(NLT)
A GOD LONGING FOR HIS PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When two people love each other, they usually want to be together
Just like a parent always want to watch over their children’s welfare
Our heavenly father longs for all his beloved children
How come they have neglected to come to him for help?
God is always waiting for all his people to run to him
How can we be so proud not to do so; and choose to sin?
If you claim you love Jesus, why don’t you stay faithful?
Why can’t you be open to his Spirit so you can be fruitful?
________________________________________
My own father just died two weeks ago. He had been longing for me to spend time with him ever since he stopped working abroad and retired. I was too busy making a career, raising my son alone and running a business. My son and I were the only one who lived far from my parents. He would manage to find time to see me and my son.
Like my biological father, our heavenly Father is also pining for us to run to him and ask help. He wants us to depend on him for anything and everything. Why do we get so busy giving that time that he so longs from us?
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for patiently waiting for me to come around.
REFLECTION
Why do some Christians never find time for God?
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

THE PROMISE OF PEACE & PROSPERITY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 9________________________________________
The Lord will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. Everyone will live in peace and prosperity. – Micah 4:3,4(NLT)
THE PROMISE OF PEACE & PROSPERITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
To those who abide in the Lord Jesus Christ
They are promised a mediator who will settle fights
No longer will there be war, chaos and confusion
He will mediate between peoples and settle the misperception.
The Lord is the peacemaker and he will grant you calm
Run to him so you can experience his mediation and love
He promises peace and prosperity to those who follow him
Why would you compromise the peace and with constant sin?
________________________________________
I lived many years of my life without peace. It was a life full of chaos and confusion. Because I didn’t live for the Lord, I didn’t know his promises to those who love him. I was living in the world and it was ignorant to live that way especially since I have committed my life to Jesus since I was seven years old. When someone decides to turn to him, he will mediate between peoples and nations and make that person experience peace. It took me almost five decades to hear God’s conviction about how I have lived my life those many years. When I decided to obey the Lord, I began experiencing peace and calm. Blessings came pouring down on me.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me pursue peace constantly.
REFLECTION
How can we constantly pursue peace?
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

TURN TO GOD FOR HEALING Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 8________________________________________
Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.
-Isaiah 6:10(NLT)
TURN TO GOD FOR HEALING
A poem and essay by ILMA
When something besets you in life
You would want to turn to Christ
He can make you unable to hear or see
He wants you to rely on him regularly.
When you rely on yourself for things
He will make you unable to see
This way you can turn to him for healing
He is waiting for you to depend on him.
________________________________________
The Israelites took an eleven-day journey into a forty year wandering. Why did they take that long? They were complaining and very stubborn people and had little faith. Despite all the miracles that God provided for them so they can increase their faith, they actually turned their backs on him and worshiped other Gods. So, God made them unable to hear and see what he is planning to do for them. All that God wants them to do is to obey and to stay faithful and look up to his promises. He didn’t want them to be self-sufficient and independent.
Don’t we behave like the Israelites at times? Don’t we resort to many things to heal ourselves instead of running to the greatest healer of all times?
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to forget to rely on you especially for healing.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God makes us unable to hear and see some of his plans?
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

PARTAKE OF CHRIST’S BODY Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 7________________________________________
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body- 1 Corinthians 12:18-20(NLT)
PARTAKE OF CHRIST’S BODY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe and commit to Christ
It is best that you follow Jesus in your whole life
You are expected to be part of his body
To grow, you must be involved with somebody
He created his church so we can encourage one another
He didn’t create man to be alone and live a life that’s isolated
Being part of the body of Christ is a sign of obedience and respect
When you wilfully defy being part of his body, you are actually a rebel.
________________________________________
Does the bible literally say that you must be a member of a church? Some Christians have created their own beliefs regarding being part of the body of Christ. Some may have had bad experiences in the past when they were once members of it. That is a lame excuse not to obey what Christ required us. In gotquestions.org, they expounded on what it means to be the bride of Christ. The imagery and symbolism of marriage is applied to Christ and the body of believers, the church. When we don’t partake in his church, we are acting as an unfaithful wife.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to stay faithful to you by being part of your body.
REFLECTION
How can you convince Christians who doesn’t partake of Christ’s body to do so?
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

GRIEF CAN BLUR VISION Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 5________________________________________
I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with tears. My vision is blurred by grief. -Psalm 6:6-7 (NLT)
GRIEF CAN BLUR VISION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When one looses someone; they may have bouts of weeping
It is hard to deal with the loss of someone they love so deeply
Grief oftentimes blurs someone’s perspective and vision
It can bring back painful moments and bring confusion.
When one looses a loved one, it can bring much sadness
For believers of Jesus, there will be a day of hope and gladness
Run to his arms so you can experience God’s comfort and peace
He will wipe your tears away, just be still and know he is there.
________________________________________
My father just died a week ago. It was such a sudden death. Even though he was eighty- six, he had no other conditions but just old age. It was a very hot day according to my brother who witnessed him vomiting and in just a few hours died. When I heard the news on the phone, I was in shock. I couldn’t go home to the Philippines in four days to bury him. We were in the middle of doing our own renovation and practically drained of resources. I sobbed for three days straight. The Lord reminded me of his love, comfort and peace. I am grateful that he comforted me.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, let those who are grieving experience your comfort.
REFLECTION
What can you do when you feel sadness from your loss?
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

BOLDNESS FROM THE LORD Poem Devotional

Posted on by

September 6________________________________________
But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. – Acts 14:3(NLT)
BOLDNESS FROM THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you declare the word of the Lord
He will give you boldness to proclaim his word
His apostles confidently preached the Good news
They were not afraid to face any kinds of threat or abuse.
Their faith was so strong that they were able to do wonders
They healed the sick and bring many people to think and ponder
Such courage only came upon them by the grace of Jesus
He will bless and prosper anyone who believes, they are all precious.
________________________________________
There are many confident people who does not know the Lord. Anyone who have such assurance to declare or do something for their own pleasure is not the same as having boldness to do things for the Lord Jesus Christ. I used to be a haughty person, speaking confidently about all that I know and the things I excelled in. Yes, I can be able to show off to others my talents and abilities, but if I do it so that I can be praised, it isn’t for God’s glory that they are doing it. The bible says that he will be with anyone who will boldly proclaim the Good News.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to have the boldness to always spread your word.
REFLECTION
How is the world’s concept of boldness different from God’s vision of it?
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