Tag Archives: spoken word

PRAY IN SOLITUDE Poem Devotional

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June 23
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Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. – Luke 5:16 (NLT)
PRAY IN SOLITUDE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you pray, go to a place of solitude
It will set you for the right attitude
To spend time with the Lord requires intimacy
It allows you to hear his voice easily.
Even Jesus withdrew often to pray in the wilderness
He took all the chance to be with God regularly
Pour out your heart and spend time to pray quietly
The Lord waits on you to make him your priority.
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The movie “War Room” inspires us believers to find a place where we can cry our hearts out to the Lord in prayer. In it, the wife converted a walk in closet to be her war room where she puts sticky notes all over the walls with her requests and spends much time with God. She learned how to do this from a much older woman whose life was focused on getting down on her knees and being intimate with the Lord. As she went deeper in prayer, she got transformed into a new person. The husband and daughter witnessed how changed she was that they became curious what was in the closet. As they discovered all the prayer requests, they too began to follow what she was doing. Their family got renewed. Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness to pray in solitude. No distractions.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to find time to always be in solitude with you.
REFLECTION
What would your advice be to someone who is new in praying?
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.c

SIDETRACKED Poem Devotional

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June 22
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Don’t get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil. – Proverbs 4:27(NLT)
SIDETRACKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Different distractions may veer you away from doing right
Don’t get sidetracked but keep your eyes on Jesus Christ
The enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy you
What are you doing to keep your mind constantly renewed?
Paying attention on what’s not your priority
Will keep you away from reaching victory
Keep focused on truth that comes from the word
It will protect you from the corruption in this world.
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Cambridge English dictionary defines “sidetracked” as directing one’s attention away from an activity or subject towards another one that is less important. Notice how the discrepancy of this act is caused by shifting priorities. Many people live distracted lives simply because they have not set their priorities and managed their time.
Dr. Caroline Leaf is a neuro-plastic scientist who teaches how to switch the brain from negative to positive thoughts and thereby change the way one thinks. She tells us that it takes 21 days to train your brain to get rid of toxic thoughts and another 21 days to replace it. It can even take more than 21 days if you allow yourself to be sidetracked by negative self-talk and fail to regularly keep track of your thoughts.
The bible says that we must not allow ourselves to get sidetracked from doing right by following evil ways.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from all kinds of distractions.
REFLECTION
How can we learn not to be sidetracked by evil and unimportant things?
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

FOCUS ON WHAT LIES AHEAD Poem Devotional

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June 21
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Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. – Proverbs 4:25(NLT)
FOCUS ON WHAT LIES AHEAD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there something that distracts you from Christ?
Do you get consumed with busy-ness and life?
Look straight and focus on what lies ahead
Count your blessings and always be glad.
Do not listen to the lies of the enemy
It will divert you from receiving the victory
When you fix your eyes on Jesus Christ
You will find wisdom to do what is right.
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Have you ever learned to ride a bike? The first thing they ask you is to look straight ahead so that you don’t lose your balance. Even in dancing, the instructors ask you to have a straight posture and chin up. They discourage you from looking down at your feet as you are learning the steps. In driving, you also need to look ahead even though you are being conscious of your peripheral vision. It keeps you from head on collisions and other life threatening accidents. Many accidents now are caused by distracted driving.
The same is true in life, you need to focus on what lies ahead and not be consumed by the situation and challenges you are going through. When you don’t look ahead, you will likely be discouraged, lose hope and find no meaning in life. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you that I can look up to you and you’ll never fail me.
REFLECTION
How can being distracted with worldly stuff prevent us from reaching our goals?
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

EVADE PERVERSE & CORRUPT TALK Poem Devotional

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June 20
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Avoid all perverse talk. Stay away from corrupt speech. -Proverbs 4:24(NLT)
EVADE PERVERSE & CORRUPT TALK
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you live your Christian life
Your words must bring light
Evade perverse or corrupt talk
They do not jive with a believer’s walk.
Stay away from harsh speech and lies
They only open doors for the devil to strike
Let only honorable things come out of your mouth
It glorifies God when you speak his word out loud.
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The word that comes out of our mouth has power. It can either destroy or build up someone. Proverbs 18:21 says “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” No wonder King David prayed in Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” He understands how a mouth can easily destroy us or someone else.
I cringe when I hear someone utter a harsh word or a judgment. It wasn’t too long ago when I used to recklessly say things without rending my tongue. It has brought havoc to many of my relationships because I didn’t align my thoughts and mouth with God’s truth. I was focused on getting my thoughts out because I have been minimized many years of my youth.
The bible cautions us to avoid any perverse or corrupt speech. We will benefit from a prudent mouth.
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PRAYER
Lord, rend my mouth. Let it only speak your truth in love.
REFLECTION
How can one change a foul mouth?
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

STUMBLING IN TOTAL DARKNESS Poem Devotional

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June 18
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The way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. – Proverbs 4:19(NLT)
STUMBLING IN TOTAL DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Is there something in your life that you cannot understand?
Was there an experience that kept you fearful and sad?
The ways of the wicked is like total darkness
They are stumbling and feel hopeless.
They have no idea how to get out of this pit
Because they have already grieved the Holy Spirit
Wickedness will always bring you to desolation
Righteousness on the other hand, leads to salvation.
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Have you ever experienced groping in a dark room or place? If it is something you are familiar with, just like going to the bathroom in the middle of your sleep, it’s probably not a big deal. When it is some place or situation that you are unfamiliar with, it poses a bigger challenge. As you walk in that dark area, you stumble over things or can fall over something. It might even be dangerous and cost you to get hurt.
The bible explains how the ways of the wicked is like total darkness where they stumble over things. Proverbs is likening it to life. When we remain in our evil ways, we become blinded by the enemy from the lies he tells us. We are unable to see the truth because we get absorbed in worldly ways
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to discern when I go astray.
REFLECTION
How can we totally avoid evil ways?
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

NO HOLDING BACK Poem Devotional

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June 16
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When you walk, you won’t be held back, when you run, you won’t stumble.
-Proverbs 4:12(NLT)
NO HOLDING BACK
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
You won’t be held back, he leads your life
Even when you run, you won’t stumble
His wisdom will guard you from troubles.
The Lord is all out to assist and lead you
Abide in him and he will make you new
There is no holding back when you love him
Love with all your heart and you will win over sin.
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Have you ever had a relationship with someone who always held back their love, affection or attention? I grew up surrounded by people who always hide their emotions and care for someone. It was very hard to be around these kinds of individuals. You never know where you stand or how they really feel about you. It makes one doubtful and insecure of their identity.
God on the other hand loves us very unconditionally and faithfully. He doesn’t wait for us to ask to be shown or given love. He gives it generously always. Sometimes we don’t always recognize the love because he uses other people or situations to care for us or remind us that he is always there, watching over us.
Proverbs tells us that if we choose to commit our lives to Jesus, there is no holding back to his love for us.
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PRAYER
Thank you for your faithful and unconditional love Lord.
REFLECTION
How can we give our all to God amidst sufferings and challenges?
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

LIKE THE START OF DAWN Poem Devotional

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June 17
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The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. – Proverbs 4:18 (NLT)
LIKE THE START OF DAWN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who choose a life of righteousness
They become a light to those who are hopeless
Like the first gleam of dawn that shines so bright
They illumine and expose all of the enemy’s lies.
Though there’s darkness and valleys you are treading
Keep on focusing on the Lord and continue abiding
His glorious light illumines even in the darkest corners
Even just a tinge of his light will make the devil cower.
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One of the most magnificent sight to behold is the crack of dawn. You will see the glimpse of light rising up the horizon and maybe slowly pushing its way out of a cloud or a mountain landscape. It gives us an occasion to praise the Lord for his wonderful creation. But what is so great about dawn is what it symbolizes. A new day always gives us a chance to thank God that we have another day to live and another occasion to touch someone else’s life. It is a time to remember that the Lord gives mercy afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:23).
Proverbs 4:18 likens the way of the righteous to the first glimpse of dawn which shines ever so bright until the full light of day.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to take the righteous path so I can shine for you.
REFLECTION
How can we give hope to those who are desperate and hopeless?
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

WISDOM’S WAYS Poem Devotional

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June 15________________________________________
I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. -Proverbs 4:11(NLT)
WISDOM’S WAYS
A poem and essay by ILMA
The way of the Lord leads to straight paths
It teaches us to do what’s right and avoid the bad
When you seek the word of God, you will be guided
It leads to the truth and makes you enlightened.
Follow God’s commands and it leads to righteousness
Obedience of his word makes anyone wise
Seek the Lord first and he will add it unto you
Meditate on his truth always and you will be made new.
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I have met many intelligent people in over fifty years of my life, but very few of them are really wise. I viewed wisdom very differently before I was a born again Christian. I thought that wise people are educated, smart and practical. When I further studied God’s word, I was surprised to know that only God’s words can teach, correct and guide a person (2 Timothy 3:16). I realized that the world’s concept of knowledge and intelligence is not the same as God’s ways. Most people’s idea of knowledge comes from achieving and having the things one desires or having to know many things. I used to believe in this worldly system as well.
In Proverbs, we are encouraged to embrace wisdom and pursue it. Wisdom can only be a result of seeking the word of God and doing it.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn my back on your words.
REFLECTION
How can God’s truth bring about the straight path 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

REQUISITES FOR A LONG, GOOD LIFE Poem Devotional

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June 14________________________________________
My child, listen to me, do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. -Proverbs 4:10(NLT)
REQUISITES FOR A LONG, GOOD LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone commits to the Lord Jesus Christ
They become a new person and receives his light
God created all things on this earth and in the heavens
He knows every detail and intricacies of his creation.
He wants us to listen to all him and do as he says
It is a requisite for a long good life; follow his ways
If you seek him first and his word, you will prosper
Those who are faithful to follow him will be victors.
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Do you want to have a long good life? The bible says that there is only one way to get it. If you listen to what the Lord says and do it, then you are in for the long haul. Without the guidance of Scriptures and God’s truth, we are going to live a life that is only focused on the “self”. That selfish life will only lead to a lot of troubles and heartaches. I can attest to this because I lived that kind of life for over four decades. It was excruciatingly painful to suffer the consequences of wrong choices and decisions I made.
A life without consulting the Lord through his word is a live not worth living.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always consult you in everything.
REFLECTION
What do you need to change in order to live a long good life?
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

REMEMBER GOD’S WORD Poem Devotional

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June 13________________________________________
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. -Proverbs 4:5 (NLT)
REMEMBER GOD’S WORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you go through life each and everyday
Do you consult the word in every way?
The Lord wants you never to forget his word
It is the only guide to navigate this world.
Eat the word by meditating on it day and night
It will surely change and transform your life
Remember to memorize Scriptures as often
It protects your heart from being hardened.
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There were many years of my life that I didn’t consult God’s word. It was a shame because I missed out on so much wisdom and blessings. If I were only guided and brought up by seekers of God’s truth, my life wouldn’t have been such full of trials and sufferings. I could have focused more on what the Lord wants me to do for him instead of feeding cravings and pleasures.
I sought human knowledge almost as an obsession, not knowing that it actually enslaved me. 1 Corinthians 2:5 cautions us not to rely on human wisdom but on God’s power. 1 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scriptures is God-breathed and teaches, corrects and trains us in righteousness. If we don’t meditate on it, how can we ever learn from our mistakes? John 1:1 tells us that God and Jesus is the word. Without it we will perish.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to forget feeding on your word.
REFLECTION
How has the word of God affected your life?
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