Tag Archives: spoken word

ON SERVING WELL Poem Devotional

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March 3
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You must show appreciation to all who serve well. -1 Corinthians 16:18(NLT)
ON SERVING WELL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who serve the Lord and others devotedly
They show how much they love God faithfully
When we do it to others as we would do it for the Lord
We are following his command and bringing him laud.
Let us applaud those who serve faithfully
They are exuding love and humility
Only by serving others can we prove we love Jesus
It shows that we value others as very precious.
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One of the most taken for granted job is the service industry. Many people look up to higher positions in their chosen field because it pays more money and gives them prestige and power. Somehow the idea that leading others by being in top positions will make others respect them more. We live in a world where “service” is something to be ashamed of. Power and positions are given value while serving others are for those who are poor and uneducated.
In God’s economy, it is the opposite. Jesus’ ministry focused on serving others. Jesus was the epitome of “servant leadership.” He didn’t flaunt his power and authority. Even though he was God, he served his own disciples. He shepherded his flock by guiding them and catering to their needs. He championed serving others. We must show appreciation to those who faithfully serve others with much love.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me never to miss an occasion to serve others.
REFLECTION
How can serving others be a ministry for the Lord?
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 TO GIVE Poem Devotional

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March 2
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On the first day of each week you should put aside a portion of the money you have earned. -1 Corinthians 16:2(NLT)
WHEN TO GIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
To give is more blessed than to receive
We honor the Lord when we give
On the first day of each week
A portion of our wage we must give.
When you cheerfully give, you are praising him
It keeps you from selfishness and all kinds of sins
God is generous to provide us all our needs
Why don’t we make him first when we give?
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Billy Graham said “We have found in our own home, as have thousands of others, that God’s blessing upon the nine-tenths, when we tithe, helps it to go farther than ten-tenths without His blessing. Other Christians who tithe do so simply because they respect the Old Testament principle and find it a helpful place to begin in their giving. The matter of your giving is between you and God, and He always takes into account our circumstances. He knows when they are beyond our power to direct and control. The important thing is that we see giving as a privilege and not a burden. It should not be out of a sense of duty, but rather out of love for the Lord and a desire to see His kingdom advanced.”
When you prioritize giving to God’s kingdom, you are honoring him.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me a cheerful heart to give.
REFLECTION
What hampers people from giving generously to God’s kingdom?
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

SAVED FROM EMPTINESS Poem Devotional

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March 1
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God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors.
– 1 Peter 1:8(NLT)
SAVED FROM EMPTINESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you still living an empty life?
If you want to be free, run to Jesus Christ
He ransomed us from this emptiness and isolation
He rescued us from desolation and brought us salvation.
We can walk away from bondage into freedom
Why not believe him instead and choose his kingdom?
God paid a high price so you can live a life that is free
Seek him, you ‘ll have peace and never feel empty.
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There were five decades of my life spent feeling empty. I tried to fill the desolation through achievements, performance, seeking approval and finding love in the wrong places. Because of the degree of the pain that came with this emptiness, I made many wrong choices and decisions which kept me in bondage to sin for many years. When I hit rock bottom, that’s when I finally heard God’s call to me. The Lord revealed to me the cause of such loneliness. In 1 John 4:8, I learned that God is love and those who do not live in love does not know God. I realized that I felt empty because I wasn’t seeking him and was disobedient to his will. He showed me that I have been freed from emptiness when Jesus died on the cross for me.
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PRAYER
Lord, show me how to share the miracle when you freed me from emptiness.
REFLECTION
Why do you think so many people feel empty inside them?
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

NOWHERE TO HIDE Poem Devotional

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February 28
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The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
– Proverbs 20:27(NLT)
NOWHERE TO HIDE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the light of the Lord penetrates your spirit
There is nowhere to hide, better seek it
God’s light pierces your entire being
It exposes your heart and every little thing.
Why do you keep on running and hiding?
Let him change you, instead of keeping on sinning
The Lord sees all of your hidden intentions
Repent each time you succumb to temptations.
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Have you ever kept running from something you feared so much? There were many decades of my life that I did this because I feared rejection and abandonment. Whenever I get close to someone, I would self-protect so I can ensure that I won’t be hurt. So, even before this person can prove their love for me, I already had a strategy to run. It became a coping mechanism so I can protect myself from possible people who would reject, abandon or neglect me. It was a tiring way to live because there are no healthy or lasting relationships. I wasn’t able to give others to get close enough to hurt me. It wasn’t a good way to live life with people whom you have relationships with.
I did this avoidant act also with God because I was full of shame from disobeying him. But I had nowhere to hide from his great love for me.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for unceasingly shining your light on me.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people hide from God’s light?
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 FORTRESS Poem Devotional

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February 27
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God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect. – 2 Samuel 22:33(NLT)
MY FORTRESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Why do you doubt the Lord’s faithfulness?
He supplies you your strength, he is your fortress
Why don’t you have enough faith, he saved you
He gave you his life and made you born again and new.
The Lord is our fortress, he makes our way perfect
He loves us so much, he rescues us and protects
Rely only on him and you will have victory
Depend on yourself and you will die slowly.
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Fortress is defined as a fortified place, a stronghold, especially a large and permanent fortification sometimes including a town. A fortress is a large building or complex of buildings used as a military stronghold. In a military sense, a fortress is often called a “fort.” Forts are built in order to secure a nation from infiltration or attack from another nation or enemy. They are walls to defend the country from invasion and capture.
My country of origin was the Philippines and we have forts that was built so that the Spanish conquistador will remain our conqueror, until the British came and took over the fort, and later on the Americans.
The bible tells us that the Lord is our strong fortress. He makes our ways perfect and only in him are we assured of victory over the enemy’s tactics.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being my fortress.
REFLECTION
How can abiding in the Lord ensure your victory over the world’s corruption?
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

UNWAVERING MERCY Poem Devotional

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February 26
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Whenever your people turned and cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them many times.
– Nehemiah 9:28(NLT)
UNWAVERING MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever been forgiven again and again?
The Lord gives you mercy seventy times seven
He gives you forgiveness afresh each morning
He listens to your cry for help as you are praying.
He is faithful to understand you and give you grace
He never fails to hear the pleas of the human race
Run to his throne and he will never fail you
He is all-loving, he always rescues and renews.
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One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone who has done you wrong. Human nature makes us respond to hurt in a vengeful reaction. We react to pain with either a flight or fight response. In Exodus 21, we hear that an eye for an eye is how we should respond to a fight. In Matthew 5, we hear the teaching that we must not resist an evil person but if someone slaps us on the right cheek, we must offer the other cheek. Does this mean that we are to allow ourselves to be abused? It means that we need not avenge ourselves from the wrong done to us, but forgive instead. The Lord grants us mercy without cease. Why can’t we do the same for others?
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PRAYER
Lord, give me the grace to grant forgiveness to those who have wronged me.
REFLECTION
How do you know that you have already forgiven someone?
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

PROTECTED FROM PRIDE Poem Devotional

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February 25
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He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride. – Job 33:17(NLT)
PROTECTED FROM PRIDE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you become a believer
You will become aware of the deceiver
The enemy will plot to destroy you
Let God have your mind renewed.
The Lord will protect you from pride
He will always be by your side
He delivers you from arrogance
He shows you humility and temperance.
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One of the greatest sins that we can commit is being proud. This is probably why it is considered to be one of the deadliest sins. Pride as a noun is defined as a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. As a verb, it means to be especially proud of a particular quality or skill.
Humility is the opposite of pride. Jesus Christ championed the act of humility by becoming human even though he was God. The world has turned humility into a false idea of not acknowledging one’s strengths and belittling oneself. True humility is actually knowing who you are in Christ and recognising your strengths and weaknesses and using it to further his kingdom.
The bible tells us that the Lord protects all his children from pride. He brings them a thorn in their flesh so they’ll remember who they are in Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, keep me humble always.
REFLECTION
What are the manifestations of pride in your life that can be tricky to discern?
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

AS YOU REST Poem Devotional

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February 24
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He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. – Job 33:15(NLT)
AS YOU REST
A poem and essay by ILMA
As you lie down in your bed to sleep
God sorts your problems while you rest
Keep still and know that he is there
Don’t live in anxiety and fear.

As you rest and replenish your strength
The Lord straightens everything that is bent
As you relax and trust him, he will give you answers
He wants you to have faith for he is the best provider.
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There are many bible characters that have been given visions and prophecies while they sleep. Joseph, the husband of Mary was given instructions to marry his fiancée even though she was pregnant already. Daniel was able to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which made him part of the king’s counsel.
Sadly, in our modern age, we sometimes get little time to sleep or rest. There are so many stimulants to give us time to relax. Even planning a vacation becomes work in itself and fail to be a source of replenishing the mind and body. Researchers say it does seem clear that sleep is key to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself — a feature called plasticity.
I think that God designed us to sleep so he can help us solve our issues and regenerate our minds, bodies and spirits.
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PRAYER
Thank you Lord for giving us time to rest.
REFLECTION
Why is sleep or rest crucial in our existence?
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

ON HEARING GOD’S VOICE

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February 23
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For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. – Job 33:14(NLT)
ON HEARING GOD’S VOICE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you regularly spend time with the Lord
Your heart will yearn to praise and be awed
Why can’s some people not hear his voice?
They are too busy to make that choice.
God speaks to his people, yet they don’t recognize it
They are preoccupied with life instead of hearing his Spirit
When you hear his voice, do not let your hearts be hardened
One can easily recognize his voice if they are not over burdened.
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When I taught Oral Communication to high school students, one of my favorite topics to teach is “How to Reach out to Audiences and Engage in Conversation.” The basic step to reach a target audience is to know the demographics of their listeners. Once they know this, they can always customize their speech or talk in order to engage and persuade them to hear you out. It is important to break the ice so that they become comfortable to hear out what you are presenting to them. If you analyze what may block them from listening, you may be successful to reach out to them effectively.
This communication concept goes true with your relationship with God. If you haven’t established a rapport or relationship with God, there will be many hindrances to hear his voice.
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PRAYER
Lord, please keep me focused on you alone.
REFLECTION
What have stopped you from hearing God’s voice at certain periods of 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

SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH Poem Devotional

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February 22
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By my power, I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the Lord have spoken. – Zechariah10:12(NLT)
SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have limitations with what you can do?
When you are born again, it changes, you are made new
He gives you authority to fulfill all that he has planned
By his power, he prospers you and make you “grand”
Without God’s grace, you can do nothing
All things are possible once he gives you the anointing
There is nothing impossible with the Almighty
He gives you strength to conquer and have victory.
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During the dark times of my adult life, I experienced so much suffering and pain. I didn’t know that I caused all these traumatic experiences with the wrong choices I made. I also lived a life without a personal relationship with God. There were times I wondered how I survived such dreadful situations. I took credit for being a survivor. I didn’t realize that the Lord was the one who gave me supernatural strength to survive and thrive the many upheavals I had in life. He had a purpose when he allowed me to go through such circumstances. He was preparing me for something big in his ministry.
The bible says that apart from God, we can do nothing. It is through him that we get supernatural strength and power.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the power and authority you bestowed on all of mankind.
REFLECTION
Why don’t people use the power and authority given to them by 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