Tag Archives: spoken word

COMPASSIONATE GOD Poem Devotional

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February 21
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I will restore them because of my compassion. It will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, who will hear their cries. – Zechariah10:6 (NLT)
COMPASSIONATE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whatever you are going through right now
Run to Jesus, give him praise and bow down
He will restore you for he is a God of compassion
He is there to provide relief and a resolution.
The Lord created us all to be like him
When we cry out to him, he hears and redeems
Stay devoted and true to someone who treasures you
He understands you totally, he knows things concerning you.
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Racham is the Hebrew for “compassion.” Strong’s exhaustive concordance defines it as
tender love, great, tender mercy, pity, womb. It is interesting how the definition includes pity. I personally think that without a sense of pity, one cannot be compassionate. The word womb also gives us a picture of a baby in a woman’s womb where she can literally experience what the baby feels because it’s inside of her. One cannot give compassion if one cannot put himself or herself in the same shoe as the person suffering. It is as if she or she is actually experiencing that person’s predicament.
The bible tells us that God is full of compassion and he hears our cries and understand everything that we are going through.
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PRAYER
Lord, grant me a heart that is full of compassion.
REFLECTION
What hinders us from being compassionate to others who are going through something?
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 THERE’S NO SHEPHERD Poem Devotional

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February 20
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Household gods give worthless advice, fortune-tellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce falsehoods that give no comfort. So my people are wandering like lost sheep, they are attacked because they have no shepherd. – Zechariah 10:2(NLT)
WHEN THERE’S NO SHEPHERD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is no one leading a flock
It is easy to get lost and be stuck
Like a sheep without a shepherd
We can become very helpless.
If one ever goes astray from God’s fold
He will look for him and leave them all
When you feel lost and start wandering
Your beloved Jesus will always be rescuing.
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Hundreds of sheep followed their leader off a cliff in eastern Turkey, plunging to their deaths this week while shepherds looked on in dismay. Four hundred sheep fell 15 metres to their deaths in a ravine in Van province near Iran but broke the fall of another 1,100 animals who survived. Shepherds from a nearby village neglected the flock while eating breakfast, leaving the sheep to roam free. The loss to local farmers was estimated at $74,000. One sheep wandered off a cliff and 1,499 others just followed along. This shows how dumb sheep are. Another trait they have is that they are directionless. This is why they need a shepherd because they have no clue where they are going. The bible says that when we don’t have a shepherd to watch us, we will stray.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never lose focus on you shepherding me.
REFLECTION
What happens to believers who have no one to lead 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

PRAY FOR RAIN Poem Devotional

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February 19
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Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture. – Zechariah 10:1(NLT)
PRAY FOR RAIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you had a drought in your life lately?
Pray for a shower of blessings from God Almighty
Ask the Lord for rain and he will grant it to you
He is faithful to deliver his promises if you don’t let go.
Diligently ask anything in his name, and you will get it
Pray for rain of gifts and anointing from the Holy Spirit
If you have already envisioned you have it, it will be done
Nothing is impossible the most powerful one and only Son.
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In 1 Kings 18, we hear the story of Elijah praying for rain and the Lord granting him such request. If you live in a desert, the rain is a much welcome thought especially if you have been walking in the heat of the desert. Probably those poor people living in developing countries only access to clean water is from the rain.
In John 14:14, we are told that if we ask anything in his name, he will do it. Mark 11:24 says that you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. So, why don’t people boldly and confidently ask in God’s name?
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PRAYER
Lord, shower me with anointing so I can do the work for your kingdom.
REFLECTION
Why is faith essential in order for prayers to be answered?
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

GOD PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE Poem Devotional

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February 18
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The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones. -Zechariah 9: 15(NLT)
GOD PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you struggling to overcome temptations?
Run to the Lord so you can get wise instructions
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people
He will defeat anyone who will treat them so cruel.
God is faithful and just to deliver us from harm
Seek and abide in him who is the Son of God
Your obedience and faith will be your shield against evil
If you walk in love, you will keep away the devil.
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Insurance is defined as something providing protection against a possible eventuality. We often insure something of value to us, either our lives and material properties. We want to make sure that in the even of a calamity, theft, or accident, we can be guaranteed some form of compensation for our loss.
How can we insure our spiritual life? Who will cover and protect us when we are being attacked by the enemy either with an illness, disease, a broken relationship, a job loss, the death of someone we love, divorce, or a debilitating fear?
The bible tells us that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people. He will literally bring down the enemy and hurl back at him all that he uses to harm God’s children.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for shielding me from all the tactics of the enemy.
REFLECTION
How can we cooperate with God in destroying all of the attacks of Satan?
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

CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES Poem Devotional

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February 17
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And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you, I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed. -Zephaniah 3:19(NLT)
CROWN OF BEAUTY FOR ASHES
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you are going through much oppression
Don’t despair, the Lord will bring you justification
He promised to save the weak and the helpless
He is faithful to deliver his aide even to the hopeless.
He promised you a crown of beauty for all your ashes
Rejoice when you have trials for he will bring your favor
He will give glory and fame to those who were wronged
Where they’ve been shamed, there they’ll be strong.
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Isaiah 61:3 says that all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. I could attest to this verse because it actually happened to me. I was a victim of many traumas from childhood until my early fifties. Yet, the Lord gave me so much beauty through the gifts of communication, visual arts, music and writing. All those things that people ridiculed me about became all my gifts.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for converting all my suffering to crowns of beauty.
REFLECTION
What have you gone through that God used now to give you glory?
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

HE CALMS YOUR FEARS

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February 16
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For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. -Zephaniah 3:17(NLT)
HE CALMS YOUR FEARS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who can calm all your fears in an instant?
Run and be close to Christ instead of being distant!
He will live inside you and will wipe all your fears
He will take delight in you and wipe your tears.
The Lord is a mighty Savior and rejoices over you
Receive and enjoy his power to make your mind new
Perfect love casts out fear so always choose love
It is the only way to get closer to the Father up above.
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A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms: accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath or smothering, choking feeling, chest pain, nausea, dizzy or faint, chills or heat sensations, tingling or numbness, fear of going crazy or dying. Panic attacks typically reach their peak level of intensity in 10 minutes or less and then begin to subside. I had panic attacks in five decades without ever being diagnosed. It was debilitating. Only God’s word and his truth freed me from all the fear and these panic attacks.
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PRAYER
Thank you for releasing me from all kinds of fear Lord.
REFLECTION
Describe how God literally calmed you from a fearful circumstance in 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

DISLOYALTY TO GOD Poem Devotional

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February 14
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They claim to follow the Lord, but then they worship Molech, too. And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek my blessings. – Zephaniah 1:5-6(NLT)
DISLOYALTY TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you claim to be a believer and yet follow the world
It is like being unfaithful to who God is your creator
You cannot serve two masters and not be destroyed
You cannot be friends with God and also with the world.
Remember that our Lord is a very jealous God
He will not put up with those who love idols and bow
He wants his followers to be faithful to only him
He will let you be simultaneously in his love and also in sin.
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Matthew Henry’s commentary on Zephaniah 1:1-6 says: Ruin is coming from the Almighty. There is no peace for the wicked. The expressions are figurative, speaking every where desolation; the land shall be left without inhabitants. The sinners to be consumed are, the professed idolaters. Those that think to divide their affections and worship between God and idols, will come short of acceptance with God; for what communion can there be between light and darkness? If Satan have half, he will have all; if the Lord have but half, he will have none. Neglect of God shows impiety and contempt.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never coast in two places, let me only be in your camp.
REFLECTION
Show an example how a Christian can have two masters even unknowingly.
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

REFUSING TO KNOW THE LORD Poem Devotional

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February 10
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My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. – Hosea 4:6(NLT)
REFUSING TO KNOW THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you ever resisted to get intimate with the Lord?
There is a consequence when you deny to bring him laud
When you are a believer and refuse to know God deeply
You will find it hard to know his character and grow spiritually.
When a Christian refuse to know his Lord
He misses out on much blessings and favors
People who turn their back on God are being destroyed
They become more blinded, disobedient and rebellious.
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We were all designed for God. Whenever we turn our backs on our Maker, we suffer the consequence of that decision. I learned this truth the hard way because I lived my life for myself many decades. I could have experienced more joy and peace in my earlier life had I not refused to know the Lord deeply. I got busy doing my own will instead of following his commands and knowing his character. As a result, I got destroyed inside and missed out on so many of his promises. My son also got affected by such choices. He still currently struggles much in life.
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PRAYER
Lord, I pray that no one would ever refuse to know you.
REFLECTION
What makes people refuse to know 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

GOD HATES HYPOCRISY Poem Devotional

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February 8
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I hate all your show and pretense- the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. -Amos 5:21(NLT)
GOD HATES HYPOCRISY
A poem and essay by ILMA
In every show and pretense
Lies guilt and shame
When you do religious festivals
God is jealous, he doesn’t want rivals.
God hates all forms of hypocrisy
It hampers you from getting victory
Be honest and live a life of integrity
He will reward those who lives by honesty.
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According to Easton’s bible dictionary, a “hypocrite” is one who puts on a mask and pretends himself to be what he is not. Our Lord severely rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy ( Matthew 6:2,5,16) and in Job 8:13, he warns that they shall perish. The Hebrew word here rendered “hypocrite” means the “godless” or “profane,” as it is rendered in Jeremiah 23:11, polluted with crimes.
How come a lot of religious rituals and traditions are still widely practiced in the present? If the Lord hates hypocrisy, why is it very prevalent in our society. John 10:10 says that the enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. One of his tactics to destroy our relationship with the Lord is through religious rituals, traditions and festivals. It distracts us from actually having a personal relationship with the Lord. The bible tells us that God hates hypocrisy. The lies they live is an abomination to God’s character.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from all forms of hypocrisy.
REFLECTION
How can one know that someone is pretending to be someone they’re not? How do you deal with hypocrites in 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

HOW TO BE ALIVE AGAIN Poem Devotional

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February 7
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Come back to me and live! – Amos 5:4(NLT)
HOW TO BE ALIVE AGAIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to live a life that is full?
Run to the Lord for he is faithful
He asks you to come back to him
You won’t thrive if you live in sin.
Come back to the Lord right now
If you have sinned, repent and bow
It is the only way you can come to the light
Only the Lord can save you and give you life.
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For many years I didn’t realize that I was spiritually dead. Everything I did revolved around my wants, desires, ambitions and dreams. I thought that success had to do with getting all my goals met and being looked up to. I never consulted God’s will or plan in my life. I lived like a strong-willed child, insisting on doing things my way and scheming for things. You will likely have guessed correctly. I didn’t get far. I lost joy, peace and living a full life. The Lord loves me so much. He didn’t give all that I wanted because they were not all good for me. If he granted all that I asked for, I wouldn’t learn to hunger for him. I will continue to be distracted and focus my attention on things of this world. The bible says that the only way we can be alive is through Christ.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the life you gave us through your son Jesus.
REFLECTION
What are the manifestations that you are compromising 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