Tag Archives: spoken word

THE SOURCE OF ALL EVIL Poem Devotional

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September 8
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For from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying and slander. – Matthew 15:19(NLT)
THE SOURCE OF ALL EVIL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know the source of all wickedness?
Inside our hearts, we make decisions and choices
It is from it that we sort, analyze and scheme
If we are not careful, we will be tempted to sin.
Doesn’t a desire for coveting start from it?
Lust comes from the yearnings of our own spirits
Surrender your hearts to the Lord so he can change you
Guard it to be free from deceit and live a life that’s pure.
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Many people love to pinpoint evil at someone or something that happened outside of themselves. We sometimes get into the blame game and not take responsibility for our own choices. These denials open the door for the enemy to inject all sorts of evil in our minds first, then let it reside in our hearts. Before we know it, we have already committed a sin. The bible says that the source of all evil is not from outside of us, but it is from within us. It is caused by our own hearts. When we desire or long for something we don’t have, it traps us and keep us in bondage to that craving. When we entertain the fulfillment of a want in our lives, we allow evil to dominate our hearts.
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PRAYER
Lord, please guard me from thoughts of evil.
REFLECTION
How can we take ownership to our thoughts and motives so God can change our heart?
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

LET THE SPIRIT TRANSFORM YOU Poem Devotional

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September 7
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Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. -Ephesians 4:23(NLT)
LET THE SPIRIT TRANSFORM YOU
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is something you need to change in your life
There is no need to do it on your own, let Jesus Christ
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes
He will show you how to live in peace and gratitude.
When you depend on God’s spirit for everything
He will give you strength to overcome evil and sin
You will have the mind of Christ if you accept him
You will be a new person and his Spirit will live within.
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There were many decades of my life that I relied on self-help books to change my thoughts and attitude. That is how the world influenced my thinking. It wants me to follow a life of self-reliance and self-effort. There was one book that impacted my life tremendously. I didn’t know that the author was a Christian at that time I read the book. I wasn’t into reading the bible during those days, so it didn’t occur to me that the Spirit of God was using this man to call me back to the Lord. Norman Vincent Peale taught me how to change the way I think by suggesting to keep a “thank you” diary. Since that day I read his book, my negative thoughts began to fade. I counted my blessings, so the Spirit transformed me.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for letting your Spirit transform me.
REFLECTION
Why is it dangerous to change yourself without the help of God’s Spirit?
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 EYES AND MINDS ARE SHUT Poem Devotional

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September 6
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Their eyes are closed and they cannot see. Their minds are shut and they cannot think.
-Isaiah 44:18(NLT)
WHEN EYES AND MINDS ARE SHUT
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone’s eyes are closed to the truth
They won’t be able to get deep into the roots
Their minds have been shut and cannot think
They can’t discern so they easily sink.
Their minds have been blinded by the enemy
Without running to God, they won’t have victory
Watch and guard your heart and mind
It will transform you and keep you from being blind.
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During those years that I turned my back on God, I was doing all kinds of foolish things. I attracted people whose eyes were close and minds were shut to the truth. So, you could probably imagine what kind of life I lived at those stage of my life. Yes…I wallowed in sin because I was patching the pain with dependency. I wasn’t a drug addict but I was a love addict. I pursued love with a passion, not knowing that this is not the kind of love that will set me free from bondage. I was totally blind to the thing that would set me free: God’s love. My mind was shut from understanding the unconditional love that God has already granted me through the sacrifice of Jesus’ life. I thank God he freed me from this oppression. Now I am free.
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PRAYER
Lord, free me from not seeing or knowing your truth.
REFLECTION
What were you freed from when you believed in 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

ON THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS Poem Devotional

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September 5
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I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person.
-Revelation 2:23(NLT)
ON THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Can someone really know what you’re thinking?
The Lord can, he is all-powerful and all-knowing
No one knows you better than he does
Even your own self, you cannot trust.
Do not assume you know other people’s intentions
Or you will open up doors for more temptations
Leave the searching to the one true God
You won’t be able to do it; it is really hard.
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When I was a stage actress, I studied the character I am portraying to the minutest detail. I had to understand why I say things and act the way I do or I won’t give justice to my character. The whole production staff brainstorm the entire play. Production usually runs for three to four months of daily rehearsals. We have to study the character even on and off the production sessions. During the pre-prod, we discuss the totality of the story; it’s ups and downs. With the director’s expertise, we are led to look at the idiosyncrasies of the role we play and how he or she is part of the whole story. We cannot make up or add our own thoughts or we won’t give justice to the character as written by the playwright.
The bible says that only God can search our hearts and minds. He alone knows.
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PRAYER
Lord, forgive me when I try to search other people’s thoughts and intentions.
REFLECTION
How can we search our own thoughts and intentions?
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

WORK IS VANITY Poem Devotional

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September 3
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Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard but all in vain. – Habakkuk 2:13(NLT)
WORK IS VANITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you work to gain wealth
It isn’t beneficial for your spiritual health
It is working in vain when you do it for your gain
It is a form of idolatry instead of giving God praise.
To work for your own advantage isn’t really a treasure
It compromises your growth when you seek pleasure
To work so hard for self-seeking reason is vanity
To serve the Lord and others benefits humanity.
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Our world today focuses much on performance. Each person’s value is proven by how hard they work and how much wealth they have incurred. Here in North America, people marginalize those who don’t work or those who earn money. You become worthless in the world’s standard if you don’t contribute to the country’s wealth gains. When I moved to Canada, it was difficult to continue my teaching and art careers. I was looked down by others because I didn’t earn much income as I did back in the Philippines.
The bible says that the Lord looks down on those who pursue wealth for personal gains. He said that wealth of nations will turn to ashes and the work they put on such worldly pursuits are all vain.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on depending on you instead of proving my worth through work.
REFLECTION
Why do you think the bible says that work can be a form of vanity?
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

KNOWING GOD’S WILL Poem Devotional

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September 1
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Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.
-Romans 12:2(NLT)
KNOWING GOD’S WILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any clue what God’s plan is for you?
If you are hungry for him, you will seek his truth
You need to constantly relate and bond with him
He will transform your ways and change how you think
Then you’ll learn to know God’s will which is pleasing
You will discern what is good and you’ll avoid sinning
His voice will be clear if you stay tuned to his word
Then you will heed his plans and overcome this world.
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Many people including some Christians have no clue what God’s will is for their lives. There were many years of my Christian life that I didn’t know his plans for me either. I was too busy living according to the world’s standards and ways that I missed out on hearing his voice. How can I hear it when I stuffed my mind with so many toxic things and was too focused on myself? How can I feel his presence when I didn¬¬¬’t even have time to be quiet and relax or focus on him? How will I know his plans when I never consulted him for anything? The bible says that if you allow him to transform your thinking, you will learn his will.
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PRAYER
Lord, teach me to consult you for everything.
REFLECTION
How can you let God transform your thinking?
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
canadablooms 143 (2)

September 1
________________________________________
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.
-Romans 12:2(NLT)
KNOWING GOD’S WILL
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any clue what God’s plan is for you?
If you are hungry for him, you will seek his truth
You need to constantly relate and bond with him
He will transform your ways and change how you think
Then you’ll learn to know God’s will which is pleasing
You will discern what is good and you’ll avoid sinning
His voice will be clear if you stay tuned to his word
Then you will heed his plans and overcome this world.
________________________________________
Many people including some Christians have no clue what God’s will is for their lives. There were many years of my Christian life that I didn’t know his plans for me either. I was too busy living according to the world’s standards and ways that I missed out on hearing his voice. How can I hear it when I stuffed my mind with so many toxic things and was too focused on myself? How can I feel his presence when I didn¬¬¬’t even have time to be quiet and relax or focus on him? How will I know his plans when I never consulted him for anything? The bible says that if you allow him to transform your thinking, you will learn his will.
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PRAYER
Lord, teach me to consult you for everything.
REFLECTION
How can you let God transform your thinking?
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 IS DIVISION Poem Devotional

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August 31
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If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth and their own sins condemn them. -Titus 3:10-11(NLT)
WHEN THERE IS DIVISION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is division among the body of Christ
It needs to be addressed or it will lead to more fights
The person causing division have turned away from truth
Someone needs to warn them and get to its root.
When someone creates division amongst others
They are stirring up their sisters and brothers
Turn away from them when they continue to divide
Have nothing more to do with people who don’t abide.
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I have experienced a few sisters in Christ who creates division in our church. It is sad to watch that those who are the leaders are the ones who stir up troubles. No wonder we are not able to receive a revival in our church. It is a discouraging thing to watch especially when the act is so subtly done. The newly committed Christians will probably miss what’s going on, but to those who are spiritually mature, it won’t be unnoticed. I did gently confront them but they pretended it didn’t happen. As this verse say, have nothing more to do with them after you have warned them. These people have already stayed away from truth.
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PRAYER
Lord, stir the hearts of those who creates division especially in your church.
REFLECTION
Why should we gently confront people who divide?
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

TEACH THE TRUTH Poem Devotional

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August 30
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Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. -Titus 2:8 (NLT)
TEACH THE TRUTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you teach the truth, you can’t be criticized
Some people may deny it which is unwise
The truth will always stand against evil
Those who don’t believe it, open doors to the devil.
Teach the truth in love and be bold about it
You need not apologize for the gift of the Spirit
Those who oppose the truth will not be protected
They will live in darkness and will always be enslaved
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In 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Paul associates truth with one’s salvation. He says that those who oppose and refuse to accept it will perish. They will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth (verse11). What a scary thing to happen if a believer decides not to seek the truth and believe and follow it. But what a lot of people do not accept is the fact that God gave us his truth so we can be set free. It is truth that protects us from further moving away from God. It is sad to hear other believers say that truth is relative or twist it so that it will fit their desires and whims. As Christians, we need to teach the truth and faithfully obey what it says.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me courage and boldness to declare your truth.
REFLECTION
What godly truths have set you free from bondage?
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

REFLECTING INTEGRITY Poem Devotional

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August 29
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And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. -Titus 2:7(NLT)
REFLECTING INTEGRITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you committed your life to Christ
You ought to reflect his character in your life
You yourself must follow what he modeled
Take the word and apply it and you’ll find favor.
Let the truth prevail by living it faithfully
It will show your love and loyalty
Reflect a life full of integrity and humility
Then you will be a light to all of humanity.
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The definition of the word integrity that struck me most is “the state of being whole and undivided.” If you take the opposite of integrity, it would be dishonesty. If we look again at what integrity means, therefore we can say that a dishonest person is not whole and is divided. Isn’t this so true? We were made in God’s image and when we do dishonest things, it is not our default setting. Paul talks to Titus in this verse how integrity is fundamental in a Christian’s life. If we do not have it, we will be shattered to pieces. The enemy will have a feast on continually working on defeating us. This is why the bible always tells us to guard our hearts. We ought to follow the example of Jesus life of integrity.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me always embrace a life of honesty.
REFLECTION
What do you think causes a person to lose integrity?
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

DEAD TO SIN’S POWER Poem Devotional

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August 28
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When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. – Romans 6:10-11(NLT)
DEAD TO SIN’S POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in Christ, your sins died
His blood will cover you and bring you to life
He broke the power of sin by his blood
That’s how much we are loved by God.
Now that Christ was resurrected and alive again
He literally opened for us the door of heaven
So consider yourselves dead to the power of sin
With Christ’s blood, he broke sin’s power so you can win.
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Many Christians take for granted the power of the blood of Jesus. No wonder they do so much to work at their salvation. Jesus Christ died only once, so we are all saved once and for all from the bondage of sin so we can live free lives. We need to believe and commit that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. When we dwell and ruminate on the consequence of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we will be able to enjoy our lives. We will be able to grasp the power we have through Jesus Christ and use this authority over sin. We must therefore believe that sin has no longer any power over us.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for sacrificing your life so we can be free.
REFLECTION
Why do some Christians still struggle with sin?
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