Tag Archives: spoken word

EVERLASTING GOD Poem Devotional

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May 21________________________________________
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. -Isaiah 40:28(NLT)
EVERLASTING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Look around you and you’ll be amazed at God’s creation
He made all things on this earth for your consumption
Give praise and thanksgiving for an everlasting God
Never forget to worship him and always bring him laud.
The Lord is faithful; he never grows weak or weary
God forgives and never ceases to love unconditionally
He is there when we are joyful or during our adversities
Believe that he is eternal; he gives all believers victory.
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Do you ever grow weak or weary? Like me, I am sure you experience ups and downs in your life. It can be very challenging to constantly be bombarded with much choices and noise around us in this very chaotic world. We need to pursue peace at all cost and receive God’s rest daily. This is the only way we can be guaranteed that we will experience peace. God created us in his image and I am sure he wants us to focus on him so that we don’t experience weakness or weariness. He is everlasting and we can only come close to his perpetual character if we regularly connect with him. He promises eternal life to all those who believe in him.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for a promise of eternity.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with weakness or weariness?
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 SPEAKS PEACE

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May 20________________________________________
I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. -Psalm 85:8(NLT)
GOD SPEAKS PEACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you hear what the Lord requires from his people?
He wants you to pursue peace and be faithful
The Lord is after those who seek him without ceasing
Don’t forget his word and always meditate on his teachings.
God wants you to choose peace, it shows that you trust him
When you do, you’ll be able to resist the devil and avoid sin
Hear the Lord’s call and don’t return to your foolish ways
Store his words in your heart so you can win without delay.
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Before I became a born again Christian, I often wondered why it was so easy to dwell on the negative and a lot of effort to focus on the positive. Now I know that without the blood of Jesus, I can’t do anything. Since we live in a fallen world and we are all sinners, it is effortless to be inclined to do the negative things. This is the difference when you are born again. The Holy Spirit lives in you and transforms your heart and mind. You are a new person who seeks the Lord and pursue peace at all times.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for reminding me to pursue peace.
REFLECTION
What distracts you from the pursuit of peace? How can you keep focused on seeking 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

DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE

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May 19________________________________________
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. – 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NLT)
DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Has anyone done you wrong lately?
Don’t retaliate, forgive quickly
Don’t pay back evil for evil
Or you will open doors for the devil.
The Lord wants us to do good always
It manifests our love and kindness
If you are a disciple of Jesus
You will easily grant forgiveness.________________________________________
In Exodus 21:24, we are told of the law “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot.” In his book The End of the Law: Mosaic Covenant in the Pauline Theology, Jason Meyer explains that the concept of “an eye for eye,” sometimes called jus talionis or lex talionis, is part of the Mosaic Law used in the Israelites’ justice system. Justice should be equitable; excessive harshness and excessive leniency should be avoided. Meyer clearly states in his book that this law was for the judicial system and doesn’t apply to personal relationships.
In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches the opposite of this law when he said in verse 39 to offer your other cheek if someone slaps you. Paul reiterates Christ’s teaching about doing good and letting go of being wronged. He advises us to give back good for evil.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for teaching us how to forgive.
REFLECTION
Why do you think it’s difficult to do good to those who do you wrong?
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 WHO TRULY CARES Poem Devotional

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May 18________________________________________
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
A GOD WHO TRULY CARES
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are you worrying about these days?
Is it a loved one who is going astray?
Are your finances stressing you out?
Do you pray for help or do you just pout?
Give all your worries and cares to God
With him around, nothing is too hard
He truly cares so much and wants you to prosper
Don’t be proud, run to him and he will deliver.
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How many times in the past did you dwell on a pity party? You have been praying for someone or something, that has never really happened for the longest time. You start worrying and thinking negatively about it. Then your body starts to give in from the stress and the toxic thinking. I have been guilty of this negative thought patterns for a good five decades of my life. When I became a born again Christian, God delivered me from this negative pattern and renewed my mind. I started replacing my worries and prayed instead. I didn’t realize that worrying was a sin until I got revelations. It also hinders our dreams to come true. I looked for truths from God’s word that would replace such toxic thoughts. I began memorizing bible verses and voila…God truly cares for me. He has answers for all my worries.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your unceasing love and care for me.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to focus on God’s faithfulness especially when discouraged?
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

ENDURANCE LEADS TO SALVATION Poem Devotional

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May 17________________________________________
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. – Matthew 24:13-14(NLT)
ENDURANCE LEADS TO SALVATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you encounter much trouble and suffering
Be thankful! Your faith will surely be growing
The one who endures to the end will be protected
Those who easily give up will not be included.
Endurance is a manifestation of being faithful
It also shows that you are diligent and hopeful
Jesus endured all kinds of violence and cruelty
He wants us to embrace challenges courageously.
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Endurance is defined as a noun as the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. As an adjective, it is denoting or relating to a race or other sporting event that takes place over a long distance or otherwise demands great physical stamina. Endurance is an important ingredient in overcoming obstacles or winning a competition. James 1:2-3 tells us that the testing of our faith produces endurance. In other words, if we easily give up at the first trial or testing, we won’t finish the race to God’s kingdom. It is also a pre-requisite in order for us to be saved. When we endure and persevere, we show strength in our character.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on you instead of the circumstance when my faith is being tested.
REFLECTION
How can we develop endurance in our character?
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

EXAMINE SPIRITS Poem devotional

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May 14________________________________________
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. – 1 John 4:1(NLT)
EXAMINE SPIRITS
A poem and essay by ILMA
As a follower of Christ, you need to examine spirits
Do not believe everyone who claims they are godly
Test them to see if they align with God’s truth
Some prophets’ teachings are not at all true.
Strengthen yourself with God’s word; meditate on it
It makes us win over the world’s corruption and defeat it
The Spirit that comes from God is full of love and peace
The one that is in the world is about selfishness and conflicts.
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The bible tells us to be watchful and examine spirits. Because we do not see the invisible realm, it can be challenging to detect what is really going on in the spirit. Since we are not omniscient and omnipotent like God, we can be a prey to the enemy. This is why we are instructed to meditate on God’s word and follow his will. When we are in relationship with God, we become aware of the spirit world. If we have developed an intimacy with him, we can hear what he says about things, persons and circumstances. He wants us to examine every spirit so we can discern false teachings.
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PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your guidance and protection.
REFLECTION
What are some signs to spot a false teacher or a false teaching?
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 OF ORDER

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For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. -1 Corinthians 14:33(NLT)
A GOD OF ORDER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever get overwhelmed with so much disorder?
Watch out because, it shows your mind’s clutter
When you constantly live a life of confusion
You are not living God’s vision but of illusion.
God is not a God of chaos but of peace
He wants us to live a life that is free
Give up disorder and you will feel better
Let go of un-forgiveness and don’t stay bitter.
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Whenever conflicts and confusion presents itself in our marriage, I know that we are being attacked by the enemy. The bible says that Satan’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy God’s people. I wish I could have known this truth four decades ago. There were many years of my life that was stolen from me. My childhood was snatched from me with generational sins and strongholds that have been passed by our parents to us unknowingly. It is very essential for a Christian to know that we are battling with unseen forces as the book of Ephesians clearly states. Since we do not see them, it can be a challenge to identify how we are being attacked.
The bible describes God as a god of peace, not of disorder. We must recognize the stealthy way the enemy can creep into our lives by creating confusion.
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PRAYER
Lord, protect me when confusion pops in my life.
REFLECTION
How do we defend ourselves from the enemy’s tactics?
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

HARM THAT LIES BRING Poem Devotional

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May 12________________________________________
Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. -Proverbs 25:18(NLT)
HARM THAT LIES BRING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you tell a lie to someone
You are a copycat of Satan
Remember that he is the father of lies
If you concoct lies, you defy life.
Telling lies about others is like murder
It attacks and wounds their characters
Just like a sharp arrow, lies can kill
They can easily corrupt minds for real.
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John 8:44 says “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Jesus was speaking to the Jews when he said this verse. He was exposing their evil deeds in this story. The Jews where lying and maligning Jesus because they were so threatened by Jesus’ authenticity which is the opposite of their hypocrisy. In this verse we get a clear picture of Satan. He loved do evil and was a murderer from the start. He hated the truth and was consistently telling lies. Proverbs clearly identifies the harm that lies bring. It is like killing others.
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PRAYER
Lord, please guard my mouth from telling lies.
REFLECTION
How can lying be like murder? Share an experience how lies 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

CHOICES Poem Devotional

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May 11________________________________________
But when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue and let you speak. Then you will say to them, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says! Those who choose to listen will listen, but those who refuse will refuse for they are rebels. – Ezekiel 3:27 (NLT)
CHOICES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you exert conscious effort to make the right choices?
Are your choices bringing you closer to godliness?
Do you allow the Lord to lead you to make decisions?
Are your choices leaning towards God’s intervention?
Choose to listen to the Lord so your life will prosper
If you constantly defy him, you will continue to be a rebel
Allow the Lord to lead you to where he wants you to go
Let him lead you in all aspects of life so you may grow.
________________________________________Researchers Verplanken and Holland found that individuals only made choices consistent with their values if those values were ‘cognitively activated’. The research reveals that when we make values-based decisions we tend to feel more positive about them and they can actually lend themselves to our ongoing motivation.
The bible tells us to choose life instead of death. In other words, if we live in love, we are choosing life and God. If we live in darkness and the dictates of this world, we are choosing death and the Prince of this world, Satan. Which camp do you belong?
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to turn my back on you.
REFLECTION
What choices have you made in the past that brought you where you are now?
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 IT SINK DEEP IN YOUR HEART Poem Devotional

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May 10________________________________________
Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. -Ezekiel 3:10 (NLT)
LET IT SINK DEEP IN YOUR HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
Let all of God’s word affect your mind, soul and body.
Listen to them and let it sink deep in your heart fully
When you meditate on it day and night, it will change you
You will experience wisdom which will make you new.
When you allow God’s truth to soak deep inside your mind
The enemy cannot trick you anymore to stay blind
Seek the Lord first and he will give you what you ask
Stay in his word and bask at how he loves you so very much.
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If all people will give up their stubborn hearts and seek God and his word, there will be no conflicts and violence in our world today. There is much benefit to reading God’s word, meditating and living what it says. Why don’t people want what is good for them? Instead, we choose what brings us trouble. Paul says in Romans7: 15, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Man have struggled with this inner conflict since the fall of Adam and Eve. Let God’s word sink deep in your heart so you can hear his voice.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to run to your word and store it in my heart each day.
REFLECTION
How often do you meditate on God’s word?
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