Tag Archives: spoken word

BUILD UP EACH OTHER IN FAITH Poem Devotional

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January 3________________________________________
But you dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. – Jude 20-21(NLT)
BUILD UP EACH OTHER IN FAITH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Who among you needs encouragement?
In the Lord’s house, there is no room for discouragement
Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit so you will be content
He fills your emptiness and gives you strength.
Our Lord will give us his mercy daily
He brings eternal life to those who obey faithfully
Keep yourself safe in God’s love by building each other up
He gave you one another so you can all be lifted up.
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When God created Adam, it didn’t take long for him to figure out that he needs a helper. He gave Eve to Adam so that they can both build each other up and grow and propagate. It is sad that our society encourages isolation and independence. We make decisions on our own without consulting someone, then we wonder why we are not successful or why we struggle so much.
The bible tells us that we must build each other up in faith and pray to the Holy Spirit. This way, we keep ourselves safe in God’s love.
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PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to encourage others all the time.
REFLECTION
What can encouragement do to someone who is feeling down?
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 YOU LIVE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRES Poem Devotional

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January 2________________________________________
These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. – Jude 16 (NLT)
WHEN YOU LIVE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you live to satisfy your desires
You don’t have the heart that God requires
He wants us all to be pure and free from selfishness
You will be saved only if you accept and embrace righteousness.
Selfish people are complainers and grumblers
They brag loudly about themselves and flatter others
They live only to get instant gratification
They defy God and refuse to accept salvation.
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There have been many years of my life that I was only concerned about getting what I want. I react and get angry even with myself when I am not able to hit the goal I set. As a result, I grumble at times. I didn’t know any better because I didn’t read the bible then. I didn’t realize then that if I complain, I lose the blessings from God. The Holy Spirit revealed to me how to combat my negative thinking and replaced it with a grateful attitude. When I started to count my blessings by having a “Thank You” diary, I was totally transformed. It took many years but it shifted my mind and heart to God instead of focusing on me. Let’s not live for ourselves but for God.
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PRAYER
Lord, please let me be thankful for all my blessings always.
REFLECTION
How can a complaining attitude affect your whole being?
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

GIVE GLORY TO THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 1________________________________________
Give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains. For then, when you look for light, you will find only terrible darkness and gloom.
–Jeremiah 13:16 (NLT)
GIVE GLORY TO THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
There is no time, give glory to the Lord now
You will be free from darkness if you bow
Acknowledge him before gloom prevails
He is the only one who can free you and unveil.
Give glory to the Lord before it is too late
You wouldn’t want to continue to live as slaves
Don’t wait until the wrath of God is here
Repent and run to his throne my dear.
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There are so many people who have no time to give God glory. They are so busy with their work, ambitions and other worldly pursuits and can’t be bothered to even have a relationship with the Lord. What happens when we are consumed with material stuff and continually obsess about power and fame? We become idolaters. One of the things that God abhors is idolatry (Jeremiah 1:16). He made us for himself. If we bow down to other gods or things and it steals the time we are supposed to give to him, we are idolaters. Give glory to God before it is too late.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to take my eyes off you.
REFLECTION
What or who are your gods that hinder or distract you from making God your first?
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

BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION Poem Devotional

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December 31________________________________________
But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins. – Luke 6:49(NLT)
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who hear the word of God and obey
They are relying on his strength and might each day
Their foundation is solid and will not collapse
They will not be swept down and they will adapt.
Those who does not heed God’s guidance in his word
They will find it difficult to navigate this world
Building a strong foundation in God’s truth
Makes you strong and allows the Spirit to bear fruit.
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When people build their houses, they have to make sure that the foundation is strong enough so that they can ensure a house that will be stable to hold up in the midst of weather changes. Can it withstand storms, floods, earthquakes, fires and other disasters?
Building a strong foundation is crucial even in our spiritual lives.
The bible tells us that Jesus is the rock that we can build our lives on. Anyone who seeks God and obey him is actually building a strong foundation that will stand the most challenging trials and tests that will come their way. It cautions those who hear his word and not heed it. They will collapse and be ruined.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to never stop abiding in you and seeking you.
REFLECTION
What aspects of your life needs a strong foundation?
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

LEAP FOR JOY WHEN MOCKED OR CURSED Poem Devotional

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December 30________________________________________
What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. -Luke 6:22-23(NLT)
LEAP FOR JOY WHEN MOCKED OR CURSED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you react angrily when people have mocked you?
Do you get trapped with things they say that aren’t true?
What blessings await you when you are discriminated
You will reap great rewards when you are cursed or omitted.
Leap for joy whenever you are treated badly
It will bring you fast next to the Almighty
For the Lord cares and rescues those who are oppressed
He sent his Son so they can be liberated and blessed.
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What is your initial reaction when people hurt you or are mean to you? Human nature reacts either angrily or they run away from the person inflicting hurt on them. It is called the fight or flight. The world teaches us to fight back or avoid the source of pain in our lives. The bible has a very different solution to the pain inflicted on us by someone. In Luke 6, we are encouraged to leap for joy when we are mocked and cursed when we do what God wants us to do. He promises a reward in heaven when we are oppressed.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to control my reactions to those who inflict pain on me.
REFLECTION
How does God want us to react to those who mock us?
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

PROVE BY THE WAY YOU LIVE Poem Devotional

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December 29________________________________________
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing. For I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.
– Luke 3:8(NLT)
PROVE BY THE WAY YOU LIVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Repenting doesn’t only mean asking for forgiveness through words
It is acknowledging your sin and allowing God to transform your world
Prove by the way you live that you won’t go back to the old ways
Being complacent and lazy will make you fall again one day.
Demonstrate your repentance by following God’s commands
It protects you from falling into sin as you go through life’s demands
Show by example that you are God’s faithful children
By doing this, you lead others to come close to heaven.
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Complacency is defined as a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like. It also means self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation or condition. Why is complacency a hindrance to growth? When one becomes complacent, they stop working and pressing on for a better outcome.
The bible tells us that repentance doesn’t just involve confessing our sins. It means that we are allowing God’s words to transform our minds and heart, and eventually our actions and character.
PRAYER
Lord, don’t ever let me be complacent with my right standing with you.
REFLECTION
How can complacency and entitlements block our spiritual maturity?
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

TO THE PATH OF PEACE Poem Devotional

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December 28________________________________________
Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. – Luke 1:78-79(NLT)
TO THE PATH OF PEACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you constantly beset with discouragement and helplessness?
The mercy of God will bring you light from heaven during weaknesses
He will never allow his people to live in the shadow of death
He wants all things to work out for us; He give us the best.
He guides us to the path of peace, where we can enjoy life
He created us all so we can bask in his mercy and in his light
Are you in pursuit of peace and embracing it regularly?
Don’t compromise your relationship with God, seek it faithfully.
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Our world is beset with so much conflict these days. There is war and rumors of it in many places. Children, women and the innocent are suffering because many people allow the spirit of conflict to prevail. Some believers are even choosing a life full of struggles and fights instead of pursuing the path of peace. The enemy has constantly blinded many of us to dismiss the importance of seeking peace at all cost. We allow the devil to make puppets of us all when we don’t chase peace.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to remember to choose peace at all times.
REFLECTION
How can you maintain peace when you are surrounded by conflicts?
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

IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Poem Devotional

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December 27________________________________________
We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. – Luke 1:74-75(NLT)
IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus Christ was born so we can be rescued and saved
We need to enjoy life and be fearless and brave
Christ died for us so we can be victorious
He wants us to live in purity and be righteous.
In holiness and righteousness lie the secret to success
Living in fear and apprehension will make us helpless
Receive the grace and mercy that God provides
He will cleanse you from sin if you constantly abide.
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Why do we humans mess up a lot in life? After the fall of Adam and Eve, we have the tendency to be selfish and proud. We were created in God’s image and given dominion over all things on earth, but Adam and Eve relinquished this authority and gave it to the enemy when they disobeyed eating the fruit from the prohibited tree.
When God sent Jesus, his only son amongst us and born from a virgin, he showed us great mercy and grace. We didn’t deserve to be given another chance but he gives us plenty of chances whenever we confess and repent of our sins. We have been redeemed from our sins through Christ and we can be holy and righteous because of him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to constantly live by your mercy and grace to be constantly righteous.
REFLECTION
How can holiness and righteousness be twisted by the world?
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

MESSIAH HAS COME

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December 26________________________________________
Don’t be afraid! He said, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David.
-Luke 2:10-11(NLT)
MESSIAH HAS COME
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you in some kind of trouble or challenge today?
Are you willing to confess and to change your ways?
The Messiah has come to all of us to save us from sin
He was born so we can all be renewed and be redeemed.
Fear not for you don’t have to be bound, he will set you free
You need not do it all alone, let him do it so you can see
He was born so you can rejoice and be glad daily
God sent Christ we can win the battle constantly.
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I lived in fear for over four decades of my life. The enemy kept me thinking that I can overcome these fears by performing and being independent. He also blinded me and made me deny the fact that I was broken. I tried to fix myself thinking that if I did, I would be more valuable. I didn’t realize that God loves me anyway. It didn’t matter what I do or don’t do.
God loves us so much that he gave Jesus so we can be set free and win the battle against the enemy. Jesus is born, fear no more.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the greatest gift of Jesus.
REFLECTION
What fears do you need to lift up to 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

SIGN OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE Poem Devotional

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December 24________________________________________
Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. -Luke 2:34 (NLT)
SIGN OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE
A poem and essay by ILMA
The child Jesus is a sign of God’s mercy and love for mankind
People don’t realize this great gift, they continue to be blind
Christ was prophesied to cause many in Israel to fall
But he will also bring to many other people so much joy.
Jesus is a sign from God but many will oppose him
He will be the way for us all to be freed and redeemed
Do you welcome this Jesus that God has sent to save you?
Have you opened your heart and mind to be renewed?
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Many people like to believe in signs. Some cultures have many superstitious beliefs that they have embraced for many years and have passed on from generations to generations. Not all signs come from God. We have an enemy who knows us very well. He knows all our weaknesses, our history and especially our vulnerabilities. If we have a relationship with God, the enemy will have a hard time using his own tactics to trick us.
Jesus is the sign that God’s mercy and grace has come.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your gift of salvation.
REFLECTION
Why should we be careful to ask for signs when making decisions or choices?
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