Tag Archives: spoken word

WELL DONE MY CHILD!

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January 24________________________________________
Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrated together.
–Matthew 25:21 (NLT)
WELL DONE MY CHILD!
A poem and essay by ILMA
When the Lord lets you take care of his flock
Are you able to follow his will or do you get stuck?
If you want to have an abundance or overflow
You must be faithful to continue in order for you to grow.
If you want more gifts and blessings
Prove that you can be responsible with little things
He wants to say to you “Well done my child”
Keep on seeking the Lord and always abide.
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Each person has a longing to be approved and hear that we did well. In order for us to get that affirmation, we need to work at something. God is overflowing with generosity and mercy. He wants the best for us always, but a lot of us turn our backs and mistreat our own selves. Have you been faithful enough to steward the things that God has blessed you with? Just like when you work for someone, you only get a promotion if you have proven your dedication to your job. We are expected to be faithful in handling small things in order for us to be given more. We can only be promoted if we continue to be good and faithful to the Lord.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to be able to live up to your expectations.
REFLECTION
When was the last time you heard God approved of your faithfulness?
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 THE BEST TO THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 21________________________________________
When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift-the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry and dejected. – Genesis 4:3-5(NLT)
GIVE THE BEST TO THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you prioritize God in everything you do?
He created you like him and he is always true
He faithfully gives you all that you need
Are you willing and able to give the best to him?
He expects the best portions from his children
It is only right because he wants us to inherit heaven
When we do not give our finest harvest to him
We are ungrateful for all the gifts and blessings.
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God made us all into his likeness. The bible says that God is love. So, if he made us out of love, we have the capacity to give love as well. Why do a lot of people give God the least and worst they have? He owns all things and yet we act like we do and not give him the best portions of the blessings he gave us.
In Genesis, we are shown that God accepts those who give the best portion to him, Abel and rejects Cain’s gift which isn’t the best of his harvest.
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PRAYER
Lord, remind me to always give you the best.
REFLECTION
Why is it important that we give our best to 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

WHY WE STRUGGLE IN LIFE Poem Devotional

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January 20
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Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. – Genesis 3:17(NLT)
WHY WE STRUGGLE IN LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you ever wonder why we always struggle?
We find ourselves faced with challenges and troubles
One day we can conquer, other days we lose
We seek to satisfy our desires and sometimes get lost.
So many people cannot understand why we struggle
They search and look for things that will win them battles
The fall of man is the reason why we face trials constantly
Struggling and striving are results of sinning incessantly.
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“Struggle” is defined as to try very hard to do, achieve, or deal with something that is difficult or that causes problems. When we struggle, we have compromised our peace and joy. Struggle originated from the first sin of man. In Genesis 3:17 we are given a clear picture of the consequence of sin which is to struggle.
I remember my dark years when I turned my back on God and lived for myself. Because I was hurt and not shown love, I rebelled and blamed God for the pain and suffering I went through. I didn’t realize that because I was living in sin, it automatically made me struggle.
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never turn my back on you.
REFLECTION
What does the Lord want you to do when you are beset by struggles?
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

THE RESULT OF SIN Poem Devotional

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January 19________________________________________
Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”– Genesis 3:10(NLT)
THE RESULT OF SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you purposely go against God’s will
It will result in feelings of shame and guilt
Sin puts a wall between God and man
It opens the door for the enemy called Satan.
Shame is a lie that the enemy tricks us with
He wants us to wallow in pity and not get over sin
Run to God, confess your sins and you will be forgiven
He loves you that he allowed Jesus to die and be risen.
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The origin of “shame” can be traced back in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve decided to go against the will of God. Before they were tempted by Satan, they lived a very comfortable life. They didn’t have to work or do anything. They were surrounded by everything they could enjoy but there was only one thing that God asked them not to eat from, the tree of life. They were both naked before the fall of man. It never bothered them because they were innocent and pure. When they chose to disobey, something happened. They felt guilt and tried to hide from God. Shame became the result of their sin. They didn’t feel right to face God.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never choose to go against you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think shame results from sin? How can you let go shame?
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 NEGLECT THE LORD Poem Devotional

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January 17________________________________________
Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? – Haggai 1:4 (NLT)
WHEN YOU NEGLECT THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you are always busy working to prosper yourself
You are neglecting your creator, the Lord God Himself
Whenever you prioritize other things instead of Him
You are opening the door for the enemy to win.
When you surround yourself with all the comforts in life
And then miss out God’s truth that brings us light
You are neglecting the Lord’s house by letting it lie in ruins
Don’t turn your back on the only one who can free you from sins.
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There are many people who get so busy accumulating wealth and hoarding comforts and conveniences in life. They have no time to read the word of God or even pray because they are so wrapped up in getting what they want in life. “Busy-ness” is a trick of the enemy to veer us away from our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ. The devil wants to create wants in life and make it appear like needs. Then we start to aspire and desire that thing which becomes a never ending goal to get. Then he creates more things for us to be busy with so we won’t have time for praising the Lord and building his kingdom. We should watch out that we don’t neglect the Lord and his kingdom.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never neglect my priority which is to serve you first.
REFLECTION
What have you done to build 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

LIKE THE YEAST Poem Devotional

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January 16________________________________________
The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.
–Matthew 13:33 (NLT)
LIKE THE YEAST
A poem and essay by ILMA
God’s kingdom is like the yeast used to make breads
Even a small amount is used, it permeates and spreads
Each verse in the bible will make us grow spiritually
No matter how small it is, it will help us continually.
The word of God is useful for us to mature
It makes us see things clearly in a big picture
Like the yeast that helps to make the bread grow
The kingdom of heaven eases all trials and sorrows.
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Yeast is a microscopic fungus consisting of single oval cells that reproduce by budding., and are capable of converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The main purpose of yeast is to serve as a catalyst in the process of fermentation, which is essential in the making of bread. The purpose of any leavener is to produce the gas that makes bread rise. Yeast does this by feeding on the sugars in flour, and expelling carbon dioxide in the process. It is amazing how this little fungus is responsible for producing bread that is the staple food of some cultures. God’s kingdom is likened to a yeast that produces bread which brings life.
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PRAYER
Lord, allow me to be like a yeast in spreading your word.
REFLECTION
How often do you reflect on God’s truth and allow it to grow?
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

WEALTH BY UNJUST MEANS Poem Devotional

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January 13________________________________________
Like a partridge that hatches eggs she has not laid, so are those who get their wealth by unjust means. At midlife, they will lose their riches; in the end, they will become poor old fools. – Jeremiah 17:11(NLT)
WEALTH BY UNJUST MEANS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Those who get their wealth by unjust means
Are dishonest and are actually sinning
Like a partridge that hatches eggs she has not laid
They are actually stealing and will have to pay.
At midlife, they will lose their riches
They will become poor and have no resources
Gaining wealth dishonestly will drag you to ruin
They will eventually suffer the consequences of their sins.
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In my country of origin, graft and corruption is rampant. It was one of the reasons why I decided to migrate to Canada. I just had too much of it. Poverty does many things to people. When one is surrounded by so much dishonesty, it either makes you participate or totally turn away from the system. Struggling with being poor can become a lifestyle of striving. One can be desperate and use measures that can quickly alleviate the deficiency they are experiencing. Survival mode becomes a lifestyle. Cheating to get easy wealth can be another option. These are all worldly ways that we cope with mediocrity.
The bible warns us not to get wealth by unjust means because we will eventually lose them.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me never to lose my integrity.
REFLECTION
Why is dishonest ways to be rich discouraged in God’s people?
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

THE LORD EXAMINES Poem Devotional

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January 12________________________________________
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.
-Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT)
THE LORD EXAMINES
A poem and essay by ILMA
The human heart can be wicked and misleading
It can conceal what is true about something
The Lord searches all hearts and examines
He knows exactly what caused us to sin.
Be careful what your heart desires
It can keep you longing and be on fire
The Lord examines motives and intentions
Make sure that it is free from deception.
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According to the bible, the human heart can be deceptive and wicked. If we can only be honest in looking closely into our hearts, we can admit that it is evil. What usually comes out of our mouth knowingly or unknowingly is what is in our hearts (Matthew 15:18-20 paraphrased). Mark 7:21 says: For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery. This is why the Lord examines our hearts. That is the reason for God warning us to guard our hearts and our tongues because they are naturally wicked. They can only be supernaturally pure when we allow God to work in our hearts. The Lord rewards according to what our actions deserve.
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PRAYER
Lord, give me wisdom to guard my heart from wickedness.
REFLECTION
What happens to us when our hearts are full of unconfessed sins?
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

LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOU GOT Poem Devotional

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January 11________________________________________
Listen Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.
– Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NLT)
LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOU GOT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Listen, all you people, there is only one God!
You must bring him all the glory and laud
You must love the Lord with all your heart
He is your strength so never leave or depart.
Commit yourselves wholeheartedly to his commands
He will bring blessings and provide for life’s demands
Love God with all that you got and follow his ways
He will lead you to the path to his kingdom if you obey.
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Have you been in love so deeply that you gave it all you got Parental love is most likely the closest to what our heavenly Father feels for us. God’s love for us is unfathomable and our parent’s love is a poor comparison to God’s unfailing and unconditional love. I am sure that if you have children who are now adults, your heart would have been broken by one of your child’s poor choice or blatant disobedience. They may have gone astray or put themselves in deep trouble.
The bible tells us to love God with all your heart, soul and strength and obey his commands.________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, let me give back the love you give me with all I have.
REFLECTION
How do you manifest loving God with all you got?
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

WISDOM FROM A WISE GOD Poem Devotional

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January 10________________________________________
Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
–Proverbs 19:20 (NLT)
WISDOM FROM A WISE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have challenges that are overwhelming?
Fear not, the Lord will provide so you can start discerning
The Holy Spirit dwells inside you if you are a follower
He will give you protection from all the tactics of the deceiver.
Wisdom from a wise God is all you need to be victorious
He will never forsake you so you can continue to be righteous
Get all the advice and instruction you can from his word
It will equip you to navigate successfully in this world.
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Do you usually seek counsel from wise people or do you just solve your problems by yourself because you think no one knows better than you? The bible cautions us not to be wise in our own eyes. Even kings and queens have advisers to guide them to make the right decisions. It is always wise to seek advice and instruction from God’s people because there may be some truth that you have missed out that they can remind you. The best source of wisdom is God himself. He gave us his word, so we can be able to go through life victoriously. A lot of people do not even realize the importance of seeking counsel from God through his word.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to meditate on your words daily so I can be guided always.
REFLECTION
What happens when we seek counsel from the bible and other believers?
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