Tag Archives: spoken word

HOW TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD Poem Devotional

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May 26
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And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasure. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God. – Titus 2:12 (NLT)
HOW TO LIVE IN THIS WORLD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find it difficult to live in this world?
The enemy wants to distract us from God’s word
Turn from godless living and sinful pleasures
Embrace wisdom, seek God and be righteous.
The prince of this world is out to kill and destroy
Stick to God’s truth and you will know Satan’s ploy
Embrace wisdom and be faithful and dedicated
You will overcome this world when you are devoted.
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In Ephesians 6, we are told that we are not just physical beings but spiritual as well. That we don’t fight a physical battle but a battle with unseen forces. This is why so many times we get defeated living righteous lives because the enemy, who is unseen is able to manipulate us because he sees and knows us but half of the time, we don’t see him and he is able to deceive us because of that invisibility. But God is more powerful than the prince of this world, Satan.
We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures, instead, we should live this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to live in godliness.
REFLECTION
What are your weaknesses that the enemy likes to target?
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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

TROUBLES IN MARRIAGE Poem Devotional

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May 25
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However those who get married at this time will have troubles. I am trying to spare you those problems. -1 Corinthians 7:28(NLT)
TROUBLES IN MARRIAGE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Did you marry so you can be trouble free?
There is no running from them, you will see
When you vow to love someone forever
Satan will keep you apart and ruin each other.
Troubles will always be part of marriage
Let God take have control over your baggage
Make him the focus of your matrimony
Then you will find joy, peace and harmony.
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The world view perpetuates romantic love. The truth is that romantic love doesn’t last forever as media would want us to believe. The happy endings we watch in movies are not real as they chop the other part of life’s reality: “facing the challenges that marriage brings.” It is this discrepancy between the romantic notion of love and the reality of facing troubles together that has ruined so many marriages.
The bible tells us that marriage will have troubles. It is a fact of life. We can never avoid troubles in relationships, especially in marriage. How can two people of two genders and different upbringing be the same? The world views marriage as a romance that is trouble-free. The truth is, God created marriage so that we can make him in control of such differences.
PRAYER
Lord, watch over all marriages.
REFLECTION
What is the hardest challenge you faced in your marriage?
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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

HIGH PRICE OF FREEDOM Poem Devotional

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May 23
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God paid a high price for you so you won’t be enslaved by the world.
-1 Corinthians 7:23 (NLT)
HIGH PRICE OF FREEDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Can you imagine being constantly chased?
Relaxing is not something you can face
What if you are addicted to something?
Do you not constantly crave for that thing?
God paid a high price for you so you will be free
He doesn’t want you enslaved and not see
The world can corrupt you and entice you to sin
If you don’t obey God’s commands, you will find ruin.
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Many years of my life was spent running from something. I didn’t even know what I was running from. I was enslaved by my pursuit of human love, affection and attention. Anything or anyone that would compromise my ability to pursue these needs, I ran as fast as I could from them. Seeking for approval and doing things so I could fill in the emptiness I felt inside for many years became my coping mechanism. I mastered it so much that I actually believed so many lies resulting from the lack of love in my life. For over four decades, I was a slave to “busy”ness just to avoid confronting my loneliness and emptiness. It made me view life out of proportion because I didn’t focus on the cross of Christ. Now I know that God paid a high price for my freedom.
PRAYER
Thank you for the sacrifice on the cross, Lord.
REFLECTION
What would you sacrifice in order to maintain your freedom.
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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

WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS Poem Devotional

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May 22
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I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. – 1 Corinthians 7:35 (NLT)
WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you find yourself overwhelmed with so much tasks?
Do whatever it takes to focus on the Lord and things that last
When your life is centered on God and his truth
You will find that his words bring joy and boosts.
Without distractions, you can have intimacy
Without it, you can be quiet and bring God glory
One of the enemy’s many tactics is to distract
He steals our time so we get derailed and lose track.
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How many times have you planned on doing something and discover later on that you never got to it? This is a very subtle trick of the devil. He steals your time so you won’t be able to do what you planned, especially if it will bring God the glory. He is a stealer, destroyer and a killer. Distractions can come in many forms. One of the ways I avoided getting distracted is having my journal and bible just beside my bedside so that when I wake up each morning, I can do it right away. The bible tells us to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. Paul talks to the Corinthians and tells them the importance of being without distractions.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me away from distractions.
REFLECTION
What distracts you from being close to God?
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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

PURSUED BY GOODNESS & UNFAILING LOVE Poem Devotional

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May 21
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Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. –Psalm 23:6 (NLT)
PURSUED BY GOODNESS & UNFAILING LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What would you do if someone chases you relentlessly?
How would you respond to unfailing love given freely?
Wouldn’t your heart leap for joy when you are wooed?
Won’t you eventually respond when you are pursued?
Jesus Christ hunts us unceasingly and faithfully
He will never stop loving us unconditionally
How do you respond to such passion and fervor?
Will you be able to resist such loving offer?
When someone wants to give you forever
Will you say no to a happily ever after?
When you are pursued by someone like Christ
How can you ever say no to a life full of light?
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Courtship is a very essential part of the relationship between a man and a woman. It is at this stage that they get to know each other and grow their closeness in preparation for a deeper commitment should their love for each other grow. Sadly, many people nowadays don’t put much value on this essential stage of a loving relationship.
The bible tells us how Jesus pursues us by his goodness and unfailing love. He doesn’t stop or give up on us. His unconditional love is amazing and incomparable to any human relationships.
PRAYER
Lord, I am thrilled that you pursue me unceasingly.
REFLECTION
How do you respond to Christ’s pursuit of your heart?
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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

NEW IN CHRIST Poem Devotional

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May 20
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This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has now become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. -2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
NEW IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you long to be renewed in your mind, body and spirit?
If you accept Christ as your Saviour, God will do it
When you receive him as Lord of your life
You will be blessed with his Spirit and light.
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person
There is no room for sin, guilt or condemnation
The old life is gone and the new has begun
God’s children and the Father is now one.
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I lived for so long in condemnation and guilt before I was born again in Christ. I had so many strongholds handed down to me by past generations. Guilt is one of the many of these generational sins. I used to do things out of guilt and to seek approval. It never gave me peace and joy whenever I succumbed to it. When I received Christ as my Savior at a very young age of seven, I didn’t totally understood what it meant to be one of God’s children. When God revealed to me his unconditional love much later in life, I know realized that I am new in Christ and that the old life has gone, a new life begun.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for my new life in you.
REFLECTION
What is in your new life that has changed from your old life?
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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

ANTIDOTE TO CONFUSION AND DARKNESS Poem Devotional

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May 19
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Yes they knew God but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks, And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds become darkened and confused. –Romans 1:21 (NLT)
ANTIDOTE TO CONFUSION AND DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are your thoughts lined up with truth?
Have you allowed God’s word to take root?
Do you praise and worship God with your heart?
Do you thank him daily especially when the day starts?
Worship prevents you from the tendency to grumble
A thankful attitude keeps you focused and humble
When you revere God, your minds become clear
You become bold, courageous and never fear.
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There are some Christians who take for granted the value of thanksgiving and praising God. The world hates believers who gives time to God and worship him. The enemy will do anything to distract someone who is trying to be intimate with God. The devil steals, kills and destroys anything that will bring glory to God. He will use breakdowns in communication so that spiritual growth will be impossible. What do we do as true believers when we are presented with such challenges?
The bible tells us the antidote to confusion and darkness. It is praise, worship and thanksgiving that prevents our minds and hearts to be corrupted. Seeking God daily through his word will surely equip us to have victory over the enemy.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be faithful to you.
REFLECTION
What has thanksgiving and worshipping God done to you?
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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

THOSE WHO BELONG TO GOD Poem Devotional

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May 18

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Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. -1 John 3:10 (NLT)
THOSE WHO BELONG TO GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you dedicated your life to Christ?
Do you purposely chose to live in the light?
Anyone who does not live righteously
They don’t belong to God truthfully.
Those who belong to God obey his words
They do not live in the system of the world
They love other believers and inspire others
They faithfully serve Christ and one another.
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Can you easily spot an authentic Christian? What makes them apart from the rest of the crowd? The first sign of a true believer is someone with a calm and gentle nature. They are very positive and cheerful. You will find that they are very encouraging and generous with their resources, time and attention. They are patient and very understanding. They treat everyone equally and are not judgmental. They easily forgive and don’t get envious of others. They do not make a habit of sinning. They are humble and accept correction from the Holy Spirit. They are not perfect but their dependence on God is truly amazing. They love to be amongst their sisters and brothers, the body of Christ. The bible says that anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
PRAYER
Lord, please change me to a truly authentic Christian.
REFLECTION
How do you reflect Christ in your attitude and actions?
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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

PRIDE DISGUISED Poem Devotional

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May 17
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Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. –Ezekiel 28:17 (NLT)
PRIDE DISGUISED
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you take pleasure in your beauty?
Do you desire to be adored by everybody?
Pride can be disguised in many ways
The enemy will do everything to sway.
Watch what your heart is filled with
Is it filled with love and not full of guilt?
Fill your mind and hearts with God’s truth
It is the only way that your heart will stay pure.
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Ezekiel 28 talks about the King of Tyre in this chapter. In verses 13 to 19 the details of how God crafted a model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite beauty. It also talks about how his beauty became an impediment for him to be with God. Isn’t this still very true in our present age now? We are bombarded with materialism and love for what this world can offer: beauty, wealth, success, money, power and many more.
The bible warns us of the many ways that pride can be disguised. It can manifest in many ways. In Ezekiel 28:17, we are asked to watch what we fill our hearts with. Beauty can be a way that the enemy can trick us into turning from God. Human knowledge is another manifestation of pride. If you don’t seek God’s truth, you can be fooled by seeking knowledge.
PRAYER
Lord, guard my heart.
REFLECTION
What manifestations of pride have you struggled with?
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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 PAIN & JOY OF WOMANHOOD Poem Devotional

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May 16
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Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule you.”
-Genesis3:16 (NLT)
THE PAIN & JOY OF WOMANHOOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you experience pain
You usually have something to gain
While giving birth, it may be unbearable
But beholding your child is pleasurable.
Because women are nurturers, they give more
They worry and care for others to the core
They feel more and are affected by things
They love more and learn from what has been.
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Women are very complex beings. They were made very differently from men. A woman’s brain is like many rooms in it while a man’s brain is just one big room. This is why women can multi-task more than men. When you ask a man what he is thinking, and he answers “Nothing”, this is really true. Women cannot fathom this “nothing” box that men’s brain likes to dwell in. While women can go to many rooms in their brains simultaneously, man has to go into the different boxes in his one big room, one at a time.
In Genesis, we learn the first sin of Adam and Eve and as a consequence of that sin, women were given painful childbirth and submission to their husbands. Out of the pain is the joy of bringing this child into the world.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for women.
REFLECTION
What attributes of a woman fascinates you most?
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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