ACCOUNTABILITY Poem Devotional

Posted on February 9, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 8
For we are each responsible for our own conduct.–Galatians 6:5(NLT)
ACCOUNTABILITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
What different roles are you responsible for?
Are you being accountable for them all?
Even if someone isn’t looking on your shoulders
You ought to be in charge as you grow older.
For we are each answerable for our own conduct
We have to watch how our actions create an impact
We must take responsibility for our choices and decisions
It affects everyone and creates a chain reaction.
Being accountable for our own conduct and actions is a manifestation of a mature person. There are so many immature and irresponsible people in this planet. Not taking responsibility for one’s demeanor and actions are signs of a spirit in bondage. There are many forms of slavery involved when people do not take responsibility for what they do and how they behave. It may be a spirit of pride, anger, abuse, trauma, dishonesty, entitlement, stubbornness, defiance, disobedience and the list goes on. For as long as the person does not acknowledge the sin involved in their actions, they go through the blame game all their lives.
The bible says that we are each responsible for our own conduct. We can’t point fingers at anybody. We need to take accountability for our actions and demeanor.
PRAYER
Lord, show me responsibility.
REFLECTION
Why do we need be accountable for our own actions and behavior? What happens if we don’t?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

TRUTH LEADS TO HOLINESS Poem Devotional

Posted on February 7, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 7
Make them holy by your truth, teach them your word which is the truth.
-John 17:17(NLT)
TRUTH LEADS TO HOLINESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you able to distinguish a lie from truth?
If you dwell on the word, it will take root
God gave you his truth through his word
He wants you to abide in it to overcome this world.
Truth leads to holiness
It reveals lies and cleanses
If you dwell and feed on all it says
You are on the road to righteousness.
There are many people who are so confused these days. Even those who are closest to God can get messed up by worldly systems. That is why the bible says in Hebrews 2:1 that we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard or we may drift away from it. 2 Timothy 3:16 also says that “ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens and teaches us to do what is right.”
John said that we are made holy by truth and the word is the truth. We are summoned to seek his word so we can be holy. Are you compelled to follow the call to holiness?
PRAYER
Lord, give me a hunger for your word always.
REFLECTION
How can God’s word protect you from evil and lies?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

A HUNDRED TIMES MORE Poem Devotional

Posted on February 5, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 5
Yes, Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News will receive now in return a hundred times.”
-Mark 10:29-30 (NLT)
A HUNDRED TIMES MORE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you give your all to Jesus Christ
He will honor you and bless your life
For everything you give up for his sake
You will be given a hundred times more to take.
When he asks you to sacrifice someone you treasure
Trust him with all your heart for he will reassure
Honor God by giving him what he requires
He will give back to you more than you can ever desire.
Have you ever been with someone who is generous? They make you feel so loved. On the other hand, a stingy person makes you feel worthless. God is the epitome of love and giving. He gave us everything he has, even his one and only begotten Son.
The bible tells us God’s assurance to those who would give up anything for his sake and the Good News. His promise is a hundred times more for those who do everything to glorify him and his word. What an abundant promise!
PRAYER
Lord, I give you all I have.
REFLECTION
Can you give up what you treasure most for God’s sake and the gospel?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

TRUST IN THE LORD Poem Devotional

Posted on February 4, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 4
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. – Psalm 34:10(NLT)
TRUST IN THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have a lack in your life?
Do you dwell on his word to be in the light?
He promised to protect and care for his children
He will never allow them to be overcome and beaten.
Trust in the Lord for he has you covered
You will lack no good thing if you give your life over
He provides abundantly for those who love him
When you believe in him, you will be redeemed.
Trust is defined as a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something. When trust is present in a relationship, usually, things go well. Trust can be an aftermath of respect or love. It can never be imposed. It is usually earned over a period of time when honesty and integrity is clearly manifested in the relationship. It is very hard to trust someone you don’t know.
When you trust in the Lord, you will lack no good thing. Abraham was considered the Father of all those who believe in Romans 4:16.Because of his great trust in God, he became the father of all believers.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to trust you.
REFLECTION
When did you trust God the most? What was the aftermath?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

CONTENTMENT: THE SECRET OF LIFE Poem Devotional

Posted on February 4, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 3
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. –Philippians 4:11-12(NLT)
CONTENTMENT: THE SECRET OF LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever you feel the urge to complain
Remember that you are not alone in your pain
Contentment is the secret to a peaceful life
It will change your attitude and give you insight,
Thank God for everything you experience
He works in your life to make you resilient
Count your blessings and be grateful for whatever you have
It will prevent you from complaining and being mad.
Have you ever been with a whiny person? It is very exhausting and draining to be around whiners. It is the same thing with pessimistic people. All they ever do and think of is to dwell on what they don’t have instead of counting their blessings. I used to be a complainer so I know how hard it is to be with someone who is one.
Paul talks to the Philippians about the secret to life which is contentment. He advises them to learn to focus not just on what they don’t have, but to be thankful for everything whether they have something or nothing.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for everything.
REFLECTION
How can you be contented in life?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY Poem Devotional

Posted on February 2, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 2
Everyone must submit to governing authority. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.– Romans 13:1-2NLT)
SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you respect and come under authority?
Are you struggling to follow them in all capacity?
Everyone must submit to authorities
God anointed them to bring peace and harmony.
When you defy those who are in positions of power
You are rebelling against God and you should cower
When you are lawless and disobedient to authority
You are questioning God’s choice and sovereignty.
I used to have problems with authority figures. My negative experiences with authority from childhood contributed to having formed a resistant attitude towards them. I became very obstinate and rebellious as a coping mechanism so that I will never be hurt by those who have power over me. Defiance became my survival skill to protect myself from being traumatized. When God revealed to me that rebellion was a sin, I repented of every lawless deed I ever made and realized that my life was very hard because of disobedience. The bible tells us that we have to learn to submit to authority. They represent him, so if we don’t follow them, we are also not following God.
PRAYER
Thank you for all authorities in my life.
REFLECTION
When is it hard to submit to authority?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

STUBBORNESS BRINGS DESTRUCTION Poem Devotional

Posted on February 1, 2015 by ilmaarts

February 1
But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. – Romans 2:5(NLT)
STUBBORNESS BRINGS DESTRUCTION
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you been obstinate to admit your sins?
Do you know that it leads you to ruin?
Stubbornness is a manifestation of pride
It clearly indicates that you do not want to abide.
When you continually rebel against God’s truth
You are inviting destruction to take root
When you turn your back on God’s commands
You will find that ruin is at hand.
Samuel tells King Saul that rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. (1 Samuel 15:23) Because the king rejected the Lord’s command, he was stripped of his position as king. Samuel anointed Saul as king through God’s instruction, but he became proud, stubborn and refused to follow God. Because of his disobedience, God took away his anointing as king and gave it to someone else.
Paul was teaching the Romans the aftermath of stubbornness. He said that when someone rebels, they store up terrible punishments for themselves, just like digging their own graveyard. As Samuel likens rebellion to witchcraft and stubbornness to idolatry, we can clearly see how God loathes it.
PRAYER
Lord, let me constantly obey you.
REFLECTION
Cite an instance when stubbornness let you to trouble.
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

WICKEDNESS OBSTRUCTS BLESSINGS Poem Devotional

Posted on January 31, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 31
Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. –Jeremiah 5:25(NLT)
WICKEDNESS OBSTRUCTS BLESSINGS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get tired and frustrated at life’s challenges?
When you get trial after trial yet nothing changes
Wickedness may be lurking behind all these poverty
Sin robs you of all harvest and prosperity.
Wickedness and evil deprive you of God’s blessings
It opens the door wide to the enemy
Repent, confess and ask God’s forgiveness
Then you will be amazed at how you’ll be blessed.
Do you struggle in life and go through difficulties and trials day after day? I used to live a turbulent life. Just before one difficulty is over, I have another one coming. It was unending. Sin thrived in my life during my early adult life. Denying the sins I was doing kept me from receiving God’s blessings. When my son was born right in my late twenties, God convicted me of these sins and I surrendered my life to him. He poured to me so many blessings after I sought him. It was unbelievably amazing. All my needs were met plus more to share with others.
The bible tells us that wickedness deprives us of blessings. Sin robs us of good things from God. Obedience and faithfulness opens the door to blessings from God.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me faithful and obedient to you.
REFLECTION
Share what blessings you received after giving up sin.
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

LIKE A LAMB Poem Devotional

Posted on January 30, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 30
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. –Isaiah 53:7 (NLT)
LIKE A LAMB
A poem and essay by ILMA
Jesus experienced all kinds of oppression
He never fought back to any of the abuse and aggressions
Like a lamb, he was quiet and never retaliated to his abusers
Instead, he prayed for all the wickedness of his accusers.
He was treated harshly and ridiculed by his torturers
Like a lamb to be slaughtered, he was silent before the shearers
He did not open his mouth to say a word or complain
He quietly suffered and fulfilled Scriptures as he endured the pain.
I had a friend who was a very patient and enduring person. He never answered back or fought for his rights. I couldn’t understand it at that time why never fought back to his abusers. I always had to retaliate and answer back any form of oppression or abuse done to me. I always wanted to get even and prove that I can fight for my rights. It wasn’t until I became a born again Christian that I realized that my friend was very Christ-like. The bible likens Jesus to a lamb. He was silent before the shearers.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to be quiet while I endure.
REFLECTION
Why is Christ likened to a lamb?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

SIN IS BREAKING GOD’S LAW

Posted on January 29, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 29
Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.
– 1 John 3:4-5 (NLT)
SIN IS BREAKING GOD’S LAW
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know the laws of the Lord?
Are you following them or do you uphold?
Anyone who breaks his commands is sinning
For all sin is always against the law and contradicting.
Jesus became human to take away our sins
He wants us to conquer it and be free
Guard your mind and hearts from corruption
Live his word so you can receive salvation.
There are many Christians who justify their sins. They call it mistakes or blame it on a circumstance or someone. They do not take responsibility for what law they broke and they continue to hide it. When they do this, they open the door for the enemy to just barge in and tempt them to sin more. So, one sin leads to another and then another. The only way to break sin is by allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us, repent, confess the sin and ask forgiveness.
The bible tells us that everyone who sins is breaking God’s law. All sins are contrary to the commands of God. Jesus came so we can be freed from our sin nature.
PRAYER
Lord, convict me when I sin.
REFLECTION
What stops you from acknowledging your sins?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

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