LISTEN CAREFULLY Poem Devotional

Posted on January 6, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 6
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard or we may drift away from it. – Hebrews 2:1 (NLT)
LISTEN CAREFULLY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you spend time in the Word?
Only through Scriptures can you conquer the world
You must listen carefully to the truth you have heard
It will make you to understand God’s ways and learn.
Seek the Lord first and follow what he says
If you do, you have protection from being swayed
Spend time regularly to read the bible
It will bring you victory and make you a survivor.
When we love someone, we always want to spend time with that person. When we have developed a strong bond with each other through constant connection, we make the foundation of our relationship with that person stronger and more stable. It is the same concept when you relate with God. When you are constantly in his word, you are able to hear what he wants you to know. You develop intimacy with the Lord.
The bible says that we must listen very carefully to the truth that we hear from his word or we may drift away from it. We cannot hear what he says if we don’t spend time in prayer and studying his truth. So, we must listen so we can hear what he wants to reveal.
PRAYER
Lord, let me focus on you always.
REFLECTION
How intimate is your relationship with the Lord?
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

WARN EACH OTHER TODAY Poem Devotional

Posted on January 5, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 5
You must warn each other every day, while it is still today, so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. – Hebrews 3:13 (NLT)
WARN EACH OTHER TODAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
As believers, we need to care for each other
We are expected to love our sisters and brothers
We protect our hearts by aligning our will to the Lord
We renew our minds to avoid corruption of the world.
Whenever we catch ourselves and others falling away
We need to refer to God’s truth so we won’t stray
Warn each other every day and don’t delay!
It guards us from hardening our hearts today.
What makes a family stay closely knit? Communication, love and admonition are
Important ingredients to make a family centered on God. The reason why many families fall apart is because they do not have enough love and courage to confront and rebuke each other when someone among their family members strays from God’s truth.
The bible tells us to warn each other every day while it is still today, so that no one of us will be deceived by sin and have hardened hearts. Just like a parent would warn a child to ensure they are safe, we also should care for each member of our family to never walk out of love.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for families.
REFLECTION
What do you do when a family member is being deceived by the enemy?
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

HARVEST OF GOOD DEEDS Poem Devotional

Posted on January 4, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 4
You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. – Romans 7:4 (NLT)
HARVEST OF GOOD DEEDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
When you believed in Christ
He has made you right
You died to the power of the law
Because of this, He will make you grow.
God wants you to walk in love
That’s what Jesus died for us to have
We can produce a harvest of good deeds
That was what the sacrifice on the cross did.
Do you ever wonder what Christians would be without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? We would probably still be going around in circles trying to take away the sins we inherited on our own. We would always be striving to be good and yet have no progress in our effort.
The bible says that we have died to the power of the law when Christ died. When he was raised from the dead, we were also raised and as a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. In other words, we won’t have victory in this life without the sacrifice on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our sins.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on the cross.
REFLECTION
What good deeds have you harvested as a result of Christ’s sacrifice?
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

THE UNTOUCHABLES Poem Devotional

Posted on January 3, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 3
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s son holds them securely and the evil one cannot touch them. – 1 John 5:18 (NLT)
THE UNTOUCHABLES
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we are closely walking with the Son
We are the untouchables to the evil one
Engaging in sin is not an option to God’s people
They seek and obey the Lord in all of life’s seasons
Whatever challenges they encounter, they bow down
They are always thankful that they have found
The evil one cannot touch them; they are protected
Believers will win; God guards their hearts when tempted.
How do you gauge if you are a true believer? The bible says that we know God’s people because they do not make a practice of sinning. It doesn’t mean that they are flawless and perfect, but their righteousness is clearly manifested in their humble acceptance of their sins, their confession and their declaration that God can heal and forgive them. The apostle John clearly expounds on the security that God provides to his people. He calls God’s children as “untouchables.” He emphasizes how God holds them securely and protects them from harm from the evil one. As soon as we declare Christ as our Savior, we begin to live in the light (1 John 1:7) and have authority over the devil (Luke 10:9).
PRAYER
Thank you for your protection, Lord.
REFLECTION
How can we strengthen God’s protection over us?
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

GOD’S ASSURANCE Poem Devotional

Posted on January 3, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 2
He has commissioned us and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22(NLT)
GOD’S ASSURANCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you experienced the holy presence of God?
He is in your heart as you accept him and give laud
His first installment of his promises is to place the Holy Spirit
He has put him there so you won’t be lost or drift.
He guarantees you a life full of blessings and hope
He will grant you victory and not just cope
Listen carefully to his Spirit inside you
He will ensure that your mind is renewed.
When you are in a relationship, what do you expect most from these people you relate with? Commitment and trust play highest in rank when it comes to relationship needs and expectations. When trust and commitment issues are breached, many relationships fail and fall out.
The bible tells us that God is a very assuring God. He guarantees everything he promises. He anoints us with his own Spirit by placing his own Spirit inside our hearts. What an awesome thing the cross did for all of us. It has allowed Jesus to be inside all believers and live in their hearts.
PRAYER
Help me not to grieve your Spirit, Lord.
REFLECTION
Why should we never take the Holy Spirit for granted?
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 UNTHINKING ANIMALS Poem Devotional

Posted on January 2, 2015 by ilmaarts

January 1
These people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. What sorrow awaits them! – Jude 10-11 (NLT)
LIKE UNTHINKING ANIMALS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What sorrow awaits those who mock the Lord!
They only listen to their whims and reject his word
Like animals, they don’t think but follow their instincts
They bring their own destruction by wallowing in sin.
Those who defy the truth and continually disobey
They become blind and never see the light of day
They cannot reap the harvest from God’s promises
They don’t have God’s Spirit who frees and releases.
What was the most selfish thing you have ever done? Perhaps it is stealing an idea of someone and taking credit for it. It could be controlling someone to do something that will bring them progress and you don’t want to be left behind.
The bible talks about people who defy the truth. It compares lawless people to unthinking animals. Like them, they do whatever their instincts tell them. They justify their sins to serve their own purposes. They become blind to the truth and believe the lies that substantiate their choices and actions. They bring about their own destruction. The bible cautions us to avoid being like them. Sorrow awaits such rebellion.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to obey you.
REFLECTION
Why do you think we are cautioned never to mock God’s truth?
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

THE ANOINTED ONE Poem Devotional

Posted on December 31, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 31 The Power of God’s Word
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see and that the oppressed will be set free. – Luke 4:18 (NLT)
THE ANOINTED ONE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Because of God’s love for humankind
He has brought Christ for us to find
The Spirit of God is upon Him
He was anointed for us to be redeemed.
He came so we can hear the Good News
He brought us spiritual gifts that we can use
He makes the blind see and the oppressed free
He loves you so much that he wants you to see.
Anointing is a ceremony conferring divine or holy office upon a priest or monarch by smearing or rubbing with oil. David was anointed (1 Samuel 16:13) before he became king. What does an anointing do? In Isaiah 11:2, we are shown that the Spirit of the Lord rests on the anointed giving him wisdom, understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord. That is what anointing does. It brings his power in us through his Spirit.
Christ is the anointed one. He brings Good News to the poor, release captives, let the blind see and the oppressed free.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your anointing.
REFLECTION
What gifts are you anointed with?
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

FELLOWSHIP WEAKENS DARKNESS Poem Devotional

Posted on December 30, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 30 The Power of God’s Word
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son cleanses us from sin.
– 1 John 1:7 (NLT)
FELLOWSHIP WEAKENS DARKNESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are there areas of your life that still need needs light?
Come and gather as believers so you won’t lose sight
Where two or three people are gathered in Jesus’ name
He is there to forgive and erase your shame.
If we are living in the light, we will have fellowship
It helps us mature and grow when we have kinship
It paves the way to the truth and keeps us away from evil
It diminishes opportunities and shuts the door to the devil.
Who are your friends? The old adage “Friends of the same feathers, flock together” was probably coined from Proverbs 13:20 which says “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
The bible tells us that if we are living in the light, then we have fellowship with each other and Jesus’ blood will cleanse us from sin. Proverbs 18:1-2 cautions us from isolating ourselves from our sisters and brothers. It makes us self-centered and focused only on our own understanding and opinion. We were made for others not just for ourselves.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me godly people to fellowship with.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to choose your friends?
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

SINNERS DIE BY THE SWORD Poem Devotional

Posted on December 30, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 29 The Power of God’s Word
But all the sinners will die by the sword – all those who say, “Nothing bad will happen to us.”– Amos 9:10 (NLT)
SINNERS DIE BY THE SWORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you have any sins that you need to confess?
You need to repent so you will press on and progress
He knows your sins and you can’t hide from Him
He will forgive you if you declare your sins.
All those who stay in sin will die by the sword
You will suffer if you live by the rules of this world
The sword of God is manifested in his own Word
It will pierce your heart if you turn from the Lord.
There are many people who have no conscience. They do whatever pleases them and have no qualms whatsoever. They think they can get away with turning their backs on God. They fool themselves thinking that they can be without God’s guidance. They suffer the consequences of their rebellion and find themselves without peace, without contentment, bitter, resentful, without blessings. These are only some of the “dying” that sinners can experience. They may not literally be dead, but they do not realize that they straying from God is spiritual death. The Lord told the prophet Amos that all sinners will die by the sword.
PRAYER
Lord, save me from sin.
REFLECTION
What forms of “dying” have you encountered 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.co

A TRUE FRIEND Poem Devotional

Posted on December 28, 2014 by ilmaarts

December 28 The Power of God’s Word
They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere. – Psalm 41:6 (NLT)
A TRUE FRIEND
A poem and essay by ILMA
Can you trust your friends with anything?
Are they honest and full of integrity?
Can they keep secrets faithfully?
Are they encouraging and trustworthy?
A true friend never gossips about you
Through thick or thin, they will see you through
They can keep secrets and never betray
They will treasure in their hearts what you say.
Have you ever experienced betrayal from a friend? It is one of the most hurtful experiences one can ever have. I used to have many friends back in my country of origin in the Philippines. When I moved to Canada, it was a novelty to have as much friends as I used to have. I guess it is the culture that makes it difficult to have more relationships because of the varying seasons. I noticed though that all the many friends I had were not all true friends. They spread rumors about me as soon as I turn my back.
The bible talks about what true friends are. They are loyal and will never gather gossip and spread it everywhere when you turn your back. A true friend knows and respect boundaries. They never talk ill of their friend.
PRAYER
Thank you for friends Lord.
REFLECTION
How can you maintain true friendships?
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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