December 4 The Power of God’s Word
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
– Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
DEVOTING TIME TO PRAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you wake up looking forward to a new day?
Are you thankful for seeing the sun’s ray?
How much of your thoughts are in disarray
Are you alert to everything that happens or do you stray?
Devote yourselves to prayer with a renewed mind
Allow God’s word to make you see and not stay blind
When you spend time with the Lord, you are using your time wisely
When you waste your time, you will be consumed by the enemy.
Making prayer a task or duty rather than an act of love is one of the many causes why people don’t pray enough. Do you remember the last time you were in love? Didn’t you want to be with that person always and talk to him or her? You want to know everything about the person’s thoughts and character. It’s the same with prayer. If we love God, then we will devote time to talk to him and be with him so we can know him deeply. We would drop everything we are doing, just to be with him. Just like any relationship, the more time we invest, the more intimacy and growth we gain.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to talk to you at all times.
REFLECTION
What are the challenges you face with regards to your prayer 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
Tag Archives: spoken word
UNIFYING ELEMENT IN THE BODY Poem Devotional
December 3 The Power of God’s Word
He makes the whole body fit perfectly. As each part does its own special work. It helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. – Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
UNIFYING ELEMENT IN THE BODY
A poem and essay by ILMA
A man vows to marry his wife and become one
Believers commit to be united with God’s Son
Married people have roles to carry out for their love to grow
Just like each of the members of the body of Christ has to sow.
The unifying element in the church is the love of the Lord
Without love, no one can be victorious and soar
Every believer has their own special work to accomplish
When each faithful servant does his part, the church will flourish.
What makes a relationship, an organization or a church successful? Why are there marriages that end up in divorce or separation? Why have some companies made it to the top and others closed down? There must clearly be a unifying element that makes a relationship or some companies prosper.
The bible tells us that “love” is essential in all relationships and in all organizations. Each part of the body of Christ has a role given to them to accomplish so that there will be spiritual growth in the church. That’s why God commanded us all to love.
PRAYER
Lord, help me walk in love.
REFLECTION
What hinders you from loving others?
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
SIGNS OF A STOLEN LIFE Poem Devotional
December 2 The Power of God’s Word
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. – John 10:10 (NLT)
SIGNS OF A STOLEN LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you wake up each day with a grateful heart?
Do you have a cheerful attitude as a start?
Are you amazed at the wonderful things God has given you?
Do you protect your heart and is your mind constantly renewed?
The thief comes to destroy relationships and steal joy and peace
Resentments, bitterness, anger, conflicts, guilt are what he likes to sneak
God wants to fill us with his blessings and promises
Watch out for the thief who makes us settle for compromises.
Thieves usually operate when no one is looking or they wait for the right timing when their victim is unaware or vulnerable and weak. In life, we lock our doors to ensure that we don’t invite thieves to steal from us or hurt us. In the spiritual realm, how do we protect ourselves from the enemy?
The bible tells us the signs of a stolen life: unhappiness, bitterness, complaining, loneliness, discontentment, chaos, poverty, conflicts, harshness, anger, selfishness, pride and many more. Watch out when there is no peace, joy, and love in your life. This means that the enemy has corrupted your hearts or minds.
PRAYER
Lord, protect and guard me from evil.
REFLECTION
How do we protect ourselves from the thief that steals our joy and peace?
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
AUTHORITY IN CHRIST Poem Devotional
December 1 The Power of God’s Word
I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority. – 2 Corinthians 10:8 (NLT)
AUTHORITY IN CHRIST
A poem and essay by ILMA
When we become believers of Christ
Authority is given to us to exercise
We can trample over the enemy in Jesus’ name and be victorious
We can also encourage each other and proclaim that God is glorious.
All believers are expected to use only their authority in Christ
If they do it on their own, they will be defeated and lose sight
Without Christ, we can do nothing
Power comes only from seeking him and obeying.
The Hebrew for authority is “toqeph” which means power, strength, or energy. In the English language, authority is defined as the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience or a person or organization having power or control in a particular, typically political or administrative, sphere. The Hebrew definition focuses more on an inner strength or energy while the English definition is more a position that controls someone or something.
Paul explains in Corinthians that believers were given the authority by Christ to empower others and build up the kingdom of God. It isn’t used for personal gains or gratification.
PRAYER
Lord, give me courage to exercise the authority you gave me.
REFLECTION
When have you exercised authority over other believers?
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
ALL QUALIFICATIONS ARE FROM GOD Poem devotional
November 30 The Power of God’s Word
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualifications come from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT)
ALL QUALIFICATIONS ARE FROM GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where do your skills and abilities come from?
Do you think you worked hard for it so it will be honed?
Do you take pride in what you can do without thanking the Lord?
Our qualifications come from God who fills us with things we shouldn’t hoard.
God gave us gifts so we can glorify him
Taking credit for ourselves and being ungrateful is a sin
Without the grace and mercy of God, we are nothing
Look above and be grateful that he gave you everything!
There are a lot of ungrateful people on this planet. I used to be one. It took me many years to get a revelation from God that I was a proud, arrogant and self-glorifying person. I always worked hard at everything I do and took so much credit and pride when I have success on it. I thank God that he has freed me from this arrogance.
The bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:5 that our qualifications come from God. Science wants us to believe that we are born with gifts or talents. The bible on the other hand tells us that they all originate from God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to have a grateful attitude.
REFLECTION
What gifts has God given you?
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 SHARP ARROW Poem Devotional
http://youtu.be/JTLxWe8QxbE
November 28 The Power of God’s Word
He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. – Isaiah 49:2 (NLT)
LIKE A SHARP ARROW
A poem and essay by ILMA
In the midst of difficulties and suffering
Run to Scriptures and you will stop falling
He will bring you wisdom through his word
Like a sharp arrow in his quiver, you’ll overcome the world.
He will hide you in the shadow of his mighty hands
Never doubt his provision for he has the power to command
The word of God pierces the spirit and the heart
Believe in the word so you’ll have victory and his Spirit will never depart.
Is there anything that is pressing on to you right now? Be still and know that God is always with you. He knows your name and every detail of your circumstance and the condition of your heart. He only wants you to call on his name and run to his throne. He provides for all your needs and gives you blessings.
The bible emphasizes the importance of using the word of God. It is like a sharp arrow in his quiver. In other words, if we use the word as a sword to use against attacks, it will bring us victory.
PRAYER
Lord, help me protect myself with your word.
REFLECTION
How is God’s word sharp as an arrow?
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
UPSIDE OF SUFFERING Poem Devotional
November 27 The Power of God’s Word
I am glad when I suffer for you in my body for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continued for his body, the church. –Colossians 1:26 (NLT)
UPSIDE OF SUFFERING
A poem and essay by ILMA
What do you do when you are continually abused and people put you down?
Do you react by being angry, withdraw or do you succumb?
Believers are called to embrace suffering, just like Christ
We are called to participate in his body without a fight.
We don’t need to endure when there is no resistance
The test is in the trials; that is the source of patience
The upside of suffering is going through the finish
Focus on the kingdom and you’ll be able to put up with the anguish.
Human suffering is part of life. The “world” has bombarded society with the avoidance of suffering. We live in a “microwave age” where everything is about quick self-gratification. Society has put so much premium on getting quick fixes and fast results in almost everything.
Paul teaches the Colossians to look at the upside of suffering. He invites believers to be glad when they suffer in their bodies. It is a privilege to partake in Christ’s suffering. By dying to our wants and desires, we are participating in the suffering that Christ endured in order to pay in full our debts and free us from sin.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to endure quietly.
REFLECTION
What challenges are you enduring for Christ?
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
SECRET TO LONGEVITY AND PROSPERITY Poem Devotional
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November 26 The Power of God’s Word
Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.- Psalm 34:12-13 (NLT)
SECRET TO LONGEVITY AND PROSPERITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you want to live a long and prosperous life?
Have you been feeding on the word to be in the light?
Do you take care of your heart and your body?
Does your mouth talk about things that are pure and godly?
If you want to live long and be wealthy
You ought to keep your tongue from words that are filthy
Keep lies out of your lips then you will gain prosperity
When you follow Christ, you will thrive and have longevity.
So many seminars on prosperity are taken by people obsessed with getting rich. In God’s economy, there is a different secret ingredient to have longevity and be prosperous. Psalm 34 speaks about the formula to gain long life and wealth. It says that we must keep our tongues from speaking evil and our lips from telling lies.
I suspect that unbelievers will find this key ingredient very bizarre because they don’t understand how God operates. An authentic Christian who has walked with God long enough and has spiritually grown knows that everything that thrives is a result of a pure heart and a good mouth.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from lies.
REFLECTION
Why do you think people tell lies and speak evil?
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
CLING TO THE WORD OF LIFE Poem Devotional
November 24 The Power of God’s Word
Hold firmly to the word of life, then on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
– Philippians 2:16(NLT)
CLING TO THE WORD OF LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you challenged with life these days?
Cling to the word of life and run the race!
Jesus is the only way to have eternal life
His word frees us from sin and brings us light.
Feed on the word that comes from Him
It is the cure for all illnesses and sin
Work at knowing the truth that sets you free
Choose peace and love and God will make you see.
What world beliefs keep you bonded to sin? The system of this world is very different from God’s economy. The world wants self gratification while the other dies to self. It is not hard to spot the “worldly” from the “godly.” The “wordly” seeks to please the self while the “godly” seeks to please the Lord. Worldliness blinds people from the truth. They cling to lies that will not compromise their earthly comfort.
The bible tells us to hold firmly to the word of life, Jesus. He is the answer to everything. If we run the race towards knowing God, we will benefit from it on the day of Christ’s return.
PRAYER
Keep me holy Lord.
REFLECTION
How do you cling to the word of 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
RELY ON THE CROSS Poem Devotional
November 23 The Power of God’s Word
We who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort. – Philippians 3:3 (NLT)
RELY ON THE CROSS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What are you going through in your life today?
Are you focusing on what God has to say?
Those who worship by the Holy Spirit
They will be guided and their lives will be lit.
Rely on what Christ Jesus has done for you
He sacrificed your life so you can be renewed
Seek God and put no confidence in human effort
Soak in the blood of Jesus; He alone can get you through.
What troubles you today? Is it an unsaved family member, finances, an illness, conflicts? I have gone through a lot of abuse, rejection and abandonment in my life and for many years it had controlled my decisions and reactions. I thank God that he has saved me from focusing on my “fixing” things in my life.
The bible tells us that those who worship by the Spirit of God are truly circumcised. They rely only on the cross and the blood of Jesus to save them and they don’t trust any human effort because the sacrifice of Christ has already been done to cleanse us all from sin.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to soak in your blood daily.
REFLECTION
What has the cross done in your 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