Tag Archives: spoken word

ON CHEATING GOD Poem Devotional

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March 28
Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!” But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.” – Malachi 3:8-9 (NLT)
ON CHEATING GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you totally honest with the Lord?
Would you do anything to bring him laud?
Are you faithful in bringing your tithes and offerings?
Do you prioritize so you can have more time with him?
How can anyone cheat the Lord of anything?
He is omniscient and sees everything
When you don’t bring the tithes to his church faithfully
You are sowing selfishness and will reap chaos and poverty.
Have you ever cheated on God purposely? I know a lot of Christians would instantly answer “Of course not!” to this question. Think again. There are many ways that you may have stolen or cheated on God. You may have wasted the gifts that God has given you by using it for your own pleasure. You may have prioritized someone or something more than God. You may have hoarded money or a prized possession when God instructed you to give it away.
The bible says that you actually cheat God when you don’t bring your tithes and offerings to him. The Hebrew and Greek words for “tithe” both simply mean “a tenth.” We are required to bring one tenth of what we earn to God.
PRAYER
Lord, grant me a generous heart.
REFLECTION
Why do you think God requires us to tithe?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

LIVING BY THE WORLD’S STANDARDS Poem Devotional

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March 27
Because you still live as people of this world live. When there is jealousy among you and you quarrel with one another, doesn’t this prove that you belong to this world, living by its standards? – 1 Corinthians 3:3(GNB)
LIVING BY THE WORLD’S STANDARDS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you a true believer who lives for Christ?
Do you read God’s word for insight?
When jealousy and strife are alive
It is hard to allow the truth to thrive.
When you live as people of this world do
It is impossible to allow the Spirit to get through
Your spirit lives in a body amidst a fallen world
The only way to have victory is by seeking the word.
Do you meditate on the word of God daily? As a Christian, it is essential that we focus on God’s word in order to be protected from the evil that is in the world. How can we know if we are living by the world’s standards?
The bible says clearly that how we live our lives is a clear indication whether we belong to God or to this fallen world. When our lives are full of conflicts, jealousy, anger, bitterness, resentment, un-forgiveness, ambition, pride and many other sins, we know that we belong to this world. When you decided to accept Jesus in your life, the Holy Spirit lives in you and guides you to overcome this world.
PRAYER
Thank you Spirit for living in me.
REFLECTION
How can you protect yourself from the corruption of this world?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

GOD’S FAVORITES Poem Devotional

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March 26
He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.
1 Samuel 2:8(NLT)
GOD’S FAVORITES
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you living in hopelessness and anxiety?
Is your heart broken or are you very needy?
Have you been oppressed and enslaved?
Be happy when you do things for Christ’s sake.
You are God’s favorite; he lifts the poor from the dust
He brings those who are needy away from the dump
He heals the most broken and confused people
He abhors wickedness and brings down the cruel.
Do you have any form of poverty in your life? Were you ever deprived of love and respect? Have you been abused or oppressed by anyone? Are you marginalized because of faith, status, color or literacy? Are you in constant pain from emotional or physical traumas? If you answer yes to any of these questions, be joyful for you are one of God’s favorites.
The bible tells us that God lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He loves to work on those who are poor and needy. He works best in our weakness. Christ came to save the broken and the poor. He uses circumstances that exhibit weaknesses so he can make people experience his forgiveness, mercy and grace. Without such weaknesses, we usually don’t run to God for assistance. Without powerlessness, we rely on ourselves too much.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for my weaknesses.
REFLECTION
Are you one of God’s favorites?
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

NOWHERE TO HIDE Poem Devotional

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March 25
Stop acting so proud and haughty. Don’t speak with such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows what you have done. He will judge your actions.
-1 Samuel 2:3(NLT)
NOWHERE TO HIDE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you really think that God can’t see what you do?
There is no reason to hide or find a place to run to
Stop acting so proud and haughty
Give up arrogance and being snooty
The Lord is a God who knows everything
There is nowhere to hide from a supreme being
He knows what you’ve done and what you’re feeling
He is all seeing, all knowing and all loving
Run back to his arms instead of rebelling.
Have you ever tried to hide a secret that you have done in the past that you were not proud of? Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to keep on hiding and running especially from the people who love and trust you? It is stressful to keep pretending to clean up a mess you have done. Sooner or later, someone is going to discover whatever you have been hiding. There is no secret that God doesn’t know.
The bible warns us from acting proud and being haughty. He doesn’t want us to speak arrogantly. God sees and knows what we are about to do or what we have done. He will judge our actions.
PRAYER
Lord, convict me of pride.
REFLECTION
What must a Christian do to avoid pride?
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

WHERE TO PRAY Poem Devotional

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March 24
But when you pray, go away by yourself. Shut the door behind you and pray to your father in private. Then your father who sees everything will reward you.
– Matthew 6:6 (NLT)
WHERE TO PRAY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you spend time with Jesus alone?
Do you set a mood and tone?
How much focus do you give to Christ?
Do you to hear his voice and insights?
When you pray, be alone with only him
Don’t let anyone know about it or be seen
Just as you are intimate with earthly relationships
Christ longs for your total faithfulness and friendship.
When you are in a very serious romantic relationship, don’t you find yourself wanting to be with that person as much as you can? Even with your own children, you want to know everything that happens with them. Our heavenly father expects from us the same. How would you feel if someone who claims they love you does not even spend intimate time with you?
The bible tells us that when we pray, we have to go away by ourselves, shut the door behind us and pray to our father in private. Then he will reward you. Do you flaunt to others how you pray like the Pharisees in Jesus’ time did? We are expected to have a private intimate time with God as often as we can.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank you for calling me to intimacy.
REFLECTION
Why is it essential for a Christian to pray in private?
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 STABLE GOD Poem Devotional

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March 23
I am the Lord and I do not change, that is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. – Malachi 3:6 (NLT)
A STABLE GOD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know anyone who is always dependable?
Isn’t every person you know changeable?
When you need someone in times of trouble
Are they there to get you out of the rubble?
The Lord never changes, he is a stable God
He is always there to forgive no matter how bad
You can depend on him for he is faithful
Give praise to a God who is amazing and wonderful.
The only thing constant in this world is change. People, feelings, circumstances, surroundings, climate, health, status and many more go through change. It is an inevitable process in our physical world. It is a fact of life. This is the reason why no one is really dependable constantly.
I used to be a very needy person because I wasn’t really able to get my basic loving needs met as a child. I depend so much on others to be provided with my needs. I always end up frustrated because most of the time, people let me down. I can’t depend on them.
The bible says that our God is someone who does not change. He is constant, dependable and faithful. He always forgives and gives us chances to reach our fullest potential. He never gives up on us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being constant.
REFLECTION
How can you pay back God’s stability and constancy?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotionals, or go to or to receive emails of the poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

THE SECRET TO PURITY Poem Devotional

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March 22
How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. –Psalm 119:9(NLT)
THE SECRET TO PURITY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Can doing good keep your heart pure?
Are you falling into the devil’s lure?
Obedience to God’s word is the secret to purity
The enemy cannot penetrate if you obey faithfully.
It is lawlessness that opens doors for the enemy
Follow God’s commands and you’ll have victory
While you are still young, make the habit of obeying
It will benefit your life and keep you from suffering.
There were many lawless years I lived. I thank the Lord that he has saved me and freed me from the spirit of rebellion and disobedience. It was tiring to constantly prove that everyone was wrong and I was right. I filled my mind and heart with all the worldly pursuits that didn’t really aligned with God’s will and commands. Because of many painful experiences in my childhood, rebellion became my coping mechanism which utterly destroyed me and many relationships I was involved with.
The bible tells us the secret to purity. It is by obeying God’s word that we can stay pure. When we hunger and seek only the truth that comes from the word of God, we are protected from lies. We can easily detect the enemy’s ploy if we know the truth. Without the truth, we will easily be deceived by lies.
PRAYER
Lord, show me how to obey you constantly.
REFLECTION
How can obedience be a factor in maintaining your heart pure?
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

HIDE GOD’S WORD IN YOUR HEART Poem Devotional

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March 21
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
– Psalm 119:11(NLT)
HIDE GOD’S WORD IN YOUR HEART
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your heart today?
Is it to please God in every way?
Does it harbor guilt or un-forgiveness?
Is it filled with God’s righteousness?
Hide his word in your heart
It protects you from turning back
It is the sword of your spirit
Use it so the enemy will retreat.
I started memorizing the word of God for almost four years now. It has totally changed my life when I decided to use it to change many negative circumstances in my life. When I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder four years ago, the enemy used all my past traumas to enslave me through lies. Satan was going to destroy my marriage with more lies. He kept me believing all these lies since I was a child. Whenever I have panic attacks, I used the word of God as a weapon to cut free from the lies and replace my thoughts with truth. I confessed God’s truth as soon as lies start to trickle. The bible tells us that we need to hide God’s word in our hearts so that we will be protected from sinning and bondage. It is the sword of the spirit. It has power; it is alive and it transforms us.
PRAYER
Keep my heart full of your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is memorizing, confessing and living God’s word essential?
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

SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE Poem Devotional

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March 20
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ who is the head of his body, the church. –Ephesians 4:15(NLT)
SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE
A poem and essay by ILMA
When someone needs encouragement
Or when anyone has an ailment
Do we speak the truth in love?
Do we lead them back to God?
Christ is the head of his body
Are we faithful to follow the one and only?
Walk and confess his truth gently to others
Christ wants us to love our sisters and brothers.
It is a very challenging task to do when you are still spiritually immature to speak the truth in love to others. I used to preach to unbelievers and new believers what I have just learned from God. Sometimes it doesn’t work well because I do not listen to the Holy Spirit’s prodding. No believer can impose the truth on those who do not want them. Even Jesus himself didn’t force anyone to believe and follow him. He asked people what they wanted him to do for them during his ministry. He is always respectful and gentle. The bible tells us that we must speak the truth in love so we can grow more and more like Jesus who is the head of the church. Actions coupled with confession of the truth in love are essential in witnessing for Christ.

PRAYER
Lord, give me the right words to speak your truth.
REFLECTION
How can speaking in a loving way be more effective than forceful language?
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

SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY Poem Devotional

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March 19
He saved us not because of the righteous thing we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit. – Titus 3:15(NLT)
SALVATION THROUGH GOD’S MERCY
A poem and essay by ILMA
We can never achieve our own salvation
He washed away our sins through his sanctification
He saved us not because of the righteous things we’ve done
He ransomed our sins through Jesus, his only begotten Son.
We can never boast any works we are doing
His mercy is given freely to those who are trusting
He gave us new birth and new life through his Spirit
We have to be thankful and grateful as we receive it.
I used to work at my own salvation. I didn’t understand “mercy and grace” then. I grew up being taught that performing works for God is the only way I was going to be saved. Just like how I was conditioned to perform well in school to attain my parents’ approval, I also thought that God was the same way with me.
The bible tells us that he saved us not because of the righteous things we do but because of God’s mercy. He washed our sins away and gave us new life through the Holy Spirit who convicts us when we do wrong and correct us so we can be righteous in Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for saving me.
REFLECTION
How can mercy and grace change our thinking?
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