June 29 The Power of God’s Word
Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.–Ecclesiastes 9:10(NLT)
DO YOUR BEST IN LIFE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you bring out your best in whatever you do?
Do you settle for mediocrity and not care too?
Whatever you do, do the best you can
Excellence in using your gifts is part of his plan.
God created you to be like him
He is perfect in everything
He has equipped you with all things
Treasure this life; it is worth living.
Do you settle for anything less? My father taught me to do my best in anything I do. It is good to aim for the best, but when you chase excellence, be sure that you are guided with God’s truth and his will. I made a big mistake in the past to chase ambitions and dreams. I forgot that it was not mine and claimed the trophy for myself. The world view achievement for one’s own self. In God’s economy, everything must be done to bring glory only to the one and only creator. The bible tells us to do well in whatever we do. For when we go to the grave, there will be no work, no planning or knowledge or wisdom.
PRAYER
Lord, remind me to bring excellence to your name.
REFLECTION
Why do you think “mediocrity” is not welcome in God’s kingdom?
Tag Archives: spoken word
INNER BEAUTY THROUGH WISDOM Poem Devotional
June 28 The Power of God’s Word
How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.–Ecclesiastes 8:1 (NLT)
INNER BEAUTY THROUGH WISDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
How wonderful to be wise and analyze things
It makes you have confidence in almost everything
One who has wisdom will profit from it
It makes a person’s face soft and constantly lit.
Whenever you behold a wise person
Their face radiates and is softened
Their eyes light up reflecting God’s light
Their aura is a product of a well lived life.
Who do you consider beautiful? Is it the ramp models flaunting those clothes? Is it the actors and actresses in Hollywood who are famous for what they portrayed? Is it someone who is able to afford to have facelifts and alter their looks? I consider those who went through a lot in their lives and have overcome their troubles through their faith and wisdom the most beautiful people. They have that inner peace and confidence that is not arrogant or proud. I got a compliment today from a friend on a photo of me. She said that my face radiates with joy. I thank God for what he has done in my life. He changed me to a new person in Christ. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.
PRAYER
Lord, let me bask in your truth.
REFLECTION
Why is having a relationship with God the best makeover one can have?
COOPERATE WITH GOD AND BE HAPPY Poem Devotional
June 27 The Power of God’s Word
Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.
-Ecclesiastes 6:10 (NLT)
COOPERATE WITH GOD AND BE HAPPY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you get up each day, thinking what God has to say?
Do you want to get things done your own way?
Do you know God’s destiny for your life?
Do you cooperate with him or do you constantly fight?
Everything was made by God to fit in his design
Each one plays a big role in his kingdom plan
It was known long ago what each person would be
So there’s no use arguing with God, just cooperate and be happy.
“I did it my way”, that was the phrase that ended the famous song “My Way.” As young as two years old, I heard and sang that song many times. I didn’t realize that by doing so I have disobeyed God’s plan for me. It is so sad to watch people destroy their own lives by not cooperating with God’s will for them. No wonder many of us feel incomplete, empty and have no joy.
The bible says that everything has already been decided by God even before we were born. There’s no use arguing with the one planned and who knows it all.
PRAYER
Lord, let me always cooperate with your plan.
REFLECTION
How do you actualize God’s plan for you?
ANTIDOTE TO INDIFFERENCE Poem Devotional
June 25 The Power of God’s Word
Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hoped for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent.–Hebrews 6:11-12(NLT)
ANTIDOTE TO INDIFFERENCE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you full of life or are you indifferent?
Do you live life in peace or in discontent?
Is your spirit seeking God’s kingdom?
Are you passive and living in boredom?
Keep on loving others as long as life lasts
It will bring you victory and make you pass
Your life will be full of hope and have meaning
Loving is the antidote to indifference and sinning.
In weddings, we hear couples declare their vows of love. It is the greatest feeling a person could ever experience. To have someone promise to commit to love you is usually what most people dream about their entire lives. This is because God designed us for love. The world has polluted our genuine desire for love and the enemy has thwarted our priorities by making us gratify ourselves rather than love others. Hate is not the opposite of love, indifference is.
The antidote to indifference is love. Without it, we become spiritually dull and indifferent. When we love God and others, we don’t feel discontent or emptiness. We enjoy life.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me focused on loving.
REFLECTION
How can “love” prevent us from being indifferent?
BOUNDARIES OF FREEDOM
June 24 The Power of God’s Word
For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.–1 Peter 2:16 (NLT)
BOUNDARIES OF FREEDOM
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you view freedom as doing anything you want?
The enemy thwarts and uses it to keep you in his camp
When you believed in God, you were set free by the cross
So don’t use your freedom to cater to evil and be lost.
When you believed, you were freed from sin
Your freedom was granted on the cross when Christ redeemed
Be righteous and stay away from corruption and evil
It shut the doors that are opened to the devil.
Dictionary meaning of freedom is the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. On the other hand, freedom in Christ is very different from this worldly view. Galatians 5:13 says “For you have been called to live in freedom my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another.” The responsibility that comes with being free lies in serving one another.
The bible also tells us that since we are slaves of God, we use our freedom to do good and not evil. Love is the boundary that keeps freedom alive.
PRAYER
Lord, help me never to abuse freedom.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to love in order to be free?
WAYS OF THE WISE Poem devotional
June 23 The Power of God’s Word
Wise words bring many benefits and hard work brings rewards. Fools think their own way is right but the wise listen to others.–Proverbs 12:14-15 (NLT)
WAYS OF THE WISE
A poem and essay by ILMA
Fools focuses on their own thoughts and think they are always right
The wise listen to others and not rely on their own sight
Fools always talk their way into getting attention
They always have to get their way to avoid rejection.
The wise works hard to improve regularly
They are always involved in others happily
The wise listens to advice and others’ perspective
They reap a bountiful harvest and is always progressive.
Do you know someone who is wise? What kind of life do they live? Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. Wisdom has been regarded as one of four cardinal virtues; and as a virtue, it is a habit or disposition to perform the action with the highest degree of adequacy under any given circumstance. A knowledgeable person is not necessarily wise. Knowing is only one aspect of Wisdom, the application of knowledge on certain situations is wisdom. The bible tells us that wisdom brings many benefits to us. Involvement in others usually guards us from acting like fools. Self centeredness inhibits wisdom.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on others.
REFLECTION
Why is it wise to shift the focus from ourselves to others?
THE SOURCE OF COMFORT Poem devotional
June 20 The Power of God’s Word
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us–2 Corinthians 2:3-4 (NLT)
THE SOURCE OF COMFORT
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you seek comfort from all your troubles?
Does it seem like you are buried in the rubbles?
The heavenly Father is the only source of comfort
He will carry your burden and give you support.
He consoles us in trials so we can soothe others
He expects us to do the same to our sisters and brothers
Amidst sufferings, God exudes his love, grace and mercy
We ought to share what we received and be a blessing.
We live in a world where people obsess about comfort. We want to avoid inconveniences. We work very hard to make our lives and our families comfortable. We rely so much on our own strength to ensure that we live lives of comfort. We resist any form of change that will compromise these comfort zones.
The bible tells us that the only source of comfort is God. He brings us comfort during our troubles but he expects us to give back the same comfort we received to others. He gives us strength to share it.
PRAYER
Lord, bring me someone I could bless.
REFLECTION
How can you give back comfort to others?
WHEN INSULTED FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN Poem Devotional
June 19 The Power of God’s Word
So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then, the glorious spirit of God will rest upon you.–1 Peter 4:14 (NLT)
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do people think you are weird when you declare Christ as your Savior?
Do they say you are crazy when you sing praises to the Father?
Are you being picked on for staying away from corruption?
Are people angry at you for declaring the truth and shaking their illusions?
Be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian
The spirit of God will rest upon you and will strengthen
It will bring grace, mercy and blessings from your creator
You are part of God’s chosen people and he will bring you favor.
Are you being questioned for believing in God? I have experienced being ostracized because I have a close relationship with the heavenly father since I was a kid. Some people think I am much too creative and that I made up things about my direct communication with the Lord. The movie “Heaven is for real” would attest to the fact that the Lord is there for us when we are insulted. The bible tells us to be happy when we are persecuted for being a Christian for we will have God’s spirit in us.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for being present in those who believe.
REFLECTION
What would insults do to those who are faithful?
POOR BUT RICH Poem Devotional
June 16 The Power of God’s Word
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing and yet we have everything.
–2 Corinthians 6:10 (NLT)
POOR BUT RICH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Be glad when you are in pain, for you are chosen
You are promised a place in God’s kingdom in heaven
Your heartaches here on earth are temporary
Joy will replace that pain on the contrary.
You are poor and yet rich in spirit
Share openly what you have and give it
Be a blessing to others and you will be blessed
The Father gives to those who follow what he says.
The world’s connotation of poor and rich are so different from God’s perspective. Society puts premium on material wealth, power, fame, outward beauty, intelligence and human skills or talents to be considered as rich. It is very different in God’s economy. He considers those who are pure in heart, mind and soul as those who are rich. Those who are undergoing so much pain in life and have lost their way are the poor in spirit. God sent Jesus, to save those who are hurting and lost. The bible tells us that those in pain and are poor must not stop giving spiritual riches to others. Even if they own nothing, they have God’s spirit.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me joyful despite hardships.
REFLECTION
Why are we supposed to bless others?
TROUBLES PRODUCE GLORY Poem Devotional
June 11 The Power of God’s Word
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.
–2 Corinthians 4:16-17(NLT)
TROUBLES PRODUCE GLORY
A poem and essay by ILMA
Does trouble bring you down?
Do you constantly feel consumed and bound?
When we are beset by tribulations
We need to focus on God’s love and salvation.
Though our bodies are dying
God is constantly renewing
Troubles may seem disheartening
Yet it produces for us a glory that is astounding.
I grew up surrounded by people who constantly complained. It was a common thing to hear criticisms and demands from members of my family. It seems like there is never enough one can do to satisfy the expectations of someone. The worst thing is that these expectations were all unspoken and hidden. Thus, trouble and conflicts thrived greatly in our household. Yet, something inside me told me to never give up. I didn’t realize then that it was God’s spirit who walked me through my life’s troubles.
The bible tells us that we must never give up when we encounter troubles. It is so small in comparison to the glory that is awaiting us when we die for Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, let me see trouble as a stepping stone to glory.
REFLECTION
How can troubles strengthen us?









