Jesus the Promised

 An Emoji Devotions for Sat 31 July, 2021

Topic: Jesus the Promised

Highlight: 

And he said, I am Abraham's servant.  And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.

Genesis 24:34‭-‬35 KJV

The God of Abraham is our God. It is glorious to be wealthy like our ancestors. Genesis 26:12-14 Isaac the son of Abraham was greater than his father. One thing is very important, you need money to spread the gospel. Your testimonies will become evident when you are rich. A man of God was given a very ridiculous price so that he may not preach on a television station of a province who does not want the gospel shared. The television board thought by increasing the cost of airplay on their state tv would scare the man but to their surprise, he paid and people heard the gospel in that state and turned to God through Jesus Christ. 

There is nothing glorious in being tormented or possessed by demons. When a man is possessed by demons, even if he is taken to the hospital and was given drugs. The drugs will not work because demons don't respond to x-ray machines but they respond to the name of Jesus. Mark 5:1-20. When you see anyone hooked on drug, alcohol or any destructive habits, they must have become bound. It is glorious to be set free from demons and it is more glorious to be the one to pray for the demon possessed to be set free. Apostle Paul is a special example in Acts 16:16-18

I am believing God that as you preach Christ, that demons will run for you just as Philip brought great joy into every city he visits Acts 8:5-8 you too will set people free from captivity of demons and fear of it

Jesus is the promised. Once you center yourself on Jesus Christ, you will become a terror to the devil and become free of bondage of fear. John 8:32, 36. The most glorious part is that you will perform miracles, heal the sick and cast out devils. Mark 16:17-18

Prayer: Thank you father for the promised Gift of our Lord Jesus Christ for my sake. God I'm praying for power to center myself on Jesus Christ to perform miracles signs and wonders and to become terror to the kingdom of devils in Jesus name. Father enable me and my family to do mighty things for you in Jesus name.

Looking into the Future

 

Emoji Devotions for Thu, 29th July 2021

Topic: Looking into the Future

By C.C. Thompson

Highlights

There will be signs.... People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. Luke 21:25, 26, NRSV. 

John also was a witness of the terrible scenes that will take place as signs of Christ’s coming. He saw armies mustering for battle, and people’s hearts failing them for fear. He saw the earth moved out of its place, the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waves thereof roaring and troubled. He saw the vials of wrath opened, and pestilence, famine, and death come upon the inhabitants of the earth. 

Already the restraining Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, disasters by sea and land, follow each other in quick succession. Science seeks to explain all these. The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause. People cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining the four winds, that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed. But when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. CTr 316.3

We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The Lord is at the door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all who are living. The controversies of the past are to be revived. New controversies will arise. The scenes to be enacted in our world are not even dreamed of. Satan is at work through human agencies. 

But God’s servants are not to trust to themselves in this great emergency. The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The world is not without a ruler; the Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own hands...

The important future is before us. To meet its trials and temptations, and to perform its duties, will require great faith and perseverance. But we may triumph gloriously, for not one watching, praying, believing soul will be ensnared by the devices of the enemy. 

All heaven is interested in our welfare and waits our demand upon its wisdom and strength. In the time of trial just before us, God’s pledge of security will be placed upon those who have kept the word of His patience.

Prayer: Dear Lord let your supernatural energy carry and sustain my spiritual lamp in the time the saints gonna go marching in unto heaven in Jesus name.

The God of Israel

An Emoji Devotions for Tue 27th May 2021

Topic: The God of Isreal

Highlight: 

The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Psalm 147:11 

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

Psalm 148:4

Yahweh is the God of the ancient Kingdom of Israel. He is the only God that does not collect any sacrifice or ritual before he can manifest. He only wants our faith and confidence in Him. He decided how many stars there would be in the sky and gave each one a name.

In ancient stories of Israel 

He parted the red sea into two. He turned water into blood. Exodus 14:12

He made a donkey to speak like human form Numbers 22:21-25. 

He turned bitter water into sweet water. Exodus 15:23-25. 

He fell down the great wall of Jericho Joshua 6:6-20, 

He made sun and moon to stand still Joshua 10:12-14

He slain mighty army before the Ark of Covenant 2 Samuel 1:5-12

He made water to flow from the rock Judges 15:19

He made thunder to fall from heaven to destroy the enemies of His own 1Samuel 7:10-12

He sent fire from heaven to consume water ridden sacrifice 1 King 18: 20 -38

He has done many more uncountable miracles like shutting the lions mouth for Daniel, Making fire to become of none effect, interpreting dreams that was not told.

The God of Isreal is great and powerful! He understands everything.  The Lord helps the oppressed, but he smears the wicked in the dirt.

Psalms 147:5‭-‬6 

There is opportunity to be saved by the God of Isreal when you call upon Him through His son Jesus Christ. God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son Jesus, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.

John 3:16

If you are not yet saved through Jesus Christ you need to know him right away before it is too late as that is the most important criteria to become part of the recognized children of the God of Isreal. It is time to give your life to Jesus Christ through faith in him, repenting of your sins and confessing Jesus as your Lord and savior. A child of God must also forsake their worldly ways and follow the ways of the God of Isreal. Romans 12:2

The God of Isreal is the real creator of heaven and earth. Believe in Him and call on Him today. Remember to always praise and Worship Him. For He is really good God in all  time till eternity and there is no other God like Him.

Prayer: God of Isreal I worship you and praise your most Holy name. I am calling you into my life through Jesus Christ your loving son. Please come and take care of me from now onward. I trust in your mercy and grace. in Jesus name I pray. Amen

Don't Gamble with God's Kindness

An Emoji Devotions for Sun July 25 2021

Topic: Don't Gamble with God's Kindness

Highlight: 

Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 

That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:6b-7

God and money are like different masters. You cannot work for both of them.

Matthew 6:24b

Money cannot buy things that God can give. People sometimes get quite angry and sad because they lack money but money do not go to people because of their sad face. Research shows that people who owe others money may become very sad once they are unable to repay loan but the show of sad face does not change the agreement terms. When we honor God who could give surplus of money without gambling with our intention, He will raise help in times of trouble. 

While at the other hand some people will display honor to God when they lack money but once they become rich, they easily misbehave towards God. King Saul was a perfect example who God enthroned as King over Isreal but went wayward and in the end lost His kingdom to another for it.  1 Samuel 9 -26

"but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced." Mark 4:19

God frowns at people who gamble with his kindness. We are supposed to keep serving God always either in bad times or in good times. Keep trusting in God and focus on what He only can do. There are many things that money cannot buy. Money cannot buy peace of mind, money cannot buy loyalty and true love. It is "The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it."

From now on DO NOT GAMBLE WITH THE LORDS KINDNESS. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

If you are reading this and you are not yet born again. This is the time to make the right decision to give your life to Jesus Christ. It is only through Jesus we can have right relationship with God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, now is the time I'm telling you with my whole heart that I will serve you and be loyal to you. Please help me and deliver me from temptations of bowing to worship Money. I trust you are more than able to provide for all my needs. So help me Lord in your name I pray. 

bigger than the Sun

An Emoji Devotions for Fri July 23rd, 2021

Topic: bigger than the Sun

Highlight: ....for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Isaiah 60:19

When I look and see the big and magnificent buildings in cities. I see what money can do and my heart skip and tell me right now that God is bigger than all of them. When you are stunned at hearing that someone very rich is sitting close to you begin to look how bigger God is sitting inside of you. The sun shines bright to lighten up the world. But there is a light bigger than the Sun and all other lights combine. That light is Jesus the Son of God

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Whatever you are aiming at in this life, know that God has already done it somewhere for someone in this world. God who is bigger than the Sun is a bigger light who has promised to shine bright on you forever. If you truly trust God that He is truly your light, you will see everything from the bigger picture of the bigger light of God. 

Look unto Jesus today.

Prayer: Jesus the light of life. Please Enable me to see clearly with your everlasting light. In Jesus name Amen

Waves of Babylon

An Emoji Devotions for Wed 21 July 2021

Topic: Waves of Babylon

Highlight:

Then I heard another voice from heaven shout, “My people, you must escape from Babylon. Don't take part in her sins and share her punishment.

Revelation 18:4 CEVDCI

At one point we were all surrounded by the Babylonian waves. It is what we see around us every day. Have you ever had noises coming from somewhere and you asked someone 'What is that noise? And they answered "That noise is coming from  Babylon". While you are still wondering what is Babylon? Then someone answered - "yes Babylon is the city of the fallen people. it is a place where demons live. a home for every dirty spirit . A home for every dirty bird. A home for every dirty animal which people hate.  Prostitutes makes men become drunk in Babylon. Babylon gives people enough space to have sex in a wrong way. Like this, it has caused people from every country to turn away from God. Even kings and Presidents who rule on the earth have chosen the Babylonian style. The cultist of Babylon has exchanged expensive things from the people on earth. As a result, the Babylonian has become rich by enticing people with their lifestyles.’

 Revelation 18:2‭-‬3 

The waves coming from Babylon is like  sounds of people partying life away. Today Everyone wants to party and get entertained in the Babylonian style. Even on camera, They fight for money in Babylon, they set themselves nude in Babylon, they sing wild songs in Babylon. The Babylonian don't play by the rules. All they want is money and drinks, smokes, drugs, sex everyday in Babylon. They upload it on the media for all to see and they pay celebrities money to show people the Babylonian way of life.

There are guns and blood sheds in Babylon - The prostitutes and filth stay in Babylon. They have done very bad things. Their sins have reached as high as heaven . Just like the days of Sodom - God knows about all the wrong things that they do in Babylon.’

Do you think God is not watching?

Revelation 18:4 says "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

 

Some Father, mother and children even a whole family have died in Babylon and some are dying because they are following the trending waves of Babylon. There is Babylon on every social media websites. On mobile phones, radio, computer and tv. If you are still alive and you are living in the Babylonian style, God is asking you to come out now. 

Jesus Christ is saying "Come unto me, all you that are tired and are tied with heavy burden (of Babylon), and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 

Don't be deceived, Jesus is the only solution. Babylon is a home of devil - a punisher while Jesus is a saviour who wants you to be with him in heaven. Choose wisely today in everything you do and don't get used to waves of Babylon blowing in everyone's mind. Accept Jesus as your Lord and savior today.

Prayer: God please keep me on your side till the end. Let your Holy Spirit guide and protect me from waves of Babylon the fallen. In Jesus name. Amen.

Oil Of Joy

An Emoji Devotions for Mon 19th July, 2021

Topic: The oil of joy

Highlight: 

The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ Matthew 25:8

People need oil to function. But there is a special oil called the oil of joy. Nehemiah 8:10 - "Nehemiah told the people to eat special food and to drink sweet drinks. Nehemiah also told the people to give food and drink to those who had none. He told the people that they should not be sad. They should not be sad because they were giving pleasure to God. This would make them strong. The joy of the Lord is your strength.

When there is Joy in your life, you will be strong. But Joy is one of the special features of the Holy Spirit. It is a sign that you have the Holy Spirit and that is why is mentioned immediately after Love in the Fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22 - They are the first three things that work together to birth the rest of the Fruits. When love is mixed together with joy and peace balance. yummy delicious! And once you have the first three you should have the rest. 

In the arrangements of the Fruits of the Spirit Love is followed by Joy and Peace. Joy is sitting in between Love and Peace. Think about it. This is not the type of joy derived from a grove party or by winning a lottery. It's not yoga mantra kind of joy that only last for a moment of pose. It is the Joy that has Love and Peace on both sides. The joy that comes from being born again. Even the worldly people are coming to realized that Happiness is Free when they see a joyous believer in Christ. They could not just figure out that such Joy comes through salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ. We hope they believe and accept it before it's too late.

You have that Joy of salvation because You have received a new life. It is not people that gave you this new life so therefore no matter what people say and do will not take your joy away. You know there's a human kind of life which does not continue for ever. You are not living as a man, you are living as Christian unto God. Once you do something that offends people, they will change against you. But God's new life does not come to an end and the joy that comes with it does not come to an end too. So this makes you happy and the happiness cannot be controlled by anyone. Congratulations! You have been born again into a new life, because you believed God's message - you should be happy. That message continues to be true and it does not change.

1 Peter 1:23 

As from now, no one can control my joy in Christ and if anyone ask me what is the source of my joy. I will tell them it is God that gives me joy. I will lead them to salvation of Jesus Christ so that they too will all have Joy in full. 

It is not too late to give your life back to God. Accept Jesus as the truth you need to find your way to God and you will receive Eternal life. Close your eyes and believe in Jesus Christ and pray in His name to God to give you His Holy Spirit. Do not do things the old way. Learn God's way by reading A Holy Bible each day and you enjoy the Joy of God.

Isaiah 61:3 - To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord , that He may be glorified.”

Prayer: O Lord I want you to be glorified in my life. Please give me the irreplaceable joy of Holy Spirit that cannot be exchanged for anything else in this world in Jesus name. Amen. 

Milky Meek

 

An Emoji Devotions For Sat 17th July

Topic: Milky Meek

Highlight: 

God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!

Matthew 5:5 

When you reach the land flowing with milk and honey as promised by God in Exodus 3:17 then you would have turned into the Milky Meek because the earth belongs to the humble person. Satan loses its powerful battles against humble people. A meek person is an humble person who conquers all and takes all. 

 In fact, God treats us with even greater kindness, just as the Scriptures say, “God opposes everyone who is proud, but he blesses all who are humble with undeserved grace.”

James 4:6 

We are talking about Humility to God which is beyond gentleman act but being submissive to the will of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is a very humble person while on earth. In His prayers "Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven" shows that He will obey God's will with willingness of heart in both sides. What about you? 

The proud are always doing things in their own ways which somehow seems right but in the end leads to their destruction. A proud person cannot face the devil in life's experience because they do not want to submit to the leadership of God. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 yet "God blesses those who are humble (meek), for they will inherit the whole earth. Matthew 5:5

The great people of all time are humble people. Charles G Finney, John Wesley, Enoch Adeboye, Kenneth Copeland are all humble people. God resists the proud. It is what it is that only the meek person will live long to inherit the whole earth. This only can happen by being saved through the grace of confessing and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. There's no other way. A humble person will rather submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and commit to do His will. 

"He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone." 1 Samuel 2:9

Prayer: God please bless me with your mercy and fill me with meekness and humbleness that delights your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name Amen.

There's a River

 

An Emoji Devotions for Thu 15th July 2021

Topic: There's a river

Highlight: 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. Psalms 46:4

I do hear people say things like " there is a restaurant over there, they have delicious delicacies big people do go there to eat." "There is a very big dog in that house it can bark woof woof". How many of you have heard about people using something to describe a place. Something like there is a white house with black gate in the entrance of that street. The river, flowing calmly and smoothly along in the city of the Lord as stated in our highlighted verse, may be only a symbol of the peace and blessing of the Divine presence. As a Christian, you should give room to that river of Divine presence to flow through you.  Do you carry divine presence of God with you? Do you know that the divine presence of God makes the heaven glad about you? Do you know that if you carry divine presence the angels will hover around you like an orbit even though you do not see them. When you carry divine presence of God, you carry life of God, you carry joy and you carry the map of a hopeful destiny with you. 

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" Psalm 16:11

The Holy Spirit is the divine presence of God. He is a helper that protects and guides his own. If you don't genuinely accept Jesus as your Lord and savior, you cannot have the Holy Spirit divine presence with you. Be born again today. The old sinful way of life cannot help but destroys. It is the divine presence that gives us joy and success. 

Never stop reading the Bible and keep praying always. It is where you will find the divine presence of God. If you obey Jesus completely, you will have good success. Joshua 1:8.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. It is the Holy Spirit divine presence of the most High God. Choose Him today so that your tomorrow will be filled with joy forever. Amen

Prayer: Holy Spirit please come and show me the way to genuine salvation of your divine presence in Jesus name. Amen

Remember

 

An Emoji Devotions for Tue, July 13 2021

Topic: Remember

Highlight: Remember your Creator in the days of your youth ... Ecclesiastes 12:1

In the days when you have the chance to yield easily. When the tempter has not come to tell you to eat the forbidden fruit. Remember God Before you reach the point of making rash decisions while your mind is still in good shape to follow His will. Before you start with things that gets you carried away. Remember God before you reach the point of confusion when you are still ripe before you get burnt up and do not know what exactly the will of God is. When you are still a virgin and your thoughts are not covered with wrong options.  

In the beginning, God comes first to create the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1, Remember Him first in the beginning of every thing you do.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1. Which of God's words do you know that should come in the beginning of every thing you do? 

Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. Psalms 34:1 

It is God that gives wisdom, it's same God that gives direction. Wisdom and Power comes from God. He is the controller of the universe. Only God can deliver, only His words can heal. It is the best option to put God first. Remember Him in the days of your youth. Reverence him when everything is still young, when there is still time, when there is still power. Before you get used up by life's experience before you begin to wonder if anything can move you anymore. Remember now thy creator before time runs out! 

Prayer: Lord you have done so much for me in the name of your dear Son. I will not forget talking about your goodness in the land of the living. Give me the grace and power to put you first at all times in Jesus name. Amen

Who is the Number One?

 

An Emoji Devotions for Mon 12th July, 2021

Topic: Who is the number one?

By H.U. Wenger

Wherever human beings are in groups together, the very question arises without anyone uttering it. It belongs to the group dynamic to somehow figure out who is top and who is bottom. The bible tells us a story of two competing groups, the shepherds of Abram and the shepherds of Lot, who tried to settle the matter in a fight, so that it developed very quickly to a matter of the chiefs. 

Highlights:  So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. (Genesis 13:8)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:9 – 10)

The quarrel between the shepherds had a reason. There was just not enough water and food for the livestock when the large herds of the two men stayed together. 

Abram quickly realized that the only solution to the problem was to create more space and that meant the two men could not dwell any longer in the same location. 

If you have a quarrel in the family or marriage, look if there is enough space for everybody. Often time it gets easier to be together, when each part has the freedom to be enough with him or her. 

A German Psychotherapist coined the sentence: “I can better live with you, when I am more with me.” The way the bible tells us the story, it is quite clear that Abram is the senior chief. He most likely would have had any right, to say where he wants to live and where Lot should go. He, however, invites Lot to separate from him and to choose where he wants to dwell. Lot made his choice with astute human calculation. Abram remains on the lesser land, but has made the better deal anyway. 

He makes peace by taking himself back and giving Lot the honor of choice. Abram displays here the attitude of Christ according to Philippians 2:5 – 11:  “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God, something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Humility and a mindset of servitude is generally a sign of true greatness in the kingdom of God. 

The only way to be the number one leads over being the servant for everyone. Jesus displayed this through his whole life on earth, but especially when he was washing his disciple’s feet. (John 13:1 – 17) In this event he made clear that he expects them to follow his example.  ‘When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’ (John 13:12 – 15)

“For it is the one who is least among you all, who is the greatest.”  (Luke 9:48b)

Prayer: Lord God, please help me to be a faithful servant. I long to be great as everybody does. Let me be your servant and show me how to use my gifts to serve my fellow human beings. Keep me from false pride. Amen. 

You are mine

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sun, 11th July 2021

Topic: You are mine!

By H. U. Wenger

Highlights: But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38 – 39)

God’s history with the people of Israel is very special, because it does not follow the rules of genealogy but the rules of promise and belief. In Romans 9 – 11 the Apostle Paul makes clear that in Jesus everybody who comes to him and believes in him will be counted as a child of Abraham and therefore be an Israelite in the spirit. On the other hand a Jew who does not seek the Lord will not be counted to the children of Abraham. Paul writes: What if he (God) did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” [Hosea 2: 23] and, “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ ” [Hosea 1:10] (Romans 9:23 – 26).  

Only a remnant of the original people of Israel will eventually get saved and with them many people out of the nations. It is crucial to acknowledge that the promise and the warning of the Isaiah prophecy apply to the Jews and to the followers of Christ out of the nations.  “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[Isaiah 28: 16]For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[Joel 2:32] (Romans 10:10 – 13)

 Now, as we have established that the Isaiah text applies to all believers in Christ, we can state for sure, that you are created, formed and treasured by the creator of the universe and that he redeemed you and calls you by your name. You will not always be safe and secure. Water and fire may trouble you, but nothing can overcome you according to the following verses in Isaiah 43 and according to Romans 8:38 – 39. You do not need to be afraid. You are under the watch of the good shepherd. What do you think the Lord may call you for by your name?

Could it possibly be that he wants you to confess and spread the good news that for your neighbor the same riches are available? Before Jesus parted from his disciples he assured them that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and he gave them a mission:  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18 – 20)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for creating and gifting me to serve for your glory. Show me how I can praise you with my existence and how I can spread your wonderful Gospel to other people. Thank you for never having to stand alone as you are with me to the very end, so that I can say no to fear and boldly proclaim your name and your salvation. Amen   

On whom or what do I make myself dependent?

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sat, 10th of July 2021

Topic: On whom or what do I make myself dependent?

By H. U. Wenger

Highlights: Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1; if you have a chance, read the psalm from your bible.)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

Psalm 106 discusses the love and goodness of God towards the people of Israel and their ingratitude towards him. The Holy Spirit was not yet poured out to the people and only God chosen leaders were filled with the spirit and had therefore the ability to live in the spirit. Jesus Christ is the first example of a human being who consequently showed us a life in the spirit. The Israelites saw their lives shaped by circumstances, by powerful people, by luck and misfortune. They cried out to the Lord in their need, the Lord brought them out of the difficulties, but it never brought them to bough down to the Lord and to consequently follow his commandments. Time and again their way was determined by the human and spiritual forces they deemed crafty, strong and invincible. Time and again they got disappointed and cried out to the Lord only after their wisdom or folly had leaded them into disaster. Does your Christian life resemble that pattern? If so, you are suffering unjustly and there is good news for you. Christ Jesus sternly refused to make himself in any way dependent from worldly powers or from the givens of his life. He carefully looked to be only dependent on his Heavenly Father. Whenever he got into difficult situations, and that happened often, he talked to the father and accepted his will. He then acted accordingly and so proved to be invincible for the Pharisees and Scribes as well as to the political authorities. He adamantly trusted his father with his whole existence. Living in the spirit means to make one dependent only from the Almighty God. In difficult situation I look to him. I am dealing with him, not with the circumstances. I do not deal with obnoxious and obstinate people, but with their creator, whom I know to be on my side. I trust that he will not let me down and never put me to shame.  This is how Jesus lived with his Father during his life on earth. To his disciples he promised the same relationship with him through the Holy Spirit he poured out on them on Pentecost. That Spirit is now living in all who got born again. It is only a leap of faith to trust him, who has been given all authority in heaven and earth, more than we fear for our lives or for our reputation. Trusting Jesus and his Heavenly Father, makes us as steadfast and invincible as he himself has been. 

In Colossians 3 the apostle Paul gives us a blueprint for how we can make us totally dependent on Jesus alone, the same way he was dependent on his Father alone. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus please grant me enough faith to make myself dependent on you alone. Thank you that by standing with you I will never stand alone! I know that you will never put me to shame. Praise be to your holy name! Amen. 

Living among crazy people

 An Emoji Devotions For Fri 9th July, 2021

Topic: Living among crazy people

By H.U. Wenger

I have been brought up in a rural region of Switzerland. There was an unwritten set of rules how people have to behave themselves in order to belong to the respectable society. If you wanted to have a chance to once belong to the elite, you better did your best to fit in. Although I often times had a feeling that following those rules was weird and strange, it still breathed a touch of normalcy, because everybody adhered to it. I had just finished my theological studies, when I was invited by a study friend to join him on a trip to New York. I gladly accepted and we enjoyed the musical “cats” at a theater on the Broadway. Around one o’clock in the morning we came back to the street and I could not believe my eyes. The city was much more alive than every city I knew in broad daylight. The street was packed with people, strangely clothed and wearing blinking colored lights on their hats, their glasses or their shoulders. In amazement, but rather appalled by the sight, I said to my friend: Whoever isn’t crazy here must be crazy and I urged him to retreat into our hotel. In my rural and self-righteous heart I could not find love and mercy for the people of New York. They were deviant and appalling to me. 

Highlights: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22 – 23a)

It took me some time to realize that God has as much grace, compassion and abounding love for crazy people as he has for ruraly normalized guys. In a second step I got aware that my perceived normalcy is in many ways as crazy as the felt craziness of the New Yorkers.

In several steps God showed to me that it is not my job to judge the life-style of any society on this planet, but to live in the spirit. The spirit teaches us the character of Jesus and with it the heart of God. It is absolutely impossible to live in the spirit and not have love and compassion for crazy people. Living in the spirit prevents us from being judgmental. Every single human being was created by God himself in his or her mother’s womb for his glory. He delights in all of his handiwork with love and compassion. As a shepherd searches for his sheep, he searches for you and me, regardless of the craziness we have developed in our upbringing. 

As I was walking the Broadway in New York, I was living in the flesh and could not have any love and compassion for the crazy people. I was bound to an unwritten law of a rural society, although I was a Christian at that time. Would it have been possible for me to lead one New Yorker to the Lord? Not with my attitude at the time. Let us hear what the Apostle Paul says: You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:13 – 15)

By living in the spirit it begins to be fun and adventurous to live among crazy people who are the handiwork of God and searched for by him to be saved. 

Prayer: Lord God free me from my being judgmental and let me live in the spirit to spread your character, your joy, your love and your compassion. Let me be instrumental to bring some of my fellow humans back to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen   

God’s unfailing love and goodness

 An Emoji Devotions for Thu July 8th, 2021

Topic: God’s unfailing love and goodness

By H.U. Wenger

Highlights: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1. John 4:9 – 10)

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. (Psalm 48:9)

Among Christian it is generally accepted that God is good and that he loves mankind. Nevertheless many Christians have difficulties to agree that God is unfailingly and absolutely good and loving. Events in their own life or in the lives of people they know let them think that God can be as well quite cruel and beyond human grasp. It is true and God states it in Isaiah 55 himself that his thoughts and ways are beyond what humans can understand. But whatever God does, his intentions are always full of love and mercy. The riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience are geared to lead us to repentance according to Romans 2:4. As Jesus walked the earth he showed us the character of the father. He had to rebuke the abuse of the law of God for human gain, but he never did anything that would have damaged one single human being. In John 14:6 Jesus stated to his disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In the context he had prepared the disciples for his suffering and his going to the Father and Thomas had questioned how they could know where he is going to. Philipp then said to Jesus: Just show us the Father and it will be enough for us. Jesus replied: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? If Jesus has harmed no one in his earthly life, we can know for sure that from the beginning of the world the Father has loved every human being and he has never ever damaged anyone. 

You may have gone through hardship and difficult experiences, but it has never been the retribution of God. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) There are three things that bring us into harm’s way: our own sin, the law of sowing and reaping and all the human attempts to be our own God. 

Adam and Eve decided in the temptation against God and for the perspective of being god themselves. This was treason against God and their sin. At the same time it was the planting of a bad seed that lead to strive, envy, hatred murder, oppression and ultimately to a lot of man inflicted misery. 

Through the act of treason Satan got empowered to plague mankind with all sorts of maladies and misfortunes. Since then we have lost the divine protection, but we never lost his goodness and love, that will guide us to repentance. God searches for you and me through his unfailing love and goodness. The sons of Corah praise in Psalm 48 the city of God and mention that they meditate on God’s unfailing love in the temple. 

In the New Testament the temple in Jerusalem disappeared, but through the Holy Spirit God made a temple out of the body of every single one of his followers. We are supposed to meditate on God’s goodness and love in that very temple, despite all the attacks from the enemy. Whenever we think that God has sent us punishment or harm, we are deceived. He does not do such things. All he does is to draw us towards him. “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:16 – 17) 

Prayer: Thank you Lord for loving me despite my treason against you. Thank you for your atonement and your unfailing love and goodness. Thank you for your being absolutely good. Let me cling to that truth despite my often times distorted perception. Amen. 

Clouds of Possibilities

 

An Emoji Devotions for 7th July 2021

Topic: Clouds of Possibilities

Highlight: If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Ecclesiastes 11:13

The world is ruled by fixed laws, the operation of which man has no power to suspend. There is nothing too big for God to do. If we as human could differentiate some things as little and some as big. It is the bigger that bless the lesser. We all look up to God for everything not the other way round. Jeremiah 32:27 “Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me? Our God is able to achieve his purpose with or without us. It is the best to allow God achieve His purpose through us so that He will be happy with us. Whoever makes God happy is filling up their clouds with possibilities. When the Isrealites turned away from God their deliverer, He sent Jesus to save the gentiles. Today God is achieving His purpose of salvation through everyone who preaches the gospel of Christ be it Jew or gentiles. I Sam 2:30 ....But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me. That is why we must honor God in our lives. Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him (Psalms 115:3) He can decide to raise the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; to seats them with princes. He can also decide to make childless woman to become happy mother of children. Psalm 113:7-9

Search your life very well if you are praising God enough. Do not provoke God to look elsewhere for worshipers. You must not get tired of worshipping God everyday because that is the purpose we were all made. Luke 19:40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Keep trusting in the Lord with all your heart. See Him as big as He is. For He is able to make a way where there is no way. He sees what we cannot see. He is the God of possibilities.

Prayer: Help me Lord to make you happy always in the name of Jesus Christ my Redeemer. Amen. 

I will Continue to trust God

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sun July 4, 2021

Topic: I will continue to trust God

Highlight: Even if a whole army comes to fight against me, I will not be afraid. Even if they attack me in war, I will continue to trust God.

Psalms 27:3 

“When you hear music, you are to fall 

down and worship the statue.” The penalty for defying this law was severe. “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire” (Daniel 3:6).

That is what today's world music and system teaches us that whoever does not fall down and worship money and fame will immediately be thrown into blazing fire. We watched it in the movies and see videos how celebrities shows only nudity to express their songs. They show drinking and smoking in cinema as if those are the real ways of enjoyment. Then you see real world People who knows nothing going to grocery stores to buy themselves lighter, smokes, and alcohol to copies the ways of celebrities and in the end find themselves having mental disorder.

 Some of the celebrities claimed they sold their soul to the devil before they become rich. They promote wild partying and gangster disciples. They tell teenagers to be rude to adults and make youths see humility as being a simp. They call it different names like "if you don't go hard you go home" in order to make people desperate for money and fame they tell you to join the trend. They use the social trend to lure the youths to do the unthinkable and they are falling for it because they believe that if you don't bow, you will be thrown in the fire. 

In order to be rich and famous some of the youths have turned worse by living notorious lifestyles that has destroyed their liver and kidneys. The ladies call themselves diva and want people in the neighborhood to worship them so they dress to kill and mingle with drug addicts. The ladies wants only guys that has money and exotic cars while the boys are losing their self esteem into suicide, drug addict, gambling, cultism and indecent movies.

They were not told the right thing. That those things they were made to bow to cannot save them but destroy them and they were not told that those who trust God and lives godly lifestyles are the best and they are the mentally healthy people in the society. Though David was a Shepherd boy, he lives a godly life and ended up becoming the King of His Nation. Though Joseph was sent to Prison for not committing fornication, he still became a prime Minister of his time. How many drug addict will be elected as a president of their nation today?

Though Shadrach Meshach and Abednego did not bow to threat of fire they became promoted in their time because they chose to obey God. 

Greatness in life and good health is reserved for God's children only. Even in places of honor great men and women want to deal with honest people. Nobody wants to associate with a miscreant. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12

Even if a whole army comes to fight against me, I will not be afraid. Even if they attack me in war, I will continue to trust God. What about you? 

Prayer: Father Please help me to continue to trust you in this world and in the world to come. In Jesus name. Amen

When approaching the table

An Emoji Devotions for Sat July 3, 2021

Topic: When approaching the table

Highlight: 

You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.

Psalms 23:5 

..... “The banquet is ready! My cattle and prize calves have all been prepared. Everything is ready. Come to the banquet!”

Matthew 22:4

When you are attuned to God, you will love what He has prepared for feasting. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

However when you are coming to the table. It is important to come in the right settings.  When the king went in to meet the guests, he found that one of them wasn't wearing the right kind of clothes for the wedding. The king asked, “Friend, why didn't you wear proper clothes for the wedding?” But the guest had no excuse.

Matthew 22:11‭-‬12 

Apostle James said You people aren't faithful to God! Don't you know if you love the world, you are God's enemies? And if you decide to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

James 4:4 

You do not dress like the world. Your dressing must be matched with God's approved dress code when you are approaching the table prepared by the almighty God. What is the right dress code? 

Isaiah 61:3 gave us a hint about "garment of expressive praise" which means we should enter his gates with Thanksgiving and affectionate praise. 

Isaiah 61:10 gave us a hint about "clothes of Salvation and Coats of Righteousness". Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head. Ecclesiastes 9:8

It is only through Jesus Christ we can have the perfect and fitting garment for the beautiful feast prepared by God. Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 Please accept and believe in Jesus Christ alone as the way forward to your divine feasting with God. 

Make up your mind today to enter into the garden of God's presence with the right apparel. Remember that God asks many people to come to him. But He only chooses a few people to be there with him.’

 Matthew 22:14

Praise: I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. in Jesus name. Amen

Wings of God

 

An Emoji Devotions for  Thursday 1st July, 2021

Topic: Wings of God.

Highlight: 

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:26

The wings of God have been carved into the grace of our Lord Jesus to help you soar effortlessly on the winds of life. Like birds do fly to the top of mountains for safety without effort. Likewise, You do not need efforts to get to the top if you believe and accept the grace of our Lord Jesus into your life. The grace of our Lord is the wing of God not your wing. So you do not have to worry on how and when to use it. "And who of you by worrying is able to add one cubit to his stature?". It is like how babies keep growing to adult without effort. It does not require worries but it requires  attention. You should be careful not to fall from the wing of grace of God if you worry too much or think it's through your efforts you can accomplish your goals. 

Zero worries does not mean to be carefree with life. When you consider how the beautiful flowers do not labor or spin to grow but they require enough sunlight, air, water, and nutrients from soil to 'wake up' and sprout, or germinate. That's how every born again Christians should be firmly connected to their source through God's word in order to fly high on the wings of God's grace. 

Mark 4:20... like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

Soaring on God's wing requires daily nurturing on God's words to turn our lives beautifully and fruitful and to make us become wiser than Solomon. Your heavenly father knows what you need and would not want you to stress for it but to ride on His wings. Anyone who rides on God's wing will not strike their foot against a stone. Psalm 91:12. You must believe and accept how the grace of our Lord Jesus works. For the Lord blesses all those who meditate on His words day and night with good success. Joshua 1:8. Remove all doubt and worries from your mind and replace them with confidence in the promises of God's word. 

"So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail." Acts 19:20

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven [standing firm and unchangeable]. Psalms 119:89

Now you know the reason why Apostle Paul always end His letters with "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Begin to soar of God's wings today. 

Prayer: O Lord Let your wings of grace migrate me into your presence forever and let me experience eternal life of your living words in Jesus name.