In Race With Vultures

An Emoji Devotions Thu 30, December 2021

Topic: In Race With Vultures

Highlights: 

Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Matthew 24:28

Listen carefully, as there is a physical eyes, there is a spirit eyes. But the spirit eyes can never see without a Spirit lamp. What is that lamp. The word "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path - Psalm 119:105 which is God's word is a LAMP that gives light to the Spirit eyes. Truly, "if God tells you to do something and you do it" - you will never regret it. 

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalms 25:3

That is just to let you know that God's word is a lamp. But what does a lamp has to do with Vultures? Vultures are eaters of dead Body. which means that any life that lacks God's word in them is a living carcass (dead). Once a life is fully deprived of God's word, such life will will be spiritually dead and there you will see Vultures. What does the vulture do? They eat the dead bodies. Little by little, a life that deprived God's word will become blind. If the Vulture first eats the eyes of someone deficient of God's word, then the Person may be spiritually blind even when God's word is available to them, they will not see the direction.  

"for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. 2 Timothy 4:10(a)"

Such people are those who later in their life denied the gospel of our Lord Jesus and claim they have seen another light. They are ridden with false teachings and addictions of idolatry.

The vulture, are naturally there. Those who do not even receive Gods word into their lives will be eaten away by Life's addictions and troubles. 

Where you see the gathering of people without God's word, you will see betrayal, wickedness and cold blooded acts. If you are a child of God and you are in such gathering, escape for your life. These things is applicable to things we do on Internet, as there are some Website you are not supposed to visit. Once your mind is leading you to a destructive Website know that vultures is waiting there for you (I am talking about immoral Website). Whatever or whoever is lacking God's word as their light may lead you to Vultures. 

... “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” Matthews 19:17

Prayer: Lord almighty give me your light for my spirit eyes to see clearly. Lead me to peaceful grounds and protect me from vultures. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Hard Copy Certificate of Frenemies

 

An Emoji devotions for Wed 29th December,2021

Topic: Hard copy Certificate of Frenemies

Highlights: For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Matthew 5:46 KJV

Who is a frenemy: a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry. It's hard to swallow that you would love your enemy and bless them that curse you. Yes that's what Jesus wants us do. He said it in Matthew 5:44-45 that if you truly want to like God, you should do good to your haters.

Do not forget that if you love your enemies in today's world, you will be passing a message to them that good people still exist. Jesus Christ is intensifying that "being good" is not a selfish word. It's a word of love that has no discrimination. When you are truly good person, you are good to everyone. 

Doing good is like acting like the Sun that shines on everyone. When the sun is coming out, it does not discriminate anyone. So God sends out the sun to shine and it shines on both good, bad, ugly, beautiful, rich and poor people. And When you call yourself a Child of God. You are different from the child of the world. You are like His Sun. Shining the light of goodness on everyone. You cannot love one and hate another. You must work hard to get your hard copy Certificate of Frenemies. 

God is a light that shines bright and He wants you to be like Him. Do not flash or go dim on anyone, no matter the circumstance. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 KJV

There are many advantages of being like the Sun. Think about it. 

Prayer: God I can not deny hearing your message of shining light. Help me to be good as you are. Make me a better version of your image and protect your treasure in me. in Jesus Name I pray. Amen

Your Power is Not Veto

An Emoji devotions for Mon 27th Dec, 2021

Topic: Your Power is Not Veto

Highlights: 

What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

Acts 1:8

Some Christians got power from God and wants to use it the way they like. When their selfishness is not fulfilled they will go on their knees and ask "where do I go wrong?".

This is not about sin. The fact that you have received power and used it to perform miracles does not give you freewill to use the power on egocentric and self-centered Plan. 

The power you received is not a Veto Power. There is a constitution in heaven which is in control of that power. The fact that you have received that power and it worked for you means it's working in line with the constitution authority of Heaven. Once your power is vetoed against the constitutional authority of God's will. It will not work for you anymore. 

Matthew 6:36 says But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 

The above Bible verse tells us that we should seek God's approval first and ensure we use his power with precision according to will.

Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him. Judges 16:20

So you must continue to be strong in your spirits, my Christian friends that I love. Do not let anything move you away from your faith. Continue to work hard as you serve the Lord. You know that whatever you do for him will not be useless.

1 Corinthians 15:58 

Prayer: Lord Jesus I pray that you open my eyes of understanding to live right, under the heavenly constitution and use your power with precision in Jesus name. Amen

The Economic value of the gospel

 

An Emoji devotions for Fri 24 December, 2021

Topic: The economic value of the gospel

Highlights: A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 

Gospel values are what Jesus said, what Jesus did and what He told us to do. What are some of the things Jesus said:

Jesus said we should trust in God.

Jesus said we should respect people's life and dignity. Jesus wants us to be honest in our dealings and relationship. Jesus wants us to have compassion. He wants us to forgive. He wants us to show mercy. Jesus wants people in position to show justice. He said we should treat people with equality including children. He told us to maintain peace with others. 

People's lives have changed due to the gospel preached to them. Some bad people have changed into good people while those who are desperate for fame have become a messenger of good news through Jesus Christ. 

What about you? Have the gospel impact you in any way? Do you believe in the gospel.

As many people who believe in Jesus today have become an instrument of change in their societies. In some communities, some brutal laws were abolished and peace have been allowed to reign because of the gospel.

Miracles are happening. Blind eyes could see, the barren having babies, cancer and deadly diseases are being cured because of the gospel. The value of the gospel can not be ignored in our environment. Just look around your environment either on your phone, virtual or in reality to enjoy the value of the gospel of Jesus Christ today. Most especially read your Bible today.

Prayer: Lord Jesus I can say that you are very important and valuable to me. Let your Spirit dwell with me and around me from now on. Amen

Victory Over Myself

 

An Emoji Devotions for Wed 22, December 2021

Topic: Victory over Myself

By Pastor E A Adeboye 

Highlights:

Controlling your temper is better than being a hero who captures a city. Proverbs 16:32 

Different types of enemies

1. number one enemy is death

2. number two enemy is the the devil

3 number three enemy is death which is the greatest of all and the greatest ally to the devil.

4. number four enemy is self.

The one who can control himself is a bigger victor than the one who takes a city. Proverbs 25:28

Cain ended as the first vagabond because he cannot control himself.

Esau could not control his stomach so he sold his birthright.

Samson lost his power and ended up a blind prisoner in the prison of his enemies because he could not control himself (Judges 16)

Reason you can say no to self

if you are truly born again then you are a child of God who has overcome the world. 1st John 3:8-9. 

The seed of God dwells in you. 1 John 3:9

No matter how hungry a sheep may be it's not going to eat flesh because there is a seed in it that cannot make it to eat flesh

if you are truly born again the seed of God is in you.

Jesus overcame flesh so you and I will also overcome. Hebrews 4:14-16. Although he was tempted, he did not sin. Phil 4:13 says you can do all things through our Lord Jesus Christ that strengthens you. 

The Bible says in 1 Cor 10:13, there is no temptation that will ever come your way that is not common to men and God will not send you a temptation you can't handle and for every temptation, he will send a way of escape.

Zechariah 4:6 Not by power, nor by might but by my Spirit says the Lord of Host.  

Romans 8:37, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father make me an overcomer in life through the Spirit of Christ in Jesus name. Amen. 

Great Words of Elihu

An Emoji Devotions for Mon. December 20, 2021

Topic: Great Words of Elihu

God always does right— and this knowledge comes straight from God. You can rest assured that what I say is true. Although God is mighty, he cares about everyone and makes fair decisions. The wicked are cut down, and those who are wronged receive justice. God watches over good people and places them in positions of power and honor forever. But when people are prisoners of suffering and pain, * God points out their sin and their pride, then he warns them to turn back to him. And if they obey, they will be successful and happy from then on. But if they foolishly refuse, they will be rewarded with a violent death. Godless people are too angry to ask God for help when he punishes them. So they die young in shameful disgrace. Hard times and trouble are God's way of getting our attention! And at this very moment, God deeply desires to lead you from trouble and to spread your table with your favorite food.

Job 36:3‭-‬16 

Prayer: Lord I depend on you, please Have mercy on me and my loved ones. For without you I am nothing. In Jesus name. Amen

MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES; Don't take a wink from the Devil

 

An Emoji devotions for Sun 19th December, 2021

Topic: MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES; Don't take a wink from the Devil

Highlights:

and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 17:5 

In a creep joint where men meets ladies and  money exchange hands for sexual satisfaction. It one takes a wink or head pass to begin action. So many lives have been psychologically damaged and many more to go. Prostitutes have a mother (The DEVIL). Revelation 17:5; That is why the business keeps booming.

The devil is employing ladies into prostitution from all over the world. Many people in a bid to commit sexual immorality have unknowingly fling with the devil herself. Such people are controlled against their wish and they have no power over this addiction from the devil.  Once they took a wink from the Mother of whore (devil herself), they were Doomed. Some people knew they were doomed and they can't even do anything about it. 

King Solomon warned us in Proverbs 6:25-26

"Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; Neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: And the adulteress will hunt for the precious life"

And our Lord Jesus told us in John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 KJV

Don't let the devil steal your soul and do not let her use someone else to destroy you. 

It is dangerous to take a wink from the devil.

When you take just one wink from the devil, addictions will set in to ruin your life. RUN TO JESUS. HE WILL DELIVER YOU. it is time to repent. Let Jesus Christ save your soul from the mother of whore. Do not postpone your salvation with Jesus (It is a ploy from the mother whore to delay and cause more unrepairable damages. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Prayer of Salvation: Lord Jesus, I want to begin my journey into salvation. I believe you are the savior who could deliver me from the mother of Prostitutes. Please save my soul and give me your Holy Spirit. in Jesus name. Amen.

This is, why we should never doubt

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sat, 18th December 2021

Topic: This is, why we should never doubt

By H.U. Wenger

Highlights: “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2. King 6:16)

If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one.

Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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 8:31b – 35; 37 – 39)

The Kingdom of Aram was at war with the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Time and again the King of Aram held counsel with his Generals, but every attack they planned, was known in advance to the king of Israel. The king of Aram asked his staff, who the traitor would be. “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” (2. Könige 6:12 – 13) At night the king sent a strong force of men with horses and chariots to surround Dothan. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.  “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (Verses 15 – 17) Elisha then gave a brilliant example what it means to love the enemies. Those, who came to take him captive, were lead to the headquarters for a big banquet and to be released home after the fest.

Gehasi was the long term servant of Elisha. He had seen many wonders the Lord has done, but as soon as he thinks his life in jeopardy, he doubts the might and power of God. He needs sight. I am afraid that so many of us are like Gehasi. As soon as we face a perceived impossibility, we are losing faith.

Do I still believe in the love of God? I am still aware that he gave his only son for my salvation? Do I still cling to the truth that Christ has paid for all my sins on the cross and that I am now his beloved child, who shall inherit his kingdom and to be taken into his glory? Why do I harbor doubts that I might not be good enough for him? Why do my thoughts leave his love and allow fear to enter my heart? Of course I am not enough for him! That is why he saved me, because he wanted me and he is 100 percent for me! Listen to the apostle Paul and you will lose any reason for doubt. It will open your spiritual sight and enable you to live in his love, like Elisha. Seize the authority that has been bestowed unto you!

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus. I am tempted to see my circumstances greater than your might and power. Please forgive me. Thank you that those, who are with me are always more than are with them. Thank you that your love will never leave nor fail me. Thank you, that you will always stand with me and please let me always stand with you. Amen

WAIT

 

An Emoji devotions for This December 16, 2021

Topic: WAIT - God can say yes and he can also say No

By Mrs Hackett

The Third way God answers is Wait. First is Yes and Second is No, while the third is WAIT.

Waiting rooms are tough. God has a waiting rooms for critical situations. When God says wait. He puts you in a waiting room. he puts you there (in the waiting room) for a reason. Good things are worth waiting for. 

Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. God makes us stronger as we wait on him. 

When God says something twice it's important. in Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Habakkuk 2:3; Wait for the vision, keep waiting. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Psalms 37:7 - Concentrate and wait patiently

what acronym does WAIT stands for. 

W - WISDOM (some people think they know everything.) Wait on God for wisdom, Solomon chose to ask God for wisdom. Proverbs has 31 days , and there are 31 days in a month. Many problems are wisdom Problem. James 1:5

ASK GOD TO HELP YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. Maybe you've lost something and you looked everywhere. God's wisdom can find it. God can get problem solved through wisdom. Answers to prayers can come through wisdom

A - ANOINTING, Helps your words to be powerful. Anointing can help you to pray for healing. We need God's anointing. Luke 4:18 - Teach your children to wait for God's anointing

I - INSTRUCTION - We need to be taught by God. God wants to instruct you. You will grow in the knowledge of the things of God. 2 Timothy 2:15 

T - TIMING - God's time will always be the right time. You may give God a deadline. His time will always be the right time. The younger you are, you see time passes slowly and the older you get, you see the time passes quickly. You can move the hands of the clock but don't forget that God has his own wrist watch. You cannot change the time. We need to put God's time as our right time. Galatians 6:9

Help me Lord to wait for the right time. Don't stop doing what's right. God has millions of ways to answer prayer. Wait for God's timing. 

God is working, He makes all things work together for our good. Do the right thing and God will answer in a big way.

Prayer: God give me wisdom, give me anointing, give me instructions to follow and help me for good to wait for the right time in Jesus name.

Magical Enemies

An Emoji Devotions for Tue 23 February, 2021

Topic: Magical Enemy

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. I have seen slaves on horseback,

    while princes go on foot like slaves.

Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;

    whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;

    whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.  If the ax is dull

    and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. Ecclesiastes 7: 5-10

From the Bible reading above. It is very clear that humans create errors with their imaginations and these imaginations lands them into the pit or to the venomous spits of snakes. The pit did not force you to come but you dug a pit and yet fell into it. Also the snake was lying gently on its own but you went to break into its home and found that a snake spitting at you. All these things started from imagination.

Consider why wise people are lying waste in the city while the unlearned are ruling in the government. 1Cor 10:23 CEV says "Some of you say, “We can do whatever we want to!” But I tell you that not everything may be good or helpful." Fools are placed in many positions and slaves riding on horseback but the rich occupy low ones and princes go on foot like slaves.

1 Samuel 13 Amon was so in love with his half-sister Tamar , a virgin who happend to be Absalom's sister. Amon was advised by his friend called Jonadab to act like he was sick and ask the king to send his half-sister Tamar to nurse him. He raped Tamar and he lost his life to the same course. In verse 32 it was same Jonadab his friend that announced to his father about his death. You see that Amon was just a short-sighted wise man who lost his life to self conceited wisdom of getting what he wants by all means because they look good in his eyes. He believes in short term achievements and refused to recognise that he is digging pits for venomous snakes in his imagination. When he imagined the whole thing, he really wished he could have his wish come through. What a spoilt brat! His friend helped him more into early grave with wrong advise.

Your magical enemy is hidden in your imaginations and they will bring you to bad advise and decisions. Whenever these imaginations come to you, you must sight the pit and snakes immediately and use your skill to drop the dull ax with unsharpened edge. Afterall our Lord Jesus Christ said "whoever wants to become great among you must be * servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be * slave— which means beware of the traps lying as magical enemies in your imaginations to be great. In this way you will be able to map out your way into breakthrough.

Prayer: God, please be good to me. Help me fix my mind on eternal blessings and fruitfulness in Jesus name, protect me from magical Enemies. Amen.

Let us glorify our creator, savior and redeemer, the Lord God Almighty

 An Emoji Devotions for Tue 14th December, 2021

Topic: Let us glorify our creator, savior and redeemer, the Lord God Almighty

By Pastor Hans Ulrich Wenger

Highlights:

• I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel. (Ezekiel 39:7)

• Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

 Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you [your name] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. (John 17:24-26)

I was raised in a modern world with no place for an Almighty God. The belief in him was not only considered outdated and a relic from the dark middle Ages, it was considered a denial of science and obstruction of progress. God got openly ridiculed and so were the people who still bowed down to him and tried to hold his laws and rules upright. With the philosophy of the Frankfurter school, there was no place anymore for an absolute truth. Everything became relative. The only absolute that remained was their belief in the relativity of all things. Truth got totally individualized. It is my truth, your truth, his or her truth, but a generally accepted truth ceased to exist. What had been known as “good” for centuries got now questioned and challenged and turned more and more to notions like “obsolete, life denying, boring and bad and an obstacle to development”. Society got invited to a permanent discourse to redefine the common values, but nobody could participate, who had already a premeditated set of values. Although there were many warnings from watchful Christians, who saw that Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter,” got fulfilled before their eyes the new philosophy made its way even into the church. It is therefore high time we turned around to the Lord God, who is the way, the truth and the live. Whoever denies him has truly no future. 

In our first highlight the prophet Ezekiel talks from a war that is about to come over the people of Israel. It is a war that will show how feeble all the armies of this world are before the really existing God. He himself will win the war and the people of Israel and all the nations will see where the true truth comes from. No longer will his holy name be profaned. The church, that means you and I need to repent and to return to his laws and then to boldly proclaim his name, his gospel and all of his unchangeable truth even before the Ezekiel war is going to break loose. 

Our second highlight reminds us that we are to make known Jesus wherever we go and wherever we are. In him, in his love we have seen the father and therefore we know his love, his absolute truth and his absolute goodness. In John 14:9 Jesus tells us: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” What a treasure is given unto us in the relationship with Jesus. What is still in our way to tell the world that our own hope is in Jesus alone and that whoever does not turn to him will be lost in eternity? We have slept too long and while we were sleeping Lucifer’s demons have infiltrated mankind more and more. We are living in an evil time (Ephesians 5:16) and the evil powers want to make us afraid. It is crucial that we do not look to them, but only to Jesus, who already has the victory over all powers. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:15) Let us get rid of all the deception that has come into the church through the philosophy of evil people and boldly confess Christ’s love and salvation. In him alone is salvation. 

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, let me be strong in you and in your mighty power. Help me to boldly glorify your name among the people around me. Make me a tool in your hand that your name will be hallowed around me. Give me the strength to intervene wherever your name is profaned in my presence. Thank you for your salvation. Help me that I praise your holy name not only in my prayers, but publicly without the fear of being shamed. Thank you, that you are with me. Amen 

The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sun 12th December, 2021

Topic: The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength 

By Pastor Hans Ulrich Wenger

Highlights:

• Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. (Psalm 33:8-10)

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.’ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, ‘I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.’ (Psalm 2:1- 6)

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:7 -10).

For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1Corinthians 1:20) For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength (intelligence). (1 Corinthians 1:25)

In my life time I have experienced that more and more conservative values have been turned into the opposite. I have been taught to revere old people, to offer them my sitting place in public transportation and to help them whenever they are in need. Couples with years of marriage were praised and honored and so on. The house of my parents was located on a steep hill and often times people with loaded carts tediously labored up the hill. Whenever we kids did not immediately run and helped them to overcome the hill, our parents punished us. My father, who was the black smith in the village, interrupted quite often his work just to help somebody. Today the situation has changed.

Old people are rarely offered a sitting place anymore. Rather they are blamed for using public transportation in times the working people need it. Their long years of marriage are viewed as boring and as a lack of dynamic change and on the steep hill people are not helped anymore. It is their fault that they did not arrange for proper transportation.

 God and his law are not totally forgotten, but the whole concept is outdated. What has been good and got praised, is now a wrong way to look at things. Everybody should look after him- or herself and not count on the help of other people. Now, the same principle is at work among the Nations. God told Abraham that his people will be blessed. Whoever blesses his offspring will get blessed and whoever curses them, will be cursed. Since the destruction of Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago, the Nations have collected a lot of guilt by carelessly treating the Jewish population. Even right now, many of them do not want to accept Israel’s right of existence.

The UN plots against the Jewish state, be it that they deny the Jewish history of Jerusalem, be it that they never gave them all the land they were promised, be it that they should give back the Golan Heights. Many “wise” experts stand up and talk against what God has told long ago. Israel will prevail, though they will go through many troubles. Where ever wise people and the Kings of the earth talk against what God has ordained from the beginning, they became fools and will be put to shame. 

In our walk with the Lord, we have to be careful that we always put his wisdom first. He does not change. I cannot serve him and be fight the end he has make known from the beginning. Jerusalem will be the center of wisdom and guidance in the future, and the Prince of Peace will be the king of all the Nations. He became an “adventus”, one, who has arrived, in his coming to our earth as a baby and ever since then he is also an “adventurus”, one, who will arrive as the King over all kings. No human plotting, no conspiracy, no weapon and no power can change something on the Lords plans. He thwarts the purposes of the people. 

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus. Let me take refuge in you. Fill me with your wisdom even if I may appear as a fool to the leaders of the Nations. Help me and help all my fellow Christians that we serve you with fear and celebrate your rule with trembling. Thank you that you will return soon and bring your wonderful kingdom with you. Keep me in your grace and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Are you on the right Track?

 An Emoji Devotions for Sat Dec 11, 2021

Topic: Are you on the right track?

Highlights: 

• For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name for ever. For great is your love towards me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. (Psalm 86:10-13)

• ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’ (John 14:6- 7)

In Psalm 86 King David lives through great affliction. He trusts the Lord for help, but obviously he has not yet seen the light. Therefore he reminds God that he experience himself as poor and needy, but he expects help from God only and he is sure that the Lord will answer him. “Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. (Psalm 86:8) Nothing and nobody compares to the Almighty God and to his deeds. Therefore David searches for guidance from him – he wants to know his way and to wholeheartedly live in his truth. His prayer in verse 11 reveals that he is, however, aware that the human heart can be divided. Yes, I want you God and I want to do your will, but right now, there is something I actually want a little tiny bit more. I want to serve you and I want to glorify your name, but please take me immediately out of this horrible affliction … The wish is very understandable, even Jesus himself has been tempted with it on his way to the cross. David therefore prays for the undivided heart. I am willing to remain under the affliction if it honors your will. Your way shall prevail, your will shall be done. No matter what is going to happen, he will praise the Lord, he will glorify his name with all he has, because he knows that everything flows out of the loving heart of God towards him. (Read verses 11 – 13)

Many years later the Lord himself lives in the shape of a human being among us. He is astounding and he does marvelous deeds. By preparing his departure from the disciples he tells them that they should not let their hearts be troubled, but to trust in the Father God and in him. In the house of his father are many rooms and he goes to prepare everything so that they eventually will be where he and his father live. “You know the way to the place where I am going”, he said. (John 14:4) The disciple Thomas did not agree. He denied knowing the destination and the way. Jesus then replied with our second highlight today. He is the way, the truth and the life and nobody will reach the heavenly destination except through him. That means through his redemption, love and mercy. Could anyone who has shown us such love that he died for us and redeemed us with his Father possibly not be good for us? He never promised us an easy life on this earth, but he promised us an eternity in his glory and splendor. For this earth he told us that we will be like sheep among wolves. 

With David we are on the right track whenever we accept that the only way to heaven is to accept Jesus as our Lord and to follow his ways. The same way he has shown the Father to us, we are now to show our neighbors the character of Jesus. Our hearts should never be divided. We are not to search for a pleasant life free of affliction. We are to put our own will and wishes under the obedience to Christ Jesus. So and only in this way, we can glorify the Father and the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth. 

Prayer:  Dear Lord Jesus, let me be like David and like you. Give me the strength to do your 

will, even though I may be afflicted and tempted to take a cowardly way out. Let me be as faithful to you as you are to your word. Thank you for loving me so much! Amen

The evidence of God in plain sight, but do I believe?

An Emoji devotions for Thu, 9th December, 2021

Topic: The evidence of God in plain sight, but do I believe?

By Pastor Hans Ulrich Wenger

Highlights: But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jeremiah 10:12) 

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:15-20) 

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3)

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20)

In Jeremiah 10 God slams the idols and the idols makers about their nothingness. “Everyone is senseless and without knowledge, every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud, they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish.” (Jeremiah 10:14-15)

 He then makes the comparison with the God of Israel and writes: “He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance – the LORD Almighty is his name.” (Jeremiah 10:16) The Old Testament is full with references like this. In Isaiah 46 God slams the Idols of Babylon and declares that he is the only God who makes known the end from the beginning and from ancient times, what is still to come. 

Today we can look back on a long history how God has already done what he has announced long ago; the coming of Christ as redeemer and fulfillment of the law, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit and, perhaps most dominantly, the bringing back of the people of Israel into their homeland of old right before our eyes. Many more events could be mentioned, but what is said is enough to know, that everybody who does not believe what the Holy Scripture says is a fool in his heart. 

The only really reliable information about our time, we can gather only from the Scriptures. We are living in the latter days and have never yet been closer to the return of Jesus Christ to reign with righteousness for one thousand years on the earth. What we call science today is a mixture of known facts and the satanic deception to make it without belief and trust in the true God of creation and salvation. Be it the climate change problem, be it the Covid 19 problem, be it a lot of other questions, we get only confusing and often contradicting answers from science. For people who are awaiting the coming of the King of all Kings it is the trust in the Father and the Son that makes them uplift their heads in joyous expectation. Their visible salvation is nigh. 

Prayer: Dear Lord God, strengthen my trust in you and let me not be entangled in the confusion and deception of this world. Thank you that you bring about what you have promised. Let me stand with you and before you and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I will be able to interpret the signs of the time. I praise you and thank you for my present and for my future visible salvation. You are faithful beyond doubt and you will do it. I glorify your holy name. Amen.

Rejecting the fear of the Lord and Idolatry

 

An Emoji devotions for 8th December, 2021

Topic: Rejecting the fear of the Lord and Idolatry

By Pastor Hans Ulrich Wenger

Highlights: So Moses went back to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’ The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. (Exodus 32:31-34) 

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. no noBut encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:12-14) 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalm 110:10) 

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Proverbs 19:23)

Inspired by God, Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and let them experience many wonders, provisions and salvations in the wilderness. Finally they arrived at Mount Sinai and God wanted to make a covenant with them. 

He instructed Moses to sanctify them for his appearance on the third day. Nobody was to touch the mountain or to set foot on it, but Moses was commanded to deliver this message to the people:  “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:4-6)

 “The people all responded together, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said.’ So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.  The Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.’ Now the appearance of the Lord was quite earth shattering and the people trembled and run away. They did not want to stay in the fear of the Lord.  “When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not let God speak to us or we will die.’ Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.’ The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.” (Exodus 20:18-21)

 The story of the golden calf shows us that the avoidance of the fear of the Lord was a fatal mistake. The encounter with the holiness of God puts the Israelites and us  in the rightful place. By staying in the fear of the Lord, I am aware that there is absolutely no messing with God. Many people died in this story, just because the people created for themselves a shiny God of Gold and if it would not have been for the priestly heart of Moses, the whole people of Israel would have been annihilated except for Moses himself.

 God has forgiven them for the time being, but he made clear that the punishment for their sin will come in his time. (Exodus 32:33)

 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Proverbs 16:6) 

The fear of the Lord is the main weapon against evil and we better stay before the Almighty in the fear of the Lord, even if it gets scary and we may have the feeling of dying. All the characters of the bible that stood and fainted before the Lord in fear have been touched by his redeeming touch and love. God is never a fellow or a buddy; he is the Almighty, Holy God and father, the emperor of the Universe and much more. But whoever submits to him in the fear of the Lord becomes his beloved child and gets the right to call him Abba, Daddy. 

To be close to the heart of God leads over the fear of the Lord. 

The Hebrew Christians, and we with them, get exhorted to stay in the fear of the Lord and to watch out that no one gets deceived by tolerating Gods of shining gold and avoiding the fear of the Lord instead of avoiding evil. Today we are surrounded by evil and too often the church and believers are tolerating evil in their lives. The Apostle Paul writes in his epistle to the church in Ephesus: “For of this you can be sure. 

No immoral, impure or greedy person – such a man is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” (Ephesians 5, 5 – 7) We are to stay in the fear of the Lord and to encourage each other to seek the Lord who is absolutely good and full of love for all his children that turn to him in the midst of the evil by which they are surrounded. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that you are my father and that I am even allowed to call you Daddy, but beware me from thinking of you as a fellow or buddy. You are the holy, almighty God who has created everything and reigns everything. I praise you and I thank you that I am allowed to stand before you and to serve you. Your ways are holy and I thank you that you lead me on the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Thank you that I do not need shiny Gods of gold and help me to destroy them, wherever they want to pop up in me, in my fellow brothers and sisters or in the church. Amen  

What Can you Find

 What can you find

Highlights: 

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44

You are someone who wants to be seen. You want to be heard at the fore front and see people giving you a standing ovation. So you keep digging, the world will know you are special. You have seen others at their best and you know you so better. All the big names does not seem new to you because you have better potential and assurance that you are special. You wake up and urge yourself to do those things that will get you there. In the midst of all the struggles when you find a hidden treasure on your inside and found A very different valuable. You know it's priceless but you can't value it. Would you be happy to sell give up everything else for that treasure. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News (gospel), sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. Mark 10:29-30

What if I tell you that today marks the end of your struggles It's time to find Jesus in your inside and give up everything for him. Psalm 34:8-9

Prayer: Lord in heaven, who do I have in this world but you. You are my one and only treasure. I will give up everything else just because of you. Lord Jesus stay with me every time. Amen 

Twelve Baskets

An Emoji Devotions for Sun, 5th December 2021

Topic: Twelve Baskets

Highlights: 

They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. Matthew 14:20 NLT

How come there were twelve Baskets of leftovers after five loaves and two fish were eaten by five thousand in addition to women and children? Jesus gave the food to the disciples, and the disciples were serving people one by one. Someone took heavy portion of the loaves at once and passed on the the rest to the next person and once it gets to them, they have enough also to take and pass to the next person. In the end it was a miracle that fed over five thousand people to satisfaction.

As the disciples were still baffling about the big miracle, some folks among the crowd who had too many bread and fishes left with them began to return them to the Disciples: "Sir I have loads of bread here and many fish left with others. we even overfeed ourselves and please where can we drop the leftovers? 

They fetched to for up to twelve Baskets as they collect the leftovers from people. Twelve is an important number in Christianity and in adulthood. It means a completeness.

A little boy gave up his food to begin this story. Have you considered giving today. As Jesus multiplied to feed thousands, He will multiply what you give. As the little boy received complete abundance (financial, health, protection) for a reward. Be rest assured that you will not be forgotten when you give to the Lord. 

The gospel is helping many lives including yours. No matter how little it may seems towards the big project. Give!

Prayer: Lord please give me an opportunity to give unto you something that you will use to bless your Kingdom in Jesus name. Amen 

Give your 5 and 2

 

An Emoji devotional for Saturday, 4th December 2021

Topic: Give your 5 and 2 

Highlights: Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:11

Andrew said to Jesus, ‘Here is a boy who has five small loaves of barley bread and two fish. That's a drop in a bucket for a crowd like this".   (John 6:9) 

The term 5 & 2 came from the above verse. There were many crowd gathering together and a little boy carrying some food to school saw them. He went to see, and he saw Jesus performing miracles and teaching people amazing things about God. As the little boy pressed into crowd to see more of Jesus, he overheard Jesus saying "where can we buy bread to feed all these people". 

As many as the crowd were, Philip answered, ‘A man could work for eight months to get 200 coins. But he still would not have enough money to buy bread for all these people. There would not be enough bread for each person here to have even a little piece.’

But the innocent little boy said "take all - I mean all my 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,  loaves and 1 & 2 fishes. They were so little, that Andrew had to call them little loaves and little fishes which means they may not be enough to feed an adult. But a little boy gave them all to Jesus.

What are your 5&2, are they so little in your eyes. It's time to give it to the Lord. The good news is that the Lord will not only take it from you and eat, He will multiply them to feed thousands. Whatever you are giving to Jesus will also put your name in the book of remembrance in heaven and earth. 

He said in Matthew 10:32 that “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven."

The future belong to the Lord. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalms 34:8). As no one will ever forget this little boy, It's time to write your name in heaven's book of remembrance with your 5&2. 

Prayer: God I'm waiting for the right time but who knows the right time but you. My times are in your hand. Accept me, as I take a bold step of faith to give you little of what I can afford. Let my offering be a sweet smelling offering, holy and acceptable unto you. Honestly, I trust you. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Just Do It

 

An Emoji Devotional for Fri, 3rd December, 2021

Topic: Just do it

Highlights: Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. Luke 19:30

When there is something important you need to do - Do it. Why would you keep the host waiting for you. It is your action they need not excuse. So someone was giving excuse on why he buried one talent Matthew 25:18

It is very simple, God does not like excuses. He wants action. There is no later, do it now. Mark 7:28 A Phoenician woman told Jesus that she will do anything to become favored and blessed by God - “Lord, even puppies eat the crumbs that children drop from the table.”

Some will give rebellious excuses to criticize Jesus but the woman knows that Jesus loves those who get things done. She got her miracle.

Do not use excuse to lose opportunity. Don't keep Jesus waiting. He is depending on you to play your part so that He can also play his part. Jesus will never be blamed, it's you that need to do your duty.

Prayer; Dear Lord. I am an excuse giver. acknowledged my excuses. I have played the pity party all these while. Lord Please forgive me. From now, please Give me your support and power to be resourceful in the face of opportunities. In Jesus name. Amen.