Friends or Fences

 

An Emoji devotions for Thu, March 31, 2022

Topic: Friends or Fences

Highlight: Jesus wept.

John 11:35 

See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Luke 11:35

Jesus wept for his friend in John 11:35 but he did not lose hope. He bounced back in hope and raised up Lazarus. weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. See to it that your hope is not covered with darkness. It is very dangerous to weep and lose hope. Seeing other people weeping may make you too want to cry but after the cry Psalms 30:5 says Joy comes in the morning; provided you do not lose your hope in God. If Jesus had lost his hope, Lazarus could have been buried. Other people has lost hope and it made Jesus too cry because they were crying but though Jesus wept He did not let darkness cover his mind. He was able to say "Lazarus come forth" with hope of resurrection. (John 11:43)

It takes only grace of God to stand strong. in John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;"

in Psalm 30:5 even though you think that maybe God is angry with you: 

His anger lasts for a little while, but then his kindness brings life. The night may be filled with tears, but in the morning we can sing for joy!

Psalms 30:5 ERV

Build your fences with hope in God's mercy and grace. Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one! God is the one who makes them right.

Romans 8:33 ERV

Please be strong, please build your fences with God's favor today. 

Psalm 5;12 Lord, when you bless good people, you surround them with your love, like a large shield that protects them.

Psalms 5:12 

John 3:16 Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.

Do not let anything weigh you down. Keep your hope bright. There is joy when the morning comes and be sure to wait for it.

Prayer: In Jesus name I accept the advice of the Holy Spirit. I remain confident that I will see the goodness of God in the land of the living. Amen.

When God is Near There is Peace

 

An Emoji Devotional for Sun, March 27 2022

Topic: When God is near there is peace.

Highlight: 

The Lord is Near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

Why is your heart troubled? so many things on our mind lately. We need someone to help with our burdens. Jesus said it, maybe you did not remember: “Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 ERV

Whatever is giving you sleepless night can be handled by Jesus if you follow his teachings. 

"Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.”

Matthew 11:29‭-‬30 ERV

Though the Lord is near, he wants you to come.  Even if you cannot come to Jesus because of forces of life holding you bound, you can beg God to bid you to come to Him because once Jesus asks you to come, no power can hold you down. And wherever Jesus is, you find peace and joy.

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

You do not need to resist your anxieties or anything bothering your heart. Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God by asking Jesus to bid your anxieties away according to the will of God. Remember to abide in God's word which is the teachings of Jesus which you can find daily in the Bible.

Remember that Jesus is in the midst of your storm. Wake him up like the apostles did and ask Him to help you with peace that surpasses all understanding.

Prayer: Lord Jesus please bid me to come into your peace that passes all understanding. I pray with Thanksgiving in your name. Amen

Tychicus the brother we love

 

An Emoji devotions for Wed, March 23, 2022

Topic: Tychicus the brother we love

Highlight:

I am sending you Tychicus, the brother we love. He is a faithful servant of the Lord’s work. He will tell you everything that is happening with me. Then you will know how I am and what I am doing.

Ephesians 6:21 ERV

It's not easy to be loved this days most especially when you are a Christian because the people of the world see gentleness as weakness and sees love as slowness. They see hope and faith as waste of time. 

Apostle Paul categorically called Tychicus, the brother we love just like John the one whom Jesus loved. (John 21:20). This reflect to the brotherly love of Christ in which the Christian faith was built. For the Apostle Paul to send Tychicus, they must have found in him the quality of someone who could withstand the tricks of the devil. 

So Tychicus must have had the belt of truth tied around his waist, which means he always says the truth even at the point of death and on his chest he has worn the protection of right living (breast plate of righteousness). On his feet he wears the Good News of peace to help him stand strong. And He also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. He already accept God’s salvation as his helmet. And had taken the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. Tychicus prays in the Spirit at all times. Praying with all kinds of prayers, and asking for everything he need. Tychicus is always be ready.  He Never gave up. He is always praying for all of God’s people.

Ephesians 6:14‭-‬18 ERV

Check Colossians 3:22

Prayer: Lord let your love flow through me in Jesus name. 

Your Perfume in Mind

 

An Emoji devotions for Sat, March 19, 2022

Topic: Your perfume in mind

Highlight: Perfume and incense make you feel good, and so does good advice from a friend.

Proverbs 27:9 ERV

Wait, let someone just open their mouth to start talking in the public, then you will know which type of person they are. An adage says "show me your friend and I will show you who you are!

Are you a good or bad influence. It is not the expensive perfume you wear on your cloth that make you a good influence to others. Rather it is the counsel of civilization in you.

Sometimes you have to know when friendship with another person is leading you away from the Lord. In this case, you must choose Christ or that friend. The answer is always going to be Christ.

If you wear an expensive Cologne on your body, what about the one for your soul and Spirit? 

Jesus is the best cologne fragrance you can wear on your soul. Jesus is the only friend that will never deceive you. His words are truth and durable to stand the test of time. 

You need to understand that as you are out there in the public, you are wearing a cologne that is perceived by others. Don't forget, that what people perceived in you is impactful than what they perceived on you.

Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.

John 14:6 ERV

Come to Jesus in the real sense and let the world around be translated in the truest Definitions of life. 

Prayer: I am not ashamed to be perceived as the follower of Jesus Christ because it is the power of God that controls the human nature. Here I am Holy Spirit, mix with me in Jesus name. Amen.

Beer Lahai Roi

An Emoji Devotional for Thu, March 17, 2021

Topic: Beer Lahai Roi

Highlight: 

The Lord talked to Hagar. She began to use a new name for God. She said to him, “You are ‘God Who Sees Me.’” She said this because she thought, “I see that even in this place God sees me and cares for me!” So the well there was called Beer Lahai Roi (THE WELL OF THE LIVING ONE WHO SEES ME). It is between Kadesh and Bered.

Genesis 16:13‭-‬14 ERV

One day God said to Jeremiah

"But I will bless those who trust me, the Lord. They will be like trees growing beside a stream— trees with roots that reach down to the water, and with leaves that are always green. They bear fruit every year and are never worried by a lack of rain."

Do you know that it is a blessing to be very sure that God is with you.

David Said: " I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.

Psalms 23:4

Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38

Prayer: The living one who sees me is Jesus my friend, therefore I dwell in safety and peace of mind. Amen

Encourage Yourself in the Lord

An Emoji devotions for Mon, March 14, 2022

Topic: Encourage Yourself in the Lord

Highlight: 

David was desperate. His soldiers were so upset over what had happened to their sons and daughters that they were thinking about stoning David to death. But he felt the Lord God giving him strength,

1 Samuel 30:6

Look to God where you will find help and Help will come to you. Look deep and rest on the finished works of Jesus. Jesus is a healer. Those who are sick run to him once he is around. He won't let them remain sick. Before you speak a word, first encourage yourself in God's word. Those words came from heaven. They are the words that will discover your healing. 

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14. 

Before you speak a word. You must first be convinced that the name of the Lord Jesus can help you. At the name of Jesus (said with conviction) angels will troop out from every side to rescue those who call that name.

I can understand that such knowledge is above us but I sometimes like to chant " in the name of Jesus" severally before I make my statement. It gives me conviction that my words are coming with order from above with powerful angels taking the order. 

quote God's word: "The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous" Psalm 146:8

call "in Jesus name" and your words will climb up by faith. And find the solution as you encourage yourself in the Lord.

Prayer: In the name of Jesus (4x) I have found my way. Jesus is my way. I am saved. I am blessed, good health is mine. I am secured. In the name of Jesus.

New Wine in New Wineskin

 

An Emoji devotions for Sun, March 13, 2022

Topic: New wine in New Wineskin

Highlight: Also, no one ever pours new wine into old wineskins. The wine would break them, and the wine would be ruined along with the wineskins. You always put new wine into new wineskins.”

Mark 2:22 ERV

Do I need to tell the story of how Adam lost his body to sin. We all need the good spirit. So if what you are doing does not permit God to flow through you, then I think your wineskin contains the old wine. God sent Adam out of paradise because he lost his glory. May we not lose our salvation. Everybody has the old wine in their wineskin unless the Spirit of Christ dwell inside of you, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

God put Christ over all rulers, authorities, powers, and kings. He gave him authority over everything that has power in this world or in the next world. Ephesians 1:21

Jesus answered, “I assure you, everyone must be born again. Anyone who is not born again cannot be in God’s kingdom.”

John 3:3 

To be born again means you have made a renewed or confirmed commitment of faith in Jesus Christ and pledge to follow his ways and do the will of God. 

Jesus said in Mark 3:35 that My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants.”

If you are in the old wineskin, come to the new wineskin which is the Lord Jesus so that you can have seamless peace of mind.

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.

Jesus Christ (John 14:27)

Prayer: I am chosen by Christ, my salvation is from his Spirit. I believe in Jesus. I believe in His grace. Amen

When you wake up in a New Dawn

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sat, March 12, 2022

Topic: When you wake in a new dawn

Highlight: 

Now is the time for the world to be judged. Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out.

I will be lifted up from the earth. When that happens, I will draw all people to myself.”

John 12:31-32 ERV

You wake up everyday seeing the sun but you don't understand that it means freedom. The day has break again and it's time to wake up and look at Jesus the light. 

If you look to him for help, he will put a smile on your face. You will have no need to be ashamed.

Psalms 34:5 ERV

See, we sleep every time, we wake up most times only to meet same problems awaiting us. But if you wake up to look at the Jesus light, our day will be different. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.

It's a pity that we are carried away at most of time but being carried away is inevitable for anyone of us living on the planet earth. No one actually knows the way, everyone is just guessing but I'm can assure you that there is someone who knows the way. 

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.

John 14:6

Later, Jesus talked to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.”

John 8:12 ERV

So when you wake up in the new dawn. It's good to see the Jesus light. It makes life good for me and you. (Pick up your Bible app today and learn more about Jesus the light)

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ please be the light I wake up to see everyday. Amen

The Beautiful Gate

 

An Emoji devotions for Fri, March 11 2022

Topic: The Beautiful Gate

Highlight: 

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. Psalm 24:7 KJV

But the time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. In fact, that time is now here. And these are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers. John 4:23 

Everything is going to change in a twinkling of an eye. You will realize that your life has changed. Stay at the beautiful gate for the king of glory is coming. He is coming to take away your lameness. He is coming to deliver you from poverty. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that he gave up his heavenly riches for you. Remember that God gave up everything so that you could be richly blessed. He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.

There was an agreement in heaven between God, Jesus Christ and all the angels to bless you. That is why God gave up Jesus Christ and Jesus gave up His heavenly riches to obey God's order. The angels succumb to this order so that you and I can be richly blessed. 

The king of glory is coming. Those who are waiting at the beautiful gate hoping for his return will soon be limping with joy. .... “I don’t have any silver or gold, but I do have something else I can give you. By the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth—stand up and walk!” Acts 3:6 ERV

Stay at the beautiful gate, the gate of hope and better tomorrow. Wait there for the king of glory. Act 3:2-11

Prayer: Remember me Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Lord I have hope that you will come for me. I am waiting in hope through the grace of your Spirit. 

When you are in the dark state of mind

An Emoji Devotional for Thu, March 10,  2022

Topic: When you are in the dark state of mind

Highlight: 

But if you look at people in a selfish way, you will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, you have the worst kind of darkness.

Matthew 6:23 ERV

When there is a collision in the mind and then an obstruction is blocking the light opening to the heart. There will be a blackout I

on such mind. If the only only light you have is really darkness, you have the worst kind of darkness. In such case, people will think life is not fair and it will be hard to see the good sides from other's point of view.

Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.

Psalms 119:105 ERV

Jesus said, “Anyone who begins to plow a field but looks back is not prepared for God’s kingdom.”

Luke 9:62 ERV

Yes, at one time you were far away from God, but now in Christ Jesus, you are brought near to him. You are brought near to God through the blood sacrifice of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 ERV

Then God said, “Let there be light!” And light began to shine.

Genesis 1:3 ERV

Make God your guide. Choose the Bible. Force to read until God announce to Let there be light in your life. There are many books of the Bible to encourage you into light, Genesis, Exodus, Romans, Daniel, Psalms, Matthew, Luke etc

Prayer: God please be my guide in Jesus name. Say to me "Let there be light".

God is dependable: Trust Him

 

An Emoji Devotions for Wed March 9 , 2021

Topic: God is dependable; Trust Him

Highlight:

“Lord GOD, with your great power you made the earth and the sky. There is nothing too hard for you to do. You are loyal and kind to thousands of people, but you also bring punishment to children for their fathers’ sins. Great and powerful God, your name is the Lord All-Powerful. You plan and do great things. You see everything that people do. You give a reward to those who do good things, and you punish those who do bad things—you give them what they deserve. You have been doing powerful miracles in the land of Egypt until now, in Israel and elsewhere. You are the one who made yourself as famous as you are today. You used powerful miracles and brought your people Israel out of Egypt. You used your own powerful hand to do this. Your power was amazing!

Jeremiah 32:17‭-‬21 ERV

Whatever you aspire to be in life, it is only God that can take you there in reality. As different as reality is when compared to imaginations, God knows all the technology and science of bringing great things to reality. Have you ever wondered if God has been good to you? A song lyrics says:

O Lord my God,

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all

The works Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars,

I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout

The universe displayed,

When through the woods

And forest glades I wander

I hear the birds

Sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down

From lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook

And feel the gentle breeze,

Then sings my soul,

My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

In Jeremiah 32:33-34 God was talking to Jeremiah: He said :

“They should have come to me for help, but they turned their backs to me. I tried to teach them again and again, but they would not listen to me. I tried to correct them, but they would not listen. They have made their idols, and I hate those idols. They put their idols in the Temple that is called by my name, so they made my Temple ‘dirty.’

Jeremiah 32:33‭-‬34 ERV

When we walk with the Lord 

In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way;

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

God wants a relationship. He wants a Father and child interaction. It's not weird to tell God about things happening and ask him to show you the way. After all He is wiser and the all powerful God. 

Put God first, when you wake up and talk to Him first and before you sleep. Show your appreciation. God will do big things in the lives of people who honor him. God has promised to do good things for His children.

What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.

Matthew 6:33 ERV

Prayer: Peace loving God of Miracles, Signs and Wonders. I cling to you for mercy. I love you and will always respect you. Please take good care of me as you always do. I will always behave myself in front to you by your grace through Jesus Christ: I will show respect to you that you are my only source of strength and my dependable companion. So Help me God.  In Jesus name. Amen

You are Everything to me

The Emojis Devotional for Wed, Mar 2, 2022

Topic: You are everything to me

Highlight: 

My soul thirsts for the living God. When can I go to meet with him?

Psalms 42:2 ERV

God is the source of my life. I can't just live without seeing Him being worshipped in His house. When I hear people singing to God. It makes me happy. He is like a fountain of living water to me. It is an offense when if I did not worship God first after waking up in the morning. Yes, God loved me so much that he gave his only Son, so that as I believe in him, I would not be lost but have eternal life.

John 3:16. I am glad to be lost in His love. It is a blessing to wake up on a Sunday morning to rush and not be late for church. My heart goes to to the people who are facing turbulent time in war because they were displaced from worshipping God in a dedicated place of worship. I pray that God will restore peace to their land again. 

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.” John 4:13‭-‬14 

It is sweet to drink from Jesus.

We will not the same again, since we have met Him. 

Prayer: Let me Love you my Lord Jesus, You are my fountain of life. I love you living in me. Amen.