The Beauty of When Jesus Remembers You in His Paradise

 

An Emoji Devotions for Wed 26th Feb, 2025

Topic: The Beauty of When Jesus Remembers You in His Paradise

Highlight:
“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”  Luke 23:42-43 

The criminal’s request is a plea for mercy and acknowledgment. He believes in Jesus’ power to save beyond death. In a moment of desperation, hanging on a cross beside the Savior, he dares to hope in a future he cannot see. And Jesus, in His boundless grace, promises him paradise—not tomorrow, not after judgment, but "today". What a breathtaking revelation of mercy!


Imagine the scene: two criminals crucified beside Jesus, the sky darkening, the weight of sin and shame pressing down. One mocks, but the other sees something different—he sees a King, not a condemned man. He doesn’t ask for rescue from the cross; he asks to be "remembered". And in that plea lies the beauty of faith: trusting Jesus’ authority even when all seems lost. 

The word “paradise” here isn’t just a pretty place—it’s the restoration of Eden, the presence of God, a promise of eternal peace. Revelation 2:7 ties it to the “tree of life,” a symbol of unending fellowship with the Creator. The criminal, who deserved death, is granted life—not because of his works, but because of his faith in the One who overcomes death. 

Key Points About the Blessings of Paradise:

Restoration:

Paradise is where the broken are made whole. Revelation 21:4 paints it vividly: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” The criminal’s past, his guilt, his scars—all erased in the light of Jesus’ promise. 

Presence:
To be with Jesus in paradise is to dwell with Him forever. John 14:3 says, “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” It’s not just a location; it’s a relationship—intimate, eternal, unshakable. 

Victory:
The criminal’s story shows that paradise is for the undeserving who trust in Jesus. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” His plea wasn’t too late; Jesus’ mercy is never out of reach. 

Luke 23:43 is a lifeline thrown to humanity: “Today you will be with me.” Not a distant hope, but an immediate assurance. The beauty lies in this: Jesus remembers us in our lowest moments and lifts us to His highest glory. The cross becomes a gateway to paradise, where the thief—and all who believe—find a home. 

Think of it—paradise isn’t earned; it’s gifted. The criminal had no time to reform, no deeds to offer, yet Jesus saw his heart. That’s the beauty of it: a Savior who remembers the forgotten, who turns a dying whisper into an eternal welcome. 

Prayer:
Merciful Jesus, King of paradise, thank You for remembering me right now. Open my eyes to the beauty of Your grace that promises me a place with You. Strengthen my faith to trust You, even in my darkest hours, and let me rest in the hope of paradise where all is made new. Amen.  

A Glimpse of God's Plan: Job and Jesus

 

An Emoji Devotional for Wed, 12 Feb 2025

Topic: A Glimpse of God's Plan: Job and Jesus

Highlight :

"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." - Job 1:21

In the book of Job, we see a glimpse of God's plan of salvation being worked out. Job, a righteous and blameless man, was tested by Satan, who sought to break his faith and integrity. Despite the trials and tribulations he faced, Job remained faithful, and his story foreshadows the concept of atonement and salvation.

God's Heart for Intercessors
God's conversation with Satan about Job reveals His heart for those who intercede for others. Job's selflessness and understanding of intercessory prayer, demonstrated through his sacrifices for his children, caught God's attention. This highlights God's love for those who passionately care for others, as seen in Abel's first fruits offering and Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac.

In a remarkable turn of events, God instructed Job to pray for his friends, who had wrongly accused him (Job 42:8). God acknowledged Job as His servant and honored his prayer, saying, "My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer." This profound moment reveals Job's priestly role, as his prayers became a means of reconciliation and restoration for others.

Similarly, Jesus, our High Priest, interceded for His disciples and all who would believe in Him (John 17:1-26). His prayers demonstrated His deep love and care for humanity, and His sacrifice provided the ultimate means of reconciliation and restoration.

Key Takeaways
1. Job as a prototype of the Savior: Job's willingness to offer sacrifices on behalf of his children foreshadows the concept of atonement and salvation.

2. God's heart for intercessors: God loves those who intercede for others, as seen in Job's selflessness and understanding of intercessory prayer.

3. The power of intercessory prayer_: Job's prayer for his friends and Jesus' prayers for humanity demonstrate the transformative power of intercessory prayer.

Application
As we reflect on Job's story and Jesus' sacrifice, let us strive to be perfect worshippers of God. May we follow Job's example of selflessness and intercessory prayer, and may we worship God with a pure heart, just as Jesus did.

Bible Verses for Further Reflection
- Job 1:1-5
- Job 42:1-10
- John 17:1-26
- Revelation 12:7-10

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for revealing Your plan of salvation through the stories of Job and Jesus. Help us to understand the importance of intercessory prayer and to follow Job's example of selflessness and care for others.

May we be perfect worshippers of God, offering our lives as a sacrifice of praise and worship to You. May we be encouraged by Jesus' perfect sacrifice and resurrection, and may we live in the assurance of our salvation through Him.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The Unseen Forces At Work

 

🕊️ An Emoji Devotional for Tue 11th February 2025

Topic: The Unseen Forces at Work

Highlight: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

In the chronicles of spiritual politics, there are unseen forces at work. These forces are not physical, but spiritual. They are not visible to the naked eye, but they are real.

As believers, we need to understand that our struggles are not just against human opponents, but against spiritual forces of darkness. These forces seek to influence human decisions, shape cultural narratives, and undermine God's plans.

However, we are not powerless against these forces. We have been given spiritual armor to withstand their attacks (Ephesians 6:13-18). We have the power of prayer to resist their influence (Ephesians 6:18). And we have the assurance of God's sovereignty to trust in His ultimate victory (Psalm 103:19).

As we navigate the complexities of spiritual politics, let's remember that we are not alone. We are part of a larger spiritual battle, and we have a crucial role to play.

Reflection questions:

- Am I aware of the unseen forces at work in my life and in the world around me?
- How can I use my spiritual armor to resist the attacks of darkness?
- What role can I play in the spiritual battle, and how can I pray effectively for God's victory?

As Colossians 1:17 and Hebrews 1:3 remind us, Jesus holds the world together. It's a wise decision to accept Jesus into our lives. If you haven't accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, this is the opportunity. Invite Him to come into your life, to be your Lord and Savior, and to shield you from evil.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, open my eyes to the unseen forces at work in the world. Give me the wisdom to recognize the spiritual battles I face, and the courage to resist the attacks of darkness. May I be a faithful soldier in Your army, praying and fighting for Your victory. Ame

Certificate of Forgiveness

 

An Emoji Devotional for Sun 9th February 2025

Topic: Certificate of Forgiveness

Highlight:

Jesus said, ‘If your Christian friend has done something wrong against you, you must go and speak to him. When you are alone with him, tell him what he has done that is wrong. He may agree with what you say. If he does, then you can call him your friend again. But maybe he does not want to listen to you. Then take one or two other people with you to speak to him. They will then know what wrong things your friend has done. Remember what the Bible says: “There must be two or three people to say certainly that another person has done something wrong. Two or three people must agree what has happened.”  If your friend still will not agree that he has done something wrong, then go and tell the church leaders. If he does not agree with the leaders, stop being his friend. He is like somebody who refuses to obey God.
Matthew 15:17-18


The certificate of Forgiveness is what will be required before your name is even looked up in the lamb book of life. Our Lord is asking us to make sure we seek every means to get that certificate before we excommunicate those who have wronged us in such a way that, even if they do not want to listen to us when we tell about what offense they'd committed we should still press forward to make sure they sign the contract of Forgiveness through resolution between the both of us. Forgiveness is in two ways. You may say in your heart that someone has wronged you whereas it was you who misunderstood the whole point. That's why Jesus emphasizes the importance of going to the person, talking to them, and clearing up any misunderstandings.

The second way is when someone has genuinely wronged you. Even then, Jesus teaches us to forgive, not for the other person's sake, but for ours. Unforgiveness can weigh us down, causing bitterness and resentment to take root.

The "certificate of forgiveness" is not a physical document, but a spiritual one. It's the assurance that we've done our part to reconcile with others and forgive those who've wronged us. When we stand before God, this certificate will be required, not as a condition for salvation, but as evidence of our obedience to Jesus' teachings.

As we reflect on this passage, let's ask ourselves:

- Is there someone I need to forgive or reconcile with?
- Am I holding onto unforgiveness or bitterness?
- What steps can I take today to seek forgiveness and reconciliation?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to understand the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. Give me the courage to take the first step towards healing and restoration. May I be a reflection of your love and mercy to those around me. Amen.