Does God really love me?

An Emoji Devotions for Thu 7th January, 2020

Topic: Does God really love me?

By H. U. Wenger

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3,16)

We have read it, we know it! But do I really believe it? Yes, he loves the world – it is big and important! But why should he love me? I am small and quite insignificant. For gaining trust in God it is crucial that I am convinced beyond doubt that I am truly loved by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

Here is, how I can be sure about the fact. Jesus is the living word of God and through him everything is created (John 1, 1 – 3; Col. 1, 15 – 20). To save me, he renounced to his majesty as creator and became a helpless baby. 

A woman, his creation had to feed him, to change his diapers, to teach him walk, to introduce him into society and to educate him. The almighty word dived into the utter helplessness of a human baby, just to undo the spell that has been brought upon us through the unfaithfulness of our original parents, Adam and Eve. 

Maybe you are a pet lover, maybe a bird or wild life lover. Would you do such a thing for your cat, your canary bird or for another animal, if you had the possibility? 

The love Jesus has for me has cost him everything and it has cost his father everything too. Jesus has given up all his privileges and powers to become a human like you and me. He lived a spotless and sinless live, just to die as a sacrifice for me and to save me so from eternal death. This is way beyond our understanding of love. If life experience has made you unsure of his love, if he has not fulfilled your longing or your wishes, look to his incarnation as a human and to his sacrifice on the cross and you will know with conviction: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the bible tells me so. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus, let me never again doubt your love for me. It has cost you everything to love and save me. Help me to be as merciful to others as you are to me. Thank you for your limitless love for me.

Hold fast Victory in Conflicts

 An Emoji Devotions for Wed 6th January,2020

Topic: Hold Fast, Victory in the Conflict

By C.C. Thompson

Highlights:
Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 3:11

"Decisions may be made in a moment that fix one’s condition forever.... But remember, it would take the work of a lifetime to recover what a moment of yielding to temptation and thoughtlessness throws away....
By a momentary act of will you may place yourself in the power of Satan, but it will require more than a momentary act of will to break his fetters and reach for a higher, holier life. The purpose may be formed, the work begun, but its accomplishment will require toil, time, and perseverance, patience, and sacrifice. The man who deliberately wanders from God in the full blaze of light will find, when he wishes to set his face to return, that briars and thorns have grown up in his path, and he must not be surprised or discouraged if he is compelled to travel long with torn and bleeding feet. The most fearful and most to be dreaded evidence of man’s fall from a better state is the fact that it costs so much to get back. The way of return can be gained only by hard fighting, inch by inch, every hour....
Those who win heaven will put forth their noblest efforts and will labor with all long-suffering, that they may reap the fruit of toil. There is a hand that will open wide the gates of Paradise to those who have stood the test of temptation and kept a good conscience by giving up the world, its honors, its applause, for the love of Christ, thus confessing Him before men and waiting with all patience for Him to confess them before His Father and the holy angels.
Keep the conscience tender, that you may hear the faintest whisper of the voice that spake as never man spake.

Prayer: Dear Father please open our ears to hear the Voice of Your Son. Amen.

Good News of the Kingdom

 An Emoji Devotions for Tue 5th January, 2020

Topic: Good News of the Kingdom

By C.C. Thompson

Highlights

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Matthew 4:23.

“He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:2, 3).

As something strange and new, these words fall upon the ears of the wondering multitude. Such teaching is contrary to all they have ever heard from priest or rabbi. They see in it nothing to flatter their pride or to feed their ambitious hopes. But there is about this new Teacher a power that holds them spellbound. The sweetness of divine love flows from His very presence as the fragrance from a flower....

In the throng that surrounded Jesus there were some who had a sense of their spiritual poverty.... There were souls who, in the presence of His purity, felt that they were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17); and they longed for “the grace of God that bringeth salvation” (Titus 2:11)....
Of the poor in spirit Jesus says, “Their’s is the kingdom of heaven.”

This kingdom is not, as Christ’s hearers had hoped, a temporal and earthly dominion. Christ was opening to them the spiritual kingdom of His love, His grace, His righteousness. ... His subjects are the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted for righteousness’ sake. The kingdom of heaven is theirs. Though not yet fully accomplished, the work is begun in them which will make them “meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12).
All who have a sense of their deep soul poverty, who feel that they have nothing good in themselves, may find righteousness and strength by looking unto Jesus.... He bids you exchange your poverty for the riches of His grace.

We are not worthy of God’s love, but Christ, our surety, is worthy, and is abundantly able to save all who shall come unto Him. Whatever may have been your past experience, however discouraging your present circumstances, if you will come to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless, and despairing, our compassionate Saviour will meet you a great way off, and will throw about you His arms of love and His robe of righteousness.

Prayer: Father in Heaven. Thank You for the sweet repentance that comes only through Christ. Amen

For Sinners Only

An Emoji Devotions for Mon 4th January 2021

Topic: For Sinners Only.

By C.C. Thompson

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Titus 2:11

By disobeying the commands of God, man fell under the condemnation of His law. This fall called for the grace of God to appear in behalf of sinners. We should never have learned the meaning of this word “grace” had we not fallen. God loves the sinless angels, who do His service, and are obedient to all His commands; but He does not give them grace.

These heavenly beings know naught of grace; they have never needed it; for they have never sinned. Grace is an attribute of God shown to undeserving human beings. We did not seek after it, but it was sent in search of us.

God rejoices to bestow this grace upon every one who hungers for it. To every one He presents terms of mercy, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we shall receive this gift.


But God does not use His grace to make His law of none effect, or to take the place of His law.... God’s grace and the law of His kingdom are in perfect harmony; they walk hand in hand. His grace makes it possible for us to draw nigh to Him by faith.

By receiving it, and letting it work in our lives, we testify to the validity of the law; we exalt the law and make it honorable by carrying out its living principles through the power of the grace of Christ; and by rendering pure, whole-hearted obedience to God’s law, we witness before the universe of heaven, and before an apostate world that is making void the law of God, to the power of redemption.

Not because we first loved Him, does God love us; but “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8) Christ died for us, making full and abundant provision for our redemption.

Although by our disobedience we have merited God’s displeasure and condemnation, He has not forsaken us; He has not left us to grapple with the power of the enemy in our own finite strength. Heavenly angels fight our battles for us; and co-operating with them, we may be victorious over the powers of evil. Trusting in Christ as our personal Saviour, we may be “more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37)

Prayer:Thank You dear Father for providing grace through the sacrifice of Christ so that we can have power to live in obedience to Your immutable Law.

The Self-Existent Son of God

 An Emoji Devotions for Sun 3rd January, 2020

Topic: The Self-Existent Son of God.

By C.C. Thompson

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:58.


“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”


Here Christ shows them that, although they might reckon His life to be less than 50 years, yet His divine life could not be reckoned by human computation. The existence of Christ before His incarnation is not measured by figures.
“Before Abraham was, I am.” Christ is the preexistent, self-existent Son of God.

 The message He gave to Moses to give to the children of Israel was, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” LHU 17.4
The prophet Micah writes of Him, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Through Solomon Christ declared: “The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.... When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him.”

In speaking of His preexistence, Christ carries the mind back through dateless ages. He assures us that there never was a time when He was not in close fellowship with the eternal God. He to whose voice the Jews were then listening had been with God as one brought up with Him.

Christ’s words were spoken with a quiet dignity and with an assurance and power that sent conviction to the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees. They felt the power of the message sent from heaven. God was knocking at the door of their hearts, entreating entrance
He was equal with God, infinite and omnipotent.... He is the eternal, self-existent Son (Manuscript101, 1897). LHU 17.9

In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. “He that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 5:12).

The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life.
 “He that believeth in me,” said Jesus, “though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die”.... Christ here looks forward to the time of His second coming.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus CHRIST. Help me to be like Him.

Look, Believe, and Live

 An Emoji Devotion for Sat 2nd January, 2021

Topic: Look, Believe, and Live.

By C. C. Thompson

Highlights: 

[We] are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5. 

Those who depend upon their own righteousness instead of relying upon the righteousness of Christ will lose the prize; they will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and found wanting. 

Let everyone who is striving for the precious boon of eternal life distrust his own strength, and, in much prayer, cast his helpless soul upon Christ.

 There is too little searching of the Word of God for definite direction in the way of life.

The larger number of those who profess to believe on Christ have only superficial ideas as to what constitutes Christian character.... Do not deceive yourself with the idea that your own inherent righteousness will bring you into harmony with God. Do not fail to look upon yourself as a sinner in the sight of God. Do not fail to look upon Jesus lifted up upon the cross; and as you look, believe and live; 

for by faith in the atoning sacrifice you may be justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Believe that you are forgiven, that you are justified, not in transgression and disobedience, but in submission to the will of God. If through faith you lay hold of the righteousness of Christ, then be not careless of your thoughts, your words, your works. 

Study much, and pray that as Christ has shown you the way, He may by His grace keep you in the way. For we are “kept by the power of God through faith”; and even faith is not of ourselves, but it also is the gift of God. 

In order to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, it is essential that you meditate much upon the great themes of redemption. 

You should ask yourself why Christ has taken humanity upon Himself, why He suffered upon the cross, why He bore the sins of men, why He was made sin and righteousness for us. 

You should study to know why He ascended to heaven in the nature of man, and what is His work for us today.... LHU 237.3

If thoughts of Christ, His work and character, are cherished, you will be led to sink deep the shaft of truth, and you will be enabled to come into possession of precious jewels of truth. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to you. 

As you meditate upon heavenly things, and walk with God, as did Enoch, you will lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset, and will run with patience the race set before you.... 

Our building just been founded upon the Rock Christ Jesus or it will not stand the test of the tempest.

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, please help us to keep our eyes on Jesus.

Lift Him Up as the Son of God During the New Year

 An Emoji Devotions for Fri 1st January, 2020

Topic: Lift Him Up as the Son of God During the New Year.

By C.C. Thompson

Highlights:

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things". Philippians 4:8.

Already has the new year been ushered in; yet before we greet its coming, we pause to ask, What has been the history of the year that with its burden of records has now passed into eternity? The admonition of the apostle comes down the lines to every one of us,“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” God forbid that at this important hour we should be so engrossed with other matters as to give no time to serious, candid, critical self-examination! Let things of minor consequence be put in the background, and let us now bring to the front the things which concern our eternal interests.

No one of us can in our own strength represent the character of Christ; but if Jesus lives in the heart, the spirit dwelling in Him will be revealed in us; all our lack will be supplied. Who will seek at the beginning of this new year to obtain a new and genuine experience in the things of God?

Make your wrongs right as far as possible. Confess your errors and sins one to another. Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be put away; let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience.

What fruit have we borne during the year that is now past? What has been our influence upon others? Whom have we gathered to the fold of Christ? The eyes of the world are upon us. Are we living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men? Do we follow the example of Jesus in self-denial, in meekness, in humility, in forbearance, in cross-bearing, in devotion? Will the world be compelled to acknowledge us to be the servants of Christ?

Shall we not in this new year seek to correct the errors of the past? It behooves us individually to cultivate the grace of Christ, to be meek and lowly of heart, to be firm, unwavering, steadfast in the truth; for thus only can we advance in holiness, and be made fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.

Let us begin the year with an entire renunciation of self; let us pray for clear discernment, that we may understand our Saviour’s claims upon us, and that we may always and everywhere be witnesses for Christ.


Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people. Lift Him up in exhortations, in sermons, in songs, in prayer. Let all your efforts be directed to pointing souls, confused, bewildered, and lost, to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Bid them look and live.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please go before me throughout this New Year. I now give myself to You anew, in Jesus' Name. Amen.