God in Nature

 An Emoji Devotions for Thu 21, Jan 2021

Topic: God in Nature

By C.C. Thompson

“His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise.” Habakkuk 3:3b

Upon all created things is seen the impress of the Deity. Nature testifies of God. The susceptible mind, brought in contact with the miracle and mystery of the universe, cannot but recognize the working of infinite power. Not by its own inherent energy does the earth produce its bounties, and year by year continue its motion around the sun.

An unseen hand guides the planets in their circuit of the heavens. A mysterious life pervades all nature—a life that sustains the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, that lives in the insect atom which floats in the summer breeze, that wings the flight of the swallow and feeds the young ravens which cry, that brings the bud to blossom and the flower to fruit. Ed 99.2

The same power that upholds nature, is working also in man. The same great laws that guide alike the star and the atom control human life. The laws that govern the heart’s action, regulating the flow of the current of life to the body, are the laws of the mighty Intelligence that has the jurisdiction of the soul. From Him all life proceeds. Only in harmony with Him can be found its true sphere of action.

For all the objects of His creation the condition is the same—a life sustained by receiving the life of God, a life exercised in harmony with the Creator’s will. To transgress His law, physical, mental, or moral, is to place one’s self out of harmony with the universe, to introduce discord, anarchy, ruin. Ed 99.2

To him who learns thus to interpret its teachings, all nature becomes illuminated; the world is a lesson book, life a school. The unity of man with nature and with God, the universal dominion of law, the results of transgression, cannot fail of impressing the mind and molding the character. Ed 100.1

These are lessons that our children need to learn. To the little child, not yet capable of learning from the printed page or of being introduced to the routine of the schoolroom, nature presents an unfailing source of instruction and delight. The heart not yet hardened by contact with evil is quick to recognize the Presence that pervades all created things. The ear as yet undulled by the world’s clamor is attentive to the Voice that speaks through nature’s utterances.

And for those of older years, needing continually its silent reminders of the spiritual and eternal, nature’s teaching will be no less a source of pleasure and of instruction. As the dwellers in Eden learned from nature’s pages, as Moses discerned God’s handwriting on the Arabian plains and mountains, and the child Jesus on the hillsides of Nazareth, so the children of today may learn of Him.

The unseen is illustrated by the seen. On everything upon the earth, from the loftiest tree of the forest to the lichen that clings to the rock, from the boundless ocean to the tiniest shell on the shore, they may behold the image and superscription of God.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, teach us to honour your creative,  life giving and life sustaining ability, in Jesus Name, Amen.

Where does help come from?

 An Emoji Devotions for Wed, 20 January 2021

Topic: Where does help come from?

Highlight:

And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone. Mark 7:30

Between Psalm 121:1-2 many things has transpired. The book of Mark 7:24-30 is a perfect example. A Syrian Phoenician woman came to Jesus looking for help. She have heard about the compassion of Jesus how He went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with Him. Act 10:8.

The Syrian woman want demon out of her daughter. Such was one of the most depressing situation of her life. But it was not without a price. A test question came from the Lord Jesus to know of  this woman was for real. Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”  Mark 7:27

To those who were full of themselves Jesus' question would have looked like an insult. But to the woman who needed help, she understands God's word in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that

 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. That whenever we look to the Lord with confidence we must also  humble ourselves before him.

There is a test question and you must give the right answer which must come along with humility and good intentions.

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.”

That's true Lord means Whatever God said is true. It does not matter how it hit you. When you look to God for help. You must give credibility to God's word before you vindicate yourself with humility. Know that He is your God and Him alone has the final say. He will never suffer your foot to be moved. So be ready to come before him with modest humility.

Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.”  And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone. Mark 7:28-30

Psalm 121:1-2; I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Prayer: Lord please I plead for mercy. You are a merciful God. Have mercy on me and help me Lord in Jesus name. Amen.

How I killed my redeemer with my sins?

 An Emoji Devotions for Tue 19th January, 2020

Topic: How I killed my redeemer with my sins?

By H.U.Wenger

Highlight: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrew, 5, 7 -10)

Have you ever reflected about, how it would be for a perfect human being to live in our imperfect world? Jesus has been born into a sinful family as a perfect human being.

His reactions and actions have been always impeccable, without any flaw. Did Mary and Joseph raise him, or did he raise and educate them? How was it with his peers and siblings?
         His speech was always lovely, but well salted. His words, his actions and reactions have always been just, truthful and genuine and they have revealed the hidden agendas and thoughts of the people around him.

He was mentally, psychically and physically perfect, sound and clean, but the only one around of that kind. Life among us must have been torture for him!

In Psalm 40 David depicts how he has been rescued from the slimy pit and been put on a rock, granting him a firm stand, as he cried out to the Lord and waited for him. From verse seven onward he then describes the savior and his struggles among us. He proclaims the law of God he lives his righteousness, proclaims his faithfulness and his salvation and reveals his truth. Nevertheless he gets surrounded with troubles without numbers and though he is without sin, sins have overtaken him and they are more than hair on his head so that his heart fails within him.

Here we have a picture of what our sins have done to Jesus. They have burdened him so that he sweated blood in the Garden Gethsemane; but then he brought it all to the cross, redeemed all our sins and delivered us from death, granting life eternal to all, who obey him. We cannot follow him without obeying him and we cannot obey him without changing our lives.

All our shortcomings have hurt him and cost him dearly, they killed him in the end. Because he was without sin of his own, death could not hold him. He resurrected from the grave and triumphed over death and hell. In him and in him alone is our chance for life, but it is bound to obedience and trust.

 Do you think it was easy for him because he was God? Just read Matthew 17, 17: “Oh unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?


Prayer: Heavenly father, I do thank you that you loved us all so much that you have sent your beloved son to rescue us from the slimy pit. Dear Jesus thank you so much that you have suffered hell for me and have given me life eternal. Help me to follow you and to obey you.

Gentle Super Loaves and Two Fishes - Kiddies Edition

 An Emoji Devotions for Kids Mon 18th January, 2020

Topic: Gentle Super Loaves and Two Fishes - Kiddies Edition

Highlights: 

Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” John 6:9

"Super" is a five letter word and there were five loaves owned by a gentle boy. They have become gentle super loaves ready to be made an hero of the day. Good boys and girls do what your daddy and mummy says. There was this little boy who would give up his meal for Jesus. Maybe other kids would learn to be generous and gentle. People were hungry and Jesus was going to do a miracle to feed them. A boy was discovered there quickly. He must have been listening and watching them from distance. Well Andrew would have learned what Jesus told them about little children in Matthew 18 when Jesus placed a little child to stand among them and said unless you change and become like little children you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

The little child bringing the five super loaves is indirectly asking Andrew, Do you want to enter the kingdom of heaven or not? Andrew raised his voice with an answer as seen in our Bible highlights John 6:9

 Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many? Meaning "Yes".

As soon as Jesus heard that word he asked the people to sit down to tell Andrew and the rest that the Kingdom of heaven truly appreciates the little boy's generousity. His five super loaves gently multiplied and fed five thousand men with women besides and the remnants of twelve full baskets will be given back to the family of our super little hero as a thank you gift for his generousity.

I was not there but I believe that was what would end the story. When you think about the day the feeding of the five thousand men with women and children, I guess you will remember that someone made it possible with five gentle super loaves and two little fishes and its our little Hero. 

This could be you when you share with others because you love Jesus and you see Jesus in others.

Prayer: I may not have five super gentle loaves with two little fishes but my good wishes goes to all the saints of our Lord Jesus all over the world. (Make a good wish) in Jesus name. Amen

Peace of A Moving Faith - Arrow of Peace

 An Emoji Devotions for Sun 17th January, 2021

Topic: Peace of moving Faith

Highlights:

Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. Matthew 21:21

As a gentle breeze blows to trouble a peaceful still water how much more damage will a stone thrown into a peaceful still water. Doubt is like a disturbance to faith when it is in peaceful state. There is a demon called "doubt" lying like a bird in the cage of every human heart and when a person wants to use Faith in God to work miracles, that person must use an arrow to challenge the demon out of the cage. 

As the demon dangles it wings unstable, it will refuse to go and throws a fight back against the arrow bearer. During the struggle there will be trouble in that position. Jesus said, you must maintain your peace inside and do not allow doubt to win it's position no matter the struggle.

Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves — but Jesus kept sleeping. So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die! ”

He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith? ” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea,a and there was a great calm.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him! ” Matthew 8:24-27

A demon is so much confident with the amount of fear in the body. The higher the fear, the more violent the demon. When you call the name of Jesus to attack a demon. The demon first scan to check out what you carry. To see if you are exercising authority with the right privilege. You can be successful with the arrow of peace. Depending on whats giving you peace. If it is based on money, it will not fight anything but if what is giving you peace is our Lord Jesus Christ then you are gonna win. It may not be easy but with the arrow of peace from Jesus Christ in you. You will win. 

The name of Jesus is higher than cancer, it's higher than heartbreak and it's higher than any challenges. All you need is your arrow of peace in a moving faith which is in our Lord Jesus.

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Act 3:6

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Prayer: Lord have mercy on me. Give me an arrow of peace to stand up against whatever challenge I'm up against. And give me grace to use it uprightly for the upliftment of your kingdom. 

Cross

 An Emoji Devotions for Sat 16th, January, 2021

Topic: Cross

Highlights:

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. Luke 8:22

The Crucifix is a Cross with Christ on it. Now is time to cross over with Christ. I am using the word cross with pun intended to ask have you crossed yet with Christ!

A child would cross to adolescent and from adolescent to youth and then to adulthood but anyone who underwent all these stages and is yet to experience rebirth through the Holy Spirit has not crossed. 

Though Cross is a shameful way to die, our Lord Jesus Christ does not deserve any humiliation for a sin He did not commit but our Lord Jesus Christ took that route to remind you of John 3:3 and 3:16

"Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

Though no one can live in their body forever without dying, but Jesus came to tell you that you can live forever when you cross to God through him.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.

 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.

 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. 

First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

You have to cross to God through the Spirit of hope given to those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is time to cross. It is time to be born again.

Prayer: I open up my heart for you Lord Jesus and I am ready and willing to accept the Spirit of hope. Let me cross to experiencing the great love of God and to fellowship with you forever. Make me Born again. Amen.

Treasures of Darkness

 An Emoji Devotions for 15th January, 2021

Topic: Treasures of Darkness

Highlight:

I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:3

When God says he will “give us the treasures of darkness and wealth stored in secret places,” it means God wants to open your eyes to things that would otherwise remain unseen, so you can claim what would otherwise remain unclaimed.  Revelationcentral.com

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.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46

God will go before you
    and will level the mountains;
God will break down gates of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron and give you something of great value with riches stored up in hidden places. Isaiah 43:2

This is all the works that Jesus Christ did to give you priceless salvation. He has paid all the price already.


Why do you spend money on what cannot nourish you
and your wages on what does not satisfy you?
Listen carefully to me:
Eat what is good, and enjoy the best foods.

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. What treasure could be this more valuable? John 6:35

 Only few people lived their lives the way it was designed to be but with Christ in you, you will be amazed of the things of great value that will be added to your life. Accept Jesus as your Lord today if you have not done so and ask the Holy Spirit to come into your life. Be tender and gentle to let the spirit guide you through to your hidden treasure and secret riches to be found only in the Lord Jesus. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Lord Jesus you are precious to me. Thank you for being my hidden treasure and the riches stored up in secret places for me.

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/01/treasures-of-darkness.html