Easy

An Emoji Devotions for Wed 27th January, 2021

Topic: Easy

By Apostle James

Highlights:

God makes fun of those who make fun of the truth but gives loving-favor to those who have no pride. Proverbs 3:34

Do you know where your fights and arguments come from?  They come from the selfish desires that war within you. 

You want something you don't have, and you will do anything to get it.

You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won't get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it.

Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons (because the reason you ask is wrong)

 You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures. So, you are not loyal to God! You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God.

Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God’s enemy. Do you think the Scripture means nothing that says, “The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone”? Exodus 20:5

But God gives us even more grace, as the Scripture says,

“God is against the proud,
    but he gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34

So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. Come near to God, and God will come near to you.

James 4:1-8a

 Prayer: God I pray to you to please have mercy and give me a peaceful passion from your Holy Spirit. Amen

Tampered Beauty

An Emoji Devotions for Tue 26th January, 2021

Topic: Tampered Beauty.

Highlights:

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.  So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 2 Samuel 11 2-3

Uriah was a good man but he married a beautiful woman. That statement was negative because the beauty of Bearsheba lead to the the agony and death of Uriah. Was shenot faithful enough as a wife of Uriah or who could resist the king's authority? Her beauty was caught up by a King who was lust after canal pleasure and would not resist killing someone's husband.

Uriah on the other hand was fighting in a fierce battle. Though he was devoted, his innocence won him death sentence because he chose to marry a beautiful woman who had no fear of God. King David had slept with his beautiful wife. To cover up his sin, he sent Uriah to die.

Bearsheba might have charmed Uriah same way she charmed King David. Bathing outside displaying all pleasures she could give a man from her body.  However Uriah got a reward of memorial in Matthew 1:6 as a record of sin committed to lusting after a beautiful woman by a King. 1 Samuel 11:2

"David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,"

A memory to remind generations to come about tampered beauty.

The moral story is found Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. (New Living Translation)

Tha was the Proverbs of Solomon Beersheba's son to David. If there's any other reason to choose anything, only choose because of fear and glory of God. Don't make your choice because of beauty.

Prayer: Have mercy on my choice in life oh Lord. Guide my choice to the right path in your Goodwill in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

The Rod

 An Emoji Devotions for Mon 25th January, 2021

Topic: The Rod.

Highlights

The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”

Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Exodus 4:3

You have held on to that rod for a very long time. The lord wants you to do something with it. If you have anything to do convincing many crowd to believe you. Then use your rod. 

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” he replied. Exodus 4:1-2

In verse 26 and 27 of Matthew 9, after Jesus was done casting out an evil spirit from a boy and the crowd was gathered. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. 

What does the crowd mean to you, Customers, critics or Audience? In whatever way they appear, when you need to convince them, You need your rod. 

In verse 31 of Exodus 4 the crowd that Moses was afraid of believed him after demonstrating with his staff. "and they believed. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Exodus 4:11

It is time to throw that rod to the ground as the Lord commanded in our highlighted Verse Exodus 4:3. That rod is not more in your hands but in your Mouth. Your rod is "the name of Jesus"

God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Philippians 2:9-10

All things are possible When you call on the name of Jesus. Remember, when the crowd said the boy is dead, Jesus proved them wrong. Matthew 9:26-27. 

It does not matter what the crowd wants or says about you or your product service. Keep calling "Jesus" and praise His name over that situation. You will see wonders.

Prayer: Jesus, Jesus Jesus I call your name today into situations surrounding my entire life. Your name is my rod and my staff. Please Comfort me!. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Amen.

The responding God! (SUNDAY SPECIAL)

An Emoji Devotions for Sun, 24th January 2020

Topic: The responding God! (SUNDAY SPECIAL)

Highlights

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Matthew 7:10

Don't let anything derail you from being what God wants you to be in this day and age. God is coming bringing response to your call. You do not know what you truly need but God knows the best. Mark 13:36 says "If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping." 

We are not asked to be sleepless but to be awakened. To beware of temptation that could lead us into falling away from God's plan. God said in Jeremiah 33:3 that we should call to him and He will answer and show us great and unsearchable things we do not know. While God is responding do not sleep on distractions of life.

One day I woke up excellently and in perfect shape to carry out life changing plans. But as I laid hands on my phone, I started reading various news on social media and forgot to do what I initially planned. I slept into hours of oblivion reading through news and people's comments on the internet. 

"but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way". Matthew 25:13 which means while you left God's plans and real purpose in life, something else may come up to steal away your time and opportunity.

Remember "And while they (unwise virgin) went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." Matthew 25:10

Some of us knew the good old days when big things started very little and now it has turned into big things. While the unwise virgin became awakened that their lamp is running out of oil. They went to buy, the bridegroom came and took the prepared ones away and the door was shut. For example in those days when landed properties were sold at very cheap rates and the cities was before an unkempt town, some people bought land and built while some people looked away. Today the unkempt towns has become mega cities all over the world and the meticulous ones cannot even afford to live there. Some people would have regretted not buying those cheap properties in Paris when they had the opportunity because Paris was not a city but today its too late, there is no more lands in Paris and even if you want to buy any you have to pay the uttermost sum.

God is responding to everyone. It is time for Christians to stick to the game plan and avoid being tempted to be derailed from God's plan. Be who God wants you to be now - doctor, lawyer, politicians, pastor etc and remain on the framework even if you are not there yet, so that when God comes responding he will find you worthy.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. Matthew 10:29

Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Mark 25:11-12

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

I have got to tell you that this emoji devotions is embarked on giving the thousand years meaning to your life. The word of God is eternal. Got stucked to God's plan, spiritually, physically, emotionally, psychologically and in all remifications so that in the end you will rejoice with God when he comes. 

What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'" Mark 13:37

Prayer: Help me Lord and give me grace to stay in structured plans you have for me in Jesus name. Amen.

One of the Teachers

 An Emoji Devotions for Sat, 23 January 2021

Topic: One of the Teachers

Highlights:

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Mark 10:28

So many troubles in Mark 12:13. Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. 

Hey! You are teachers of the law of God right? Yes or No? but why are you trying to trap my Lord with such questions? You respected God so much but would not want Jesus to equal himself with God but you think the best thing to do is to trap him against the government? 

But I forgot to tell you that while you were finding ways to trap Jesus. One of your teachers got caught up in a revelation. Aha! He noticed Jesus gave good answer and he would love to have an answer to his long lost question. Yes sir, I love your answers and I need to know sir, Sir, in all the world you are the best solution, and so I need to know sir, with all due respect sir, of all the commandments 1,2,3 to 10 which is the most important?

Aha! All things would soon be working together for that man. It is his opportunity to receive answer to a question not a chief priest could give an answer to but Jesus. If this is your reason to meet Jesus then you are not far from the kingdom of heaven. No! Sir that's not all. I just realized that with your answer to my question You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Your answer just opened up my inner eyes and I see that nothing can great as loving God and loving others. 

How would you have known that offering burnt sacrifice is not the answer. How? Because that's how teachers and their likes roll.

 They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” Mark 12:38-40

You think showing people you render service to God is what makes you a servant of God.

Let me share a short story. Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Moral story: When you think no one is watching. Jesus is watching. That little good effort is highly cherished by the one who sees the heart and soul. Don't compromise personality to Just being nice and sweet. The time will soon come one day that those who have seen you your story will be tell their family and friends for the glory of God. Please show love not sacrifice!!! 

Our prayer goes to all who left their homes, career and families to help the less privileged. God bless all lovers and supporters of God!

Prayer: Dearest Jesus thank you for showing me answer to my biggest concerns about life. Please empower me Lord to be a loving instrument who would express your kind of love to others around me in Jesus name. Amen

God in Nature. Part 2

An Emoji Devotions for Fri 22nd January, 2021

Topic: God in Nature (Part 2)
By C.C. Thompson

So far as possible, let the child from his earliest years be placed where this wonderful lesson book shall be open before him. Let him behold the glorious scenes painted by the great Master Artist upon the shifting canvas of the heavens, let him become acquainted with the wonders of earth and sea, let him watch the unfolding mysteries of the changing seasons, and, in all His works, learn of the Creator. Ed 100.3

In no other way can the foundation of a true education be so firmly and surely laid. Yet even the child, as he comes in contact with nature, will see cause for perplexity. He cannot but recognize the working of antagonistic forces. It is here that nature needs an interpreter. Looking upon the evil manifest even in the natural world, all have the same sorrowful lesson to learn—“An enemy hath done this.” Matthew 13:28.

Only in the light that shines from Calvary can nature’s teaching be read aright. Through the story of Bethlehem and the cross let it be shown how good is to conquer evil, and how every blessing that comes to us is a gift of redemption.
In brier and thorn, in thistle and tare, is represented the evil that blights and mars. In singing bird and opening blossom, in rain and sunshine, in summer breeze and gentle dew, in ten thousand objects in nature, from the oak of the forest to the violet that blossoms at its root, is seen the love that restores. And nature still speaks to us of God’s goodness. Ed 101.3

“I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.” Jeremiah 29:11. This is the message that, in the light from the cross, may be read upon all the face of nature. The heavens declare His glory, and the earth is full of His riches.

Prayer: Eternal Father,  please help me to teach my children to examine well the wonderful beauties of your creative power demonstrated in nature, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

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.