Battles on Bottles

 An Emoji Devotions for Thu 4 February, 2020

Topic: Battles on Bottles

Highlights: 

Remember your Creator

    in the days of your youth,

before the days of trouble come

    and the years approach when you will say,

    “I find no pleasure in them Ecclesiastes 12:1

Before you open that bottle remember you are going for a battle because wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades;

when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint, when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets;

when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Remember your creator on when you are still looking good and reasoning rightly so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in you, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:4

Prayer: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be sufficient for me. Amen

Don't kick against the goads

 An Emoji Devotions for Wed January 3, 2021

Topic: Don't kick against the goads

Highlights:

We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' Acts 26:14

When a stubborn ox attempts to kick back against the goad that is causing it discomfort, the ox will actually inflict more pain, driving the pointed end deeper into its flesh. Your body is the temple and God has set parameters. The real you, is a soul housing the body. There are rules to obey if the the soul still wants to control it's body. A little flu could be life threatening. It is a pointless battle when you break the rules of your body and still wants to enjoy it. Kicking against the goads is like going against the master plan.

As a Christian who has received Christ into our lives. We have been identified with Christ. As He is pure so we must be pure. We must filter out substances of spiritual impurities that leads to kicking against the set down goads. Christ spirit is now dwelling in you and there is a master plan. (That Christ will find you if you are lost)

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people

Same way Apostle Paul was cautioned by our Lord that he id truly fighting for God he need not to persecute God's people. Paul's intention was misunderstood by his soul while he persecute Jesus's disciples. Then God said if you are God's temple, Come out from them (hypocrisy) and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.

That might be you, you love the Lord but seems to misunderstood your objectives as a child of God. Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you." Luke 9:50

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven. You own time and the master plan. Help me in my objectives and grant me grace and mercy to be on the right path in Jesus name. Hallelujah. Amen

Day before the day

An Emoji Devotions for Tue 2nd February, 2020

Topic: Day before the day.

Highlights:

I saw a dream and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. Daniel 4:5

Somehow I believe that dreams shows us future events. Day before the day those important event would unfold, there was a warning that's probably not observed. In Matthew 2:13-14 There was a time King Herod would have his bad plan to kill little Jesus, When they (The three wise men) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” The next day Joseph took his family at night and they left for Egypt.

For some reasons, tomorrow is certain for everyone but God is the greatest one who holds tomorrow.  While some  eventually make their dream a reality, it takes God grace to sustain their dreams.

 Example was King Nebuchadnezzar who had his dream interpreted through Daniel the prophet and yet fell into the pit of his omen. He failed to recognise God as the supreme controller of life and universe. "Look at Babylon! I built this great city. It is my palace. I built this great place by my power. I built this place to show how great I am".  Daniel 4:30

In moments of euphoria, Nebuchadnezzar forgot he was warned in his dream Day before the day. He lived in a great city and he acclaimed all glory to himself. As he was yet speaking His dream was instantly fulfilled. Daniel 4:31-32 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox.... At the end of the time, Nebuchadnezzar praised the most high. (Verse Dan 4:33-35)

Time will not permit me to talk about Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Nathan, Ezekiel, Amos and so on who had dreams. I am here to tell you three things. Always be thankful to God for yesterday and glorify him for tomorrow. Look into the future through his word (The Holy Bible).

The Bible contains information about past, present and future of creation and it's inspired by the Holy Spirit. Today, the Bible have been given to us all. Once you devote your time to read the Holy Bible, God will speak to you. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing (reading and watching) by the word of God. Romans 10:17

I do tell people that the solution to their problems is all written inside the Bible only if they had the power to open and read it.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, am thankful for yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you very much for all you have done for me. Give me grace to hear from you through the Holy Bible. I am very grateful to you in Jesus name. Amen.

The Build-up

 An Emoji Devotions for Mon February 1, 2021

Topic: The Build-up

Highlights

Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Matthew 24:28

Beware when the vultures begin to gather. This is a spiritual term indicating that a sin has caused a spiritual lightening. When your mind is pushing you to do what you know is wrong, vultures will gather. Vultures don't know who is who, all they want is feed on dead bodies. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

When things has already gone and the lightening has struck, you only need to remember the encouraging words of the prodigal son, "I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you." Luke 15:18

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Ephesians 6:16

Prayer: Lord I hid my life in Jesus. Let your spirit guide and protect spirit. I trust in you. Amen

Open and Close: Faith Vs Emotions

 An Emoji Devotions for Sun 31 January, 2021

Topic: Open and Close: Faith Vs Emotions

Highlights: 

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Jesus Christ is the same everyday doing miracles and he is always at your door knocking. Through faith, you can hear his voice and open your door to him. How do you have faith?. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17 NIV

If you want to live well, you need to live by faith. To fellowship with God, emotions is not enough but Faith all the way

Habbakuk 2:4 Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith. 

So when you open and close. Choose faith!

Prayer: Lord Jesus I believe you are the son of the Living God who is in heaven. Increase my faith. In your name I pray. Amen

You are Super Human

An Emoji Devotions for Sat 30th, January 2021

Topic: You are super human

Highlights:

What are human beings that you think about them?
    What is a son of man that you take care of him? Psalm 8:4

Your real father is in heaven thinking about you. You owe him so much. You can be tempted to do evil if you want to. But as for you, your secret is mercy. You are not to be far from the kingdom of your father because you know how important it is to love him with all your heart and all your understanding and all your strength, and to love my neighbor as yourself. You know how important it is to love than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.

You have your personal laws and standard regulations and it is to follow peace with all men and Holiness. Because you want to see your father and receive good reward.  Well done, good and faithful human! You have been faithful with a few things; God will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' You are super human washed in the blood of Jesus. Revelation 7:14


Prayer: Amen Amen blessings and glory to Jesus forever.

Bread King

An Emoji Devotions for Fri 29th January,2021

Topic: Bread King

Highlights:

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. John 6:14

Jesus had already performed a miracle where everyone had eaten to the satisfaction. Some men saw this and want to make Him king. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. Our Lord Jesus was focused on his eternal mission so no need for digression.

The crowd were still looking for him. They found him on the other side of the lake. They asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You are not looking for me because you saw the signs I did. You are looking for me because you ate the loaves until you were full.

How many people have just became  friends with you because they want something from you? Our Lord Jesus had a bigger vision and would not fall for gimmicks. Like Jesus we all have to stick to the plan. If you do not have any plan then you must start seeking God guidance to show you your greater vision and you should embark on it rather than let anyone sway you because of bread hustle.

Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

What was Jesus response?

Then Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. And whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:34-35

Excellent! That's what makes the difference.

Prayer: Lord, who can we go to? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Gather us to yourself and give us the living bread. In your name we pray. Amen.