Cities on Hilltops

An Emoji for Mon 15 February, 2021

Topic: Cities on Hilltops

Highlights: You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

A City  is a human settlement but an abandoned city would turned into ghost town that will be forgotten. Jesus said "You are the light of the world" - Like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. The light of the sun that make things visible  for the day shinning on a hilltop city has the best views and ratings in the sight of men. Residents from suburban areas would melt looking from afar the beauty of hilltop cities in all its splendor  and give glory wishing they had been the one living in such magnificent edifice. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

In Matthew 11:20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.

People around you were supposed to wish they were in your shoes and admire you more and more with amazing things about you.  But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12: 48


"...For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day."

To be a good city on hilltop, you should maintain your ratings before God and men and if your case is like Chorazin, you must repent. Matthew 11:21-22

Prayer: Lord as time passes by and by in the difficulty of representation as the light of the world and a city on the hilltop. I ask for grace and mercy to win in your name Jesus. Amen.

No one has ever gone into Heaven

 An Emoji for Sun 14 February

Topic: No one has ever gone into Heaven

Highlights:

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. John 3:13

Heaven is an organized territorial unit having a monarchial form of government which is God. ...“What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? The above sentence was found in Mark 4:30 when Jesus was looking for a good description of how to describe heaven. He said heaven is like a mustard seed which is the smallest of all seed on earth. Yet when planted it becomes the largest of all garden plants with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade. (Verse 31-32). Since  No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven; then JESUS is HEAVEN. Jesus is the Kingdom where all the angels dwell and on the other hand Devil is the Kingdom where all demons lives. Jesus is heaven while the Devil is hell.

Which means As God is the father of Truth (Jesus), The Devil is the father of Lies see John 8:44

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16,18.

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Act 16:31

Prayer: Heavenly Lord of all. You are the hope I have in this world of mine. I believe in you and in your name. Jesus! . Save me and be wonderful to me. Amen.

Who is wise? How can wisdom grow within me?

An Emoji Devotions for Fri, 12 February 2021

Who is wise? How can wisdom grow within me?

By H.U. Wenger

As I woke this morning, I took my little devotional with a verse from the Bible for the day. It read: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” (Proverbs 3, 7) It is my habit to always grab the Bible and read the verse in the context, to not take conclusions in a wrong direction. The verses before read: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” The following verse stated:  “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” I understood that the short portion of scripture is an advice for my wellbeing. Am I wise in my own eyes, I questioned myself? At first glance it did not feel like it, but as I kept thinking about it, I realized that there are moments in my life where I am secretly harboring a sense of superiority. Not that I would speak about it. I keep it for myself. Nevertheless I internally distance myself from others and I violate love and faithfulness. I lean on my own understanding. I forget that all I have is a gift from the Lord and with that my fear of the Lord has diminished and evil, pride and haughtiness can grow. In those moments, although they may even feel good, I am working against my wellbeing.

The fear of the Lord has nothing to do with anxiety. Fear of the Lord is the awareness that I am responsible before him for all my thinking and doing and that all I am and all I have is his gracious gift to me.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9, 10) He, and He only can give me life eternal. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17, 3) Fear of the Lord ultimately grows out of perfect love, out of the knowledge that no matter what I do, no matter what happens to me, I am surrounded by his love which he has revealed trough the suffering and the death of Christ. Death could not hold him and with him I am resurrected to a new life.

Time and again life tells me that I need more wisdom and I have to take refuge to James 1, 5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
The apostle James gives us the highlight for today in his teaching about the wisdom from above: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3, 13 – 18) “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord’.” (1. Corinthians 1, 30 – 31)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to wholeheartedly and fully surrender to you. Make me wise in your eyes and keep me from pride, envy and selfish ambitions. Amen

Do you believe that God has mercy?

An Emoji Devotions for Thu 11 February, 2021

Topic: Do you believe that God has mercy?

By H.U.Wenger

In “The Book of Mysteries”, written by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, this is the question the teacher asks his student. He replies: “Of course – you have told me that!” But “no” said the teacher. “God does not have mercy. The student was confused and for the first time contradicted the teacher. “With all due respect – that is not right.” “So then,” replied the teacher, “prove your point.” The student then responds that he has read in the book of Daniel, in which Daniel prays for Gods mercy on the people of Israel and he says: “To the Lord our God belongs mercy and forgiveness …” “No, says the teacher, at least in the original language it does not say that. It says, to the Lord our God belongs rachamim. And what is rachamim, the student asks. The teacher responds that although some would translate it as mercy, it is not a singular, but a plural word. “It does not mean mercy. It means mercies. It means that Gods mercy is more than mercy. God’s mercy is so great, so strong and so deep that it cannot be contained in a single word. Rachamim means that his mercy has no end.”
The student wants then to know whether the word for “sin” is a singular or a plural word and the teacher assures him that “sin” is a singular word. What does that tell us?
Cahn lets the student say: That no matter what my sin is, no matter how great, the mercy of God is always greater. An no matter how much I have sinned, no matter how many sins I have, the mercies of God are more than my sins.”
“Yes,” said the teacher. “So do not ever make the mistake of thinking that you have exhausted God’s mercy. You never have. You never could. And you never will. He will always have more mercies than you have sins, more than enough to cover every sin and to still have enough compassion left over to love you forever. For what the Lord has for you is not mercy … but rachamim.” So far Jonathan Cahn
Highlights: Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isajah 55, 6 – 7) So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.” I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3, 18 – 23) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2. Corinthians 1, 3 – 4)
You may be down because of sin, because of disappointment or because of betrayal. Do not despair, but turn to God. He has enough rachamim for you. Jeremiah was rightfully disappointed and David had many bloody sins. Both turned to the Lord and both became men after God’s own heart. Take courage!
Prayer: God, thank you that I cannot fall outside of your mercy. I am turning to you. Help me to get up again and rejoice in your rachamim for me.

Reference
 Jonathan Cahn, The Book of Mysteries, FrontLine Charisma Media, Lake Mary, Florida 2016, ISBN 978-1-62998-941-9, Day 56

Why is it important to care for a holy life?

 An Emoji Devotions for Wed, 10 February 2021

Topic: Why is it important to care for a holy life?

By H. U. Wenger

Highlights: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) 

We do know that except for Jesus himself, every one of us is a sinner. According to the sermon of the mount we all qualify for murderers and adulterers. Nevertheless many Christian consider the doctrine of the sermon of the mount as an ideological non-reachable ideal. Yes, of course we should strive for a sanctified life, but Jesus himself did not believe it really possible and therefore he has given us his own righteousness for free, as a gift. Even the Epistle to the Hebrews mentions that we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) We cannot do without sin, so why bother?

This is a doctrine that has spread from the Western liberal theology and it is a dangerous cancer in the church today that causes Christianity to be without the dynamics of salt and light. Although nobody can claim to be without sin as long as we live in the flesh (1. John 1: 8) we always have to aspire for a more sanctified life. This is the only way to become more like Jesus. Yes, it is true that Jesus has gifted his disciples with his righteousness and holiness, but it is also true that he called them time and again to a holy life: compare the beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3 – 12); be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5, 13 – 16); keep the law (Matthew 5, 17 - 42); love your enemies and be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5: 43 – 48) He encourages to let go of the earthly worries about clothing and food and to concentrate on his kingdom and his righteousness. (Matthew 6: 28 – 34) The apostles continue in that very tradition. All the Epistles show us what riches and blessings are bestowed on us through the redemption through Christ and then encourages us to lay down everything that belongs to the old nature and live in the Holy Spirit, the new nature, God has given us. We cannot follow Jesus just ideally or spiritually. Discipleship needs always to be wholeheartedly, including my mind, my soul, my body and eventually my actions.

Jesus warns us: “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. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21 – 23)

Highlights: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:” … (Colossians 3:1 – 5a)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I earnestly want to be holy as you are holy, but I am not. Help me to grow and to be transformed into your image. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and forgive me any resistance I have put against his guidance. My life belongs to you, take it and form it into your image. Amen.

My doubts can lead to deeper trust and firmer faith in the Lord

 An Emoji Devotions for Tue, Feb 9, 2021

Topic: My doubts can lead to deeper trust and firmer faith in the Lord

By H.U. Wenger

Highlights: For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. (Psalm 33: 4 – 6)

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. (Psalm 34:8 – 9)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5 – 6)

It is totally normal that we have doubts because we have so many wants and wishes in our lives and not everything we pray for, is always given to us.
 Additionally we know that our lives are not as perfect as the one of Jesus has been. So maybe God is appalled and disappointed by my behavior. Would he give me, what I crave for, if I could live an immaculate life? Without realizing, we move our thoughts away from God and concentrate on us.

This is the place, where we fall into the same trap as Eve did at the beginning of time. Is God really all that good? Do I just hold to it because it gives me a feeling of security and refuge? God is good because he says so and because he has proven it in history.

Whenever doubts are tormenting us, we need to concentrate our thoughts on God and on what scripture tells us about him. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).

All the promises he has given us, he will fulfill in his appointed time. It may, however, well be that a few of my wishes do not match with what he has promised. In any case, I am free to pray and to beg with the assurance, that he will give me good gifts (Matthew 6:7 – 11). He has made the heavens and the earth and he has created you and me. All our days have been written down in heaven, before anyone of them came to pass in time. (Psalm 139) Just think what he has cost him to save you from the hands of the enemy! He had to give his only Son to the worst torture imaginable.

His love for you is so strong that he offers life eternal to you, even before you have taken your first steps as a disciple. He will never betray you he will not reject you as long as you cling to him and the promises in his word.  Even if you are lead through hard times, you will find refuge in him and his truth.

The bigger my doubts become, the more I need to cling to him. If I refuse to do so, my own understanding will betray me and I will go astray.  In trusting him with all my heart, despite my doubts, he will lead me in a place of rest and will show his power and strength to me. Paul testifies to this in his epistle to the Philippians:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4, 6 – 7)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I surrender all I have and all I am to you. Please come into the situations that are too much for me to handle. Thank you that you love me and that you are present now. Guard my heart and let me cling to you with all my strength. Amen

A fruitful live for the kingdom of heaven

 An Emoji Devotions for Mon 8 February, 2021

Topic: A fruitful live for the kingdom of heaven  

by H.U. Wenger

Highlights: As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15)

 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Luke 8, 4 – 8)

The first verse reminds us of the rebellion from the Israelites against Moses, as they did not have water in Exodus 17, 1 – 7. In the spur of a moment they were ready to kill Moses. The Lord saved them by ordering Moses to hit a rock with his rod. The second portion of scripture depicts our lives with regard to our readiness to receive and to nurture the word of God. The fact that we all live as fallen creatures in a fallen world has the consequence that all four types of land are present in my life. I have not been understood, I have been wronged and it has made me hard like a well trampled path. Here the seed gets refused and the birds or the wind can take them away. There are hurts and wounds in my life that are covered with a very thin layer of earth. Here, I am craving for healing and relief, but the good seed is always too slow and it withers and leads to frustration. I have tried, but it does not help anyway; so why bother anymore? Then, I have learned that there are a few things that give me immediate relief and satisfaction, although I hate them.

So many times I have vowed that it has now been the last time, I have done it. But the thorns ensnare me again and the good plant gets chocked. Finally there is the good soil and it may likely be the largest part and give me my reputation for my Christian life.

Jesus wants, however, heal the three parts of my soil that have become deficient through my depravity and through my being wounded and hurt. Every part of my being that cannot receive and nurture his good seed cannot be sanctified and cannot be fruitful. Jesus invites me to bring all my contaminated soil to him for purification, for being renewed by him. To live the new life, I need to look at the soil of my life. He can make the hardened parts soft, heal the concealed wounds and hurts, break the false gods of lust, greed, envy, pride and whatever else the fallen world has betrayed me with.

The only thing, I have to do, is to confess my whole misery and bring it to him. He will show us the way to recovery. He may do a miracle and simply take the bad stuff away. He may lead us into contact with wise brothers and sisters, who can help us out.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11, 28 – 30) 

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus please help me. I want my whole personality to honor and glorify you. I want that my whole being is bearing fruit for you. Please heal the hardened parts and help me to not harden my heart, when I hear your voice, telling me to listen, to repent and to trust and to go on with confidence. Amen.