How do I center my focus on God?

 An Emoji Devotions for Mon, 1 March 2021

Topic: How do I center my focus on God?

Highlight: Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. Psalm 119:164

Happy new month to you from where you are! I wish all readers of Emoji Devotions glorious manifestations in spiritual awakenings this month. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

When Jesus said "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness". He is pointing to honourable worship and reverence to God. It is Most honourable way to live;- Let me show you something; when you have plans, who do you tell first? The most honourable way is to tell God first about it. By telling God first about your plans in secret shows you have refevence for Him. Note that I do not talk about the things you need*. I say it's most honourable to tell your plans to God first! "Seek ye first the kingdom..." means seek God's approval first before you *do* it. Have you ever prayed like this? "Dear heavenly father, these are my plans for today."

As a child of God, our maker is our father and he deserves to truly know what is going on in our lives. Some will say, "is He not God who knows all things?" But If God says " is she not my daughter who has sharp eyes to see, she does not need my help" . Which is more justified? Remember, When God left Job for Satan to handle?, see what happened to him within an hour: Job 1:14b-18 "....They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you (Job)!”

If what you are planning is really important then you need to tell God first so you can be justified when you are enjoying the reward.
If you do not learn from Job, you can learn from Jesus. Matthew 6:33

That is how to center focus on God.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.


Prayer Exercise: Give thanks to God for his support and protection. Tell Him about your plans for today, repeat same exercise each day. Write down the transformation you observe at the end of each week?

When last did you meet with the Lord?

 An Emoji Devotions for Fri 26th February, 2021

Topic: When last did you meet with the Lord?

Highlight:

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:4

A burning bush was taking to Moses. That's how Moses met with the Lord. I think that's the deadline day for when God have to meet Moses t discuss his mission as the deliverer of his people.

Exodus 3:3 "So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”'

At some point some of us were so focused to the extent that we do not care about what was going on around us. We just want to pass by while others were busy looking at whatever might have caught their attention. But something must catch our attention. God knew what he can do to get us close to him. For Moses it was a burning bush. As for others it might be a radio or TV program.

Some might have to go through blower life. Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,

So when you meet with the Lord, say like Moses "Here I am Lord"

Prayer: God please in any situation when you want to meet me, make me understand and do not let the devil take advantage of me in Jesus name. Amen

Paradise Vs Kingdom of Heaven

 An Emoji Devotions for Thu 25 February, 2021

Topic: Paradise Vs Kingdom of Heaven

Highlights: Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:45

Paradise is the place of rest after death (After one has breath is last). Paradise can also be regarded as Abraham's Bossom while the Kingdom of Heaven is the government and authority of God's Kingdom on earth which is given to God's children to be Christlike on earth. The Kingdom of God is the carbon copy of the way Israelites lives on earth.

Matthew 21:43 "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people (nation) who will produce its fruit". From the above Bible verse we can understand that Christ is referring to Kingdom of God (Heaven) as the true and acceptable way to serve God. Matthew 18:4 "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven"

Where is Paradise or Abraham's Bossom described in the Bible?

 Luke 16:22-24

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Paradise is a place of rest after death. Note that both Lazarus and the thief on the cross (who told Jesus to remember him in his Kingdom) both died.  Jesus assured the thief would meet him in His kingdom that day because Jesus also breath his last breath. Luke 23:46

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall. enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth. the will of my Father which is in heaven" Matthew 7:21

Who is qualified: A person who recognises Jesus as His King, most importantly accept His Lordship in his/her heart and acknowledge that Jesus is the only one that can lead human into Paradise is most qualified for Abraham's brossom John 3:3-16. This is the most important requirement which is to be born again. If you are not yet born again. It is a must you give your life to Christ and make him your personal Lord and saviour. Let's pray!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I acknowledge you as the King of Heaven and I give my heart to you, my Lord. I repent of my sins and religious lies and accept your kingdom with humility of my earth. Now I understand that; To love God with all my heart and Strength is the most important thing and I will love my neighbor as myself. Please forgive my sins and Give me your Holy Spirit. Remember me too in your Kingdom from now on and Take me into Paradise when I breath my last breath. In your name Jesus I pray. Thank you for answering my prayer. Amen

Moments of Joy!

 An Emoji Devotions for Wed 24th February, 2021

Topic: Moments of Joy!

Highlights: You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Have you ever been in a situation whereby you wore a cardigan because it was cold and suddenly thereafter the weather changed to a humid temperature and you see it necessary to remove your jacket. God's presence is everlasting joy. Psalm 16:11 and God does not change forever, it is human being that do change. So many have lost  their consciousness on their positions of God's presence and their moments of joy was stolen because the devil wants it that way. John the beloved once said "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." 1John 2:16 NLV. Jesus also said " The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:10 and apostle Paul said" Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4. Having joy shows we are in His presence but not all could have such experience because the devil has made it to look like they are worse and things are really bad.

Do not reminisce with the devil. Once a thought or idea comes from your past that is showing hurt and sadness from your feelings, know that the devil is around the corner. 2cor 5:17 Do not let such thoughts steal away your moments of joy. You can beat such thoughts by having hope in God looking unto Jesus that your tomorrow will be better. Acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit around you and sense joy instead of sorrow.

Job in His agony said "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last" Job 19:25 NLV.. Know your God and if you are not born again you must repent of your sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and saviour today and ask him to fill you with His joyous and Holy precense which is the Holy Spirit.  

Always ask Holy Spirit to take over and give you joy unspeakable and peace that surpasses all understanding. May your Joy be full in Jesus name. Amen

Prayer: Father Lord please secure my moments of joy everyday in the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen

Magical Enemy

 An Emoji Devotions for Tue 23 February, 2021

Topic: Magical Enemy

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. I have seen slaves on horseback,
    while princes go on foot like slaves.
Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;
    whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
    whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.  If the ax is dull
    and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. Ecclesiastes 7: 5-10

From the Bible reading above. It is very clear that humans create errors with their imaginations and these imaginations lands them into the pit or to the venomous spits of snakes. The pit did not force you to come but you dug a pit and yet fell into it. Also the snake was lying gently on its own but you went to break into its home and found that a snake spitting at you. All these things started from imagination.

Consider why wise people are lying waste in the city while the unlearned are ruling in the government. 1Cor 10:23 CEV says "Some of you say, “We can do whatever we want to!” But I tell you that not everything may be good or helpful." Fools are placed in many positions and slaves riding on horseback but the rich occupy low ones and princes go on foot like slaves.

1 Samuel 13 Amon was so in love with his half-sister Tamar , a virgin who happend to be Absalom's sister. Amon was advised by his friend called Jonadab to act like he was sick and ask the king to send his half-sister Tamar to nurse him. He raped Tamar and he lost his life to the same course. In verse 32 it was same Jonadab his friend that announced to his father about his death. You see that Amon was just a short-sighted wise man who lost his life to self conceited wisdom of getting what he wants by all means because they look good in his eyes. He believes in short term achievements and refused to recognise that he is digging pits for venomous snakes in his imagination. When he imagined the whole thing, he really wished he could have his wish come through. What a spoilt brat! His friend helped him more into early grave with wrong advise.

Your magical enemy is hidden in your imaginations and they will bring you to bad advise and decisions. Whenever these imaginations come to you, you must sight the pit and snakes immediately and use your skill to drop the dull ax with unsharpened edge. Afterall our Lord Jesus Christ said "whoever wants to become great among you must be * servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be * slave— which means beware of the traps lying as magical enemies in your imaginations to be great. In this was you will be able to map out your way into breakthrough.

Prayer: God, please be good to me. Help me fix my mind on eternal blessings and fruitfulness in Jesus name. Amen.

Two Realms

 An Emoji Devotions for Mon 22nd February, 2021

Topic: Two Realms

Highlights: 

At one time all of us lived to please our old selves. We gave in to what our bodies and minds wanted. We were sinful from birth like all other people and would suffer from the anger of God. Ephesians 2:3

But now you belong to Christ Jesus. At one time you were far away from God. Now you have been brought close to Him. Christ did this for you when He gave His blood on the cross. Eph 2:13

Today's Devotional is going to be straightforward. I want to discuss about two important realms. The realm of thoughts and the realm of consciousness. In the realm of thoughts is where we have cravings and desire for what the body and mind wanted. If our body goes by instructions given from our thoughts then we are likely controlled by the prince of the air Ephesians 2:1-2. I have heard few people who said they get good sleep without nightmare once they drink hard drink but once they stop drinking they will have nightmare. That's the prince of the air coaxing them to drink in order to subdue damage them. I want to believe that the temptation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the wilderness took this form. Some people live so strong in the thinking realms that it seems they are watching it on TV. Some have even got their night dreams stolen and replaced with fearful thoughts. John 10:10

The second is the realm of consciousness. Though It takes discipline but it's very great and has the presence of God. Anyone operating in the realm of consciousness are great people. Example was Abraham who took hold of God's promise and almost sacrificed his son because he was conscious of the end. (Genesis 18:9-15; 21:1-7). Another Example is found in Ruth 1:14 Again they wept aloud, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. Ruth is a woman of faith. She clinged to Naomi her mother in-law even when all hope seems to be lost. She was one of the great grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who operate in the realms of consciousness has something that keep them on track. They have far sight into the future seeing the greatness of God. They look up to the second coming of Christ even when it seems it's not forthcoming. This is the realms you see God and his angel. Afterall our Lord Jesus told the devil "it is written..."when He was tempted in the wilderness. In the case when His disciples could not cast out demons Jesus told them they had little faith and if they could have faith as small as the size of mustard seed. Nothing will be impossible to them. Matthew 17:19-20 Howbeit in verse 21 He said "this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

You can reach the level of consciousness by fasting and praying. This is part of the reason Jesus Christ fasted before embarking on his ministerial journey. Focus on God and do all its takes to stay with him because with him is eternal life. John 6:68.

Prayer: O Lord place my consciousness on your promises in Jesus mighty name. Amen

Please Don't Die

 An Emoji Devotions for Sun 21 February, 2021

Topic: Please Don't Die

Highlights: Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? Hebrews 12:7

A pot filled with water burning in the intense heat of fire will maintain resistance until the water is dried up. Once there is no more water, the pot will be burnt. For our “God is a consuming fire" Heb 12:29; and according to Zechariah 14:21 We are all cooking pots because our flesh is the house of the spirit living in us(also See "Heavenly Mothers" Emoji Devotions for Fri 19th). As a matter of fact, every pot born alive and existing on earth is always on fire. Whatever you have in your pot determines what you are up to. Jeremiah 1:13 -15a The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?”

“I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.”

The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. 15 I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord....

Sometimes a pot could refer to a collection of people or city with the same motives. This shows that we are living on God's fire to fulfill his purpose. Right now the world is burning on grace because we all have something cooking in our pots that fire could still burn. God is an everlasting fire that does not quench (Amen) and is burning every human motives. 1 Cor 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

Everyone has a motive(a reason for doing something) and if your motive is established, you will receive a reward for it but if your motive is burned you will suffer loss. In Luke 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. In this verse John the Baptist was telling the people that God has sent Jesus to come and do the separations of those who will be burned with fire and those who will be established with God forever. See this in Luke 3:17 (that) "He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” It is just like a man holding light looking into everyone's eyes while identifying and separating the justified from the condemned. That's Jesus Christ. His mother once said "Do whatever he tells you" John 2:5

In Luke 12:51-53 (Our Lord Jesus said) "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

You can see why Jesus came to the world. Because in verse 49 of Luke 12 He said "I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!" NIV. That's the fire burning already under every pots of each and everyone of us. If the Spirit of God is not living in you (your pot), that means you are chaff which will be burned. Let me put it like this : For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 How is this possible? If put a flesh on fire, the flesh will be burnt. But if by the spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. How? You need to be born again. Yes, if you are not born again, you cannot receive the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

As human being our brain is forgetful and ignorant that we are all living at the expense of God's fire. We must sincerely accept Jesus Christ into our lives and ask him to give us His Holy Spirit and fire to put us in the right path in God's will. You have the right to live if you are not burned by fire of God. This can only happen when your motives are not against the fire. Read Hebrews 12:18-29

In conclusion, if you are at the point of death; repent and make amendment of your ways back to God and ask God for mercy through Jesus Christ because God's children don't die, they only sleep. John 11:11 This He said, and after that He *said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” 

If your works have been burn with fire, the loss will show in your body and your health. Do not ask God why you wish to live as you wish and don't want to get burned. It is not God's fault that he created you to make this world more beautiful while you change and wants to go your own way. The world itself is powered by the fire of the sun. It cannot be in darkness anymore. For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17. The only solution is to genuinely repent and remain in the Holy Spirit and fire. Please don't die.

Prayer: Lord Jesus wherever you are I'm ready to change my ways by receiving you into my life. Send me your Holy Spirit and fire to show me the rest of things I need to know. In your name I pray. Amen.