Fractions: When Equation is not balanced

 An Emoji Devotions for Wednesday, 24 March, 2021

Topic: Fractions: When Equation is not balanced

Highlights:

When the leaders heard Stephen saying all these things, they became very angry. They were so mad that they were grinding their teeth at Stephen. But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at God’s right side. Acts 7:54-55

Apostle Stephen was trying to explain the gospel to already furious set of people. This is an unbalanced equation. In the previous devotion we talked about being drunk in the Holy Spirit which means to be numb to distractions around and become calm when faced with troubles. Religious people were already furious to throw stones at Apostle Stephen but he was rather seeing Jesus standing at God's right side. Acts 7:55. 

In John 6:33 Our Lord Jesus said “I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!" 

Be brave, when you are faced with unbalanced equations, and be calm. That's how to be drunk in the Holy Spirit. And although he was killed, his example inspired many others to speak out and live for Christ. And by the power and wisdom of the Spirit, the Lord has built his church to reach out and serve people so that it brings the same saving message of God’s love to the world today. Life is an unbalanced fraction full of collision with others who are attempting to fulfill the same purpose but with different views. As people differs in religion, rights, culture and views, Christian must never forget that in every relationship of life, Jesus remains the solution to all improper fractions and unbalanced equations. We must seek him for answer. 

Prayer: Spirit of God, give us your wisdom to speak the truth and live by it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be Drunk in the Holy Spirit

 An Emoji Devotions for Tue, 23 March 2021

Topic: Be Drunk in the Holy Spirit

Highlights: Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

When the Lord said “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” Psalm 46:10 He was saying the core truth because He is truly exalted among nations of the earth today. He also said in Habakkuk 2:3 that "For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay." That is exactly true too and why we all need to be drunk in the Holy Spirit as 2 Peter 2:9a explains it better that "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you...," Which means that being drunk in the Holy spirit makes you to be numb to snakes and lions of life even though they are there to scare you (please read Luke 10:19, and Psalm 91:13 for better understanding).

Psalm 27:14 Explains it better that we should all "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!"

God's time is faster than in spirit time but it may look slower while waiting in flesh because God has to do the fixing and arrangements before the result. Psalm 4:4 says "Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. To patiently wait for the Lord in any situation either boiling or stormy, when you need quick answer, it is better to be silent and to trust in the Lord. Do not drink wine or alcohol to subdue yourself but Be silent and search your heart while you trust in God.

In Luke 18:7-8 Jesus said  "Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

The faith Jesus wants to see in you when you are in the midst of challenges is to see you trust in the Lord with all your heart and be wonderfully calm about it no matter what it looks like.

Psalm 27:13 "I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living."

Prayer: Holy Lord fill me up with the fullness of Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Amen I receive confidence in the Lord in Jesus name. Amen

And Christ will Shine on you

 An Emoji Devotions for Mon, 22 March ,2021

Topic: And Christ will Shine on you

Highlights: This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:17

Jesus is the light that shines. A powerful light that overcomes darkness. Like the sun that shines during the day and the whole night turns into day. Jesus's light is so big that no darkness can overpower it. John 1:5 says if we have Jesus in our lives then we have the light of life that no darkness could overpower. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness. He will have the light that gives life.”

Yes, though darkness look horrible and fearsome, it is the darkness that should be afraid of light and not the other way round. What baffles angels in heaven is how a born again Christian is afraid of powers of darkness because angels can never be afraid of demons no matter how tough. 2 Timothy 1:7 says that "God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid. He gave us a spirit of power and love and self-control." In the days of our Lord Jesus when he speaks a word demons will run for their lives. In Matthew 8:16 "When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick."

According to our highlighted Verse, it is time to wake up from sleep if you are someone who is being afraid of people based on their spiritual gruesomeness. You must surrender your life to our Lord Jesus Christ who is the light that shines and once he comes into you, you will glow and stop this fear of darkness. Once you accept Jesus, we should confess with faith everyday that it is the darkness that will run from the light. Something like this "I am a light of God given the liberty of peace and progess through Christ Jesus and as long as I remain the light of the world, it is darkness that will stay away from me". Ephesians 2:6 says "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" which means You and I are now in the heavenly realm with Jesus, bigger and greater than all realms of darkness. Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Lord Jesus please shine your light upon my spirit and give me confidence and victory over the realms of darkness. Amen. "I am a light of God given the liberty of peace and progess through Christ Jesus and as long as I remain the light of the world, it is darkness that will stay away from me" Amen.

Attributes of Champions

 An Emoji Devotions for Sun, March 21 2021

Topic: Attributes of Champions

Highlights:
Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. Prov 22:29

Being diligent is a personality trait that makes a champion. Traits like having a charming smile and brilliant mind and being diligent and determined as a champion. Everyone is born a champion but few really chose to become a champion in life. Champion lifestyle is not a easy one that's why people abandoned to become an ordinary self because the road is not easy. Champions are reckless in their focus and determination to their goals because they aim for the crown. In competition no matter how you try, it takes winning to become a champion of the game. So many many people wants to associate themselves with champions, including the top profile people in the society because they are celebrities. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the greater than the greatest champion in human history because he laid down his life for everyone of us so that we can have life in abundance. What are few attributes of a champion:

1. They are Diligent
2. They Demonstrate courage
3. They are Disciplined
4. They are Motivated
5. They are Intelligent
6. They are Humble
7. They Focused to sacrifice for the greater good.

Like Jesus, Whoever is born again and has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a champion.

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

As from now on, we must turn to God and believe we have been made champions through Jesus Christ our Lord. If you are not born again it is time to surrender your life to Christ today by confessing him as your Lord and saviour. Because if the Spirit that raise Jesus Christ dwells in you, it will make you a champion. Romans 8:11

Prayer : Lord make me a champion through the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Amen

Devil's Customer Care Vs the Great Commission

An Emoji Devotions for Fri, 19th March 2021


Topic: Devil's Customer Care Vs the Great Commission


Highlights:


Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy. And he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. 1 Peter 5:8 ICB


So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19


Someone who is hungry will need food to remain active. So the Bible says that the devil is hungry and needs food somit goes around like a roaring lion advertising for someone to eat. Proverbs 6:2 says "You might get trapped by what you say.You might be caught by your own words." When the lion roar, the first signal that goes to its prey is fear and worries. And they begin to run. Once the lion sees them running it tries to corner them with speed and gasp of claws and sharp teeth. Proverbs 6:5 says "But free yourself like a deer running from a hunter.Free yourself like a bird flying away from a trapper."


How? By preaching the gospel and engaging in the things of God. When you tell others about Jesus love and engage daily in Godly things, you will be strong enough to withstand the roaring tone of the devil and from your inner ears you will be the first person to live by what you teach be showing resistance to the devil. Mark 16: 17-18 "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well"


If the you get worried or afraid or anxious about life, remember to talk about love of Christ to someone near or far away and while you are on it. Fear, worries and anxiety will leave. If you know you are not qualify or equipped enough to preach Christ to people then use this opportunity to repent and ask God to equip you with a new life and save your soul from the scheme of the devil. Do not let Satan outsmart you. Outsmart him with preaching the gospel 2 Cor 2:11.


Prayer: Lord visit my life today and equip me for the gospel of Christ love. Let me be able to talk about Jesus Christ and to show someone about the love of God in Christ Jesus. Amen


https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/03/devils-customer-care-vs-great-commission.html

Manipulation of the devil and human mocking

An Emoji Devotions for Thu, 18th March, 2021

Topic: Manipulation of the devil and human mocking

Highlights:

He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. Matthew 27:42

Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. 6“If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” Matthew 4:6-6

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

It is a good thing to sing hymns because in their words you find encouragement. A manipulated person may never know if he's doing the right thing. Even when he or she is doing the right thing he will be tempted by the devil and mocked by men to pull him off the right track. Proverbs 14:15 "The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps." The first thing the devil does is to make you believe the things he wants to tell you. The devil first of all took Jesus to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple before he said "Throw yourself down if you are the son of God." He eventually reminded Jesus what the Bible says about angels guidance in Psalm 91. It's true that Jesus is righteous and was taken to the Holy city but God did not tell us to test our spiritual abilities whether they are working or not. Whatever could make you test the power of God whether it will work or not is a manipulation of the devil. Daniel did not go into the lion's den to test his powers he was falsely accused and after being thrown in the lion's cave God delivered him. Same thing for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they escaped the burning furnace because they were determined not to disobey God. Some people will give God deadline like three months or three years before preparing to backslide back into the world. You can see that when people even the priests and teachers of law mocked Jesus on the cross that he saved others but he could not save himself in Matthew 27:42. Jesus did not fight back.

When you truly want to serve God, you will serve him wholeheartedly without ultimatums or deadline nor faulting. You will not permit the devil to manipulate you or listen to what people say to mock you. Jesus response to all test from the devil was "it is written"... It is written man shall not live by bread alone, it is written thou shall not test the Lord your God, it is written thou shall serve the Lord thy God and only him shall thou serve. We should endeavour to read out Bible to know what's written concerning us to over-rule manipulations from the devil. God said in 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. What He says is true. He did it for Moses, and all men of faith. He will do it for you if you do not let the devil manipulate you nor yield to human mockery. Keep serving God and trusting him whether it is good or bad. Remove any deadline or second option to backslide in your heart and serve God fully. That's how a true child of God does.

Prayer: Father make me your child permanently. I am not more giving you any deadline or ultimatum. I will serve you for the rest of my life and will obey you. Please Lord hold me up with your victorious right hand. In Jesus name. Amen.

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/03/manipulation-of-devil-and-human-mocking.html

Acknowledge Yourself and Others as Humans

 An Emoji Devotions for Wed 17 March, 2021

Topic: Acknowledge Yourself and Others as Humans

Text: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 6:23

There are things beyond our control. Humans truly could be terrific but they have no control over nature. The Bible says that "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein" Psalm 24:1. I believe what the Bible holds is true because even if man could destroy the entire human race they cannot destroy the entire nature. They do not hold control to the birds, ants, spiders, or water or disaster. First of all you need to acknowledge that you are human and accept the fact that you we all have limitations that cannot match the supernatural power and force of God. You need to firmly acknowledge that though some folks could may retain special knowledge or powers cannot match with God. For all power belongs to God now and forever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:11

No one can match the power of God no matter how influential they are among human. Therefore, We must all reverence and look up to God for our life's instructions. At a certain time I believe God has passed through human race before to show us without assumptions about Himself through the Bible.

Do not be afraid of human like you and do not trust them but trust in God who creates all. This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:5

We can find more about God by reading His words in the Bible. Joshua 1:8 Says if we continue to read God's word day and night, we will have good success. Sometimes the flesh would not want us to read the Bible because of the power it gives us. The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. Daniel 11:32b

Prayer: Holy Spirit please use the Holy Bible the word of God to guide me to God. I want to be strong and do great things in life. In Jesus name. Amen.