The Judas in You

 An Emoji Devotions for Sun 28 March, 2021

Topic: The Judas in You

Highlights:

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected. Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." John 12:4-5

One among the twelve disciples that followed Jesus Christ called Judas Iscariot who also happened to be their treasurer does not see a reason why an expensive perfume should be wasted on our Lord Jesus Christ. It was some sort of joke to him as to why such perfume is not sold and the money given as alms to the poor. Judas one day got possessed with the Spirit of offense because of this attitude. If Jesus is not important to you, what else will! "One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!" Luke 17:1. It is a very big temptation when we do not see the bigger picture of our Lord Jesus anymore  and we are busy seeing other things to replace him in our lives. Judas was finding a way to betray Jesus afterwards Matthew 26:16, Mark 14:11. This is case in our churches today when people seems to have been possessed with worldy entertainment beyond the real gospel and it's purpose.

As a Christian we must understand that this is Easter period. We must not see our daily worship services to God as a boring neither should we abuse our worship for something else. "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." That's John 21:15


Remember this "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Jesus will find it." Matthew 16:25.

Prayer: By the Power of the Spirit of Jesus that lives in me, I receive the grace to soar high like an eagle with the work of the Lord and to obey all his commandments in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Prayer

Taking Advantage of Quality Relationship with God

 An Emoji Devotions for Thu, 25 March ,2021

Topic: Taking Advantage of Quality Relationship with God

Highlights: 

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is right for him. Genesis 2:18

We are most alive when we are in relationship with someone we love. Listen, people of Israel! The Lord is our God. He is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength. That's the first commandment but How do you love someone you don't know? The advantage of having relationship with God is knowing Him. All I want is to know Christ and the power of his rising from death. I want to share in Christ’s sufferings and become like him in his death. Philippians 3:10 ICB

How do you have Relationship with God according to the Bible? Psalm 34:5 They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame. "The man and his wife were naked, but they were not ashamed." Genesis 2:25 In a quality relationship there is no shame. But God said .."I will make a helper who is right for him" in Genesis 2:18 later on The Lord was sorry he had made human beings on the earth. His heart was filled with pain. Genesis 6:6 And God had to wipe men away. Jesus Christ later came and said "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper. He will give you this Helper to be with you forever." How wonderful will that helper be! What a wonderful opportunity to have that helper right in our lives!

We all need a stronger helper, bigger and better which is the spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit according to John14:17 to take advantage of relationship with God. This is the helper we all need - Helper that will teach us everything. He will cause us to remember all the things Jesus told us. This Helper is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in Jesus name. My question is this! Have you received the Holy Ghost since when you believed? Act 19:2a If you have not have not received the promised Holy Spirit you need to ask now because without the Holy Spirit you cannot take full advantage of quality relationship with God.

Prayer: All mighty God please send the Holy Spirit into my heart as promised in Jesus name. Amen.

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