Adam, where are you? Man, woman, where are you

 An Emoji Devotions for Thu, 8 April 2021

Topic: Adam, where are you? Man, woman, where are you?

By H.U Wenger

Highlights: But the Lord called to the man: “Where are you?” He answered: “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” (Genesis 3:9 – 10)

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrew 4:13)Adam and Eve lived in the best possible environment, surrounded by the purest and deepest love, but through the seducing words of the serpent they began to crave for more.

 But, is there actually more available than they had? No, no not really, but I think they were not aware of it. They were just put into that magnificent garden, knowing nothing of heartache, stressful moments, loneliness, the power of love and missing something. God has shown them his perfect love, but they themselves had not yet grown their own love for God and for everything he had provided for them. First John 4:18 tells us: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Adam was very conscious that he had crossed a line that he was disobedient to the word of God and he feared his punishment and his nakedness. Moments ago, he was perfectly clothed in the love of God and never wasted a thought about his nakedness.

Now, as he knows himself guilty, the very same nakedness makes him be afraid of his own creator, of his father. The same principle applies still today. As soon as we tolerate sin in our lives, we cannot rejoice anymore in the love of God. It separates us from him and makes us afraid and it really should. Hebrews 4:13 shows us that nobody, no creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. We do not know what would have happened, if Adam and Eve would have run to God immediately after they realized their nakedness, telling him, we have sinned against you and it has become a terrible, live shattering problem. Can you help us? We know, however, what is happening today, when we ran towards him and confess our sins. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Think of his perfect love to us and approach him now to confess, not just your own sins, but all sins you have taken with you from society or from your philosophy.

 Whatever in this world you may support that it is not in the Lord’s will, will backfire on you. How can I be a Christian and support people or institutions who are for abortion, same sex marriage, bashing Israel, taking down the authorities, practices that lead to vice, immorality and unrighteousness? Whenever things like those are in our lives, let us run immediately to the Lord, give account to him and repent. Let us get rid of everything he despises. It will lead all of us into a holier live and bring us deeper into his love, so that we will not have any fear anymore, not matter what is going to happen. Only Jesus Christ can set us free. Let us love him, as he has loved and loves us. To him be glory, praise, adoration and exultation. In him alone we can get what we need for life eternal. Let us seize everything than brings us closer to him. Let us throw out everything that separates us from his holiness. Halleluja!

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I do thank you that absolutely nothing is hidden from your eyes. Help me to fully trust your love and always run towards you, when I am or feel guilty. Let me never forget that you are absolutely and unchangeably good and that you have mercy and grace for me no matter what may have happened in my life. Thank you for your love and your patience with me.

When the devil wants to deal with you

 An Emoji Devotions for Wed, 7 April 2021

Topic: When the devil wants to deal with you

Highlight: 

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

The Bible says "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." Proverbs 14:29. Let's talk about people with great temper over little things; they don't have friends because they always have issues with people around them.  If such person will not calm down because they got angry with another fellow and will not accept apologies because they feel they are on their right, such person is on the verge of destruction. Our Lord Jesus said in Matthew 23:11 that  "The greatest among you must be a servant". Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:8   

When the devil wants to deal with somebody, he makes them arrogant and proud so that their eyes is closed to see the embarrassing mistake that will hunt them and their memory for life will not escape the torture. All these things begin from the day they start behaving in opposed to the nine (9) fruits of the Spirit written in Galatians 5:22-23: Though the nine fruits look simple but lack of a single of them is very dangerous. Let's take for example two from the nine fruits of the spirit. Love: Anyone who does not love others will stand a chance of living among fake people because bitterness is the opposite of loving and it causes trouble and defiles many. Hebrews 12:15. Second fruit is Joy; someone who have no joy is always sad or they tend to make other people sad, they seldom make mockery to belittle others and they don't have people to associate with them because they pretend a lot, even when they suffer on their sick bed nobody will bother about them. So when the devil wants to deal with a person, it makes them self sufficient enough to not yielding to anyone's advise and also makes them arrogant. 

God wants us Cherish wisdom, and wisdom will exalt us; and to embrace wisdom, and wisdom will honor us. Proverbs 4:8, because wisdom is the principal thing and it's found in the word written in Bible.

This is the opportunity for you to give your life to Christ because it is only Jesus that will give wisdom if you are in the category of people who are arrogant and proud. Confess him as your Lord and savior today and ask for His mercy to transform your life. Find a Bible believing church to join and fellowship with the community of believers because you must dissociate yourself from people who will lead you astray. Start reading your Bible and follow the right path. It may be hard in the beginning. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. Proverbs 14:13 & Matthew 7:13

Prayer: Lord please teach me the right path to follow and let me learn to grow in your Grace. Do not give devil any chance to have it's way in my life. I plead  for your spiritual security by the mercy of your Love in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today and Tomorrow (Hans Wenger Birthday special edition)

 An Emoji Devotions for Tue, April 6 2021

Topic: Today and Tomorrow (Hans Wenger Birthday special edition)

Happy birthday to our dear Pastor Hans Wenger. May your joy continue to abound in Christ Jesus always. Amen

Highlight: 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

How far back does this ‘yesterday’ go? We can only travel as having a taste of today and we all don't know what tomorrow looks like. But with Jesus in our heart we have amazing and most remarkable lives.  Some may have works to do,  exams to write, or somewhere to go tomorrow. While others are free or with business to handle today. The one lesson of our changeful lives ought to be for each of us to learn existence of that which does not change. There's a lot in life that does not change truly. Day and night will remain the same, 24 hours will not change and we don't even know what the next person beside us is thinking. Yesterday is over, you can't get it back but there is a special someone who do not change. He is always taking us for who we are and be with you and me today and tomorrow. He will not deny you and will give you Hope on any situation surrounding you. It is no private anymore, the whole world knows that That special someone is Jesus. Your relationship may never be the same again with same person but with Jesus you will never be a loser.

As the moon rises slow and silvery, with its broad shield, out of the fluctuations of the ocean, so the one radiant Figure of the all sufficient and immutable Lover and Friend of our souls; Jesus remain forever our defender and reigning kinb. Proclaim him your permanent friend today by accepting him as your Lord and savior and he will give you peace and certainty for tomorrow. 

Prayer: Thou that moves all things and thyself unmoved, thou that changes all things and thyself unchanged. I worship you my master and friend and commit myself to you Lord Jesus. Thank you in Jesus name. Amen.

Natural influence

An Emoji Devotions for Mon 5 Apr, 2021

Topic: Natural influence

Highlight:

Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Proverbs 29:20 NIV

What an hopeless situation for someone who does not have a natural influence over their urge to speak. Natural influence is the process that cause changes on our natural resources. For example when it rains the weather is cool, the river flows and the temperature is calm while on the other hand, lack of rain causes draught and imbalance in nature. In life when anyone opens their mouth to speak, you know their level of temperament (the animal nature that affects their behavior). Our Lord Jesus said it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles and dishonors a man. Matthew 15:11. What does this mean? It means that all our words and deeds were first conceived in our heart before being done. Since the heart is the foundation of our words it is also influenced by nature. That's why we need to guide it with all diligence from things that pollutes, corrupts and dishonor. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23. Jesus is the living water that gives supernatural spring in our heart. John 4:14

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11 The influence that produces genuine faith that God will approve as righteousness can only be found in His words (Holy Bible). In Joshua 1:8 God said, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

Instead of blaming God under our trials, let us open our ears and hearts to learn what he teaches by his words. And if we would govern our tongues, we must govern our passions. If you have not yet surrender your life to Jesus Christ, you cannot attain illumination of the Spirit of God in the root of your heart. You need to totally surrender your life to Him now by genuine repentance from things that pollutes and retrieve back the image of righteousness by confessing that you accept Jesus as your Lord and savior and then ask His Holy Spirit to illuminate you. We should engage God through prayer for our words to be profitable as it is only the Spirit of God can illuminate our life.

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;"

 James 1:19 ESV

Prayer: Blessed Jesus, Holy and Righteous I worship you. Please illuminate my heart by your Spirit so that my speech and words will be profitable in Jesus name. Amen

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/04/natural-influence.html

When no one is listening

 An Emoji Devotions for Easter Sunday 2021

Topic: When no one is listening

Highlight: 

This is why I use stories to teach the people: They see, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really understand. Matthew 13:13

Like with fingerprint, no two people have the same brain anatomy. But Abraham said to him, ‘No! If your brothers won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, then they won’t listen to someone who comes back from death.’” Like 16:31 - Is there anyone in your life who doesn't want to listen even when you are telling them the truth? 

People have sought too much knowledge and nothing is new to them anymore. Some don't even want to care to see or hear anything. All their spiritual senses have been shut and the only thing they want is their entertainment. Remember, there are harmless stories that won't cause emotional distress and in another aspect unveil hidden truths to people. The stories that will show them their real conditions and what is missing in their lives. This was Jesus's approach of speaking in parables to the people in His time. When he often speak without parables, they tried to stone him. Like Jesus we must pray that God should touch our tongue and give us fitting words to say when we speak. Isaiah 50:4

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken at the right time Proverbs 15:23 & 25:11

Now we know what to do when no one is listening.

Prayer: Almighty creator I pray for well instructed tongue and brain to know and speak the words that sustains life in Jesus name. Amen

Mercy

 An Emoji Devotions for Sat, 3 April 2021

Topic: Mercy

Highlight: 

Know that the Lord Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalms 100:3

Our God is compassionate in heaven. In between prayer, someone is praying for forgiveness while another is giving assurance to God that they will serve him forever. Another one praised Him while another one is asking for help. These are all His people, the sheep of His pasture. They depend on God for their sustenance. Apostle Paul said in Romans 14:8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. My question for you, if you keep a secret safe within your heart whether you deserve God's mercy or not would you be on top of God's list as to those who God should give ten talents if God is sharing talents from one to ten? For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”" Romans 9:15 because Moses is interested in delivering God's message to dangerous King Pharaoh of Egypt. He follows God's order and has good relationship with God. God knows the heart of Jacob, He chose him over Esau, He anointed David over his seven brothers, He chose Joseph over others. Today, I urge you by the mercy of God to present your body as a living sacrifice. Holy and pleasing unto God, which is your proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Do not be lazy but work hard. Serve the Lord with all your heart. Romans 12:1,2,11

Our God is merciful and gracious. Let us live according to the model and standard of  Christ. " But go and learn what this means; I desire mercy not sacrifice". So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (Matthew 9:13, James 4:17)

Prayer: Have mercy on me O Lord in Jesus name. Amen

The Need for Holy Fire (MUST READ)

 An Emoji Devotions for Fri, 2 April 2021

Topic: The Need for Holy Fire (MUST READ)

Highlights: "...First gather the weeds and tie them together to be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it to my barn.’” Matthew 13:30b

So many are still blind in total darkness, yet sincerely feel and think they see clearly. They believers who do God's will as dummy and see people living wayward as inspiration. 'An enemy hath done this!’ An enemy came in the night when the innocent person was sleeping away in ignorance. When an innocent boy is learning how to wrap marijuana to smoke every hour to feel good. 'An enemy hath done this!' it is the work of the enemy in the night of life. A full grown man or woman is always horny and the next thing is being addicted to watching obscene movies on their phones. It's the work of an enemy! Matthew 13:28

Some were already told that sinning is detestable in front of most high God but are addicted to it. They see and waste away everyday in sin because of what the enemy has planted in their lives. There is a need for holy fire to purge out and burn the residual evil planned by the enemy.

Secondly, have you been born again but you are still struggling with sin? If such thing is still happening to you or you feel depressed because of lack of sin, it means there are still residual sin in you and if not burned up with fire you cannot be free to serve God peacefully. You need to personally grasped Jesus' hand in prayer to burn the residual sin inside of you and lead you into His glorious life. 

Finally, the third category are people who are already saints and sin is enticing them to try and they are looking for opportunity to leave their faith for a short time to sin, you need holy fire. Remember Luke 23:31 "If people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Praying for Holy fire everyday will help us achieve our God given purpose on earth. Matthew 3:11 says "...He will baptize us with the Holy Ghost and fire." Do you have the Holy fire burning in you? Keep it burning.

Prayer: Lord Jesus my heart is ready for your holy fire. Fill me with your holy fire to burn all the resident evil inside of me. In Jesus name. Amen (Thank you Jesus I love you.)