Rejecting the fear of the Lord and Idolatry

 

An Emoji devotions for 8th December, 2021

Topic: Rejecting the fear of the Lord and Idolatry

By Pastor Hans Ulrich Wenger

Highlights: So Moses went back to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’ The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. (Exodus 32:31-34) 

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. no noBut encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:12-14) 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalm 110:10) 

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Proverbs 19:23)

Inspired by God, Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and let them experience many wonders, provisions and salvations in the wilderness. Finally they arrived at Mount Sinai and God wanted to make a covenant with them. 

He instructed Moses to sanctify them for his appearance on the third day. Nobody was to touch the mountain or to set foot on it, but Moses was commanded to deliver this message to the people:  “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:4-6)

 “The people all responded together, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said.’ So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.  The Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.’ Now the appearance of the Lord was quite earth shattering and the people trembled and run away. They did not want to stay in the fear of the Lord.  “When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not let God speak to us or we will die.’ Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.’ The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.” (Exodus 20:18-21)

 The story of the golden calf shows us that the avoidance of the fear of the Lord was a fatal mistake. The encounter with the holiness of God puts the Israelites and us  in the rightful place. By staying in the fear of the Lord, I am aware that there is absolutely no messing with God. Many people died in this story, just because the people created for themselves a shiny God of Gold and if it would not have been for the priestly heart of Moses, the whole people of Israel would have been annihilated except for Moses himself.

 God has forgiven them for the time being, but he made clear that the punishment for their sin will come in his time. (Exodus 32:33)

 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Proverbs 16:6) 

The fear of the Lord is the main weapon against evil and we better stay before the Almighty in the fear of the Lord, even if it gets scary and we may have the feeling of dying. All the characters of the bible that stood and fainted before the Lord in fear have been touched by his redeeming touch and love. God is never a fellow or a buddy; he is the Almighty, Holy God and father, the emperor of the Universe and much more. But whoever submits to him in the fear of the Lord becomes his beloved child and gets the right to call him Abba, Daddy. 

To be close to the heart of God leads over the fear of the Lord. 

The Hebrew Christians, and we with them, get exhorted to stay in the fear of the Lord and to watch out that no one gets deceived by tolerating Gods of shining gold and avoiding the fear of the Lord instead of avoiding evil. Today we are surrounded by evil and too often the church and believers are tolerating evil in their lives. The Apostle Paul writes in his epistle to the church in Ephesus: “For of this you can be sure. 

No immoral, impure or greedy person – such a man is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” (Ephesians 5, 5 – 7) We are to stay in the fear of the Lord and to encourage each other to seek the Lord who is absolutely good and full of love for all his children that turn to him in the midst of the evil by which they are surrounded. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that you are my father and that I am even allowed to call you Daddy, but beware me from thinking of you as a fellow or buddy. You are the holy, almighty God who has created everything and reigns everything. I praise you and I thank you that I am allowed to stand before you and to serve you. Your ways are holy and I thank you that you lead me on the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Thank you that I do not need shiny Gods of gold and help me to destroy them, wherever they want to pop up in me, in my fellow brothers and sisters or in the church. Amen  

What Can you Find

 What can you find

Highlights: 

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44

You are someone who wants to be seen. You want to be heard at the fore front and see people giving you a standing ovation. So you keep digging, the world will know you are special. You have seen others at their best and you know you so better. All the big names does not seem new to you because you have better potential and assurance that you are special. You wake up and urge yourself to do those things that will get you there. In the midst of all the struggles when you find a hidden treasure on your inside and found A very different valuable. You know it's priceless but you can't value it. Would you be happy to sell give up everything else for that treasure. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News (gospel), sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. Mark 10:29-30

What if I tell you that today marks the end of your struggles It's time to find Jesus in your inside and give up everything for him. Psalm 34:8-9

Prayer: Lord in heaven, who do I have in this world but you. You are my one and only treasure. I will give up everything else just because of you. Lord Jesus stay with me every time. Amen 

Twelve Baskets

An Emoji Devotions for Sun, 5th December 2021

Topic: Twelve Baskets

Highlights: 

They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. Matthew 14:20 NLT

How come there were twelve Baskets of leftovers after five loaves and two fish were eaten by five thousand in addition to women and children? Jesus gave the food to the disciples, and the disciples were serving people one by one. Someone took heavy portion of the loaves at once and passed on the the rest to the next person and once it gets to them, they have enough also to take and pass to the next person. In the end it was a miracle that fed over five thousand people to satisfaction.

As the disciples were still baffling about the big miracle, some folks among the crowd who had too many bread and fishes left with them began to return them to the Disciples: "Sir I have loads of bread here and many fish left with others. we even overfeed ourselves and please where can we drop the leftovers? 

They fetched to for up to twelve Baskets as they collect the leftovers from people. Twelve is an important number in Christianity and in adulthood. It means a completeness.

A little boy gave up his food to begin this story. Have you considered giving today. As Jesus multiplied to feed thousands, He will multiply what you give. As the little boy received complete abundance (financial, health, protection) for a reward. Be rest assured that you will not be forgotten when you give to the Lord. 

The gospel is helping many lives including yours. No matter how little it may seems towards the big project. Give!

Prayer: Lord please give me an opportunity to give unto you something that you will use to bless your Kingdom in Jesus name. Amen 

Give your 5 and 2

 

An Emoji devotional for Saturday, 4th December 2021

Topic: Give your 5 and 2 

Highlights: Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:11

Andrew said to Jesus, ‘Here is a boy who has five small loaves of barley bread and two fish. That's a drop in a bucket for a crowd like this".   (John 6:9) 

The term 5 & 2 came from the above verse. There were many crowd gathering together and a little boy carrying some food to school saw them. He went to see, and he saw Jesus performing miracles and teaching people amazing things about God. As the little boy pressed into crowd to see more of Jesus, he overheard Jesus saying "where can we buy bread to feed all these people". 

As many as the crowd were, Philip answered, ‘A man could work for eight months to get 200 coins. But he still would not have enough money to buy bread for all these people. There would not be enough bread for each person here to have even a little piece.’

But the innocent little boy said "take all - I mean all my 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,  loaves and 1 & 2 fishes. They were so little, that Andrew had to call them little loaves and little fishes which means they may not be enough to feed an adult. But a little boy gave them all to Jesus.

What are your 5&2, are they so little in your eyes. It's time to give it to the Lord. The good news is that the Lord will not only take it from you and eat, He will multiply them to feed thousands. Whatever you are giving to Jesus will also put your name in the book of remembrance in heaven and earth. 

He said in Matthew 10:32 that “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven."

The future belong to the Lord. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalms 34:8). As no one will ever forget this little boy, It's time to write your name in heaven's book of remembrance with your 5&2. 

Prayer: God I'm waiting for the right time but who knows the right time but you. My times are in your hand. Accept me, as I take a bold step of faith to give you little of what I can afford. Let my offering be a sweet smelling offering, holy and acceptable unto you. Honestly, I trust you. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Just Do It

 

An Emoji Devotional for Fri, 3rd December, 2021

Topic: Just do it

Highlights: Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. Luke 19:30

When there is something important you need to do - Do it. Why would you keep the host waiting for you. It is your action they need not excuse. So someone was giving excuse on why he buried one talent Matthew 25:18

It is very simple, God does not like excuses. He wants action. There is no later, do it now. Mark 7:28 A Phoenician woman told Jesus that she will do anything to become favored and blessed by God - “Lord, even puppies eat the crumbs that children drop from the table.”

Some will give rebellious excuses to criticize Jesus but the woman knows that Jesus loves those who get things done. She got her miracle.

Do not use excuse to lose opportunity. Don't keep Jesus waiting. He is depending on you to play your part so that He can also play his part. Jesus will never be blamed, it's you that need to do your duty.

Prayer; Dear Lord. I am an excuse giver. acknowledged my excuses. I have played the pity party all these while. Lord Please forgive me. From now, please Give me your support and power to be resourceful in the face of opportunities. In Jesus name. Amen.

Stay Away From Trouble

An Emoji devotional for Tue, 30th November, 2021

Topic: Stay away from trouble

Highlights: 

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:15 

https://youtu.be/SXUtfdo-NH0

The love of the father is the best. It gives long life and honor. But the world is full of addictions that gets anyone into trouble -from desires of lust to the hustle that crush. So, God want you out of trouble. He said "Do Not mess up yourself loving the world" because it may look good to love the world but it gives trouble. Its better that world hate you because you love Jesus Christ and do his will. But do not let God hate you. Don't mess up yourself

It is world's idea that you fight back those who fight you, but God says "No, Do not follow the pattern of the world". If you love to please the world, you will get into trouble. If you get into trouble because of world trend, you will displease God. Same thing is apparent and applicable to all other things about this world.

Anyone could love the world and displease God but Don't be that person. Let's take for example David's story - when he slept with Uriah's wife and sent the man to die in the mist of fierce battle - It all started because he loved the world. That's why he got messed up In 2 Samuel 12:1-20

So God was not at all pleased with what David had done, and sent Nathan to David. Nathan told him a story of how a rich man took a poor man's lamb and cooked it for his guest. David exploded in anger after hearing the story but Nathan told David; "You are that rich man in that story because what you did was bad". Though he fasted and prayed for mercy, David faced the music of his misdeed. 

At a time, doing some things may be fantastic. But In whatever you want to do in life. Check if it will displease God first. Seek God's approval first Matthew 6:33. Stay away from the trouble the world Gives. It is better to love God the Father because loving Him keeps you safe from trouble. (Psalm 91:14 - This is why great people are great). 

Prayer: Lord I love you, help me. I need help from you to keep our love firm. Please do not let anything get in between my love for you. Jesus name. 

Jesus is Not Your Enemy

 

An Emoji devotional for Sun, November 28, 2021

Topic: Jesus is not your enemy

Highlights: But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],

2 Corinthians 5:18 AMP

Jesus Christ is very passionate to restore friendly relationship between you and God. Though Some people know about the Bible and doing good deeds but they do not know about having relationship with God. This is what Jesus has done and if you follow his commands you will have quality relationship with God. 

He said; "No one comes to the father except through me" (John 14:6). Jesus is not your enemy. You may say "I know" and I'm very sure you do but I have to remind you of one thing: "Jesus is not your enemy". Who is he to you? 

Your friend, yes and more of that: He is your way to God: Listen to Him (Luke 9:35, Matthew 17:5) 

He is the truth that librate from your spiritual struggles. For example, Jesus said “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Psychologically the above legacy may be hard to swallow but the truth is; The words of Jesus is the truth that lead to eternal life and healthy living without stress and this kind of life is peaceful acceptable with God. 

Do you really think you know the way to God? Obey Jesus. Do you really think you know the truth about God? Find out from Jesus. Lastly do you want to live peacefully with God without struggling in the Spirit? Have faith in Jesus. Jesus is not your enemy. He is the savior of your soul. You have to accept Him as the way, truth and life to your today. He is the true life saver. Through Jesus Christ, the way between God and Us is finished. John 19:30

Prayer: Lord Jesus I believe in you that you are a blessing to me. Please bless my union with God. In your name I pray.