Trusting the Lord and giving him praise

 

An Emoji Devotions for Tue, Feb 8, 2022

Topic: Trusting the Lord and giving him praise

By H.U. Wenger

Recently I had to prepare a message for Sunday morning. I felt kind of empty and was not really aflame for any topic. In such situations I normally turn to the pastor’s guide that gives suggestions for every Sunday. The Bible verse that was given as theme for the very Sunday reads: “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” (Psalm 66:5) For the preaching the text out of Matthew 14:22-33 was suggested and for the Bible reading they proposed Mark 4:35-41. As a start I read the Bible portions and suddenly a multitude of ideas flooded my brain. The Matthew text depicts the events straight after the feeding of the five thousand people. From the report John gives us about the happening, we know that the feeding caused people to make Jesus the King against his will. He therefore forced his disciples to take a boat and sail to the opposite shore. He then dismissed the crowd and went into the hills for prayer. Meanwhile the disciples experienced adverse weather conditions on the see. In the early morning hours they were still in the middle of the sea of Galilee. Already afraid for their lives and exhausted, their horror culminated, when they saw a human shape walking on the unsteady water. Jesus immediately told them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, who recuperated‘’ first from the shock, responded: “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus called him and Peter experienced totally against his experience and knowledge that he could walk on the water. The wind was, however, strong and the water stormy and Peter looked away from Jesus and began immediately to sink into the waves, crying out for the Lord’s help. Jesus took him by the hand and helped him out, telling him: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?“ 

In the report from Mark, Jesus had been preaching all day from a boat close to the shore and was craving for a break. He therefore asked his disciples to bring him across the Sea of Galilee. They took him into their boat and set out. Exhausted, as he was, Jesus fell immediately in a deep sleep, while the disciples came into a furious squall. The waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. It seems that they got angry at him and finally they woke him reproachfully up: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ (Mark 4:38b- 40)

The two events show us that the power of Jesus comes out of his trustful relationship with the Father. Although he will be the long promised King of the world, he does not want it to be before he has redeemed and saved his creation, you and me. He escapes to be with the father, to confess and proclaim his word and to show the people the character of the father. He does not want to exert power over the people he has created – he just wants to invite them into a close relationship with him. He is the living word of God and through him the whole creation is made, inclusive you and me. In full concordance with the father even the laws of physics are void. The Almighty God is above them and they have to listen to his command. In concordance with the Godhead even the stars have to listen and to bow to his command (Joshua 10:12)

In the presence of our storms of anxiety, insecurity and distractions we easily forget that there is no power above the power of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus does not want to be King prematurely. First he wants to open up the way back to the Father for all of us. That is why he dies on the cross to pay for our sins and iniquities and to redeem us with the Father. He loves you like nobody has ever loved you and he is for you. You can trust him fully. Nobody in heaven and on earth has more power to save you than him. Call on him in all of your situations. He promises: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:37b-38)

Call on him not only in times of troubles, but as well in your good times. Try to word out your personal Psalm according to the Psalm 66. Praise him for all the protection he has given you and praise him for all the challenges you have faced. His love is present in your life, look for it.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I worship you for who you are and for your love for me. Help me not to doubt, when things get rough. I know that nothing can separate me from your love. Help me to cling to you in my good and my bad times. To you belongs the glory, and all power in heaven and earth and it fills me with immeasurable joy to be your child. Amen.   

Jesus Demystifies Karma

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sat 5th February, 2021

Topic: Jesus Demystifies Karma

Highlights:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

The above highlight as it is has a lot of meaning. First, if having money is only the source of your happiness. When money is not in your hands may turn to sorrow for you. It may be difficult to serve God for such people. That version of the Bible is asking us to make God the source of our happiness. If God is the source of your happiness, when we do not have enough money will have hope that tomorrow is in God's hands. 

People who make money their god are  betrayers. They can betray even their own conscience and betray the gospel. Judas Iscariot left the fold of Discipleship with aim of making more money and so he betrayed Jesus Christ because he valued 30 pieces of silver. People who serve money do not believe that God can provide money. They do desperate things. 

Our Lord Jesus says Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:25-26

I do not read Buddhism or Hinduism. I only picked the word Karma because of its English Meaning to me.

Karma effect means that a good deed will lead to a future beneficial effect, while a bad deed will lead to a future harmful effect.

The Karma effect was demystified by Jesus Christ with that Bible verse. Do not jealous people because of money, it will lead to sin, Do not be desperate because of money, it will lead to destruction. Matthew 7:13 There is a way that seems right but the end of it is destruction..

I have seen people who got worn out in the name of chasing a career, they forgot marriage, and they lack good relationship with people, they only served money and in the end they have wealth which in the end lead to their sorrow and death.

It is The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

It is important to wait on God's promise and work for the goodness of our bright future. While doing so, we may encounter tribulation but in the end we will have joy because it is only what God gives that gives peace of mind.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Follow God's way Serve Him in Peace. Your future already is bright. Remember that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Give yourself to Jesus and you will be alright.

Prayer: Father give me the original joy that comes from you. I will wait for it. Make it come faster and last longer in Jesus name. Amen

Check your Spiritual Alignment

 

An Emoji Devotions For Thu 3RD February, 2022

Topic: Check Your Spiritual Alignment

Highlights: 

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24 NIV

He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.

Psalms 91:11‭-‬12 ERV

What makes man wants to hit his foot on a rock? Because He does not walk with good vision. The Bible says that “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

Matthew 6:22 (NIV) which means that if we can see with spiritual eyes, we will walk with God like Enoch did. After Enoch, it was only Elijah and Jesus Christ that ascended to heaven in human body. 

Why Enoch own was different remains a special topic. His Spirit Eyes was so clear that he can identify difference between God's direction and human direction. He so much walked with God in a spiritually enlightened way that God was like : Hey yo! this dude is a special breed! I take this one for my self. 

Have you ever wondered why Methuselah was the oldest man in history? Simply because he was the first born to Enoch. I want to conclude that When Methuselah was a child. He had learned the sacred mystery of longevity from his father. It is a great achievement to be the oldest man in history. He had seen it all, it remains only 31 years more to hit the milestone of a thousand years.

Apart from Spiritual eyes, we all need spiritual stamina like Jacob did in Jabbok : who did wrestled with an angel of God at night till day break and did not let him the angel leave until he received a blessing. Genesis 32:24-28

Jesus achieved so many in 3 years of His life because He has a good spiritual stamina and a good spiritual eyes as the son of God. Even His presence makes demon to cry for mercy. Philippians 2:9-11

Today, We must pray to be spiritually aligned in the Holy Ghost Power and in Fire of God's Spirit so we can fulfill God's purpose on earth.

The very first step is to fully accept Jesus as our personal Lord and savior. The we pray for spiritual alignment through His Spirit. John 3:2b. Have you checked your spiritual alignment with God? Go unto God in prayer.

Prayer: Oh Lord God, please Align my Spirit with Your Holy Ghost Power and Fire in Jesus name.

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Doing things the new way

 

An Emoji Devotions for Wed, 2nd of Feb 2022

Topic: Doing things the new way

Highlight: 

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Cor 5:17

How can we protect ourselves from destructive ways?

Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say.  Don't make God's Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins.  Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.

Always be full of joy. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.  Don’t stop the work of the Holy Spirit. Don’t treat prophecy like something that is not important. But test everything. Keep what is good, and stay away from everything that is evil. 

Cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God to show you how to live a new life because after you have met with Jesus, you are not more the old person you used to be. 

"Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful." Genesis 24:31

Avoid getting used to the old ways as though everything depends on your efforts. Trust, watch and learn from God alone. God will make the finish product possible through His word and directions of His Spirit. "His ways are different from our ways", and He sees the end from the beginning'. Which means you should accept the grace of God through His will in Christ Jesus.

Grow your spirit everyday by taking quality time to study the Holy Bible which the Spoken words of God and join the community of believers around you. Begin to do things the new way. Psalms 1:1-2

Prayer: Teach me father how to do your will and to place my expectations on you alone in Jesus name. Amen

Change the Narratives

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sat January 29., 2022

Topic: Change the Narratives

Highlights: Do not give dogs what is holy... Matthew 7:6a

He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Matthew 15:26

Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Matthew 15:27

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. Matthew 15:28

Do they look down on you? Do they think, you cannot amount to something brilliant in life? Don't get distracted to feel guilty about those words they say about you. They are not your God. It's only your God who has the final say over your life. Do not think your life is a mess. Jesus Christ is waiting for you to change the narrative with your doggedness. You can see the woman in the highlighted text. She was patient with the Lord even when God said "It is not right to toss children's bread unto dog."

I love people who never give up. Somehow they have had a contact with the Lord in prayer. People who have hope in God do not give up. The woman in context did not write herself off because of What Jesus said. She rather find her way to get her miracle. Even dogs eats the crumbs that fall from their master's table. This is to let us know that whoever you are, you can have faith that never give up. Be stronger than your challenges and you will hear good news. Her request was granted. Jesus will never put those who look up to him to shame. He will never let the devil mock His children. 

That is why you need to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, if you have not yet done so. Repent from your sin, and unbelief and Pray the prayer of forgiveness unto salvation in the name of Jesus. 

Prayer: God, I do not know how close I am to my miracle but I remain strong in faith that you will not let me down. Please Lord, Have mercy on me. In Jesus name. Amen

When Jesus Appears on the Scene

An Emoji Devotions for Fri, 28 Jan, 2022

Topic: When Jesus appeared on the Scene

Highlight: but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. Mark 6:49

So soon, there's someone reading this message that God is going to give one breakthrough that will cancel all their failures in Jesus name. John 10:10 says The thief purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. Jesus said In My Father's house there are many mansions. Thank you Father in heaven that Jesus is Rich and powerful in heaven. By the Anointing of Holy Spirit in those who believe in Him they succeed effortlessly in their ministry that even after thousands years they are still relevant today. Our God will not deceive us because forever His word is settled. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:20 If you want anything, it is good to tell it to Jesus. When Jesus appears on your scene, you will never know failure, you will always be at the top. You will succeed and you will never know sorrow. Jesus is solution to all problems, be it at the individual or national level. He gives hope to life. If you want to be relevant in life, you must call Jesus to appear in every scene of your life. He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelations 22:20

 Jesus will come back into this world as he promised, There will be heaven on Earth. There will be a new heaven and a new Earth.  You have invite abundant Life into your life when you bring Jesus to the scenes of your life today. If you are not born again then you are missing out as you must give your life to Jesus and confess Him as your Lord and savior to bring him into everything that concerns you from now on. Call Jesus into your life issues today.

Prayer: Lord Jesus I invite you to come into scene of my world. Come in to scene of my life. Please Lord come, I need you now. Amen 

The Very Last Drop

 

An Emoji devotions for Mon 24th January 2021

Topic: The very last drop

Highlights: 

So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ Luke 16:24

Have pity on your self. Falling easily into self indulgences with no reserve for discipline is going to toll back in future. It's just a life pattern either you are a Christian or other religion. You have to judge yourself with the way you live. So, when time comes and there is no more drop of water to cool your thirst for entertainment, immorality, sex, drunkeness, malice keeping, social indulgences and all those things you used to indulged in, you may need to beg for Abraham's Mercy for a drop. 

So many people have wasted their life's goodies in their youthful day. Some are not okay today because they took life as joke.

I told a boy who is always indulging in laziness doing nothing at all that- "when an helper comes your way, what would you tender as your CV?". There were ten virgins but only the wise ones will follow the lamb.

For you reading this, when you have the opportunity to indulge yourself, do not overdo it because there will be a time when you will need a drop of that money, or strength, or certificate or anything to stand for you and you may not have it if you don't live rightly.

You overlook many things now but on that day Father Abraham will not overlook anything for you. 

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony." Luke 16:25

This is what the Kingdom of God lifestyle is all about. If you don't resist the urge to over- indulge yourself or your children today, it may be hard to fight for those things like the rich man is fighting for a drop of water. A miracle can still happen provided that you will repent and not repeat past mistakes. You may still have a last drop to quench your thirst and were given another chance, would you be determined to use it well? 

Prayer: God of Second Chance have pity on me when I am still alive. Have mercy and compassion on me, for I am the work of your hands. In Jesus name. Amen.

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