Enemies be Planting Weeds among the Wheat

 

An Emoji Devotional for Wed, July 27, 2022

Topic: Enemies be Planting Weeds among the Wheat

Highlight: 

That night, while everyone was asleep, the man’s enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat and then left.

Matthew 13:25 ERV

That's life is, there are so many reasons why life should be so sweet for you but enemies just there making things difficult for people. It was just like that since the beginning of the world. When Eve was just having fun in the garden and the Serpent pretend to be catching along, introduced her to the forbidden things. Before anyone could realized what they were doing, they were both infected and the enemy had went it's way. 

When the enemy comes to us, they come subtly to push people into something bad. You can't deal with the enemy with an ordinary eyes because all men are sleep walking. We don't even know when things slip into our mind. Suddenly when our eyes were clearly opened such things just popped up and start bothering us and sometimes turn to thorns in the flesh. 

Our Lord promised us not to worry ourselves about the things troubling us, that the grace of God will see us through even as those things trouble us, he is watching and waiting for an opportunity to separate those troubles from our dear peaceful lives and then burn those things troubling us that we would not see them again. Matthew 13:30

It may be hard to concentrate and be happy with things troubling us for long. But if we can maintain our focus in faith, no matter how difficult it is to trust God, We shall come out of the problem victorious at the end. (cf Psalms 146:5)

"With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow."

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6

Prayer: My Father in Heaven, no problem, I will trust you with all my heart. So help me to clear my doubt when trouble comes my way. In Jesus name. Amen

Herod's fierce Chase against Little Jesus

 An Emoji Devotions for Mon, July 25, 2022

Topic: Herod's fierce Chase against Little Jesus

Highlight: 

When Herod found out that the wise men from the east had tricked him, he was very angry. He gave orders for his men to kill all the boys who lived in or near Bethlehem and were two years old and younger. This was based on what he had learned from the wise men.

Matthew 2:16 

The angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus and the three wise men worshipped him and took gift to him. King Herod heard about this great visit and inquire of the Wise men in town. He told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I also want to go and worship him.”

Matthew 2:8. Herod had intention to slay the King of Kings to secure his Kingdom but God revealed his intentions through His angels to the wise men. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road.

Matthew 2:12 

After the wise men had gone, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Hurry and take the child and his mother to Egypt! Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is looking for the child and wants to kill him.” That night, Joseph got up and took his wife and the child to Egypt,

When Herod found out that the wise men from the east had tricked him, he was very angry. He gave orders for his men to kill all the boys who lived in or near Bethlehem and were two years old and younger. This was based on what he had learned from the wise men.

In this death of the children the precious death of all Christ's martyrs is figured; that they were infants signifies, that by the merit of humility alone can we come to the glory of martyrdom. that they were slain while Christ escaped, signifies that the bodies of the martyrs may be destroyed by the wicked, but that Christ cannot be taken from them.

After King Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph while he was still in Egypt. The angel said, “Get up and take the child and his mother back to Israel. The people who wanted to kill him are now dead.”

Matthew 2:19-20

Prayer: Protect me, Lord God! I run to you for safety, In Jesus name. Amen

The Spirit of heavenly Soldier

 

An Emoji Devotional for Fri, July 2022

Topic: The Spirit of heavenly Soldier

Highlight: 

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

Acts 22:1 KJV

The wicked flee when no one pursues them, But the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Proverbs 28:1 AMP

When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet. And he continued,

Acts 22:2 AMP

The Spirit of Paul is the Spirit of a heavenly soldier. Most Christians do not know that we were given power and authority to exercise this Spirit daily cf Luke 9:1. As a Christian, we have been commissioned by Christ to "GO" and preach (deliver and proclaim) the gospel TO all (no exemption) nations. cf Matthew 28:19, 

You have been asked to TEACH them what Jesus commanded.

"and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world".

Matthew 28:20 CEVDCI

What is the Spirit of an heavenly soldier. A brave Spirit that SPEAKS his defense as given by Christ. It is different from the Spirit of pride once it speaks to proclaim the will of Christ. 

For I have never spoken on My own initiative or authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment regarding what to say and what to speak.

John 12:49 AMP

That my friend is a Spirit of the heavenly Soldier!

For instance, This spirit is not for unnecessary argument or trouble making or confusion. But it is a Spirit that you are conscious of whom you are anytime you have opportunity to say something. Are you supposed to keep quiet when you have an opportunity to say something? This is the time to use the Spirit of the Heavenly Soldier. 

I will quote four verses for your understanding. 

1. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible],

2 Timothy 1:7‭-‬8 AMP

2. The commander said, “I paid a lot of money to become a Roman citizen.” But Paul said, “I was born a citizen.” The men who were preparing to question Paul moved away from him immediately. The commander was afraid because he had already put Paul in chains, and he was a Roman citizen.

Acts 22:28‭-‬29 ERV

3.When the 72 followers came back from their trip, they were very happy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we used your name!”

Luke 10:17 ERV

See, no matter the circumstance, if you have something to say that will glorify Christ in that situation don't be afraid to say in a given opportunity as Christ (Spirit) in you is the hope of Glory. We are the soldier of Jesus Christ. Do not allow anything to kill that Spirit as it is the first feature and quality given unto you from Christ to "GLORIFY His name". 

Prayer: Lord, I promise that I will not bury my opportunity to speak when I see how important and possible to glorify you in any situation. Please Lord Give me wisdom and smart moves today to carry out my heavenly duties on earth with little or no resistance. Thank you Lord as I receive power in the Spirit of Christ! in the name of Jesus. Amen

The power of my words – what is my tongue doing?

An Emoji Devotional for Mon, July 18, 2022

Topic: The power of my words – what is my tongue doing?

By Pastor Wenger

Recently I had a conversation with a dear Brother in Christ, who was utterly angry on President Putin from Russia. He found many indecent and damning words that violated the due respect for a bearer of the image of God, like he is and like Putin is. I do not want to judge him. He has relatives in Ukraine, who are suffering under the war in the country. I was, however, reminded how carelessly I myself use damning words that are violating the image of God of the targeted person. Most of us are way too often judgmental and quite careless in the way we use words, especially with regard to people. I therefore decided to make a little study how the Bible teaches us about the use of words. 

Highlights: 

Psalm 141:3:  Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Ecclesiastes 4:23 – 24:  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  

Colossians 4:5 & 6:  Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

Ephesians 4:29:  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 5:3 & 4:  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Matthew 7:1 & 2: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

James 3:5 – 12:  Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig-tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 

All these verses do not need much explanation, they are clear and understandable. My tongue and your tongue are not naturally tamed. They need to be taken captive under the Holy Spirit, who will represent the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control according to Galatians 5, 22-23. Paul exhorts us in Colossians 3:12 - 14: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Our words have much more power than we realize and they can cause damage over generations. As Christians we should therefore only use words that depict love and respect to human beings. Let us hate sin and distance ourselves from it, but let us be respectful and loving to sinners. They need the Gospel and the love of the Lord as badly as we do. 

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, I pray that you cleanse my heart from every evil thought. Guide me in your ways and tame my tongue with the discipline of your Holy Spirit. Let me love and understand others the way I would like to be loved and understood. Amen.  

 

Unfailing strength in the midst of my weakness

 

An Emoji Devotional for Sunday 17th July 2022

Topic: Unfailing strength in the midst of my weakness

By Pastor Hans Wenger

Highlights:

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. (Psalm 138:7)

For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (2. Corinthians 4:6-10)

‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ (John 6:33)

Psalm 138 is a worship of the true and only God in the presence of the mighty and powerful, of those, who consider themselves as majesties and Gods. Among all these powers, David sings his praises to the one who is the creator of heaven and earth with everything that is within them. He alone deserves the glory; he alone is to be praised. To his name only sings David his praises, to him alone he bows down because of his love, his faithfulness and his mercy. From him alone he expects, love grace, help and salvation, although he is way out of his comfort zone. He walks in the midst of life threatening trouble, but is totally confident that although the Lord is exalted above all, “he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.” (Psalm 138:6b) He knows that the Lord God Almighty will preserve his life and will eventually rescue him from his foes through Jesus Christ, who is God’s right hand. 

Paul is in big trouble in Asia. It is so bad that he writes: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.” (2. Corinthians 1, 8b). As they walked in the midst of trouble, they gave praises to the one, who went through even deeper troubles and darkness and has overcome the world inclusive death that had been brought into the world through Adam and Eve. In looking upon him and in trusting him, they got miraculously saved and Paul was enabled to burst out into the verses of today’s highlight above. The light of God got visible in the weakness of their human bodies. They experience that in trusting the Lord God Almighty, nobody and nothing can break you, you do not have to surrender, you do not have to give in, and tough seemingly weak and frail, the power of the resurrected Christ is so strong in you that you are able to prevail in every perilous situation. 

Finally the Lord Jesus himself comforts his disciples by telling them that it is very normal to go through troubles and afflictions will be in this world. They will be challenged, hated and persecuted. They will be led in all sorts of difficulties, but in trusting and following him, who has overcome the world, they still can have the inner peace. Even though death may strike – life eternal will save them. Even though the sufferings may grow beyond the human capacity, they are assured that peace will not leave them. 

Brothers and Sisters, we are the disciples of Christ Jesus. The power David sings of in Psalm 138, the strength Paul talks about in 2. Corinthians and the peace of heart in the victory of Jesus Christ over the world, belong to us. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1 with what a mighty power God has equipped us in Christ Jesus: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Let us trust him and cherish and praise his power in the midst of our weakness.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am weak, but you are more powerful than everything else in this world. Let me relax in your strength, in your total goodness, in your mercy and grace. You triumph over everything and in trusting you; I can participate in your victorious glory. Thank you for your great gift of power and strength.

Where the loopholes coming from?

 

An Emoji Devotional for Sat, July 16, 2022

Topic: Where the loopholes coming from?

Highlight: 

And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Luke 1:21

Loopholes are your flaws, inconsistencies, discrepancies and inadequacies. They happen to everyone that. It was inherited by Eve. 

The woman answered, “God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden, except the one in the middle. He told us not to eat fruit from that tree or even to touch it. If we do, we will die.”

Genesis 3:2‭-‬3 

You have to understand that Faith in God will not steal away your hope and you must not touch the fruit of doubt no matter how easy it is to swing into it. Humans have become spiritual swinger who through ignorance disobey he rules of "no swing" in the vertical lines of faith and doubt. "DO NOT TOUCH THE FRUIT" but she touched it. The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit. Her husband was there with her, so she gave some to him, and he ate it too.

Genesis 3:6 

THERE IS NO SOLUTION FOR THE IRREVOCABLE ERROR UNTIL ONE HAS BECOME WISE IN THE WAYS OF GOD. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27: We must avoid staring at doubts in the face so that we would not touch it. But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28

Shall we lust after doubt with our words and actions and afterwards we go to pray that all will go well then return to our lustful ways and expect supernatural manifestation through faith? And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Luke 1:21

There are different level of faith. If it is the one that adds your name in the book of life, you will have to be 100% vertical to ovoid being reprimanded for the offense of your words. There is a Miranda warning in Matthew 12:36

"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken."

There is no more time for Joke as this concerns the heaven more than it concerns the earth in your life. Give room for transition, only those who believe God truly in their heart  will advanced to the promise land. Check if this is where the loopholes and shortcomings are coming from into your life? You should ignore loopholed influence in your life.

Prayer: God I'm grateful for your Spirit that teaches me all things I require. Help me to remain on the line of faith in my words and actions from now on in Jesus name. Amen.

 

Grace of God alone is the energy to depend on.

 

An Emoji Devotional for Mon, 11th April, 2022

Topic: Grace of God alone is the energy to depend on.

Highlight: And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew 6:7

Elijah said to Baal's prophets, “There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don't light the fire. Then pray to your god.” They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, “Answer us, Baal!” But there was no answer. At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he's daydreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up.” The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, and they kept it up until time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no answer of any kind. Elijah told everyone to gather around him while he repaired the Lord's altar. Then he used twelve stones to build an altar in honor of the Lord. Each stone stood for one of the tribes of Israel, which was the name the Lord had given to their ancestor Jacob. Elijah dug a ditch around the altar, large enough to hold about 14 liters. He placed the wood on the altar, then they cut the bull into pieces and laid the meat on the wood. He told the people, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it over the meat and the wood.” After they did this, he told them to do it two more times. They did exactly as he said until finally, the water ran down the altar and filled the ditch. When it was time for the evening sacrifice, Elijah prayed: Our Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Now, prove that you are the God of this nation, and that I, your servant, have done this at your command. Please answer me, so these people will know that you are the Lord God, and that you will turn their hearts back to you. The Lord immediately sent fire, and it burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones. It scorched the ground everywhere around the altar and dried up every drop of water in the ditch. When the crowd saw what had happened, they all bowed down and shouted, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!” Just then, Elijah said, “Grab the prophets of Baal! Don't let any of them get away.” So the people captured the prophets and took them to Kishon River, where Elijah killed every one of them.
1 Kings 18:25‭-‬40

We should depend on the All-powerful God. Not on our own power or strength. The energy that convert prayers to answer is only in God's hands and not in our hands. Do not allow the flesh manipulates you into thinking that you will be heard when you perform additional man-made rites. Believe in Jesus His Son and follow God's commands and with patience- pray with faith and Thanksgiving. It is by grace alone and not by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 Hallelujah

Prayer: Lord I believe, help my unbelief in Jesus name. Amen