Don't get carried away by Satan

 

An Emoji Devotional for Saturday, 20 August 2022

Topic: Don't get carried away by Satan

Highlights:

Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Isaiah 55:2

Then the Devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread." Matthew 4:3

The devil is very cunning and creative in formulating stories that does not relate with divine reality. However if you got caught up with the devil, you might got carried away into life that deviates from God's fundamental plans. The devil will tell you start turning stones to bread, which might sound cool after you listen to the assumptions in your imagination, it will suddenly get you busy into idolatry.

God never asked us to start turning stones into bread when we are hungry, I short, as children of the Most High God we are asked to depend on God for Manna from heaven like he did for the Isrealites and Elijah and he also did it when feeding five thousands with five loaves and two fishes, whenever we are hungry and lacking: we are to depend of God for his provisions. The Bible says in

Isaiah 55:13 "Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briers grew, myrtles will sprout up. This miracle will bring great honor to the Lord's name; it will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."

These miracle signs shall follow them that believe in my name... In my name they shall perform miracles and cast out devils Mark 16:15

As children of God, we are asked to avoid being carried away by the devil. We must guard our thoughts of getting us confused and worried and not allow him to change the right way we think or getting involved in difficult things that is not in God's plan for us. When we are faced with challenges, we are to hand over to God and trust that God will take care of it. The devil make mess of people's life and laughs them to scorn once he gets them into figuring how to do things that God did not approved like turning stones into bread in God's name. However some people have thought in their mind that God has refused to answer their prayers because they hang into things that are not in line with God's way.

We must follow all instructions given by our Lord Jesus Christ to details in order to know the mind of God and pray in his plans for us all. Truly God's plan is great and must be traced in a straight way through Jesus. Trusting in God is the key, we cannot not get anything done by our own mere effort. Keep walking in the way of Jesus.

Don't let the devil complicate your life with task of turning stones to bread again.

The way of Jesus is very easy but it requires concentration because there are too many distractions. When you are alone with your choice, make sure you follow God's plan to detail and you will never regret it. Remember to always ask Holy Spirit for help.

Prayer: Holy Spirit please Help me to stay put in God's plans for my life and teach me the right process to win life's battle. Help me to remain faithful in the way of God in Jesus name. Amen.

Don't be Victim of Distraction

 

An Emoji Devotional Thu, 18th August 2022

Topic: Don't be Victim of Distraction

Highlights:

I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. Corinthians 7:35

so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11

We will go by two examples but before then we need to understand what distraction is in spiritual terms. There is nothing like peace and the quiet and lack of distraction that helps you to focus your mind. It is bas when you cannot concentrate on your dreams because of distraction. Distraction is one of the big schemes of the devil possessed people or situation. Once distraction corresponds to your thoughts and becomes a stain in your heart, it will be hard to concentrate on the goals ahead. In fact, distraction is the major engineer of delay to someone's progress. Here are two examples of how to deal with distractions in your life according to the Scriptures.

First example: Mark 1:23-25

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.


Example 2: Acts 16:16-18

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
And this did she many days.

 But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

From the above examples, the two ways to approach and defeat distraction is to rebuke and command distraction out of your way in Jesus name and distraction will be defeated. I have tried it and it worked for me. You too should do this often. Remember if you are not born again, you need to give your life and accept Jesus as the saviour of your soul to receive power over distractions of life.

Prayer: I rebuke you spirit distracting me from focusing my mind on God and his plans for me and I command you to get out of my way in the name of Jesus Christ.

Your Pain Is Most Important to Jesus than His life.

An Emoji Devotional for Tuesday 16th August, 2022

Topic: Your Pain Is Most Important to Jesus than His life.

Highlights: They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, "Hail! King of the Jews!"

St. Matthew 27:29

Your intellectual or physical pain in your body or emotion is exclusively important to Jesus. When the sheep of David was faced with potential pain from a bear and afterwards a lion, David quickly said no and resisted them by killing them. Jesus is the Son and Lord of David. Jesus was hurt for a good cause because to God you are something more important than Jesus. Romans 8:32 said Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?

First, If you are saving others lives in the name of Jesus, know you are perfectly doing God's will and resurrection awaits you. Then if you are in pain, you can call for restoration in Jesus name. Thirdly, as a Born Again (by grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the True Loving) if you see anything that could cause you pain, Just say this prayer: "Heavenly Father, I am very sure you remember the reason why Jesus your loving son took a crown of sharp thorn into his head. This pain must not happen to me and my loved ones in Jesus name". And see how quick God will sweep in action.

When you remind God of the Crown odpf Thorn Jesus took, it will make Him remember some things that will cause intervention. But be careful, do not remind God of such things unless it's important so you will not be attempting to hurt the divine with your words. But I'm very sure if you mention such thing to God for a purpose of breakthrough from potential harm of yourself or your loved ones, God will intervene.

If Jesus the all-powerful took on crown sharp thorns for your sake, He can do anything for you. It is important that you should be part of him by taking his Holy Communion with the church and in all you do be his disciple so that you can share in his glory.

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me." John 17:24-25

Prayer:  "Heavenly Father, I am very sure you remember the reason why Jesus your loving son took a crown of sharp thorn into his head. This pain must not happen to me again and my loved ones in Jesus name".

Be Tasty in Spirit of God

 An Emoji Devotional for Sun, 14th August 2022

Topic: Be Tasty in Spirit of God

Highlights: 

But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.

Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing.

To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

You see, we are not like those hucksters—and there are many of them—who preach just to make money. We preach God's message with sincerity and with Christ's authority. And we know that the God who sent us is watching us.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

You should also know this, fellow readers*, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good.

They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that. To be tasty in the Spirit of God means there is sweetness all over you. You know that when people are pleased to meet you, they have seen salt and sweet spirits around you and want to be partaker of that sweetness. When this happens, it shows you have plenty of love in you to give. Somehow if people notice that your love is stale, they may have to leave because they found not really the love they think was there.

Do not mistake people looking for love if they don't do God's will and if they are not ready to be change through the love of Christ, St. Matthew 5:13 says that "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. If someone come to look for love and they actually do not love Christ, the salt in you will lose its flavor in their tongue. Your sweetness may become worthless to them. But do not let this bother you at all or make you become cold like one of them. After all, 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that "Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." In the world you will encounter so many ungodly men and situation but remain cheerful, do not let anyone to make you feel like insipid. Do not let people of the world change you from Manna to Marrah. Be wise.

Our Lord Jesus said "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

If you continue to be sweet and tasty in the Spirit of God, walking in love unconditionally, you will love in the realm of fulfilling God's promises concerning your life. "And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.” Romans 8:28

There is a Spirit of Belial in the air, moving throughout the world, using economic meltdown and people who have grown harshness in them to turn the work upside down. Remain true to the world of Christ. "Be cheerful, I have overcome the world". I believe that this message can change your life forever because being tasty is not a sign of weakness, but rather, it is indeed a life of fulfilling greatness of God here and here after. For God first loved us and Christ died for all. Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Holy Spirit of Christ, teach me how to me how to be tasty in the Spirit of God. Lord Jesus Christ, please increase my renewal every hour in the regeneration power of your blood. In Jesus name. Amen.

Face God

 An Emoji Devotional Tue 9th of April 2022

Topic: Face God

Highlights:

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

People love to face each other when talking heart to heart. But when talking to God, they tend to face their problems. Somehow it's like someone facing the other way, telling God, see this problem and that problem is why I'm calling you.

People have been giving God responsibilities to carry but did not really give God due attention. "Come now", is a word that cannot be negotiated. It shows who the boss is and the specific action to take....

"Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams,
         In ten thousand rivers of oil?
         Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts,
         The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has told you, O man, what is good;
         And what does the LORD require of you
         But to do justice, to love kindness,
         And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:7-8

It is somehow a sin to God when you face other sides talking to the heavenly father. It makes one garment to be very red as scarlet.  But God wants you to face him humbly to receive instructions.

If you already have what you wish to do in your mind and point God to the direction of how you want it done for you in your way, then who is then the boss? God is no one's servant. We are supposed to humbly listen attentively and follow instructions from our Heavenly Father. If you call God your father, then it's time to obey him and retouch your ways with due attention to what the authority dictates. I pray may we not take God's friendliness for granted.

Prayer: Father please forgive me for taking you for granted in any way. May I not take your friendliness for granted in my life. May I humble myself towards you and respect you all the days of my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Lord it Over The Lords of The Violent

 An Emoji Devotional for Fri, 5 August 2022

Topic: Lord it Over The Lords of The Violent

Highlights: 

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. Matthew 20:25

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. Matthew 11:12

A terrorist does not have any languages other than violence. If you want to take down a terrorist, you have to take down their leader using higher violence. As a child of God. So much fascinating to hear Jesus declaring to his own in Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Christians would be as sheep surrounded by a flock of hungry and raging wolves, in contrast, Serpents are considered to be wise because of their ability to live in every continent and every part of the world and due to the appearance of pondering their actions as they prepare to strike, people are afraid of them. According to Wikipedia The behaviour of snakes and their facial features (e.g. the unblinking, lidless eyes) seemed to imply that they were intelligent, that they lived by reason and not instinct, and yet their thought-processes were as alien to humans as their ways of movement.

And the snake was wiser than all of the beasts of the field which the Lord God had made. And the snake said to the woman: "Is it true that the Lord God said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden'?" Genesis 3:1

The snake was wise, it met the woman and not the man and also sneak information out of her to know if she's aware of God's instruction on the tree. Jesus ask us to be this wise to live among the violent people in the world with wisdom of slipping awareness of kindness into their mind to make them rethink and reason what is right. It could not be done by argument but by being gentle as dove.

Doves are very gentle and loving and always appealing in their look. Because of their gentility, doves are a great bird for younger children. This tells about humility.

The world is complicated. The Lords of the violent (evil people) will lack patience and understanding and they are desperate but the wise and gentle will rule over them by exhausting them to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.

By backup power of Holy spirit. A Christian will suffer the violent enemy to accept peace by force by Calling Jesus the Prince of Peace into any case before matter arises. Judges 6:24, Isaiah 9:6, John 14:27

Prayer: I call Jesus the 'Prince of Peace' into my state of troubled heart today. Amen

The Good-Loop and The Angel

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sun July 31, 2022

Topic: The Good-Loop and The Angel

Highlight: 

Nothing is impossible for God!”

Luke 1:37

The above verse is a Good-loop for everyone  on the surface of the earth. But How many people do stay in that good-loop? 

Do you desire to get well? This is also a Good Looping opportunity Jesus gave to us all i. John 5:6. 

Some have seen the good loop but they need the help of God like the man beside the River of Bethesda. What he said was a reality of what is happening to almost everyone. The sick man said "Sir, I do not have a man, that when the water has been stirred, he might put me into the pool; and while I am going, another descends before me." John 5:7

His loop is a healing pool but he can't hoop because he was down by sickness but he understood that his loop was a healing pool. He stood around so maybe someone could hoop him in the good loop.

So What's your good loop?

The woman with an issue of blood in Matthew 9:21 said to herself “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” This prevailing thought would have been nursed for a very long time in her heart before she prevailed to take the step. I am sure she would have ran out of luck on many times on several occasions which could have lead to giving up on the good loop. You see the good loop brings us the fulfilment of our dreams. Maybe Peter had once reached for his sword on sighting her trying to touch Jesus. The woman later found the opportunity to be healed in Matthew 9:22. 

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Ruth 1:16 , if you add a letter "T" to Ruth it will be Truth. The "T" could represent the cross you will carry or otherwise carry you before you enter the Good-loop. Remember that the Good-loop is your hoop to fulfilment. 

It will be hard for you to stay in the Good-loop if you listen to what people and the media says and you follow their ways. Only God's word in the Holy Bible (and faith giving books) can make you stay in the loop.  The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.

1 John 2:17

If the devil tried to sway Jesus Christ out of the Good-loop in Matthew 4:4 how much more humans like us.  

To stay in the Good-loop may be frightening 

I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.

Psalms 23:4 

Where can you find Good-loop? Its In-Jesus-in You. You have to be born again. You have to bear the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 God's Spirit makes us loving(loop), happy(loop), peaceful(loop), patient(loop), kind(loop), good(loop), faithful(loop), gentle (loop) and self-controlled (loop). (All the good loop will help you to stay intact to ascend on the day of reckoning when miracles and destiny glorification will happen)

Galatians 5:22 

There is an angel of hope following everyone who stays in the good-loop. Don't let the angel give up on you. Colossians 1:27

Stay in Good-loop no matter what,  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Prayer: Jesus please lead me to Jehovah. It is written in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. Amen.