How can I become a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ?

 An Emoji Devotional for Fri, March 3 2023

Topic: How can I become a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ?

By Pastor Hans Wenger

Do you know Jesus Christ? Before following somebody and even much more important, allowing to be educated and thought by somebody, we should certainly know, who that person really is. Let us check out, what we know about him. Talking about him, we need to forget about religion or about a religious system. Although Christianity as we know it has built such e system, it is never what he meant. His life on earth was much more geared to destroy the religious system of the Scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Jesus Christ was strictly and thoroughly relational concerning the divine and the profane. He did not introduce a new religious cult, but made clear that everything is dependent on the personal relationship between God and man as well as between man and man. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ (Matthew 22:35 – 40) 

Let us hear what the Apostle Paul says about Jesus Christ in his Epistle to the Colossians: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (Colossians 1:13 – 23)

Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man and therefore the mediator between God and man. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” (Apostle Paul, in 1. Timothy 2:1 – 6)

Now, as we know just a little of who, Jesus Christ is, we will look how he invited people to follow him. He began his preaching by telling: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17b) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.‘ Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18 – 21) 

It is today exactly the same as it has been then. Jesus calls people to follow him and he will give them rest and life eternal. He is man’s only chance to get saved from certain death and condemnation. The story of Peter and Andrew, James and John make us clear that following Jesus is not only a decision, but a turn around, a change of direction. They turn away from what has been determined their lives till now and submit now to a new direction. Jesus taught: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?’ 

The same way it has not been cheap for God to reconcile us – it has cost him his beloved son – it is not cheap for us to surrender our lives to God. It costs us our phantasies about life and accepting that true life cannot be found but in God. Even though our walk with God is likely to begin with a prayer of surrender, it is much more than just a prayer of surrender. In Luke 15 Jesus tells us the parable of the two lost sons. The younger one has searched his life in worldly pleasures. He went away from the father. His repentance was not so the prayer (Luke 15, : “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants,” but much more in the humility to turn back to the Father and the acknowledgment that his own way has brought him almost to his demise. His return triggered the Father’s mercy and grace and he was accepted as a “new-born” son. “‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.

The Father waits for you too! Make the decision to go back to him and be a follower of Christ Jesus. You will not be rejected. John tells us about Jesus: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:11 – 13) Moreover, Jesus said in Luke 15:7: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. I acknowledge that I have lived my life without you. I have searched my own way and I have sinned against you by searching for fulfillment outside of you. I am guilty before you and I pray for your mercy and grace. I truly repent from all my crooked ways. Thank you that your son, Jesus Christ, has paid for me with his blood and that I therefore can be clean before you through your grace. Please come into my heart and guide me in your ways through your Holy Spirit. Renew me from the inside out. Thank you that you accept me as your born again son / daughter. Amen. 

Tell somebody your decision today and look for a community of true followers of Christ, with whom you can share life. The blessings of the Almighty God be with you!

 

 

How can I live a God pleasing life?

How can I come to spiritual maturity and be ready to enter the kingdom of God?

My future as a follower of Christ Jesus

Why should I become a follower of Jeshuah Hamashiah? (Jesus Christ)

An Emoji Devotional for Wed 28th February, 2023

Topic: Why should I become a follower of Jeshuah Hamashiah? (Jesus Christ) 

In the beginning created God heaven and earth and started a time-flow. The earth was at that time totally dark, without form and void. So God called light into it and called the light day and the darkness he called night. “And the evening and the morning were the first day.” (Genesis 1:5b) God goes then on with creation as you can read it in Genesis 1:6 and following verses. On the sixth day, after God had created several animals, God said:  ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26 – 27) In Genesis 2:7 God gives us some details about the creation of man: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” In the Hebrew text now, it does not say “the breath of life”, but the “breath of lives.”  That breath has given man a threefold life. Firstly the life that connected him to God and eternity and enabled him to live in the presence of God, secondly a spiritual life that gave him his own personality and thirdly the biological life like the one God has given to the animals and to all living creatures. The first life gave them glory and radiance and made them King and Queen over the whole creation. 

In the garden God has created as the palace of their reign, there was only one tree that was not under their dominion. God warned Adam, telling him that if they were to eat from that tree, they would die. The devil tempted Eve in the form of a serpent and explained to her, that God did not inform them well. The fruit would not bring death, but rather a higher knowledge about good and evil that would make them like God. Although they had perfect living conditions and free access to God, they did not go to discuss the ideas of the serpent with God. They grew suspicious about him and eventually trusted the serpent more than the Creator. Both of them ate from the fruit of the tree and immediately they died and lost their eternal life. It became visible for them as they instantly lost their heavenly radiance and they found themselves naked and full of shame. They felt compelled to hide. The Bible tells in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Because we all have sinned in Adam and Eve, death came through to everybody, but in Christ Jesus everybody has the chance to regain the life, lost in Paradise. “For just as through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous. The bible tells us that the second life of man, his personality, does not die, but will eventually bow before God and be judged by him according to his or her deeds. “Then (after death) shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due to us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2. Corinthians 5:10)Adam and Eve lost their heavenly clothing and realized their nakedness, now they began to look to each other like bloodsuckers who desperately need a host to nourish them. As both now had their individual knowledge for good and evil, they ended up sucking on each other because there was no satisfying host available to suck on. They began to blame each other and produced all the human vices as they are mentioned in Galatians 5:19 – 21: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” They had to leave the garden so that they could not eat from the tree of life, which would have perpetuated the abominable situation. Mankind before the great flood deteriorated incredibly. The Bible tells us: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created – and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground – for I regret that I have made them.’” The Flood was, however, not the end of mankind. God saved many animals and eight people in the arc of Noah. Later he called Abraham and eventually the people of Israel and made clear that in the end he wants to save as many people as are willing to accept his invitation in Jesus Christ. 

He came as a man to us, lived with us a perfect, sinless, live and died for us on the cross. With that he redeemed us with the Father and gave us the possibility to get saved in him. He calls us today, telling us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28 – 30) ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6) “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 14, 37) 

He made clear that he will return to his church in the last days, which will be very similar to the times of Noah. The Apostle Paul tells us in his epistle to Titus how he and his fellow disciples have been invited into the new arc in Jesus Christ: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3 – 7)

You are invited to come to Christ. He does not reject anyone, who comes to him. He is your only chance to regain the life we all have lost through the sin in Paradise and through our personal sins. Jesus is ready to accept you – do not miss out on securing your eternal happiness.  

Prayer: Christ I'm ready to come home to the right family and level where my senses should function as someone enlightened and redeemed. Please accept me first as I accept you into my Spirit. Take possession of me and lead my soul to your eternal life where I will live to glorify my God. In Jesus name. amen. 

God calls you - Be my Valentine!

 

An Emoji Devotional for Tue 14th Feb, 2023

A Valentine Special 

Topic: God calls you - Be my Valentine!

By Pastor Hans Ulrich Wenger

 From early age men and women around the world dream of becoming the very special person of someone else. Somebody who makes me feel at home, somebody who assures me that we belong to each other, no matter what may happen around us. Such human encounters can euphorically magic wonderful colors before our eyes and wild dancing butterflies into our stomach. 

 We cannot help falling in love with the most precious person who just invited me to be his or her Valentine. It is romantic, exquisite and at least for the moment happiness seizes us, and we experience all our longings satisfied. Dating relationships, and covenants for life often start exactly that way, but our short life-span as human beings makes the “forever” always limited. 

Have you ever entertained the thought that God calls you to be his valentine for eternity? 

This is no joke; he actually does exactly that for you! He says: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’ (Jeremiah 31:3) Originally he speaks here to his chosen people Israel, but Jesus made clear, that in him every person in the whole world is meant. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’” (Matthew 11:28 – 30)

 God has put Adam and Eve in a perfect world in the Garden of Eden. They lived in the presence of the Holy Trinity and had free access to the creator, but they decided to trust the words of the serpent more than their creator and brought themselves under the dominion of death, of the separation from God. With the curse of having now an individual knowledge of good and evil, they brought strife, hate, war, murder and tyranny among themselves. They were created for life in Paradise and were now forced to live in a world within which with everybody and with everything is something wrong. Eventually Jesus Christ, the son of God, became human and lived a perfect and sin free life among us and sacrificed himself to overcome death, the main enemy of man. Through his victory over evil, death and all the powers of the darkness he can now give life eternal to all who are willing to surrender to him. He is the way, the truth and the life and nobody comes to the Father except through him. (John 14:6)  

Surrender to him means to accept that God is absolutely good and that I am willing to submit my own will under his will. With this attitude I am willing to learn from him and to be changed into his image. ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’ (John 17:1 – 3) Whoever comes to him becomes a child of God and belongs to the bride of Christ. Together with him God’s children will inherit the kingdom of the Father.

Today God calls you – be my Valentine and I will give you rest for your soul and life eternal. Take the step and you will most certainly never rue it. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, today I come to you confessing that I have sinned against you and against my fellow men and women. I pray for your forgiveness and I surrender to you and I want to learn from you. I invite you into my heart and pray that you will change me from the inside out, so that I am beginning to spread your love and your character. Thank you, that your forgiveness makes me clean from all my sins. Help me to grow into your image.   

Fist of fury

 An Emoji Devotional for The 17th January 2022

Topic: fist of fury

Highlights:

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59:1

Hey guys, it's been a while. I want to talk about God's fist of fury. In Exodus 8:19 "This is the finger of God!" (the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh...) Call it God's hand or arm of the Lord.

It is a mighty and powerful arm. It's so powerful it can frighten a magician a Chief Lector, who served as the pharaoh's head magician and right-hand man in ancient times. 

See, Once God's arm turns into a fist, then be rest assured that God's anger is fuming and He is ready to fight anything that the enemy represent or any stumbling block causing delays to expected provisions.

God's fist is not hard to come by, but like Moses, Samuel, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, David, Daniel etc we must have an encounter with God first and Our purpose in life must have same direction with God's purpose as No one can stop God from achieving his purpose.

If anything or anyone stands in God's way, they may attract his fist of fury. In Psalms 18:7 the Bible says "The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry."

The best part is to ensure that God's anger is not directed towards you. Be in good relationship with Him. Tell God about what is not allowing you to achieve your divine purpose and ask Him to center his fist of fury against such opposition. (Psalms 139:21)

Prayer: Dear God, I knew that you have created me with daily loads of opportunities of abundance to fulfill your divine purpose for my life on earth. Please Search and find out all oppositions that opposes my divine destiny and blast them with your fist of fury right now in Jesus name. God, If it were my faults that is causing oppositions to your divine purpose for my life, please lead me to the right path right now in Jesus name I pray. Amen

Could haves and have-not

 

An Emoji Devotional for Saturday 31, December 2022

Topic: Could haves and have-not

Highlights:

"Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?

Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?

When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?'

St. Matthew 25:37

As today marks the 365th day of the year. It is not too late to check your journal of you have shown at least some little kindness to someone who is a brother or a sister of Christ. According to the Bible, Jesus told us categorically that His brothers and sisters are those who do the will of God. One of them are the missionaries who have left their all and have followed Jesus.

If you have not done something for the brother or sister of Christ since the beginning of the year, you can do something today which is at least the last day. And one of the most important thing Christ wants us t have done, is to be merciful (compassionate) on your fellow in Christ.

One of the ways to show mercy is to forgive your fellow (in Christ) who owed you something and could not repay either in part or in full. Mercy is one of the should haves you can add to your list.

In St. Matthew 18:33 Jesus says "Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?'. Our God wants mercy and not sacrifice.

The second is way to show Mercy is to show kindness to your fellow in Christ. Kindness is giving a worthwhile gift to someone to make their day memorable. This giving is essential to those who do God's will or to do it for Christ Himself (which is the ministry of Christ)

During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste of money," they said. "She could have sold it for a fortune and given the money to the poor." But Jesus replied, " Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me?.....I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory. " Matthew 26:7-10,13

The kindness that touched the heart of Jesus is to do such good things to Him (His ministry). The gospel needs money.

The third way to show mercy is to make prayers of supplication for the body of Christ (ministry) and pray for the saints (brothers and sisters of Christ.)

You can choose one of the three or do all for the sake of Christ to add to your should haves in the last day of the year. Anyone who shows mercy to Brothers and sisters of Christ will be rewarded with blessings prepared for them for each day and lifetime. (Read Matthew 25:34)

"But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet," says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 4:2-3

Prayer: Heavenly Father I honour your name and your word. From now on O Lord, Help me to act in mercy to your brothers and sisters. In Jesus name.

Just because you are Special

 An Emoji Devotional for Tue, 13 2022

Topic: Just because you are special

Highlights: For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10

You are special to heaven because you are important man and woman on earth. So, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Jesus.

Many people here on earthe trying so hard to understand the ways of life. Only God understands life. It's too deep like the ocean and the more you dig the more you realize there's more not learned.

An obedient child is the favourite child of the father, though there are many children, the obedient one is regarded as reliable and dependable child. “If you love me, obey my commandments" John 14:15

God gave us life and we must regard him as His presence is around us to lead us when we need help. However, we look for solutions even in the midst of salvation. Have we ever revolve our lives around God like a father sitting in the sitting room whose children are all playing outside, goes to eat, sleep and repeat same thing without regarding their dad with respect.

You are special if you regard his presence, obey His commands and involve him in your life.

Let us pray:

Father of my life, I regard you as my father, forgive me all my mistakes and misunderstandings about life. From now on help me to heed to your presence, help me to obey your commands and help me to involve you in all my day to day life's activities. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

God wants you in Psalms 91:16

 An Emoji Devotional for Wednesday 30th November 2022

Topic: God wants you in Psalms 91:16

Highlights:

I will satisfy you with a long life. I will show you how I will save you. Psalms 91:16

Understanding God helps us discover our true fortunes. The fortune of longer life is pertinent to obedience to God's plan and purpose for your life on earth. Before you reach Palms 91:16 you would have met with angels, dragon, lions and snakes and many more in the earlier verse. Whenever God makes promises He fulfils them. The promise of Psalms 91:16 is long life and Salvation which everyone who lives on earth craves for.

As the world leaders did manipulate different situations around the world to favour their agenda, we should understand that most of the things known to us right now are not fully proper ways of God plans for humanity and are subject to change in nearest future. The world leaders do uses the media, phone, television, social media, news to influenced and manipulate the world. However so many think and perceived diffently from God's plans because of this as most people grew up knowing only the government agenda and little do we know what God planned for us. It is essential we must study the Holy Bible very well Should our confidence grow as we learn what is in divine plans for us? Yes

Jeremiah 29:11 proved that only God's plans are good and safe for us in life; for God said "I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope." Should the way the world align itself differs from God's plans and it's hard to understand the intense situation we are facing, we should seek God's approval in prayers and remain loyal to our maker as that is the way forward to receive the promise.

The world has changed and people find it uneasy to follow the plans God had for each and every. People are addicted to the updates forgetting that what we see on the media are somehow regulated to favour policies which may not align with heavenly plans for our lives.

What we read and see on the media being portrayed by people is not excellent as what is written in the Bible. But only few people can follow the instructions of God's word to the end. These are those who will enjoy His promises and enter into rest.

St. Matthew 7:14 "But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate." (God's word Version)

Even those who find the narrow gates may not be able to enter therein as some already lack perseverance because certainly people do change their minds due to lack of perseverance to wait on trusting God's word.

Habakkuk 2:3 The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won't be a lie. If it's delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won't be late.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth"

Life's opportunity is accomplished with strict discipline and perseverance into following the plans of God who created the heaven and the earth.

Psalms 91:16 promised us long life satisfaction and salvation, and only those who could spiritually discipline themselves with perseverance to remain in the plan of God as instructed in His Holy word will enjoy the fruit of the reward of the promise.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me.
Matthew 16:24

Wait with hope for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the LORD. Psalms 27:14

We can only reach the promise of long life and generational salvation when we stay in God's plans with all our heart and trusting His will without leaning on our understanding. (cf. Psalms 94:9)

Prayer: Dear Lord, I do agree with your plans as the best for my life. You promised us long life and salvation. Please compel the world and it's policies to align with your plans for my life so I can enjoy my journey into the promised Blessings in Jesus name. Amen

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2022/11/god-wants-you-in-psalms-9116.html