How to Smell Jesus (throwback)

 

An Emoji Devotions for Wed 3, July 2022

Topic: How to Smell Jesus


Highlight: 


Won't God protect his chosen ones who pray to him day and night? Won't he be concerned for them? He will surely hurry and help them. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find on this earth anyone with faith? Luke 18:7‭-‬8


Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was told by the crowd to be quiet. In their opinion, he did not deserve to have Jesus listen to him. Bartimaeus refused to be quiet and shouted all the louder as he wanted to meet Jesus. Jesus on hearing his insistence called him over and asked him what he wanted. (Mark 10:46-52)


You should persist you want to see Jesus. Instead of saying "Give me today our daily bread." You might want to say....


"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. I want to see Jesus for urgent assistance"

You have changed the daily bread request to wanting to see Jesus for an urgent assistance. 


Jesus said "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35


The aroma of fresh bread is so good that it is so irresistible. Without needing a map, You cannot miss your way to a bakery when fresh bread are placed in the oven. The pleasant aroma will lead you to the bakery near you once bread is on fire. 


Certainly, Jesus is the bread of life and you can smell him where ever he is, around you. 


How to smell Jesus "The bread of life"?


It is that lovely feeling that happens to when you begin to aspire in good faith that things is beginning to change for good and tomorrow will be just fine hopefully; then Jesus is smelling in the air.  


In Colossians 1:27 ERV the Bible says "God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory."


The glory may be away, but it's perceived as if it's already happening because Christ the bread of life is smelling around.


It is sweet when you perceive Jesus and trace your way to him as fresh bread is perceived and bakery location found. Because if you genuinely find Jesus and take a bite of him. It will be Sweeter when Jesus is perceived through you.

There is this courage and confidence that your life is already made and glory is on its way. The good side of it is that no one will be able to sway you once you take a bite of Jesus.


How to perceive those who have taken a bite of the "bread of life"?


Acts 4:13 AMPC says something it


"Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus."


The aroma of Jesus is in His Spirit. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMPC

Where is your power, love and well balanced mind? 


Do you know that you can bring the aroma of Jesus into any situation. How would you do that? It is by having faith in God.


The Bible says that "Without faith, it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to God. Which means no one can take a bite of the bread of life if they don't believe in God. It faith that produce the hope that give life.


That is why all the men of faith like Joseph, David, Joshua, Daniel, etc in the Bible were very successful. If you have the opportunity to have that good feeling of perceiving Jesus in your life, do not ignore that feeling. Salvation is near!


Prayer: Jesus you are here and it feels like I'm in heaven on earth. Keep me conscious in your presence forever and ever. Amen

Preparing Ground for Divine Action

 

An Emoji Devotions for Thu 27 Jun 2024

Topic: Preparing Ground for Divine Action

Highlight:

‭About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. ‭ Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened, and the chains fell from all the prisoners.

‭The jailer asked for a torch and went into the jail. He was shaking all over as he knelt down in front of Paul and Silas.

Acts 16:25,26&29


When the Jailer knees are bowed to the prisoners then you should understand that something divine has occurred.

Someone reading this may say, I do pray and sing in the midnight so I already know what you have to say... Anyway since you already have the idea of what I want to say, then I will say what Paul and Silas the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told the jailer who was terrified and would want to know what to do to be saved.

"‭They replied, “Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved! This is also true for everyone who lives in your home.” act.16:31.

Is your prayer and worshiped designed on faith? Faith in who? "THE LORD JESUS".

Having faith in God and having faith in the Lord Jesus are almost the same. Someone who doesn't believe in Lord Jesus may have faith in God. EVEN a person who proclaimed to believe in Jesus does not pray based on their faith in Jesus. They only use His name but direct their prayers and faith to God.

If you have faith in Jesus, and accept that God has highly exalted Him and place His power on Him, then you will be saved. You too must also cast all your faith and trust which you placed on God totally on Jesus.

Once again this is why you should do so:

‭Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others.  So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Philippians 2:9-10

Prayer: God please help me to surrender totally to our Lord Jesus Christ everyday of our lives. 

Holy Farmer

 

An Emoji Devotional for Mon 24th June 2024.

Topic : Holy Farmer

Highlight:

‭"Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed.  The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.  The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. Matthew 13:37-39 NLT‬

Matthew 6:24 says “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money."

Is Christ your firm foundation? Considering the parable of the two farmers. You are now given the opportunity to analyse yourself and give the answer of who you truly are. Who is the farmer that plant you?
Whose seed are you according to the Highlighted verse?

If you truly think you are the seed of Christ Jesus the Holy Farmer, then you should disengage from those weeds that are planted beside you by the evil farmer. Pray to Jesus to keep you from being detracted by the weeds of life so you can become a full grown matured tree that bears fruits for your farmer and master Jesus to be happy about you when the harvests time comes.

As new born babies are coming into the world, Jesus is planting seed while the devil is planting weeds every day. You must understand where these weeds are coming from. Hope you have not taken the weed into your soul. Because someday, the angels will come for the harvest of souls when the time for people to die comes and they will separate the Wheats from the weeds. You know that the wheat will go into the barns and the weeds will be burned.

‭
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. Matthew 13:40 NIV‬

What you have known today cannot be erased so you'd better adjust yourself and be the seed from the good farmer because that is the best thing to do.

Prayer: Good farmer. JESUS, I am your seed. I am your seed. COME Lord Jesus, Come I am here, Here I am, all for you. Water me and I shall flourish for you. Amen

Be BIG, for his name is Holy

 

An Emoji Devotions for Wed, 19th June 2024

Topic: Be BIG, for his name is Holy

Highlight:
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. Luke 1:49

Praying to God is one of the ways to be Holy because whilst you pray, you will mention God's name. How God's name come into play is that existence and things are programed into God's name. Nothing can ever exist that does not respond to the Holy name of God. What is His Holy name? "Jesus".

Jesus is a Holy name. It has to be reverend and keep sacred. Did you acknowledge that His name is Holy? When you act and live like an angel, you are actively Holy. For example; We were told the nine fruits of the Spirit? Let me put it this way; Did you truly believe in the nine fruits of the Spirit? You can only live in the system you believe.

For example; if someone have a cruel feelings towards others even if such person is calling the name of Jesus every day, it will be hard to fight for long until aggressors return again unless such person switch to ‭"2 Corinthians 5:17"
which says "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

‭ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. *For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Galatians 5:16-17

HOLY HOLY HOLY dwells in the power of this fruit in Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

You cannot get this fruits by your human power. You need to ask Jesus to give you the Holy Spirit and Holy Nature. Because the two work well together.
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” Mark 2:22

This is how to be born again: ask Jesus in prayer like the

Prayer: Lord God and Savior Jesus christ; Thank you for your unconditional love for me and your mercies. Please grant me Holy Nature and Holy Spirit so I can see you.
Hebrews 12:14: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Practical Discipleship

 

An Emoji Devotional For Thursday,13th of June 2023

Topic: Practical Discipleship 

Highlight: ‭
If you are ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of his Father and the holy angels.

Luke 9:26

Who is a disciple of Jesus? A dedicated follower of Jesus. Someone who is committed to take up his own cross and follow Jesus to the very end. Cf Luke 9:62

In Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

Someone who is practical about his discipleship of Christ will be concerned  with the actual deed of being dedicated to Christian living practices rather with the theories or ideas.

According to our Highlighted verse in Luke 9:26; He or she or they are someone who is not ashamed of Christ and His message any day and anytime.

According to Matther 15:8 As a God who knows the heart and intentions of man (Proverbs 16:2) Jesus clearly states to us that "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."

We must be a practical disciple of our Lord by being dedicated follower with all of our heart and action. We must not be ashamed of the Gospel. Anywhere we are we must show the world who we are.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

And do not forget that "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 15:14).

As a practical follower of Christ we should illuminate the world with spirit of light of God just like the good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37. May God help us all.


Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus help me to be a practical disciple and carrier of your light in this world in Jesus name. Amen

DONT READ THE BIBLE THE WAY THE DEVIL READS IT

 An Emoji Devotional for Monday, 3 June, 2024

Topic: DONT READ THE BIBLE THE WAY THE DEVIL READS IT

Highlight: “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. '” Matthew 4:6

As the topic states, is the way most people intentionally read the Bible. Some people keep wondering why certain things should and should not happen because they wonder about the manifold power of God to perform signs and wonders and also the ability of God to prevent certain things from happening. So after quoting the word of God, some of them want the rain to start falling just like Elijah did when he called down fire. It is not so, The Bible is known for what it stands for which is the truth. The truth is not supposed to work with logic of man but with the Trust a man in it. Let us look at two examples; 

An Excerpt from Daniel 3:16-18 reads

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” 

This came from three Hebrew men who knew the supernatural and eternal truth that God is the only one to be worshiped, it doesn't make a difference if God indeed will deliver them from the threat of a fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. So they remain decisive to the truth. 

When the Devil read the Bible to Jesus, He said "if you are the son of God, throw yourself down, is this the truth? are we to do dangerous things because we are righteous? The truth of the matter is that God's angels are always with us to lift us up in their hands even when we are not in any danger. Should there be a danger, then God will take control. So what was our saviors' response? 

"Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Matthew 4:8

Jesus knew it was a test which if Jesus fell for the test would ruin the sovereign wisdom of the Most High. 

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

The word of God is a living word that relates to our everyday life till eternity. God has a task for you and me, and once you read God's word as someone who is looking for the instruction manual, inspiration, and the truth. It will help you navigate the route of God's plan to the promise. 

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, Guide me to follow the path of the truth that is embedded in your living word. Let the truth in your word help us to reach the Promise. Amen

Doomsday Serpent: Beware!

 

An Emoji Devotion for Sat, 18th May 2024

Topic: Doomsday Serpent: Beware!!

Highlight: 

‭

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Genesis 3:1

This serpent mentioned was cunning and manipulative than any beast practically engaging other animals and people in the Bible days. Which means the serpent is on an assignment to be powerful. There must be a power tussle between man and serpent which seems to make the serpent more cunning. Another name for serpent is the "most deadly snake." 

In the context of our Highlighted verse in Genesis 3:1, you will realise that before the serpent talked to "Eve' the first way said was "yeah". A manipulative way to making the woman conclude to answer her question in its own favor. 

The serpent mission and ambition is to steal, kill and destroy the woman's destiny and good relationship with God.

There are people who have a deadly manipulative instinct to break us and not male us if we allow them to prevail among us. We must ask God to reveal them to us because they are always hidden under their mission of "stealing, killing and destroying things that was meant for our good". Sometimes these people can promote of thoughts of unbelieve and fear in our heart once we allow them to brainwash us like what happened to Eve? 

The only way to overcome these serpent is in Philippians 4:8 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

But what if the serpent refuses to go or it is like a friend or neighbour or family we cannot easily drive away, the answer is in 

Psalms 91:9-14

"The Lord Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety, and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home. God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. "They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. The Lord says, “If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe.

We can overpower serpents by not giving them our attention because they are very manipulative. By not listening to them at all, not even their yes or no? Do not take account of a serpent's words in your heart because they make someone lose eternal blessings. Had Eve did not listen or gave attention to the serpent that day she would still remain in the Garden of Eden till today. The serpent won Eve over and they were driven outside.

Abraham believed God's promise that God would make Abraham into a great nation, and that he would give the land of Canaan to Abraham's offspring. He never changed his mind until He received His promise from God. Beware of serpents!

Prayer: 

God the creator the universe, I run to you for safety. be my refuge through thick and thin of life and give me the courage to reach the promise you made for me. In Jesus name. God do not let serpen win me over in Jesus name. Amen.