Doing things the new way

An Emoji Devotions for The, 29th of June 2021

Topic: Doing things the new way

Highlight: 

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

How can we protect ourselves from destructive ways?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tossed by the wind

 An Emoji Devotions for Sun 27 Jun 2021

Topic: Tossed by the wind

Highlight:

... because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

There is power in God's word and it can change your life for good.

But doubt double-crosses people by their fear. Those who doubt may tend to break down and their Spirit will look faulty with excuses to reverse their progress while looking back at comfort zone instead of looking ahead to destiny. 

Those who doubt become worried that something is going to go the wrong way. Doubt makes people look at their previous failures like in a movie and turned their faith  into negative. Doubt interacts with our mind about negative stories. It is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

Doubt goes with bad mood that gives fear. In Revelations 21:8 the Bible says the fearful will take their part in the lake that burns with fire and in James 1:7 the Bible says that "such people who doubt should not expect to receive anything from the Lord." Life itself is a practical experience that require us to have faith when we connect to God. Faith gives us a hand to hold unto God  but doubt makes us lose our grip, tossed by the wind.

We should not doubt "For surely there is a future...." and Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. Proverbs 23:18; Psalm 125:1

We must become confident that through Jesus Christ we will have a brighter future? Trust in God with all your heart that He's able to do exceedingly above all things that you ask or think, according to the power working in you. Ephesians 3:20

Doubt can hunt the mind. If you are possessed with the spirit of doubt, You need the Holy Spirit of God to give you faith and conviction through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus replied “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. Matthew 21:21

We need to make up our mind that we will not be tossed by the wind and Hold on to the promises of God in His word. 

Prayer: Thank you blessed Holy Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ as you are welcomed into my spirit. Please flush away every need for unholy doubt in my life from now on in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Put the knife away.

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sat 26th June 2021

Topic: Put the knife away.

Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! ... John 18:11

"And the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”

 Genesis 18:26 

God disclosed to you that He loves you. He extend his love by sending His Son to die. He made an expensive sacrifice of love because He wants you to put your knives away. "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. Luke 6:35

God have been kind to you all these while even when you did not know about Jesus's love. He sheltered you, he gave you food and water and send people around you to help you nurture and learn as you grow. The matrix of the God's love was a gift that goes around to everyone in our neighborhood even though we cannot see it. God made everything looks so good so you won't have anything to bother you. He did all these for so you can put your knife away. 

Of course, The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Only God knows how bad it is and He alone could deal with it. Do not let anyone to make you mad at a point to commit wrong deed that could implicate you in God's presence. God wants you to change the way you think. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Jeremiah 17:9 & Romans 12:2)

Unlike the second highlighted verse, Genesis 18:26 Like Sodom and Gomorrah, the earth already is like a crime scene. For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chro 16:9) So when God comes to the earth to find only fifty righteous people. Let us be among the righteous, let it be because of you that He will spare the earth. Let us show love to people around us, maybe they can also change to God because of you and me. 

Life is beautiful and that is how it ought to be. God always give you second chance I. what you do. Not because you can get away with it but because of His love for you.  Let us also put the knives away and begin to show some love to people from now on. Matthew 28:19, 

Remember one thing: they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3

Prayer: O God, I am honored at the way you love me. I am addicted to your love. I will not take your love for granted. Give me the grace to love in Jesus name. Amen.

Zero Tolerance to the Devil

 

An Emoji Devotions for Wed 23 June 2021

Topic: Zero Tolerance to the Devil

Highlight: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Lions have strong, compact bodies and powerful forelegs, teeth and jaws for pulling down and killing prey. Lions rely on stalking their prey and seldom charge until they are within 30m unless the prey is facing away and cannot see the charge. So is the Devil. The Bible says in John 10:10 that "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,and have it to the full."

The devil has that animal instinct that does has no consideration of little bit of kindness. What the devil steals away is joy. This is what you must guide in your life. The joy of the Lord through Jesus Christ. There is Joy for anyone who abide in Jesus Christ and his commands because Jesus Christ is the only one who fights for the betterment and joy of humanity.  Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. He is also the the gate; that whoever enters through him will be saved. 

This means that there is different between pleasure, happiness and Joy. You may have pleasure and be happy that may only last for a moment. But Joy is looking back and forth and there is hope of life, there is love, there is vibrant energy to continue your journey. Jesus is the Hope of glory. On the other hand the devil is a hope killer. 

Remember that the devil is always stalking his prey and the only solution is to receive Jesus into our lives. "Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture." John 10:7,9

You must be ready to be a sheep and follow Jesus the shepherd. in John 10:11 He said "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." It is only Jesus that will lay down his life for you to protect you from the enemy. Do not listen to any deceit of the devil anymore. Carry your Bible and start reading about Jesus in the new Testament from today. If you are not born again unto the family of God. Do so right away by saying " Jesus the son of God I believe in you, save my soul from the hands of the devil. Turn me to your sheep and keep me in under your protection from the enemy of my soul. Forever Amen.

Prayer: Lord Jesus I look up to you  for protection over my soul. Amen.

Problem never ends

 

An Emoji Devotions for Tue, 22nd of June, 2021

Topic: Problem Never Ends

But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac. Genesis 21:9 NLT

When this topic came on 21st of June, I could not write on it. Then I heard that if I can not write on this topic, I might have been compromised. My calling is to deliver message to the people of God and not deliberate on which is okay or not. In my mind I was thinking, how the topic could have been an encouragement to people. but Is it not true that problem never ends? 

Everyone including the richest and powerful people in the world have problems. One thing we should all know that God is the only one that can help us to solve our problems. It's not going to be like an Abracadabra! it's going to be by our obedience to His authority over lives.

 Ismael was making fun of Isaac. He was so comfortable in his father's house making fun of Mistress son. He forgot he was a slave's son even though he was treated like a Prince. How many of in one time did forgot our humble beginning and made fun of the less privileged? Sorry to Ismael that was where his problem began. Who knows the kind of orientation he received from his mother. Our upbringing could create problems for us if we are not well trained. Ismael and his mother were sent off and because of what happened he became a generational problem. 

To Sarah, her own problem was created when she told her husband to marry her slave to raise a child for him. Don't blame her, She wanted to solve the problem of child birth by her own idea but later regretted her actions. When Hagar her servant knew that she was pregnant for Abraham she no longer respect Sarai Genesis 16:4. Congratulations to Sarah as she became a mother of Isaac at old age. Ismael was making fun of Isaac. Problem Never ends.

If you really really want to solve a problem, Obedience to God is the only solution. 

You sin if you refuse to obey the Lord . This sin is as bad as to do evil magic . You think that you know better than God. That is a sin which is like the worship of idols... . 1 Samuel 15:23... 

Today, I am telling you this! You must obey the Lord your God. Be careful to obey all his rules. If you do that, he will make you very important. He will make you more important than any other nation of people in the world.

Deuteronomy 28:1

Read your Bible and you will find the commands of God written in them. Our brain can only guess but the Bible is established.

Prayer: O Lord help me to tune my spirit into your voice to follow your commands. Help me Lord with your strength to solve my problems in Jesus name. Amen.

Strength to Discern rightly

 An Emoji Devotions for Sun, Jun 20, 2021

Topic: Strength to Discern rightly.

Highlight: 

You are the only one who knows what is in your own mind, and God's Spirit is the only one who knows what is in God's mind. 

1 Corinthians 2:11‭

But our mind could be convinced to change our choices when we get to the menu table. Mr Alexander would say to the chef "I will have chicken" while another Mr Bartolomeo would first ask his doctor "can I take some chicken?" and Ms Cloe would say "I wish to have chicken for breakfast because others are having it". But Daniel made up his mind to eat and drink only what God had approved for his people to eat. And he asked the king's chief official for permission not to eat the food and wine served in the royal palace.

Daniel 1:8

Hold on, I love chicken too but do I have to discern to eat this sumptuous delicious chicken? "If this is God's will for me, I will eat it but I'm sorry I don't even know what God's will is on this matter. That's why I need to discern. Then I need Strength to know if I'm truly discerning the right thing or I could have been guessing. 

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2

Did anyone remember the word "Dignity"? If yes, know it's a very important word. It's a word that help people discern right things. But it's incomplete without adding our faith in Christ Jesus to it. This is where Strength to discern rightly cones from. 

What's dignity in Christ? It is the state or quality of being worthy of honour of respect of Kingdom of Christ. You knew it when people talk about you and add Jesus Christ to your dignity? What a great honour for being a dignified ambassador of Jesus Christ: lead by the Holy Spirit, glorifying the heavens among men. God called the people to whom he spoke “gods”. And you know that the Bible remains always true.

John 10:35 

But God has given us his Spirit. This is why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. This is also why we can recognize the blessings God has given us.

1 Corinthians 2:12.

Finally,...., keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings in the Bible, and you know what Jesus say and do. So follow His example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.

Let your dignity be in Christ alone and you shall have abundant strength to discern. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Father Lord don't let me walk in confusion. I pray for dignity in Christ Jesus alone. Amen.

The left hand of God

 

An Emoji Devotions for Fri, Jun 18, 2021

Topic: The Left Hand of God

Highlight: 

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41

No mathematics is needed to tell us what the left and right hand in the above highlight mean. We do not need to argue that our Lord Jesus Christ told us that Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' and tell those on the left to "depart from me...into eternal fire" This shows us that God's right hand is to uphold righteousness and left hand is for establish judgement on the enemies of God. Isaiah 41:10. That's why He categorically said Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; that but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2

This means that there are different authorities waiting for signal on both sides of Gods arms. when God signals his right hand, mercy will uphold the righteous but when he signal his left hand, there is going to be judgement on God's enemies. Jesus is on the right hand "And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Acts 7:56 while the punisher is on the left. "Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41

The right and left arms are totally separated from each other with a great chasm or gap of separation in between that those on both sides cannot cross to each other. (Luke 16:26) 

Which means that there is hope on the right hand but once anyone cross to the left hand,  God will not hear any plea even if the plea is for a drop of water Luke 16:24.

But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you this day, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you:

Deuteronomy 28:15

As the forces on both arms are free for all to reach through decisions on earth there is always a constant battle on people who are crossing from left to right and right to left each day. Some will choose right path while some would go to the left Matthew 7:14,   Jesus Christ showed us a big picture by hanging on a cross because a cross is a good definition for punishment unto salvation. If you are not born again and you still indulge in things you know does not please God. You need to be saved on time by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. First, repent from bad ways and forsake them and then confessing Jesus as your Lord and savior. That is not all: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Matthew 26:41

To Obey God's command on time is better than damage control sacrifice. Matthew 10:28; and 1Samuel 15:22. Do Stay on the right side of God always until the end and enjoy abundant life. Amen. 

Prayer: God I pray for grace to stay on your right hand side where Jesus is the King forever in Jesus name. Amen