A safe rock in the midst of breakers – Sabbath rest for God’s people

 

An emoji devotional for Mon, 22 August 2022

Topic: A safe rock in the midst of breakers – Sabbath rest for God’s people

By Pastor Hans Wenger

Highlight:

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

We are living in the time Jesus has depicted to his disciples as follows:  “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth-pains.” (Matthew 24:6 –8)

A few years later the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy:  “But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2. Timothy 3:1–5).

 With the last sentence Paul made clear that Timothy will already encounter such people in his time. Today they are numerous and because the mainstream media are eager to distribute and propagate their philosophy they appear as the majority, who is belittling, censoring and persecuting the true followers of Christ. They do not want to hear that healing and prosperity is in following the word of God. “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no-one will perish by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” After the Israelites had entered the Holy land under the guidance of Joshua it would have been time observe the decrees of the Lord and to live a holy life. However, the people did what they wanted and provoked the wrath of God. Jeremiah 14 gives us a glimpse into a desperate time. The people do what they please, although there is a devastating drought, the ground is cracked and the wells are dry. God tells Jeremiah not to pray for the people, because He does not want to listen. They have to bear the consequences of their disloyalty. When Jeremiah finally desperately exclaimed: “Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this” (Jeremiah 14:22), God answered him: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go!“ Judgment cannot be averted anymore, but nevertheless there is hope.

God tells Jeremiah: “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.”

There is no doubt that the ungodly world and the unfaithful church to God, will come into judgment. The good news however is that the rock of ages, Jesus Christ, stands unmovably and victorious amidst the breakers, calling out: ‘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.“ God’s throne of grace is accessible for every human being, regardless of his or her past, and it is the only place where forgiveness and life eternal can be received. We must turn ourselves and guide our fellow travelers to Jesus and distance ourselves from the deceit of the world. Colossians 3:2-4 teaches us: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

 Brothers and Sisters, we are not far away from entering the rest God has promised to us. Before the terrible Judgments described in Revelation will sweep over the world, God will resurrect the followers of Christ from their graves and will snap the still living away for a big meeting in the air, which will be the beginning of our eternal rest in the presence of the Lord. 

(1 Thessalonians 4:17) is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (4:18) 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, reveal to me the meaning of your word as you have revealed it to the Emaus disciples. Keep me from deceit and misinterpretations. Thank you, that your word “is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.“ (Hebrew 4:12) I long to enter into your and into my rest. Amen.

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2022/08/a-safe-rock-in-midst-of-breakers.html

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