Member Writings

December 15, 2020 by Sweetvineshema

Tongue of Discoveries

An Emoji devotion for Tue, 15th December, 2020

Topic: Tongue of Discoveries

Highlights:
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 1 Cor 14:2-3

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. Matthew 5:13

There are two things in between the realms of the spiritual and physical and they are positioning and Discoveries. There are so many examples in the Bible but let us consider these three examples as the Spirit leads.

First example is found in 1 Kings 7:1-3

Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.”

The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?”

“You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”

The prophecy came to pass in 2 Kings 17:17-18

The officer in question positioned himself as an unbeliever and was discovered to damnation through his words.

The second example is found in Luke 23:38-43

There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The other criminal in this case did positioned himself well and was discovered to justification through grace.

The third example is found in Act 6:15
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Stephen was discovered with a face like the face of an angel because He was full of the Holy Spirit Acts 7:55.

Final words

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Apostle James in James 3:2-8

When God’s presence is near you and you don’t know what to say, speak in tongues to Glorify God. When you are in front of men and women and you don’t know what to say then Prophesy to encourage others.

Prayer: create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me in Jesus name.

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2020/12/tongue-of-discoveries.html

1 Kings 7:1-3 (LEB)

Solomon Continues to BuildSolomon built his house over thirteen years, and he finished all of his house.Solomon Continues to BuildSolomon built his house over thirteen years, and he finished all of his house.2He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon; one hundred cubits its length, fifty cubits its width, and thirty cubits its height, on four rows of cedar pillars and cedar beams atop the pillars.2He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon; one hundred cubits its length, fifty cubits its width, and thirty cubits its height, on four rows of cedar pillars and cedar beams atop the pillars.3It was covered with cedar above, and the supporting beams which were on the forty-five pillars, fifteen to the row.3It was covered with cedar above, and the supporting beams which were on the forty-five pillars, fifteen to the row.

2 Kings 17:17-18 (LEB)

They made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire, they practiced divination and read omens, and they sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of Adonai to provoke him.17They made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire, they practiced divination and read omens, and they sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of Adonai to provoke him.18So Adonai was very angry with Israel and he removed them from his presence; none remained except the tribe of Judah alone.18So Adonai was very angry with Israel and he removed them from his presence; none remained except the tribe of Judah alone.

Matthew 5:13 (LEB)

The Sermon on the Mount: Salt and Light“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, by what will it be made salty? It is good for nothing any longer except to be thrown outside andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“thrown”) has been translated as a finite verb trampled under foot by people.13The Sermon on the Mount: Salt and Light“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, by what will it be made salty? It is good for nothing any longer except to be thrown outside andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“thrown”) has been translated as a finite verb trampled under foot by people.

Luke 23:38-43 (LEB)

And there was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”38And there was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”39And one of the criminals who were hanged there reviled him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself — and us!”39And one of the criminals who were hanged there reviled him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself — and us!”40But the other answered andHere “and” is supplied to connect the two participles (“answered” and “rebuked”) in keeping with English style rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, because you are undergoing the same condemnation?40But the other answered andHere “and” is supplied to connect the two participles (“answered” and “rebuked”) in keeping with English style rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, because you are undergoing the same condemnation?41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve“things worthy” for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong!”41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve“things worthy” for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong!”42And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!”42And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!”43And he said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”43And he said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Acts 7:55 (LEB)

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“looked intently”) has been translated as a finite verb saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.55But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“looked intently”) has been translated as a finite verb saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

James 3:2-8 (LEB)

For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual,“man,” but clearly in a generic sense here meaning “someone, a person” able to hold in check his whole body also.2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual,“man,” but clearly in a generic sense here meaning “someone, a person” able to hold in check his whole body also.3And if we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.3And if we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.4Behold also ships: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wishes.4Behold also ships: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wishes.5So also the tongue is a small member of the bodyThe words “of the body” are not in the Greek text but are supplied for clarity and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest!5So also the tongue is a small member of the bodyThe words “of the body” are not in the Greek text but are supplied for clarity and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest!6And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness,Or “a fire, the world of unrighteousness! The tongue is set among our members” the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of human existence“the wheel of origin”, being set on fire by hell.6And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness,Or “a fire, the world of unrighteousness! The tongue is set among our members” the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of human existence“the wheel of origin”, being set on fire by hell.7For every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human species,7For every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human species,8but no human being is able to tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.8but no human being is able to tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

December 14, 2020 by Sweetvineshema

The Eyes of the Spirit

An Emoji Devotions for Mon, 14th December, 2020

Topic: The Eyes of the Spirit

Highlights:
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. Psalms 18:11

God made his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” Hebrews 1:7

After he drove man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24. It is okay for things to be that way. Man could see but should not see the tree of life. Mind you God will not want anyone to interfere with this matter anymore until redemption through the second coming of Jesus Christ.

One day Peter rebuked Jesus that he would not die. Let’s read it, Matthew 16:22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you. He was spiritually blind. He could not see what Jesus saw!

Well Jesus rebuked the devil instantly for causing spiritual ignorance in Peter mind. How many times have you hindered a Christian brother or sister because of your spiritual ignorance. The devil is watching through the human brain to appropriate things in selfish order but it takes divine grace to enter into consciousness of having spiritual eyes and to not interfere in God’s affair with rude questions. Luke 1:18-20

Do you know that God has a good plan and if you believe him than you need to believe and keep quiet until He works things out? Right? He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Luke 46:10

Peter didn’t know (we all don’t need to know) the purpose of God but we must believe that it’s all for good.

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthews 16:23

If you have the eyes of the spirit you need to keep quiet and let God do his job. When you keep talking in your ignorance you might give the devil opportunity to speak through you and attract punishments.

Luke 1:20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

That’s how to be a spiritual gentleman. All you need to say is “Thy will be done Lord” in your heart.

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3

When you have something to say, speak with wisdom of God. A functioning eyes of the spirit should see the will of God and praise God. If you possess such eyes, you are advised to trust in the Lord with all your heart without leaning on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6

Prayer: Therefore will I give thanks unto you, O Lord, among the people, and sing praises unto thy name. Praise the Lord.

Genesis 3:24 (LEB)

SoOr “And” he drove the man out, and placed cherubim east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming, turning sword“a flame of the sword which was turning” to guard the way to the tree of life.24SoOr “And” he drove the man out, and placed cherubim east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming, turning sword“a flame of the sword which was turning” to guard the way to the tree of life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (LEB)

Trust Adonai“trust toward Adonai” with all your heart; do not lean toward your own understanding.5Trust Adonai“trust toward Adonai” with all your heart; do not lean toward your own understanding.6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will straighten your paths.6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will straighten your paths.

Matthew 16:22 (LEB)

And Peter took him aside andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took … aside”) has been translated as a finite verb began to rebuke him, saying, God forbid,“merciful to you” Lord! This will never happen to you!”22And Peter took him aside andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took … aside”) has been translated as a finite verb began to rebuke him, saying, God forbid,“merciful to you” Lord! This will never happen to you!”

Luke 1:18-20 (LEB)

And Zechariah said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years!”“in her days”18And Zechariah said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years!”“in her days”19And the angel answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.19And the angel answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.20And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because“in return for which” you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”20And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because“in return for which” you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Luke 1:20 (LEB)

And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because“in return for which” you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”20And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because“in return for which” you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Hebrews 1:7 (LEB)

And concerning the angels he says, “The one who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire,”from Ps 104:47And concerning the angels he says, “The one who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire,”from Ps 104:4

James 4:3 (LEB)

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, in order that you may spend it on your pleasures.3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, in order that you may spend it on your pleasures.

December 7, 2020 by hldude

Praise, Give Thanks And Trust

“Praise, Give Thanks And Trust”

Psalm 28:6-7 NLT

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

After reading through this passage several times lately, I felt it would be a good challenge and encouragement for us to consider focusing on three different things as we have just finished the Thanksgiving holiday and go into Christmas. I always say and have heard often that we shouldn’t just focus on Thanksgiving one day per year, but rather each and every day because we have so much to be thankful for.

The three different areas we should focus on are praise, give thanks and trust, considering all the chaos this year has brought to us. First, we should praise God for Who He is and always will be. Second, we should always give thanks no matter what has happened or is happening. Third, we need to daily continue to learn to trust in Him, especially when we don’t understand life around us.

There are some days it is easy to do these three things. Then there are days when it is far from our minds to even consider praising Him, giving thanks and trusting. I get it and have many of those days as well. There are some days when I feel good in praising Him, giving thanks and putting my trust in Him. Then there are days when these things are the last on my mind because I’m frustrated and confused and just don’t feel like doing so. We all have challenging days when we feel like and wonder why God isn’t leading us or connecting with us.

This year has been so challenging in ways we never expected. Instead of us often focusing on the frustrations we continue to deal with, perhaps we need to shift our perspective and focus on praising God for all He has done and continues to do, give genuine thanks for the abundant blessings He has given to us and learn to trust in Him no matter what situations or circumstances come our way.

In the past weeks, I have found myself up and down in emotions and feeling frustrated over continued changes and restrictions. Some days it really feels overwhelming and I feel so tired of dealing with the year, as I’m sure many of you are. But then I have to remember that I should not focus on all the negative things, but instead focus on all the great things God has been doing and continues to do in my life. It’s my choice what to focus on and I need to make sure I’m working hard to set a good example for not only my family at home, but also for my coworkers and for anyone anywhere else I go.

My prayer for all of us today and every day is that we will remember to always praise Him, give thanks and trust not only to keep us focused on what we’ve blessed with, but also to show others His light as we strive to shine setting an example of His love for all to see.

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdeotions.com

November 26, 2020 by hldude

Focusing On Giving Thanks

“Focusing On Giving Thanks”

Psalm 105:1 NLT

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.

I wanted to share a small devotional with you all today as we gather together today in different ways today, for the first time for everyone. Most of us would be traveling and getting together with our families and enjoying the fellowship in big groups. I hope and pray that even though things this year are completely different than ever before, we can still focus on what God has done for us and all that He has continued to do, even in the midst of this pandemic.

No matter what, we still have so much to be thankful for even with the chaotic year. For the first time in my whole life, I am just spending Thanksgiving day with my wife and kids. For many days, I knew this would be the situation at hand, but I’m praying that God would work in me to still be thankful for family and so many other things even though I cannot be with more family.

I encourage all of us to find ways to express our thanks to God for all that He has done for us. It is especially challenging this year for so many people to do so, but it is still possible because we serve an Almighty God!

Please make it a point to focus on the blessings God has given and give Him thanks from deep within your heart. My prayer is that we would all focus on enjoying the time we do have with smaller numbers gathered today and this weekend and appreciate what we do have.

And we all definitely need to remember that Thanksgiving time is an all-year-around event, not just today! Let’s focus on giving thanks each and every day!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com

November 22, 2020 by hldude

From Thoughtlessly To Wise

“From Thoughtlessly To Wise”

Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

The other day when I read this passage, it really caught my attention. The word that stood out to me was “thoughtlessly”. I began thinking of all ways I find myself acting that way and reasons why I do so often it seems. I also thought about how it is so easy nowadays to go down that path because so many of us have nerves that are either shot or close to being shot.

With all the craziness and chaos this year has brought on, it is so easy these days to find ourselves acting thoughtlessly in different ways. We get worried, stressed out and frustrated easily because of so many changes that have come upon us in ways we never expected before. Maybe some of us are finding ourselves flying off the handle more than we ever have been in situations where we usually keep our cool.

I think now, more than ever, we need to tightly hold onto God’s wisdom and really let His promises guide us so that we can better avoid acting thoughtlessly. The world really, really needs to see us filled with hope when so many things are pulling hope further and further away. You don’t have to look far to see or hear that hope is being dashed by the media and in other ways. Our emotions have been all over the place this year and continues to be often.

I do not want to act thoughtlessly in any ways as that does not bring hope to others. I’m sure you don’t either. However, we need to begin our days with God’s wisdom as we read His Word and take in the hope that only He gives. We need to make the most of every opportunity, especially these days during a continued pandemic. We need to hold on to this hope we have in God and find ways to share it with others.

When we choose to seek God’s wisdom each day, that doesn’t meant the problems all around us will go away, but we will learn more how to hold on to hope and let peace fill us. As we do this, we will become a beacon of God’s love and hope to those around us. As we strive to steer away from the temptations to act thoughtlessly, we will find that we become wiser and we can then share God’s love and hope even more with others.

I hope that we will all seriously consider how we can avoid acting thoughtlessly and become wiser as God leads us each day. I pray that we will all learn to make the most of every opportunity each and every day.

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com

Ephesians 5:15-17 (LEB)

Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise,15Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise,16making the most of the time because the days are evil.16making the most of the time because the days are evil.17Being Filled by the SpiritBecause of this do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.17Being Filled by the SpiritBecause of this do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

November 16, 2020 by hldude

Resting At Home Base

“Resting At Home Base”

Psalm 91:1-2 NLT

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust in him.

I remember the old-fashioned game of tag as a child. It’s one of the most cherished childhood games that so many grew to love. It was fun to run around and try to avoid the person who was “it” and not get tagged! I also remember how challenging it was to try to avoid the person who was “it”. Sometimes, it was easy if the person was slower, but then other times it was very challenging if the person was fast.

One thing I clearly remember was always having a “home base” in the game. Even though the game could get very intense as we ran out of breath, it was always reassuring to know that I could go to home base and rest for a bit. While at home base, I was safe and no one could get me “out”. It was a safe refuge for a period of time until I left home base. It was just a great feeling to know that I could go to home base at any time and feel safe. However, most of the time I played tag, there were rules that you could only stay at home base for a certain amount of time and then had to get back into the game.

As I read this passage and thought of the game of tag that I used to play, and sometimes still do, I couldn’t help but think about how things are in today’s world. No matter what is going on in life and what chaos is going on around us, it is always so refreshing to know that God is and will always be our refuge. We can rest at home base with Him knowing that He is always there to welcome us and give us peace and strength. This isn’t to say, unfortunately, that nothing can bother us or affect us in any way, but when we are close to Him and resting in Him, He does give us peace no matter what storms come our way.

Friends, we are all weathering many different storms this year in different ways. So many things have been going on and flooding our lives with fear or just not knowing what’s ahead. I have found myself thinking so often, “Will this ever end?” I’m sure so many of you are as well.

While we don’t know how long any of this craziness will last, one thing we know for certain and can be assured of is that we can go to home base and rest in the arms of Almighty God. Again, we won’t become immune to all that is going on around us, but we will have peace and feel safe knowing that He is in control. We just have to trust in Him.

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com