Revelation

February 25, 2021 by Sweetvineshema

Paradise Vs Kingdom of Heaven

Topic: Paradise Vs Kingdom of Heaven

Highlights: 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.” Luke 23:42-43

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:45

Paradise is the place of rest after death (After one has breath is last). Paradise can also be regarded as Abraham’s Bossom while the Kingdom of Heaven is the government and authority of God’s Kingdom on earth which is given to God’s children to be Christlike on earth. The Kingdom of God is the carbon copy of the way Israelites lives on earth.

Matthew 21:43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people (nation) who will produce its fruit”. From the above Bible verse we can understand that Christ is referring to Kingdom of God (Heaven) as the true and acceptable way to serve God. Matthew 18:4 “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”

Where is Paradise or Abraham’s Bossom described in the Bible?

Luke 16:22-24

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Paradise is a place of rest after death. Note that both Lazarus and the thief on the cross (who told Jesus to remember him in his Kingdom) both died. Jesus assured the thief would meet him in His kingdom that day because Jesus also breath his last breath. Luke 23:46

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall. enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth. the will of my Father which is in heaven” Matthew 7:21

Who is qualified: A person who recognises Jesus as His King, most importantly accept His Lordship in his/her heart and acknowledge that Jesus is the only one that can lead human into Paradise is most qualified for Abraham’s brossom John 3:3-16. This is the most important requirement which is to be born again. If you are not yet born again. It is a must you give your life to Christ and make him your personal Lord and saviour. Let’s pray!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I acknowledge you as the King of Heaven and I give my heart to you, my Lord. I repent of my sins and religious lies and accept your kingdom with humility of my earth. Now I understand that; To love God with all my heart and Strength is the most important thing and I will love my neighbor as myself. Please forgive my sins and Give me your Holy Spirit. Remember me too in your Kingdom from now on and Take me into Paradise when I breath my last breath. In your name Jesus I pray. Thank you for answering my prayer. Amen

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/02/paradise-vs-kingdom-of-heaven.html

Matthew 21:43 (LEB)

For this reason, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a peopleOr “nation” who produce its fruits.43For this reason, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a peopleOr “nation” who produce its fruits.

Matthew 18:4 (LEB)

Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child, this person is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,4Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child, this person is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,

Matthew 7:21 (LEB)

The Sermon on the Mount: False Followers“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.21The Sermon on the Mount: False Followers“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Luke 23:42-43 (LEB)

And 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.”

Luke 16:22-24 (LEB)

Now it happened that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.“the bosom of Abraham” And the rich man also died and was buried.22Now it happened that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.“the bosom of Abraham” And the rich man also died and was buried.23And in Hades he lifted up his eyes as heHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal was in torment andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“lifted up”) has been translated as a finite verb saw Abraham from a distance, and Lazarus at his side.“in his bosom”23And in Hades he lifted up his eyes as heHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal was in torment andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“lifted up”) has been translated as a finite verb saw Abraham from a distance, and Lazarus at his side.“in his bosom”24And he called out andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called out”) has been translated as a finite verb said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he could dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering pain in this flame!’24And he called out andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called out”) has been translated as a finite verb said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he could dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering pain in this flame!’

Luke 23:45 (LEB)

becauseHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“failed”) which is understood as causal the light of the sun failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn apart down the middle.45becauseHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“failed”) which is understood as causal the light of the sun failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn apart down the middle.

Luke 23:43 (LEB)

And 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.”

Luke 23:46 (LEB)

And Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit!”from Ps 31:5 And after heHere “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“said”) which is understood as temporal said this, he expired.46And Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit!”from Ps 31:5 And after heHere “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“said”) which is understood as temporal said this, he expired.

John 3:3-16 (LEB)

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born from above,The same Greek word can mean either “from above” or “again,” which allows for the misunderstanding by Nicodemus here; Jesus was speaking of new birth “from above,” while Nicodemus misunderstood him to mean a second physical birth he is not able to see the kingdom of God.”3Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born from above,The same Greek word can mean either “from above” or “again,” which allows for the misunderstanding by Nicodemus here; Jesus was speaking of new birth “from above,” while Nicodemus misunderstood him to mean a second physical birth he is not able to see the kingdom of God.”4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born of water and spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born of water and spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you to be born from above.’The same Greek word can mean either “from above” or “again” (see also v. 3)7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you to be born from above.’The same Greek word can mean either “from above” or “again” (see also v. 3)8The wind blows wherever it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”8The wind blows wherever it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”9Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can these things be?”9Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can these things be?”10Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand these things?10Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand these things?11Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony!11Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony!12If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?12If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?13And no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.13And no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.14And just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,An allusion to Num 21:5–9 thus it is necessary that the Son of Man be lifted up,14And just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,An allusion to Num 21:5–9 thus it is necessary that the Son of Man be lifted up,15so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”Some interpreters and Bible translations extend the quotation of Jesus’ words through v. 2115so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”Some interpreters and Bible translations extend the quotation of Jesus’ words through v. 2116God’s Love for the WorldFor in this way God loved the world, so that he gave his one and only Son, in order that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life.16God’s Love for the WorldFor in this way God loved the world, so that he gave his one and only Son, in order that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life.

February 23, 2021 by Sweetvineshema

Magical Enemy

An Emoji Devotions for Tue 23 February, 2021

Topic: Magical Enemy

Highlights

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. Ecclesiastes 7: 5-10

From the Bible reading above. It is very clear that humans create errors with their imaginations and these imaginations lands them into the pit or to the venomous spits of snakes. The pit did not force you to come but you dug a pit and yet fell into it. Also the snake was lying gently on its own but you went to break into its home and found that a snake spitting at you. All these things started from imagination.Consider why wise people are lying waste in the city while the unlearned are ruling in the government.

1Cor 10:23 CEV says “Some of you say, “We can do whatever we want to!” But I tell you that not everything may be good or helpful.” Fools are placed in many positions and slaves riding on horseback but the rich occupy low ones and princes go on foot like slaves. 1 Samuel 13 Amon was so in love with his half-sister Tamar , a virgin who happend to be Absalom’s sister. Amon was advised by his friend called Jonadab to act like he was sick and ask the king to send his half-sister Tamar to nurse him. He raped Tamar and he lost his life to the same course. In verse 32 it was same Jonadab his friend that announced to his father about his death. You see that Amon was just a short-sighted wise man who lost his life to self conceited wisdom of getting what he wants by all means because they look good in his eyes.

He believes in short term achievements and refused to recognise that he is digging pits for venomous snakes in his imagination. When he imagined the whole thing, he really wished he could have his wish come through. What a spoilt brat! His friend helped him more into early grave with wrong advise. Your magical enemy is hidden in your imaginations and they will bring you to bad advise and decisions.

Whenever these imaginations come to you, you must sight the pit and snakes immediately and use your skill to drop the dull ax with unsharpened edge. Afterall our Lord Jesus Christ said “whoever wants to become great among you must be * servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be * slave— which means beware of the traps lying as magical enemies in your imaginations to be great. In this was you will be able to map out your way into breakthrough.

Prayer: God, please be good to me. Help me fix my mind on eternal blessings and fruitfulness in Jesus name.

Amen.https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/02/magical-enemy.html

1 Samuel 13 (LEB)

Saul Rules over IsraelSaul was thirtyA few LXX manuscripts have “thirty,” but the number of years is missing from the Masoretic Hebrew text years old“a son of years” at the beginning of his reign, and he reigned forty-two yearsThe Masoretic Hebrew text reads “two years” here, but this number seems far too small; either it is not correct or part of the number is missing (the present translation supplies “forty”); other English versions differ as to Saul’s age at coronation and the total years of his reign over Israel.Saul Rules over IsraelSaul was thirtyA few LXX manuscripts have “thirty,” but the number of years is missing from the Masoretic Hebrew text years old“a son of years” at the beginning of his reign, and he reigned forty-two yearsThe Masoretic Hebrew text reads “two years” here, but this number seems far too small; either it is not correct or part of the number is missing (the present translation supplies “forty”); other English versions differ as to Saul’s age at coronation and the total years of his reign over Israel.

Ecclesiastes 7 (LEB)

People Generally Do Not Know What is Best for ThemA good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death is better than the day of one’s birth.People Generally Do Not Know What is Best for ThemA good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death is better than the day of one’s birth.

February 10, 2021 by hldude

Living With Great Expectations

“Living With Great Expectations”

1 Peter 1:3-4 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

I think it’s safe to say we have all had many past experiences with having high expectations in various situations only to have those hopes dashed away for whatever reasons.

You visit a fast food place, restaurant or have a meal delivered that someone spoke highly of and recommended, but then you end up having terrible service or food that was cold and tasted terrible.

You go see a movie that you’ve waited so long to see, but then you are so disappointed in the plot and are let down for spending the time and money.

You buy a product from a store that you’ve heard so much about and are excited to finally try, but then it turns out to be a piece of junk and you’re left broken-hearted from the anticipation you once had.

We’ve all been let down like this in some way or another and we often get tired of having great expectations of something turning out good only to have a completely opposite experience. We all had great expectations for a great year in 2020, but we learned that anything can happen at any time to completely blow our minds in various ways.

Sometimes it’s really hard to live with great expectations after a very crazy 2020 and now with all that’s happened this year so far. We tend to be hesitant to have great expectations and wonder sometimes if we should get excited about things. Well, if they are worldly things, we better be prepared to get let down and not have high hopes. However……if our expectations are a different and we focus instead on things not of this world, then we may just be in luck!

We can have great expectations in our hope with God and He will never disappoint! That’s not to say hard times won’t come, but He will never let us down. We can rejoice and have great expectations to know that we have a priceless inheritance in Christ! When the world lets us down, we always have Christ to trust and rely on. He has given us new life and that life in Him is filled with great expectations!

In Christ, we can always live with great expectations!

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com

1 Peter 1:3-4 (LEB)

A New Birth to a Living HopeBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,3A New Birth to a Living HopeBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you4into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you

January 29, 2021 by hldude

Trusting Vs. Trusting

“Trusting Vs. Trusting”

Proverbs 3:5 NLT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Sunday morning before last, I found myself waking up to a very abnormal side pain. I’ve had side pains before, but this did not feel at all like any that I’ve had before, especially that it started in the middle of the night. That Sunday, I went from an Urgent Care visit to the ER awaiting the removal of my appendix because I had early appendicitis. I still remember the shock feeling that came over me when the doctor called to say the CT scan confirmed it was appendicitis and that I needed to head to the ER to get ready for surgery.

As I waited through the early afternoon, I was being tested in various ways and prepped for my surgery. What I most appreciated is that I was being prepared mentally for what was about to happen. I didn’t know any of the people taking care of me, but I just fell into a “trust” feeling when I was being told that I would be taken great care of and that it would most likely be a very successful surgery. I was still nervous, but after they did all they could to prepare me mentally, it put me at ease knowing I would be sedated and then wake up without an appendix hurting.

After I woke up and have continued my days of healing up to now, I have been thinking everyday about the whole idea of trusting that day. I was not only realizing how much I put all my trust in what the medical personnel was doing that day to tend to my care, but I couldn’t help to think about how I so often do not trust in God as much as He promises to take care of my life. That thought has stuck with me and got me thinking a lot.

As I mentioned before, I tend to feel more at ease and trust more when things are explained to me and I can understand what I’m about to experience. Being prepared does a great deal for me. However, God does not always work this way. He so often does not explain things to us and, instead, asks us to completely trust in Him when things do not make sense and when we don’t understand things at all.

I trusted in the medical personnel because I was mentally prepared beforehand, but my trust should always ultimately be in God Who always provides and takes care of me. He often asks us to completely trust in Him when we have no idea what is ahead and what we are about to experience. That can cause some major anxiety!

My challenge for all of us is to consider how much we trust God in situations that are really challenging and in which we are totally blind to what might be ahead. Do we trust God no matter what and not depend on our understanding? Trusting in Him is everything.

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com

Proverbs 3:5 (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.

January 27, 2021 by Sweetvineshema

Easy

An Emoji Devotions for Wed 27th January, 2021

Topic: Easy

By Apostle James

Highlights:

God makes fun of those who make fun of the truth but gives loving-favor to those who have no pride. Proverbs 3:34

Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you.

You want something you don’t have, and you will do anything to get it.

You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won’t get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it.

Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons (because the reason you ask is wrong)

You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures. So, you are not loyal to God! You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God.

Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God’s enemy. Do you think the Scripture means nothing that says, “The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone”? Exodus 20:5

But God gives us even more grace, as the Scripture says,

“God is against the proud,
but he gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34

So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. Come near to God, and God will come near to you.

James 4:1-8a

Prayer: God I pray to you to please have mercy and give me a peaceful passion from your Holy Spirit. Amen

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/01/easy.html

Exodus 20:5 (LEB)

You will not bow down to them, and you will not serve them, because I am Adonai your God, a jealous God, punishing the guilt of the parents on the children on the third and on the fourth generations“Generations” is understood from comparison with parallel verses (compare Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9) of those hating me,5You will not bow down to them, and you will not serve them, because I am Adonai your God, a jealous God, punishing the guilt of the parents on the children on the third and on the fourth generations“Generations” is understood from comparison with parallel verses (compare Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9) of those hating me,

Proverbs 3:34 (LEB)

With those who scorn, he is scornful, but to those who are humble, he gives favor.34With those who scorn, he is scornful, but to those who are humble, he gives favor.

James 4:1-8 (LEB)

Subject Yourselves to GodFrom where are conflicts and from where are quarrels among you? Is it not from this, from your pleasures that wage war among your members?Subject Yourselves to GodFrom where are conflicts and from where are quarrels among you? Is it not from this, from your pleasures that wage war among your members?2You desire and do not have; you murder and are filled with envy, and are not able to obtain; you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.2You desire and do not have; you murder and are filled with envy, and are not able to obtain; you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.3You 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.4Adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.4Adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.5Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, “The spirit which he caused to dwell in us desires jealously”?This translation takes “spirit” to be the capacity within people that produces a divided mind and conflicts regarding God; other translations take this to refer to the Holy Spirit: “He (God) jealously desires the Spirit which he caused to dwell in us”5Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, “The spirit which he caused to dwell in us desires jealously”?This translation takes “spirit” to be the capacity within people that produces a divided mind and conflicts regarding God; other translations take this to refer to the Holy Spirit: “He (God) jealously desires the Spirit which he caused to dwell in us”6But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”from Prov 3:346But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”from Prov 3:347Therefore subject yourselves to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.7Therefore subject yourselves to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!

January 22, 2021 by hldude

Fixed On The Positive

“Fixed On The Positive”

Philippians 4:8 NLT

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

We all have had and still have our very fair share of times when we don’t focus on the positive aspects of life and what God has given to us. We have days when things are going great and we do nothing but lift up praises. Then….there are the days when nothing seems to be going right and there honestly isn’t an ounce of anything close to praise coming from our lips. We all have these times and if you don’t, you’re not a real human being!

We all know that in the past year before 2021 hit, we had a year that was very challenging to focus on positive things. It was filled with events we never thought would ever occur. They came and we all were challenged to reconsider so many different things in life. It was easy for any of us to lose our focus on the positive with the pandemic, the riots, the election and now with what has already happened to start off the year.

Friends, there are so many things that would give us reason to focus on anything but positive things. It often seems so easy to pick out the bad things happening in life, but that’s where the enemy wants us to be. He wants us to be constantly thinking of negative things and not be filled with the positive things that God has done and continues to do in us, through us and all around us.

I would like to encourage all of us to take a few moments now and each day after, how we can take a step back, rethink all of the words we may be spewing out to others each day via social media to express our opinions, and remember that Paul highly encouraged not only the church in Philippi, but us as well today that we need to focus on the positive things God has done and continues to do.

It is a daily challenge and one we must fully embrace if we are to shine the light of Christ around us to others. Do people really need to hear our opinions or do they need to know the love of Christ? Ouch! Tough pill to swallow. Does that mean we’re not allowed to share our opinions? No, but it does mean that we often need to consider what we are focusing on and what our mission is each day of life. Are we going to choose to be fixed on the positive and all that God has done and continues to do? Or are we going to focus on making sure that everyone knows how we feel about things going on around us?

We all need to take a deep breath, think about what we are sharing with others, and consider if what we are sharing is really spreading the true love of Christ. Paul tells us to fix our thoughts on all that is excellent and worthy of praise. Good advice!

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com

Philippians 4:8 (LEB)

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things.8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things.