DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL – THURSDAY JUNE 1, 2017: Escape God’s Fire

Today’s DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Escape God’s Fire

Today: Thursday June 1, 2017

Bible Text: Isaiah 30:27-33

Key Verse: “For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it” (Isaiah 30:33).

MESSAGE

There is the story of a frustrated individual in a neighborhood, who wanted to take his life by burning himself. On an appointed day, the poor fellow set a bonfire which he intended to jump into when the burning was at its peak. With the inferno on, he went to sit down under the shade of a tree nearby. As the fire was perceived to have got to its climax, the old man moved near with the plan of jumping into it to get burnt up at once. The nearer he went to the fire the more unbearable the heat was to him. For this reason, he retreated. He made several frantic efforts again but the scorching heat of the fire would not allow him to get near.

The man later got to a conclusion that dying by fire would be a most painful and terrifying death. So, he went back home dejected to think about an alternative means of suicide. If a man-lit fire is this hot, how about hell, whose fire is never quenched? Today’s text talks about Tophet (Gehena) which was a valley near Jerusalem where fires were burning continually to destroy filthy and offensive things. There, the backslidden Jews caused their children to pass through the fire to Moloch. God alluded to it in this passage to denote the certainty of the everlasting torment of sinners and backsliders in the Lake of fire. All the enemies of God and the persecutors of the children of God will face the divine wrath.

The sinner is an enemy of God. No matter his status in the society, he will not escape the fierce indignation of God if he does not repent. Sinners and backsliders are therefore warned and counselled to make haste and run to Christ, a perfect Refuge, to seek reconciliation with Him, so that they will be perfectly safe and happy when the wrath of God will come upon all the workers of iniquity. By so doing they will escape the Lake of fire, the most terrible place of torment for mankind.

Thought for the day: Crisis awaits all Christless people.

Bible Reading in one Year: John 4-5

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: A Looming Judgement

Today’s DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: A Looming Judgement 

Today: Wednesday May 31, 2017

Bible Text: Amos 5:16-27

Key Verse: “Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light” (Amos 5:18).

MESSAGE

The judgment of God upon sinners is imminent. It is going to be a day of catastrophe and calamity, gloom and misery, desolation and astonishment and indeed, a day of a lamentation and confusion. It is a day that no sinner would wish to pass through. This day of outpouring of God’s fury, indignation and wrath upon the world is referred to as the day of the Lord in the Scripture.

The day of the Lord as depicted in the text will be the time when the Lord will make the day dark, dismal, and gloomy upon all impenitent sinners and backsliders. A sinner who escapes one calamity will be pursued and overtaken by another. The people of Israel copied the crimes and iniquities of their forefathers by going into idolatry. God frowns at hypocrisy as well as the pretence of piety. God could not be bribed with music or offerings. For the sin and impenitence of Israel, the nation will grieve. Weeping will be heard throughout the land.

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Avenge Not Yourself

Their situation will go from bad to worse. The day of the Lord will be for the nation, a day without a ray of hope. Their hypocritical offerings and melodious songs were rejected by God. For this reason, they would go into slavery in exile. Moreover, they would lose their pride and glory as they would go into captivity. To escape the fiery indignation of God on the judgment day, sinners need to repent of their evil ways, come to Christ through repentance, while backsliders should make their ways right with God. The Lord wants to see a river of righteous living flowing all over the land. Even so, He desires that His saints will “hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end”.

Thought for the day: Recipe for sin? Repentance!

Bible Reading in one Year: John 1-3

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY MAY 30, 2017: Between God and Neighbours

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY MAY 30, 2017

TOPIC

Between God and Neighbours 

BIBLE TEXT

Mark 12:28-37

KEY VERSE

 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30).

MESSAGE

Two aspects of Jesus’ personality are here introduced: His humanity and deity. He is both human and divine. In His incarnation, Jesus came to this world in human form in the lineage of David. That is why He is often referred to as the Son of David.

However, because He is God, David himself referred to Him as Lord. Jesus, while answering the question of the scribes on which is the greatest commandment, said the most important commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and with all your strength.

We, as believers are commanded to love Jesus Christ our Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. He deserves our love and reverence. We show our love to Him by obeying Him and giving our all, including our lives, to Him unconditionally. The second one is to love our neighbours as ourselves. For all the love and suffering of Jesus on the cross of Calvary for us, we should show that we love Him above all things by witnessing to sinners, to deliver their souls from hell fire.

These two great commandments as enunciated by our Lord, Jesus Christ, are the summary of the ten commandments. If you love God perfectly, you will not like to disobey Him in any aspect of your life. Similarly, if you love your neighbour as yourself, you will not like to kill him/her, you will not covet or steal anything that belongs to him/her, neither will you go into immorality with his wife or daughter, husband or son. Love therefore, is the fulfilling of all the laws. Mercifully, we can always draw from the inexhaustible reservoir of God’s grace to love Him and to love mankind with everything that the regenerated nature offers.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Following Christ’s steps paves way for temporal and eternal victory.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR

Malachi 1-4

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church 

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Avenge Not Yourself

Today’s DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Avenge Not Yourself 

Today: Monday May 29, 2017

Bible Text: Proverbs 25:16-28

Key Verse: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink” (Proverbs 25:21).

MESSAGE

The story is told about Jane, a persecuted but non-vindictive and non-retaliatory Christian young lady somewhere in Africa. She sometimes left her clothes on the washing line at the back of their residence. Whenever she went for fellowship or evangelism, her hostile neighbours would never help her pack them inside, perchance there was rain.

They never saw anything good in Jane. They maligned, slandered and vilified her whenever she was not at home. It happened, however that one day, Jane was at home reading her Bible when rain started threatening and some of her neighbours left their clothes outside. When she looked outside through the window and saw the clothes, she quickly ran to help pack them inside. When they came back and saw what she had done for them, they were humiliated by shame because, they had never helped her to pack her clothes away from rain. It was Jane’s turn to take her own pound of flesh, but she refused to go on a mission of vendetta.

There and then, these her neighbours told her that the next day they would go to her church, should she invite them. The precept to love everyone including our enemies is an Old Testament commandment, sanctioned by our Lord Jesus Christ. He has shown His own example by praying for His enemies on the cross. Believers are commanded to overcome evil with good, rather than allowing evil to overcome them. We are to literally “lavish” our enemies and persecutors with kindness. Seek no vengeance. Commit your cause into God’s hand, however hurt you may be, just as Jane had done to her hostile neighbours. Do not allow a retaliatory spirit to have a place in your life.

Our Lord and Saviour exhorts us not to resist evil, but “whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”. We are enjoined not to rejoice when our enemy falls and we should not let our hearts be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord sees it and it displeases Him.

Thought for the day: “Wisdom is overcoming evil with good deeds.”

Bible Reading in one Year: Lamentations 4-5

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: He is Our Righteousness

Today’s DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: He is Our Righteousness

Today: Sunday May 28, 2017

Bible Text: Jeremiah 23:1-8

Key Verse: “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:6).

MESSAGE
Man is faced with multiple and very complex spiritual problems. In a bid to seek solution to, and freedom from these problems, mankind has adopted different approaches which manifest in the different religions we have all over the world today. The religions reveal the depth of the spiritual hunger and longing of man. Unfortunately, these religions have proved to be incapable of solving man’s problems and giving him the peaceful repose he desires. With all the religious activities going on in different parts of the world, the sin problem with its attendant effects appear not to be abating. Rather, they are in a more terrifying increase.

These go to show that the world needs more than religions. They need Christ. In today’s passage, prophet Jeremiah laments the failure of the religious leaders of his days. The pastors, priests and Levites instead of serving the purpose for which they were appointed into the ministry, were busy serving their personal interests. The flocks over which they were appointed as Shepherds to oversee were left unattended to and exploited for their personal benefits.

These all together show in clear terms how the religious order of the day has failed to usher in true righteousness. It goes to prove how the Old Testament religious order and indeed, every form of religion today is incapable of solving the sin problem and drawing man closer to God. To remedy this, the Lord gives the prophetic promise of the coming of the Redeemer and Messiah – Jesus Christ, the Righteous Branch. He is the only Hope for the salvation and restoration of the nation of Israel and indeed, the whole world. He is to offer us His own righteousness which alone is acceptable before God. This promise was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross. There, on that cruel tree, the great exchange took place. Jesus took upon Him the sin of the whole world and gave us His righteousness. This is why today, the Lord no longer demands religious observances from us but the righteousness which Christ imparts.

Thought for the day: We are made righteous in Him.

Bible Reading in one Year: Lamentations 1-3

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Before Retribution

Today’s DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Before Retribution 

Today: Saturday May 27, 2017

Bible Text: Jeremiah 21:1-14

Key Verse: “And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.” (Jeremiah 21:7)

MESSAGE
The maxim, to every action there is a reaction, is not true only in scientific experiments. It holds true in every facet of life and in all generations. If you live all your life in sin without repentance, be prepared to reap the wages. And if by God’s grace you live a life of righteousness, expect the reward: eternity with the Lord in heaven. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, could have saved himself and his subjects all the agonies they passed through, if he had heeded God’s earlier warnings.

In today’s passage, we see the message of God to Zedekiah King of Judah. The entire nation had consistently and willfully sinned against the Lord. The King raised the bar of transgression when he refused to show the people the right path. God decided that they must go into captivity in Babylon. This message was delivered by Prophet Jeremiah, but the response was the persecution of the prophet by the king’s acolyte, Pashur the son of Immer. God’s word is unchanging. The more Judah resisted the message, the firmer it stood against them.

Those who felt they could circumvent the message, the Lord explicitly said, “he that abides in the city would die by the sword, famine and by the pestilence; and he that goes out and falls to the Chaldeans shall live; but his life shall be unto him for a prey.” As believers, we must not harden our hearts when God speaks to us. Consistent disobedience will only lead to perdition. If Judah and her king had repented of their sins and called upon God for mercy, he would have abundantly pardoned. Today, you have the privilege of going to God in earnest supplication for grace that brings salvation. Remember, there is eternal banishment for all those who live and die in sin.

Thought for the day: He who spurns God’s entreaties, spins eternal destruction to himself.

Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 10-14

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Sweet Savour To The Lord

DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Sweet Savour To The Lord 

Today: Friday May 26, 2017

Bible Text: Numbers 15:1-16

Key Verse: “And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock” (Numbers 15:3).

MESSAGE
Many factors conjoin to make our food enjoyable. Food makers know so well the importance of aroma, mouth-feel and appearance when it comes to food consumption experience. The senses of taste and smell are inexplicably tied together and arc critical in food enjoyment and safety.

Except for what we consume strictly for medical reasons, food has to pass the aroma and taste test to get our acceptance or approval. God is also interested in sweet aroma. It could have been the missing element in the rejected offering of Cain as opposed to that of Abel whose sacrifice was accepted by God. When Noah appreciatively offered to God after the deluge, “the LORD smelled a sweet savour”.

Following this the Lord resolved that He would not destroy the earth with such flood and that the course of nature should never be discontinued as long as the earth remained. When Moses, in today’s text, directed the Israelites concerning the different offerings they should bring to God when they should get to the Promised Land, it was to the intent of making “a sweet savour unto the LORD”. All Israelites and proselytes (converts from other nations) among them were expected to offer. Also observe that for the offerings to be acceptable to God, they must be put together in the right quantity and quality as divinely instructed. We offer no such sacrifices today because, Christ has paid it all, having offered Himself once and for all. Yet, we must offer to the Lord a different set of sacrifices.

First, without repentance (heart contrition for sin), faith and reformation, our offering to God is an abomination to Him. The believer brings to the Lord the sacrifices of praise, prayer, treasure, talent, time, service and everything needed as symbols of our dedication to Him. Our willingness, motive and attitude with which we offer will determine whether our offerings will be sweet savour (acceptable) to Him.

Thought for the day: God accepts only sacrifices and offerings that give sweet savour.

Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 6-9

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: A Peculiar People

DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: A Peculiar People 

Today: Thursday May 25, 2017

Bible Text: Deuteronomy 14:1-21

Key Verse: “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:2).

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Error of Persistent Disobedience

MESSAGE

Hatred for the Jews (anti-Semitism) has been around for quite a long time. It has been noted that within the 1,700 years preceding 1948 when the Jews returned to their home land, they had experienced more than eighty expulsions from various countries in Europe. Remarkably, there is no clear reason for this happening. They have been hated for many unproven reasons.

One outstanding reason adduced by some for the hatred is that Jews claim that they are the chosen people. Were the Jews actually designed to be a chosen people? Yes. So says God’s word. The Scripture is very clear that God has a special role for Israel, “to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises” (Romans 9:4).

Though their history has been characterised by an unenviable cycle of backsliding-judgement-repentance-restoration, God is not done with them yet. Moses, in today’s text endeavoured to drill into them the truth that the Lord had set them apart to be a holy and peculiar people for His own purpose and pleasure. They were, therefore, not to imbibe the pagan lifestyle of other nations. God was interested and involved in the minutest aspects of their life. In this dispensation of grace, the privilege of divine adoption has been extended to every believer in Christ. Indeed, being a Jew (God’s people) is no more a matter of nationality, but has to do with personal relationship with God.

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Better Than the Fowls 

Those who have turned from sin and put their trust in Christ as their Lord and Saviour and accepted God’s grace are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people….” If you belong here, live in the consciousness that you have been set apart to “shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). This should reflect in your conduct, cravings and carriage. Do not abuse this privilege by living according to the world’s standards.

Thought for the day: If God has chosen you to be His, choose nothing else.

Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 1-5

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Mountain-Top Experience

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL written by Pastor W. F.  Kumuyi

Topic: Mountain-Top Experience 

Today: Wednesday May 24, 2017

Bible Text: Exodus 24:12-18

Key Verse: “And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights” (Exodus 24:18).

MESSAGE
Mountains stand as one of the most monumental displays of God’s power and glory on earth. Their sheer size and distant summits fill men with awe. They occupy a remarkable place in Bible narratives, perhaps because Palestine, the setting for the stories, is full of them. Many significant Bible events took place on the mountain. For instance, Mount Ararat provided the landing for Noah’s ark after the deluge; it was at Mount Carmel that Elijah staged a match between the true God and Baal; Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount Olives.

Moses, acting as mediator between God and the people, had been to the mount and brought them God’s word to which they pledged allegiance. The covenant of obedience they entered into with God was ratified with blood sacrifice. God requested that Moses bring up the priests and seventy of the elders to whom He showed His glory. Moses and Joshua went further until God called only Moses into the cloud of glory on the mountain where he stayed for forty days and nights. Today, perhaps because of the foregoing experiences, many religious people, including some Christians, have resorted to literal mountains in the belief that God’s presence resides there.

But the Lord is not just “God of the hills”. The hour has come when “ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father… the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:21,23). The mountain top experience is about having an intimate encounter with God and being overwhelmed with His presence, glory and power. Such were the cases of Moses and three of Christ’s disciples. When we come away from earthly workaday activities, patiently and sincerely seek God’s face, He will bless us with that transforming and refreshing experience – not necessarily on the mountain.

Thought for the day: The most glorious spot in the world is God’s presence.

Bible Reading in one Year: Ezra 7-10

DCLM DAILY MANNA: A Second Look at Greatness

DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: A Second Look at Greatness 

Today: Monday May 22, 2017

Bible Text: Mark 10:35-45

Key Verse: “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister” (Mark 10:43).

MESSAGE

Whenever we hear the word “great” or “greatness”, we often think of certain outstanding and revered people. Truly, history has a rich record of notable people in every field of human endeavour who have demonstrated rare leadership qualities, creative abilities, courage, sportsmanship and other skills. God, however, has a different way of looking at greatness. Greatness subsists in serving others and not waiting to be served by others or attaining a position where we think we can lord it over others. Worldly fame, honour and authority can be quite tantalizing, but they should not be our motive in life or ministry.

DCLM DAILY MANNA:  Double Portion 

The sons of Zebedee, James and John had requested privileged positions in Christ’s kingdom. They were willing to suffer for it, but Christ, hinting that they would eventually suffer with Him, informed them that only God had the right of giving such honour to who He would. Christ quelled the resentment this selfish request caused among the rest of the disciples. He corrected them regarding their perception of, and quest for greatness which was based on worldly tradition.

Instead, they were to imbibe and exhibit a humble spirit and readiness to serve others. Indeed, contrary to what obtains in the world, whoever desires to be first should make himself a servant of all. In this case, there is no room for domination and intimidation. Inordinate ambition for greatness and censorious dispositions are contrary to Christian virtues to which we are called. It is a most ugly situation when the spirit of rivalry and position-seeking prevails among Christians.

Believers who manifest such traits, are both ignorant and carnal. We must take a second look at what God regards as greatness. We must, by prayer and consecration, yield to the transforming hands of the Holy Spirit to make us conformable to His holy standard.

DCLM DAILY MANNA:  Unfeigned Love Demanded

Thought for the day: In God’s economy, humility is not weakness but strength.

Bible Reading in one Year: Ezra 1-3