DCLM Daily Manna 21 September 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — You Are Privileged

TOPIC: You Are Privileged (DCLM Daily Manna 21 September 2022)

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31 (KJV)

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

KEY VERSE: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

MESSAGE:

Nick Vujicic, an Australian evangelist, was born with an extremely rare congenital disorder known as phocomelia, which is characterised by the absence of legs and arms. While growing up in Melbourne, Australia, he was said to have struggled mentally, emotionally and physically. Today, despite the serious physical limitations, Vujicic is a successful skydiver, painter, swimmer, motivational speaker and has touched many people through evangelism. His life is a wonder to the world!

What some people take as limitations have become points of strength for many others. Perhaps, if Vujicic had been born whole, he might not have become a wonder to the world today. Some people who were born blind, lame, dumb, among other physical limitations, have today embraced the rope of stardom in different fields to the amazement of the world.

God, indeed, chooses what He does and He does it perfectly. He uses those considered weak, despised and insignificant to accomplish great feats. The exploits of men and women, who despite limitations, still accomplish a lot in the society, should be a challenge to every believer. No excuse is tenable before God as a reason for not labouring in His vineyard.

Believers must consider themselves privileged to have been called by the Almighty to be used to spread the gospel of the Kingdom. Paul said, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” You have no excuse!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Submit yourself to God and watch Him work mightily through you.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 33-34

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

DCLM Daily Manna 20 September 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Shun All Hypocrisy

TOPIC: Shun All Hypocrisy (DCLM Daily Manna 20 September 2022)

TEXT: Luke 11:37-45 (KJV)

37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

KEY VERSE: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them” (Luke 11:44).

MESSAGE:

One of the most grievous offenses one can commit against God is to be hypocritical. This is pretending to be what you are not. It is to claim to be a child of God, when you know full well that your life does not measure up to His holy standard. It is to demand from others a level of integrity that is absent from one’s own life. God detests hypocrisy in whatever form it manifests.

Jesus condemned “a certain Pharisee” who was his host for elevating unimportant matters like washing of hands which, in any case, was originally intended for priests only, but now made mandatory for all. He chided the Pharisees for their unwillingness to help the poor while insisting on the payment of tithe. He rebuked them for making high demands from ordinary people while excusing themselves from such rigour. He accused them of making other people unclean through their sullied spiritual lives. He condemned them not just for persecuting prophets of God, but rejecting the Almighty Himself. He chided them for erroneously interpreting the Scriptures and therefore, misleading and preventing the people from coming to Christ. Rather than being contrite and sober, they started seeking means to trap Him into making blasphemous statements.

On no account should we turn ourselves into masters deserving adulation by the people of God, for such is the beginning of hypocrisy. We must watch over our lives to ensure we do not set for others standards far stiffer than that demanded by God. We must also not hold others to the injunctions of Scriptures while disobeying the same command. The best way to influence people positively is to let our lives express practically, what God expects from them.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
If your life were a book, what would others read in it?

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 31-32

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

DCLM Daily Manna 19 September 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Get Ready For Christ’s Return

TOPIC: Get Ready For Christ’s Return (DCLM Daily Manna 19 September 2022)

TEXT: Luke 12:32-48 (KJV)

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

KEY VERSE: “And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately” (Luke 12:36).

MESSAGE:

Each time a conversation, even among believers, gets to the direction of the return of Jesus Christ, many people are either dismissive, amused or unconcerned because they think it is unlikely; or if it would happen, it would be in the distant future. In the process, they miss the essential lesson of ensuring that the Lord’s coming does not meet them unprepared.

Jesus Christ Himself assures His disciples that the Almighty God delights in reserving a place in heaven for each of them. Believers should, therefore, not misplace their priorities, but jettison anything, including love of money, that could hinder their love, obedience and service to the Lord. They must allow their lives to shine brightly, while living in constant expectation of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that irrespective of when it occurs, they would be ready. In fact, He would come without fanfare and when most people do not expect Him.

Great blessings await those He will meet on His return, as they faithfully engage in His service. But those who fail to prepare for His coming and are consumed by the rat race, revelry and oppressive activities of the world, would suffer eternal separation from Him. Those who are ignorant of His advent will face punishment, while those who knew but refused to get themselves ready, will face a more severe punishment.

This is a timely warning, especially in our present age, when all talks about the return of Jesus Christ seems like fable to many. To be ready, you must not condone even the slightest sin in your life, but shun all evil trappings and distractions of the world. You must diligently follow the Lord and faithfully engage in the service of winning and preparing souls for heaven. Jesus is coming very soon.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Be prepared!

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 29-30

Prayer points:

1. Lord, blow up all kind of mindset and self deception in my heart that thinks His coming may not be now.
2. Lord, I ask for that state of heart that will always be watchful for your coming.
3. Lord, demolish everything that may stand between me and readiness for your coming.
4. Lord, help all your children to see your imminent coming as real and help us to take your word seriously.

HYMN: When the roll is called up yonder.(GHS 172)

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

DCLM Daily Manna 18 September 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Flee Idolatry

TOPIC: Flee Idolatry (DCLM Daily Manna 18 September 2022)

TEXT: Ezekiel 20:39-49 (KJV)

39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

40 For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.

41 I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.

42 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.

43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

44 And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord God.

45 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

46 Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

48 And all flesh shall see that I the Lord have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.

49 Then said I, Ah Lord God! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

KEY VERSE: “As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols” (Ezekiel 20:39).

MESSAGE:

The Lord had been pleading with Israel since their journey to the Promised Land to flee idolatry and disobedience which prevented many of their fathers who left Egypt from entering Canaan. It was equally the reason for their long captivity in Babylon.

From the text, the Lord asked Israel to continue in their sins but should not pollute His holy name with idolatrous gifts. He still promised through Prophet Ezekiel that He would gather and sanctify Israel again, and bring them to the land that He promised to give their fathers, for His name’s sake.

Today, there is idolatry everywhere: in streets, offices and homes. You may not be physically involved like the children of Israel; yours may be in the heart because idolatry is not limited to worshipping idols. It is placing anything or anyone above God and His word. A covetous man is an idolater: he sets money in his heart and pursues it above all things; and so, he has no inheritance in heaven. Worshipping material things, human beings, academic achievement, etc., more than the Creator, is idolatry.

Many who claim to be serving God place their interest, loyalty, confidence and trust on something or someone else. As heaven-bound believers, we must flee all forms and shades of idolatry. We should avoid friends, habits and systems that encourage idolatry. The Lord commands that we live and walk in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. Therefore, we should painstakingly search and try our ways today to see if our hearts incline to obey anyone or anything contrary to God and His precepts.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Maintain all-round distance from idolatry.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 26-28

Prayer points:

1. Holy Spirit, convict me afresh and awaken my conscience on things for which you have given up on me.
2. Lord, have mercy and never give up on me.
3. Lord, make my heart tender and yielding to your word on every area of my life.
4. Visit each one of our lives and give a new heart to give up all those things that you are demanding from us.

HYMN: Take my life.(GHS 87)

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.