DCLM Daily Manna 29 July 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The End Is Near!

TOPIC: The End Is Near! (DCLM Daily Manna 29 July 2022)

TEXT: Luke 21:28-38 (KJV)

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

KEY VERSE: “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” (Luke 21:31).

MESSAGE:

Human ingenuity has developed in key and sensitive areas of life; they are indicators that help to predict the approach of the end of a thing and suggest the right action in order not to be caught off guard. In the money markets for instance, skilled investors know what to look out for in order to pull out of a particular capital market so as not to suffer a devastating loss. Of course, those who are ignorant of these signs or choose to deliberately ignore the warnings live to count their losses.

Jesus, in the verses preceding our text, outlined before His listeners, signs that would herald the end of time. Now He tells them that as soon as they see the signs coming to pass, they must be prepared as the end is bound to come. He warned them against acts that can hinder them from noticing the approach of the end of things. And told them to remain sober, watchful and prayerful if they did not want to be caught unawares.

The happenings around us are signs that the end is near. The increase and lack of restraint in sins, the growth in knowledge and technology, the increase in war, civil disturbances, social unrest, insecurities, the persecutions of Christians, the multiplication of falsehood and the falling away of many from the faith, etc., all attest to this fact.

Wise believers must take to the counsel of Christ to watch, pray and get rid of everything that will deaden their spiritual sensitivity. This, we must do so that we can sail unhindered when the time comes for us to depart! Let all the signs you see make you know that the end is near.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Are you ready for the flight to heaven?

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ephesians 1-3

Prayer Points:

1. Lord, give me the Spirit of watchfulness and prayer at all times.
2. Lord, give me the wisdom to always be in readiness for your coming.
3. Lord, help me to live the life that will be accounted worthy to escape all the evils coming on those who miss the rapture.
4. Lord, restore all the brethren who have lost focus of your coming.

HYMN: My portion for ever. (GHS 253)

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 28 July 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Don’t Be Obstinate!

TOPIC: Don’t Be Obstinate! (DCLM Daily Manna 28 July 2022)

TEXT: Zephaniah 3:1-9 (KJV)

1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!

2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.

3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

5 The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.

KEY VERSE: “She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.” – (Zephaniah 3:2).

MESSAGE:

Getting to learn from others and receiving instructions and guidance are the greatest privileges we have in life to improve and make advancement. So, it does us a lot of good when we have people who act as mentors, coaches and teachers and are willing to help us navigate through life so as to get the best. We do ourselves a great disservice therefore, when we choose to ignore the wise and good counsel they offer.

Israel as a nation had the special privilege of having the Almighty God as their Mentor, Leader and Guide. Unfortunately, they scorned the privilege, choosing to ignore His voice and walk obstinately after their own minds. They probably felt they had come of age and could manage and run their affairs without God. Consequently, God, through Prophet Zephaniah pronounced woe and severe judgment on them.

Obstinate people arrogantly feel they do not need anyone to look into their affairs and dictate to them what to do. They become defiant, self-willed and self-dependent. They are withdrawn, wanting to manage their affairs by themselves. They realise their errors when it is almost too late and pay dearly for their defiance and stubbornness.

Stubbornness is not a mark of a true child of God. Christians who are meek, lowly and humble in heart find it easy to learn, grow and be happy in life. Let us always be willing to hear, learn and take corrections and we will always enjoy divine favour and blessings. Humility pays.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Obstinacy and Christianity are no relations.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 39-40

Prayer Points:

1. Lord, visit me with fire and purge me from all inward and outward pollutions.
2. Lord, visit our priests and prophets with the spirit of repentance and recommitment to living and preaching the full truth.
3. Lord, visit again your people with repentance and consecration to holy and righteous living.
4. Lord, it is time to visit our country and her rulers and awake all to righteousness and justice.

HYMN: Wash me O Lamb of God.(GHS 40)

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 25 July 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Favour Deserves Faithfulness

TOPIC: Favour Deserves Faithfulness (DCLM Daily Manna 25 July 2022)

TEXT: Amos 3:1-8 (KJV)

1 Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,

2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?

5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?

6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

KEY VERSE: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities” (Amos 3:2).

MESSAGE:

To whom much is given, much is expected. It will be an act of betrayal and a display of ingratitude if one receives so much favour and fails to reciprocate through acts of faithfulness and loyalty. In every sphere of human relationship and interaction, loyalty and faithfulness are expected as commensurate payback for every favour received.

God chose Israel out of the nations of the world to be His own people. He promised that He would make them great and a blessing to all the nations of the world. But Israel chose to sin against God. Disappointed at their unfaithfulness, He declared that He would punish them and no longer walk with them.

Great favour and blessings from God deserve great faithfulness from those He has favoured and blessed. If after we have been blessed by God, we choose to live in total disregard to His word, He will no longer walk with us. To scorn His favour is to court His fury and fierce punishment.

How do we show our gratitude to Jesus for His love unfailing and His tender care? The answer is simple. Be faithful to Him. Love Him. Obey Him. Do His will. There is no better way to respond to the love of God and the goodness, mercy and favour we received from Him at salvation other than binding ourselves to Him with the cord of faithfulness and loyalty. If truly God has been good to us, let us show loyalty to Him. He deserves it.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Every favour deserves faithfulness.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 30-32

Prayer Points:

1. Praise God for His unmerited favour, grace and salvation.
2. Promise God that you will never be ungrateful and ask God for more grace to be faithful.
3. Ask for power to walk deeper and closer with God.
4. Ask for the grace of God to come down mightily at the crusade to save all sinners and backliders participating.

HYMN: Close to Thee.(GHS 42)

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 23 July 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Don’t Demean Grace

TOPIC: Don’t Demean Grace (DCLM Daily Manna 23 July 2022)

TEXT: Jude 1-8 (KJV)

1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

KEY VERSE: “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).

MESSAGE:

When people lack proper understanding of divine benevolence, they abuse and demean it. Many misunderstand God’s grace to be freedom from all obligations of the law and an unrestrained liberty to sin.

Apostle Jude, in our text, warned the believers of the early church to be on the lookout for peddlers and preachers who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness – a licence to sin. He did not fail to tell them that God would bring judgment on all those who fail to maintain the state of true grace that produces righteousness, just as He brought judgment on all those who left Egypt but remained in unbelief and the angels who failed to keep their state of purity. Those who revel in sins, like Sodom and Gomorrah, will eventually face divine judgment.

Grace does not release us from the obligations of the laws of God. Rather, it helps us to keep His righteous laws which we were unable to do when we were in sin. Those who claim they have grace as a liberty to sin only prove that they are yet to receive it.

God’s grace brings about true salvation and freedom from all sin. It teaches us to live godly in this decayed world. This is the kind of grace we must seek to have; it is dignifying and not demeaning!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Does your life dignify God’s grace or demean it?

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 23-25

Prayer Points:

1. Lord, give me power and abundant grace never to deviate from graciously holy living that pleases God.
2. Lord, I ask for courage and boldness to keep on contending for the faith of the gospel diligently and actively.
3. In this last days, help and my family members never to be candidates for hell fire.
4. Lord, use the crusade to convert back all those that the devil has converted to the grace of Jesus Christ.

HYMN: Marvellous grace of our loving Christ. (GHS 129)

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 22 July 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Sin Of Betrayal

TOPIC: Sin Of Betrayal (DCLM Daily Manna 22 July 2022)

TEXT: Job 22:1-20 (KJV)

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

4 Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?

5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?

6 For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.

7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it.

9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

10 Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;

11 Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.

12 Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

13 And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.

15 Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?

16 Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

17 Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?

18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

19 The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.

20 Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.

KEY VERSE: “Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?” (Job 22:5).

MESSAGE:

Williams Shakespeare in “Julius Caesar” dramatised the conspiracy that led to the assassination of Emperor Julius Caesar in a way that highlights the gravity of betrayal. In the book, Julius Caesar confronted the conspirators with the braveness of a warrior until he saw Marcus Brutus, a trusted ally, raised his sword and stabbed him. He suffered more pain and shock from the betrayal of a friend.

Eliphaz, in our text, tried to convict Job by speaking of his perceived sins. He and his companions condemned him in general as a wicked man and an hypocrite but Eliphaz went further to speak about specific sins and crimes that he alleged were committed by Job. The accusation of Eliphaz contradicts the stand of God who had earlier testified about the integrity and perfection of Job. We must, therefore, note that it is not what men say about us that really matter, but the testimony of God concerning us.

We should not be surprised when false accusations are raised against us in the church, workplace, community where we live or our immediate or extended family. The same was done to Jesus and the apostles. We must also avoid fighting back or revenge. The Scriptures say, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves …for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). Finally, we must “Pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us]” (Matthew 5:44).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Those who condemn the servants of God will incur His wrath.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 20-22

Prayer Points:

1. Ask for forgiveness for all your former sins of presumption.
2. Lord teach me to always say NO to the temptation to fall into the sins of presumption.
3. Lord, give me the right spirit to always verify the truthfulness of information before carrying them out to others.
4. Purge us all O Lord from the sin of presumption and its tendency.

HYMN: Search me O God.(GHS 177)

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 21 July 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Can Darkness Cover?

TOPIC: Can Darkness Cover? (DCLM Daily Manna 21 July 2022)

TEXT: Job 24:14-25 (KJV)

14 The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.

15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face.

16 In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light.

17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.

18 He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.

19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned.

20 The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree.

21 He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.

22 He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life.

23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.

24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.

25 And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?

KEY VERSE: “In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light” (Job 24:16).

MESSAGE:

An hotelier in a state in the South Western part of Nigeria was arrested by the Police following complaints by a family that he installed secret cameras in hotel rooms that they finally discovered breached their privacy. Many human actions done in secret have become a public scandal due to the use of modern technology and secret cameras installed in strategic places. But God does not need a digital camera to see the actions of men done in secret under the cover of darkness; “all things are naked and opened unto…him…” (Hebrews 4:13).

Today’s text describes some categories of evil doers identified as murderers, adulterers and housebreakers who carry out their nefarious and shameful activities under the cover of darkness so that they will not be easily discovered. These are still very common in our contemporary society. They try to carry out their acts to evade discovery by law enforcement agents or other individuals.

Are you involved in any secret, sinful deal that is yet to be discovered? Are you stealing from your employer, parents, friends, customers or even from the church? Do not be deceived; God knows all your actions because His “eyes… are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). He will certainly judge and bring to light, the hidden things of darkness.

The easy way out is to forsake all evil deeds, repent and make necessary restitution before God’s long hand of justice catches up with you.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God sees through the darkest deeds of man.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 17-19

Prayer Points:

1. Lord, I thank you because you have helped me to chose the way of righteousness.
2. Hold me by your power so I will not slide back into secret sins and self deceit.
3. Lord, I want to partake of the glorious rapture and resurrection. Make me worthy and let me never trade it for any temporary pleasure.
4. Let the Spirit of conviction of sins and repentance rest on all the participants of the coming crusade.

HYMN: Christ Jesus has the power. (GHS 19)

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.