DCLM Daily Manna 24 May 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — No Tolerance For Apostasy

TOPIC: No Tolerance For Apostasy (DCLM Daily Manna 24 May 2022)

TEXT: Deuteronomy 13:12-18 (KJV)

12 If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,

13 Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

14 Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;

15 Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.

16 And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the Lord thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.

17 And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

18 When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord thy God.

KEY VERSE: “And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers” (Deuteronomy 13:17).

MESSAGE:

One of the widely accepted messages today is the message of tolerance and respect of other people’s ways of life. It is believed that since we all have different opinions, the only way we can have world peace is when we love and learn to tolerate others, no matter what they believe. It is this modernists’ view that encourages moral perversions such as sodomy, lesbianism, transgender, etc., that are prevalent in our society today. Christian love and tolerance do not accommodate such abominable worldviews.

From the text, the children of Israel are not to tolerate any form of apostasy. Those who turn away from the true God to embrace idolatrous worship are not to be accommodated. Such base fellows and all those who choose to follow them must be completely destroyed after due enquiry has been made to establish the truth of apostasy among them. This is because God holds the purity of His people so dear that He will not allow anything to defile them.

While Christians are called upon to love everyone, it must be without compromise and tolerance of evil. Love without rebuke is weak, permissive and indulgent. True love must be complemented by truth, righteousness and holiness.

As believers, we are duty bound to help one another preserve the sanctify of the worship of God by ensuring we do not aid any son of ‘belial’ in our midst who seeks to corrupt others as well. There must be no tolerance for evil.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
True love does not tolerate evil.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Galatians 4-6

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 May 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Courage For The Truth

TOPIC: Courage For The Truth (DCLM Daily Manna 23 May 2022)

TEXT: 2 Chronicles 18:12-27 (KJV)

12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of their’s, and speak thou good.

13 And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the Lord?

16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

19 And the Lord said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith?

21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.

22 Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil against thee.

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?

24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;

26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the Lord spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

KEY VERSE: “And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak” (2 Chronicles 18:13).

MESSAGE:

The most common game at play in our world today is the game of flattery and sycophancy. When people lack the courage to tell the truth as it is, they resort to flattery and false praise. This is either out of the fear of what telling the truth might cause them or because of the gain they hope to derive from their flatteries. The result is usually sour and bitter as the whole society suffers from it.

King Jehoshaphat in the preceding verses had persuaded Ahab to consult from the prophets if it was okay for them to confront Ramoth-Gilead in battle. The four hundred favourite prophets of King Ahab all in unison gave the prophecy Ahab would love to hear. They encouraged him to go ahead and assured him of victory. Not satisfied, Jehoshaphat asked to know if there was no other prophet whom they could inquire from. Reluctantly, Ahab sent for Micaiah, who spoke the truth to the king, not fearing his wrath. He would rather incur the wrath of the king than join in the game of flattery and sycophancy. This is courage!

Whilst many people today lack the courage to speak the truth to their friends, spouses, bosses and colleagues, believers should always speak the truth at all times. Truth will preserve from destruction while flattery and sycophancy will lead to damnation. Ahab ignored the truth spoken by the courageous prophet, Micaiah, and met his waterloo in the battlefield! Love the truth and be bold to speak it at all times.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Brave men are not afraid to tell the truth at any time!

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Galatians 1-3

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 May 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Love We Owe Him

TOPIC: The Love We Owe Him (DCLM Daily Manna 22 May 2022)

TEXT: Psalm 116:1-9 (KJV)

1 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

KEY VERSE: “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.” – (Psalm 116:1)

MESSAGE:

Love varies from person to person and people show it for different reasons. Some love more because they see it as the debt they owe the object of their love. They do not seem to have a better way of expressing their gratitude than loving so much and unashamedly.

In the text, the psalmist expressed his love for the Lord and gave the reasons for such love. He had almost been swallowed up by death due to the sickness and pain he went through that had brought him great sorrow. When all hope seemed lost, the Lord showed up to deliver him after he had cried out to Him for help. In expressing this love, he determined to walk before the Lord every day of his life.

There is no other way we can show our gratitude to the Lord for all the mercies we receive from Him every day than to love Him unreservedly. The clearest expression of our love for the Lord and our show of thanksgiving is the giving of ourselves totally to Him without holding back anything.

How real, deep and sincere is your love for the Lord? Have you given yourself wholly to Him without holding back anything? Is it your pleasure to walk daily in His presence and please Him always? Do the thanksgiving and the gifts that you bring match the mercy that you have received from the Lord? Do not forget; the more we love the Lord, the more of His grace and mercies we receive.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The Lord rightly deserves all our love.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ruth 3-4

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 May 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Story Behind The Glory

TOPIC: Story Behind The Glory (DCLM Daily Manna 21 May 2022)

TEXT: 2 Chronicles 17:12-19 (KJV)

12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

KEY VERSE: “And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.” – (2 Chronicles 17:12)

MESSAGE:

Often times, people see and admire an already made and successful man. They see his glory as it shines bright and desire to be like him. But many do not really know the story behind such glory neither are they willing to learn from what it cost to reach such an enviable height. Successful men do not just appear out of the blues; they have stories to tell about their rise to limelight.

Our passage today gives us a glimpse of Jehoshaphat’s wealth, strength and glory. He worked assiduously hard to fortify his kingdom and sought the Lord diligently like his forefather, David. He jettisoned the prevailing lifestyle of Baal worship and refused to be influenced by the vices of the neighbouring nation of Israel. Consequently, the presence of the Lord strengthened and prospered him with the glory.

It is not enough to desire the kind of glory you see in highly prospered children of God; you should be willing to learn from their story of deep devotion and dedication to the Lord as well as their discipline and dutiful devotion to their works. Avoid all temptations to cut corners and cheat in order to be successful.

The Lord is willing to bless you with His presence and strengthen you to prosper as He did for Jehoshaphat if you too will look away from the common practices around you, fear the Lord and diligently follow His ways. Your life will be glorious and your story, sweet to tell.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Don’t just admire the glory; learn from the story behind it!

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ruth 1-2

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.