DCLM Daily Manna 2 January 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Limits Of Our Liberty

TOPIC: Limits Of Our Liberty

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 10:14-33 (KJV)

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

KEY VERSE: “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24).

MESSAGE:

When the imperial powers were carving out Africa into colonies during the Scramble for Africa at the Berlin Conference in the late 18th Century, it hardly mattered to the Europeans to take into consideration the liberty of the people whose lands they were fighting for. Their interests and how to entrench them were uppermost to them, regardless of who was hurt.

Selfishness is a vice that is condemned by the word of God. As the Holy Spirit inspired Apostle Paul to write to the Corinthian brethren on grave spiritual matters, he observed disturbing traits that had to do with the Lord’s Supper, idolatry, division, etc. His definitive instruction, based on the foundational teaching that we are all one, is that we should strive to “please all men in all things, not seeking [our] own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved”.

If believers abide by this exhortation, knowledgeable and experienced Christians would not mislead others into sin and error. Our freedom is a weapon for the liberation of others, not to drag them into spiritual slavery characterised by fellowship with idolaters, division in the church and selfishness.

The challenge from today’s teaching to the Christians of our age is that we should remain the salt and light of the world. We should utilise these potent and indispensable weapons to free the world from the choking stranglehold of erroneous doctrines, greed and selfishness. True liberty is exercised within the boundaries of Scripture to impact others positively for God’s glory.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Our liberty in Christ empowers us to deliver the world

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Matthew 4-5

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 1 January 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Not A Year Of Pandora’s Box

TOPIC: Not A Year Of Pandora’s Box

TEXT: Isaiah 43:18-21 (KJV)

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

KEY VERSE: “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” (Isaiah 43:21).

MESSAGE:

The ancient Greeks were hesitant to open Pandora’s Box because its content held only what would cause grief. Sinners, unfamiliar with the promises of the Almighty, possess the Pandora’s Box mentality. They step into the year apprehensive of what lies in its bosom. For the faithful follower of Jesus Christ, entering into the New Year is not the same as opening the mythical Pandora’s Box, which held many evils.

God’s message over the ages is that we can begin the year with hope in His promises. He has not packaged a year of calamities for those who embrace Him through faith in His dear Son, Jesus Christ. He promises a bright season, the sum of which He calls “a new thing”. There will be certainty of survival in the wilderness of confusing political and economic policies. Even in the seeming aridity arising from the snare of pandemics, the Lord promises endless sources of life (rivers, waters) for those who lean on Him.

In times of overwhelming upheavals and cataclysmic global or national movements that threaten to destroy humanity like the dragons and the owls, God says these dreaded beasts shall honour Him and spare us as we identify with Him. He will put a protective mark upon His people this year, which the wild creatures will respect and refrain from harming us.

It is not unexpected that those who are marked for destruction would show forth praise for divine intervention. We should, therefore, show gratitude to the Lord by living righteously and spreading the good news of His love to sinners.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God will do a new thing in your life.

THE BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
Matthew 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.