DCLM Daily Manna 22 June 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Meaning Of Freedom In Christ

TOPIC: Meaning Of Freedom In Christ

TEXT: 1 Timothy 2:9-15

KEY VERSE: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” – (1 Timothy 2:9)

There are believers who take liberty in Christ to mean license to indulge themselves in all kinds of practices. To them, ‘grace’ is sufficient to cover all their careless words, wicked actions and evil deeds.

Paul the apostle encountered such people in the church in Ephesus, especially women. They lived in a culture that did not permit women to lead others. But then, the gospel came to them and they were saved. Some began flaunting their new-found freedom in Christ in extravagant appearances. But Paul would rather stress the power of godliness in a woman which expresses itself in inner beauty and transparent character. At a time when the Ephesian church had issues with false prophets, some of the women wanted to start teaching in the church, even though they were new converts and novices, not fully grounded in the things of God. This was essentially why Paul did not allow them to teach or usurp authority over the more knowledgeable men. He illustrated his position with what inexperience did to Eve, and recommended that believers, including women, continue growing in faith, love, holiness and sobriety, for therein lies the blessings promised by God.

There is a place in the Kingdom for Christian men and women. The mature women leaders are admonished to “be in behaviour as becometh holiness …teach the young women to be sober… to love their children… to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good [and] obedient to their own… husbands…” (Titus 2:3-5). While there is nothing wrong with looking good, we should seek to please God in all things.

Worldliness or dressing to attract people’s attention is ungodly and unacceptable to God. Modesty must be the guiding principle for the Christian man or woman.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Let modesty guide your conduct in all things.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 5-7

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 June 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — A Heart For The Lost

TOPIC: A Heart For The Lost

TEXT: Luke 19:1-10

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

KEY VERSE: “And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” – (Luke 19:9)

MESSAGE:

Societies often construct artificial barriers that promote some and denigrate others. They decide how their various segments are perceived, what is expected of them, and draw a line beyond which social integration is not permitted. Therefore, some powerful voices rise in the society, to tear down the barriers.

From the beginning of creation, there has been no voice more powerful than that of Jesus Christ. He spoke clearly with His words and even more loudly with His life. On the way to Jerusalem, He must first transit through Jericho. One man in particular, Zacchaeus, a corrupt tax collector, was desperate to see Jesus. The crowd around Jesus put him off because he was small of stature. He ran and climbed a tree and waited patiently for Jesus to pass through. When Jesus got there, He looked up, and seeing Zacchaeus, called him. The man hastily came down, and while the crowd murmured that Jesus should have nothing to do with him, Zacchaeus began to confess his sins to the Lord. He promised to give out half of his wealth to the poor and to pay a four-fold reparation to anyone he had defrauded. That was all Jesus needed and He declared to Zacchaeus that salvation had come to him and his house because He came “to seek and to save… [the] lost.”

We must never rule out anyone from receiving salvation, irrespective of their sinful life. They may be crooked, notorious and wicked, but Jesus died for them too. When we show love and bring them to the Lord, their hearts are transformed, and this is demonstrated in their outward conduct. They begin a new life that makes their community better and gives them hope of spending eternity with God in heaven.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Jesus receives those who come to Him with an open heart.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 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 20 June 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Danger In Departing From God

TOPIC: Danger In Departing From God

TEXT: Psalm 119:113-120

113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

KEY VERSE: “Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.” – (Psalm 119:118)

MESSAGE:

One of the most exceptional thing about God is that He will not compel anyone to obey Him. He leaves all men to act as they deem fit. Equally remarkable is the fact that He does not impose His just punishment on people as soon as they offend Him. He leaves them with a long lease of freedom, in the hope that they would retrace their steps and get back to the right track. Sadly, many do not pay attention but continue on the downward slope to destruction.

The Psalmist was not like them. He was gripped by fear of the consequences of sin. As a result, he filled his heart with love for the word of God. He made God his refuge and shield, broke off all association with evildoers, and publicly declared his preference for living according to God’s holy standard.

Apart from having hope in time and eternity, those who stand on God’s word would never experience shame. True security is found in the Lord, but those that disobey His word and live in wickedness, would be judged by Him. They can deceive themselves, but cannot successfully mock God. The realization that judgment awaits all who trifle with God should make everyone to submit totally to Him.

We should know that there is no room for double mindedness or wavering between two opinions when it comes to obedience to God. He does not accept any neutral position; one is either on His side or against Him. To reject God and disobey His words is fatal and has frightening consequences, because “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Those who walk away from God get lost in the maze of the world.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 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.

DCLM Daily Manna 18 June 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Tare Or Wheat?

TOPIC: Tare Or Wheat?

TEXT: Matthew 13:24-30

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

KEY VERSE: “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” – (Matthew 13:30)

MESSAGE:

Wikipedia.org describes a weed as ‘a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation; a plant in the wrong place’. Farmers are always wary of weeds and from time to time employ various means of getting rid of these unwanted plants from their plantations. Tares are also categorized as weeds.

Our Lord Jesus Christ put forward a parable where He likened the kingdom of heaven to a sower who ‘sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat’. After some time, both tares and wheat sprang up. The servants of the sower, in their bewilderment, approached him and enquired how the tares came up among the wheat and whether they should uproot them.

The sower affirmed that the enemy must have sneaked in, under the cover of the night, to sow the tares. He however, implored his servants to allow both tares and wheat grow together. At the time of harvest, while the wheat would be graciously gathered into his barn, the tares would be bundled together and burnt.

The parable is a true picture of our congregations and the world today. Our world is a mixture of both sincere children of God (categorized as wheat) and hypocrites and sinners (categorized as tares). Both sets of people dwell and even fellowship together. The great day of separation is however coming when Christ shall gather His saints in glory. Then the tares – all sinners and backsliders – shall be gathered and cast into the furnace of the fire of hell, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Are you a tare or wheat? Thank God, there is opportunity today for any sinner to repent and become a true Christian before the great day of separation comes.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Saints and sinners shall be parted right and left on that great day!

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Philippians 1-4

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.