DCLM Daily Manna 13 June 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Love For The Prodigal

TOPIC: Love For The Prodigal

TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 2:1-11

1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

KEY VERSE: “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” – (2 Corinthians 2:7)

MESSAGE:

In his book, The Preaching Event, John Claypool tells a story of identical twin brothers who ran a shop together. One day, a man came in to make a small purchase and paid for it with a dollar. The brother who made the sale placed the dollar on top of the cash register. He then walked the customer to the door to say goodbye. When he returned, the dollar bill was gone; his twin brother denied taking it. The matter led to a serious dispute that split the business. They put a partition right down the middle of the building and made it into two stores. They thereafter refused to speak to each other for the next 20 years. One day, a stranger entered one of the two stores and confessed that he took the money back then. He came to make restitution upon his conversion to Christ. With the confession, the two brothers reconciled and apologised to each other amidst tears. Healing came with reconciliation because of that stranger’s love for Christ.

Paul, in this passage spoke of how to relate with people who commit sin. He had previously written to give guidelines on how such a person should be handled so as to serve as deterrent to other members of the Church. The man was placed on discipline with withdrawal of fellowship towards him. But he emphasised here how justice should be tempered with mercy towards the repentant backslider. Brethren were encouraged to extend the hand of fellowship to the repentant backslider once more.

Backsliding hurts the backslider as well as the Church. The Church should not condone wrongdoings, no matter how influential such a person may be. But at the same time, we must not abandon the prodigal. Once there is genuine repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation should be automatic. That is the way of the Cross and that is the way we must follow.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Help a backslider back into fellowship.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 19-20

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 11 June 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Selfless Ministry

TOPIC: Selfless Ministry

TEXT: Romans 15:23-30

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

KEY VERSE: “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.” – (Romans 15:25)

MESSAGE:

Paul, in the passage today, demonstrated how dedicated and addicted he was to the service of the Lord. He was committed to preaching the gospel anywhere, everywhere as well as ministering to the needs of the saints. Through his singular effort and in partnership with others of like-precious faith, he spared no effort, nor counted any sacrifice too dear to make in order to ensure the spread of the gospel. He did not consider any distance too long from Rome to Spain via Jerusalem having touched all areas in the Roman empire. Paul was full of enthusiasm, hope and high expectations as he trusted in Him who has said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”. He was also resilient; not reclining when he suffered any setback. Even his foreknowledge of possible danger from them that do not believe did not make him to recoil. All these and more are the secrets of his ministerial successes. It demonstrate the spirit all evangelists should have.

Many churches and ministries concentrate today on cities where the land had been cultivated and the work of evangelism is less challenging and quickly ‘rewarding’. Individuals tend to avoid challenging terrains when on evangelistic outreaches. Sadly, evangelism is not included in the ever-busy schedules of some Christians today. They are always too busy with secular work that has no eternal value. Yet “Only one life… only what’s done for Christ will last!”

Paul’s life is a challenge to an average Christian today. He was a man of like-passion but was successful in ministering because he counted all but dung for the glory of God. He was ready to go anywhere God led. We may not always know where He will lead us to but the choice is ours to follow.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When He leads, we surely can never be misled.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 15-16

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 10 June 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Faithfulness, Please!

TOPIC: Faithfulness, Please!

TEXT: 1 Chronicles 9:14-22

14 And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;

15 And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;

16 And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

17 And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;

18 Who hitherto waited in the king’s gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi.

19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.

20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.

21 And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

22 All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.

KEY VERSE: “And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.” – (1 Chronicles 9:20)

MESSAGE:

Some people came to this life unsung, unknown and without any impact in the kingdom of God. Many struggle so much to have their names in the book of “Who is Who” in the world while others want to be renowned in the fields of sports, science, literature and poetry, technology, politics, entertainment and social media. All these will pass with time. Christians should strive more to ensure that their names are in God’s record.

The writer of the book of Chronicles listed some notable people as officials in the house of God. God recognises everything we do for Him whether great or small. He recognised His servants in the city and the ones that dwelt in the villages. There is no place, no matter how remote to man, that is hidden from God. He recognised even the ‘porters’ and the gate keepers! God also acknowledged the ‘rulers’. He acknowledges and rewards only faithfulness in service (Matthew 25:21). The Lord was with Phinehas because of his faithfulness and zeal. Finally, the Chronicler noted that even occupiers of the office of porters in the villages waited in their numbers as ordained by their successive leaders – Samuel and later, David.

All believers today are called to God’s service. Whatever we are called upon to do, we should do it heartily, knowing that God is the rewarder of our service. Even if what we are called to do is insignificant from the human perspective, God’s balances are different from men’s and He is the rewarder. Therefore, in our diligence, we should remain in His service, since we serve God and not man.

Are we mindful of serving God and ensuring that our names are in His book? Are we faithful in service? Let us learn the more excellent way; consistent faithfulness is all He wants.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
It’s not how big but how well.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 13-14

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.