DCLM Daily Manna 25 March 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F Kumuyi – Demonstrate Your Love!

TOPIC: Demonstrate Your Love!

TEXT: John 11:33-40 (KJV)

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

KEY VERSE: “Jesus wept.” – (John 11:35)

MESSAGE:

Some cultures, like the Greeks’, have a picture of God that shows Him as emotionless, strict and with little or no milk of kindness, but a vengeful and unrepentant Judge. Others see God as being so full of love that would not dare to make anyone sad; even when they have gone astray. In reality, God is loving and severe in handing out judgment when the need arises. He is so good, He empathises with us when we are suffering.

As Christ arrived in the home of Lazarus who had died four days earlier and saw his family, including Mary and Martha his sisters weeping for their dead brother, He could hardly bear seeing them so sorrowful. On sighting the cave where Lazarus was buried, He became overwhelmed and began to weep. Ignoring the snide comments of the Jews who blamed Him for not coming early enough to pray for and heal Lazarus, Jesus commanded that the stone covering the entrance to the cave be removed. He brushed off Martha’s protest that the body would have decayed and been stinking. He told her: “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

As children of a God who cares for us and followers of Jesus Christ who “hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4), we should not consider open expression of emotions as a sign of spiritual immaturity, weakness or carnality. Our empathy – visitation, prayers, kind words, even tears – for those who are sorrowful brings comfort and lessens the worst effect of their pain. It also serves to lift their faith and encourage them not to give up hope for the Lord’s intervention.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 13-16

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso 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 March 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F Kumuyi – Profiting Where Others Failed

TOPIC: Profiting Where Others Failed

TEXT: Romans 11:1-12 (KJV)

1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

KEY VERSE: “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” – (Romans 11:11)

MESSAGE:

It has occurred in several life instances that a supposed winner is eventually disqualified at the final decision point for failing in one criterion or the other. This kind of scenario has occurred in sporting, political, social, academic, business and other events. In such an instance, the runner-up is selected as a replacement or a fresh selection process is ordered. Each game or life-event has its way of qualifying beneficiaries; so does the kingdom of God.

Israel was God’s chosen nation. He is the descendant of Abraham, the father of faith. God places high premium on him. He literally brought the people up, cared for and favoured them. However, Israel’s response to God’s care was like that of a ‘spoilt child’. They took it for granted and treated His laws with disdain until He was fed up with them for ignoring several of His warnings. He had to set them aside. This gave a great opportunity to the Gentiles who were not of the commonwealth of Israel to enjoy great intimacy with God by adoption into sonship through the Lord Jesus Christ. God did not intend to cast Israel off forever because “Israel shall be saved…” His purpose for putting them aside for now is to give room for “righteous” Gentiles and to provoke Israel to jealousy so they can seek righteousness and be saved.

Like Israel, a person or a congregation may have been enjoying God’s favour and presence for a long time and eventually take these for granted. These privileges can be withdrawn in the twinkling of an eye. Retaining God’s favour is conditional. As there is room for Israel to regain their earlier favoured position if they respond to God’s overtures, so is there room for those who are cast away to repent and return to God. Those who are enjoying His great care should take heed. If He cast Israel aside, He can do the same to us if we fail Him.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Take heed; nobody is beyond a fall.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 7-9

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso 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 March 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F Kumuyi – Be Not Deceived

TOPIC: Be Not Deceived

TEXT: Jeremiah 14:13-22 (KJV)

13 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

15 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!

20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

21 Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

KEY VERSE: “Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart” (Jeremiah 14:14).

MESSAGE:

There seems to be an upsurge of prophets, prophetesses and prophecies running through our land like a great wave. Prophecies of some of these self-styled prophets range from personal, congregational, community and national to international spheres. Many of the issues covered are on marriage, prosperity, elections, new-year outcomes, sports and many more. In many cases, some undiscerning and unsuspecting people are taken in.

The text today is a Fatherly warning from God through Jeremiah to Israel and us, to be wary of false prophets and prophecies. The Lord clearly denies ever sending these prophets and He denounces their prophecies. Truly, God sends His words of prophecy through His anointed and inspired servants. But He has not sent or inspired majority of the so-called prophets today. The Holy Spirit cannot indwell and inspire an unrighteous man. A prophecy that is truly from God cannot contradict His word on godliness and holiness. God-inspired prophecy should draw hearers away from sin and satanic intrigues towards uprightness and faith in God. Prophecies that give hope of divine presence and succor while continuing in sin or of prosperity in spite of blatant ungodliness are definitely not inspired by God.

God’s warning is to both the false prophets and the people that patronise them because they are willingly deceived (Jeremiah 5:31; 2:11). Eternal punishment awaits the deceivers and the deceived.

The fact that a prophecy is fulfilled is not an affirmation that it is from God; “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14, 15). True prophecies must agree with God’s written word.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Beware! Both the deceiver and the deceived will be punished.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 1-3

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.