DCLM Daily Manna 13 January 2021 Devotional By Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi

Topic: A New Creature

Text: Galatians 6:11-18 (KJV)

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (To the Galatians written from Rome.)

Key Verse: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15).

MESSAGE:

The 19th century theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, identified two kinds of religion – Religion A and Religion B. The first is “faith in name only”. It is the practice of attending church without genuine faith in the Lord. Religion B, on the other hand, is a life-transforming, destiny changing experience. It is a definite commitment to the crucified and risen Saviour, which establishes a relationship between a forgiven sinner and a gracious God.

Apostle Paul in our text summarised his epistle to the Galatians. He reminded them of the chief aim of his writings – to warn the Galatian converts of the pretence and error of false traditionalists who were advocating a return to circumcision and observance of Jewish ceremonies before one could be saved. He emphasised the need to become new creatures by faith in Christ’s finished work at Calvary rather than parading empty religion and observances that cannot save. He committed them unto the grace of God while praying for the preservation of their faith.

Those who believe in outward religion without inward change are present in our day. They market what they refer to as “articles of faith” and involve in practices and rituals that cannot transform those who are engaged in them into new creatures. The devil will be delighted to have people outwardly committed to religion while living an inwardly corrupt and defeated life.

If we are to produce genuine believers, zealous of good works, who act as salt and light in our corrupt world, we must preach and lead people into the experience of the new birth. And as believers, we are called to shun all attempts of religious people to pull us away from the confidence and assurance we have in Christ.

Thought For Today: Christ came to reestablish a relationship between God and man and not to set up a religion.

The Bible Reading One Year: Genesis 38 – 40

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 11 January 2021 Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi

Topic: The Power Of Wisdom

Text: 2 Chronicles 2:1-10 (KJV)

1 And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

3 And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.

4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.

5 And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.

6 But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.

8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,

9 Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.

10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

Key Verse: “And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.” (2 Chronicles 2:10).

MESSAGE:

Automaker Henry Ford asked electrical genius Charles Steinmetz to build the generators for his factory. One day, the generators ground to a halt and the repairmen could not find the problem. So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for a few hours and then switched it on. The generators whirred to life, but Ford got a bill of $10,000 from Steinmetz. Flabbergasted, the rather tightfisted carmaker inquired why the bill was so big. Steinmetz replied, “For tinkering with the generators, $10. For knowing where to tinker, $9,990”. Ford paid the bill.

Solomon was such an asset to Israel, especially in the early part of his reign. From our text, Huram the king of Tyre, praised the Lord for giving Israel a prudent and understanding leader to mobilise His people towards building the house of God. Solomon’s wisdom, no doubt, wins the day, especially the great success of building the temple. He mobilised the people into shifts to handle the work, to promote specialisation and division of labour. He equally wisely established friendly relations with the king of Tyre to have the needed timber shipped to Jerusalem in a trade by barter arrangement. Leadership is needed to ensure success in every project we undertake.

Victory in all the major world conflicts was achieved through strategic leadership. Success is not achieved solely because of availability of human and material resources. The entrepreneurial and prudential qualities of leaders ensure proper management and utilisation of available resources to achieve the set objectives. To sustain the success already achieved and to secure our future both in life and in eternity, we need God-fearing leaders who are good managers with wisdom.

Thought For Today: Leadership is key to success in life.

Bible Reading In One Year: Genesis 32 – 34

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.