Topic: The Inward Change [DCLM Daily Manna 23 December 2020 Devotional By Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Luke 19:1-10 (KJV)

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 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.” – (Luke 19:8)

MESSAGE:

A leper once lived in a village. Despite his grievous health condition, he was a successful farmer. Nearly every resident in the neighbourhood where he was living related with him afar off for fear of being infected. Likewise, children were warned against running errands for him. He was just living the life of a recluse.

This account is akin to the one in our text today. Zacchaeus, the chief of publicans, did not just see Jesus Christ from the sycamore tree. Jesus equally saw and commanded him to “come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” But the Jews were not happy at Christ’s decision because they saw him as a spiritual leper. At that time, the Roman Empire levied heavy taxes upon all nations under their control. The Jews opposed it because they saw it as a means of supporting its pagan gods and secular government. Zacchaeus was a high-ranking tax collector in the employment of the Roman Empire. Consequently, he was tagged a chronic sinner, who was oppressing the Jews and using his office to amass wealth.

However, Jesus Christ did not reason the way the Jews did. Rather, He could only see in Zacchaeus a stereotyped sinner ready to seek forgiveness and forsake his iniquities. While the religious Jews could only see a sinner doomed and going to hell, Jesus saw a sinner waiting for a Saviour and a way out of his dubious and pernicious ways of life. His declaration revealed the inward change that had taken place in him. Jesus Christ never condemned him, but received him.

As deeply as you may have gone into sin, Jesus will never reject you if you approach Him with an open heart. Invite Him to pardon all your sins and grant you His forgiveness and salvation. If you want Him to receive you as He did to Zacchaeus, you must be ready not just to receive external cleansing, but also inward cleansing.

Thought For The Day: Be cleansed both outwardly and inwardly.

The Bible In One Year: Jude

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.

Topic: Jesus The Healer [DCLM Daily Manna 22 December 2020 Devotional By Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Luke 18:31-43 (KJV)

31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Key Verse: “Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.” – (Luke 18:41)

MESSAGE:

John Graham Lake, a healing and preaching minister, once said the object of healing “is health, abiding health of body, soul and spirit. The healing of the spirit unites the spirit of man to God forever; the healing of the soul corrects psychological disorder and brings the soul process into harmony with the mind of God. And the healing of the body completes the union of man with God when the Holy Spirit possesses all.”

Our text dwells on the account of a blind man, who was begging by the wayside in Jericho. He heard the multitude passing by and demanded to know what was happening. They told him that “Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.” Incidentally, that was the last time Jesus would pass through Jericho before going to Calvary. He started shouting, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Even when he was told to hold his peace, the blind man continued calling for Christ’s attention. At last, Christ heard his cry for mercy.

Unlike other blind persons in Jericho at the time Jesus Christ was passing through, the blind man seized the opportunity. He did not only receive healing to his blind eyes, but also the salvation of his soul. However, it never occurred to other blind fellows to come to Jesus for their salvation and sight. They all lost out.

Today may be your last opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ, the Healer and Restorer. Do not miss this great chance. Like the blind man, cry out to Him and never entertain distraction from any quarters.

Thought For The Day: Christ Jesus is the only true Healer.

The Bible In One Year: Malachi 1-4

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.

Topic: Paying The Price [DCLM Daily Manna 21 December 2020 Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Luke 18:18-30 (KJV)

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,

30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Key Verse: “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

MESSAGE:

A story was told of one Giuseppe Garibaldi who set out to deliver his country from external aggressors. He came across some idle young folks and told them to join forces with him against the aggressors. They asked him what would be their gain if they joined him to fight the war. He said: “I offer you neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions. I offer you hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles, heat. Let him that loves his country truly follow me”. And they followed him.

Our text focuses on Christ’s encounter with a young, rich ruler. The young man had power and prestige. He was equally wealthy. Yet, he never knew the way to eternal life. At a point, he approached Christ and sought to know the qualification of getting to heaven. After an exhaustive dialogue, Jesus Christ asked him to sell all he had and follow Him.

But the ruler could not pay the price. He never knew that securing eternal life requires following Jesus Christ. The price was too much for him to pay. His wealth and riches were his problems. He never knew that the greatest security any man could have in this world is to come under Christ’s eternal protection and preservation.

Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This message is instructive enough to shape your life’s direction. It re-emphasises the need to focus on Him alone. Do not make money or education your god.

Nothing should be too high or great to give up in order to gain heaven. Nothing should be too difficult for us to surrender for the sake of heaven. It is not what we have given up that really matters, but the rewards that await us in heaven at last. We must, therefore, strive to follow the narrow way. At the end, we shall surely know we have not followed Christ our Lord in vain.

Thought For The Day: No price is too much for the heavenly mansion.

The Bible In One Year: Zechariah 10-14

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.

Topic: A Humble Heart [DCLM Daily Manna 19 December 2020 Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Job 34:31-37 (KJV)

31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:

32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.

37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

Key Verse: “That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.” – (Job 34:32)

MESSAGE:

The world would have been a better place today had people imbibed the attribute of being humble like Christ Who emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man to die for our sins.

In our passage, Elihu pointed out two cogent facts. First, that God does not judge unjustly. Second, whosoever confesses his sins and humbles himself before Him will receive pardon. He would want sinners to see that He had borne their chastisement because of their sins. Having reproved Job, Elihu now instructs him of what he should say under his affliction. “If I have done iniquity, I will do no more”. I will not offend anymore. Elihu brings Job to the knowledge of the universality of human suffering and affliction in this sinful world.

Nobody is immune to affliction. Often, affliction comes in various ways. It could be in form of sickness as it happened to Job in our text. At times, it could be in form of failure in life as the case of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9,10). It could be inability to procreate after marriage like Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 11:30). It could be in the form of broken homes, satanic oppressions, or even delay in marriage. It could be persecution as it happened to Paul in his ministry. Whichever one you may be experiencing, Christ our Lord is up to the task for He has borne all our infirmities including our afflictions on the cross at Calvary, and by His stripes we are made whole.

All we need to do is to humble ourselves before God. Examine yourself and find out the cause of your affliction. If there is sin in your life, be humble enough to acknowledge it and then seek God for forgiveness. Pray for divine intervention and do not play in the corridor of sins again.

Thought For The Day: His grace is enough for me.

The Bible In One Year: Zechariah 1-5

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.