DCLM Daily Manna 16 May 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — No Excuses

TOPIC: No Excuses

TEXT: Numbers 15:22-29

22 And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses,

23 Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;

24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.

25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:

26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.

27 And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.

28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.

29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.

KEY VERSE: “Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.” – (Numbers 15:24)

MESSAGE:

If everyone were allowed to give excuses for every wrong done, the most gruesome criminal would pass off as a saint! Imagine a legal system that accepts ignorance as an excuse; premeditated crimes would have been explained away without proper justice being served. Knowing the nature of man, God did well to point out that, He would not condone ignorance of sins committed without remission of that sin.

The text centres on what to do when a congregation or an individual commits a sin out of ignorance. Rather than taking human excuses or legal arguments on why the sin was committed, God expects remission for all sins whether done by ignorance or presumption. This echoes the saying that no one can appeal God’s verdict except by remission, redemption and restitution. In the Kingdom’s economy, there is nothing to be swept under the carpet or blanket that will not be revealed on the day of judgment.

God will not hold anyone guiltless no matter their stance or pedigree. We must obey and follow the royal law as recorded in the Scriptures to repent when there is still hope for redemption. If we are found wanting, instead of standing on the fence of ignorance and formulating convincing alibis to exonerate ourselves, we must make reconciliation and restitution to the offended party regardless of who they are.

Is there any unresolved issue, restitution, repentance, reconciliation, apology or confessions that you hope the sand of time may bury? Settle it today! If the matter is grievous, such that life is involved, you may need to consult a trusted and mature spiritual leader for counselling. On the day of reckoning, God will not wink at a sin that was not confessed and atoned for by His Son, Jesus Christ.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Judge yourself now to avoid the wrath of heaven on Judgment Day.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Corinthians 10-13

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 14 May 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F Kumuyi — We Are His Property

TOPIC: We Are His Property

TEXT: Romans 14:1-9

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

KEY VERSE: “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” – (Romans 14:8,9)

MESSAGE:

Writing to the Romans, Paul the Apostle was pointing out several wonderful spiritual truths about the faith we have in Jesus Christ. He highlighted the need to help believers who may appear weak in their faith or convictions. Instead of bullying others, stronger believers should use their God-given grace to uplift frail brethren. Our differences should not create disparities and segregations, or a superior and inferior complexes. Rather, we should compassionately and considerately assist one another till the end.

To buttress and summarise his argument, the apostle inspiringly also revealed the divine ownership of real believers by God whether dead or alive. Whilst we are alive, we belong to God and He is interested in whatever happens to us. He cares for us. And at death, He remains our Lord. He will not deny or neglect us.

A cursory look at the story of poor Lazarus in the Bible may suggest neglect by friends and family as he was abandoned at the rich man’s gate. But God never forgot or forsook him. At death, his corpse was carried by God’s angels into Abraham’s bosom. This shows there is proper documentation in the Father’s Kingdom.

The moment a sinner is saved, his or her name is written in the Book of Life, signifying ownership by God. He never rejects or neglects those who believe in Him. Everything between life and death is certainly at His Son’s expense especially if we abide in Him till the end.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God owns every child of His, dead or alive.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Corinthians 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.

DCLM Daily Manna 12 May 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F Kumuyi — Judgment Is On The Way

TOPIC: Judgment Is On The Way

TEXT: Esther 9:13-19

13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.

14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.

15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.

16 But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,

17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

KEY VERSE: “But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey.” – (Esther 9:16)

MESSAGE:

Among a nationality in West Africa, there is a saying that describes the Almighty as “the King you don’t see, but whose works fill the universe.” They define the Lord in His creation and in the influence of nature on them. In the book of Esther, we do not get to hear God mentioned but He is everywhere. The story of the supernatural deliverance of the Jews in the provinces of the Medo-Persian Empire in the book predates the view of the Africans about the Invisible God who can only be ‘seen’ when He performs preternatural feats.

Although there is no mention of God’s name in the book of Esther, He maintains a commanding presence to prove that He would not look on while the annihilation of the Jews was being planned by the enemies of His people. He would not permit the destruction of the nation which would produce the Saviour of the world. He reversed all the laws promulgated to abort His plan through the promotion of Esther and Mordecai. Only a God in complete charge of “all power in heaven and on earth” can cause this reversal for a people on the brink of destruction.

In the euphoria of their victory, the preserved Jews maintained their integrity by refraining from plundering the goods of their adversaries. Their struggle was a matter of life and death beyond a quest for material prosperity. There was no room for carnal considerations. It was a noble mission to partner the Lord to bring judgment upon a nation acting contrary to a heavenly project.

Uncompromising Christians passing through persecution can take solace in the story of the Jews in the book of Esther. The Lord will not spare those maltreating and threatening them. He will move on behalf of His people, and will turn the tide against the foes of the gospel if they refuse to repent.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God’s sword is dangling over hardened enemies of the Cross.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Corinthians 12-14

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.