DCLM Daily Manna 8 May 2024 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — “Best Way To Lighten The Burden”

TOPIC: “Best Way To Lighten The Burden” (DCLM Daily Manna 8 May 2024)

KEY VERSE: “And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee”(Exodus 18:22).

TEXT: Exodus 18:13-27 (KJV)

13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

MESSAGE:

In our time, one major factor that enhances labour efficiency in production or service delivery is the release of responsibilities and work distribution by management or employer to lower-cadre personnel. As the top executives cede some assignments to the professionally capable junior ranks, a cordial relationship is established that gives the workers a sense of belonging, which, in turn, increases their level of efficiency and productivity.

This idea is not new. Years ago, the children of Israel applied this principle under the leadership of Moses in the wilderness as they headed for the Promised Land. It started as a counsel from the visiting Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. He agonised over how Moses wore himself out all day attending to numerous issues brought by the people. He suggested a delegation of power to persons of capability and integrity to judge the people along with him at different levels. Moses implemented it and, obviously, was refreshed and focused on more arduous tasks.

In the church, God has always gifted people to be used for the expansion of His kingdom. What is required is for every one of us to draw from the rich reservoir of gifts and talents the Lord has graciously provided and present them for His use. And “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another…” (1 Peter 4:10).

Kingdom work will be more productive and pleasing to God when all human resources available in the church are harnessed for it. The leaders are not to live in a closet of their own ideas and the members are also not to operate as independent beings. Both are to freely share their ideas under the concerted guidance of their Spirit-filled leader.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Shared responsibility breeds sweet success.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 23-24

Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2024 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 7 May 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — “The Radiant Life”

TOPIC: “The Radiant Life” (DCLM Daily Manna 7 May 2024)

KEY VERSE: “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”(Acts 11:26).

TEXT: Acts 19:26 (KJV)

26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

MESSAGE:

It is easy for some persons passing through a crisis to lose perspective and identity. They are thrown off balance in the process, readily compromising and abandoning cherished faith, beliefs and character. They seek community approval and short- term answers or solutions to the challenges confronting them. But, often, this approach is futile as it does not go to the root of the matter. This was not the same with the Early Church, which did not lose focus despite the killing of Stephen and the persecution that followed.

Rather than getting depressed or allowing the situation to discourage them, they donned the garment of the radiant spirit. Being outlawed and harassed in Jerusalem did not stop them from evangelising. They travelled to distant lands to preach Christ, which led to a great revival in Antioch.

The glittering and shining conduct of the brethren in the Antioch church made the people address them, for the first time, as “Christians”. Those around them watched them live exactly like the Saviour. They were meek and remained unperturbed by their hostile environment. There was no retaliation for wrongs done to them. They displayed love among themselves, renounced worldly attractions and had a quiet disposition that showed that they were not of this world. They were heavenly-minded, waiting for the promised return of their Lord.

Moments of trials and temptations ought to bring out the stars in us. Indeed, our comportment should preach Jesus to our neighbours. Wherever we find ourselves, dreary conditions of the environment should not drag us into helplessness. As we stand firm and true to God, He will visit us and through us draw other people to Himself.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
For the true Christian, crisis provides a chance to show Christ’s lifestyle in us.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 21-22

Deeper Life 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 6 May 2024 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — “The Depth Of His Mercy”

TOPIC: “The Depth Of His Mercy” (DCLM Daily Manna 6 May 2024)

KEY VERSE: “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities”(Psalm 103:10).

TEXT: Psalm 103:6-12 (KJV)

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

MESSAGE:

A young man who had broken his father’s rules limiting his movements in the community refused to return home one night, afraid of the punishment awaiting him. He sought refuge in the nearby residence of his father’s close friend. He told his host that his father was a temperamental man. In his anger, he would scourge him in excess of his wrongdoing. He pleaded with him to allow him to stay away from such an injury inflicting parent that night.

Christians with a perfect understanding of the relationship they have with their heavenly Father do not harbour such misgivings. They know that, as emphasised by today’s text, God’s mercy and grace run deeper than our faults and failures. He loves His faithful children such that He would appropriately chasten them when they err. He would not pamper them. He would not want their sin to take them into eternal perdition in hell. So, as they realise their transgression and seek forgiveness, He returns them graciously into His warm embrace, giving them more grace to live the overcoming life.

Only an exceptionally loving Father would not reward us “according to our iniquities”. Not one soul can stand His full wrath if it should come upon man. His holiness would not stand sin. Though He is gracious and merciful, we must not take this for granted or as a liberty to indulge in sin.

As we receive the mercy of our gracious God, we should express our appreciation by constantly staying away from sinful acts, thoughts and appearances that offend and provoke Him. Pleasing the Lord all the days of our lives must become our priority. And we receive grace to do this as we pray.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God’s grace embraces us in our inadequacy and strengthens us with His mercy for righteous living.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 19-20

Deeper Life 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.