DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL - THURSDAY JUNE 1, 2017: Escape God's Fire

Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Escape God's Fire

Today: Thursday June 1, 2017

Bible Text: Isaiah 30:27-33

Key Verse: "For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it" (Isaiah 30:33).

MESSAGE

There is the story of a frustrated individual in a neighborhood, who wanted to take his life by burning himself. On an appointed day, the poor fellow set a bonfire which he intended to jump into when the burning was at its peak. With the inferno on, he went to sit down under the shade of a tree nearby. As the fire was perceived to have got to its climax, the old man moved near with the plan of jumping into it to get burnt up at once. The nearer he went to the fire the more unbearable the heat was to him. For this reason, he retreated. He made several frantic efforts again but the scorching heat of the fire would not allow him to get near.

The man later got to a conclusion that dying by fire would be a most painful and terrifying death. So, he went back home dejected to think about an alternative means of suicide. If a man-lit fire is this hot, how about hell, whose fire is never quenched? Today’s text talks about Tophet (Gehena) which was a valley near Jerusalem where fires were burning continually to destroy filthy and offensive things. There, the backslidden Jews caused their children to pass through the fire to Moloch. God alluded to it in this passage to denote the certainty of the everlasting torment of sinners and backsliders in the Lake of fire. All the enemies of God and the persecutors of the children of God will face the divine wrath.

The sinner is an enemy of God. No matter his status in the society, he will not escape the fierce indignation of God if he does not repent. Sinners and backsliders are therefore warned and counselled to make haste and run to Christ, a perfect Refuge, to seek reconciliation with Him, so that they will be perfectly safe and happy when the wrath of God will come upon all the workers of iniquity. By so doing they will escape the Lake of fire, the most terrible place of torment for mankind.

Thought for the day: Crisis awaits all Christless people.

Bible Reading in one Year: John 4-5

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: A Looming Judgement

Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: A Looming Judgement 

Today: Wednesday May 31, 2017

Bible Text: Amos 5:16-27

Key Verse: "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light" (Amos 5:18).

MESSAGE

The judgment of God upon sinners is imminent. It is going to be a day of catastrophe and calamity, gloom and misery, desolation and astonishment and indeed, a day of a lamentation and confusion. It is a day that no sinner would wish to pass through. This day of outpouring of God’s fury, indignation and wrath upon the world is referred to as the day of the Lord in the Scripture.

The day of the Lord as depicted in the text will be the time when the Lord will make the day dark, dismal, and gloomy upon all impenitent sinners and backsliders. A sinner who escapes one calamity will be pursued and overtaken by another. The people of Israel copied the crimes and iniquities of their forefathers by going into idolatry. God frowns at hypocrisy as well as the pretence of piety. God could not be bribed with music or offerings. For the sin and impenitence of Israel, the nation will grieve. Weeping will be heard throughout the land.

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Avenge Not Yourself

Their situation will go from bad to worse. The day of the Lord will be for the nation, a day without a ray of hope. Their hypocritical offerings and melodious songs were rejected by God. For this reason, they would go into slavery in exile. Moreover, they would lose their pride and glory as they would go into captivity. To escape the fiery indignation of God on the judgment day, sinners need to repent of their evil ways, come to Christ through repentance, while backsliders should make their ways right with God. The Lord wants to see a river of righteous living flowing all over the land. Even so, He desires that His saints will "hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end".

Thought for the day: Recipe for sin? Repentance!

Bible Reading in one Year: John 1-3

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY MAY 30, 2017: Between God and Neighbours

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY MAY 30, 2017

TOPIC

Between God and Neighbours 

BIBLE TEXT

Mark 12:28-37

KEY VERSE

 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment" (Mark 12:30).

MESSAGE

Two aspects of Jesus’ personality are here introduced: His humanity and deity. He is both human and divine. In His incarnation, Jesus came to this world in human form in the lineage of David. That is why He is often referred to as the Son of David.

However, because He is God, David himself referred to Him as Lord. Jesus, while answering the question of the scribes on which is the greatest commandment, said the most important commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and with all your strength.

We, as believers are commanded to love Jesus Christ our Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. He deserves our love and reverence. We show our love to Him by obeying Him and giving our all, including our lives, to Him unconditionally. The second one is to love our neighbours as ourselves. For all the love and suffering of Jesus on the cross of Calvary for us, we should show that we love Him above all things by witnessing to sinners, to deliver their souls from hell fire.

These two great commandments as enunciated by our Lord, Jesus Christ, are the summary of the ten commandments. If you love God perfectly, you will not like to disobey Him in any aspect of your life. Similarly, if you love your neighbour as yourself, you will not like to kill him/her, you will not covet or steal anything that belongs to him/her, neither will you go into immorality with his wife or daughter, husband or son. Love therefore, is the fulfilling of all the laws. Mercifully, we can always draw from the inexhaustible reservoir of God’s grace to love Him and to love mankind with everything that the regenerated nature offers.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Following Christ’s steps paves way for temporal and eternal victory.

BIBLE READING 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 

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Avenge Not Yourself

Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Avenge Not Yourself 

Today: Monday May 29, 2017

Bible Text: Proverbs 25:16-28

Key Verse: "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink" (Proverbs 25:21).

MESSAGE

The story is told about Jane, a persecuted but non-vindictive and non-retaliatory Christian young lady somewhere in Africa. She sometimes left her clothes on the washing line at the back of their residence. Whenever she went for fellowship or evangelism, her hostile neighbours would never help her pack them inside, perchance there was rain.

They never saw anything good in Jane. They maligned, slandered and vilified her whenever she was not at home. It happened, however that one day, Jane was at home reading her Bible when rain started threatening and some of her neighbours left their clothes outside. When she looked outside through the window and saw the clothes, she quickly ran to help pack them inside. When they came back and saw what she had done for them, they were humiliated by shame because, they had never helped her to pack her clothes away from rain. It was Jane’s turn to take her own pound of flesh, but she refused to go on a mission of vendetta.

There and then, these her neighbours told her that the next day they would go to her church, should she invite them. The precept to love everyone including our enemies is an Old Testament commandment, sanctioned by our Lord Jesus Christ. He has shown His own example by praying for His enemies on the cross. Believers are commanded to overcome evil with good, rather than allowing evil to overcome them. We are to literally "lavish" our enemies and persecutors with kindness. Seek no vengeance. Commit your cause into God’s hand, however hurt you may be, just as Jane had done to her hostile neighbours. Do not allow a retaliatory spirit to have a place in your life.

Our Lord and Saviour exhorts us not to resist evil, but "whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also". We are enjoined not to rejoice when our enemy falls and we should not let our hearts be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord sees it and it displeases Him.

Thought for the day: "Wisdom is overcoming evil with good deeds."

Bible Reading in one Year: Lamentations 4-5

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: He is Our Righteousness

Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: He is Our Righteousness

Today: Sunday May 28, 2017

Bible Text: Jeremiah 23:1-8

Key Verse: "In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:6).

MESSAGE
Man is faced with multiple and very complex spiritual problems. In a bid to seek solution to, and freedom from these problems, mankind has adopted different approaches which manifest in the different religions we have all over the world today. The religions reveal the depth of the spiritual hunger and longing of man. Unfortunately, these religions have proved to be incapable of solving man’s problems and giving him the peaceful repose he desires. With all the religious activities going on in different parts of the world, the sin problem with its attendant effects appear not to be abating. Rather, they are in a more terrifying increase.

These go to show that the world needs more than religions. They need Christ. In today’s passage, prophet Jeremiah laments the failure of the religious leaders of his days. The pastors, priests and Levites instead of serving the purpose for which they were appointed into the ministry, were busy serving their personal interests. The flocks over which they were appointed as Shepherds to oversee were left unattended to and exploited for their personal benefits.

These all together show in clear terms how the religious order of the day has failed to usher in true righteousness. It goes to prove how the Old Testament religious order and indeed, every form of religion today is incapable of solving the sin problem and drawing man closer to God. To remedy this, the Lord gives the prophetic promise of the coming of the Redeemer and Messiah - Jesus Christ, the Righteous Branch. He is the only Hope for the salvation and restoration of the nation of Israel and indeed, the whole world. He is to offer us His own righteousness which alone is acceptable before God. This promise was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross. There, on that cruel tree, the great exchange took place. Jesus took upon Him the sin of the whole world and gave us His righteousness. This is why today, the Lord no longer demands religious observances from us but the righteousness which Christ imparts.

Thought for the day: We are made righteous in Him.

Bible Reading in one Year: Lamentations 1-3

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Before Retribution

Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Before Retribution 

Today: Saturday May 27, 2017

Bible Text: Jeremiah 21:1-14

Key Verse: "And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy." (Jeremiah 21:7)

MESSAGE
The maxim, to every action there is a reaction, is not true only in scientific experiments. It holds true in every facet of life and in all generations. If you live all your life in sin without repentance, be prepared to reap the wages. And if by God’s grace you live a life of righteousness, expect the reward: eternity with the Lord in heaven. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, could have saved himself and his subjects all the agonies they passed through, if he had heeded God’s earlier warnings.

In today’s passage, we see the message of God to Zedekiah King of Judah. The entire nation had consistently and willfully sinned against the Lord. The King raised the bar of transgression when he refused to show the people the right path. God decided that they must go into captivity in Babylon. This message was delivered by Prophet Jeremiah, but the response was the persecution of the prophet by the king’s acolyte, Pashur the son of Immer. God’s word is unchanging. The more Judah resisted the message, the firmer it stood against them.

Those who felt they could circumvent the message, the Lord explicitly said, "he that abides in the city would die by the sword, famine and by the pestilence; and he that goes out and falls to the Chaldeans shall live; but his life shall be unto him for a prey." As believers, we must not harden our hearts when God speaks to us. Consistent disobedience will only lead to perdition. If Judah and her king had repented of their sins and called upon God for mercy, he would have abundantly pardoned. Today, you have the privilege of going to God in earnest supplication for grace that brings salvation. Remember, there is eternal banishment for all those who live and die in sin.

Thought for the day: He who spurns God’s entreaties, spins eternal destruction to himself.

Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 10-14

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Sweet Savour To The Lord

DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Sweet Savour To The Lord 

Today: Friday May 26, 2017

Bible Text: Numbers 15:1-16

Key Verse: "And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock" (Numbers 15:3).

MESSAGE
Many factors conjoin to make our food enjoyable. Food makers know so well the importance of aroma, mouth-feel and appearance when it comes to food consumption experience. The senses of taste and smell are inexplicably tied together and arc critical in food enjoyment and safety.

Except for what we consume strictly for medical reasons, food has to pass the aroma and taste test to get our acceptance or approval. God is also interested in sweet aroma. It could have been the missing element in the rejected offering of Cain as opposed to that of Abel whose sacrifice was accepted by God. When Noah appreciatively offered to God after the deluge, "the LORD smelled a sweet savour".

Following this the Lord resolved that He would not destroy the earth with such flood and that the course of nature should never be discontinued as long as the earth remained. When Moses, in today’s text, directed the Israelites concerning the different offerings they should bring to God when they should get to the Promised Land, it was to the intent of making "a sweet savour unto the LORD". All Israelites and proselytes (converts from other nations) among them were expected to offer. Also observe that for the offerings to be acceptable to God, they must be put together in the right quantity and quality as divinely instructed. We offer no such sacrifices today because, Christ has paid it all, having offered Himself once and for all. Yet, we must offer to the Lord a different set of sacrifices.

First, without repentance (heart contrition for sin), faith and reformation, our offering to God is an abomination to Him. The believer brings to the Lord the sacrifices of praise, prayer, treasure, talent, time, service and everything needed as symbols of our dedication to Him. Our willingness, motive and attitude with which we offer will determine whether our offerings will be sweet savour (acceptable) to Him.

Thought for the day: God accepts only sacrifices and offerings that give sweet savour.

Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 6-9

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: A Peculiar People

DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: A Peculiar People 

Today: Thursday May 25, 2017

Bible Text: Deuteronomy 14:1-21

Key Verse: "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth" (Deuteronomy 14:2).

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Error of Persistent Disobedience

MESSAGE

Hatred for the Jews (anti-Semitism) has been around for quite a long time. It has been noted that within the 1,700 years preceding 1948 when the Jews returned to their home land, they had experienced more than eighty expulsions from various countries in Europe. Remarkably, there is no clear reason for this happening. They have been hated for many unproven reasons.

One outstanding reason adduced by some for the hatred is that Jews claim that they are the chosen people. Were the Jews actually designed to be a chosen people? Yes. So says God’s word. The Scripture is very clear that God has a special role for Israel, "to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises" (Romans 9:4).

Though their history has been characterised by an unenviable cycle of backsliding-judgement-repentance-restoration, God is not done with them yet. Moses, in today’s text endeavoured to drill into them the truth that the Lord had set them apart to be a holy and peculiar people for His own purpose and pleasure. They were, therefore, not to imbibe the pagan lifestyle of other nations. God was interested and involved in the minutest aspects of their life. In this dispensation of grace, the privilege of divine adoption has been extended to every believer in Christ. Indeed, being a Jew (God’s people) is no more a matter of nationality, but has to do with personal relationship with God.

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Better Than the Fowls 

Those who have turned from sin and put their trust in Christ as their Lord and Saviour and accepted God’s grace are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…." If you belong here, live in the consciousness that you have been set apart to "shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). This should reflect in your conduct, cravings and carriage. Do not abuse this privilege by living according to the world’s standards.

Thought for the day: If God has chosen you to be His, choose nothing else.

Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 1-5

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL: Mountain-Top Experience

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL written by Pastor W. F.  Kumuyi

Topic: Mountain-Top Experience 

Today: Wednesday May 24, 2017

Bible Text: Exodus 24:12-18

Key Verse: "And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights" (Exodus 24:18).

MESSAGE
Mountains stand as one of the most monumental displays of God’s power and glory on earth. Their sheer size and distant summits fill men with awe. They occupy a remarkable place in Bible narratives, perhaps because Palestine, the setting for the stories, is full of them. Many significant Bible events took place on the mountain. For instance, Mount Ararat provided the landing for Noah’s ark after the deluge; it was at Mount Carmel that Elijah staged a match between the true God and Baal; Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount Olives.

Moses, acting as mediator between God and the people, had been to the mount and brought them God’s word to which they pledged allegiance. The covenant of obedience they entered into with God was ratified with blood sacrifice. God requested that Moses bring up the priests and seventy of the elders to whom He showed His glory. Moses and Joshua went further until God called only Moses into the cloud of glory on the mountain where he stayed for forty days and nights. Today, perhaps because of the foregoing experiences, many religious people, including some Christians, have resorted to literal mountains in the belief that God’s presence resides there.

But the Lord is not just "God of the hills". The hour has come when "ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father... the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him" (John 4:21,23). The mountain top experience is about having an intimate encounter with God and being overwhelmed with His presence, glory and power. Such were the cases of Moses and three of Christ’s disciples. When we come away from earthly workaday activities, patiently and sincerely seek God’s face, He will bless us with that transforming and refreshing experience – not necessarily on the mountain.

Thought for the day: The most glorious spot in the world is God’s presence.

Bible Reading in one Year: Ezra 7-10

DCLM DAILY MANNA: A Second Look at Greatness

DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: A Second Look at Greatness 

Today: Monday May 22, 2017

Bible Text: Mark 10:35-45

Key Verse: "But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister" (Mark 10:43).

MESSAGE

Whenever we hear the word "great" or "greatness", we often think of certain outstanding and revered people. Truly, history has a rich record of notable people in every field of human endeavour who have demonstrated rare leadership qualities, creative abilities, courage, sportsmanship and other skills. God, however, has a different way of looking at greatness. Greatness subsists in serving others and not waiting to be served by others or attaining a position where we think we can lord it over others. Worldly fame, honour and authority can be quite tantalizing, but they should not be our motive in life or ministry.

DCLM DAILY MANNA:  Double Portion 

The sons of Zebedee, James and John had requested privileged positions in Christ’s kingdom. They were willing to suffer for it, but Christ, hinting that they would eventually suffer with Him, informed them that only God had the right of giving such honour to who He would. Christ quelled the resentment this selfish request caused among the rest of the disciples. He corrected them regarding their perception of, and quest for greatness which was based on worldly tradition.

Instead, they were to imbibe and exhibit a humble spirit and readiness to serve others. Indeed, contrary to what obtains in the world, whoever desires to be first should make himself a servant of all. In this case, there is no room for domination and intimidation. Inordinate ambition for greatness and censorious dispositions are contrary to Christian virtues to which we are called. It is a most ugly situation when the spirit of rivalry and position-seeking prevails among Christians.

Believers who manifest such traits, are both ignorant and carnal. We must take a second look at what God regards as greatness. We must, by prayer and consecration, yield to the transforming hands of the Holy Spirit to make us conformable to His holy standard.

DCLM DAILY MANNA:  Unfeigned Love Demanded

Thought for the day: In God’s economy, humility is not weakness but strength.

Bible Reading in one Year: Ezra 1-3

Not Sent By God - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Not Sent By God 

Today: Sunday May 21, 2017

Bible Text: Jeremiah 23:23-32

Key Verse: "Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them..." (Jeremiah 23:32).

Message:

Messengers of God who are called prophets derive their message and strength from no other source but God, who owns the Word. Although, there is power in the Word, God’s expectation is that those delivering His Word should themselves be endowed with power, Christlike Holiness and obedience.

READ MORE: Repentance Is Essential - Pastor W.F Kumuyi

Where these virtues are absent in the messenger, there occurs a disconnect between him and the One who sends him on the mission of preaching. God promptly disowns such people even when they still proceed presumptuously to sermonise. The true prophets at the time of Jeremiah were like wheat, useful and nourishing to the people. The false prophets were the chaff or straw, completely useless to the assembly of the brethren.

These fake prophets who had lost touch with the heavenly vision still dreamed and prophesied. But the Lord said they were characterised by deceit of their own heart, since they did not hear from Him. Though they had a message, it was one designed to turn the people from their Creator. Wherever they did so, openly or secretly, there was no hiding place for them. Can anyone hide himself in secret places that the Lord shall not see him? God no longer called them His prophets. But it is instructive to note in the passage that He repeatedly referred to the people as "My people" (verses 27 and 32).

READ MORE: DAILY MANNA: Judgement on Backsliding

While God will disown false prophets, He will not reject those who refuse to accept false teaching and their peddlers. In this age of proximity to the return of Christ when the world is awash with heretical characters cloaked in religion and misleading doctrines, the serious believer in Jesus must stick to the Bible without compromising and hold on to the Cross to the end.

Thought for the day: Strive to reject end-time false doctrines and their propagators.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Timothy 1-4

Bruised For Our Iniquities - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Bruised For Our Iniquities 

Today: Saturday May 20, 2017

Bible Text: Luke 18:31-34

Key Verse: "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" (Luke 18:31).

READ MORE: Nobility of Discipline - Pastor W.F Kumuyi

MESSAGE

"On the cross crucified. In great sorrow He died. The giver of life was He. Yet my Lord was despised and rejected of men. This Jesus of Calvary. He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. Surely, He bore our sorrows. And by His stripes we are healed." By these verses, the song writer captured succinctly the suffering of Christ for the entire mankind.

The prophets had written about this and Christ Himself had explained it to His disciples. But, they understood none of these things. They were too bothered by the fact of His death to ever remember that He would also rise from the dead. Jesus came to do good. Indeed, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him". Even separated from the Cross by a few meters, He was still doing good.

He restored sight to the blind, poor beggar who recognised Him as the Son of David. At His first coming, Christ was presented as a man of sorrows. The world rejected Him, nailed Him to the Cross. He died a most humiliating death. Today, many, in spite of the manifestation of God’s power through the name of Jesus, are still in doubt. "Believe the gospel and ye shall be saved, ye and your house. …Only believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

READ MORE: Not A Random Error - Pastor W.F Kumuyi

Thought for the day: First, Christ came to die for sinners. Later, He will return to judge all sinners.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Timothy 1-6

No Half-Hearted Worship - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: No Half-Hearted Worship 

Today: Friday May 19, 2017

Bible Text: 2 Kings 17:24-41

Key Verse: "They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence" (2 Kings 17:33).

MESSAGE
You cannot serve God halfway and expect to please Him. Jesus Christ our Lord puts it more comprehensively: "Ye cannot serve God and mammon". Later, Apostle Paul told the Galatian brethren: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked".

READ MORE: DAILY MANNA: Judgement on Backsliding

The leaders of the heathen Assyrian nation which conquered and destroyed Israel, came face to face with the harsh realities of how not to mix idol worship with worship of the true God. After God allowed them overthrow Israel because of the latter’s repeated disobedience to Him, the Assyrians sent the Israelites into exile and captivity. They then brought in the idol-serving Assyrians to settle in Israel. What followed was most disgusting.

The new inhabitants appeared to be worshipping God, but they did not give up their grip on their gods and pagan lifestyle. They added the God of Israel to their collection and pantheon of idols. In their hearts, they placed God side by side with man-made images. It provoked the anger of God, moving Him to prove His superiority as recorded in 2 Kings 17:25. It was a just recompense to whip them into line, just as God had done to discipline the erring children of Israel. We should beware not to proclaim faith in the Lord and at the same time, holding on to worldly values and sentiments not in accordance with the way of righteousness and holiness.

READ MORE: Ceaseless Cry - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

God cannot accommodate such dual loyalties. He must take the entire space in our hearts and lives. His Word must form the basis of our projections and perception of life. Anything short of this cannot prepare one for the Second Coming of Christ and heaven. Aspiring to receive Christ and the place of abode He has prepared for His believers demands absolute preparedness both outwardly and inwardly. There must be no room for the believer to have one leg in the world and another in the Kingdom.

Thought for the day: It is unwise and the height of folly to serve God with other "gods".

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Ceaseless Cry - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Ceaseless Cry 

Today: Thursday May 18, 2017]

Bible Text: Psalm 119:145-152

Key Verse: "I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word" (Psalm 119:147).

MESSAGE
Calling on the Lord in prayer for expected answers demands the fulfillment of some conditions. The person praying must have faith in the One he is petitioning; he must rid his heart of all worldly distractions; he must have intimate knowledge of the God he is praying to; he must joyfully invoke promises that God has made concerning answers to prayers; finally, he must "pray without ceasing."

READ MORE: There is Hope for You - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

It is pleasing to note that in the passage for today’s meditation, the Psalmist met all the scriptural requirements. He proves that he is approaching a Lord, whose statutes he is familiar with. He promises to honour His laws. Acknowledging God’s lovingkindness, he vows to allow those commandments to quicken him. He needs this so that he would not be like those "that are far from thy law." Back in verses 147 and 148, he spent the night praying, reading the word of God and meditating on the precious promises of the Lord. Finally in verse 152, he expresses full assurance of his intimacy with his faith in the unfailing word of God. It is the knowledge of the word of God and faith in the One who authored it that liberates and prepares one for heaven.

The believer uses the promises in the Bible to pray and receive answers. It is the sure word of God the sinner reads or hears that convicts him or her to repent and receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour. It is the same Word the runaway backslider returns to in order to make peace with God. It is this same gospel of salvation we all must take to the lost world in dire need of a solution to its myriad of problems. God is waiting to answer their prayers if they call on Him in faith.

READ MORE: Let the Captives Go - Pastor W.F.Kumuyi
Thought for the day: The Gospel of Christ is the cure-all pill the sick world needs.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Thessalonians 1-5

Knowing the Signs of the Times - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Knowing the Signs of the Times 

Today: Wednesday May 17, 2017

Bible Text: Luke 19:41-48

Key Verse: "And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:44).

• Never Despair - Pastor W.F Kumuyi

MESSAGE

A couple of times in the holy Scriptures, God laments the ignorance of His people concerning weighty matters. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" while in Isaiah 5:13, God says, "…my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst."

Our Lord Jesus talked of the same theme as He wept for the ignorance that had enveloped the people and their leaders. They did not foresee the doom ahead, when according to prophecy, Jerusalem and its temple would be razed by the invading Roman forces. God foretold this in Daniel 9:24. But the people of Israel still lived in ignorance in the days of our Lord, when during a private discussion with the disciples, He spoke of a time that "there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (Mark 13:2). Rather than take note of the Lord’s prophecy and make changes, the children of Israel compounded their impending woes by defiling the temple.

• There is Hope for You - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

Swiftly, Jesus moved in to cleanse it and cast out the agents of filth. Spiritual defilement and subsequent death arise from lack of knowledge about the true nature of the Kingdom of God. The vacuum where the laws of God should be seated in the heart is filled by false doctrine. This drives a person into sin and a misleading sense of security that Jesus will not come again.

The Lord’s expectation is that such would repent and turn to God. But this divine patience and mercy would not be forever. Today’s believer should also not be ignorant of the fact of the imminent return of Jesus. They must prepare for Him by living righteously, preaching the word of God to sinner and taking the DAWN (Discipling A Whole Nation) project seriously.

• Resurrected As Angels - Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Thought for the day: Spiritual ignorance is the sinner’s graveyard.

Bible Reading in one Year: Colossians 1-4

Without A Rival - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Without A Rival 

Today: Monday May 15, 2017

Text: Exodus 20:1-17

• Ultimate Authority - Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Key Verse: "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage" (Exodus 20:2).

MESSAGE
In the days of the ancient Near East empires, which was the period the children of Israel sojourned in the wilderness on their way to Canaan, it was the norm for a king to set forth a treaty that established his lordship over the people. This document took the form of laws the subjects must obey to appreciate the king’s guidance.

• Error of Persistent Disobedience

The Ten Commandments God gave to Israel in the third month of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage was also the Lord’s unquestionable statement that He was their King and that Israel was His covenant people bound to Him by rules. They must offer Him complete devotion and loyalty in sheer gratitude for His mercies.

That is why He began the laws with "I am the LORD, thy God" to make the proclamation that only His Word would hold sway if the people under Him would enjoy life to the full. There would be no allegiance to any other lord whether in the shape of images or in the form of human beings. In Israel’s heart and way of life, no idol tending to represent the invisible God would be allowed any room. A throne was installed in the soul of every Israelite and only God must sit there. Now, this Benevolent God did not give rules solely about exclusive divine adoration. He also had laws for acceptable interpersonal relationships that would usher in sanity in society. There must be no murder, stealing, fornication, adultery or parental disrespect.

• There is Hope for You - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

God’s laws bring life. The defeat, despair, death and destruction man has encountered for generations are a result of his rebellion against God. In the Christian dispensation brought by Jesus Christ, the law has been fulfilled through the grace of salvation which enables the born-again child of God to easily submit to the absolute lordship of the Creator. To receive and enjoy the fullness that is in Christ therefore, let Him have absolute reign over you.

Thought for the day: God alone must reign in your heart.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Chronicles 30-33

There is Hope for You - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: There is Hope for You 

Today: Sunday May 14, 2017

Bible Text: Jeremiah 31:18-23

Key Verse: "Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 31:20).

MESSAGE

Present experiences, especially when they are not pleasant, tend to influence our character and conduct in a moment of time. We form the impression that all is lost and that help can no longer come to us. This pushes us into self-pity and sometimes we literally begin to weep for ourselves in the face of what we perceive as a hopeless situation. But, just when we least expect it, God steps in to help us. Israel, represented here by the tribe of Ephraim, had been taken into captivity.

Their lives had been characterised by lamentation and bitter weeping, as they daily watched the destruction of their young ones. It was at such a time that God sent a message of comfort to them through prophet Jeremiah to stop weeping and that He had not forgotten them. In fact, He promised to reward their work, bring them back from captivity and show mercy to them because He remembered and yearned to fellowship with them again.

They would become a pleasant testimony to the justice and holiness of God. They would prosper and flourish in their land again. With such good news, they needed no other encouragement to repent of their sins and turn again to God. Irrespective of how deep in sin anyone may have gone, God still loves him or her. He does not enjoy a sinner’s pain and sorrow.

It saddens Him to see anyone suffer. He has gracious and glorious plans for everyone. All He is waiting for, is for the penitent seeker to abandon all sinful ways and turn to Him whole-heartedly. The ball is in everyone’s court now. Make the first move and return to God, and watch Him unfurl His blessings upon you.

Thought for the day: Hope is the best tonic for a sick heart.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Chronicles 26-29

Undone Cake - DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Undone Cake 

Today: Saturday May 13, 2017

Bible Text: 2 Kings 13:3-7

Key Verse: "Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria" (2 Kings 13:6).

MESSAGE

"Some often repent, yet never reform; they resemble a man traveling in a dangerous path, who frequently starts and stops, but never turns back," so said Bonnell Thornton. He might have been referring to Israel, as did Charles Spurgeon who noted that, "Israel’s repentance was only half-hearted; they repented because they suffered.

They repented because of the suffering rather than because of the sin. They went back to the sin after they escaped from the sorrow." The ascension of Jehoahaz to the throne was the beginning of the fulfillment of a promise made to Jehu (2 Kings 10:30). This dynasty - though founded on a violent overthrow of the previous royal house - continued because Jehu came to the throne doing the will of God, though, he later relapsed into the idolatry of Jeroboam (2 Kings 10:31). Jehoahaz followed in the footsteps of his father Jehu and his idolatrous lifestyle attracted the divine displeasure and judgment of God who delivered them over to be punished by the kings of Syria. Therefore, when in suffering, he cried unto the Lord in seeming repentance, God listened to his prayer because of His great mercy and care for Israel.

Although God answered the prayer and sent a deliverer, Israel continued in their false worship. This attitude, after God gave a respite, was proof that his prayer did not mark a lasting or real revival in his life. His repentance was like a cake not well baked. False repentance hinders the needed striving towards true, godly transformation of life and attitude.

Not only will it keep you from enjoying the fruit of repentance (the blessing of abiding in Christ), it also leads to enduring enslavement to sin. The sobering reality is that unabated false repentance will result in spiritual death (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance is essential for the Christian life. When someone truly repents from sin and turns to God by faith in Jesus, he receives pardon from God. Such repentance is genuine and He expects that from you today.

Thought for the day: Repentance without righteousness is like a car without an engine.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Chronicles 22-25

Let the Captives Go - Pastor W.F.Kumuyi

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Let the Captives Go 

Today: Friday May 12, 2017

Bible Text: Deuteronomy 15:12-23

Key Verse: "And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee" (Deuteronomy 15:12).

Message:

Generally in life, there are two broad categories of captives: the lawful or willing captive (slaves/servants) and the forced or unwilling captive. Some servants give themselves over to their masters to serve them for a particular period of time on an agreed wage or salary as seen in the case of Jacob with Laban, his uncle. However, at other times, servants are bought as captives of war or from parents or guardians who cannot support them with the basic necessities of life, as a means of raising money for themselves.

These are bond slaves who most often, will have to serve their masters till death or until when they are strong enough to pay for their freedom. In Israel at one time, God gave a commandment specifically about slaves/servants/captives who were Hebrews and were bought or purchased by a Hebrew master. His directive was that they be freed and properly settled on release after six years of faithful service. They, the Hebrew masters, must not see this as a hard thing to do or be grieved at heart when releasing their brethren who had served them faithfully for six years. Obedience to this injunction of God attracted great blessings from Him.

Similarly, today’s masters who are believers and have believers working under them as apprentices, house-helps or workers at their homes, businesses or companies are to faithfully release and settle their subordinates properly, after their service term. They are not to cheat or defraud them or subject them to scorn or ridicule. If Jesus Christ fully forgave ours sins and identified with our frailties, we must also bear with those under us, irrespective of the pressures we face.

A believer cannot revel in acts of slavery and servitude towards others, for Jesus, our Saviour, calls His disciples "friends" and not slaves or servants. If Christ so treats us, so must we also relate with those under us.

Thought for the day: A Christian is he who lives as he that serveth.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Chronicles 18-21

Judgment On The Abominable - Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

You are reading Today's DCLM Daily Manna Devotional written by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Topic: Judgment On The Abominable 

Today: Thursday May 11, 2017

Bible Text: Ezekiel 16:35-43

Key Verse: "And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy" (Ezekiel 16:38).

Message
A typical 21st century society is bedevilled by all forms of crime: financial, economic, sexual and social perversions, with all forms of atrocities perpetrated against mankind. A question that should readily navigate our minds should be, how would our society have looked like, if there were no laws? This was the case of the children of Israel at the time of Ezekiel.

Though they had been given laws to follow, yet they committed all forms of crimes against God (idolatry being the chiefest). It was such a lawless society. Since there appeared to be no law enforcement agents, God took it upon Himself the role of the law enforcement Agent. Judgment was declared upon the abominable nation. This is a great lesson for all to learn.

Though it appears that there is no immediate judgment for sin and there is nobody to enforce judgment for sin, a time is coming when the cup of God’s fury shall be full and judgment shall be pronounced on sinners. Every action of man done in the secret or in the open, whether it be good or bad, shall receive the judgment of God. If God could pronounce such judgment on the nation he referred to as His bride, it shows that there is no respect of persons with Him.

Thought for the day: The wicked shall not be unpunished.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Chronicles 13-17