Daily Manna
15.11.11

Exhortation to Repentance

TEXT: ZEPHANIAH 2:1-15

"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger" (Zephaniah 2:3).

The prophet, having declared the judgments which were ready to fall, gave an earnest exhortation to the nation of the Jews to repent and make their peace with God to prevent the judgments.  He then foretells the fate of other neighbouring and hostile nations.
   
God punished them for the cruel part they had taken in the persecutions of the Jews.  Several devastations fell on the Philistines.  Gaza was ruined by the army of Alexander the Great.  When God afflicts His people, He intends not their destruction, but their correction; he will not allow their enemies who oppress and spoil them, to go unpunished.  He will restore his own servants to prosperity while those who hated and persecuted them perish without remedy.
   
God graciously delays his threatened judgments, that we may have opportunity to escape them by repentance; but if we despise His long-suffering, and kindness, the day of mercy will soon pass away.
   
It is the wisdom of those whom God has a controversy with to agree with Him quickly before His fierce anger comes upon them.  In a case of this nature, delays are highly dangerous and may be fatal.  How wise should we all be to make our peace with God before the Spirit withdraws from us or before the day of grace is over!

Thought for the day:  "Repentance delayed, may be eternal Judgment confirmed"

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Daily Manna
16.11.11

Barbarous Passion

TEXT: I Samuel 20:24-34

"And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?" (I Samuel 20:32).

Thought for the day:  "Envy and jealousy are cancerous"

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Daily Manna
23.11.11

Forsake God, and Suffer!

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 32:15-27

"But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation?" (Deuteronomy 32:15).

Thought for the day:  "When it is well with you, learn to remember God!"

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you cant be just an emotional angry volatile irrational moody petty being and then be graceful
no wait, forget it
god grace ha thats a laugh
god must really think you are so foolish to believe that, he must be so disappointed. he must wonder why he gave you all that capacity to reason

god is satan

Daily Manna
25.11.11

Devoted To God's Service

TEXT: Numbers 6:1-12

"All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow" (Numbers 6:5).

Thought for the day: "A life adorned for Christ is a true life indeed"

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Daily Manna
26.11.11

God's Will In Marriage

TEXT: Genesis 24:1-9

" . . . he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence" (Genesis 24:7b).

Thought for the day:  "Married in haste, you may repent in leisure"

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Daily Manna
28.11.11

The Only Pathway

TEXT: ISAIAH 22:15-25

"And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open" (Isaiah 22:22).

Thought for the day:  "The true Christian is always somewhere at the service of his Master"

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Daily Manna
29.11.11

Damned Through Gluttony

TEXT: ISAIAH 22:1-14

"And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die" (Isaiah 22:14).

Thought for the day:  "The glutton sows vanity and reaps corruption"

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Daily Manna
1.12.11

Healed Both Ways

TEXT: MARK 8:22-26

"After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly" (Mark 8:25).

Thought for the day:  "Healing without Salvation leads to hell"

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Daily Manna
2.12.11

The Timely Help

TEXT: ACTS 12:1-11

"And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands" (Acts 12:6,7).

Thought for the day:  "Even against hope, it is best to believe in hope"

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Daily Manna
3.12.11

No Time To Waste

TEXT: GENESIS 25:1-11

"And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people" (Genesis 25:7,.

Thought for the day:  "The prudent will be remembered for one thing: the noble work done"

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Daily Manna
4.12.11

Acceptable Service

TEXT: NUMBERS 15:1-16

"Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the Lord bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil" (Numbers 15:4).

Thought for the day:  "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing excellently"

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Daily Manna
5.12.11

Pride Goes Before a Fall

TEXT: ISAIAH 23:1-18

"The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth" (Isaiah 23:9).

Thought for the day:  "Lucifer, sin, pride all have a big I at the centre"

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Daily Manna
13.12.11

Wrong Priority

TEXT: MARK 9:30-37

"But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest" (Mark 9:34).

Thought for the day:  "The haughty spirit is enmity against God"

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Daily Manna
14.12.11

Mitigating Unbelief

TEXT: ACTS 12:12-19

"And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel" (Acts 12:15).

Thought for the day:  "Prayer without faith is like a vehicle without fuel"

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Daily Manna
22.12.11

Merciful God

TEXT: Isaiah 30:18-33

"For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee" (Isaiah 30:19).

Bill and Gloria Gaither, in the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, went through a traumatic experience. Bill had a bout of mononucleosis and was just recovering, while Gloria was tormented by fear of the future and upbringing of their children. Among their neighbours, they were equally objects of accusation and belittlement. One day, as Gloria sat alone in their darkened living room, tormented and fearful, the Lord sent a calm and peaceful rest to her. It was as if God reaffirmed Himself in their lives. Joy enveloped her; in euphoria, she burst into a song, Because He lives I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone; because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Our text reveals the compassion of God, who is ever merciful and does not forget His children, though He does not condone sin. In spite of Israel’s rebellion, God still wanted to be gracious and compassionate to them. Isaiah, while describing the benefits of not only trusting God but also living according to His will, urged the Israelites to cast out all their"graven images" so that God could bless them with the "bread of the increase of the earth."

Isaiah described the future of Israel, stating that they would be restored to their land. The land would be restored and become prosperous once again. God would shatter Assyria and would consume the Assyrian soldiers.

God is ever ready to show mercy and love to His children. As you take away all the idols in your life – idols of hypocrisy, gossip, backbiting, malice, disobedience and inordinate affection, among others – be rest assured that God will remove all the cankerworms and caterpillars in your life and restore you to the fulness of His blessings.

Thought for the day:  "Sin robs you of God’s mercy"

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Daily Manna
25.12.11

Beyond Storytelling!

TEXT: GENESIS 25:12-26

"And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac: And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger" (Genesis 25:19,23).

Thought for the day:  "Every word in the Bible is a Message"

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Daily Manna
26.06.12

Divine Illumination

TEXT: Genesis 1:1-13

"For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee" (Genesis 1:3).

The availability of electricity that powers lights, domestic gadgets and institutional appliances are taken for granted in many parts of our world today especially in advanced countries. If sudden power surges occur as it does sometimes, the disruption, chaos, loss and damage that result are often colossal.

Our text is the very beginning of divine revelation and illumination of God's words and actions in His creation. This refutes many of the handed down myths that attempt to explain how our world came into being and various theories of evolution. The darknessm, chaos and emptiness that results from the absence of light which in turn precludes life, was the original state of the earth before God's creative intervention at the beginning. It is significant that the very first creative words of God in bringing order and life to the earth was to command light from darkness, gave us day and night. This was followed by the creation of the firmament (heaven), then dry land, seas and vegetation in that order, in the first three days of creation.

Sin in its various manifestations in man and its evil effects are rightly termed "unfruitful works of darkness" in scriptures. This stems from the confusion, calamity and ruin it generates in time and eternity. It takes the confusion, calamity and ruin it generates in time and eternity. It takes the Light of the gospel to shine within a sinner's darkened and ignorant heart to realise and understand the need fkor confession and the forsaking of their sin and so be able to trust in Christ's atonement. With this comes newness of life that culminates in righteousness adn holy living. It leads to order and purpose in a convert's life and brings hope of spending eternity in heaven.

Are there confusion, emptiness and purposelessnes that characterise the darkness and deadness of sin in your heart and life? Allow the god of the Universe to speak peace into your heart through His Son Jesus Christ, the Word of God, today. What a great positive difference this step makes as it was in the beginning of God's creation!

Thought for the day: "God can shine in your heart"

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Daily Manna
27.06.12

Shine Your Light

TEXT: Genesis 1:14-23

"And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so" (Genesis 1:15).

What will the earth look like without the sun to sustain the ecosystem? This may be a rhetorical question but it is clear that the Master Designer could not do without the sun. The depth of God's appreciation of the light at creation is quite remarkable hence He instituted the sun as He progressed in the work of creation. "And God saw the light that it was good . . ." (Genesis 1:4; Ecclesiastes 11:7). The sun would beam the flood of light upon the earth to sustain life and maintain a balanced solar system.

In the history of a believer's life, light figures as a distinguishing factor after conversion from the old life of indulgence and darkness, into the marvelous light of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3). Just as the sun is an unrivalled fountain of light upon mankind, so is our Lord Jesus Christ the principal source of light of the world (John 8:12). Motions made without Christ results in groping and stumbling in darkness. The prominence and permanence of the sun exemplifies how Christ should maintain a continual and an outstanding dominance in our lives so that His righteousness may constantly radiate through us.

Scientists have constantly continued at unravelling the mysteries uncovering the facts about the sun. Similarly, they have difficulties appreciating the spiritual significance of Christ as the Light of the world. Understanding the gospel truth, which portrays the Lord as the sun of righteousness to those who are groping in darkness and ignorance of God, makes the truth about creation clear.

Use this moment as a time for exposing your life to increased rays and the communicating impact of Christ's righteousness. After all, "He is the brightness of the Father's glory" (Hebrews 1:3). Also, allow your light to illuminate someone else's life today. Do good to them, the greatest of which is to expose them to the gospel light. Arise and shine!

Thought for the day: "Let Your Light Shine Among Men"

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Daily Manna
28.06.12

God's Image In Man

TEXT: Genesis 1:24-31

"So God created man in His image, in the image of God created He him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27).

Man the crown of God's creation! David exclaimed, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). Man's creation was unique and distinct from all creatures. Other creatures came to being by God's word, whereas man was created as God's workmanship according to the divine purpose. The Godhead declared, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . ." Man was created after the perfection of God's own nature, the image of holiness and righteousness.

Man was created a spiritual being with a never dying soul (Genesis 2:7), a moral and an intellectual being with capacity to reason, plan, organise and evaluate; a free moral agent with freedom to choose. Man is destined to have knowledge, to love, to show forth the glory of God in his life and dwell with Him throughout eternity. God in His divine purpose and plan made adequate provision for all necessities of life for man's welfare, care and comfort before his existence assuring his subsistence, convenience and pleasure. In addition, God gave man dominion over all other creatures to rule over them. It is evident that man has spiritual distinctiveness, which marks him above the animals (Psalm 8:4-6). God was not yet fully done with man, He blessed and charged him with the responsibility to reproduce and fill the earth with his kind. He instituted marriage and gave approval for monogamy as the authenticated means for procreation; male and female created He them.

Unfortunately, man lost the state of perfection and fellowship with God through Adam by disobedience but regained it through Jesus Christ at Calvary for those who exercise faith in His atoning blood. God's original plan and purpose for man remain the same in spite of the fall (2 Peter 1:4).

The blessed creatures should continually show appreciation from a grateful heart to God for the special privilege (1 John 3:1), live for His glory in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives on earth (Luke 1:70-75).

Thought for the day: "What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us"

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Daily Manna
04.07.12

Bringing Others To Jesus

TEXT: John 1:35-51

"He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone." (John 1:41-42).

We are often eager to introduce our friends and relations to individuals whose company we have enjoyed. We unconsciously show our affection for loved ones by the enthusiasm we have found interesting and pleasant. This is commonplace in normal life. It ought also to be so in the spiritual.

In our text, personal evangelism was enthusiastically used in bringing others to Christ. Andrew having found Jesus, heard Him speak and followed Him. He took the good news to his brother Simon Peter. Likewise, Philip on finding Christ, invited Nathaniel to meet Him. He was not discouraged by Nathaniel's cynicism and skepticism.

Our sphere of influence includes our relatives, friends and neighbours. Many of these are firmly under Satan's influence and control. The Lord expects us to reach out to them with the message of love and deliverance from their misery. But before we can effectively convince others to come to Christ, we must through our lives show that we have a flourishing relationship with Him. It is only then that we can go out to reach those who do not know Christ intimately. Many of these can be found in our homes, offices, buses, markets, schools or streets. Our message is simple: Christ is ever ready to deliver and save as many as are willing to turn from sin and Satan.

If you have turned from your sinful ways, you must tell others about his love and saving power. You will need to handle the task with the utmost urgency, dogged persistence and firm conviction. No price must be too high to pay, no sacrifice too great to make, and no problem too big to encounter for the salvation of the lost. Why linger further? Have you found Jesus? Then tell the good news to others. They need Him too!

Thought for the day: "Those who have found Christ make Him known"

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Daily Manna
27.06.12

Tame That Tongue

TEXT: PROVERBS 13:1-17

"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction" (Proverbs 13:3).

The Bible is replete with passages that talk about the danger of unruly tongues. A few example will suffice.

In the book of Proverbs, believers are warned against different kinds of tongues: a lying tongue (6:17), a mischievous tongue (17:4), a flattering tongue (26:28 ), a backbiting tongue (25:23), a tongue that sows discord among brethren by talebearing and whispering.

On the other hand, the tongue has the power to give life through proper instruction (1:8,9) , teaching the truth (4:5-7), turning away wrath (15:1,2), reproving evil that men do (9:8 ), and converting the lost sinner. No wonder Proverbs 18:21 declares: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

A preacher aptly said, "The tongue has great potential for good or for evil; with it we may inspire confidence or create doubt; we may win friends or alienate the best of friends; we may win souls or drive people from the LORD; we may improve marriages or destroy families." It is no wonder Jesus said, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:37).

How can a bad, death-inducing tongue be made wholesome to utter only things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue, and praise? It is only when the heart is cleansed, for Jesus said, "Evil things come from within, and defile the man." Why not humbly present your heart to Jesus so that your tongue may be tamed?

Consider the plight of the hapless Amalekite who caused his own untimely death simply because he wanted to curry king David’s favour (2 Samuel 1:6-16). He paid dearly for the misuse of his tongue.

Thought for the day: "The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart"

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Daily Manna
22.08.12

Rejected !

TEXT: EZEKIEL 44:1-14

"And they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy place: but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed" (Ezekiel 44:13).

There is the story of a man whose wife was involved in adultery. After much entreaty, the man accepted the woman to return to his house to look after their children, but not to have anything to do with her as his wife anymore. They stayed in separate rooms; he never allowed her to render any service to him and never allowed her to associate with him. She was a wife in name only; indeed she had lost her conjugal right.

In the days of their captivity, the children of Israel had joined themselves to strangers to play the harlot before God. They did abominable things and polluted the altar of God. They brought strangers, uncircumcised in heart and flesh to God’s house to pollute it and broke the covenant because of their abomination. They did not keep the charge of His holy things and left undone the things they should have done. God said all such people among the people and the Levites should bear their iniquity.

The Lord allowed the Levites that went astray after idols to have limited opportunity for ministering; but they derived access to the real things. They were not to come near God, neither were they to do the office of a priest unto God, nor come near any of the holy things. They were to bear their shame and abominations. The Levites who went astray were rejected by God. He did not allow them to minister unto Him anymore.

God demands total devotion to Him. We cannot serve God and other gods. He will not accept a divided devotion. We cannot minister on the altar of the holy God and go to the altar of Satan or mammon. God rejects any person who is serving Satan or the world.

There is the clear possibility of being rejected by God at the end of time or death of people who do not repent. Yet there is room for amendment now through Christ and you will be accepfed by God.

Thought for the day: "Partial rejection is total rejection"

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Daily Manna
23.08.12

Ruinous Obstacle

TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 36:14-23

"But they mocked the messenger of God and despised and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord aroused against His people, till there was no remedy" (2 Chronicles 36:16).

The hunter’s dog is marked for ruin which turns deaf ears to the warning sound of its master when he dissuades it from going on the trail of a dangerous game. This is an African adage meaning: "obstinate resistance to wise or divine counsel is an indication of impending ruin for anyone." This proverb has pertinent application to the story of Judah at this point in time of the nation’s history.

God for a long time sent to Judah many prophets and divine messages to turn them from their sin; yet they did not listen to the prophets nor apply their hearts to reasoning. They chose rather to continue in their iniquities. The priests, the nation’s leaders, and the rest of the people thought God’s messengers and preachers that brought the timely warnings against the land were beside themselves. Judah refused God’s offer of grace and were carried away captives by their enemies. Brutal persecution (carnage and captivity in Babylon) was the price Judah had to pay for their rebellion and disobedience to God.

A continual ignorance to the warnings of God’s word can lead one to a point where God has no option than to give up the erring believer to oppression and chastisement by the enemy.

The gospel message is God’s offer of mercy made to all men. Treating the preaching of God’s word with contempt is rejecting divine love and mercy. We should rather acknowledge our need of God’s mercy and joyfully accept his message humbling ourselves before him.

Thought for the day: "Those who ride in the chariot of obstinacy end up in the womb of hell"

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Daily Manna
24.08.12

Overcoming the Flood

TEXT: PSALM 143:1-6

"For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath smitten my life down to the ground, he hath made me dwell in darkness as those that have been long dead; therefore is my spirit overwhelm within me; my heart within me is desolate" (Psalm 143:3,4).

Persecution is the suffering people go through for doing right; living right or having right beliefs. Of course, no one ever gets persecuted for doing wrong or walking in the way of the world. Religious persecution has been since the times of old.

Persecution is generally employed to attempt to cow the believer and discourage him from continuing in the truth. Apart from the physical and mental suffering some persecution may bring, they are also capable of crushing the human spirit and emotion to the extent that the one going through persecution becomes despondent and discouraged.

The Psalmist in our text appeared to be having some intense inner agony because of some attendant persecutions. He felt lonely and exceedingly heavy in his heart and spirit, and seemed at a loss to understand the reason for the suffering of a right living man he reckoned himself to be. He, therefore, turned with outstretched hands to the Lord in passionate supplication.

When sometimes you feel downcast, sore tempted, and your heart is filled with doubts so that your faith seems to be under assault and you are sure there is no sin on your conscience and no disobedience to the Spirit of God, remember you may be experiencing persecution by the hands of the terrible enemy.

Today, if your prayer life is ebbing and witness for Christ is becoming irregular, know these are terrible times. When times are hard therefore, faith needs to be high. Like the Psalmist, remember the days of old and hunger to recover your first love, desiring to regain lost passion and spiritual fervency.

Go to the Lord with stretched-out hands and claim his unfailing promises "When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him," (Isaiah 59:19).

Thought for the day: "God’s hand reaches the deepest pit to deliver His own"

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Daily Manna
26.08.12

Keep The Charge

TEXT: EZEKIEL 44:15-31

"And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments, and no wool shall come upon them while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within neither shall they share their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll theirs heads" (Ezekiel 44:17,20).

The clothes we wear do matter. There seems to be no error in holding the view that God is interested in what we put on. The reason government finds it necessary to prescribe distinctive uniforms for some groups of state officers is to stimulate public respect and recognition for their offices. These special clothes mark out those wearing them as servants of the state. Their uniforms are emblematic. It confers upon them authority and power to perform their given functions and also put a demand on them to be grave and of impeccable conduct.

The LORD specified, in our text today, the nature of garment divinely approved for the Priests and Levites that came to do service in the court of His house. Their garments must be linen and never of wool. Linens are made from fibers (water plants) and therefore are free from pollutants and impurities. Wool on the other, hand is made from dead animal skins and is therefore considered unclean and impure. This underscores an important Bible message namely; "Holiness befits thy house oh Lord forever" (Ps 93:5).

Today, every Christian that is genuinely converted and saved from sin is a priest and Servant of God. It behooves those who call upon the name of the LORD to put on as garment, righteousness and true holiness, which come by grace through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice on calvary.

Our garment is the new nature in Christ Jesus. Sinful behaviour, strange apparels and haircuts, immoral jokes and communication are unbecoming of anyone professing Godliness. The New Testament /Priest of God should rather put on Christ, imbibe his teachings, and imitate His examples, receives of His Holy Spirit and be like Him in all thing.

Thought for the day: "Holiness of life is a beauty to behold in God’s sight"

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Daily Manna
27.08.12

He Will Answer!

TEXT: PSALM 143:7-12

"Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth; hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit" (Psalm 143:7).

Divine attention to the plea of the saint is so important to his sanctified soul that the seeming withholding of answer makes him feel like he is in darkness, cut off from the light. An answer to prayers illumines our heart and countenance. Though the specific thing we ask may not indeed be granted immediately, the prayer of faith will not be disregarded. There is the promise of an answer to the prayer of faith.

The passage we are reading today outlines the contents of the prayer which the Psalmist had made previously in verse 1. It is an earnest petition unto God. It is the prayer of a saint overwhelmed by sorrow because of the enemy. He seems to say "if you do not answer my prayer now, it may come too late" It is therefore an expression of a dire need for divine help or intervention.

When answers are delayed, the one that prays often think God does not hear him, but God surely can hear and He does actually hear and would do it at the time it is best for our soul and providence. "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to His will he heareth us. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petition that we desire of Him" (1 John 5:14,15).

Though some may seem troubled if answer is delayed, the assurance of answered prayer brings peace to the saints. Moreover, God’s mercy comes speedily when affliction and trials are getting near to the point we are not able to bear them again (1 Cor. 10:13) Nothing is more certain than the fact that God delights to answer our cry for help; but when answer is not only delayed but refused, this is the peak of trouble. The one that prayed ought to search his heart to see whether he so regards iniquity in there, or, whether he is morally unfit to receive a blessing from God.

Thought for the day: "The saint’s night of travail will end in a morning of praise"

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Daily Manna
28.08.12

God, Our Refuge

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 33:22-29

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, destroy them" (Deuteronomy 33:27).

They that trust in God shall be like Mount Zion that cannot be moved. The scripture says "blessed is the man that puts his trust in God, because the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Those who put their trust in God will experience God as their ultimate refuge and help in times of need.

Our text today deals with the prophetic blessing of Moses to the children of Israel before his death. This was before Moses climbed Mount Nebo, to see the promised land which he never entered. He pronounced ecclesiastical blessings upon the tribes of Israel. Our text particularly reveals various blessings pronounced on the tribes of Dan, Naphtal; and Asher. These blessings are both physical and spiritual; because God is their refuge, underneath are the everlasting arms, who fights for His people. Moses, the man of God, magnified God with his last breath because of Israel’s covenant relationship with God which conveys both physical and spiritual blessings upon them.

The Christian church is the Israel of God today, and every believer must be at home with God. Those who dwell in God, and make His name their strong tower shall dwell in safety as long as they continue in purity, holiness and unmixed with the heathen. God is still a refuge and shelter to all who trust in Him, no matter how intense our fears, consigning ourselves to His protection and pledging our daily loyalty and devotion to Him, we will be blessed and kept secured.

How often we look away from God our refuge to rely on other things like money, career, position, a noble cause or even a life long dream? You can trust God and rely on His promises for blessing, safety and security. Living for self and sin in times like these is dangerous and deadly. Those who anchor their souls in God through Christ are safe and secured.

Thought for the day: "Those who surrender their lives to Christ are sustained by the everlasting arms of God"

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Daily Manna
31.08.12

God Still Forgives

TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 33:1-13

"And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God" (2 Chronicles 33:13).

The story was told of a notorious armed robber who lived in Nigeria many years ago. He was brutally used by the devil to destroy lives and properties. He killed the only son of a widow in her late sixties and many other worse things he did. With all the stealing and wanton killing to take other people’s property, his life was miserable. Eventually, he was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. At the maximum prison, he got converted through the gospel of grace and his life was changed and transformed. He later got a presidential pardon and he became a great evangelist who declared the message of salvation to others including the widow he killed her only son.

The text of today is a disturbing story of Manasseh the son of the godly king Hezekiah who led the crusade of seduction, sacrilege and idolatry in Judah. Manasseh followed the bad examples of his fore fathers Ahaz more than his father Hezekiah. Manasseh was an evil king who championed in heathen sin and occult practises like fortune telling, enchantments and the use of mediums and wizards. History has it that prophet Isaiah was killed during Manasseh’s massive slaughter of godly people. Yet in his time of affliction and exile, he repented and God forgave him.

God is merciful and always willing to forgive those who sincerely repent. And when he (Manasseh) was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers (verse12). Of course, God forgave him and brought him back to Jerusalem. Manasseh was captured and taken to Babylon despite his fame and military prowess. Nobody is above discipline and judgement. Our privileged position in the world and in the church will not shield us from God’s wrath if we wilfully go astray. God is always patient with us, giving us time to repent and return to Him. Today He may be silent about your sins and disobedience, don’t take God for granted because He will not be silent forever.

God may have been waiting for you, using different means and methods to get your attention to repent and reconcile with Him. If you still live in sin come to God in repentance and prayer today for a new beginning, and He will abundantly pardon and forgive.

Thought for the day: "God’s grace, greater than all our sins"

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Daily Manna
1.09.12

Mission Accomplished

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 34:1-4

"And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead unto Dan" (Deuteronomy 34:1).

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in the mid twentieth century, became the President of the United States of America, in the throes of the worst economic depression the nation ever went through. The dollar lost value. There was shortage of money and food. And in the middle of all these was a drought and famine in parts of the nation. F.D. Roosevelt went for elections with a manifesto captioned "A new deal". After winning the elections, he pursued a welfarist programme in America that has never been replicated ever since. Through his programme, America’s economy bounced back. The World War II broke out during his term of office. He led the USA, and the Allied forces to win the war against Hitler and became the first Superpower. But just about the time his pet-project, the United Nations, was to be commissioned, he died. But, he died a fulfilled man, he gave the USA – "A New Deal".

Moses was commissioned by God, to bring out Israel from slavery in Egypt, into the land of Caanan. Moses understood his commission. He was focused on the commission. He refused to bargain the details of the commission with Pharaoh. Despite the obstacles and hindrances of the opposing armies and the mischief of Israel, Moses accomplished his commission. Although he was not permitted to enter Caanan, God honoured him by showing him a satellite view from the top of the mountain.

Everyman, especially a born-again believer, is divinely cut out for one mission or the other. Some people never realised or understood their mission in life. Some others understood their mission, but they never accomplished it like king Saul and Samson. Some others like Moses, David, Paul, the prophets and the apostles, understood their missions, and accomplished them in style. In the race of life, it is never how long, but how well.

Thought for the day: "Discover your mission and fulfill it"

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Daily Manna
2.09.12

Equality Before God

TEXT: James 2:1-9

"but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors" (James 2:9).

God is good to all His creatures. He loves all men equally. He never discriminates against them on the basis of sex, race and social status. Naked they all come into the world and in their death, they will all return likewise to their Maker. While on their sojourn on earth, some may be endowed with earthly treasure. This will not bring them into any special favour with God nor put the poor at a disadvantage with Him. There is no respect of persons with God.

God wants His people to follow His example in relating to the rich and the poor in the Church. GThe rich peope are not to be given special treatment because of their porgeous dressing; neithr should the poor be despised because of their lowly appearance. James drove home the point that it is sinful and ungodly to have special seats for the wealthy in the Church, which the poor dare not occupy. He admonished that we should rather identify with the poor, like God does in their lowly estate. The poor are helpless; they usually seek help from God. Wealth often breed pride and pride goes before destruction. In their pride the rich oppress the poor and blaspheme the name of the Lord. To prevent Christians, in James' time, from going into the other extreme of loving the poor and hating the rich, they were reminded of the "Golden Rule": love your neighbour as yourself.

Today's Church and Christians need to learn that godliness is not to be measured by silver and gold or costly apparel. A man's life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses. God looks not at the outward appearance but the beset. It is an act of hypocrisy, covetousness and sin to honour the rich above the poor. It is also a disservice to God and to the rich man if he is honoured above his brethren. It helps to lift up his heart against God and hardens him to the gospel, which Christ came to preach to the poor in heart (the humble) (Luke 4:18).

If you are rich, humble yourself because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Christians and Church leaders must love all because the rich and the poor need fellowship with God.

Thought for the day: "Earthly wealth: Vanity of vanities all is vanity"

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