♫ Hymn of the Week ♫

JUST OBEY (GHS 47)

1. Just as God who reigns on high,
Spake to men in days gone by;
So the Lord is calling men today;
And, my brother, this is true,
Whatso’er He says to you,
There is but one thing to do –
Just obey.

Just obey …, Just obey …,
Is the way ..., God’s way ...,
When His message comes to you,
There is but one thing to do:
Just obey …, Just obey.

2. If you’re in the Saviour’s hands,
You must do as He commands,
For there is no other gospel way;
Never put the message by,
Never stop to reason “why”
When the Saviour speaks to you –
Just obey.

3. If for mansions fair you sigh,
In that land beyond the sky,
After time with you has pass’d away;
Tho’ the way may not see,
Christ is calling, “follow me,”
Faith and duty both will cry –
Just obey.

Daily Manna
Friday 19, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Avoid Working Against God

TEXT: 2 KINGS 16:1-9

"And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree" (2 Kings 16:4).

Donald Arthur Carson, a Canadian-born, Reformed Evangelical theologian and professor of the New Testament, said: “In the first garden, ‘Not Your will but mine’ by Adam changed Paradise to desert and brought man from Eden to Gethsemane. Now ‘Not My will but Yours’ by Jesus Christ brings anguish to the Man who prays it but transforms the desert into the kingdom and brings man from Gethsemane to the gates of glory.”

Ahaz would equally have had such a beautiful testimony in his life, if he had allowed God’s will as against his, to dominate his existence. This would have made not only his entire life’s story to be somewhat different, but equally had a transforming impact on the Israelites. Sadly, he was indifferent to God’s unequivocal warnings about the conduct of the people around him and the dangers of emulating their evil ways.

Clearly, Ahaz was a king who was not guided by a sense of history and who never bothered to read the Scriptures. Otherwise, he would have recognised in Leviticus 20:3 and 5 that God emphatically said “1 will set my face against that man” who makes his son to pass through fire, and who defiles His holy sanctuary. He did enough to incur God’s wrath, and had a measure of it.

Today, some so-called Christians have followed the path of Ahaz. They set aside days to celebrate old idolatrous practices, though under different colourations. They spend fortunes on revisiting the evils, which drew their ignorant ancestors far away from the living and true God. Believers will do well to avoid association in any form with any and all of these evils. Are you involved in any form of superstition, idolatry or compromise with those who do them? Confess your sins and sever your relationship with all forms of idolatry.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Anything you want more than God is an idol"

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MBS 2014: TRANSPARENT HOLINESS BEFORE PROFITABLE MINISTRY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAEJ1d99iHA

Our lives must be transparent and open before we can correct others. We cannot have beams in our eyes while trying to cast out motes in others eyes.

Daily Manna
Saturday 20, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Beware Of False Prophecies

TEXT: JEREMIAH 28:1-9

"The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him" (Jeremiah 28:9).

John Charles Ryle, in his commentary on Matthew chapter seven, rhetorically asked: “What is the best safeguard against false teaching? Beyond all doubt, it is the regular study of the word of God, with prayer for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. The Bible was given to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The man who reads it aright will never be allowed greatly to err. It is neglect of the Bible which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear. They would have us believe that ‘they are not learned and do not pretend to have decided opinions.’ The plain truth is that they are lazy and idle about reading the Bible and do not like the trouble of thinking for themselves. Nothing supplies false prophets with followers so much as spiritual sloth under a cloak of humility.”

From our text, we see Hananiah giving false sense of relief to the children of Israel. God, as always, had warned the children of Israel of their impending captivity because of their rebellion against His statutes and their idolatrous worship.

In spite of the warnings and prophecies of captivity, the children of Judah disobeyed God’s commandment and disdained Jeremiah’s warning. Jeremiah was put in stocks (chapter 20) and thrown into prison (chapter 38), but narrowly escaped death. False prophets like Hananiah rose up to debunk Jeremiah’s claim and prophesied good tidings to Israel, denouncing the divine and definite judgment.

Positive or negative, God’s words are exactly true. We, like Jeremiah, may honestly wish for results or benefits outside God’s plans. But if we are going to be faithful to God, we must disagree with our own wishes in order to speak the truth and be obedient to God.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "There is nothing in this world that is more satanic as false assurance"

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Daily Manna
Sunday 21, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Applauded By Men

TEXT: JEREMIAH 28:10-17

"Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie" (Jeremiah 28:15).

Many people, today, use fame and fortune as yardsticks to measure success. But the story of Charles Schwab, an American steel magnate, who was the President of the world’s largest independent steel company, should be a sober reflection. He rose to fame and could own a 44 room summer estate on 1,000 acres in Loretto. He became an international celebrity, traveling in private rail car. He thought his fame and fortune was an opportunity to live a notorious lifestyle. He spent all his fortune and died in bankruptcy.

Being popular with the people is not the same as being popular with God. This was the truth with Hananiah, who did not realise this on time. He was popular with the government of the day under King Zedekiah, who saw Jeremiah as a hard-liner. As a result, they always turned to Hananiah to tell them what they wanted to hear instead of what God wanted to tell them. God had determined to teach Israel a lesson by keeping them in captivity in Babylon for a period of time, which He made known to them through Jeremiah. But Hananiah challenged Jeremiah’s stand. He took off the wooden yoke off Jeremiah’s neck and broke it. He also told the people, contrary to Jeremiah’s prophecy, that God would break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar off their neck within a space of two full years. Jeremiah did not engage him in an unnecessary argument. Rather, he walked away from the scene. He only went back to Hananiah at the instance of God to deliver a message of death.

Today, we have Hananiahs, who dine and wine with government functionaries. They mislead politicians, giving them false hope and making a caricature of God’s word. Many so-called believers, for want of what to eat and wear, have equally become harbingers of false hope through the circulation of dubious and erroneous tales.

We should not go into unnecessary argument with the enemies of God. Whenever they make light of the word of God, we should leave them to God. Jeremiah left everything to God and walked away. We must also warn them about God’s impending judgment.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Popularity has slain more prophets of God than persecution ever did"

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Daily Manna
Monday 22, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

God Chastises For Correction

TEXT: JEREMIAH 29:1-9

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them" (Jeremiah 29:4,5).

Billy Graham, in his book entitled, Worker’s Handbook, said: “If life were all easy, wouldn’t we become flabby? When a ship’s carpenter needed timber to make a mast for a sailing vessel, he did not cut it in the valley, but up on the mountainside where the trees had been buffeted by the winds. These trees, he knew, were the strongest of all. Hardship is not our choice; but if we face it bravely, it can toughen the fiber of our souls. God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness.”

Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites, who were in captivity in Babylon as a form of discipline by the Lord, that they should move ahead with their lives and pray for the heathen nation that enslaved them.

From experience, we discover that trials and suffering can come from three sources. Firstly, it can come due to disobedience to the commandment of God, that is, as a result of sin. Secondly, it can also be permitted by God without any iniquity on the part of man. Job’s experience is an example. Thirdly, it can be as a result of satanic oppression. In all these causes of calamities, it is the one by Satan that is the easiest to handle. When God demonstrates His omnipotence by allowing divinely arranged trials in our lives, we should realise that it is to achieve His own glory through us. If it is from Satan, all we need do is to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, pray and believe God for solution. The most difficult of all trials to tackle is one caused by sin. Some people hide sins in their hearts and go about as if there is no problem. But God, who knows the state of their hearts, will not answer their prayers.

Whatever your calamity, you need to, first of all, examine your life. Ask God to reveal, through His Spirit, the cause of the problem to you. Then, make your way right with God.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Chastisement is designed for our good; to bring us closer to God"

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Daily Manna
Tuesday 23, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

A Message Of Hope

TEXT: JEREMIAH 29:10-19

"For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place" (Jeremiah 29:10).

A missionary went to some Indian villages with the gospel message. One day, after preaching in an open market, a Muslim gentleman approached him and said: “You must admit we have one thing you have not, and it is better than anything you have.” The missionary smiled and inquired: “I should be pleased to hear what it is.” The Muslim said: “You know when we go to Mecca we at least find a coffin. But when you Christians go to Jerusalem, which is your Mecca, you find nothing but an empty grave.” The missionary smiled again and replied: “That is just the difference. Mohammed is dead; Mohammed is in the coffin. And false systems of religion and philosophy are in their coffins, but Jesus Christ, whose kingdom is to include all nations and kindred and tribes, is not here; He is risen. And all power in heaven and on earth is given unto Him. That is our hope.”

That hope, which is still alive in us, is why Jesus is not in the coffin. For the Israelites, the Lord knew what would give them hope at the hour of their needs. Against the backdrop of his struggle with incurable false prophets at home, Jeremiah addressed a letter of hope to the exiles at Babylon. Jeremiah’s letter was intended to calm their nerves and bring them hope from the living God. He mentioned that the Lord had thoughts of peace towards them and not of evil.

God’s plan was to give them an expected end, that is, a future and a hope. They must, therefore, forsake the counsel of false prophets, who had been prophesying an immediate end to their captivity. Rather, they should be praying for the peace of the city wherein they were taken captives.

As Christians, God’s thoughts for us should be our only concern. We should not be bothered about what other people may think of us. The Lord wants to give us the desire of our heart, if only we let Him reign supremely in our life.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Do not look to your hope, but to Christ, the Source of your hope"

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Daily Manna
Wednesday 24, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Consequence Of Compromise

TEXT: JEREMIAH 29:20-32

"Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD" (Jeremiah 29:32).

One day, a pastor of a local church, in a message, touched on a doctrinal issue of marriage - one man, one wife. The polygamists among his members threatened to leave the church, if the pastor did not recant the message. To please them, the pastor swallowed his vomit, telling his congregation that heaven would not shut its doors against the polygamists. The next day, a journalist in an evening newspaper accosted him with the issue. With some incoherent words, the pastor explained that he had to renounce his earlier position, which was the real scriptural stand on marriage, because of his efforts to please the elders and stop them from leaving the church. He was only interested in large congregation and not keen in taking them to heaven.

This, exactly, was the situation with Shemaiah, the false prophet in our text. The Lord had made a pronouncement concerning prophets who prophesied lies to the people, including Ahab and Zedekiah. Shemaiah, in his unholy desire to please the people and gain vain popularity, tried to discredit Jeremiah and branded him a false prophet. Already, the people did not like Jeremiah because he told them the bitter truth of God’s word.

Christ warns every true believer of the existence of false prophets and teachers even in the household of truth. They are subtle and manipulative. But they will suffer here and hereafter. “Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah, the Nehelamite, and his seed... neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people.” Truly, he never lived to see the end of the captivity and the return of God’s people to Jerusalem.

Those who compromise God’s word will court God’s wrath if they fail to repent. If you are among those propagating false doctrine because you want to please men or have large congregations, please repent and make your ways right with God.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Anyone who distorts God’s word has a curse upon his life"

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Daily Manna
Thursday 25, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Return To God

TEXT: JEREMIAH 30:1-14

"For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it" (Jeremiah 30:3).

Charles Hodge said: “The sure test of the quality of any supposed change of heart will be found in its permanent effects. Whatever, therefore, may have been our inward experience, whatever joy or sorrow we may have felt, unless we bring forth fruits meet for repentance, our experience will profit us nothing. Repentance is incomplete unless it leads to confession and restitution in cases of injury; unless it causes us to forsake not merely outward sins, which others notice, but those which lie concealed in the heart; unless it makes us choose the service of God and live not for ourselves but for Him. There is no duty, which is either more obvious in itself, or more frequently asserted in the Word of God, than that of repentance.”

That was what God needed from the children of Israel. Jeremiah, from our text, promised the children of Israel that after completing their prescribed 70 years of captivity in the land of Babylon, they would be restored to their homeland. As a God of righteousness, of justice and of love, He wanted them to repent of their sin. He had spelt out His laws and commandments, which they needed to follow. As a God of justice, He punished them because of their infractions against His laws. In His love, He would forgive and restore them to His fellowship.

The lesson for us to learn here is that, when God punishes because of sin, He does so severely, so that we can realise our wrongdoing and return to Him in repentance. It helps us to grow deeper in our relationship with Him. God’s discipline is rewarding at the end. As children of God, we are expected to yield in obedience to Him.

Have you wandered away from His fold and lost your first estate in the Lord? Are you currently under his chastisement as a result of your sin? You can be free today. You can reclaim your lost inheritance. What you need to do is to go to Him in humble prayer and repent of your sins. He forgives, forgets and forbears.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "True repentance is no light matter; it is a thorough change of heart"

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Daily Manna
Friday 26, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

God’s Mercy

TEXT: JEREMIAH 30:15-24

"Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be built upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof" (Jeremiah 30:18).

James Smith said: “There is mercy with the Lord; this should encourage the miserable to approach Him; this informs the fearful that they need bring nothing to induce Him to bless them; this calls upon backsliders to return to Him; and this is calculated to cheer the tried Christian, under all his troubles and distresses. Remember, mercy is like God, it is infinite and eternal. Mercy is always on the throne. Mercy may be obtained by any sinner.”

That was the mercy God showed upon the Israelites, who sinned much to serve more than enough punishment from God. Though they suffered justly and could not help themselves, the Lord, from this passage, decided to deliver them and punish their oppressors, who had placed them in perpetual bondage and oppression. As the afflictions and distresses of the Jewish nation were expressed by sickness, wounds, and bruises, so their prosperity, both spiritual and temporal, would be manifested through sound health. God promised them that the city and temple, which were in ruins, would be rebuilt, while their sacred feasts would be restored.

He equally promised them that they would multiply and become illustrious. God also assured them that He would remember the covenant which He made to their fathers. The message is equally for us today. Christ, through His authoritative pleadings at the throne, will remember us and plead our cause. With His dominion over principalities and powers, all those who trust in Him will get their benefits. He is the very present Help at the hour of need; only He can deliver from death and the power of the grave.

Like the backslidden and captive Israel in our passage, we need the Saviour today. We need someone who can be our deliverer, someone who has the power to save us from captivity to sin and Satan, and manifest the power of the Almighty in our lives and our world.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Our God is a God of mercy and bountifulness"

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Thought for the day:

"Our God is a God of mercy and bountifulness"

Daily Manna
Saturday 27, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Intolerable Sin

TEXT: LEVITICUS 20:1-9

"Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones" (Leviticus 20:2).

There was a story about the custom of the natives in New Guinea. At certain times, they would lapse into rituals, songs, and dances. They would work themselves up into a frenzy and the ritual would culminate in what is called the murder songs, in which they would shout before their god the names of the people they would wish to kill for ritual.

This was similar to the situation in Canaan. But in our passage today, God prescribed a penalty for worshippers of Molech. It was heinous crime and God commanded that those involved in such act must all be cut off from their brethren. God equally instructed that foreigners who lived in Israel must obey the rules. He maintained that He would continue to set His face against the person, who delight in such act. He also commanded the Israelites to be holy because He is holy.

Today, people still set God aside, worshipping idols of money and power. Some people kill their children and fellow human beings for ritual purposes. Children, on their part, disrespect their parents and constituted authorities in every respect, which has almost been elevated to a norm in our society.

Although God’s prescription to stone the rebellious to death does not subsist today, God has reserved judgment for the day when the works of men would be tried. For youths in various institutions of learning, God will judge them for any of their rebellious activities targeted at lecturers and teachers. All violent demonstrations, which will jeopardize the lives of other citizens, will also be punished.

Therefore, Christian parents should educate their children on the dangers of getting involved in such unrests. God will hold people accountable for any rebellious activities in the church and against the leaders. As we go about our businesses today, may the Almighty God deliver us from any form of rebellion in Jesus’ name.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Sin is deadly"

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Daily Manna
Sunday 28, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Sober Reflection

TEXT: NEHEMIAH 8:9-18

"...For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law" (Nehemiah 8:9).

Sorrow has its place in human affairs even though men detest it. In the midst of joy and pleasure, men by nature are prone to forgetfulness and wanton actions that drive a wedge between them and God. However, when cast down, we are made to reflect on our situation.

Among the Jews, the word heard from the priest and Levities produced an effect on them: they wept and mourned because of their departure from the truth. There is, however, joy after sorrow. This, the priests and Levities made the Jews to understand. They commanded them to hold their peace and to make merry as their souls were revived. The wind of revival that spread through the land made the priest, the Levites, the chief fathers and all the people to desire more of the word of God. They read the book of the Law and obeyed all that God wrote through Moses; they all dwelt in booths in the feast of the seventh month as commanded.

God’s word is still like hammer today. His word has a way of breaking us down. Sometimes, when we wander away from the truth, it is God’s word that brings us back to soberness and sincere reflection. Restoration can only be possible when we are broken. Brokenness should normally result in mourning and weeping for sins but, thereafter, the heart should be filled with joy. This agrees with God’s mind as “there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit” (Romans 8:1).

When our peace is got through pain, we should desire more, than ever before, the word of God which is able to make us strong. The word in us will daily revive us and keep us joyful as we expect the coming of Christ.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Though beaten by the word, l shall arise in strength"

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Daily Manna
Monday 29, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

You Must Be Holy

TEXT: LEVITICUS 20:22-27

"And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine" (Leviticus 20:26).

Jim Elliff said: “God decreed from eternity past that you would be like Christ (Romans 8:29-30); He put His Holy Spirit in you to make sure that it would happen (Philippians 2:12-13); Christ prayed for you to be sanctified, and His prayers are always answered (John 17:17); He even promises you that He will lovingly discipline you in order to return you to holiness whenever you stray (Hebrews 12:5-10). How could we ever doubt that God means what He says, “Without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)?”

Holiness of life was what God demanded from the Israelites. He had planned to take the Israelites to Canaan. But since the people, who lived there were bad, God purposed to force them out of the land so that His people would occupy it. The Canaanites did not obey God’s laws and so, the land was like a sick person. God also commanded the Israelites to totally separate themselves unto Him -to be holy. God revealed that He is holy; and those who serve Him must be holy.

The children of Israel were to be separated from all unclean persons and things, be devoted to God’s service and obey all His commands. That was the purpose why the Almighty God severed them from the people of the land.

For us today, we must guard our lives and avoid every appearance of evil. Anything that will tarnish or stain our testimony must be avoided. We represent the most High God. Therefore, we must be above reproach; we must be people of integrity. We must also live lives of purity. His plan for bringing us closer unto Himself is “that ye should be mine.” We were bought with a price and so, we are no longer our own. Now that you, in particular, have been redeemed and set apart for His exclusive use, do not wish to be anything different from His holy intention.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "He who will live a life of holiness must first receive the new life from God"

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♫ Hymn of the Week ♫

PASS ME NOT (GHS 171)

1. Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Saviour, Saviour,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy,
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

3. Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

4. Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heaven but Thee?

Thought for the day:

"He who will live a life of holiness must first receive the new life from God"

Daily Manna
Tuesday 30, September 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

A Worthy Past?

TEXT: Job 29:12-25

"Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him" (Job 29:12).

King Hezekiah had 15 years added to his life by reminding God how he had served Him faithfully all his life. If his past had been a mess, he would not have gotten the divine favour. Taking a look at the past at times has a lot of advantages, especially when it is not intended to make one just dwell in the past glory. The past, we are often told, helps us to understand the present and charts the path for the future.

Job, in his present suffering condition, reflected on his past. He recalled his past prosperity, glory, honour and security, and found out that all these were tied to his character, because he put on “righteousness and it clothed me, and my judgment was a robe, a diadem”, and because he lived for the cause of others - the poor, helpless, widow and downtrodden. His was a righteous and selfless life. This exercise then explains that his present condition of suffering and trial is not as a result of a past life of unrighteousness, selfishness and wickedness.

Recalling our past lives has a lot of advantages. It helps us to understand our present condition. We are able to find out if our present unpleasant condition is as a result of a past life of sin and wickedness. If this is so, the way out will be genuine repentance and restitution. It helps us to gauge our present spiritual life by asking such questions as: are we better than who we were in the past or have we lost our first love, gone cold or lukewarm? It provides a check for our spiritual life. Remember your humble beginning, how that you were little and nothing in your eyes before the Lord found you and made you who you are today.

In moments of trials, temptations, difficulty and hardship, recalling past testimonies of God’s faithfulness, gives us the assurance and confidence that He will yet deliver us. Reflect on your past today and receive solace and comfort in the goodness of the Lord.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "The totality of a man’s present life is determined by his past"

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The Necessity Of Discernment And Wisdom In Ministry


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu8wIiBoUB4

Daily Manna
Wednesday 01, October 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Freedom That Endures

TEXT: JOHN 8:30-36

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).

Freedom is a universal pursuit of people everywhere. It is the desire to be allowed to lead an unfettered life, to aspire to attain the highest goals possible without hindrance, to have the liberty to chart the course of your life. Many people indeed go to great length not just to obtain freedom for themselves, but to defend it. They amass great wealth in the quest for financial and economic freedom; they set limits beyond which they would not permit any infringement, in the search for political and social freedom. Yet, lasting freedom in this life comes from neither political nor socio-economic well being. It comes only from Jesus Christ.

Jesus had been challenged by the Jewish religious leaders. As He spoke so eloquently and convincingly, many people believed that He was the Messiah from God. But He told them that it was not enough to believe; they should also continue to walk in the truth of His words, if they must be free. They responded that as Abraham’s children, they were never in bondage to anyone, wondering why He said only the truth would make them free. Jesus was, of course, explaining matters of spiritual significance while the people were gripped by a patriotic zeal and belief that they were citizens of a free nation. He then told them that so long as they continued to commit sin, they were slaves to sinful habits and lifestyle. In that spiritual condition, they were already shut out of the kingdom of God. The only way they could be admitted into His Kingdom was through the Son of God, Himself, who alone has power to set them free from sin.

Jesus Christ is the perfect gift of God to mankind. He alone can rescue you from the slavery of sin. As truth personified, Jesus presents to you, God’s perfect standard of measurement for what is right. It is this that can free you from the domination, control and enslavement of sin. You will never be able to attain the purpose of God for you in life or fulfill God’s plan for creating you, until you allow Jesus Christ to break the power of sin in your life. Christ sets you free to lead a peaceful and happy life, and secures for you a place in His kingdom when life on earth comes to an end.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "True freedom is not the right to live as you please, but to love and please God at all times"

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Thought for the day:

"True freedom is not the right to live as you please, but to love and please God at all times"

Daily Manna
Thursday 02, October 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Out of Bounds

TEXT: LEVITICUS 22:1-16

"Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD" (Leviticus 22:3).

A story was told of a man who decided to go into a zoo where lions were kept. Although there were bold inscriptions on the track leading to the zoo and on the very gate where the dangerous animals were kept, the man ignored the warnings and scaled the barbed wire. In a moment he was dead! The need to heed warnings cannot be overemphasised for our own good.

God is holy and He demands that all things and people connected to Him must not only be holy, but treated as such. Here, He explicitly demands from Aaron and his sons (the priests) that they avoid profaning His holy name while handling things dedicated to the Lord. In this regard, the Lord would not condone any unclean priest who handles holy things. Those who contravene this rule would face death. Any priest certified to be unclean either by reason of disease or sickness (as in the case of leprosy), or who defiled themselves, become unclean until the evening when they are required to wash their flesh in water. Until then, they are unclean and cannot eat the holy things. No stranger or hired servant is permitted to eat of the holy things dedicated to the Lord, except they were born in the priest’s household or they were his personal slaves, bought with his money. The priest’s daughter is also barred from eating the holy things once she is married. But if she is single and permanently resides with her father, she is free to eat the holy things. God considers it a sin punishable by death, for anyone to infringe these rules. He therefore demands obedience from His people to these rules.

Children of God today have been made priests and kings, and God expects that all our actions and conducts are underscored by holiness and righteousness. Our lives must be the complete epitome of rectitude and integrity. We must treat as holy what God regards as such and we must abhor all careless or carefree attitudes.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "To be forewarned is to be forearmed"

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Daily Manna
Friday 03, October 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Simply the Best

TEXT: LEVITICUS 22:17-25

"Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats" (Leviticus 22:19).

In a small village in one of the states in a country in Africa, a local government chairman went visiting. The poor villagers taxed themselves and presented him with a quality gift. The gesture surprised the visiting politician who there and then, promised to rehabilitate their roads that had been abandoned for years. This is what good gifts can achieve.

If earthly rulers are considered so deserving, what does the Ruler of the universe and the Creator of all things deserve? If the children of Israel had any difficulty figuring it out, the Lord Himself, in our text made it clear. “Ye shall offer at your own will…,” He demanded. There should be no coercion. Offerings to the Lord must spring from the bottom of the heart of the giver and that with no strings attached but with pure and godly motives.

Beyond that, God would not accept anything that had a blemish. Animals constituted the bulk of Israel’s items of sacrifice then. For an animal to be suitable for sacrifice to God, it must not be blind, lame, bruised, crushed, broken, cut or have skin disease. On the part of the offerer, this implied an overwhelming sense of honour to God and entailed painstaking search among his lot to fetch a most suitable animal.

The Christian believer is not obliged, today, to offer animal sacrifice to God - Christ Jesus had satisfied that demand as “a Lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). However, we are expected to offer to God spiritual sacrifices. In doing this, the same principles apply. We must offer to God wholeheartedly and that which is without blemish. We must remember that Ananias and Saphira were not punished for offering something but for offering a half-measure. God is not mocked. Your gifts to Him need be wholesome and entire.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "The Giver deserves the best gift"

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Daily Manna
Saturday 04, October 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Grievous Punishment

TEXT: LEVITICUS 20:10-21

"And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death" (Leviticus 20:10).

John MacArthur, the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, United States of America, said: “No sin that a person commits has more built-in pitfalls, problems and destructiveness than sexual sin. It has broken more marriages, shattered more homes, caused more heartache and disease, and destroyed more lives than alcohol and drugs combined. It causes lying, stealing, cheating and killing, as well as bitterness, hatred, slander, gossip and unforgivingness.”

God knows the danger of this sexual immorality and that was why He, from our text, gave the Israelites a catalogue of such detestable acts, which were very common in the heathen nations of Canaan, and warned His people never to mingle with them. The Canaanites’ religions were rampant with sex goddesses, temple prostitution and other gross sins. The Canaanites’ immoral religious practices reflected a decadent culture that tended to corrupt whoever that came in contact with it. By contrast, God wanted the children of Israel to have a positive influence on the world. He did not want them to adopt the Canaanites’ practices and slide into debauchery. So, He prepared the people for what they would face in the Promised Land by commanding them to steer clear of sexual sins.

The list of commands in the passage today also includes punishment of death. Why? Such sins shatter the mutual commitment of married partners, destroy the sanctity of the family, spread diseases, and twist people’s mental well-being. The glorification of immorality between people who are not married to each other often hides deep tragedy and hurt behind the scenes. It has been discovered that in a relationship between partners without marital commitment, one partner or both, will get hurt at last. God has good reasons for prohibiting immoral sins. Believers are called unto holiness. We should always say no to sexual immorality because it damns the soul.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Punishment is justice for the unjust"

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Thought for the day:

"Punishment is justice for the unjust"

Daily Manna
Sunday 05, October 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Bitter Sweet

TEXT: JOB 30:1-14

"Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me" (Job 30:11).

The demarcation between joy and sorrow is just a step. That is why a joyful heart can quickly slip into utter gloom in a matter of seconds. It is a paradox. A man may live a life of bliss, joy and happiness, having everything that makes life worth living, with people around him pouring encomiums and sharing from his dainty. But the scripture cautions that we should remember ‘the days of darkness’. When it is well with us, we are praised and adored. But when the tide turns against us, we become objects of scorn and derision.

Job’s previous state of glory and abundance had been described in chapter 29. And now, he experiences suffering and deprivation. What a contrast! What a twist of fate! He had become the object of contempt by the same people he had earlier assisted in their penury. Suffering such extreme loss was bad enough, but to be abused by derelicts and upstarts was to add insult to injury. His mockers spared no thought for his bravery and calmness in his suffering.

In a twinkle of an eye, the tide can turn and our fortunes nose-dive. Our misfortune may create the opportunity for mockers and revilers to have a field day, feeding on our fallen state. Such mockers may include younger people and those who have benefited from our largesse when the going was good.

There is the need for self-examination when our condition becomes adverse to ensure we are still at the centre of God’s will. And young people who mock elders in distress should remember that their own physical abilities and attributes wear out with the passage of each day and that God watches all our actions. Like Job, our trials would be over soon, if only we put our confidence in God.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "The only thing constant is change"

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♫ Hymn of the Week ♫

TAKE MY LIFE (GHS 87)

1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2. Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Daily Manna
Monday 06, October 2014

A Daily Devotional Guide - Daily Manna sets out to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are truly committed to seeking God and walking closely with Him. It's an extraction of God's word, and mainly serves to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis.

Faithfulness Required

TEXT: LUKE 16:1-18

"And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own" (Luke 16:12).

Life is like a boomerang: when the object is thrown, it comes back to you. It is said that what goes around, comes around. What you do unto others shall also come to you.

The scope of Christ’s discourse here is meant to awaken and quicken us all to eternal wisdom in our management of people’s business in our care. If we do good with them, we shall surely reap the benefit of it here and hereafter. The steward in this parable was reported to have misused (wasted) his lord’s goods in his care. Being then called upon to give account of his stewardship that he may receive “a just recompense of reward”, he became awakened to the reality of his lifestyle of idleness, indulgence, pride and gross negligence. Then, he began to consider, “what shall I do“ (verse 2a), all in a last minute effort to avert the certainty of the master’s frown and the judgment awaiting him. These efforts of his (though the more dishonest), caught his master’s attention and commendation for “doing wisely” - not merely in his action, but the motive behind it as seen in verse 4 which deals with foresight and deliberate preparations for the future, hence Christ’s conclusion and counsel in verse 8b and 9.

As children of God, we are expected to possess the virtues of piety, prudence and trustworthiness. We are called upon to make faithfulness our watchword and lifestyle at all times. The children of this world, in their “wisdom,” readily go all out to make noticeable achievements in such things they set their hearts to do. Whatever we may have in this world - wealth, fame or talent - are but God’s resources merely kept under our care which He expects us to make the most judicious use of. If we do not make right use of the gifts of God’s providence, how then can we expect from Him the gifts of spiritual grace?

In one way or the other (physical or spiritual), we are all stewards of God’s divine providence bestowed upon us which could be in form of riches, fame, authority, talent, knowledge, gifts or ministry. It is sinful to handle our employer’s job shabbily because it is not our own. Faithfulness is demanded of believers in every clime and situation.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Whatever a man sows, he shall also reap"

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Daily Manna
Tuesday 07, October 2014

Transparent Holiness

TEXT: JOB 31:1-12

"If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands" (Job 31:7).

The Jews picked up stones to put a woman taken in adultery to death. But a question by Jesus that any of them who was free from sin should cast the first stone disarmed them. They were hypocrites in the garb of religious people. They knew they were fake! But Job’s example of righteousness stood out in prosperity and in adversity. He left no one in doubt, including his friends-turned-detractors, when he had to defend himself over flimsy charges levelled against him. It is interesting that Job was so confident to make pronouncements as in verses 5 to 10, more like pronouncing curses on himself, if he had done evil.

How many Christians are as sure of themselves today as Job was then? Whereas the trends in fashion and dressings have turned the attention of many a professing Christian to outward appearances, Job was concerned about not paying attention to these outward shows. Paul, in Ephesians 4:17-24, obviously stressing the same factors Job earlier pointed out, warned believers not to walk in the vanity of their minds.

Job did not speak of the things here recorded by way of boasting, but in answer to the charge of hypocrisy. He understood the spiritual nature of God’s commandments, as reaching to the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is best to let our actions speak for us; but in some cases, we owe it to ourselves and to the cause of God to solemnly protest our innocence of every false allegation levelled against us.

Let us therefore walk circumspectly and carefully avoid all sinful means of getting wealth. Let us dread all forbidden profits as much as all forbidden pleasures. What we have in the world may be used or lost with comfort, if honestly gotten. Without strict honesty and faithfulness in our dealings, we can have no good evidence of true godliness. Yet, how many professors are unable to abide by this touchstone!

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "Self-deceit if unrepented of will eventually result in self-destruction"

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pls., i'll appreciate it if you make the post simply and concise without adds are not important....for example, d first introductory paragraph shouldnt be repeated everyday + other 'tags' for some of those designs.

Personally, u make it infinitely impossible for me to share in other media for d benefit of others. you may equally discourage many from accessing the thread coz of high data consumption...thanks

Alexk2:


pls., i'll appreciate it if you make the post simply and concise without adds are not important....for example, d first introductory paragraph shouldnt be repeated everyday + other 'tags' for some of those designs.

Personally, u make it infinitely impossible for me to share in other media for d benefit of others. you may equally discourage many from accessing the thread coz of high data consumption...thanks

Thanks for your observation. Could you please elaborate on what you mean by 'high data consumption' and 'other tags'? God bless you.

Daily Manna
Wednesday 08, October 2014

The Ungodly Wealth

TEXT: LUKE 16:19-21

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day" (Luke 16:19).

Nowadays, people have become more materialistic than ever. Public office holders appropriate the wealth meant to be used for the good of everyone in society. While they live in opulence, their neighbours hardly find food to eat. In some countries, leaders corner almost everything belonging to their states, building mansions and acquiring more flashy automobiles. They spare no thought for the poor. And the less-privileged in society die before them for minor illnesses and lack of money to seek medical attention.

The rich man in our passage appears to have been the world’s pattern of a prosperous man. He was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. Lazarus, on the other hand, had literally nothing. He was a friendless, diseased, half-starved pauper. But their conditions changed immediately after death. Lazarus was comforted in Abraham’s bosom while the rich man suffered untold pains in hell.

It was not specifically mentioned that the rich man did not acquire his wealth in a proper way, nor was it mentioned that he committed murder or crimes against humanity. We must take heed that we do not draw lessons from the parable which it was never meant to teach. The rich are not always bad men, and do not always go to hell. The poor are not always good men, and do not always go to heaven. However, riches insensibly produce the tendency to forget God. That is why our Lord remarked that it is hard for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God; but not impossible for them to get there.

The love of money has ruined many a life. Money takes away some cares, no doubt; but brings with it quite as many cares as it takes away. According to J.C. Ryle in his book: Practical Religion, ‘‘there is anxiety in the getting of it. There is anxiety in the keeping of it. There is temptation in the use of it. There is guilt in the abuse of it. There is sorrow in the losing of it. There is perplexity in the disposing of it’’. We must cleave to the Lord irrespective of what we have or do not have.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

Thought for the day: "If riches increase, set not your heart upon them"

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Thought for the day:

"If riches increase, set not your heart upon them"