DCLM Daily Manna
Thursday, April 23, 2015

Yoked in Unequal Yoke

TEXT: EZRA 9:1-4

"For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass" (Ezra 9:2).

Betty Killebrew, the publisher of Trove Magazine, a Christian publication, narrated a true story of a young woman, in what she entitled, “After the feelings.” The young woman, reportedly got involved in a rocky marriage. She later sought solace in the arms of another man, who offered her an even worse future. But when she came to her senses, she dumped the man she was having an affair with and reconciled with God. She thereafter enjoyed a pleasant life in Christ.

Our text reveals the regrettable lives of the Israelites before Ezra arrived Judah. God had commanded that the Jews should separate themselves from the nations around them to avoid being polluted with their idolatrous and evil practices. But these Israelites, including their priests and Levites, compromised their faith and lived in horrible sin just like the Hittites, Jebusites, Canaanites, Ammonites and Moabites, their enemies. God knew the conditions of these nations and what they were capable of doing. Curiously, His people, Israel disregarded His warning. When Ezra heard of the Israelites’ compromise, he felt sad because God had already warned them to stay away from these nations.

Today, many believers have compromised their faith as well because of unequal yoke in marriage and several other areas. Some married unbelievers because of their wealth, academic background, physical appearance and social status, among others. Others have entangled themselves with unbelievers in business. They ignored God’s warning not to be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” Now, they are living a life of sorrow and regret because of their ungodly relationship. If you are already in this terrible situation, please go back to God and seek His mercy and pardon.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 119:57 - 176

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Unequal yoke attracts misery"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Friday, April 24, 2015

All Things Well

TEXT: MARK 7:31-37

"And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak" (Mark 7:37).

Every generation has produced some personalities who became outstanding in their chosen fields of endeavour. This list includes technocrats, clergymen, politicians, businessmen, academics and other professionals. Many of them deserve the honour accorded them.

But even the best of these people have their dark side that would make them to be abhorred with greater passion if people got close enough to know who they really were and what they represented. But during His earthly life and ministry, the more closely people knew Jesus, the more amazed they felt about His innocence, loving-kindness and sheer power.

The inhabitants of the Greek city of Decapolis said of Him: “He hath done all things well” when they observed His compassionate and miraculous healing of a deaf and dumb man. This observation came from people who earlier asked Jesus to depart from their coast because of the loss of their swine occasioned by Christ’s deliverance of a mad man.

This eloquent testimony agrees with those of friends and foes who encountered Christ. Of him it was recorded, “...who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil...” Peter said of Him, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” Pilate confessed that he found no fault in Him.

The officers sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Him reported that, “Never man spake like this man.” Observers by the Cross submitted, “Truly this was the Son of God.” When he asked, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” nobody came forward. No other religious figure has such credentials. Christ is unique in every way. In Christ’s personality, passion and performance, He does all things well. Dying for our sins, He is the only worthy One to be our Saviour and Lord.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 119:57 - 176

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "The greatest commitment is to follow Christ’s footsteps"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Saturday, April 25, 2015

An Abiding Milestone

TEXT: ESTHER 9:20-28

"And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed" (Esther 9:28).

Today, the term “Anti-Semitism” is almost exclusively used to refer to hatred or prejudice against the Jews even though they are not the only Semites. It is puzzling that despite God’s promise to Israel through Abraham that “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee” (Genesis 12:3; 27:29), the Jews have continued to be the target of unrivaled and mysterious hatred till date.

One of the most menacing occasions when Anti-Semitism reared up its ugly head was when Haman, the chief minister of King Ahasuerus, in 473 B.C. plotted to eliminate the Jews throughout the Medo-Persian Empire. By a providential deliverance, Haman’s plot failed and he was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai.

The Jews were also empowered by a counter decree to defend themselves against their enemies. On the day they were supposed to be killed, the Jews got rid of their enemies including the ten sons of Haman.

What followed was the birth of what became an annual commemorative festival called “Purim” which is celebrated on the 14th and 15th of March (Hebrew month of Adar). Purim, meaning “lot”, is an ironic reference to Haman’s resort to casting of lot to determine the month and date appropriate for the massacre of the Jews. The lot-casting, which they started on the first month, favoured the 13th day of the last month.

The long intervening period enabled the Jews to seek divine and royal redress and had the wicked decree reversed. Purim, a celebration of God’s intervention, is marked with joyful activities including, candle lights, reading of the book of Esther, sharing and rejoicing. Being delivered from eternal damnation is enough reason for the believer to have constant “Purim”.

But even in everyday life, God still delivers His people from every evil plot. Never should we lose sight of the gracious interventions of God “Who delivered us... and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 131 - 138

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Think of God’s goodness and celebrate"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Sunday, April 26, 2015

What Do You Know About God?

TEXT: PSALM 47:1-9

"The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted" (Psalm 47:9).

In an age of distressing crises and sundry pressures of life, many people are often hesitant in relating with strangers. Some even adopt the extreme position of showing suspicion towards those they do not know. In fact, conventional wisdom tells us that the more aware and acquainted you are with a person, the more likely you are able to relate well to him. It follows then that spiritually speaking, the reason many people do not have a flourishing relationship with God is because they really do not know Him.

Bible writers were different. They knew only little about God, of course, for no one can ever successfully unravel all there is about the Almighty. Yet, they spoke about Him with so much reverence and awe. The Psalmist in the text best illustrates this. In obvious wonderment, he urged all people to clap their hands, shout with the voice of triumph in praise and worship of the almighty God, the great King over all the earth. He points out that God has power to subdue nations and peoples under Him; He desires to be praised, honoured and worshipped. He reigns and rules in holiness over both good and bad people. He has power over all. No wonder the people who know Him, "even the people of the God of Abraham" unite in extolling His greatness and exalting His Name.

God, indeed, is so awesome; we can never capture all His essence in words. But this must not stop us from describing Him in glowing terms. We should excitedly tell others about Him, especially what He has done for us, and what we know personally about this "God of Abraham". And like Abraham, what we know about Him should make us obey Him without reservation. This way, we can become, not just God’s children but His friends and spiritual inheritors of all the promises that He made to Abraham.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 139 - 150

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "If you know God more, you’ll trust Him more"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Monday, April 27, 2015

Angelic Evangelism

TEXT: REVELATION 14:6-13

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Revelation 14:6).

Someday, gospel-preaching which has hitherto been the exclusive preserve of the saints on this earth, will be done by angels. During the last half of the great tribulation when the redeemed would have been raptured and gone to live with the Lord in heaven, some angels will be sent to a world in torment to preach “the everlasting gospel”.

They will proclaim nothing else but what believers have been preaching. This affirms the unity and universality of evangelism, because Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and today and forever.”

The angelic message will come with force and power associated with those who stand in the presence of God. They will be foretelling the collapse of Babylon, which symbolizes the politics, religion and economic system of the world whose chief characteristics are immorality, rebellion, apostasy and support for the Antichrist. It will be abominable corruption rolled into one.

There is a warning that those who are tempted to deny their faith in Jesus and receive the mark of the beast in the face of martyrdom will be doomed. They are enjoined to continue to be steadfast in the Lord regardless of the pressures to give up.

According to the angelic preaching, those who die for their faith in Christ during the tribulation will be specially blessed. What holds true in these words also holds true today. The Christian must shun the defiling influence of the system of the world now in order to escape the wrath of God.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 1 - 2

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Believe the gospel to escape the wrath to come"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Money Can’t Buy God

TEXT: PSALM 49:1-14

"They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him" (Psalm 49:6,7).

Today’s text explains the ephemeral nature of riches, with a warning to those who pride themselves in it. The psalmist notes the attitude of some rich people who are not only unkind to the poor, but also exploit them.

The psalmist explains that none of the rich people could ever buy life and that it was only God who could stop anybody from dying. He cautions the poor against being agitated with what the rich use their money to do since they cannot use it to buy themselves longer lives from God.

Though wealth acquired genuinely is not a sin, yet the love of it is. The power of money casts a snare and makes men proud and pompous, igniting the assumption that a man could live without God. Some rich people put their hope and trust in their money. This is a foolish thing to do because money can only buy pleasure, but not peace; it can buy men, but not God. Whether rich or poor, wise or foolish, everybody must die, and whatever anybody has accumulated on earth will not be buried with him or her. Everything would be left behind, “for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7). Only faith in God and His promises can sustain anyone till the end.

Believers need to be strongly admonished against the push and pull of money. Some believers get subsumed under the claptrap of money because of their loss of heavenly vision. They forget that they are mere pilgrims on earth. Saints of God are to hold the things of this world loosely. The Scripture enjoins us to lay our treasures in heaven so that the heart is not bogged down by the pursuit of fleeting earthly treasures.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 3 - 5

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Do not clog the heart with transient gratifications"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Awesome Revelation

TEXT: DANIEL 10:1-9

"Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength" (Daniel 10:8.).

Charles Swindoll, an evangelical Christian pastor and radio preacher, in the course of studying the Scripture, worked himself up with a feeling of finding examples of early believers, whose lives were marked by rigidity, predictability, inhibition, dullness and caution. But his research could not get him anywhere. Instead, Swindoll said: “The examples I find are of adventurous, risk-taking, enthusiastic, and authentic believers whose joy was contagious even in times of full trial. Their vision was broad even when death drew near. Rules were few and changes were welcome. The contrast between then and now is staggering.”

Daniel’s vision, from our text, opened up detailed prophecy about Israel’s future. He was particularly concerned about this and he prayed and fasted for three weeks. By the twenty-first day, a man appeared to him, giving him a revelation. Prior to this, the prophet had had some visions, which he could not clearly understand. But this one was clear enough to him. The vision startled him!

The man in the vision clothed himself in linen, which symbolised purity, and girded his loins with fine gold of Uphaz, which equally symbolised high position. His body also was like the beryl, which symbolised royalty, and his face as the appearance of lightning, which also symbolised truth. His eyes were like lamps of fire, which symbolised judgment, while his arms and feet glistened like polished brass, which symbolised power, and his voice like the voice of a multitude, which also symbolised power.

Even though those with Daniel did not see the vision, what they experienced made them to run into hiding, leaving Daniel alone. The prophet, who had completely lost all his strength by the virtue of this vision, was terribly afraid as well. He was so afraid that he fell down and started to sleep. This shows that nobody can comprehend God. This is why we all need to fear, reverence and adore Him. Our finite minds can never comprehend God. But our praises and adoration of Him can attract His manifest presence.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 6 - 7

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Finite man cannot fully comprehend the infinite God"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Thursday, April 30, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-07T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7&start=35&by-date=false#.VbMt33lRH5o//]A Full-Orbed Sacrifice[/url]

TEXT: HEBREWS 9:11-15

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14).

David Livingstone, that great missionary to Africa, made an attempt to compare the efforts he put into the preaching of the gospel in Africa with the sacrifice Jesus made to redeem mankind from eternal damnation and concluded that there was no ground for comparison. In his words “people thought of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which simply paid back a small part of the great debt owed to our God, which we can never fully repay? Is that sacrifice which brings its own reward of the consciences of doing good, peace of mind and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. It’s rather a privilege: I never made a sacrifice, Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s Throne on High to give Himself for us”.

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ cannot be better explained. Christ paid the final and ever efficacious price for the redemption of mankind without spot or any sinful stain either in His nature or life. First, Christ’s blood is sufficient to purge the conscience from dead works. It reaches to the very soul and conscience.

Secondly, the blood is sufficient to enable us to serve the living God, not only by purging that guilt which separates God and the sinner, but in sanctifying and renewing the soul through the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusively, Christ became the Mediator of the New Testament which is anchored in His shed blood and the universal atonement to redeem mankind from transgressions and to qualify all those that are effectually called to receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Christian experiences of salvation and sanctification are obtainable through faith in Christ’s full and final sacrifice.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 8 - 9

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Jesus atoned for all your sins"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Friday, May 1, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-07T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7&start=35&by-date=false#.VbMt33lRH5o//]Human Depravity[/url]

TEXT: GENESIS 4:8-24

"And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10).

The burdensome consequences of the fall of man in Eden are beginning to show in the offspring of Adam and Eve in our text today. Cain offered an unacceptable fruit of the ground. He became angry as God accepted that of Abel, his brother, namely “the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.” He was embittered with Abel and killed him, committing the first recorded murder in the Bible.

We learn of another “first” among the early descendants: “And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.” He became the first to reject God’s ordained principle of monogamy (Genesis 2:18). Bequeathed moral corruption is steadily revealing itself through the Edenic fall.

God’s punishment on Cain demonstrates the Creator’s unmatched concern for those who suffer because of their commitment to righteousness. Their persecution is known to God. He will act on their behalf to redress the injustice done to them.

If the blood of Abel could so move God to bring judgment upon the slayer, the precious blood of Jesus, the Son of God, would cause God to do immeasurable more for those who trust in the power of the blood (Hebrews 12:24).

When “Cain went out from the presence of the LORD”, he and his descendants established another “first”: they became the experimental parents of human civilization cut off from God. Rather than humble himself in godly sorrow, Cain, like all unrepentant sinners sought to be independent, refusing to submit to the Almighty.

The sinner should retrace his steps and penitently make his way back to God by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in order to escape imminent judgment from heaven.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 10 - 11

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "God saves the sinner only through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Saturday, May 02, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-07T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7&start=35&by-date=false#.VbMt33lRH5o//]He Is Ever Present[/url]

TEXT: NUMBERS 10:1-10

"And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies" (Numbers 10:9).

Several years lay ahead of the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai as they journeyed to the Promised Land. They were savouring thirteen months of freedom from hundreds of years of bondage in Egypt. God saw the years ahead and what they would be encountering in the hands of the enemies in the territories they would be passing through.

So, in our passage today, God is revealed as directing them on how to call for assembly of worship, assembly to meet their leaders and assembly to go to war. Moses was directed to make "two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece... that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps" (Numbers 10:2).

This arrangement was to ensure order and unity in their midst. No one or group was expected to form a gathering away from the main congregation. Movement from one location to another must be done as one united body so that organizing them could be done under one authority. This would allow Moses to impart God’s word under one umbrella, with no risk of different camps emerging where false and personal doctrines might creep in to destabilise the faith of the people.

God will help His people when they are in trouble and they call on Him to intervene. He will give them His grace and protection. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers..., when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2). Trust God. His promises are yea and amen in Christ.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 12 - 13

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Draw close to God in prayers; and He will move on your behalf"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Sunday, May 03, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-07T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7&start=35&by-date=false#.VbMt33lRH5o//]Character Of A Christian[/url]

TEXT: MATTHEW 5:1-6

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).

John Hill Aughey, one of the notable gospel ministers, said: "Holiness consists of three things separation from sin, dedication to God, transformation into Christ's image. It is in vain that we talk about the last, unless we know something experimentally about the first."

Our Lord Jesus Christ, in today’s text, pointed out some salient issues about Christian conducts. When a great multitude followed Him, He went to the mountain, where He taught them what they should know about true fellowship with God, which obviously would make them enjoy life on earth and in heaven.

Remarkably, Jesus pointed out that nobody would be able to make heaven without being poor in spirit. Heavenly-minded people should not be haughty, but be humble and lowly. They must acknowledge their spiritual wretchedness, bewail their guilt and thirst after God. For those who mourn for their poor spiritual state, Jesus assured that they will be comforted and filled with happiness. Their godly sorrow would enable them have true repentance, become watchful of everything they do and continue to depend on God wholeheartedly.

Jesus equally taught of the benefit of meekness, pointing out that those who quietly submit to God and bear all insults patiently would inherit the kingdom of God. Those who are meek would always live peaceably with everybody. These teachings of our Lord are still relevant to us today. Our desires of spiritual blessings must be earnest. At every moment, we should be friendly with everyone, not being proud or feel that we know more than others.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 14

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Nothing so clearly discovers a spiritual man as his treatment of an erring brother"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Monday, May 04, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-07T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7&start=35&by-date=false#.VbMt33lRH5o//]The Lord Knows[/url]

TEXT: JUDGES 13:1-7

"And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son" (Judges 13:3).

When we are assaulted with diverse trials and temptations, and we hope for divine intervention in our situation, we are not allowed to take our arguments to man or try to seek relief in strange places, for the God we serve knows about our needs in details and is willing to help us.

Our text reveals divine knowledge of the delayed hope of childbearing afflicting the family of Manoah. “Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not…” This bit of personal information about Manoah’s wife announced by the mouth of a “stranger” must have come to her with doubt and a sudden shock. But we need not be surprised. God is aware of all that we go through. Our cries and secret prayers are heard by Him. He also knows the reproaches of enemies against each of His children.

Our God has great compassion for people who wait on Him. Though, our wait for Him may seem long, He will surely answer and comfort us. The angel of the Lord that came to Manoah’s barren wife showed sympathy but also gave a blessing – “…thou shalt conceive, and bear a son”. It may appear that the desired answer is long awaited; but when it comes, it will not only soothe our pain, it will also give us a future blessing, joy and hope.

As we wait for our promised blessings which must surely come at God’s appointed time, we need to separate ourselves from all sin and impurities so that we may receive the blessing. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 15 - 16

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "He cares for you"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Tuesday, May 05, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-07T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7&start=35&by-date=false#.VbMt33lRH5o//]Wanted: Burden Bearers[/url]

TEXT: EZRA 9:5-15

"And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens" (Ezra 9:6).

John Calvin, an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation, stated: “Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.”

Ezra, a prophet of God, never disobeyed the Lord. In humility, he went before Him for the Jews, praying as if he was involved in their sin. He was deeply sad about the sin of his people, which, he said, had swept over them like a flood that could reach up to the heavens. He noted that the Jews had lived in sin all through their history, which was why their enemies defeated them, killing some and making slaves out of others.

Ezra acknowledged that notwithstanding God’s kindness to the Jews, they still did not obey His laws. As the former owners of Canaan were not obedient to God, doing wicked things, God told the Jews to completely separate themselves from these other nations and not to marry them. Yet, the Jews did not obey Him. They did the same things, which their forefathers did. Ezra knew that they had no excuse for their actions.

Today, the same situation still befalls many Christians. Some have completely enmeshed themselves in sin, paying little regard to God’s feelings. God sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, to rescue us from our sin. Yet, not many people have utilised this great opportunity. You can only have a right relationship with Him when you live within the framework of His commandment. There is still an opportunity today. If you turn to Him with a humble and sincere attitude, He will forgive you.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 17 - 18

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Greatness is measured in terms of selfless service rendered to others"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Wednesday, May 06, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-11T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7#.VbwQdflViko//]Compassion And Action[/url]

TEXT: MARK 8:1-3

"I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat" (Mark 8:2).

Passion and compassion are admirable qualities that can help a person accomplish great things in life. But without action, passion turns lame and compassion becomes feeble. Compassion and passion must lead to action before they can bear useful fruits. The Good Samaritan did not earn his reputation by merely nursing compassion but by the actions that backed his compassion (Luke 10:33-35).

In today’s text, Christ had compassion on the multitude of people that were with Him without food for three days. These were the common people who were hungry for the teaching of Christ and followed Him in the wilderness, listening to him. He was considerate about their situation because if He should dismiss them without food, "they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far." His compassion was not passive. He put action behind it even if it meant doing what was humanly impossible. He fed the four thousand people miraculously by multiplying the only available seven loaves of bread and handful of fish before dismissing the assembly.

Christ was concerned, not only for their spiritual welfare but also for their physical well-being. Often, in our bid to spiritually cater for the teeming multitudes of the unsaved people in our communities, we overlook the other aspects of their well-being. But Christ’s teaching and examples show that love, kindness, consideration and compassion go hand-in-hand with the gospel.

You may not multiply loaves of bread – it may not even be necessary to do so. But you can multiply the love and compassion of Christ. If He lives in you, do not hold back the compassion He desires you extend to the people around you. Back this noble feeling with concrete action.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 19 - 20

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "You are not truly moved with compassion if it doesn’t move you into action"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Thursday, May 07, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-11T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7#.VbwQdflViko//]Words Of Peace And Truth[/url]

TEXT: ESTHER 9:29-32

"And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth" (Esther 9:30).

Truth actually had the final word in the case of the Jews under the Persian Emperor, Ahasuerus. Powerful Haman, the archenemy of the Jews, had maliciously plotted their complete massacre for no just cause. He succeeded in getting the signature of the emperor on the wicked decree that he drafted and had it circulated throughout the land. Thousands of Jew-hating people were ready to execute the decree before the Jews, through divine intervention, had the decree overturned. The king ordered the execution of Haman on the same gallows he had prepared for Mordecai, the Jew. A new decree was written and circulated, empowering the Jews to defend themselves against their aggressors on the appointed date of the planned massacre. Thus did the Jews eliminate their enemies throughout the land.

The turn of events that led to the deliverance of the Jews also brought Mordecai to a dignified position in the government of Ahasuerus. In their official capacities, Queen Esther and Mordecai wrote yet another decree to confirm the observation of Purim among the Jews. Although this was an authoritative letter, it contained only words of peace and truth. The first decree that was issued by Haman based on falsehood and malice brought terror and hopelessness; this one based on truth, brought peace and joy.

The gospel, indeed, the whole Scripture, is about words of peace and truth. Satan, the enemy of our soul, would rather have us confined to eternal damnation; but Christ Jesus, the embodiment of truth came to set us free. Those who acknowledge and appropriate this truth are set free and enjoy the peace of God that passes all understanding.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 21 - 22

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "If your ways please God, he turns your enemy’s decrease to your increase"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Friday, May 08, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-11T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7#.VbwQdflViko//]God Will Take Control[/url]

TEXT: ISAIAH 4:1-6

"And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain" (Isaiah 4:6).

The Scripture affirms that this world with its filth and depravity will not last. God, Who created it will reclaim it and wash it clean for Himself and His people. It will start with the Church and later the whole world.

This is the focus of today’s meditation. For a long time, the women of Zion had walked their own way, away from the teachings of God. They were given to “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). They looked for immorality and thought only of their selfish interests, showing no concern for holiness or for the poor and the oppressed. They steeped themselves in the fashion of the day, spending heavily on the things that perish with no regard to their spiritual development. The ornaments they put on made an irritating noise in the ears of the Almighty.

But God said He would eventually step in through the Messiah, Who is referred to as the Branch in verse two: “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel”.

God will uproot the evil in the world by washing “away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning” (verse 4).

He will create for Himself a Holy place fit for a holy God and His holy saints. The power of God would put an end to all defilement such that nothing unclean will dwell there. God’s glory will then hover above His people. It will be a place of impregnable refuge for all the saints of God.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 23 - 24

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "God is preparing an Eternal refuge for believers in Christ"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Saturday, May 09, 2015

[url=http://dailymanna.dclmhq.org/search?updated-max=2015-05-11T00:00:00%2B01:00&max-results=7#.VbwQdflViko//]The Compassionate Touch[/url]

TEXT: LUKE 5:12-16

"And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean" (Luke 5:12,13a).

A palm-wine tapper was witnessed to by a local pastor for years to no avail. He would not receive the gospel nor come to church. No, not even on the Lord’s day. He esteemed the gain from his infamous trade more highly than the souls of many promising young men now turned drunkards in the small village; no thanks to the cheap liquor that was his stock-in-trade. He fell off a tall palm-tree as he went up to collect the product one Sunday morning and came down with injury to his spine. Doctors pronounced his case to be hopeless. In hospital, he sent for the village pastor whose preaching he had spurned these many years. The pastor arrived immediately, prayed for him and rallied church members round him in an intense prayer meeting for his recovery. Three days later, doctors said he got better. About six weeks later, he was ready to go home. Christ had touched his soul and healed his pain not minding his shameful past.

The leper in our text must have heard of the ministry of Jesus for he knew He had power to heal him. However, he was not sure Jesus would be willing to touch him, probably because of his putrefying sores. He was ignorant of the intense love, mercy and compassion of Jesus. Being humbled by his hopeless situation, he pleaded and cried out to Jesus for help: "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

The response from Jesus is ever so reassuring – "I will". That is Christ’s same answer to us whenever we turn to Him for help in our distressed, helpless state. He will never turn away those who penitently come to Him though they be untouchable sinners or diseased fellows. Jesus is a compassionate and loving God. When you are suffering, remember that He feels your pain with you.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 25 - 26

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "The Lord’s love and compassion are without parallel"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Sunday, May 10, 2015

Who Am I?

TEXT: EXODUS 3:11-22

"And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11).

Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and glowing terms. He told the congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China, and then presented him as “our illustrious guest.” Taylor stood quietly for a moment, then opened his message by saying, “Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master.”

There are times when we hesitate to do God’s will because of feelings of inadequacy. Moses, in today’s text, felt so inadequate to lead the children of Israel that he offered several excuses to God. He was such a humble man who saw himself not up to the task of bringing Israel out of Egypt. But God had found His man in Moses; therefore, He assured him and persuaded him to accept the task. God not only reminded Moses of His covenantal promise to Abraham, but used the name “I AM” to teach him about His unchanging nature. This is because a right concept of God is essential to serving Him with proper perspective. Moses was soon ready to undertake the task. The scepter of Egypt which he had stood to inherit was replaced with the staff of a simple shepherd. The self-appointed vigilante who had slain an Egyptian taskmaster had, over the space of four decades, become the meekest man on the face of the earth.

We may have at one time acted rashly and took laws into our hands in our zeal to carry out our self appointed tasks in the vineyard of God. Trying to do the work of God ourselves without His mandate is not a very practical plan and God is definitely not in it. But the Lord will qualify us for the task ahead if we truly and sincerely seek Him, with the mind-set to serve on His terms only.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 27 - 29

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "True servants of God are groomed in the furnace of affliction"

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DCLM Daily Manna
Monday, May 11, 2015

Will The Lord Be Pleased?

TEXT: LEVITICUS 10:12-20

"And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD... and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD?" (Leviticus 10:19).

When pleasing the Lord is our main motive in Christian service, then we would always be concerned with the way the Lord feels about our service. Many people do things without thinking of how the Lord feels about them. They do not seem to be bothered about how God views their actions and services. They feel okay if they are satisfied with their actions and have the supporting approval of others. But if we are conscious of the fact that the Lord takes interest in all that we do, we will render a more acceptable service to Him.

Moses in our text was surprised when he found out that Aaron, the high priest, did not eat the sin offering as it was his duty to do. The response of Aaron to this gives us a very challenging and instructive lesson. He did not just want to carry on with duty for the sake of it. He was concerned with rendering acceptable service before the Lord. At this point, he grieved over the death of his two sons whom God had brought instant judgment upon because they offered a strange fire before the Lord. Aaron’s action was not to protest the death of his sons. He just felt that with what had happened that day, carrying on with religious duty may not please the Lord.

The primary focus of Christian living and service should be to please the Lord. There is no point trying to carry on a spiritual duty when we sense that such service at such a time will not be acceptable before the Lord. If we realize that the state of our hearts disqualifies us from giving unto the Lord holy and acceptable service, it is better to suspend such a service and get our hearts right before the Lord. Don’t just carry on with duty because you want to satisfy yourself or those who have appointed you. Focus on pleasing the Lord alone.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 30 - 31

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Let pleasing the Lord be your daily desire"

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Daily Manna
Tuesday, May 12, 2015

A Righteous Indignation

TEXT: JOHN 2:17-25

"And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (John 2:17)

In the earlier portion of the chapter, we saw the extent to which the Lord went against those desecrating the holy temple of His Father. Christ had to take exception to such desecration as a mark of the extent of His pain to what the unbelieving Jews were doing. They left where they ought to sell doves and oxen, or the appropriate places to do their money-changing business and invaded the temple of God. Of course, Jesus could not tolerate such excesses. He had to practically whip the dealers out of the place.

The seventeenth verse must be considered most instructive to all saints, for it reveals how a true believer in Christ can and should go to protect the sanctity of the true worship of God when it faces the threat of being profaned by unbelievers. We saw a similar zeal in the life of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, when he could not behold the evil of a fellow Israelite. While the whole congregation was weeping over the anger of God determined against them as a result of their whoredom, one of them brought in a Midianitish woman and still had the courage to wade through the crowd and went in to commit evil. Phinehas went after him and the woman and killed them both with a javelin. Commending Phinehas, God said: “He was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy” (Numbers 25:11).

Believers must not tolerate sin and must speak out against sin no matter who is involved. A believer who sits still when God’s name is being blasphemed is not a worthy ambassador.

Your action when unbelievers are taking the name of God in vain shows who you really are. And your attitude to iniquities being committed right under your nose truly declares how fluorescent your light is and how tasty your salt is.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 1- 3

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Stand-up for God in every situation and be on the side of righteousness"

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Daily Manna
Wednesday, April 13, 2015

Refuse To Compromise

TEXT: GENESIS 21:22-34

"And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest" (Genesis 21:22)

Nearly ten years ago, it was estimated that 200 million Christians worldwide were being persecuted for their unflinching stand for Jesus Christ and Holiness. It was reported that they were denied their rights and entitlements as citizens for refusing to compromise with sin.

Why does the world hate us Christians when we love them and preach salvation and the love of God to them? Jesus told us the reason. “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light” (John 3:20). “...The world hateth them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19).

But in midst of this hostility, God still protects and blesses those who are faithful to Him, those who decide that come what may, they would not give up their trust in Jesus Christ. As God shields His people and gives them the grace to remain steadfast in holiness and selfless service in the ministry, He opens the eyes of their adversaries to see the blessedness in the lives of the persecuted Christians.

It was the case with Abraham, the believer’s forerunner in faith. The patriarch had been subjected to maltreatment by the heathen king Abimelech and his servants in the land of Gerar (Genesis 20). They took his wife and his well. After these setbacks, however, Abraham began to enjoy a period of great divine visitation during which he got his wife, Sarah, back. She conceived in old age to give him the promised child, Isaac. He had also become prosperous suggesting that indeed God was behind his successes.

Christians should not fret when there is persecution. Instead, they should rest on God’s unchanging promises (Joshua 1:5).

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 4 - 6

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Trust His promise never to forsake the true believer"

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Wealth Without Christ

TEXT: PSALM 49:15-20

"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me..." (Psalm 49:15)

He had everything going for him; wealth and riches as a result of enormous proceeds from his bountiful harvest. He thought of what to do and decided to pull down his subsisting barns to build a greater one that could house all his fruits and goods. Then he said, “I will say to my soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry.” He evidently had no thought for the God of the harvest. Little wonder “God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee...”.

Our text is one of the Psalms written, not to give praise, but rather to instruct and to lay bare the vanities of earthly riches. The rich and the poor have one thing in common: at death, they leave behind all they own here on earth. Many people today are engaged in the rat-race for wealth and some acquire it at the expense of their souls. At the time of death, many would wish they had invested less on earth and more in heaven.

Wealth invested here on earth would soon be corrupted by moth and rust; thieves and robbers would also break in and steal. It is futile to trust in riches that have a transitory nature. One whose life consists only of abundance of possessions, worldly pleasures and fame, has chosen to spend eternity in misery, weeping and utter damnation.

It becomes instructive then that as you read this, you will recognise the need to make up your mind to live for God, invest more in His kingdom and boast no more of your earthly riches. As believers, we are enjoined to rise above the ungodly pursuit of wealth and fret not at the prosperity of the wicked.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 7 - 8

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "We brought nothing into the world, we will take nothing out"

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Daily Manna
Friday, May 15, 2015

Power In The Blood

TEXT: HEBREWS 9:16-23

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22)

Years ago when a preacher in the United States went to work on a person possessed with demons, he called on the choir to sing what he described as “Blood songs”. “Get the Blood songs ready. Just sing Blood songs. We are going to conquer the devil,” he ordered.

The preacher understood the power in the blood of Jesus which is so eloquently declared in our reading today. But applying blood to “conquer the devil” is only a part of the innumerable functions of what the blood of Jesus can do.

His blood cleanses the sin of all who repent and believe in Him (Matthew 26:28). By His blood, Jesus ransoms all believers from the power of Satan and evil influences. He justifies all who believe in Him. The blood of Jesus cleanses believers’ consciences that they might serve God without guilt.

The blood opens the way for believers to come directly before God through Jesus in order to find grace, mercy, help and salvation. The blood is also a guarantor of all the promises of The New Covenant. We continuously appropriate the saving, reconciling and purifying power of the blood of Jesus Christ as we come to God through Him.

The blood of Jesus never fails to remind us of the suffering on the cross at Calvary. So, we are warned not to trifle with the salvation He gave us. The blood beckons the believer to contemplate so great sacrifices by the sinless One for the sinners. Thus, we are challenged to ever remain faithful and obedient in the ministry work He has chosen us for.

The believer has been redeemed by an all purpose blood, infinitely superior to any other. And it guarantees us, not only victory here on earth, but also paves the way to heaven, His abode.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 9 - 11

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins"

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Daily Manna
Saturday, May 16, 2015

A Consecrated Vow

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 1:14-28

"Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there" (1 Samuel 1:28)

Edward McKendree Bounds, an astute clergyman, who gave himself much to prayer, once commented thus: "Natural ability and educational advantages do not figure as factors in this matter of prayer; but a capacity for faith, the power of a thorough consecration, the ability of self-littleness, an absolute losing of one's self in God's glory and an ever present and insatiable yearning and seeking after all the fullness of God."

Nothing could better explain Hannah's consecration than the way she conducted herself, according to our text, when she was in anguish. She had longed for a child, but it was not forthcoming. It looked as if God had forgotten her. But it was not so; it was only a delay. She knew that God was all-powerful and only Him could help her. So, she went to Him, not praying aloud, but in her spirit. Eli the priest, who did not understand her, thought that she was drunk, which was a misjudgment.

Perhaps, Eli had seen other people behaved badly in the temple and thought Hannah could be one of them. In spite of this accusation, Hannah never allowed anger to rise in her heart. Rather, she lovingly and patiently bore the ridicule. When Eli realised his mistake, he blessed her. Leaders, sometimes, can make a mistake and accuse you falsely. Your disposition will determine whether you are born again or not. But as a leader, when you realise your mistake, do you tender unreserved apology, or do you allow haughtiness to take over you, simply because you are occupying one position or the other in the church?

Hannah made a vow to dedicate the child, if God granted her request, to the service of the Lord all throughout his life. God out of mercy, answerd her prayer and she gave birth to a son. When the child, Samuel, was old enough to eat proper food, Hannah fulfilled her vow and dedicated him to the Lord.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 12 - 14

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Make a vow not to be a lukewarm Christian"

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Sunday, May 17, 2015

Unqualified Favour

TEXT: 1 KINGS 10:14-29

"So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom" (1 Kings 10:23)

It boggles the mind why most peoples' priority lies in the realm of the profane and the carnal. Not many realise that a God-given wisdom is the answer to all the challenges of life.

When Solomon became the king of Israel, he went for the real thing - God's wisdom, not wealth. He probably knew that wealth without God would amount to vanity. And God, who promised that when you seek first His kingdom and righteousness "all these things shall be added unto you," favoured Solomon with abundant blessings. Our text shows Solomon's great wealth, which came from taxes that merchants paid and countries that his father, David had conquered. Much of the wealth equally came from merchants, while others came from people who paid him for his advice and from trade in horses and chariots.

All around Solomon was wealth and he flaunted it in the best ways he knew. All his dishes and cups in the palace were made of gold. He had a royal seat on which he sat to give laws and advice. He also made some gold shields, which he used in ceremonies. Solomon's great wealth is incomparable with God's. But he was able to tap into God's blessings because he, first of all, sought for what was needful, the wisdom from on High.

God's wealth, unlike Solomon's, will never fade. Seeking God wholeheartedly attracts His favour. Many today seek Him half-heartedly, asking for frivolous things. They value material acquisition more than God's precious salvation and holiness of life. But if you will decide today to distinguish yourself before Him, through a lifestyle of holiness and consecration, God will surely honour you with His blessings, especially His wisdom.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 15 - 17

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Whom God loves, He favours; therefore, seek His love"

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Monday, May 18, 2015

The Wrath To Come

TEXT: REVELATION 14:14-20

"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle" (Revelation 14:14)

A great number of pages of the book of Revelation is about hope for the believer in Jesus Christ. There are lines that breathe words of comfort for the Christian who is able, by the grace of God, to endure to the end. There are assurances of the reality of heaven, the dwelling place of God and His Son as well as the Holy Spirit, the angels and all heavenly hosts including the redeemed saints. And there is the beautiful hope that our Saviour will lead us there.

Yet, alas in the same book, there are visions of eternal doom in hell which will be the home of those who do not die in Christ, those who reject the salvation plan of God, or those who through careless living, lose their salvation. This place of eternal damnation was not created for man but for Satan and his fellow fallen angels, according to Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:41. In addition to numerous pages that issue clear and distinct warning about the end-time and the events that would lead to a separation between those marked for heaven and those for hell, Revelation 14:14-20 also addresses the activities of the last days of the Great Tribulation. “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs” (Revelation 14:20).

The treading of grapes was a symbolism for the execution of divine wrath on the ungodly (Isaiah 63:3). At the return of Jesus Christ by the end of the Great Tribulation, all unbelievers in the world will be gathered and judged. A massive slaughter will take over at the Battle of Armageddon.

This is the reason believers should be on their toes preaching the gospel to save the lost, while at the same time asking for more of God’s grace to endure to the end. “For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11).

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 18 - 19

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Show love for the lost"

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Not External Religion Please

TEXT: PSALM 50:1-15

"I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds" (Psalm 50:8,9)

The underlining precepts of the kingdom Jesus preaches are spiritual and moral re-armaments with the powerful capacity to renew many a soul, however depraved through the grace of God. The Lord’s messages are not about religion; instead, they are about a revolutionary spiritual rejuvenation which
transforms a sinner into a saint, made to fit into God’s kingdom entirely by grace through Christ’s substitutionary atonement.

The carnal Jews rested in the external performances of their religious duties but missed the mark of a more excellent way of love, prayer and faith in God. In our text today, the Psalmist detests insincerity and vain spiritual worship that is void of implicit obedience to God and to His moral standard. It further highlights the future appearance of a righteous judge with holy instructions for pure worship and a rebuke to pretenders who live in serial disobedience.

God deals with those who place their religion in ritual sources while neglecting practical and inward righteousness and holiness. A mere observance of physical piety without genuine experience of salvation and freedom from sin will attract the wrath of God. Attending church services and prayer meetings without personal and definite encounter with the Lord in simple confession and forsaking of sin is vain. God does not esteem those who worship Him with lip service because He only regards those who worship Him in spirit, truth and sincerity.

Today, going to church services, taking part in the Lord’s table, evangelizing, water baptism and paying tithes and offerings have been turned into mere ritual by many. These activities are vain and empty if they are done for earthly recognition. Obedience, loyalty to God and an attitude of devotion are necessary to serving Him acceptably.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 20 - 22

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Religious profession without Christ is vain"

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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

God Is Able

TEXT: ISAIAH 18:1-4

"For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest" (Isaiah 18:4)

Our text reveals God’s displeasure towards Ethiopia’s request from Judah. Ethiopia, which Isaiah described as a major world power at that time, ruled Egypt and was a major rival to Assyria. Through its ambassadors, who sought for an alliance with Judah, Ethiopia demanded that Judah should send swift messengers to align itself with it against Assyria. But God rejected such alliance, informing that as Judah’s Lord, He was more than able to deal with the Assyrians Himself. He wanted Judah to trust Him.

God noted that He could destroy the Assyrian army completely to the extent that they would be left as prey for the mountain birds. As God felt that Ethiopia’s request was unnecessary, Isaiah the prophet also announced that a day would come when the Ethiopians would come to worship the Lord and bring gifts to Him. So, instead of Israelite’s messengers bringing news to Ethiopia for an alliance against Assyria, the Ethiopians would, one day, come and worship God at Mount Zion.

There are so-called Christians who seek help where there is no help. Idol worshippers and occultists, who actually need help, have now become consultants to some believers. What a pity! Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego never sought for Nebuchadnezzar’s help at the moment of their trial. Jesus never implored for Pilate’s assistance at the “downturn” of His life. Paul the apostle never beseeched King Agrippa for help when the Jewish leaders moved against him.

Who do you take after? Are you abandoning God and seeking help from those you are indeed supposed to help? Are you not supposed to stand for God, no matter whose ox is gored, so that unbelievers will turn away from their sin and come to Christ? If you are truly a Christian, be a model in this evil and adulterous generation.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 23 - 24

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "There is no limit to God’s ability to save to the uttermost"

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Thursday, May 21, 2015

He Is Coming Again!

TEXT: HEBREWS 9:24-28

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:28)

A part of worship service in Israel in the Old Testament times entailed the entering of the holy place of the sanctuary once in a year by the high priest. He would go in with blood sacrifices for the atonement of his sins and those of the people. It was a reverential function which only he could perform, after purging himself of his transgressions and fulfilling all the conditions laid down by God. He risked swift judgment of death if he faltered.

So, the Israelites anxiously waited for the reappearance of their high priest from the inner sanctuary where he had gone to intercede for them. They prayed he would be back to signal the accomplishment of the work of atonement for their sin in this once-a-year affair.

This is symbolic today of the true believers’ wait for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our High Priest Who after sacrificing Himself for us has entered into the heavenly places. He is our Advocate on the right side of God, pleading for us. We are waiting for His reappearance, just as the Israelites looked forward to the return of their high priest from the Holy of Holies.

Under the New Covenant, we are enthusiastically looking up for the rapture, when Jesus would come again and take us from the world to heaven and effect our complete salvation. True, we have salvation already through Christ’s work on the cross at Calvary. But we need the perfection of the salvation operation (Philippians 3:20,21).

Genuine believers in Jesus Christ ought to engage themselves in prayers and evangelism in preparation for this great Second Coming of our Lord to consummate our salvation. This is the high-point of our faith in and allegiance to Him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: RUTH 1 - 2

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Jesus is coming again only for those preparing for Him"

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Friday, May 22, 2015

Led By The Spirit

TEXT: NUMBERS 10:11-13

"And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses" (Numbers 10:13)

A Christian today is not led by dramatic or eventful signs such as pillars of cloud and fire, the way the children of Israel were led when they journeyed through the wilderness. He is not asked to make trumpets of silver to call for the congregation to gather in worship or for war as God demanded of the Israelites. When we read passages in Numbers and the other texts that relate how God planned and guided the movement of the Israelites, we are compelled to see the abiding love of God for His people.

In Numbers 10:12,13, the Bible says: “And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran. And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” Thereafter, for organizational harmony and ease of control of the large number of the people marching on, Moses set leaders over the armies of the tribes and groups. Naturally, the presence of these leaders and the instructions they gave did not rule out the superior guidance of the pillars of fire and cloud, just as Moses’ leadership did not stand for independence from God. It was still God Who “went before them” and directed where to tread through the movements of the pillars (Exodus 13:21).

In our time as followers of Christ, we also have a sure compass, the Bible and the indwelling Holy Spirit, given to us by Jesus Christ to see us through the wilderness of this evil and corrupt world. The Holy Spirit and the Bible should be our constant companions as the pillars of cloud and fire were to the Israelites.

We will overcome the temptations, the battles and the challenges of life if we abide by the injunctions of the Holy Spirit of God as Jesus Christ taught us. They will lead us to heaven, the Christian’s Promised Land.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: RUTH 3 - 4

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "The heavenly-minded pilgrim is not led by worldly milestones"

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Daily Manna
Saturday, May 23, 2015

Sin Attracts Punishment

TEXT: 1 KINGS 11:14-25

"And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom. And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah" (1 Kings 11:14,23)

Dr. Robert Greene Lee, a Baptist evangelist, was noted to be delivering a particular message entitled, ‘Pay-day some-day.’ The thrust of the message was that you may live a life of sin and appear to be getting away with it but judgment must surely come, whether in this life or in eternity.

When Solomon turned away from God, the Lord stirred up adversaries against him. He had married many strange women, including Pharaoh’s
daughter, much against God’s warning. He subsequently backslid. Therefore, the Lord allowed Hadad, an Edomite, and Rezon to cause a lot of troubles for him. Everything started when Hadad, a young man from a royal family in Edom, had an unpleasant experience. David, with his army commander, Joab, had fought Edom and killed all the men. But Hadad managed to escape to Egypt with some of his father’s servants. But when Hadad heard that David and Joab had died, he made his way back to Edom to fight Solomon. Rezon, son of Eliadah, another adversary to Solomon, ran away from his master, Hadadezer, king of Zobah, when David attacked them. He became a leader of a group of rebels but when David defeated the armies of Zobah, the rebels went to Damascus, where they lived till David’s death. He attacked Solomon from the north, while Hadad launched his own attack against Israel from the south. Solomon paid for his many follies.

When encountering certain challenges, a Christian must have a proper self-examination to ascertain whether sin is at the root of it. It is difficult to attract God’s favour and blessings if there is any iota of sin in your life. Stop blaming the devil for every transgression. Look inwards, repent of every sin and God will surely have mercy on you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: GALATIANS 1 - 3

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Sin exposes one to danger and defeat"

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Daily Manna
Sunday, May 24, 2015

Made Perfect Through Trials

TEXT: JAMES 1:1-15

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:3,4)

The scene is being replayed over and over again. The devil had always thought he could crush and destroy the believer and his faith by throwing him into the fire of suffering and affliction. But each time, he had found that his plot, instead of crushing and destroying the Christian faith, had only succeeded in perfecting it and making it better. That was the case with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when Nebuchadnezzar threw them into the fiery furnace, thinking he would destroy them and their faith. But he ended up promoting them and their faith. Trials do not kill the believer; rather, they make him better.

This is the message the Lord is passing across to us today. Our text encourages believers not to dread trials nor misunderstand them to mean that they have fallen out of favour with God. When we are faced with unexplainable challenges that seem unbearable to us, let us not think or feel the Lord has abandoned us. Rather, let us know that the Lord has permitted them in order to bring out the best in us.

Trials, difficulties, afflictions, persecutions and temptations are the usual experiences of true Christians. It is therefore, important that the Christian puts up the right attitude at such moments. When trials come, we are not to grumble, feel dejected and cast down. Neither are we to mourn and be sorrowful. Instead, we are to rejoice, counting it all joy knowing that such trying moments have been allowed to perfect us. At such a time, we are to patiently endure the trials. When we struggle to free ourselves from such trials by trying some carnal solutions, we will miss the purpose in our lives. So, we must patiently endure. This is why we need to ask God in prayer for grace and wisdom for such moments. And as we ask in faith without doubting, God will respond with great mercy and benevolence.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: GALATIANS 4 - 6

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Trials only come to make you strong"

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