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.

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Daily Manna
Wednesday 10, September 2014

Running the Wrong Way

TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:10-26

"But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them" (Ezekiel 20:13).

Roy Riegels, on January 1, 1929, played a football for Georgia Tech against Universal of California, Los Angeles in the Rose Bowl. In the second half of that game, UCLA lost the ball and Roy picked it up, but instead of running the right direction to score the goal for his team, he ran the wrong way, which, unfortunately, made Georgia Tech to lose the game.

This is a true depiction of the Israelites, who lived contrary to God's purposes for them. They had a special relationship with God because of His covenant with Abraham. He clearly spelt out the basic condition for continued favour from Him and victory over all their enemies in the covenant. This He made directly with them through Moses their leader. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine" (Exodus 19:5). But the Israelites chose to live their lives in the wrong way.

Although all the people promised to hearken unto God and obey His words, it was a short-lived obedience. The children of Israel decided to forsake the Lord and went into idolatry. Their repeated disobedience led to rebellion and brought divine wrath upon them. God, speaking through Jeremiah the prophet, said: "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).

Today, there are those who have wantonly ignored God's commandments. Others make a mere lip service of consecrating their lives to Him. They will prefer to live their lives their own way instead of allowing the will of God to control their lives.

How you need to retrace your steps like the prodigal son and quickly come back to the Father who has been patiently waiting to receive you back to the fold!

Thought for the day: "Those that forsake the true God will wander endlessly"

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Updated:
Pastor Kumuyi Completes Yoruba Bible After 15 Years

Thought for the day:

"Those that forsake the true God will wander endlessly"

Daily Manna
Thursday 11, 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.

Repent or Be Damned

TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:27-38

"As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you" (Ezekiel 20:33).

Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers, was said to be a cigarette addict. One day, when he was a young teen, he went behind the family barn, as he was raised from the farm, to satisfy himself with a cigarette, but his father caught him. Spurgeon attempted to diffuse the situation by using an approach, which many youths use when caught doing something wrong, and said to his father: “Dad, the circus is in town. Do you think we can go?” But his father looked at him pitifully and said: “Son, don’t ask your old man for something with a smoldering disobedience in your hand. If you want to go to the circus, drop the smoldering disobedience.”

Israel had broken His precept by their abominable idolatries. God had commanded them to destroy all the monuments of idolatry so that they might not be tempted to desert His sanctuary. Instead of destroying them, they fell in love with them. They offered sacrifices and made their sweet savour, which ought to have been given to God’s altar only.

Judah was equally in that situation. God asked them if they were better than their ancestors. Of course, they were just as bad as their ancestors; they were not only disloyal to God, they went after other gods as prostitutes go with men.

Yet, God would not let them be like the other nations, or be slaves to false gods. He still acknowledged them as His people because He had a covenant with them. But He was angry with them because they turned away from Him. By His great power, He would scatter them across the nations and He would still bring them back.

There is no questioning of God’s dominion: those who will not yield to the power of His grace, shall sink under the power of His wrath. Those who remain unaffected by the power of grace and live without Christ may be sure it is the way to destruction.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

Thought for the day: "It takes a fully surrendered life to closely walk with God"

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Daily Manna
Friday 12, 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.

Fear Underrates God's Power

TEXT: 2 KINGS 14:17-28

"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin" (2 Kings 14:24).

Edward T. Welch, in his book, ‘When People are Big and God is Small,’ said: “Firstly, we fear people because they can expose and humiliate us. Secondly, we fear people because they can reject, ridicule, or despise us. Thirdly, we fear people because they can attack, oppress, or threaten us. These three reasons have one thing in common: we see people as bigger, that is, more powerful and significant, than God. Out of the fear that is created in us, we give other people the power and right to tell us what to feel, think, and do.”

This was exactly what played out in our text. Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, had led Israel into sin because of the fear that the people might turn against him and restore Rehoboam as king over the whole of Israel, if he should allow them to go to Jerusalem to worship. Therefore, he created two calves of gold and set one in Bethel and the other in Dan, which later became a snare to their faith in God. He never consulted God to guide him in his decision. Unfortunately, he allowed his fear to override his trust in God. Consequently, his evil and wickedness prevailed in the land. All the kings of Israel, who ruled after him, followed him in the path of idolatry.

Another Jeroboam, the son of Joash, according to our text, equally followed the footsteps of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, leading Israel astray into idolatry. Though both men reigned at different periods of time, they had the same idolatrous pattern. The evil seed planted by Jeroboam the son of Nebat, affected many generations, even to the time of this Jeroboam the son of Joash and generations after him. The Lord eventually punished them as they went into captivity and were scattered among the heathen.

Remember that whatsoever seed you are planting today shall surely germinate and you will eat of the fruits later on. Even generations yet unborn shall eat therein. Therefore, make your ways right with the Lord today so that the mercy of God can reach down to you.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

Thought for the day: "The greatest mistake is living in fear instead of trusting God"

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Daily Manna
Saturday 13, 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.

Rebellion Attracts Punishment

TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:1-9

"But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt" (Ezekiel 20:8.)

Dwight L. Moody, while preaching about the value of God’s word in a person’s life, was suddenly interrupted by a man, who said: “Mr. Moody, I do not believe a single word in that collection of old wives’ tales you call your Bible!” Moody replied: “My dear man, there is one verse in this Bible that you are forced to believe, which is, ‘whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.’ If a man sows wheat, he does not reap potatoes or peanuts. Take the saloon keeper, for example. He sows drunkards, and he will reap drunkards.”

Immediately after Moody finished his message the audience broke into loud applause and the fellow who interrupted him shamefacedly sat down. Of course, Moody did not know the man, but the audience did. He was a notorious, longtime atheistic saloon keeper, while all his children, both sons and daughters, were drunkards. His refusal to accept Christ brought a negative consequence upon his family.

The life of rebellion and Idolatry of the children of Israel, as our text discloses, had now come to hunt them. Their cup of iniquity was full and the judgment of God was at the door. The elders of Israel, in their distress, came to inquire of the Lord from Prophet Ezekiel. While responding, God commanded the Prophet to cause them to know the abominations of their fathers and to remind them of their rebellion and idolatry in Egypt, in the wilderness and in Canaan.

When God chose the Israelites to be His people, He bound Himself to be their God and Protector. He also promised them deliverance from bondage and provision of blessing in a land flowing with milk and honey. Yet, Israel repeatedly refused to heed God’s command to remove the vile images and forsake the idols of Egypt. The attitude of God to rebellion and idolatry remains the same. The only remedy, which can attract God’s blessings, is to live a life of righteousness and holiness. Make the Lord your portion, obey His words and live for Him in a daily life of fellowship and service.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

Thought for the day: "Those who love God cherish His commandments"

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Daily Manna
Sunday 14, 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.

Damned By Pride

TEXT: 2 KINGS 14:8-16

"Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?" (2 Kings 14:10)

Charles H. Spurgeon said: “There is nothing into which the heart of man so easily falls as pride, and yet there is no more vice which is more frequently, more emphatically, and more eloquently condemned in Scripture. Pride is a thing which should be unnatural to us, for we have nothing to be proud of. In almost every other sin, we gather us ashes when the fire is gone. But here, what is left? The covetous man has his shining gold, but what does the proud man have? He has less than he would have had without pride, and is no gainer whatever. Pride wins no crown.”

Jehoash, in today’s text, showed Amaziah the folly of his challenge. “Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?”

The root of sin is in the heart, from which it flows. The Bible underscores Amaziah’s sinful state. Even when he was said to have done what was right in the sight of the Lord, his heart was not right while doing it. It is not providence that makes men proud, discontented, or arrogant, but their own hearts. The pride in the heart of the man at the helm of affairs in Judah led to serious losses when he instigated his men against another king: “And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.” This man subjected his people to unnecessary ridicule and humiliation.

Amaziah’s case should, therefore, be a strong lesson for us today; that success should not make us proud, aggressive, arrogant and troublesome. If he had heeded Jehoash’s advice and stayed at home, he would not have disgraced himself and his people. Whatever we achieve, we should always remember that God is the source. We must, therefore, learn to be humble and ascribe glory to God from whom all success flows.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

Thought for the day: "It was pride that changed angels into devils; so watch it"

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Daily Manna
Monday 15, 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.

Godly Virtues, Please

TEXT: 2 KINGS 14:1-7

"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did" (2 Kings 14:3)

A song writer, while imploring Christians to build a godly legacy with their lives, wrote: ‘While passing through this world of sin, and others your life shall view, be clean and pure without and within. Let others see Jesus in you. Your life is a book before their eyes. They are reading it through and through. Do others see Jesus in you?”

Our text reflects the impact and the influence of Amaziah’s father on him. This underscored the importance of paying attention to the type of influence which we should, either overtly or covertly, have on those that draw inspiration from us. It is obvious that king Joash influenced Amaziah much more than any other person. Parents, guardians, teachers and other stakeholders, who have the responsibility of mentoring children and the upcoming generations, should be conscious of the enormity of the task God has placed on them.

Amaziah started well, but he did not finish well. He was not as good a king like David, his ancestor. He did what his father, Joash, did by not removing the places where people worshipped on the high hills. Also, he killed, as a legal punishment, those officials who had murdered his father. He did not kill their children however, just to obey the laws of Moses (Deuteronomy 24:16).

So, we should know that every child is a delicate little person. He is an individual who is capable of growing at his own pace, having his own personality, his own intelligence, aptitude and temperament. He grows up physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. He is an imitator, very observant and sensitive to what is happening around him.

All stakeholders, therefore, owe it a responsibility to the larger society to ensure their comportment, actions and inactions are geared towards building an enduring godly heritage that can help upcoming generations.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

Thought for the day: "Godly virtue is better than reputation"

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Daily Manna
Tuesday 16, 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 Self-Conceit

TEXT: 2 KINGS 15:1-12

"And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land" (2 Kings 15:5)

James Tillis, a former heavy-weight boxer and was a cowboy from Oklahoma, who fought out of Chicago in the early 1980s, recalled his first day in the Windy City after his arrival from Tulsa. He said: "I got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under my arms in downtown Chicago and stopped in front of the Sears Tower. I put my suitcases down, looked up at the Tower and I said to myself, 'I'm going to conquer Chicago.' When I looked down, the suitcases were gone."

That self-conceit was his undoing. Azariah, from our text, who was a remarkably successful king, was equally a victim of self-importance. Though he was successful in war and peace, in planning and execution, in building and planting, he allowed a consuming pride which gradually invaded his life like leprosy to destroy him. God smote him with leprosy to chastise him for his unruly behaviour. If great men be proud men, in some way, God will humble them and make them know that He is above and against them: for He resists the proud and gives more grace to the humble. It was a great mortification to one that had been so much - a man of honour and a man of business - to be cut off from society and remained in a solitary house.

The Almighty God has not changed in His pattern of correction. In our contemporary days, cases abound of His awful visitation to erring believers. However, He has reserved the mother of all punishment until the day of final judgment when the lofty in heart and all those who have treated Him and His words with disdain shall be committed to hell.

Dear follower of Christ, will you not humble yourself? True humility is self-abasement that keeps you from thinking too highly of yourself. When your latter end is greatly increased, remember your insignificant beginning. It was pride that changed angels into devils and yet, it is humility that makes men angels.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

Thought for the day: "Self-importance is Satan’s strategy to cause ruin"

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Daily Manna
Wednesday 17, 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.

Killing For Position?

TEXT: 2 KINGS 15:13-26

"For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead" (2 Kings 15:14).

Stella Nickell, a Washington state woman, a few years ago, was convicted for poisoning her husband, Bruce, 52, with cyanide-filled extra-strength Excedrin capsules because she wanted to collect $176,000 in life insurance. She was accused of tampering with over-the-counter pain pills by planting cyanide in them, just to kill her husband. Her daughter, Cynthia Hamilton, who heard Nickell talking about killing her husband, invited the police. Investigation revealed, through fingerprints, that she had consulted four books about cyanide in her local library. Two of them she read, shortly before her husband’s death.

Nickell’s issue was one out of many, who killed because of greed. Several years after the death of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who was king of Israel, many successive leaders took to evil to register their relevance in the scheme of things. In our today’s text, Menahem, the son of Gadi, who ruled Israel for ten years in Samaria, did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam. Pekahiah also followed the footsteps of his father, Menahem, and the vicious circle continued.

Curiously today, the situation is getting worse. In offices, there are those who have employed diabolical means to eliminate the lives of their colleagues, just because of position. Others use gossip and backbiting to curry favour and run down their colleagues. Regrettably, this desperate quest for position has crept into the church. Some Christians now think that their position will determine their place in heaven, failing to realize that without peace with everybody and holiness, they cannot see God.

God has called us to good works so that our activities here will endure to the good of humanity and in furtherance of the gospel of repentance from sin and dead works. No matter where we find ourselves, we must be a salt; we must be the light and we must leave a good footprint in the sand of time.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

Thought for the day: "A glorious lifestyle is a treasure for posterity"

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Daily Manna
Thursday 18, 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.

Pardon Without Compromise

TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:39-49

"I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen" (Ezekiel 20:41).

A few years ago, a husband initiated a divorce suit at the customary court against his wife on the grounds of unfaithfulness. After a long period of legal tussle, the marriage, which was blessed with six children, was dissolved. Seven years later, the man repented of his sins and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Equally, the wife, at this time, had accepted Christ. The man made a restitution and accepted his wife back. This became a joyous reunion as both of them reclaimed their lost home.

In our passage today, God demonstrated His power to forgive and forget. Although, He had, in response to the iniquities of Israel, forced them into compulsory exile and captivity, He had mercy on them and forgave them. He sent Ezekiel to the people, whom He had scattered abroad, and urged them to return. His invitation for their homecoming was not a licence for them to continue in their transgressions and idol worshipping. He gave them certain conditions for their return: “For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.” God also required their: “Sweet savour” and emphasized that their return must be done in a manner in which He “will be sanctified” before the heathen.

Are you a returnee? You must borrow a leaf from God’s requirements in our passage. You must not confuse the entreaties of the church and of God to mean you are “wanted back at all cost.” No. You must get rid of all your sins for which you were driven away in the first instance. As believers, we must re-dedicate our lives today to the service of God and wholly accept the offer of infinite love, which God has shown to us through His dear son, Jesus Christ.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

Thought for the day: "Forgiveness is available for the penitent"

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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: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

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

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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: https://highereveryday.dclm.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: https://highereveryday.dclm.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

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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Tuesday 23, September 2014

A Message Of Hope

TEXT: [url=hhttp://www.deeperlifeonline.org/resources/online-bible//]JEREMIAH 29:10-19[/url]

"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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Wednesday 24, September 2014

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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Thursday 25, September 2014

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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Friday 26, September 2014

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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Monday, April 20, 2015

Damning Sin Of Pride

TEXT: ISAIAH 3:13-26

"Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go... the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts" (Isaiah 3:16,17)

A lawyer sued a big company for a breach of contract. In the court, he demanded a very large sum of settlement money that outraged the judge who wanted to know why the lawyer asked for so much.

He responded: "I’m doing this for one reason.” With pride and utter contempt for his colleagues, the lawyer declared: “I am, you understand, the best attorney in the world."

At the end of the case, a friend confronted the lawyer. "Why did you brag about yourself the way you did?" With more vainglory the lawyer said: "There was nothing else I could do. After all, I was speaking under oath. I had to tell the truth." Obviously, this man was not aware of God’s word in Romans 12:3 that a man should not think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think soberly.

It was the same problem the daughters of Zion had during the ministry of Isaiah the prophet. "...The daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet" (Isaiah 3:16). What judgment was waiting for them? "Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secrets" (Isaiah 3:17).

Pride is addictive attention to self and an exaggeration of a person’s self-worth. Pride leads to spiritual decline that manifests in immorality, oppression of the poor, materialism and worldliness (Isaiah 3:16-26) which attract divine judgment.

Unless the proud repents and turns to Christ for salvation who alone gives grace for humility, modesty and heaven-mindedness, he will remain rejected by God. No proud person is a believer as God resists (rejects) the proud, while He gives grace to the humble.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 107-109

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Pride goeth before destruction"

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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Jesus Is Alive!

TEXT: LUKE 24:1-12

"And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee" (Luke 24:5,6)

Many times, we look for the right things in the wrong places. On the one hand, we express faith in God, but on the other, we act unbelief.

The women at the tomb of Jesus had forgotten that He predicted that He would rise from the dead on the third day. They had only one thought in mind: to embalm His body for a decent burial, something many people crave for today.

But while they came with preparation for the dead, they left with the message from the angels that He is alive! Stunned, they ran back to brief the apostles and other disciples. But no one believed them. Their words sounded like idle tales, the sort some category of women usually told. Even when Peter got to the tomb and met it empty , rather than believe, he became confused, wondering what could have happened.

Yet, here was the greatest event of all times, the singular mark that distinguishes Christianity from other religions: that God came down as man, died for the sins of the world, and rose again in glory. Jesus conquered death so that we too will triumph over death on the last day. He rose with a glorious body, so that we may live henceforth in newness of life. He overcame death so that we can have power to live for Him in this evil world.

The question is, have you met that risen Christ? Has He changed your life? Your life will change the day you allow Jesus to reign in your heart.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 110-118

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "The tomb is empty: He’s risen!"

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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Obedience Is Key

TEXT: NUMBERS 9:5-27

"At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses" (Numbers 9:23)

Such is the binding necessity of the Passover observance (Lord’s Supper), that God says no matter where we may be, His ordinances must at all times be observed in worship. If we are on a journey away from home or the church, He still requires us to serve Him provided it is unblemished service by a saved and sanctified soul.

In the second year of the wilderness journey of the children of Israel, God asked them to keep the Passover and overlook some traditions such as that of uncleanness by reason of a dead body or being in a journey. He said: “yet shall (ye) keep the Passover unto the LORD” (Numbers 9:10). But there is stern warning that he who is qualified to do His service and refrains from it “shall be cut-off from among his people.” When these Old Testament believers complied with this commandment, they were blessed beyond their own expectations.

They had a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that served as signs of divine provision, protection and guidance. The cloud and pillar of fire guided them like a compass in an uncharted sea raging with storm. They would not move unless the two signs indicated the direction and time to do so. “At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tent, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses” (Numbers 9:23).

What this clearly teaches is that our body, being the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16) must be kept chaste and undefiled for service to God wherever we find ourselves. The rapture may occur anytime and it must meet us prepared regardless of the place, whether at workplace, home, on the Lord’s Day or any other day. God is interested in the condition of our soul to purge it of all forms of sin by the blood of Jesus. Only believers who have been washed and sanctified will spend eternity with God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 119: 1-56

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Now is the time to prepare for the coming of the Lord"

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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.

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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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.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 120-130

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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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).

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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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.

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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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.

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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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.

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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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.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 6 - 7

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

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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Thursday, April 30, 2015

A Full-Orbed Sacrifice

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.

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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Daily Manna
Friday, May 1, 2015

Human Depravity

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.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 10 - 11

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

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

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Daily Manna
Saturday, May 02, 2015

He Is Ever Present

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.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 12 - 13

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

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

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Daily Manna
Sunday, May 03, 2015

Character Of A Christian

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.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 14

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: https://highereveryday.dclm.org

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

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