DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 18TH MARCH 2021 – WHEN DELAY IS SIN

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The Topic of Deeper Life Daily Manna Devotional for 18th March 2021 Is “ WHEN DELAY IS SIN“

TEXT: Psalm 119:57-64

57. Thou art my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep thy words.

58. I intreated thy favour with my whole heart; be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61. The bands of the wicked have robbed me; but I have not forgotten thy law.

62. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64. The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy; teach me thy statutes.

Key Verse: Psalm 119:60

“I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.”

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

In a letter to his son, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope, said, “I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for hours will take care of themselves… know the true value of time; snatch it, seize it, act promptly and no procrastination…” These words highlight the need to act promptly and never to procrastinate.

Our text, among other things, contains the testimony of the psalmist that he made haste and delayed not to keep the Lord’s commandments. This attribute vividly portrays a man whose heart is regenerated, who has made God his portion in life and in eternity. He has a deep love for His laws and would not allow any circumstance or vicissitude of life to shake his faith in Him.

Even though robbers raided his farm, the psalmist was not discouraged; he remained steadfast in the faith. While sinners revelled during the night in sinful merriments, the psalmist would arise in the middle of the night to praise the Lord. Above all, he never went into any unequal yoke. He made friends only with those who loved and feared the Lord.

Like the psalmist, a believer should act promptly on God’s word without conferring “with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16). Sinners should hurriedly escape for their lives through repentance and faith in the blood of Christ and should no longer continue in the deceitfulness of sin. Backsliders should come back to the Lord and do all necessary restitutions before the door of grace is shut against them forever.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Procrastination is not in the language of those aiming for heaven.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 31-32

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM).

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH 2021 – CHECK THE SPREAD OF SI

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The Topic of Deeper Life Daily Manna Devotional for 17th March 2021 Is “ CHECK THE SPREAD OF SIN“

TEXT: Leviticus 15:1-18

1. And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying,

2. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean.

3. And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue; whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness.

4. Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean; and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean.

5. And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

6. And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

7. And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

8. And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

9. And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean.

10. And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even; and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

11. And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

12. And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken; and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

13. And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

14. And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest;

15. And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue.

16. And if any man’s seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.

17. And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even.

18. The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.

Key Verse: Leviticus 15:13

“And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.”

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

On 17th November, 2019, a disease called COVID-19 broke out in China and became a global pandemic, which infected and killed several thousands of people. It was a contagious disease which could only be prevented by maintaining physical distancing between individuals, regular washing of hands and the use of nose masks. Anyone who realised that he had had contact with an infected person was to go for quarantine for about 14 days, to determine if he had been infected or not.

The text of today also deals with laws concerning ceremonial cleansing from defilement arising from bodily emissions and any other unhygienic condition. Whoever had bodily emission considered to be unclean could not be touched, else, the person that touched him became unclean too. Part of the purification rites involved washing oneself and clothes in a running water and staying away from the camp for seven days. This would prevent the defilement from spreading.

While certain ceremonial uncleanness remained only till evening and was terminated by bathing, people with other types might have to remain outside the camp even after healing for the next seven days to ensure full recovery, after which they would then carry out cleansing rites involving sin offering and a burnt offering.

In Christendom, nothing could be more defiling and contagious than sin. It disqualifies a person from being in the congregation of saints. Believers are warned not to toy with sin or be yoked unequally with unbelievers. They should, constantly examine themselves and run away from every appearance of evil while sinners and backsliders should seek pardon and cleansing in the blood of Jesus through genuine repentance and restitution.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The only way to stop the spread of sin is not to sin.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 29-30

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM)

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 2ND MARCH 2021 – NO TRIUMPH FOR THE WICKED

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The Topic of Deeper Life Daily Manna Devotional for 2nd March 2021 Is “NO TRIUMPH FOR THE WICKED“

Text: 2 Samuel 1:17-27

17. And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son;

18. (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

19. The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places; how are the mighty fallen!

20. Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

26. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been unto me; thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

27. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 1:20

”Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.”

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

There are tragedies we must not allow to happen. This is why we must be on our guard at all times, lest the devil take advantage of us (2 Corinthians 2:11). The death of King Saul and his sons – especially Jonathan – was an avoidable disaster in Israel. Had Saul maintained his earlier good relationship with God and retained the likes of David in his army, he would not have plunged himself and Israel into the calamity they eventually experienced.

David knew the extent of damage the defeat of Israel by the Philistines and the death of Saul had caused the nation. He lamented: “How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!” (2 Samuel 1:25). The tragedy of Israel’s defeat was a distressing news for him seeing the outcome of that battle might have been different had he been involved. But God kept David away so that rebellious King Saul and his household would be removed from His sight.

Nobody has ever hardened himself against God and prospered (Job 9:4). King Saul made intentional and embarrassing blunders a number of times against divine instructions and did not seek restoration of relationship with God through humility, repentance and total return to Him. He wished off all faults of his, even when they were clearly pointed out to him.

We must not harden our hearts against God and His will or run after the treasures of this life while neglecting the Giver of all privileges. The consequences are grave.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: No gain in ignoring God.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 12-14

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM).

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 1ST MARCH 2021 – A MATE FOR ADAM

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The Topic of Deeper Life Daily Manna Devotional for 1st March 2021 Is “A Mate For Adam“

TEXT: Genesis 2:16-25 (KJV)

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

KEY VERSE: Genesis 2:23

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

Marriage among humans is a universal concept. Every people, race and nation has its established ways of conducting it. As a convention, marriages seek to secure partnership, procreation and purity for two mature adults who accept to bind themselves together in it.

From the biblical standpoint, marriage is God’s idea for man’s own good and fulfilment. It was stated: “And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). This shows clearly that whoever wants to get a good match of spouse should consult the Lord, the architect of marriage.

Because marriage is the bedrock of life and society, the ferocious attacks by Satan and his cohorts against this divine institution are understandable. To destroy a gigantic structure is not very difficult. All that is needed is to weaken its foundation and the damage is done. Any marriage arrangement that obviates monogamy is contrary to God’s will.

Polygamy, endogamy (group marriage), concubinage and other forms of aberration in marriage such as homosexuality, lesbianism and bestiality are against the will of God and those who engage in them have invited the wrath of God against themselves.

That God provided Adam a mate shows His love, care and respect for him. Our heavenly Father is interested in how we sojourn here and who we want to share our lives with while serving Him. He guided Abraham’s servant in the marital process and chose a wife for Isaac.

As God led many others before now to marry aright, He is able to guide our young people and those who rely on Him to make the best choice in marriage for them. If you fall into the category of people looking up to Him for a life partner, pray, believe and leave the choice to Him. He will not fail you.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Let God choose for you.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 8-11

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM)

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2021 – REWARD OF THE WICKED

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The Topic of Deeper Life Daily Manna Devotional for 22nd February  2021 Is “Reward Of The Wicked“

Text: Esther 9:13-19 (KJV)

13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.

14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.

15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.

16 But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,

17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

Key Verse:  And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

Agents of the devil always seem to press on with their deadly agenda, with the goal of exterminating the chosen of the Lord. But they fail at the end of it all.

Through the three days of fasting and prayer undertaken by Queen Esther, Mordecai and the Jews, God overturned the evil plot of Haman to destroy all the Jews in King Ahasuerus’ Empire. The Jews, through a counter decree, authorised by the king and written by Mordecai were given the right to self-defence. In our text, we see Esther making a further request of the king for Haman’s ten sons to be hanged and to give the Jews an extra day to deal with their enemies in Shushan. The requests were granted.

Many people live their lives as if there is no repercussion. “The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked” (Proverbs 3:33a). King Saul had killed the Gibeonites whom Joshua had spared and had sworn to keep alive. Saul’s seven sons were hanged as a result of his action (Joshua 9:14,15); (2 Samuel 21:6-9). Also, Jehu was instructed by God to destroy the house of Ahab for all the wickedness he had perpetrated in Israel.

The law of sowing and reaping applies to every action of men. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil… but glory, honour and peace to every man that worketh good…” (Romans 2:9,10). Every believer must live with eternity in view by sowing seeds of kindness, love and mercy so that his posterity might profit thereby.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: You will certainly reap the fruits of every good or evil seed you sow.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Luke 13-16

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM)

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 2021 – THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S

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The Topic of Deeper Life Daily Manna Devotional for 20th February  2021 Is “THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S“

Text: 2 Chronicles 20:20-35

20. And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

21. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

22. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

23. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

24. And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.

25. And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

26. And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.

27. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

28. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.

29. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

30. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest round about.

31. And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah; he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

32. And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.

33. Howbeit the high places were not taken away; for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

34. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

35. And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly;

Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:22

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

…During World War II, the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill dramatically brought in a young inexperienced officer as commander when the preferred choice died in a helicopter accident. The young man was a Christian. As he took charge, he told everyone to pray and ask God to take over. And He did. The course of the war was reversed and victory came eventually to the Allied forces as the Axis forces surrendered.

The children of Judah were confronted by a formidable three-nation force. The king, Jehoshsaphat, summoned all Judah to Jerusalem to ask help of God. He responded through Jahaziel assuring them that the battle belonged to Him. And since the battle was God’s, all they had to do was to “Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth forever” (verse 21). And the Lord took over the battle. The enemy forces were discomfited.

Our God, Jehovah, is a Man of war (Exodus 15:3). He fought

for Israel against Pharaoh and the Egyptian army and they were drowned in the Red Sea. He also fought against the Canaanites by casting down huge stones from heaven to destroy them (Joshua 10:11). He sent an angel to destroy 185,000 soldiers of the boastful Assyrians in one night (2 Kings 19:35).

God has not changed. He still fights for His people today. However, the battle of today for the believers is “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers”. Our Lord Jesus Christ defeated them at Calvary, thereby, giving the victory to all His followers.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: With the God of battles on your side, victory is sure.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Luke 9-10

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM). 

DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2021 – THE WAY UP

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The Topic of Deeper Life Daily Manna Devotional for 18th February  2021 Is “THE WAY UP“

Text: Luke 14:1-11

1. And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

2. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

3. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

4. And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

5. And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

6. And they could not answer him again to these things.

7. And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

8. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

9. And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

10. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher; then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

11. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Key Verse: Luke 14:10

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher…”

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

The disciples of Jesus Christ had asked Him a very important question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1).

Now, suppose it was Jesus that had asked those disciples the question, what would their answers have been? Maybe, “he that walked on water with You” or perhaps “he that cast out the highest number of demons”. Or maybe still “he that can pray and fast more than others”. But Jesus said the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is someone who has been “converted and become as little children”.

As Jesus Christ went into the house of the chief Pharisee “to eat bread on the Sabbath day”, the scribes and Pharisees watched him to see whether He would heal the man that had the dropsy. After asking them whether it was good or not to heal on a Sabbath day, He went ahead to heal the man. He then went on to educate the other guests about the necessity of choosing a lowly place when invited to an occasion.

The subject of humility is not a very popular one among many modern-day preachers today. Yet, it is the virtue that unlocks God’s favour and blessings upon an individual. Christ the Master, was among His disciples as “he that serveth” (Luke 22:27). He washed the disciples’ feet to demonstrate the virtue of humility (John 13:1-15). He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant” to bring salvation to humanity.

Humility promotes unity and true fellowship in the church. Ardent followers of Christ must, therefore, learn of Him who is “meek and lowly in heart”, since no servant can be greater than his master. Moreover, to the humble, God says “…I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit…” (Isaiah 57:15). Are you humble?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The humble shall rejoice in God’s presence for ever.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Luke 7-8

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM).