DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 19 JANUARY 2022 – THE FRUIT TEST

 

DEEPER LIFE DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

Daily Manna devotional by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.

DAILY MANNA
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19, 2022

THE FRUIT TEST

TEXT: MATTHEW 7:13-20

KEY VERSE: "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (MATTHEW 7:16).

It is often difficult to decipher the true nature of men. This is because many are very clever in concealing their true essence. They cover their tracks with disciplined lifestyle, gentle words, deceptive appearance and very cultured and civilised conducts. If you are not very careful, it is easy to become a victim of their deception.

Christ stresses that you can know the true identity of the prophets by their fruits - the practical effect of their teaching and the content of their character. "Good trees" are not associated with evil; but corruption of bad trees is eventually exposed. And such bad trees will end up in hell-fire. The fruit test is, therefore, necessary before you yield to the influence of any "prophet" to avoid being damned.

Jesus has one major desire: that all His disciples will get to heaven. He, therefore, taught His disciples to follow the narrow way and shun the wide and broad way that leads to destruction. False prophets help to populate the broad way by craftily misdirecting people. They pretend to have good intentions, but expertly hide their real objective.

We must consciously evaluate the lives of people who claim to be teachers of the word of God, by examining their words and conducts. If they do not portray good habits and maintain high moral character; if they are unable to live out the word they teach others, you must have nothing to do with them. Do everything to ensure you are walking on the narrow way that leads to eternal life. Be a person of firm conviction and commitment to God's word.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Your life is an open book that others read.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ACTS 11-12

HIGHER EVERYDAY

WEDNESDAY  JANUARY 19, 2022

DESIRE TO GROW

TEXT: 1 PETER 2:1-5

MEMORY VERSE: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 PETER 2:2).

According to John Henry Newman, "Growth is the only evidence of life." The first verse of our text gives us an insight into what makes those who profess faith in Christ not to grow. To grow, we must lay aside malice, hypocrisy, evil speaking and other sinful habits which act as growth inhibitors. The permanence, capacity and potency of the word of God in achieving commendable earthly pursuits and eternal wellbeing make it absolutely necessary for every youth to show intense and lively interest in the Bible. Job, an Old Testament saint of God, maintained his integrity and overcame temptations under intense sufferings because he esteemed the word of God more than his necessary food (Job 23:12).

The psalmist meditated on God's word and became wiser than his teachers (Psalm 119:99). God counseled Joshua, the leader of His people, after the death of Moses, to meditate and act on His Word to have good success and to become prosperous (Joshua 1:8). Just as we need milk to grow physically, we need the truth of God's word to keep growing spiritually, socially, emotionally and intellectually.

QUOTE: We need the truth of God's word.

CHALLENGE: No Bible, no breakfast. No Scripture, no sleep.

PRAYER: O God, help me to grow as I study and meditate on Your word.

SINCERE MILK: CHILDREN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19, 2022

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD 

BIBLE TEXT: ISAIAH 11:1-5

KEY VERSE: "And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" (Isaiah 11:2).

Cars are made with strong engine, they also have many other parts too. All these work together to help people find it easy and fast to move from place to place. But no matter how good a car is, it cannot move without premium spirit (petrol) or fuel. Just like a car, we all need the Spirit of the Lord to be at our best for God.

In our Bible passage, Jesus Christ is referred to as "a Branch" out of the roots of Jesse. He was born without sin. He also lived a holy life. Yet, He needed the Spirit of the Lord upon Him to successfully live and do the work of God. The Holy Spirit gave Jesus Christ wisdom and understanding, counsel and might (great power), knowledge and the fear of the Lord. This is why Jesus Christ was able to do such wonderful things and pleased God in all things. You too need to be very successful in life in the work of God. The Holy Spirit enables this to happen in our lives. He loves to come into a heart that is pure. Ask God to cleanse your heart, make it holy and fill you with His Holy Spirit. When He comes upon you, you will speak in an unknown language and be empowered to serve God. He has promised to do it. Ask and ye shall receive.

PRAYER: Lord, fill me with your Spirit so that I can successfully live and do your will.

FURTHER READING: Acts 1:8