DCLM Daily Manna 31 December 2020 – Redeeming The Year
Text: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (KJV)
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
Key Verse: “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away” (1 Corinthians 7:31)
MESSAGE:
One calendar year of twelve months, made up of three hundred and sixty-five days cannot be said to be short by mere mortal benchmark. For man, it is a large chunk of his brief time on earth. But in the programme of heaven, it is a fleeting moment that should not be further shortened by a leisurely and indifferent outlook to eternity towards which humanity is inexorably hurtling.
A gravely concerned Paul says that a believer’s proper and spiritually sensitive approach to life is to be dead to what the world offers. When it gives you a wife and its attendant joys and pleasures, be careful you are not enticed to the point of believing that there is nothing more to life. When the Lord sends you His prosperity, do not let it take the place of the Giver. When your life is filled with sunny days with no cloud to ruin the fun, it is a clarion call to serve God more to appreciate Him.
The writer is moved by the Holy Spirit to remind us that our stay in the world would only have meaning and receive divine commendation if we marry it to the mission of heaven. Doing so requires us to be sober in the midst of the blessings of the Lord. The world is not expected to see us through the lens of our riches; instead, our moderation, restraint and control over these ephemeral things should come to the fore for all to see.
That is the way the Christian can make his time count for his Lord. As 2020 goes into its own eternity, announcing the swift passage of another year, we are asked to live in rhythm with the Lord’s values. That challenges us to spare no time in evangelism. The world’s celebrations, luxuries, festivals and business that appear lawful but time consuming should he dropped for more quality time with God, as the Son of God prepares to return.
Thought For The Day: You can only redeem the time if you spend your days for the Lord.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
