DCLM Daily Manna 16 October 2021 — Look Out For The Signs
DCLM Daily Manna 16 October 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Look Out For The Signs
TOPIC: Look Out For The Signs (DCLM Daily Manna 16 October 2021)
📜 TEXT:LUKE 12:49-59📜
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
🔑📖KEY VERSE: “Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?” (LUKE 12:56).
The spread of knowledge means that there are many experts on virtually any subject under the sun. Strikingly, most of these experts are united in their repudiation of the God-factor in the affairs of men. The result is that some of the most learned people on earth are ignorant of the greatest event that will take place in the world someday soon.
The Lord Jesus Christ was warning the people about what following Him meant, namely, that taking a stand for Him, declaring unalloyed loyalty and serving Him above all else, would affect some relationships they had formed in families and the society at large, especially those that demanded their total allegiance. He stressed that it behoves all His followers and hearers to watch out for the signs of the coming of the kingdom of God. He said that as they were adept at reading and interpreting the weather and other natural signs, recognising when it would likely rain, or when heat wave would descend on them, so they ought to learn to recognise and interpret the signs of the imminent spiritual events. And because this was not the case, Jesus condemned them for their hypocrisy. He warned them to amend their ways to avoid facing judgment and punishment at the end of time.
Whatever else is highly important and esteemed in the world would pale into insignificance when compared to the coming of God’s kingdom. The rapture of the saints is the greatest event that would soon happen in the world. The signs outlined by the Scriptures, especially those spoken about the Lord Himself, are already being fulfilled. To overlook or reject them and to continue in sinful indulgence, is to fail to get ready for that greatest event.
✍🏽THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Failure to heed the signs is preparation to face God’s indignation.
📜 THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ISAIAH 42-45📜
MEDITATION
DISCERNING THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Jesus accused the Jews of being smart in understanding natural signs but guilty of wilful ignorance of the spiritual signs of the times and the time of the signs. For the wise, the following give a reflection of the fact that the world is coming to an end and if it is, then the Lord’s coming is imminent. These signs were in the previous generations but the magnitude and the dimensions in this age are unprecedented, fearful and worrisome. For the wise, it is time to prepare for eternity and have done with lesser things.
1. Moral signs I Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Many high positions, including religious, that people look up to for moral examples are already and increasingly marred with all forms of immorality.
2. Medical signs
New devastating, at times incurable, plagues and epidemics are being experienced at a rate that is only comparable to the devastation prophesied for the Great Tribulation period in the book of revelation.
3. Marriage perversions Matthew 24:12.
The rate of divorce is unprecedented. It was a taboo for a minister of the gospel to divorce and remarry before but it is unfortunately becoming a model. Marriage perversions, including homosexuality, lesbianism, which the gospel is expected to remove from mankind have found their way to the pulpits.
4. Magical signs
Matthew 24:24.
Occultism, witchcraft, etc., have creeped into the church of God and the pulpit at an alarming rate. The suscipicion and the reality of occultism in the houses of God nowadays is unprecedented.
5. Misinformation and information age
Daniel 12:4.
The present age is nothing but a fulfilment of Daniel’prophecy which is characteristic of the “time of the end”.
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
6. Materialism age
Revelation 3:16-18.
The Church and the world have kissed each other on quest for materialism. Pathetically, for many, materialism is a proof of godliness.
7. Modernised Christianity
Just as Jesus is “the same yesterday, today and forever”, the Christian faith and moral standards are not subject to change or modifications. A church age that is characterised with moral and doctrinal compromise, lip service to heaven and heavenly mindset will definitely give way for the coming of the Lord.
8. Massacring age
Matthew 24:6,7.
The unparalleled technological and scientific innovations and discoveries has been shown, from research, that they have not added to the peace and happiness of mankind but rather produced more conflicts, wars and threat of wars. The observant knows that the world is heading toward a catastrophe. Sure👌
A true realization of the fact that we are in the last days will always be evidenced by preparing to meet the Lord Amos 4:12
Questions
1. What are other signs that show that there are enough signs for the wise to conclude that we are in the last days?
2. What are you deliberately and consciously doing to prepare for the imminent coming of the Lord?
PRAYER POINTS
1. Ask for wisdom and inner conviction that the LORD can come at any time🙏
2. Lord, teach me to plan and prepare for your imminent return🙏
3. Lord, cut off all distractions, encumbrance and hindrances to my getting ready for your return🙏
4 Lord, let the consciousness of your imminent return always permeate every aspect of the Church🙏
HYMN
CHRIST RETURNETH
1. It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,
That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory,
To receive from the world “His own.”
Refrain:
O Lord Jesus, how long, how long
Ere we shout the glad song,
Christ returneth!
Hallelujah! hallelujah!
Amen, Hallelujah! Amen.
2. It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,
It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight
Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,
When Jesus receives “His own.”
Refrain
3. While its hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending,
With glorified saints and the angels attending,
With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory,
Will Jesus receive “His own.”
Refrain
4. Oh, joy! oh, delight! should we go without dying,
No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying,
Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,
When Jesus receives “His own.”
Refrain
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)
