DCLM Daily Manna 8 January 2025 — Do As The Romans Do?
DCLM Daily Manna 8 January 2025 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Do As The Romans Do?
TOPIC: Do As The Romans Do? (DCLM Daily Manna 8 January 2025)
KEY VERSE: “But take diligent heed to… love the LORD your God; and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Joshua 22:5).
TEXT: Joshua 22:1-10 (KJV)
1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:
3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God.
4 And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side Jordan.
5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.
7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,
8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” is a saying attributed to Saint Ambrose centuries ago. A woman and her son consulted Ambrose when they planned to visit Rome. He told them the Romans observed Saturday as a fast day. Those who travelled to the city were also expected to comply with that culture. So, he advised the two to do as the Romans did. That led to the saying about following the way of the Romans when in their territory.
Also Read: Open Heaven 8 January 2025 – Growing In Wisdom
But there is a clear warning to followers of the Lord not to drop their Christian conduct for other practices as we move from place to place, either during missionary expeditions or in our secular engagements. The Reubenites, the Gadites, and half of the tribe of Manasseh were returning to the land allotted to them after faithfully helping to secure the territories of the other tribes. Joshua sternly admonished them not to drop their godly comportment for the sinful traditions of where they were heading. They must not do as the Romans do, as it were.
Changes in profession, residential addresses, or marital status must not be allowed to displace our love for the laws of Christ. As faithful believers, we are eternally bonded to Him and His commandments. These laws moderate our lifestyles, whether we are married or not and whether we reside in temperate or tropical regions. We are to be masters over these external conditions by putting Christ first in all that we do. In other words, we should be able to say, like the Apostle Paul, that we can do all things through Christ, who empowers us to overcome all circumstances.
Also Read: DCLM Daily Manna 7 January 2024 — What Is Your Name?
Believers, therefore, must not apportion to themselves so-called comfort zones, where they become tin gods and are unreceptive to changes that immensely benefit the expansion of the Kingdom of God. We must be ready to conform to changes as the Spirit leads. We must welcome challenges as stepping stones to new territories to be conquered for our Master. And as we move, we must go with unflagging zeal demanded by the Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Dislocations and relocations test the strength of our convictions.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
GENESIS 24-25
Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2024 was written by Pastor W. F. 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)
