DCLM Daily Manna 17 July 2024 — The Essence Of Living
DCLM Daily Manna 17 July 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Essence Of Living
TOPIC: The Essence Of Living (DCLM Daily Manna 17 July 2024)
KEY VERSE: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
TEXT: Ecclesiastes 12:10-14 (KJV)
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:
Many people have pondered the purpose of living since Aristotle asked the fundamental question of life’s essence. For Aristotle, the essence of life is service to others and to do good work. For St. Augustine of Hippo, it is happiness. For the talented French actress Emmanuelle Riva, it is love. To freedom fighters, in the like of Jose Martin, it is liberty. For many people, what makes life worth living is possessing material things and achieving career goals. Understanding the essence of living is essential because it gives meaning and purpose to existence.
Also Read: Open Heaven 17 July 2024 – The Purpose Of Marriage
In our text, the preacher examines words which are acceptable by men, good books, and written works of philosophers and wise men and concludes that the fear of God and keeping His commandments was the whole duty of man.
It is doubtful that God would have left a vital subject like the essence of life to subjective and personal interpretations. Besides, it is myopic for man to look for the meaning of his life from within. If you strip a man of the material things that give him pleasure, he is disconnected from his drive. This is why the essence of living cannot be sought from possessing material things. The answer can only be fully provided by the Creator. Acts 17:28 states that it is in Christ we live, move and exist. There is a difference between existence and living. Those outside Christ can, therefore, not discern the true purpose or essence of living.
The purpose of our living is to fear God, obey His commandments, worship Him and serve Him with all our heart. True enough, ‘as to the making of books, there is no end’, but the fear of God and reverence for Him is the beginning of wisdom. We must live only to please God and fulfil His purpose daily.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Life lived outside God is vain.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 1-4
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)
