DCLM Daily Manna, Tuesday November 24, 2015 by Pastor Kumuyi – A Lifetime Preoccupation

Topic: A Lifetime Preoccupation [Tuesday November 24, 2015]

Text: Romans 15:14-22

Key Verse: “Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation” (Romans 15:20).

Some years ago, an uncompromising newspaper columnist and radio commentator, John Calvin Thomas, was to take part in a TV network news program. Shortly before the show was recorded, the producer asked Thomas not “to use any Bible verses tonight”. On another occasion, he was dropped from an appearance on a morning presentation; the producer fearing that Thomas, a faithful evangelical Christian, “might quote some Bible verses”. Apostle Paul also had challenges in his days while going about the business of the great commission. The authorities sought to shut his mouth from preaching.

He was stoned and jailed, betrayed and maltreated by false brethren. He suffered humiliation and neglect, and experienced denial of rights and physical deprivation. Still, Paul, like the other apostles in the early Church “strived to preach the gospel” (Romans 15:20). A born-again child of God who is fiery for Christ is unstoppable in the face of any opposition. He marches on to preach that Christ is the Saviour of the world and is willing to save sinners. Resistance may come in different forms; friends and relatives may forsake him; and he may be “a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions”. Knowing he has been given the grace to overcome adversaries, he will not give up but move on to surmount the oppositions.

This is the key point in our passage today as Paul rounds off the inspired letter to the brethren in Rome. He spoke of having “been much hindered” from coming to meet them. Nevertheless, he commends the faithfulness of God to empower him. Paul’s missionary works were accompanied by miracles. Believers are also assured of the same signs and wonders if we preach the word of God with single-minded regularity today.

Thought for the day: The Word is to be preached and lived out, not placed under the pillow.

Bible Reading in one Year: Ecclesiastes 1-3

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.