Hope Beyond Hope

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Romans 4:17-22

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

MORE LESSON: Job 14:7-9

7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. 8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; 9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

Monday, 15 September

Memory Verse: Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. Romans 4:18

When God teaches you about hope, He doesn't begin with what you can see. True hope, the kind Abraham walked in, is the supernatural ability to call what doesn't exist by name, as though it does. This is not wishful thinking; it is prophetic alignment. Abraham, against hope, believed in hope. It's seeing nothing but saying something. Abraham didn't wait for Isaac to be conceived in Sarah's womb before he answered the name “father of many nations.” He gave a name to what no one else could see.

That is what God is calling you to do—to name what doesn't yet live, to relate with what is still invisible, and to believe without evidence. That is not optimism; that is divine hope. The hope of God is not about seeing light at the end of the tunnel—it is dancing when there is no tunnel at all!

Abraham gave thanks to God, hoping that what God had promised would come to pass. Romans 4:20 reveals that Abraham ...staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Thanksgiving is not authentic when it is easy. It becomes weighty when it's painful but when things are good, it's natural. To praise when everything screams defeat is supernatural. That's the Thanksgiving that moves Heaven—rejoicing in pain, worshipping through storms, clapping with tears on your face.

But to operate at that level, you must guard three spiritual qualities.

1. Joy – you must be joyful. It is only when the heart is joyful that thanks can flow. Do not let anyone take thanks from you; the only way is to remain cheerful. Do not surrender your joy. Not to your job, pain, waiting season, or losses. Joy is the womb of thanksgiving. If you lose joy, you silence your thanksgiving.

2. Love for God – learn to love God. It is in loving God that you can thank Him in hope, regardless of what happens. Only lovers can trust through pain. When you love God, you thank Him regardless of the challenges.

3. Faith – Hope stands on the shoulders of faith. Without faith, thanksgiving becomes empty noise.

Don't just say God is good when you get a promotion; be ready to say He is good when everything gets delayed. When you're down to nothing, your praise must rise to everything. Real hope gives a name to the unseen. Absolute praise makes no sense to the flesh. Hope and praise like Abraham—radical, relentless, and raw.

Prayer/Action

* Ask God to help you praise beyond reason. Help me name what doesn't yet exist.

* Pray that your heart will be filled with joy and that your faith remains unshakable.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Underneath me, this month, is the everlasting hand; I shall fear no foe, in the powerful name of Jesus.

© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved

He Will Reveal it to You

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Genesis 41:28-32

28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

MORE LESSON: Jeremiah 33:3

3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Sunday, 14 September

Memory Verse: This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Genesis 41:28

God is the Revealer of secrets. He knows from the end from the beginning, precisely what will happen, and often reveals the future to those He chooses.

In today's text, Joseph was about to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh, the King of Egypt. Though Pharaoh was not a child of God, God revealed the future to him because he could do something about it. Cyrus, Nebuchadnezzar and Darius were some of the people who, though they were not ‘children of God’, were people to whom God revealed the future because of their position. The Bible, however, is clear as Psalm 25:14 puts: The LORD's secret is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Amos 3:7 also says Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

As a child of God, born again and washed in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, you are one of God's anointed ones (John 15:16; Psalm 105:14-15). He will not hold back from you what is necessary, but He will reveal His plan for your life if you ask Him to. If God would reveal the future to a heathen like Pharaoh, how much more will He reveal the future, by the Holy Spirit, to those who love Him? Therefore, if any aspect of your personal life, family life or career, even your nation, bothers you, about which you want to know the mind of God, find time to seek His face sincerely, and He will reveal it to you.

To enjoy God's revelation, however, you must do some things.

(1) Be truly born again; God will not cast His pearl before swine. Those kings we mentioned earlier got the revelations because of their position, but it took a child of God to understand them. To enjoy God's revelation, you must be genuinely born again.

(2) You must be filled with the Holy Spirit. God gives His revelation through the Holy Spirit; it is the Spirit of God that searches the deep things of God. It is the Holy Spirit that reveals the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-12).

(3) You must be a ravenous eater of the Word of God. Most times, as you meditate on the Word of God, He speaks clearly to you about His plan for your future. The Word of God is the will of God. Whatever is revealed to you by prophecy, dream or vision must align with the Word of God (Isaiah 28:13). His Word is the yardstick, the final authority in every matter of Christian faith and conduct.

(4) You must develop intimacy with God, walking with Him daily. Secrets are revealed to those who are intimate with Him (Genesis 17:1-3).

(5) You must pray, and specifically ask God for the revelation that you desire (Isaiah 45:11). He answers the prayers of His humble children (Jeremiah 33:3).

Today, pray over the matters that bother you, and God will reveal the secret to you.

Prayer/Action

* Ask the Lord to reveal secrets that pertain to your destiny.

* Ask the Lord to put His fear in you according to Psalm 25:14a.

* Pray that God would reveal things that hinder your access to His secrets and will for your destiny.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Mighty warriors and conquerors, I command you to rise up from within me now, in the powerful name of Jesus.

© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved

Understand What You Can Change

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Genesis 41:28-32

28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. 29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; 31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. 32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

MORE LESSON: Matthew 2:13-14

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Saturday, 13 September

Memory Verse: For that, the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice because the thing was established by God, and God would shortly bring it to pass. Genesis 41:32

When the Lord gives us a revelation, He wants us to do something about it. The revelation can come via His Word, or by any of the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, vision, dreams, etc. There is always a purpose behind God's revelation; He gives it that we may know His will and do something about it. Sometimes, God gives a revelation so we may know what the enemy is planning, and then counter it.

There are revelations that we can change through prayers, repentance, obedience and responsible behaviour. The people of Nineveh averted God's judgment through repentance, fasting and prayers (Jonah 3:4-10). Through prevailing intercession, Moses stopped God from wiping out the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 32:7-10, 30-35). Hezekiah prayed and changed the prophetic revelation about his untimely death (Isaiah 38:1-6). When you have a negative revelation about your life, family, church, nation or future, you can bend your knees in prayer to God and turn it around.

However, there are revelations God gives to help us understand His predetermined agenda, which we cannot change. In the revelation to Pharaoh, God made known a part of His eternal plan for Israel, including the coming years of abundance and famine (Genesis 41:29 32). Revelations about the second coming of Christ, the future glory of the church, the horrors of hell, and those who die without Christ all fall into this category.

God gives these kinds of revelations to warn us, so that we may diligently prepare and be on the positive side of His plan. For example, when God showed Noah the coming flood and told him to build an ark, Noah responded positively, and God used that to preserve humans.

What revelation has God given you? Do not fear. Do not despair. Understand what God is saying to you; He is your Father and loves you. If you do not understand the vision, ask for the interpretation: He will clarify it. Then whatever He asks you to do, do it without delay.

The story of Jesus’ father in Matthew 2:13-14 is a good example: And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.

Prayer/Action

* Pray for understanding and sensitivity when the Lord is speaking to you.

* Ask the Lord for the grace to act on what He says to you each time.

* Ask the Lord to forgive you for not responding to His past instructions.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: My songs of joy and celebration start in September and have no end, in the name of Jesus.

© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved

Show Me Where to Walk

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Psalm 143:1-10

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. 3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. 7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

MORE LESSON: John 2:5

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Friday, 12 September

Memory Verse: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: My life will not be ended by evil men; 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3; 1 Kings 21:1-16

Jeremiah 10:23 clarifies that: …it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, also said in Psalm 37:23: The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. A desire to do just what I like, and go just where I want, without regard for God, His word or His Spirit, is the root of rebellion, and the primary reason for failure in life and destiny. Isaiah 53:6 says: All we like sheep have gone astray: WE HAVE TURNED EVERYONE TO HIS OWN WAY (emphasis mine).

A close look at the scriptures shows that the failure to go God's way has been the root of failure in life and destiny. Examples include Adam (Genesis 3:24), Samson (Judges 14:3, 16:21), Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:16-20). However, another look into the scriptures shows that all who became great were divinely led. God showed them the way to go, and they gladly followed. Abraham (Genesis 12:1 5; 17:1-7, Genesis 26:1-2), Jacob (Genesis 28:1-8). David (Psalm 23). Jesus our Lord (John 5:30), Peter (Acts 11:12), Paul (Galatians 2 2). If you, too, will become great, then you have to allow the Lord to lead you (Psalm 143:8). God is always willing and ready to lead His children; He is our Father and our Shepherd (Psalm 23).

Note, however, that only willing and obedient people enjoy His leading. They are the ones that eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19). How then can you enjoy the leading of the Lord?

First, be sure you are one of His sheep, not a goat. Also, be sure you have genuinely repented of your sins, submitted your entire life to God through Christ, and are genuinely born again (John 3:3-7). Secondly, trust in God, your Father. His way is perfect and His leading is the best. Doing your own thing and going your own way will always lead into trouble but following His way is rest indeed. Jesus admonishes in Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Thirdly, through fervent prayer, ask the Lord to lead you and to show you the way to go. If you ask Him sincerely, He will lead you.

When He leads you, agree with all your heart; do not be like the Israelites, who asked God to show them the way but refused to follow it.

Do whatever He tells you to do promptly and wherever He asks you to go, go there without delay. That is what our fathers in the faith did, and they prospered. So, as Jesus’ mother advised the servants in John 2:5, do as He asks you to do.

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for guidance in your daily walk.

* Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to help to remain sensitive to His leadings.

* Pray that by the leading of God's Spirit, you will enter places that favour will locate you.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: By the power that rescued baby Jesus from Herod, they that seek my life to end it in September, shall themselves end today, in the powerful name of Jesus.

© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved