You are Deities I

  STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

 

You are Deities I

 7 November

 

 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. Psalm 82:6

 

MORE LESSON Romans 8:18-21  18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Psalm 82:3-7  3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

The believer is the stepped-down version of God. When people are asked what the attributes of God are, you hear them say: “God is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipresent.” I agree, but God also empowered man with these attributes so that as He is God in heaven, man can be god on earth. The coming of Christ brought believers the advantage of God indwelling man so that he can manifest these attributes. Hence, the presence of God is the most valuable thing in a believer's life. With the presence of God comes everything that the believer needs. A believer who has the presence of God will manifest God-likeness everywhere he goes. This is to say that person will be omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. This person will literally become a deity (god) which is who we really are in Christ. Psalm 82:6 says: I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. By being omnipresent, such a person manifests the wisdom of the Spirit and creates products that will be everywhere at the same time. Products like Facebook, Whatsapp, Coca- Cola etc are omnipresent and it takes the assistance of the Spirit to come up with products like these.

Also, there is nothing such a person cannot do because he now operates the power of God. In this realm, weakness does not exist anymore because when you are at your weakest point, that is when God's strength becomes more potent in you. II Corinthians 12:9-10 encourages us: ... My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me… for when I am weak, then am I strong. And since there is nothing God cannot do, there is nothing such a believer cannot also do. The Bible says that it is only with men that impossibility exists; with God, all things are possible. So, a person who lives in God's realm will manifest this ability and defy all odds to get the purposes of God done in the earth.

Furthermore, by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, there is nothing these kinds of people do not know. Whenever they open their mouth, they leave their audience astonished at the kind of wisdom and authority they command. Little wonder, the Pharisees and Sadducees marveled at the wisdom and authority with which Jesus taught. In as much as they were not comfortable with His teachings, they could not deny the visible manifestation of the wisdom and authority of God each time He taught. Jesus is our perfect theology and everything we see in the life of Jesus is the exact template God desires every believer in Christ to manifest. Live with the consciousness that you are deity and manifest your omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience because the whole creation awaits this manifestation.

 

Prayer/Action

 * Pray for understanding about the true identity in Christ              

* Ask for grace to operate in your full capacity.

* Pray for supernatural insight to always walk in wisdom.

 

TODAY’S  PROPHETIC  PRAYER:  Today is the beginning of a new season of praise for me and everything that has to do with me, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Treasure in the House II

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

 

Treasure in the House II

 6 November

 

 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Matthew 13:44

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 13:44-46  44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

  

MORE LESSON Psalm 1:2-3  2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

There is the story of a man that owned a small farm on an acre of land well watered by streams. He lived on the farm and made profit which sustained him. Those days, the exploration of land for diamond just started becoming popular and many people were becoming instantaneously rich as they discovered diamond in their land. This man also wanted to make it and so he sold his farm and took the little money he made from the sale to embark on a journey in search of diamond.

He travelled to distant lands and shores in search of diamond to make him wealthy. After many years of a worn out life, travelling and looking for diamond, he decided to return home. He had become old and since he hadn't been lucky enough to find diamond, he decided to return to his hometown so that, at least, when he died he could be buried there.

When he returned home the first thing he noticed was that the village had become an industrial town and many things had changed. There were roads, schools, hospitals, storey buildings and other infrastructural amenities. He inquired and found out that a large deposit of diamond was discovered in the town after he left. A large industry had to be set up that was responsible for the great economic and infrastructural development. Guess where the deposit of diamond was discovered. It was in the acre of land he sold to embark on his journey. Many people are searching around for treasure and solutions in life while the greatest treasure in the universe lies unused in their house.

The greatest treasure in life is the Word of God. A man has the Bible in his house and is not reading it to discover principles of life but goes around begging for help, prayer and other things. He is uninformed that if he could only extract the treasure in the Bible, all the things he goes around begging for will be produced and distributed by him. Psalm 1: 2-3 declares that a man who digs and discovers the treasure in the Word of God will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. Productivity, provision and prosperity are in the Word. The Bible is a treasure. If you read, love and obey it, all the things that people traverse the land and sea to look for will naturally flow out of you. Friend, all you are looking for are in the Word of God. Explore God’s Word and be blessed and be a blessing to others.

 

Prayer/Action

*    Ask God to open your eyes so that you will see the treasures that are around you.

*    Pray for the wisdom to be able to identify the treasure in humans.

*    Pray that you will not miss the treasure in God's word through negligence.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Today, over my life, work and family, I declare that the destroyers are destroyed and the wasters wasted, in the irresistible name of Jesus.

Treasure in the House I

 

Treasure in the House I

 

5 November

 

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25:1

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 25:1- 13:  1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

 

MORE LESSON Proverbs 21:20:  20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

 

Wisdom is one subject the writer of the book of Proverbs devoted much of his writing to, he also wrote on issues that deal with day-to-day affairs which, if learnt, can make a person wiser and to stand out. Some of those things which should characterise the life of a believer include integrity, righteousness, wisdom and the fear of God.

Our text focuses on the things which should characterise the life of a wise man, which include treasure and oil. There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up: Proverbs 21:20. Every wise man has a treasure to be desired, either a quality, ability, resource, grace, etc. In Jeremiah 41:8, ten men were spared because they had resources and oil in the field when others were slayed. It is therefore wisdom to always have a treasure to be desired in your life; it will make you ever relevant and needed.

 The wisdom to learn from our text includes the following:

1. Don't spend up the treasure in your life before you seek to refil (Matthew 25:3-9). One of the things that distinguishes the wise and foolish virgins is that the foolish virgins used up their oil before they seek to refil. Even if there are demands on the treasure and oil in your life, don't spend it up. Be wise.

2. When you have no more treasure and oil that men can desire, they will call you foolish, therefore give attention to your life. Don't be lost in the praise of men when your talents or abilities are at the peak. It is then you need to seek to improve yourself, that is the time to do something new and better.

3. Learn to take a break to create room for review and refilling. The foolish virgins were not sensitive to know the time to refil their lamps. There should be an interval to refil and re-stock. Only God should not wait, there is nothing that cannot wait to give room for you to renew and restock your treasure and oil. Even if it seems there is no time for that, it is wisdom to create the time.

Someone once said that grace is a depleting asset, it reduces with use. It is wisdom to always seek to have it renewed so that the house will be filled with treasure.

 

Prayer/Action

* Ask God for the spirit of wisdom.

* Pray against treasure wasters in your life and destiny.

* Pray that you will never lack treasure in your life.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I command every prison door of limitations over my destiny to be broken today, in the powerful name of Jesus.

Treasure House II

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Treasure House II

 4 November

 

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. Matthew 12:35

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 13:44: 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

 

MORE LESSON Matthew 12:35: 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

 

God did not create a man without a definite deposit of treasure that is required for him to succeed in life. Sometimes they may not appear as attractive as what you see in others. The responsibility lies in us to discover, refine and put them to use. The following are the ways to tap into the treasures

1. Go for the treasures. Discover the field where your treasures are kept, find joy in the treasure field that God has given to you and go for it with determination and focus. Your treasure field could be your purpose, career, skill or assignment. According to Matthew 13:44(NLT), The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT) also declares, I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

2. Build the treasure of the inner character. Of Mary the mother of Jesus, Luke 2:19 (NLT) declares, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

 Matthew 12:35 (NLT), A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.

3. Use, renew and polish the treasure you have as Proverbs 21:20 admonishes, There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

4. Store up your treasure in Heaven. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. And watch against enemies of treasure; the moths, the rust and the thieves. Jesus in His teaching revealed where treasure could be stored without the fear of it being destroyed as recorded in Matthew 6:19- 20, Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (NLT) Don't give the moth, rust and thieves access to your treasure.

 

Prayer/Action

*  Ask God that by mercy you will recover the field of your treasure you have neglected and lost.

*. Ask the Lord to restore all the treasures that you have lost to sin and wrong relationships.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: By the power of the Holy Ghost, I prophesy in this new month that the heavens over me shall not be closed but continuously open for divine results, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Treasure House I

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Treasure House I

3 November

 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 25:14-18:  14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

 

MORE LESSON 2 Corinthians 4:7: 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

 

The dictionary defines treasure as wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals); wealth of any kind stored up. It also refers to something of great value. God wants to open your eyes to things that would otherwise remain unseen, in order for you to claim them. God is not trying to hide treasures from us; He's hiding them for us. The treasure within us makes us unique and adds value that others celebrate in us. May the Lord open your eyes to see things you cannot ordinarily see so you can claim them.

The world will be willing to give their wealth in exchange for the treasures that you carry. The value of your treasures is seen when they are identified, polished and put to use (Matthew 25:14-18). Talents are specials abilities entrusted to a man to yield profit and benefits for others. Here are several ways the Bible considered these treasures:

✓ According to 2 Timothy 2:20-21, treasures are like vessels found in a great house which should be clean to be found useful, But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

✓ Treasures are abilities and skills acquired and developed over time. David's use of a sling and the skill of strings were acquired and developed. 1 Samuel 16:16 says, Let our lord now command your servants who are here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the harp; and when the evil spirit from God is on you, he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.(AMP). Also, 1 Samuel 17:36,40 testifies, Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them.  And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

✓ Treasures could also be in the form of inner good treasure or character like seasoned and edifying words as shown in Matthew 12:35, A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Also as goodly characters as James 1:4 teaches, So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. (TLB)

 

Prayer/Action

* Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see things you cannot ordinarily see so you can claim things that would otherwise be unclaimed.

* Pray that like the fragrance from the alabaster box, the treasure in you will find expression for a global recognition.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Today I step into an unlimited glory because I serve a limitless God. Hallelujah, it's a new year, new season and fresh testimonies, in Jesus' conquering name.

Divine Settlement II

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Divine Settlement II

2 November

But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil. II Thessalonians 3:3

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY II Thessalonians 3: 1-5: 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

 

MORE LESSON II Thessalonians 2:15-17: 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

 

We continue our meditation on how to be divinely established.

ii) Be willing to “suffer” a while. This entails a lot; and personal in its dimensions because we have different callings and destinies. Everyone’s “suffering” differs; but we all must pass through to reach our divine settlement. This involves training under God and man, it involves enduring hardship like a good soldier of Christ, it involves learning and applying knowledge; making mistakes; failing and correcting mistakes and trying again and again. Anyone who will not “pass through” will not “get to”. Don't shy away from this; you can't get divine settlement without suffering. Even Jesus, the sinless Son of God passed through to become the author of salvation for mankind as Hebrews 5:7- 9 . Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, was heard in that he feared; though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Suffering here does not just connote enduring hardship but also having resilience,  pursuing  your  goals empowered by God till you attain. It involves refusing to give up even in the face of challenges. This word is so relevant in today's world more than before, due to the economic downturn and high costs of living globally. We must be ready to navigate and succeed despite all by being humble, teachable, flexible, all in the spirit of fervent prayers knowing God is there to see us through and establish us.

The issue of time cannot be overlooked in the path to divine settlement. Experiences are gathered over time, training involves time, divine establishment involves time therefore, patience obedience is required to be established by God. Just stay close to Him and allow the leading of the Holy Spirit day by day and you will be settled.

 

Prayer/Action

* Praise God because the experiences you are going through will lead to your divine settlement

* Ask God for grace to obey the leadership of the Holy Spirit daily.

* Ask for strength to overcome in the pursuit of being established by God.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Hallelujah, no more limits. It's time to fly beyond bounds, in Jesus' mighty name.

Divine Settlement I

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Divine Settlement I

1 November

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. I Peter 5:10

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY I Peter 5:7 -10: 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

 

MORE LESSON Isaiah 54:11-14: “O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, Your gates of crystal, And all your walls of precious stones. 13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children. 14 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

A popular song says ”Hold not your peace, O Lord, Rise up for me, O Lord! It is time for you to establish me, O Lord, And make me a praise in the earth”. Indeed God wants us established but there is a process. To be settled or established means to have firm roots in the land, to be firmly fixed and securely entrenched; to cause to grow and multiply; to be accepted and respected by those in your community; to be successful for a long period of time and to be widely known. These are sweet and highly desirable definitions; they become phenomenal when you add the divine dimension to them.

 

Divine settlement is God's hand performing all these in a man's life. God's hand dealing with obstacles to settlement, connecting one to helpers of establishment and giving favour. May we be divinely settled. May the Gospel of our Lord be divinely established and entrenched in our land. Divine establishment or settlement will not just jump to one from the air; there are steps to being settled. In the first reading, Apostle Peter spoke about some of these steps one has to go through before being settled or established.

 Things to note in his injunction to everyone pursuing settlement:  

i).   Recognise and accept the call of God into glory by Christ Jesus. Do not put the cart before the horse: Only a person that has heeded the divine call can be divinely settled. Come to Jesus, accept his call by surrender our life to Him and be a child of God. Then you can be divinely settled because you are now part of God's family. Some say but there are many established people who don't have Jesus. The establishment of such people is temporal and can vanish to thin air without God's hand. They are only piling up for another to eat; then their blessings will not really be full or complete. Also as they amass, they lose their peace and can't sleep well because they are not secure in God. They are not shielded on earth and not eternally secure. Having Jesus in your heart and ruling your life is what secures a person on earth and eternally. That is why the first step in the pursuit of divine settlement is to have Jesus as Lord and Saviour. He said in John 14:6, ...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Ensure you are right with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer/ Action

*     Ask for the Lordship of Christ in your life, you are called to glory through Christ our Lord

*     Ask for divine settlement by God's hand in all areas of life.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: The God of my new beginning, I give you the glory for the eleventh month out of twelve. Take the praise Lord, in Jesus' mighty name.

 

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS:  A new thing Isaiah 43:19; 42:9