The Greater Life

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

The Greater Life

Thursday, 15 August

 

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

 

MORE LESSON: Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

 

Today, I want you to know that God is not glorified in your living a mundane life. God is not happy about your poverty, debt, sickness and failures. God is not proud of the fact that life is difficult for you. Any one that portrays Christianity as a life of struggles and hardships is not correct. A victorious destiny is God's design for you.

Did you know that God doesn't want you to have less than what Jesus had while He walked on the earth? He doesn't want you to be less than Jesus was; that is why Jesus said, he that believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father. John 14: 12 (NKJV). What excites God in Heaven is when He sees His children living the greater life.

Smith Wiggles-Worth the great preacher went to preach somewhere and when he finished, he retired to the room where he was to sleep. In the night, he was woken by noise in the room; so he opened his eyes and rolled away the blanket to see what was responsible for the disturbance in the room, he saw a demon bouncing up and down in the room, he hissed and said, 'I didn't know it is you', pulled the blanket back to cover himself and continued to enjoy his sleep. Without a prayer or a command, the devil left, angry. That is the greater life! it is not when you dream that a goat is pursuing you and you start running to see all the prophets in the country.

There is a greater life in every area of your life. You can be greater in your spiritual life, finance, in success and impact, and in your ministry. That is God's will for you. Jesus is our perfect example; He lived on top of every situation when He was here in the flesh. He faced hard times and challenges and He overcame them; that is the greater life.

The greater life is not a life void of challenges; it is the life that prevails. Paul the apostle was in a shipwreck and everybody was devasted and unable to eat but he stood up and started encouraging everyone else; including his captors (Acts 27:22–27). He assured them that he had spoken to God and had secured all their lives with God and none of them would die. The greater life is victorious in tribulation and cannot be quenched by trials of life. Today, go for the greater life in every area of your endeavour; that is your inheritance in Christ Jesus. You were born to be great, don't do anything less; go for the greater life in Christ Jesus. You will do greater works as He has said, in Jesus’ name.

 

Prayer/Action

* Pray against every form of hardship in your life.

* Pray for the grace to do exploit for God here on earth.

* Pray for deeper knowledge and intimacy with God.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: As the LORD lives, my progress this new month shall be more and more until the perfect day, in the unfailing name of Jesus.

Life and Health

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Life and Health

Wednesday, 14 August

 

For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs. 4:22

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Proverbs 4:20-27 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

 

MORE LESSON: John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

 

All around us is clear evidence of search for renewal and improvement of men's health. Millions of financial resources are spent daily to help men live better, longer and fuller. Varieties of foods are being recommended and prepared continually, with different essential nutrients and ingredients to help reduce mortality and increase vitality for better quality of life. All these are good but today's Bible reading reveals a divine provision for healthy living and fulfilled life.

Proverbs.4:22 says: For they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh. What is this divine health renew formula? It is the Word of God. This verse of the Bible says that as many as take their time to read, meditate, ponder on and study the Word of God will find life and health. What is the nature of God's word that makes it so necessary for life and health?

Hebrews 4:12 says: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The word of God is active, operative, energizing, and effective as expressed in the same verse of the Amplified Bible version. “Operative” implies that the word can perform operations that men cannot perform, even to within the bone marrow.

Has that issue of your health been written off? Come to the place of the true and active word of God and there will be a divine operation for you. Also, the word “energise” implies that the word of God will give you energy. What is it that has drained you and left you weak and dry? Get to the place of the Word and your energy will be renewed.

Conscientiously take the tablets of the word of God daily. Then you will experience a life full of vitality and sound health all your days and fulfill your destiny. Happy Word-filled day!

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for giving you life and good health.

* Declare that divine health and good life is your portion.

* Pray for the grace to believe in God's covenant for life.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Rivers of my destiny, overflow your limits today, in the matchless name of Jesus.

Don't give Up II

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Don't give Up II

Tuesday, 13 August

 

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Isaiah 1:18-19 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

 

MORE LESSON: Genesis 15:1-6 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

 

One of the most difficult times in a believer's life is the waiting period. The time between the prophecy and its fulfilment is most challenging. This is because God speaks to us from His realm where everything is finished. So He speaks as though everything was completed and delivered to us; yet, physically sometimes those blessings do not manifest immediately. So we need to wait for the fulfilment. Hence, knowing what to do while you wait to turn prophecy to fulfilment is very important.

1. Keep talking to God about the situation. Several passages exist in the Scripture that make us know that God is ever willing to have a conversation with us concerning issues that bother us. Remind Him of His promises for you and tell Him that you believe them and you are waiting for His appointed time. When you feel overwhelmed, turn it to thanksgiving. Begin to thank Him for the answer in advance.

2. Always remember that God is faithful as Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Satan’s aim is that you will lose sight of the faithfulness of God. But you must know that God is ever faithful and He can neither lie, fail nor faint. When your heart is fixed on God's faithfulness, then you will access the strength you need to overcome the challenge. God loves you and He will always come through for you.

3. Get busy doing the last thing He asked you to do. Obedience of faith is what guarantees the fulfilment of God's promises in our lives. A lot of things happen between prophecy and its fulfilment one of which is that we are being prepared for the blessing that will be revealed. Hence, remaining consistent in doing what God has told us to do is very important. He should meet you doing what He told you to do. Do not lose faith in Him or become bored doing His bidding. You must keep at it until the next instruction comes. Every instruction of God is for our profiting and obeying it takes us one step at a time to our destinies. So don't give up.

 

Prayer/Action

* Pray for grace to discover more of God's wonderful promises for your life.

 * Declare that you will not disobey any instruction of God.

 * Declare that no situation will come your way that will swallow your faith in the Lord.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, I receive open heaven this month more than ever before. I therefore stand on the authority of Your word to declare that I will experience no blockade on any side, in the powerful name of Jesus.

Don't give Up I

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Don't give Up I

Monday, 12 August

 

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Genesis 22:1-12 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

 

MORE LESSON: Daniel 3:16-28 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. 20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

 

We are in hard times. People grapple with problems that seem to defile solutions. Sometimes even children of God go through certain difficult situations and Heaven appears quiet concerning their challenges. But whatever the situation you go through, you must not give up; you have to just stay there no matter the storm. When it looks like you have reached the wall of Jericho and nothing you do can bring it down, it is not time to turn back, you must choose to stay there. It is a demonstration of your faith and trust in God. Even if you do not know what to do next, just stay still and wait. That everything seems to be quiet does not mean that God is not doing anything about your situation. In fact, some times, your miracle is in your remaining still and waiting on God.

What should you do while you wait?

1. Make a commitment to remain with God come what may. Let God boast about you just like He did about Job and Abraham. One day God taught me something I had not known before; He asked if I knew why He tested Abraham and I said it was because He wanted to test the genuineness of his love for Him. But to my surprise, He told me it was because He wanted to boast about him. He said that He already knew that Abraham would give Him Isaac but just so that the world would not think that He blessed him by chance, God tested Abraham in order to make a boast about him. The same goes for Job; God wanted Satan to know that He had a man who could do anything for Him. And true to it, no trial that Job went through was strong enough to make him turn his back on God.

You too must resolve to remain with God no matter what happens. You must set your face like a flint as Job in Job13:15 and says, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. and the psalmist in Psalm 108:1, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. The devil truly can become weary of a man who would maintain his integrity before God, the situation not withstanding.

You enjoy unusual supernatural strength to leap over walls and run through troops when you make up your mind to stay with God no matter what. When going back is not an option, you will always find the supply of the Spirit to come out victorious. Our victory is sure so long as we remain on God's side. Know that God is faithful and able to deliver you. But you must decide that even if God chooses not to deliver you, it will not change your mind concerning Him. God's heart goes for such people and there is nothing He will not do for them as Psalm 34:5 assures, They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

 

Prayer/Action

* Receive help not to give in to discouragement in the face of challenges.

 * Pray that all you are going through will end in thanksgiving to the Lord.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Oh LORD, I am Yours. Do to me as it pleases You today and always, in the glorious name of Jesus.