Build your Life on the Word

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Build your Life on the Word

Tuesday, 27 August

 

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:25

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: 1 Peter 1:22-25 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

MORE LESSON: Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

 

For you to be a success in time and eternity, take time to build your life on the word of God. Every human being is like grass that appears now and soon is no more. The glory of man is like the flower that fades so quickly but the word of the Lord stands forever. Therefore, the man who walks in the word of the Lord shall live and abide forever (I John 2:17). The word of the Lord is the real food for your spirit man; feed on it daily so you can be strong (Matthew 4:4).

It is the word of God that will give you a clear direction for every area of your life. Meditate on it daily so you will not be confused (Isaiah 30:2, Psalm 119:105), It is the word of God that will give you a clear understanding of the affairs of life. Read it daily so you can be wise as Psalm 119:130 says: The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. It is the word of God that will keep you from all the defilement and pollution of the lusts of this present world.

Meditate on and walk in it to be holy (John 17:17, John 15: 3). The word of God will give you healing and health. Study it so you can be whole (Proverbs 4: 20-22, Psalm 107: 20). The word of God will give you prosperity in every area of your life if you meditate and act on it daily as psalmist oberved in Psalm 1:1-3: 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.

The word of God will give you good success in the affairs of life if you give it real attention. Joshua 1:8 says: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

If you build your life on the philosophies of men, you will only last for a while. If you build your life on the word of God, you will last forever. Make up your mind to give the word of God a prime place in your life and you will be relevant for all generations. In Jeremiah 15:16 the prophet testified: Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God Who has made His word available to you.

* Pray that the word of the Lord will be revealed to you and prosper your life.

* Ask God to use you to spread His word in every possible way.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, I decree that this month will end on a victory note for me, in the excellent name of Jesus.

Be Generous

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Be Generous

Monday, 26 August

 

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty Proverbs 11:24

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Philippians 2:1-4 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 

MORE LESSON: Proverbs 11:24-26 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

 

The beauty of life is in giving. John 3:16 says: For God so love the world that He gave his only begotten son, .... This act is the greatest generosity by God to mankind, to restore man to his lost glory. God's mercies to us are new every morning and great is His faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 sums it: ...because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness. Can you imagine such generosity to mankind, that God's mercies are new over us every morning, despite our frailties and shortcomings. In fact, the psalmist affirmed this in Psalm 68:19: Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

One of the true marks of a Christian is generosity. Even people of other religions (Islam, Hinduism, etc) emphasize giving and generosity as key tenets of their faith. Achild of God who is stingy has not yet understood what the Christian life is all about. We are called to give our services, substances, money, treasures, etc to promote the Kingdom of God by meeting needs around us as the Lord enables. Those who are entrusted with substances should be generous to the poor, the widows and the needy. Even secular and public organizations practice corporate social responsibilities (CSR) to give back to the society in appreciation. Imbibe generosity (a giving spirit) into your life.

The Berean Study Bible translates Proverbs 11:24 as: One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. Rich men and women are not remembered by what they have in their bank accounts, but by what they give back to God and the society. You don't have to be rich to be generous but be generous and you will be richer in love and substance. Giving a cup of water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, providing comfort for the troubled are virtues and good works that saints will be commended and rewarded for at the last day (Matthew 25:35-40; Proverbs 19:17). A generous man will always have his needs met by the Lord. Luke 6:38 teaches: Give and it shall be given to you, good measure, press down, shaken together and running over shall men give unto your bosom. It is true that these are hard times globally; the economies of many nations are in shambles. However, the good news is that Philippians 4:19 promises us: My God shall supply all your needs according to his glory by Christ Jesus. Be a generous giver for Kingdom work and in meeting men's needs and you will always appreciate as an asset before God.

 

Prayer/Action

* Pray for the grace to be generous always

* Pray against selfishness.

* Ask God to make you a channel of His blessings to others.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: 2024, I lift my eyes to the God who alone answers prayers. I shall not be disappointed, in the wonderful name of Jesus.

Just Like the Sun

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Just Like the Sun

Sunday, 25 August

 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven Matthew 5:16

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

MORE LESSON: Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

 

There are certain things that have local relevance, while others have only international influence. Yet` others exhibit global impact; that is, they are relevant at home and abroad. The quality of a thing, is based on its universal appeal and not its local appeal. For instance, a microphone is a microphone in Dubai and does not cease from being a microphone in Nigeria just because it is now in a different location. It has a universal appeal because it is a microphone anywhere and will perform the same function irrespective of the geographical location. In the same way, the sun has a universal appeal; it is a global phenomenon. It is useful to the blacks, as well as the whites. Everybody needs the sun no matter how great or small.

That is how God wants us to have global impact. The Bible says, Ye are the light of the world; a city set on a hill cannot be hid…. It means that God does not want us to shine only within the four walls of the church or our village or even our country. He wants the whole world to attest to our light just like it attest of the sun. The implication is that we must remain the light irrespective of our geographical location. It is however sad that some people take on different behaviour as they move from one territory to another under the pretext that, 'When you are in Rome, you behave like the Romans'. So when they get to Rome and it is in darkness, they too suddenly become darkness instead of being the light God has made them to be. This ought not to be so. We must remain the light all over the world, irrespective of the prevailing situation. This is the test of our true quality as children of God; God is God everywhere and so must we be.

Furthermore, the sun does not compete with darkness. When the sun shows up, darkness travels by reverse gear because light and darkness cannot cohabit. There is no fellowship between them. This is why every evil should give way when we appear. In the place of work/business, people should not be comfortable with doing the wrong thing when you are around. It should be that as soon as you appear, everything that represents darkness gives way. People should not be bold enough to ask you to be a part of evil because they know it will not work. You are the light of the world, so do not reduce yourself to darkness just because of immediate gains which cannot satisfy.

Finally, the sun cannot be confronted; you don't underrate or confront the sun. Science has taken men to different planets but no one has dared the sun. No one can go to the sun or even the planet closest to it and return alive. So I prophesy that no man or situation that confronts you will survive, in Jesus’ name.

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for making you the light of the world and pray against everything that can hinder your light from shining.

* Decree and declare that your light will shine brighter and brighter.

* Continuously meditate on what it means to be the light of the world.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: In this very month, I shall pursue, overtake and recover all, in the powerful name of Jesus.

Visible Faith

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Visible Faith

Saturday, 24 August

 

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2:5

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Matthew 9:1-8 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.  2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.  3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

 

MORE LESSON: Acts 14:1-10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming into him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

 

Every problem of man stems from unbelief. God has given us all that pertains to life and godliness; in fact, God's provision for man preceded his creation. God did not create man until He had planted the source of food and comfort for Him. This is also evident in the fact that as soon as a woman becomes pregnant, even before the baby is born, the breast milk begins to form in preparation for nursing the unborn child. This is God's idea and He has practised it from time immemorial. Despite the fact that God has provided all that man needs, man still has a problem of accessing them, and the reason is simple- doubt.

This was also the root cause of the problem of the fall of man. When the snake tempted the woman, it said to her, ...hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?: Gen 3:1. All that the devil was trying to do was to get the woman to doubt what God had said concerning them. How will God plant a garden for man and still instruct him not to eat of every tree of the garden? It can only be a trick of the devil and he is still using that strategy against many people today. If Satan can get a man to doubt what God has said, he has finished that man.

Therefore, everyone must guard his faith and grow it until it becomes visible to him, the devil, his problems and people around. How can a man grow his faith? Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God: Rom. 10:17. Consistently hearing the Word of God causes your faith to grow, and on the other hand, consistently listening to the devil will diminish your faith.

In our text today, the Bible tells us that Jesus saw the faith of the friends of the paralyzed man. It means faith is visible. It could be that those men had heard a lot about what Jesus was doing and that built their faith to the point that it became visible to Jesus. What you hear has a direct link to the growth rate of your faith. A visible faith is also the belief that correlates with your actions. You cannot claim you have faith and act contrary to the instruction that will bring you victory. What made the faith of the paralysed man’s friends visible is that they took action in correlation to their faith. They knew they had come to the solution of their problem and they did everything within their power to let their friend see Jesus, The Bible says that Jesus saw their faith.

Could it be that the problem in your life has lingered because your action is contradicting what you claim to believe? Remove everything that weakens your faith and take positive actions as you believe what God's Word has said. When you do so, your life will not remain the same, in Jesus’ name.

 

Prayer/Action

* Build your faith by praying in the Holy Ghost for at least 10 minutes - Jude 1:20.

* Rebuke everything that dampens and diminishes faith - command them to be far from you.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, right now, stretch Your hand of power and do a new thing in my destiny before this month is over, in Jesus' mighty name.