Your Sins are all Forgiven

Your Sins are all Forgiven

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare 

Your Sins are all Forgiven

Monday, 2 September

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little. Luke 7:47

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: 1 John 1:1-10 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

MORE LESSON: Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

 

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is the Father of mercies. 2 Corinthians 1:3 says: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.

The principal aspect of God's mercy is that He forgives iniquities and sins. He makes the sinner clean through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. When any individual truly repents of his or her sins and asks for the mercy of God, God forgives that person, purifies him or her with the blood of Jesus. That individual thereby becomes a child of God, a new creation. 1 John 1:8 says: The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sins. All sins! That is the mercy of God.

In today’s text, Jesus was in the house of one Pharisee who invited Him for dinner. While our Lord reclined at the dinning table, a notorious sinful woman brought an alabaster box of very precious ointment. Shedding tears of sorrow for her sins, she washed Jesus ' feet with her tears and anointed them with the precious ointment. While the Pharisee was condemning the woman in his heart, Jesus extended God's mercy and grace to this truly penitent soul. Afterall, He had declare that His mission was not to call the righteous but the sinner to repentance (Matthew 9:12-13).

David was a man whose sins were known by all, but he was a truly penitent man, who sought God in brokenness and genuine repentance. He found mercy and grace and sang a new song in Psalm 103:3: Bless the LORD, O my soul:and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who healeth all thy diseases.

God is reaching out to you also, in mercy and grace. He wants to forgive all your iniquities. He wants to cleanse you from all your sins. He wants to make you whole again. However, you have to truly repent of those sins and ask for the mercy of God. He is waiting to show you mercy.

Beware of hypocrisy; beware of pride; beware of insincerity; beware of religiousity. If you are genuine in your repentance, God will be generous in pouring out His mercy upon you. He has said that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Trust in the blood of Jesus today, and He will cleanse you from all your sins. Isaiah 43:25 says: I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Similarly, Isaiah 44:22 assures us: I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God who He forgives all iniquities.

* Pray for someone you know who needs to be saved.

* Pray for any evangelist that you know.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, this month deliver my candlelight from the wind of the enemy, in the powerful name of Jesus.

Everlasting Good News

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Everlasting Good News

Sunday, 1 September

 

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Revelations 14:6

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Ephesians 3:11-21 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

MORE LESSON: Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The Good news of Jesus Christ is to be preached to all the people of this world. It is the power of God that saves those who believe, no matter who they are and where they are (Romans 1:16). This good news is to be preached to people in every nation, every tribe and every language (Matthew 28:18-20). This is God's only plan for the salvation of the world. Acts 4:12 says: Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name, under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved.

We who believe this good news and have been saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ have a solemn duty. We must preach the goodnews with genuine conviction, and true compassion. We must not dilute the message. We must declare it as it is: Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6). As God's angels of salvation, we are to fly " through the heavens, "carrying this everlasting goodnews to people worldwide. This is no longer the age to crawl. Running will not even do the job; we must fly.

How? We can do this through multimedia; the internet, Pod casts, The SMS, radio, television, newspapers. Every available technology that gives a multiplier effect to the goodnews must be employed. We must fly, spreading the goodnews as fast and as far as we possibly can. This is because there is still so much to do, and the time is short (1 Corinthians 7:29).

But if we are going to fly effectively with the gospel, we cannot afford to neglect these two weapons: prayers and money.

1. Prayer is number one. This is the fuel that makes preaching of the goodnews effective. What aviation fuel is to airplane is what prayer is to the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. Psalm 2:8 says: Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

2. Money is number two: money gives wings for the Gospel to fly. Loose change will not do. Solid treasure is needed to make the goodnews of Christ to fly.

This is where God's call comes to you. Do you want the goodnews of Christ to really fly worldwide? Then get really committed to praying fervently, consistently and continuously for the Good news to fly all over the world with maximum impact. Get really committed to giving good money, continually and consistently, for the goodnews of Christ to fly into all nations of the world and great shall be your reward in heaven (Galatians 6:7).

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God that you have received the goodnews.

* Ask the Lord to use you to bring several people to Christ.

* Ask the Lord to help you to contribute significantly to the advancement of the Gospel of Christ.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Thank You LORD for September. I see lines falling to me, in pleasant places all through the month in the mighty name of Jesus.

Pray Meaningfully

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Pray Meaningfully

Saturday, 31 August

 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:18

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Ephesians 3:11-21 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 MORE LESSON: Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

God wants His children to pray purposefully, meaningfully and specifically. He does not want us to just pray; He wants our prayer to be effective, " effectual " because it is the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous that avails much (James 5:16).

Many times when believers pray, the prayer is very light in content; it lacks purpose and direction and is not very specific in nature. The result is that it does not make much impact as the same amount of prayer that is meaningful would do.

A prayer that is effective has the following qualities, amongst other things.

i. It is very specific in nature, aimed at a specific object. Mark 11:24 says: Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

ii. It is not selfish or self-centred, but aims at getting God glorified and His will to be done on earth as Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-10: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

iii. It is scripture-based and scripture driven since the Word of God is the will of God. Effective prayer is offered based on the Word of God. 1 John 5:14 assures us that: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

iv. Effective prayer is prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. His name is the key that unlocks the treasure house of God.

v. Also, such prayer is prayed in expectation and faith that our faithful God will give a specific answer to our prayers. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him as Hebrews 11:6 puts it: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Apostle Paul did a lot of praying for the churches that He founded. They were not empty and vague prayers; they were meaningful, purposeful, focused and robust requests that the will of God may be done in the lives of his converts in very specific terms.

Your own prayer also should be that rich, then you will move from glory to glory. Ephesians 6:18 exhorts us: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God who answers prayers.

* Ask the Holy Spirit to enrich your prayer life and for strength to prevail in prayer.

* Ask the Lord to raise and anoint more intercessors in your church.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: My ever-faithful Shepherd, thank You for Your wonderful hand upon me, in August. Hallelujah!

His Ways are Past Finding

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

His Ways are Past Finding

Friday, 30 August

 

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

 

MORE LESSON: Romans 4:17-22 (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.

 

God works in mysterious ways. A mystery is anything that cannot be easily understood by mere human reasoning. This means that God’s ways cannot be understood by human reasoning. Trying to understand how God will do a thing by reasoning our way through it is one of the most frustrating things to do. When people are challenged, they keep trying to find out when God will do it, how He will do it and who He will use. In Jonah 1:17, a fish transported Jonah to where God sent him. In Matthew 17:27, Jesus needed to pay taxes and He asked Peter to go to the river. Reading that scripture again, I noticed the money was not in the belly of the fish but in the mouth. So there was no waste; he just removed the money without hurting the fish.

There is a way God can settle you without you losing anything. The fish went back to the river, the money paid the bill and everybody was okay. The Red Sea was parted by a rod, and you wonder how an ordinary stick can divide water. God’s ways indeed are past finding. So, when you are waiting on God for divine settlement, here are some things you should do.

1. Have faith in God : Romans 4:17 says: ...I have made you father of many nations before him whom he believed even God who callest those things which be not as thou they were. When holding on to the promise of God, one thing to do is to keep reminding yourself that, “I don’t know how and when but I know God who quickens the dead: He can make those things which be not to appear.” Even if what you need does not exist, God is able to bring it to existence. Don’t waste your energy on how and when, just keep believing and be more interested in reminding yourself of what He can do. Abraham kept believing; he didn’t allow anything to weaken his confidence. God cannot forget you; you are the sheep of His pasture. Keep believing.

2. Keep praising Him: Abraham kept praising Him. When men are comparing you with other people tell them: “I praise God, I am not my colleague; mine will come because God is ever faithful.”

3. Stay in righteousness: Romans 4:22 says: …therefore it was imputed for him for righteousness.… A righteous walk is a covenant work for signs and wonder; as you wait, walk right before God.

God is able to do all things but you must keep believing Him, keep thanking Him and walk in righteousness. What He says He will do He will do. Isaiah 25:1 says: O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. God is faithful and ever true, so stay with Him and your situation will turn to a testimony.

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for His ways and dealings in your life and family.

* Thank God for sending destiny helpers your way this season.

* Thank God for leading you through the path of righteousness for His glory.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Standing on the promises of God, and the blood of Jesus, I wipe away every handwriting that is contrary to my destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.

 

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: Steadfast anchor; Hebrews 6:10, 13-19