Adam, Where are You?

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Adam, Where are You?

Thursday, 5 September

 

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? Genesis 3:9 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Genesis 3:1-11 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

 

MORE LESSON: 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.

 

God created man and put him in the Garden of Eden to take care of it. Apparently the devil sinned in the beginning and lost his place; he was thrown down to the earth alongside a third of the angels. Thus rebellion became normal in the earth and man was created as the solution to rebellion. It means that man was supposed to be God's representative to enforce God's will on the earth.

However tragedy struck the day Eve was deceived into eating the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The devil promised that they would be as wise as God and she fell for his trick. When God came visiting Adam and Eve in the cool of the day, He asked a very pertinent question that still echoes from creation till now: “Adam, where are you?” This wasn't a question of unawareness; it wasn't as if God was unaware of man's where about. God was asking because Adam was no longer in his position of authority. He had been stripped of his authority through the deceit of the devil and he no longer had the charge to do as he had been commanded, to dress and keep the Garden. God sent man out of the Garden of Eden so that he would not eat of the tree of life and could redeem man come back to that position of authority.

This act of man’s disobedience transferred his authority on earth to the devil. And for a long time, the devil had a field day causing havoc on the earth. However thanks be to Jesus who came and died to restore the lost authority to man. Thus man can again represent the fullness of God's interest on earth. Everywhere you see evil prevailing in the world today, God is still asking the same question, “Adam where are you?” This is because so long as man remains in his place of authority, the will of God will find free expression on the earth. But whenever this is missing, chaos and anarchy becomes the order of the day.

We have been redeemed as God’s ambassadors in every sphere of influence, be it in politics, family life, education, religion, etc. Whatsoever your sphere of influence, we are supposed to represent the interest of God's kingdom in that system. So the chaos in the world today is a pointer to the fact that we are not yet demonstrating or living the fullness of the authority that Christ restored to His Church, because the reason why Jesus came was so that the works of the devil can be destroyed.

I hear God asking you again, Where are you? It is high time every child of God rose to the fullness of our calling; that is, representing the interest of God in every sphere of influence in the world so that we can become the light in the darkness. Gross darkness will yet cover the earth but the glory of God will rise upon His children and together we will shine the light until the will of God finds free course on the earth as waters cover the sea.

 

Prayer/Action

* Pray that you shall continually be a leading light.

* Ask that all the glory lost in the garden will be restored back to you now as you connect to your redemption privileges in the Lord.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Holy Spirit of God, cause this new month to be perfumed with favour and acceptance for me everywhere I go, in the excelling name of Jesus.

The Devil's Apple

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

The Devil's Apple

Wednesday, 4 September

 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: James 1:13-17 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

MORE LESSON: Hebrews 10:35-39 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

 

Today’s text says, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. The flip of this scripture could be Every bad and every imperfect gift comes from the devil the father of lies and darkness with whom there is no stability or guarantee. In line with James 1:17, we can safely conclude that the devil's apple always has worms. This means that you must not look to the devil to meet any of our needs because even if he does answer you, he will add sorrow to his blessing. It is only the blessing of God that makes one rich without adding sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).

It is foolishness to look to the devil to give you anything. This is because he sinned in the beginning and was thrown out of Heaven. He wanted to become like God, therefore God sent him out of His Kingdom and made man out of clay and invested in man the essence of God. The very thing that the devil wanted from the beginning was now put in a mortal man. This marked the beginning of enmity and hostility between the devil and man. So every believer is by default an enemy to the devil because inherent in man is the very nature and likeness of God.

So, if your enemy told you he had a very special gift for you, won't you be suspicious and even reject the gift at once? What makes us think then that receiving gifts from the devil will make our lives better? It is a trick that you must never fall for. Satan is in the business of making the life of the believer hopeless and making it look as though God is not faithful so that he can offer you his apple. However, you must never forget that no matter how beautiful the devil's apple appears, it is always infested with worms. The devil's contribution always leaves a man worse off than he ever was. In fact, after receiving the devil's gift, a man would wish he didn’t take it. You remember the saying that when you want to dine with the devil you use a long fork? I counsel you not to even give it a thought at all because whether you dine with a long fork or a short one, the fact remains that you are eating the devil's food and it is always worm infested. So, look up to God to meet all your needs and do not give up even if help tarries. The Bible encourages us to wait. When you feel discouraged, speak to yourself and find strength in the Word of God. You must never give up and go for the devil's gift because along with it comes unimaginable sorrow.

 

Prayer/Action

* Pray that you will not be tempted to receive the devil's gifts.

* Ask the law to satisfy you with good things in life.

* Ask the Lord to bless the works of your hand.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: From this new month, I command the season of poverty and lack to cease in my life and business, in the wonderful name of Jesus.

Set Your House in Order

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Set Your House in Order

Tuesday, 3 September

 

Set thine house in order.... Isaiah 38:1

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: 1 Kings 18:20-40 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

 

MORE LESSON: Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

The instruction God gave to King Hezekiah through Isaiah the prophet is worthy of our close attention. God said to him in Isaiah 38:1: Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. I believe God that you shall not die but live, and declare the glory of God (Psalm 118:17). However, you need to set your affairs in order.

There are so many people living very disorderly and disorganized lives. The family is in turmoil, business is in shambles, finances are in tatters, relationships are broken down, there are unpaid bills, unfulfilled promises and unmet obligations. Their entire life is a maze of confusion: this is not the will of God for you. His will is specified in Romans 8:28-29: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. You do not have to wait until death is approaching before you sort out your relationship with God and men. Do it now and with the help of the Lord, your life will be at peace.

The following steps will help you in sorting out the affairs of your life.

* Take some time off - probably a few days - to rest, reflect and meditate before the Lord on the issues of your life. Examine your life in prayer and in line with the Word of God.

* Take a closer look at your relationship with God. Is anything amiss? Set yourself apart to humble yourself before God and sort out whatever is the problem.

* What is your family relationship like? Reflect closely on it and straighten out whatever needs attention.

* Examine your career, your business, your profession and means of livelihood. Is everything alright or is there any area where you need God to help you? Pray about it, if there is.

* Closely consider your finances. How is it? Ask for God's help and take definite decisions.

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.

* What about your relationship with other people? Look at it critically and work out a way of peace for yourself. Whatever has disturbed your peace and hurt your conscience should be given proper attention.

Invite God to help you as you take vital decisions. Do whatever you need to do to put the affairs of your life in good order, and the peace of God shall flood your entire life.

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God who is able to make the crooked affairs straight.

* Ask the Lord to bring order into your life and give you peace all-round.

* Pray that the order of God will reign in every aspect of your national life.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, I command September to be for landmark testimonies, in the excellent name of Jesus.

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.