Pay Attention to His Correction I

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Pay Attention to His Correction I

Saturday, 14 September

 

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Hebrews 12:6-7

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Hebrews 12:1-11 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

 

MORE LESSON: Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

 

When God corrects us, it is a mark of His profound love for us. His correction is to show us our sins, so we can repent, turn, and become partakers of His holiness. His correction often shows us the errors of our ways so that we may change and walk in the light. Sometimes, His correction shows us what we have failed to do so we may turn, do them and become blessed indeed. Whatever it may be, God's correction is always for your good. You should, therefore, respond as a true child of God, in faith and heart-felt true obedience.

To choose to react negatively and rebel against the correction of God is to choose the way of judgement and perdition. That was what Cain (Genesis 4:6-7), King Saul (1 Samuel 15:22), and Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:23-24) did. In each case, God corrected them but they did not take heed to His correction and they ended in disaster.

When God corrected David, he responded with a humble heart and in true repentance. God forgave him and established his kingdom (Psalm 51:1-19). When God corrected Peter, he submitted himself totally to God and he became the leader of Christ's apostolic band as recorded in John 21:15: So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

That God is correcting you does not mean you have come to the end of the road. It only means God wants you to make a positive adjustment in your life. Responding in humility, repentance and obedience is in your best interest. If you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt you in due season (I Peter 5:6). He will make your latter days to be more glorious than the beginning. Respond to God's correction today, and it shall be well with you. Submit yourselves there fore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, as James 4:7 admonishes us.

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God for His eternal love for you.

* Ask God for the spirit of humility to respond appropriately to His correction.

* Ask the Lord to perfect everything that concerns you.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Oh God, my glory and the lifter up of my head, make this month a season of lifting for me and my household, in the beautiful name of Jesus.

Give Honour to Our God

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Give Honour to Our God

Friday, 13 September

 

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

MORE LESSON: 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Honour God and you will qualify for unimaginable honour from Him. God's honour is to live to honour Him. In 1 Samuel 2:3 He said: honour me I will honour.

How then can you honour God?

When you believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, you honour God who sent Him to die for your salvation. Faith honours God and qualifies one for eternal honour. 1 John 3:23 says: And this is his commandment that we could believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. Living according to His word honours God.

When whatever He says to you becomes a commandment that you fulfil with joy and excitement, then you qualify for divine honour. 1John 3:22 says: Thereafter, whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments....

When you meticulously avoid the things that God hates, and you walk in righteousness and holiness before Him, doing only what is just and right in His sight, then you honour God. He knows it, and will honour you as he did concerning His servant Job. When God was speaking to Satan about Job, He was like a father whose son had just graduated from the University with first class. This was because he lived to honour God as recorded in Job 1:8: And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

When you give the best portion of your time in honouring God in worship, prayer and meditation, He will honour you in return. Matthew 6:6 instructs us: But when thou prayest ...pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

When you prioritize what is important to God like soul-winning and world mission, and you are passionately committed God, He will honour you with great results (Mark 16:19-20).

When you love the house of God, the place of His sanctuary and you are eager to build, maintain and beautify it, then you honour God and He will honour you. Psalm 26:8 says: LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house,....

You honour God when you gladly give Him your substance, pay your tithes promptly, your offerings generously and sacrifice your precious goods when God so demands, then you qualify for divine honour and abundance. Proverbs 3:9-10 admonishes us: Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,....

Beloved, these are some of the ways you can honour the Lord. May the Holy Spirit will teach and lead you on how best to do it. Make it your pursuit to always honour the Lord, and it shall be well with you.

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God for His word.

*Ask the Lord to circumcise your heart, that you may love and honour Him all the days of your life.

* Ask God to honour you in this world and eternally.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Today, the LORD shall increase my greatness and comfort me on every side, in the mighty name of Jesus.

 

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: All-round blessing; Genesis 24:1; 1 King 8:56

He gives Ability to Produce Wealth

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

He gives Ability to Produce Wealth

Thursday, 12 September

 

You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may confirm his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day. Deuteronomy 8:18

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Deuteronomy 8:1-18 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. 4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. 5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. 6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. 7 For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. 10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

 

MORE LESSON: Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

 

The Bible says it is God who gives the ability to make wealth. May you experience the divine power for wealth creation. The power to produce wealth comes via the channel of wisdom; when wisdom is at work, wealth creation is a must. In other words, wisdom gives birth to wealth.

When the power to create wealth rests upon you, heaven will open unto and you will receive fantastic ideas, great insights, and profound concepts that will lead to wealth. I call it ICI: Ideas, Concepts, Insight. One idea given and blessed by God can make you a multi-billionaire. May the hand of the Lord be upon you in wisdom, in Jesus’ name.

The wisdom that leads to wealth comes from the Holy Spirit: He is the Spirit of wisdom. When He anoints you with wisdom, ideas for wealth creation will flow. If you act on those ideas, doing the right thing at the right time, you will create stupendous wealth.

This brings us to the matter of diligence. Diligence works with wisdom to make wealth show up; there can be no wealth without diligence. Diligence is a vital part of wisdom. A wise person is never lazy, never slothful and never tardy. Proverbs 22:29 says: Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand. He works hard, he works smart, he works directly and he works through people. He works to create money, then he uses money to create wealth. There is a world of difference between money and wealth. May the power to create wealth be truly at work in you, in the mighty name of Jesus.

2 Chronicles 1:11a -12 records concerning King Solomon when he asked God for wisdom: And God said to Solomon, Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee ; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. King Solomon’s testimony is that God gave him wisdom and wealth and he became the wealthiest king ever. May the wisdom of God to make wealth come upon you, in Jesus’ name.

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God for His Word.

* Ask God to anoint you with the spirit of wisdom for wealth creation.

* Ask for ideas, concepts and insight that will lead to wealth.

* Pray for the economy of your nation.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: As I go out today I shall return in testimonies. I shall not be stranded or hindered, in the glorious name of Jesus.

Be Wary of Flatter

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Be Wary of Flatter

Wednesday, 11 September

 

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. Proverbs 29:5

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Proverbs 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

 

MORE LESSON: Acts 12:20-23 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

 

I attended a wedding in a church sometimes ago; it was scheduled to start at 10:00am. Some guests and the intending couple were already seated in the Church’s auditorium at about ten minutes after ten, but the leading officiating pastor did not show up until 12:45pm. What preceded his entrance into the church was what amazed me. A man got up to the microphone and began to say something like: Welcome my father, the apostle of our time, a man of God with great reputation and a blessing to our generation. He just arrived from Canada last week, where he went to bless the people. Consider yourself blessed to be face to face with this anointed man of God. Now rise to your feet and with a clapping ovation, welcome our father Apostle, Prophet.... Then the man and his wife strolled in as the congregation clapped and celebrated them. My heart quivered, and the man had neither remorse nor apology for keeping his congregation and guests waiting for hours.

The British English Dictionary defines flatter as to enhance someone’s vanity by praising him. The devil deceives those who do wickedness to the covenant by corrupting them with flatteries (Daniel 11:32). When men begin to talk of you as if you are God, they are setting you up for destruction. Proverbs 29:5 warns: A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet. The word net in Hebrew is reh’-sheth which is used for catching, judgement or as a trap for man. King Herod killed Apostle James and almost killed Peter, if not for divine intervention, yet God did not judge him immediately. However, the day he wanted to take the glory that belongs to God, he died a horrible death.

Those who are good at flattering others will also receive their due reward according to Job 32:22: For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away (NIV). This implies that God will cut off people who are given to flatteries (Psalm 12:3). The modern Church has helped the devil to destroy so many anointed Christians, including servants of God by flatteries. When these vain words used in introducing them to the congregation get to their heads, they lose focus and ascribe undue glory to themselves.

One of the dangers that this profanity is breeding is that some young preachers are imbibing this self-acclamation as a necessary entitlement. Another problem is that some “weak’ leaders seek demonic power to substantiate the accolades being poured on them. God’s servants, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine deserve double honour: (I Timothy 5:17), but not to the detriment of their lives and destinies. God will not share His glory with anyone irrespective of your achievement. Don’t let the enemy use you to cut short the life of any man of God or send you to an early grave by flattering anyone.

 

Prayer/Action

* Ask the Lord to keep you from being corrupted by flatteries.

* Pray that the mercy of God will help you to maintain integrity and not share in His glory.

* Ask for God’s mercy that the Church will not to fall into the enemy’s devices.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Today, I regain and restore all opportunities and glories that I lost since the year began, in the powerful name of Jesus.