The Good Shepherd

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

The Good Shepherd

Wednesday, 18 September

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 

MORE LESSON: John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 

The Good Shepherd is a beautiful picture of God's love and care for us. It's a beautiful expression of trust, comfort and guidance; it offers a profound message that resonates with people of all ages. Just as a shepherd tends his flock, God attends to our needs, providing for our well-being and guiding us through life's challenges.

As the Good Shepherd, God does these several things for us.

1. He provides for our needs. In verse 1 of Psalm 23, David began by declaring God as his Shepherd, emphasizing God's care and provision. As a shepherd tends his flock, God guides and nurtures us.

2. God gives us rest and refreshment (vs 2-3). He takes care of our physical and spiritual needs, leading us to places of abundance and peace. He revitalizes our souls, quenching our thirst for spiritual nourishment.

3. Our God also guides us on the right path (vs 3). God directs us on the path of righteousness, not for our own sake, but for His glory and honour.

4.The Good Shepherd protects us from harm (vs. 4). In the midst of uncertainty and darkness, God's presence reassures us of safety. His guidance and protection bring comfort, dispelling fear and anxiety.

5. God showers us with His goodness and love (vs. 5-6). God's abundance and blessings are evident even in the presence of adversity. He anoints us with His favour, filling our lives with joy and gratitude.

6. David concluded by affirming God's unwavering goodness and love, which pursue us throughout our lives. We find solace in God's presence, both in this life and eternally.

Above everything God has done for us, He gave us Himself by dying on the cross. This gift of God is the greatest gift any man will ever receive. John.10:11 assures us: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

I want to remind us today that God is our compassionate Shepherd, guiding us through life's triumphs and struggles. May we find peace and reassurance in His loving care. May we trust in the Good Shepherd's care, following His leading and resting in His love. May we find comfort in His presence and may our cups overflow with His goodness and love, in Jesus’ name.

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for His love and care.

* Ask God to provide your needs and give you rest. 

* Declare that you will not walk away from your Shepherd.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: As I serve the Lord with all my being, He will bless my bread and my water and take sickness away from me and my household, in Jesus' mighty name.

The Needful

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

The Needful

Tuesday, 17 September

 

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Luke 10:38-41 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

 

MORE LESSON: Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

 

As we wake up each day, so many things compete for our immediate attention. Time seems to fly when we have several important issues to attend to. To set the order of priority is often difficult because most times it seems as if heaven will crash if these pressing demands are not all attended to immediately. Humanly speaking, man was not created to be in two places at the same time. Therefore, opportunity cost must come in when deciding the order of priority in getting the day’s assignments done.

Usually, courtesy demands that when a guest arrives at your house, you go all the way to entertain him, make him feel welcome and comfortable. The main guest at Mary and Martha’s house was the Master Himself (Jesus) and His entourage. They were travellers who must have trekked several miles to arrive at the house. They must have been thirsty, hungry and in need of water to wash their dusty feet (as it was the custom of the Jews). Martha hurried to get water for the guests to wash their feet, get food ready and fresh water and milk to cool their thirst. Surprisingly, Mary her sister was seated at the feet of Jesus with the other guests to listen to Him. Martha just could not hide her anger, she therefore called on Jesus to correct Mary’s behaviour. Jesus however calmed her down in Luke 10:41: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. Jesus the Omniscient One knew the importance of what Martha was doing, but He classified what Mary did as more important.

Sitting with Jesus to hear God before engaging in the activities of the day should come first before any other thing. This is because, it is from God that we draw the much needed strength and wisdom to face all other challenges of the day. In verse 40, the word cumbered as in the King James Version is translated as distracted, overly occupied, worrying in other versions of the Bible. The activities calling for our attention, though legit and important may be distractions when it comes to waiting on God as a priority.

Calm down today and wait on God before jumping on any assignment and the work which would have taken you long hours to do will take a moment or just a few hours. Proverbs 3:5-8, admonishes us not to lean on our own understanding but that in all our ways acknowledge God. Many times we believe that we are too familiar with our daily chores to need a helper. That is why severally, we spend needless hours trying to solve a little challenge that comes up in the course of the day. There is He that made the day and knows every moment of the day and what problem that may crop up at a particular moment. Let Him handle it for you before the challenge ensues. Learn to daily wait on God.

 

Prayer/Action

* Pray that you will be focused on God's Kingdom.

* Ask God for sensitivity to be active in God's assignment.

* Pray against time wasters.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: As the path of the just is as a shining light that shines more and more, so shall be my path today, in the precious name of Jesus.

Peace that Transcends Human Understanding

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Peace that Transcends Human Understanding

Monday, 16 September

 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

MORE LESSON: Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

Peace is a state of calm, freedom from strife or discord. It is harmony in personal relationship. Peace encompasses the mental, spiritual and physical well-being of men. A man at peace is physically healthy, mentally sound and spiritually alright. Irrespective of ones position in the society or amount of wealth possessed, peace determines whether the person will enjoy life or not. Peace is, therefore, the determinant factor for a successful living. Receive peace in every area of your life, in Jesus’ name.

Money or power cannot buy peace; genuine peace comes from the Lord. Psalm 29:11encourages us: The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. A man whose heart is at peace will enjoy good health (Proverbs 14:30). One of the first things that happens when you surrender your life to the Lord is that you have peace. You feel as if a very heavy weight has been lifted off your heart, and experience undescribable calmness and serenity. This is one of the signs God gives you as He welcomes you into His Kingdom. Isaiah 9:7 says: …of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end….

The word of God shows how to enjoy peace as we see below.

1. Give your life to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour. Let Him take over every affair of your life.

2. Seek peace and pursue it (I Peter 3:10-11). Release everyone who offends you and always do things that will create peace around you. Avoid trouble makers and love to make issues out of trivial matters. Be a peace maker (Matthew 5:9).

3. Cultivate the habit of listening and harkening to the voice of the Spirit of the Lord. Isaiah 48:18 says: O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river and thy righteousness as the waves. One of the acid tests to discern between the voice of God and that of the devil is peace. The voice of the Holy Spirit is often accompanied with unexplainable peace even if what is saying seems humanly hard to believe or difficult to do. Consistent obedience to the voice of God keeps one out of trouble.

4. Cultivate the habit of gratitude. It is good to desire better things but remember to be grateful for what you have now. Colossians 3:15 exhorts: Let the peace of God rule in your hearts...; and be ye thankful. An ungrateful heart cannot have peace: be thankful for who you are, what you have and what you are believing God for.

5. Stay prayerful. God guides the feet of His people into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79).

Continue to enjoy His peace that transcends human understanding, in Jesus’ name.

 

Prayer/Action

* Ask the Lord to fill your heart with His peace.

* Receive grace to be a peace seeker everywhere you are found.

* Ask that the Prince of Peace will reign in your home.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I declare that there shall be neither bareness nor abortion of my glory, abundance and safety in this ninth month, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Pay Attention to His Correction II

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Pay Attention to His Correction II

Sunday, 15 September

 

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Proverbs 3:11-12

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Psalm 139:1-24 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. 19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. 20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. 21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

MORE LESSON: Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

 

As we discussed yesterday, when God corrects and disciplines us as His children it is a mark of His eternal love for us. We should honour Him for this and respond positively to His love and correction. If God were to leave us without the way of correction or discipline, we would end up in self - destruction. Man always bends towards selfishness, sin and evil and the end of such a way is eternal destruction. Proverbs 14:12 warns: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. If God leaves you to go on in your own way, uncorrected and without discipline, you will surely end in the wrong destination and you will consequently partake of the judgment.

Yes, God's discipline is not pleasant; it may appear very harsh. However, it is motivated by His eternal love for you and it is for your ultimate good. Is there anything God has been dealing with you about: a sin or a sinful habit? Is it an attitude that He wants you to change, your faithfulness in paying your tithes, your diligence about the work of your hand? It could be your inconsistency at attendance of mid-week services. Could it be your dwindling service in the house of God or your unfaithfulness in evangelism, soul winning and mission? Maybe, it is your poor relationship with your spouse, attitude to your parents or failure to submit to your pastor.

Take a close look at these, and any other matter the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about. Find out what exactly God wants you to do. And whatever He says to you, do it. That is the correct response of a good child to the discipline of a loving Father. Hebrews 12:11 says: Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. It is well with you!

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God for His loving correction.

* Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the areas He wants you to adjust.

* Ask God to make you a better person than you have always been.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: According to the arrangements of God, nine months is the fullness of every pregnancy. Therefore, this ninth month shall be for the delivery of my 'man child', in the wonderful name of Jesus.