Treasure House II

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Treasure House II

 4 November

 

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. Matthew 12:35

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 13:44: 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

 

MORE LESSON Matthew 12:35: 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

 

God did not create a man without a definite deposit of treasure that is required for him to succeed in life. Sometimes they may not appear as attractive as what you see in others. The responsibility lies in us to discover, refine and put them to use. The following are the ways to tap into the treasures

1. Go for the treasures. Discover the field where your treasures are kept, find joy in the treasure field that God has given to you and go for it with determination and focus. Your treasure field could be your purpose, career, skill or assignment. According to Matthew 13:44(NLT), The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT) also declares, I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

2. Build the treasure of the inner character. Of Mary the mother of Jesus, Luke 2:19 (NLT) declares, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

 Matthew 12:35 (NLT), A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.

3. Use, renew and polish the treasure you have as Proverbs 21:20 admonishes, There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

4. Store up your treasure in Heaven. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. And watch against enemies of treasure; the moths, the rust and the thieves. Jesus in His teaching revealed where treasure could be stored without the fear of it being destroyed as recorded in Matthew 6:19- 20, Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (NLT) Don't give the moth, rust and thieves access to your treasure.

 

Prayer/Action

*  Ask God that by mercy you will recover the field of your treasure you have neglected and lost.

*. Ask the Lord to restore all the treasures that you have lost to sin and wrong relationships.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: By the power of the Holy Ghost, I prophesy in this new month that the heavens over me shall not be closed but continuously open for divine results, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Treasure House I

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Treasure House I

3 November

 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 25:14-18:  14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

 

MORE LESSON 2 Corinthians 4:7: 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

 

The dictionary defines treasure as wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals); wealth of any kind stored up. It also refers to something of great value. God wants to open your eyes to things that would otherwise remain unseen, in order for you to claim them. God is not trying to hide treasures from us; He's hiding them for us. The treasure within us makes us unique and adds value that others celebrate in us. May the Lord open your eyes to see things you cannot ordinarily see so you can claim them.

The world will be willing to give their wealth in exchange for the treasures that you carry. The value of your treasures is seen when they are identified, polished and put to use (Matthew 25:14-18). Talents are specials abilities entrusted to a man to yield profit and benefits for others. Here are several ways the Bible considered these treasures:

✓ According to 2 Timothy 2:20-21, treasures are like vessels found in a great house which should be clean to be found useful, But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

✓ Treasures are abilities and skills acquired and developed over time. David's use of a sling and the skill of strings were acquired and developed. 1 Samuel 16:16 says, Let our lord now command your servants who are here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the harp; and when the evil spirit from God is on you, he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.(AMP). Also, 1 Samuel 17:36,40 testifies, Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them.  And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

✓ Treasures could also be in the form of inner good treasure or character like seasoned and edifying words as shown in Matthew 12:35, A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Also as goodly characters as James 1:4 teaches, So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. (TLB)

 

Prayer/Action

* Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see things you cannot ordinarily see so you can claim things that would otherwise be unclaimed.

* Pray that like the fragrance from the alabaster box, the treasure in you will find expression for a global recognition.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Today I step into an unlimited glory because I serve a limitless God. Hallelujah, it's a new year, new season and fresh testimonies, in Jesus' conquering name.

Divine Settlement II

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Divine Settlement II

2 November

But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil. II Thessalonians 3:3

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY II Thessalonians 3: 1-5: 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

 

MORE LESSON II Thessalonians 2:15-17: 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

 

We continue our meditation on how to be divinely established.

ii) Be willing to “suffer” a while. This entails a lot; and personal in its dimensions because we have different callings and destinies. Everyone’s “suffering” differs; but we all must pass through to reach our divine settlement. This involves training under God and man, it involves enduring hardship like a good soldier of Christ, it involves learning and applying knowledge; making mistakes; failing and correcting mistakes and trying again and again. Anyone who will not “pass through” will not “get to”. Don't shy away from this; you can't get divine settlement without suffering. Even Jesus, the sinless Son of God passed through to become the author of salvation for mankind as Hebrews 5:7- 9 . Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, was heard in that he feared; though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Suffering here does not just connote enduring hardship but also having resilience,  pursuing  your  goals empowered by God till you attain. It involves refusing to give up even in the face of challenges. This word is so relevant in today's world more than before, due to the economic downturn and high costs of living globally. We must be ready to navigate and succeed despite all by being humble, teachable, flexible, all in the spirit of fervent prayers knowing God is there to see us through and establish us.

The issue of time cannot be overlooked in the path to divine settlement. Experiences are gathered over time, training involves time, divine establishment involves time therefore, patience obedience is required to be established by God. Just stay close to Him and allow the leading of the Holy Spirit day by day and you will be settled.

 

Prayer/Action

* Praise God because the experiences you are going through will lead to your divine settlement

* Ask God for grace to obey the leadership of the Holy Spirit daily.

* Ask for strength to overcome in the pursuit of being established by God.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Hallelujah, no more limits. It's time to fly beyond bounds, in Jesus' mighty name.

Divine Settlement I

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Divine Settlement I

1 November

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. I Peter 5:10

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY I Peter 5:7 -10: 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

 

MORE LESSON Isaiah 54:11-14: “O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, Your gates of crystal, And all your walls of precious stones. 13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children. 14 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

A popular song says ”Hold not your peace, O Lord, Rise up for me, O Lord! It is time for you to establish me, O Lord, And make me a praise in the earth”. Indeed God wants us established but there is a process. To be settled or established means to have firm roots in the land, to be firmly fixed and securely entrenched; to cause to grow and multiply; to be accepted and respected by those in your community; to be successful for a long period of time and to be widely known. These are sweet and highly desirable definitions; they become phenomenal when you add the divine dimension to them.

 

Divine settlement is God's hand performing all these in a man's life. God's hand dealing with obstacles to settlement, connecting one to helpers of establishment and giving favour. May we be divinely settled. May the Gospel of our Lord be divinely established and entrenched in our land. Divine establishment or settlement will not just jump to one from the air; there are steps to being settled. In the first reading, Apostle Peter spoke about some of these steps one has to go through before being settled or established.

 Things to note in his injunction to everyone pursuing settlement:  

i).   Recognise and accept the call of God into glory by Christ Jesus. Do not put the cart before the horse: Only a person that has heeded the divine call can be divinely settled. Come to Jesus, accept his call by surrender our life to Him and be a child of God. Then you can be divinely settled because you are now part of God's family. Some say but there are many established people who don't have Jesus. The establishment of such people is temporal and can vanish to thin air without God's hand. They are only piling up for another to eat; then their blessings will not really be full or complete. Also as they amass, they lose their peace and can't sleep well because they are not secure in God. They are not shielded on earth and not eternally secure. Having Jesus in your heart and ruling your life is what secures a person on earth and eternally. That is why the first step in the pursuit of divine settlement is to have Jesus as Lord and Saviour. He said in John 14:6, ...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Ensure you are right with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer/ Action

*     Ask for the Lordship of Christ in your life, you are called to glory through Christ our Lord

*     Ask for divine settlement by God's hand in all areas of life.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: The God of my new beginning, I give you the glory for the eleventh month out of twelve. Take the praise Lord, in Jesus' mighty name.

 

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS:  A new thing Isaiah 43:19; 42:9