Treasure in the House I

 

Treasure in the House I

 

5 November

 

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25:1

 

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Matthew 25:1- 13:  1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

 

MORE LESSON Proverbs 21:20:  20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

 

Wisdom is one subject the writer of the book of Proverbs devoted much of his writing to, he also wrote on issues that deal with day-to-day affairs which, if learnt, can make a person wiser and to stand out. Some of those things which should characterise the life of a believer include integrity, righteousness, wisdom and the fear of God.

Our text focuses on the things which should characterise the life of a wise man, which include treasure and oil. There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up: Proverbs 21:20. Every wise man has a treasure to be desired, either a quality, ability, resource, grace, etc. In Jeremiah 41:8, ten men were spared because they had resources and oil in the field when others were slayed. It is therefore wisdom to always have a treasure to be desired in your life; it will make you ever relevant and needed.

 The wisdom to learn from our text includes the following:

1. Don't spend up the treasure in your life before you seek to refil (Matthew 25:3-9). One of the things that distinguishes the wise and foolish virgins is that the foolish virgins used up their oil before they seek to refil. Even if there are demands on the treasure and oil in your life, don't spend it up. Be wise.

2. When you have no more treasure and oil that men can desire, they will call you foolish, therefore give attention to your life. Don't be lost in the praise of men when your talents or abilities are at the peak. It is then you need to seek to improve yourself, that is the time to do something new and better.

3. Learn to take a break to create room for review and refilling. The foolish virgins were not sensitive to know the time to refil their lamps. There should be an interval to refil and re-stock. Only God should not wait, there is nothing that cannot wait to give room for you to renew and restock your treasure and oil. Even if it seems there is no time for that, it is wisdom to create the time.

Someone once said that grace is a depleting asset, it reduces with use. It is wisdom to always seek to have it renewed so that the house will be filled with treasure.

 

Prayer/Action

* Ask God for the spirit of wisdom.

* Pray against treasure wasters in your life and destiny.

* Pray that you will never lack treasure in your life.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I command every prison door of limitations over my destiny to be broken today, in the powerful name of Jesus.

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.