Becoming Mighty Indeed

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Becoming Mighty Indeed

Saturday, 7 December

Memory Verse: Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. Psalm 144:1

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: II Samuel 23:1-18 1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, 2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. 5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. 6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: 7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place. 8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. 9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: 10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. 11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory. 13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. 14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. 17 And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. 18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.

MORE LESSON: II Samuel 23:19-29 19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three. 20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: 21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. 22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. 23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard. 24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,

The Bible makes it clear that David was mighty in words and in deeds (Acts 7:22). Gideon was a mighty man of valour (Judges 6:12), and Boaz was a mighty man of wealth (Ruth 2:1). The Lord our God Himself is mighty in battle (Psalm 24:8). It is recorded that Jesus did so many mighty works when He was on earth (Mark 6:2).

Similarly, God wants to make you mighty in life; He wants to make you truly great. Genesis 26:13-14 testified of Isaac: ...Isaac sowed in that land and received in the same year a hundred-fold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks and possession of herds and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. Isaac grew great, went forward, and became mighty; that shall be your testimony, in Jesus name.

You can see from the life of Isaac that becoming mighty is a process so prepare your mind to go through the process. If you are willing and obedient, God will make you mighty in the land. The following are some hints on what it takes to be mighty.

(1) Focus: discover your purpose in life, your calling, your vision, and what your passion is. Develop yourself along that line, focusing on and following the leading of the Lord step by step and you will soon be reckoned with among the great.

(2) Training: our text today shows that David was taught, trained and nurtured by God. Get into real training for your life assignment and needs. Invest the needed time, money, and patience. Train to become mighty.

(3) Preparation: Jotham became mighty because he prepared his way before the Lord His God (II Chronicles 27:6). It is said that proper preparation prevents poor performance. Whatever you want to do or to be, take your time to diligently prepare, and you will surely finish right on top.

(4) Practice: becoming mighty certainly starts with thinking but it does not end there. You must put legs to your thoughts; act on your vision. Practise what you have learnt and put into effect what you trained for. Execute the plan you have prepared, and you will make it great.

(5) Consistency: it is moving steadily towards your goal. Doing what you have to do when you feel like it and when you don't. There is power in consistency; it makes the difference between the great and the mediocre. Put all these into practice and God will give you the desires of your heart.

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God because He wants you to be mighty.

* Ask that the spirit of wisdom and diligence will move you to become mighty indeed.

* Ask the Lord to send destiny helpers to you.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I receive access into this new month by the blood of the Lamb, in Jesus' powerful name.

© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved

Keep Yourself Pure

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Keep Yourself Pure

Friday, 6 December

Memory Verse: Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: Let the covenant voice now speak; Exodus 2:24; Leviticus 26:42; Psalm 89:34

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Titus 2:11-15 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

MORE LESSON: 2 Corinthians 7:1-2 plans 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

Purity, a noble virtue, is disappearing fast in the world, while impurity is multiplying, manifesting in worldliness and unrighteous acts. Purity is being compromised and diluted in the body of Christ (the Church) today. Certainly, we are in the last days and Satan is working overtime to get as many people as possible along with him into the lake of fire. However, God's standard is revealed to us in His word.

God knows that tough times like we have today will come, and there are even tougher times ahead. He therefore, made provisions to secure His children from worldly pollution. He warns in 1 John 2:15-16: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. ...For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. Satan's entry points to defile a man are the flesh, the eyes and pride. Indecent dressing, immorality, unrighteous acts, ungodliness, pride and every affinity with sin takes a man away from the presence of God. The earnest prayers of Paul for all believers is in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be presented blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ....

I thank God that one of our core values in JAWOM Commission is to teach the Bible complete and balanced. One of our stickers over the years reads “Nudity is not a virtue, dress well”. Eternity-focused believers should pay attention to total purity - spirit, soul, and body. One of the greatest promises of God to believers is His willingness to make us sons and daughters if we come out from among them and be separated to Him (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). To attain sonship, we must 'cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God' (2 Corinthians 7:1). Living holy, pure and righteous is possible not by our struggles, but through Christ who has been made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (2 Corinthians 1:30).

We must be deliberate and intentional like soldiers that endure discipline to uphold their profession. Don't be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrines. Your daily confession and determination should be: Others may, I cannot. Others may compromise their faith for the gains and pleasures of this world, they may do as they please, I must not do what the flesh suggest but do as my Lord pleases, Temptations to eat, dress and live like others are there. But these others who have no cross to bear are not a pattern for me; we cannot keep the same pace. I have a goal of making heaven, which may not be their priority. I must keep myself pure by His grace and please my Lord while I live'.

Prayer/Action

* Pray for a fresh garment of purity.

* Pray for God's power to keep your heart from corruption and compromise.

* Thank God for keeping you in a season where evil is on the rampage.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I activate the performance of all scriptural promises for a successful end of the year for me, in the powerful name of Jesus.

© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved

Beware of Men's Accolades

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Beware of Men's Accolades

Thursday, 5 December

Memory Verse: He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice evermore.17 Pray without ceasing.18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

MORE LESSON: Acts 12:20-23 20  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.

The presence of God is highly valuable in the life of a believer. All that the believer needs, will ever need and should become is only possible through the presence of God. The Bible says in Colossians 1:27, …Christ in you, the hope of glory. Also, Joseph, Jesus and a host of other people in the Bible became and did all that they were able to do because of the presence of God. Acts 10:38 records : How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Genesis 39:2 also records: And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. Fulfilling ones assignment on earth is only possible through the presence of God. Therefore, every believer must do everything to have the presence of God through righteous living.

The presence of God in the life of a believer is a capital to enable you fulfil your assignment on earth. When a man understands this and maximizes the provisions in God in carrying out his assignment, he literally becomes a sign that men gather to watch. He becomes a burning and a shining light. He walks in the class of God because of the supply of the Spirit that is available to him. He does things that are super-human, and men naturally want to praise him.

However, he must remember that he is only an instrument and should return the glory to God who is the Source and Sustainer of the anointing. Every anointed man is just a conduit of God's goodness and should redirect the people's attention to the source. The truth is, it is you men see, so chances are they may want to give you the glory. But this is the point at which you direct them to find their Maker, the Source and Sustainer of all they will ever need.

Paul's reaction in today's text is an example of how we too should respond to the accolades of men Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. (But Paul stopped them saying) …Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth,… (verse 13-15). It is true that believers are joint heirs with Christ, yet, for administrative purposes, there is hierarchy. Note, our promotion in the Kingdom is largely dependent on our willingness to let men see Jesus. John 3:30 puts it this way: He must increase, but I must decrease. So, never fall into the trap of settling in the accolades of men. Constantly and unashamedly. let them know that you are only a vessel and Christ is the Doer.

Prayer/Action

* Pray that God alone will be revealed through your life.

* Pray against self-praise.

* Ask God for the spirit of humility.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I am Judah. Therefore, the sceptre of praise shall not depart from my year, in the wonderful name of Jesus.

© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved

Lessons from the Samaritans

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Lessons from the Samaritans

Wednesday, 4 December

Memory Verse: Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Luke 10:30-37, 17:11-19 

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

MORE LESSON: John 4:39-41 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his own word;

The Samaritans were a racially mixed society with Jewish and pagan ancestry. Among the most significant differences between the Samaritans and the Jews is the site which they believe God chose for His dwelling (John 4:20). While the Jews hold that God chose Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Samaritans believe He chose Mount Gerizim near Shechem, where Joshua led the people of Israel to, after 40 years in the wilderness (Joshua 8:30-35). They claim ancestry from the tribes of Manasseh, Ephraim and Levi and built their own temple which the Jews considered pagan. Being a mix of already spiritually corrupt Israelites and pagan foreigners, Samaritans created a religion for themselves that the Jews considered heresy. The enmity grew, and when Christ came the Jews hated the Samaritans so much that they preferred to cross the Jordan river (longer distance) rather than travel through Samaria.

Jesus went through Samaria in His evangelistic mission (John 4:4), but the Jews avoided contacts with the Samaritans for fear of ritual contamination and did not use vessels or dishes used by the Samaritans who were not allowed into the inner court of the Temple and forbidden to marry them. The Samaritans saw themselves as the true descendants of Israel and preservers of the true religion, while considering the Jerusalem Temple and Levitical priesthood illegitimate. They had their own unique version of the five books written by Moses (the Pentateuch), but rejected the writings of the prophets and Jewish traditions.

However, during the earthly ministry of Jesus and the Early Church era, there are lessons we can learn from their acts.

1. The Good Samaritan – Samaritans were given to hospitality and care. In Luke10:30-37 Jesus told a story of the man attacked by thieves: while a priest and a Levite passed by the wounded and fainting man and did nothing, a Samaritan saw him, and filled with compassion, took him to the hospital and paid the bill. Believers ought to be filled with good works and must be a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7), be zealous of good works (Titus 2:14), be ready for good works (Titus 3:1) and maintain good works (Titus 3:8). Be good to everyone around you: while grace qualifies us for salvation, good works qualify us for eternal rewards (Revelations 20:12-13).

2. The Grateful Samaritan: a grateful man will always be ‘great-full’ without diminishing. The attitude of gratefulness should characterize our lives. In Luke 17:11-19, 10 lepers were healed, but only one, a Samaritan, came back to give thanks and he was totally made whole. Be grateful to God and give thanks in all situations, and to people for showing you any act of kindness. Those who are grateful today are sowing greater seeds for greater harvest tomorrow.

3. The Glad Samaritan: rejoicing is the expression of gladness. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost are marks of believers (Romans 14:17). The gospel of the Kingdom of God brings gladness: the more you share the good news of salvation through Christ the more gladness you bring to such lives. The Samaritan woman by the well gladly received Christ's teaching and took the message to town. Many were saved by her testimony and their encounter with Christ (John 4:39-41). Phillip preached in the city of Samaria with signs and wonders and the whole city received the message of salvation with gladness and rejoicing (Acts 8:8).

Believers should always be full of good works, gratitude, and gladness in serving the Lord.

Prayer/Action

* Ask God for grace to be such a worthy model that God expects you to be in the environment you are found.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Thou month of December, from start to finish, you must speak celebration and rejoicing to me continually, in the mighty name of Jesus.

© Strength for My Days by Bishop David Bakare - All Rights Reserved