The Treasure Within

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: 2 Corinthians 4:6–7

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

MORE LESSON: Matthew 13:44–46, Colossians 1:27

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Saturday, 27 September

Memory Verse: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels... 2 Corinthians 4:7a

God has placed unimaginable wealth within you, not physical riches but divine treasure. Paul calls it this treasure in earthen vessels, referring to the glory and power of God residing in human containers. Think about that: the eternal God chose to deposit His power and presence in you.

Why earthen vessels? Because they are ordinary, fragile and unimpressive to the natural eye. God delights in hiding treasures in unlikely places to show that the excellence of power is of Him, not of us. This is the mystery of grace: that God puts glory in weakness, greatness in insignificance, and power in humility.

You may look at yourself and see nothing special but God sees treasure. You may feel inadequate but within you lies Kingdom potential, spiritual authority and eternal purpose. However, like the physical treasure, what's inside must be discovered and drawn out. So, you must look beyond what your eyes can see and begin to see yourself the way God sees you. There is more to you than meets the eye and only God has your true identity. In order to see and live your potential, you must see the excellence within from God's perspective because this treasure isn't always visible. Many people walk around with buried callings, suppressed gifts and undiscovered anointing. This is because the vessel hasn't been broken. Sometimes God allows pressure so that what's inside you can be revealed; thus the crushing reveals the oil. The fire reveals the gold and the pressures of life reveal the value in you.

Your task is not to create something new but to reveal the deposit that is already there. Your duty is to steward it, develop it, guard it and most importantly, release it. Your voice, gift and vision all come from this inner treasure.

Stop comparing yourself with others and don't despise your vessel. Your worth is not in the clay but in the content. What makes you valuable is not your appearance, status or resources, it is the divine treasure within. You didn't come to the earth blank, a “tabula rasa”, you came with divine purpose, presence and anointing deposited in you and waiting for manifestation. The world is waiting for your manifestation.

Today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you rediscover what God has deposited in you. Begin to declare, “I am a carrier of glory. I have treasures inside me.” Let that revelation shift the way you walk, talk and serve.

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for placing treasures within you.

* Receive help of God to see yourself through His eye so that you will value, protect and release what He has placed in you for His glory.

* Declare, 'I am not empty, I am full of purpose and power'.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I am a pride to the kingdom of God, I shall not be dethroned by anything, in the wonderful name of Jesus.

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

Another Joseph Wanted

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Genesis 41:33-46

33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. 37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. 46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

MORE LESSON: Psalm 105:17-21

17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

Friday, 26 September

Memory Verse: And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. Genesis 41:39

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: No appointments with death; Deuteronomy 33:6; Isaiah 38:1-7

Whenever there is a challenge or a problem to solve somewhere, the answer lies in the hands of one man, woman, boy or girl. When the right person emerges, the problem is solved, as Joseph counselled Pharaoh. A great famine was coming, and as revealed by God, it would ravage for seven years. However, Joseph counselled that before the famine, there would be a great abundance; it would last seven years. If the abundance was appropriately managed, the effect of the famine would be significantly mitigated.

Therefore, Joseph advised that someone was needed to help the nation and save the future. That person must be wise, discreet, discerning, and have the character and capacity to handle the situation effectively. Pharaoh decided that person was Joseph, as recorded in Genesis 41:39: And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shown thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art.

Joseph did a good job. We need a Joseph in every facet of our lives—in the home, in the school, in the office, in the public service, in the leadership of our nation, in the leadership of the church, and indeed everywhere. He must be someone who:

• is wise.

• is discrete.

• is discerning (Genesis 41:39).

• is able.

• fears God.

• loves the truth.

• is free from covetousness (Exodus 18:21).

• is full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.

• is honest.

• has ‘good’ testimony (Acts 6:3,5).

You know what? You can be that person! If you give yourself totally to God, He will purge you, mould you, fill you with His Spirit and power, and make you a Joseph of our generation. God wants you to be the solution to our societal problems and the answer to people's questions. The time to answer that call is now.

In Isaiah 6:8, the Prophet Isaiah answered God’s call: …I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Prayer/Action

* Ask the Holy Spirit to help you become a solution provider.

* Pray against all distractions that limit you from being a voice to your generation.

* Pray for the grace to be faithful and truthful in life.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I cancel every appointment with death over me and my family today, in the mighty name of Jesus.

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

Victory is Sure

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: John 6:33

33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

MORE LESSON: Acts 27:22-25

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Thursday, 25 September

Memory Verse: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Trouble is not a stranger in life; it’s baked into the journey. Life is spiced with challenges, trials and storms. Jesus didn’t hide this from us. In John 16:33, He said, "In the world, you will have tribulation." He didn’t stop there, but He gave the antidote: Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

Yes, even believers face battles: the difference is in how we fight them. While the world drowns in anxiety, face believers challenges and fight with hope because we fight with God on our side. We don’t go through storms alone: the Master is in the boat!

Paul was in a shipwreck, but his declaration was explicit, in Acts 27:22: There shall be no loss, because he believed what God told him. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me (Acts 27:25). Hannah was misunderstood and afflicted, yet she found grace at the altar and gave birth to a prophet (1 Samuel 1). Your trouble is not a verdict—it’s a process.

What you are going through is not the whole story. It’s a part of the divine script, and the ending is glorious! Don’t let your heart be troubled (John 14:1). Don’t permit fear to dominate your mind because God doesn’t just observe your pain. In 1 Peter 5:7 He assured us: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Anyone born of God has been designed to overcome, 1 John 5:4 says: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. That includes you, so do not worm. Don’t complain. Don’t cave in. Stand firm in faith and walk through the storm knowing your victory is certain. Troubles may be part of the journey, but victory is the destination. Hold your peace and press forward.

Prayer/Action

* Declare: I refuse to let fear rule my heart; I cast every care upon Jesus today.

* Confess that you shall rejoice, even in the fire, and come out stronger.

* Decree that your victory is sure.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Hallelujah, glory and amen, that is what my song shall be all through the remaining days of this month, in the amazing name of Jesus.

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

Take Freedom

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Matthew 11:12-15

12  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

MORE LESSON: Luke 16:15 

15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Wednesday, 24 September

Memory Verse: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12

Freedom is not a product of pity but the prize of spiritual violence. Nothing in the Kingdom is handed to you passively. You must rise with boldness and take what God has already provided. Freedom is never given; it is taken. Where independence is given, it is a complete falsehood; only those who take it enjoy it more. You must stand your ground to confess that what is purchased must get to you.

Jesus paid for your redemption but you must walk in the knowledge of this. Freedom is not cheap, even though it is free. The Cross paid it all, but ignorance still enslaves many. You must know what belongs to you before you can take it. Know God’s provision and build the necessary knowledge; you must know. You can’t claim what you haven’t discovered.

Stop explaining your bondage away. stop justifying failure and don’t romanticise your affliction. The fact that you are in a bad place doesn’t mean God put you there. Never accept academic, spiritual, material or business failure. That you are failing does not mean that God cannot make you succeed; what you need to do is to find out what the problem is and solve it. Don’t justify failure; otherwise, you will remain a failure. Micah 7:8 says: Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall arise. The enemy may knock you down, but he cannot keep you there unless you stay down.

You must insist that what God said is final over your life. Whether it's sickness, poverty, delay or defeat, don't accept it. Don’t spiritualise what God has already nullified. God did not ordain you to fail, so don’t settle for failure. If something isn’t aligning with Scripture, confront it!

Take your place through prayer, fasting, declarations and study of the Word. Freedom is yours but you must break the door if someone has locked it. Insist that your inheritance will not be denied you. You don’t wait for freedom; you rise and take it. Freedom is your covenant right. Claim it boldly!

Prayer/Action

* Declare that you will not accept anything less than what Jesus has paid for.

* Command every form of bondage around you to break now.

* Receive revelation and strength to take what is yours.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I decree an endless rising for me this month, spiritually and in all spheres, in Jesus' super name.

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