Consider the Lilies

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Mathew 6:25-34

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

MORE LESSON: Matthew 6:33

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Monday, 6 October

Memory Verse: And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. Matthew 6:28

All through the Scripture you will come across God as loving and caring when it comes to His creatures. It comes as no surprise when the lilies of the field are pictured as beautiful and effortless in their growth because God is behind them. The surprise is in the fact that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as the lilies of the field. The question really is, If God cares for flowers and the birds of the air, won't He care for His creatures made in His image and likeness?

The message in our text is weighty; the Almighty will always care for His own people. This understanding should take away worry from believers. The problem with worry is that it empties you of strength. In order to forge ahead in life the Bible says, 'consider the lilies of the field….' In considering the lilies of the field, we behold first their beauty. In the same way that lilies are beautiful, Jehovah has made our lives beautiful. Our beautiful lives alone, made possible on Calvary tree, should give us joy and defeat worry permanently.

Another thing to consider in the lilies of the field is that they are in the open field. Anything beautiful and tender like the lily should not be in the open for every tom, dick and harry to toy with, but because the flower is under the Lord's care it has nothing to worry about. No one called by the name of the Lord is without His defence. The admonition is to look up to God even when we find ourselves in the most dangerous of places.

One more thing to consider is how the lilies grow: they neither toil no spin. Yahweh is committed to our growth and will ensure we grow as the lilies. Since there are biblical verses that encourage us to work, we must not fold our hands with the expectation of growth. However, it is important to note that like in the case of the lilies our growth is dependent on God and not our labour.

Prayer/Action

* Declare that there will be no more worries in your life from this day forward.

* Pray that as you labour, God will ensure your growth in life and in destiny.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Thus said the Lord to every Pharaoh of hindrance to my Canaan, let (your name) go today and now, in the powerful name of Jesus.

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

Renewable energy

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Lamentations 3:22-24

22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

MORE LESSON: 2 Samuel 7:15

15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

Sunday, 5 October

Memory Verse: I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1

I renewable energies such as solar and wind. The need for these energies to power the world cannot be overstated. It suffices to say without energy there will be no physical world. Similarly, in the spiritual world there is a renewable energy that God has put in place to sustain the world, it is called mercy. The mercy of God that is renewed every morning is the reason why the world still exists today, despite the wickedness that is in it. Who dares ignore God's mercy and carry on well in life?

If for any reason we wake up one day and discover that the Almighty did not renew His mercy for the day, it will surely be the end of the world. What the sun is to the physical world is what the Lord's mercy is to the metaphysical world. Each day the Master of the Universe renews His mercy, it is an allowance to make things right and correct wrongs. Therefore, it is important to align ourselves with the mercy of Jehovah as a people of understanding.

There is what is called the sure mercies of David and this came into being when the heavenly Father swore not to take His mercy from the second king of Israel. This was what differentiated between King Saul and King David in a way. When God shows mercy to a person nothing can stand on the way of such a man. This is the reason why judgment is averted when mercy speaks. As for the apostle Paul who was one time injurious to the body of Christ, he became a builder of the Church when he received mercy, thus proving that there is nobody that mercy cannot change and there is no situation that mercy cannot turn around.

It is actually no surprise that Yahweh is called the Father of mercies (2 Corinthians 1:3). This understanding should appeal to our conscience that we must be like our heavenly Father in showing mercy. It is actually doubtful if anyone claims to be a believer and he or she is without mercy. One essential thing to remember is that the merciful shall obtain mercy. Indeed, it is a high calling for us to live a life of mercy and to keep renewing it for people on a daily basis as a reflection of the divine nature that we carry.

Prayer/Action

* Ask the Lord to make you a candidate of His mercy for all your lifetime care.

* Declare that as a seed of David for whom the Lord kept His mercy, He will keep His mercy with you and your generation.

* Pray that God's mercy will resolve your difficult matters.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I am a light to my world, nation, family and church and I shall not be reduced or removed, in the wonderful name of Jesus.

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

No more condemnation

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Romans 8:1-9

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

MORE LESSON: John 8:34 - 36

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Saturday, 4 October

Memory Verse: AThere is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

Two armed robbers were hanged on the cross with Jesus as condemned criminals. In their last moments they both had the opportunity to pass from death to life because they were in close proximity with the Saviour of the world. Out of anger, one of them voiced out his frustration demanding that the Messiah save Himself and extend salvation to them. However, the co-robber who understood what was going on in the realm of the spirit was quick to rebuke his partner in crime. Thereafter, he made a request for eternal salvation and at that moment he passed from condemnation to life. In accepting Jesus as personal Saviour a transition happens as you are moved from death to life.

It will be to the amazement of many who saw these condemned criminals hanged on the cross, if they get to Heaven and see one of them seated in glory! But such is the power of the Cross of Jesus. On the Cross the Master crushed all condemnation for those who believe in His substitutionary work. It is no wonder that a robber entered into paradise ahead of many.

A similar incident is that of Rahab the harlot who entered the Promised Land ahead of many (Joshua 2:1-21). As a matter of fact, some Israelites were destroyed and could not enter Canaan because of unbelief. While the Israelites had an entitlement mentality, someone who had a background of putting her back on the ground for men as a means of livelihood entered the land of milk and honey by faith in the God of Israel (Hebrews 11:31). Condemnation ends when people believe the God of Israel for their salvation.

The Scripture says there is therefore now no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The three levels of grace that knock the devil out of the fighting ring are:

i. To be in Christ.

ii. To walk not after the flesh.

iii. To walk in the Spirit.

Our being in Christ is fundamental and to remain in Christ requires not walking in the flesh. On the flip side, no one can overcome the flesh without walking in the Spirit. Jesus says, The words that I speak to you are spirit and life (John 6:63), meaning that a spiritual walk is only possible by hearkening to the word of God.

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for giving you a new life in Christ.

* Pray that as you continue to walk in the Spirit, you will overcome every work of the flesh.

* Declare that from today you will live in victory perpetually, no more condemnation.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Jesus, my promise keeper, October is here, do it again, in the precious name of Jesus.

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

The Burning Ones

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Leviticus 6:12-13

12 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. 13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

MORE LESSON: Acts 2:1-4, 1 Kings 18:36-39

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Kings 18:36-39 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

Friday, 3 October

Memory Verse: For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29

The altar may be built and the sacrifice laid, but without the fire, nothing happens. The fire completes the offering, signifies God’s acceptance and sets everything in motion. In the Scripture, fire coming down from heaven was often a sign of divine approval. What does the fire represent today, and how do we keep it burning? Understanding the role of the fire is essential to sustaining a vibrant walk with God.

Fire often represents God's presence and power in Scripture. The fire signaled divine presence when Moses encountered the burning bush (Exodus 3). It signified divine endorsement when Elijah prayed on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). When the disciples gathered in the upper room, fire rested on them as a mark of divine empowerment (Acts 2). Fire is never casual—it always speaks of something sacred, something supernatural.

In Leviticus 6:9, God instructed that the fire on the altar must never go out. This wasn’t just about maintaining heat but preserving the flame of intimacy, worship, and consecration before the Lord. The priests were required to add wood daily, clear the ashes, and guard the flame. In the same way, as a believer, you are now the temple, the altar and the priest. You are responsible for tending the flame within.

The fire is the burning passion for God, the intensity of love for His presence, the zeal for His Word, and the fervency in prayer. It is the Holy Spirit actively, purifying, refining, and empowering us to live holy and impactful lives. When the fire burns strong, sin loses its grip, fear fades and boldness arises. Note, however, that like natural fire, spiritual fire can dwindle if not fuelled. Many believers begin with a blazing passion for God, but over time, activity compromise, and neglect cause the flame to burn out. This is why Paul told Timothy, Fan into flame the gift of God... (2 Timothy 1:6). Fire must be stirred and maintained. It is by your daily devotion, prayer, worship, and the Word. Commune with other believers, walk in obedience, and observe times of waiting on God. We place these " wood " daily to keep the fire burning. Even clearing out “ashes” —things from the past that may now be clogging or suffocating your spiritual life matters.

It’s not enough to have once encountered God’s fire; it must remain burning because a cold altar cannot produce transformation. A life without fire is vulnerable, directionless and ineffective, while a life on fire becomes a beacon to others, a light in the dark, and a vessel through which heaven touches earth.

God's fire is both purifying and empowering. It consumes the offering and ignites purpose. As priests of the New Covenant, our responsibility is to guard and tend the flame. Don’t let distractions, disappointments, or delays snuff out your fire. Return to the altar and feed the flame daily with the Word, worship and with surrender. Let the fire fall again and keep burning. Christians and not cold ones can change the world.

Prayer/Action

* Ask the Lord for His divine endorsement of all your sacrifices on His altar.

* Ask the Lord to increase your passion for Him.

* Pray against every form of distraction or device of hell working to put out your fire for the Lord.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: All through this month, it shall be righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost for me and my family, in the name of Jesus.

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: Righteousness, Peace, and Joy is my portion; Romans 14:17; Matthew 6:33

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