Power Packed

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Hebrews 4:12 

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

MORE LESSON: Acts 19:11-20

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Thursday, 16 October

Memory Verse: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:2

The writer of Hebrews has given us fresh revelation on the mystery and efficacy of the Word of God at work in us. In today's passage, three significant things are evident about the power of the Word of God. Firstly, it is quick, which means that when you receive the Word of God, it quickens you. The reason why the Word of God is given to us as a 'quick' capsule is because the enemy wants to poison us until he can slow our lives down completely. Satan and his cohorts are out to stop every good thing that God is doing in and through our lives. They start by slowing down our faith in God for miracles and breakthroughs. Then they slow down our zeal for the things of God and our desire to be in the assembly of the saints of God. Thereafter, they slow down our ability to tarry with God in prayer and deep communion. Furthermore, as soon as communion with God is withdrawn, we lose direction and divine guidance, and the spirit of fear sets in, followed by all manner of sin and lawlessness. Nevertheless, the Living Book declares in II Corinthians 2:11, Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Then comes the ministry of the word in us; it quickens, revives, awakens, and activates us for the things of God. This is why we must continue to live by the Living Book, which provides quick capsules that shield us from the enemy's poison, which can slow us down completely and render us inactive and unresponsive to God's things.

The next major assignment of the Word of God in us is to release immense power. Indeed, the Word of the Lord is powerful enough to save us from anything and everything that stands in our way. This is so because the enemy's device is not only to slow us down but also to leave us disarmed and weak. If you have ever noticed any area in your life that is weak and perhaps a part of your body that is sickly, apply the power of the Word of God and see the anointing of God's Spirit restore and reinvigorate you with the fullness of life. I dare say that a wordless life is a powerless life. As you stand firm on the Word of God today, every slow and blunt area of your life is being quickened and empowered right now by the living Word of God, in Jesus' mighty name.

Thank God for the Living Book. Thank Him for the Word of God.

Prayer/Action

* Pray that by the Power of God at work on your life, nothing will slow you down.

* Pray that God's word in your spirit will guide you to your God ordained destiny.

* Thank God for breaking the siege of the evil one by the power of his word.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I prophesy into this day, you are a good day, there shall be no evil of any kind come out of you, in the glorious name of Jesus.

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

Moving to the Next Level

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Exodus 14: 1-15

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so. 5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. 9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. 10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.

MORE LESSON: Joshua 1: 2-5

2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Wednesday, 15 October

Memory Verse: Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. Joshua 1:3

Movement characterises life. At every point in time, we are either regressing, stagnant, or advancing. Forces are responsible for our movement, either forward or backwards. As children of God, we are called to move forward, for God is a God who moves forward. Specific disciplines are necessary for moving forward, including prayer, the Word of God, faith, consistency, persistence, diligence, and good self-esteem, among others.

It is the grace of God that comes upon a man that makes him do the extraordinary in life. So, it is God's grace that moves a man forward. Abraham moved forward from his land to the Promised Land because God had prepared something better for him. God wants to launch you into the next level, where you get something better than you can see now. God is not through with you yet, for there are more things that He wants to do in your life. Many have lost excitement in life, happiness in their homes, and the passion to forge ahead in life because of the challenges all around.

However, Jesus can bring life to that situation again. If you have yet to accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour, you must do that today. Moreover, if you have lost the spiritual drive to move ahead with Him, you can always come back to Him to refire you. Moving ahead means experiencing new and better things in life, and remember that if anyone is in Christ, ...he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new: 2 Corinthians. 5:17 (NKJV). So, being in Christ is what qualifies you to move to the next level in life. However, unless you dedicate your life to Jesus Christ, all other disciplines you undertake to move to the next level are but mere empty activities. Call on Him to come into your heart today. For as many as have accepted Him and live a holy and righteous life, it is time to move forward in their walk with Him. God is ready to take you to Canaan, so do not underestimate yourself by thinking that you do not have what it takes to move on. Trust in God to empower you for what is ahead because He has greater things in store for you.

Prayer/Action

* Pray against forces that have made you stagnant for long.

* Declare that starting from today, you will experience speed in areas where you have not.

* Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be committed and obedient to the Lord's dealings daily.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, as I step out today, deliver me from evil and violent men, in the mighty name of Jesus.

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

From Poverty to Wealth

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Deuteronomy 8:18

18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

MORE LESSON: Amos 9:13

13 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.

Tuesday, 14 October

Memory Verse: But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18

There is a law of cause and effect that governs everything in life. Wealth does not just happen; it is acquired as God reveals, "Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that gives thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day" (Deut. 8:18. Notice that this scripture does not say that God gives you wealth, but that He gives you the power to get wealth. So you cannot sit at home doing nothing and expect wealth to come. God is committed to making things happen for you when you do something.

Another principle of increase is giving. People who hate to give will be poor because God does not prosper a tight fisted man. Stinginess will activate the operation of poverty in a man's life. Equally, men who do not do anything will be poor because God does not prosper a lazy man. Laziness reduces a man to zero. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be under tribute. Proverbs 12:24. Another harbinger of poverty is reckless spending. Some waste all the resources that God puts in their hands because they buy everything they see, whether necessary or not. The Bible says that the lazy man and the man who cannot control his spending are brothers. Their father is poverty; he is also slothful in his work, a brother to him that is a great waster: Proverbs 18:9.

However, God's covenant with you is of wealth and not poverty. So you must work by the principles of the Kingdom, and you will see that the Lord is committed to blessing you. God wants to bless you so abundantly that you will not be able to harvest it all. The time will come,” says the Lord, ”when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested: Amos 9:13 (NLT). God intends to increase you till you become a thousand times more than you are presently. May the LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you! Deuteronomy 1:11. I want you to believe this scripture so that it can impart to you the confidence to rise above poverty into prosperity. God is not satisfied with what you are now, no matter how big you think you are. He wants to make you a thousand times more. A hundred percent increase is not all that God can give; He can give you a thousand percent increase.

Break away from the habits that propagate poverty and commit to the Kingdom principles of diligence, giving, saving, investment, wisdom, and prayer. Furthermore, God will remove poverty from your generation of children and make you prosperous.

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for the level that you are now.

* Ask the Lord to reveal to you the secret of kingdom wealth.

* Pray that as God's blessing will be upon you, you will also be a channel of blessings to others.

* Pray that you will not be lazy, non-slothful in life.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I command every arrow of depression and downcastness to lose its hold over me and backfire on the enemy now, in the name of Jesus.

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

Remember Lot’s Wife

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SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Genesis 19:15–26

15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: 20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. 21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

MORE LESSON: Number 14:1-5 

1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

Monday, 13 October

Memory Verse: No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

The wickedness of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah became too much to be ignored, so God decided to destroy the city. Since God will not destroy the righteous with the wicked, He chose to spare Lot and his family. The Angel who was sent to destroy the city warned Lot and his family to escape to a nearby city without looking back. Unfortunately, there was a casualty as Lot's wife looked back and turned to a pillar of salt.

One would have thought that the account of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt was a coincidence of history, but Jesus' comment in Luke 17:32, 'Remember Lot's wife' reinforces the lesson of obedience to God's instructions. It may not be easy to tell the possible reason why she looked back, but the consequence is evident. It doesn't matter the motivation(s) to disobey the Lord, we cannot handle the repercussion.

In several biblical instances looking back is something that God detests. In looking back, the past is brought into focus in a way that diminishes future possibilities; that is why we are told to forget the former things and consider not the things of old, but to focus on the new thing and the new order that Jehovah is bringing to pass (Isaiah 43:18-19). No matter how good or bad the past was, we must not stay fixated on it. The past is the best place for the past and it should be left there.

Lot's wife shouldn't have had any problem if she had trusted God and entrusted her future to Him, despite the fire from Heaven that consumed whatever precious things they left behind in Sodom and Gomorrah. 'Trusting' and 'entrusting' are two key words to be mastered in our spiritual journey in order to arrive at our destination safely. Jesus says in Luke 9:62, …No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Why was Lot's wife not struck with thunder or made to die in some other way than being turned into a pillar of salt? Turning into a pillar of salt is a symbolic preservation of her life for generations to see that when God forbids you from looking back, just set your face like a flint (Isaiah 50:7) looking onto the Almighty.

Prayer/Action

* Ask for grace to walk in perfect obedience.

* Pray that in whatever situation you are found you will always trust God.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: My father and my God, thanksgiving and praise await you in my family this month, in the precious name of Jesus.

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