Abba Father

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Abba Father

Friday, 20 September

 

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Romans 8:15-19 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

 

MORE LESSON: Mathew 6:8-15 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

Abba is an Aramaic word that means "Father" or "Daddy." It's a term of endearment, intimacy, and affection. When Jesus went to pray before His crucification, He said, "Abba, Father" as recorded in Mark.14:36: And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. This word reveals the loving, personal relationship He had with God the Father.

Also, Jesus taught His disciples that any time they want to pray, they should start with "Our Father". Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. God is a supernatural being but He is also a loving Father to us the moment we accept Jesus. Our God is a God of relationship who wants to relate with us as a Father not in an official relationship.

As our Abba Father, God is loving and kind as Psalm 136:1-3 puts it: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. He is Present and near as David testified in Psalm 139:7-12:

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. He provides and cares for us as Matthew 6:25-34, and is forgiving and merciful (Psalm 103:8-14).

The questions are: Do you know God as a Father? Can you boldly call Him Father? You must get to that point with God where He is no longer far from you. Build your relationship with God until you experience Him as Father.

We can approach God with confidence and trust, knowing He is our Abba Father. We must cry out to Him with intimacy and affection, knowing that He deeply loves and cares for us. Say to yourself with confidence: "GOD IS MY FATHER”

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank Abba Father for adopting you as His child. 

* Appreciate God for His love, care and presence in your life. 

* Ask God for grace to always cry out to Him with confidence and affection.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Today, the strangers shall fear and flee out of their hiding places, in the powerful name of Jesus.

 

TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: Enemies shall not exact upon me; Psalm 89:22

It's a Shadow

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

It's a Shadow

Thursday, 19 September

 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Amos 5:8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:

 

MORE LESSON: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

In life, there are so many things that look so real but without reality or substance. Nevertheless, there are other things that look so abstract but are much more real than things that can be touched physically. God ...calls those things which do not exist as though they did: Romans 4:17 (NKJV) that is, declaring shadow a reality whereas there are some things in existence today that are actually shadows of things yet to be (Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1). Believers in Christ Jesus, everything outside of God's counsel are shadows that cannot happen unless you permit them. One of God's servants admonishes us to declare old anything you don't want to see again. So when it comes to pain, death, affliction, hunger, lack, and deprivation, they are shadows that must pass away. A shadow cannot hurt, it cannot kill, it cannot destroy.

One day I was standing at the street corner and the shadow of a huge, heavily loaded truck passed right over me. Did it hurt? Of course not. Shadows can’t hurt. That is why the Bible tells us that believers walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). But when an unsaved person dies, he walks into torments of the awful jaws of death itself.

It is only in God that all things are real, because they are good and perfect. This is why the book of James calls God the ...Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning: James 1:17. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19.

Moreover, our text today makes us to understand that there is no shadow in God, ...He turns the shadow of death into morning....: Amos 5:8 (NKJV). Child of God, this is your portion. Declare every hurtful and negative situation shadows today and they will pass away. Declare what must be and the angels of God will bring them into your life right now, in Jesus' name.

 

Prayer/Action

* With your mouth, use the Word of God to nullify every situation in your life that is against the will and the glory of God - PROCLAIM SCRIPTURES.

* Come against every evil shadow in your life, family and destiny.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, take Your place in my life and let every other name fade away now, in the glorious name of Jesus.

The Good Shepherd

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

The Good Shepherd

Wednesday, 18 September

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 

MORE LESSON: John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 

The Good Shepherd is a beautiful picture of God's love and care for us. It's a beautiful expression of trust, comfort and guidance; it offers a profound message that resonates with people of all ages. Just as a shepherd tends his flock, God attends to our needs, providing for our well-being and guiding us through life's challenges.

As the Good Shepherd, God does these several things for us.

1. He provides for our needs. In verse 1 of Psalm 23, David began by declaring God as his Shepherd, emphasizing God's care and provision. As a shepherd tends his flock, God guides and nurtures us.

2. God gives us rest and refreshment (vs 2-3). He takes care of our physical and spiritual needs, leading us to places of abundance and peace. He revitalizes our souls, quenching our thirst for spiritual nourishment.

3. Our God also guides us on the right path (vs 3). God directs us on the path of righteousness, not for our own sake, but for His glory and honour.

4.The Good Shepherd protects us from harm (vs. 4). In the midst of uncertainty and darkness, God's presence reassures us of safety. His guidance and protection bring comfort, dispelling fear and anxiety.

5. God showers us with His goodness and love (vs. 5-6). God's abundance and blessings are evident even in the presence of adversity. He anoints us with His favour, filling our lives with joy and gratitude.

6. David concluded by affirming God's unwavering goodness and love, which pursue us throughout our lives. We find solace in God's presence, both in this life and eternally.

Above everything God has done for us, He gave us Himself by dying on the cross. This gift of God is the greatest gift any man will ever receive. John.10:11 assures us: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

I want to remind us today that God is our compassionate Shepherd, guiding us through life's triumphs and struggles. May we find peace and reassurance in His loving care. May we trust in the Good Shepherd's care, following His leading and resting in His love. May we find comfort in His presence and may our cups overflow with His goodness and love, in Jesus’ name.

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for His love and care.

* Ask God to provide your needs and give you rest. 

* Declare that you will not walk away from your Shepherd.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: As I serve the Lord with all my being, He will bless my bread and my water and take sickness away from me and my household, in Jesus' mighty name.

The Needful

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

The Needful

Tuesday, 17 September

 

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Luke 10:38-41 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

 

MORE LESSON: Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

 

As we wake up each day, so many things compete for our immediate attention. Time seems to fly when we have several important issues to attend to. To set the order of priority is often difficult because most times it seems as if heaven will crash if these pressing demands are not all attended to immediately. Humanly speaking, man was not created to be in two places at the same time. Therefore, opportunity cost must come in when deciding the order of priority in getting the day’s assignments done.

Usually, courtesy demands that when a guest arrives at your house, you go all the way to entertain him, make him feel welcome and comfortable. The main guest at Mary and Martha’s house was the Master Himself (Jesus) and His entourage. They were travellers who must have trekked several miles to arrive at the house. They must have been thirsty, hungry and in need of water to wash their dusty feet (as it was the custom of the Jews). Martha hurried to get water for the guests to wash their feet, get food ready and fresh water and milk to cool their thirst. Surprisingly, Mary her sister was seated at the feet of Jesus with the other guests to listen to Him. Martha just could not hide her anger, she therefore called on Jesus to correct Mary’s behaviour. Jesus however calmed her down in Luke 10:41: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. Jesus the Omniscient One knew the importance of what Martha was doing, but He classified what Mary did as more important.

Sitting with Jesus to hear God before engaging in the activities of the day should come first before any other thing. This is because, it is from God that we draw the much needed strength and wisdom to face all other challenges of the day. In verse 40, the word cumbered as in the King James Version is translated as distracted, overly occupied, worrying in other versions of the Bible. The activities calling for our attention, though legit and important may be distractions when it comes to waiting on God as a priority.

Calm down today and wait on God before jumping on any assignment and the work which would have taken you long hours to do will take a moment or just a few hours. Proverbs 3:5-8, admonishes us not to lean on our own understanding but that in all our ways acknowledge God. Many times we believe that we are too familiar with our daily chores to need a helper. That is why severally, we spend needless hours trying to solve a little challenge that comes up in the course of the day. There is He that made the day and knows every moment of the day and what problem that may crop up at a particular moment. Let Him handle it for you before the challenge ensues. Learn to daily wait on God.

 

Prayer/Action

* Pray that you will be focused on God's Kingdom.

* Ask God for sensitivity to be active in God's assignment.

* Pray against time wasters.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: As the path of the just is as a shining light that shines more and more, so shall be my path today, in the precious name of Jesus.