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

Let Him Build With You

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David

Let Him Build With You

Tuesday, 3 December

Memory Verse: Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath dignation for ever. Malachi 1:4

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Ezra 6:1-22 1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. 2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written: 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; 4 With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house: 5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God. 6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: 7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place. 8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered. 9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: 10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons. 11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. 12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed. 13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily. 14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy, 17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses. 19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. 21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, 22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

MORE LESSON: Psalm 66:1-54 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

The Bible is very clear that God is the Builder of all things, and that it is the house He builds that is built. (Hebrews 3: 4; Psalm 127:1). He does not only build houses, He builds lives; He builds homes; He builds cities; He builds nations; He builds businesses; He builds ministries; He builds churches. He is the real Builder of all things (Hebrews 11:10). Whatever it is you want to build, let God build with you, then your success is guaranteed.

In our text today, God expressed His displeasure with the generation of Esau for their wickedness. He devastated their country and turned it into a wilderness. They rose again to build but as they were building, He was throwing it down. When you make yourself an enemy of God, then there is nothing you can build successfully. However, when you make yourself a friend of God then, you will build and you will prosper. This is summed up in 2 Chronicles 14:7: Therefore, he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

How can you build and prosper?

1. Get rid of anything unclean in your life that will make God resist you or refuse to build with you. You do this through true repentance. It is when you walk in righteousness that God will walk with you (Amos 3:3).

2. Ask for God's wisdom; it is through wisdom that you can build. Whenever God wants to make someone a builder, He pours the spirit of wisdom on that person (Proverbs 24: 3; Exodus 31: 2).

3. Give yourself to prayer. Building for God is spiritual warfare because Satan will resist you with all his arsenal. But in Christ, you are more than a conqueror. Nehemiah 4:9 says: Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

4 You must give glory to God for whatever He builds for you. Avoid the trap of pride; that was the problem of Nebuchadnezzar. When he saw the great city (Babylon) which He built, pride entered his heart and he boasted against God. The result was his insanity for seven years until he acknowledged that it is God who builds (Daniel 4: 29-33).

The Lord will bless you with wisdom and great favour. You will build and you will prosper, in Jesus' mighty name. Nehemiah 2:20 encourages us: ...The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build; but you have no portion or right or memorial in Jerusalem.

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God for His word.

* Ask the Lord to deliver you from anything that will stop Him from building with you.

* Ask the Lord to clothe you with the spirit of wisdom to build great things.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Holy Spirit, move in, make my December a fulfilling month, in the wonderful name of Jesus.