Devotional/Bible study: Overcome poverty and succeed

Devotional/Bible study: Overcome poverty and succeed

Posted on December 16, 2008 Updated on December 16, 2008

DECEITS OF A BEAR

Memorise: “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” ( Psalm 41:9 )

Read: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Pastor E. Adeboye 

Apart from David, Daniel also faced lions. When the Babylonian princes discovered Daniel was rising too fast, envy set in. The slave had suddenly become the prime minister of this vast empire so they organized a perfect plot that would land him in the lion’s den.

Yet God intervened and shut up the mouths of the lions. Every lion who says you will not reach your goal this year, the Almighty God will shut its mouth in Jesus’ Name.

Have you ever stood face to face with a lion before? They come in different shapes and sizes. The greatest lion I have faced is poverty. After I gained admission into a secondary school, my teachers and fellow students rejoiced with me.

But when I informed my parents on arrival at home, they called me into the bedroom and queried the type of boy I was. “Where will you get the money or do you want to further expose our poverty to all and sundry?”

The devil was aware of my ambition to obtain my doctorate degree in Mathematics and stood in my way. Thank God for the timely intervention of Jesus the Lion of the tribe of Judah!

Has God given you an opening but the lion of poverty is hindering you from entering and possessing your possessions? The Lion of lions will swallow up that lion today and you will achieve your goal.

David also fought a bear. A bear represents something that appears friendly but is deadly. Many parents buy teddy bear for their children because it is assumed a friendly toy. When a bear wants to kill its victim, it will come in a friendly way, full of smiles. Before long he has killed its victim.

Among the things Paul suffered in today’s reading, was his encounter with false brethren. He met some people who pretended to be fellow believers. But after their betrayal, he realized they were bears in sheep’s clothing. False brethren are part of the mixed multitudes in churches today.

They will smile with you, tell you congratulations over your promotion, but behind, they would wish you were not as favoured.

They may even set out to discredit you. Some may pray and fast for your downfall so that they can take your place. Every operation of false brethren against you shall be terminated. That gang up in your office geared towards unseating you shall boomerang on the planners.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper. May God open your eyes to see the bears in your life.

Ask that the activities of false brethren in your church be exposed and defeated