Mr. & Mrs. George are tired of each other. From quarrels to endless arguments and confrontations, it went on and on. They really want a change.
How does one really change after giving one’s life to Jesus? I thought all the struggles with sin will disappear? Where does one start from?
The key to change and transformation is a renewed mind, a change of thinking. God intends to change our lives by positively affecting our thought patterns. A renewed mind births a transformed life.
It will be interesting to know that most of our present struggles especially in our marriages have their roots in our minds, in our thinking.
‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God’. – Rom. 12: 2
Lustful thinking will result in a life full of lust. Some people have strongholds of negative thinking, some have what is called stinking thinking, some are full of fears, they don’t have confidence or boldness to validate or appreciate themselves in their marriage, they are full of inferiority complex.
They cannot speak their minds because they feel they have nothing good to offer. Some are full of envy, jealousy, strife, malice, anger, wrath, contentions, etc and all these have their roots in unwholesome thinking pattern.
Jesus even connected fornication and adultery to how and what we think about. He said you have committed adultery with a woman when you look at her lustfully in your heart.
To be continued…
CONFESSION OF THE DAY My mind is being renewed daily by God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Father in the name of Jesus, I pull down every strong hold in my mind that is keeping me bound to low life.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY Phil 4: 13 ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Take relevant scriptures in the area you need renewal in your mind and begin to study, meditate and speak them to yourself.
We began an interesting topic some days back – understanding God as our ever-present help. And we are exploring Psalms 46:1-3. I told you I was going to take my time to explain the words in the scripture and help you understand what the bible was saying.
We started with “God is our refuge”
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. – Ps 46:1-3 NIV
The next phrase we will be considering says
God is our strength
The word strength can be defined as the quality or state of being strong. This simply means in God, there can never be any form of weakness.
This scripture comes to mind whenever you feel weak, inadequate, incapable, or inefficient. All you need to do at such times is to roll out this scripture over and over again until you literarily feel strength first on your inside, then in the physical.
See another verse of the bible that you can draw strength from.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4:13
Dear children, do not fret or feel weakened. The God you serve has promised to be a source of strength to you.
May I also add that the word strength can also mean a source of mental or emotional support. This implies God can be your source of support whenever you feel drained emotionally.
Face your day with this kind of confidence and you will see God come through for you.
Prayer: Dear Father, help me to always trust in your word. Amen.
Action point: Dedicate time to meditate on God’s word
Declaration: God is my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in trouble.
Our devotional today is taking an interesting dimension because I desire to paint a vivid picture in the heart of young unmarried people. Like never before, I want you to understand that whatever decisions you make in life, especially in the area of your choice of life partner is what you will live with all the rest of your life.
I often tell people, when you invite me to your wedding, I would come, eat, have a nice time but I will return to my own house and you are left with your choice.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. – Rom 12:2
Let’s look at making a choice or decision like going to a supermarket to shop. Even though the issues about marital decisions require more wisdom and God’s help because unlike the supermarket where you can return goods purchased, in marriage, once you say ‘I do’, you cannot return him/her. It is ’till death do us part’.
In a supermarket, there are wide varieties to choose from. There are fakes, cheap, low quality, second hand, expired, and damaged products, depending on which supermarket you visit.
You also have products that are not bad but are not just good for you personally. They may just not suit your person, your taste, or your physiological makeup. They may also be too expensive for you or you do not have a budget for them now.
Everything still points to the fact that you are in charge and you make the decisions. You may be influenced, but it’s your choice that matters at the end of the day.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am led by his Spirit to choose rightly the man I will marry.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY In the name of Jesus, I receive Grace for my fiance to mature in Christ and be all he can be for the glory of God. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 12:2 Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Make sure you are comfortable with the character and personality of the person you are going out with. Prayerfully ask the Lord what to do next.
This morning, I want to write about the types of husbands we have.
There are generally two major types of husbands:
a) Wicked Husbands
b) Godly Husbands
Everybody prays to marry a godly husband but what if you are already married and you suddenly discover you have a wicked husband?
There are several options for you to explore.
1. The foundation for a good family is salvation of one’s soul and living according to the principles of God. If your spouse is not born again, that is where to start from.
Encourage him to follow you to church and give his life to Jesus. Continue to pray for the salvation of his soul.
2. If he is already born again, and yet you notice some attributes of wickedness, look for a christian marriage counselor to talk with.
Alternatively, you can talk with a mentor who both of you respect. My wife and I do this for couples from time to time, and usually when both sides talk back and forth, biblical solutions are always proffered after a few hours of talking. It would now be left for the couple to be self disciplined and implement the wisdom offered.
Make sure you both have somebody over your marriage that you can talk with from time to time. This could also be your Pastor.
3. Buy good books and read. It will help your perspectives to be broadened and to know how to handle issues more.
4. Follow Kisses and Huggs Daily Devotional on this site daily. You will become familiar with principles that will help you as couples to live better and have a great marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage will be great.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY In the name of Jesus, I receive Grace for my husband to mature in Christ and be all he can be for the glory of God. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 12:2 Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Make sure you are comfortable with the character and personality of your husband. Prayerfully ask the Lord what to do next.
Learn how to know a good friend. Look at the following scenario and pick up lessons from it.
Ade didn’t say a word. He sat still and quiet while his friend cried. Tola, his best friend at school, just lost his dad and they were in his friend’s room right now.
Tola’s pillows were wet with his tears, the bed covers rough and halfway down on the floor.
His cries echoed throughout the room as he laid on the bed.
There was nothing Ade could do other than to sit and wait for his friend to talk when he felt like it.
Though deeply saddened to see his friend like this, there was nothing he could do, but to pray that God would comfort Tola for the loss and of course, stay by his side.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. – Proverbs18:24
When a friend is in a state like Tola is, the only thing to do is pray for them like Ade is doing and ensuring that you are by them. Don’t try to talk unless they ask you to or do so themselves.
Never expect them to hurry out of their grief or tell them to. They need the time to grieve and mourn their loss as much as they have to.
All they need is your silence and presence. They need your support.
That is what is it means to hold the hand of a friend. You let them know that you are available for them. Your care doesn’t have to be in words but in action most times.
Only God will comfort them for their loss as the bible tells us.
May the Lord make you a good friend at all times. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, make me a good friend that will be there for my friends when they are in their lowest moments. Help me to hold their hands all through in Jesus name, amen.
Action plan: When next you see a friend going through a tough time, pray for and support them.
