As children, we are constantly faced with pressures from everywhere. There is peer pressure and the need to ‘feel among’. There is also the pressure to do well in our academics, so as not to appear wasteful before our parents.
We are also sometimes caught between pleasing our friends and pleasing our parents or teachers. Some other times, we actually wish our parents can understand.
In whatever situation we find ourselves, the bible is our guide, putting a balance to whatever our friends, teachers, parents or guardians say.
Let’s find out what Paul the Apostle has to say in times like this when you are faced with pressures.
Just be sure you live as God’s people in a way that honors the Good News of Christ. – Phil 1:27a [ERV]
Here, Apostle Paul says we should not do things that bring dishonor and shame to the name of Christ. He says regardless of the pressures you think you are going through, comport yourself and live as God’s people.
When you are at such crossroads, remember that other children around you are probably going through worse times. Also, remember that adulthood is all about pressures. So the way you handle it now will go a long way to determining how you will handle it in the future.
I love the way this translation puts it
Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. – Phil 1:27a [GW]
In all we do, we are citizens of heaven, let us live up to the expectation.
Is he or she insisting on pre-marital sex? That is a distraction! You are surely not going to the same place and there is no point holding on in that kind of relationship.
You see, you have to know that except the Lord build a house, they labour in vain that build. If you don’t do it God’s way, all your ‘investments’ of time, money and energy on that relationship will go down the drain. Without God, there would be agony and heartache. A home without God is a playground for the devil and his cohorts.
As singles, you need to know it does not only take money or business acumen to run a marriage. It takes money, yes, plus a lot of wisdom and tact founded on a solid relationship with God. It takes a lot of prayers and determination to love your spouse always!
I pray for you this morning that every distraction on the path of your destiny is destroyed in Jesus name. God will strengthen you and give you all-round victory in Jesus name. May the eyes of your understanding be enlightened to see what you need to know to take you to the next level in God!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive grace to cut away from relationships that will distract and pull me back.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me today to choose to walk with people who are in agreement with my destiny.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. Mat 18:19 MSG
ACTION PLANFOR THE DAY Write the names of your 10 closest friends. Strikeout the names of those who are not going in the same direction as you are going.
Sow kindness, sincerity, faithfulness, practical love, service, patience, understanding, tenderness, and all the good virtues you can think of. By the time all these come together, you will have a great marriage.
Put all your wonderful ingredients together. If you do not have much of those good ingredients (qualities), go buy more (learn good character). Until your ingredients are complete, you cannot have a wonderful meal.
The quality and quantity of your ingredients determine the quality of your meal.
This is the simple recipe for a great marriage. When you study the Bible, read good Christian books, and listen to great quality messages, you are actually assembling your ingredients. By the time you get married, it will be time to ‘cook’ and to prepare for a great time. It is the ingredients that you have amassed that you will put to use. It is what you cook that you will eat. And of course, it is what you eat that gives you strength or weakens you!
You can deliberately look for the right ingredients now. It is not too late. If what you have cooked is a bad taste or inedible and you are considering a divorce, a walkout, and so on, you still have the chance to look for the right ingredients and cook again.
As long as your pot is intact (your mind) and you can still make some fire (in the place of prayer), you can still give it another shot. I can assure you, if your ingredients are right, you will cook a great meal (marriage) and you will eat great!
May God give you wisdom today that you need to turn things around in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive the grace to sow good and right seeds in my marriage. My home is blessed. My marriage is blessed.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Heavenly Father, I ask you to forgive all wrong actions and wrong seeds sown into my marriage.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (Gal 5:19 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Write out all the good qualities you admire and desire in your marriage. Begin to sow them into your marriage.
All through the scriptures, God is constantly telling us about his love. God’s promise is always being revealed in Scriptures.
With the lives of the patriarchs, God communicates his plans to us even in this generation.
Let’s look at the story of Jabez for example.
This was a man born into sorrow and agony, yet that did not determine how he ended his sojourn here on earth.
1 Chronicles 4:10 ESV Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
The part I love in this verse says …and God granted what he asked.
What a loving father. He is simply telling us whatever we ask in faith, we will receive.
Dear children, you should continually pray and confess the Word of God into your lives every day. Let it be a part of you.
You do so with faith in your heart that regardless of how you started, God can turn things around for your good.
As you grow, it is my prayer that the Lord will bless you indeed and enlarge your coast. You are shielded from all harm, In Jesus Name.
Stay with God! Make Him your priority in all you do and the promises of God will come into manifestation in your life in Jesus mighty name, Amen.
PRAYER I love the word of God in Jesus’ name
ACTION PLAN Write out God’s promises and begin to memorize them.
DECLARATION Father, bless me and enlarge my coast.
The wisest king of Israel once said that two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour. That is if they are going the same way
If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up. Again, if two people lie down together, they can keep warm, but how can one person keep warm? Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken. A young man who is poor and wise is better than an old, foolish king who won’t take advice any longer. A young man came out of prison to rule as king, even though he had been born in poverty in that same kingdom. Ecc 4:10-14 GW
But the pertinent question is which two? Is it just any two? It is definitely not so.
God asked a question, and He is still asking in Amos 3:3. Can two walk together except they agree? When God asks a question, it is not because He does not know the answer, but because He wants you and me to think about the question.
Before you enter that relationship, you need to ask yourself four very important questions.
1. Can he/she go with me?
2. Will he/she go with me?
3. Can he/she grow with me?
4. Will he/she grow with me?
If the two of you are not going the same way, then you do not have a business with that person no matter how handsome or beautiful the person is.
Is your decision based on attraction or direction? Your marital journey is sweeter and smoother when the two of you are going to the same place. Your focus and vision are single. You have the advantage of cooperation and joint effort. You are not pulling at each other, distracting yourselves, and moving contrary to each other.
The pain in your relationship may be a signal that you are not going the same way. Please, do not ignore these signals.
If he/she is not born again and you are, it is a dangerous sign. Don’t say yes to an unbeliever or one with a different spiritual standing.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive grace to cut away from relationships that will distract and pull me back.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me today to choose to walk with people who are in agreement with my destiny.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. Mat 18:19 MSG
ACTION PLANFOR THE DAY Write the names of your 10 closest friends. Strike out the names of those who are not going the same direction as you are going.
