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.
Am I rushing? Am I too young? Did we have sufficient friendship and courtship? Do I really know him or her since I can only love the person I know?
6. Is The Feeling Mutual?
Am I forcing myself on him or her? Does he or she reciprocates the love or treats me anyhow?
7. Is God Involved?
Do I have peace with this relationship? What are my Pastors saying? What about my parents? What about my siblings? Do I have peace?
Am I sure this is of God? Am I sure I am not on my own? Do I have God’s support and favour?
Ask yourself these questions and make sure you find answers to all of them and you would have succeeded in doing yourself a lot of good. You would have contributed to your happiness and taken charge of the future.
Don’t allow pressures brought about by delays or friends to make you decide and cling to what will obviously not work out.
There is no need to rush into a marriage because you are desperate only to get there and suffer silently because you never knew who you were dealing with.
Once you know a relationship is not of God or it is defective, don’t hesitate to end it all in order to do it right. A broken heart is still much better than a broken life!
Go back to God if you know your relationship with Him is not too good again because that is the foundation of getting blessed by Him!
It is well with you in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I possess wisdom, wisdom directs my actions. I am not blindly in love that I do not apply wisdom. I am patient to find out what I need to find out before saying ‘I do’.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to do my part and follow your leading in my decisions, especially in the area of my relationship. I receive fresh wisdom from you to direct my path in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Ask (questions), and the answer shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. –Matthew 7:7
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Take a pen and paper and write down all the questions you are going to ask the person you intend to marry, whether he/she is already around or not. Be prepared, so you are not so much in love that all sense of reasoning is gone.
The blockage could be anything from malice, anger, unforgiving spirit, selfishness, hurt, fear, lack of trust, tiredness, hatred, jealousy, envy, and a lot more.
Rather than for you to keep mopping the flood in your marriage, you can stop the flood, remove the blockage and repair the sink!
Repair your blocked communication line and you will be amazed at how much you will eliminate sleepless nights in your marriage.
How can you repair your communication sink?
1. It is important you discover his or her love language. It helps communication better and you can be sure you are effective in your communication.
2. Ladies, do not close up your spirit on your husband! It will slow things down generally in marriage because the power of agreement is the greatest weapon you have.
3. Men, do not stop wooing your wives. Let the fun continue.
4. When communication sink is blocked, it encourages adulterous relationships as the legitimate need of communication can be sought to be met in illegitimate ways.
5. Stay in touch with God in fellowship as this helps a lot to put things in perspective and makes the wisdom of God available through the Holy Spirit to manage the home well.
I pray for you today that God will give you the strength to end that strife, that bitterness and let go of that unforgiving spirit and join forces together to advance your marriage and lives in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I know how to communicate with my spouse. My spirit is not closed towards my spouse. I am a good listener. I am sensitive to my spouse.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I pray, Lord, that you teach me by your Spirit to know how to communicate to my spouse with the right words and at the right time in Jesus Name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. Proverbs 8:8 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Have a meaningful discussion with your spouse today
Your eyes are a gift from God to behold this beautiful and wonderful world – the earth, He created.
But the enemy has somehow found a way of introducing sin and evil into the world.
Through people on earth, many unholy things have almost become a norm in the world today.
Though your eyes are to see but not everything you see is good for your eyes. The bible tells us that
“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. – Matt. 6:22 NLT.
What you see affects your body. Witnessing a traumatic event affects your mind and body.
Also when you watch morally unfit videos it affects your body.
Watch out for videos or movies that show sexual content even if they have PG16 labels on them. Remember God is Holy and watching such videos or films is an unholy act.
Don’t be fooled by the words of your friends or people that watching it won’t affect you. It will.
The only safe way out of it is not to watch it and run away from friends, people, or situations that will want to make you do so.
It is better to obey God than to have the coolest friendships that will lead you to a lifetime of sexual depravity.
One way to know if what you are watching is bad is when you have to hide from others before you watch. That means you are not meant to watch it.
Remember, your eyes are a lamp for your body. They help to keep you from stumbling. Use them well just like you would use a lamp to see in the dark.
God bless and keep you safe in this dark world. Amen.
Prayer point: Lord, help me to keep my eyes safe from looking at things that I shouldn’t be looking at.
Action point: What have you been watching lately? If they are not in line with God’s, pray and ask God to help you overcome them. And tell your parents about it too.
Declaration: My eyes will not behold iniquity. I watch what I see.
Ask yourself these questions before saying ‘I do’. Ask these questions before you fall in love, and every sense of reasoning disappears!
1. Can I see myself in the picture of his future?
What’s his future like based on what he is doing now? What is he doing now? Who is she? What kind of work or job is he/she into? Does this person love God? Is he protective of my virtue or does not mind me compromising?
2. Do I love him/her enough for marriage?
Can I live with him till death do us part? Do I really love him or her or am I just going into this marriage for something I can get like money or some influence?
3. Am I proud of him/her physically, mentally, and spiritually?
Do I like his or her appearance? Would I be embarrassed introducing him or her to friends?
4. Will my kids be proud and approve of him/her?
Would he be a great example? Is he a man of his word? Does he have integrity? Would he influence my children to drink, smoke, and to some other vices? Would she be a good mother? Is he a loafer or very hardworking? Is she enterprising?
Let’s continue tomorrow.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I possess wisdom, wisdom directs my actions. I am not blindly in love that I do not apply wisdom. I am patient to find out what I need to find out before saying ‘I do’.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to do my part and follow your leading in my decisions, especially in the area of my relationship. I receive fresh wisdom from you to direct my path in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Ask (questions), and the answer shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. –Matthew 7:7
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Take a pen and paper and write down all the questions you are going to ask the person you intend to marry, whether he/she is already around or not. Be prepared, so you are not so much in love that all sense of reasoning is gone.
Several years ago, the weather was really hot. The power was out. One particular night, power was restored and I woke my hubby to put on the air conditioner. I usually enjoy him doing stuff like that for me. He woke up and as he was getting out of bed, he discovered that the whole rug was flooded with water.
What happened was that the sink in the bathroom was blocked, someone (probably one of the boys) left the tap on and when power was restored, the brother staying with us switched on the pumping machine and before we knew it, our room was simply flooded!
This was a little past 12.00 am and we had no choice but to remove the rug and start mopping. You can bet it was not funny at all. Thank God for a good, hardworking hubby like mine who did the job. (I did a little too).
My point this morning is that if your sink is blocked, be ready for some sleepless nights, unnecessary mopping, and the like.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. – Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)
In marriage, this same principle applies to your communication sink. Once it is blocked, you require extra work. Repair and remove every blockage affecting your communication. It only causes troubles uncalled for.
What could cause blockages in your communication sink and how can you handle it?
That is what I will discuss tomorrow.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I know how to communicate with my spouse. My spirit is not closed towards my spouse. I am a good listener. I am sensitive to my spouse.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I pray, Lord, that you teach me by your Spirit to know how to communicate to my spouse with the right words and at the right time in Jesus Name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. -Proverbs 8:8 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Have a meaningful discussion with your spouse today
One of the most amazing things about God is that he always has us covered, He is our ever-present help. In whatever situation or time, you can be sure God is watching and looking out for you and me.
Today, I will be talking to you about one of the many attributes of God.
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. – Psalms 46:1-3 (NIV)
Wow! What a word. What an assurance.
Let’s pick up the words one after the other and analyze them.
God is our refuge!
The dictionary defines the word refuge as a place or state of safety from danger or trouble.
We all know how troubled the world is at this time. News of wars fill our television screen and social media waves. There is no guaranteed place of safety as the bible rightly says the heart of man is desperately wicked.
But here, God is assuring us that despite all the bad news we keep hearing daily, despite the failed system of government, despite the inadequacies of man, he is our refuge.
Are you in trouble? Do you think or feel what you have done is so enormous, that you cannot come out of it? Then run to God and he will deliver you.
God’s desire for us his children is to live life to the fullest, and all of these are represented in the bible as proof of his promises and commitment toward us.
Are you a child of God? If yes, then believe in his word and be rest assured that “God’s got you!”
To be continued.
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.
Today is Oil For Today – Day 299. Let’s lift up our voice one more time as we pray to God! Watch Video on Youtube HERE. Check other days HERE.
Scriptures For Today
Oil For Today – Day 299
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands
1 Samuel 17:47, KJV
Prayer Points For Today
Oil For Today – Day 299
1. Begin to thank the LORD for today.
2. Father, fight my battles for me
3. Every Goliath in my life is defeated in the name of Jesus
4. The Spirit of fear will not have access into my life in the name of Jesus
5. Lord, send forth your angels to fight on my behalf
6. O Lord, use me in my generation as Your battle axe
7. Every prince of Persia causing delay to my manifestation is defeated in the name of Jesus
8. The power of every household wickedness is broken over my life in the name of Jesus
9. Blood of Jesus, nullify every legal ground of the devil over my life in Jesus’ name
10. Begin to thank the Lord for answered prayers.
Confession For Today
Oil For Today – Day 299
Today, God is fighting my battle. I am delivered from all ills. I will not fight something I know nothing about. No evil is permitted to come near my dwelling. The Lord is taking Goliaths off my path. God makes every great mountain before me a plain. I stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. I am not fearful. God has endowed me with power, love and a sound mind. Because God fights for me. I cannot lose. I am. an overcomer. I am victorious. I am a winner. Hallelujah!!!
In these days and these times, you fall in love deliberately and with your eyes open, not hopelessly and thoughtlessly!
You don’t fall in love or walk down the aisle in marriage without taking into considerations some pertinent questions in order to protect yourself and to be sure you know what you are doing!
Gone are those days when you should fall in love blindly and go into a marriage without your common sense!
Well, if you are still with the slogan that love is a blind, I have news for you, marriage is an eye opener. Reality settles in after marriage.
It is for this reason careless marriages end few months after! Trust me, I get calls every other day, of brides who are still supposed to be in the moon taking some honey, crying and weeping profusely and talking about regrets.
I get calls of ladies who are married for less than six months and they want to walk out of the marriage because they never knew ‘he was like this!’
There is a popular saying that God gave us brains that He may rest! It is true because after God finished the work of creation, the bible says God rested.
I believe God is resting because everything is completed, all we need for life and Godliness is already provided.
The same is true of our relationships, everything we ever need is already available, we only need to look within us and draw it out.
Part of drawing all we need, I believe, is asking ourselves certain questions.
Questions are very powerful, what they do is that they draw out wisdom from within us or from people around us who are graced with such wisdom.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I possess wisdom, wisdom directs my actions. I am not blindly in love that I do not apply wisdom. I am patient to find out what I need to find out before saying ‘I do’.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to do my part and follow your leading in my decisions especially in the area of my relationship.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY ‘Ask (questions), and the answer shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you’. –Matthew 7:7
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Take a pen and paper and write down all the questions you are going to ask the person you intend to marry, whether he/she is already around or not.
The son is playing football initially, but the moment he hears the dad’s car horn, he jumps into the living room, opens Modern Biology textbook and starts reading.
Dad comes in and sees son sweating like Christmas goat. He asks why he is sweating like that and the boy has no choice but to point to the Modern Biology textbook, ‘it’s the Amoeba sir!’
The wife hurries into the kitchen and puts food in the microwave oven, while dad clears his throat. The lion of the tribe of his house has come!
That is not an ideal home, something is defective! When those children have the slightest opportunity to be outside the home, they will misbehave.
There is something about having a home that radiates with God’s love. The husband and wife must work together to achieve this.
A husband comes home drunk. He comes home late. He beats his wife in front of his children. He scolds his wife in front of his children. He keeps malice with his wife and sometimes with his children. He does not provide for his family. He is involved in extra-marital affairs. He does not eat his wife’s food. The list is endless.
Those behaviours are not ‘house binding’ but ‘animal husbandry!’ The man is unwittingly sowing wrong seeds into his home and when the harvest comes? The scripture aptly says when you sow wind, you will reap whirlwind!
Dear husband, be good. You will enjoy yourself and your family that way. Don’t compromise. Don’t cheat on her. Be faithful!
When you are faithful to your wife, you will enjoy the fullness of God’s blessings, favour and approval. Learn the art of conflict resolution.
Be patient with her! I pray God bless and keep your home and marriage in Jesus name. Amen!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am a great husband. I love my wife like Christ loves the church.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, grant me the grace to be a good husband to my wife and a great example to my children.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Bless your fresh-flowing fountain! Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! –Proverbs 5:18 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Write out seven special things you can do daily in the coming week to rekindle your marriage and affirm your wife.
We will be examining the importance of family today. Your family members are your closest neighbours. They all love you and show this in many ways. Do you also show them the same love they show you?
The second most important commandment says: ‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is more important than these.” – Mk 12:31 CEV
Family members are the most unappreciated folks. We tend to overlook their feelings and needs because we feel they won’t mind at all.
This is one reason why you shouldn’t take your family members for granted. Appreciate everything they do for you or give to you.
Showing appreciation tells them that you love and care for them. No matter how small their help might be, show some level of appreciation.
One wonderful attribute of God is His ability to remember and his ability to forget! And the good news is that He doesn’t remember our faults to count them against us, but He remembers His own covenant of blessings to us. He forgets our misdemeanors and remembers our good seed!
And God heard their sighing and groaning and [earnestly] remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. – Exo 2:24
He remembers He is our God, to help us, deliver us, protect us, vindicate us and do for us all He has promised. If you have a relationship with God, then it is a big congratulation to you. It does not matter what is going on in your marriage, home, and family right now. God hears, remembers, and will have respect unto you because you are His covenant child.
The attack of the enemy may be strong over your relationship, life, family, a courtship on the verge of breaking up, financial crisis, or whatever challenge has troubled you. All you need to do is to give God something he can hear and remember.
You may be going through an intense time in your relationship right now; courtship seems not to be working, for some there is even nobody to court. Issues are diversified and endless. I want you to know that you are not the only one going through an issue in your relationship or marriage right now. There are no custom-made problems.
I want you this morning to know that God has not forgotten you, even though it looks like that in the physical. So was the experience of Noah in the ark, and it looked like God has forgotten him in the ark, disenfranchised from the whole world and sentenced to life in the ark with animals…but then the scriptures says
And God remembered Noah… – Gen 8:1 KJV
God will remember you this morning! He will intervene in that relationship!
The Massage translation says:
Then God turned his attention to Noah … – Gen 8:1 MSG
Common! God is about to turn His attention to you! Don’t give up on God! That good man will locate you! You will find that beautiful lady! That relationship will not crash!
So all I want you to do this morning is lift up your voice before your father. In other words, make a sound, your father can hear. Not a faithless cry, but a cry full of faith, knowing that our God is merciful and He will not fail of His promises to us. Your God will have respect unto you in Jesus Name. He will visit you and turn the story around for good. He will make the bitter waters.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am not abandoned. I am loved of God.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Oh God, turn every captivity around for me.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY And God heard their sighing and groaning and [earnestly] remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. – Exo 2:24
One of the meanings of ‘husband’ is ‘he that binds the house together’ He keeps the home, the wife, and children, and makes sure they are well taken care of.
Taking care of them is not just providing money for them, but being there for them, nurturing them, and connecting with them emotionally.
A father’s care is powerful. Most of the perverts and criminals we have in our society today are those that have been deprived of fatherly care.
Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church-a love marked by giving, not getting. – Ephesians 5:25 (MSG)
It is said that most husbands don’t understand the extent of grace and authority that God has bestowed on them as head of the house.
My Pastor once said jokingly but truthfully that the only husbandry we are taught in school is animal husbandry and that is why some husbands behave like animals at home.
There is no course in school titled ‘Marriage 101.’ Your school of marriage begins after collecting the certificate! Marriage is the only institution where you collect the certificate before the learning begins.
The Daddy comes home, and all the children plus the wife dive into different corners looking pious…
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am a great husband. I love my wife like Christ loves the church.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, grant me the grace to be a good husband to my wife and a great example to my children.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Pro 5:18 MSG Bless your fresh-flowing fountain! Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Write out seven special things you can do daily in the coming week to rekindle your marriage and affirm your wife.
Have you ever wondered how adults become the professionals they are today? How did they choose their career path? How did your mom and dad become what they’re today? How did that person you admire so much become who he/she is today?
Well, it’s all about deciding what they wanted to do at a very early age, much like you are right now.
It’s never too early to seek God’s face.
Psalms 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
What do you want to become? An astronaut, software designer, boat builder, race car driver or a writer? It is all about what you like to do. What do you like to do?
Starting early to decide what you would like to become in future is important. You start to learn how to become it and go through every process involved.
The process will involve trainings, class lessons, exams and tests. You learn and then get tested before being certified as a professional.
Discover what you love to do and take all the necessary education you need. That’s how mommy and daddy did.
Be like Samuel in the bible who learned under the prophet Eli. Under the prophet’s supervision, Samuel grew into a great prophet that God used to speak to kings in Israel.
1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
May God show you what your passion is in Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, help me to discover what I like to do and become in future. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Action plan: Start to note what you like doing. From there, you can discover your talents.
Jesus is the foundation. Be careful what materials you are building on His person. I will like you to make a decision this morning, break free from every lying devil. Sin is sin, no matter your office! Sin is always a reproach and that is the end of it!
Embrace God’s love this morning. Do not take his love for granted. Ask for genuine repentance. Go to your pastor or mentor and stay accountable. Then if you have to go on a retreat and fast and pray, please do.
Fill yourself afresh with God’s word and let it become life to you! I challenge you this morning. Clean up! Delete that number before you yourself are deleted from trhe face of the earth! Cancel that ungodly relationship.
Destroy those instruments of sin. Take charge of your life this morning and break free from all oppression!
The truth is that God still loves you. That is why you are still alive despite all. He loves you beyond your imagination. He is full of tender mercies over you! Accept His love and He will restore your soul. He will clean you up, heal you and restore your dignity.
I pray for you this morning, that every yoke and demonic influence over your life and destiny be broken in Jesus name! If you need someone to pray for you or lead you to Christ, feel free to pick up my number and give me a call. God will send help your way today in Jesus name. Your life will not be a waste. Your labour of love in God’s Kingdom will not be devoid of reward in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I declare my freedom today from all oppression; I receive God’s help and mercy over my life; I severe myself from all ungodly relationships in Jesus name.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I receive God’s help to be free in Jesus name. Lord, send help to me now in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free. – John 8:36 (AMP)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Become accountable today to someone your respect and value a lot.
3. Never Underrate The Enemy’s Attack On The Home And The Effectiveness Of Prayer.
Assumption is the lowest form of knowledge. Be a praying woman and don’t explain away all the issues, quarrels, strife, and other things that drive you apart from your husband.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.-2Corintians 2:11 (KJV)
After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief-we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! -2Corintians 2:11 (MSG)
A great woman must learn how to pray. Learn to take everything to God. You can birth things in prayer and that is why you have a womb. I am not in any way exonerating men who are supposed to take the lead in prayers at home but don’t wait for him, especially where morning devotions are concerned. It has been discovered that wives usually push for morning prayers at home in families before the husbands take over.
4. Never Allow Emotional And Actual Affairs
This is one area that is guaranteed to ruin any family when dabbled into. Don’t be pressured in any way to cheat on your husband! I have counseled a few husbands who feel so cheated and bitter because their wives compromised, and it took God’s intervention to keep the family going.
The sin of adultery is not a once and for all sin, it unlocks several other demonic doors and brings with it serious heartaches. Be loyal to your husband. If you are under intense pressure, find someone you really trust to talk with because sin is perpetuated in the atmosphere of secrecy. The power of iniquity is broken when exposed!
I pray over your home that God’s peace will reign in Jesus name! I say to every storm raging over your family and home, ‘be still, in Jesus name! Over your home, God’s counsel will stand!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am a wise woman. I love my spouse appropriately
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray that God will give you the wisdom to be a helpmeet indeed
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Pray for your husband and children now.
