Once upon a time, in the far far land of love city, the international association of fiancées and wives went to meet the king.
Their mission is to report the men folk for all their insensitivities and their logical ways of thinking which more than not has culminated into more confusion in relationships and marriage.
As they were going, the men folk heard about their plans. They quickly assembled themselves, ran after them and joined them in the ambitious journey.
There were arguments all through.
“You are so insensitive,” the women said.
“You are too serious for us, we want playmates.” The men replied.
“You never spend time with us, another lady bursted out, pointing particularly at her husband.”
“Where do we get the time to spend with you, when you keep asking for money everyday as we are the Central Bank? Won’t we go to work?” One newly married man said.
His wife, disappointed on hearing that retorted, “Ah you too, so you can talk? Was that what you promised me when you were begging and wooing me?”
“My fiancé called off our wedding plans three weeks to the wedding!” One young lady said.
“It is not only men that do that! One man said. Look at me, my wife-to-be left me for another man because I don’t have a car. But as I am looking at you, we can come together since we are victims of the same thing!” The man concluded, trying to seize the moment.
“I m sorry, you are not fine, you are not very tall, you have not even bought a car!” The lady replied.
“Is it wedding you want or car? I have three cars.” Another married man said.
His wife overheard him and shouted, “Ah, Mr Zerubbabel, touch any of my three cars and see if I would not tear you apart!”
The man felt embarrassed. But his friend replied the woman,
“But the cars were given to you as a gift by my friend, and technically, they are his cars!”
She does the hand sign, Dhooooor! Technically ko, Technology ni!”
“These women do not even respect us again,” one twenty-four year old guy said.
“Shut up there, you are not married, you are asking for respect.” His fiancee said.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will respect my partner at all times.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord Jesus, help me to respect my partner always
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Love and respect your partner.
We started this topic yesterday by looking at how Apostle Peter admonished all wives to be devoted to their husbands. He also encouraged wives to avoid nagging as it doesn’t work.
Let’s glean more wisdom from those verses.
Verse 2
1Pe 3:2 For when they observe your pure, godly life before God, it will impact them deeply.
Here, Peter talks about wives being concerned about what they do, rather than any other thing. Wives are to live holy, pure, and godly lives. No lies, deception, emotional affairs, etc.
Verse 3-4
1Pe 3:3 (3-4) Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
This deals with the issue of beauty and all that surrounds it. A woman’s life can be so engrossed in fashion and beauty. It could even be an obsession, with the so many beauty products available. The Bible tells wives that to be priceless before your husband and before God, you have to pay utmost attention to your heart (inward personality) of having a quiet and peaceable spirit. Sincerity and openness of heart are very good virtues.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive strength to be who God has made me to be
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for a submissive heart
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read the bible passage in other translations
What other benefits of gratitude do we have? Let us see more examples from the passage we read yesterday
Gratitude draws us closer to God
As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:12-16[MSG]
Mr. Bamidele has been ill for years. He was so ill that he spent all his life’s savings on his health. He moved from one health center to another, but all to no avail. It seemed as though the more he sought medical help, the worse his case became.
Luck however smiled on him one day, when he met a benefactor. This ‘good samaritan’ not only ensured he got to the best hospital in the world, he also paid for his hospital bills and other medical expenses.
When Mr. Bamidele got back to his feet, he got close to his benefactor, literarily serving him in the process. Who wouldn’t want to get closer to such a person?
Just like Mr. Bamidele, the leper who was healed naturally got close to Jesus.
One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:15-16
The leper couldn’t but imagine the magnitude of God’s kindness towards him. He had to go back to give him thanks.
Little children, let us learn to show gratitude everyday of our lives.
Prayer: Father, help me to show gratitude at all times. Amen
Action Point: Keep showing gratitude.
Declaration: I will not murmur. I will give thanks to God at all times.
Carnally Minded Vs Spiritually Minded was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 9th of March 2022 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
In his teaching, Rev. Dunamis made mention of the following important points from Romans 8:5-13:
Verse 5
We are either controlled by the flesh or controlled by the Spirit, even as children of God. The plan of the devil is to keep you controlled by the flesh so that you would not enter the fullness of God’s plan and purpose for you. The activities you are involved in is a pointer to what we are controlled by – whether the flesh or the Spirit.
Verse 6
The first result of being carnally-minded is death. All of us have powerful glorious destinies in God, and the devil knows it. So he comes to negotiate you out of it. You are operating in the flesh anytime you reason something out without the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Verse 7
The second problem of being carnally-minded is that it is enmity with God (it is hostile towards God). The voice of the flesh is hostile to the plans and intents of God for your life.
Verse 8
The third problem of being carnally-minded is that it cannot please God. And Heb 11:6 says that without faith you cannot please God. It therefore means that if you are in the flesh then you cannot be in faith (that’s one of the reasons a lot of our faith projects don’t pull through)
You must learn to recognize the voice of the flesh and run away from its dictates. You are to deliberately not cooperate with what the flesh wants.
Everything in life is deeply spiritual. The devil does not have a direct access to your life; what he does is to make you fleshly so that he can gain entrance into your life.
Verse 13
It is by the Spirit that you should mortify/kill the deeds of the flesh. People who are dead to the flesh don’t count insults.
Every time you know you are to pray but you don’t pray, the devil is negotiating you out of something.
To listen to messages of Rev Dunamis, go HERE or HERE
A person who is emotionally unavailable would want to start a relationship in a rather too fast way.
Hours after meeting, he is already laying the sheets on the bed. Hours after meeting each other, she is already giving you body language that she is all for the take!
The guy feels lucky that he just met a sexually willing babe. Well, he just met a confused soul who wants to use him to deaden the pain in her heart.
A guy who is not really in love and has no emotional connection often times just wants the jeru trip. He is not emotionally available.
What you need to know is that for a relationship to work properly, there needs to be a development flow. But when you try to bypass the natural rhythm of intimacy, there will be relationship chaos!
An emotionally unavailable person wants the sexual phase of the relationship to happen quickly, but we all know that this is a phase that God wants to be reserved till the time of marriage.
I am going to stop here this morning, but before I go, a word for the married.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered. Kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals, kindly go HERE
In marriage, make sure nothing steals times of intimacy building between the two of you. Never allow any other person apart from your spouse into your emotional space!
Your emotional space is only for your spouse and any other person is an “alien” that will do damage to your heart. Block out every emotional opening and space to colleagues, boss, friends, and even your pastors! Let all the emotional space be taken by your spouse only!
That is how to be on safe ground!
May God grant more understanding in Jesus name!
I pray for all who might just be going through the process of emotional healing, I ask that God will touch your heart and grant you the grace to forgive and let go in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not be a wreck to my lover
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be emotionally stable
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 14:17(MSG) God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Heal from the past before moving to the next
What God Wants From All Wives. There comes a time when we need to tell ourselves the truth as read in the manufacturer’s manual, the Bible. The Bible is the only book that tells us the truth about any situation. Thank God the truth about everything is available in the Word.
There is a long portion of the Bible that is directed to wives. Let us take a close look at what the manual for marriage has to tell us. The Passion Translation puts it in ways we can read and understand, in contemporary English.
And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing. For when they observe your pure, godly life before God, it will impact them deeply. Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes. Holy women of long ago who had set their hopes in God beautified themselves with lives lived in deference to their own husbands’ authority. For example, our “mother,” Sarah, devoted herself to her husband, Abraham, and even called him “master.” And you have become her daughters when you do what is right without fear and intimidation. – 1Pe 3:1-6 (TPT)
This scripture addresses issues in marriage, and it is addressed to the wives. We will address the issues directed to the husbands tomorrow by the Grace of God.
Verse 1
1Pe 3:1 (TPT) And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing.
This verse deals with issues of husbands that are not sensitive or caring to their wives. It advises wives to be devoted to their husbands and have kind conduct which will eventually melt their husband’s heart to them. This will happen without them nagging their husband.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
So nagging does not work. Replace it with being devoted to your own husband. Being devoted simply means being very loving and loyal, spirit, soul, and body. So, wives, God expects you to be loyal and loving to your spouse.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive strength to be who God has made me to be
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for a submissive heart
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read the bible passage in other translations
There are benefits of gratitude. The dictionary defines gratitude as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
The last time your classmate showed you art of kindness, did you return it?
Why do we need to show gratitude?
Gratitude brings healing.
As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. Luke 17:12-15 [MSG]
Now see what happened a few verses down the line.
One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:15-16
Are you following? Did you see what I saw?
Now, let’s listen to the conclusion of the whole matter from Jesus mouth.
Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.” – Luke 17:17-19
Notice the difference. Nine lepers were cleansed but only one got healed.
Will you still be filled with complaints or will you be full of gratitude?
The ball is in your court.
Prayer: Father, help me to show gratitude at all times. Amen
Action Point: Keep showing gratitude.
Declaration: I will not murmur. I will give thanks to God at all times
Emotional availability is necessary for a good relationship or courtship to lead to marriage and also for a good marriage to work out.
However, there are a lot of ladies and young men who are emotionally unavailable and yet are praying desperately to get married. It is not going to work like that.
It is like somebody praying to graduate without going to school. That would never happen without the first.
You can be emotionally available without messing up. You can be emotionally available without being taken for granted and desecrated by sexual opportunists.
Emotional availability is necessary for a healthy relationship that will lead to marriage.
One of the greatest love mishaps is to fall in love with an emotionally unavailable person. It is an affliction of the soul and it is a waste of time.
How do you spot a person that is not available emotionally?
1. He is cooling off
His hands have just been burnt in a past relationship. His heart has just been broken in a former relationship where he or she has given all his heart but is heavily disappointed.
That person is simply emotionally unavailable.
His love or her love is ambidextrously intertwined with the old and the potential new.
It is like drinking a melange of old and new wine. The alcoholic consequence will culminate in a collateral damage.
The emotions are confused and he or she is still smarting from the love that went sour. The taste is still left in his mouth and taste buds are numb from experiencing the new.
In his or her subconscious, there is still a wish that the old should have worked out. He or she is still missing out on something or he thinks something is still missing.
It even gets worse if they had been sexually involved, and the illegal cementing of the souls complicate issues.
The way out is always never to jump into a new relationship as a way to numb his pain.
A person who just broke up and is still hurt still has his or her emotions in a confused state and such a person is simply not available to begin a new relationship.
I always advocate that a minimum of six months should be given before you move into another relationship.
This will enable a proper emotional severing and disconnection, a time of healing and cleansing of the soul and preparing the soul for the new.
God is always a good God.
When a relationship breaks up or doesn’t work out, God will always give a new direction but it is not something you should rush into!
So before you fall in love and allow unnecessary butterflies to start to flap their wings, are you emotionally available?
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not be a wreck to my lover
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be emotionally stable
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 14:17(MSG) God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Heal from the past before moving to the next
This is one of the questions people ask in our couples’ meeting. They want to know how to handle a spouse that you seem to be doing everything possible yet they seem not to be responding to your efforts.
They often leave their spouses frustrated and sometimes some of them think of a separation or divorce.
Your spouse could be difficult in so many ways. Couples have very different personalities. We are born to different cultures, we have different ways of viewing situations and interpreting them, in short, we have different ways and methods of doing everything. Including how we eat, talk, dress,
All these could and much more could lead to one spouse frustrating the other.
I know it’s difficult when your spouse is frustrating you. You have to develop staying power and not give up on your spouse. If the tables were turned around and you are the one that has issues, you will want your spouse not to give up on you.
Here are a few hints that will help
1. Pray
When you have a spouse that is difficult you have to pray because only God can change a person. It takes God to step in and visit the heart and make it right again. Most issues we face in marriage are as a result of habits we develop a long time ago. Some of these issues also have a spiritual root. When we pray we are taking the matter to the creator who can create a permanent change. We pray what we want to see, we don’t pray about the problem. We pray scriptures as the Holy Spirit gives us utterance.
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. – Mar 9:23
2. Patience
You have to know that the problems will not be solved in a day. There are a lot of things that will be unlearnt in the process and it takes time. God is working behind the scenes and He doesn’t do magic, He works by His principles. You have to give your spouse time to change and expect the change too soon. He or she will change eventually if you don’t give up too soon. Keep trusting God and you will see your heart’s desires.
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. – Rom 8:25
3. Do your part
You have to keep doing your own part of the marriage while you expect your spouse to change for the better. You don’t stop your part of the covenant. The covenant has to be serviced so that God can honor the marriage.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing – 1Pe 3:1
4. Get a counselor
When a crisis arise, you have to seek help in the right place, from the right people, and at the right time. It is not the issue that is a deal it is who you talk to when things are not so good.
Some people will have talked to everybody except the person anointed to help them. God anoints people to help us solve problems. Don’t talk to your parents, friends, a colleague at work, people in the church, your family, your spouse’s family, lawyer, etc.
Talk to a good counselor preferably a pastor. Let him put the issues together by God’s Grace and anointing on his life. He will not always tell you what you want to hear but he will put the situations together.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out – Pro 20:5
May God grant us Grace and give us strength in difficult times.
God bless our marriages.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will cooperate with my spouse
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for your spouse
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read the devotional meditatively
How do you face rejection, especially when it is coming from a loved one? Let’s look at the story of Tosin.
‘Don’t sit there!’ a harsh voice said behind Tosin as she was about to sit on the chair. It was Mariam, a year older than her and the leader of the popular girls at the tutorial center.
‘Why?’ Tosin asked, masking the feeling of rejection inside her with a pleasant smile, as she turned towards the approaching Mariam.
‘Because you’re not in our group’ Mariam replied, swiping Tosin from head to toes with her eyes. Her little entourage at her heels did the same to Tosin, giving cruel smiles and chuckles as they passed her and took the row of seats.
Tosin managed to find a seat somewhere but held her head high as she did so.
Rejection is hard on children because it screams out to them you are not wanted, needed, beautiful, important, or worthy of love.
Psalm 27:10 ‘Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me’. (NIV)
God doesn’t love us because of who we are, what we have, where we live, our parents, or for any other reason. He loves us just the way we are.
The bible says He first loved us. He loves us so much he made the earth for us, gave us air to breathe, the sun to shine and so much more the earth contains.
And He will never reject us. He promised to always love us. Even if others reject us, he won’t.
So children, know that God loves you. Even if the world rejects you for any reason, God will never do so.
As you go about your daily activities, thank the Lord for his unconditional love towards you.
It is good to follow the peace of God in your heart and not just your flesh.
It is good to stay in joy in the Holy Ghost; which is expressed always with your shout, dance, laughter, and singing.
This is how you get into the kingdom. This is how you get a spouse in the kingdom.
It is not just in spending unnecessary money all over the place. It is not just in making a decision because you saw the hips.
This thing goes beyond the pulchritude. It extends beyond the externals. It is not in partying all over the place, it is never in meat and drinks.
The believer that will get anywhere in God must be disciplined. Fast at least once a week. Leave the meat and the drinks alone.
How do you tell me you are a child God and you do all the alcohol, you smoke, party, and you do all that the unbeliever do? Something is not quite right there!
You may succeed in hiding the masturbation, pornography, and all the secret sins from your pastor, but those sins are so loud in heaven! And that is where your blessings come from, not from your pastor.
Do you want to please your pastor while you don’t care what God thinks? That is dangerous!
Fear God o!
Your thoughts are louder in heaven than your voice on earth! The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
The hips, the lips, and the trips are really important but never concentrate on that alone at the expense of God. When you leave God out, you are inviting crisis and storms.
You can live right with the help of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to help you!
Then, take decisions. You cannot be asking the Holy Spirit to help you from sexual sin and then on Friday, you pack your load to go and spend the weekend in his place! That is mocking God and His word! And it is not a good place to be.
Your prayers must be backed up by tough decisions. Tough decisions about your destiny!
Some numbers must be deleted. Some associations must be severed.
You keep saying she is the one seducing you and yet you keep visiting her every night. No, you are the seducer o!
You have been in several relationships. All of them were sexual. All of them broke up. The pattern is clear enough! Stop ignoring the obvious and take charge of your destiny.
It is not only sex that can lead to breakups. There are relationships that were non-sexual and yet broke up!
It could be you rushed into it, it could be your attitudes, it could be anger problem, and it could just be that is not God’s best for you.
There are good men that could be wrong men for you. There could be a good lady, and yet she is the wrong one for you.
The baseline is to get close to God. The Holy Spirit will lead you through His peace in your heart.
Leave the meat, drink, fun, and all of that for a while and concentrate on the threefold cord that runs through the kingdom of God.
May God give you more understanding in Jesus name!
We break the power of iniquity in your life in the name of Jesus. I release God’s peace, shalom, nothing missing, nothing broken, to surround you in Jesus name!
I pray that the joy of the Lord is yours today and forevermore!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I refuse to mock God in any way
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to live with your fear in mind
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 14:17(MSG) God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
Ever since the fall of man from grace and God’s Glory, man has been involved with one form of struggle or another. Especially in marriage, man has lived to deal with numerous challenges. Most of these challenges and struggles have left our marriages less than the original intention in God’s heart for marriage.
The picture in God’s heart for every marriage is for both man and woman to live like the trinity, like the Godhead, in perfect unity.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. – Gen 1:27 (KJV)
The concept of unity is the original intention of God in marriage. Where this picture or intention is not known, struggles and disunity will be experienced.
Most of us struggle in our marriage and experience heartaches. Spouse cheating, adulterous affairs, spouse not being open, hiding from each other, cold, financially unfaithful, unfriendly, egoistic, dead spiritually, not meeting each other’s needs, lack of intimacy, lack of love and respect, emotional adultery, and so on.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
Not having the original picture that God had in His heart is what brings about all these struggles in marriage.
To put an end to all struggles in marriage, we need to engage the help of the Holy Spirit in helping us see the right picture as was in God’s heart in the beginning. We have to go back to the original intent in the heart of the Father.
Yes, every other thing we try to do will make meaning only after we have a revelation of the Oneness concept.
A blissful marriage is possible. Not that you will not have your differences or different opinions, you will still have because you are different and differently made to fulfill and occupy different roles.
The only way to enjoy peace and harmony is to get back to God’s original intention and God will help us all in Jesus mighty name.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage will not be an adage.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Oh Lord, restore my marriage to the original mandate.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Gen 1:28 {MSG}God blessed them: Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Go back and study God’s plan for your marriage.
Little children, keep thanking God. That is my word for you today. There is just something about gratitude.
The week might have begun smooth or rough for you, depending on what happened to you.
For some people, you wish you could change the hand of time and begin the week on afresh.
There is something quite a number of us do not do, which ought not to be so.
Listen to what the bible says;
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
God’s will is that you give thanks. How best can it be explained?
Regardless of how your week started, how your day went, or how the last month was, God is saying you should cultivate a habit of thanksgiving.
See how another version puts it.
Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. – 1 Thess 5:18{CEV}
Have you taken a moment to wonder what would have happened if Jesus Christ did not come?
Thank God for your parents. Thank Him that you have life. Thank Him for the school you are attending. Thank Him for your country. Some nations are at war as we speak. Children like you cannot go about their normal lives or play as kids should.
This week, just like the scripture admonishes; whatever happens, keep thanking God.
Don’t murmur. Don’t complain. Just be full of gratitude.
Tomorrow, I will show us a few benefits of being full of gratitude.
Futility of A Life Without God was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 6th of March 2022 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
In his teaching, Rev. Dunamis made mention of the following important points:
A lot of people, in their pursuit of happiness, exclude God. That’s futility! King Solomon studied life, experimenting with his own life, and gave us some conclusions. It is wisdom to apply the researches of this man, instead of going through the same route and messing up your life.
He experimented with wine (Eccl 2:3) and found out that wine is a mocker (Prov. 20:1, 23:29-30). Wine may offer you temporary relief, but begins to mock you afterwards.
Women are deep, and should be respected. King Solomon experimented with women, and found out that a woman can be a bitter pill to swallow (Eccl 7:26, MSG). In essence, he was saying, “Don’t mess with women!” Happiness cannot be found by sleeping around – you may have an orgasmic feeling afterwards, but after two hours, you will be back to your misery.
The pursuit of money cannot bring you the joy and satisfaction you desire. You’re mistaken if you believe that; listen to King Solomon:
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man [is] sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. There is a sore evil [which] I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. Ecclesiastes 5:10-13 (KJV)
God wants you to have money, and not for money to have you.
He experimented with possessions (Eccl 2:4-6, 10), and found all these things were vanities (Eccl 1:2) – futility!
In all the experiments King Solomon carried out, he concluded that chasing all of these things were vanity and vexation of the spirit… and that only the fear of God and His pursuit is worth striving for:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV)
Prioritize God in your life.
Serve God with your life, devotional life (don’t be too busy to fellowship with God – in prayers and in studying the Bible) Serve God with your time (find a service area and fill it) Serve God with your money Serve God with your heart/emotions Honour God with your words
God has made up His mind to bless you; He only needs you to cooperate.
To listen to messages of Rev Dunamis, go HERE or HERE
A couple of years back, a certain lady called me. Let’s call her Sister Sube.
She started by telling me how bitter she is against God, that God has refused to answer all her prayers. She said despite constant vigils, fasting, and prayers, God has turned a deaf ear to her. She told me how she was on the brink of giving up.
Sister Sube went further to tell me that she has been crying for days and that she is thinking of forgetting God and moving on. She told me that no serious man has approached her in the last few months.
Then she dropped the bomb!
She said, “Even this man that I am living in his house has refused to propose!”
“Living in his house?” I asked.
“Yes now, I thought if I move into his house, it will make things fast, but right now, he has only been sleeping with me.”
Then she concluded, “Pastor, I am tired.” I pray a lot, no answer. I am even just coming from a vigil right now.”
As ridiculous as this may sound, I am telling you a true story. And I am also sure there are many people who might have found themselves in this kind of predicament.
The reality is that you cannot violate a part of the scripture and then expect His promises to work for you.
Yes, some things happen by acts of mercy, but you get to a certain point, God commands everyone to repent.
That lady above is trying to mock God. Sadly, God cannot be mocked. Such a person ends up deceiving himself or herself.
There is no point attending vigils and going to the mountain every Friday and then continuing in sin. It is just a waste of time.
Let me give you some tips that can help.
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. – Romans 14:17 (KJV)
You cannot gallivant your way to heaven. It requires a certain level of seriousness and discipline with your spiritual life. It requires some inconvenience.
There is always a price to pay. It is not in meat and drink alone. It is not in tripping her, taking her to cinemas alone, and buying her gifts.
Meat and drinks, fun, and frolicking around are never the passwords into God’s kingdom.
It is in righteousness which is right living. You cannot cheat your way into the Kingdom. You are either for Him or against Him.
May God grant you more understanding!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I refuse to mock God in any way
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to live with your fear in mind
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. – Romans 14:17 (KJV)
Rejoice Again And Again In Your Marriage. The Bible says husbands should enjoy the wife of their youth. This means you both should enjoy yourselves while you have the strength as a young couple. Don’t be too serious at home and learn to live together as best friends.
The force of joy is very vital on the home front. Joy, celebration, thanksgiving, rejoicing, the sound of melody, praises, and worship to God all go hand in hand.
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. – Psa 67:5-6
We are encouraged in this scripture to praise the Lord, then our earth, whatever it is the represents earth will yield her increase. Whether barrenness, lack, joblessness, debt etc
The logical thing to do is get moody when things are not working. But we operate from a higher level. We rejoice to get the increase. Your boss, spouse or colleague may be treated you bad. You don’t fight back you switch into praise.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
Receive Grace and strength to enter into praise. God inhabit your praise. Your praise invite God to fight on your behalf.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. – Php 4:4
Let nothing steal your joy. Let your rejoicing be in the Lord
Don’t allow the pressure of finances, raising children, in- laws and others destabilize your togetherness and joy. Nothing must come in between your joy. Between the two of you, one person will be more playful and tend towards being joyful all the time
Let the playful one take the initiative and the other follow suit.
The Holy Spirit knows what He’s saying when He says enjoy the wife of your youth. Be deliberate in making each other happy. Do not make others outside your home or marriage happy at the expense of your spouse.
Read books together and discuss them. Invest in each other.
I pray your marriage will be beautiful and filled with new wine.
God bless your marriage
CONFESSION OF THE DAY I love my spouse and we enjoy life together
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord help us to be joyful always.
THOUGHTS OF THE DAY Ecc 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Rejoice and enjoy yourself
