One thing we can daily pray for is the mercy of God over our children. God’s mercy is able to preserve, to protect, and to deliver.
God is declared in the scriptures as the father of all mercies. This means he has mercy at his disposal. We can easily reach him and ask for his mercy whenever we need to.
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!
Psalm 40:11[ ESV]
Children, God’s promise is that he will not restrain his mercy from you. His love and faithfulness are always on standby to preserve you.
So whenever the devil comes with doubts, you can easily read out God’s promise of mercy and calm your mind.
As Parents, we should always pray for this dimension of God over our children, that they will continually enjoy God’s mercy in all that they do.
The mercy of God preserves, hence, children need not be afraid or entertain fear in any form. Rather, they should be confident that the mercy, love, and faithfulness of God will always preserve them.
Declaration: My children are continually preserved by God’s mercy, love, and faithfulness. Amen
Prayer: Lord, preserve me by your mercy
Action Plan: Write out scriptures that talk about this dimension of God.
Today is Oil For Today – Day 88. 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 Prayers Today
Oil For Today – Day 88
[2] I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: [3] And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
Isa 45:2-3 (KJV)
Prayer Points For Today
Oil For Today – Day 88
1. Begin to thank the LORD for today.
2. Begin to ask the LORD to go ahead of you today, and straighten every crooked place.
3. Begin to break every gate that has been set to limit your progress today.
4. Begin to release your family from the prison the enemy has put them in.
5. Pray for your local assembly; come against the spirits of lust, lies, gossip, etc.
6. Pray that the power to make wealth is made manifest in you today.
7. Begin to command the treasures and hidden riches of the earth to flow in your direction today.
8. Pray that the LORD shows Himself strong in your life today.
9. Go ahead and make your personal requests for the day known to the Lord
10. Begin to thank the Lord for answered prayers.
Confession For Today
Oil For Today – Day 88
This day, I have direction. I am led by the Holy Spirit. God is going ahead of me. I follow his plans for my life. Every crooked place is made straight. Every impossibility is made possible. Every obstacle is removed. Today, I have the treasures of darkness. My eyes are open to the hidden riches set aside for me. I enter into financial abundance in Jesus mighty name, amen.
Who is a Gossip? Gossip describes a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts, rumors, or reports of an intimate nature that are none of his business.
Slander is spreading false information. This means one can be gossiping and slandering at the same time, and one can be gossiping and not slandering at the same time.
Being a gossip or having a friend as gossip is both dangerous unsafe. Either way, there should be a refrain from such actions.
The Bible says we should study to be quiet and mind our own business as we see below:
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
1 Thessalonians 4:11 [KJV]
Here are three ways to handle a gossip or shut them down nicely.
1. Walk away When you turn and walk away from a gossiper, you literally paralyze his ability to discuss things that are not his business to discuss. You see, in order for the words of a gossip to be successful, there must be two parties involved.
Without a listener, the gossiper’s voice is silenced. If there is no one to listen, there is nothing to tell!
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Pro 26:20 (KJV)
When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down.
Pro 26:20 (MSG)
2. Shut them down nicely If you are unable to walk away, shut them down nicely. Say words like these:
“Excuse me, but should we be talking like this?” “Excuse me, but I don’t believe it is right for us to talk like this, and I cannot be a part of this conversation.” “Excuse me, but this conversation makes me uncomfortable; I don’t think I want to be a part of it.”
The gossip will know right away that you are not one of those refuse grounds to pour offenses and wounds.
3. Make a Decision Make the decision today to refrain from gossiping. Refuse to even listen to it!
The next time someone comes and talks about things that are not his to decide or to discuss, confront that person about what he is doing.
If he chooses to continue gossiping, walk away from him and maintain your integrity before God and before those who are being discussed.
God bless you.
Have a great day!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I refuse to be a gossip, a busy body, or encourage gossips.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask for the grace to focus on your assignment rather than gossips.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Prov 26:20 [MSG] When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Stop all forms of gossips.
Gossip is dangerous! If gossip can tear apart a whole church, then think of what it can do for a marriage.
As couples who are children of God, it is good to make an early decision that gossip will not be allowed in your family, either from friends who have itchy mouths or between yourselves as couples.
Here are few reasons why gossip is dangerous.
1. It is a wound
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Pro 18:8 (KJV)
Gossip permanently blemishes our view of the person being discussed. It births wrong thoughts about that person. Once that picture gets into our minds, it’s very hard to erase it.
2. You will be judged.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Mat 12:37 (KJV)
Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”
Mat 12:37 (MSG)
As a result of the above, you really want to be careful about the words you say!
3. It is destructive and can cause its victim to be suicidal
but the tongue is not able to be tamed. It’s a fickle, unrestrained evil that spews out words full of toxic poison!
Jas 3:8 (TPT)
Gossip is a wildfire gone out of control. We try to put it out. We try to control it. But the gossiper keeps pouring gas on the fire. Gossip takes on a life of its own. The story grows and changes. The story even grows within the mind of the gossiper.
4. Gossip is the language of those who have rejected Christ This can be seen in the fowling scriptures:
And because they thought it was worthless to embrace the true knowledge of God, God gave them over to a worthless mind-set, to break all rules of proper conduct. Their sinful lives became full of every kind of evil, wicked schemes, greed, and cruelty. Their hearts overflowed with jealous cravings, and with conflict and strife, which drove them into hateful arguments and murder. They are deceitful liars full of hostility. THEY ARE GOSSIPS who love to spread malicious slander. With inflated egos they hurl hateful insults at God, yet they are nothing more than arrogant boasters. They are rebels against their parents and totally immoral.
Rom 1:28-30 (TPT)
God bless you. Have a great day!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I refuse to be a gossip or busy body
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask for the grace to focus on your spouse
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Prov 26:20 [MSG] When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down
Recognizing and following Christ as the good shepherd is what will ensure you go in the right direction. And to follow, you need to trust.
Every sheep that will get the best from its shepherd must learn how to be still. Being still means to trust in the shepherd’s person, that he would never lead them to a place of danger or harm nor will he leave them in the face of trouble.
They trust him to take them to where the choicest grasses are and the cleanest of water is.
The Lord is my Shepherd. I have everything I need. He gives me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm waters. Psalm 23:1-2 ICB
They follow behind him, and when he stops, they stop too. An obedient sheep knows to stay within the safe boundaries created by the shepherd.
It is not in the sheep’s place to teach the shepherd what to do but to watch, listen to and obey the shepherd at all times. This is what following Christ means.
Do you obey your parents at home? When they tell you not to do something because of the bad things that could happen to you, do you listen to them? Or you do as you like, thinking you know what’s best for you?
A sheep doesn’t know what’s best for it. Only the shepherd does. Are you a good sheep following Jesus as your shepherd? Do you obey Him by obeying your parent’s instructions? These questions will help you know if you are following Christ.
The most important question that you need to ask yourself right now is this—have you accepted Jesus into your life as your Lord and Saviour? If yes, are you obeying His leading? If not, do so today.
May the Lord make you a good sheep. Amen.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe you are the son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I want to be a sheep in your flock. Please be my shepherd. In your mighty name, I pray. Amen.
Action point: Work on your relationship with the good Shepherd.
Declaration: The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
Reasons To Praise God was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 3rd of October 2021 during the 2nd Service 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:
1. You praise God because of who He is
Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.
Psalm 48:1 (KJV)
2. Praise glorifies God
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NKJV)
You must learn to render unto God the sacrifice of praise. Sometimes praise has to be your sacrifice; you are in that mess, but you still choose to praise. You still choose to dance. This was exactly the attitude of Paul and Silas when they were cast into the prison. This is one of the numerous reasons to praise God.
So Paul and Silas prayed and sang, and then there was an earthquake! They was a ‘suddenly’ and they were delivered.
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
Acts 16:25-26 (NKJV)
Everytime the devil wants to mess you up, he gets you quiet (depressed, no energy to praise God, etc)
You have to make up your mind that no one will steal your joy.
You have to learn to be a God-praiser.
3. You go up with a shout
God has gone up with a shout, The LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Psalm 47:5 (NKJV)
You don’t go up with depression; you go up with shouts of joy. This is one of the numerous reasons to praise God.
There’s a shout for sadness, but your shout should always be the shout for joy.
Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
Psalm 35:27 (NKJV)
There’s a connection between your shout for joy and your bank account.
The above are some reasons to praise God.
To listen to messages of Rev Dunamis, go HERE or HERE
The Sin Of Gossip was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 3rd of October 2021 during the 1st Service 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:
Gossip describes a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts, rumors, or reports of an intimate nature that are none of his business.
Gossip is listed as a sin, and the Bible warns against it.
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
1Th 4:11 (KJV)
Where Does Gossip From?
It comes straight from hell
A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.
Jas 3:6 (MSG)
2. From the evil of our hearts
People are known in this same way. Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit. But out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil. For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.
Luk 6:45 (TPT)
3. From Idleness
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:13 (KJV)
4. A result of hatred and envy
[Destructive and deceitful lies are told about me, [3] and hateful things are said for no reason.
Psa 109:2-3 (CEV)
Why Gossip Is Dangerous
It is a wound
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Pro 18:8 (KJV)
2. You will be judged.
Your very words will be used as evidence against you, and your words will declare you either innocent or guilty.”
Mat 12:37 (TPT)
3. It is destructive and can cause its victim to be suicidal
but the tongue is not able to be tamed. It’s a fickle, unrestrained evil that spews out words full of toxic poison!
Jas 3:8 (TPT)
4. Gossip is the language of those who have rejected Christ (Rom 1:28-30; TPT)
5. Gossip destroys precious relationships and scatters churches
Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.
Pro 16:28 (MSG)
How To Deal With A Gossip
Walk away
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Pro 26:20 (KJV)
2. Shut them down nicely
Gossips can’t keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths.
Pro 20:19 (MSG)
3. Make a Decision
4. Overlook an Offence
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Pro 17:9 (KJV)
5. Confront Gossipers
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:15 (KJV)
To listen to messages of Rev Dunamis, go HERE or HERE
Today is Oil For Today – Day 87. 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 Prayers Today
Oil For Today – Day 87
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
Gen 27:28 (KJV)
Prayer Points For Today
Oil For Today – Day 87
1. Begin to thank the LORD for today.
2. Pray that your efforts today will be watered by the dew of heaven.
3. Begin to pray that God opens the windows of heaven over your family.
4. Begin to bind every demonic spirit sent to frustrate your financial efforts today.
5. Pray for your local assembly; declare that the earth releases her fatness to her
6. Begin to pray that your ears are sharpened to hear the instructions of God that will bring you ‘plenty corn and wine.’
7. Come against the spirit of insufficiency and lack over your life today.
8. Begin to declare productivity in the work of your hands today.
9. Go ahead and make your personal requests for the day known to the Lord
10. Begin to thank the Lord for answered prayers
Confession For Today
Oil For Today – Day 87
Today, I have in abundance. Prosperity is mine. I have plenty of corn and wine. My feet are dipped in butter. I receive of the dew of heaven. I receive all the good things from above. The rain of God’s blessing rests upon me. Showers of God’s blessing fall upon the works of my hands. I receive the fatness of the earth. The good of the land is my portion. I do not languish in want. Today, my labor meets with the favor of God. I receive fresh supplies. The heavens over me are opened continually in Jesus’ name, Amen.
At every point in time, we will always need people around us. We need people to do certain things for us. No one was created to be an island. We were made to live and work with people.
Kings are surrounded by chiefs and elders. Governors are surrounded by advisers and special advisers. Some special advisers also have special advisers, who will critically look at situations and proffer solutions.
In the bible, we see a scene between two kings, which ought to have ended well, but for those around one of these Kings.
The king of the children of Ammon died and David, king of Israel, sent his servants to pay condolence to this son of the late king.
Naturally, this wouldn’t have been an issue, but for those surrounding the king.
But the chiefs of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, Does it seem to you that David is honouring your father by sending comforters to you? has he not sent his servants to go through the town and make secret observation of it, and overcome it?
2 Sam 10:3 [BBE]
This goes to tell you that you can’t allow just anyone into your space. You can’t submit your destiny to just any random guy.
All through marriage, you will be making decisions, so you want to be careful who you align with because a wrong decision can affect you for the rest of your life.
A supposedly harmless condolence visit led to two bloody wars, loss of lives and properties.
Another scenario we see is in the life of King Ahasuerus. He gave an instruction that Queen Vashti should come out and entertain his guests. For reasons best known to her, the Queen refused.
Now Ahasuerus was a good man. He probably would have forgiven her, but for those surrounding him.
If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.
Est 1:19 [NKJV]
What is my point this morning?
Watch those who surround you. Watch those you allow into your personal space. Watch your association. They will influence you in the long run.
That is why the bible says light and darkness cannot walk hand in hand.
You cannot claim to be Christian and be moving freely with unbelievers.
You cannot claim to be a child of light and be surrounded by sons and daughters of baal. It doesn’t work that way.
To you, who need to make the right decision as regards who to settle with, receive illumination!
To you, who need to pull out of that wrong relationship, receive strength!
Shalom!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not end up with the wrong man/woman
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray that God will lead and put you in the right association.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 1 Cor 15:33[KJV] Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
The phrase ‘pray for your husband’ is not a cliché. It is something you should do as a matter of responsibility. This is because the man, who is the head of the home, is saddled with the responsibility of taking certain decisions from time to time. A wrong decision can put the family ten years behind. Conversely, the right decision can propel the family.
One major area you should focus your prayer on is those surrounding your husband. You see, a man doesn’t just cheat on his wife. Someone close to him must have suggested it to him. A man doesn’t wake up from sleep one morning and begins to beat up his wife. Somebody somewhere around him must have suggested it to him.
It’s good to pray for the business of your husband. How about his friends, business partners? How about those with which he sits on a daily basis to make decisions?
Let’s see a story from the bible.
The king threw a party, and being in high spirits, wanted to show forth his wife’s beauty to all and sundry.
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was glad with wine, he gave orders to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven unsexed servants who were waiting before Ahasuerus the king, That Vashti the queen was to come before him, crowned with her crown, and let the people and the captains see her: for she was very beautiful. But when the servants gave her the king’s order, Vashti the queen said she would not come: then the king was very angry, and his heart was burning with wrath.
Est 1:10-12 [BBE]
The king was very angry, and the next thing he did was consult those who were closest to him.
And the king said to the wise men, who had knowledge of the times,… What is to be done by law to Vashti the queen, because she has not done what King Ahasuerus, by his servants, gave her orders to do?
Est 1:13a,15 [BBE]
Are you trying to tell me the king did not know what was to be done by law? No, he knew exactly what to do. He only needed the input of the wise men who were probably his cabinet members.
If they had advised the king otherwise, he would have done their bidding.
It’s beautiful when you pray for your husband, but don’t stop there. Pray for those surrounding him, so that one day, they won’t advise him to make a decision that will affect you negatively.
“So if it pleases the king, here is a suggestion: Let the king give a royal command and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media. The laws of Persia and Media cannot be changed. The royal command should be that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Let the king also give her royal position to someone else who is better than she is.
Est 1:19 [ERV]
May your royal position not be given to someone else!
Shalom!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will go the extra mile in praying for my husband.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask God to surround your husband with the right people.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Est 1:19 [CEV]Your Majesty, if you agree, you should write for the Medes and Persians a law that can never be changed. This law would keep Queen Vashti from ever seeing you again. Then you could let someone who respects you be queen in her place.
We are still on the journey of learning how to glorify God. Today, we will yet consider more ways to glorify God with your body; one way actually.
The way you eat.
Yes, your eating habit goes a long way to determine how you prioritize God.
Food is necessary, no doubt. We need it for our bodies to function well. Like fuel to a car, so is food for our bodies. The food you eat nourishes your body, helping it to develop as it should be. But how you eat and what you eat matters a lot.
As important as food is to you, not all food is nutritious for you. Yes, chocolate and ice cream are good, but they are not necessarily food and shouldn’t be consumed in large quantities and regularly.
Rather, eat food that will add the required nutrients to your body t aid you to grow both physically and mentally. Eat food that boosts your body’s ability to fight off diseases or sickness, so you don’t keep falling sick every week.
Don’t eat what will leave you fat, dull, and lacking energy. This could lead to depression at school or at home when friends or classmates make fun of you.
Over time, eating bad foods will affect our internal organs, which could lead to life-threatening ailments. You don’t want to put your parents in that situation, do you?
Eating well to nourish and build our bodies up is one way of keeping it holy for God.
The bible says our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Do you think the Holy Spirit would eat junk foods? Think about it!
You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. You do not own yourselves.
1 Cor. 6:19 [ICB]
May God give you the grace to eat nourishing and bodybuilding foods. Amen.
Action plan: Watch what you have been eating. Reduce your intake of junk foods or stop it totally.
Today is Oil For Today – Day 86. Let’s lift up our voice one more time as we pray to God!. Watch Video on Youtube HERE. Check yesterday’s oil for today HERE
Scriptures For Prayers Today
Oil For Today – Day 86
[1] ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
Isa 60:1 (AMPC)
Prayer Points For Today
Oil For Today – Day 86
Begin to praise the Lord and ‘dance upon your disappointments.
2. Pray that the inner strength you need to rise be birthed in you today.
3. Begin to dispel every force of darkness that is pressing and holding you down.
4. Declare that your light shines today, causing kings to come to you.
5. Begin to pray that the light of God’s countenance shines on you, bringing you favour today.
6. Pray for your local assembly; that the glory of the LORD will be revealed in and through her.
7. Begin to declare that you are radiant with the glory of God today.
8. Bind the operation of the spirit of depression in you and among your loved ones.
9. Go ahead and make your personal requests for the day known to the Lord
10. Begin to thank the Lord for answered prayers
Confession For Today
Oil For Today – Day 86
Today, I arise from all forms of depression. I rise to a new life. I rise to a higher calling in Christ. I rise from the effect of past events and circumstances. My light shines in darkness. My light shines brighter and brighter. I do not have a better yesterday. My best is yet to come. I am radiant with the glory of the Lord. I am a solution provider. Nothing dies within and around me. In Jesus mighty name, Amen.
To Vivian, something is definitely wrong with her. She isn’t getting any younger. Her biological clock seems not to be only ticking but running. She wished there was a pause button somewhere.
Time after time, the story has been the same. She has experienced relationships after relationships fall like a pack of cards right before her eyes. Nothing seems to be working around her.
The story has always been the same; she will begin a relationship today and everything will appear fine, then all of a sudden, the whole thing comes crashing. Then it happens again and again. That has been her cycle.
She now approaches a new relationship with prayers, not for direction, but for it not to crash.
What should Vivian do? As a child of God, how do you get out of this imbroglio?
Letting go of all offenses
Yes, as simple as that may seem, that is the key to your victory. Get rid of every form of bitterness and offense. Frolicking with bitterness is a deliberate attempt to stop any good thing aggregating your way
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:15 (KJV)
The bible calls it a root. Every plant has a root, but you don’t see it. That’s how bitterness is. It can be submerged in the belly for months, without showing its dangerous fruits until the damage would have been done.
Yes, your “Ex” hurt you and did unbelievable and unprintable things to you. That is not enough reason for you to put your life on hold.
Your parents did so and so to you. Your best friend betrayed you. The other person stabbed you in the back, and then in the front! Don’t stop yourself as a result of that!
Let go and let God. Do not allow hatred and bitterness to have the better part of you. Do not allow anybody’s foolishness to become your own folly.
The Bible calls bitterness a root. When it springs up, many other relationships, opportunities, and doors will be defiled!
When John the Baptist became bitter against his spiritual head, his physical head went for it. Don’t let the daughter of one child of the devil request your head. Don’t let your head become one of the awards on a prize-giving day!
Bitterness and iniquity are cousins. They work together. The earlier you confront it, the better for you.
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Act 8:23 (KJV)
Ask God to help you. He is more than willing to do so.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am not bitter. I walk in love with all men. I am delivered from any negative cycle operating in my life.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray against the negative cycle you have noticed.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Hebrews 12:15 (AMPC) Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Are you bitter against someone? Let go and let God.
How do you know a potential spouse that will be unfaithful when you are not married yet? There are tell-tale signs. When you double date, you are simply in a rehearsal for adultery. Simple!
Why is this so? You see, it takes the same heart! The heart that can accommodate and justify double dating will also glide into the dangerous terrain of adultery and extra-marital affairs effortlessly!
Adultery is a killer. It looks sweet initially, but the consequences are undesirable.
Now, let’s look at some scriptures in the book of Proverbs.
When Solomon starts talking to you about adultery, you had better listen. He had it all and you will never be able to break his record! He had so many women in his harem that he must have used tallies or numbers to identify them.
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
Pro 9:17 KJV
Adultery seems sweet, but what happens afterwards?
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Pro 20:17 KJV
You sure don’t want to be served a plate of gravel for food, but that is what a lot of people are cooking for lunch and dinner!
Unfaithfulness in your marriage will also reduce you. It will reduce you to what can be swallowed by the devil. See it here:
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Pro 6:26 KJV
God frowns at adulterous relationships! It is also a stupid sin because the consequences are staring you on your face and you still go ahead. You know it is wrong, yet like the proverbial dog which refuses to heed the hunter’s whistle, you go ahead.
Your conscience pricks you, yet you refuse to unlock yourself from the embrace of the strange woman or the evil man as the scripture aptly puts it. It is simply a stupid sin. See it here:
But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Pro 6:32 KJV
See other translation:
Adultery is a brainless act, soul-destroying, self-destructive;
Pro 6:32 MSG
Let’s see one more translation
But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks heart and understanding (moral principle and prudence); he who does it is destroying his own life.
Pro 6:32 AMP
What is my advice?
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Pro 5:18 KJV
See it in the Amplified version.
Let your fountain [of human life] be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity], and rejoice in the wife of your youth.
Pro 5:18 AMP
What is God trying to say here? God is trying to identify one of the causes of adultery. What is that? NEGLECT! Don’t neglect your spouse in any way especially where your sexual life is concerned.
The greatest need of a man is jeru trip. The greatest need of a woman is communication and attention. Give this to each other and enjoy each other!
Protect each other by satisfying yourselves. Jeru trip is not a reward system neither is it a punishment tool! According to the amplified version above, when you satisfy yourselves as a married couple, you will be blessed with the rewards of fidelity.
May God grant us more understanding.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am a wise spouse. I will not shoot myself in the leg.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray against the spirit of lust in your family.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Proverbs 6:32-33 (CEV) But if you go to bed with another man’s wife, you will destroy yourself by your own stupidity. You will be beaten and forever disgraced.
Having identified that we were created in God’s image in our last post, and that we have a responsibility to keep our bodies holy for Him, we will look at some practical ways to glorifying God with your body.
1. Be clean at all times. Keeping your body clean is the first part. Your outer body is what people see, and the condition of your skin, hair, or face tells them a lot of how clean or dirty you are.
Nobody wants to come near a dirty person. Or would you stand beside someone like that? I doubt that.
Children, endeavour to take your baths in the mornings before you leave the house, when you get back from school or after any activity that leaves you sweaty.
Activities like when you finish playing football or running with your friends.
When you allow sweat to stay long on your skin, it forms bacteria that could lead to some skin conditions like eczema and rashes.
More importantly, always use a sponge and soap and scrub your skin very well, but not too harshly as you don’t want to have some mild bruises all over your skin.
Also take care of any skin conditions with the right medication.
I will also mention this; brush your teeth in the morning, and at night before you sleep.
Comb or brush your hair before you leave the house. Cut it also when due.
For girls, pack your hair neatly with a hairband or visit a hairdresser to make it for you. Keep your hair well oiled and neat.
Clean and trim your nails when due.
Wash your clothes not only when they are dirty, but also when they smell of sweat.
Ensure that your clothes are clean and smell fine. Iron them or plead with your parents to help you do so.
By now, you must be asking…How does doing all these help me be holy before God?
Looking and smelling good attracts people to you. When they admire you, they are indirectly praising God over you. That is how God is worshipped! That is a way of glorifying God with your body.
Looking and smelling nice could also make people listen to you when you tell them about Jesus. And when they finally accept Christ into their lives, you have won a soul into God’s kingdom by your appearance. Do you see how you are worshipping God in your physical appearance?
We pray that God himself, the God of peace, will make you pure, belonging only to him. We pray that your whole self–spirit, soul, and body–will be kept safe and be without wrong when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.
Today is Oil For Today – Day 85. Let’s lift up our voice one more time as we pray to God!. Watch Video on Youtube HERE. Check yesterday’s oil for today HERE
Scriptures For Prayers Today
Oil For Today – Day 85
For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
Isa 50:7 (KJV)
Prayer Points For Today
Oil For Today – Day 85
1. Begin to worship the Lord for every help He has given you in times past.
2. Begin to cry out for God to help you have a blissful marriage.
3. Bind every demonic spirit that seeks to make you confounded and ashamed today.
4. Begin to declare that the help of God avails for you today.
5. Ask God to help your heart to be set totally on Him today.
6. Pray for your local assembly: Bind every spirit that seeks to bring shame and disgrace to her.
7. Begin to bind every spirit that stands in the way of your help today.
8. Pray that every man that God has assigned to help you today will remember you.
9. Go ahead and make your personal requests for the day known to the Lord
10. Begin to thank the Lord for answered prayers
Confession For Today
Oil For Today – Day 85
This day, I see the help of God. I am tremendously helped of God. I am a candidate of God’s help. I am not confused. I know what to do. I am not left in the dark. I have an unction of the Holy one. I bind the spirit of confusion. My face is set like a flint. I am determined. I do not dilly dally. I belong to the company of the unashamed. Shame is far from me in Jesus mighty name, Amen.
