1. Thou shall serve the Lord thy God in days of thy youth. It is good for a man to bear his yoke in the days of his youth. The glory of young people is in their strength. Thou shall know that you will get busier. Now is the time to serve the Lord thy God.
2. Thou shall be contented with thyself, for singleness is not curse, but a blessing. Thou shalt maximize the times of thy singleness by using it to learn more and prepare for marriage.
3. Thou shall not compromise through Jeru trap. If thou doest this, thou shall slow thyself down, because that is not the order of God. Thou shall know that in life, it is the help of God that matters. The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong.
4. Thou shall not marry an unbeliever or a person that does not fear God. God has a person for you. Thou shall be patient to know and learn God’s plan for your life for that will always be the best plan for you.
5. Thou shall know thyself, love thyself and judge thyself always. Thou shall take inventory of your life and make amends where necessary. Thou shall love thyself because if thou lovest not thyself, nobody will love you. Thou shall always judge thyself and be truthful with thyself so that thou will not be judged.
6. Thou shall not be involved with more than one person at a time. Thou shall know that such things worketh not out. Thou shall not deceive your intended spouse in any way, so that mistrust enterest not into thy relationship.
7. Thou shall not compromise or violate your conscience because of job opportunities or financial assistance. Thou shall put thy trust in God and not in man. Thou shall take heed not to lose thy soul because of riches that lasteth not.
8. Thou shall not fall in love with a stranger that thou knowest not. The world is full of wickedness. Thou shall not fall in love with a Facebook profile or some social media friend. Thou shall not fall in love with a faceless voice over the phone.
9. Thou shall not endure an abusive relationship. If thou art already being beaten and abused in thy relationship, suffer not thyself to stay there, for that is not the plan of the Lord thy God for you.
10. Thou shall not walk down the aisle blindly. Thou shall not fall in love hopelessly. Thou shall fall in love with thy common sense. Thou shall not get involved with a person that has no value for you nor for your God. Such alliances leadeth into regrets. Thou shall trust the Lord thy God for the best that He has for you. Thou shall not as a result of thy age or pressure settleth with just anybody. Thou shall patiently obtain the promise of God. God’s word faileth not.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will maximize the times of my singleness and obey the commandments.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask God to give you the wisdom you need at such times to obey the commandment for singles
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure. (Isaiah 33:6 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Decide to follow God’s principles
In today’s couples‘ devotionals, we will be looking at commandments for all wives on KHC. These “commandments” and principles will be the game changer in your marriage.
1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, thou shalt love Him and thou shall ensure your relationship with God is intact. Thou shall know that is it is not by power, nor by might but by His Spirit. Thou shall know that it is not about thy beauty, thy carriage, thy acumen, thy intelligence or connections, but by the Lord thy God which helpeth thee.
2. Thou shall not double date. If thou double date, thou shall not have God’s support and favor in thy marriage. Thou shall not play games with your life or destiny. Thou shall not slow thyself down by deliberate disobedience to God’s way of doing things.
3. Thou shall not love another man apart from thy husband. Thou shall not secretly fall in love with another man either in thy heart or reality. Thou shall not practice emotional affairs. Thou shall only love and defer to thy husband for that is where the Lord commandeth His blessings. Thou shall not do anything that will render thy prayers ineffective.
4. If thou art delayed in the area of childbirth, thou shall not because of that compromise or look for other ‘alternatives’ Thou shall know that God has a plan for thy life and that waiting and trusting for that plan is the best to do. Thou shall know and believe that the thoughts of God towards you are thoughts of peace and not of evil.
5. Thou shall not succumb to the pressures at work. In your environment or from those that thou callest friends, thou shall stand as a rock and refuse to be moved. In all that thou puttest thy hands to do, thou shall make up thine mind to do it God’s way.
6. Thou shall not disrespect thy husband. Thou shall defer to him in all things in the Lord, thou shall honour him, and treat him as your head and crown. Thou shall know that if thou disrespect him whom God has set as your head, thou will not be able to enter into the fullness of the blessing that God hath for you.
7. Thou shall not nag thy husband. This is the seventh commandment. Thou shall understand that thou can send thy husband away from thy home when you become contentious.
8. Thou shall not deny thy husband Jeru trip. Thou shall not pretend to have headache or fever when thy husband toucheth you. Thou shall know that thy husband will never be able to love you the way he should if you denieth him at most times. Thou shall not use Jeru trip as a punishment or reward!
9. Thou shall not offer thy body to another man. Thou shall know that that thy body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and God seeth it as sacred. Thou shall hold thy body in dignity and good self- esteem. Thou shall not offer your body in exchange for money. Thou shall not travel to see another man I the name of ‘business.
10. Thou shall learn to dress for your husband at home because he is moved by sight. Thou shall dress well for thy husband. Thou shall understand that a man is moved by sight.
I know there are still a lot more, so you may add other commandments that resonates with you with the comment form.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will be or aspire to be a good woman and wife. I obey God’s commandments
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask God to mould you into the picture of the woman He has for you
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Peter 3:1-4 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Decide on steps to take to be the woman that God really wants
How big is God? Let me share this story of a little boy’s interaction with his father. Let’s go!
A little boy once asked his father this question:
‘Daddy, how big is God?’
His father chuckled out loud and said, ‘God is very enormous.’
‘How big, I want to know.’
‘Well, how big is God…’ the father thought about it for a while.
Just then an airplane cruised in the sky, the father got an idea. ‘Come to the window, son.’ The boy scooted over to his father.
‘Look at the sky,’ he pointed to the clouds. ‘What’s that in the sky?’
‘It’s an aeroplane. It doesn’t look any big. It’s tiny.’
‘Sure it is.’ He stood up. ‘Have you ever seen an aeroplane on the ground?’
The boy shook his head.
‘Well, let’s go to the airport.’
At the airport, the boy couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the aeroplanes.
‘They are big! he exclaimed. ‘I never imagined they would be like this.’
‘Son, this is how God can be. From afar, He may look small but when you move closer to Him, He gets this big.’
God gets bigger and bigger the closer you get to Him. He doesn’t create the distance. In fact, He removed the distance when Jesus died on the cross.
You can only get to experience His bigness when you spend more and more time with Him and His Word.
Just like the aeroplane in the sky that looks tiny, God will look tiny to you when there’s no regular fellowship with Him. He looks just like a spot of white in the clouds, making you to squint and cover your eyes before you can look at Him.
But when you are near Him, you don’t have to squint or protect your eyes, rather, your eyes might want to pop out of their sockets as you marvel at how enormous He is. God is really big.
God can only be big in your life based on how much of your time you give to Him.
Prayer: Yahweh, You are bigger than anything, anyone and everything on this earth. I want to keep marveling at such a spectacle as You. Give me more revelation of how big You are as I walk with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Action plan: How big you want God to be to you? Answer the question yourself.
Lift up your voice and begin to appreciate God for green pastures.
Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1
Nation/Church
Intercede for nation and local assembly.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2
Pastors/Parents/Mentors
Intercede for your pastors, parents and mentors; for green pastures.
They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, Psalm 92:14
Finances
Green pastures spring up in my finances in the name of Jesus.
Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Joel 2:22
Family
(SINGLES) – Relationship and settling down.
(MARRIED) – Spouse and Children
The LORD called your name, Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit. With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, And its branches are broken. Jeremiah 11:16
Warfare
We bind every attack of the enemy against green pastures in our lives in the name of Jesus.
For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every herb of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. So there remained nothing green on the trees or on the plants of the field throughout all the land of Egypt. Exodus 10:15
Desire this Month
Mention your specific request for the month of June to God in prayers.
O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. Psalm 65:2
Psalm 91 Declaration
Recite the whole of Psalm 91 prayerfully and believe every word in your heart.
Psalm 91
Blood Declaration
Plead the blood of Jesus over your life.
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:27-28
We have been looking at how to handle anger as a child. Anger has been looked at from different angles and the ways to respond to it.
As a child you will have feelings of anger up to when you become an adult. Even in adulthood you will still get angry with people and situations. Anger is common to all persons. The earlier you start learning how to handle this emotion, the better for you. As you mature into adulthood you would have learnt a lot about handling any anger issues.
To handle anger, you need the help of God. He alone has the power to help you deal with any anger issues. He can guide and lead you towards handling it well.
Read and study the bible for verses that talk on anger and how to handle it. Also read up stories of bible characters who had anger issues and show they handled it, either good or bad. You could read again about the times when God got angry in the bible.
Pray too and a lot if you find yourself with any anger issue. Prayer is like a personal time with God. And during this personal time , you don’t hide nothing from Him. You tell Him everything you feel, especially about your anger. It is in moments like this that you receive the strength to handle anger.
One last thought about anger – anger is not bad, it’s only what it makes you do, think or say that is bad. And anger that is left to stay for long can turn to hate and bitterness. You therefore must learn to handle anger.
May the Lord deliver you from every form of anger, hate and bitterness. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, I ask for help for every form of anger I have; teach me how to handle it LORD. Let it not lead to hatred or bitterness. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Action point: Look deep inside your heart, look for any anger that has turned to hatred or bitterness and ask God for forgiveness. After asking for forgiveness, ask God to help you handle all your anger issues. Read and study your bible too.
When Solomon decides to write about ladies or women, you better listen. You will never be able to break his record. Seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines is a Guinness Book of Records feat.
Solomon had them all, the tall, the short, the neither tall nor short, the light complexioned, the dark complexioned, the in-between, the choleric, the sanguine, the phlegmatic, the melancholy and the ones without temperament, if there is anything like that! When Solomon sleeps with a woman, he tells her ‘see you in some two years time.’ The roster is a long one! I wondered how he fed them and how many children he had! Solomon’s harem was a whole city!
Even though he was the wisest man, at a time, he began to make mistakes and started marrying strange women. These strange women had some characteristics and he writes about them. Let’s see what he wrote.
1. God’s word has the capacity to keep you from the strange woman.
It will protect you from them. So, you must find a way out of your busy schedule to read God’s word daily.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words (Proverbs 7:1-5 KJV)
2. Her targets are men without understanding.
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house (Proverbs 7:6-8 KJV)
Message Translation calls them men without sense. When you see a man looking for Jericho traps with strangers, the scriptures refers to such a man as lacking understanding.
3. Her operations are usually at the night
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night (Proverbs 7:9 KJV)
Strange women don’t sleep in the night, that is when they work.
4. There is a dressing of the strange woman.
And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart (Proverbs 7:10 KJV)
You can know a strange woman by how she dresses. Her dressing is in no way decent. The Message Translation says she is deliberately dressed to seduce! Listen to me, young ladies, never dress to seduce. Lest you be caught with a strange spirit. The purpose of dressing is never to seduce!
5. She hardly stays at home, she is always moving around, from campuses to another from cities to another.
(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner (Proverbs 7:11-12 KJV)
The strange woman is everywhere, tempting seducing and stubbornly looking for preys.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am guided by God. I have wisdom.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray that God will keep you from falling into wrong hands
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Talk to Wisdom as to a sister. Treat Insight as your companion. They’ll be with you to fend off the Temptress–– that smooth–talking, honey–tongued Seductress (Proverbs 7:4-5 Message)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Check your life and make adjustments with the help of God’s Spirit
Good morning, married folk out there. God bless your marriage. God is committed until your marriage becomes all it has the potential to become.
Your marriage can work out beautifully well. You can enjoy and have that dream marriage you always desire. Don’t for once ever feel it can never happen.
If you believe it can never happen, gosh, you just announced it won’t happen. Don’t give up, but be willing and obedient to do and give your marriage all it takes to make it work.
You know married couples should begin to have this attitude of ‘my marriage is personal and I got to make it work’.
You know while growing up, my dad will always say this proverb, ‘ as you lay your bed, so you will lie on it’. Then, I would wonder, why is he worried about how I lay my bed?
I don’t care about how my bed is, once I hit the bed, I don’t have enough time to notice how it is, I just sleep.
Later, I realized it’s not just about my physical bed, but it’s about life generally. Talking about our physical bed, it’s very good to learn to make our beds well and train our kids to do so too.
Someone said, laying your bed before leaving the house every morning gives you a sense of achievement. It may look small, but somewhere in your sub-conscious you feel good, you have at least a good, well laid bed…lol
For us married, the bed is also very important.
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
My husband will jokingly say, the bed is the most important furniture to the couple. I want to agree with that.
The bed is the legalized furniture for love making. Of course not the only furniture, several others have joined in the quest for ‘orgasmic’ love making.
Now, talking about focusing on your marriage, you have to decide what you want your marriage to look like. No doubt there are a lot of factors that may want to stand against this but you have to stand your ground. Stand your ground to live a worthy legacy for your children and generation yet unborn.
Focus on your marriage to make it work at all cost and against all odds. Lay the bed on your marriage well, so you can enjoy all the beauty in your own marriage. Lean all the principles you need to learn, drop all bad habits you need to drop. Break all pride, cockiness, selfishness, deception and let your own marriage work.
If you are separated, decide what you want, walk with God and let him show you what next to do. Whichever way, God loves you and still wants the very best for you.
How to focus on your own marriage
1. Focus on yourself You are a vital part of that marriage. Discover yourself. Who are you? What are your desires, what makes you come alive, what makes you enjoy living? Love yourself. Be a happy you.
2. Focus on your spouse As a married person, the most important human being on earth is your spouse. Begin to treat him /her as such. Let nothing absolutely come in between that. Let the whole world know, your spouse is so important to you.
Some people treat their wives like ‘one kobo’ and expect her to treat them like ‘ a million dollar’, it ain’t gonna work that way.
Seize every opportunity to let everyone know this one human being is number one on your list.
3. Focus on God Now, it will be very foolish to want to focus on yourself and spouse and leave God out. It can not work. God is the center that holds the pieces all together. God is the vital force that crowns all our efforts with success.
4. Focus on your strength You have strengths. Whether it’s your beauty, your home making skills, your intellect, your being jovial, whatever it is, focus on it. It’s your selling point in your marriage. Don’t let go of your strong points.it is what will make your spouse keep coming back to you.
5. Focus on minimizing your weaknesses Don’t ever make the mistake of pretending your weaknesses don’t exit. Don’t ignore them. Your weaknesses have the potential of destroying the marriage you are building, so destroy your weaknesses before they ever destroy your marriage.
6. Focus on satisfying yourselves Why should you spend your energy, time, money on trying to please or satisfy another man’s wife? That’s called wastage.
Don’t go into an unprofitable venture. Ask yourself, if I satisfy her, how does it add to me or make my own marriage better?
Tend your own garden. When it’s harvest time, you won’t go and harvest on another man’s farm. It is not your own, so focus and build your own marriage.
Pro 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
God bless you and bless your marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage is blessed
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, teach me to embrace your love
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Isa 49:16 (GW) I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are always in my presence.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Focus on your marriage BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY Matthew 4; Luke 4 – 5
I will thank the LORD because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17
Nation/Church
We come against every form of barrenness in our church and nation.
Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.”‘ 2 Kings 2:21
Pastors/Parents/Mentors
Our pastors, parents and mentors are fruitful in the name of Jesus.
And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 2 Peter 1:18
Finances
We come against every form of barrenness in our finances in the name of Jesus.
You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. Deuteronomy 7:14
Family
(SINGLES) – Relationship and settling down.
(MARRIED) – Spouse and Children
No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:26
Warfare
We come against every form of barrenness in the name of Jesus.
I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you. Galatians 4:20
Desire this Month
Mention your specific request for the month of June to God in prayers.
No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:26
Psalm 91 Declaration
Recite the whole of Psalm 91 prayerfully and believe every word in your heart.
Psalm 91
Blood Declaration
I plead the blood of Jesus over me and mine in the name of Jesus.
Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, Ephesians 1:17
Healing
I receive total and complete healing in the name of Jesus.
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38
Favour/Mercy Today
Favour will speak for me today in the name of Jesus.
But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:21
We will be looking at communication during love making. By communication, I mean both verbal and non-verbal communication. During love making, should there be talking? Or it should be as silent as a graveyard?
Another question is, should the room or any where you choose be dark, poorly lighted or fully lighted? That another question we will be looking at today.
All these questions are what you may be asking or is on your mind and we will together throw more light on them.
Well, your comments will be highly appreciated and welcome. Let’s know what happens in the ‘other room’. This can help another couple out there.
In my opinion what happens in ‘the other room’ is as the couples want it. However, being rigid to a particular mould is what may not be too good for the marriage. In my own marriage, we do more of non verbal communication to verbal.
Because our foreplay is usually very long (I strongly recommend this for couples except for quickies). We delight ourselves in each other during foreplay, where we get to explore our bodies. This time, we are free to talk, play and tease ourselves. But during intercourse, we don’t talk much, but a lot of moans! And then we also talk after.
My husband feels (and I agree with him because it works for us,) that talking breaks his flow and concentration. We like to savour every moment. It helps us enjoy each other more. That may be entirely different with you! Talking may just be your trigger!
Some people believe all kinds of dirty talks are allowed and that it is those dirty talks that make them reach orgasm. Let’s have your view.
For the second question, do you like it pitch dark, partially or fully lighted?
I remember when we were newly married, I used to like it when the lights are off. That was when I was shy. But I am no longer particular after I have been married for twenty-two years.
My husband has always liked it when the light are on. And his explanation was simple, “Don’t you know that men are moved by sight?”
As I said earlier, variety is the spice of marriage. We have the lights on now and sometimes, partially lighted.
Let’s hear your opinion. What is going on in your own marriage?
I am waiting for your responses.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage is blessed.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to love my spouse unconditionally
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Prov 5:19 (ESV) As a loving hind and a pleasant doe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Discuss with your spouse based on the topic of today
There is something the sea will see and it will flee. Even Jordan will not be left out, as it will be driven back, despite its fierceness. The mountain in all its grandeur, its intimidating size and gargantuan posture will be humbled, and disgraced as it will skip like rams! The little hills will skip like lambs, and we all know that lambs are so harmless.
3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. 5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters (Psalms 114:3-8 KJV)
The issues you have as a single or married, may be tumultuous like the sea, it may roar its waves and even boast of so many that it has drowned, but there is something the problems of your life will see and it will flee and run away as in terror.
The sea which has its waves and billows against your face, that which has stood proudly like the red sea before you will flee! Yes there is something it just needs to see!
Jordan will see something and be driven back! It is said that Jordan runs north and south, and nearly in the middle of Israel’s entire length. Are there issues and problems that seem to run through your entire lineage and family? Are there issues that seem to be the trend in your family and you can already see such tendencies in your own life? Listen to me this morning; fear not, because Jordan, despite its entire 251 kilometers in length will be driven back in your life!
Are there things that look like mountains in your life? Massive issues that looks like everlasting problems and keeping you from having marital fulfillment? Hindrances and obstructions in your way that seems to say that marriage is impossible? Well, there is something every mountain will see, and the seemingly gigantic hindrances will skip without a skipping rope!
What about little hills? Skirmishes here and there? Academic issues, emotional issues, financial issues, health issues and many more, they are all little hills that seem to hold you back, but they will see something and they will become as powerless like lambs!
But what will the sea and Jordan see? What will the mountains see? What will the little hills see?
Well, it is the PRESENCE OF GOD!
The presence of God, when you cultivate it regularly will drive every problem away from your life and give you a resounding victory. The light will shine and darkness will not be able to withstand it
Now the very pertinent question is “How do you cultivate God’s presence?” Here are some clues
1. Read God’s word everyday! Don’t miss it. Use the devotional here. 2. Pray in the Spirit daily. 3. Make sure all hurts and bitterness are dealt with. Forgive all. 4. Have an attitude of Thanksgiving and Worship. Learn to worship God daily. 5. Stay away from sin. Cut off from negative associations. 6. Serve in God’s house. Commit your time and resources.
The list is not exhaustive but they are some things you can do. Go for the presence of God and you will be glad you do so!
May God grant you more understanding!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY By praise, I am relocating into my destiny!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, give me a heart that praises you genuinely
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Judah became holy land for him, Israel the place of holy rule. (Psalms 114:2 Message)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Find some time to praise God
‘I choose to forgive you for the bad words you have said to me.’ These were the words Tatiana said to Mercy before she turned away and started walking home.
Earlier that day, Mercy and her gang of bullies had done all they could to get Tatiana to lose her cool and start a fight. From spreading gossip about John and her kissing under the stairs during recess, to purposely pouring water on her. Can she forgive?
Tatiana didn’t lose her temper because she knew what they were trying to do. And she had made a vow to God that she wouldn’t answer back at Mercy. Her vow to Him was more important than anything the bully gang did or said. What mattered most was her vow to and relationship with God. And that was one of the reasons she found strength to forgive.
So instead of speaking or fighting back, choose to render forgiveness. You could say “I forgive you”, to the person’s face or in your heart. Not because you are afraid of them, but because that is what God wants you to do.
Remember the part in our Lord’s Prayer that talks about forgiving those who trespass against us? (“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” – Matthew 6:12). That is exactly what how God wants you to live. That is exactly what God desires you do when your friends annoy you – ignore them and forgive.
I pray that God will give you the power to choose to forgive. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer: Father, help me to choose forgiveness over retaliation. And as I render forgive, may I receive forgiveness too, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action Plan: Practice forgiveness all the time. Practice to just let go.
The Presence of God was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 6th of June 2021 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
To Listen to the audio of this message, kindly go HERE or HERE
In his teaching, Rev. Dunamis made mention of the following important points:
Everybody has a presence, but you cannot get anywhere without God’s presence.
God’s presence is all of him and not part of him. He doesn’t give a part of Himself. He gives us the whole of Himself.
The presence of God gives you all the victory you need. His presence is powerful.
God speaks to you every time once you have his presence because He is with you all the time.
You don’t go after a man that God is with
Zechariah 4:6-7, Acts 5:15
6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”
Zechariah 4:6-7, NKJV
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Acts 5:15, KJV
Your advancement in life is not by power or by might, but by God’s spirit.
If God’s grace is absent from your life disgrace is imminent.
The presence of God is not just here to protect you but help you in all your endeavors.
The greatest legacy to leave for your children is God’s presence.
Don’t play games with God. You have to judge yourself so that you won’t be judged.
The Presence of God was taught by Pastor Ogbonnaya Akpoke on the 6th of June 2021 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
To Listen to the audio of this message, kindly go HERE or HERE
He made mention of the following important points in his teaching on the presence of God
Exodus 33:16
The lack of the presence of God can cost you your life.
The evidence that God is with you is when you carry His presence. The true measure that God is with you is the amount of His presence we carry.
God is omnipresent – He is everywhere and so we must fear Him because He sees and knows everything.
Don’t think you can sin (fornicate, steal, lie etc) in dark places because sin thrives in secrecy, but you must understand that God is there.
The Glory of God is the presence of God. There is a difference between God being everywhere and God’s manifested presence.
The Benefits of God’s Presence
1. Death – Genesis 5:24
Our flesh and desires are taken away. It is important that we die to self.
We must die to the world, to sin, to bitterness e.t.c.
2. Graces are revealed – Genesis 6:9
The grace you need to excel is released upon you when you walk with God.
3. Things happen – Psalm 114:1-6
The challenges in your life respond to the presence that you carry.
There are things that will happen in your life that only the presence of God can fix.
Until you present God’s presence to that situation, it won’t give way.
Hindrances To The Presence
1. Sin
Sin and the glory of God cannot co-habit. It is either you are running from the glory of God, or you are running away from sin.
If you want to carry God’s presence, you must deal with sin.
If you are living in habitual sin, God’s presence cannot dwell there, but once you run back to Go, the presence melts that sin.
Your heart, motives, and disposition to that sin will determine whether or not God’s presence will stay or not.
With sin, you cannot harness God’s presence.
2. Guilt
The devil holds you down with past sins, but God forgives and forgets.
Repent genuinely and come out of the sin. God doesn’t condemn you but he doesn’t condone sin either.
The only way to cultivate God’s presence is through fellowship with Him. Enjoy his presence
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. Psalm 9:1
Nation/Church
Intercede for your church and nation.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:2
Pastors/Parents/Mentors
Father, perform wonders in the life of my parents, pastors and mentors.
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. Psalm 71:18
Finances
God’s grace is released over my finances in the name of Jesus.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:10
Family
(SINGLES) – Relationship and settling down.
(MARRIED) – Spouse and Children
No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:26
Warfare
We bring all the operations of the evil one to null and void in the name of Jesus.
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Psalm 126:1
Desire this Month
Mention your specific request for the month of June to God in prayers.
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it. Amos 9:13
Psalm 91 Declaration
Recite the whole of Psalm 91 prayerfully and believe every word in your heart.
Psalm 91
Blood Declaration
By the blood of Jesus, wonders are performed in my life in the name of Jesus.
Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13
I am fruitful, I walk worthy of the Lord in the name of Jesus.
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10
Healing
I receive my healing in the name of Jesus.
O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. Psalm 30:2
Favour/Mercy Today
Mercy and favour speaks for me today in the name of Jesus.
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Passion for Souls was taught by Rev. Dunamis Okunowo on the 6th of June 2021 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
To Listen to the audio of this message, kindly go HERE or HERE
In his teaching, Rev made mention of the following salient and important points
When you take pleasure in Kingdom business, God will favor you.
This becomes a form of partnership between you and God when you win souls.
When you partner with God to win souls, God will partner with you in everything you do.
2. Soul-winning triggers Supernatural Growth
The seed of the word has to be planted in the heart of unbelievers.
This will lead to growth in the body of Christ.
3. Soul-winning enthrones believers
You will see testimonies that you can trace back to soul-winning in your life.
4. Soul winning brings about Supernatural Healing
You can’t be fruitful in the Spirit and not be fruitful physically.
God will not allow a person who is actively involved in soul-winning to fall ill unnecessarily
Passion for Souls was taught by Pastor John Oluwawalemi on the 6th of June 2021 at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
To Listen to the audio of this message, kindly go HERE or HERE
In his short message on Passion for souls, he made the following points
John 15:8 – God wants us to be fruitful. One of the areas we are fruitful as believers is in the area of soul-winning
Being fruitful brings pleasure to God
John 15:16 – God wants us to bear fruits and wants our fruit to remain. This means God wants the souls we win to be established and remain in him.
There are blessings and rewards that come with being a soul winnder
Reasons For Soul Winning – Why Should We Be Soul Winners?
1. Soul wining is the heartbeat of God
A person cannot be passionate for God without being passionate about what God is passionate about – Souls
John 3:16
What is that thing that you can give up to ensure souls are saved?
2. It is the great commission – Matthew 28:18-20, 20:16
God does not want anyone to go to hell, so God is sending us as believers to the ends of the earth.
God has given us a mandate, an instruction to win souls.
The great commission is an instruction and not a suggestion
Wherever you are be a soul winner, be an heaven influencer.
3. God has called and created us for the good work of winning souls – Ephesians 2:10
You were saved so others can be saved
Once we are saved, we don’t get raptured immediately because God want’s us to get engaged in the work of winning souls and reconciling people back to him.
4. It gives joy and energizes the believer – Luke 10:1-3, 17
There is a joy that comes with soul-winning
There is a joy that comes when we fulfill purpose
soul-winning is the purpose of the believer
5. It earns you the right to kingdom promotion – Luke 19:17
There are certain things that God will not allow to happen to soul winners
One of this is that a soul winner cannot die untimely
