SINGLES – How To Be Sure Of Your Choice In Marriage
Being directed or led by God is the most important issue before marriage; when you are not led, it only leads to misery, pains, sorrow, and regrets.
My prayer is that you will not experience these. If your answer to that prayer is amen, now is the time to be sure that the person you are in love with is God’s choice for you.
Just because you are in love with someone does not give you enough basis to enter into a lifetime covenant with the person. It’s very easy to fall in love, all it takes is that person having all the qualities you admire, being physically attractive, spending time together, giving him/her a special place in your heart, thinking about him/her a lot and you’re already in love.
You’ll agree with me that it’s possible to fall in love with more than one person but only one person is qualified to be your wife/husband.
Once you have identified your spouse, you are no longer permitted to desire others, but to only admire them.
GOD then used the rib that he had taken from the Man to make Woman and presented her to the Man. The Man said, “Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man.” Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh. –Genesis 2:22-24 (MSG)
The above scripture shows that God himself was very much involved in bringing the man and the woman together.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. –Romans 8:14 (KJV)
The question is, do you have God’s spirit? Are you born again? If yes, how are you working on your relationship with God? How consistently do you study God’s word?
What service do you render in a local assembly? How well you answer these questions will determine how well your spirit is developed to receive directions from God, not only in matters of your relationships but in all areas.
You must also make sure that the three aspects of you agree with the choice of your life partner.
Man is essentially a spirit; you have a soul and live in a body. Do these three (spirit, soul, and body) agree in perfect harmony.
Is there peace? Is he/she intelligent and emotionally mature?
Are you friends? Someone said friendship in marriage is about one soul living in two bodies.
Physically, does he/she meet your standard of beauty? Are you attractive to each other?
Go to any length to find adequate answers to these questions. Ask him/her a lot of questions. Find out where he/she is going. Can you fit in?
Is the guy a good leader? How well has he led himself? Can he lead you well?
Becoming sure is all about erasing every doubt or question in your heart about the person, the relationship, and the future. No one can be sure for you. Until you’re totally sure and convinced, don’t say YES!
Don’t tie the nuptial knots until all the knotty issues are resolved. I pray that God will send help your way in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I have direction from God. In my relationship decisions, I am being led by the Spirit of God. I am not confused in Jesus Name. I will not fall in love with the wrong person. The Spirit of God will help me to be sure.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY I destroy every spirit of distraction and deception in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t you? Psalms 25:5 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Think deeply about your relationships and take an inventory
The word ‘blossom’ creates a picture of a fruit tree having flowers. It depicts a season when the plant has grown, increased, and now bears flowers, showing it will soon bear fruit.
A lady is always associated with ‘blossom’, ‘flower’, ‘fruitful’, which depicts their ability to procreate and of course, the beauty they possess.
‘Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house and your children like olive plants round about your table’. –Psalms 128:3
The scripture today is about a wife becoming a fruitful vine. The vine is an interesting plant. It is a twining; coiling tender plant that produces grapes used for wine.
It is interesting to know that a tender plant that needs support eventually produces the all-important grapes used for wine. You do not want to joke with wine. It is served at parties, offered to dignitaries, it is medicinal, it shows prosperity, it makes merry and it is always found during joyous occasions.
As a man, the lady you are married to has great potentials but you as the vinedresser or gardener have the responsibility of bringing out the best in her.
Now read this carefully. You will never find a perfect woman or wife. God will always give you a raw material, and you as her head and crown can develop her into what God wants for her by the instrumentality of God’s word, your love for her, a lot of patience, and a lot of prayers.
Am I shifting the ladies’ responsibility of productivity to the guys?
No. I am only saying that there is an environment you can create for your wife that will cause her to blossom, be more fruitful and maximize her potential.
Remember whatever she becomes, she will still be ‘by the sides of thine house’. That side does not mean ‘hidden’ or in a corner, it means right at the door. She occupies a conspicuous part of your life.
Married men, know that your wives are your precious asset. Accept her, love her and be determined to help her blossom.
Yes, she might be like a wild, unfruitful olive vine, but ask God to help you. God anointed you as a husband to make your wife blossom. You can do it by God’s grace if you trust and seek his help.
Dear wives, please submit to the leadership role of your husband. God anointed him for you so you can blossom. Until you are submitted to him, you will not be all you can be, your full capacity. Your submission to him is a lot of wisdom because that is when you can truly blossom.
I know some of you might be hurt and bitter over issues in the past, and you are rightly justified to feel so, but remaining in that state will worsen things and slow you down.
Don’t close up your spirits on your husband, forgive again and again and ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Don’t give up; rather, keep on trusting God for the best.
Don’t try to retaliate by opening yourself up to affairs. That will usher in more demons to afflict your home.
Always remember this, the wisdom you need to resolve the present issue lies with God.
I pray for your home this day that God will surround you with His love, you will blossom in Jesus name. You will burst forth with the full manifestation of your gifting in Jesus name.
Men, receive grace and wisdom to be the best that God has called you to be over your wife and your home!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am like a fruitful vine beside my husband’s house.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Father, I receive help to be all you desire me to be.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Thy wife shall be like a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house’ Psalms 128:3
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Be deliberate about your marriage.
The word obedience according to the dictionary means compliance to a command, prohibition or known law and rule of duty prescribed; the performance of what is required or enjoined by authority or the abstaining from what is prohibited, in compliance with the command or prohibition.
Taking a closer look at the life of Father Abraham, you will discover that it was obedience that made him great.
Genesis 12:1,4 (KJV) Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
I will be sharing with us few reasons we should take obedience seriously.
1. Obedience proofs your love for God and to God. If you truly love God, you will obey Him.
2.Obedience is part of our worship. If we profess to love and serve God, then one of the ways we show it is our obedience.
3.Obedience is a test of our faith in God. This is true because faith in God means believing in his instructions and if we claim to have faith them we must obey.
4.Obedience is also a test of character, the ability to follow simple instruction is evidence of good character
5.Obedience helps us as God’s children to shine forth our light in this world
Obeying God is a vital part of our lives as believers, nothing can be compared to a life of obedience. I pray that you receive grace to be obedient all the time in Jesus name. Amen.
PRAYER: Father in the name of Jesus, I receive grace to be obedient at all times in Jesus name
ACTION PLAN: Obey every instruction given to you today
Thank God I am not God! If I were God, probably a lot of folks would have met me up there – “Today, thou shall meet me in Paradise!” And really, thank God you are not God too! Oh my, my…It would have been serious. God is just, truthful, and full of righteousness. His thoughts are different from ours.
If I were God, sincerely, some of the portions of the Bible would not be there. I will not include the adulterous fling and murder committed by our beloved King David; neither will I include the visits to prostitutes of our Macho Man, Samson.
But God in His unfathomable wisdom knew it is the truth that will set us free. A lot of people would not have been set free from suicidal guilt over what they have done, but upon learning that God gave David and Samson a second chance, they realized that there was still hope for them.
But what was the genesis of their problems? You wouldn’t believe one of the things I found out here!
Their eyes! This becomes more interesting when you put in mind that men are moved by sight, one of The Doorway To Your Thoughts. Check out the following scriptures:
And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he SAW a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. –2Samuel 11:2 (KJV)
What of Samson?
And Samson went down to Timnath, and SAW a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. –Judges 14:1 (KJV)
Then went Samson to Gaza, and SAW there a harlot, and went in unto her. –Judges 16:1 (KJV)
What really made Amnon rape her sister, Tamar?
So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in HIS SIGHT
…he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. –2Samuel 13:8,14 (KJV)
From all these, there are two things.
1. Men, watch what you see
2. Ladies, watch what is seen.
How are the guys supposed to achieve this? Never look again? Well, you are permitted to admire, but not desire. There is a difference between a first glance and then a serious look!
There is a difference between looking and getting obsessed with what you see in your thoughts.
No wonder Job said:
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? –Job 31:1 (KJV)
Another translation says:
I promised myself never to stare with desire at a young woman. –Job 31:1 (CEV)
So what are we supposed to do with our eyes?
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. –Proverbs 4:20-21 (KJV)
No wonder Jesus Christ said:
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. –Matthew 6:22 (KJV)
Pornography begins with what you see one day. The seed of fornication is planted when you see what stirs lust.
The sin of masturbation is achieved with what you have seen and stored up in your mind.
I guess this is why God said the book of the Law shall not depart from your eyes. When you keep looking at God’s word, you will not be seeing wrong things! The Doorway To Your Thoughts
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My eyes are riveted on God’s word. I love God’s word. I am not obsessed with lust as a result of what I see. I have the mind of Christ. My utmost desire will be towards my husband/wife and not towards any other.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I destroy every spirit of lust in my life in Jesus Name, I receive help from the Holy Spirit to understand His Word.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY I promised myself never to stare with desire at a young woman. (Job 31:1 CEV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Decide never to stare at seductively dressed ladies. Decide not to see films and movies that have nude scenes.
Yesterday, I established that the enemy often seeks to use the weapon of hurt to worth his threefold agenda in marriages. This is to steal, kill and destroy. No marriage is immured to the strategies and attacks of the enemy.
He will often steal from our marriages, kill and snuff out life from our marriage and totally destroy all that our marriage stands for.
It is a blessing blocker. When you are hurt, your heart cannot receive from God, get rid of hurts, and make sure your heart is guarded against any form of hurt that may arise.
If you don’t learn to handle your hurts the right way, it will lead to bitterness, which can lead to rage which can lead to all sorts of vices like murder. There is a right way and a wrong way of handling hurts. Make sure you are not a victim of the deadly poison of hurt.
Some wrong and unhealthy ways to handle it include:
1. Vengeance or Retaliation
This is when you allow the hurt to get at you so much that you act back based on the hurt. Retaliation could come in various ways, wanting to hurt your spouse back, or inflict pain.
2. Closing your heart
We have a tendency to block our hearts as a way of protecting our hearts from further hurts.
3. Rehearsing or replaying the hurt
We may also be in the rot of replaying the words or events that hurt us.
I know there are different levels and degrees of hurt. But whichever, we have a responsibility of guarding our hearts and we have a choice not to be hurt.
The best way to guard our hearts against hurts is by taking communion. Try it, it works so well. Take communion and plead the blood of Jesus over your heart.
Also, take authority over the hurt, and exercise authority over words that cause hurt.
Guard your heart against the effect of hurt using these two scriptures
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and overall the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. –Luke 10:19 (KJV)
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. –Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)
Anytime there is a quarrel between couples and there is an exchange of harsh words, you will do well to guard your heart against this hurt.
Even after you have made up and started talking, if not properly dealt with, you could still be nursing the hurt. Get rid of the hurt and don’t allow any root of bitterness to defile you.
Let your heart be void of offense, bitterness, or hurt; against your spouse, siblings, parents, God, life, etc.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY: I declare concerning my life and marriage, I have victory, the enemy has lost the battle over my life and mind. I refuse to stay in hurt and unforgiveness, Jesus is glorified.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Father in the name of Jesus every fiery dart of the evil one is destroyed in my life and marriage in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. -Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY: Forgive and let go of every hurt today
Hello dear, yesterday we began a topic on companions (your friends), a continuation of lessons from the famous King Solomon.
I was able to identify for you the kind of people the king called bad companions. I told you they are people who try to get you involved in things that will not please God and your parents.
You also have to be careful not to be that kind of friend to your friends; don’t be a bad companion to those around you.
I also told you that, these bad companions are not necessarily your age mates, they could be people older than you, so you have to be careful not to listen to people because they are older, first of all, be sure that whatsoever they are asking you to do is not against the will of God and that of your parents.
Let’s continue with our bible verse of yesterday.
Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don’t go along with them. If they say — “Let’s go out and raise some hell. Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman. Let’s pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals. We’ll load up on top-quality loot. We’ll haul it home by the truckload. Join us for the time of your life! With us, it’s share and share alike!” — Oh, friend, don’t give them a second look; don’t listen to them for a minute. They’re racing to a very bad end, hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on. Nobody robs a bank with everyone watching, yet that’s what these people are doing — they’re doing themselves in. When you grab all you can get, that’s what happens: the more you get, the less you are. –Proverbs 1:10-20 (MSG)
King Solomon was helpful; he already told us the behaviour of these people, let’s analyze this verse to see them ourselves.
1. Let’s go out and raise some hell.
Anyone who tells you to make trouble or do things that disturb other people is a bad companion.
2. Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman.
Be careful of people who bring up ideas to disrespect or treat elderly people badly, run away from such people.
3. Let’s pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals.
Don’t listen to whoever asks you to take what doesn’t belong to you and hurt other people. Causing pain isn’t the will of God, and your parents will not be proud to find out you were involved in such either.
4. Join us for the time of your life!
Do not listen to anyone who promises you fun outside of God’s word; it’s all a lie of the devil. Whatever fun that your parents aren’t aware of is going to get you in trouble. Be sure to always tell mum, and Dad the truth of where ever you go.
Finally, King Solomon tells us the end of such people, it’s all trouble and regrets. Choose your companions wisely, and let Mum, and Dad know your friend and what you do together.
PRAYER: Father in the name of Jesus, I pray for wisdom to recognize bad companions in Jesus name. Amen.
ACTION PLAN: Decide to let go of every bad companion today
DECLARATION: I am a child of God, I will not be a bad companion to those around me. I keep good friends in Jesus name.
Masturbation is simply defined as “Manual stimulation of the genital organs (of yourself or another) for sexual pleasure.”
Singles and married people alike often believe that there is nothing wrong with masturbation. When I was growing up, I read a book that says, “95 percent of boys masturbate and the remaining 5 percent lied.” Invariably, that is like saying that everybody masturbates. Today, not just boys, but men, girls, and women masturbate.
Now, some Christians even do so, and with a lot of excuses why they should. Some offer excuses that since God says ‘Don’t fornicate’ and we really are obeying God, masturbation must be God’s way of relieving the pressure build-up. Could that be true?
Some pastors are as confused about the subject as their members on the issue, and some also pointedly say there is nothing wrong with it. This has sent a confusing signal to the body of Christ, thereby making an average believer who might have been struggling with masturbation to have enough reason to continue. Now, the major issue is that masturbation is progressive and what satisfied you the last time will not the next time!
Today, The Truth About Manual Stimulation is that it has gone to another level from hand stimulation to the use of sex toys that were produced for that specific purpose. A lot of folks are addicted to masturbation; they go to bed with dildos, vibrators, and the like.
There are human dolls built to respond like humans, there are several masturbators, and these things are a mockery of the dignity of the Homo sapiens! So, an average believer who has been told nothing is wrong dabbles into it, and before he knows it, he is hooked on pornography and other perversions, and that is the problem!
He will not be satisfied after a while, and this is also why a lot of people found themselves in sickening habits like bestiality, bondage sex, and so on! When you give the devil an inch, he will take a mile!
But is it true the New Testament never addressed the issue of masturbation because God wanted us to masturbate? I don’t think so. As far as I am concerned, that is like saying, “the Bible didn’t say we should not cook our rice with rat poison because he wanted us to commit suicide!
Now I am going to give you just one scripture. Let’s bear in mind that for one to masturbate:
There must be a thought process, a mental image of a man or woman or sex scene or sex pictures, which one focuses on, and then together with the manual stimulation, that brings one to orgasm.
This then means that for one to masturbate; there has to be a mental undressing of the object/person in question and a mental sexual experience!
Now here is what Jesus said:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. –Matthew 5:28 (KJV)
This knocks off masturbation completely. The process that leads to masturbation is what Jesus Christ equated with adultery in the heart!
The message is clear! If you find yourself in this act, sincerely, God does not condemn you! He would not condone it either! In order for you to enjoy God’s fullness of blessings, He expects you to stay away from sin, so why don’t you call upon Him now to help you? He is there waiting to respond to you!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I will not desecrate my body with masturbation. I will preserve my virtue and sexual purity. I put my body under. I lose myself from every shackle of the evil one, my mind is covered with the blood of Jesus.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY I break myself free from all mental oppressions of the devil.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer. So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. –James 1:13-16 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Destroy and throw away all the sex toys, pornographic materials, sexual films, and all other things that act as masturbation trigger
I have often heard that those we love hurt us deeper than anyone else, especially our spouse. I had felt it can’t be that bad.
This world is full of hurtful people. I think the hurt is deeper when in marriage you hurt yourselves and keep on hunting yourselves unless you make up your mind not to hurt.
Hurt is a decision it is not based on your feeling. You have to make a conscious effort and decision against hurt.
Some people have been hurt for most years of their life.
That is what the devil wants. He is busy having a nice time stealing joy, peace, life, compassion, unity, and love from families.
The point is, people, your spouse, and those you hold dear to you will not stop hurting you but you have to make up your mind you won’t allow the hurt to get at you.
Hurtful words are spoken like the cutting of the sword especially if your spouse is choleric. You cannot prevent people from misunderstanding you, people judging you falsely, lying about you, etc.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. –Proverbs 12:18 KJV
From this scripture, you can pray for your spouse, pray that their tongues become the tongue of the wise that brings healing.
Hurt is like drinking poison and hoping your neighbour dies.
That’s not going to happen. Hurts make you bitter. You can be bitter all your life if care is not taken. You will just see that sixty years of your life are gone without achieving much because of hurt and bitterness.
Let’s receive grace from the Lord. Jesus was hated, misunderstood, lied against, misjudged, and criticized, yet none of this affected him.
He choose to be immune to hurt. He kept His vision before His eyes. He choose between being powerful or being pitiful. He couldn’t possibly have died for humanity if He hated humanity. If he didn’t forgive on time He couldn’t go to the cross.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and overall the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. –Luke 10:19 (KJV)
Jesus knew we will be faced with hurt and he made provision for it. We have to walk in our authority over hurts.
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. –Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)
You have to take charge of your emotions. Not even your feelings should be strong enough to stop you from fulfilling your purpose. You are only answerable to one; the one who died on the cross for you.
When you come face to face with Him on judgment day, you will have no excuse to offer. Jesus passed through the same and was victorious. He overcame and gave you the victory.
He gave the blood of Jesus, the Word, the shield of faith, communion, etc.
You have to take the shield of faith which is the Word of God. Anytime words are spoken to you that are hurtful, lies, remind yourself and confess out loud and use it against the wile of the enemy.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. -Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
Remember, to protect yourself against hurt and every negative emotion. Protect yourself God’s way. There are negative ways of dealing with hurts. I will talk about that later.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY: I declare concerning my life and marriage, I have victory, the enemy has lost the battle over my life and mind. I refuse to stay in hurt and unforgiveness, Jesus is glorified.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Father in the name of Jesus every fiery dart of the evil one is destroyed in my life and marriage in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. -Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY: Forgive and let go of every hurt today
Hello dear child, who are your friends? Today we’ll be continuing our lesson from King Solomon from the book of Proverbs.
Today I want to talk to you about keeping bad company, it’s important that as God’s children we should be around the right people, King Solomon didn’t leave this out when he was instructing us.
See what he says here;
Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don’t go along with them. If they say — “Let’s go out and raise some hell. Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman. Let’s pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals. We’ll load up on top-quality loot. We’ll haul it home by the truckload. Join us for the time of your life! With us, it’s share and share alike!” — Oh, friend, don’t give them a second look; don’t listen to them for a minute. They’re racing to a very bad end, hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on. Nobody robs a bank with everyone watching, yet that’s what these people are doing — they’re doing themselves in. When you grab all you can get, that’s what happens: the more you get, the less you are. –Proverbs 1:10-20 (MSG)
Wow, he took his time to speak about this in ten verses! Let’s pick them one by one!
If bad friends tempt you, do not go with them. Do you know who bad friends are?
They are the ones that tell you to do things God will not be happy about; friends that make you disobey your parents and elders. Those are bad friends king Solomon is talking about.
They are everywhere and you have to beware of them, you’ll find them in your neighborhood, in school, and even in church. These people can be old or young as you, it doesn’t matter the age.
That’s why King Solomon summed these persons up as companions, as long as they are around you, they are companions and you have to stay clear of them.
It’s very easy to recognize them; anyone that gives you ideas outside the will of God is a bad companion.
To be continued…
PRAYER: Father in the name of Jesus, I pray for wisdom to recognize bad companions in Jesus name. Amen.
ACTION PLAN: Decide to let go of every bad companion today
DECLARATION: I am a child of God, I will not be a bad companion to those around me. I keep good friends in Jesus name.
SINGLES- How Do I Know If Someone Really Loves Me?
How to know if he/she really loves.
All Amnon wanted was to satisfy that rush of adrenalin. He went so far, as to think he was in love, but once his lust was pacified, love vanished into thin air.
Love is willing to wait, lust demands immediate satisfaction. Never forget that. True love will not insist that you compromise your virtue. True love will protect. True love will honour. True love will respect.
So what more is true love?
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Amnon feigned sickness and deceived his father!
True love will not pretend, deceive or trap you. He was never interested in the food. Amnon refused to consider the consequences.
True love is not stupid. True love stands to reason in respect to God’s standard Amnon’s love for Tamar was not natural. It was incest.
True love will not enter into perversion to prove itself; Amnon forced Tamar and raped her, despite that Tamar called him ‘brother’
True love will protect, it will not violate your sanctity. Amnon hated Tamar afterward.
True love is not fickle, instant, or temporal, it is enduring and lasting. True love does not go back and forth. It is stable. Even when tried, it still stands strong.
I pray for you today, that God will guide you, lead and help you to differentiate between true love and lust. You will not miss it in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY God loves me. I will comprehend what true love is and operate in its boundaries. I am not confused. I have a sound mind. I receive God’s kind of love
PRAYER FOR THE DAY I break off from all emotional bondage. Spirit of God, lead me and guide me in my relationship, I resist every spirit of confusion and manipulations.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. –Proverbs 15:17 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Adjust your attitudes and start relating with the one who truely loves
We used to hear this phrase a lot long time ago, but nowadays, we hardly hear such a thing. The world has gone digital, fast and every body seems busy.
Knowledge has made people to replace old values with modern ones. The question is does modernization makes our conclusions about marriage right?
The modern day view of marriage is contractual while the good old days view marriage in Gods eyes as a covenant.
Contractual view says, you do this, then I do that’. While covenant says, I will do this for you because I am committed to you. It doesn’t really matter what you do or don’t do’.
Marriage as a contract is always based on negotiations, convenience, and protection of self. Each spouse maintain their lanes and do what is expected. Otherwise, the marriage contact does not work and they go their separate ways which means separation or divorce.
In this case, marriage is not for a common goal. There is no fulfilling purpose or destiny together on view. There is no sense of purpose or God bringing the couples together to fulfill a mandate or an assignment.
All that is involved is ‘I am attracted to you, and you to me. We have a love connection between us and we are good to go’.
Marriage is for better, for worse. This is a little scary which brings with it a sense of awe. Two hearts and should beating as one is a mystery. That mystery can only be unraveled by the help of divinity.
Here, there is a sense of a divine assignment. Marriage is not just lived on their terms but on the terms of God, who is the covenant witness and judge in the marriage union.
Each couples live their lives following a particular road map created by the creator. That means there is a supervisory role performed by God.
The husband cannot just do whatever he likes to do, neither can the wife do whatever she likes or wishes in the marriage.
There are guiding principles, guiding both husband and wife. There is a race set before each one to run, and each one runs with passion looking to God for grace to accomplish his/her race.
Here the wife is protected as well or as much as the husband is protected too. Both husband and wife have a common father who protects their interest.
It is not based on human standards that the rights of the husband is protected above the wife. Where the woman is subjected to servitude.
Or in some cultures, where the wife is overly protected above the husband.
Marriage is indeed till death so us part.
May God grant us grace to do His will.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR TODAY My marriage is blessed.
PRAYER FOR TODAY Lord, help me to live marriage as you ordained.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Go through your marriage vows again.
Do you know you can be directed by His Word? Now, imagine traveling to an unknown destination and you don’t have a map or guide. Imagine getting lost in an unknown city and having nobody to help you retrace your steps. Imagine being on a bus and the driver asks you for your destination and you are confused.
There is nothing as pleasant as knowing where you are going. It puts your mind at rest and gives you confidence. If the driver is taking a wrong route, you can quickly notify him or call the attention of others to it.
Such is the word of God. We are sojourners in this land, sure you must have heard that before. God, in His infinite wisdom, provided us with a map to guide us as we navigate this earth. We are not supposed to walk alone.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105 ESV
The word of God brings illumination. We receive light via the word of God. We receive direction when we study the word of God.
The word of God takes away confusion.
What does a lamp do? It helps you see. Put a lamp in a dark room and you will see the effect.
The presence of light eliminates darkness. This tells us that the word of God can flush out every dark and hidden area of our life.
As children, we should study and obey God’s word always. This will help us go through the path of life with the confidence that we are divinely directed in what we do.
ACTION POINT: Study God’s word before you leave the house
PRAYER Oh Lord, direct me as I read and meditate on your word in Jesus name. Amen.
DECLARATION I am divinely directed via God’s word. I receive grace to obey God and His word.
What exactly is true love? How do I know if a man truly loves me? How do I know if a lady truly loves me?
While putting in mind that there are so many definitions and perceptions of what true love is, it is pertinent to remind ourselves that true love can only be defined by Scriptural standards. Why is this so? God is love.
True love can only come from anyone that really knows God. A man that doesn’t know God is incapable of showing true love. He may be caring and nice by your own standards, but as long as He doesn’t know God, he doesn’t understand the dynamics of true love.
That is why we will be going back into the Bible to see the true definition of love.
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her. –2Samuel 13:1-2 (KJV)
In our devotion this morning, the story of Amnon comes to mind. Verse one of the above scripture tells us that Amnon was in love with his sister.
Verse two tells us that she was so vexed with love that he fell sick. It was no longer a soul’s battle; it became rottenness in his bones.
From the above, one will naturally conclude that this is genuine love. What do you think? Was the love genuine?
For him to fall sick, he must really be in love! Isn’t that how some men come around you and truthfully tell you that they can’t eat again, sleep again because of love? Can we conclude about a man’s love for a woman by virtue of his being “vexed” to the point of sickness?
Look at a few translations:
Amnon was obsessed with his sister Tamar to the point of making himself sick over her…–2Samuel 13:2 (MSG)
Can obsession equal true love?
And Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick…–2Samuel 13:2 (AMP)
Can being troubled equal true love?
And he was so deeply in love that he became ill… –2Samuel 13:2 (BBE)
Can being deeply in love equal true love?
Amnon became frustrated to the point of illness on account of his sister Tamar. –2Samuel 13:2 (NIV)
Can being frustrated equal true love?
Well, before we conclude, let’s see what happened a few verses away.
Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. –2Samuel 13:2 (KJV)
Here is the Message translation:
But he wouldn’t listen. Being much stronger than she, he raped her. –2Samuel 13:2 (MSG)
This couldn’t be true love! How would you rape someone you profess to love? Something is not quite right there. Sometimes all he wants is sex. That is not love! Sometimes, all she wants is your money. That is not true love!
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY God loves me. I will comprehend what true love is and operate within its boundaries. I am not confused. I have a sound mind. I receive God’s kind of love
PRAYER FOR THE DAY I break off from all emotional bondage. Spirit of God, lead me and guide me in my relationship, I resist every spirit of confusion and manipulations.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. –Proverbs 15:17 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Adjust your attitudes and start relating with the one who truly loves
There are opportunities to lust, to fill our eyes, ears and mouth with promiscuous pictures, movies and lyrics. There are opportunities for pornography, masturbation, homosexuality, lesbianism and the likes.
These are opportunities that should be rejected. You see, there are opportunities that can swallow destinies without a trace. There are opportunities that look like favour but are eternal traps.
No wonder the Bible says favour can be deceitful. There are opportunities that look like testimonies but are orchestrations of hell to trap you.
You see, there are gifts one can take that will make you want to curse God because your hands would be tied. You must be very discerning! You must be like the three Hebrew boys who refused to bow to the idol!
Couples have a lot of opportunities to do ‘good’. A ‘thank you’ here and a ‘word of affirmation’ there will go a long way to improve your marriage.
There are opportunities to profess your unfailing love to your spouse and to labour in prayers for them.
There can be a loving hug, an affectionate touch; an eye to eye contact that speaks volume, the list is endless.
But all these happen only when we are sensitive and discerning and when we go out of our way and comfort zone to extend a loving hand. On the other hand, opportunities to hurt our spouses are like love busters.
They bust the bubbles that make our marriages exciting. They kill the romance and affection in our relationships.
Identify opportunities in the light of the scripture. Let God guide you to know which to accept and embrace and which to reject and avoid.
Men can be doors and they can also be walls. Be discerning. Men can be open doors and they can also be disguised traps!
God will give you wisdom in Jesus name. He will open your eyes to see beyond the obvious. He will help you to identify godly opportunities in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am loving and kind. I seize every opportunity to do good in my marriage. I am sensitive to the needs of my spouse. I seek to understand my spouse. I am not selfish in my approach to my spouse. I seek to understand our differences. I respect those differences and seek to adjust to them. My love account with my spouse is good.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Father in the name of Jesus, I ask for the grace to be selfless. Help me to bring out the best in my spouse and to be lovingly devoted to him/her in love. Help me to use the many opportunities you are giving me well to sow good and lasting seeds of love into my marriage in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. –Galatians 6:10 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Make a list of the good things you can do to improve your relationship with your spouse. Begin to take note of opportunities to show affection to your spouse. Minimize love busters as much as possible.
Hello dear child, yesterday we began an interesting topic – the wise words of King Solomon. Let’s continue on that today!
I told you that as a child the first three most important people in your life are God, your Father, and your Mother.
King Solomon in the book of Proverbs affirms this when he said;
Start with God — the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee. Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers. –Proverbs 1: 7-9(MSG)
In whatever you do or wherever you find yourself, the first thing you should consider is;
1. What does God’s word say about this thing, what will Jesus do in this situation?
2. What will my Father say or do in this situation? How will he feel if he finds out I made so and so choice?
3. What will my Mother say; will I be making her proud, what would she have done if it were her?
The bible says to pay close attention to what your father says to you dear child. When Daddy is speaking is not the time to play or do something else.
Always have your father’s words in your heart where ever you go!
…never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee…
What you learn from your mother is also very important, the bible says don’t forget it, always remember what mummy says.
The bible says you should wear the counsel of your parents like flowers in your hair and a ring on your finger. Be proud of what they tell you, and beautify yourself with it.
Why should you do this?
If you obey them, the instructions will make you beautiful and envied by others.
That’s all for today Champ, see you tomorrow.
PRAYER: Precious Holy Spirit, please teach me how to be a good child all the time. Amen.
ACTION PLAN: Make sure you memorize the verses used in this devotional.
DECLARATION: I am a good Child, I fear God and honour my father and mother all the time.
SINGLES – What Do You Do When Speed Becomes An Enemy
Continued from yesterday, when we talked about speed as an enemy.
We all have a destination and a desire for our home and marriage. You’ll only get there when you follow His step-by-step guidance. And if you miss “the particular junction” you can never reach that destination until you retrace your steps.
That particular junction for you might be,” Be Born Again”, Don’t Marry an unbeliever,” ‘Stop that kissing,” “Don’t Masturbate,” “Stop the Pornography,” and the likes. Sexual intercourse before marriage is a no-go area, don’t even think about it. And until you retrace your steps back there – it is the wrong way! You might just be wasting time, energy, and resources because a wrong way is a wrong way’. You cannot change that; you can only retrace your steps, and be on the right track.
I encourage you to retrace your steps this morning. There is no need to keep on driving in the wrong direction. Change! Switch! Where is the strength? You may ask? The strength comes from God as you take time to feed your spirit with his word, your inner man will be strengthened to say ‘No’ to every form of iniquity and forge ahead in God!
Your destiny and future are bright! That is why the devil has fought you that much. The enemy only fights who he fears! He knows if you can just get it right, he is in trouble. He knows if you can just stop that lustful lifestyle if you can just cut off that sinful relationship if you can just stay more in God’s word…whatever it takes to take charge of your life by His Spirit, decide to do it this morning.
Whoever hath ears, let him hear what the Spirit of God is saying this morning!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY The Holy Spirit is leading me today. His word is a lamp unto my feet. God’s word is life and light for me. I take the right decisions in my relationship. Speed will not be an enemy for me.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, hold me by the right hand and let your word guide me daily.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Pro 3:6 MSG
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Check the major areas of your life; relationships, family, finances, business, career, spiritual life, etc. Are you on the right track? If not, get back on the right track by asking God to forgive you of all misdeeds and asking for His help and direction.
