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.
Chance or opportunity is defined as a suitable time or opportunity (favourable time) to do something, especially something ‘good’ and worthwhile. In our marriages, there are opportune times.
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. –Ecclesiastics 9:11 (KJV)
There are opportunities to do good for our spouses. But most of the time we don’t take advantage of these opportunities. We are not often sensitive to our spouses’ needs.
We most often see things from our own standpoint and not from their viewpoint. This calls for understanding. It becomes impossible to love someone you do not understand. You simply become critical.
The Book of Proverbs says ‘Wisdom is the principal thing, in all thy getting get understanding’.
This means as you are ‘getting’ married, also get understanding of the person you are married to. Each day is filled with numerous opportunities to be kind, sacrificial, loving, understanding, tender, and instructive.
There are also opportunities to be selfish, to think only of your own feelings, and opportunities to fall into sexual sins.
To be continued…
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.
Welcome to KHC children’s devotional. It’s always an exciting time here! Very recently we began looking at lessons from the wise words in the book of Proverbs, written by the wisest king ever, King Solomon. We will be continuing on that part for a while. Enjoy every bit of it!
Today our lesson will be centered on authority figures in our lives as children. Listen to what King Solomon has to say.
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)
King Solomon mentions three people here, pay close attention dear Child. He mentions God, your Father, and your Mother.
At this stage of your life, these are the first three most important people in your life!
God most high is your God; he created you and gave you to your father and mother to teach and nurture you. God loves you dearly, you should know this! This truth should be at the center of your whole being.
King Solomon advises you to start with God, the first step in your learning, just like you have learn to walk and talk is learning how to bow down to God, learning how to worship God.
Let me show you another translation.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV)
This translation says the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge; you have to live a life that honours and recognizes God. Having the fear of God is not being scared or afraid of God.
It means living in a consciousness that God exists and living our lives to honour and respect his words. This is a piece of wise advice from a wise King.
To be continued…
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.
There are times in your life that speed actually becomes an enemy! I have counseled people that were introduced to sexual perversion as young as when they were just five or six years old. That is when ‘speed’ becomes an enemy. Times when you were hooked up in sexual perversion when you did not even know your right from your left, courtesy of people who were supposed to protect you.
There are a lot of people out there who were dropped by their nurses like Mephibosheth, and consequently broke their ankles while on ‘speed’ But I write to you this morning, not to exile yourself like Mephibosheth, but to reach out to God who will not consult your past to determine your future! Speed might have been your enemy, but God is a re-writer of history.
Do not allow your background to keep your back on the ground. Rise from the rubbles and shackles of yesterday, because your best days are still ahead of you!
While staying in Lagos, on a particular day, we were to go to another area which is different from where we stayed and so we called a dear sister earlier for direction.
As we later found out, her direction was defective as we were practically driving out of the city! We were on the wrong way for quite some time. Her direction lacked landmarks, signs, or anything that will aid us to be sure if we were still on track.
She just said, “When you get to a particular junction keep going straight,” and we did! But the pathetic thing about it was that we got the junction wrong! So even though we were speeding AND GOING STRAIGHT, speed was not our friend because we were on the wrong path! Her guidance was not precise.
Thank God our God is not like this dear sister. God guides us in specific details, step by step, and then gives us “checks” here and there for us to know if we are still on the right path.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I have God’s direction in my relationships. I am not confused. The Holy Spirit is leading me today.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, go with me on this journey of life.
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.
Help Pastor! I Am Living An Adulterous Life. – Part 3
Continued from yesterday.
Here are a few ways to disconnect.
1. Know that it is wrong and it is sinful.
2. Know that the devil can use that avenue to gain access to your family and finances and wreck havoc.
3. The fact that you still go to church does not cleanse you from adultery. As a matter of fact, what happens in such a case is that the spirit of religion and deception takes over. Spirit of religion says you can come to church on Sunday, praise God, and pray and go back to adultery on Monday.
Spirit of deception tells you that all others are doing the same, you are not alone, and you can continue. At this stage, you need to talk to someone who will help you and speak the truth of God’s word into your life to dispel the operations of wrong spirits in your life. The way you will know that there is demonic influence, is that you still continue in such adulterous rendezvous despite knowing that it is wrong!
4. Stay accountable to someone that can help you! You must be willing to talk about it, not all over the place, but at least with someone that will treat your issue confidentially! Seek help before the sin ruins you!
5. Disconnect from the person with whom you are involved. Runaway! That was what Joseph did to escape adultery. He eventually became a Prime Minister. Samson stayed and played spirituality, combining adultery with being a judge over Israel, because the scripture says He judged Israel for twenty years. He lost his glory, died in the midst of his days, and never fulfilled his destiny. Surely, that wasn’t God’s plan for him.
6. Finally. Go to God and ask Him to help you. Fast if you can. At this point, you may ask a trusted man of God to pray with you. You may call me if you like, and I will pray with you! If you are calling today, please make it later in the evening, I have meetings throughout today.
I pray that God will help you as you make up your mind to do it right!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am faithful to my spouse. I love my spouse. I will not allow any distraction to tear my marriage and home apart. I am sincere to my spouse. My marriage is preserved.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I destroy every marriage killer; I receive wisdom from God to rule in the affairs of this world. Spirit of God, envelope my marriage with your wisdom and power
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Wives understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. –Ephesians 5:22 (MSG)
Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church–a love marked by giving, not getting. –Ephesians 5:25 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Disconnect from every relationship/affair that your spouse does not know anything about or that he does not approve
Yesterday I started talking to you about the wisdom in the book of Proverbs written by the wisest king, King Solomon.
I told you the importance of this book, and how the wisdom in the book is ageless because King Solomon got his wisdom from God.
You also can be as wise as he was, I am sure you are thinking of how possible that is.
All you need to do is ask for wisdom just like King Solomon and, God is gracious enough to always grant requests that are according to his will.
Let’s continue from where we stopped yesterday.
These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David’s son, Israel’s king — Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going; A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. There’s something here also for seasoned men and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn — Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women. –Proverbs 1:1-7 (MSG)
4. This book is meant to teach young people like you about life –God’s way.
5. There is a lot in it for people who are open to learning wisdom.
6. It also doesn’t leave out wise and experienced people; you and your parents can learn new things together.
Learning from the book of Proverbs is such an amazing experience, I am sure we’ll have so much fun picking out lessons one by one. See you tomorrow.
PRAYER: Father in Jesus name, I pray for wisdom just like King Solomon in Jesus name. Amen.
ACTION PLAN: Start a Bible challenge of reading the book of Proverbs
DECLARATION: I am wise, I know what to do, and I live a life that pleases God, in Jesus name.
As you read this, let every hurt and bitterness that you have towards God and man go, for it is an attempt of the devil to draw you into deception and depression. God is gracious! He is willing to stoop low to bless you. As a Father, He is full of compassion. When you begin to think about this, it is amazing how you will experience that compassion. God is good towards you. You are the work of His hands.
Rather than get bitter toward God, think about how His goodness and compassion will get you out of any mess.
As a single, you might have been abused or violated before you reached the age of accountability. Rather than give up and be regarded as part of the unfortunate statistics of sexual abuse, rise from that abyss, get out of the doldrums of yester-years, and look unto Him that is able to save to the uttermost.
He will embrace you and wipe the tears off your face. He will heal every wound, take all bitterness away from your heart, and bring out the best in you.
Think about it. Believe it. His tender mercies are over you. Respond to His love and experience the tender love of divinity coming upon your humanity.
You see, in order to enjoy that fullness of God’s love, you have to synergize with God and cooperate with His principles.
I see you rising from that problem that has kept you down for long. I see light dawning upon your soul. I see God’s word percolating every pressure and dismantling them.
His love is awesome. Thank him for His love. Forget about what you are going through, and dwell on what He went through for you! It changes the whole equation, and the devil will retreat. You will come to know that it is only by responding to God’s love that you understand how to love others and how to be loved!
I see you having victory!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I position myself to benefit from God’s tender mercies. Goodness and mercy are following me.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I uproot every root of bitterness from my life in Jesus Name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY You are merciful, LORD! You are kind and patient and always loving. You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation. (Psa 145:8-9 CEV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Make a list of all who have offended you in the past. Consciously let go and forgive them. It might not look easy, but do it all the same.
