Infuse Your Marriage with Joyful Laughter. Truth be told, pressure is one of the things that take away joy, gladness, and of course laughter from our marriages.
When we allow the pressures of life, it has a toll on our marriages. Couples become mere house or roommates.
Only important conversation ensues between them and there seems to be no time for extra curricula activities, not to talk of laughter. There is tension and everyone is uptight.
The marriage becomes very boring and reduced to a motion of routines. Remember our minds are vital parts in making our marriages blissful. However, the devil’s aim is to get our minds preoccupied and downcast with different kinds of pressures.
The danger in allowing pressures without finding ways to handle them is that, they lead to other issues.
Un-handled pressures can lead to unnecessary anger, harsh words or reactions, keeping late nights, trying to ease off tension with ungodly friends, risk of emotional attachment with the opposite sex, inconsistent fellowship with God, lukewarmness in things of God e.g., not attending church services, overreacting to kids or house helps, mental and physical tiredness, emotional vulnerability etc, the list goes on and on.
But, in the midst of life’s pressure as a couple, you must learn to hold on to each other for spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial support.
Infuse Your Marriage with Joyful Laughter
This is the best time to be a pillar of support for each other.
Here is when your kindest words of appreciation and encouragement are needed.
At this time, love making becomes needed and not just wanted, as a means of ministering to each other. Music, especially worship becomes also very useful at such times.
This is the best time to be strong for each other. It is time to show your allegiance in very obvious and practical ways.
This is not the time to make unreasonable demands and demand for your right. This is the time to manage with the best of your skills, especially as a wife, and carry the children along to bear with the situation.
This is the time to have regular confessions together as a family.
God’s word is spoken to the atmosphere as a way of calming the storm and releasing angelic activities and assistance.
In being creative with bearing with the situation, you have to know how to spice up your home with laughter.
Laughter becomes both therapeutic and healing. It does not cost money but its value at such times is invaluable.
You try with the help of the Holy Spirit to remain joyful because the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Laugh at yourself, laugh at the situation, because you know it will soon come to pass.
Remember,
Ps 2:4 ‘ He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision.
When you learn to laugh, you bring God’s power into your situation.
You release God’s grace on your behalf.
Your focus shifts from the present situation to the ability of God to change and turn things around.
You begin to trust in God’s Mercy and draw strength from the throne of Grace.
Your fellowship with God is restored as you begin to see Him as your only source of Help and hope.
Then you will begin to truly know Him as your Shepherd, which leads you beside still waters and restores your soul.
May you find such refreshing in your marriage in times of pressure in Jesus’ name.
Exploring Her Bedroom Wishlist 2. I started on this yesterday and will continue from where I left off. What does your wife want?
2. Sweet nonsense Your wife wants you to whisper in her ears. She obviously prefers that to a silent, no-single-statement kind of thing.
She wants to hear you say a lot of good things about her and when you do so, you will see she is not really frigid as you might probably be envisaging.
Words mean a lot to ladies. And you must be skillful enough to use the words rightly. One wrong statement and you will just lose her.
One right statement and she is all yours. However, your words will mean nothing if it is only during love making you say those things.
She would feel you are speaking from your head and not from your heart.
She would feel you never meant those words, that you are just saying them because of what you want from her.
Basically, those words you whisper in her ears in bed cannot stay in space, they have to be carved upon the platform of the words you already said to her during the day, through texts, phone calls, and whatever means.
3. Essence of her beauty
Lastly, she probably wants to know why you always say she is beautiful.
Explaining that to her in one statement words would fire her up
If you don’t do some of these, you would think your wife has no libido, whereas, it is just that you have not unlocked it.
Words of admiration for your wife from your heart are like passwords! I will have to stop here!
I pray that God will grant more understanding in Jesus’ name!
Exploring Her Bedroom Wishlist. This area of question is perhaps an area I have often been asked.
“Pastor, my wife is frigid, what can I do?”
“Pastor, my wife will never initiate lovemaking. Is she normal?”
“Pastor, my wife is disinterested in lovemaking, unless on rare occasions and this makes me feel she might be seeing someone else.“
Pastor, how can I make my wife enjoy it more, I don’t like her attitude in bed!”
“The list goes on.
Now, I am going to suggest a few things you can do as a husband to make your love experience a better one.
Some people already have a great and fantastic experience, or so they thought, but it can always get better.
It is actually meant to get better as time goes on. You understand yourselves more, you become more mature, and even more dexterous in bed with each other. You also learn how to satisfy each other, where to touch and where not to, and so on. It’s like old exotic wine that tastes better with age!
Pro 5:18-19 (MSG) Bless your fresh-flowing fountain! Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! [19] Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose— don’t ever quit taking delight in her body. Never take her love for granted!
Okay, so here are a few things that could help.
Exploring Her Bedroom Wishlist
1. Longer foreplay
If your wife hasn’t told you this, you just might not have been listening.
Oh I don’t mean she said that verbally, but she would have said it many times with attitude and body language.
But I always advise wives to communicate what they want and make it explicit without any inhibitions.
Your wife wants longer foreplay, even if she seems to be the type that is always “in the spirit” all the time.
She doesn’t want a helicopter kind of thing, she wants the airplane experience.
The helicopter takes off and lands at once and abruptly, as long as the blades are working.
The airplane takes time to taxi around before taking off.
The taxi-ing experience is the foreplay
An average woman needs at least twenty minutes of foreplay in order to be ready.
Forty minutes is even better.
More than an hour will be fantastic!
Exploring Her Bedroom Wishlist
While a man is ready in less than ten seconds, it is different with a lady unless she is on a mission of prostitution or some perverse acts in exchange for a mammon.
So, dear husband, your wife wants you to be patient with her, so that she can enjoy it as well.
Dealing with in-laws’ issues can be quite challenging, especially in this part of the world. It is a sensitive issue, that must be handled with maturity and love.
Remember the law of seed time and harvest. You don’t want to reap later an in-law who treats you badly. Here are some helpful tips that can help you deal wisely with your in-laws.
1. Change your perspectives about them
Put yourself in their shoes and understand their insecurities and weaknesses. Overlook offenses and just work more on having compassionate interactions.
2. Build a strong relationship
Let your priority be building a strong relationship as a couple. Know that your in-laws are a third party and can only come in between you if you allow them.
3. Be there for your spouse
Each spouse should manage and handle their family and parents. It’s easier to deal with your parents. Defend your spouse and empower them.
10 Ways To Handle Your In-Laws
4. Respect your Differences
Due to generational gaps, age differences, and perspectives, differences in personalities, beliefs, and opposing viewpoints are inevitable. Respect your differences
5. Stay positive
Be willing to open up for a better relationship. Try to find common grounds and positive aspects of your relationship, this will help improve your interactions
6. Have Boundaries
Establish clear boundaries. Discuss with your spouse and mutually agree on what extent you will allow your in-laws to interfere in your matters.
10 Ways To Handle Your In-Laws
7. Talk about issues
You must maintain open and respectful communication with your in-laws. Share your feelings and thoughts directly and calmly and listen to their perspectives
8. Be at peace with all men
Choose your battles wisely. Not all issues are worth confronting. Let go of matters that are no big deal
9. Seek Counsel
Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a therapist or counselor when situations become overwhelming.
10. Pray
Pray about the situation and pray for your in-laws. God indeed answers prayer. He will give you the needed wisdom
Remember having a beautiful relationship with your in-law is a blessing. It is possible if you are willing and patient, asking God for help.
This may not really sound as important to menfolk, but I can tell you as a marriage counselor that it is a big deal for ladies.
One woman bitterly complained that the only problem she had with her husband was that he never says “I love you!”
The man went to a recording studio and recorded a seventy-minute audio of his voice repeatedly saying “I love you!”
He took this CD and presented it to his wife.
“Hey dear, my pepperento potatoe, anytime you want to hear me say that, just play this CD!
The wife took it from him, broke it into two, and threw it out of the window.
The man was furious.
The wife said calmly, “I didn’t marry the CD, I married you and I want to hear it from you.”
And that is the way it is.
Dear husbands, your wife needs to hear that every time.
Don’t allow the compliments she gets outside to outweigh your own expressions for her at home.
After childbirth and as they approach midlife, women go through a mix of emotions and they struggle with their appearance, their tummy, and body shape.
That is why mirrors are never far from them.
They need a lot of affirmations from their husbands at this time.
Your affirmations will go a long way in stabilizing their emotions and ultimately make them feel loved.
Husbandry Unveiled: Unmissable Trio
2. Attend Church Together
Very importantly, the husband as the head should ensure he raises a godly family.
Part of doing that is not forsaking the assembly of God’s people.
It is important you keep hearing the same thing.
I do not always subscribe that couples attend church services differently.
Attend the same church and build up yourselves spiritually.
Grow together.
Study together.
Pray together.
It goes a long way to strengthen the marriage.
As the husband, it is your responsibility to give spiritual leadership and direction.
Husbandry Unveiled: Unmissable Trio
3. Resist the Urge To Lift Your Hands Against Her
Finally, as a husband, you should do all in your care to never lift your hands against your wife, for any reason, whatsoever.
This is what separates the men from the boys.
“Oh Pastor, you don’t know my wife. She is stubborn, rude, annoying, and disrespectful. Before I say “A,” she is by the “Z.”
Well, physically abusing her will not be the way out.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Make a covenant that you will never hit her!
As you make up your mind to do this, to honour her, protect her, and take care of her, God will also honour His Word in your life.
I pray that God will honour you indeed, send help to you in your marriage and fulfill all His desires for your life!
The greatest consummation of love yet remains that which you do with the lover of your soul. Did the Holy Writ not rightly say that He is our husband?
Isaiah 54:5 (KJV) For thy Maker is thine husband…
Until this consummation happens, you don’t really know Him yet. It is beyond a romantic adventure, it is a covenant marked by circumcision of the heart!
I presume God wants his love consummated with you so that you can conceive of Him and you can bring forth that which He desires.
There is a place where the intercourse must take place, it is the place of worship, a place of diving into Him, a place of getting lost in His glory!
In that place, you are taken beyond the third heavens, you actually go into the very throne of God to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need for your relationship or marriage!
Let’s Consummate Our Love
The intercourse with divinity is always a mountainous experience where you are taken into high levels of the revelation of Jesus, and the very life of God, Zoe begins to flow in your veins.
It is a place where your ears will be laid to the gate of heavens and angels would whisper into your ears and that which lies with the divine become available to the humane.
God Himself takes you to a crescendo as you worship and like Peter, you would want a tabernacle to be established there so that you can live there forever.
Oh, that place is a place of victory! Have you been there yet? Even if it’s for only once? It is a place you don’t want to leave, for in His presence is fullness of joy.
Let’s Consummate Our Love
It is a place where you taste the power of the ages to come and you simply become a sign and a wonder to your generation.
Can you hear God calling you? Can you hear His voice? He is beckoning to you and calling you to come and experience His fullness, and from that fullness, there will be an overflow into your business, career, relationship, and marriage!
Song of Solomon 1:2-3 (KJV) Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. [3] Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
News filtered in a few days ago concerning the demise and home-going of a general in all respect, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya
The body of Christ, especially in Nigeria, got a rude shock and it dawned on us that this wonderful amiable man of God has transitioned into glory.
His first wife, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya shook the entire landscape of Christianity in Nigeria with her novel message to Singles and Married before she passed away at the age of 45. It was as though she had lived a hundred years in terms of her impact on the body of Christ.
A deep appreciation even emanates when you discover that her ministry which shook the whole world when there was no social media, began with her obedience to her husband, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya.
He told her to speak to the singles and that was it! This is an excellent lesson for young wives to learn from! Rev Victor Adeyemi, who met Pastor Taiwo after the demise of his wife, attested that Pastor Taiwo kept saying she was a submissive woman!
Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, a General Par Excellence
Fast forward, years after, Pastor Taiwo remarried, but sadly enough, his second wife also transitioned into glory.
He gallantly went through these earth-shaking griefs and continued in his assignment. He judged God faithful.
Now, he’s reunited with the loved ones he has lost, and he’s undoubtedly dancing and rejoicing, in that place where we would know as we are known!
Perhaps, you have a lot of questions in your heart, as I do too.
We are the ones that see such as loss, on the other side, death is conquered, it’s homegoing, and I can imagine mighty angels heralding and ushering this great man of God into eternity where there is no sadness, sorrow, or any form of grief.
Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, a General Par Excellence
Everybody has something great to say about this man. He certainly lived and fulfilled his ministry. I had an encounter with him when he came to minister at Premier Hotel, Ibadan, in 2008, hosted by Rev Niyi Eboda.
I was pastorin at Triumphant Assembly under Rev Femi Oduwole, and we needed some finances to move into a new auditorium. I simply emptied what was in the church account at the time (N10,000) and wrote him a check when I saw the grace of God in his life.
It was a Wednesday. By the weekend of that week, we had in excess of a Million Naira, (from the same members) and we were able to move!
The grace of God on him was undeniable!
Several years later, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya’s Facebook page would be a platform that launched Kisses and Huggs Club into social media prominence!
Their impact cuts across! We will miss him, but he is happier where he is now!
We pray for his children, God will keep them and uphold them in Jesus’ name!
Let their lives challenge you to fulfill destiny and God’s purpose for your life!
Living with imperfection in your marriage requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to embrace the reality that both you and your partner are flawed human beings. Here are some strategies to help you navigate imperfections in your marriage and foster a healthy, loving relationship:
1. Accept the Humanity of your spouse
Understand that no one is perfect, including yourself and your spouse. Embrace imperfections as part of being human and learn to accept each other’s flaws without judgment.
2. Be Grateful for little things
You can learn intentionally to focus on the little things your spouse does. Never take them for granted. They will not always do the right things, but for the good things don’t let ‘thank you’ escape your mouth
Turning Marriage Flaws into Fabulous Moments
3. Communicate with Compassion:
Don’t be known for being always harsh with your tongue. Pass your message across loving and in a meek tune. Choose your words carefully, knowing your spouse is your partner and not your maid
4. Share Responsibilities:
Imperfections may sometimes affect certain aspects of your marriage. Be willing to share responsibilities and work as a team to manage challenges together.
5. Set Realistic Expectations:
Part of your realistic expectations is giving allowance for your spouse’s mistake. He/she will not be perfect in timing, thinking, talking etc. Manage your expectations of your spouse well
Turning Marriage Flaws into Fabulous Moments
6. Invest in Emotional Intimacy:
Building emotional intimacy can strengthen your connection and understanding of each other. Share your feelings, dreams, and vulnerabilities with your partner to deepen your bond.
7. Forgive and let go
Holding onto grudges or dwelling on past mistakes can create resentment. Practice forgiveness, not only for your partner but also for yourself, and learn to let go of the past.
Practice these and the Lord will help you and give you more Grace in Jesus mighty name
Life is never delivered on the platform of ease! Yes, we will have victory as God’s children, but it’s not victory until there is a fight!
How far are you willing to fight for your relationships and marriage?
How willing are you to hang on to life and refuse to yield to the whims and caprices of the evil one?
Paul summarized his life as a “fight” by saying in 2Ti 4:7 that “I have fought a good fight…”
Again in in 1Ti 6:12, we are instructed to “fight the good fight of faith…”
David also said in Psa 144:1 “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight!”
So there is a fight, but we know through Jesus we already have the victory!
You are not fighting to lose! You are a winner already!
What is that path that must be avoided that leads to the place of hopelessness where you don’t even want to “fight” again?
How To Fight Against That Habit.
Below are the stages that lead to where you stop fighting.
1. Mistake
Everyone makes mistakes. We all do. Making a mistake is not the end, God said He will forgive!
2. Habit
When mistakes become repeated, it morphs into a habit! You are no longer being trapped here, you are the one designing the trap!
3. Denial
At this stage, you simply deny the habit when confronted and blatantly refuse to admit there is an issue to deal with. When you keep denying, you can’t be set free. At this stage, you can’t be helped at all.
4. Self Deception
At this stage, you offer all kinds of excuses for your habit. You say things like, “Everybody does this” If God disproves it, He should have killed me”
This is the stage the devil gets you to where you decide to keep living with the habit rather than fight it. At this stage, you are not interested in being helped.
5. Hopelessness
The last stage is where you lose hope and stop fighting!
You simply personalize the issue and tell yourself you can’t help it. You see yourself as defeated and there is no way out! You start telling yourself God is not wicked to punish you for whatever it is!
How To Fight Against That Habit
Can I tell you something this morning?
Don’t stop fighting! Fight with prayers. Fight by building capacity through reading, study, and research. Fight by seeking counsel.
Fight for that relationship and marriage and do not accept nonsense into your life!
Never accept the timetable of the devil for your life!
If you stop fighting, you won’t be able to fulfill God’s purpose for your life!
Like Apostle Paul, you must keep fighting and be able to say at the end, I have fought the good fight of faith!
How Not To Lose Your Spouse Before Losing Them. A lot of folks actually lose their loved ones before losing them in relationships and marriages.
Crisis doesn’t just show up from the blues. Storms don’t just erupt from nowhere, no, they have been brewing and getting ready for a long time, we don’t just pay attention to them or we just ignore them.
Every issue we ever face, either as singles in relationships or couples in marriage, would always give us warning signs!
We never fall into the marital pit in an instant, it’s always a descent, a gradual slide, and sometimes foolishly, an obvious one!
Our ego and pride would always conflict, seeing things are going down the drain and yet trying to prove a point that is really unnecessary
How Not To Lose Your Spouse Before Losing Them
Do you want to know how?
Do not under any circumstance stop communicating!
If you can keep talking, there is hope of resolving whatever situation or storm that might be raging!
The moment you keep quiet, you open the doors for the devil to come in with his assumptions, and we all know that assumptions are the lowest form of knowledge.
When you stop talking, you open your thought life to all kinds of suggestions, which are mostly untrue.
When you stop communicating, you begin to judge every movement, every body language and the reality is that you are mostly wrong at such times!
Once the devil gets you muted and shut out, know he has you exactly where he wants you!
So, what do you want to do? You want to keep talking! You want to keep talking till you eventually resolve that issue! That is how not to lose your spouse before losing them!
Hope you are blessed this morning.
God bless your relationships and marriage! Have a fantastic day ahead of you in Jesus’ name!
Love is usually described by burning flames. When we are really in love with that special someone, our love is burning. Like anything burning, if we don’t want the flames to go down we have to keep it rekindled or burning. We have to fan the coals of our love.
Here are some practical and helpful tips to help us achieve this.
Fanning the Embers of Love
1. Express gratitude
As simple as it may appear, failing to express gratitude can quickly undermine affection. Don’t take love for granted; be grateful for everything. Compliment each other frequently.
2. Spending Quality Time
Make time for each other outside of your busy schedules. It’s just the two of you now. Plan date nights and activities that both of you like. It restores and strengthens your bond.
3. Interaction
This is quite crucial. Discuss your feelings and worries openly with one another. Honest communication aids in understanding each other’s wants and requirements.
4. Resolve Problems
Constructively address unresolved issues or areas of contention. Make an effort to make your relationship healthier and happier.
5. Share happy memories
Laughing over and sharing happy recollections with one other is beneficial. Reminding each other of the good times brings back fond memories.
Fanning the Embers of Love
6. Physical Closeness
Physical contact can revive love. Hold hands, kiss, and hug on a frequent basis.
7. Patience and dedication
Be patient and committed to your partner and your marriage. It may take some time to fan the flame of love.
8. Avoid Monotony
Let your relationship be spiced with fun. Break free from the monotony. Avoid boredom by making your relationship more enjoyable.
Rekindling your love for each other is important. When we value our relationship we will want to keep it from going down and becoming obsolete. Commitment to each other’s needs, feelings, mutual respect, and understanding are also crucial
This is an issue faced by young and old couples alike. You and your spouse are different and this will have different perspectives.
Understanding each other is about getting your spouse to see your viewpoint. It requires effective communication and understanding.
Both of you have to be willing and ready to work at your marriage. It doesn’t mean something is wrong with you or with the marriage.
Help, We Don’t Understand Each other
Here are some tips to help you convey your perspective:
1. Choose the Right Time:
Pick a moment when both of you are calm and receptive to discussion.
2. Stay Calm and Respectful: Approach the conversation with a composed demeanor and avoid becoming defensive or confrontational.
3. Active Listening:
First, listen to your spouse’s viewpoint attentively. Show empathy and understanding towards their thoughts and feelings.
4. Use “I” Statements:
Express your viewpoint using “I” statements to avoid sounding accusatory. For example, “I feel” or “I think” rather than “You always” or “You never.”
5. Provide Specific Examples: Support your viewpoint with concrete examples and evidence to help your spouse better understand your perspective.
Help, We Don’t Understand Each other
6. Find Common Ground:
Identify areas where your viewpoints align and build on those shared interests or beliefs.
7. Avoid Blame Game:
Refrain from blaming or criticizing your spouse during the conversation. Focus on the issue at hand without making it personal.
8. Acknowledge Their Perspective:
Validate your spouse’s viewpoint, even if you don’t fully agree. Show that you respect their thoughts and feelings.
9. Be Patient:
Changing viewpoints takes time, so be patient and allow your spouse to process the information.
10. Give Space:
If the conversation becomes too intense, take breaks if needed, and revisit the discussion when both of you are ready.
Help, We Don’t Understand Each other
11. Collaborate:
Frame the conversation as a collaborative effort to find a solution that works for both of you.
12. Seek Professional Help:
If necessary, consider seeking the assistance of a professional therapist or counselor to facilitate the conversation.
Remember, the goal is not necessarily to make your spouse adopt your viewpoint but to foster understanding and find common ground. Respectful communication and empathy are key to productive discussions in any relationship.
Secrets To Keep Love Alive. It’s beautiful seeing newly wedded couples. The love spark is impressive.
There is a love wave, love current, and all the love vibes around them. They set out to profess their eternal love for each other.
They are deeply in love and could never imagine hurting each other not to talk of harming themselves whether emotionally or verbally.
The question is what happened? At what point did they start to deviate from the love zone?
Really, no husband or wife starts out overnight from being loving to being rash, unkind, abusive, and insensitive.
There must have been little actions or in-actions here and there, that crept into their love affair.
The Bible talks about little foxes that destroy the vine, the tender vine.
Our marriages are like these vines that are very tender. Little foxes are like poisons slowly released that will eventually destroy the marriage. We, therefore, need to place close attention so that we don’t allow these foxes.
Here are three things not to do if you want to keep love alive in marriage.
Secrets To Keep Love Alive
1. Don’t blame
‘It’s his fault
‘She is very disrespectful’
‘He’s not kind and loving’
She’s lazy and overly sensitive
‘He’s always hurting’
Stop the blame game. You have a choice, either you keep blaming and remain hurt, bitter, and full of regret, and revengeful.
When you keep on blaming the other person you focus on their negatives.
You become blind to their positive sides and you put him/ her on edge.
Remember, when you were in love, it was because you were blind to their negatives and only focused on how good, handsome & lovely they were.
Do the same now. Blaming your spouse continuously is poisonous.
I am not asking you to keep completely silent on your spouse’s weakness but rather confront each other respectfully and lovingly.
Remember you have your own faults too. Forgiveness and mercy are reciprocal in marriage.
Secrets To Keep Love Alive
2. Don’t Compare
The grass always seems greener on the other side. Never fall for the comparison trap.
Don’t compare other couples or marriages with your own.
Yes, you can learn from them but never compare.
The truth is you never know that other husband or wife.
Every good marriage you admire sacrificed on their path to get to where they are now.
So rather than compare and blame your spouse for not being like husband A, work on your own marriage, pay your own price, and make your own sacrifices.
Secrets To Keep Love Alive
3. Don’t withdraw
The withdrawal syndrome is one thing that destroys a marriage fast.
It’s a temporary shield you build around yourself to avoid confronting and dealing with issues.
Don’t withdraw into work, yourself, your passion, activity, church project, children, porn, friends, outings, or keeping late nights.
When you hide in withdrawal, you have created a vacuum for the devil to fill in your home.
You need to understand each other’s temperament and know how to lovingly respect each other’s differences.
Extroverts and introverts are very different and handle issues differently.
Give each other space. Allow your spouse to grow without nagging them.
Be patient with your demands. Don’t expect your wife to change overnight. Let the fruit of the spirit grow and manifest in your life.
Allow your marriage to grow. Let it blossom.
If you are presently experiencing a not-too-pleasant moment in your marriage, let grace flow towards you now, releasing peace, strength, and courage to you.
I pray for you, may God’s love and a fresh love for your spouse be shed abroad in your heart now in Jesus’ name.
The Marital Way Of Escape. As the couple sat before the counseling table, frustrations laced every word spoken, and the expressions of their mien betrayed their hearts, they were both unhappy.
Their finances were in a mess. They were neck-deep in debt that refused to move.
Their career choices seemed out of place, and their bank accounts were in a coma.
Health-wise, they were not having the best of times.
The problems seemed to rear up their heads in every area of their lives.
What should they do?
What is that one thing that can bail you out irrespective of what you are facing?
As you navigate through the path of marriage as husband and wife, what is the most important thing?
What is that one thing that will solve every and any issue in marriage?
What is that one thing a husband and wife should never joke with?
The Marital Way Of Escape
Here we go.
No matter what you are facing right now in your marriage or home, no matter how the problems seemed insurmountable or gargantuan, you can get out.
The scriptures declare
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
There is nothing you are going through right now that does not have a way of escape.
Why is there a way of escape always?
Because God is faithful.
He will never abandon you! Read that again! Never!
Again, if you are a child of God, everything, I mean everything you are going through right now is not designed to kill you or snuff out the life in you.
They are designed to bring out the best in you, build your faith muscle and get you to that place where you can fearlessly take mountains and cities.
Then finally, understand there is always a way of escape.
Mortgage, buying a house, health issues, fruit of the womb, nagging wife, uncooperative husband, wayward children, impossible debts, bills to pay…and the list is endless.
Whatever it is, there is A WAY OF ESCAPE!
The Marital Way Of Escape
What is that way of escape?
That is our bone of contention this morning.
The way of escape is the way of God’s word.
In the midst of darkness, you only need a word that will lighten your path.
That is your way of escape. A word from the Lord.
You don’t need too many words.
You only need a word.
The word is the seed.
300 million sperm released. But only one is needed to fertilize and bring forth a baby, your man-child.
In the same way, you only need a word to bring forth that baby!
Sit down, study, meditate, and get a word from the Lord!
As believers and children of God, we are operating below capacity most times.
We often allow the pressures of life, the storms in our souls, and the weight of our needs to obfuscate the limitless, massive, and incredible arsenals sitting within us.
Our weapons are not carnal, so says the Holy Writ!
It means we may not feel anything physical, but this does not in any way diminish or reduce the power that we have at our disposal.
You need to understand that in your humanity is encapsulated the divinity.
This is the greatest mystery ever.
But that is the reality.
God has come to Tabernacle in man!
Such is unheard of in the old testament.
To think of such a thing is courting disaster.
But upon the death of Jesus, a way was made and paved for us.
As singles and married, you don’t need to go to God. God lives in you!
Dare The Lover Of Your Soul!
The Old Testament patriarchs and prophets operated below our own placement, And yet look at what the scriptures say about an Old Testament Prophet.
Jas 5:17-18 (KJV) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. [18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
This man held the whole word to ransom at his word. He simply locked the heavens for three and half years and put the key in his pocket!
Then after three years, he unlocked it.
What weapon did he use?
Prayer.
That is the one weapon you still have today but you are even much more at an advantage than Elijah! You just do not realize it!
Those guys dared to believe God!
I want to dare you this morning, dare to believe God.
In that situation in your life, concerning your relationship/marriage, dare to believe in God.
Believe Him for the impossible.
Stop looking for someone to pray for you.
Engage God by yourself.
Have a sustained time of praying and believing God and then see what God will do in your life!
As you talk to him, pray earnestly. That was how Elijah did it! Pray with some fire!
…and he prayed earnestly…
Switch off your phones. Eliminate every distraction and pray earnestly.
Dare The Lover Of Your Soul!
Another translation says he prayed hard! Get a scripture that talks about the situation, meditate on it, and get into the place of prayer!
Dare yourself. Dare God!
God will hear you!
My father will hear you!
Heaven will respond to you!
That wedding will be a reality. That job opportunity will come though. Those contracts will become a reality. Those curses, lineage issues, delays, and all that will be broken!
You will yet rejoice! You will yet be full of joy! Don’t give up!
