The ultimate goal of your marriage is that you and your spouse become best of friends, an intimate relationship or better still a covenant relationship. This Is what marriage is meant to be. We have to find a common ground of friendship where we truly love and like ourselves. That’s why we always advise you marry your friend.
Some of us were not really friends before they got married while some others lost their friendship along the way in marriage. Life happened to them and the very basis for their friendship was eroded. Others could not manage their differences, and as such lost their friendship. Yet others allowed third parties come between them.
Our friendship as couples is meant to last till death do us part.
Pro 18:24 (MSG) Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Pro 18:24 TPT) Some friendships don’t last for long, but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart closer than any other!
We are supposed to stick together for life.
Here are some tips that will help you build friendship with your spouses and become best friends. We must show ourselves friendly if we must have our spouse as our friend. {Pro18:24)
How To Best Be Friends with Your Spouse
Spend a lot of time together and learn how to start and sustain conversations. Friendship is spelt time together doing activities together and communicating. Stay as much as possible and keep in touch through text, calls, chats etc. and also enjoy each other’s company.
Forgive easily, quickly and completely
Pro 17:9 CEV You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.
Do activities you both enjoy together. Do what you both enjoy doing. Eat out, walk together, watch movies, go sight seeing.
Be each other’s cheer leader. Let your spouse always feel like a million bucks. Don’t pull your spouse down.
Be vulnerable with each other. Encourage open conversations.
Accept each other’s flaws. Roses have thorns, if you focus on the thorn you will not enjoy and appreciate the fragrance of the rose.
Don’t focus on each other’s weaknesses. Stop drawing attention always to your spouse’s weaknesses. Give them time to grow and trust God to work on them.
Encourage each other during tough times. Be the support system for them, always be there for them.
Don’t be a boss or be domineering. Respect each other’s feelings, boundaries and personality differences
Be honest. Give your sincere opinion or correction in love
This is How To Best Be Friends with Your Spouse. God bless our marriages.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am my spouse best friend, no one and nothing can come between us
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
I let go of every offense that has cause our friendship to be turned in hatred in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Pro 18:24 KJV A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
We are considering The Importance of Peace in Marriage today. Peace is not just the absence of troubles, it is tranquility in the midst of the storm.
In Mark 4:32, we read the story of Jesus calming the boisterous sea and wind. He was able to calm that storm basically because He was with them on that trip.
Jesus the Christ is not only the source of peace, He is the Peace Himself. The Prince of peace, the Amen, the Word of God.
In John chapter 2, Jesus was not just a guest at the wedding (your marriage). He was acknowledged, honoured, valued and obeyed. They know The Importance of Peace in Marriage!
Do you value Jesus the Word and allow Him have a say in your marriage? Do you believe Jesus can proffer solution to your marital crisis? Are you willing to obey whatever He asks you to do no matter how ridiculous or difficult or time consuming it seems?
Jesus is that peace your marriage desperately needs. Just like Jesus was the solution that the Cana of Galilee wedding needed in John 2. They could have despise Him, refuse to acknowledge Him and disobey Him, to their detriment. They chose rather to not ignore The Importance of Peace in Marriage!
Don’t just be a church goer, a prayer warrior, a demon chaser, don’t just know Jesus (they must have known Him to invite Him to the wedding). Recognize Him as the final authority in your marriage. Whatever Jesus tells you to do, DO IT, and you will experience miracles beyond your imagination.
God bless your marriage
Thought for the day.
I need Jesus in my life and marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not only have Jesus passively in my marriage but I will listen to His voice and obey Him.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord help me to make you the Lord of my marriage.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Mary then went to the servers and told them, “Whatever Jesus tells you, do it!” John 2:5 TPT
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read a book on how to hear God’s voice
Is Your Marriage a Reward or an Assignment? Marriage is a beautiful experience when we go by God’s dictate. People can make their wedding day more beautiful than their marriage. They attach more priority to the wedding day than they do the marital life. Every one loves a beautiful wedding day. From the bride’s gorgeous dress, to the maids of honours’ outfits, to the flowers, the well decorated hall, the music and the joyous atmosphere. We plan for the wedding day for months forgetting the marriage which is more important!
My question to us this morning is simple. Is your marriage a reward or an assignment? For some people, marriage is a reward, a prize and they want to sit back and enjoy their reward.
Is Your Marriage a Reward or an Assignment? For some others, marriage is an assignment. A calling to work and labor. To the wives, a call to be an helpmeet, to respect and to be forgiving. To the husband, a call to love like Christ loves the church.
What a great assignment we have on our hands. We will keep on learning, unlearning and relearning to fulfil this assignment. It is actually a life long assignment we will never graduate from.
God’s standards are defined and it is to him we are accountable. He is the one to mark our scripts. So husbands and wives, be diligent to do your assignment.
God bless our marriages. Is Your Marriage a Reward or an Assignment?
Tonight, Tue, 19th July, we will be having School of Relationship and Marriage and Pastor Sophia and I will be teaching you! It will take place on YouTube. You can subscribe ahead and click on notification bell to know when we go live by 6.00pm. Use this linkHERE
God bless you!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am focused on my God given assignment
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, grant me grace to give my assignment all it takes to make a success of it in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAYRom 8:13 (KJV) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Be intentional about working on your marriage
We want to learn How To Crucify The Flesh In Marriage this morning. Marriage is a mystery as it is likened to the relationship between Christ and the church .
The love between a husband and his wife can make them do crazy stuffs when they are in love.
Flip the coin the other way and what you have are deep seated offenses that you wonder, “were they ever in love?” Can love to turned to hatred? Yes, it can be. This is evident in the rate of divorce out there. A husband and his wife that were once in love and can’t seem to get their hands off each other can’t stand each other’s presence now. They must learn How To Crucify The Flesh In Marriage
The truth is that marriage cannot be done in the flesh. It takes the two parties involved, walking in the spirit and deciding to crucify their flesh. Love itself is not a natural virtue, it is a spiritual virtue. Both husband and wife can be naturally selfish. We want our ways. We don’t want to serve each other, rather we want to be served. We can be revengeful, and most times, our flesh doesn’t want to forgive.
God proffered a once and for all solution,’Crucify the flesh.’ Mortify the deeds of the flesh in you. Walk in the spirit and you will not gratify the deeds of the flesh.
Be a doer of the word.
Rom 8:13 (KJV) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Take a look at the Message Translation: Rom 8:13 (MSG) There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life.
God bless your marriage. As couples, we should know How To Crucify The Flesh In Marriage!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am a doer of the word. I put to death the works of my flesh.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, grant me grace to crucify my flesh
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 8:13 (TPT) For when you live controlled by the flesh, you are about to die. But if the life of the Spirit puts to death the corrupt ways of the flesh, we then taste his abundant life.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Be intentional about walking in the spirit.
All Hail The King And The Queen! It is certain that every husband wants to be the king in their marriage. Where they are treated with so much honor, dignity, respect, admiration and given all the attention fit for the king. It is every husband’s dream to be so treated.
The wives are not left out also. Every wife wants to be the queen of her man’s heart. She loves to be treated with dignity and honor. She loves the tender, loving care. Not the cruel, cold and unaffectionate treatment of a harsh husband.
So, what is All Hail The King And The Queen all about? We all love to reign both in life and in our marriages. Probably because we were created in God’s image and likeness. God is not in any way against our reigning as kings and queens especially in our homes and marriages.
God has made provision for us on how we can reign in life and I bet to say in our marriages as married couples. Let’s look at the scriptures. In Proverb 4:4b in the The Passion Translation, it says, …Never forget my words. If you do everything that I teach you, you will reign in life’.
All Hail The King And The Queen! Do you want to reign in your marriage? Kings and queens don’t struggle to reign. Follow God’ s instruction in Pro4:4. It’s pretty simple.
a. Don’t forget His words
b. Do everything He teaches you.
So we all see why God’s word is so important to us. God’s word is the key to your becoming a king and a queen in your own marriage. Be a doer of the word. Start being intentional about reading and doing the word. The word of God is full of instructions on how you can reign. Let your word be full of authority by the Word.
I see you reigning.
God bless your marriage. All Hail The King And The Queen
Thought for the day Pro 4:4 Then my father taught me, saying, “Never forget my words. If you do everything that I teach you, you will reign in life.”
Prayer for the day Lord I will do everything you teach me and not forget your words in Jesus name.
Confession for the day I am a doer of the word. I learn, I do and I am not a forgetful hearer.
Action plan for the day Be intentional about reading God’s word
The power of decisions in marriage cannot be overemphasized. In life and of course in marriage, there comes a time when “we come to ourselves” like the prodigal son and make decisions. We could be inspired by our situation, events, people’s actions or inaction, the Holy Spirit or the Word of God.
Today, I want to encourage some one to take time and ‘come to yourself ‘ and take a decision for a positive change in your life and marriage.
Make up your mind to be whole. Let the Holy spirit mend all your brokenness.
This is How To Make Decisions In Marriage. Decide not to be a victim any longer. Decide to live life to the fullest in God. Decide to enjoy everyday life. Decide to live for God because ultimately, it is Him you are answerable to. Decide to be the right spouse. Decide to be good. Decide to live the Christ like life. Decide to be compassionate, kind and humble. Decide to be a quick forgiver. Decide to clean up your thought life. Decide to forgive an offense and not dwell on it. Decide not to hurt. Decide to allow God fight for you. Decide to love your spouse fully.
You fill in the gap and make that decision in your life and marriage that will bring about that change you so much desire
Remember, the power of your decision is great. Let nothing and no one distract you from your decision.
This is How To Make Decisions In Marriage. May God strengthen us. God bless our marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I decide to life the victorious life. I decide to be happy. I decide to be who God said I am.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY I receive Grace and strength to make quality decisions
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offence. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:12 – 14 MSG
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Make that decision that will make you better today
Help Pastor, We Don’t Communicate Well in Marriage! Communication is so important in marriage. Just as you can do for long without food, the same way, you cannot do without communication in marriage.
There must be good communication between a husband and wife.
A husband and wife must talk about everything and anything. They must not be secretive and they must not hide anything for one another.
Never allow your communication to degenerate into mono-syllable answers, where it seems only one party is doing the talking.
Communication is so important that whole cities and countries have been brought down simply because the two parties involved cannot understand one another.
This is this story of Tower of Babel. They had a great goal; to build a city whose top will reach unto the heavens, God attested to their feat that they would do it.
The only way for God to stop their ambition is to touch their language and they could not understand each other.
Their language became confounded. Once that happened, their project was brought to an abrupt end.
May I dare say that a lot of opportunities have been truncated because the husband and wife are busy fighting and throwing tantrums, and withdrawing from themselves.
Help Pastor, We Don’t Communicate Well in Marriage! Learn to talk in your marriage.
For communication to take place, there must be a person who is willing to receive and another who is willing to share.
When either party does not want to share and at the same time doesn’t want to receive, that may be a major issue there.
Help Pastor, We Don’t Communicate Well in Marriage! If you are the quiet one in your marriage, then you must consciously encourage your spouse when he or she is talking or joking.
Also, deliberately respond to your spouse and don’t just shake your head. Your spouse is not a Radio station which talks alone most of the time.
Be deliberate about good communication. I pray that God grant you more wisdom. Be blessed!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am helped in my marriage. Our communication is getting better.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, strengthen me in my are of weaknesses
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Gen 11:7 (MSG) Come, we’ll go down and garble their speech so they won’t understand each other.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Decide to initiate a meaningful conversation between you and your spouse
Dear Couples in the house, you remember how you wanted to consummate your love so badly as singles. And some of you actually did. But that is not what I am taking about today.
I am actually looking at why what you wanted so badly as singles became what you did not care for again! You wanted it so badly. Now you are married, life happened and you are not that much interested, especially the wives!
Take a look at the scriptures
Son 2:6-7 (MSG) His left hand cradles my head, and his right arm encircles my waist! [7] Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem, by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe—and you’re ready.
Do you have an idea of what God is saying to you now that you are married?
Let’s take a look.
Pro 5:18-19 (KJV) Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. [19] Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
Dear Couples, Enjoy yourselves sexually! The Bible actually recommends sucking of the breasts! Chai! FOR THE COUPLES!
“Ha Pastor!” Which is one “Ha Pastor?” Read your Bible!
The scripture is saying focus on your spouse. Let her satisfy you. Don’t look outside!
Take a look at the Message Translation for better perspective.
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!
Need I say more, dear couples? Appreciate your spouse always. Focus on each other. Love each other passionately and stay deeply in love!
My name is Rev. Dunamis. I remain your Pastor!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I love my spouse deeply. We are one. We are together. We love one another.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, make us one and keep us focused on each other
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Pro 5:18 (CEV) Be happy with the wife you married when you were young.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Express your love to your spouse consciously
God created you to exercise dominion and authority on earth. It is not right for the one who is to exercise dominion to be dominated. You are to be the man and woman God created you to be.
All such things as insecurities, low self-esteem, rejection, condemnation, guilt, approval addiction, and fears, are all an attempt of the enemy to steal your authority from you. He attempts to make you laden with a poor image of yourself. That devil is a liar.
You have what it takes to have dominion. It was inbuilt into you at creation. Every source of insecurity is giving way right now. You cannot be battling with such feelings and expect to take charge of your life.
You take charge of your life by first knowing and believing what God says about you.
God says;
You are the head and not the tail.
You are acceptable in the beloved.
You are the apple of His eyes.
You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you.
Ye are gods and children of the Highest.
You have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
All these and many other promises you have to believe. You are secured in who God says you are. Your approval is not based on your past, who rejected you, your performance, or what you did or didn’t do.
God wants you to enjoy life and have life in abundance. Having life in abundance is being in dominion and exercising your God-given authority, where you are not intimidated by anything or anybody.
Your relationships are good. You are trusting and hoping in the Lord. You have faith in your heavenly Father that He loves you and so he is mindful of you.
Walk in dominion and God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY God’s vision over my life will not be prolonged.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, this year, your vision for my life will speak!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY This vision–message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming––it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time. Habakkuk 2:3 MSG
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Write down plans for the coming months
We serve a God who delights in doing the things that we think are impossible. We call Him the God of the possibilities.
What is it in your life that seems to look impossible? What is that difficult thing that has defied all solutions? What is that issue? Is it barrenness or joblessness? Is it a mountain of debt or bills to pay? Is it a financial need and you are tired of the same level?
Are you on the same spot for years? Rejoice, for we serve the God of all possibilities. He is coming through for you.
The bible says:
‘For with God nothing shall be impossible’ Luke 1:37(KJV)
It is an absolute statement. Nothing shall be impossible, not with the government or with your rich uncle but with God. Do you have this God in your life? Then be rest assured.
And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. – Luke 18:27 (KJV)
You have to believe God’s word. He said those things that are impossible with men are possible with God.
Your situations that are impossible are becoming possible right now. Do you believe that?
What God wants is that you believe.
Just believe in the one He has sent. Believe in Jesus. Believe what He says he can do.
Maybe your marriage is not what you dreamt it would be like. You feel this is not what you bargained for.
All your mentors have tried talking to you and it looks like it’s over. Trust again.
For nothing shall be impossible with God. He will do the impossible
God bless your marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY God has a purpose for my life. I will cooperate with that purpose
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, show me what I need to know right now in my life
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. –Proverbs 3:5 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read Papa Kenneth Hagin’s book on “Following God’s plan for your life”
God wants us to serve him with the integrity of heart.
In our homes and in our individual lives, God requires that we serve Him with an upright heart. Serve God in the faithfulness of your heart. Seeking to know God and His ways will engender walking in the integrity of your heart, where you are not deceived in your own heart.
Some people try to mock God. They serve God unfaithfully and expect the reward of being faithful.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. – Gal 6:7
What you reap is a function of what you sow; that is God’s word. You can’t serve God without integrity and expect the reward of those that serve God with integrity.
David served God with the integrity of his heart. He was sincere. He was true to himself and to God. He loved God genuinely, he served him with the whole of his heart. He had no other God. Were David’s heart to be opened, you will see him serving God with the truth. He had no skeleton in his cupboard.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. – Psa 78:72
God promised that if we walk in the integrity of heart and in uprightness, keeping all His statutes, He will establish us. In the works of our hands, in our homes, and on the job, He wants to show Himself faithful.
And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel. – 1Ki 9:4 – 5
Let us be true to ourselves. Let us not think we can do things on our own. Let our heartbeat be to do His will. Some of us don’t want to do things God’s way because we think His ways are too difficult.
In our hearts, let us check for any form of deception that may want to deceive our hearts. As a husband or as a wife, seek to serve God with the integrity of your heart. God is searching for those whose hearts are upright towards him.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I have the wisdom of God to do the needful
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray that God will teach and instruct you in the way to go
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye (Psalms 32:8 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Discuss the issue of integrity
I know a God who delivered the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He is the on-time God. He is right just on time. Not a second late, not a minute earlier.
He is awesome. He didn’t deliver them when they faced the king. He didn’t deliver them when they were bound to be thrown into the fire. He didn’t deliver them just before throwing them into the fire. He delivered them in the fire. Glory to God!
He was already waiting for them in the fire. Hallelujah! He waited for them. Let your trust in Him be strong.
What if the three Hebrew boys had started crying that this God has failed us? What if they refused to enter the fire and deny God? What if? We will not have their story written in the bible.
You may be passing through a situation right now that seems God is not answering your prayers. Maybe it’s the health of your child. Maybe it is the weakness of your husband or wife. Maybe it is a financial issue or a debt. Maybe it is a problem that seems to defy solution.
Just keep on waiting on God. Wait on him to come through in the nick of time. Don’t be anxious about when He will answer. Just be assured that He will answer.
God bless your marriage!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will go forward and press forth. I will not give up on God.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray that God will honour you
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! (Psalms 90:12 Message)
It is still the same God of the bible that is still the same now. He is the same God who turned back the red sea, who made the lame to walk, the blind eyes to see, the dumb to speak e is still the same God you are serving.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israel God, The Jehovah the man of war, his mercies endureth forever and ever. The only one, the mighty one, awesome, wonderful, the way maker, He made a way in the wilderness, He is still the same God.
He defeated great kings, he stopped the mouth of the lions, He turned bitter water into sweetness, He made the barren mother of children, he fed five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fishes, he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He is still the same God.
The God that answers by fire, the one whose voice is like thunder, He spoke and mountains shook, the Holy God, the righteous God, the Only one, the breadth of life, the light in the darkness, He is still the same one.
The bright and morning star, the most high, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the lily of the valley, is still the same one.
The same one that raises the dead, the same one that heals the sick, He is the same one that gives joy and laughter, the great teacher, He is still the same one.
He is still the same one you and I call, He is the same one who has promised that will never fail. He is the same one who will never leave us or forsake us. He is the one who has called us to trust in him, He never sleeps nor slumbers. He is the great I am. The I AM WHO I AM. The Word of God. The Amen.
This God is still the same God. Trust Him. He will take care of you.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY God is a great God over my life
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, let me see your greatness
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Psa 71:19 (KJV) Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
When there is disunity in a household, there are all sorts of evil works of unrighteousness there. The devil has a field day because the demons are at work in such a family.
A family where they don’t pray together, study God’s word, take confessions, and do spiritual exercises together invites the devil.
The atmosphere in such a family is tense; there is hardly laughter, playing, or any of such. All there will be is suspicion, strife, unforgiving spirit, and abuse.
A house where the father is the lion of the tribe of the house; he is feared with trepidation, where the children are full of lies, abuses, and emotional hurts, where the children hibernate in their rooms for lack of companionship. Where the wife is full of lies, insincerity, hurts, bitterness, and schemes, all this ought not to be so.
We as believers are called to Christ-like life, to live like Christ, to love like Christ, to be meek and gentle like Him in all that we do.
When Jesus was on earth, He lived a selfless life, he lived to please God and not himself, his relationships were selfless.
He taught forgiveness, he lived forgiveness, even when he was dying on the cross he said; Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. That statement alone can set us free in our marriages.
Ask yourself, the wrong that is done to you, does that person know it is a sin? Then if they do not know, forgive them. Be quick to forgive easily. Develop a forgiving spirit. Learn to forgive in advance. Make up your mind; you are going to forgive your spouse no matter what he/she does.
When you forgive, you are actually helping yourself, because you cherish your relationship with God more than anything, and you don’t want anything to disrupt your relationship with God, you forgive.
Let us work towards making our home a haven and not an oven. It is your responsibility. Don’t wait for one person to do it for you. You have to be committed and take up the responsibility to do it yourself.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I have God’s wisdom to do the right thing
PRAYER FOR THE DAY I receive grace to forgive easily
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. –Romans 6:14 (KJV)
Today, I want to encourage us to keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking.
Don’t give up on your spouse, don’t give up on your children.
The Bible says,
‘Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find, knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you’. – Matt 7:9
Keep on asking, seeking and knocking on a continual basis, day in, day out, 365 days a year, so that we may keep receiving what we need.
How long do we stay awake all night wrestling with our issues and losing our sleep? Instead of simply casting our cares upon Him by asking Him and trusting Him.
Maybe your spouse has a weakness and you have talked to him/her about it for a long time and he doesn’t seem to listen.
Maybe your spouse even agrees to change but find it difficult to change. Your children are wayward and they seem impossible.
You are having a difficult time maintaining a close, godly relationship with them. Just don’t give up or maintain the status quo.
You must know how to stay with what you want. Jesus already promised in His word that
…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him”. – Luke 11:13
God wants us to trust Him with our request. He wants to see how much we trust Him and how much we can stay on what we want without shifting grounds.
You have to keep asking till your marriage becomes what you want it to be. You have to keep on knocking until your children become what they should be.
Never give up on God and this goes for everything. Never give up until you are rich, until you have your children, until you get that job.
God is committed until it is completed.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not give up on my dreams.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord make right everything wrong in my marriage
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Psa 128:2 (KJV) For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Today, we will be looking at a house that is not united; the causes and consequences and the possible solutions.
God created homes to be united and to be the greatest source of togetherness and unity so that from our homes, unity can spread to the nation, our workplace, and to other relationships we have.
The devil is scared of families. He is scared of the unity in the family. He cannot imagine the havoc that will be done to his kingdom if families are united. He became proactive, and so all his attack is on the family. He wants to prevent unity in our homes and families as much as possible.
Let’s look at the scriptures
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.- Luk 11:17
The Amplified version puts it in a better way
But He, [well] aware of their intent and purpose, said to them, Every kingdom split up against itself is doomed and brought to desolation, and so house falls upon house. [The disunited household will collapse.] – Luk11:17
It says a disunited household will collapse. May that not be our portion in Jesus name!
We should try to prevent disunity in our homes. Husbands and wives need to be on the same page. And one major thing that can cause disunity or a breach in the spirit is not being truthful.
Insincerity will break the unity. In the spirit realm, it is like a breach. Quarrels, strife, and suspicion, are all causes of disunity.
Wives not being submissive to their husbands threatens the unity in the home. One degree away from the truth is falsehood. There is no little lie or white lie. A lie is a lie
May God bless us.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am not disobedient to God. I am quick to hear and obey.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, teach me your ways that I may do it your way
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Psa 133:1 (KJV) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Expecting your spouse to change overnight will leave you heavily disappointed. It is entirely different if either spouse is an unbeliever; change in that sense is possible and can be anytime.
But when we talk about habits, attitudes, and behavioral patterns it can take a while.
Take note of these few points:
1. Patience
You will need to exercise patience! It takes a while. Let’s assume your spouse was twenty-five years old by the time you got married. It means that he or she has been formed into a certain mold for twenty-five years. Coming into marriage and expecting a quick change because you sermonized or lectured him or her will not make a change in a few days, expecting a quick change, may leave you disappointed.
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud… -1Corinthians 13:4 (CEV)
I think in marriages, you always get to understand that virtue called “long-suffering!”
2. Don’t Lecture Or Sermonize
Your lectures and long talks do nothing at the end of the day; it only turns you into a nag, a domineering spouse, and an impatient spouse.
Between a husband and a wife, one will talk more than the other; don’t ever make the mistake of thinking your ability to package words is effective on your spouse.
It is even much more annoying and irritatingly hilarious if your spouse is a phlegmatic who doesn’t want trouble; he or she will allow you to talk and talk, and then will promise you there is change, only so that you can stop talking!
Only to do the very thing you’ve been talking about again!
You feel like escaping from the marriage, but sorry, you are hooked already!
Trust God that things will get better.
3. Pray Rather Than Talk And Talk
Your most effective and sure way to create any change is to pray. Take it to God and stop wearing yourself out.
Try and think about it, you’ve been complaining about something for seven years, yet no change! and you keep complaining!
Don’t you think in seven years, your spouse has disconnected himself or herself from your complaints?
He or she has mastered the art of closing the gate of his heart; you are only talking to the ears!
It does nothing and it would do nothing!
Pray about it!
4. Get Back Into Dating Mode
You used to love yourselves! You used to overlook and ignore some things you are bitterly complaining about now. What happened?
You need to get back into that romantic mode and love each other again rather than thinking your spouse is the problem of your family!
Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. -1Corinthians 13:7 (CEV)
Be supportive, be hopeful, and trust again. Cast your cares unto Jesus and stop focusing on the flaws of your spouse.
Get back into appreciating him or her in their area of strength.
I pray that God will help you need and send the very help you need in Jesus name.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am patient
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to love my spouse again
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, and never gives up. -1Corinthians 13:7 (GW)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read Myles Munroe’s book on the Myth of Singleness
Women can completely relate to the art of cooking, it’s a beautiful art that requires focus and mastery. When you want to eat a meal, it doesn’t just appear by merely desiring it, or just thinking about it.
It takes a lot of deliberateness to cook a nice and tasty meal. For food to be prepared a lot of things have to come together; these things are called ingredients.
Spice, proteins, vegetables, you name it. These things have to come together before you can have a meal, and depending on what you decide to combine, it results in the aroma, taste, and outlook of your end product.
Just like cooking is an art, marriage is also an art; the only difference is you can’t master it because every day is different.
But certainly, there are principles (ingredients) you can use to address every issue, to get certain results, regardless of whether it’s the same scenario or not.
Love is a major ingredient in marriage; it’s not just the feeling of butterflies or Goosebumps. Even those that have been married for a short while will agree with me that you don’t feel butterflies in your belly all the time.
What exactly is this ingredient called Love? Let us see what the bible says.
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies. -1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (MSG)
As husband and wife, the greatest good you can do for yourselves is to love each other passionately, love yourself from the depths of your heart and really mean it.
Let love be without dissimulation.
I love the way that The Message Translation puts it.
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. –Romans 12:9a (MSG)
Don’t fake love for each other; let your love be genuine, genuine love can be felt, and it will also reflect in every area.
Pray for one another’s weaknesses; take every anxiety and fear to God in the place of prayers. As you begin to do this, you will receive the strength to love your spouse appropriately and passionately.
So shall it be in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will love my spouse unconditionally
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, send your help into our marriage
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. –Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)
Dear couple, today I want to show you a powerful weapon that works all the time. Regardless of whatever season you are in your life or marriage, this weapon is a formidable one.
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. -1Chronicles 29:13 (KJV)
There is one thing that the enemy cannot resist; it is the power of praise, when you learn to praise God all your enemies fall down at your feet.
No matter what the problem or situation is praise is a way out, when you praise, worship, and give thanksgiving to God, the enemy is confused, and there is confusion in the enemy’s camp.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
The devil hates joyful songs; he hates songs of adoration and thanksgiving to God, it gets him confused; he knows his strategy is not working, and his weaponry is not working.
His weapons won’t work because you are focused on something stronger, and better. you can’t be distracted, you are engaging the help of a God that consumes by fire.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” -Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)
Praise God all alone when it looks like the situation is not working when it looks like things are going awry when it looks like the children are wayward.
Praise God when the finances don’t seem to be flowing, praise him into your breakthrough, and you will surely rejoice!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will praise my God at all times, in every situation, and in every season
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, teach me to praise always
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Now, therefore, our God, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name. -1Chronicles 29:13 (KJV)
Dear couples in the house, it’s time to pray. If anyone asks you what time it is, tell them “it’s time to pray”.
It’s not time to play, sit, worry, think about the problem, complain about the situation, wish things were better, grumble at your maker, it is time to PRAY.
You’ve got to decide that this time, it is either you break through or you break through.
I am tired of where I am. I am tired of the status quo. I am tired of business as usual. I am tired of nothing much happening in my life. I am tired of “just being there”.
You’ve got to get to a point where you are no longer satisfied, a point where whatever is keeping you down-trodden must give way.
Whether it is a generational curse or something, it is time to get tired of it. Until you stop romancing your situation, don’t expect a change.
There are some things you have to break free from, some dangerous habits. Some things that are not making you move forward, some weights that keep drowning and pulling you back.
Some ungodly relationships you have to pull back from, some quarrels that are from the pit of hell, habits that only you know about.
You have to ask God to open the eyes of your understanding. You have to be ruthless with yourself. Whatever is not making you prosper or breakthrough, you have to address it in prayer. You must be ready to stick it out with God. God must know that “it is either He delivers you or He delivers you”.
This time I want you to make a quality decision. It is your time, and no one will take it from you. Make up your mind; decide to settle all that needs to be settled with God.
God said He will do a new thing.
I am believing Him not only for a new thing but for a new me; to be changed by the power of the most high God, to experience his Grace and His Mercy.
Set time out, a time set aside to wait on and for God, a time for God to break through in our homes, over our children.
All family issues will be dissolved during this time of prayer. All lineage issues will be broken. You will emerge. You will thrive. You will break through. God will decorate you with productivity in Jesus name.
God bless your marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY Peace surrounds my home
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to see the peace you have surrounded me with
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth––even those long ago dead and buried––will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ. –Philippians 2:9-10 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Meditate on “the benevolence of God”
