Sade is just simply toxic in her way of thinking and dealing with issues. This is brought about by several disappointments she has gone through in the hands of guys, especially. She believes life has not been fair to her at all. She watched a lot of her friends get married one by one while nothing seems to be happening in her life.
She prayed and prayed but it was as though God is not listening to her. She got to a place where she actually gave up and she was no longer rejoicing with those who rejoice.
Her pastime became having itchy ears and looking for negative news which seems to excite her. When she hears that someone has a broken relationship, she seems happy. She would not stop at that, but she would consciously begin to spread the news as if it was some good news. This she did and did not even know she was in error.
This is in direct contradiction to what we are supposed to do as believers. It is never in our place to spread negative news. As a matter of fact, what we are supposed to do at such times is to pray for such people, so that such will not be your experience.
When King Saul died, it could have been a time for David to start rejoicing and keep mouthing it all over. But check out what he said here:
Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
2Sa 1:20 (KJV)
He understood covenant. He said the news is not to be published!
My words of advice for you this morning is simple. Avoid being happy when something unfortunate happens to others, even when such people are perceived enemies.
Pray for them and you will unleash a new realm of favour upon your life!
Be blessed in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I choose to rejoice with those who are happy
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Oh Lord, help me to genuinely rejoice with those rejoicing.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Romans 12:15 [ESV] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Women occupy a major part in the plan of God, in the life of a man and in the society in general. Her role and importance cannot be over-emphasized as this is exemplified in her capacity to cause procreation to become a reality. She is the woman, the man with a womb, The womb-man!
She is the help-meet! The helper for the man. Isn’t it interesting that she and the Holy Spirit are the ones referred to as helpers throughout the scripture?
You grieve the Holy Spirit, your prayers can be hindered. You grieve your wife, your prayers can be hindered as well.
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.
1Pe 3:7 (KJV)
But that is not my emphasis this morning.
I want you to look at a scripture addressed to women here:
…To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Tit 2:5 (KJV)
The scripture is saying as a wife, if you are not discreet, if you are not chaste, if you are not keepers at home, if you are not good, if you are not obedient to your husband, God’s word CAN BE BLASPHEMED!
That is serious!
Consider that Scripture in other translations for more clarity:
…be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want ANYONE LOOKING DOWN ON GOD’S MESSAGE BECAUSE OF THEIR BEHAVIOR.
Tit 2:5 (MSG)
…and to be self-controlled and pure, taking care of their household and being devoted to their husbands. By doing these things the word of God WILL NOT BE DISCREDITED.
Tit 2:5 (TPT)
The word of God must not be looked down on!
The word of God must not be discredited!
Go ahead and meditate on that verse and apply it to your life while looking at areas you need to make adjustments!
God bless you!
Good morning!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not grief my spouse.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not grief your wife
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Titus 2:5[ESV]to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Recognizing Jesus as the only way is important. Imagine you want to reach a place and there’s only one way to reach there. Just one way to get there. You search the internet, look it up on the map, ask around, do all you can, but still can’t seem to find an alternative route. You can’t think of another way. No one can show another way and if they do, it’s the wrong way.
That’s the same way it is with Christ.
Look at the verse below
“Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 [GW]
That was Jesus telling the disciples about how to get to know God. He means that only a person who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour can get to God and get to heaven. Recognizing Jesus as the only way is important.
Jesus was simply saying; you want to know the Father, you come through me. I am the P.A to the heavenlies. I am not just a way, I am THE WAY. I am not just a door, I am THE DOOR.
There is no other way. Any other way is the wrong way and it won’t get you to heaven.
Children, do you want to go to heaven? Do not listen to people who say there is another way to heaven. Recognizing Jesus as the only way is important. I like the way this translation puts it;
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.
John 14:6 [ERV]
The only way to the Father is through Jesus, no other way.
Selah!
Have you accepted Christ as your Saviour?
Prayer: Lord, Jesus, I thank you for being the only way to God. Thank You for making it so simple.
Action point: Accept Christ into your life today. Tomorrow might just be too late.
Declaration: I accept Jesus as the only way. He will lead me to the Father. Amen
The transcendency of your present decisions is a blunt truth and reality that should set you thinking before doing anything!
Where you were born was never your decision, it was the decision of your parents, who were even influenced by their own parents. This brings home the resounding truth, the decisions you are making now, even as a single, will affect your children and your children’s children! This then calls for caution, since your decisions will affect several lives that are still locked up in your loins.
The choice of your spouse, the strength of your service to God, the kind of lifestyle you are living now, all have a significant effect not just on you but on others around you because it’s not only about you.
This is why it becomes really important to consider every decision well before you take them. Even more interesting is the fact that whoever you are identified with or whoever you decide to follow can affect your life, and conversely, whoever follows you will be affected by your decisions.
Take a look at this scripture:
“So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.”
(1Sa 31:6, KJV)
Saul was the one that disobeyed God. He was the one that refused to follow God’s instructions. But he did not die alone. When he was going to die, his three sons died, his armor-bearer died, and then ALL HIS MEN, of which we do know their number!
All these people who died did nothing wrong other than following a man who did something wrong. Because of one man’s wrong decision, others innocent folk died with him.
Do you now see why you have to study that person well before you marry as it’s not just about you? Ultimately, marriage wedges destinies together and changes the course and direction of life!
Be wise!
God bless you.
Have a great day!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not make a wrong decision
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask the Lord to help you make the right decision.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 1 Sam 31:6 (CEV) Saul was dead, his three sons were dead, and the soldier who carried his weapons was dead. They and all his soldiers died on that same day.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Study that person well before marriage.
She is simply vivacious! Her smile makesmy blood run! Mr. Bode thought as he reminiscence on the joy that his wife has been in his life. Her electric smile, accentuated by well-placed dimples, could melt any heart as she reveals a beautiful gap in between a well-set of teeth.
She is simply a beauty to behold and she brings beauty into anybody she comes in contact with as well. Getting married to such beauty was a dream come true for Mr. Bode!
He reciprocated this affection and love through a lot of things, including writing her poems regularly, buying her flowers, and taking her out to her favorite Chinese Restaurant!
He just loved it as the smile would light up on her face, and her smiles seem to bring him smiles!
But today is far from what it was. The smile was gone. The dimples have been leveled. He is not sure whether the gap in the teeth has been blocked.
As Mr. Bode sat before the counselor in total frustration and having explained what it used to be, the counselor asked him a few questions.
“When was the last time you wrote her a poem?” Mr. Bode looked into the empty air. Obviously, the poet in him has died!
When was the last time you bought her flowers? Again, the answer never came. Flowers are no longer growing.
When was the last time you took her out? Again, he just stared. Restaurants have all closed down. Not even a Kung-Fu Restaurant!
The words of the counselor hit him like a sledgehammer!
“You stopped doing what you used to do, so she stopped being who she used to be!
The truth hit home hard. He stood up, and left, thanking the counselor and resolving to make amends.
Good morning!
God bless you!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will do all I can to make my spouse happy
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask the Lord to help you see where you need to make amends.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Song of Solomon 1:2 (KJV) “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Go back to doing what you used to do.
Dear children, when you hear a knock on the door, the natural response is to call out, “Who is there?” The person at the door, naturally, also replies, “It’s me.”
Either you like the person or not, you have to attend to them since you have responded.
Knocking on doors is indirectly asking to gain access into a place. Courtesy demands we don’t just barge into people’s homes without first seeking their permission, hence the need to knock. That’s rude.
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Rev.3:20
Dear children, Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, with nothing but love for us, asking us to please let Him. He eagerly wants to be a part of our lives so He can show us His wonderful and powerful love for us.
Just as we invite our friends over to visit or sleep over, Jesus wants us to do the same too with him. He wants to be our best friend who stays with us throughout the day. He wants to protect us, provide for us, and do much more than a human friend can do.
Do you hear Jesus at the door today? Is he your best friend? Will you open the door for him to enter?
Dear children, Jesus is waiting, eager to throw his arm across your shoulders and start chatting with you.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for finding my heart worthy of your love. I open my heart to you today. Please, come in. You are welcome. Amen.
Declaration: My children are receptive. They accept the invitation of Jesus early in life and open the door of their hearts unto him.
Wisdom lies in God. Deception and traps abound, but God’s wisdom will always avail if we connect with it. Wisdom is given so that we can avoid unnecessary mistakes that dot the path of love.
Here are a few words of wisdom that will help you.
That you are a born again christian does not mean your relationship will succeed.
Yes, you are born again. Yes, you are filled with the Spirit. Yes, you are a child of God. All of these are true, but what is not true is that because of all the above, you will have a fantastic relationship or marriage.
With the addition to all above, you will now consciously work at your relationship or marriage by working the principles of God.
All love feelings may not all be God’s leading
Falling in love may not be God’s leading all the time. There are times you fall in love and you feel so strongly in love and it’s all looking like God’s direction, but it may not always be.
You cannot make major decisions as result of your feelings because feelings are fickle.
When you spend time with anyone, you fall in love with that person.
The more you hang around a person, spend time with that person, the more you are going to fall in love with that person. It happens all the time. Emotions will be involved and in no time, reasoning will be impaired.
It is good to always draw boundaries and define relationships at the early stage. This way, you can be sure there won’t be mistakes, all in the name of love.
Once you don’t love a person, don’t bother to spend much time together.
Have a blessed day today and always in Jesus’ name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive divine wisdom
PRAYER FOR THE DAY I will follow God’s leading in the name of Jesus
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY James 1:5, (NLT) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
Son 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
I want us to noticethree things from the above scripture.
Take these little foxes.
The foxes are little, insignificant issues.
Our vines, (marriage) have tender grapes.
When we run marriage with godly principles, it has the potential to yield great results.
I want us to note here that godly principles are not necessarily logical.
Below are some logical reasons why either the wife or husband leave their matrimonial bed
My husband or wife snores and sleeps roughly. I can’t cope with not having a good night’s rest.
My wife just put to bed. She needs enough space to nurse our baby.
I need my privacy, so let’s have separate rooms.
I need to teach my wife or husband a lesson, as we have not been on talking terms for a while.
My wife is currently on her monthly period. I will be back when she is done.
However, God’s principles knock out every form of logic you might be thinking of.
Once married, you are now one flesh. Leaving your flesh in one room is not part of the deal. Learn to accept the one you married, for love is patient.
Do not abandon raising your kids to your wife alone. Be with her, especially at night.
You won’t get any privacy by leaving your spouse in one room and going to another. God frowns at such acts.
No matter what issues you have, you deal with them by talking. Staying in separate rooms will only make you go apart.
Having her monthly period is normal. You knew this before marrying her, so stay with her. If you can’t stay with her for 5 days in a month, then you can’t stay with her for life.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not let insignificant issues ruin my marriage
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray for your spouse
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Songs of Solomon 2:15 (TPT) You must catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship. For they raid our budding vineyard of love to ruin what I’ve planted within you. Will you catch them and remove them for me? We will do it together.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Meditate on Songs of Solomon 2:15 using different translations
Dear young lad, you must learn to be a good friend. Lee noticed that Ben always stayed back in class during lunch break for some days now. Ben was his classmate and friend. Lee decided to speak to Ben today immediately after the lunch bell rang.
“Ben, where is your lunch pack?” Asked Lee.
Ben looked away and tried to smile but Lee saw that the smile was a fake one.
“I noticed you haven’t been coming to school with your lunch pack.” Said Lee. “Is there something wrong?”
Ben shook his head refusing to meet Lee’s probing eyes. “Nothing.”
“Will you share my lunch with me?” Offered Lee.
Lee remembered what the bible says about helping others in Galatians chapter six and verse two.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Carrying each other’s burdens is a sign of true friendship because a friend should offer to help his friends when they have a need. Even if they don’t ask for help and you notice that they need help with something.
This is what Jesus says about helping our friends
John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
Don’t you like to be friends with Jesus? How about calling Him your best friend? Then do what He commands. Help your friends.
I pray that God will strengthen you in the area of helping your friends.
Prayer:
Lord, Jesus, thank You for the wonderful friends You surround me with. I pray that You make me a better friend. I want to be always ready to help my friends in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action point:
Will you look round at your friends today and see what areas they need help with. You could also ask them what they need help with.
Declaration:
I am compassionate. I share what I have with my friends.
Delay is perceived as anything that doesn’t come at the expected time. Quickly this morning, I want to identify three sources of delay that could be experienced in relationships and marriages.
1. The delay that comes from you Self-inflicted delays can come when you are just too impatient. God has a timetable for your life. When you alter that timetable by impatience and unnecessarily hurrying, one can actually cause delay.
Actually, and candidly speaking, hurrying up things eventually bring delay. These are what I call self-inflicted delays.
See the scripture:
…he that believeth shall not make haste.
Isa 28:16b (KJV)
The delay allowed by God. God can also allow delay when He knows you are about to make a decision that will jeopardize your salvation, your joy, or which can bring any form of evil.
The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 AMP
See another translation:
The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.
2Pe 3:9 (GNB)
Since God does not want you to perish, what He can do is to allow delay in stubborn decisions you are about to take in other to save your soul. This kind can be brought about when you refuse to work on your character.
Constant attitude adjustment is pivotal to speed in your relationship and marital endeavors.
Delay can come from the devil Finally, delay can also come from the devil. This is the work of the devil and it is not to be tolerated. It is to be refused, rejected, and resisted. Jesus has already destroyed the works of the devil.
The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8b AMP
I pray for you this morning, every spirit of delay is bound in your life in Jesus name.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will cooperate with the timing of God.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, do that which you are set to do in my life.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Ecclesiastes 3:11a He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:
1. The Conscious Expression of Love This is a big issue for women. Saying the words “I love you” genuinely could be the solution to the crisis rocking your home. She wants to hear it from you as often as possible.
As a lady, she will definitely get compliments from outside. The problem begins when the compliments she is getting from outside outweigh the ones her husband is giving her at home.
Women go through a lot and struggle so much with their emotions, that is why they always carry a mirror everywhere they go.
As a man, learn to affirm your wife as often as possible. It will go a long way to make her feel loved.
2. The Practice of attending church together The bible encourages us not to forsake the gathering of the brethren.
As a man, take the lead and find a bible believing church to attend. It is important for you and your wife to be hearing the same thing.
Attending different churches when you both are in the same location is a no-no for me.
Grow together. Study together. Pray together. It will strengthen the marriage.
3. The deliberateness of not hitting your wife Resist the urge to hit your wife. Never do it, for whatever reason. That is what separates the men from the boys
Yes, she can be disrespectful, stubborn, arrogant, or whatever. Hitting her will not be the way out.
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.
1Pe 3:7 (KJV)
Make up your mind never to physically assault her. Decide to honor her, protect her and take care of her. That is how to be a man.
May God bless your union.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I love and honour my spouse.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray for a patient spirit.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 1Pe 3:7 (KJV) 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.
“Teaching My Children Gratitude is what I must start doing,” Mr Alfred said to himself. Mr Alfred was the father of Taiwo and Kenny.
Taiwo and Kenny are twins. They both are returning to school. Their dad gave Taiwo some amount of money for upkeep. Taiwo was provoked, saying the amount was small.
Kenny, on the other hand, was given the same amount of money. He went flat prostrating, thanking his father. He already mapped out how to spend the money, such that it will last him for the month.
That was how a master gave talents to his servants. One he gave 5, to another 2, and to another, 1 talent. I believe we know the story.
God expects us to be grateful first for everything we have through our parents or others.
He also expects us to do business with what he has his given is.
Don’t be like Taiwo and the ungrateful servant? Be like Kenny, who used his talents well.
Each had a reward? Which reward would you like to have?
The good –
“The master said, well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling the small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”
Matt.25:23 (NLT)
The bad –
“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”
Matt 25:29 (NLT)
Be grateful for all you have and use them well. As a parent, say this to yourself: “Teaching My Children Gratitude Is My Responsibility.”
Prayer: Lord, I am grateful for my parents and all the people you have used to bless me.
Declaration: I am a grateful soul. I make good use of what is given to me. Amen
How do you even recognize a good man? It’s a million dollar question!
The Holy Writ even asks the question;
but a faithful man who can find?
Pro 20:6b (KJV)
The scripture seems to portend the idea that it’s difficult to find a good man.
This morning, we will attempt to identify a good man through just one quality. This quality is something you should not trade anything for.
Let’s take a look at another verse.
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.
1Pe 3:7 (KJV)
This guy who is interested in you and you are considering for marriage, Can you say he honors you?
‘Oh well, the way he is now, he is not perfect, but I know he will honor me eventually.”
Hey! If he doesn’t honor you now, chances are that same treatment will continue or even get worse. Marriage hardly changes anybody.
His behavior and attitudes now are trailers of the actual movie waiting for you and that movie is long, with several seasons in it! The only way to ensure it’s not a horror filled movie is to be led by God and to open your eyes very well.
How do you know if a man honors you?
It means to have high respect or great esteem for someone.
If he is sleeping with you through coercion or any form of manipulation, there is no honour there.
If he tells you that you are just one of his numerous girlfriends, there is no honour there.
If he lifts his hand against you, over and over again, only to apologise later, there is no honour there.
Does he delight in you in a genuine way and not because he is going to get some sexual gratification?
Another translation says:
Husbands, in a similar way, live with your wives with understanding.
Is he understanding? Does he have you in mind? Does he allow you to talk or he shuts you down till your default mode is mute?
Lastly, another translation says:
If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife.
Is he thoughtful? Is he sensitive to your needs or he feels you are too demanding?
These are pertinent questions to consider carefully.
I pray that God will guide you indeed as you make this all important decision.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY The Lord is leading me to a good man
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, open my eyes
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 1 Pet 3:7 (NLT)In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Look out for the word ‘honor’ in your relationship
I want to sharewith you this morning a few things I have learnt over time. I want to identify three out of many practices that you should avoid in your marriage. Avoiding them is tactically avoiding unnecessary headaches. May God continue to give is His wisdom.
1. Avoid reporting your spouse to your in-laws or parents or any other third party aside from your mentors/pastors. From counseling experiences, it usually backfires and sets the family more into crisis than bring them out of it. Once the husband realizes he is no longer in charge of his family, he is going to get really defensive. Once the wife sees that her husband takes instruction from his parents while leaving her out, she is going to react.
Reporting to parents or in-laws? It will not end well. It will always not work out. It’s natural for parents to be sentimental to their children. There will be bias and emotions will flare.
Most of the time, you report to them when there are issues but forget to call them back when you settle the issues, so they keep making up their mind.
If the parents are the only persons on earth your spouse listens to, that is when you may involve them. If otherwise, do not do it.
2. Do not report your spouse to your colleagues or boss. The devil is so smart, looking for avenues to deal with you. If you report your spouse to your colleague or boss, the devil can capitalize on it and set you up for an emotional affair.
An emotional affair is just a few strokes away from adultery. You really do not want to thread that path
3. Do not manipulate your spouse emotionally This will affect your prayer life. Once your spouse says or does something that does not resonate with you, you simply withdraw and give an attitude. It’s called silent treatment and it’s not cool in all its shades. That is not the way to grow. Avoid every form of manipulation.
Stay together, pray together.
May God bless your marriage!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am wise. I deal with my spouse according to knowledge
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, give me the needed wisdom to handle my home
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 1 Pet 3:7 (NLT)In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Look out for the word ‘honor’ in your relationship
There is a very popular verse that talks about how to worship God. This is probably one of the most common verses in the scriptures. I am sure you must have heard it quoted by your Sunday school teacher from time to time.
What verse am I talking about?
It’s the last verse in the book of psalms.
Psalms 150:6 (KJV) Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
“Praise the Lord” is one of the most used sentences in Christianity. Used both by those who know the meaning and those who don’t. It is used every service day in churches, every other time during family devotion, and as often as one can remember.
We sometimes get so familiar that it no more makes meaning to us. Just like we can get familiar with our parents and teachers and miss out on what God has packaged inside them for our profiting.
One of the meanings of the word praise is to “worship”. So the psalmist is telling us to worship God.
Psalms 150:6 (TPT) Let everyone everywhere join in the crescendo of ecstatic praise to Yahweh! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
I love that!
The crescendo of ecstatic praise!
Children, as long as you have breath, you are expected to worship God. Your duty is to reverence him and pay homage to him. Do not join the group of those who complain, murmur, and grumble, rather, give God quality worship.
Do you know God destroyed an entire generation because they murmured?
1 Cor 10:10 (ASV)Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer
Declaration: My children are worship beings. They spend time worshiping the father. Amen
Prayer: Lord, teach my children the mystery behind worship. Let their worship be always acceptable before you.
Life is really interesting. Children have been known to suffer sometimes for the action of their parents. A careless parent can raise a defective child. Our prisons are filled with young minds whose minds became warped because of the negligence of a father or mother. Too many people are incarcerated today because of an absentee father. Too many baby mamas do not really know the agony and pain they are initiating into their lives and that of their children whose worlds have been marred even before reaching the age of accountability.
This then becomes a point of cogitation as you begin to realize that it’s not all about you, but about your progeny which lies in your bosom. That your actions and inactions do not end with you, but their consequences can affect and alter the lives of the generations that are locked in your loins.
My discourse this morning was prompted by my meditation on a verse that jumped at me as I read my Bible.
“So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.” (1Sa 31:6, KJV)
It was Saul that messed up and disobeyed God. But here are the lists of those who died with him.
1. His three sons. 2. His armourbearer 3. All his men
Isn’t it sobering? They all died with him the same day and together.
So then, you slept with a guy or a lady? So you did something wrong? It’s not ending there. You live your life carelessly the way you want it?
After all, “It’s my life!”
Well, it’s not your life. It goes beyond you. Your actions will affect generations. Think about today alone. How many decisions have you made that has affected others?
Are you taking conscious steps to change, and make adjustments?
This then leads to a logical and revelatory conclusion. You must live responsibly and in fear towards God, in the realization that you will one day stand before Him to give account.
Good morning!
CONFESSION FOR TODAY I choose to live responsibly
PRAYER FOR TODAY Ask for grace to do it right
THOUGHT FOR TODAY 1 Sam 31:6 (CEV) Saul was dead, his three sons were dead, and the soldier who carried his weapons was dead. They and all his soldiers died on that same day.
ACTION PLAN FOR TODAY Live responsibly, for your actions are beyond you
Wow, it’s twenty-five million Naira to be won. Which Couple Wants To Be A Millionaire? The couples’ meeting got to an interesting part all have been waiting for! 25 Million grand! It can buy a few cars or build a bungalow!
Every couple present looked out to winning the star prize that night. The moderator’s voice boomed out of the sound system as he announced what it takes to win the money!
Couples could be seen whispering to each other, full of excitement and joy that is welling up from within. Who doesn’t want that kind of money!
Some even went spiritual and began to pray and claim the money. Some began to remind God how they have been faithful with their tithe and how God should not disappoint them. A particular man brought out his rosary and fingered it.
A lady in waiting came out with a bowl that was covered. The moderator pointed to the bowl and said whoever is able to eat and chew what’s in the bowl will win the grand prize. Which Couple Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Some couples rushed to the stage. As one man ran upstage, his wife was screaming Foodie! Foodie! Foodie!
Finally, the bowl was uncovered and it was about twelve pieces of…wait for it… gravel!
What? One by one, they returned to their seat, wondering how the organizers can be so callous. Who is going to eat gravel? And chew it? Nobody volunteered. Nobody wanted 25 Million Grand again.
On the projector screen, they rolled just two scriptures and the lesson hit home and hard.
The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. [4] But it won’t be long before she’s GRAVEL IN YOUR MOUTH, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart.
Pro 5:3-4 (MSG)
Stolen bread tastes sweet, but soon your mouth is full OF GRAVEL.
Pro 20:17 (MSG)
Adultery is a no go area. It’s like eating gravel. No need to preach. They shared the grace and announced the next date of Couples Meeting.
Everybody went home.
As you read, go home too; the home inside you and check. Check what you are eating that you might not be able to chew or digest.
I rest my case.
Have a great day!
CONFESSION FOR TODAY I will not cheat on my spouse.
PRAYER FOR TODAY Ask for grace to focus on your spouse
THOUGHT FOR TODAY Prov 20:17 (TLB)Some men enjoy cheating, but the cake they buy with such ill-gotten gain will turn to gravel in their mouths.
There is something called the will of God, which is usually divided into the perfect will and the permissive will. The best we should aim for is the perfect will of God.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Rom 12:2 (NKJV)
Children, let your mind be renewed. The best way to do this is by putting the law of God in your heart.
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8 (ESV)
Children, to really enjoy God’s blessings and to align with God’s purpose for your lives, you must delight to do the will of God.
His will is not burdensome. He simply expects us to do as written in the word. Part of his will is to honor your parents.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely, “that it may go well with you and that you will live a long time on the earth.”
Eph 6:1-3 (NET)
You must strive to always please Him in all ways. When you seek Him first, every other thing shall be added unto you.
But let your first care be for his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these other things will be given to you in addition.
Matt 6:33 (BBE)
Prayer: My children seek to do God’s will. They put God first in Jesus name. Amen
Declaration:
My children delight to do God’s will always. They obey His dictates. They live to please Him always.
Action Plan: Decide in your heart to do the perfect will of God.
Yes, you can believe God for a spouse! How do you that? By following the leading of God. God wants to lead, in all reality.
God will not choose for you but He has the best choice for you if you ask Him. There is God’s perfect will and there is God’s permissive will.
Your goal is to locate God’s perfect will for you concerning marriage. There is a beautiful assurance and confidence that stays with you when you know you are in God’s plan.
When the storms of life come, and marital wind begins to blow, you will not be assuming it’s because of being out of God’s will, rather you will have the strength and the wherewithal to overcome the storms.
So in a pragmatic sense, how do you believe God for a spouse?
There must be a promise from God’s word which is discovered and revealed in your heart concerning what you are believing God for.
Then you take this promise and think on it, and then think, and think and keep thinking. That is what is referred to as meditation.
When this word has been sown as a seed in your heart, it takes root.
Well, you need to water any seed that will grow.
So you do that by confessing what you believe. The moisture from your mouth is needed to water your seed. It is easy if you have really thought and meditated on it, because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
In no time, that seed grows and brings forth fruit. That fruit is the manifestation of that which you are believing God for.
It works every time. The word is the seed!
My question, is what scripture are you standing on?
Drop it in the comment section if you have a promise you are standing on now.
Good morning.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I believe. I receive!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, show me what I need to know
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Jer 15:16 (NKJV)Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Write out the word you are standing on
1. Focus A great marriage is made of a couple who are so into themselves. They focus on each other’s needs. They love each other tirelessly. They are best friends of themselves.
For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
Isa 50:7 (KJV)
God will help, but you must set your face like a flint, which means to focus. Focusing on each other will help you to be faithful to each other in your marriage.
2. Forgive A fantastic marital journey is made up of two forgivers. In fact, there is such thing as advanced forgiveness. As couples, avoid bitterness like a plague. Runaway from strife and don’t touch it with a mile-long pole.
3. Forget Oh, you must learn to forgive the hurts of the past. Dear couples, help your spouse by not repeating what you promised you won’t do again. If you keep repeating a particular thing you promised not to do, you make it difficult for your spouse to forget.
Each reiteration of the act will be a painful reminder of that which has been buried.
Absolutely forgetting a thing is almost impossible, because that has to be a condition of amnesia, however, you can forget the pain that comes with it.
4. Forsake There are things to forsake as you move on in the marital journey. There are things your spouse does not like and which keep bringing conflicts from time to time. Forsake them, that is what growing is all about.
Don’t assume a fixated posture like you cannot change. It’s only God that changeth not, and you are not God.
You deal with the flesh. You put the body under. You remain disciplined. You get better by the day.
Good morning. God bless you.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am getting better by the day
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to dutifully focus on my spouse
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Isa 50:7 (AMP)For the Lord God helps Me; therefore have I not been ashamed or confounded. Therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Write out the word you are standing on
