There is hardly any strong person. We only have helped people. My discourse with you this morning is a prophetic declaration that you will be marvelously helped in your relationship in Jesus name.
Oratory power is cool. Intellectual prowess is admired but is not always a magic wand when it comes to the problems of life. There are issues that defy the best of the intellectuals. There are puzzles and enigmas of life that are beyond the parameters of cognitive abilities.
At the end of the day, ensure you are helped of God. Your innate abilities, your gifting, your intelligence then begin to make meaning when God helps you indeed.
This morning, I prophesy into your relationship, you are helped of God in Jesus name!
And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
2Ch 26:15 (KJV)
The guy above is sharp and intelligent. He is creative and productive. He had inventors working for him. But the last phrase amazes me. He was marvelously helped till HE WAS STRONG!
So, with all his achievements and productive energy for inventions, he was weak. He only became strong when he was marvelously helped.
May God help you by sending the right people your way. May you have your engines located on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones that will devastate every marital enemy in Jesus name.
See the Message Translation:
He also installed the latest in military technology on the towers and corners of Jerusalem for shooting arrows and hurling stones. He became well known for all this—a famous king. Everything seemed to go his way.
2Ch 26:15 (MSG)
Everything will go your way and work together for your good in Jesus name!
Have a great day.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am marvelously helped of God.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for the help of God
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 2 Chron 26:15 (ERV)In Jerusalem, Uzziah made machines that were invented by clever men. These machines were put on the towers and corner walls. They shot arrows and large rocks. Uzziah became famous. People knew his name in far away places. He had much help and became a powerful king.
The race is never to the swift. The battle is not to the strong. We are only helped of God.
This is not to disregard the significance of labour, for there is dignity in labour. However, and at the end of the day, the realization sinks, that it is all by the help of God.
Let’s take a look at the scripture this morning.
He also installed the latest in military technology on the towers and corners of Jerusalem for shooting arrows and hurling stones. He became well known for all this—a famous king. Everything seemed to go his way. But then the strength and success went to his head. Arrogant and proud, he fell. One day, contemptuous of GOD, he walked into The Temple of GOD like he owned it and took over, burning incense on the Incense Altar.
2Ch 26:15-16 (MSG)
This man was marvelously helped. He had everything going his way. But then, he became proud, and the strength and success went to his head. He took God for granted and wanted to perform roles meant only for priests.
The result was a disenfranchisement that isolated him.
They confronted Uzziah: “You must not, you cannot do this, Uzziah—only the Aaronite priests, especially consecrated for the work, are permitted to burn incense. Get out of God’s Temple; you are unfaithful and a disgrace!” But Uzziah, censer in hand, was already in the middle of doing it and angrily rebuffed the priests. He lost his temper; angry words were exchanged—and then, even as they quarreled, a skin disease appeared on his forehead.
26:18-19 (MSG)
The disease never left him.
Uzziah had his skin disease for the rest of his life and had to live in quarantine; he was not permitted to set foot in The Temple of GOD. His son Jotham, who managed the royal palace, took over the government of the country.
2Ch 26:21 (MSG)
The lesson here? Do not open the door for pride in your life. Do not make the mistake of going into extramarital relationships because you now have some money and some success in your business. Such steps only end in tears.
Stay humble, Stay close to God. Stay faithful to your spouse.
May God grant more understanding!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am marvelously helped of God.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for the help of God in your marriage
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 2 Chron 26:15 (ERV)In Jerusalem, Uzziah made machines that were invented by clever men. These machines were put on the towers and corner walls. They shot arrows and large rocks. Uzziah became famous. People knew his name in far away places. He had much help and became a powerful king.
Who is your friend? That is one question that you must ask and answer if you desire to become the best of who you are meant to be.
Julius had a problem. He needed a solution. This issue had been eating deep into him. He just couldn’t wrap his head around it. He began to emaciate as a result of excessive thinking. He wasn’t looking like the Julius everyone knew. His parents wondered what could be wrong with their once lively lad.
He knew he had to find a solution to whatever was wrong with him. Just like a flash, he remembered his one time buddy and friend, Samson. Who is your friend? Who do you call friend? Samson was not really born again, that was why he cut ties with him initially, but now, he needed his help desperately.
Oh, why didn’t I think about him before now? He asked himself.
Off, he dashed to Samson’s house and discussed with him. In the end, Samson had a good time laughing at his long time friend who was looking worried over a “simple” matter.
Samson told him what to do. Even though he knew it was wrong, he went ahead, as he needed a solution badly. Who is your friend?
This was what happened to Amnon, David’s son. What was heavy in his heart, became a small matter in the eyes of his friend because his friend had a devilish mind.
As a matter of fact, Bible says his friend was a subtle, shrewd and crafty person.
Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, who was the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab always knew how to get what he wanted,
2 Sam 13:3 (CEV)
Jonadab put Amnon in trouble, just like Samson did to Julius in the story above.
Little wonder the Bible says
Stop being deceived: “Wicked friends lead to evil ends.
1 cor 15:33 (ISV)
Who are those you call friends? Are they really worth it? Are they after your wellbeing or your downfall?
Talk to your parents. Let them help you identify who your friends really are.
Prayer: Lord, help me to identify my real friends. Amen
A perpetually irritating friend or ally is always somewhat a nuisance. There are some naughty relationships like that. They just keep provoking you and testing your patience till you want out. After you have been grieved severally and you are brought into a place where it looks like there will be no change, you probably want to quit.
If this is done to you, you sure don’t want to stay too long among such people. There is a way you naturally move away from where you are being afflicted to where you will be celebrated. Nobody wants his or her head beaten all the time and that without cause. You, being on the receiving end, are not usually having a pleasant time.
What if I say that is what we often do to God? Take a look at this scripture:
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
Psa 78:40-42 (KJV)
Provoking God with acts of compromise in your relationship, grieving Him with repeated wrong acts in a deliberate fashion translates to turning back and tempting God, thereby limiting Him.
His desire is to bless and increase us. His desire is that the marriage institution He established becomes a reality in our lives. God is never the one bringing delay into your life, it is we that often keep tempting and limiting the Holy One of God.
The Message Translation puts it this way:
How often in the desert they had spurned him, tried his patience in those wilderness years. Time and again they pushed him to the limit, provoked Israel’s Holy God. How quickly they forgot what he’d done, forgot their day of rescue from the enemy,
Psa 78:40-42 (MSG)
My advice this morning: Quit limiting God to do what He wants to do through your disobedience and repeated errors. Stop pushing Him to the limit with habitual sinful tendencies.
Allow Him to be God in your life.
May God grant you more understanding!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not provoke God to anger. I will not limit God
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray that God shows you areas where you have been limiting him.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Ps 78:41 (ERV)Again and again they tested his patience. They really hurt the Holy One of Israel.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Stop limiting God through disobedience
This Is What Happens To Couples Who Don’t Cooperate
The home was hot, and yet it was really cold outside. Sad miens, sadistic motions, palpitating hearts resulting from acute bitterness serenaded the house. Music has disappeared from their hearts and in its place is a dirge composing itself.
Mr. and Mrs. Jebolade are at it again. The usual bickering have ensued. This will lead to unending quarrels, exchange of bitter words, reclusion into their shells, and eventually strife and animosity that will last for days.
Both of them would feel they were right and would insist on their rights. As they continue in this cat and mouse tantrums, they are actually losing a lot in their marriage without knowing. They are limiting God from blessing them in fullness.
The scriptures says
Psa 78:40-42 (KJV) How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
Continually provoking God, grieving Him with your refusal to forgive each other is like tempting God and limiting Him from blessing you.
Discarding the marital vows you said and recited on your wedding day because of some disagreement or differences is tempting God and limiting Him in your marriage.
In marriage, it takes your agreement from both sides for anything to work. The devil knows this, so he tampers with your agreement, just to stop the flow of the blessing. You have to be wise, therefore, to ensure that the devil is kept at bay in your marriage.
It’s something deliberate that both of you have to do. You work at your marriage and trust God for the best by simply cooperating with each other. Full cooperation with each other!
I pray and declare that your marriage is blessed!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage is blessed in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to cooperate with my spouse.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Ps 78:41 (ERV)Again and again they tested his patience. They really hurt the Holy One of Israel.
I want to bring to our remembrance something really important this morning. Dear child, you are a special gift! Yes, you! You really are.
It is something we know, but we sometimes allow the devil fill our minds with negative and false thoughts. This was exactly what happened to Jude.
Jude was always moody. He was always downcast and sad. He just couldn’t fathom certain things going on around him.
One thing that kept coming to his mind was that his parents loves his siblings more than they love him. He didn’t see himself as a special gift.
He fought this thought for weeks until his Sunday school teacher read this verse in church yesterday.
Gen 4:1 (KJV)And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
Dear children, this is how I want you to see yourselves henceforth. You are a special gift from God to your parents.
You are not a mistake. You are not ordinary. You came at the very right time God wanted you to come.
We all know God gives good gifts. That means you are a good gift to your parents, not just an ordinary gift.
Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.
James 1:17 (CEV)
Don’t conclude your life because of your present situation. You are a special gift.
Look on the bright side. You are perfect because God made you so.
Parents, let’s do well to encourage our children, assuring them of God’s love.
Prayer: Lord, thank you because I see myself the same way you see me. Amen
Action point: Tell yourself you are a special gift to your parents.
Declaration: I am a gift to my parents and to this generation.
Words are powerful. It is interesting to know that our world is created by our words. Your micro world as well, guess what, was fashioned by your words.
Words are so powerful that what you say eventually overwhelms you and give direction to your life.
It is in the regard that the scripture says:
“Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this.
Mat 18:18 (MSG)
Words are so powerful that even the heavenlies respond to your words and statements.
Angels, as powerful as they are, the scripture declares that they listen and act on the WORDS of God in your mouth.
If you keep saying life is tough, guess what will happen to you. If you keep saying marriage is tough, guess what you are building with words. If you keep saying all men are scum, guess what the experience will be.
Your life simply gravitates in the direction of that which you speak.
In your relationship therefore, you want to be careful and deliberate about what you say to your lover, especially when you are angry or livid.
You want to abstain from such statements as below:
1. Our relationship is over 2. I know you cannot change 3. You are frustrating my life 4. You are such a negative force in my life 5. Since we met, it has been one problem or the other and I know that is what it will be forever 6. One day, I know our relationship will be over 7. I know this is never going to lead to marriage 8. I regret the day I met you 9. There is bad luck hovering around you 10. There is a curse following you and it is affecting me
Avoid any statement that looks like the above. As you begin to train your mouth, your life will come into alignment with God.
Have a great day.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My words are seasoned with salt
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to speak the right words
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Colossians 4:6 (NLT): “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Watch what you are saying to your lover
Life is a journeythat is taken on the road of words. Your words literally will pave way for you to take in life. Wrong words will dig dangerous potholes into the road of life. Negative words will create mirages that look real but offered nothing at the end of the day.
Particularly, the scriptures opined that it is with words that you will bring out the best in your spouse
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; [26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water BY THE WORD, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:25-27 (KJV)
Just like Jesus, you are to speak what you want to see and not what you are seeing. There is a huge difference.
Here are some statements you should avoid saying to your spouse
1. This marriage will never work 2. I hate you will all my heart 3. I will leave you eventually and marry someone else 4. You are such a negative force in my life 5. Since we met, it has been one problem or the other and I know that is what it will be forever 6. One day, I know our marriage will be over 7. I know this is never going to lead to anything meaningful 8. I regret the day I met you 9. There is bad luck hovering around you 10. There is a curse following you and it is affecting me
Avoid any statement that looks like the above. As you begin to train your mouth, your life will come into alignment with God.
I pray that God takes every storm out of your marriage.
I honor you.
Have a great day.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My words are seasoned with salt.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to speak the right words.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Colossians 4:6 (NLT): “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Watch what you are saying to your spouse
It’s time to talk about health decisions. Your health is another important area of your life that you should make changes in. Don’t think because you are young, there’s no need for you to take care of your health.
This area is often neglected by many children and parents alike, until something bad happens.
May we not experience such in Jesus name.
Here’s a fact you should know – it’s the body you take care of now that will aid you when you are old. Don’t wait till you are thirty or forty before you start taking your health seriously. Start making better health decisions.
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
3John 1:2 (ESV)
Watch what you eat, drink, inhale or apply on your body. Beyond your physical body is your mental health. Learn to make better health decisions.
Be conscious of what you watch, read or listen to. If it doesn’t build your mind in ways that will make you a positive and fulfilled person, do not do it. Do not give in to peer pressure to do what is wrong. .
The bible cautions us to watch what we allow into our bodies and minds. So, review the past month and ask yourself questions concerning your health decisions. Some of the questions you can ask includes:
1. Did I eat right? 2. How often did I exercise or turned a potato-couch? 3. How many books did I read? 4. How did they impact my life? Did I take good health decisions? 5. What changes did I make from reading those books? 6. What type of thoughts did I think?
May the Lord help you make excellent health decisions this new month.
Prayer: Lord, I want to make better health choices in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action point: Make a list of your new plans for the month and start doing them.
Declaration: I consciously guide my health. I am not careless with what enters my body. I make great health decisions.
You have waited. You have prayed. You might have even cried and wondered why your spouse is not showing up. You have dabbled into some unwise relationships out of being desperate or because you think your biological clock is ticking away.
You are agitated. You are not happy. You have fasted and still fasting. Is God really listening? You wondered.
In the midst of all these, here is the word of the Lord.
For yeta little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Heb 10:37 (KJV)
He will come and he will show up. She will be found and you will meet your wife. Put all your trust in Him and never Doubt Him for a second.
The devil wants you to give up on God. Like Job’s wife said to Job, the devil wants you to curse God, and of course what will follow is death.
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Job 2:9 (KJV)
Death of your desire and all that pertains to it. That will never be your portion in Jesus name!
Trust this God because He never fails. He has your back. He is faithful. And you will never be ashamed as a result of serving God.
Hold on tightly to Him, He that will come will come. Don’t allow pressure to push you into the zone of compromise.
He remains your shepherd and He will guide you into His plans. Wow! What a good God we serve.
How I love the Message Translation.
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute.
Heb 10:37 (MSG)
Yes, it won’t be long. Any minute from now, your miracle will show up. Trust and hold on to the horns of the altar.
He is all over you. His love seems to know no bounds. He has boundless ideas complemented with accompanying energy on different ways to please you and make you happy.
His thoughts seem merged with yours, functioning in amazing synchrony that amazes everybody.
Looks like you were made for each other from heaven. Mere thinking about him, your heart goes into a loving palpitation and begins to skip.
It looked like a forever happily after kind of love script whose plot is from God Himself.
You wondered how you deserved so much love from an individual. Butterflies spread their wings in abundance in your tummy, causing colors of love to emanate from your dimples.
It looked so good…until YOU GOT MARRIED
What? What happened to all the flowers, and all the romantic ideas? The poet in him died after wedding. The romantic voice went coarse. The hugs vaporized. The loving voice that shook you to your marrows was still shaking you, but now in fear and trepidation.
Why Lord?
The reality is that marriage is a lot of work.
Wooing each other ought not to stop. It should continue and even intensify.
For this reason a man is to leave his father and his mother and lovingly hold to his wife, since the two have become joined as one flesh.
Eph 5:31 (TPT)
If the sparks have disappeared from your love life as married couples, you need to go back in time and learn from your single selves!
Ever wondered why your wife no longer smiles and all the sparkles disappeared from her mien? It’s because what you used to do that excited her are no longer there.
Ever wondered why your husband who used to be sweet and all of a sudden he has grown unfriendly and get angry easily and sometimes with little provocation? It’s because he can no longer sense respect from you.
Bot husband and wife should get back to what they used to do, and you will see fresh wine poured into your marital cup, bringing fresh sweetness into your lives.
My name is Dunamis Okunowo
Be blessed.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage is blessed.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask for wisdom to run your marriage.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
The month has begun already. Are you making adjustments already? Are you finding this series helpful? I hope so. Today we will look at family decisions.
Today, we will be talking about families.
Most times, family members are the most ignored set of people. We tend to think that they will always be there or they don’t need much from us. We push them aside till we get into trouble or something.
Take a good look at your relationship with your family members to know if you’ve been making great family decisions. Do so by asking yourself these questions:
How often did you tell or show them you love them? How many times did you help them when they needed it? How often did you help your parents at home? How often did you obey parental instructions? How many times did you pray for your parents or siblings? What was the last gift you gave your family members? How often did you spend time with them? How often did you fight your sibling?
These are personal questions that will guide you in your journey to making better family decisions. You can and should add yours to these.
Showing love to your family is important and gladdens the heart of God. As a Christian child, you are supposed to value the family system. Christianity itself is a family of believers in Christ.
Prayer: Lord, I am grateful for the family you have blessed me with. I thank you for my parents and siblings. Help me to value them more in Jesus’ name. Help me to make great family decisions. Amen.
Action point: Start by saying a big thank you to your family members for being there for you throughout the year. You can make a big “thank you” card for them.
Declaration: I value my family. This month, I am more committed to them than ever before.
I remember how many times I was disciplined growing up. With mum, it was regular and lenient. With dad, it was occasional but terrible and indelible.
I can’t forget the day my younger sister reported me to dad that I jumped from a first floor balcony, only trying to show that what a boy could do, a girl couldn’t.
Well, she showed me what girl could do; she reported me.
My dad beat me so much that when I slept that night, I dreamt that I died and I was buried. It was that intense. The discipline “entered”
From that day, I didn’t move near High or Long jump, anything that entails jumping was a no go area! I was never led to that area again!
Even so, God disciplines us. Take a look here:
It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training,
Heb 12:6 – 7 (MSG)
Some of the experiences you are going through in your relationship is just God’s way of educating you. He wants you to be better. He doesn’t want you to fail. He doesn’t want you to become a failure. He doesn’t want you to regret later. So He disciplines.
Accept God’s discipline and move on into greater heights. God doesn’t want you to drop out of that discipline system. It’s not punishment, it’s training. God will NEVER punish you! It may look like that, but it’s not!
As you respond to His discipline and learn from your mistakes or errors, a better version of you emerges and God can use you better.
That relationship broke? Oh, ensure you learn from it before you jump into another one! Take your training and let the best of God be available for you.
Got any questions? Leave them in the comments and I will respond.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY God is not punishing me. I respond well to God’s training
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray for grace to receive the training with a humble heart.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Go through the training patiently because God is not punishing you.
In today’s devotional,we’re looking at how we as couples can respond to God’s training. Marriage is an institution, the first institution God created.
In institutions, we go to learn. In effect, marriage is a school, a major one at that.
It is probably the only institution where you get your certificate before the learning begins. On the wedding day, you get to receive your wedding certificate, and then the real school begins.
Especially as it concerns male and female differences, a lot of couples are in for a rude shock.
There will be mistakes that are done in marriage as a result of our opinions, as a result of habits, as a result of mindsets.
God in His wisdom, will start dislodging those mindsets through various circumstances and happenstances.
Your best bet will be to listen and learn from what God is trying to say.
For you to hear God and learn from the discipline, you need to have an understanding that God’s discipline is not punishment, but training.
When you see it as training, then the discipline of God becomes effective in your life.
See what the Bible says
It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training,
Heb 12:6 – 7 (MSG)
I love what it says. The one that God loves is the one that He disciplines. And the Message Translation says God is simply educating you.
This education will advance your marriage and give you the needed lessons to move higher in your marriage.
Don’t drop out of it. Stay with it and learn all you can learn.
As you cooperate with God’s discipline as husband and wife, you will see your marriage get better in God and fulfilling God’s plan for you as a couple.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I respond well to God’s training
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray for grace to receive the training with a humble heart.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Go through the training patiently
You have to learn to make better financial decisions as a child. Let me share a little of my childhood story with you.
From time to time, especially during the Yuletide, whatever financial gift I got went back to my parents. I remember my parents taking any financial gift I received from me with the promise of keeping it for me. Well, I never got my money back. I always forgot to ask. How do you even ask about such money?
Making good financial decisions highly impacts how you view and spend money.
The following questions will help you make better decisions financially.
Do you always spend all the money you receive?
Did you read books on financial education?
What do you know about money?
Do you buy everything you want because the money is available?
Did you buy everything you wanted as the desire came to you?
How much did you spend on things?
Do you see yourself as greedy?
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10.
Hope these questions helped you assess the financial decisions you have been making. These are also questions to guide you on reviewing your financial goals this month.
The reviews are meant to point you towards the dangers of reckless sending and not to judge you.
May the Lord grant you the right perspective about money. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the favour to spend and save wisely. Help me to make better financial decisions in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Action point: Reflect on these questions and truthfully start to make changes. God bless you.
Declaration: I make better financial decisions in this new month.
Bones are so important in the body that it cuts across the entire body mass. They are everywhere, even inside the ears! And the bones in the body are so important that any anomaly in it is the beginning of a slow death. May our bones remain strong!
Bones! You don’t see them, but they hold the entire frame of the homo sapien in place. Without bones, the man will collapse, unable to move an inch. Without bones, mobility will cease, and productivity will be grounded, so much so that any anomaly is often referred to as a disability.
Then the flesh! That is what you get to see. It is the pulchritude, the outer beauty, the color, the complexion, and the outer glory!
Adam exclaimed and said in Genesis
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:23 (KJV)
Wow! That was revelatory!
Bone of my bones first! That is, in seeking a spouse, it is not just about the flesh, which is the outward beauty. It is not just about the rotundity of the backside or the massiveness of that which dangles below the cleavage. All that is flesh!
But the order is bones first. The flesh is important as well because it is in order to be attracted. However, if it is all about the flesh alone, you are in an obvious error.
The bone of your bones talks of the inner frame, the character, the power within, the integrity, and the forthrightness that makes up the essence in a man or woman. It deals with honesty, virtue, and values, not just the lips, the hips, and the tips alone.
Go beyond outward beauty. Check the God in him or her. Check the values. Then you can say you are dealing not just with the flesh of your flesh, but with both bone of your bones and flesh of your flesh.
Selah!
We started our fast yesterday. Find more details HERE
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will marry the bone of my bone and the flesh of my flesh
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to get it right martially.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Gen 2:23(CEV)and the man exclaimed, “Here is someone like me! She is part of my body, my own flesh and bones. She came from me, a man. So I will name her Woman!”
It is often said that a friend in need is a friend indeed. The value of friendship is known in hard and tough times. Nothing is as soothing as when a friend speaks to you in your down moments. When his or her words are like cold water to a thirsty soul.
If the effect of a friend could be that felt, how much more is the effect of a spouse. Of course, our spouse is supposed to be our best friend with who we are vulnerable, with who we can share the joy and the privilege of being naked and not ashamed.
I think every spouse should ask themselves this question. “Am I a friend to my spouse?” “Can my spouse confidently say, he/she can find a friend in me?” “Does my spouse find me easy to talk with?”
Every spouse should ask these soul-searching questions and try to find answers to these questions.
It is easier to point accusing fingers at your spouse. Quit playing the blame game and face reality, walk and work together.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Amos 3:3 KJV
Come in agreement with each other. Forgive every hurt and pain. For marriage is where we hurt deeply.
Some spouses are so hurt they vowed never to forgive. If you have any knotty situation, talk things over with your mentors. Sometimes, the issues in marriage require the authority of someone higher than you. Just a word, a prayer or a prophetic utterance can solve such issues.
Some people have destroyed their marriage because of staying on their viewpoint of being right. In marriage, it is not always about who is right or wrong, but our willingness to allow God’s purpose to be done.
Jesus, our model didn’t insist on being right. He willingly suffered for us, the righteous for the unrighteous. He loved us while we were yet sinners and died for us so we can be made sons of God.
The mandate on our marriage must be fulfilled. Let’s get over all forms of bitterness, malice, and unforgiveness. These are toxic to our being best of friends with our spouse.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 KJV
This scripture is very profound. You must show yourself friendly to have your spouse as your friend.
The question is some of us don’t even know to be friends. We must aim at being friends with our spouses. I believe the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth and revelation will help us if we ask Him to.
Some ways to being friends with your spouse
1. Maintaining the right attitude and positive disposition is important. 2. Kind words and loving words. Every human being responds to love. 3. Believing the best of each other. 4. Being fun to be with. 5. Not pointing attention to the weak areas of your spouse. 6. Encouraging our spouse. 7. Avoiding criticism, accusation, and blaming. 8. Being very understanding.
These are few tips for being there for your spouse.
God help us indeed.
May God bless our marriage!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage is blessed.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be there for my spouse always.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Prov 18:24 (CEV)Some friends don’t help, but a true friend is closer than your own family.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Be friends with your spouse
Another area to review this year is your academics. Not doing well in school is a slap to your Christianity, so you must strive to make better academic decisions.
Do you know we are meant to top our classes?
Deut 28:13 (NKJV)And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.
That’s the dominion mandate. That’s God’s original intent for you. One who is not spiritual ought not to be ahead in your class. You ought to call the shots! Therefore you must learn to make great academic decisions.
Reflect on the following questions;
How well did you perform in examinations and tests at school?
Did you understand all you were taught in class?
Did you seek clarification at any point?
How well did you pay attention in class?
How much time did you spend studying and reading? (this so much reflects the quality of the academic decisions you are making)
Did it have any impact on your grades?
How many times did you ask for someone to help you with your lessons?
Did you join a study group?
Did it have any effect on your grades?
What effects did it make on your grades?
How many hours did you spend watching movies or playing games instead of studying?
These are just some guidelines that will point you towards making great academic decisions – knowing what to continue, stop, or start doing. Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. So take an inventory and make your decisions afterward.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your help with my academics. I am deeply grateful for your assistance.
Action point: Make better academic decisions – make a list of what worked for you and what didn’t. Plan to improve on what worked and stop what didn’t work.
Declaration: I take inventory of my life and make the necessary adjustments.
There is a plan of heaven this month on your life! It’s good news! Get ready!
One of the most joyful events among humanity is the birthing of a new baby! How beautiful can it be? Especially, when the parents have been trusting and waiting for a while! The arrival of the baby elicits a joy that knows no bounds, an excitement that goes really deep and an ecstasy beyond what any drug can offer!
All because of what? The birthing of a new baby!
I love Septembers! Forget about the wild belief of “ember” months! I choose to disregard that! It’s going to be a September To Remember! I choose to believe the report of the Lord.
September is that month that signifies the 9th month, when gestation period is complete and the baby has no choice, but to come forth!
May I announce to you, with a trumpet laid to my mouth this morning, that this month will be a September to Remember!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
A few days back, while in the bathroom, God spoke to me on this. And this is why we are embarking on a month-long fast beginning from today!
Wouldn’t you rather join us!
It’s a fast that God Himself called. And when God calls for a fast, He has some goodies in stock for you and I.
God said you are about to birth that which you have been carrying!
The reason you have not given birth is because there is no strength!
And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
Isa 37:3 (KJV)
And that is why we are fasting. To provide strength to give birth to that greatness, that increase, that advancement, and whatever pregnancy you have been carrying!
From the 1st of September, we will be waiting on God daily. You can break your fast daily from 2 pm. Prayer points will be available every day on our website here. I pray that it will be a September to Remember for you in Jesus name.
There will be two prayers sessions daily, morning and evening.
Morning prayer will be by 5.30 am and 6.00 am, (online) while evening prayers will be on-site at Shouts of Grace Center, Ibadan.
Evening prayers wily 6.00 pm but on-site at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-Ui Road, Ibadan.
If you are outside Ibadan or Nigeria, join for prayers online at any of indicated handles above! Prayer points will also be available on the site daily.
This month, God will answer you!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am bringing forth
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to bring forth
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY They said to him, “Hezekiah says, ‘This is a black day. We’re in crisis. We’re like pregnant women without even the strength to have a baby! Isaiah 37:3 MSG
Before we cantalk of keeping love ablaze, we have to talk of couples living true to their covenant responsibilities.
First, we should know that our marriages have certain mandate in the heart of God to fulfill.
And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from God. Do you know why? Simple. Because God was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife. God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse. Malachi 2:13 – 15 MSG
Let’s see how the scripture goes in the Amplified version.
Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows]. Malachi 2:14 AMPC
So God takes our marriage vows seriously.
Our marriage vows is not just some cute words spoken on our wedding day, it is a promise before God and then to our spouse.
It is this understanding that will help us to see the reason why love must be kept ablaze.
It is a life long work. We have to keep at it at good times and not so good times.
A man of God said, and I quote, “In Covenant of marriage, get it right. Marriage is one area of vulnerability in the Covenant. Don’t allow the arrow of the enemy to pierce you there. Get it right. If the arrow of the enemy pierces you in marriage, you will be struggling to sustain the Covenant”.
If we don’t understand the covenant of marriage, the devil will cause alot of struggles for us in life. Love is not the only ingredient needed in marriage. It’s like cooking a meal. You need a combination of many ingredients in the right proportions, to make a good meal and the skills of the person cooking.
Let’s take a look at what love is from Gods view point
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. 1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7 AMP
We need to remind ourselves often that we are called to love one another for God is love. We are born of God so we have Gods nature in us. We just have to be conscious of it and walk in it. We have to respond to the nature of God that we carry.
Our aim should be to love. The bible says we should love our enemies how much more our spouses. We are to consciously and intentionally love our spouse.
This is what we have been called to.
May God help us in Jesus name.
God bless our marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage will work in Jesus name.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help us to do things that will draw us closer to each other.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows]. Malachi 2:14 AMPC
