by Sylvester Obinna | Jul 16, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Gratitude is a great habit to start practicing as early as you can. It is the act of looking for the good things that you have or that have happened in your life and be thankful for them. Look deep into your life and search for things you are enjoying right now. Thank God for them.
Thank God that you have parents who love you and provide for all you need. Appreciate God for giving you a roof over your head, food to eat, clothes wear, friends, and more. Gratitude is a great habit!
When you refuse to be grateful, you are taking for granted God’s blessing over you. You are saying to God that you don’t need Him or that what He is doing for you is not enough. Or that He is not even doing anything for you. But God is always doing something for you. Even if you are being bullied at school, still thank God that you can pray to Him and He will answer your prayers.
Always look around you and find something to be thankful for; gratitude is a great habit for you. Every morning you wake up, thank God for keeping you and your family members alive. Thank Him for the good health you are enjoying. Even if you are sick, thank Him for the medications you are using and the medical personnel that are treating you.
Don’t keep looking at the bad things happening. Search for the good ones. And be grateful for them. Learn to put on the cloak of gratitude. Yes gratitude is a great habit that you can wear, and it will sure do you good.
in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 18:5 AMP
Keep a journal of all the things you are grateful for and check them in a month. You will be surprised at how many items you are going to have in it.
May the Lord bless you with a heart of gratitude. Amen.
Prayer:
I am grateful for all the Lord has given me, is giving me, and will give me in the future. Engrave this phrase in my heart: Gratitude is a great habit. Thank You, Lord.
Action plan:
Keep a Gratitude Journal and start recording
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 16, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 4 minutes
There is something you should completely avoid. What can that be? It is called pride!
The reason why pride is such a dangerous sin can be found in some of these verses.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6 KJV)
Obviously, this won’t be a good place to be. When the Bible says God resisteth the proud, what that means is that God Himself will oppose and hinder a proud man.
Again you find the same thing here
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5 KJV)
In the Old Testament, Nebuchadnezzar became proud, and he was humbled, he became an animal.
In the New Testament, Herod made a prideful statement, he was eaten from inside out.
Pride is not a good commodity that should be found with you.
Do you want God to help you in life? Be humble!
It is such a thin line between humility and pride. If you are a humble person, and you know it, then you are no longer humble! Humble people don’t say it or flaunt it, others identify it in them and talk about it. The day you talk or boast about your humility, you already lost it, because you are now proud of your humility!
The greatest problem a proud person has is that he never owns up that he is proud. His pride will not allow him to own up that he is really proud, and even when he sometimes discovers, he is still proud of his pride! This is something you should completely avoid as a single.
A lot of people have lost opportunities of a godly relationship because of pride! The picture of the person they wanted to get married to, is far from those that are showing up, so they keep on rebuffing opportunities that come their way. The problem is that after a long time, they always end up with just anybody because they suddenly wake up to the reality that age is no longer on their side.
‘My husband has to be handsome like my pastor!’ Ask your pastor’s wife to show you her husband’s picture before they got married. You will almost want to tell her that she took a risk!
I have always told people, the most important factor in deciding who to get married to is God’s direction.
Physical attraction is very important as well, but that is not all to it. People change over time!
People change over time! In fact, some people get handsome, the older they get! While it is different for some, the older they get, the more they lose their rhyme and the magic!
You want to marry a Joseph? Would you have said yes to him while he was a slave in strange land, his destiny unsure and his dreams almost bothering on a psychological absurdity? Would you have married him when he was in the prison, sentenced to an indefinite prison life, together in the king’s maximum prison with hardened criminals convicted of murder?
My point is that what people are now, is not what they were before! I always tell men of God, they need to come together and do a thanksgiving service to God on behalf of their wives for saying “yes’ to them!
Have you seen the picture of the great man of God, Bishop Oyedepo as a single? You wouldn’t want to say Yes! But as a lady, you should be able to discern God’s direction even when it doesn’t look like it!
Almost every lady will want to marry a man as successful in ministry or as wealthy as Bishop. But Bishop said all he had then was his mouth and his vision!
The woman in the scripture says, I perceive this is a man of God!’
You know, but there is something about being humble enough to follow God’s plan for your life!
God sees ahead and sees what you cannot see. In His wisdom and love, He seeks to lead and direct us, if we are willing to obey and stay humble, we will enter into our wealthy place and we will be fulfilled not only in marriage but in life as well.
Ask yourself, am I really proud and hindering God’s plan unknowingly?
How do you know if you are proud? Here are a few tips:
You have an exaggerated opinion of yourself.
You have an opinion of everything and anything.
You are critical of almost everything and anything.
You have a problem with accountability. You are accountable to no one.
You see yourself as superior to your friends.
You are not submissive to any authority figures, including your pastors and parents.
You sometimes think you don’t need God, it is God that needs you!
Ask God to help you. Ask Him to open your eyes and show you all you need to know about yourself. Be humble enough to do that so that you will not delay yourself! As married couples, stay humble, so that you will not hinder God’s blessings! A lot of marriages have issues because the couple is proud and would refuse to apologise for offences for many days! Apologise quickly to each other! Be humble.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will stay humble for God to lift me up. I choose to completely avoid every form of pride.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Pray against the spirit of pride and ask God to help you completely avoid it.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Write down things to completely avoid.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Js 4
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 15, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We’ll be discussing the topic “Demonic Activities Versus Fleshly Lust in Marriage” in our devotional for couples today
In several counselling sessions I have been privileged to be in with my husband, I have heard cases that are so difficult to resolve.
Now, after a few years of marriage, I have come to realize that some of those messy scenarios have their foundations in demonic influences.
We need to be conscious of this so that it helps us to effectively address issues well.
We need to establish the fact that the devil HATES marriage. He loathes it with a perfect hatred. A good marriage irritates him and infuriates him. He is not just a nuisance but an enemy of your marriage and mine.
Having an understanding of who our enemy is, it becomes easier for us to properly wage war against our enemy.
Most of the issues or problems we face in marriage are due to demonic influences. I pray that God will open the eyes of our understanding today to recognize who the real enemy is.
There is the flesh that we all must see to it that we crucify.
For example, a choleric husband can be given to anger. He sees himself always getting angry. It could be his flesh. All he has to do is crucify or mortify his flesh. If he doesn’t do that, his marriage will suffer for it.
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24 KJV
On the other hand are the activities of the devil through demonic influence or evil spirit. The aim of these spirits is to torment and torture us as married couples. They also don’t want is to know or serve the Lord effectively.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 KJV
The abundant life Jesus came to give us, they want to make sure it is a mirage.
For example, anger becomes demonic when demons or evil spirit makes one angry at every provocation in an uncontrollable and harmful way.
In marriage, your spouse will do things that you don’t like. The devil torments and doesn’t make you enjoy your marriage when there is a spirit of anger.
Some of the emotional or attitudinal issues we experience are the activities of the evil spirits. For example, most depression, fear, rejection, sicknesses, selfishness, etc.
What we need to do to these evil spirits is to cast them out. Cast them out of our marriages and life
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 KJV
I will continue tomorrow by God’s grace.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I have control over my weaknesses.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Pray that God will give you the wisdom to stay above sin
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and overall the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 KJV
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Deal with your weakness.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Luk 10
by Sylvester Obinna | Jul 15, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Just as you study your textbook as a school student, you also have to study the Bible as a spiritual student that you are. As a student, you have textbooks for each subject you are taught in school. As a child of God, the Bible is your spiritual textbook too. Inspired by God to teach you about Him and what He wants you to do.
Textbooks are meant to be read and studied so that you can best understand a subject. You spend time reading and studying them. If the Bible is your spiritual textbook, then you should also spend time studying it too. Pick a book from it, read and study. You just have to study the Bible.
Forming the habit of regularly reading and studying your bible is a brilliant way to grow your spiritual life. Starting early in life is the best. Because as you grow up, it becomes a part of you and you won’t be able to stop reading and studying your Bible. You won’t rest until you study the Bible.
Like Samuel who began to serve in the temple at a young age.
Now Samuel was ministering before the Lord, as a child dressed in a linen ephod [a sacred item of priestly clothing] 1 Samuel 2:19 AMP
His mother gave him to God as she had promised. Under Eli, Samuel learnt about the ways of God and how to serve Him. And as he grew into an adult, with the knowledge of the things of God (…And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord 1 Samuel 2:21 AMP) he became a mighty prophet of God.
The Bible is filled with so much knowledge that will grow your spirit, mind and soul. You just have to study the Bible for yourself. Inside the Bible, you will find stories of love, hate, fear, anger, redemption, and much more. You could read it in the morning, afternoon or at night before you sleep. Even if you have a daily devotional that you read, it still doesn’t take the place of your personal Bible reading plan.
Study the Bible daily. Let regular Bible reading be a part of your daily life. God bless you as you do so. Amen.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank You for the Bible. I receive help to study the Bible daily. Amen.
Action plan:
Pick a version of the Bible, and start to read. As you do so, note things down and ask your parents to explain further for you. Or just ask the Holy Spirit.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 15, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Continued from yesterday…
When they woke up, all of them trimmed their lamps, but sadly, the lamps of five of them were gone out!
You see, there comes a time when activities without priority on God’s presence will fail. There comes a time where energy and service bravado will fail! When the oil in the lamp goes out, it is the oil in your vessel that will save you!
When you are serving God passionately with your time, energy, and resources but are still embroiled in habitual sexual sins and other transgressions, you are just being foolish! Ouch! That hurts! But it is the truth! It is the truth that will make you free. I am not here to tell you what you want to read or what appeals to your ears, but to declare the undiluted word of God!
When you are seen as a spiritual person and others are even looking up to you yet you know you are empty when it comes to a personal relationship with God, you are being foolish! Ouch!
If you are a pastor that only read your Bible to preach, that is oil in the lamp and nothing more than foolishness! Ouch! You don’t read Bible to preach alone, you study it to live!
If you are a lady in the protocol or ushering in church, always prompt and active, and you don’t know what it means to practice the presence of God, neither do you read your Bible regularly, you are not being wise! Ouch!
If you are the most active in church and yet you live with a boyfriend or girlfriend, that is utter foolishness.
Mat 25:12 KJV
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
When they wanted the door opened to them, Jesus simply said he doesn’t know them! Is it possible that one can think He knows God and God does not know that person? Yes, I think it is possible.
Let us all get back to getting oil in our vessels regularly. That is how you won’t make mistake in your relationship.
That is how you will know the right person.
That is how not to miss your “bridegroom” That is how not to miss your spouse. That is how the ‘virgin’ in you will not miss it! The time when you are supposed to be ready and meet your ‘bridegroom,’ or your ‘spouse to be’ is not the time to go look for extra oil! It should have been in your vessel all the while!
Mat 25:10 KJV
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
When you’ve still not learnt how to prioritize your time, and you still don’t value God’s presence, you are still caught up with deceit and sexual sins, the implication is that you are not yet ready and the door of marriage can be shut! It is only those that are ready that will go with him into the marriage! The reason why there is a delay for some people when it comes to marriage is simply lack of oil in the vessel. It can literarily shut the door of marriage!
Oil in the vessel! That is how to keep your relationship.
Make up your mind this morning to be wise!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
Lord, I receive the wisdom to rule in the affairs of this world.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Pray that God will give you wisdom to stay in His presence
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Mat 25:5 KJV While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Cut off your association with any person, place, or thing that is influencing you negatively.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Matt 25
by Sylvester Obinna | Jul 14, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Prayer is one habit that you should have as a child. It’s your way of communicating with God and making it a regular habit is a huge bonus for you as a Christian child.
When you pray often, you are creating an open channel of conversing with God. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will know Him, know yourself, know His plans for you and enjoy His glory spread all over your life.
Jesus, the son of God, had the habit of always taking time off to pray to God. See what the bible reveals about how Jesus took prayer while He was on earth, in the verses below.
But Jesus often slipped away to other places to be alone so that he could pray. Luke 5:16 ICB
At that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray. He stayed there all night, praying to God. Luke 6:12 ICB
After he said good-bye to them, he went alone up into the hills to pray. It was late, and Jesus was there alone. Matthew 14:23 ICB
Early the next morning, Jesus woke and left the house while it was still dark. He went to a place to be alone and pray. Mark 1:35 ICB
Prayer was an important part of Jesus’ life while He was on earth. He did so early in the mornings, left His disciples at some times to go pray alone and even to empty and quiet places to pray. Through prayer He communicated with His father. He asked for help with what was going to happen to Him. He also prayed for the disciples and many people.
Be like Jesus, find a quiet place where you can be alone and pray to God. Early in the morning, pray to God. During the day, pray also. Put aside some few minutes to pray and see how your relationship with God grows. The habit of prayer will sure do you some good.
May His grace give you the strength to pray at all times. Amen.
Prayer:
Heavenly Lord, I want to develop the habit of praying to you often; help me to take on the habit prayer. I want my life to improve and my relationship with you also in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action point:
Find more verses in the bible that speaks about habits. Read and study them. What did you learn?
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 14, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Wisdom is powerful. In life, you are either operating in foolishness or wisdom. That is why the scripture talks about the wise virgins and the foolish virgins who went out to meet the groom. It is such a thin line that one can easily cross the line from wisdom to foolishness when care is not taken.
In the case of the five wise virgins and five foolish virgins, they were all born again and they all were expecting the bridegroom. They all go to church. They all have their lamps with them and the scripture says the word of God is a lamp unto our feet.
They all had oil in their lamps. We know that oil is a type of the Holy Spirit. They all know something about the Holy Spirit. They were all spiritual to an extent. We know that the parable is talking about believers because the scripture says
Mat 25:1 KJV
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
What made the five virgins foolish? The scripture tells us.
Mat 25:2-4 KJV
(2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
(3) They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
(4) But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
You can be attending service, be a worker, be all over the place, and yet be operating in foolishness! The foolish took their lamp but no oil. The wise took OIL IN THEIR VESSELS plus the oil in their lamps.
The word vessel means receptacle. It is talking about your spirit man. When you serve God, that is oil in your lamp. When you climb the pulpit to preach, that is oil in your lamp. When you preach in the bus, that is oil in your lamp. When you work tirelessly, that is oil in your lamp. All those are necessary and they surely have their place, but when you do all of that to the detriment of personal devotional time with God, you are being careless with oil in your vessel.
That you sing in the choir will not compensate for the time you ought to be in God’s presence in the morning. That you resume at your workplace very early every day of the week will not make God understand your prayerlessness. Nothing will ever replace the time you spend in God’s presence daily!
Mat 25:7 KJV
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
What happened after they trimmed their lamps?
What is the implication of having oil in the lamp and in the vessel?
How does this concern your love life?
How is it connected with you meeting your groom?
I will tell you tomorrow. Don’t miss it.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
Lord, I receive the wisdom to rule in the affairs of this world.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Pray that God will prepare you for your groom
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Mat 25:5 KJV While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Cut off your association with any person, place, or thing that is influencing you negatively.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Matt 25
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 14, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
This is a continuation of yesterday’s article where we talked about practical ways to show respect to your spouse in marriage
Here are practical ways to do this.
1. Know that your spouse is so very special before God. He/ she is costly and bought with the precious blood of Jesus. Jesus would have come to die for your spouse.
2. Do not yell at your spouse. You may be angry but never yell.
3. Allow freedom of expression. It is okay to be different; that is why you married in the first place. Men and women are meant to be different.
4. Let your spouse feel safe, secure and trusted by building mutual respect.
5. When you have opposing opinions which will happen most times, you listen. Your listening shows respect.
6. Respect that your spouse is worth listening to. He/ she has something vital to bring to the table.
7. Allow healthy space when it is needed, it shows respect. Let your spouse be by him/herself, have her own friends, her own things et cetera
8. Do not control one another. Your relationship is unhealthy when there is the slightest control. God asked us to love, not control. Jesus never controlled the church.
9. Both spouses should admit once they are wrong and sincerely seek for forgiveness. Swallow your pride and admit you are wrong and apologize.
10. Never treat one another shabbily, in private or public. Show appreciation for every little thing your spouse does. Don’t take each other for granted.
What other ways can you show respect to your spouse?
I will be expecting your replies in the comment box.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am submitted to my spouse.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, teach me how to submit to my own spouse.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Ephesians 5:21(KJV) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Are you submitted?
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Eph 5
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 13, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Today we will be looking at the topic “Ten ways to show respect to yourselves in marriage”
Against contrary opinions, respect in marriage is mutual. People are of the opinion that respect for the husbands is a big deal. Yes, it is. Just as men do not want to be disrespected in private or public, so also women need a dose of respect.
Men can readily tell what a bruised ego is and in this part of the world. an average man will not tolerate to be disrespected in any form, method, shape or size. In other to have a relationship that is healthy and mutually beneficial, respect has to be mutual.
Some of us don’t even know when we are being disrespected. The gospel of men dominance has been preached for so long that women feel they are not worth much. that they are just worthless, less than good, helpless, weaker vessels.
Contrary wise, women have tremendous strength, ability, knowledge, wisdom and great dexterity. It takes great strength to be a mother and give birth to a child, to keep a home, multitask, submit to your husband and stay married. All these take great strength.
But if we are going to have a healthy marriage relationship we would know that submission to one another in the fear of God is essential. A man not submitted to Christ is a difficult man and hard to submit to.
This is not teaching or telling wives not to submit to their husbands. It is addressing that fact that marriage is meant to be mutually beneficial to both the husband and the wife.
Tomorrow, I will show us practical ways we can submit to one another in marriage.
God bless our marriages.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am submitted to my spouse.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, teach me how to submit to my own spouse.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Ephesians 5:21(KJV) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Are you submitted?
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Eph 5
by Sylvester Obinna | Jul 13, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
In this series, we would be looking at some great habits children should pick up that will greatly advance them in life.
What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [god’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow?
Romans 6:1 AMP
What’s a Habit? A habit can be defined to be a set of actions we do regularly, especially if it’s for a long time and quite hard to give up. There are some great habits and there are some bad habits. Let’s take a peep into your life: What are the things you do regularly that you have been doing for a long time and is very hard for you to give up? Can you mention them? Now are these things good or bad?
So habits can be good or bad. It depends on what you are doing. Do you lie a lot? It’s because you probably have spent a long time doing so. Do you smile when you greet others or just pass by without a hello or hi? Is it what you have been used to doing? These are not some great habits you know.
They say it takes 5 days to form a habit and 21 days to break it. So, you can learn to be a bully within 5 days and spend 21 days to try and stop being a bully. You see that it easier to get on some great habits in your life than to break bad ones?
But the thing about habits is that, most people don’t complete that 21 days cycle. There’s the tendency to revert to the old habit. It’s just so hard to do.
Imagine if you always read your bible daily at a particular time of the day? That’s a habit you have formed. And it has been a part of you and will be quite difficult for you to stop doing. There you have it! You can form some great habits.
In this series, we will be looking at some wonderful habits you should form as a child of God. And why you should.
God bless you. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to form some great habits in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Action point:
Can you make a list of all your habits. Which ones do you want to keep and which do you want to stop?
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 13, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
There will always be issues in relationships and marriage. There will always be challenges. There will always be something to sort, discuss, solve or resolve. When two people live together, this is expected.
It is for this reason that communication becomes important in any relationship and marriage. Once communication becomes defective, there will be assumptions. An assumption is the lowest form of knowledge, so naturally there will be wrong conclusions. The wisdom then is to keep on talking and never keep malice with your spouse, fiancée or friends.
There will be problems to SOLVE. It simply means to find the solution to a problem or question. For example, attitudinal tendencies can become problems. There can be attitudes that have been picked up while your spouse is growing up. These can form into habits that can become lifestyles.
Once there is a negative attitude, then you simply have a negative lifestyle. What do you do with such? You are to confront and solve, not deny or pretend that they are not there.
There will be quarrels to RESOLVE. To resolve means to reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation. If two people live together and both of them are thinking, there will be disagreements. But as Kenneth Hagin said, you can disagree to agree! Resolve every disagreement. Remember you are to complement each other not compete.
There will be wrong mindsets to DISSOLVE. There will be wrong relationships to dissolve. For example, you cannot be getting counsel on how to run your home from someone who has no home! He could cancel your destiny in an attempt to counsel you!
Take decisions. Solve the problems, resolve the quarrels, and dissolve the relationships that can ruin you.
If you are single and courting, and you are constantly involved in sexual affairs, it is time to dissolve such because the laws of cause and effect will soon take their course. You cannot outrightly disobey God and expect his protection, favour, and blessings.
May God grant you understanding.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am not confused. I have the mind of Christ. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, strengthen me in my inner man to do the impossible this year.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Job 12:13 MSG “True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Solve, Resolve and Dissolve
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Eph 3
by Sylvester Obinna | Jul 12, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
God speaks to everyone including children, and there’s also how to hear from God as children. Remember the story of little Samuel in the bible, who later became a strong prophet that ministered to the Israelites and anointed kings?
Our heavenly Father wants to speak to us and He does so in different ways.
One of such ways is through His word- the bible. The bible is the only place where all of God’s words reside. And that is also how to hear from God – one place you can hear God in.
Reading the bible is one of the ways you can hear from God. When you read about what God did, how He did it, and who He did it for, you get to know more about God.
Maybe you are facing a situation and don’t know how to go about it, read the bible. God will speak to you through a verse or chapter. That is how to hear from God.
He will direct you to a book where someone just like you, faced the same dilemma you are in.
When you read through, you will learn how the person resolved it with God’s help. And that way you would have received wisdom for you situation; that’s how to hear from God.
Heb 4:12 KJV For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The bible says His words are living. They are alive, quick, and sharp. Always speaking. See it as God speaking directly to you. See it as how to hear from God as a child.
God bless you as you read.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your word that is forever living and true. Let your words speak to me daily, in Jesus name. Amen.
Action plan:
When next you think God is speaking to you or have a problem, pray and ask God to use His words to speak to you (That’s also how to hear from God)
Declaration
The Lord speaks to me through his word. My ears are opened to God’s word.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 12, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (2 Timothy 4:14 KJV)
Here we see Paul extremely hurt by whatever Alexander the coppersmith has done. Judging from Paul’s tone, whatever harm Alexander has done is probably either towards him or towards the church of God.
Paul later said,
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. (2 Timothy 4:15 KJV)
In Weymouth New Testament translation, it says,
Alexander the metal-worker showed bitter hostility towards me: the Lord will requite him according to his doings.
Now, in life, we will meet with a lot of people that will do us much evil. There will be several metal workers who want to use their metals on you! We will meet with a lot of people that will try to harm us.
We might have experienced deep hurts and wounds from those that jilted us. We might have gone through bitter experiences from people who used us and then dumped us. We might have encountered people that insulted our intelligence and tried to play smart on us. We might have been met people that promised heaven and earth and later abandoned us. We might have experienced the greatest levels of betrayals, wherein, the closest friend of ours betrayed us.
Those kinds of experiences are deep seated, the hurts are strongly rooted, the bitterness breathes within, live magma, waiting for an opportunity of a volcanic eruption, to cause untold damage and harm.
In all of these, we must learn from Apostle Paul. We must learn to sheath the sword like Apostle Paul did.
Yes, he was hurt, and he actually verbalized it when he said, “Alexander the coppersmith did me MUCH evil…”
No doubt he was hurt and must have gone through a very painful, heart wrenching experience…but in all of these, he simply said,
“…the Lord reward him according to his work!”
In as much as this is not what the flesh wants to do, I believe this is the best attitude to take when you have been deeply hurt!
Commit the situation into God’s hands. Let God judge the matter! Let God fight for you. When God fights for you, you have the privilege of dealing with your enemy without lifting a finger and without bitterness, and God also compensates you! That is the beauty of it!
Did you see the classic film, “Woman thou art loosed” by Bishop T.D.Jakes?
That lady that was raped and had her innocence taken away at a tender age still ended in jail because she took laws into her hands by shooting the man that hurt her! The prison experience would probably get her bitter than ever!
But you can choose to let God handle it. When you allow God to judge the matter, you let go of the hurt in your heart and await a compensation that only God can bring.
I want you to hand it all over to God. The guy, the lady, the man, the woman, who did you much evil, hand it over to God. Don’t go on with any hurt! Let God reward them according to the works of their hands. That is when it is sweetest!
As you do that that, you will receive healing for every hurt and wound, and God will compensate you heavily! Were you abandoned? Thank God you knew him or her before marriage! If he didn’t go, how will the right person show up!
I pray for you this morning, God will compensate you heavily for every harm, hurt or evil in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I refuse to be bitter
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to let go of all hurt
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luke 6:28 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Forgive all hurts.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Prov 4
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 12, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
I will be concluding on this topic “When God is your husband” this morning.
It really takes a lot God being our husbands. When God, the Lord of host becomes our husbands and we truely have a revelation of what it means, it will affect every area of our lives.
God is the most important being on earth and in heaven. When He becomes our God, we have access to everything. Our needs are met emotionally, spiritually and physically. We are not in lack of anything.
When we put our trust in God as our husband and don’t put all our trust and hope in our husband to meet all our needs, we please God.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7 – 8 KJV
The Bible promises us that when we catch the revelation of God as our husband, He sees to it that we are like trees planted by the river, and our leaves will never fade or wither.
For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. Isaiah 54:5 – 6 KJV
When God is your husband, despite what your husband does or doesn’t do, God promises;
1. Never to leave you nor forsake you.
Heb 13:5b for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
We have God’s assuring presence 24/7. In thick and in thin. He is not like men whose promises are shakky.
2. Whatever you ask will be done.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7 KJV
God promises us that He as the Lord of host and the God of the whole earth, that nothing shall be impossible for him to do for us if we ask Him.
3. No condemnation
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 KJV
As our husband, God will never condemn us even when we make mistakes or fall into temptation or fall short of His grace.
Whereas our earthly husband will abuse us, criticise us, judge us or speak harshly to us, He will not judge us. He will receive us in love.
4. My peace I give to you.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 KJV
Being married to God, we have assurance of peace. In whatever troubles of life, whatever situation or circumstance, we have access to peace. Whatever trouble our husband may give us, God says we should not worry because He has overcome the world, we should be of good cheer.
5. God will not lie to us.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2 KJV
God will always tell us the truth. He’s not the type of husband that lies. He is sincerely sincere. He has 100℅ integrity. He never deceives us but speaks the truth to us. And thankfully, His truth are gracious. He tells the truth of who He has made us.
It is good we meditate on all these about God being our husband. It will take the pressure off our husbands. It will remove stress and unnecessary hurt from our lives.
The devil wants to use some husbands to break their wives all in the attempt of them not to be able to fulfill their roles of their helper.
When God takes His responsibility as our husband, He fills us with joy unspeakable full of glory whatever the case maybe. He makes us joyful wives because our supply of strength comes from Him.
I hope you were blessed.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR TODAY
My God is my husband
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Pray that you will experience the love of God
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Isa 54:5 (TLB) for your Creator will be your “husband.” The Lord Almighty is his name; he is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth.
ACTION PLAN FOR TODAY
Study the bible reading for the day
BIBLE READING FOR TODAY
Isaiah 54
by Sylvester Obinna | Jul 11, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
God provides for all your needs. Be grateful for food, clothing, shelter, education, and so many other things that God provides for you through your parents and other people.
The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 AMP.
“I will feed my flock and I will let them lie down [to rest].” Says the Lord God Ezekiel 34:15 AMP
Be grateful for having all these things. Without Him providing for your parents to get you all the things you’re enjoying right now, they won’t be able to provide for you. So be grateful for food you eat everyday.
Show your gratefulness to Him by first thanking Him then your parents. Let it show in your behavior towards Him.
Thank Him for all the times He has provided food for your family to eat, that every morning, afternoon and night, there was food to eat in your house. Yes, be grateful for food.
Be thankful for the clothes you have on, that you are not walking around naked or have never done so and will never do so.
Thank Him for the house you live in, that during sunny days you had a place to stay away from the sun. During the rainy seasons, you had a place to stay, away from the rains. Be grateful for food, and shelter.
Thank Him for your shoes; the new and old ones. That you don’t walk barefooted is a blessing.
Thank Him for the schools you have attended, are attending and will attend. It’s because of His great love for you.
The Lord is your Shepherd, He will provide for all your needs in Jesus’ name, Amen. So be grateful for food, and everything God does for you.
Prayer:
Father, I thank You for all that I have. Thank you for food, clothing and shelter. I will never take for granted all these things you have given me. Help me to always be grateful. Amen.
Action point:
Be grateful for food, clothing, and shelter. Show your gratitude to God in a special way.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 11, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Yesterday, we considered a few things to note about pressures.
We discussed that;
1. Pressures come to everybody
2. Nobody can put pressures on you unless you allow that person.
Let’s conclude this morning.
3. You can stop the pressures when you want to
When you really want to stop the pressures, you simply stop seeing the person in question. You press the ‘disconnect’ button. You stop picking his or her call. You see, the moment communication lines are kept open; the pressures would keep coming! You say somebody is putting pressure on you and yet you are ‘flashing’ the person with your phone? Who is really putting the pressures?
4. Be sincere with yourself.
Do you really want to stop the pressures or are you enjoying it? If you want to stop it, you won’t be like Samson, rather you will follow the example of Joseph.
What was the difference?
Joseph ran away at the face of sexual pressures. Samson thought he could handle the pressures, but he lost his life eventually. Look at what Delilah did to Samson:
And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; (Judges 16:16 KJV)
That is what I call pressure! But he didn’t run away. He thought he could handle it. He was wrong.
Joseph was pressured too! Look at the scriptures:
She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her. (Genesis 39:10 Message)
He stood his ground, and eventually ran away! That is what you do at the face of pressures. Run! Don’t bother to speak in tongues or spiritualize it, just run away!
Are there people around you that you need to run away from? Are there some Delilahs, some Amnons and some Mrs Potiphars? Wicked men? Evil men? Strange women? Liars? Impostors? Deceivers? Manipulators? Think about it! You have a responsibility to protect your life and destiny by the decisions you make and the people you give access to! Selah!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am not under undue pressures. I have liberty in God.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Ask God to give you strength to handle pressures.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me:and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.(Genesis 39:12 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Disconnect from people putting pressures on you
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Heb 14
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 11, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Every wife should get to a point where no matter how loving and romantic and cordial they are with their spouse, they still give God his place. God deserves the first place in our lives and He wants to have all of our heart, mind, energy, and best of our beings. God is a jealous God and He will not share His glory with any other man, not even our husbands.
Our husbands, no matter how they love, if they cannot love us like Jesus, they cannot die for us. That’s why Jesus is the lover of our souls. He alone can love deeply and extravagantly.
If our husbands are godly, God will reveal to them how to love and treat us. But that also depends on how well they can receive from the Lord. Our spouses at the very best are still ‘human’. They are not given to meet all our needs. They can only try. God wants our attention, focus, love and worship.
You cannot beg to be loved. Rather look to God to meet your deepest emotional needs.
Most spouses don’t even understand their wives. We are so wired differently. So sometimes, they are not being wicked, they don’t just have a clue on how to love us the right way. That’s when God steps in. He wants to meet all our emotional, spiritual, social, physical needs. He knows us because He created us.
There some of our needs that we don’t even understand or can articulate in the right way or with the right words, making it difficult for even our husbands to try and meet. So take the frustration off your husband and off your marriage. Let your spouse do what he can do and allow God do what He can and wants to do.
Don’t let your esteem or self-worth come solely from your spouse. Your self-worth should come from God. You are very special to God. You worth so much to Him. You are Royalty. You are the apple of His eyes. God will bat an eye lid to protect you.
For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou was refused, saith thy God.
Isaiah 54:5 – 6 KJV
The scripture in Isa 54:5 is telling us that thy Maker is thy Husband. God is speaking to us what it is. God is not just trying to be our husband or writing an application to be our husbands. We have to receive these words, believe it and walk in the light of it. We have to mediate on it so much until it becomes real to our hearts.
God is saying we are Mrs God! What a privilege! We are not just His princesses, we are married to Him. He is our maker. He understands us. He knows our wiring because He put them there. He knows what words to speak to us par time.
We are married to the Almighty, all powerful, the wealthiest on the earth and in heaven. Hallelujah! It’s so comforting and refreshing to know. God finds you so lovely, flawless and gorgeous.
So other women are being treated harshly by their husbands. They are oppressed, bullied and abused. God wants you to shift your focus from the hurt you are experiencing. Give that hurt to God your husband. He knows how to fix it. God is introducing Himself as the Lord of hosts. He has hosts to deploy to rescue you. You are Royalty, her Royal Majesty.
Never forget that. Find a way to always remind yourself that. I wear a tiny chain around my neck to remind me I am royalty. I am loved by God.
I will get into what it means to have God as your husband tomorrow by God’s grace.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR TODAY
My God is my husband
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Pray that you will experience the love of God
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Isa 54:5 (TLB)for your Creator will be your “husband.” The Lord Almighty is his name; he is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth.
ACTION PLAN FOR TODAY
Study the bible reading for the day
BIBLE READING FOR TODAY
Isaiah 54
by Sylvester Obinna | Jul 10, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The Psalmist in the book of psalms tells of how it feels to thank God. This feeling leads him further to do more than just saying thank you to God. It’s leading him to sing praises and to tell the whole world about how good God is. He wants to do it in the morning and even at night.
It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, To sing praises to Your name, O Most High, To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night.
Psalm 92:1-2 AMP
When you wake up every morning, thank God for keeping you alive. Thank Him for the grace He has given you to be among the million people worldwide that are awake and praising Him right now. Be thankful also for your parents and siblings who have also woken up like you too.
Add this to your prayer journal and the date. This is a good spiritual habit you should learn as a child. Once it becomes a part of you, gratitude will come easy to you.
And at night, just before you sleep, thank God for how He kept you, your parents, and your siblings throughout the day. Include the things He has made possible for you to do or have like passing a test at school or making a new friend.
Begin and end your day with gratitude, just like the psalmist – thank God.
May the Lord keep and bless you every day in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer:
Heavenly Lord, I thank You for each day that I am awake and when I sleep at night. Thank you for my parents and siblings. I will always praise Your Holy name in Jesus’ name, amen.
Action point:
Start your day by thanking God for keeping you alive – thank God.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 10, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Pressures can come from different sources. Pressures can come from the devil, they can come from your friends, they can come from your environment, and they can come from within you.
Here are a few things to note about pressures.
1. Pressures come to everybody
Everybody experiences one form of pressure at one point or the other. From the pews to the pulpit, from the laity to the clergy, from the janitor to the archbishop, from the person that got born again yesterday, to the one that has been in the faith for twenty years! As long as you are human, you will experience one form of pressure or the other.
The fact that pressures come to everybody is also an indication that tells you that you are not in that alone. There are no custom made pressures, and there is no pressure that you are facing that somebody, somewhere has not faced before.
Here is the scripture:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV)
Even Jesus Christ had pressures! That is why the Bible says
We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all––all but the sin. (Hebrews 4:15 Message)
2. Nobody can put pressures on you unless you allow that person.
Everybody that is putting pressures on you, be it sexual, physical or mental, you have allowed them one way or the other.One of the greatest gifts that God has given you is the gift of time. 24 hours that you live yesterday was time spent, but it was also a portion of your life that can’t be relived again. Those hours are gone into oblivion. The question is who have you given access to in your life, directly or indirectly?
Anybody you spend time with and listen to, you have just given them access into your life and permission to carry out whatever ulterior motives they had.
The moment you spend time with that unbeliever, you have just given him access to put pressures on you. The moment you go out on date with your boss who is married, you have just given him access to put pressure on you. The moment you report your spouse to your colleague or your boss at work, you have just given him or her permission to put pressures on you! The moment you keep spending time with that fellow all in the name of being taught tutorials, you have just given such a person access into your life.
I will show you more ways to handle pressures tomorrow.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am not under undue pressures. I have liberty in God.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Ask God to give you strength to say NO at the right times.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me:and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.(Genesis 39:12 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Disconnect from people putting pressures on you
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Heb 13
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 10, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
There are different types, kinds, shades, and forms of trouble in life and of course, in marriage. Some of these troubles we face in marriage are due to our carelessness most of the time. While others are the devil wanting to stir up issues.
Whichever way, God has told us of how to handle troubles in His word.
I must admit that there are some troubles or challenges that are so bigger than us. There is no way we can come out of then successfully without God intervening.
King David even though he was God’s beloved Psalmist, faced different situations way bigger and stronger than he. The good news is that God brought him over them all.
At whatever season in our marriage, when trouble comes, not if they come, because they will surely come, if we are believers, we are assured victory.
Some challenges are spiritual and must be dealt with by engaging in spiritual warfare. Whether they are in-law issues, financial, child birth, barrenness, betrayal, infidelity issues, health issues or we just noticed some resistance on our way, or there are constant quarrels between us as couples that really has no basis, or any other attack on our marriage, it calls for spiritual warfare.
That is the time we should deal with and take charge of whatever trouble or strange oppressive spirit from the devil that wants to destroy our marriages.
We must know how to intercede for our marriage more than anything else. We fight on our knees.
The bible says
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3 – 5 KJV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 KJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19 KJV
Our major work is to bind the wrong spirit behind such issues and loose the power of God. We come against the different spirits causing troubles for us and not allow us to enjoy peace, love and joy in our marriage.
Some problems are not with the 3rd party but within spouses. You have to learn to take charge and exercise authority over such anti-peace, anti-unity spirit. All they are after is to cause division, disunity, distress and fight in the marriage.
Also, praying for the eyes of the understanding of the other party is important.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:17 – 18 KJV
By the time you have engaged in spiritual warfare, God promised us victory over every trouble. The victory may not come the way we want. But victory is sure and peace will be restored into our marriage
God bless our marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am not a careless spouse. I engage in battle for my family.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Oh Lord, open the eyes of my understanding.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19 KJV
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Focus on your marriage
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
2 Cor 10
