by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 13, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
One of the traps the devil sets is making you hope and pray your parents or guardians won’t find out where you have been. Now there are warning signals wrong friends can exhibit.
Friends that corrupt, mostly advise you to give a false account of your whereabouts to parents or guardians. In other words, they tell you to lie.
For instance, they encourage you to buy a skimpy outfit which you know your parents won’t allow on you. This is part of the warning signals. They teach you how to hide it at home. Even when your parents find out and forbid you to wear it, they again, teach you how to sneak it out of the house for a party or an outing which you know will keep you late outside. Once more, they tell you what lie to tell to your parents.
Another way is you come home late from school and lie that you were at the library, studying for a test or exam. All the while you were playing football with friends or watching a PG movie at one of your friend’s house. They, of course, told you to say that. This is part of the warning signals.
You hope and pray your parents don’t find out or catch your lie.
You need to let go of such friends because they are gradually helping you to become a liar. Yes, and they have revealed themselves by showing those warning signals.
The bible tells us that the devil is the father of all liars. How can a child of God be friends with the children of the devil? You need to end your friendship with friends that teach you to lie. This is part of the warning signals.
John 8:44 (NKJV) You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
One downside of this is that, once your parents find out the truth, they won’t trust you anymore. They won’t believe anything you say again. even when you are saying the truth.
So, check your friends again. Learn to look out for warning signals.
God bless you.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, help me with good friends. I don’t want friends that will teach me to lie, I want friends that will help me grow to know you more. Amen.
Action point:
Stop being friends with anyone who encourages you to tell a lie, especially to your parents (it’s part of the warning signals).
Declaration (children):
I am kept far away from wrong friends. I choose my friends wisely and I receive grace to cut off every wrong association.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 12, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
There is something that can promptly assassinate a promising relationship and marriage in a moment. 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 or 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!
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!
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!
The woman in the scripture says, I perceive this is a man of God!’
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:
1. You have an exaggerated opinion of yourself.
2. You have an opinion of everything and anything.
3. You are critical of almost everything and anything.
4. You have a problem with accountability. You are accountable to no one.
5. You see yourself as superior to your friends.
6. You are not submissive to any authority figures, including your pastors and parents.
7. 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!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will not be proud
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, take pride away from my heart
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Pro 16:5 (KJV) Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Are there traces of pride in your relationship? Address it.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Genesis 43 – 45
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 12, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Distractions will come at you as you plan to manage your time well. They come straight at you, heavy and unrelenting. You have to learn how to identify and stop them if you want to make good use of your time. You have to learn to remove distractions.
Distractions could be from friends, family and even you. There will be good distractions that look pleasing and reasonable but are not pushing you forward.
For instance, you want to study your bible for the evening and a friend visits and asks that you both study for a test tomorrow.
It’s a good thing – studying for a test, but is it in your plan? No. You have to learn to remove distractions.
Rather than study or tell your friend you can’t study with him because of bible study, ask him to join you for bible study. After that, you can both study for the test.
Ensure you explain to him first what you are planning to do and if he agrees to wait or join you, fine. And if he refuses, well you can try to further explain to him. But you have to learn to remove distractions.
I’m sure he will agree. If he doesn’t, well, it’s not your fault, you just have to stick to your plan.
Remember, there’s a time for everything under the sun.
There is a powerful concept of time that you should know – time lost can never be recovered. It’s not a piece of paper that can be found or a missing person. It goes away and becomes history to you. So you have to learn to remove distractions.
Always put this thought before you as you do things. Ask yourself ‘What I am doing now, is it what I should be doing?’
May God grant you more insight about the concept of time. Amen.
Action plan:
Lord, give me the strength and wisdom to handle any distraction that comes my way. Teach me how to remove distractions. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Action plan:
Stay firm in how you manage your time.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jun 12, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The Bible says husbands should enjoy the wife of their youth. This means you should enjoy yourself while you have strength as young couples. Don’t be too serious at home and learn to live together as best friends.
The force of joy is very vital in the home front. Joy, celebration, thanksgiving, rejoicing, the sound of melody, praises, and worship to God all go hand in hand.
Psa 67:5-6, KJV Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
We are encouraged in this scripture to praise the Lord, then our earth; whatever it is that represents the earth to us will yield her increase. Whether barrenness, lack, joblessness, debt, et cetera
The logical thing to do is get moody when things are not working. But we operate from a higher level. We rejoice to get the increase.
Your boss, spouse, or colleague may be treating you badly. Rather than fight back, you switch into praise.
Receive Grace and strength to enter into praise. God inhabits your praise. Your praise invites God to fight on your behalf.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let nothing steal your joy. Let your rejoicing be in the Lord
Don’t allow the pressure of finances, raising children, in-laws and others destabilize your togetherness and joy.
Nothing must come in between your joy. Between the two of you, one person will be more playful and tend towards being joyful all the time.
Let the playful one take the initiative and the other follows suit.
The Holy Spirit knows what He’s saying when He says enjoy the wife of your youth.
Be deliberate in making each other happy. Do not make others outside your home or marriage happy at the expense of your spouse.
Read books together and discuss them. Invest in each other.
I pray your marriage will be beautiful and filled with new wine.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I love my spouse and we enjoy life together
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help us to be joyful always.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Ecc 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Rejoice and enjoy yourself
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Col 3
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 11, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Planning is a wonderful tool you should use to manage your time perfectly. Plan your day; it involves you writing out everything you are going to do in a day and when you are going to do them.
As a child, you have school for five days, assignments from school, church on weekdays and weekends, visitations and other stuff.
Plan around these activities. Give specific amount of hours or minutes to them.
Here is an example:
6 am – Personal prayers/bible reading/ daily devotional.
6:30 am – house chores.
7-7:30 am- Grooming/breakfast
7:30am – School
This is just to give you an idea of how to plan your day.
Learn to plan well. After school you could give some time to studying the day’s work (and more), and doing assignments, if any.
“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP)
The major thing about using your time well is to do the important, necessary and urgent things first before the rest. School is important/necessary and urgent. Assignments also. The church is the same. Personal bible study, praying and devotionals are important, necessary, and urgent too.
Don’t do what you need to do later now. Plan well and do them now, so that you won’t fail.
“I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep– So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.” Proverbs 24:30-34 (AMP)
May you receive help to plan your time well. Amen
Prayer:
Lord, teach me how to make good use of my time daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Action plan:
Draw a rough plan of how your day looks like. Perfect it to reflect the important things you need to do daily. Put the important things first.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jun 11, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 1 minute
The issue of honor in marriage is critical. A marriage where there is no honor is no order. The wife does what she likes and the husband does what he likes. The marriage is not governed by any rules. Christ is not at the center of the home.
We must understand that God instituted marriage. He is the one who said it is not good that man be alone.
He has an original plan and purpose for all marriages. Each marriage is unique. Each home has its own unique pattern. Each marriage has its own unique place in the heart of the Father.
Honor is thus a way to invite the Lordship of Jesus Christ into our lives.
Couples must learn the honor code at all cost. Without honor, nothing will work in the home.
Here are three major areas you honor your spouse
1. Honour your spouse by giving preference to Jesus in your marriage
Giving preference to Jesus is giving Him the leadership in your home. Let Him take the lead. It is seeking to find out what Jesus would do in every situation.
2. Making sure that the marriage works.
It includes doing everything possible to see that you forgive yourselves.
3. Making sure that you are patient with each other.
Everything in marriage has two sides to it.
In anger, calm down.
May God bless our marriages!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will honor my spouse daily
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to stay focused on you
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Col 2:2 (MSG) I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Study the Word today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Jer 18
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 11, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Yesterday, we started on this topic on dealing with anger issues. If you misses the devotional, you can read it here.
If you are in a relationship with someone who flies off the handle easily, learn to seek help. Don’t just keep quiet and don’t think he would just change naturally. It takes deliberate efforts to realize and then change!
Don’t get angry together and at the same time! Learn to calm down for one another! Get books and read and deal with than anger so that you don’t end up raising angry children who will take the anger to another level.
If you are in a relationship wherein both of you have serious anger problems and are not patient with each other, that is not too good. Start working on it now, so that your coming together which is supposed to translate into strength will not be the other way round.
Pro 16:32 KJV
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Here are practical ways to deal with problems of anger
1. Pray about it and ask God to help you by His Spirit
2. Seek help from your pastor or mentors
3. Stay in God’s word. Your soul can be restored when you meditate regularly in God’s word
4. Get good books that address the weakness and study
5. Discuss with your finance/spouse and look at how you can deal with the weakness
6. Learn to keep quiet when you are angry. You often say things you will regret later, but the words, like swords could have done the harm.
7. Do not make quick decisions while you are angry. Your sense of judgment is warped at such times.
8. Forgive easily. Don’t be revengeful and stubborn. Let God handle the situation for you.
9. Don’t allow anger and hurts to push you into sexual sins because you want get back at your ex or your spouse. That will complicate issues for you.
10. Don’t listen to someone who appears ‘nice’ and wants you to sin when you are hurting badly. It is usually a trap of the devil to complicate issues when a ‘nice’ person suddenly shows up when you are at loggerheads with your spouse. Be careful!
There are more, but I believe these practical ways will be of help.
I rebuke every spirit behind anger and wrath in your life, relationship and marriage in Jesus name. I pray for God’s help over you in Jesus name.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am not an angry person. I am cool and level-headed. I am delivered from anger issues I might have been exhibiting.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, deliver me from anger issues I have.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Pro 16:32 KJV
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Make use of the practical ways listed above.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Prov 15
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 10, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Gen 49:5-7 KJV
(5) Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. (6) O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. (7) Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
There is nothing that kills relationships and marriages faster than what I want to write about today. Anger!
In the above verses, Simeon and Levi are brothers, but their combination was a tragedy! Both of them had anger problems. What was the eventuality? They were divided and scattered!
That is exactly what happens to two angry unrepentant people in a relationship or marriage. That relationship or marriage cannot survive it.
Look at the way the Message translation puts it:
Gen 49:5-7 MSG
(5) Simeon and Levi are two of a kind, ready to fight at the drop of a hat. (6) I don’t want anything to do with their vendettas, want no part in their bitter feuds; They kill men in fits of temper, slash oxen on a whim. (7) A curse on their uncontrolled anger, on their indiscriminate wrath. I’ll throw them out with the trash; I’ll shred and scatter them like confetti throughout Israel.
One angry person can curse a lot of havoc, not to talk of two angry couples or couples-to-be!
Are you the type or person that is ready to fight at the drop of a hat? You need to consciously and deliberately start working on that anger problem because it can ruin precious opportunities.
There is a place for a level of anger because we are all human. There is also a place for righteous indignation. But the type of anger that is dangerous is the one that lingers unnecessarily and makes you do things you will later regret.
This type of anger is almost a stupid one because you know you will eventually regret your words and actions!
Ecc 7:9 KJV
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Message translation is quite interesting:
Ecc 7:9 MSG
Don’t be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.
I once heard Bishop Oyedepo in one of his messages, where he said he used to have anger problems until he read the above scriptures.
In the early days of our marriage, I get angry very easily. It was a kind of subdued anger, not enough for me to raise my hands against my wife! I have never done that and will never do that, no matter what! That is not a manly thing to do! It is unscriptural, and your prayers will be hindered when you raise your hands against a lady.
But, I used to be impatient. I am a quick person but my wife takes her time. I wanted to change her. When I am angry, I start lecturing my wife. After a while, I just had to change because the lecturing thing was not working. I had to learn early in marriage, to calm down when I am angry and then discuss.
Over the years, I have come to learn to smile at some of the things that get me bothered and aggravated and looking back at those years, I wondered why I had to be angry in the first place! We were not meant to be the same way! A book on temperament I read delivered me!
If you are married to someone with anger problem, here is an advice for you.
Pro 15:1 KJV
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Pro 15:1 MSG
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
Tomorrow, I will show you practical ways to deal with anger issues in your relationship.
Don’t miss it.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am not an angry person. I am cool and level-headed. I am delivered from anger issues I might have been exhibiting.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, deliver me from anger issues I have.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Pro 16:32 KJV
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Pray against all forms of anger issues you have.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Prov 15
GIVING/PARTNERSHIP
GTB, Kisses and Huggs Club, 0150088032
For International Givings/Credit Cards/Paypal Options GO HERE
HOTTEST COURSES/CLASSES
Pre-Wedding/ Marriage Counseling – (Nigeria) (International)
Marriage Challenge for Couples – (Nigeria) (International)
Website Development Online Course – (Nigeria) (International)
BOOKS
Books Via Amazon HERE
Books Via OkadaBooks HERE
MEDIA
Audio Messages HERE
Video Resources HERE
CHURCH
Shouts of Grace Center, Ibadan, Nigeria
Joke Plaza, Beside Trans Amusement Park, Bodija-UI Road, Ibadan.
Sundays: 7.30am & 9.00am, Wednesdays: 6.00pm
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to Devotional Links daily and get them in your inbox! – Go HERE
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 10, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
What time is it? What’s the time now? When are we leaving? When should I take my drugs? When should I eat? When is the test starting? When is mummy coming back? When is the party starting?
These are just some questions people ask because they want to know when to do something or go somewhere. And knowing when to do or go somewhere is a deciding factor on how successful what they want to do or go will be.
In the bible, the book of Ecclesiastes speaks about this subject, saying that there is a particular time for everything.
Yes, there is a time for everything in this world. God is the master at this; He knows when is right for any thing that is to be done. He knew when it was right for you to be born. He chose the date, country, and place for you.
Understanding how to manage your time well will help you a lot in life. Knowing when to speak, not speak, act, not act and more will help you get out of some situations.
There’s a time for you to study as there’s when it is okay for you to watch cartoons. There’s also when it is right for you to sleep, and also when it is right to wake up and prepare for school. There’s when to eat and when to fast. Understand all these facts and you will be very good in managing this precious gift.
Above all, God wants you to use your time well, especially for Him.
May God teach you how to manage this gift well. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me how to use my time well. I don’t want to waste this gift in Jesus’ name, amen.
Action plan:
Pick a jotter and pen and start to plan your day.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 10, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
In today’s devotional we’ll be looking at pleasing your spouse without dishonoring God, let’s take note of the following, they are not exhaustive.
- Do whatever your spouse loves
Learning about love languages is not just for learning sake. It is so that you begin to do those things you discovered they love and enjoy. You must seek to become an intentional spouse and lover.
Loving your spouse by speaking their love language may not come naturally to you. You have to make efforts in pleasing your spouse. That’s when love comes with it being a choice, a decision, and a sacrifice.
- Seek wisdom
Marriage is an institution where wisdom is required to be successful in it. Don’t ever assume you are a guru in understanding your spouse.
Some have made this mistake only to be awaken to the rude shock that their spouse have not really being happy for decades. That’s when the spouse seeks divorce after so many years and people are wondering what happened.
Seeking wisdom on various issues in your marriage is very vital. Read books about marriage. Hear veterans in the marriage institution talk and counsel you.
- Learn male / female differences
God is a God of variety and multiplicity. As different as there are people, cultures, languages, food, nations, so wide are the differences between male and female.
Until you learn about these differences, you cannot fully understand or enjoy the uniqueness in the differences between you and your spouse.
- Get a mentor
The place of a mentor in your marriage is very crucial. There are some things you should learn not by experience but by the wisdom of those who have gone ahead of you.
You don’t have to learn through mistakes. Sometimes the mistake might be too costly. Avoid that route of heart ache and head ache.
Get good mentors, seek their wisdom, listen to them, learn from them and obey their advice, their wisdom will help you in pleasing your spouse.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I have understanding
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, bless my spouse
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Psa 44:7 (KJV) But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Praise Him today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Romans 8 – 10
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 9, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
1. Thou shall serve the Lord thy God in days of thy youth.
It is good for a man to bear his yoke in the days of his youth. The glory of young people is in their strength. Thou shall know that you will get busier. Now is the time to serve the Lord thy God.
2. Thou shall be contented with thyself, for singleness is not curse, but a blessing.
Thou shalt maximize the times of thy singleness by using it to learn more and prepare for marriage.
3. Thou shall not compromise through Jeru trap.
If thou doest this, thou shall slow thyself down, because that is not the order of God. Thou shall know that in life, it is the help of God that matters. The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong.
4. Thou shall not marry an unbeliever or a person that does not fear God.
God has a person for you. Thou shall be patient to know and learn God’s plan for your life for that will always be the best plan for you.
5. Thou shall know thyself, love thyself and judge thyself always.
Thou shall take inventory of your life and make amends where necessary. Thou shall love thyself because if thou lovest not thyself, nobody will love you. Thou shall always judge thyself and be truthful with thyself so that thou will not be judged.
6. Thou shall not be involved with more than one person at a time.
Thou shall know that such things worketh not out. Thou shall not deceive your intended spouse in any way, so that mistrust enterest not into thy relationship.
7. Thou shall not compromise or violate your conscience because of job opportunities or financial assistance.
Thou shall put thy trust in God and not in man. Thou shall take heed not to lose thy soul because of riches that lasteth not.
8. Thou shall not fall in love with a stranger that thou knowest not.
The world is full of wickedness. Thou shall not fall in love with a Facebook profile or some social media friend. Thou shall not fall in love with a faceless voice over the phone.
9. Thou shall not endure an abusive relationship.
If thou art already being beaten and abused in thy relationship, suffer not thyself to stay there, for that is not the plan of the Lord thy God for you.
10. Thou shall not walk down the aisle blindly.
Thou shall not fall in love hopelessly. Thou shall fall in love with thy common sense. Thou shall not get involved with a person that has no value for you nor for your God. Such alliances leadeth into regrets. Thou shall trust the Lord thy God for the best that He has for you. Thou shall not as a result of thy age or pressure settleth with just anybody. Thou shall patiently obtain the promise of God. God’s word faileth not.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will maximize the times of my singleness and obey the commandments.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Ask God to give you the wisdom you need at such times to obey the commandment for singles
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure. (Isaiah 33:6 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Decide to follow God’s principles
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
1Sam 4-8
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 9, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
In today’s couples‘ devotionals, we will be looking at commandments for all wives on KHC. These “commandments” and principles will be the game changer in your marriage.
1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, thou shalt love Him and thou shall ensure your relationship with God is intact.
Thou shall know that is it is not by power, nor by might but by His Spirit. Thou shall know that it is not about thy beauty, thy carriage, thy acumen, thy intelligence or connections, but by the Lord thy God which helpeth thee.
2. Thou shall not double date.
If thou double date, thou shall not have God’s support and favor in thy marriage. Thou shall not play games with your life or destiny. Thou shall not slow thyself down by deliberate disobedience to God’s way of doing things.
3. Thou shall not love another man apart from thy husband.
Thou shall not secretly fall in love with another man either in thy heart or reality. Thou shall not practice emotional affairs. Thou shall only love and defer to thy husband for that is where the Lord commandeth His blessings. Thou shall not do anything that will render thy prayers ineffective.
4. If thou art delayed in the area of childbirth, thou shall not because of that compromise or look for other ‘alternatives’
Thou shall know that God has a plan for thy life and that waiting and trusting for that plan is the best to do. Thou shall know and believe that the thoughts of God towards you are thoughts of peace and not of evil.
5. Thou shall not succumb to the pressures at work.
In your environment or from those that thou callest friends, thou shall stand as a rock and refuse to be moved. In all that thou puttest thy hands to do, thou shall make up thine mind to do it God’s way.
6. Thou shall not disrespect thy husband.
Thou shall defer to him in all things in the Lord, thou shall honour him, and treat him as your head and crown. Thou shall know that if thou disrespect him whom God has set as your head, thou will not be able to enter into the fullness of the blessing that God hath for you.
7. Thou shall not nag thy husband.
This is the seventh commandment. Thou shall understand that thou can send thy husband away from thy home when you become contentious.
8. Thou shall not deny thy husband Jeru trip.
Thou shall not pretend to have headache or fever when thy husband toucheth you. Thou shall know that thy husband will never be able to love you the way he should if you denieth him at most times. Thou shall not use Jeru trip as a punishment or reward!
9. Thou shall not offer thy body to another man.
Thou shall know that that thy body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and God seeth it as sacred. Thou shall hold thy body in dignity and good self- esteem. Thou shall not offer your body in exchange for money. Thou shall not travel to see another man I the name of ‘business.
10. Thou shall learn to dress for your husband at home because he is moved by sight.
Thou shall dress well for thy husband. Thou shall understand that a man is moved by sight.
I know there are still a lot more, so you may add other commandments that resonates with you with the comment form.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will be or aspire to be a good woman and wife. I obey God’s commandments
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Ask God to mould you into the picture of the woman He has for you
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Peter 3:1-4 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Decide on steps to take to be the woman that God really wants
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
1Sam 4-8
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 9, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
How big is God? Let me share this story of a little boy’s interaction with his father. Let’s go!
A little boy once asked his father this question:
‘Daddy, how big is God?’
His father chuckled out loud and said, ‘God is very enormous.’
‘How big, I want to know.’
‘Well, how big is God…’ the father thought about it for a while.
Just then an airplane cruised in the sky, the father got an idea. ‘Come to the window, son.’
The boy scooted over to his father.
‘Look at the sky,’ he pointed to the clouds. ‘What’s that in the sky?’
‘It’s an aeroplane. It doesn’t look any big. It’s tiny.’
‘Sure it is.’ He stood up. ‘Have you ever seen an aeroplane on the ground?’
The boy shook his head.
‘Well, let’s go to the airport.’
At the airport, the boy couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the aeroplanes.
‘They are big! he exclaimed. ‘I never imagined they would be like this.’
‘Son, this is how God can be. From afar, He may look small but when you move closer to Him, He gets this big.’
God gets bigger and bigger the closer you get to Him. He doesn’t create the distance. In fact, He removed the distance when Jesus died on the cross.
You can only get to experience His bigness when you spend more and more time with Him and His Word.
Just like the aeroplane in the sky that looks tiny, God will look tiny to you when there’s no regular fellowship with Him. He looks just like a spot of white in the clouds, making you to squint and cover your eyes before you can look at Him.
But when you are near Him, you don’t have to squint or protect your eyes, rather, your eyes might want to pop out of their sockets as you marvel at how enormous He is. God is really big.
God can only be big in your life based on how much of your time you give to Him.
May God give you the grace for such. Amen.
Prayer:
Yahweh, You are bigger than anything, anyone and everything on this earth. I want to keep marveling at such a spectacle as You. Give me more revelation of how big You are as I walk with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Action plan:
How big you want God to be to you? Answer the question yourself.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 8, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We have been looking at how to handle anger as a child. Anger has been looked at from different angles and the ways to respond to it.
As a child you will have feelings of anger up to when you become an adult. Even in adulthood you will still get angry with people and situations. Anger is common to all persons. The earlier you start learning how to handle this emotion, the better for you. As you mature into adulthood you would have learnt a lot about handling any anger issues.
To handle anger, you need the help of God. He alone has the power to help you deal with any anger issues. He can guide and lead you towards handling it well.
Read and study the bible for verses that talk on anger and how to handle it. Also read up stories of bible characters who had anger issues and show they handled it, either good or bad. You could read again about the times when God got angry in the bible.
Pray too and a lot if you find yourself with any anger issue. Prayer is like a personal time with God. And during this personal time , you don’t hide nothing from Him. You tell Him everything you feel, especially about your anger. It is in moments like this that you receive the strength to handle anger.
One last thought about anger – anger is not bad, it’s only what it makes you do, think or say that is bad. And anger that is left to stay for long can turn to hate and bitterness. You therefore must learn to handle anger.
May the Lord deliver you from every form of anger, hate and bitterness. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord, I ask for help for every form of anger I have; teach me how to handle it LORD. Let it not lead to hatred or bitterness. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Action point:
Look deep inside your heart, look for any anger that has turned to hatred or bitterness and ask God for forgiveness. After asking for forgiveness, ask God to help you handle all your anger issues. Read and study your bible too.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 8, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
When Solomon decides to write about ladies or women, you better listen. You will never be able to break his record. Seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines is a Guinness Book of Records feat.
Solomon had them all, the tall, the short, the neither tall nor short, the light complexioned, the dark complexioned, the in-between, the choleric, the sanguine, the phlegmatic, the melancholy and the ones without temperament, if there is anything like that! When Solomon sleeps with a woman, he tells her ‘see you in some two years time.’ The roster is a long one! I wondered how he fed them and how many children he had! Solomon’s harem was a whole city!
Even though he was the wisest man, at a time, he began to make mistakes and started marrying strange women. These strange women had some characteristics and he writes about them. Let’s see what he wrote.
1. God’s word has the capacity to keep you from the strange woman.
It will protect you from them. So, you must find a way out of your busy schedule to read God’s word daily.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words (Proverbs 7:1-5 KJV)
2. Her targets are men without understanding.
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house (Proverbs 7:6-8 KJV)
Message Translation calls them men without sense. When you see a man looking for Jericho traps with strangers, the scriptures refers to such a man as lacking understanding.
3. Her operations are usually at the night
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night (Proverbs 7:9 KJV)
Strange women don’t sleep in the night, that is when they work.
4. There is a dressing of the strange woman.
And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart (Proverbs 7:10 KJV)
You can know a strange woman by how she dresses. Her dressing is in no way decent. The Message Translation says she is deliberately dressed to seduce! Listen to me, young ladies, never dress to seduce. Lest you be caught with a strange spirit. The purpose of dressing is never to seduce!
5. She hardly stays at home, she is always moving around, from campuses to another from cities to another.
(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner (Proverbs 7:11-12 KJV)
The strange woman is everywhere, tempting seducing and stubbornly looking for preys.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am guided by God. I have wisdom.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Pray that God will keep you from falling into wrong hands
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Talk to Wisdom as to a sister. Treat Insight as your companion. They’ll be with you to fend off the Temptress–– that smooth–talking, honey–tongued Seductress (Proverbs 7:4-5 Message)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Check your life and make adjustments with the help of God’s Spirit
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
John 4
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jun 8, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Good morning, married folk out there. God bless your marriage. God is committed until your marriage becomes all it has the potential to become.
Your marriage can work out beautifully well. You can enjoy and have that dream marriage you always desire. Don’t for once ever feel it can never happen.
If you believe it can never happen, gosh, you just announced it won’t happen. Don’t give up, but be willing and obedient to do and give your marriage all it takes to make it work.
You know married couples should begin to have this attitude of ‘my marriage is personal and I got to make it work’.
You know while growing up, my dad will always say this proverb, ‘ as you lay your bed, so you will lie on it’. Then, I would wonder, why is he worried about how I lay my bed?
I don’t care about how my bed is, once I hit the bed, I don’t have enough time to notice how it is, I just sleep.
Later, I realized it’s not just about my physical bed, but it’s about life generally. Talking about our physical bed, it’s very good to learn to make our beds well and train our kids to do so too.
Someone said, laying your bed before leaving the house every morning gives you a sense of achievement. It may look small, but somewhere in your sub-conscious you feel good, you have at least a good, well laid bed…lol
For us married, the bed is also very important.
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
My husband will jokingly say, the bed is the most important furniture to the couple. I want to agree with that.
The bed is the legalized furniture for love making. Of course not the only furniture, several others have joined in the quest for ‘orgasmic’ love making.
Now, talking about focusing on your marriage, you have to decide what you want your marriage to look like. No doubt there are a lot of factors that may want to stand against this but you have to stand your ground. Stand your ground to live a worthy legacy for your children and generation yet unborn.
Focus on your marriage to make it work at all cost and against all odds. Lay the bed on your marriage well, so you can enjoy all the beauty in your own marriage. Lean all the principles you need to learn, drop all bad habits you need to drop. Break all pride, cockiness, selfishness, deception and let your own marriage work.
If you are separated, decide what you want, walk with God and let him show you what next to do. Whichever way, God loves you and still wants the very best for you.
How to focus on your own marriage
1. Focus on yourself
You are a vital part of that marriage. Discover yourself. Who are you? What are your desires, what makes you come alive, what makes you enjoy living? Love yourself. Be a happy you.
2. Focus on your spouse
As a married person, the most important human being on earth is your spouse. Begin to treat him /her as such. Let nothing absolutely come in between that. Let the whole world know, your spouse is so important to you.
Some people treat their wives like ‘one kobo’ and expect her to treat them like ‘ a million dollar’, it ain’t gonna work that way.
Seize every opportunity to let everyone know this one human being is number one on your list.
3. Focus on God
Now, it will be very foolish to want to focus on yourself and spouse and leave God out. It can not work. God is the center that holds the pieces all together. God is the vital force that crowns all our efforts with success.
4. Focus on your strength
You have strengths. Whether it’s your beauty, your home making skills, your intellect, your being jovial, whatever it is, focus on it. It’s your selling point in your marriage. Don’t let go of your strong points.it is what will make your spouse keep coming back to you.
5. Focus on minimizing your weaknesses
Don’t ever make the mistake of pretending your weaknesses don’t exit. Don’t ignore them. Your weaknesses have the potential of destroying the marriage you are building, so destroy your weaknesses before they ever destroy your marriage.
6. Focus on satisfying yourselves
Why should you spend your energy, time, money on trying to please or satisfy another man’s wife? That’s called wastage.
Don’t go into an unprofitable venture. Ask yourself, if I satisfy her, how does it add to me or make my own marriage better?
Tend your own garden. When it’s harvest time, you won’t go and harvest on another man’s farm. It is not your own, so focus and build your own marriage.
Pro 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
God bless you and bless your marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My marriage is blessed
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, teach me to embrace your love
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Isa 49:16 (GW) I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are always in my presence.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Focus on your marriage
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Matthew 4; Luke 4 – 5
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jun 7, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We will be looking at communication during love making. By communication, I mean both verbal and non-verbal communication. During love making, should there be talking? Or it should be as silent as a graveyard?
Another question is, should the room or any where you choose be dark, poorly lighted or fully lighted? That another question we will be looking at today.
All these questions are what you may be asking or is on your mind and we will together throw more light on them.
Well, your comments will be highly appreciated and welcome. Let’s know what happens in the ‘other room’. This can help another couple out there.
In my opinion what happens in ‘the other room’ is as the couples want it. However, being rigid to a particular mould is what may not be too good for the marriage. In my own marriage, we do more of non verbal communication to verbal.
Because our foreplay is usually very long (I strongly recommend this for couples except for quickies). We delight ourselves in each other during foreplay, where we get to explore our bodies. This time, we are free to talk, play and tease ourselves. But during intercourse, we don’t talk much, but a lot of moans! And then we also talk after.
My husband feels (and I agree with him because it works for us,) that talking breaks his flow and concentration. We like to savour every moment. It helps us enjoy each other more. That may be entirely different with you! Talking may just be your trigger!
Some people believe all kinds of dirty talks are allowed and that it is those dirty talks that make them reach orgasm. Let’s have your view.
For the second question, do you like it pitch dark, partially or fully lighted?
I remember when we were newly married, I used to like it when the lights are off. That was when I was shy. But I am no longer particular after I have been married for twenty-two years.
My husband has always liked it when the light are on. And his explanation was simple, “Don’t you know that men are moved by sight?”
As I said earlier, variety is the spice of marriage. We have the lights on now and sometimes, partially lighted.
Let’s hear your opinion. What is going on in your own marriage?
I am waiting for your responses.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My marriage is blessed.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to love my spouse unconditionally
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Prov 5:19 (ESV) As a loving hind and a pleasant doe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Discuss with your spouse based on the topic of today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
1 Chronicles 7 – 10
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 7, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
There is something the sea will see and it will flee. Even Jordan will not be left out, as it will be driven back, despite its fierceness. The mountain in all its grandeur, its intimidating size and gargantuan posture will be humbled, and disgraced as it will skip like rams! The little hills will skip like lambs, and we all know that lambs are so harmless.
3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters (Psalms 114:3-8 KJV)
The issues you have as a single or married, may be tumultuous like the sea, it may roar its waves and even boast of so many that it has drowned, but there is something the problems of your life will see and it will flee and run away as in terror.
The sea which has its waves and billows against your face, that which has stood proudly like the red sea before you will flee! Yes there is something it just needs to see!
Jordan will see something and be driven back! It is said that Jordan runs north and south, and nearly in the middle of Israel’s entire length. Are there issues and problems that seem to run through your entire lineage and family? Are there issues that seem to be the trend in your family and you can already see such tendencies in your own life? Listen to me this morning; fear not, because Jordan, despite its entire 251 kilometers in length will be driven back in your life!
Are there things that look like mountains in your life? Massive issues that looks like everlasting problems and keeping you from having marital fulfillment? Hindrances and obstructions in your way that seems to say that marriage is impossible? Well, there is something every mountain will see, and the seemingly gigantic hindrances will skip without a skipping rope!
What about little hills? Skirmishes here and there? Academic issues, emotional issues, financial issues, health issues and many more, they are all little hills that seem to hold you back, but they will see something and they will become as powerless like lambs!
But what will the sea and Jordan see? What will the mountains see? What will the little hills see?
Well, it is the PRESENCE OF GOD!
The presence of God, when you cultivate it regularly will drive every problem away from your life and give you a resounding victory. The light will shine and darkness will not be able to withstand it
Now the very pertinent question is “How do you cultivate God’s presence?” Here are some clues
1. Read God’s word everyday! Don’t miss it. Use the devotional here.
2. Pray in the Spirit daily.
3. Make sure all hurts and bitterness are dealt with. Forgive all.
4. Have an attitude of Thanksgiving and Worship. Learn to worship God daily.
5. Stay away from sin. Cut off from negative associations.
6. Serve in God’s house. Commit your time and resources.
The list is not exhaustive but they are some things you can do. Go for the presence of God and you will be glad you do so!
May God grant you more understanding!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
By praise, I am relocating into my destiny!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, give me a heart that praises you genuinely
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Judah became holy land for him, Israel the place of holy rule. (Psalms 114:2 Message)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Find some time to praise God
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Psalm 102 – 104
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 7, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
‘I choose to forgive you for the bad words you have said to me.’ These were the words Tatiana said to Mercy before she turned away and started walking home.
Earlier that day, Mercy and her gang of bullies had done all they could to get Tatiana to lose her cool and start a fight. From spreading gossip about John and her kissing under the stairs during recess, to purposely pouring water on her. Can she forgive?
Tatiana didn’t lose her temper because she knew what they were trying to do. And she had made a vow to God that she wouldn’t answer back at Mercy. Her vow to Him was more important than anything the bully gang did or said. What mattered most was her vow to and relationship with God. And that was one of the reasons she found strength to forgive.
So instead of speaking or fighting back, choose to render forgiveness. You could say “I forgive you”, to the person’s face or in your heart. Not because you are afraid of them, but because that is what God wants you to do.
Remember the part in our Lord’s Prayer that talks about forgiving those who trespass against us? (“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” – Matthew 6:12). That is exactly what how God wants you to live. That is exactly what God desires you do when your friends annoy you – ignore them and forgive.
I pray that God will give you the power to choose to forgive. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer:
Father, help me to choose forgiveness over retaliation. And as I render forgive, may I receive forgiveness too, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action Plan:
Practice forgiveness all the time. Practice to just let go.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 6, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
1. Do not pass the night in his house
If you do, you can end up pleasing him and offending God. Losing God’s support and favor is not what anybody should experience
2. Do not succumb to any sexual pressures
Stay sane.
Stay strong.
Do not melt like stew every time someone touches you.
You are not a sexual toy.
You are not a sexual object.
Relationships that are sex driven do not last.
3. Do not double date
Don’t welcome deception into your heart.
It is a dangerous visitor.
The capacity to cheat on him or her is a capacity that ends in destruction.
Be faithful.
4. Do not fall into comparison traps
We are all unique.
We will not all take off at the same time and sure enough arrival points will be different.
2Co 10:12 (KJV)
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
5. Do not sow seed of bitterness
Avoid use of wrong words.
Words are spirits!
Let go of abusive words, vulgar words and curse words.
Speak healthy words
6. Encourage him in that which is good
Be an encourager.
Be a helper.
Seek his advancement.
7. Seek God together and for each other
Pray a lot for him.
Seek for God and do it with all your heart.
Jer 29:13 (KJV)
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
8. Pay attention to your spiritual life
Grow.
Read.
Learn.
Serve.
Ask questions when you are in the presence of great people.
9. Get a mentor over your relationship.
Mentors will fence off tormentors of destinies.
Stay connected.
10. Avoid strife completely
Strife ushers in dryness.
Avoid it like a plague.
Confusion lies on the bosom of strife.
Jas 3:16 (KJV)
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
May God grant more understanding on how to love God.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
The Lord is my helper
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Pray for grace to love God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Psa 3:3 (KJV)
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Praise God today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Romans 1 -3
