by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | May 8, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
6. Decide to have quality relationships.
When God will send help, He will use men. Appreciate people and don’t bang or kick at doors, if you must close doors, close them gently.
You might still need to pass through the same doors some years down the line. So, don’t take the doors off the hinges or the hinges off the door!
7. Decide to be nice.
Be ready to offer help when you can. Learn to relax and smile. You are not the only one that has issues, so don’t stamp them on your forehead. Don’t walk with your shoulder down like all the problems of the world are on you.
Don’t get so depressed because you have no suitors to the point that your countenance is sending them away without knowing!
Joh 15:12 (KJV) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
8. Decide to stay where you are appreciated and not where you are just tolerated.
Everybody wants to be appreciated. Our dog, Shady, would refuse to eat when you scream at her. How much more, humans! Don’t let men trample on you and your esteem. Don’t sell your body for money. Maintain your dignity.
1Ti 4:12 (KJV) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
9. Decide to be humble.
Remove every shoulder pad because God is just starting with you. The last miracle you got is the least God can do in your life. Stay humble. God resists and opposes the proud. He exalts the humble.
Thank God for every breakthrough and don’t let it get into your head. Don’t stop going to church because of a couple of millions in your account!
Jas 4:6 (KJV) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
10. Decide to be a giver.
Never ignore opportunities to give! Fulfill your vows. Don’t joke with your tithes. Be a kingdom investor and you will see more coming your way! It never fails.
Pro 11:24 (KJV) There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I chose to make quality decisions that will advance my life.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to be disciplined with my decisions.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Galatians 5:16, NLT: “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
What decisions are you taking today?
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Joh 15
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | May 8, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
A lot of singles and married couples are often caught up in the hustles and bustles of life and become distracted. Here is a reminder list of what you should do regularly to each other and how to go about it.
1. Pray for him. Pray for her.
Let it be genuine. This helps you to harness the help of God to come to bear for you. Genuine prayers for each other will go a long way to keep you together. Minimize the quarrels and maximize the times for prayers.
2. Call each other daily.
Whether you will see each other later in the day is not the issue, the issue is that communication is the live wire of any relationship or marriage that will survive. Keep in touch. Send SMS. Use chats.
3. Exchange gifts regularly.
It doesn’t have to be expensive! But let it be touching. Notice what I wrote, exchange gifts; not collect gifts! Those little gestures help to keep the fire of your relationship and marriage aflame.
4. Share with him or her what God is dealing with you in His word.
Whatever God tells you in your devotion or in your personal walk with God, will also bless him or her as long as it blesses you. You don’t have to make it look like you are in another service when you want to do that, but you make it as natural as possible.
5. Encourage one another.
You are his number one fan. You are her number one fan. Don’t discourage each other. Don’t dissipate your energy on criticism. Be aware that your input goes a long way because you are the closest person.
6. Forgive each other so that your heavenly father will forgive you also.
You are not perfect, are you? So don’t become a judge, rather lovingly overlook and forget any mistakes that are meant to show up.
7. Let corrections be done in love.
Do you know it takes up to nine affirming statements to be able to accommodate and see one criticism as it should be seen? But you know what people do is give nine brutally critical statements and one or none of affirming statements. It will not yield any positive result like that.
8. Seek to help each other in obeying God’s instructions.
You are the greatest influence. Don’t encourage him or her to sin. Stand on the path of truth and help him or her to resist temptations.
9. Don’t feed each other’s weaknesses.
Rather, you should balance him or her out, because you will always have the strength and in areas where he or she is weak. Be available to help him stand. Be there to help her say No to iniquity. Don’t be seen as a partner in crime, or partner in iniquity. Let him or her be able to say, I trust my fiancé/fiancée/spouse; he will never compromise. Trust one another and protect your trust.
10. Make sure you have a mentor you talk to from time to time.
Sometimes, the very intense issues and disagreements are dissolved with a few statements. Well, that is the grace of God upon our lives and upon this ministry; to provide positive intervention in crisis-laden marriages and to provide godly counsels for those in courtship.
Accountability to those who have done what you are trying to do is a lot of wisdom. Stay close with these devotionals that have been a succor to a lot of marriages and relationships across the world, discuss it from time to time and keep on making adjustments! So help us God!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will apply discretion in every area of my relationship and marriage as God helps me. I seek help regularly.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord, I ask that you give me wisdom and understanding in my relationship and in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Colossians 3:15 MSG
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Learn to discuss regularly with your fiance/fiancee
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ps 24
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | May 8, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
I said yesterday that it is important we believe that we can have a happy marriage. The mind has a very important role to play. If you don’t believe that you can have a happy marriage, you will not be willing to take the steps necessary. We’ll continue from where we stopped yesterday
5. Never use God’s word as a hammer.
God’s word is never meant to be a tool of destruction. It’s never meant to condemn anybody, especially your spouse.
You are to lovingly correct with God’s word. Teaching and showing by examples the right way to live or master our thoughts or the flesh.
Some spouses could find it easy to be disciplined without much stress maybe because of their upbringing or their background. Some of us have very strict parents who brought us up under very strict rules.
Some religions, jobs, or even skills require so much discipline whereas others don’t.
If you are a spouse that is privileged to have gone through such strict background and your spouse didn’t go through such, don’t be hard on him/her.
Some spouses have perfected the act of sermonizing their spouse. No one can change another. You can only pray for a person to change or influence them to change
6. Always welcome each other with an affectionate welcome.
It is important to do something special to your spouse that will make them hold you dear to their hearts.
For example, call each other special names, have coded language or phrase in communicating.
Whatever the case, just have fun. I believe it is the fun in the marriage that adds spice to our marriage.
Life itself is full of stress. We only have each other to enjoy and it’s not about the money we have or don’t have.
May God grant us more understanding.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My marriage will work.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord, give me an understanding for my marriage in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Eph 5:28 ESV
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Have a hearty discussion with your partner today.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ps 70
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | May 7, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Can you see the possibility of a happy marriage. You have to believe that it’s possible, and tell yourself “I will have a happy marriage”, and then do the things necessary to have a happy marriage. We’ll continue from where we stopped yesterday
3. Never go to sleep with an argument.
An argument can occur between the couples at any time, on whatever issue, and in any particular place. However, it is maturity on the part of the couple not to spread the dirty linen outside for all to see.
It is maturity on the part of the husband to lovingly correct any mistake his wife does. She is not your daughter neither is she your maid or servant. She is your wife and covenant partner.
The wife is meant to respectfully suggest her opinion and ideas in such a way that it will not lead to an argument. That is maturity on her part.
Both husband and wife should be discerning enough to know when an argument is ensuring. They should also take note of their responses and how they react.
A soft answer is what the Bible recommends.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 KJV
All couples should learn and practice how to answer softly.
Each couple must deal with anger. You cannot do marriage with anger
That is why it is important to deal with every unresolved issue. Every hurt, pain, unforgiveness will only lead to more unhealthy issues in marriage.
Every couple should be willing to fight for their marriage and be ready to walk in and by the Spirit. Only then can we be sure of not being carnal, judging issues rightly, having the right perspective, and being loving in our approach.
Finally, the bible says we should not let the sun go down on our anger. The life span of your anger shouldn’t be more than 24 hours
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26 – 27 KJV
4. At least once a day, say something complimentary to your spouse.
If your spouse’s love language is words of affirmation, you will have to be very deliberate about complimenting him/her often. Your words mean a lot to your spouse and will often look to you for this need to be met.
You must be quick to look for virtues to celebrate, little baby steps to notice, efforts to acknowledge, and things to appreciate in your spouse.
Some temperaments don’t really need as many compliments and will do well even without a single compliment. You will do well not to judge or criticize your spouse if they need a lot of compliments.
However, as we mature, God should be our source of compliment and we should be secure in His word and promises to us and about us.
I will stop here for today. See you tomorrow by God’s Grace.
God grant us more understanding.
May God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My marriage will work.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord, give me an understanding for my marriage in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
EPH 5:28 ESV
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Have a hearty discussion with your spouse today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ps 69
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | May 7, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
2Sa 8:15 ERV – David ruled over all Israel, and he made good and fair decisions for all of his people.
This morning, I want to write to you by the Spirit of God on a few things you can do that are guaranteed to turn your life around for good. Life is about decisions!
Think about yesterday and look back at the number of decisions you made alone yesterday.
The life you are living now is a consequence of the decisions of yester-years. The life you will live tomorrow is a springboard from the decisions you are making today.
Every MAN has M-A-N seasons. That is Morning, Afternoon, and Night!
The problem is that the consequences of bad decisions made in the morning of one’s life do not show until nighttime!
You are probably in the afternoon season of your life now. The mistake of the morning season does not fixate you into a permanent regret night-time.
You can change what your tomorrow will look like with strong decisions.
The challenge behind making decisions is that habits and comfort zones will be confronted, most times painfully. But it is the price you must pay to move forward.
If you want a different result in your life, you cannot continue to do things the way you have been doing them.
Here are the decisions to make. The list is not exhaustive, however.
1. Decide to have a relationship with God.
You cannot go far without this. Your life could be ended with a gentle breeze like when you blow off a candle-light, and that would be it. Fear Him who created you and have kept you alive! Be grateful for the gift of life by giving your life back to Him!
Mat 10:28 (MSG) “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
2. Decide to fellowship with God daily.
You need that daily renewal and rejuvenation or you will soon be wearied. Weariness at its peak can bring suicidal feelings. Be wise!
Isa 40:31 (MSG) But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.
3. Always seek the help of the Holy Spirit.
As a believer, you have been configured to succeed only with His help. Without Him, you will not have dominion over sin.
Gal 5:16 (KJV) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
4. Decide to be accountable.
Don’t live your life recklessly. Deliberately get a mentor or pastor over your life. That is how you are preserved. Get somebody over your life that you can call on the phone anytime for wisdom! Stay in touch with that person. Give to him. Pray for him. That is how to be a good protégée.
1Ti 4:14 (TPT) Don’t minimize the powerful gift that operates in your life, for it was imparted to you by the laying on of hands of the elders and was activated through the prophecy they spoke over you.
5. Decide to stay off iniquity.
Don’t cut yourself short and jeopardize your destiny because of exuberance. Zip up! Stay away from all sexual sins. Be a man, not a boy! Ladies, preserve your virtue! Stay faithful to your spouse. Don’t trifle with pre-marital sex!
2Ti 2:19 (KJV) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
I will stop here and continue tomorrow.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I chose to make quality decisions that will advance my life.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to be disciplined with my decisions.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Galatians 5:16, NLT: “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Read your bible
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gal 5
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | May 6, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
A Happy marriage happens by consistent deliberate efforts from both spouses. Marriage is an important part of our lives which is meant to last all of our adult years. That is we are meant to be in a marriage with our partner till death do us part. And for most of us, that’s a long time.
One thing we don’t want to do is to be unhappy throughout our married life. We want to be sure we are happy with our spouse and happy with ourselves.
Here are 10 tips that will help us achieve this.
1. Never bring up the mistake of the past.
In marriage, there will be issues. We are all still a work in progress and still in the days of our flesh. There are bound to be resolved issues (issues in the past), present issues and, some issues to deal with in the past.
Bringing up past issues is like digging a grave and exposing things that should have been buried. It shows you have not fully forgiven your spouse.
Forgiveness is so important in marriage, you cannot afford to joke with it.
You cannot be digging at the past and expect to move forward or be happy.
Get rid of the past as much as possible. Make sure you resist the temptation of shaming your spouse by referring to things of the past, no matter how difficult it seems.
It takes a lot of maturity to keep your mouth shut and not refer to past mistakes.
What goes around comes around. You might be the one that needs to be forgiven next. There might be a mistake you will do in the future that also requires forgiveness. Remember, to err is human. To forgive is divine.
Let’s include some divinity in our marriage.
2. Never neglect each other. Focus on each other.
The issue of focus has now become so obvious in marriages that it needs to be addressed squarely. You see couples that prefer others to their spouse.
When they go out with their spouse, they are not used to themselves. There is no connection. They are just like any other person to them, apart from the fact that they are living together, bearing each other’s name and probably wearing the same clothes.
There should be a heart-to-heart connection. A connection that is beyond words that keep drawing you close to one another.
We have to consciously work on focussing on each other. That focus is essential to our marriage.
Avoid all forms of distractions, emotional affairs, wandering thoughts, that prevent us from focussing on our own.
Let our spouse ever catch our attention spirit, soul, and body. Let us work on focussing our minds on our spouse. No matter what anyone wears or their physical attributes, our spouse is our spouse, period.
It is about our heart. Let work on having the integrity of heart.
I will stop here this morning.
May God grant us more understanding in Jesus mighty name.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My marriage will work.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord, give me an understanding for my marriage in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
EPH 5:28 ESV
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Have a hearty discussion with your spouse today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ps 68
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | May 6, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Pro 13:2-3 KJV
(2) A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
(3) He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
I want to write about something important this morning. It is a principle of the scripture and that which guarantees us daily victory in our daily work, in our relationship, marriage, and life generally.
It is what you say with your mouth. What you say with your mouth is very important because it will literarily give direction to your life! The words you say with your mouth are so powerful that they will overwhelm your life and seek to control the events of your life and love affair.
I believe it is for this reason that Jesus Christ said:
Joh 6:63 KJV
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
When you were born, you needed to make a sound. That would be the sign of life. If a baby refuses to make sounds, he gets some spankings. As the baby grows into a toddler, everybody expects the baby to start talking.
Words are formed eventually and that becomes a sign of growth. You needed to ask a lady out and she needed to respond with words before marriage can happen. Nobody proposes or reply a proposal with silence.
On the wedding day, vows of words are exchanged and those words are terms of the marital covenant. In a marital affair, constant, loving words must go on or the marriage will die. That is how important words could be.
To give your life to Jesus, some words must be confessed and that would be it! In the Spirit realm, words are so important and the devil knows this. That is why he seeks to feed you with negative thoughts so that you can verbalize them. The moment you verbalize that negativity, it becomes your experience. That will not be your portion in Jesus name.
So the question this morning is “what are you saying?”
The scripture above says when you keep your mouth, you keep your life. Watch what you say!
Don’t make statements like:
“I don’t even understand my life.” (You will never understand it when you keep saying that)
“I am very confused” (You just invited the spirit behind confusion to have legal entry into your soul)
“I think there is a curse working against me” (You just empowered the devil to operate)
Never say the wrong words. Never use wrong words on your fiancée or your spouse!
Don’t say words like, “you are very stupid!”
Don’t say to your wife that she is slow.
Don’t call your husband an irresponsible man.
Potential Wife, don’t cut your potential husband into two with your mouth. There is a difference between a wife and a knife!
Husbands-to-be, don’t hurt and wound your wife-to-be with insensitive words, words mean a lot to them.
There are parents who call their children, “coconut head!”
How will the child be brilliant with that prophecy when you know the only thing inside a coconut is water? Or don’t you know that as parents, whatever you call your children is like a prophecy into their future?
Don’t say to your wife, “Fat lazy woman, you were once slim and beautiful when I found you, but now, you are….” Guess who turned her that way? Rather than say that, go and enroll her in a gym!
Don’t say to your husband, “It is the greatest error of my life marrying you,” I regret ever knowing you!” Rather than say that, pray for him, because you are one!
As singles, if you are enduring verbal abuse daily, don’t close your eyes and walk like a zombie into that relationship. Seek help, because he might not change, in fact, it will often get worse after marriage because marriage doesn’t change anybody.
If the lady you want to marry is always shutting you down for whatever reason, it is defective, seek help and seek counseling!
Words are very important! Don’t tell me somebody loves you when he or she tears you apart with words that demotivate and weaken you daily!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am speaking the right words to help my love affair
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Pray that God will give you the wisdom to speak rightly always.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Pro 10:19 MSG
The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Analyze your love affair and check if you have been speaking the right words
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Prov 10
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | May 5, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
This morning, by the Holy Spirit, I want to show us something that will help eliminate quarrels that might lead to strife, malice, hurts, and offenses in our marriages. That something is a soft answer.
It looks very simple because I have observed that the things that make for great success in life are simple yet profound. Their simplicity, however does not make them easy to do. If they were that easy, we shouldn’t be having issues in our marriages.
However, because of our pride, ego, human tendencies, selfishness, lack of patience and understanding, we cannot bring ourselves to do it.
What I am talking about is our responses. How we communicate with our spouse. Our response is very important at every point in time. In fact, our response is so important it gives direction to what happens next. The initial words spoken are not as important as our responses.
Pro 15:1 KJV
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
As couples, we ought to pay extra attention on how we respond. As a wife, never allow your response to be out of anger. Learn what a soft answer means.
As a husband, learn what a soft answer is. It is better to turn away wrath in your marriage than to prove a point that ‘you are the son of your father’ or that you are the ‘man in the house.’
Does that mean that even when my wife or husband talks harshly to me I should not give it back to him? Well, that is exactly what that scripture is saying.
It is very difficult. That was why I earlier said that something is simple doesn’t make it easy to do. It takes our learning and decision plus determination.
You need to choose whether you want to hold on to your ego and respond to your wife or husband harshly or you want to master the art of a ‘soft answer’.
No matter how much you are tempted to answer harshly, don’t bulge, choose rather to give a soft answer. If God can have one person in the marriage give a soft answer, God will step in and turn away the wrath, strife, quarrel, offense, malice that will lead to hurt and unforgiving spirit.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will go for wisdom
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, guard and guide my mouth
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Pro 18:15 (KJV) The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Forgive all hurts
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Genesis 30 – 31
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | May 5, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Sade is deeply in love with Andy. They both looked forward to marriage. But deep down in her mind, there are doubts. She didn’t know what to do with the doubts.
George and Sandy are seeing each other. For him, Sandy is beautiful, but this nagging feeling about something not being right was always there.
Betty and Buddy are married. They had a little boy and everybody thought their marriage is a beautiful one, but they are beginning to question whether they are meant for each other.
This morning, I will like to address the issue of doubts in relationships. What do you do with these doubts?
When do doubts occur in a relationship or marriage? These are some instances.
1 When a relationship is not of God and God is trying to get your attention.
2 When a relationship is of God, but the devil wants to confuse you so as to miss God’s will.
3 When your expectation for marriage are unrealistic and your expectations are not being met.
4 When you get involved in sexual sins, and then confusion enters the soul because God’s order has been violated. The devil will take advantage of the situation and bring confusion unless you quickly ask God for forgiveness and then repent genuinely.
5 When your perspective to life and marriage is warped, you will have doubts about a relationship or marriage, even when it is in God’s plan.
6 When you begin a relationship or go into a marriage without duly asking for God’s direction.
7 When all you did before a relationship or marriage is seeking some prophet or guidance without a personal inner conviction.
8 When you begin a relationship or go into a marriage as escapism from what you have just been through.
9 When all authority figures in your life are against your relationships and marriage. Along the way, doubts will arise.
10 When serious challenges arise along the way, and you cannot handle them properly, you will begin to doubt.
The next question is can doubt be completely eliminated?
The answer is a big NO! You see, you are still in the days of your flesh, and doubts will still attempt to come into your heart, but when you have heard God, you will easily dispel the doubt!
Remember Jesus Christ? Doubts began to come at the garden of Gethsemane when the agony of what was ahead overwhelmed him.
The next question is what do I do to guard against doubts?
1 Never take a step until you are sure it is God’s plan.
That way, when doubts arise, you will easily identify the source and then you can deal with it. You will know that the doubt is coming to fight you out of God’s will and you will resist it.
But when you are not sure whether it was God or not in the first place, when doubts arise along the way, you are unsure of how to handle it, because inner conviction is absent.
2 Better be late than be wrong!
Don’t be hasty. Don’t fall in love senselessly.
3 Listen to all authority figures in your life, Pastors, Parents, Mentors et cetera.
While they are not supposed to decide for you, God can often speak through them to warn you about steps you are about to take. Do not despise or disregard their wisdom.
4 Learn to read and study God’s word regularly.
It brings you the wisdom that stabilizes your soul.
The next question is what if I am already in doubt?
1. Go back to God to confirm what He said in the first place.
There is nothing wrong with hearing God again.
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this (Psalms 62:11 KJV)
2. Take time to stay in God’s presence and you will hear Him again.
Sometimes you might have to fast to get your mind quiet.
3. Stay away from every sin.
Ask God to forgive you if you are hooked up with masturbation, pornography, pre-marital sex, or some other sexual perversion.
4. If you are married and doubt is arising, the thing to do is not to give up and start seeking a divorce.
You are already one and the scripture does not advocate divorce as the first option unless in extreme cases where your life is being threatened. So, go back to God and pray, for there is nothing impossible with Him.
5. Learn to pray together.
When you don’t pray, unnecessary issues will arise often and destabilize you.
The last question is how can I be sure a decision is of God?
When a decision you are about to take or have taken is of God, you will have peace. It is an unexplainable peace that doesn’t seem to line up with physical reality sometimes, but the peace will be there that tells you all is well. When this peace is absent, never go ahead with that decision.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)
I pray for you this morning that God will keep your hearts indeed by His peace!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will not miss it.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord, surround me with your peace.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7 ESV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Pray through before making that decision
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Phil 4
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | May 4, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
To show you how powerful women are, the Bible never says a man builds a home. It says a woman builds. As a woman, you have the capacity to build your home
Pro 14:1 (KJV)
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Every other time, you will hear about the prayers of mothers. Hardly will you hear people talk about the prayers of their fathers. That tells you there is something about women.
Dear wife, there is a lot of power and accompanying responsibilities that lie with you.
Your decisions, prayers, and actions will eventually build your home or tear it down, therefore, you cannot afford to be foolish.
Be wise and cooperate with what God is trying to do in your life.
How do you do this?
Avoid all the strife, bickering, quarrels, and the like for that is how a foolish woman tears down her home. Avoid emotional affairs. They are distractions.
Now, since it is the woman building the house, what then is the responsibility of the man?
Build the woman!
That is what the man should do. Build the woman.
Dear men, build your wife so that your wife can build the house.
Invest in your wife. Support her endeavors and career.
Be interested in her passion and you know what, she will give it all it takes to pray for the family.
May your marriage be blessed.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am a wise builder.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, give me the wisdom to build.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Jas 1:5 (KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Ask God for wisdom
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Genesis 24
by Sylvester Obinna | May 4, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Have you ever been asked this question either jokingly or seriously? If you have never been asked, I am asking you now; Who are you? Do you know your real identity? Do you know where you come from? Do you know what you are supposed to do here on earth?
Knowing your identity is knowing who or what your source is. That is how you get your identity.
If you are asked for your state of origin, you will naturally say that of your parents; this is simply because you come from them, they gave birth to you. You won’t say another state; not at all.
But as a Christian, who are you? Think deep on this, using the example of your parents that we just cited. The answer is simple— you are a child of God, the Creator of Heaven and earth. Boldly declare this right now; say ” I am a child of God.” You are a child of God because we all come from Him.
1 John 4:4 (KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
So, tell yourself with all the confidence in the world and boldly declare who you are. You are the child of God. You are the child of the King. You are the child of the mighty Creator of the heavens and earth. This is your identity! Know and speak it, and then live it.
May you continue to hold on to your heavenly heritage; to who you are. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord, I am Your child. You are my Father. I come from You. Thank You for this heavenly heritage I have through You. Amen.
Action point:
Since you know who you are, start acting it out in your daily activities.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Sylvester Obinna | May 3, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Have you ever thought about how big God will be? You can think about it now. If you do, then you will discover that God is so big. Yeah, your Jehovah is so mighty. He’s so strong and so great as well. And there’s nothing He cannot do for you. There’s even a song about that too: “You are big, big, big…” Do you know that song?
It’s no lie about the how big God is. Take a look at the whole earth, the one that this our great Elohim created. There is no other earth anywhere! So look at the whole earth. Check out the different animals with their various looks, sounds, and attributes. Check out the plants and trees all around us also. That should show you that God is so big.
How about the water bodies? Look into the water bodies and examine all the living creatures in them. You will be marvelled at what you will find. When you are through with that, then face the sky and count the stars, feel the sun on your face and the glow of the moon on the ground. These will prove to you, beyond every reasonable doubt that God is so big.
That’s how a big God does. And He does big things for us – for you and for me. And there’s nothing He cannot do or be for you and for me. That is comforting to know, right? Let that be your confidence as you go through life.
May God continue to be big in your life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer:
God, please come be big and bigger in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action point:
How bigger do you think Jehovah can be? How big can He be in your life?
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | May 3, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Yes, you can make your husband happy, here are a few ways you can do that.
1. Always be eager to respect and defer to your husband.
Honour him as the head. Respect him as the head. Respect him both publicly and privately. Respect him in words, thoughts and deeds.
2. Do not always insist on your own opinion.
Let him take the final decision. Do not usurp his authority by taking decisions without him delegating such responsibility to you.
3. Don’t get quiet on your husband.
Be cheerful. Don’t be a moody wife. Men are logical, so do all you can to express yourself in words.
4. Be playful.
There is a little boy in every husband. He wants that little boy to come out and play sometimes, just to ease the pressures of work and life.
Being happy and playful makes you healthier and makes your mind freer.
5. Never nag at your husband.
Pro 27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
When you nag your husband you are pushing him out.
He will be deceived there is peace outside away from his wife.
6. Never deny him sexually.
Your husband loves and wants jeru trip, like almost all of the time. Don’t make him beg for it.
Lovemaking should not be a duty or out of compulsion. Be eager and be excited. This is one sure way to make your husband happy. Selah
7. Only God should be above your husband.
Assure him he is not competing with anyone else for your love or attention.
No one, not even the children should take the place of your husband.
8. Pray for your husband daily.
Pray for your husband. Pray for wisdom, ability, understanding and God’s blessing.
Talk to God on his behalf.
May God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My marriage is kept by God’s power
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, protect us from evil
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Psa 119:22 (KJV) Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Stay away from sin
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Acts 7
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | May 2, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: < 1 minute
We serve a God whom we call the God of possibilities. He is a God that delights in doing things we term impossible.
What is that impossible situation in your family? What could be that issue that seems to have defied all solutions? Joblessness? Barrenness? Wayward children? Bills to pay? Debts?
This morning, the God of possibilities is coming through for you. Can I get a loud Amen?
‘For with God nothing shall be impossible’ Lk 1:37
This has nothing to do with the government or with a rich uncle somewhere. It has everything to do with God. Do you have this God in your life? Then be rest assured.
Lk 18:27 “And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God”.
All that is required of you is to believe. Believe that your impossible situations are becoming possible.
Jh 6: 28-29 Just believe in the one He has sent. Believe in Jesus. Believe what He says he can do.
Maybe your marriage is not what you dreamt it would be like. Maybe it is not going as planned. In this month of May, God is changing that narrative.
You will experience a turnaround for the better in the name of Jesus.
May your marriage be what God intended it to be.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
God has a purpose for my life. I will cooperate with that purpose
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, show me what I need to know right now in my life
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. (Proverbs 3:5 Message)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Read Papa Kenneth Hagin’s book on “Following God’s plan for your life”
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
1 Samuel 25-27
by Sylvester Obinna | May 2, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Have you ever thought about what you want to become in life? Have you ever wondered how adults become the professionals they are today? How did your mom and dad become what they are today?
Well, it’s all about deciding what they wanted to do at a very early age, much like you are right now. So you should start thinking in this direction, if you have not yet started.
What do you want to become? An astronaut, software designer, boat builder, race car driver or a writer? It is all about what you like to do. What do you like to do? Starting early to decide what you would like to become in future is important. This is because when you discover it, then you start to learn how to become it and then go through every process involved.
That’s how you can become what you want to become in life. The process will involve training, class lessons, exams and tests. You learn and then get tested before being certified as a professional.
Discover what you love to do and take all the necessary education you need about it. That’s how mommy and daddy did it.
Be like Samuel in the bible who learned under the prophet Eli. Under the prophet’s supervision, Samuel grew into a great prophet that God used to speak to kings in Israel.
May God show you what your passion is in Jesus name. May you come to know what you want to become in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to discover what I like to do and become in future in Jesus’ name. Amen
Action plan:
Start to note what you like doing. From there, you can discover your talents, then what you want to become in life.
Declaration:
I will help my parents and grandparents
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | May 1, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
We took a break from our series on ministering to your husband.
We are back now.
In the past write-ups, I have written about making sure your husband is well fed. As simple as it seems, some homes have been ruined by it.
I wrote about keeping your husband’s company, that is being a partner with him in all that he does. I have also written about ‘serving’ the anointing he carries as the head.
This morning, I will be talking about ‘ fighting his battles for him’.
Our role as wives is that of being a helpmeet. To fulfill his God-given assignment he will definitely need prayers amongst other things.
Every wife is called to be her husband’s intercessor. We have been equipped by God to pray for our husband.
The story that comes to mind is the story of when Moses was fighting the Amalekite and he had to lift up his hands. As long as his hands were lifted up, Israel won. But when Moses got weary and his hands went down Israel lost until Hur and Aaron helped to lift up his hands.
The same way we are to lift up his hands as he faces the battle of life in his thoughts, words, and actions. The devil is bombarding us through our senses. Through our eye gate, ear gate, mouth gate, our touch, and taste. The battle is intense and every husband needs someone to give him back up.
It is not a battle to be fought alone. You need the cooperation of your covenant helper.
Woe, to him, that lieth alone. Two are better than one for a have a good reward for their labor. (Eccl. ). It takes two to be warm.
The battles of life are better won as a team. God knew what he was doing by bringing the woman to God. The wive becomes the change agent.
Don’t become embittered with your assignment that you don’t fulfill it.
The devil works overtime to make sure women are busy with irrelevancies busy here and there and leaving their major purpose unattended to.
You are supposed to fight his battles. I don’t mean being a thug by fighting physically for your husband. But it also entails defending him. You cannot be around when people are talking bad about your husband and you are comfortable.
You know some of his friends don’t mean well for him. Fight for him.
But more so, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of stronghold (2 Cor 4:5). You battle in the place of prayers.
You use prayers, fastings, supplications, sacrificial seeds, the blood of Jesus, communion, confessions, the Word. You use every weapon available to combat the devil.
To be an effective intercessor, your vessel (your life) must be kept holy and sanctified before the Lord. You must not be dealing with any hidden sins.
Some wives are still dealing with extramarital affairs, emotional affairs, adultery. You expose your husband to the vicissitudes of life if you are a wife having sexual sin and any other habitual sins.
Constantly repent and ask for forgiveness of sins to be able to stand in your place as intercessor.
May God give us more understanding.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will be the best to my husband
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to submit to my husband
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18 KJV.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Fight for your marriage
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gen 4
by Sylvester Obinna | May 1, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We have been examining how much it pays to obey instructions. In this grand finale, God showed His superior power over the rebels. He called on His fellow generals and did a quick meeting where it was decided on how to defeat the builders downstairs on earth.
7. “Come, let us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) go down and there confuse and mix up their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech,” 8. So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the surface of the entire earth, and they stopped building the city. 9. Therefore the name of the city was Babel-because there the Lord confused the language of the entire earth, and from that place the Lord scattered and dispersed them over all the surface of the earth.
It pays to obey instructions. The people in this Scripture were definitely not walking in the instructions of God; so God came in all His glory and power and created confusion in their midst, gave them new languages, and scattered them, just as they feared.
He made them understand that He is our Creator and whatever He doesn’t want us to do is for our own good. What if the tower had collapsed while they were building and caused a lot of them to be injured or lose their lives? It sure pays to obey instructions.
The principal called some male teachers and they went to disperse the boys. They also ensured they caught the chief rebel, Daniel, and his small generals. Someone had to be punished.
What if the fence had collapsed and caused some injuries or loss of lives? Who would be blamed? The school of course. It really pays to obey instructions.
May the Lord protect you from all dangers as long as you obey instructions. Amen
Prayer:
Lord, make me an obedient child. Help me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action Plan:
Watch your associations. Are they causing you to rebel? Decide to obey instructions today.
Declaration:
I am an obedient child.
Read another article here
