by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 28, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
3 Important Things In Marriage. So we started this amazing topic yesterday. This is Part 2. For us to easily remember, the 3 important things that sustain us in marriage are in ‘P’.
Yesterday, we looked at the Peace of God, which is so important. As we journey in our marriage till life do us part, (which by the way is a long time)
God knows that life will happen on the way. So in His love and Mercy, He made His Peace available to us for the taking.
3 Important Things In Marriage
The second thing we will be looking at is:
2. Discovery of your Person
God is the source of every life because He breadth the breadth of life into Adam, and we all became a living soul.
This life became regenerated when we received Christ into our lives and became born again.
However, we all carry a piece of God. We are all masterpieces and are unique in our personalities.
People are the same and no one is a waste or useless. The DNA of God in us.
Let’s look at Colossians 3 verse 3 in different translations.
Col 3:3 (TPT)
Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ
Col 3:3 MSG
Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
Col 3:3 AMPC
For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
We know from this scripture in different translations, that we have a new, real life that is hidden in Christ.
This hidden life is the real you. You have to discover that real you, if not you will never be fulfilled in life and of course in marriage.
You are not what people are calling you. You are not what your spouse is calling you. You are not what your present situation is calling you. It’s not new, people will call you based on what they can see.
They don’t know you, they didn’t create you so they should never call you, or better still you should not answer what others call you (if it is not in line with the Word of God)
Lazy wife, good for nothing husband, stubborn wife, barren wife, depressive wife, harsh husband, liar, cheat, useless and the list goes on. Even in bible days, people called blind Bartimeous, Rahab the harlot, and even Jesus of Nazareth.
Like Jesus, we have to know who we really are. Only then can we fulfill our marriage mandate. Marriage is an assignment. It takes you to discover who you are to be able to function well.
It takes a wife who has discovered herself and a husband who has discovered himself to be one. Unity in marriage is impossible without a discovery of oneself.
This discovery is a personal journey you have to embark on. It is also a spiritual journey because it takes you going back to God in sincere prayers and studying the Word.
The more you know Christ, the more you discover yourself because your real life is hidden in Christ.
May we discover ourselves in Jesus’ name.
God bless your marriage. This is the second of 3 Important Things In Marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My new real life is hid in Christ. My life is hid not from me but for me to discover.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord, cause the eyes of my understanding to be flooded with light, that I may discover myself in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Col 3:3 AMP
For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Go on a personal journey to discover yourself
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Col 3
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 27, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Father, Why Have You Forsaken Me? It is noteworthy to find out that a large number of juvenile prisoners or even men in prisons scattered all over the world either had absentee fathers or had no fathers at all.
We often underestimate the power of a father’s presence in the home! It’s powerful. Growing up without the benefit of a man in the house can be emotionally defective for the child.
Fathers are needed.
When Jesus was on the cross, God looked away from Him at the moment he was carrying the sin of humanity because God wouldn’t behold sin. Jesus felt that separation and cried out; Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? He couldn’t bear the father forsaking him, even the earth reacted by welcoming darkness all over the earth, yet it was afternoon! All because the Father turned his back on Jesus!
The father looked away! Father, Why Have You Forsaken Me?
As children of God, we make mistakes, we often disappoint God and we outrightly disobey especially with sexual sins. When this happens, we usually think God forsakes us!
But He doesn’t! We are actually the ones that run away from Him as a result of guilt!
We quit reading our Bible, quit going to church, we feel we have disappointed God, we feel less of ourselves and we just run away from anything spiritual. Well, the devil has you right where he wanted, when you do any of that!
When you have messed up, that is the time to run into the father’s embrace and bury yourself in the river of mercy that flows in His bosom.
The devil wants you guilt-ridden, full of regret, caught in the web of your errors, blaming yourself endlessly, and feeling God won’t have you back. This in turn drives one more into the trenches of iniquity! You see, no place is safe when you are away from his presence!
Father, Why Have You Forsaken Me? The father never forsakes us, we are the ones that forsake His presence!
My point this morning? Get back to Him. His loving arms are well spread to embrace you and cleanse you from all errors! Never doubt the father’s love!
Gal 4:6-7 (MSG) You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” [7] Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
The Father loves me. I dive into the embrace if the Father
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, open my eyes to your love
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Gal 4:6 (TPT) And so that we would know for sure that we are his true children, God released the Spirit of Sonship into our hearts—moving us to cry out intimately, “My Father! You’re our true Father!”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Take a step of action today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gal 4
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 27, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
3 Things That Sustains You In Marriage. Why do we write devotionals every day and invest time and energy to keep pumping the word to you? It is because we need to keep hearing these words. There are so many voices struggling to get your attention, and you are what you hear.
Whatever we give our attention to will influence our actions, that is, how we behave.
Our intention is that your marriage can be all God says it will be. The more you hear or read, the more you will recover and be converted.
So this morning, I will be writing on 3 Things That Sustains You In Marriage
The first thing is:
1. The peace of God.
Many of us wonder what the peace of God is. Some believe that when I have a good job, have money to pay my bills, have no trouble at work, attend parties at weekends, and my children go to a good private school, then I have the peace of God.
I wish I could tell you that life without struggles is all there is to the peace of God.
We all know that life happens. Sometimes good people have bad problems that they can’t even account for. It seems as we grow older, we begin to experience life. That was why I loved being a child, but the reality is that no one can be a child forever. Even children now have issues which is no fault of theirs.
This world is on a downward movement and will always have troubles no matter what.
Our father is so good and merciful that He has already made provisions for us to overcome and navigate this world. He gave us His peace.
John 14:27 AMPC
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
The peace of God is one of 3 Things That Sustains You In Marriage. No matter what comes along the way or what the devil throws at you, His peace will sustain you.
When God speaks, He speaks peace. He is the prince of peace and He says peace be still to any raging storm in our lives or marriage.
Jesus wouldn’t just speak, you have to consciously have Him on your side. Have Him on your boat. Have Him in your home and marriage.
At the wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus was invited.
(John 2). He was not only invited but He was also recognized and acknowledged. His words were taken as important enough to obey whatever He said.
Do you want to experience peace in the midst of chaos? Let Jesus, the Word be given priority. Whatever He (the Word) says then do it.
What He (the word) says may not make logical sense just like it didn’t make any sense to fill water pots with water when they needed wine.
Whatever situation you are in that wants to steal the peace from your marriage, just listen to the prince of peace. He has peace in His custody.
May the Lord grant you His peace in Jesus’ name, Amen.
God bless your marriage
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CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
God has given me His peace. I declare I have peace in the midst of whatever crisis
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord in the name of Jesus, give me the tenacity to study your word, the source of peace.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Go for the peace of God in the midst of whatever crisis you may be experiencing
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
John 14
by Onukwue Elizabeth | Jul 27, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
CHILDREN – Learn To Calm Down
Hello Champ, its another awesome time to learn from God’s word. Today I will be talking to you about anger and why you should always control your temper.
Let me tell you a story about an Angry boy, his name was Tobi.
Tobi was a young child who got angry at the slightest provocation. He had lots of scars on this body from head to toe as a result of always getting into a fight or breaking something when he is angry.
One day, just after the school bell rang for the close of school, while Tobi walked the school hall, one of his classmate ran pass him and mistakenly touched his school bag. Tobi got angry as usual and began shouting and cursing. Then all of a sudden, he charged angrily towards his classmate, aiming to punch him and start a fight. Just as he took the first step, he fell on the floor and landed flat on his face. Immediately, his two front teeth fell out and there was blood every where. Apparently, he stepped on a banana peal that made him slip.
He was rushed to the hospital but the damage was already done. He lost his upper incisors and his upper lip was also stitched.
From that time onward, his missing tooth reminded him to stay calm when he is about to be angry.
King Solomon has a word for you in his book, let’s take a look at it.
He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city. —Proverbs 16:32 (AMP)
Dear child, it’s always better to be slow to anger, you shouldn’t respond angrily to any thing. Be patient and calm at all times, it is more honorable than showing you can fight or speak more hurtful words than your challenger.
Taking charge of your situation calmly just like the bible says is not equals taking control of a whole city, that action is greater.
Don’t get in a fight with anyone for any reason, learn to calm down at all times.
May God help you.
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 26, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Darkness Is Shattered, Walk in The Light! Has anybody ever told you that you are a child of light? Yes, that’s right. Darkness is shattered, it cannot endure over you! The light shines, yes it shines, and no darkness can comprehend, contradict or withstand it!
We are not talking about natural light that comes from the sun. Nay, we talk about the light of God!
Here God created the sun and the moon:
Gen 1:14 (KJV) And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
But in verse 3, He said
Gen 1:3 (KJV) And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
This light in verse three is what we are talking about. The light shines! Say it loud, “No darkness around me! I have the light of God!”
The light is described to be in the life of God.
Joh 1:4 (KJV) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
The light is the life of God, The very life in Jesus is what gives the light! I declare light into your life right now, into your relationship, Every darkness bows! Jesus did not casually deal with the problem.
See how what He did was described.
Rom 8:3 (MSG) God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn’t deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant…
There is light over that relationship now!
There is light over that courtship now
There is light over that marriage now.
Darkness doesn’t fight light, once you switch on that light, darkness disappears. May every darkness around you be shattered in Jesus’ name! Darkness Is Shattered
May the light of God dawn upon your heart in Jesus’ name
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I walk in the light! No darkness around me!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, I shatter every darkness around me in Jesus’ name!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Rom 8:3 (TPT) For God achieved what the law was unable to accomplish, because the law was limited by the weakness of human nature. Yet God sent us his Son in human form to identify with human weakness. Clothed with humanity, God’s Son gave his body to be the sin-offering so that God could once and for all condemn the guilt and power of sin.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Take a step of action today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Rom 8
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 26, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Emotional Maturity in Marriage is what we are looking at this morning. Man is a tripartite being. We are spirits, we have a soul and we live inside a body. Our body is the earthly suit that makes us able to live and function on this earth. Exactly what a spacesuit is to astronauts in space, and makes it possible for them to stay and function in space.
We are spirits and really we need to understand we function from the spirit realm. We have to understand our identity as spirits and operate as such.
My focus for this morning is really centered on our Soul. Our soul is what connects our spirit and body together. Our soul is what makes us give expression to our spirit on earth through our bodies.
Our Soul contains our will power, intellect, and emotion. Our willpower is what helps us in decision-making. Our intellect is the faculty that help us function in the intellectual world. Our emotion is the seat of our feelings. It is where we feel pain, hurt, bitterness, loyalty, faithfulness, guilt, joy, etc
3 John1:2 in AMPC
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.
Our soul must prosper. We must move from one level to another. We must grow in our soul realm. We should not be directed by our feelings alone in our marriage. This is what Emotional Maturity in Marriage is all about.
Have you ever eaten at a buffet and felt very full? At that moment, you are full but in some hours that changes and you become hungry again. Our feelings are fickle. Our feelings change.
Don’t take permanent actions based on temporary situations.
Our feelings are subject to change. When we feel like being bitter we switch to our spirit.
That is how we mature in our souls. Don’t yield to the dictates of your feeling. You are not your feeling.
In the practical sense, it’s not everything, every word, every action you respond to, to mature in your soul. Grow up in your soul.
Guard your heart and your soul for it affects your life and indeed your marriage. It affects your relationship with your spouse. Get rid of every bad feeling, hurt, pain, and negative vibe in your marriage. Replace them with positive emotions.
God bless your marriage. Emotional Maturity in Marriage is a must
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am not my feelings. I live above my feelings.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord, I receive grace to master my feelings.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Rom 12:2 (CEV) Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
I master my feelings.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
3 John 1
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 25, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Dear Lover, When Will You Decide? Decisions are powerful. So much powerful that everything depends on it. Imagine the number of decisions you have made today! Its amazing! As a matter of fact, you are reading this devotional because you decided to do so!
Can you quickly share the devotional to Facebook or WhatsApp groups? Use share buttons below or above the devotional.
Some of you will obey, and some of you will just simply continue reading. That’s a decision you took right there!
But seriously, go ahead and share….decide to decide!
After sharing, that’s all it takes to decide. You just do what needs to be done. You refuse to procrastinate! You learn obedience to the point your obedience is complete so that every disobedience can be avenged!
Dear Lover, When Will You Decide? Why am I writing about decisions today?
You all remember Jacob and Esau. How Jacob deceived his brother and stole the blessing. As a result of that Jacob hated him and wanted to kill him.
Esau’s father could not really bless him but he made a significant statement to Esau which is the crux of our teaching this morning. Let’s take a look at it.
Gen 27:40 (KJV)
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
Now let’s take a look at another translation.
Gen 27:40 (CEV)
You will live by the power of your sword and be your brother’s slave. But WHEN YOU DECIDE to be free, you will break loose.”
Wow! Esau, despite that your blessing is stolen, despite that you will serve your brother and be his slave, the day YOU DECIDE to be free is when you will be free!
That took the responsibility off God completely!
O God, I want to marry, Do it. Let me be found. Let me find.
God answers:
The day you decide to marry is when you will marry!
When you have dominion, when you come to yourself, when you take responsibilities and stop offering excuses, when you stop yielding to your flesh and you learn to put your body under, when you come into sonship and put away childish things, when you DECIDE for God, then you will get done what you want to do! Selah! Dear Lover, When Will You Decide?
Good morning!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will decide for God. I will no longer procrastinate
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to make that decision!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Gen 27:40 (MSG) You’ll live by your sword, hand-to-mouth, and you’ll serve your brother. But when you can’t take it any more you’ll break loose and run free.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Take a step of action today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gen 27
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 25, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
What Do You Call Yourselves? I know couples have sweet names that they call themselves, and that is so sweet. I would like to draw the attention of husbands and wives to the immense power that lies in ‘calling’ ourselves. We tend to lose the power thereof when we lack the revelation behind that action.
The man was created in the image and likeness of God. That means we are in the class of God. We are a speaking spirit.
Gen 2: 23
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
We are to call those things that are not as though they are.
God allowed Adam to call Eve whatever name he deemed fit. He called her ‘woman’. She is to birth and be the mother of all living things.
We.should call ourselves based on whatever revelation of what we want to accomplish. We are to assume our priestly role. Priests use their mouths to declare. What Do You Call Yourselves?
We have to practice using our faith to call our wives and our husbands. There must first be a desire in your heart.
What do you want your spouse to be? Begin to prophesy. Not just a name you call yourselves, but making a habit of constantly calling your selves what you want to see.
Habakkuk 2:4 says
…the just shall live by his faith’.
You don’t have any business experiencing whatever you don’t want in your marriage. If you have a mouth and you have God’s word.
Every one of us has a total of 24 hours. Those hours are more than enough to change the course of your marriage and your spouse.
Does your spouse have any unpleasant behaviour? Don’t waste your energy fighting him or him. The Bible says we will have what we say. We don’t just have what God says, we have what we say. The question is what are you saying?
God wants us to labor to enter His rest. That labor is laboring in the Word. We have to grow our faith consciously, Just as we build our muscles in the gym. No matter how skinny a person is, you build your muscles by putting them to use.
Begin to use and build your faith muscles. Don’t be moved by sight ( what you can see) be moved by sight. What Do You Call Yourselves?
Be a speaking spirit. Don’t just speak as a “normal” human being. God has given you what to speak. You speak His word.
God bless our marriage as we speak the word of blessing over our marriage. It is our responsibility.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am a speaking spirit. I declare and I call my spouse those things I desire to see.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
O Lord, I receive the Grace to declare as you have spoken in your word in Jesus’ name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4 KJV
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Start speaking by faith to your spouse and your marriage
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Heb 11
by Sylvester Obinna | Jul 25, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: < 1 minute
CHILDREN – How Best To Use Your Words
Words are powerful. Once spoken, they can’t be unspoken. The reason you have to be careful about what you say or who you say it to.
On a faithful day, Jude looked his classmate in the face and called him a drunk. Not only that, told him he was a bastard.
Everyone thought it was a joke, because no one expected such from Jude.
Mr Johnson, his class teacher was shocked. He couldn’t believe his ears. Why would he use such harsh words on his classmate? Earnest?
How could he? He had taught him so many times about using his words to bless and not curse people.
Although Jude later said he was joking, the damage had already been done. How was he going to unsay what he had already said? What an expensive joke.
When you make coarse jokes at others all for the fun of it, it reflects back on your parents. People will think your parents haven’t taught you about manners.
You bring shame, embarrassment, and disgrace to them. People will call them irresponsible and probably say that to their faces.
So, when next you want to make a bad joke, remember your parents.
May God help you to remember How Best To Use Your Words, Amen.
Prayer:
Lord, help me not to bring shame, disgrace, and embarrassment to my parents.
Action plan:
Ask God for the grace to help you choose your words well.
Declaration:
I choose to bless only with my words.
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 24, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Here’s A Major Secret To be Found. Susan has had a very rough storyline regarding being found by that remarkable man. A lot of guys have taken her on a ride, some just wanted a sexual thing, while some were having a fling. Susan was almost at that place where she thinks something must be wrong with her. She doesn’t understand why it has been difficult to get married.
I want to share with you this morning about a secret to being found. Certainly, there are many ways, but I want to dovetail on just one specific area.
Let’s take a look at the scriptures.
Pro 18:22 (KJV) Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Notice this scripture.
It says whoever finds a wife…
Not whoever finds a sister!
Not whenever finds a babe.
The great question is how do you become a wife before getting married?
It’s not on going around to cook for a guy. It’s not in offering your body for sex in the quest to “insure” the guy for a wedding. It is not in spending your hard-earned money on a guy who will later ditch you for another. Here’s A Major Secret To be Found
It’s in preparation! That is how to become a “wife” before becoming a wife!
Marriage is such a great work that you will do yourself good and do your future husband good by first becoming a wife in your attitudes, responsibilities, and general outlook on life.
A wife is a helper.
A wife is a homemaker.
There are many more, but as a single lady, you must develop yourself intellectually and otherwise in readiness to be found.
You must read wide, sit down with mentors, and learn all you can learn!
Men are looking for a “wife”
And trust me, real guys ( I am not taking if those just looking for flings or sex ) know how to spot a wife!
I will stop here this morning. I pray that God gives you more understanding! Here’s A Major Secret To be Found
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am not in a hurry. I receive wisdom in my relationship.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, give me wisdom that is specific to me
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Pro 18:22 (MSG) Find a good spouse, you find a good life— and even more: the favor of GOD!
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Decide to read a book a week
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Proverbs 18
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 24, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Every Husband Must Hear This! I feel like the Samaritan woman this morning, who excitedly went into the town and told all the men about Jesus.
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:28 – 29 KJV
I believe men really need to hear by revelation and have an encounter with Jesus. It makes all the difference. Men (of course our husbands) are the ones God gave the command, to love their wives like Christ loved the church.
I guess it just makes a lot of sense that they need an encounter with the man Jesus so that they can learn to be like Him.
What really makes Jesus who He is? What did Jesus represent and what did He come to the world to show us? I believe He came to show us the God kind of faith. To show us how to live the faith life. He lived here on earth as a man to show us how men (by extension, women also) ought to live.
If we are going to love our wives like Christ loved the church, it’s going to be by faith. Jesus wants every Husband to be men of faith. Every Husband Must Hear This
Talking about faith, our example of faith who walked by faith is our father, Abraham. His journey of faith started with God calling him to leave his kindred and father’s house.
I love the Amp translation
NOW [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you. [Heb. 11:8-10.] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]. Genesis 12:1 – 2 AMPC
This is the similar instruction God gave to Adam as a key to having a successful marriage.
Therefore a man shall ‘leave’ his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 AMPC
Every Husband is called to a life of faith. It takes faith to leave the familiar and go on a journey trusting in God.
You cannot love a woman if you are a natural man. Challenges of life will come. What will you overcome them with? The bible says faith is our victory. Faith is what gives us victory 100% of the time.
In leaving your father’s house or kindred, God actually wants us to ‘leave’ the ideals, methods, and ways of this natural world. He wants us to live by another standard. Which is the standard of faith. This is done by renewing our minds.
Husbands you have to be men of faith. Every Husband Must Hear This
Romans 12:2 AMPC
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
You love your wife by being ‘a saviour’ to her. You enforce what is written over your marriage.
I remember just before our wedding, I was ill suddenly and was taken to the hospital. I actually passed out. It was the prayer of faith of my fiance, now my husband that revived me.
Life will be full of crises and challenges. Husbands, the greatest gift you can give your wife and family is to be a man of faith.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word. Be a man of the word.
Read the word, study it, meditate on it, confess it and begin to live by faith.
“Look at the proud one, His soul is not right within him, But the righteous will live by his faith [in the true God]. Habakkuk 2:4 AMP
God bless our marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am a man (woman) of faith. I develop my faith and I experience victory over life’s challenges
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
I receive grace to begin to walk by faith in Jesus’ name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Look at the proud one, His soul is not right within him, But the righteous will live by his faith [in the true God]. Hab 2:4
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Begin to live by your own faith
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Heb 11
by Onukwue Elizabeth | Jul 24, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
CHILDREN – Hey Champ! You Are Royalty
Dear child, today yet again, we will be learning wisdom from the book of Proverbs. King Solomon has something to teach you today.
I want you to pay close attention to today’s devotional, and make sure you learn something.
Do you know who a king is?
A king is a ruler over a kingdom. He has lots and lots of people who answer to him.
His words are powerful, because once he speaks, everyone listens and follows what he says.
A king has a crown, a beautiful crown made with precision, and valuable items like Gold, sliver, precious stones and so many beautiful things.
He is also dressed in beautiful clothing because he wears the best things in his kingdom.
Another thing about a king is that he lives in a palace, a beautiful place, built specifically for kings to live in.
Do you know that God has called you and I as his children to be kings and queens on earth?
If you are a child of God, it means you are royalty. Since God is the King of Kings, and we as his children are representing him on earth, so you are a king/queen.
Today in our focus verse, King Solomon says something very important about kings, and I want you to learn from it.
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative]; His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment. —Proverbs 16:10 (AMP)
As a king/queen, you are a representative of God on earth, and so since you represent him, he puts wise words in your mouth to speak at all times.
You are not to speak words that don’t represent who you represent.
You know God is faithful and true, so as his kings and queens, what you say should be the truth at all times
You should always speak words that shows that you are a king/queen not otherwise.
You don’t just say something because everyone is saying it, your words should be divine and true at all times.
As God’s kings and queens, you shouldn’t tell lies, say abusive words, gossip or say things that don’t represent the kingdom of God.
What God expects you to do is to bless people with your words. Say good things all the time, don’t tell lies, don’t gossip about anyone, pray for your friends and family.
God honours the words of kings and queens because he choose you to be one.
Today, decide to live and speak as kings and queens today.
God bless you.
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 23, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
How To Handle Rejection From Lovers’ Parents. Ade and Bridget were so much into each other that all their friends saw them as the definition of a perfect love story.
It’s been over six years of love affair because they met prior to admission into higher institutions. Theirs was like a love story woven be heaven itself.
They looked forward to their wedding with glee and passion. There was nothing they have not discussed from number of children, to career compatibility and even the location where they will be domiciled.
For the very first time, they decided to open up to their parents who had been kept in limbo all the while. They didn’t expect any resistance from that end, they sure have taken care of that in prayers.
However, to their consternation and amazement, the guy’s parents refused to bless the union. These heavily stalled all their plans and threw Bridget into emotional frenzy!
What would people say? How would they explain to all who looked up to them and saw their relationship as a model?
She was devastated. They prayed, but the more they prayed, the more obstinate the parents were!
Ade was helpless. Every of their attempt to convince the parents came to null and void.
At this point, what should they do?
Ade and Bridget should be prepared to move on! What? Yes, it is not going to be easy. It is going to heartbreaking, but on no occasion should Bridget force her way into a family that forthrightly rejected her.
If she did, frustration and agony awaited her. What should be her response on How To Handle Rejection From Lovers’ Parents?
You see, in God, rejection can become direction! She should go into her closet and seek God’s face why this happened. She should resort to worship and judge God faithful!
Heb 11:11 (KJV)
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, BECAUSE SHE JUDGED HIM FAITHFUL WHO HAD PROMISED.
If you are in Bridget’s shoes, you MUST worship and rejoice… then you will truly rejoice at the end.
Be assured that no parents can stop God’s plan. So when they insist, and looked like they won, God must have permitted it for a purpose, if they are unyielding after several prayers.
Let it go and see the beautiful story God will weave out even as you worship and rejoice.
Remember this, if you stay in hurt and bitterness, you can lose out. So stay in joy! This is How To Handle Rejection From Lovers’ Parents
Good morning!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will not be a loser. I embrace God’s wisdom.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
O Lord, grant me grace to overcome hurts and wounds in the soul
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Heb 11:11 (KJV) Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE
Forgive all offenders.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Heb 11
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 23, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Don’t Play the Victim In Your Marriage. I heard the story of a man of God who went hunting together with a friend (the friend was actually the one taking him hunting). He was looking forward to having a quick or fast hunting experience but to his greatest surprise this was not happening.
He then asked his friend “where are the animals?” His friend said, “I will show you a secret.” He made a certain sound, and true to his words, an animal came out from the woods. He asked his friend what was the connection between the sound and the animal coming out?
The friend told him, that was no ordinary sound, but the sound made by animals that are caught in a trap, that are already helpless. Hearing that sound means there was cheap meal available for it.
This is the crust of my message this morning.
“There is no virtue in playing the victim”.
Our lives are constantly making sound(s) in the spirit realm. What sound are you making? Are you playing the victim game? Is your life oozing out victory or defeat?
Even in our marriage, if we constantly give a sound of defeat and being beaten, our spouse will not enjoy our company despite loving us. Don’t Play the Victim In Your Marriage
Another truth is that the sound you produce determines more of what you attract. If you are joyful, you will attract more joy.
Don’t be a victim in your marriage. We all have being through some things. Yes, I know some have been through harder situations than others. Bible tells us, we can handle whatever comes our way.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Whatever situation we faced or passed through is to make us better not bitter. We gained experience to comfort others with the comfort where with we were comforted.
2 Corinthians 1:3 – 4 KJV
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Pick up yourself from your past. Whatever happened in your past, rise above it and don’t live in your past. Don’t keep the memory of your past in your present. You lost your mum, yes, live past it. You lost money, lost relationship, whatever your loss is, get past it and move on.
Move on as though it never happened. Dust yourself. Be like the donkey in a story, who even though dirts were dumped on it it “shook it off the dust and stepped on it”.
The more you play the victim the more life will hand you more abuse. When you murmur, complain and grumble about life the “serpent” will bite you. Your sound of murmuring and complaining will attract demons who will give you more reasons to complain.
Keep up your joy. Let the sounds of Glory, of rejoicing and shouts of praise proceed out of you.
In your marriage, you become attractive to your spouse when you are full of life. Depression is a disease that repels. It is repulsive. You want to be your spouses’ friend? Then be responsive, be jovial, be playful, be youthful.
Some times we feel when we play the victim we engender sympathy and pity from others. Yes, we might. But soon they get tried and frustrated.
We already have all the victory in Christ Jesus. Don’t have an entitlement mentality. The world doesn’t have to revolve around you. Pick up yourself and enjoy life. Don’t Play the Victim In Your Marriage
God bless our marriages.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My mind is renewed by God’s word. I am not a victim of life
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
O Lord, I ask for wisdom in areas where I lack wisdom in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Rom 12:2 (CEV) Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE
Pick up yourself from whatever happened in your past. Stop being the victim.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
1 Cor 10:13
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 22, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Finding The Love of Your Life In Stillness.
There is something powerful in stillness. There are losses and failure embedded in anxiety and unnecessary worrying!
The very concept of faith itself, is contradicted in your efforts to do things in your own wisdom and at the detriment of His instructions and direction!
Yes, you are lover boy, and you are experienced, but can you be still before you are humbled?
Oh yeah, you are a babe who have read all major relationship books, but can you be still to hear Him!
When you are too noisy and unsettled in your communion with Him, you miss His voice! Oh Lord, that I should not miss your voice for once!
Can I tell you something striking this morning? Can it be possible that you are crying for God’s intervention in your relationship and yet the very attitude that block that is being courted?
Oh, I have had a lot of broken relationships
Oh, I can’t seem to know who to get married to
Oh, I don’t know who to choose out of so many
Well, you sure needs God’s direction!
However, seeing God in your relationship, seeing His intervention in your love life, is predicated on STILLNESS! Finding The Love of Your Life In Stillness is the next big thing!
Let’s validate that in the scripture.
Psa 46:10 (KJV)
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The scripture is so clear and explicit here. Be still and you will know He is God! God is interested in Finding The Love of Your Life In Stillness
Let’s take a look at another translation.
Psa 46:10 (MSG) “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”
Wow! Get out of that traffic of anxiety and worry!
God is above all the politics of relationships and marriage!
You get it now! Light dawns on you now! You’re been taking things into your hands all in the name of planning and strategizing!
All has failed you till now. The milk of disappointment has been gobbled down severally! Now is the time of realization, that your miracle is in your stillness.
This stillness simply and aptly put, is your trust in God that He’s got your back, that He won’t abandon you and that He will not disappoint you!
Good morning! Share the blogpost! Blessings!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I ham still. I am not anxious.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, teach me to be still and to trust you
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Psa 46:10 (AMPC) Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Quit worrying entirely
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Psalm 46
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 22, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Seeing Love From The Eyes of Jesus Christ. The love of Jesus is an absolute, unconditional and a sacrificial love. A love marked with ultimately giving of Himself.
The Bible says
john 3:16, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only beloved son, that whosoever shall believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’
He loves us that we may know how to love. He shows us how to love that we may in turn reciprocate that agape love to others especially our spouse. Seeing Love From The Eyes of Jesus Christ will make us appreciate that love.
The love of Jesus is greater than any type of love. It is so deep, it reaches the inner recesses of our heart and the core of our being. It is so wide we can’t get round it , it covers all our being. It is so high we can’t get enough of it. It just overwhelms us.
Such is the love of Jesus to us. His love was what made Him die on the cross of Calvary. Jesus came to this world as the express image of God the father. He is the expression of the father. The expression of the fathers love. This love is not selfish or self seeking. It is a love that is faithful and loyal . A love that keeps waiting with arms wide open to receive us. Our weaknesses, faults, short comings, stubbornness, disobedience not withstanding.
The abba fathers love yearns for us every time, He wants an intimate relationship with us. He wants to be our Yahweh. Our best friend , our shepherd who protect us with His life. He wants to be our defender, the one who fights our battles for us. Our Jehovah Rohi, Shammah, Rapha and whatever names, He has revealed Himself to us
Seeing Love From The Eyes of Jesus Christ’s perspective helps us to see how we should love our spouse unconditionally.
God bless our marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I love my spouse with the agape, unconditional love of Christ
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord; let me see and receive your love that I may love my spouse the same way
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
John 3:16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Love your spouse
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
John 3
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 21, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Open The Heavens By Opening Your Mind. If you are stubborn with your thoughts, you can delay your next season.
A lot of things happen in the realm of the mind. If you are growing, one sign will be that your thoughts keep changing, getting better and better aligned to God’s word.
If your thoughts are still the same, as it was ten or fifteen years ago, it shows that there is some form of spiritual deformity.
Take a look at the scripture:
Rom 12:2 (AMPC) Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Open The Heavens By Opening Your Mind. There has to be constant transformation or change which the scripture says will come from Renewal of mind.
Do you now see that it’s a big problem for those stubbornly fixated on their thoughts and who refuse to embrace the workings of the Holy Spirit in their hearts?
Everything you are learning daily is an opportunity to change and be transformed.
It’s a little here and a little there.
For example, the Kisses and Huggs Club devotionals which you read daily are like building blocks, words inspired daily by the Holy Spirit.
So, it actually becomes counter productive if one is just reading and never applying the lessons in a pragmatic way.
Each daily devotional is an encounter with God, with the capacity to cause a transformation, a day at a time.
You can now see that God’s method of making you better, wealthy and prosperous is through your mind. According to 3 John 2, God wishes above all things that you prosper, as your soul prospers.
You’ve got to open up your heart and mind to God’s word! Open The Heavens By Opening Your Mind!
A person with a closed up mind is a loser any day, anytime. I pray that God grants you more understanding
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My mind is renewed by God’s word.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
O Lord, I ask for wisdom in areas where I lack wisdom in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Rom 12:2 (CEV) Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE
Decide to make immediate changes as God speaks to you
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Romans 12:2
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 21, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
How To Best Be Friends with Your Spouse.
The ultimate goal of your marriage is that you and your spouse become best of friends, an intimate relationship or better still a covenant relationship. This Is what marriage is meant to be. We have to find a common ground of friendship where we truly love and like ourselves. That’s why we always advise you marry your friend.
Some of us were not really friends before they got married while some others lost their friendship along the way in marriage. Life happened to them and the very basis for their friendship was eroded. Others could not manage their differences, and as such lost their friendship. Yet others allowed third parties come between them.
Our friendship as couples is meant to last till death do us part.
Pro 18:24 (MSG)
Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Pro 18:24 TPT)
Some friendships don’t last for long, but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart closer than any other!
We are supposed to stick together for life.
Here are some tips that will help you build friendship with your spouses and become best friends. We must show ourselves friendly if we must have our spouse as our friend. {Pro18:24)
How To Best Be Friends with Your Spouse
- Spend a lot of time together and learn how to start and sustain conversations. Friendship is spelt time together doing activities together and communicating. Stay as much as possible and keep in touch through text, calls, chats etc. and also enjoy each other’s company.
- Forgive easily, quickly and completely
Pro 17:9 CEV You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.
- Do activities you both enjoy together. Do what you both enjoy doing. Eat out, walk together, watch movies, go sight seeing.
- Be each other’s cheer leader. Let your spouse always feel like a million bucks. Don’t pull your spouse down.
- Be vulnerable with each other. Encourage open conversations.
- Accept each other’s flaws. Roses have thorns, if you focus on the thorn you will not enjoy and appreciate the fragrance of the rose.
- Don’t focus on each other’s weaknesses. Stop drawing attention always to your spouse’s weaknesses. Give them time to grow and trust God to work on them.
- Encourage each other during tough times. Be the support system for them, always be there for them.
- Don’t be a boss or be domineering. Respect each other’s feelings, boundaries and personality differences
- Be honest. Give your sincere opinion or correction in love
This is How To Best Be Friends with Your Spouse. God bless our marriages.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am my spouse best friend, no one and nothing can come between us
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
I let go of every offense that has cause our friendship to be turned in hatred in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Pro 18:24 KJV A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Be your spouse friend
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Proverbs 18
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jul 20, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Handling Doubts About Your Lover. This is Part 2
Doubts will come, as long as you are human. Even Jesus Christ experienced doubts. This happened at the garden of Gethsemane when he was overwhelmed by the pain and agony he would be going through.
So how do you prevent unnecessary doubts?
1 Be sure of God’s direction before you take a step
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 Don’t be a in a hurry in your romantic journey
Don’t be hasty. Don’t fall in love senselessly. Be responsible and surround yourself with good friends and mentors.
3 Do not lgnore authority figures in your life,
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.
Handling Doubts About Your Lover. 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.\
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. This is the way of Handling Doubts About Your Lover
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I have the peace of God. I am guided by God’s peace.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, let there be restoration of all that I have lost.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Php 4:7 (AMPC) And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Ask you lover pertinent question about the future.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Phil 4
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jul 20, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We are considering The Importance of Peace in Marriage today. Peace is not just the absence of troubles, it is tranquility in the midst of the storm.
In Mark 4:32, we read the story of Jesus calming the boisterous sea and wind. He was able to calm that storm basically because He was with them on that trip.
Jesus the Christ is not only the source of peace, He is the Peace Himself. The Prince of peace, the Amen, the Word of God.
In John chapter 2, Jesus was not just a guest at the wedding (your marriage). He was acknowledged, honoured, valued and obeyed. They know The Importance of Peace in Marriage!
Do you value Jesus the Word and allow Him have a say in your marriage? Do you believe Jesus can proffer solution to your marital crisis? Are you willing to obey whatever He asks you to do no matter how ridiculous or difficult or time consuming it seems?
Jesus is that peace your marriage desperately needs. Just like Jesus was the solution that the Cana of Galilee wedding needed in John 2. They could have despise Him, refuse to acknowledge Him and disobey Him, to their detriment. They chose rather to not ignore The Importance of Peace in Marriage!
Don’t just be a church goer, a prayer warrior, a demon chaser, don’t just know Jesus (they must have known Him to invite Him to the wedding). Recognize Him as the final authority in your marriage. Whatever Jesus tells you to do, DO IT, and you will experience miracles beyond your imagination.
God bless your marriage
Thought for the day.
I need Jesus in my life and marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will not only have Jesus passively in my marriage but I will listen to His voice and obey Him.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord help me to make you the Lord of my marriage.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Mary then went to the servers and told them, “Whatever Jesus tells you, do it!”
John 2:5 TPT
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Read a book on how to hear God’s voice
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
John 2
