by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 7, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SINGLES – Few Things Marriage Will Not Do For You
We live in a dissatisfied generation. Those who are short in height wished they were taller. The white is tanning their bodies trying to get dark, the blacks are bleaching trying to get white. The young are tinting their hair white, the old are dyeing their hair black.
Singles are posing with wedding ring, those married forget to wear it, those with beards are shaving off, those with none are using methylated spirit to grow some!
Today, I have a story to tell. Are you ready for it? Here we go. Once upon a time, (time – time), when I was single, I looked forward to marriage. Now that I am married, I missed the time I was single! End of story!
Singles will hardly believe that because all in their mind is to get married so that everything can change. I have been happily married for twenty two years and here are a few things I have learned that might bless you if you are still single.
1. Marriage will not make you happier.
Be happy before marriage. Marriage has no power in itself beyond the two people involved.
2. Marriage will not change you.
Change begins inwardly. Marriage is not a change agent. Marriage will not improve your attitudes, it will expose them. Marriage does not eliminate your weaknesses, it will amplify them. Start working on your attitudes and weaknesses before marriage.
3. Marriage will not cure loneliness.
There are several married people who have their spouses with them by the second, but are extremely lonely. Loneliness is more of a state of mind than availability of people around you.
The loneliest people in the world are sometimes the ones with large number of fans and crowd around them. Only God’s word can cure the root cause of loneliness. Few Things Marriage Will Not Do For You
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I keep on praying over my relationship in season and out of season.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, let your grace rest upon my relationship in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Php 4:6 KJVBe careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Decide to be a happy Single
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gen 19-21
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jun 7, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Every wife should get to a point where no matter how loving and romantic and cordial they are with their spouses, they still give God His place.
God deserves the first place in our lives and He wants to have all of our hearts, minds, energy, and best of our beings. God is a jealous God and He will not share His glory with any other man, not even our husbands.
Our husbands no matter how much they love us, they cannot love us like Jesus. They cannot die for us. That’s why Jesus is the lover of our souls. He alone can love deeply and extravagantly.
If our husbands are godly, God will reveal to them how to love and treat us. But that also depends on how well they can receive from the Lord.
Our spouses at the very best are still ‘human’. They are not given to meet all our needs. They can only try. God wants our attention, focus, love and worship.
You cannot beg to be loved. Rather, look to God to meet your deepest emotional needs.
Most spouses’ don’t even understand their wives. We are so wired differently. So sometimes, they are not being wicked, they don’t just have a clue on how to love us the right way and that is when God steps in. He wants to meet all our emotional, spiritual, social, and physical needs. He knows us because He created us.
There are some of our needs that we don’t even understand or can articulate in the right way or with the right words, making it difficult for even our husbands to try to meet.
So take the frustration off your husband and off your marriage. Let your spouse do what he can do and allow God do what He can and wants to do.
Don’t let your esteem or self worth come solely from your spouse. Your self worth should come from God.
You are very special to God. You worth so much to Him. You are royalty. You are the apple of His eyes. God will go all the way to protect you.
For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. – Isaiah 54:5 – 6 KJV
The scripture is telling us that thy Maker is thy husband. God is not just trying to be our husband or writing an application to be our husbands.
We have to receive this words, believe it and walk in the light of it. We have to mediate on it so much until it becomes real to our hearts.
God is saying we are Mrs God. What a privilege! We are not just His princesses, we are married to Him.
He is our maker. He understands us. He knows our wiring because He put them there. He knows what words to speak to us per time.
We are married to the Almighty, all powerful, the wealthiest being on the earth and in heaven. Hallelujah! Its so comforting and refreshing to know God finds you so lovely, flawless and gorgeous.
Some other women are being treated harshly by their husbands. They are oppressed, bullied and abused. God wants you to shift your focus from the hurt you are experiencing. Give that hurt to God your husband. He knows how to fix it. God is introducing Himself as the Lord of hosts. You are Royalty, her Royal Majesty.
Never forget that. Find a way to always remind yourself that. I always wear a tiny chain around my neck to remind me that I am royalty. I am loved by God.
I will get into what it means to have God as your husband tomorrow by God’s grace.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I enjoy the love of God in my marriage.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Father I receive help to be all you desire me to be.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Say to yourself: God is my husband
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Isaiah 54
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 7, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Today we will be looking at showing gratitude to your parents. Parents can be wonderful. They can be overbearing as well. They can reel out commands, rules, and guidelines. They tell you what to do and what not to do. They tell you when and when not to watch the TV.
To you, it seems as though they were over children. They just grew into adulthood one day.
Well, I have good news for you. Your parents love you. They love you so much they want the best for you. The rules and laws they give you are to bring out the best in you, not necessarily to restrict you.
They want to see you excel in your studies and in life. They want you to become a successful parent someday.
So the next time they tell you to wash your clothes, for example, know that it’s for your own good. They don’t want you to be a dirty person. When your clothes reek of sweat and are dirty, people will not want to associate with you and you could get teased or mocked at school by your mates. This could affect your self-esteem, making you withdraw from others.
Even the Bible encourages us to keep clean as it portrays the state of our hearts before God.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Wash and make yourselves clean. Isaiah 1:16 NIV.
Again the Bible tells you to obey and honor your parents so that it might be well with you.
Ephesians 6:2-3 GW “Honor your father and mother, that everything may go well for you, and you may have a long life on earth.” This is an important commandment with a promise.
God bless you well as you do so. Amen.
Prayer:
Almighty Father, help me to honor my parents by listening and obeying them. Help me to understand that all they do is for my own good. Amen.
Action Plan:
Take time to appreciate God for your parents and seek to understand them.
Declaration:
I am full of gratitude. I value my parents.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 6, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SINGLES – Three Types Of Men Ladies Need To Know About
Continued from yesterday…
2 SCAVENGERS
They capitalize on the weaknesses of ladies with low self esteem. They weaken already weak ladies. They take advantage of their weaknesses.
They have a way of locating needy ladies and low self esteem ladies who will offer their body endlessly in order to get love which will forever remain elusive.
The scavenger is not looking for love or romance, he is simply looking for intercourse, and he will feign love and care to get what he wants. The day he stops getting that, he moves on, and the lady is left heartbroken.
What the scavenger does not know is that life is all about seed, time and harvest! He has unwittingly sown bad seeds and the harvest will spring up in time.
How do you avoid a scavenger? Learn new creation realities. Know who you are in Christ. Meditate on his word and develop God-confidence.
What do you do as a single if you find yourself here? Stop offering your body! Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Start over and get out of all ungodly relationships
3 GARDENERS
These are the real men and I know this is where you belong! They cultivate their women, make them blossom, fruitful and bring out the best in them.
Ladies, you are like a fruitful vine, tender, yet full of great potentials. You have the responsibility of watching where and who plants you.
The environment (relationship) you agree to get involved with determines whether you will blossom or not.
Is the guy you are going out with a hunter? Is he always draining you financially, telling you it’s ok, promising to marry you? Is he a scavenger? He knows your story of abuse, low self esteem, that you have been deflowered and he feels he is the next person to sleep with you?
Make sure you do not enter into a relationship until you can vouch that the guy is a ‘gardener’, ‘a real man’, a ‘groom’, someone who will cultivate you, lead you and take you on a journey of self discovery and self confidence.
You can do it by God’s grace, if you trust and seek his help.
Always remember this, the wisdom you need to resolve the present issue lies with God.
I pray for you this day that God will surround you with His love.
Ladies, you will blossom in Jesus name. You will burst forth with full manifestation of your gifting in Jesus name.
Men, receive grace and wisdom to be the best that God has called you to be over your wife and your home! Three Types Of Men Ladies Need To Know About
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will not fall into the hands of a hunter or scavenger. I am a a fruitful vine.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Father I receive help to be all you desire me to be. I refuse to be the object of abuse of any man.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
‘Thy wife shall be like a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house’ Ps.128:3
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Get yourself out of any abusive relationship. Seek advice and help where necessary.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ezek 16-20
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jun 6, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
There are different types, kinds, shades and forms of trouble in life and of course in marriage.
Some of these troubles we face in marriage are due to our carelessness most of the times, while others are just the devil wanting to stir up issues.
Whichever way, God has told us how to handle troubles in His word.
I must admit that there are some troubles or challenges that are so bigger than us. There is no way we can come out of them successfully without God intervening.
King David, even though he was God’s beloved Psalmist, faced different situations way bigger and stronger than him. The good news is that God brought him over them all.
When troubles comes, at whatever season in our marriage, if we are believers, we are assured victory.
Some challenges are spiritual and must be dealt with by engaging in spiritual warfare. Whether they are in-law issues, financial, child birth, barrenness, betrayal, infidelity issues, health issues or we just noticed some resistance on our way, or there are constant quarrels between us as couples that really has no basis, or any other attack on our marriage, it calls for spiritual warfare.
That is the time we should deal with and take charge of whatever strange oppressive spirit from the devil that wants to destroy our marriages.
We must know how to intercede for our marriages more than anything else. We fight on our knees.
The bible says
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; – 2 Corinthians 10:3 – 5 KJV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7 KJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. – Luke 10:19 KJV
Our major work is to bind the wrong spirit behind such issues and loose the power of God. We come against the different spirits causing troubles for us and not allowing us to enjoy peace, love and joy in our marriage.
Some problems are not with the third party, but with our spouses. You have to learn to take charge and exercise authority over such anti peace, anti unity spirit. All they are after is to cause division, disunity, distress and fight in the marriage.
Also praying for the eyes of the understanding of the other party to open is important.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, – Ephesians 1:17 – 18 KJV
By the time you have engaged in spiritual warfare, God promised victory. The victory may not come the way we we want, but victory is sure and peace will be restored into our marriage.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My marriage is blessed.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Ask for wisdom to handle marital troubles
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. – Luke 10:19 KJV
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Take authority over the devil.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Eph 1
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 6, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Hello precious child, there is something interesting for you to learn here today. We are continuing with the wise words of king Solomon from the book of proverbs.
Our verse for today is
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. – Proverbs 2:3-7
This verse talks about the importance of searching for wisdom and how we as God’s children should seek after wisdom.
Our study verse first of tells us that if you and I want to be wise, we can’t just sit and wish to be wise, we have to seek for it, look for it, search for it, and that’s how we get knowledge and be wise children.
See the words used in this verses, the Bible says;
1. We should cry after knowledge
2.We should lift up our voice for understanding.
3.We should look for it as silver
4.We should search for it like an hidden treasure.
All these words are powerful.
It means we have to actively do some certain things to be wise, our effort is need to get wisdom.
The Bible says, until we look for wisdom, we won’t find it.
When we seek to be wise, that’s when we will find wisdom.
How will this happen?
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. – Proverbs 2:6-7
God will give it to us, and he gives it out of his mouth. This means through his words, and words are found in the Bible
How interesting is that?
God had laid up wisdom for us in the Bible, these words are to guide and direct our everyday lives.
All we need to do is read his word like searching for treasures, that’s how to get wise dear.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I receive the grace to search the word of God like treasures in Jesus name. Amen.
ACTION PLAN:
Read your Bible today.
DECLARATION:
I am committed to reading and search my Bible everyday. I am wise in Jesus name.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 5, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SINGLES – three types of men ladies need to know about.
1. HUNTERS
They use ladies for their own satisfaction or consumption. They are skilled at searching for beautiful but ignorant and naive ladies. They watch out for rich ladies to service their financial needs. They are in it for what they can get out of the lady.
They look out for ladies living abroad or who have foreign citizenship, who works in juicy places like the Oil and Gas sector to capitalize on.
This is a wrong motive for a relationship and it will always come with its attendant consequences. What the hunter does not know is that he cannot be smarter than God. He is soon consumed in his own lust.
Hunters are manipulators, their headlight is fixed and when they focus on potential prey, they have a way of hypnotizing them.
How do you avoid a hunter?
Stay in God’s word and always seek his face before you take any decision.
Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. –Psalms 124:7 (KJV)
What do you do as a single if you find yourself in this kind of relationship?
Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. –Proverbs 6:5 (KJV)
Disconnect! A relationship is not by force, but by choice. You have the power to choose.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I will not fall into the hands of a hunter or scavenger. I am a fruitful vine.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
I refuse to be the object of abuse by any man. I ask that you help our men occupy their place in destiny, Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. –Proverbs 6:5 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Get yourself out of any abusive relationship
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Prov 6
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 5, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
COUPLES –
Do you honour God daily? Do you know that there is a relationship between honouring God and making your marriage work?
When you honour God, trust me, you are going to have His favour and mercy work for you in every way. In the same way, when you dishonour God, things are going to get real though. The ways of a transgressor are hard.
How do you honour God?
Read, study and meditate on God’s word regularly. You need that for your spiritual health. Have it regimented into your life and do it daily. Start your day with that. That is simply honouring God!
Go to church. Fellowship with believers! That is simply honouring God!
Pay your tithe. Give to God. That is simply honouring God!
Somebody says, “I am confused in my marriage. The panacea is God’s word. It will cause light to shine over your soul. It will give you direction and lead you on the right path.
Do you have troubles in your marriage? The answer is in God’s word, not in weeping profusely or looking for pity parties. Stop getting depressed daily, rather get energized in God’s word!
Do you also know that just by staying in God’s word, you can avoid adulterous relationships?
Decide to honour God in your marriage and you will see Him come to your aid.
Selah!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
God’s word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Open my eyes to wondrous truths in your word, O Lord
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Psalms 119:105 [MSG] By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Get into God’s word now and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
2Sam 19-21
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 5, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Who are you walking with, dear child? Friendship in life is very important. As children, the kinds of friends you keep go a long way to determine the kind of future you will have.
Have you ever considered the word ‘friend’? did you notice that the last words are spelled ‘end’? this simply means your friend will determine your end.
How do you want to end in life? That question can only be answered by your choice of friends.
But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. – 2 Sam 13:3 [KJV]
The summary of the story we see above is that Amnon wanted to do something, but he couldn’t. by the time he told his friend, he suddenly had the energy to do what he couldn’t do initially.
See how Amplified Bible describes Jonadab.
But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very crafty man. – 2 Sam 13:3[AMP]
The company you keep determines what accompanies you! In the final analysis, you will act like the company you keep, smell like the company you keep, and in fact, you look like the company you keep.
My question for you this morning, dear children, is this; who are your friends or associates? Who are you walking with? Who are those that will determine your end?
If you walk with a crafty person, you will learn his ways. If you walk with passionate people, you will catch their passion. If you walk with people who are on fire for God, you will catch their fire as well.
Here is my concluding verse.
Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. – 1 Cor 15:33 [CEV]
May God help you to make the right decisions. Amen.
Declaration:
I make the right decisions in the name of Jesus.
Prayer Point:
Lord, help me to make the right decisions.
Action Point:
Review your friends in the light of this article.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 4, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SINGLES – Practical Tips To Make Your Fiancée Happy – Part 2
Continued from yesterday…
4. Respect;
As singles, treat her with respect. Don’t ask for sexual intercourse, for that will be asking her to compromise her virtue, and that is not respect. Protect her, and she would love you dearly. Treat her with dignity and you will have her heart and make her happy.
5. Abuse;
Singles ladies, if you are in a relationship and you are not being treated well, don’t hesitate to back out. It is your life and it is your decision. Don’t stay in a relationship because of self-pity. If you are being verbally abused or physically abused, don’t ever think he will change after marriage; it’s really going to get worse. A word is enough for the wise. Don’t walk blindly into a marriage when you can see all the wrong symptoms.
Don’t go into a marriage with a man who tells you he will quit dating other girlfriends after marriage. If he can have them now, he will keep having them. Have a good self esteem and trust God to give you the best. Don’t marry a man or woman who doesn’t love God and who does not value God. That would be a costly mistake. It is better to end such relationships. A broken heart is still better than a broken life.
Selah!
For you reveling in sin because of ungodly affairs, I pray that God will give you the energy to end that relationship!
For those whose relationships are of God, I pray for you this day that God will give you the wisdom to make that relationship work. Practical Tips To Make Your Fiancée Happy
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I receive wisdom to understand my partner and to love him/her more and make him/her happy.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
I break free from all wrong mindsets about marriage in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. (Mal 2:15 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Surprise your partner today. That does not include kissing, petting, sex etc. Reserve those till after marriage.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ezek 9-12
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 4, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
COUPLES –
2. Learn to apologize to her quickly.
You might be the head of the house, but don’t hesitate to apologize when you have wronged her. You really don’t want to be head over troubles and quarrels. Strife will stifle your spiritual voice and render your prayer useless!
3. Don’t Ignore her.
Let her feel appreciated that she is contributing to the progress of the family. Take her along in your decisions and outings. Pay attention to her words and ideas. Don’t make her feel she has nothing to offer. When you don’t let her help through her opinions, she is frustrated because her ministry is to be a helpmeet.
When you do these seemingly little things, they will make a great difference in your life. She might not be logical and factual when she is advising you, but she could be accurate because of her natural intuition. She can know a bad friend from afar, she can sense a bad business deal from just listening to you share with her.
4. Don’t criticize her.
Correct in love. Don’t treat her like a doormat. Give her the respect she deserves. She will in turn love you dearly and your home will be peaceful.
5. Never act as though you were superior and she is inferior.
She is not subservient, only submissive. God wants wives to be at their husbands’ sides, not at their feet. That was why God made Eve with bones from Adam’s side, not his feet.
6. Never show preference to others at the expense of your wife.
Believe in her, affirm her, encourage her and she will in turn do the same to your children. Women are multipliers. Give her sperm and she gives you a baby. Give her ingredients and she gives you a sumptuous meal. In the same way, give her stress and she will give you frustration, pressed down and shaken together and running over!
In that marriage, the wisdom you need to run a successful home, a loving family, and a strife-free milieu, may God grant unto you in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I love my spouse dearly. I will honour my spouse in all ways.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
I receive grace to love my spouse dearly and to be faithful to him/her.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. (Mal 2:15 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Surprise your spouse today by doing one of those things you use to do that made him/her happy when you were courting.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ezek 9-12
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 4, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
I hope you have been following our series on obedience, and learning how to obey God. We have Father Abraham as our case study and I believe we have learnt one or two things in the past few days.
The truth is that obedience pays. The bible says Abraham obeyed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. Wow! What a testimony.
This morning, I will be sharing with us how to obey God.
There are several ways by which you can obey God. Let us consider a few.
Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. – Genesis 12 verse 1,4 (NKJV)
One way we are to obey God is by obeying Him wholeheartedly. Obey with all your heart, not part of your heart. In God, it is either you give him all or you give him none.
See what God says about your heart
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, – Deuteronomy 10:12 (KJV)
The same way you cannot love God halfheartedly is the same way you cannot obey God halfheartedly.
The obedience God recognizes is obedience that is devoid of grumbling or complaining.
When your parents ask you to do something for them, and you grumble, murmur, or complain, you lose the blessing therein.
Let’s learn to obey God wholeheartedly so we don’t lose our reward.
May God bless you. Amen.
Prayer:
Oh Lord, help me to obey you with all my heart.
Action point:
In what ways have you been disobedient? Repent and make amends.
Declaration:
I am an obedient child in Jesus name, Amen.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 3, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SINGLES – Practical Tips To Make Your Fiancée Happy
George who is in courtship with Lucy is frustrated. Lucy is always vacillating between two extreme emotions and poor George is at a loss on how to make her happy. If I can be experiencing this before marriage, what will happen after? George reasoned.
As a single in courtship, how do you make her happy?
1. Communicate;
It is important you keep in touch daily especially if you are not in the same place. If this all-important communication is not there, trust me, there will be issues coming up from time to time.
2. Apologize;
As singles, stop being egocentric and learn the art of apologizing quickly both ways. Don’t let your courtship be filled with memories of weeping, feeling down and out. It is not a good seed into your marriage.
3. Decisions;
As singles, take decisions together and don’t let her feel you are the superman that can do all things. If she relaxes and you run the relationship all by yourself, she would get used to that style and the help you ought to get from her when you are down will not be there. Don’t muffle her.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I receive wisdom to understand my partner and to love him/her more.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
I break free from all wrong mindsets about marriage in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. (Mal 2:15 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Surprise your partner today. That does not include kissing, petting, sex etc. Reserve those till after marriage.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ezek 9-12
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 3, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
COUPLES – How To Make Your Wife Happy And Love You Forever
Mr. John is heavily frustrated. His wife is never happy. He has exhausted all the wisdom and skills in his arsenals, yet no hope. All his romantic antics have been displayed, all to no avail. He feels so incapable. What else can I do to make this woman happy?
Pleasing a woman really is not so much about doing so many things but doing what appeals to your wife specifically. Why do you need to ensure she is happy anyway? You need each other’s agreement to have spiritual potency. You need each other’s help to forge ahead as a couple. When she is happy, the home will be great too.
You see, the moment you prefer to hang out with the ‘boys’ rather than your wife, and you deliberately go home late, you are no longer in good terms with your wife and the devil can take advantage of that to bring all kinds of attacks, especially adultery.
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
(Pro 5:18 KJV)
1. Listen to what she is really saying.
Don’t watch television or read newspapers while she is talking to you. For your wife, attention means a lot to her.
Women are not logical, rather, they are emotional. So her discourse with you might seem illogical, but if you want to make your wife happy and your home great, you must make time to listen to her.
This is very important! In some countries, there are people who work as ‘listeners’ and all they do is listen to women talk and they are paid on an hourly basis. This is to let you know how important it is. If you allow the driver or cook to become the listener, a love affair might erupt over time. Spend time with her a lot.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I love my spouse dearly. I will honour my spouse in all ways.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
I receive grace to love my spouse dearly and to be faithful to him/her.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. (Mal 2:15 KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Surprise your spouse today by doing one of those things you use to do that made him/her happy when you were courting.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ezek 9-12
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 3, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Still talking on the issue of obedience, this morning, I want to quickly show us a few practical ways to obey God as children.
Remember, we are considering the life and times of Father Abraham
Genesis 12 verse 1,4 (NKJV): Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
1. By being obedient to His Word.
The word is God. The only way you can be obedient to God is by obeying his word. If you disobey God’s word, it is as good as saying you have disobeyed God himself.
So dear children, my question to you this morning is; are you obedient to his word?
2. By being obedient to spiritual authority.
Oh yes. There are several authorities that have been placed over us as children. When you obey such authorities, you are obeying God.
Examples of constituted authorities include your school, your church, your family, and so on.
Note that no authority can spring up without the input of God Almighty. So when you obey them, you are obeying God.
There are many more ways we can obey God, but I hope you have been able to draw out lessons and action plans from the above as regards your obedience to God.
God bless you! Amen.
Declaration:
I choose to obey God by obeying all those God has put over me.
Prayer:
Oh Lord, help me to be an obedient child in Jesus name, Amen.
Action Point:
List all constituted authorities over you and start obeying them all.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 2, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
SINGLES – How To Be Sure Of Your Choice In Marriage
Being directed or led by God is the most important issue before marriage; when you are not led, it only leads to misery, pains, sorrow, and regrets.
My prayer is that you will not experience these. If your answer to that prayer is amen, now is the time to be sure that the person you are in love with is God’s choice for you.
Just because you are in love with someone does not give you enough basis to enter into a lifetime covenant with the person. It’s very easy to fall in love, all it takes is that person having all the qualities you admire, being physically attractive, spending time together, giving him/her a special place in your heart, thinking about him/her a lot and you’re already in love.
You’ll agree with me that it’s possible to fall in love with more than one person but only one person is qualified to be your wife/husband.
Once you have identified your spouse, you are no longer permitted to desire others, but to only admire them.
GOD then used the rib that he had taken from the Man to make Woman and presented her to the Man. The Man said, “Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man.” Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh. –Genesis 2:22-24 (MSG)
The above scripture shows that God himself was very much involved in bringing the man and the woman together.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. –Romans 8:14 (KJV)
The question is, do you have God’s spirit? Are you born again? If yes, how are you working on your relationship with God? How consistently do you study God’s word?
What service do you render in a local assembly? How well you answer these questions will determine how well your spirit is developed to receive directions from God, not only in matters of your relationships but in all areas.
You must also make sure that the three aspects of you agree with the choice of your life partner.
Man is essentially a spirit; you have a soul and live in a body. Do these three (spirit, soul, and body) agree in perfect harmony.
Is there peace? Is he/she intelligent and emotionally mature?
Are you friends? Someone said friendship in marriage is about one soul living in two bodies.
Physically, does he/she meet your standard of beauty? Are you attractive to each other?
Go to any length to find adequate answers to these questions. Ask him/her a lot of questions. Find out where he/she is going. Can you fit in?
Is the guy a good leader? How well has he led himself? Can he lead you well?
Becoming sure is all about erasing every doubt or question in your heart about the person, the relationship, and the future. No one can be sure for you. Until you’re totally sure and convinced, don’t say YES!
Don’t tie the nuptial knots until all the knotty issues are resolved. I pray that God will send help your way in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I have direction from God. In my relationship decisions, I am being led by the Spirit of God. I am not confused in Jesus Name. I will not fall in love with the wrong person. The Spirit of God will help me to be sure.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
I destroy every spirit of distraction and deception in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t you? Psalms 25:5 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Think deeply about your relationships and take an inventory
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Habakkuk
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 2, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
COUPLES – Men, Tend Your Garden
The word ‘blossom’ creates a picture of a fruit tree having flowers. It depicts a season when the plant has grown, increased, and now bears flowers, showing it will soon bear fruit.
A lady is always associated with ‘blossom’, ‘flower’, ‘fruitful’, which depicts their ability to procreate and of course, the beauty they possess.
‘Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house and your children like olive plants round about your table’. –Psalms 128:3
The scripture today is about a wife becoming a fruitful vine. The vine is an interesting plant. It is a twining; coiling tender plant that produces grapes used for wine.
It is interesting to know that a tender plant that needs support eventually produces the all-important grapes used for wine. You do not want to joke with wine. It is served at parties, offered to dignitaries, it is medicinal, it shows prosperity, it makes merry and it is always found during joyous occasions.
As a man, the lady you are married to has great potentials but you as the vinedresser or gardener have the responsibility of bringing out the best in her.
Now read this carefully. You will never find a perfect woman or wife. God will always give you a raw material, and you as her head and crown can develop her into what God wants for her by the instrumentality of God’s word, your love for her, a lot of patience, and a lot of prayers.
Am I shifting the ladies’ responsibility of productivity to the guys?
No. I am only saying that there is an environment you can create for your wife that will cause her to blossom, be more fruitful and maximize her potential.
Remember whatever she becomes, she will still be ‘by the sides of thine house’. That side does not mean ‘hidden’ or in a corner, it means right at the door. She occupies a conspicuous part of your life.
Married men, know that your wives are your precious asset. Accept her, love her and be determined to help her blossom.
Yes, she might be like a wild, unfruitful olive vine, but ask God to help you. God anointed you as a husband to make your wife blossom. You can do it by God’s grace if you trust and seek his help.
Dear wives, please submit to the leadership role of your husband. God anointed him for you so you can blossom. Until you are submitted to him, you will not be all you can be, your full capacity. Your submission to him is a lot of wisdom because that is when you can truly blossom.
I know some of you might be hurt and bitter over issues in the past, and you are rightly justified to feel so, but remaining in that state will worsen things and slow you down.
Don’t close up your spirits on your husband, forgive again and again and ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Don’t give up; rather, keep on trusting God for the best.
Don’t try to retaliate by opening yourself up to affairs. That will usher in more demons to afflict your home.
Always remember this, the wisdom you need to resolve the present issue lies with God.
I pray for your home this day that God will surround you with His love, you will blossom in Jesus name. You will burst forth with the full manifestation of your gifting in Jesus name.
Men, receive grace and wisdom to be the best that God has called you to be over your wife and your home!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am like a fruitful vine beside my husband’s house.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Father, I receive help to be all you desire me to be.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Thy wife shall be like a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house’ Psalms 128:3
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Be deliberate about your marriage.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ezekiel 13
by Sylvester Obinna | Jun 2, 2022 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The word obedience according to the dictionary means compliance to a command, prohibition or known law and rule of duty prescribed; the performance of what is required or enjoined by authority or the abstaining from what is prohibited, in compliance with the command or prohibition.
Taking a closer look at the life of Father Abraham, you will discover that it was obedience that made him great.
Genesis 12:1,4 (KJV) Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
I will be sharing with us few reasons we should take obedience seriously.
1. Obedience proofs your love for God and to God. If you truly love God, you will obey Him.
2.Obedience is part of our worship. If we profess to love and serve God, then one of the ways we show it is our obedience.
3.Obedience is a test of our faith in God. This is true because faith in God means believing in his instructions and if we claim to have faith them we must obey.
4.Obedience is also a test of character, the ability to follow simple instruction is evidence of good character
5.Obedience helps us as God’s children to shine forth our light in this world
Obeying God is a vital part of our lives as believers, nothing can be compared to a life of obedience. I pray that you receive grace to be obedient all the time in Jesus name. Amen.
PRAYER:
Father in the name of Jesus, I receive grace to be obedient at all times in Jesus name
ACTION PLAN:
Obey every instruction given to you today
DECLARATION:
I am an obedient child
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Jun 1, 2022 | Singles
Reading Time: 3 minutes
SINGLES- The Doorway To Your Thoughts
Thank God I am not God! If I were God, probably a lot of folks would have met me up there – “Today, thou shall meet me in Paradise!” And really, thank God you are not God too! Oh my, my…It would have been serious. God is just, truthful, and full of righteousness. His thoughts are different from ours.
If I were God, sincerely, some of the portions of the Bible would not be there. I will not include the adulterous fling and murder committed by our beloved King David; neither will I include the visits to prostitutes of our Macho Man, Samson.
But God in His unfathomable wisdom knew it is the truth that will set us free. A lot of people would not have been set free from suicidal guilt over what they have done, but upon learning that God gave David and Samson a second chance, they realized that there was still hope for them.
But what was the genesis of their problems? You wouldn’t believe one of the things I found out here!
Their eyes! This becomes more interesting when you put in mind that men are moved by sight, one of The Doorway To Your Thoughts. Check out the following scriptures:
And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he SAW a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. –2Samuel 11:2 (KJV)
What of Samson?
And Samson went down to Timnath, and SAW a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. –Judges 14:1 (KJV)
Then went Samson to Gaza, and SAW there a harlot, and went in unto her. –Judges 16:1 (KJV)
What really made Amnon rape her sister, Tamar?
So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in HIS SIGHT
…he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. –2Samuel 13:8,14 (KJV)
From all these, there are two things.
1. Men, watch what you see
2. Ladies, watch what is seen.
How are the guys supposed to achieve this? Never look again? Well, you are permitted to admire, but not desire. There is a difference between a first glance and then a serious look!
There is a difference between looking and getting obsessed with what you see in your thoughts.
No wonder Job said:
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? –Job 31:1 (KJV)
Another translation says:
I promised myself never to stare with desire at a young woman. –Job 31:1 (CEV)
So what are we supposed to do with our eyes?
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. –Proverbs 4:20-21 (KJV)
No wonder Jesus Christ said:
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. –Matthew 6:22 (KJV)
Pornography begins with what you see one day. The seed of fornication is planted when you see what stirs lust.
The sin of masturbation is achieved with what you have seen and stored up in your mind.
I guess this is why God said the book of the Law shall not depart from your eyes. When you keep looking at God’s word, you will not be seeing wrong things! The Doorway To Your Thoughts
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My eyes are riveted on God’s word. I love God’s word. I am not obsessed with lust as a result of what I see. I have the mind of Christ. My utmost desire will be towards my husband/wife and not towards any other.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
I destroy every spirit of lust in my life in Jesus Name, I receive help from the Holy Spirit to understand His Word.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I promised myself never to stare with desire at a young woman. (Job 31:1 CEV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Decide never to stare at seductively dressed ladies. Decide not to see films and movies that have nude scenes.
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
2King 24-25
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Jun 1, 2022 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
COUPLES-
Yesterday, I established that the enemy often seeks to use the weapon of hurt to worth his threefold agenda in marriages. This is to steal, kill and destroy. No marriage is immured to the strategies and attacks of the enemy.
He will often steal from our marriages, kill and snuff out life from our marriage and totally destroy all that our marriage stands for.
It is a blessing blocker. When you are hurt, your heart cannot receive from God, get rid of hurts, and make sure your heart is guarded against any form of hurt that may arise.
If you don’t learn to handle your hurts the right way, it will lead to bitterness, which can lead to rage which can lead to all sorts of vices like murder. There is a right way and a wrong way of handling hurts. Make sure you are not a victim of the deadly poison of hurt.
Some wrong and unhealthy ways to handle it include:
1. Vengeance or Retaliation
This is when you allow the hurt to get at you so much that you act back based on the hurt. Retaliation could come in various ways, wanting to hurt your spouse back, or inflict pain.
2. Closing your heart
We have a tendency to block our hearts as a way of protecting our hearts from further hurts.
3. Rehearsing or replaying the hurt
We may also be in the rot of replaying the words or events that hurt us.
I know there are different levels and degrees of hurt. But whichever, we have a responsibility of guarding our hearts and we have a choice not to be hurt.
The best way to guard our hearts against hurts is by taking communion. Try it, it works so well. Take communion and plead the blood of Jesus over your heart.
Also, take authority over the hurt, and exercise authority over words that cause hurt.
Guard your heart against the effect of hurt using these two scriptures
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and overall the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. –Luke 10:19 (KJV)
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. –Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)
Anytime there is a quarrel between couples and there is an exchange of harsh words, you will do well to guard your heart against this hurt.
Even after you have made up and started talking, if not properly dealt with, you could still be nursing the hurt. Get rid of the hurt and don’t allow any root of bitterness to defile you.
Let your heart be void of offense, bitterness, or hurt; against your spouse, siblings, parents, God, life, etc.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY:
I declare concerning my life and marriage, I have victory, the enemy has lost the battle over my life and mind. I refuse to stay in hurt and unforgiveness, Jesus is glorified.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY:
Father in the name of Jesus every fiery dart of the evil one is destroyed in my life and marriage in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. -Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY:
Forgive and let go of every hurt today
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY:
Zephaniah 1-3
