Here is the stage a lot of relationships break up. Here, the differences between the lady and the man become glaring and very obvious. Differences in attitudes, characters, and mannerisms may result in misunderstanding. Immaturity and selfishness may result in break-ups.
It would take two people with the love and peace of God guarding their hearts to go through this stage successfully. If your love is based on ephemeral conviction, it cannot stand this stage. If your conviction is not really founded in God, the foundation collapses at this stage.
4. Endurance
Only relationships built on the solid foundation of God’s Word can endure this phase. Here, it seems that all you have in common apart from God are just differences, differences, and differences! At this stage, quarrels seem to be the order of the day.
The knowledge of the basic differences between a man and a woman, constant prayers offered for the relationship, and the presence of a good mentor over the relationship are very helpful to avoid break-up here. This is the stage you often reach the conclusion that the marriage cannot work.
When I got to this stage, I wanted to break up, and she wanted to break up. But every time we decided to go our separate ways, we lost our peace! We always came back. It is at this stage you decide to embrace God’s plan instead of being selfish and egotistical.
This is the most critical stage; any relationship that goes through this stage successfully will be established.
5. Enjoyment
After endurance comes enjoyment. Here you realize the rewards and blessings of relationship. The Biblical truth of two being better than one, and two being able to chase ten thousand while one could only chase a thousand, becomes a physical reality. Here, the differences are seen as a blessing, not as a challenge. The two enjoy their relationship. They align their visions; they now understand each other. They forgive easily. They stop getting hurt at everything and they decide to forge ahead in God!
Let me note here, that presence of good mentors and exposure to knowledge often helps to minimize issues in these stages.
I pray for you this day, that at whichever stage you find yourself, the wisdom of God will be available for you in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am patient. I am not hasty. I am led of God
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I receive the grace to be patient in Jesus name. I receive help from God’s Spirit to stay with God’s plan for my life and relationship
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Jas 1:2-3 MSG Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Locate which stage you may be in right now and discuss with your fiancée or spouse on how to pull through
Be committed to the things of God. Don’t be so busy with your career or family life that you abandon your purpose and the assignment for which God created you. Make sure you pursue your purpose because that is where true riches and fulfillment lie.
5. Love or lust?
Be selfless! That is how your marriage will last. Let the love of God propel you in all you do. Let the love of God be shed abroad in your heart. Love her truly. Respect him indeed. That is the blueprint that keeps divorce away!
Respect means a lot to a man while love means a lot to a woman. Rather than go back and forth on who is right or wrong, go ahead with agape love, unconditional love and you will keep your home together.
6. Space and Forgiveness
Forgive easily. It is the way to go if you want your marriage to last. Practice advance forgiveness. Never hold your spouse in bitterness. Men, be patient with your spouse and make sure you love her genuinely.
Women, do not close up your spirit against your husband to a point you now live like strangers in your matrimonial home. Those are dangerous precursors to divorce!
7. Mentors
Adulterous relationships and extra-marital relationships are rooted in secrecy. The moment you can hide something from your spouse, you have planted a seed for chaos. Be open with each other. It kills the power of infidelity.
Learn to have a joint mentor who you trust, whom you can report yourselves to that will help you sort out issues that are beyond you. Take issues as they come and don’t store up hurts.
God will help you and give you grace in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not be in haste concerning my relationships. I will be led by God’s Spirit.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, guide my steps so that I will not start wrong relationships in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Pro 2:10-12 KJV When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Make a list of the qualities you want in a man and use it to pray.
You have some significance as light. In a dark place, light is needed. It helps the eyes to see well, aids accurate movement, and creates an atmosphere of peace.
The absence of light makes one blind, can cause accidents, falls, makes the overall place chaotic and fearful.
Jesus asked if one would light a candle and place it under a bed. To think of it, why would anyone place a lighted candle under a bed?
Jesus used this illustration to show his disciples how the light they have (Jesus) is supposed to be shown to others who are yet to know Him. Not to hide our light, maybe out of fear of being mocked or abused.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14
Knowing Jesus gives us peace and guides us to live well in this chaotic world we live in. Jesus wants us to tell others about Him through our words, actions, and lives.
This verse shows you the power you wield as a believer. The power to help people see the light and walk in it.
May your light shine for all men to see and follow. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, I am grateful for Your light that helps me draw men to You. May men come to You through Your light in me. Amen.
Action plan: Pray that your light will bring men to God.
Break-ups eventually occur if relationships are not built on strong biblical principles and foundation.
There are five processes or stages a relationship has to pass through progressively to avoid possible break-ups.
1. Attraction
There must be physical attraction between both parties. Never start a relationship with someone you are not physically attracted to. God will not force anybody on you. Moreover you will be doing yourself a lot of good when you marry somebody you are attracted to, so that your eyes can be on your spouse only!
However, the relationship cannot thrive on attraction alone. It must move on to the next stage. This is the stage you are all over each other.
God help you if you are writing an examination at this time, when you open your books to read, you see his/her face! It happened to me, I got engaged to my wife at examination time! Thank God I didn’t fail.
This is the time you feel your partner is right and every other person is wrong. You need to be careful at this time, making sure your relationship with God is intact so that you can still hear Him speak to you. What is the next stage?
2. Disturbance
This is the stage when the parties begin to realize their differences, and see in other people qualities they admire.
If their love is not genuine, the relationship is certain to collapse here. They start picking on themselves here. The guy begins to reason properly and the lady begins to get hurt easily.
He starts complaining that she has changed and vice-versa, but in reality, none has changed, they just suddenly start seeing what they refused to see before.
Love blinded them initially, but the eyes begin to open!
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am patient. I am not hasty. I am led of God
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I receive the grace to be patient in Jesus name. I receive help from God’s Spirit to stay with God’s plan for my life and relationship
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. – James 1:2-3 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Locate which stage you may be right now and discuss with your fiancée on how to pull through
Spend time together. Never allow jobs, people, or any other thing to take this away from you. Learn to pray together every morning. This morning, I held my spouse in my arms, and we prayed together before I got up from the bed. You are able to maximize your time when you put God first place in your marriage.
2. Transition
Transition is defined in three ways:
a. the act of passing from one state or place to the next
b. an event that results in transformation
c. a change from one place or state or subject or stage to another
There will be transition times in your lives, when either spouse travels away for some time or when you get to a new place. Be careful with developing emotional affairs simply because your spouse is not around.
This can easily lead to adulterous relationships and this can further lead to separation and divorce since God’s injunctions that protect you have been violated. If you are already in one, it is not too late to stop it and ask God to help you!
3. Unequal yoke
Be wary of developing associations with friends who don’t know God or colleagues who don’t value the things of God. They can sow the wrong seed of words into your marriage and before you know it, you are already following their advice which is contrary to the ways of God.
Never discuss your spouse or family issues with colleagues. It can trap you and push you to the edge of confusion. I pray for you this morning that God will frustrate every counsel of Ahitofel in Jesus name!
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not be in haste concerning my relationships. I will be led by God’s Spirit.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, guide my steps so that I will not start wrong relationships in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; -Proverbs 2:10-12 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Make a list of the qualities you want in a man and use it to pray.
One of the greatest miracles Jesus performed in the bible was when he fed more than five thousand people with five loaves and two fishes.
I am sure you have read this story in your bible storybook. How awesome do you think that must have been for Jesus disciples and the people that ate the bread and fish?
Let me show you what I learned from this story of five loaves and two fishes.
“…We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. –Matthew 14:17-21 (NIV)
1. Jesus directed the people to sit down. As children of God, God wants you to be orderly, even Jesus needed people to be orderly before he performed the miracle.
2. Jesus gave thanks to God. Thanksgiving is very important for us as God’s children, learn to give thanks at all times. That’s how to multiply your sweet and biscuit, thank God for providing for your parents, and then thank your parents for buying you things you like. Always be grateful.
3. The disciples obeyed Jesus. Obedience is very important; God wants you to obey your parents and those older than you. In fact, there is a blessing attached to obeying your parents, the bible says if you do, your days will be long.
After over five thousand people ate from five loaves and two fishes, there were leftover of twelve baskets full, don’t you want that kind of blessing for you and your parents? Be orderly, give thanks and stay obedient and God will keep blessing your parents because of you.
Prayer:
Father in the name of Jesus, help me to be orderly, obedient and always thankful in Jesus name. Amen.
Action Plan:
Take time to thank God for your parents.
Declaration:
My children are full of gratitude and obedient at all times.
What other signs are there to show that you are ready for marriage? Read on to find out.
If you missed yesterday’s devotional, you can read it HERE
3. You are responsible and committed.
Signs of perpetual irresponsibility show that you are not ready for marriage.
Are people always referring to you as irresponsible?
Are people always “concerned” about your habits and dispositions?
Yes, while men may be wrong at most times in their judgments, you should not ignore multiple corrections of the same thing by different people.
By the time your parents, siblings, school teacher, lecturer, Pastor, and lover complain about the same thing, then you need to pay some attention to that thing.
You see, your weaknesses can be oblivious to you and yet obnoxious in the least.
God will often use people around you while single, to expose some of the weaknesses you cannot even notice.
You can be so anointed and yet blind to the dangerous dispositions which are counter-productive for marriage. This is why the scripture says:
Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’S servant? – Isaiah 42:19 (KJV)
You can be a good praying Christian with good intentions and yet marriage becomes a mess.
This is because your good intentions are not enough, your commitment, resolution, and responsibility are required.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am improving and getting better
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, show me areas of my life I need to work on in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Isaiah 42:19 (AMPC) Who is blind but My servant [Israel]? Or deaf like My messenger whom I send? Who is blind like the one who is at peace with Me [who has been admitted to covenant relationship with Me]? Yes, who is blind like the Lord’s servant?
I have been married for over 20 years and I can categorically tell you, love is not blind at all.
Love is a serious business, that you engage in with all your five senses intact and even the sixth one.
Sometimes ago, I was revisiting the marriage vows taken from a wedding I attended. I thought to myself, most people taking these vows don’t understand half of what they are saying. Then I felt like the wedding day sermon should be spent on explaining a little about the vows.
Many couples spend most of their time together praying. Is it that prayers or praying together is not good? Absolutely, it is 100% good.
Many other couples spend most of their time talking. Is it that talking is not good, (depending on what they are talking about). Absolutely, good.
Marriage is both spiritual and physical, so we have to take care of the spiritual aspect as well as the physical aspect. Talking to God will handle the spiritual aspect while talking together about issues will handle the physical aspect.
We cannot enjoy the marriage and maximize our full marital potential by engaging in one at the expense of another. We have to pray as though our marriage depended on our prayers and we also have to talk as though our marriage depended on it.
When I mean talk, I mean talk to yourselves, not about something or someone. All most couples do is talk about events, news, something or someone, they hardly talk about themselves. They simply gossip and that is all they do.
Most of your time together must be spent on talking about yourselves, leave the remaining to talk about other events or issues.
Love is no longer blind. Some of us had loose ends before marriage that has left us as prey to the enemy. We should not be afraid to talk and trash out issues after all, we get to know ourselves by asking and answering questions.
There has to be a balance between praying and talking. No matter how long you have been married, we should go back to asking ourselves pertinent questions, and write our discussions down. At least God wrote down His thoughts.
These serves as our projections, our values, our commitment. We get to know and understand each other’s expectations.
One of the major causes of problems in marriage is unmet expectations. We have expectations our spouse didn’t even know anything about. They are not aware of those expectations not to talk of meeting them.
Talk, ask questions. What are your expectations in marriage? What do you want from me? Were you in cult when you were in school? What is your vision in life? What do we do to avoid divorce? What do we do to have a blissful marriage? What can I do that you will never forgive me? And so many questions.
Keep asking questions and talking all through your marriage. Your words together coupled with your prayers are knitting your hearts together until the Twain became one flesh, and nothing will be able to put you asunder.
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. – Mat 19:6 (KJV)
May God grant us more understanding in Jesus name. May God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My eyes of understanding are open.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me in every you can in the name of Jesus
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. – Mat 19:6 (KJV)
Your parents are given to you by God. It’s not a mistake that you are their child. God expects you to obey your parents at all times. They know and see stuff you don’t.
Your parents are guardians over you. They have been entrusted with taking care of you here on earth. They will give an account of how well they did so to God.
Help them to make their work easy and to give God a great account of how they did their best.
The bible verse that speaks about obeying your parents is found in Colossians three and verse twenty. It reads:
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” – Col 3:20
God loves it when you obey your parents in everything. Pleasing God is a sign of obedience.
May the grace to obey your parents be upon you always. Amen.
Prayer: Father, thank you for my parents. May I be an obedient child to them. Amen.
Action point: Ensure you listen to and obey your parents.
Declaration: I am an obedient child. I obey my parents in all things.
Below are signs to know whether you are ready for marriage or not.
1. You are not lonely.
If you are lonely, you are not ready for marriage. Adam was alone, not lonely. Loneliness and alone-ness are miles apart.
Marriage is never intended to cure loneliness, rather it is to complement you and provide companionship.
If you study the word, “helper’ you will understand what I am saying here.
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. – Genesis 2:18 (KJV)
The Amplified Bible calls it helper and then goes further to expatiate that word.
Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him. – Genesis 2:18 (AMPC)
2. You are not looking for a house-help.
A lady is to be a helper and not a house-help. The roles are defined. They are not the same.
She can help out do laundry depending on your arrangement, but she is not a dry-cleaner or a washing machine.
She is not coming to work her hands off while the husband sits back and watch news and football.
This even becomes important these days when there are a lot of career women.
If the young couple don’t have house-helps or any body helping out, then they need to both face the work and not leave it for one party.
This does not undermine the hard work and industriousness of the wife as this is exemplified in the virtuous woman, but it also doesn’t make the husband redundant in house as well.
There should be “division of labour” in love!
And this is why ladies should not go and spend weekends with a boyfriend all in the bid of securing a wedding. It doesn’t work that way.
You will end up having plenty of jeru trip and less of meaningful discussions to advance your marital plans.
Time that should be spent in knowing each other and probing character defects are spent locked up in each other’s embrace, in passionate sex, and this is why there are problems after wedding.
You never got to know that person with you on the bed.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY God will help me.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me in every you can in the name of Jesus
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Isaiah 42:19 (MSG) You’re my servant, and you’re not looking! You’re my messenger, and you’re not listening! The very people I depended upon, servants of GOD, blind as a bat—willfully blind!
Women get easily hurt. And the husbands may not even be aware that they are hurt because their needs are miles apart.
Those are the times a husband asks his wife, “what is wrong?” She simply answers “Nothing!”
She says nothing because she doesn’t feel good explaining that something so little gets her upset.
Or she knows if she tries to explain, the husband might end up making her look like an idiot. So she keeps quiet.
What are examples of those little things that could upset your wife?
1. Don’t do things that make her uncomfortable sexually. Don’t embarrass her and don’t compare her with some past escapades.
2. Don’t ignore her when it comes to making important of financial decisions. Don’t leave her in the dark, keeping her guessing all the time.
3. Don’t compare her with others especially when it has to do with her appearance, weight or hairdo. Don’t go out of your way to appreciate and dote on other women while you completely ignore her.
4. Don’t do things that you have disallowed her from doing, making her feel like a little child who cannot think for herself.
5. Don’t ignore her when she is emotionally down or physically tired. Don’t say things like, “I am tired of you. When you get out of your nasty moods, let me know!”
6. Don’t hug and embrace other ladies endlessly while you don’t even hold her hands in public. Go out of your way and offer some PDA! Public Display of Affection!
7. Don’t leave her alone to do all the house chores while still expecting her to be an amazon in bed later in the night. That would be insensitive.
8. Don’t watch football all day and all night while refusing to let her watch her favorite programs. Don’t make her look like an idiot for her preference of programs. Join her to watch sometimes, and encourage her to join you as well.
9. Don’t forget or deliberately ignore her special days like birthdays and other anniversaries. Rather go out of your way to set notifications so that you can surprise her on those special days.
May God grant more understanding
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am good spouse
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, bless our marriage
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Pro 5:18 (KJV) Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
The Never Changing God. People will often disappoint you in this world. There are things you expect them to do or not do that they will not do or do. You can’t expect people to always be the same. They are human like you and have to deal with so many things.
But one person will never disappoint you. He is Jesus, the son of God. In the book of Hebrews, we see how Jesus remains the same forever.
Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
This verse is saying that before you were born, Jesus was loving and kind (yesterday), and He is still the same kind and loving person He was today, and that He will still remain loving and kind tomorrow and forever.
So, you can see how Jesus has remained the same all through generations. He was kind and loving to your great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents. He will be and is kind and loving towards you as He will be to your children.
Jesus will never change towards you. No matter the sin you commit as long as you ask for forgiveness and stop the sin.
Write this in your top thirty verses to know. Let this be a weapon to use when the enemy tries to tell you that Jesus will fail you. Tell him that your Jesus will never fail you.
May the Lord’s love continually surround you all the days of your life. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, Jesus, thank you for displaying your trustworthiness all through generations. I rest in Your reliability. Thank You.
Action Point: Are you gradually losing focus? Retrace your steps right away.
Now, let’s take a look at the physical symptoms of a guy that will not marry you.
1. He will not introduce you to any authority figures in his life.
He will not introduce you to his Pastor, (you don’t have any business with a man that doesn’t have a Pastor in the first place) nor will he introduce you to his parents. He will refrain from any action that could validate or stamp that marriage commitment. When you see this sign, it is an indication he is not really ready for marriage.
2. He keeps postponing the wedding date several times and keeps on procrastinating.
The date never comes and yet he keeps on telling you he loves you. Well, the date may never come!
3. He will tell you that you are number one on the list of his girlfriends and that you are very lucky.
He will tell you that even though he still sees his other girlfriends; you are the first on his list. You see, you don’t have any business being in this kind of relationship as the trend will continue after marriage and can threaten the marriage itself.
4. He is very jealous and he is very suspicious of you.
He does not trust you because he has a feeling you are doing the same thing he does. To the pure, all things are pure, to the impure all things are impure!
5. He does not want you fiddling with his phones so that you won’t discover the love tantrums going on via SMS and chats.
He sometimes keeps his phones “passworded” or tells you out rightly he doesn’t want you with his phone.
Don’t get into sinful adventure because of frustration, don’t try to satisfy the cravings and the emptiness of your heart with drinking or partying or sleeping around, run to your maker, the re-writer of history, the one that shows mercy to whom he will, the one that can reconfigure your life, and when you do that in faith, He will surely answer you.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I have God’s direction in my everyday life
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY
Lord, guide my steps and help me to make the right decisions in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. – Psalm 31:3 (KJV)
Have you ever seen a Nollywood movie where the couple are close or seen a couple where the wife is so loving?
I am sure you also must have seen couples who just seem to be close but there is something that just doesn’t add up, they are in one way or another disconnected.
When there is a disconnect and you are sensitive, you just know it, you just pick it up and are able to discern it.
Either the wife is cheating or the husband is cheating or they are just not agreed. Well apart from both couples praying together, there are some practical things the wife can do to be a good wife. The kind of wife any husband will be proud to call his wife.
1. Be loyal to your husband 2. Make your husband and his affair matter to you 3. Seek to do whatever he likes and things that pleases him. 4. Be thoughtful of and about your husband. 5. Cook his meals, serve them yourselves and make it a special something 6. Be fun to be with every time 7. Be a defender of your spouse anytime and always 8. Be his cheerleader and make him feel good about himself always 9. Enjoy the company of your husband every time 10. Absolutely let your husband trust you 11. Be gist partners 12. Be his confidant and his companion 13. Be his prayer partner and a prayer warrior for him 14. Be his mum, wife, side chick and flirt with him 15. Be his collaborator, his manager and his covenant partner
You may not be these naturally but you can engage in the place of prayer. Be the specific things you want to see yourself become.
Be focused and decisive about what is it you want to see your self become. Let it be as your goal. Let it be SMART. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound.
The Lord will help us in Jesus name.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage is a blessing
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Oh Lord, do a miracle in my marriage today.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. – Heb 13:4 (KJV)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Put the above points to use.
One of the reasons God created you is for you to continually praise Him. You need to praise the Lord.
Praising God is a sign that you honor Him as your creator and this gladdens the heart of God.
God made both living and non-living things. Non-living things can only be appreciated by you and in a way, you are praising God for creating such wonderful and exquisite creations.
But as a living thing, with breath in your lungs, you are the ultimate praise singer of God.
His praises should continually fill your mouth and heart. Just like the psalmist.
Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!”
Praising God should be a habit. One that you can and should never stop doing. Praising God should be programmed into your daily living manual.
May the Lord’s praises fill your mouth constantly. Amen.
There are signs to know if he will eventually marry you or not. If only you decide not to ignore the signs. God is not an author of confusion, He is our father! He will not leave you alone. He would always make his will known if you allow him.
1. Spiritual signs
If you are a child of God and you are filled with the Spirit of God, the first thing that will happen to you if you are involved with a wrong person (notice I did not write a bad person) is that you will lose your peace.
How will you know if you have lost your peace or God is not with you on that decision? How does God speak?
Now, God speak in several ways, but I will talk about how He speaks to us through the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
There are three ways.
a. In inward peace; it is like God is saying, “Yes, my son, go ahead, I trust you. The other side of inward peace is “A Check”
b. In inward witness; it is like God saying, Yes, my son, this is exactly what I want you to do. An inward witness is a little bit stronger than inward peace. The other side of Inner witness is a “A Bad Feeling.”
c. In inward voice; God grabs your attention and says “Yes, do this!’ It is the most specific because God specifically speaks to your heart through the Holy Spirit. The other side of inward voice is “Don’t Do It”
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. (Col 3:15 AMP)
Here is another translation
The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. (Col 3:15 GNB)
When you read Acts 16:6-9, you will see examples of these leading.
What if you don’t ever bear God? Do a little bit of fasting and prayer. It will help you. Fasting puts down the outward man while prayer builds up the inward man. The result is that you hear God clearly.
Also, you need to get filled with the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues! God is ever willing to baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I have God’s direction in my every day life
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, guide my steps and help me to make the right decisions in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Psa 31:3 (KJV) For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.
Life is about challenges. Without these challenges, there will not be opportunities for thrust and lift. That you are a child of God will not exempt you from having your own share. But what I love so much is what Jesus really said that we have already overcome. I love that!
I know you are facing one thing or the other. I don’t have a child yet. I have children, but they are wayward. My husband is not responsible. My wife is not cooperative. My husband is too hard and never listens. My wife is not submissive. My in-laws are my enemies. My husband listens more to his mum. My mum is not welcome in our house. And the list goes on and on. Issues are in the billions, as numerous as humans on earth.
I want to talk to you this morning about one the most powerful weapon God has given you to overcome situations.
What the Bible says in each situation we find ourselves is a very great weapon in our hands to overcome such situations.
Most people don’t know anything about the Bible or about the potency of God’s word. The result is that a lot of people live in defeat despite the victory that has been wrought for them by Jesus Christ.
The truth is that words are powerful. Now when those words are spoken by God, it makes all the difference! The reason God’s words are powerful is because words are as powerful as the person who speaks the word. We all know God is all powerful!
When you find yourself in a marriage or life issue, the first thing you should do is to go into the scriptures and find out what God said about the situation.
You can confront that marriage issues and problems with the power of the spoken word. What you say matters a lot.
As believers, you have access into the promises of God. Take these promises and meditate on them until they are rooted in your heart. It then flows out naturally from your mouth.
Once the words are in your heart, start speaking what God said and not what the situation is.
Somebody says ‘would I not be telling a lie? No, God’s word is the truth! The situation is a fact, but truth is higher than a fact, so you use your mouth to superimpose the truth on the fact, and because God cannot lie, He deploys every available resources including angelic interventions to make sure what you said come to pass. No problem or challenge can withstand God’s word. Try Him today!
Take authority over that issue. Your mouth is your might. Keep saying what you want to see and not what you are seeing.
Stay stubbornly on God’s word until you see the travail of your heart. Do not cave in or give up, hold on to the horns of the altar.
I see God turning that situation around for you. Lift up your hand and thank Him for that!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I love God’s word.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, open the eyes of my understanding in Jesus name.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Heb 4:12 MSG God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Take a promise of God’s word and meditate on it.
Stress is a daily part of our lives. We can’t hide Children from stress but can only find ways to minimize its effects on us. A little stress though is good for us.
Children also experience stress. It could be a bully at school, a harsh teacher, or even an uncomfortable classroom.
At home, it could be rifts between siblings, parental discord, or the death of a family member or friend.
Older children often are able to identify something that is bothering them, unlike younger ones who have not acquired the capacity to do so.
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. – 1 Sam 3:8 KJV
Children don’t and can’t manage stress the way adults do. It shows through their words, actions, and behaviours.
Little Samuel heard God calling to him but didn’t know what to do. He ran to Eli every time he heard God’s voice asking if the old priest was the one calling him. Eli identified that it was God calling little Samuel. He then told Samuel what to say when next he heard the voice.
The bible doesn’t record that Samuel experienced any stress but it was a situation that was new to him. He couldn’t process it and went to the only person he knew that could help. And Eli was able to help him.
Parents must be observant to notice any change in their child. Children won’t tell you what is disturbing them immediately, even when you ask. Only by observing can a parent find out. Parents must give total attention to children when they are speaking.
Declaration: My children are not stressed. They learn to speak out. They are surrounded daily with the right people. Amen.
Prayer (parent): Lord, help me to be truly observant about my children. Help me to notice the changes in them no matter how subtle they may be. Amen.
Child: I will speak out when I have an issue bothering me. I will ask for help.
Action plan: Parents, sit down, and watch your child today. Go through their things, room, and find things you never noticed before.
Rather than weep, lift your voice and cry unto the Lord! He will come through for you! You’ve been jobless for a while? And you are beginning to give up? No, don’t round up your life and make a permanent conclusion because of a temporary situation. The job will still come! Your relationships have not all worked? When you meet the right person, it will work. Rather than feel forsaken and abandoned, use that time to develop yourself! Age is no longer on your side? Agreed, but God is still on your side. When God is on your side, you will laugh last. That very depression is not the way out, in fact, it drives potential suitors away upon seeing your countenance, so cheer up!
What you need to do is to cast down those thoughts. Refuse to agree with what he says. Rather, choose to accept what God says about you. The devil says you are finished. God says He is just starting. Whose report will you believe? If you believe the devil, you will slide into depression, but if you believe in God, you will rise in the joy of the Holy Ghost. That is why the scriptures advise that you should count it all joy. Why? Because there will be victory in the end.
Resort to praise and the heaviness will lift. Start meditating on God’s word and God’s word will come through for you! Despite contradictory and obvious happenstances, switch into praise, praise God to a point till you get the devil confused. Praise God to a point till God has no choice till He deploys every available divine resource in your favour including angelic interventions. Joy is not a function of a situation or circumstance, it is the fruit of the recreated human spirit. It is there all the time. I only need to stir it up! You stir it up with a shout, a dance, or laughter! So, go ahead! It is the dawning of a new day for you. Shout ‘No more depression! No more, not me!’ Did you feel strength from within? That is what joy does! You get it now.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I have the joy of the Lord always
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY I break the hold of depression over my life in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Pro 12:25 KJV Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Take a promise of God’s word and meditate on it.
5. He does not want you to provoke your children unnecessarily.
God does not want you to take out what you feel or how you feel on the children. Don’t transfer your aggression to them or else they will grow up doing exactly the same things to their siblings and then their spouses. What you do to children and around them goes a long way to influence their thought patterns and outlook on life.
Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.] (Col 3:21 AMP)
Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits. (Col 3:21 MSG)
6. He does not want you to deny your husband sexual pleasure.
Never do this for any reason! It is unwise under any circumstance unless, of course, you are certain that your husband would transmit STDs as a result of his lifestyle. Many wives have unwittingly pushed their husbands into the waiting hands of adulterous women by starving their husbands with Jeru trip. It is not a wise thing to do. Jeru trip means to your husband much more than it means to you!
Let me drive home the point with this illustration. A couple held themselves in a good embrace at night and in a split second the husband is ready for Jeru trip and was warming up for that. To his consternation, the wife said “No. “I just wanted you to hold me, that’s all, no Jeru trip!” The husband, all worked up went to bed with a serious headache.
A few days after that, they went on a shopping spree. The wife saw some jewelry, clothes, and designer shoes and the husband asked her to pick them all. Then she saw skirt suits and trouser suits. The husband still said she could pick them. She was enraptured. As they moved over to the counter to pay, the husband said, No! I just wanted you to hold them. Hold them tight, that’s all!
7. He does not want you to nag or disrespect your husband.
Nagging is dangerous to marriage! Every man detests it. It will never work, so don’t resort to it.
8. He does not want you to discuss your husband with others.
Never make that mistake. That male colleague that seems to have a listening ear is really looking for ways to take you to bed at the end of the day. With a few exceptions, though.
That other guy with whom both of you exchange marital challenges and how your spouses have not been good is not a good relationship to keep. There would soon be an emotional affair and then it will be taken to a physical level if care is not taken.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY God is my strength. He will guide me in the right path.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, I ask that you open my eyes of understanding in Jesus name
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Eph 5:33 KJV Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Take an inventory of your life in the light of God’s principles
