There is a connection between joy and marital fulfillment. The joy of the Lord in your heart is a connection point for God to do His will in your life.
Jesus said
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. -1Jn 1:4
Your joy is not full because something good happens to you, rather it gets filled because you constantly behold that which has been written.
Your marital life has been documented. It has been written. As you behold the word daily and constantly, God will cause your joy to be full.
Never allow the devil to steal your joy. Refuse to get depressed. Stay joyful!
2. Refuse to fear
Fear is a tool in the hand of the devil to control you and keep you bound.
There are people who fear and dread marriage, so they couldn’t find a spouse.
There are people who dread child delivery, so pregnancy eludes them.
Fear is not just a feeling, fear is a spirit!
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. -2Ti 1:7
If fear is a spirit, then its operations are spiritual. It affects a lot of things spiritually. It determines a lot in the spiritual realm.
Do not fear is an admonition you will find in the scriptures over three hundred times.
Refuse that fear, because what you fear happens eventually.
For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. – Job 3:25
3. Refuse to compromise
The pressure to compromise is real and constant.
The devil wants you compromising a hundred times per hour if possible. He knows that compromise short-circuits the power of God in your life.
Sin and compromise without repentance give the devil the legal ground to afflict you. Habitual sins opens the door to the hordes of hell to wreck havoc.
The power of sin is broken, and the scripture declares that
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. – Rom 6:14
Iniquity has been conquered, it has no longer a tyrannical rule over your destiny, it is a choice! And you must choose right!
Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, Go and sin no more. His voice is still reverberating across generations and it remains unchanged!
Do not be like Esau who preferred a temporary fix over a permanent blessing. Do not make yourself an enemy of God because of five minutes of lust expressed.
Do not cut off yourself from God’s favour and benevolence because of pacifying your flesh.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive strength to do it God’s way
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Oh Lord, help me to live above sin
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. – Rom 6:14
We started on this topic yesterday and when we read Proverbs 31, we should do so with the mind of; ‘it’s possible, let me glean wisdom, work and walk towards becoming a better woman
8. She depends on the Holy Spirit for strength to run her home.
She doesn’t run her home on the traditions or expectations of men. The Holy Spirit is her senior partner. She knows how to engage his help. She seeks for the help of the Holy Spirit on all things nothing is too small or too big.
9. Her husband is her best friend
She is closest to her husband. He is not just her friend, he is her best friend. She talks to him, confides in him, and cherishes their relationship together.
10. She takes care of her physical looks and her emotions
She looks good all the time for her husband. She is not too expensive she is simply pretty. She also learns to take care of her emotions. She smiles all the time and does not harbor hurt, bitterness, or anything that can kill her joy. She is always bubbling over with joy. She has made up her mind to remain joyful.
11. There is no word like divorce in her dictionary
Divorce is a NO, NO for her no matter what. Come rain or high waters, she respects her covenant before God.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
12. She is 100% focused on her home, knowing that her home is the first church.
She does not compare her home to others. She appreciates the home and her family because she knows they are gifts from God. She prioritizes her home and does all she needs to do to make sure her family is exactly what it is meant to be.
13. She respects her in-laws and treats them as souls for the kingdom of God.
She loves and respects her in-laws as her own.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am a virtuous woman
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord Jesus, help me to be an award-winning woman
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Proverbs 31:11[NLT]Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
The concluding part of this interesting story will be the different decisions these couples have to make.
Until you take responsibility and make decisions, whatever situation you were in remains the same or gets worse. To enjoy your marriage and live with love and understanding with your spouse is a decision every couple would have to make at one point in time or another.
The success of your marriage is in your hands and it’s a personal adventure. The success of your marriage is not dependent on past, present, or future status; it is dependent on your personal decision to make it work.
Marriage is not a 50-50 thing, it’s a 100 – 100 thing, where the wife is ready to fulfill her part 100% and the husband ready to fulfill 100%.
Husbands, don’t love your wife because she respects you. You love her because Jesus Christ commands you so. Love is an unconditional commitment that ensures the object of our love is fully satisfied.
The same thing with wives, you don’t submit and respect because he loves you, you submit because you are committed to obeying God’s word.
Having said all these, here are practical decisions these couples have to make.
1. Learn to respect your spouse no matter under whatever circumstances. Honor each other as covenant partners so that you can enjoy God’s blessing.
2. Never compare yourselves with other couples. You are unique as a couple. Walk out your own uniqueness and stick with it.
3. Never allow other people’s opinions to influence the way you treat your spouse especially if the influence is negative.
4. It is just smart to have godly mentors you can talk about your marital issues with. Your mentors give counsel, instructions, and encouragements to avoid unnecessary pitfalls in your marriage.
5. What you don’t appreciate, depreciates. Learn to appreciate each other always, appreciate your little efforts.
6. Don’t take each other’s happiness for granted. Sow into each other’s happiness tank.
7. Learn to have memorable moments together. Create fun and spice it up with laughter as often as possible.
8. Make God and His word your final authority as regards every area of your life. Let God be your common focus.
9. Celebrate things your spouse consider important. Don’t down-talk what they celebrate.
10. Be kind and generous to each other. Give yourselves money, time, attention, and affection.
11. Watch your attitudes, body language, voice tone, and actions. They all matter in building a lasting loving marriage.
12. You cannot be selfish. Love gives and puts the other first.
13. Never try to outsmart your spouse. You are a team, work together as such.
14. Learn to be quick to forgive. Marriage is for two quick forgivers.
15. Learn conflict resolution and communication skills, they are lifelines for your marriage.
God bless our homes and marriages in Jesus name.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will respect my partner at all times
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord Jesus, lead me to the rightful person for me
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
The Proverbs 31 woman is certainly a superwoman; I used to think no woman can beat her record. Sometimes I used to feel like it is impossible for one person to have it all figured out as she does. Then, there was a time I just concluded that it cannot be a real contemporary woman of our time.
At another time, I didn’t like to read about the proverb 31 woman because she showed me how inadequate I was. All these different emotions and thoughts went through my mind at different stages of my twenty-two years marriage experience.
Now, I think I am wiser and more secure. When I read Proverbs 31, I read with the mind of; ‘it’s possible, let me glean wisdom, work and walk towards becoming better.
Here is wisdom to glean. Please do read through proverbs 31.
1. She is 100% committed to her husband’s vision.
We are to reorder our steps if you love your kids more than your husband. The right order is to be 100% committed to your husband. You have a covenant responsibility towards him. You are to care for your children.
2. She watches and prays over her entire household like Mother Hen.
Be like a watchdog. We have a male and female Caucasian dog, and it is amazing that it is the female that is always barking and restlessly watching the gate. Why? Because of her puppies, she has her little ones to protect.
3. She makes a giant out of every dwarf that lives under her roof. She also does not dim people’s star
She brings out the better of everyone, not only her children but everyone that comes in contact with her.
4. She invests more than she spends. Nothing diminishes in her hands. She is too busy-minded.
Don’t be a consumer alone. Don’t be a CAN (Consumer Association of Nigeria). Try and create wealth, produce something, multiple things. Do business.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
5. She is hard working. No room for idleness or gossip.
Being a woman is not synonymous with being a gossip. Be productive, use your time wisely. If you are not caring for the children, be tending the home, care for your husband, pray in tongues for creative ideas, a woman has her plate full, there is a lot to do. Make no room for gossip.
6. She fears God, serving faithfully, tithing dutifully, assisting the less privileged.
She takes her services to God seriously. She knows that God is at the center of everything and he is the one that holds it all together.
7. She does not refuse her Husband Jeru trip for whatever reason.
She is fully aware that Jeru trip is a core course at the university of marriage. She does everything, yet does not neglect and take with levity her roles and duties. She doesn’t fail in her core course.
I will continue tomorrow by God’s Grace.
May God bless our marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive strength to be who God has made me to be
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for a submissive heart
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Decide to work on your marriage
Hi, dear one, you must learn to be a peacemaker. Let me tell you something about God, he rewards! God isn’t a taskmaster; everything he asks us his children to do will always come with a reward for our obedience.
Have you ever been obedient to your parents? See how glad they are when they realize that you did what you were told to do. Same as God, when we obey him, he has a lot in store for us, and one thing about God is that he always keeps his promises.
Let me show you a place in the bible where he clearly states the reward for a particular trait
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. – Matt 5:9 (NIV)
Who is a peacemaker? A peacemaker is someone who brings about peace, a person who seeks peace at all time, wherever he or she find themselves, they walk in love and stay away from whatever it is that is not peaceful.
As a child of God, this is one of God’s desires for you. These are Jesus’ exact words and see what he says first, he called peacemakers blessed. Do you know what it means to be blessed?
The Oxford English Dictionary explains it to mean being endowed with divine favour and protection! Hmm, how interesting is that? This means that you are loved and sorted for, and in addition to that, you are also protected, not by security personnel but by God’s angels!
Look at the concluding part of the verse; it says “they will be called sons of God!”
What an honor that is. Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to be called a son or a daughter of God?
Choose to be a peacemaker today and see God marvelously bring all these promises to pass in your life.
“I should not ask for respect right, but you can be asking for Ice cream and jewelry all the time, right? That was how you never allow me to touch you, always forming holiness!”
“So, you want to touch us before marriage, abi? So that you can taste us and sample us and then back out?”
“We are wiser now!” Pastor Dunamis said no wedding, no sex!”
“Is that even possible in this age? One man said? That pastor must be wicked”
“It is you who want to desecrate us that are wicked.” I love my pastor!”
Why did we allow these men to join us in this journey,” one woman said, getting tired already.
Her husband heard that and screamed, “You too? I have been waiting for you to speak since. We will meet at home.”
“Which home? Are we married?”
“Eh! These ones are sinners o, they are tasting something without getting married!”
“Was he not the one that convinced me that we would do our white wedding after we have sex just once and then the next thing was that my tummy shot out?”
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered. Kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals, kindly go HERE
“Kai! Wicked man!” Another woman said.
“But you didn’t tell them that you were begging me to marry you and you packed your things into my house before the wedding!”
“Is that what you would say? You are an ingrate, upon all the pot of stews I cooked for you with my money.”
“Your money? What about the laptop and the iPhone X I bought for you when I saw you were using an android?”
“Say it and let everybody hear now, shameless man! iPhone X nonsense that was always freezing when other men were buying Pro Max for their wives!”
“By the way, my wife changes her phones every month and I take care of the bill.” Another man said.
“Who wants the phones?” His wife replied.
“I want you! Today, you are in Japan, tomorrow, you are in China, I never knew I was getting married to the traveling secretary of the astronauts.”
They ranted on and on….and in the end, stopped their journey and turned back home.
They discovered that what one wife wants was already another woman’s problem and what the other doesn’t want is exactly what another is praying for.
They had to make decisions.
Tomorrow, we will be looking at the decisions they took.
Don’t miss it.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will respect my partner at all times
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord Jesus, lead me to the rightful person for me
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
We started this topic by looking at how Apostle Peter admonished all wives to be devoted to their husbands. He also encouraged wives to avoid nagging as it doesn’t work.
Verse 5
1Pe 3:5 Holy women of long ago who had set their hopes in God beautified themselves with lives lived in deference to their own husbands’ authority.
This verse gives wives examples of women of old and how they navigated their marriage in a God-pleasing manner. These women first have set their hope in God. That means they made God their priority. The Bible tells us they lived in deference to their own husband’s authority.
Now deference means polite submission and respect, to their own husband. That means you have to respect your own husband and politely respect him in all things.
Verse 6
1Pe 3:6 For example, our “mother,” Sarah, devoted herself to her husband, Abraham, and even called him “master.” And you have become her daughters when you do what is right without fear and intimidation.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
This verse sets Sarah as our ‘mother’ and advises us to do the same if truly we want to be her daughters. We have to live our lives devoted to our husbands. That is when we have God’s blessings and He grants us favor and prospers the works of our hands.
We have to take responsibility and take up our cross and follow Jesus. Sarah was devoted to her husband and called him master. We should do the same and we will enjoy our married life and be fulfilled as a wife.
May God grant every wife strength to be the wife He has called us to be.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive strength to be who God has made me to be
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for a submissive heart
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read the bible passage in other translations
What do you think is the greatest gift of all? Your parents? Money? Education? Well, join us this morning as we seek to find out.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Love is the greatest commandment of all; God commands that we love him, then our neighbor as ourselves. In this order, Love God, yourself, and then your neighbor.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)
Why did I put you before your neighbor? That’s because the bible didn’t say love your neighbor above yourself. It says as you love yourself in that same way, love your neighbor.
So you see that it’s not the law of God to do to others what you cannot do to yourself.
If you decide to buy something for yourself, it means you can do the same for others, but if you can’t look in the mirror and say bad things to yourself, then you shouldn’t speak badly about others or abuse anyone.
Love for God is paramount because God is deserving of it. Look around you, look at the beautiful things he created for you and me, just for us to be comfortable on earth. Don’t you just love and appreciate him?
Even more, God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die for the sins of the whole world, so that we all can be reconciled to him. See what the bible says in John 3:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (KJV)
Little one, you see that God has set a standard for love, if you love, you give. Give in whatever capacity that you can, not necessarily monetarily, because you don’t have a source of livelihood.
You can give in service to your parents and friends, by helping out when necessary and praying for them all the time. By doing this, you will fill their hearts with so much joy and happiness.
Prayer: Father, help me to give my best at all times. Amen
Action Point: Keep giving.
Declaration: I put my neighbor before me at all times
Once upon a time, in the far far land of love city, the international association of fiancées and wives went to meet the king.
Their mission is to report the men folk for all their insensitivities and their logical ways of thinking which more than not has culminated into more confusion in relationships and marriage.
As they were going, the men folk heard about their plans. They quickly assembled themselves, ran after them and joined them in the ambitious journey.
There were arguments all through.
“You are so insensitive,” the women said.
“You are too serious for us, we want playmates.” The men replied.
“You never spend time with us, another lady bursted out, pointing particularly at her husband.”
“Where do we get the time to spend with you, when you keep asking for money everyday as we are the Central Bank? Won’t we go to work?” One newly married man said.
His wife, disappointed on hearing that retorted, “Ah you too, so you can talk? Was that what you promised me when you were begging and wooing me?”
“My fiancé called off our wedding plans three weeks to the wedding!” One young lady said.
“It is not only men that do that! One man said. Look at me, my wife-to-be left me for another man because I don’t have a car. But as I am looking at you, we can come together since we are victims of the same thing!” The man concluded, trying to seize the moment.
“I m sorry, you are not fine, you are not very tall, you have not even bought a car!” The lady replied.
“Is it wedding you want or car? I have three cars.” Another married man said.
His wife overheard him and shouted, “Ah, Mr Zerubbabel, touch any of my three cars and see if I would not tear you apart!”
The man felt embarrassed. But his friend replied the woman,
“But the cars were given to you as a gift by my friend, and technically, they are his cars!”
She does the hand sign, Dhooooor! Technically ko, Technology ni!”
“These women do not even respect us again,” one twenty-four year old guy said.
“Shut up there, you are not married, you are asking for respect.” His fiancee said.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will respect my partner at all times.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord Jesus, help me to respect my partner always
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Love and respect your partner.
We started this topic yesterday by looking at how Apostle Peter admonished all wives to be devoted to their husbands. He also encouraged wives to avoid nagging as it doesn’t work.
Let’s glean more wisdom from those verses.
Verse 2
1Pe 3:2 For when they observe your pure, godly life before God, it will impact them deeply.
Here, Peter talks about wives being concerned about what they do, rather than any other thing. Wives are to live holy, pure, and godly lives. No lies, deception, emotional affairs, etc.
Verse 3-4
1Pe 3:3 (3-4) Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
This deals with the issue of beauty and all that surrounds it. A woman’s life can be so engrossed in fashion and beauty. It could even be an obsession, with the so many beauty products available. The Bible tells wives that to be priceless before your husband and before God, you have to pay utmost attention to your heart (inward personality) of having a quiet and peaceable spirit. Sincerity and openness of heart are very good virtues.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive strength to be who God has made me to be
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for a submissive heart
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read the bible passage in other translations
What other benefits of gratitude do we have? Let us see more examples from the passage we read yesterday
Gratitude draws us closer to God
As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:12-16[MSG]
Mr. Bamidele has been ill for years. He was so ill that he spent all his life’s savings on his health. He moved from one health center to another, but all to no avail. It seemed as though the more he sought medical help, the worse his case became.
Luck however smiled on him one day, when he met a benefactor. This ‘good samaritan’ not only ensured he got to the best hospital in the world, he also paid for his hospital bills and other medical expenses.
When Mr. Bamidele got back to his feet, he got close to his benefactor, literarily serving him in the process. Who wouldn’t want to get closer to such a person?
Just like Mr. Bamidele, the leper who was healed naturally got close to Jesus.
One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:15-16
The leper couldn’t but imagine the magnitude of God’s kindness towards him. He had to go back to give him thanks.
Little children, let us learn to show gratitude everyday of our lives.
Prayer: Father, help me to show gratitude at all times. Amen
Action Point: Keep showing gratitude.
Declaration: I will not murmur. I will give thanks to God at all times.
A person who is emotionally unavailable would want to start a relationship in a rather too fast way.
Hours after meeting, he is already laying the sheets on the bed. Hours after meeting each other, she is already giving you body language that she is all for the take!
The guy feels lucky that he just met a sexually willing babe. Well, he just met a confused soul who wants to use him to deaden the pain in her heart.
A guy who is not really in love and has no emotional connection often times just wants the jeru trip. He is not emotionally available.
What you need to know is that for a relationship to work properly, there needs to be a development flow. But when you try to bypass the natural rhythm of intimacy, there will be relationship chaos!
An emotionally unavailable person wants the sexual phase of the relationship to happen quickly, but we all know that this is a phase that God wants to be reserved till the time of marriage.
I am going to stop here this morning, but before I go, a word for the married.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered. Kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals, kindly go HERE
In marriage, make sure nothing steals times of intimacy building between the two of you. Never allow any other person apart from your spouse into your emotional space!
Your emotional space is only for your spouse and any other person is an “alien” that will do damage to your heart. Block out every emotional opening and space to colleagues, boss, friends, and even your pastors! Let all the emotional space be taken by your spouse only!
That is how to be on safe ground!
May God grant more understanding in Jesus name!
I pray for all who might just be going through the process of emotional healing, I ask that God will touch your heart and grant you the grace to forgive and let go in Jesus name!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not be a wreck to my lover
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be emotionally stable
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 14:17(MSG) God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Heal from the past before moving to the next
What God Wants From All Wives. There comes a time when we need to tell ourselves the truth as read in the manufacturer’s manual, the Bible. The Bible is the only book that tells us the truth about any situation. Thank God the truth about everything is available in the Word.
There is a long portion of the Bible that is directed to wives. Let us take a close look at what the manual for marriage has to tell us. The Passion Translation puts it in ways we can read and understand, in contemporary English.
And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing. For when they observe your pure, godly life before God, it will impact them deeply. Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes. Holy women of long ago who had set their hopes in God beautified themselves with lives lived in deference to their own husbands’ authority. For example, our “mother,” Sarah, devoted herself to her husband, Abraham, and even called him “master.” And you have become her daughters when you do what is right without fear and intimidation. – 1Pe 3:1-6 (TPT)
This scripture addresses issues in marriage, and it is addressed to the wives. We will address the issues directed to the husbands tomorrow by the Grace of God.
Verse 1
1Pe 3:1 (TPT) And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing.
This verse deals with issues of husbands that are not sensitive or caring to their wives. It advises wives to be devoted to their husbands and have kind conduct which will eventually melt their husband’s heart to them. This will happen without them nagging their husband.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
So nagging does not work. Replace it with being devoted to your own husband. Being devoted simply means being very loving and loyal, spirit, soul, and body. So, wives, God expects you to be loyal and loving to your spouse.
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I receive strength to be who God has made me to be
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for a submissive heart
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read the bible passage in other translations
There are benefits of gratitude. The dictionary defines gratitude as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
The last time your classmate showed you art of kindness, did you return it?
Why do we need to show gratitude?
Gratitude brings healing.
As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. Luke 17:12-15 [MSG]
Now see what happened a few verses down the line.
One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough — and he was a Samaritan. – Luke 17:15-16
Are you following? Did you see what I saw?
Now, let’s listen to the conclusion of the whole matter from Jesus mouth.
Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.” – Luke 17:17-19
Notice the difference. Nine lepers were cleansed but only one got healed.
Will you still be filled with complaints or will you be full of gratitude?
The ball is in your court.
Prayer: Father, help me to show gratitude at all times. Amen
Action Point: Keep showing gratitude.
Declaration: I will not murmur. I will give thanks to God at all times
Emotional availability is necessary for a good relationship or courtship to lead to marriage and also for a good marriage to work out.
However, there are a lot of ladies and young men who are emotionally unavailable and yet are praying desperately to get married. It is not going to work like that.
It is like somebody praying to graduate without going to school. That would never happen without the first.
You can be emotionally available without messing up. You can be emotionally available without being taken for granted and desecrated by sexual opportunists.
Emotional availability is necessary for a healthy relationship that will lead to marriage.
One of the greatest love mishaps is to fall in love with an emotionally unavailable person. It is an affliction of the soul and it is a waste of time.
How do you spot a person that is not available emotionally?
1. He is cooling off
His hands have just been burnt in a past relationship. His heart has just been broken in a former relationship where he or she has given all his heart but is heavily disappointed.
That person is simply emotionally unavailable.
His love or her love is ambidextrously intertwined with the old and the potential new.
It is like drinking a melange of old and new wine. The alcoholic consequence will culminate in a collateral damage.
The emotions are confused and he or she is still smarting from the love that went sour. The taste is still left in his mouth and taste buds are numb from experiencing the new.
In his or her subconscious, there is still a wish that the old should have worked out. He or she is still missing out on something or he thinks something is still missing.
It even gets worse if they had been sexually involved, and the illegal cementing of the souls complicate issues.
The way out is always never to jump into a new relationship as a way to numb his pain.
A person who just broke up and is still hurt still has his or her emotions in a confused state and such a person is simply not available to begin a new relationship.
I always advocate that a minimum of six months should be given before you move into another relationship.
This will enable a proper emotional severing and disconnection, a time of healing and cleansing of the soul and preparing the soul for the new.
God is always a good God.
When a relationship breaks up or doesn’t work out, God will always give a new direction but it is not something you should rush into!
So before you fall in love and allow unnecessary butterflies to start to flap their wings, are you emotionally available?
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will not be a wreck to my lover
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be emotionally stable
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 14:17(MSG) God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Heal from the past before moving to the next
This is one of the questions people ask in our couples’ meeting. They want to know how to handle a spouse that you seem to be doing everything possible yet they seem not to be responding to your efforts.
They often leave their spouses frustrated and sometimes some of them think of a separation or divorce.
Your spouse could be difficult in so many ways. Couples have very different personalities. We are born to different cultures, we have different ways of viewing situations and interpreting them, in short, we have different ways and methods of doing everything. Including how we eat, talk, dress,
All these could and much more could lead to one spouse frustrating the other.
I know it’s difficult when your spouse is frustrating you. You have to develop staying power and not give up on your spouse. If the tables were turned around and you are the one that has issues, you will want your spouse not to give up on you.
Here are a few hints that will help
1. Pray
When you have a spouse that is difficult you have to pray because only God can change a person. It takes God to step in and visit the heart and make it right again. Most issues we face in marriage are as a result of habits we develop a long time ago. Some of these issues also have a spiritual root. When we pray we are taking the matter to the creator who can create a permanent change. We pray what we want to see, we don’t pray about the problem. We pray scriptures as the Holy Spirit gives us utterance.
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. – Mar 9:23
2. Patience
You have to know that the problems will not be solved in a day. There are a lot of things that will be unlearnt in the process and it takes time. God is working behind the scenes and He doesn’t do magic, He works by His principles. You have to give your spouse time to change and expect the change too soon. He or she will change eventually if you don’t give up too soon. Keep trusting God and you will see your heart’s desires.
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. – Rom 8:25
3. Do your part
You have to keep doing your own part of the marriage while you expect your spouse to change for the better. You don’t stop your part of the covenant. The covenant has to be serviced so that God can honor the marriage.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing – 1Pe 3:1
4. Get a counselor
When a crisis arise, you have to seek help in the right place, from the right people, and at the right time. It is not the issue that is a deal it is who you talk to when things are not so good.
Some people will have talked to everybody except the person anointed to help them. God anoints people to help us solve problems. Don’t talk to your parents, friends, a colleague at work, people in the church, your family, your spouse’s family, lawyer, etc.
Talk to a good counselor preferably a pastor. Let him put the issues together by God’s Grace and anointing on his life. He will not always tell you what you want to hear but he will put the situations together.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out – Pro 20:5
May God grant us Grace and give us strength in difficult times.
God bless our marriages.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will cooperate with my spouse
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Pray for your spouse
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief – we’re not oblivious to his sly ways! (2Co 2:11 MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Read the devotional meditatively
How do you face rejection, especially when it is coming from a loved one? Let’s look at the story of Tosin.
‘Don’t sit there!’ a harsh voice said behind Tosin as she was about to sit on the chair. It was Mariam, a year older than her and the leader of the popular girls at the tutorial center.
‘Why?’ Tosin asked, masking the feeling of rejection inside her with a pleasant smile, as she turned towards the approaching Mariam.
‘Because you’re not in our group’ Mariam replied, swiping Tosin from head to toes with her eyes. Her little entourage at her heels did the same to Tosin, giving cruel smiles and chuckles as they passed her and took the row of seats.
Tosin managed to find a seat somewhere but held her head high as she did so.
Rejection is hard on children because it screams out to them you are not wanted, needed, beautiful, important, or worthy of love.
Psalm 27:10 ‘Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me’. (NIV)
God doesn’t love us because of who we are, what we have, where we live, our parents, or for any other reason. He loves us just the way we are.
The bible says He first loved us. He loves us so much he made the earth for us, gave us air to breathe, the sun to shine and so much more the earth contains.
And He will never reject us. He promised to always love us. Even if others reject us, he won’t.
So children, know that God loves you. Even if the world rejects you for any reason, God will never do so.
As you go about your daily activities, thank the Lord for his unconditional love towards you.
It is good to follow the peace of God in your heart and not just your flesh.
It is good to stay in joy in the Holy Ghost; which is expressed always with your shout, dance, laughter, and singing.
This is how you get into the kingdom. This is how you get a spouse in the kingdom.
It is not just in spending unnecessary money all over the place. It is not just in making a decision because you saw the hips.
This thing goes beyond the pulchritude. It extends beyond the externals. It is not in partying all over the place, it is never in meat and drinks.
The believer that will get anywhere in God must be disciplined. Fast at least once a week. Leave the meat and the drinks alone.
How do you tell me you are a child God and you do all the alcohol, you smoke, party, and you do all that the unbeliever do? Something is not quite right there!
You may succeed in hiding the masturbation, pornography, and all the secret sins from your pastor, but those sins are so loud in heaven! And that is where your blessings come from, not from your pastor.
Do you want to please your pastor while you don’t care what God thinks? That is dangerous!
Fear God o!
Your thoughts are louder in heaven than your voice on earth! The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
The hips, the lips, and the trips are really important but never concentrate on that alone at the expense of God. When you leave God out, you are inviting crisis and storms.
You can live right with the help of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to help you!
Then, take decisions. You cannot be asking the Holy Spirit to help you from sexual sin and then on Friday, you pack your load to go and spend the weekend in his place! That is mocking God and His word! And it is not a good place to be.
Your prayers must be backed up by tough decisions. Tough decisions about your destiny!
Some numbers must be deleted. Some associations must be severed.
You keep saying she is the one seducing you and yet you keep visiting her every night. No, you are the seducer o!
You have been in several relationships. All of them were sexual. All of them broke up. The pattern is clear enough! Stop ignoring the obvious and take charge of your destiny.
It is not only sex that can lead to breakups. There are relationships that were non-sexual and yet broke up!
It could be you rushed into it, it could be your attitudes, it could be anger problem, and it could just be that is not God’s best for you.
There are good men that could be wrong men for you. There could be a good lady, and yet she is the wrong one for you.
The baseline is to get close to God. The Holy Spirit will lead you through His peace in your heart.
Leave the meat, drink, fun, and all of that for a while and concentrate on the threefold cord that runs through the kingdom of God.
May God give you more understanding in Jesus name!
We break the power of iniquity in your life in the name of Jesus. I release God’s peace, shalom, nothing missing, nothing broken, to surround you in Jesus name!
I pray that the joy of the Lord is yours today and forevermore!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I refuse to mock God in any way
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to live with your fear in mind
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Rom 14:17(MSG) God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
Ever since the fall of man from grace and God’s Glory, man has been involved with one form of struggle or another. Especially in marriage, man has lived to deal with numerous challenges. Most of these challenges and struggles have left our marriages less than the original intention in God’s heart for marriage.
The picture in God’s heart for every marriage is for both man and woman to live like the trinity, like the Godhead, in perfect unity.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. – Gen 1:27 (KJV)
The concept of unity is the original intention of God in marriage. Where this picture or intention is not known, struggles and disunity will be experienced.
Most of us struggle in our marriage and experience heartaches. Spouse cheating, adulterous affairs, spouse not being open, hiding from each other, cold, financially unfaithful, unfriendly, egoistic, dead spiritually, not meeting each other’s needs, lack of intimacy, lack of love and respect, emotional adultery, and so on.
Did you miss out on yesterday’s devotional, we’ve got you covered kindly go HERE. For KHC video Devotionals kindly go HERE
Not having the original picture that God had in His heart is what brings about all these struggles in marriage.
To put an end to all struggles in marriage, we need to engage the help of the Holy Spirit in helping us see the right picture as was in God’s heart in the beginning. We have to go back to the original intent in the heart of the Father.
Yes, every other thing we try to do will make meaning only after we have a revelation of the Oneness concept.
A blissful marriage is possible. Not that you will not have your differences or different opinions, you will still have because you are different and differently made to fulfill and occupy different roles.
The only way to enjoy peace and harmony is to get back to God’s original intention and God will help us all in Jesus mighty name.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage will not be an adage.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Oh Lord, restore my marriage to the original mandate.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Gen 1:28 {MSG}God blessed them: Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Go back and study God’s plan for your marriage.
