Daniel was a young man in a foreign place. Everything around him had changed—his name, his language, his environment. The safety net of his home, culture, and spiritual community was gone. No one was there to check on him. If he wanted, he could have blended in and lived like everyone else. No one would know. But he knew who he was. That was the difference.
Daniel 1:8 – “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself…”
Daniel chose discipline. Not because it was easy. Not because someone was standing over him. But because deep down, he had already made up his mind about the kind of person he wanted to be. He knew his identity in Christ.
That’s the heart of self-discipline. It is not about “trying to be a good Christian.” It is the practical proof of who you believe you are, even when no one is watching. No partner to see if you prayed today. No one to notice whether you’re slipping spiritually. It is just you, your choices, and God. And honestly, that can feel like a lot, not because you do not love God, but because consistency is hard when no one is around to hold you accountable.
But this is the point where real growth happens. When you can:
– Set boundaries without needing applause.
– Guard your emotional space even when loneliness shows up.
– Stay sexually pure, not because you’re scared, but because you respect who you’re becoming.
– Manage your time like it matters, because your purpose actually does.
That kind of discipline? It builds a spiritual backbone.
Daniel didn’t wait until he had power or influence to start being disciplined. He started when no one knew his name. As singles, this season is not just about “surviving until someone shows up.” It is a season for building habits, mindset, and structure that will carry into every future season.
If you only live well when someone is watching, then you are not really rooted. But when you can lead yourself without pressure, that is maturity. That is spiritual strength.
And honestly, that is what makes you ready, not just for a relationship, but for the bigger responsibilities and challenges ahead.
It’s the beginning of a new year. As usual, energies are high, and spirits are pumped up. Resolutions are made occasionally, with everyone hoping to do better. I’m excited too, but I also know that, like every other year, it’s only a matter of weeks and everybody will return to square 1. Well, not everybody. A few will truly become better and end up having a better year. But the majority? Ehm, I didn’t say anything.
Yesterday, we mentioned that consistency is an important area to grow in. If you don’t grow in consistency you will be among the majority that will drop out before the end of the 1st quarter. I know you don’t really want that. So I will be sharing with you some ways you can remain consistent through the year. Let’s go!
The first is: beyond setting resolutions, set executions. What do I mean by this? Instead of setting resolutions—saying things like I’ll do better in my marriage this year, I’ll grow in my career this year, I’ll read more books this year, etc.—make them executions—specific things you will start doing like I will take my family out every 3rd Saturday of every month, I’ll take so so course by so so time, I’ll read one book every month, etc. What this does is to set your body for action.
Secondly, set structures to ensure you fulfill your executions. Don’t just end at listing them out, set structures that will ensure you do them. It may be as simple as setting a reminder for the beginning of every third week that will remind you of your family outing or as complex as actually looking for the courses you wish to take and registering for them, even if it’s making a commitment payment. How do you seek to ensure you read a book every month? Maybe you can set a particular time for your reading daily. Maybe you can tie it to a habit you already have. Just think, and set structures that will make you do what you have said you will do.
Finally, I would say be accountable. Accountability is one way to ensure you do what you want to do. Sometimes, for some people, desiring to do something doesn’t mean they will end up doing it. So, find someone who can hold you accountable for your executions. Someone who will keep asking you, “How far?” Accountability can even be as simple as voicing out what you want to do to people. Merely saying it to the hearing of others will help make you committed to it. Tell your family members you will be taking them out every third Saturday, and your children will hold you accountable. Hahahaha.
Happy New Year to everyone at Kisses and Huggs Club! This year has been declared our year of supernatural growth, and with this declaration comes the promise of remarkable progress in every area of our lives.
Growth is a natural progression in life. When a single man gets married, it signifies maturity, as marriage is not for the immature. Like we say, ‘marriage is not for boys’. Similarly, when a married woman gives birth, it marks a new level of growth within the family. This year, I encourage you to embrace the promise of supernatural growth and pray for its manifestation in every aspect of your life.
One specific area where I urge you to grow this year is your consistency. Studies have shown that consistency is the key to achieving anything worthwhile. This is not the year to repeat the same patterns and routines of the past. A great scholar once said ‘Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly, but expecting different results.’ You must do things differently if you want a different result this year. This is a year to step into greater maturity and achieve remarkable outcomes through unwavering commitment.
Let’s draw wisdom from the Scriptures:
Luke 18:7 (AMP) And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf?
Here, we see the importance of persistent and consistent prayer. God is moved by those who seek Him consistently—day and night—not by those who come to Him sporadically or half-heartedly.
Consider your own prayer life. Are you consistent in seeking God, or do you waver? This year, resolve to pursue Him with steadfast devotion. For instance, as you participate in the GPPS (Global Prayers and Praise Storm) challenge, don’t be haphazard about it. Don’t settle for three days in a week and expect the same results as someone who goes all the way.
My questions to you this morning:
Have you ever been wronged or felt like life has treated you unfairly?
Do you long for God’s justice to intervene in your circumstances?
Are you feeling helpless and in need of the Great Defender to fight on your behalf?
If so, the answer lies in your consistency. Cry out to God both day and night.
Matthew 7:7: (AMP) “Ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Notice the recurring theme: persistence. Don’t ask during the day and fall silent at night. Seek Him continuously, knowing that His justice is promised to those who diligently pursue Him.
This year, my desire is that you grow by developing a deeper and more consistent relationship with God. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. This unwavering commitment is the key to unlocking His justice and experiencing supernatural growth in your life.
Top 56 Valuable Lessons from the 56-Year Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer
Joyce and Dave Meyer have been married for over 56 years. In their Video, Talk It Out, they share candidly about the highs and lows of their journey together. Joyce notes early on in their 5-date courtship, they didn’t truly know each other. Yet through divine intervention, they found themselves bonded for life.
Based on this conversation with celebrated life coach and bestselling author Joyce Meyer and her husband Dave, here are some invaluable insights on how to build a strong, God-honoring marriage.
1. Joyce and Dave Meyer discuss the ups and downs of their early marriage and how their thinking has changed over the years.
2. Dave knew marriage was forever so he never thought about changing Joyce or leaving if things didn’t improve.
3. They had to learn about each other through experiences and God helped Dave deal with difficult situations. Over decades, Joyce and Dave Meyer learned to accept each other fully as God designed.
4. Dave applies relevant scriptures like Ephesians 5:28 to situations rather than dwelling on problems.
5. Joyce explains she came from a difficult childhood which manifested in erratic, emotionally volatile behaviors in their first years of marriage. She recalls giving Dave the silent treatment for weeks at a time when upset.
6. Dave remained steadfast, understanding where Joyce’s hurt originated while navigating ups and downs to learn about her. He displayed remarkable strength and commitment to their vows.
Common Mistakes in Marriage.
7. Trying to change your spouse instead of letting them be who they are. Realizing their unique qualities complement one another affirms God’s plan for oneness in marriage.
8. Joyce acknowledges trying to change Dave was misguided since transformation must come from within.
9. From the start, Dave viewed marriage as permanent, avoiding the “threat” mindset some have of changing or divorcing a spouse.
10. Focusing on what’s wrong with your spouse instead of what’s right is a common mistake.
11. Thinking you have to be happy for your spouse to be happy instead of each being responsible for their own happiness.
Handling Differences of Opinion.
12. It’s normal to have different opinions and likes in a marriage.
13. Compromise by allowing each person to decorate their own space.
14. It’s okay to disagree as long as you don’t think your spouse is wrong for having a different view.
15. Joyce recommends couples make a side-by-side list of each other’s positive and negative traits. For her and Dave, the good vastly outweighed the bad. By shifting mental focus to a spouse’s virtues, small flaws seem insignificant.
Dealing with Financial Disagreements.
16. Joyce and Dave Meyer advised that you talk through finances and goals before marriage to avoid surprises.
17. Needs can change over time so revisit financial agreements.
18. Understand each other’s perspectives and fears around money.
Dave’s Experience with Saving Money as a Youth.
19. Dave shares how he learned the value of saving money from a young age. He explains how at 16 years old, he saved one thousand dollars cutting grass and selling items to buy his first car.
20. Dave emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spending money on important goals.
Accepting Each Other as God Made Us.
21. Joyce and Dave Meyer are different. Dave is more logical while Joyce processes things verbally.
22. One frequent source of disagreement between spouses is having differing communication styles.
23. Joyce mentioned how she likes to verbally process situations by talking through all the angles, while Dave prefers a more direct, logical approach. It’s not that either way is wrong, but recognizing these distinctions is important. They’ve realized God made them this way and focusing on each other’s strengths has helped.
24. When Joyce was unhappy, Dave modeled finding joy regardless through stable faith.
25. As Christians, we are not to let others dictate our moods but lead by example. Joyce was inspired to mirror Dave’s contentment.
26. Misunderstandings often arise when partners don’t understand each other’s methods of thinking and reasoning through problems.
27. Surrender fully to God’s design for oneness. Appreciate differences as completing each other.
28. Apply biblical solutions in tough times, not human reasoning. Prioritize your spouse’s well-being through humility, patience, and consistent prayer.
We will continue with Part 2 of Top 56 Valuable Lessons from the 56-Year Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer tomorrow.
