I remember many years ago, as a young Christian, I was praying and trusting God for some things. God answered me very clearly and told me to forgive so and so.
Now, these people really hurt me, and I felt justified walking in an unforgiving spirit. But then God gave me two scriptures and said if I want to move forward in life, I have to forgive.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” – (Romans 12:19 ESV)
The second scripture God gave me was:
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices – (2 Corinthians 2:10-11 KJV)
I had to listen to God and it was only then I was able to move forward.
From the above scriptures, a few things are clear.
1. People will hurt you, as long as you are human and you are in the days of your flesh.
2. You will like to get even, born again or not.
3. Don’t get even; don’t avenge yourself.
4. God will avenge you, He will fight for you and that is when it is sweetest.
5. If you stay in unforgiving mode, Satan will use it as a loophole to cause havoc.
6. You are not to be ignorant of how the devil operates.
A third scripture I will like you to see is here:
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses – (Matthew 6:14-15 KJV)
Now, you don’t want to find yourself here. You don’t want to find yourself in a place where God will not forgive you.
And yet, the only way not to get there is to forgive people easily!
To be continued…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I choose to forgive all who have hurt me
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask for the grace to forgive all who have hurt you
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 ESV)
We must accept the uniqueness of our spouse and that of our marriage. No two marriages are the same and no two spouses are the same. There are no two people who have gone through the same things, in the same way, the same measure, and come out the same way.
Apply the principle of Jesus and His word to the uniqueness of your marriage.
In counseling, glean the principles and apply it to your situation putting in mind the uniqueness of your spouse.
Every walk with God is a personal journey, so know God for yourself. Also, note that what worked for spouse A may not work for spouse B.
Don’t compare your marriage or spouse to another spouse. Only fools compare rather than accept the uniqueness of their marriage
8. Love
Love is the conclusion of the law. The whole subject of marriage is about love. If you don’t love your spouse, then why get married to them?
1 Cor 13 sums up what love is. Check your life and daily see how much you are walking in love with your spouse.
Marriage is about those who can love as Christ loves the church, giving Himself for it.
You cannot love and cheat on your spouse. You cannot love your spouse and not take care of Him/her.
May God grant us more understanding.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage will be glorious.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to forgive my spouse, no matter how difficult it may appear.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
We have been looking at the topic “Tips To Having A Graceful Marriage” for two days now and we will continue today.
God wants our marriages to be graceful. He wants us as husband and wife to glide on the wings of Grace.
There is an unforced rhythm of grace that belongs to every couple if we learn to watch Jesus, learn how he behaves and follow after Him.
The marital life is lived just by following the outline in His word.
The principle is ‘whatever He tells you to do, do it’ John 2:5
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matt 11:29-30 (MSG)
God wants us to walk with Him and work with Him. He wants us to keep company with Him and not be distracted in any way. As we do this, our marriages begin to enjoy the unforced rhythms of Grace.
We begin to glide and we find our relationship sweeter than ever.
It is in marriage that we get hurt the most. We don’t get as hurt with our colleagues at work, and our friends don’t hurt us as deeply as our spouse.
Because we live together and are committed to each other, our spouse hurt us so deeply. The issue is while we are trying to understand each other and minimize the hurt, we must forgive.
It is a must in marriage. We must come to a point where we practice advance forgiveness.
Settle it in your heart that there is nothing my spouse can ever do that will be difficult for me to forgive.
Most of us hold on to the error of our spouse. We must learn to forgive quickly and move on.
When we refuse to forgive, it is like a breach in the spirit. With unforgiveness in our marriage, we open the door for the devil to afflict us.
May the devil not have access to our homes in Jesus’ name.
To be continued tomorrow.
God bless our marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My marriage will be glorious.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to forgive my spouse, no matter how difficult it may appear.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
1. Accept your spouse and never attempt to change him/her.
If one has to be happy, one must make up one’s mind, that no matter what, I must keep my joy in place.
Some marriages are very problematic and require extra effort to stay happy.
All in all, every marriage has its own peculiar problem and each one has to do certain things just to stay and remain happy.
2. Be contented with whatever you have per time
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:6 KJV
Bible says there is great gain in being content, with being godly. Why? Because with your godliness, your situation will eventually change for the better.
You may start out with your spouse from not enough, not being able to afford the basic necessities of life, just hold on to the Lord. Most of the great men of God you see today had stories of humble beginnings.
Be content with your husband or wife’s temperament. Know that her weaknesses are good for you because the other temperament you admire so much, also has a weakness you will never be able to cope with.
3. Find a reason to laugh every day
No matter what life throws at you, laugh. I know it is easier said than done. Life has to be approached by doing what has to be done no matter whether it is convenient or not.
A good hearty laugh is a healthy medicine.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Pro 17:22 KJV
4. Be grateful and thankful that you have a family
One of the things that keep anyone happy is having a grateful attitude.
The truth of the matter is that you will have more things to thank God for than you can ever imagine. Take time out to be thankful for yourself, your spouse, and all the so-called ‘little victories’ you have.
Be grateful for each day. The gift of life, for the air you breadth and all the things we so take for granted.
5. Forgive your spouse easily
Not forgiving is like drinking poison and expecting the other person that offended you to die. This will never happen. The effect of the poison will always be on the one who drank the poison,
Learn to forgive easily and quickly. Not forgive and then hold your spouse in strife and malice and don’t talk to your spouse again.
Marriage is for two great forgivers. When you forgive you are lighter in your spirit and happier because you can have a free flow of the spirit and then you enjoy the joy of salvation.
Wisdom, understanding, and peace can also access your spirit when you are void of unforgiveness.
Do these five things and you will see that you are a more happy person. Not that your situation will change immediately, but you will have peace with yourself.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am a happy person and am full of life
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to embrace those things that make me truly happy.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Pro 17:22 KJV A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Do these things and watch your marriage transform
Twenty Two Things We’ve Learnt In Twenty Two Years
Today is our wedding anniversary! It has been God o! Literarily.
And the way the years moved so fast? Like it has been twenty two years! Twenty two long years!
Even though, it kind of looked so fast, I can assure you it has been a long marital road. However, I can also tell you this of which I am sure of, the long road of our marital journey is laced with mercy!
GOD’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
Lam 3:22 (MSG)
We travelled on mercy. We had junctions of His favour! We had stops where angels ministered to us. To God be the praise!
Here are a few things things I have learnt that may help you in your marriage
1. Pray a lot as married couples. Do everything in prayer. The battle is intense, but God has all the power.
2. Stay close to each other. Do not allow a third party to break your bond.
3. Get a marriage mentor that you can speak to from time to time. Very important.
4. Be open and honest with each other. Avoid unnecessary secrecy.
5. Be faithful to each other. Avoid emotional affairs. Do not starve your spouse emotionally.
6. Be quick forgivers. Forgive quickly and avoid strife like a plague
7. Be friends. Laugh a lot. Play with each other. You need that to live long
8. Do not allow anything to steal your joy. Keep your joy intact.
9. Do not deprive each other sexually. Satisfy each other and never refuse yourselves. Sex is never a tool of punishment or a reward system. It is simply an obligation
10. Decide to be sacrificial. Live to please each other. That is what marriage is all about.
11. Never stop communication. Do not give each other silent treatment. Crack jokes a lot and play together
12. Give a lot. Work hard and trust God for His favour upon the works of your hands.
To be continued tomorrow.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I celebrate my spouse today and always
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Oh Lord, increase my passion for my lover.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;