One of the most underrated relationship skills is teachability. Not everyone is willing to learn, adjust, apologise, or grow—and that’s where many relationships quietly break long before the loud issues show up.
Singles, the person who is “always right” will eventually make you always wrong. He/she will make your voice disappear: you won’t be heard if you go on with the marriage.
Please pay attention to how someone responds to correction. Do they withdraw? Attack? Deflect? Mock? Or do they reflect?
A teachable partner is a gift; don’t underestimate it.
And you who are looking for a teachable partner, are you also teachable? Do you really listen? Think about this.
Married couples, teachability is how relationships stay alive. You’re not the same person you were last year. Life changes, seasons shift, and your partner’s needs evolve. What worked five years ago may not work now, and that’s okay.
The danger begins when we insist on love adjusting to us but refuse to adjust to love.
Obedience is one of the purest proofs of love for God. It’s not about following rules for fear of punishment, but about trusting that His instructions lead to life. In Deuteronomy 28:1–2, God promises that if we diligently obey His commands, “all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you.”
Every blessing in Scripture is connected to obedience. Abraham obeyed God even when the instruction made no sense, and his obedience made him the father of nations. Noah built the ark when there was no sign of rain. Mary said yes to an impossible calling. Each act of obedience opened doors no human effort could achieve.
John 14:23 records Jesus’ words: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” True obedience flows from love, not obligation. When you truly love God, you trust Him enough to follow even when you don’t understand.
James 1:22 warns, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Hearing without action limits your growth. Obedience requires surrender, letting go of your will to embrace Him.
When God gives an instruction, it’s not to burden you but to bless you. Every “yes” you give in faith draws you closer to divine favor, provision, and peace. The secret to living under an open heaven is simple: trust and obey.
Are you a minister, pastor, church worker, or leader, and do you live in Ibadan? You are cordially invited to “Equip” a Minister’s Conference with Rev Femi Oduwole and Rev Gbeminiyi Eboda as part of our 9th anniversary convention.
Rev Dunamis and Sophia Okunowo will also be hosting us. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Kindly register HERE
Don’t miss it. Spread the word!
Relationships demand more than fleeting emotion. They require something deeper, sturdier, and often uncomfortable, which is tolerance. It’s not flashy, and it rarely gets applauded. Yet, the quiet strength keeps relationships from crumbling under the weight of human imperfection.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV),
That phrase, “bearing with one another,” holds within it the heart of tolerance. It doesn’t mean putting up with abuse or neglect. It means making room for the rough edges of another soul, edges God might still be shaping.
For the married, this is often tested in the daily rhythm of life. How your spouse leaves the kitchen after cooking, how they process stress, or even how they express affection may not align with your preferences. But tolerance says, “I choose grace. I choose to love you as you are today, not just as I hope you’ll be tomorrow.”
Singles aren’t exempt from this refining process. Whether it’s in friendships, dating, or family dynamics, there’s always an invitation to practice humility and gentleness. Culture often encourages quick exits when discomfort arises, but Scripture calls us to lean in instead.
“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”Colossians 3:13 (ESV)
The root of tolerance is love laced with patience. It is recognizing that others are works in progress, just like you. It’s resisting the urge to reshape people into our image and allowing God to do His work in His time.
There is also the other side: allowing others to tolerate us. That means being aware of our own weaknesses and accepting grace when it’s given. That’s humbling. But it levels the ground in any relationship, keeping pride in check.
For the single person waiting for marriage, or the married person weathering seasons of frustration, here’s a truth worth holding onto: Tolerance isn’t settling, it’s sowing. You are planting seeds of mercy, humility, and steadfastness that mirror the very nature of Christ. It won’t always feel rewarding in the moment, but it will shape your heart and your relationships into something deeply resilient.
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.
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.
