Embarking on a journey of self-love and enthusiasm for your life might seem like a mere suggestion, but in reality, it is a vital instruction.
Discovering the Wonder Called You
In the hustle of life, it’s common to find joy in the accomplishments, talents, beauty, and intelligence of others. However, the time has come to redirect that excitement towards the marvel that is YOU.
Celebrate the Unique You
Take a moment to gaze into the mirror and celebrate the person staring back at you. Often, we neglect to appreciate ourselves amid the busyness of life, failing to recognize our own uniqueness.
Embracing Life’s Phases
Life unfolds in phases, and each passing moment is irreplaceable. Acknowledge the phase you’re in; it’s a cause for celebration. Capture these moments, pause, and revel in the significance of being the central character of your own story.
Today, a Gift; Tomorrow, a Promise
Acknowledge that your best days are not confined to the past; your best moment is now. While tomorrow remains a promise, today is a gift. Embrace it, for yesterday’s night has passed, and you stand resilient in the present.
Psalm 139:14 – Acknowledging the Marvel of Your Existence
Reflect on Psalm 139:14 (AMP), confess and praise for the fearful and wonderful creation that is you.
Building a Positive Aura
Cultivating a positive environment around you is essential. This not only affects your perception but also makes you appealing to others.
Break free from the shackles of seeking external approval. Living excitedly about your life liberates you from being dependent on others’ opinions. Your joy is not dictated by external validations.
Becoming Your Best Company
Learn to relish your own company. Dance, laugh, and celebrate alone. Being comfortable in your solitude is a powerful reflection of self-love
Self-Recognition: Knowing the Person Under Your Skin
Delve into self-discovery. Can you recognize yourself if placed in another body? Understanding your greatness, beauty, talents, and intelligence is paramount.
Five Paths to Celebrating Yourself
1. Gratitude as a Catalyst
Cultivate a thankful heart; gratitude breeds excitement.
2. Authenticity over Pretense
Live authentically, seeking help when needed. Avoid the trap of a double life.
3. Continuous Learning
Embrace a mindset of constant learning, making informed choices for a better life.
4. Excitement in Knowing God
Discover joy in knowing the creator of your life; a connection with God fuels excitement.
5. Daily Commitment to Better Choices
Your choices define your life. Commit to making positive choices daily, from thoughts to actions.
Even in the face of mistakes or setbacks, refrain from self-condemnation. Instead, use these moments as opportunities for growth, ensuring a continuous journey of excitement about your life. Good morning!
Let’s face it, the pressures of life can strip away the joy and laughter from our marriages. When couples succumb to life’s demands, their relationship can transform into a mere cohabitation, lacking the vitality of shared laughter and joy.
Important conversations become the only discourse, leaving no room for lighthearted moments. Tension looms, and the marriage becomes a tedious routine.
The impact of allowing life’s pressures to take a toll on marriages is profound. Unaddressed pressures can lead to a cascade of issues, from anger and harsh words to late nights, seeking solace in ungodly friendships, and even the risk of emotional entanglements with the opposite sex.
Amidst life’s pressures, couples must learn to lean on each other for spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial support. It’s a time for mutual support and encouragement, where kind words, appreciation, and affirmation play a crucial role. This is also the time when intimacy becomes not just a desire but a need—a means of ministering to each other.
During challenges, laughter becomes a powerful tool. It is therapeutic and healing, adding value to the relationship without costing a dime.
Couples can creatively infuse laughter into their homes, finding joy amid adversity.
Psalm 2:4 reminds us that “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.”
Learning to laugh in challenging times invites God’s power into the situation. Laughter becomes a declaration of trust in God’s ability to change circumstances. It shifts the focus from the present situation to the belief in God’s capacity to turn things around.
In those moments, couples find the strength to trust in God’s mercy, restoring their fellowship with the divine. Laughter becomes a conduit for grace, allowing couples to draw strength from the throne of grace. Through laughter, couples can rediscover God as their Shepherd, leading them beside still waters and restoring their souls.
May you find refreshing laughter in your marriage during times of pressure, trusting in the Lord’s ability to bring joy and resilience.
At a recent marital gathering, a common question surfaced: Is it acceptable for married couples to indulge in pornography? My unequivocal response was a resounding No!
1. The Spiritual Dimension of Pornography
James 1:14-15 cautions against being carried away by one’s lust, leading to sin and eventual death.
“Pastor, why would you say so? At least, we are married, and we can do anything in the sanctity of our marriage!”
James 1:14-15But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
There’s an unseen force behind pornography—the strongman of perversion.
Engaging with it, whether single or married, invites negative spiritual influence. Transference of spirits can occur, impacting your home and family negatively.
Reject the subtle attempts of the devil to infiltrate your sacred space through disguised pornography.
2. The Gripping Pull of Addiction
Beyond dirtying your heart with explicit content, pornography exerts a formidable pull on your emotions. Addiction becomes a real danger, with the allure of more extreme forms of perversion.
The initial satisfaction from regular pornography may wane, leading to the exploration of increasingly disturbing territories. This journey not only jeopardizes your sexual life but also poses a significant threat to your marriage and spiritual well-being.
3. Unfair Comparisons within Marriage
One often overlooked consequence is the undue pressure placed on a spouse to match the performances witnessed in pornography. Ignorantly demanding such acts can violate your partner’s conscience and erode the sanctity of your relationship.
It’s essential to realize that the scenes depicted are often fueled by drugs, numbing the actors’ humanity.
Requesting your spouse to replicate these acts can lead to strained intimacy, potential infidelity, and a breach of trust.
In conclusion, the pitfalls of introducing pornography into a marriage are numerous and profound.
Later, we’ll delve into strategies to break free from its grips and restore the sanctity of marital relationships.
Stay tuned for practical insights on reclaiming a life free from the clutches of pornography. Until then, remain blessed!
God has given us. Word for this year. Borderless opportunities!
“Borderless” refers to the absence of borders or boundaries. It suggests an environment or situation without limits, restrictions, or defined edges.
Its synonyms include Boundless, Unlimited, Unrestricted, Infinite, Limitless,and so on.
“Opportunities” refer to favorable circumstances, situations, or chances that arise, providing a possibility for advancement, benefit, or success.
The scripture is replete with several people who had boundless opportunities. Examples are David, Joseph, and Daniel!
In 2024, be sensitive! Don’t allow the devil to attack your opportunities.
How does the devil attack opportunities?
These are a few ways:
1. Opportunities may elude one’s perception,
2. Opportunities can be pilfered away,
3. Opportunities are susceptible to squandering.
4. They may be concealed,
5. They may be disregarded.
6. Opportunities can suffer scarcity,
7. Opportunities may prove elusive.
How Do You Seize Opportunities This Year?
1. Cultivate a Prayerful Spirit
2. Commit to Fasting
3. Immerse Yourself in the Word
4. Shun Iniquity
5. Embrace Boldness
6. Cultivate Sensitivity
7. Become a Generous Giver/Tither
8. Maintain Strong Connections
9. Steer Clear of Strife
10. Develop Capacity
Prayers To Take
1. Heavenly Father, guard me against squandering the divine opportunities you present in the name of Jesus!
2. Lord, ensure that my future surpasses my past in the name of Jesus!
3. Father, prevent me from becoming a forgotten tale while I am still alive in the name of Jesus!
4. I declare disgrace upon every power assigned to waste your opportunities in the name of Jesus!
5. May the battles inherited from my parents find no voice in my life; let them be silenced in the name of Jesus!
Instructions this year!
Be sensitive! Be alert.
Be strong to utilize all the opportunities coming out way this year!
2Co 4:1 (AMPC) THEREFORE, SINCE we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God [granting us favor, benefits, opportunities, and especially salvation], we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion.
Alright, lovebirds, if you’re sailing the single seas and eyeing that potential forever mate, here are five things you should be doing consistently. Trust me; these will lay the groundwork for a rock-solid marriage. If you are already hooked, these are the things you should keep your eyes on as well.
1. God at the Center
First things first, folks. Let’s not kid ourselves; if it wasn’t for divine intervention, you might not have crossed paths. Keep that God factor intact – it’s the glue holding you together. Follow the divine playbook, hit those church services, dive into your Bible, and throw in massive rivers of tongues, meditation, and confession. Make sure your love story is anchored in something more profound than just looks or deep pockets.
Five Consistent Acts for Great Lovers
2. The Power of Prayer
Prayer – the unsung hero of relationships. Pray together, pray separately, just pray. Even if you’re miles apart, thanks to smartphones and social media, you can still make it happen. Share your prayer points, download some powerful confessions, and let your prayers become the secret sauce that adds favor, mercy, wisdom, and understanding to your relationship. Trust me; it’s a game-changer.
3. Forgive, Don’t Forget
In the courtship phase, you’re learning the ABCs of each other. And let’s be real, clashes are inevitable. The key? Forgive early and forgive often. You’re dealing with different temperaments here, folks. Misunderstandings are par for the course, so keep that forgiveness flowing. Marriage, they say, is for two great forgivers. Don’t let strife, malice, or bitterness set up shop – forgiveness is your secret weapon.
4. Knowledge is Power
Ever heard the phrase “knowledge is power”? Well, it holds in courtship too. Read, read, and read some more. Educate yourselves about the intricacies of courtship and marriage. Books are your best friends in this journey. Dive into the wisdom of authors who’ve been there, done that. Tim Lahaye’s “Spirit-Controlled Temperament” could be your marriage Bible. Trust me; it did wonders for us. Understanding our differences became a breeze and the quarrels? Drastically reduced.
Five Consistent Acts for Great Lovers
5. Mutual Respect
In the game of love, it’s a partnership. Respect and honor should flow both ways. Yeah, God put the man as the head, but let’s not forget the neck – just as crucial. It’s not about superiority; it’s about complementing and respecting each other’s God-given roles. Courtship is the breeding ground for this respect. Ladies, no need to play the role of a small mummy before marriage. Let your virtues speak for themselves. And guys, lead with love, earn that respect – don’t demand it.
So, there you have it, love warriors. As you navigate the courtship waters, remember these consistent acts. May God grant you the wisdom and understanding to make your journey from courtship to marriage a joyous one. Cheers to love!
