General Marital bliss
No marriage thrives on the level of a couple’s educational qualifications, affluence or age; a successful marriage thrives on one’s understanding of the Word of God. It is your understanding of the subject of marriage that makes you stand out as a successful married man or woman. Your wealth of understanding determines your level of rest in the home.
The bible explicitly says: “…With all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4.7).
Good understanding is a fundamental ingredient for successful family relationship. There is no substitute to having a good understanding of your spouse, as this will enable you appreciate every little thing about him/her.
1Peter 3:7 says, “…Dwell with your wife (or husband) according to knowledge…” Why knowledge? Because knowledge is power. That is what keeps the relationship on. When you are empowered with knowledge things begin to go well for you as you always know what to do in every given situation. The reason some couples always have crisis in their relationships is because they don’t know each other.
Remember that every individual is unique in his or her own way. Your spouse is a unique person, you need to study him or her to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it. Don’t assume that what works for Mr. and Mrs. ‘A’ will naturally work in your home. Take time to understand the peculiarities of your spouse in order to relate well.
No matter the level of your relationship with your spouse, you must know what to do in every situation; you must always have a plan of action that will establish peace in the home at all times.
As a man you need to treat your wife with love and respect if you don’t want your prayers hindered. See what the bible says,
In the same way, you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition, (Of the marriage relation), honoring the woman as (physically) the weaker, but (realizing that you) are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off – otherwise you cannot pray effectively. 1Peter 3:7 (Amp)
Some spouses are not considerate at all and as such they place uneasy demands on each other.
You must be sensitive to the needs and desires of one another. A lot of couples don’t know much about each other’s needs. So they are not committed to one another. When you become sensitive to the needs/desires of your spouse, you make the relationship lively, which results in smooth sailing all through the years. If your husband just returned from a journey, the first thing he needs is a bath, food and rest. Don’t start with, “I need money for house keep” or other concerns of the home.
On the other hand, there are some men, who when their wives ask for house keep money, they become very aggressive and wild! That is the time they complain about their car, the structure they are erecting for the family shelter, children’s school fees and so on. It should not be so, because the man has the responsibility to meet the family’s basic needs. That is why he is the head of the family, it is his sole responsibility.
There are some men who give in to peace only when they have some money in their accounts, but once the money finishes, the home would be on fire. He would begin to behave like ‘the lion of the tribe of his family’; putting everybody under pressure.
A major reason for marriage is relationship. We are built for constant fellowship. This is why God’s word says, “It is not good for a man to be alone (or to be without relationship)” (Genesis 2.18-25). Some couples live together but they do not relate, they are not careful to meet the needs of one another. You must relate with your spouse to make your marriage lively. Please be sensitive to each other’s needs and desires.
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says:
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to respect the views, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship in the home.
Monday, October 4, 2010
General Things You Have To Believe
YOU MUST BELIEVE
To work the supernatural, you must believe that you are created for it. Faith is a sure foundation for supernatural manifestations. You must believe that you are created for signs and wonders, because Jesus said these signs will only follow them that believe.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.(Mark 16:17-18)
You have to first believe that you are created to work signs and wonders before they can follow you. you can’t be in command of signs and wonders except you first believe.
It’s one thing to know it, but another thing to believe it. “for unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mxed with faith in them that heard it” (Heb 4:2). You have to believe in the supernatural before it can produce for you.
You must believe that you are created for signs and wonders, and that redemption makes you a sign and wonder. “for these signs shall follow them that believe, in my name they shall cast out devils...” And they went forth believeing, and God was working with them, confirming the word with signs following (Mk 16:17-20)
YOU HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST
By this new spirit quickened in you at salvation, according to the word of God, you also now have the mind of Christ.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him! But we have the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2:16.
What does this mean? The bible says:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,
The sam was in the beginning with God,
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3
That same word is called Christ; and the Bible says you have His mind. That means you have the creative mind of Christ by reason of redemption. When the earth was without form and void, the mind of Christ came on the scene, and no we talk about the earth Bing the Lord�s and the fullness thereof, the world and all that dwell therein. (ps. 24:1)
That means, therefore, that by the creative wisdom of God at work in you, your life can no longer be void. By the creative wisdom of God working in you by reason of redemption, darkness can no longer cover your life. Your life can never become empty again by reason of the creative wisdom of God deposited in you at salvation. That wisdom created the earth and the fullness thereof. Therefore, you cannot be stranded any more in life, as you will always know what to do in any given situation. Since you carry the mind of Christ, that is the Creator�s mind, you will always know that to do to provoke a miracle; you will always know what steps to take to move God to act on your behalf.
I�ll like you to understand that i�m not talking about intellectualism; I�m talking about spiritual intelligence, about supernatural insight. With the mind of Christ at work in you, you will be operating at God�s frequency in approaching every given situation in your life, thereby commanding the supernatural at will.
By virtue of new birth you are a spirit being dwelling in a human body. Also by virtue of new birth, you have the creative mind of Christ. There was a spiritual transplant of your mind. Christ�s mind replaced yours at salvation. And when the earth was without form and void, the wisdom of God created all that God desired. The same way, the wisdom of God in you should go to work to create whatever is missing in your life.
MAN A LIVING WONDER
At beginning of creation, God created an earth filled with all manner of treasures. He also planted a garden east of Eden, a reservoir of wealth and abundance and He placed a king over it to reign (P. 115:16). That king was Adam.
Adam represents the totality of God’s intention for creating man. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and man became a living soul.
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that was pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it.Gen. 2:7-9; 15
Adam had a responsibility to carry out in the Garden of Eden. He was entrusted the task to dress, adorn, beautify and keep what God had made. All the resources needed for the task were at his disposal. All the treasures were there. The task was great so, he needed much wisdom to be able to distinguish between the trees that were there: those to feed the eyes and those top feed the stomach. He also needed wisdom to make food from the trees, which were good for food.
No king reigns without wisdom. God deposited His wisdom in Adam to enable him reign in his kingdom.
The Word of God says in Proverb 8:15-
By me (wisdom) king’s reign and princes decree justice.
He was created in the image of the only wise God and since like begets like, Adam had access to the God-kind of wisdom. God and man were in communion, in relationship and in deep touch one with another. God would come down in the cool of the day to visit with the king of the kingdom (Gen. 3:8). Adam enjoined companionship with God, which blessed him with strange dimension of wisdom, for he that walketh with the wise shall be wise (Proverbs 13:20). With the wisdom of God in him, the ways of God were laid bare before him and he walked in the reality of them.
He could exercise dominion and authority on earth. He was king and the earth was his domain. He reigned in it by the wisdom of God deposited in him at creation and managed the largest zoo in the history of mankind, unhurt!
All the animals were brought to him and he named all of them and what ever name he gave them was accepted by God! It must take a man full of wisdom and understanding to give names to all the animals in the world today. It takes the wisdom of God to fathom out the deep things of God, but Adam did with ease.
NECESSITY OF FAITH
Heb 11:6 …. He that cometh to God MUST believe…”
New birth is a must! And there is yet another ‘must’, after you are born again – Faith.
Faith is a must after you are born again! It is not optional! It says, “Must believe”
Just like breathing 8is a must to keep alive to be spiritually alive in the kingdom of God, faith is a must.
Everyone anywhere on this planet earth, who is in the Kingdom of God and despises faith, never obtains a good report. The greatest names you hear in the Christian world are raised in the platform of faith. The greatest exploits recorded are on the ticket of faith Faith is a must!
I’m glad to let you know that there is no mountain that faith cannot level. No valley that it cannot fill. There is no barrier that can stop faith from accomplishing. This is the Word of God concerning faith. (Luke 1:45 )says: “Blessed is she that believed…..” Faith commands blessing.
The worthy is Lamb of God was slain for you (Rev. 5:12), so you can live a worthy life. So, to live a worthless life is to abuse the grace of God.
Faith is your ticket to living that worthy life. Faith is a must for a meaningful ad victorious life.
To work the supernatural, you must believe that you are created for it. Faith is a sure foundation for supernatural manifestations. You must believe that you are created for signs and wonders, because Jesus said these signs will only follow them that believe.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.(Mark 16:17-18)
You have to first believe that you are created to work signs and wonders before they can follow you. you can’t be in command of signs and wonders except you first believe.
It’s one thing to know it, but another thing to believe it. “for unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mxed with faith in them that heard it” (Heb 4:2). You have to believe in the supernatural before it can produce for you.
You must believe that you are created for signs and wonders, and that redemption makes you a sign and wonder. “for these signs shall follow them that believe, in my name they shall cast out devils...” And they went forth believeing, and God was working with them, confirming the word with signs following (Mk 16:17-20)
YOU HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST
By this new spirit quickened in you at salvation, according to the word of God, you also now have the mind of Christ.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him! But we have the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2:16.
What does this mean? The bible says:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,
The sam was in the beginning with God,
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3
That same word is called Christ; and the Bible says you have His mind. That means you have the creative mind of Christ by reason of redemption. When the earth was without form and void, the mind of Christ came on the scene, and no we talk about the earth Bing the Lord�s and the fullness thereof, the world and all that dwell therein. (ps. 24:1)
That means, therefore, that by the creative wisdom of God at work in you, your life can no longer be void. By the creative wisdom of God working in you by reason of redemption, darkness can no longer cover your life. Your life can never become empty again by reason of the creative wisdom of God deposited in you at salvation. That wisdom created the earth and the fullness thereof. Therefore, you cannot be stranded any more in life, as you will always know what to do in any given situation. Since you carry the mind of Christ, that is the Creator�s mind, you will always know that to do to provoke a miracle; you will always know what steps to take to move God to act on your behalf.
I�ll like you to understand that i�m not talking about intellectualism; I�m talking about spiritual intelligence, about supernatural insight. With the mind of Christ at work in you, you will be operating at God�s frequency in approaching every given situation in your life, thereby commanding the supernatural at will.
By virtue of new birth you are a spirit being dwelling in a human body. Also by virtue of new birth, you have the creative mind of Christ. There was a spiritual transplant of your mind. Christ�s mind replaced yours at salvation. And when the earth was without form and void, the wisdom of God created all that God desired. The same way, the wisdom of God in you should go to work to create whatever is missing in your life.
MAN A LIVING WONDER
At beginning of creation, God created an earth filled with all manner of treasures. He also planted a garden east of Eden, a reservoir of wealth and abundance and He placed a king over it to reign (P. 115:16). That king was Adam.
Adam represents the totality of God’s intention for creating man. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and man became a living soul.
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that was pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it.Gen. 2:7-9; 15
Adam had a responsibility to carry out in the Garden of Eden. He was entrusted the task to dress, adorn, beautify and keep what God had made. All the resources needed for the task were at his disposal. All the treasures were there. The task was great so, he needed much wisdom to be able to distinguish between the trees that were there: those to feed the eyes and those top feed the stomach. He also needed wisdom to make food from the trees, which were good for food.
No king reigns without wisdom. God deposited His wisdom in Adam to enable him reign in his kingdom.
The Word of God says in Proverb 8:15-
By me (wisdom) king’s reign and princes decree justice.
He was created in the image of the only wise God and since like begets like, Adam had access to the God-kind of wisdom. God and man were in communion, in relationship and in deep touch one with another. God would come down in the cool of the day to visit with the king of the kingdom (Gen. 3:8). Adam enjoined companionship with God, which blessed him with strange dimension of wisdom, for he that walketh with the wise shall be wise (Proverbs 13:20). With the wisdom of God in him, the ways of God were laid bare before him and he walked in the reality of them.
He could exercise dominion and authority on earth. He was king and the earth was his domain. He reigned in it by the wisdom of God deposited in him at creation and managed the largest zoo in the history of mankind, unhurt!
All the animals were brought to him and he named all of them and what ever name he gave them was accepted by God! It must take a man full of wisdom and understanding to give names to all the animals in the world today. It takes the wisdom of God to fathom out the deep things of God, but Adam did with ease.
NECESSITY OF FAITH
Heb 11:6 …. He that cometh to God MUST believe…”
New birth is a must! And there is yet another ‘must’, after you are born again – Faith.
Faith is a must after you are born again! It is not optional! It says, “Must believe”
Just like breathing 8is a must to keep alive to be spiritually alive in the kingdom of God, faith is a must.
Everyone anywhere on this planet earth, who is in the Kingdom of God and despises faith, never obtains a good report. The greatest names you hear in the Christian world are raised in the platform of faith. The greatest exploits recorded are on the ticket of faith Faith is a must!
I’m glad to let you know that there is no mountain that faith cannot level. No valley that it cannot fill. There is no barrier that can stop faith from accomplishing. This is the Word of God concerning faith. (Luke 1:45 )says: “Blessed is she that believed…..” Faith commands blessing.
The worthy is Lamb of God was slain for you (Rev. 5:12), so you can live a worthy life. So, to live a worthless life is to abuse the grace of God.
Faith is your ticket to living that worthy life. Faith is a must for a meaningful ad victorious life.
Your are In Charge Of Success
You Are In Charge!
“Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down…” Rev.12:10
When the Lord delivered this commission to me, He said, “The hour has come, to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil, and I am sending you to undertake this task.” Ever since He spoke these words to me, I have seen the kingdom of darkness suffer untold devastation and humiliations, as I stood by this commission. I have been sent to humiliate and frustrate the government of Satan. Until you render Satan powerless, you cannot possess your possessions.
This is where the journey into power begins. Mark 3:27 says: “No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.”
The first step to triumph in conflicts with the forces of darkness, is to see the weakness of the opposition. I have discovered so much of Satan’s weakness, that he is no longer a concern to me.
No man can enter into his inheritance except he first renders the opposition powerless. As long as you have a grasshopper mentality, you will keep hopping about in life!
By the efficacy of calvary, the death and resurrection of Jesus, there is nothing more left in Satan. By the authority of scriptures and the integrity of the Word of God, the death and resurrection of Jesus marked the final end of the devil’s reign.
Every time any truth of scripture penetrates into your heart, it illustrates your personality. Any where you stand, the forces of hell will know that you know what you are doing.Until you render Satan helpless, you cannot possess your possessions. So many things are being done to celebrate Satan in the Church of Jesus. But I’m glad to let you know that the voice is now sounding to tell you he is worthless! His throne has been destroyed, and he has no more legal hold on your destiny.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher power. For there is no power but of God…” Rom.13:1 Friends, there’s no power but of God! Anything called power outside of God is fake! “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard; this that power belongeth unto God.” Ps.62:11 And in Matthew 28:18-19, Jesus said: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations…”
Jesus is saying here, “Let the world know that absolute power is reserved in Me. Let them know I am the only holder of power in heaven and on earth.” There is therefore nothing called power left in the hands of the devil. There is no power left in any witch, wizard or cult! So what does the devil have left?
1 Pet.5:8-9 tells us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
There is indeed an adversary. His name is called the Devil, and he goes about seeking whom he may devour. He is not a lion! He is just as a roaring lion. He is nothing but a trickster! Ever since he came down to the earth, his major trade has been subtility.
Power Changed Hands!When Jesus rose from the dead, power changed hands. All power in heaven and earth was handed over to Jesus.
There is no more power left in the devil. He is full of tricks. But the light of the gospel will always expose him.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,to stand. Eph.6:12-13 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery dart soft he wicked.” Eph.6:16 It is time for you to stand strong on what the truth of God has revealed concerning Satan, and you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the devil.
Satan has nothing left but tricks, and only the truth can expose these. Only light can expose darkness! Devils are not permitted to be out on the streets. They have been reserved in everlasting chains, until the great day of judgment. Tell them that they don’t belong here. When a prisoner escapes and you catch him, you just put him back in prison.
When Jesus rose from the dead, all demonic forces were held hostage and tied down right inside hell.
Satan and all his forces that rebelled against God, have been reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, until the judgment of that great day (Jude vs 6). They have no legal right to be out here on the streets.
It is clearly evident that Satan is judged. He has been pushed out of business! Satan has no power to harass you! You are of God! You are a child of light! The time has come for you to hear the sound of defeat in the camp of the enemy. Everything that rises up against you from today shall fall for your sake!
Two thousand years ago, evil was eternally judged. The personalities behind evil were given eternal imprisonment.
Satan is no longer your problem! You can handle him! When a case is between you and him, the judgment is sealed. You have been declared the winner.
You are light, he is darkness. In every conflict between light and darkness, light naturally, automatically, unquestionably, is the winner.
Friends, tears can’t give you victory over darkness, hatred or love, won’t give it to you either. Once you carry light, darkness must respect you. Even if everybody loves you and you don’t have light, darkness will still dominate you.
If you must walk in power over the forces of evil, the principal requirement is light. It is time to stand strong on the Word and quench all the fiery darts of the evil. Satan can’t stop your destiny, he can’t stop your fountain from flowing, nor your life from flourishing. All you need is to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Col.1:13-14 God is not going to deliver you, He has already delivered you! The power of darkness mentioned here is nothing but deception. “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev.12:9 The devil has nothing but deception, and understanding is what shatters it. When light comes darkness gives way.
God has delivered you from the power of darkness, which is deception – for unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.
Darkness can’t handle you anymore. You now have unlimited access to light. It is time to make use of this, to frustrate the kingdom of darkness.
Once you are born again, you are translated from the earthly places to the heavenly places. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Eph.2:4-6 You have been taken from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Old things are now passed away, and all things have become new. Your citizenship has changed. You were once earthly, but you are now a citizen of heaven.
Where you are seated now is above all principalities, power, might, dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come. Friends, you are in charge! Satan must take orders from you. You have been placed far above him, he must obey you. You now have a final say on every issue of life. What you say is final. Satan has no ability to prevail in heaven where you are seated; his will has no power to come to pass. He prevailed not, neither was there place found for him anymore in heaven.(Rev. 12:7-12)legally, there is no more place found for the devil where you live. You are in heavenly places, while he is in hell, reserved in everlasting chains under darkness. He has no place in your family, ministry and spiritual life.
Friends, live in heavenly places! The earthly places are too dangerous to reside in for now. Escape for your dear life!
The resurrected Lord has imparted His power upon the Church and the time has come for us to tap into this virtue. Power changed hands when Jesus went to the grave – He took over so we can be in charge today.
Satan is no longer in charge. Once upon a time he was, until the greatest regret of all history for him, when he laid hands on the Son of God. He thought he crucified Him, not knowing he finished himself! (1Cor.2:8)
Thank God that this error was committed and your liberty was sealed. The keys of hell and death are no longer in the hands of the devil. He no longer has power. Jesus has delivered all this power to His Church. Today, the Church by destiny is in charge on the earth. Since you are a member of the Church, you are in charge here. Satan cannot Lord it over you anymore. Now you are free from sickness, sorrow, poverty and failure. Your liberty has been delivered to you. You are free forever! It is one thing to be in charge, and another to know that you are. Everyman that has ever done exploits for God was aware that he was in charge. When I talk to sickness or the devil, I talk to them as the one in charge. I am so conscious of it that it has become my lifestyle.
“Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down…” Rev.12:10
When the Lord delivered this commission to me, He said, “The hour has come, to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil, and I am sending you to undertake this task.” Ever since He spoke these words to me, I have seen the kingdom of darkness suffer untold devastation and humiliations, as I stood by this commission. I have been sent to humiliate and frustrate the government of Satan. Until you render Satan powerless, you cannot possess your possessions.
This is where the journey into power begins. Mark 3:27 says: “No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.”
The first step to triumph in conflicts with the forces of darkness, is to see the weakness of the opposition. I have discovered so much of Satan’s weakness, that he is no longer a concern to me.
No man can enter into his inheritance except he first renders the opposition powerless. As long as you have a grasshopper mentality, you will keep hopping about in life!
By the efficacy of calvary, the death and resurrection of Jesus, there is nothing more left in Satan. By the authority of scriptures and the integrity of the Word of God, the death and resurrection of Jesus marked the final end of the devil’s reign.
Every time any truth of scripture penetrates into your heart, it illustrates your personality. Any where you stand, the forces of hell will know that you know what you are doing.Until you render Satan helpless, you cannot possess your possessions. So many things are being done to celebrate Satan in the Church of Jesus. But I’m glad to let you know that the voice is now sounding to tell you he is worthless! His throne has been destroyed, and he has no more legal hold on your destiny.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher power. For there is no power but of God…” Rom.13:1 Friends, there’s no power but of God! Anything called power outside of God is fake! “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard; this that power belongeth unto God.” Ps.62:11 And in Matthew 28:18-19, Jesus said: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations…”
Jesus is saying here, “Let the world know that absolute power is reserved in Me. Let them know I am the only holder of power in heaven and on earth.” There is therefore nothing called power left in the hands of the devil. There is no power left in any witch, wizard or cult! So what does the devil have left?
1 Pet.5:8-9 tells us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
There is indeed an adversary. His name is called the Devil, and he goes about seeking whom he may devour. He is not a lion! He is just as a roaring lion. He is nothing but a trickster! Ever since he came down to the earth, his major trade has been subtility.
Power Changed Hands!When Jesus rose from the dead, power changed hands. All power in heaven and earth was handed over to Jesus.
There is no more power left in the devil. He is full of tricks. But the light of the gospel will always expose him.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,to stand. Eph.6:12-13 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery dart soft he wicked.” Eph.6:16 It is time for you to stand strong on what the truth of God has revealed concerning Satan, and you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the devil.
Satan has nothing left but tricks, and only the truth can expose these. Only light can expose darkness! Devils are not permitted to be out on the streets. They have been reserved in everlasting chains, until the great day of judgment. Tell them that they don’t belong here. When a prisoner escapes and you catch him, you just put him back in prison.
When Jesus rose from the dead, all demonic forces were held hostage and tied down right inside hell.
Satan and all his forces that rebelled against God, have been reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, until the judgment of that great day (Jude vs 6). They have no legal right to be out here on the streets.
It is clearly evident that Satan is judged. He has been pushed out of business! Satan has no power to harass you! You are of God! You are a child of light! The time has come for you to hear the sound of defeat in the camp of the enemy. Everything that rises up against you from today shall fall for your sake!
Two thousand years ago, evil was eternally judged. The personalities behind evil were given eternal imprisonment.
Satan is no longer your problem! You can handle him! When a case is between you and him, the judgment is sealed. You have been declared the winner.
You are light, he is darkness. In every conflict between light and darkness, light naturally, automatically, unquestionably, is the winner.
Friends, tears can’t give you victory over darkness, hatred or love, won’t give it to you either. Once you carry light, darkness must respect you. Even if everybody loves you and you don’t have light, darkness will still dominate you.
If you must walk in power over the forces of evil, the principal requirement is light. It is time to stand strong on the Word and quench all the fiery darts of the evil. Satan can’t stop your destiny, he can’t stop your fountain from flowing, nor your life from flourishing. All you need is to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Col.1:13-14 God is not going to deliver you, He has already delivered you! The power of darkness mentioned here is nothing but deception. “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev.12:9 The devil has nothing but deception, and understanding is what shatters it. When light comes darkness gives way.
God has delivered you from the power of darkness, which is deception – for unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.
Darkness can’t handle you anymore. You now have unlimited access to light. It is time to make use of this, to frustrate the kingdom of darkness.
Once you are born again, you are translated from the earthly places to the heavenly places. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Eph.2:4-6 You have been taken from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Old things are now passed away, and all things have become new. Your citizenship has changed. You were once earthly, but you are now a citizen of heaven.
Where you are seated now is above all principalities, power, might, dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come. Friends, you are in charge! Satan must take orders from you. You have been placed far above him, he must obey you. You now have a final say on every issue of life. What you say is final. Satan has no ability to prevail in heaven where you are seated; his will has no power to come to pass. He prevailed not, neither was there place found for him anymore in heaven.(Rev. 12:7-12)legally, there is no more place found for the devil where you live. You are in heavenly places, while he is in hell, reserved in everlasting chains under darkness. He has no place in your family, ministry and spiritual life.
Friends, live in heavenly places! The earthly places are too dangerous to reside in for now. Escape for your dear life!
The resurrected Lord has imparted His power upon the Church and the time has come for us to tap into this virtue. Power changed hands when Jesus went to the grave – He took over so we can be in charge today.
Satan is no longer in charge. Once upon a time he was, until the greatest regret of all history for him, when he laid hands on the Son of God. He thought he crucified Him, not knowing he finished himself! (1Cor.2:8)
Thank God that this error was committed and your liberty was sealed. The keys of hell and death are no longer in the hands of the devil. He no longer has power. Jesus has delivered all this power to His Church. Today, the Church by destiny is in charge on the earth. Since you are a member of the Church, you are in charge here. Satan cannot Lord it over you anymore. Now you are free from sickness, sorrow, poverty and failure. Your liberty has been delivered to you. You are free forever! It is one thing to be in charge, and another to know that you are. Everyman that has ever done exploits for God was aware that he was in charge. When I talk to sickness or the devil, I talk to them as the one in charge. I am so conscious of it that it has become my lifestyle.
Your General Success Plan
What Do You Plan For?
The role of planning in any home cannot be overemphasized. Planning helps you to define your purpose and activities. It helps you to set standards of performance so that results can be compared with the set standards for appraisal.
As a couple, you can plan basically for your wellbeing, your togetherness and your future. Everything about the home must be planned for. Plan for the number of children you want to have for their future, plan your spiritual and social life. For instance, you don’t have to wait until the day your children are set to resume school before you start looking for school fees! When you plan ahead you deliver yourself from anxiety of looking for things at the last minute. It is true that you believe God for divine supplies, but as you believe, make sure you have a plan.
My husband often says that any man who waits till the day his wife is to deliver before he begins to run around for the hospital bill is not a planner. He had a long notice of nine months, but did nothing.
You cannot use another person’s plan to run your life and your home. Be creative and prayerful and God will help you to develop a plan that suits your home and resources per time.Plan, both for now and the future. Just as you plan for what your family will eat on a daily basis, also plan ahead for family projects like building a house, buying a car, etc. Ensure that you plan according to your size per time. Remember that men are in sizes and life is in phases. If you manage and plan your present level well, God will take you speedily to the next phase
The role of planning in any home cannot be overemphasized. Planning helps you to define your purpose and activities. It helps you to set standards of performance so that results can be compared with the set standards for appraisal.
As a couple, you can plan basically for your wellbeing, your togetherness and your future. Everything about the home must be planned for. Plan for the number of children you want to have for their future, plan your spiritual and social life. For instance, you don’t have to wait until the day your children are set to resume school before you start looking for school fees! When you plan ahead you deliver yourself from anxiety of looking for things at the last minute. It is true that you believe God for divine supplies, but as you believe, make sure you have a plan.
My husband often says that any man who waits till the day his wife is to deliver before he begins to run around for the hospital bill is not a planner. He had a long notice of nine months, but did nothing.
You cannot use another person’s plan to run your life and your home. Be creative and prayerful and God will help you to develop a plan that suits your home and resources per time.Plan, both for now and the future. Just as you plan for what your family will eat on a daily basis, also plan ahead for family projects like building a house, buying a car, etc. Ensure that you plan according to your size per time. Remember that men are in sizes and life is in phases. If you manage and plan your present level well, God will take you speedily to the next phase
General Success Keys In Marriage
General Success Keys In Marriage
VITAL KEYS TO HAPPY MARRIAGE
Intimacy with God the Father is a very vital code for happy marriage, because no one knows the institution more than one who started it. He said in Jhn.15:5;
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
You need God in your marriage because without His help you can do nothing, but with Him on your side you can do all things. The Bible says in Ecc.4:9 two are better than one and also says, A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc 4:12.
As a couple you may enjoy some level f success, but with God on your side, you have no limits because the three make an unbeatable team.
When God is in the centre of your marriage, it remains intact; the home cannot fall apart. So, the best way to enhance your marriage relationship is to develop intimacy with God, as a couple and as individuals. The stronger your intimacy with God, the better your relationship with your spouse becomes.
When God created Adam and Eve, it was not only for the purpose of relating with one another, He designed them for a unique relationship with Himself. And no other creature enjoys this kind of union with God. That is why it is very important for a married couple to develop intimacy with Him.
You must give God His rightful place in your life and your marriage if you desire a happy marriage. Give God and His word the place of priority in your home.
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VITAL KEYS TO HAPPY MARRIAGE
Intimacy with God the Father is a very vital code for happy marriage, because no one knows the institution more than one who started it. He said in Jhn.15:5;
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
You need God in your marriage because without His help you can do nothing, but with Him on your side you can do all things. The Bible says in Ecc.4:9 two are better than one and also says, A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc 4:12.
As a couple you may enjoy some level f success, but with God on your side, you have no limits because the three make an unbeatable team.
When God is in the centre of your marriage, it remains intact; the home cannot fall apart. So, the best way to enhance your marriage relationship is to develop intimacy with God, as a couple and as individuals. The stronger your intimacy with God, the better your relationship with your spouse becomes.
When God created Adam and Eve, it was not only for the purpose of relating with one another, He designed them for a unique relationship with Himself. And no other creature enjoys this kind of union with God. That is why it is very important for a married couple to develop intimacy with Him.
You must give God His rightful place in your life and your marriage if you desire a happy marriage. Give God and His word the place of priority in your home.
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RAISING ADULT RULES YOU MUST FOLLOW
TO RAISE AN ADULT
If you want to raise an adult, nurture the youth in you.
What you build into your youth is what you will find in your adulthood. Nurture a child and reap a rich adult.
A lazy child will in all probability ends as a lazy adult.
Formation occurs in childhood and manifestation in adulthood.
Anything an adult manifests has its root in childhood.
Bend the youth to work in other to raise the adult to fly.
If you want a distinguished adult, discipline the youth.
Stretch the youth if you want to have an enduring adult.
GO THE EXTRA MILE
How far you go determines how far your can reach.
To go an extra mile, you have to dig extra depth.
To dig deeper is the true way to go further in life.
There is no sudden or accidental success. Far reaching success comes from far reaching cost. There is nothing valuable without a cost.
You are mandatorily required to pay the price before you can take delivery.
ONE THING I CAN�T SURVIVE
I can�t survive in the midst of strife, competition and comparison. I am at my best been me and who I am.
I cannot fit into another mold. If you want to paralyze or kill me, attempt to force me into a mold. That I will not wait to see to happen to me.
I will uncompromisingly maintain my focus and stay on my God ordained track till I meet my master and caller from whom I am eagerly waiting to hear, �Well done, thou Good and faithful servant, enter into your rest.�
If you think the same way with me then pray:
�Lord, help me to remain on course and to maintain focus throughout my journey in the fulfillment of my assignment.
�I will not seek any human applause or commendation from any source. All I strive to receive is heaven�s approval.�
THE BENEFIT OF LISTENING TO ELDERS
The youth dwell on the present but elders think the future.
While the youth argues on facts; elders talk on realities of issues.
The youth may make decision on optimism that overwhelms realities but the elder will carefully look through by mixing realities with optimism.
So, discussing with an elder helps to paint a picture of the future you are yet to see as a youth by bringing the past into the present.
In other words, he adds his experience to your current knowledge to help you have a balanced perspective.
It�s important for every youth to take his optimism through an elder�s eye in order to enjoy an itch free, stress-free and regret-free adventure in life.
With the youth is vision and purposes but with the elder is counsel.
And remember purposes are defeated without counsel but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Prov.11:14; 15:22.
THE LAW OF PATIENCE
: Patience is about process. Mk. 4:26-29.
Process is following a due order and other eliminates chaos.
Where order sets in; chaos steps out.
Where order exists; chaos exits.
When order is in place; chaos is displaced.
Process makes room for stability and ultimately, perfection.
: The scripture reveals the process to greatness in life:
-First, cast seed � give, make investments.
-Then go to sleep � relax yourself. God goes to work only when you go to �sleep�.
-Night and day must be allowed, that is give it time, employ patience. (Heb. 6:12).
-He knoweth not how things are happening� God will supernaturally intervene on your behalf.
: Process of manifestation is as follows:
-First the blade, the ear, the full corn and then the harvest.
: To speed up your manifestation:
-Be consistently involved in � filling your cloud. It is not enough to sow your seed but sow it consistently and rapidly. (Eccl. 3:1-3).
NEVER TAKE LIFE EASY
- Those who take life easy will be eased out of life
- Live serious to end glorious
- Don�t lay by if you don�t want to be laid off.
- Never be casual if you don�t want to end as casualty.
- Those that treat life with levity will end up being leveled out.
- Never be slow if you don�t want to end low.
- Those that are sluggish will end as rubbish.
- Be brisk if you don�t want to be trapped in a risk.
- Be quick if you don�t want to be quenched.
- Be prompt if you don�t want to be dumped.
- Give life all it takes to get all it contains.
Be daring to damn the consequence.
BE TOUGH
Being tough is not the same as being rough.
You can be tough and not be rough.
If you are not tough you will be torn into pieces.
Being tough is all about being thorough, firm, truthful, forthright, uncompromising, unblending, confrontation when necessary.
You can be gentle in approach and still be tough in attitude.
Be principled, focused and undaunted in standing for what is right.
If you are not tough you can not excel.
Mediocrity is usually the lot of those who blend and compromise.
If you want to raise an adult, nurture the youth in you.
What you build into your youth is what you will find in your adulthood. Nurture a child and reap a rich adult.
A lazy child will in all probability ends as a lazy adult.
Formation occurs in childhood and manifestation in adulthood.
Anything an adult manifests has its root in childhood.
Bend the youth to work in other to raise the adult to fly.
If you want a distinguished adult, discipline the youth.
Stretch the youth if you want to have an enduring adult.
GO THE EXTRA MILE
How far you go determines how far your can reach.
To go an extra mile, you have to dig extra depth.
To dig deeper is the true way to go further in life.
There is no sudden or accidental success. Far reaching success comes from far reaching cost. There is nothing valuable without a cost.
You are mandatorily required to pay the price before you can take delivery.
ONE THING I CAN�T SURVIVE
I can�t survive in the midst of strife, competition and comparison. I am at my best been me and who I am.
I cannot fit into another mold. If you want to paralyze or kill me, attempt to force me into a mold. That I will not wait to see to happen to me.
I will uncompromisingly maintain my focus and stay on my God ordained track till I meet my master and caller from whom I am eagerly waiting to hear, �Well done, thou Good and faithful servant, enter into your rest.�
If you think the same way with me then pray:
�Lord, help me to remain on course and to maintain focus throughout my journey in the fulfillment of my assignment.
�I will not seek any human applause or commendation from any source. All I strive to receive is heaven�s approval.�
THE BENEFIT OF LISTENING TO ELDERS
The youth dwell on the present but elders think the future.
While the youth argues on facts; elders talk on realities of issues.
The youth may make decision on optimism that overwhelms realities but the elder will carefully look through by mixing realities with optimism.
So, discussing with an elder helps to paint a picture of the future you are yet to see as a youth by bringing the past into the present.
In other words, he adds his experience to your current knowledge to help you have a balanced perspective.
It�s important for every youth to take his optimism through an elder�s eye in order to enjoy an itch free, stress-free and regret-free adventure in life.
With the youth is vision and purposes but with the elder is counsel.
And remember purposes are defeated without counsel but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Prov.11:14; 15:22.
THE LAW OF PATIENCE
: Patience is about process. Mk. 4:26-29.
Process is following a due order and other eliminates chaos.
Where order sets in; chaos steps out.
Where order exists; chaos exits.
When order is in place; chaos is displaced.
Process makes room for stability and ultimately, perfection.
: The scripture reveals the process to greatness in life:
-First, cast seed � give, make investments.
-Then go to sleep � relax yourself. God goes to work only when you go to �sleep�.
-Night and day must be allowed, that is give it time, employ patience. (Heb. 6:12).
-He knoweth not how things are happening� God will supernaturally intervene on your behalf.
: Process of manifestation is as follows:
-First the blade, the ear, the full corn and then the harvest.
: To speed up your manifestation:
-Be consistently involved in � filling your cloud. It is not enough to sow your seed but sow it consistently and rapidly. (Eccl. 3:1-3).
NEVER TAKE LIFE EASY
- Those who take life easy will be eased out of life
- Live serious to end glorious
- Don�t lay by if you don�t want to be laid off.
- Never be casual if you don�t want to end as casualty.
- Those that treat life with levity will end up being leveled out.
- Never be slow if you don�t want to end low.
- Those that are sluggish will end as rubbish.
- Be brisk if you don�t want to be trapped in a risk.
- Be quick if you don�t want to be quenched.
- Be prompt if you don�t want to be dumped.
- Give life all it takes to get all it contains.
Be daring to damn the consequence.
BE TOUGH
Being tough is not the same as being rough.
You can be tough and not be rough.
If you are not tough you will be torn into pieces.
Being tough is all about being thorough, firm, truthful, forthright, uncompromising, unblending, confrontation when necessary.
You can be gentle in approach and still be tough in attitude.
Be principled, focused and undaunted in standing for what is right.
If you are not tough you can not excel.
Mediocrity is usually the lot of those who blend and compromise.
POWER OF COMMUNICATION
. THE POWER OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is the music of marriage. When a relationship is void of communication, it becomes dead. It is best described as a ‘graveyard.’
For instance, when a cell phone is not in use and it is switched off. A caller cannot get through and the owner does not know that someone is trying to reach him. But as soon as the phone is switched on, calls begin to come in. Any relationship void of communication is like a switched-off cell phone.
Keep the line of communication open in your home; don’t let your spouse keep doing the talking.
When you talk don’t attack, avoid part answers. It is a two-way process. When one person becomes incommunicado, the relationship is obviously heading for a collapse! You can see Satan setting in. That is to say, you are living outside the will of God. You are debarring yourselves of God’s blessing. Of what use is a relationship without communication? It is simply useless because communication is a process that is essentially sharing. It is a mutual exchange between two or more persons.
The most important thing in any relationship is communication. Without communication you cannot build a long lasting family life. Most spouses don’t communicate with each other; they merely talk, just to bare their minds on issues bothering the family.
How to Establish Good Understanding
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says:
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to submit to his wife giving her the respect and honour due to her. The husband is the head of the home, he is the head of the home, he is the leader while his wife and other members of the family are his followers. But as a good leader, he must know the importance of team work; each member must be allowed to function effectively in his or her area, so that none is dormant, but rather every one contributes adequately to the well being of the home.
A wife should not attempt to take over the place of the husband in the home, but rather respect him as the head of and always obey his instructions. What most women don’t understand is that they can easily win the respect and love of their husband if they learn to quietly accept their husbands’ decision even when not convenient.
Also, the husband should respect the wives, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship ad the home, especially in children and kitchen affairs. This is the woman’s area so the husband should give her a free hand and allow her to handle it. Even if she does know how to do it, he should give her to opportunity to learn.
For a couple to respect and submit to each other, they need humility. When you refuse to submit to your spouse, whether you are a man or a woman, you are simply exhibiting pride. And the bible says, “God resists the proud.” But when you embrace humility, you receive more grace from Him (James 4:6).
Lastly, relationship is built over time, it does not happen instantly. This is where the issue of patience comes in. To establish good understanding in your marriage relationship, you need patience because you require some time to study your spouse in order to make the necessary adjustments that enhance harmonious coexistence. Patience means appreciating the past while expecting a better future (Heb. 10:35).
Communication is the music of marriage. When a relationship is void of communication, it becomes dead. It is best described as a ‘graveyard.’
For instance, when a cell phone is not in use and it is switched off. A caller cannot get through and the owner does not know that someone is trying to reach him. But as soon as the phone is switched on, calls begin to come in. Any relationship void of communication is like a switched-off cell phone.
Keep the line of communication open in your home; don’t let your spouse keep doing the talking.
When you talk don’t attack, avoid part answers. It is a two-way process. When one person becomes incommunicado, the relationship is obviously heading for a collapse! You can see Satan setting in. That is to say, you are living outside the will of God. You are debarring yourselves of God’s blessing. Of what use is a relationship without communication? It is simply useless because communication is a process that is essentially sharing. It is a mutual exchange between two or more persons.
The most important thing in any relationship is communication. Without communication you cannot build a long lasting family life. Most spouses don’t communicate with each other; they merely talk, just to bare their minds on issues bothering the family.
How to Establish Good Understanding
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says:
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to submit to his wife giving her the respect and honour due to her. The husband is the head of the home, he is the head of the home, he is the leader while his wife and other members of the family are his followers. But as a good leader, he must know the importance of team work; each member must be allowed to function effectively in his or her area, so that none is dormant, but rather every one contributes adequately to the well being of the home.
A wife should not attempt to take over the place of the husband in the home, but rather respect him as the head of and always obey his instructions. What most women don’t understand is that they can easily win the respect and love of their husband if they learn to quietly accept their husbands’ decision even when not convenient.
Also, the husband should respect the wives, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship ad the home, especially in children and kitchen affairs. This is the woman’s area so the husband should give her a free hand and allow her to handle it. Even if she does know how to do it, he should give her to opportunity to learn.
For a couple to respect and submit to each other, they need humility. When you refuse to submit to your spouse, whether you are a man or a woman, you are simply exhibiting pride. And the bible says, “God resists the proud.” But when you embrace humility, you receive more grace from Him (James 4:6).
Lastly, relationship is built over time, it does not happen instantly. This is where the issue of patience comes in. To establish good understanding in your marriage relationship, you need patience because you require some time to study your spouse in order to make the necessary adjustments that enhance harmonious coexistence. Patience means appreciating the past while expecting a better future (Heb. 10:35).
GOOD HOME MANAGMENT
The Need For Home Management!
The dream of every married man or woman is to have a home where everything is orderly and where there is prosperity and progress. That is also God’s will for your home but one of the things it takes to achieve that goal is creative management. Good management is another code for happy married life, which some couples ignore and they end up in crisis.
What Is Management?
Management can be defined as skilful handling of anything put in your care.
All the resources you have at your disposal come from God, He entrusted them to you and these include your time, finances, gifts, talents, assets, etc. you also have members of your family; the husband, the wife and the children – these are great destinies and potentials that must not be wasted. God’s purpose is to make your home a show piece for all to see. Improper management is the reason some couples end up being demoralized and their homes are in disarray.
Good management of resources qualifies you for more of God’s blessings. To manage your resources properly, you need wisdom. Prov.24:3 says, “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.”
When you operate in the wisdom of God, no matter how little the resources in your hand, it will always be more than enough.
Wisdom demands that you always set your priorities right. It is lack of discipline and integrity to spend beyond your means.
Just as individuals are peculiar, every home is also peculiar, unique and special. So, even though there are general management rules that we can follow, you require the wisdom of God to devise unique ways of managing your home, because the priorities in other homes may not be the same in yours. This is why you need creativity to be able to meet every need of your home without running helter-skelter.
Have a good sense of management. Good managerial principles when adhered to, bring peace and harmony in the home. It will put an end to all your struggles with family finances, relationships, academic performance of your children and other areas of family life.
You need stock-taking; take stock of what comes into your home from time to time and keep record of your expenses. This will help you to block any leakages and arrest wastage where necessary.
The dream of every married man or woman is to have a home where everything is orderly and where there is prosperity and progress. That is also God’s will for your home but one of the things it takes to achieve that goal is creative management. Good management is another code for happy married life, which some couples ignore and they end up in crisis.
What Is Management?
Management can be defined as skilful handling of anything put in your care.
All the resources you have at your disposal come from God, He entrusted them to you and these include your time, finances, gifts, talents, assets, etc. you also have members of your family; the husband, the wife and the children – these are great destinies and potentials that must not be wasted. God’s purpose is to make your home a show piece for all to see. Improper management is the reason some couples end up being demoralized and their homes are in disarray.
Good management of resources qualifies you for more of God’s blessings. To manage your resources properly, you need wisdom. Prov.24:3 says, “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.”
When you operate in the wisdom of God, no matter how little the resources in your hand, it will always be more than enough.
Wisdom demands that you always set your priorities right. It is lack of discipline and integrity to spend beyond your means.
Just as individuals are peculiar, every home is also peculiar, unique and special. So, even though there are general management rules that we can follow, you require the wisdom of God to devise unique ways of managing your home, because the priorities in other homes may not be the same in yours. This is why you need creativity to be able to meet every need of your home without running helter-skelter.
Have a good sense of management. Good managerial principles when adhered to, bring peace and harmony in the home. It will put an end to all your struggles with family finances, relationships, academic performance of your children and other areas of family life.
You need stock-taking; take stock of what comes into your home from time to time and keep record of your expenses. This will help you to block any leakages and arrest wastage where necessary.
importance of planning
The Importance of Planning!
Many families today lack planning and that is why things have been falling apart for them.
What is planning?
Planning can simply be defined as putting issues in the right future perspective. This initiates decisions and guarantees results for every step taken. Planning is one of the secret codes for blissful marriage. Luke 14:28 asks,
…who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills? (The Living Bible)
By application, this scripture is saying, “Who will begin a family without first planning?”
Planning also means mapping out your order of activities and spreading your available resources to meet the relevant needs.God expects you to plan wisely and use the resources He has given you for the successful and smooth running of your home.
There is nothing in your hands that is too small. There is no situation you are facing as a couple that cannot change for the better, if only you will plan.
When there is a plan, management becomes easy. Living without a plan is like traveling through a desert without a compass or a map. That will be a fruitless, endless journey.
Planning for every aspect of family life is very important, it is something that every couple aught to do. For effective take off of the family, there must be adequate planning from the onset. You don’t just get into marriage and begin to have children as they come, you plan for them before they arrive.
Show me a planner, and I will show you a man with a bright future.
Every prudent man (every master planner) dealeth with knowledge: but a fool (a non planner) layeth open his folly. Prov.13:16
Many families today lack planning and that is why things have been falling apart for them.
What is planning?
Planning can simply be defined as putting issues in the right future perspective. This initiates decisions and guarantees results for every step taken. Planning is one of the secret codes for blissful marriage. Luke 14:28 asks,
…who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills? (The Living Bible)
By application, this scripture is saying, “Who will begin a family without first planning?”
Planning also means mapping out your order of activities and spreading your available resources to meet the relevant needs.God expects you to plan wisely and use the resources He has given you for the successful and smooth running of your home.
There is nothing in your hands that is too small. There is no situation you are facing as a couple that cannot change for the better, if only you will plan.
When there is a plan, management becomes easy. Living without a plan is like traveling through a desert without a compass or a map. That will be a fruitless, endless journey.
Planning for every aspect of family life is very important, it is something that every couple aught to do. For effective take off of the family, there must be adequate planning from the onset. You don’t just get into marriage and begin to have children as they come, you plan for them before they arrive.
Show me a planner, and I will show you a man with a bright future.
Every prudent man (every master planner) dealeth with knowledge: but a fool (a non planner) layeth open his folly. Prov.13:16
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Success Buttons
• You are destined for success
• God has made a master plan of success for you in all aspects of life.
• He is absolutely interested in the ultimate realization of your success (III John 2).
SUCCESS IS YOUR COVENANT RIGHT
- At New Birth you entered into a covenant relationship with God and the covenant covers every areas of your life.
- It is the knowledge of your covenant right to success that sets you free from failure and throws you to a life of consistent success.
- Many believers like the elder brother of the prodigal son are only serving God; they do not know their right to God’s blessing.
- When God cut a covenant with Abraham. He did not cut the covenant with him alone. He cut it with his seed, and that seed you are. (Galatians 3:29).
- So, your success story started the moment God said to Abraham “You shall be a blessing”… because you were in Abraham’s loin as at that time.
- God wants you know that He has destined you for success in an absolute sense (Matt. 5:14-16).
YOU ARE ABOVE ONLY
- God’s intention for you is to be ABOVE ONLY (Deut 28:13).
- The church was misled in the past to think that success is anti-godliness. People got the idea that mediocrity is synonymous with consecration.
- It is God’s heart desire for you to be an outstanding success and remain so. He is saying, “I have reserved a place for you at the top. I have no plan for you at the base of the ladder.”
- Divine success is being like God in all areas of life – an all round success!
- Most people who claim to be successful in business, academics or in their respective professions are worse than failures in other areas of life…that is not success. Success is being successful all round.
- Success is not a symptom of backsliding or carnality. It is an attribute of divinity.
- You need a completely renewed mind to get into the full consciousness of God’s success plan for your life.
- God takes pride in your success even more than you take pride in your child’s success (Matthew 7:11).
- As it gets tougher and worse for the wicked in this present generation, it will get easier and better for God’s people
- His righteous ones. So make up your mind to be above only all the time.
THE WAY TO SUCCESS
- There is always a way to enjoying every provision God has made available for you in His word…You cannot push God’s method aside and expect to get results.
- The Bible is God’s blue print of success for the whole of mankind. It is full of prescriptions that cannot fail.
Speak The Word
- You can not amount to anything until you begin to talk right (Joshua 1:8).
- The only thing you can have is what you have said (mark 11:23). Notice that God never does a thing without first saying it.
- Your success begins with the loud and bold declaration of the word of success.
Meditate On The Word
- Meditation enables you to get a full of understanding of what God has said about you, and grants the ability to act on the word.
- Your success seed is the word. As you think on the word of God concerning your success, the seed will begin to take root and germinate.
Act On The Word
- Success belongs to those that do the word… a diligent application of gospel truths brings spectacular success results.
- Divine success is conditional not automatic. If you want success, you must pass the test or meet the conditions for success.
- Your success level is determined by your availability to the word.
GUARD YOUR MIND
- The mind is the battle ground for success or failure, prosperity or poverty…
- You can determine what you think by controlling your observation, association and what you are taught.
- Saturate your mind with success truth. Associate with successful people. Observe successful materials and success teachings.
- As a man thinks in his heart so is he (Prov. 23:7). If you not desire to fail, don’t think it (Phil. 4:8)!
WISDOM – THE PRINCIPAL THING
- The reason princes have had to start walking on foot while servants ride on horses is folly; the princes have begun to operate foolishly.
- There are things that do not require prayer to solve. A mere application of wisdom brings the situation easily under control. Likewise things that have been cultivated vigorously and carefully over the years can be destroyed in a matter of minutes, for lack of wisdom (Prov. 4:5-7).
- Even Jesus had to be filled with wisdom and had to increase his wisdom level from time to time. If Jesus needed and used wisdom, you must know that you CANNOT do without it (Luke 2:40, 52).
- Wisdom simply put, is the ability to compute knowledge to lay hold on your desire. Wisdom helps you to know how to walk with God so as to bring your desire to pass.
- If you don’t apply wisdom in all you do, you will work yourself out with only very little to show for it (Eccl. 10:10).
- IT does not matter how much time, money or energy you have invested doing the wrong thing, wisdom demands that when you notice your fault or mistake, do not hesitate to switch over or good.
DISCIPLINE - THE CONTROL VALVE
- Wisdom in knowing what to do but discipline is training yourself to do it.
- One who is not living or walking in discipline is like a child. No serious thing can be committed into his hands (Galatians 4:1).
- Discipline is knowing what to do, doing at the right time and at the required rate.-Your success will always elude you until you begin to mature in discipline.
- You have great potentials that can be harnessed but you cannot do that in careless circumstances.
- Make positive realistic plans. Do not follow after trivialities.
HARD WORK
- If you really desire success you must work hard for it.
- The requirement for failure is laziness and idleness (Eccl. 10:18).
- Diligence is God’s formula for success (Prov. 22:29).
- Hard work exposes you and brings out certain latent potential in you.-Note that it is not your efforts primarily that guarantee your success. You only fulfill your own part and God produces the results (Psalm 75:6-7, Psalm 127:1).
Book marks from “Success Buttons” – By Bishop David Oyedepo
Enter The Ark!
Noah was preaching warning the people that flood was on its way coming. But everybody was laughing at him. It took him 120 years to prepare the ark. Only those who hearkened to his warning and entered that ark survived the flood (Genesis 6-8).
God has been building an ark in the past years now, an ark of rescue that appeared stupid to some people. It is no longer stupid! An immanent economic collapse was a prophecy before, now it is reality. People are exchanging property for food, they are selling their television sets to eat and their cars to pay their house rents. Landlords have become tenants!Friend, this seemingly foolish ark is your only way of rescue.
The COVENANT is the New Testament ark for rescue in the time of famine. You either enter inside it, stay there and be preserved or despise it and be destroyed.
God will not allow any flood until an ark is set. For 120 years, Noah was building an ark and nobody thought it would ever be of any use. But the day came, when the ark became the only way of rescue. God is preparing an ark for your financial safety right now. If you mock it you will be carried away by the plague of lack and want.
God has promised, He will never fail! We can trust Him. We can take Him at His word. He is always ahead for the safety of His people. The world is coming under the greatest plague of want. It is so clear in God’s prophetic agenda (Isa. 60:2-3). When God speaks, whether it has been or not, you netter shiver, for it is coming to be! God will not bend His word because of you.There is surely a flood of economic collapse coming upon humanity! Only those who stay in this ark shall be rescued.
God will not feed on your tithe, He created you. Out of His fullness, He gave you just a tip of the iceberg. He cannot be envious of you. Your position is irrelevant to God. The whole earth is like a drop of water in a bucket to him. You are not even an electron. You are just like the ant in your house. Salvation is the only thing that gives you value. If you despise it, your value is lost! God knows only Christians. He said, “I know my sheep and I call them by name” (John 10). You do not have a name outside salvation. God does not know the people in power in your country, if they are not Born Again. Their names are not in His list.
They are too short for God to see. All the things that look important to you here are nothing. This ark of safety is filling up already and the flood level is rising. It is time to flee to the covenant mountain, where there is rest.I am sent to tell you an ark is being prepared, and wise men are entering into it. Do not be the last to enter. The gates may be shut at any time! God sent Joseph to tell the children of Israel they do not have to die in Canaan, there is room for them in Goshen. So, Jacob and his sons crossed over from Canaan of dryness to the Goshen of milk and honey. May you cross over before the gate is shut!
You Need The Rain Of The Word!
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it- Isaiah 55:10-11
The word of God can be likened to rain that comes poring down from heaven. It is God’s major way of ending the drought in a man’s life. When the word is received and applied, no matter how harsh the climate, results are inevitable. Responding to the word is the ay to end the dry seasons in your life.
For instance in the time of Isaac, there was physical famine in the land but Isaac despised the famine and obeyed the word of God – sowing inspite of the weather condition; and God blessed him. Isaac became great because he operated God’s word.
God’s word is your access to healing, deliverance, abundance, promotion, etc. And just like no amount of energy applied can force open a firmly locked door, it is only the application of the word to a given circumstance that can produce favourable results – not the use of force (Luke 5:5).
God’s word is powerful. It is able to shatter the hardships of your life to pieces. When you issue commands based on the authority and integrity of the word, you trigger the word present in it to arrest all contrary situations. When there is an outpouring of the rain of the word and your spirit absorbs it, you bring forth and bud in all areas of life. That’s why you need the rain of the word to fall upon you.
CONSECRATION FIRST, THEN REVELATION!
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.- Prov 1:23
You turn at His reproof first before He pours out His Spirit upon you and makes His words known unto you. The Holy Spirit is prepared to teach you the ways of God but until you turn away from iniquity, He will not teach you; and except the Holy Spirit teaches you a thing, you cannot know it (1 Cor. 2:13).
So, carnality disqualifies you for the rain of insight because the natural or carnal man cannot understand the things of the Spirit since they are spiritually discerned. So as long as you remain carnal, you have no access to insight into the word. You must first clear the ground of your heart, then invite the Holy Spirit to come and teach you. You cannot be confused when He teaches you.
THE RAIN RELEASES HEAVEN’S TREASURES
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.- Deut 28:1-2
Blessings are triggered off by the word of God but the journey begins with consecration. Consecration begets unction, unction results in revelation, which in turn produces manifestations of the goodness of God.
IT BRINGS SATISFACTION
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.- Isaiah 55:2
God’s word satisfies because it is bread indeed. As you reorder your life to make hearkening to the word the centre of your desire, you will be satisfied with goodness and fatness. Some are hunting for blessings but blessings come only after you have had encounters with the word of God.
The word of God is food for the spirit (Jeremiah 15:16). No food is useful to the body until it is digested. Likewise, God’s word can only have impact in your life when you digest it. That is when it’s profits begin to appear. So, take time to ponder on the things you are hearing and reading, give more earnest attention to them (1 Tim. 4:13-16).
The word of God satisfies! Anything that stands between you and the word of God is out to destroy you. There is no substitute for the word, it is your ticket to genuine and lasting satisfaction!
You Can Break That Control
“For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns” (Jer. 4:3). I believe your fallow ground is the hardened area of your life that you have not been able to find an answer to. Now God has shown you that it’s some forces in the air that has been responsible for those negative habits and lifestyle. God has also made available to us what it takes to break those things, and seek the Lord. Break up your fallow grounds! The unplowed grounds of your life, the hardened habits that control your life. Don’t say, “It’s my nature.” It’s not your nature, it’s the devil’s nature! Break it! Every influence inside you that is trying to move you against the will of God, break it, in the name of Jesus! This is how to do it:
Cast Off !“…Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Rom 13:12). “Cast off” connotes a force. It implies that you can get yourself out of it. Jesus said, “In my name they shall cast out devils.” So, you say to that spirit of adultery or that spirit of lying, “Loose your grip off me in the name of Jesus!” And it goes. Listen to me, after you have made your choice, and have entered into a covenant with God with an oath never to be found in that thing again, and the motions of that sin is still trying to move in your body, cast it out! It’s a stranger in a hiding place, waiting to devour and destroy your destiny. Cast it off! The disciples of Jesus returned in Luke 10:17 with the report that, “…Even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” You have power given you by Jesus, to cast out all manner of unclean spirits.
Command It To Enter No More!“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first…” (Matt 12:43-45). The atmosphere is charged sir! The unclean spirit is roaming about, looking for where to land- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, all looking for who to capture. But you can deal with it! The Bible says in Mark 9:25, “When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.” When you cast the evil spirit, command it to enter no more forever, and secure the place with the blood of Jesus.
Put Off!“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth” (Col 3:8). Just the same way you put off your clothes you can put off unrighteousness. That means the works of the flesh are as lifeless as the clothes and shoes you put on. So you can put them off at will! I want you to have a superiority complex against controlling spirits, to be able to see them as things you can handle.
Put On! “…Put off the old man with his deeds. And have put on the new man…” (Col. 3:9-10).It’s like changing clothes! You put of this and you put on that. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering…And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (Col 3:12,14). So, you can put off anything you don’t want and put on the one you want. This is the reason God will judge anybody who continues in sin; because sin has no more power over us. Is that habit your choice? If you say, “No” then put it off!
Lay Aside!“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1). You can lay aside that spirit of whoredoms, that lying spirit, etc. You have a choice. You have the power to lay it aside or God wouldn’t ask you to do so.
Mortify!“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience” (Col 3:5-6). To mortify means to destroy. You can destroy fornication, you can destroy lasciviousness, envy and all the likes. They that are in the flesh cannot please God but through the Spirit we can mortify the deeds of the flesh so that we can live. “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Rom 8:13).
Purge Yourself!“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:21). You have to accept the responsibility to purify yourself. Stop looking for who to blame.
Exercise Yourself!“But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (1 Tim 4:7). No one excels in anything without exercise. Godliness is not cheap, the opposition is tense! It calls for a lot of exercises. Say to the Lord, “Lord, help me to accept total responsibility for a life that pleases you.” All it takes is you coming out to say, “No” and knowing what it takes to maintain that “No!”
Follow After Righteousness!“Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.” (Isa 51:1-2). The word “follow” connotes the presence of certain instructions. What God wants to do in your life these last days requires that you follow after righteousness. For God to establish that restoration, you must follow after righteousness. Paul said, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after…” (Phil 3:12). So, righteousness is a thing to follow and a thing to learn, so that you can know. When that is in place everything else works.
Appreciate the fact that on the cross of Calvary, sin lost it’s dominion over your life. Now you can make your choice. And if you choose to be holy, because God has put in you all it takes to be holy, He will establish it in you.
Make Friends With God!Jesus said, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:15). It is revival that makes you a friend of God and creates enmity between you and world. It enables you to say, “No!” to sin, to the spirit of the world, the spirit of whoredoms, lying spirit, covetousness and pride. So, whatever is contrary to the will of God in your life, don’t nurse it, fight it now!
*To enjoy the full teaching on how to break negative spiritual controls, you can get your copy of the book; Conquering Controlling Powers By Bishop David Oyedepo
• You are destined for success
• God has made a master plan of success for you in all aspects of life.
• He is absolutely interested in the ultimate realization of your success (III John 2).
SUCCESS IS YOUR COVENANT RIGHT
- At New Birth you entered into a covenant relationship with God and the covenant covers every areas of your life.
- It is the knowledge of your covenant right to success that sets you free from failure and throws you to a life of consistent success.
- Many believers like the elder brother of the prodigal son are only serving God; they do not know their right to God’s blessing.
- When God cut a covenant with Abraham. He did not cut the covenant with him alone. He cut it with his seed, and that seed you are. (Galatians 3:29).
- So, your success story started the moment God said to Abraham “You shall be a blessing”… because you were in Abraham’s loin as at that time.
- God wants you know that He has destined you for success in an absolute sense (Matt. 5:14-16).
YOU ARE ABOVE ONLY
- God’s intention for you is to be ABOVE ONLY (Deut 28:13).
- The church was misled in the past to think that success is anti-godliness. People got the idea that mediocrity is synonymous with consecration.
- It is God’s heart desire for you to be an outstanding success and remain so. He is saying, “I have reserved a place for you at the top. I have no plan for you at the base of the ladder.”
- Divine success is being like God in all areas of life – an all round success!
- Most people who claim to be successful in business, academics or in their respective professions are worse than failures in other areas of life…that is not success. Success is being successful all round.
- Success is not a symptom of backsliding or carnality. It is an attribute of divinity.
- You need a completely renewed mind to get into the full consciousness of God’s success plan for your life.
- God takes pride in your success even more than you take pride in your child’s success (Matthew 7:11).
- As it gets tougher and worse for the wicked in this present generation, it will get easier and better for God’s people
- His righteous ones. So make up your mind to be above only all the time.
THE WAY TO SUCCESS
- There is always a way to enjoying every provision God has made available for you in His word…You cannot push God’s method aside and expect to get results.
- The Bible is God’s blue print of success for the whole of mankind. It is full of prescriptions that cannot fail.
Speak The Word
- You can not amount to anything until you begin to talk right (Joshua 1:8).
- The only thing you can have is what you have said (mark 11:23). Notice that God never does a thing without first saying it.
- Your success begins with the loud and bold declaration of the word of success.
Meditate On The Word
- Meditation enables you to get a full of understanding of what God has said about you, and grants the ability to act on the word.
- Your success seed is the word. As you think on the word of God concerning your success, the seed will begin to take root and germinate.
Act On The Word
- Success belongs to those that do the word… a diligent application of gospel truths brings spectacular success results.
- Divine success is conditional not automatic. If you want success, you must pass the test or meet the conditions for success.
- Your success level is determined by your availability to the word.
GUARD YOUR MIND
- The mind is the battle ground for success or failure, prosperity or poverty…
- You can determine what you think by controlling your observation, association and what you are taught.
- Saturate your mind with success truth. Associate with successful people. Observe successful materials and success teachings.
- As a man thinks in his heart so is he (Prov. 23:7). If you not desire to fail, don’t think it (Phil. 4:8)!
WISDOM – THE PRINCIPAL THING
- The reason princes have had to start walking on foot while servants ride on horses is folly; the princes have begun to operate foolishly.
- There are things that do not require prayer to solve. A mere application of wisdom brings the situation easily under control. Likewise things that have been cultivated vigorously and carefully over the years can be destroyed in a matter of minutes, for lack of wisdom (Prov. 4:5-7).
- Even Jesus had to be filled with wisdom and had to increase his wisdom level from time to time. If Jesus needed and used wisdom, you must know that you CANNOT do without it (Luke 2:40, 52).
- Wisdom simply put, is the ability to compute knowledge to lay hold on your desire. Wisdom helps you to know how to walk with God so as to bring your desire to pass.
- If you don’t apply wisdom in all you do, you will work yourself out with only very little to show for it (Eccl. 10:10).
- IT does not matter how much time, money or energy you have invested doing the wrong thing, wisdom demands that when you notice your fault or mistake, do not hesitate to switch over or good.
DISCIPLINE - THE CONTROL VALVE
- Wisdom in knowing what to do but discipline is training yourself to do it.
- One who is not living or walking in discipline is like a child. No serious thing can be committed into his hands (Galatians 4:1).
- Discipline is knowing what to do, doing at the right time and at the required rate.-Your success will always elude you until you begin to mature in discipline.
- You have great potentials that can be harnessed but you cannot do that in careless circumstances.
- Make positive realistic plans. Do not follow after trivialities.
HARD WORK
- If you really desire success you must work hard for it.
- The requirement for failure is laziness and idleness (Eccl. 10:18).
- Diligence is God’s formula for success (Prov. 22:29).
- Hard work exposes you and brings out certain latent potential in you.-Note that it is not your efforts primarily that guarantee your success. You only fulfill your own part and God produces the results (Psalm 75:6-7, Psalm 127:1).
Book marks from “Success Buttons” – By Bishop David Oyedepo
Enter The Ark!
Noah was preaching warning the people that flood was on its way coming. But everybody was laughing at him. It took him 120 years to prepare the ark. Only those who hearkened to his warning and entered that ark survived the flood (Genesis 6-8).
God has been building an ark in the past years now, an ark of rescue that appeared stupid to some people. It is no longer stupid! An immanent economic collapse was a prophecy before, now it is reality. People are exchanging property for food, they are selling their television sets to eat and their cars to pay their house rents. Landlords have become tenants!Friend, this seemingly foolish ark is your only way of rescue.
The COVENANT is the New Testament ark for rescue in the time of famine. You either enter inside it, stay there and be preserved or despise it and be destroyed.
God will not allow any flood until an ark is set. For 120 years, Noah was building an ark and nobody thought it would ever be of any use. But the day came, when the ark became the only way of rescue. God is preparing an ark for your financial safety right now. If you mock it you will be carried away by the plague of lack and want.
God has promised, He will never fail! We can trust Him. We can take Him at His word. He is always ahead for the safety of His people. The world is coming under the greatest plague of want. It is so clear in God’s prophetic agenda (Isa. 60:2-3). When God speaks, whether it has been or not, you netter shiver, for it is coming to be! God will not bend His word because of you.There is surely a flood of economic collapse coming upon humanity! Only those who stay in this ark shall be rescued.
God will not feed on your tithe, He created you. Out of His fullness, He gave you just a tip of the iceberg. He cannot be envious of you. Your position is irrelevant to God. The whole earth is like a drop of water in a bucket to him. You are not even an electron. You are just like the ant in your house. Salvation is the only thing that gives you value. If you despise it, your value is lost! God knows only Christians. He said, “I know my sheep and I call them by name” (John 10). You do not have a name outside salvation. God does not know the people in power in your country, if they are not Born Again. Their names are not in His list.
They are too short for God to see. All the things that look important to you here are nothing. This ark of safety is filling up already and the flood level is rising. It is time to flee to the covenant mountain, where there is rest.I am sent to tell you an ark is being prepared, and wise men are entering into it. Do not be the last to enter. The gates may be shut at any time! God sent Joseph to tell the children of Israel they do not have to die in Canaan, there is room for them in Goshen. So, Jacob and his sons crossed over from Canaan of dryness to the Goshen of milk and honey. May you cross over before the gate is shut!
You Need The Rain Of The Word!
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it- Isaiah 55:10-11
The word of God can be likened to rain that comes poring down from heaven. It is God’s major way of ending the drought in a man’s life. When the word is received and applied, no matter how harsh the climate, results are inevitable. Responding to the word is the ay to end the dry seasons in your life.
For instance in the time of Isaac, there was physical famine in the land but Isaac despised the famine and obeyed the word of God – sowing inspite of the weather condition; and God blessed him. Isaac became great because he operated God’s word.
God’s word is your access to healing, deliverance, abundance, promotion, etc. And just like no amount of energy applied can force open a firmly locked door, it is only the application of the word to a given circumstance that can produce favourable results – not the use of force (Luke 5:5).
God’s word is powerful. It is able to shatter the hardships of your life to pieces. When you issue commands based on the authority and integrity of the word, you trigger the word present in it to arrest all contrary situations. When there is an outpouring of the rain of the word and your spirit absorbs it, you bring forth and bud in all areas of life. That’s why you need the rain of the word to fall upon you.
CONSECRATION FIRST, THEN REVELATION!
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.- Prov 1:23
You turn at His reproof first before He pours out His Spirit upon you and makes His words known unto you. The Holy Spirit is prepared to teach you the ways of God but until you turn away from iniquity, He will not teach you; and except the Holy Spirit teaches you a thing, you cannot know it (1 Cor. 2:13).
So, carnality disqualifies you for the rain of insight because the natural or carnal man cannot understand the things of the Spirit since they are spiritually discerned. So as long as you remain carnal, you have no access to insight into the word. You must first clear the ground of your heart, then invite the Holy Spirit to come and teach you. You cannot be confused when He teaches you.
THE RAIN RELEASES HEAVEN’S TREASURES
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.- Deut 28:1-2
Blessings are triggered off by the word of God but the journey begins with consecration. Consecration begets unction, unction results in revelation, which in turn produces manifestations of the goodness of God.
IT BRINGS SATISFACTION
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.- Isaiah 55:2
God’s word satisfies because it is bread indeed. As you reorder your life to make hearkening to the word the centre of your desire, you will be satisfied with goodness and fatness. Some are hunting for blessings but blessings come only after you have had encounters with the word of God.
The word of God is food for the spirit (Jeremiah 15:16). No food is useful to the body until it is digested. Likewise, God’s word can only have impact in your life when you digest it. That is when it’s profits begin to appear. So, take time to ponder on the things you are hearing and reading, give more earnest attention to them (1 Tim. 4:13-16).
The word of God satisfies! Anything that stands between you and the word of God is out to destroy you. There is no substitute for the word, it is your ticket to genuine and lasting satisfaction!
You Can Break That Control
“For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns” (Jer. 4:3). I believe your fallow ground is the hardened area of your life that you have not been able to find an answer to. Now God has shown you that it’s some forces in the air that has been responsible for those negative habits and lifestyle. God has also made available to us what it takes to break those things, and seek the Lord. Break up your fallow grounds! The unplowed grounds of your life, the hardened habits that control your life. Don’t say, “It’s my nature.” It’s not your nature, it’s the devil’s nature! Break it! Every influence inside you that is trying to move you against the will of God, break it, in the name of Jesus! This is how to do it:
Cast Off !“…Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Rom 13:12). “Cast off” connotes a force. It implies that you can get yourself out of it. Jesus said, “In my name they shall cast out devils.” So, you say to that spirit of adultery or that spirit of lying, “Loose your grip off me in the name of Jesus!” And it goes. Listen to me, after you have made your choice, and have entered into a covenant with God with an oath never to be found in that thing again, and the motions of that sin is still trying to move in your body, cast it out! It’s a stranger in a hiding place, waiting to devour and destroy your destiny. Cast it off! The disciples of Jesus returned in Luke 10:17 with the report that, “…Even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” You have power given you by Jesus, to cast out all manner of unclean spirits.
Command It To Enter No More!“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first…” (Matt 12:43-45). The atmosphere is charged sir! The unclean spirit is roaming about, looking for where to land- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, all looking for who to capture. But you can deal with it! The Bible says in Mark 9:25, “When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.” When you cast the evil spirit, command it to enter no more forever, and secure the place with the blood of Jesus.
Put Off!“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth” (Col 3:8). Just the same way you put off your clothes you can put off unrighteousness. That means the works of the flesh are as lifeless as the clothes and shoes you put on. So you can put them off at will! I want you to have a superiority complex against controlling spirits, to be able to see them as things you can handle.
Put On! “…Put off the old man with his deeds. And have put on the new man…” (Col. 3:9-10).It’s like changing clothes! You put of this and you put on that. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering…And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (Col 3:12,14). So, you can put off anything you don’t want and put on the one you want. This is the reason God will judge anybody who continues in sin; because sin has no more power over us. Is that habit your choice? If you say, “No” then put it off!
Lay Aside!“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1). You can lay aside that spirit of whoredoms, that lying spirit, etc. You have a choice. You have the power to lay it aside or God wouldn’t ask you to do so.
Mortify!“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience” (Col 3:5-6). To mortify means to destroy. You can destroy fornication, you can destroy lasciviousness, envy and all the likes. They that are in the flesh cannot please God but through the Spirit we can mortify the deeds of the flesh so that we can live. “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Rom 8:13).
Purge Yourself!“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:21). You have to accept the responsibility to purify yourself. Stop looking for who to blame.
Exercise Yourself!“But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness” (1 Tim 4:7). No one excels in anything without exercise. Godliness is not cheap, the opposition is tense! It calls for a lot of exercises. Say to the Lord, “Lord, help me to accept total responsibility for a life that pleases you.” All it takes is you coming out to say, “No” and knowing what it takes to maintain that “No!”
Follow After Righteousness!“Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.” (Isa 51:1-2). The word “follow” connotes the presence of certain instructions. What God wants to do in your life these last days requires that you follow after righteousness. For God to establish that restoration, you must follow after righteousness. Paul said, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after…” (Phil 3:12). So, righteousness is a thing to follow and a thing to learn, so that you can know. When that is in place everything else works.
Appreciate the fact that on the cross of Calvary, sin lost it’s dominion over your life. Now you can make your choice. And if you choose to be holy, because God has put in you all it takes to be holy, He will establish it in you.
Make Friends With God!Jesus said, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:15). It is revival that makes you a friend of God and creates enmity between you and world. It enables you to say, “No!” to sin, to the spirit of the world, the spirit of whoredoms, lying spirit, covetousness and pride. So, whatever is contrary to the will of God in your life, don’t nurse it, fight it now!
*To enjoy the full teaching on how to break negative spiritual controls, you can get your copy of the book; Conquering Controlling Powers By Bishop David Oyedepo
SUCCESS BEWARE
Success Beware !
It is never permanent. It is slippery. It can turn into failure if not built upon Anything good you see today doesn?t deserve a second look. Never admire success. Rather build on it. Never set success before you. Always put it behind you. It should always be regarded as issues of the past while you place new goals ahead of you
Be In Time!
Wake up, young man! Everything in life happens in the process of time. Never get deceived that you have something waiting for you in your future. Now is your time. Never allow this season of your life pass you by. No man except God has custody of time. Anyone who says ?I have time? have already lost the time. But those who work with the mentality of ?I?m behind schedule? are always stirred up to catch up with time. Yesterday is the best time to do whatever you want to do. Today is getting too late and tomorrow may get completely impossible
Hide Your Head!
Satan is aware that you are an emerging star with an enviable destiny. He is as well aware that he can not reach you for as long as you remain in your God ordained domain, jurisdictions, company and timing. Satan can?t reach you unless you go within his reach. John lost his head when he carried it away from his place of assignment. Moses almost lost his. Your safety is in your place of assignment, and the timeliness of the same. They attempted to move Jesus out of God?s timing. He said, ?my time has not yet come.? When under more intensive pressure, he declared, ?my time is not fully yet.? John 7:6, 8 Hide your head to secure your destiny.
Stop The Limits!
There is no limit anywhere except as it originates from the mind. No one ever grow beyond the growth of his mind. It is the limit of the mind that sets limit on your life. If you can?t think it, you?ll never become it. You can never be spiritually matured except you have a sound mind. Free your mind to think and you?ll supply your destiny with wings to fly. - Think DEEP - Think WIDE - Think LONG - Think WILD Thinking possibility is the only way to guarantee your access to your possessions. The deeper you think, the higher you fly. Why limit your destiny anymore? Free your mind to think
Excellence And Expertise!
The place of developing your expertise as a youth cannot be over emphasized. Excellence breads from expertise. Expertise is a form of specific (special) knowledge in a specific field of life. You can?t use general knowledge to access special result and attain height of excellence. General knowledge is easy to come by. But expertise is acquired. General knowledge gives you access into mere information. Expertise results through a series of training ? major and subsidiary trainings; long and short terms. Experts are made under experts. Expertise is endless as long as training is endless. Expertise cannot be assumed. Men live as mediocre because they fail to crave for expertise. Wherever expertise is introduced, excellence is about to be born. Expertise is required wherever excellence is desired
Imitate To Break Limitation!
Contrary to people?s view that imitation brings limitation.
I have found in my life that imitation breaks limitation.
Imitation is not limitation.
Imitation brings inspiration with aspiration.
True imitators always aspire to do greater than the ones they are following after.
You are the limit of yourself.
So the more you focus on yourself the more likely you limit yourself.
But when you set your eyes on who to imitate you feel that you are yet to start your journey and so get more inspired to aspire for more.
Mind Your Company!
No destiny is built in isolation. Yet no destiny can be built in a wrong atmosphere.
Destiny, if not planted in a right company will be choked.
You can survive and be fruitful only when you have located your glorious destiny in a glorious company.
Truly, the company you keep largely determines the accomplishment you make.
While you may not be able to determine or chose who you meet with in the journey of life you owe yourself the duty to choose who you company with.
Open your eyes and intelligently use biblical parameters to choose who you relate with.
I pray for God?s guidance that will lead you into a regret free relationship.
Turning Intelligence Into Productivity!
There are so many intelligent derelics. Intelligence can never be equal to results. Results answer to diligence. It is commitment that injects life into intelligence. Intelligence expresses itself on the platform of diligence i.e. commitment to work without commitment to work intelligence will be lame and impotent. Failure seems to be a solid formation for success because there is nothing below or worse than failure. Those who have failed really have nothing more to fear. When commitment builds it has great possibility to transcend any level of intelligence. Intelligent people have the tendency to think that they have arrived the peak of their lives while diligent people continue with the process of exploring and developing themselves endlessly. Intelligent people usually think of assuming a state while diligent people just simply keep thinking of changing levels and improving themselves in a process of time.
Protect Your Birth Right!
? What is birthright? It is your destiny, your vision. ? Birth right is what belongs to you as right by reason of origin of your birth. ? Your birth right is the key to your blessing ? Whosoever stole your birthright will ultimately take away your blessings. Gen.27.36 ??He took away my birth right; and behold, now he hath taken away my blessing?? if you properly protect your birth right, no one shall be able to steal your blessing. Matt. 7.6 ?give not that which is Holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.? ? Never let the devil deceive you to loose it. You are the custodian of your birth right. Satan is envious of it. Never allow him any access whatsoever.
Be Bold To Be Broad!
Intimidation narrows down destiny.
Fear hinders people from faring well. Fear is what makes people get unfair treatment.
It takes bravery to be out of slavery.
Only the daring will become the darling of all around them.
Boldness will naturally result into step taking which brings a man out of mediocrity and limitation.
Bravery will make you step ahead in the place where others are wandering what will happen.
While they are questioning you are exclaiming.
It is never permanent. It is slippery. It can turn into failure if not built upon Anything good you see today doesn?t deserve a second look. Never admire success. Rather build on it. Never set success before you. Always put it behind you. It should always be regarded as issues of the past while you place new goals ahead of you
Be In Time!
Wake up, young man! Everything in life happens in the process of time. Never get deceived that you have something waiting for you in your future. Now is your time. Never allow this season of your life pass you by. No man except God has custody of time. Anyone who says ?I have time? have already lost the time. But those who work with the mentality of ?I?m behind schedule? are always stirred up to catch up with time. Yesterday is the best time to do whatever you want to do. Today is getting too late and tomorrow may get completely impossible
Hide Your Head!
Satan is aware that you are an emerging star with an enviable destiny. He is as well aware that he can not reach you for as long as you remain in your God ordained domain, jurisdictions, company and timing. Satan can?t reach you unless you go within his reach. John lost his head when he carried it away from his place of assignment. Moses almost lost his. Your safety is in your place of assignment, and the timeliness of the same. They attempted to move Jesus out of God?s timing. He said, ?my time has not yet come.? When under more intensive pressure, he declared, ?my time is not fully yet.? John 7:6, 8 Hide your head to secure your destiny.
Stop The Limits!
There is no limit anywhere except as it originates from the mind. No one ever grow beyond the growth of his mind. It is the limit of the mind that sets limit on your life. If you can?t think it, you?ll never become it. You can never be spiritually matured except you have a sound mind. Free your mind to think and you?ll supply your destiny with wings to fly. - Think DEEP - Think WIDE - Think LONG - Think WILD Thinking possibility is the only way to guarantee your access to your possessions. The deeper you think, the higher you fly. Why limit your destiny anymore? Free your mind to think
Excellence And Expertise!
The place of developing your expertise as a youth cannot be over emphasized. Excellence breads from expertise. Expertise is a form of specific (special) knowledge in a specific field of life. You can?t use general knowledge to access special result and attain height of excellence. General knowledge is easy to come by. But expertise is acquired. General knowledge gives you access into mere information. Expertise results through a series of training ? major and subsidiary trainings; long and short terms. Experts are made under experts. Expertise is endless as long as training is endless. Expertise cannot be assumed. Men live as mediocre because they fail to crave for expertise. Wherever expertise is introduced, excellence is about to be born. Expertise is required wherever excellence is desired
Imitate To Break Limitation!
Contrary to people?s view that imitation brings limitation.
I have found in my life that imitation breaks limitation.
Imitation is not limitation.
Imitation brings inspiration with aspiration.
True imitators always aspire to do greater than the ones they are following after.
You are the limit of yourself.
So the more you focus on yourself the more likely you limit yourself.
But when you set your eyes on who to imitate you feel that you are yet to start your journey and so get more inspired to aspire for more.
Mind Your Company!
No destiny is built in isolation. Yet no destiny can be built in a wrong atmosphere.
Destiny, if not planted in a right company will be choked.
You can survive and be fruitful only when you have located your glorious destiny in a glorious company.
Truly, the company you keep largely determines the accomplishment you make.
While you may not be able to determine or chose who you meet with in the journey of life you owe yourself the duty to choose who you company with.
Open your eyes and intelligently use biblical parameters to choose who you relate with.
I pray for God?s guidance that will lead you into a regret free relationship.
Turning Intelligence Into Productivity!
There are so many intelligent derelics. Intelligence can never be equal to results. Results answer to diligence. It is commitment that injects life into intelligence. Intelligence expresses itself on the platform of diligence i.e. commitment to work without commitment to work intelligence will be lame and impotent. Failure seems to be a solid formation for success because there is nothing below or worse than failure. Those who have failed really have nothing more to fear. When commitment builds it has great possibility to transcend any level of intelligence. Intelligent people have the tendency to think that they have arrived the peak of their lives while diligent people continue with the process of exploring and developing themselves endlessly. Intelligent people usually think of assuming a state while diligent people just simply keep thinking of changing levels and improving themselves in a process of time.
Protect Your Birth Right!
? What is birthright? It is your destiny, your vision. ? Birth right is what belongs to you as right by reason of origin of your birth. ? Your birth right is the key to your blessing ? Whosoever stole your birthright will ultimately take away your blessings. Gen.27.36 ??He took away my birth right; and behold, now he hath taken away my blessing?? if you properly protect your birth right, no one shall be able to steal your blessing. Matt. 7.6 ?give not that which is Holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.? ? Never let the devil deceive you to loose it. You are the custodian of your birth right. Satan is envious of it. Never allow him any access whatsoever.
Be Bold To Be Broad!
Intimidation narrows down destiny.
Fear hinders people from faring well. Fear is what makes people get unfair treatment.
It takes bravery to be out of slavery.
Only the daring will become the darling of all around them.
Boldness will naturally result into step taking which brings a man out of mediocrity and limitation.
Bravery will make you step ahead in the place where others are wandering what will happen.
While they are questioning you are exclaiming.
SIN AND MAN
Chapter 6
WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH
There are two main reasons why Jesus left heaven to come to earth. It is important we know these reasons.
SAVE SINFUL MAN
One reason was to give mankind a chance to have their sins forgiven. Why does mankind need a Savior? The reason man needs a Savior is because of sin. The Bible clearly says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Every person who can tell right from wrong commits sin. The apostle John also tells us this fact (1 John 1:6-10). What is sin? Sin is missing the mark (Romans 3:23). It is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). John added, all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). Also, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Sin causes us to go away from God (Isaiah 59:1,2), and Christ came to the earth to bring us back to God (2 Corinthians 5:20,21; Ephesians 2:16).
The Origin Of Sin
We have shown one of the reasons Jesus came to the earth was because of sin. From where did sin come? The answer is given to us in the first book of the Bible. After God created Adam and Eve, he put them in the garden of Eden, giving them everything they needed. He also gave them commands they were to follow. Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die (Genesis 2:15-17).
God clearly told them what to do. They were not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The third chapter of Genesis tells us what happened. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. Then the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate (Genesis 3:1-6).
Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, sin entered into the world (Romans 5:12). God already had the plan to send Christ to the earth to save man from his sin. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for he will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.... But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6,8). This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15).
PURCHASE HIS CHURCH
The other reason Jesus came to earth was to purchase His church. The following passages show the church was planned before God created the world. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (1 Peter 1:18-20). to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:10,11). And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:18,19). For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).
It was never in God's plan to have hundreds and thousands of denominations. The plan was always to have just one church and that all believers were to be part of that one church. The Bible teaches unity, not division (John 17:20-22; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:3-6; 1:22,23). Christ is the only head of the one church He promised to build. It is in His church that we are able to be saved from our sins (Ephesians 5:23).
Back to Table of Contents
Next: CHAPTER SEVEN - HOW TO FIND THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT
INTRODUCTION
BASIC OUTLINE
CHAPTER ONE - WHY WE BELIEVE JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD
CHAPTER TWO - THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
CHAPTER THREE - THE ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE
CHAPTER FOUR - OUR STANDARD OF AUTHORITY IN RELIGION
CHAPTER FIVE - OLD OR NEW TESTAMENT?
CHAPTER SIX - WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH
CHAPTER SEVEN - HOW TO FIND THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT
CHAPTER EIGHT - LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
CHAPTER NINE - THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
CHAPTER TEN - COUNTING THE COST
WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH
There are two main reasons why Jesus left heaven to come to earth. It is important we know these reasons.
SAVE SINFUL MAN
One reason was to give mankind a chance to have their sins forgiven. Why does mankind need a Savior? The reason man needs a Savior is because of sin. The Bible clearly says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Every person who can tell right from wrong commits sin. The apostle John also tells us this fact (1 John 1:6-10). What is sin? Sin is missing the mark (Romans 3:23). It is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). John added, all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). Also, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Sin causes us to go away from God (Isaiah 59:1,2), and Christ came to the earth to bring us back to God (2 Corinthians 5:20,21; Ephesians 2:16).
The Origin Of Sin
We have shown one of the reasons Jesus came to the earth was because of sin. From where did sin come? The answer is given to us in the first book of the Bible. After God created Adam and Eve, he put them in the garden of Eden, giving them everything they needed. He also gave them commands they were to follow. Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die (Genesis 2:15-17).
God clearly told them what to do. They were not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The third chapter of Genesis tells us what happened. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. Then the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate (Genesis 3:1-6).
Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, sin entered into the world (Romans 5:12). God already had the plan to send Christ to the earth to save man from his sin. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for he will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.... But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6,8). This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15).
PURCHASE HIS CHURCH
The other reason Jesus came to earth was to purchase His church. The following passages show the church was planned before God created the world. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (1 Peter 1:18-20). to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:10,11). And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:18,19). For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).
It was never in God's plan to have hundreds and thousands of denominations. The plan was always to have just one church and that all believers were to be part of that one church. The Bible teaches unity, not division (John 17:20-22; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:3-6; 1:22,23). Christ is the only head of the one church He promised to build. It is in His church that we are able to be saved from our sins (Ephesians 5:23).
Back to Table of Contents
Next: CHAPTER SEVEN - HOW TO FIND THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT
INTRODUCTION
BASIC OUTLINE
CHAPTER ONE - WHY WE BELIEVE JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD
CHAPTER TWO - THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
CHAPTER THREE - THE ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE
CHAPTER FOUR - OUR STANDARD OF AUTHORITY IN RELIGION
CHAPTER FIVE - OLD OR NEW TESTAMENT?
CHAPTER SIX - WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH
CHAPTER SEVEN - HOW TO FIND THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT
CHAPTER EIGHT - LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
CHAPTER NINE - THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
CHAPTER TEN - COUNTING THE COST
REBUILDING MARRIAGE
Rebuilding Broken Marriages!
Some Pharisees came to interview him (Jesus) and tried to trap him into saying something that would ruin him. “Do you permit divorce?” they asked.
“Don’t you read the Scriptures?” he replied. “In them it is written that at the beginning God created man and woman, and that a man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife.
The two shall become one-no longer two, but one! And no man may divorce what God has joined together.”
“Then, why,” they asked, “did Moses say a man may divorce his wife by merely writing her a letter of dismissal?”
Jesus replied, “Moses did that in recognition of your hard and evil hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.
And I tell you this, that anyone who divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commit adultery.”
- Matthew 19:4-9 (TLB)
Divorce and separation is not part of God’s plan for marriage. His original plan is for a man and his wife to live together all through their days on earth. The two are to leave their parents and cleave to one another – when two individuals cleave, they become one and since you cannot separate a man from himself, a married couple should not be separated.
If you have two pieces of paper glued together, what happens when you try to separate them? You may end up tearing them apart. Consequently, both may be destroyed. That is why Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder” because there would be serious damages in the process.
Divorce and separation in marriages is destructive. When a family is torn apart, there is always pain, sorrow of heart and bitterness. But I am glad to let you know that what ever is destroyed can be rebuilt because we serve a God of second chance; He is the God of restorations.
Marriages are not meant to fail. But what happens when they do? There is a way out. Micah 7:8 says, “Rejoice not against me o mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”
When you fall, you can rise again. It is only when you remain on the ground that you are called a failure. Many have torn their families apart through carelessness and laziness because they refuse to take positive steps.
If you are presently divorced or separated from your spouse, I want you to know that your relationship can be built again. Convince yourself that in the beginning it was not designed to be so. Assure yourself again and again that, “there shall be restoration for me, because I’m a covenant child. God is no respecter of persons. He who has done it for others will surely do it for me.”
Some Pharisees came to interview him (Jesus) and tried to trap him into saying something that would ruin him. “Do you permit divorce?” they asked.
“Don’t you read the Scriptures?” he replied. “In them it is written that at the beginning God created man and woman, and that a man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife.
The two shall become one-no longer two, but one! And no man may divorce what God has joined together.”
“Then, why,” they asked, “did Moses say a man may divorce his wife by merely writing her a letter of dismissal?”
Jesus replied, “Moses did that in recognition of your hard and evil hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.
And I tell you this, that anyone who divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commit adultery.”
- Matthew 19:4-9 (TLB)
Divorce and separation is not part of God’s plan for marriage. His original plan is for a man and his wife to live together all through their days on earth. The two are to leave their parents and cleave to one another – when two individuals cleave, they become one and since you cannot separate a man from himself, a married couple should not be separated.
If you have two pieces of paper glued together, what happens when you try to separate them? You may end up tearing them apart. Consequently, both may be destroyed. That is why Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder” because there would be serious damages in the process.
Divorce and separation in marriages is destructive. When a family is torn apart, there is always pain, sorrow of heart and bitterness. But I am glad to let you know that what ever is destroyed can be rebuilt because we serve a God of second chance; He is the God of restorations.
Marriages are not meant to fail. But what happens when they do? There is a way out. Micah 7:8 says, “Rejoice not against me o mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”
When you fall, you can rise again. It is only when you remain on the ground that you are called a failure. Many have torn their families apart through carelessness and laziness because they refuse to take positive steps.
If you are presently divorced or separated from your spouse, I want you to know that your relationship can be built again. Convince yourself that in the beginning it was not designed to be so. Assure yourself again and again that, “there shall be restoration for me, because I’m a covenant child. God is no respecter of persons. He who has done it for others will surely do it for me.”
PROVOKING GOD'S BLESSINGS VIA PRAISE
Provoking Your Harvest Via Praise!
Praise provokes the release of your harvest. Even when you are a cheerful and consistent giver, you still need praise to turn your seed into harvest. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. When you praise God, His blessings upon your life become inexhaustible. No matter what you do in the kingdom of God, until you have praised Him, you cannot be fruitful. Behind every prosperous life is the mystery of praise. This is because praise effectively waters the seeds you sow ? your services and offerings in the kingdom. David was a mighty seed sower and was also a praising king. As a result, he became a mighty man on earth! The more you praise Him, the more meaningful your life becomes! The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your praise. Let?s give it to Him! I?d like you to know this: God owes you nothing, for He has done all things well. Rather, you owe Him praise. And as you praise Him, you won?t need to struggle for your needs to be met any more; they will be met of their own accord. In the year of this jubilee ye shall returned every man unto his possession. Lev.25:13 ?Ye shall return every man onto his possession.? This can only be possible in praise. Jesus died for your release. He was made poor, so that we through His poverty might be rich. He came to enrich us, not to when you begin to see your desires upon your enemies (Ps.92:11). If through the praises of David the evil spirit that tormented Saul was cast out, it means evil spirit cannot attempt David himself. So, when you are in praise, no devil can interfere with the issues of your life, because praise puts you in command over your enemies. Fresh oil commands fresh victories. While David was dancing and praising the Lord with all his might, Michal (his wife) looked at him and despised him. And because God does fearful things in praises, even though she was his wife, Michal was struck with barrenness! Nothing can stand in the way of praise. As you praise Him therefore, everything that mocks your destiny in God will be made to pay for it. When you praise Him, unction multiplies, and manifests in revelation and power , bringing about God?s numerous acts. My oil can never be stale, because I celebrate Him day and night. As a result, the new oil keeps dropping upon me. I can?t understand the strength I enjoy nor the way He works with me; but I see His hand in my life all the time. From now on, as you praise God, His fearful acts will take place in your life and His new oil will drop on you, causing you to walk in power!
How To Condition Your Spirit To Receive The Word Of God!
1. Spiritual Quietness
Spiritual quietness is a prerequisite to receiving from the Lord. When we talk about spiritual quietness, we mean quietness on both the inside and outside. For you to receive God’s word into your spirit, you first have to decongest it of all other matters competing for your attention. The affairs of life; what to drink, what to eat, and what to wear are always clamouring for attention. They want to be meditated upon. Do you know that many Christians, even when they are praying, their minds keep racing about from one issue to the other? What with the school fees for the children who must resume in a week’s time and there is no sign of what to eat for the rest of the week; the wife who must be dealt with for the rude manner in which she responded to enquiries about certain household issues. The list is endless. In the long run, he has not prayed intelligently for even one item, thus, rendering the whole process completely useless and ineffective. A good Christian will keep all these from his heart. This is what makes it possible to plug into God’s frequency. Paul the Apostle said,
“…study to be quiet…”
1 Thess.4:11
So, there is a need to study spiritual quietness. Another form of quietness is on the outside. Jesus used to leave His disciples after hours of labour to have a quiet atmosphere around Him. He used to go off to solitary places before dawn. God manifests in an atmosphere of quietness. The Bible says,
“My reins also instruct me in the night seasons” Ps.16:7
And “Night unto night sheweth knowledge” Ps.19:2.
The night is a most valuable time for spiritual exercises because it is the most quiet part of the day. God’s voice is still and small, you need quietness to hear it. Because it is still, you have to be still to hear it. Take advantage of quietness and meet with God. You need it. It is the quietness you take advantage of that determines how well you can receive.
Study to be quiet. It takes some degree of quietness to receive from the Lord. Thus, when a man of God says he can’t see you at a particular time, it is not pride, it only means that he must see God first before he sees you.
2. Meekness
Another thing that determines how well you receive from God is meekness. Nothing is more destructive than pride- pretending to know what you do not know. God will only teach you what you do not know. He will only teach the meek His ways.
“The meek will He guide in judgment and the meek will He teach His way. Ps. 25:8
Everything God has promised has a way to it. God’s word is the way. You find out from Him and He will show it to you. All you do is to recognize that you don’t know. Recognize that you are learning and that God could use any instrument to teach you.
When you see higher men than you in ministry, sit down at their feet and learn. But first, you have to agree that they know more than you do. This is meekness. This is the way to learn.
Getting hooked to the supernatural is a personal spiritual encounter which you have to position yourself to receive. The word of God is the spiritual fuel you need. It is the carrier of supernatural forces from heaven. Cultivate the spirit of meekness, free yourself from activity, practice quietness, and take a good adventure into the word of life. When the word of God gains entrance into you, you will radiate the glory of God. You are meant to walk in the realm of the supernatural.
Fear Not!
“When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people.
And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faints, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
- Deut. 20:1-4
Fear deflates power! God goes to fight with you against your enemies, to save you, not to experiment with you. Friends, I bring you this heaven-sent assurance that the verdict of the battle has been given in your favour. The victory has been decided.
“And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? Let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in battle, and another man eat of it.
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? Let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and faint hearted? Let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.”
- Deut. 20:5-8
The things listed here are the things that led to the last statement, “fearful and faint-hearted.” Such people tell themselves. “What if…?”, “Who knows..?”, “Who can tell…?”.
Fear is snare! It brings men into bondage! Until you overcome it, you will not become an overcomer. It is a principal hurdle you must overcome before you can become a winner in life.
When you see horses all around you, and chariots, and the people are perhaps greater in number than you are, God says, “Be not afraid, for I am with thee.”
Shortly before He left this earth, Jesus said:
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”
- Matt.28:20
Paul said in Rom.8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” And the Psalmist said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4)
God is saying to you today, “Stand up and face your challenges. I am going to fight for you and save you.”
Fear will bring defeat your way any day. A fearful man is likely to affect other people around him. The time has come for God to give you an anointing for battle, that will make you unmovable as mount Zion.
“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even forever.
For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.”
Ps. 125:1-3
You must be able to say like Paul, “But none of these things move me.” When a man receives such a new heart, the Bible says he will be surrounded with mountains.
God knows certain things are going to be targeted at you to disturb you, but He says, “Be as immovable as mount Zion.”
All you need is to be steadfast. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” (Gal.5:1). God is committed to ensure that no rod of the wicked rests upon you and your belongings.
The fearful have no future in any battle. So rise up to the challenge around you. We are fighting a battle that has already been won, and the Captain of hosts, the Lord, the Man of war, is He that fights for us!
If you refuse to bow, you will not burn. It is only when you bow that you burn. You need to carry the consciousness that the Lord your God is with you always.
In every Canaan appointed for you, the devil has appointed giants to scare you away from it. You and I are creatures of destiny. You have a Canaan. Any giant that attempts to stand in your way, heaven will rise up to destroy him.
A heartless believer is destined to lose! It is time to show the world that you are a man! Don’t let anybody stop you from reaching your Canaan.
Without a heart you cannot make a mark! In warfare, every fearful person is disqualified. God is arming His Church, and we are privileged to be in the forefront, fully armed. So many things are being unfolded to us that are not common.
You are fully armed! Get on the road! This is your manifestation hour. It’s time to dare the devil. He will surrender to you.
Unparalleled confidence makes a conqueror. The inner strength of conquerors is unbeatable. Their heart is ever-triumphing.
Friends, you must become power-conscious. If not, the wicked forces on this earth won’t let you live! There cannot be any triumph without a display of power. When God comes in His power, He is a consuming fire. Every devil bows to the fire of God. It burns away every chaff in your life, and every stubble on your way.
The time has come for every closed door in your life to open. Every barrier in your life henceforth, will be changed into a wonder!
Jesus said:
“For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
Mark 11:23
It is time to tell the mountains on your way to get lost. They are not part of your inheritance. Business frustrations and failure are not part of your inheritance.
The power to disarm your enemy is in your hand. No Pharoah can torment you. No devil can torture you anymore. Friends, your obstacles have become miracles! Your barriers have been turned to wonders!
The power of God has completed the job, and your testimonies have been delivered to you! Just Pharoah was helpless before Moses, so every opposition has become helpless before you.
From now on, at your appearance, every closed gate shall be lifted up! Every Red Sea shall give way! Every mountain shall skip like rams at your appearance, and every valley shall be filled.
The time for you to wallow in signs and wonders has come. Your eyes shall be as flames of fire, and your hair shall be as white as snow! Your feet shall be as brass formed in a furnace! You shall be impossible to handle by any opposition! The ground under your feet shall bring forth bountifully from now on.
All that see you shall know that you are called by the name of the Lord! The time has come for everything that makes you hide your face in the society and in the neighbourhood to be swallowed up! Your slavery has come to an end. In Jesus precious name!
Praise provokes the release of your harvest. Even when you are a cheerful and consistent giver, you still need praise to turn your seed into harvest. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. When you praise God, His blessings upon your life become inexhaustible. No matter what you do in the kingdom of God, until you have praised Him, you cannot be fruitful. Behind every prosperous life is the mystery of praise. This is because praise effectively waters the seeds you sow ? your services and offerings in the kingdom. David was a mighty seed sower and was also a praising king. As a result, he became a mighty man on earth! The more you praise Him, the more meaningful your life becomes! The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your praise. Let?s give it to Him! I?d like you to know this: God owes you nothing, for He has done all things well. Rather, you owe Him praise. And as you praise Him, you won?t need to struggle for your needs to be met any more; they will be met of their own accord. In the year of this jubilee ye shall returned every man unto his possession. Lev.25:13 ?Ye shall return every man onto his possession.? This can only be possible in praise. Jesus died for your release. He was made poor, so that we through His poverty might be rich. He came to enrich us, not to when you begin to see your desires upon your enemies (Ps.92:11). If through the praises of David the evil spirit that tormented Saul was cast out, it means evil spirit cannot attempt David himself. So, when you are in praise, no devil can interfere with the issues of your life, because praise puts you in command over your enemies. Fresh oil commands fresh victories. While David was dancing and praising the Lord with all his might, Michal (his wife) looked at him and despised him. And because God does fearful things in praises, even though she was his wife, Michal was struck with barrenness! Nothing can stand in the way of praise. As you praise Him therefore, everything that mocks your destiny in God will be made to pay for it. When you praise Him, unction multiplies, and manifests in revelation and power , bringing about God?s numerous acts. My oil can never be stale, because I celebrate Him day and night. As a result, the new oil keeps dropping upon me. I can?t understand the strength I enjoy nor the way He works with me; but I see His hand in my life all the time. From now on, as you praise God, His fearful acts will take place in your life and His new oil will drop on you, causing you to walk in power!
How To Condition Your Spirit To Receive The Word Of God!
1. Spiritual Quietness
Spiritual quietness is a prerequisite to receiving from the Lord. When we talk about spiritual quietness, we mean quietness on both the inside and outside. For you to receive God’s word into your spirit, you first have to decongest it of all other matters competing for your attention. The affairs of life; what to drink, what to eat, and what to wear are always clamouring for attention. They want to be meditated upon. Do you know that many Christians, even when they are praying, their minds keep racing about from one issue to the other? What with the school fees for the children who must resume in a week’s time and there is no sign of what to eat for the rest of the week; the wife who must be dealt with for the rude manner in which she responded to enquiries about certain household issues. The list is endless. In the long run, he has not prayed intelligently for even one item, thus, rendering the whole process completely useless and ineffective. A good Christian will keep all these from his heart. This is what makes it possible to plug into God’s frequency. Paul the Apostle said,
“…study to be quiet…”
1 Thess.4:11
So, there is a need to study spiritual quietness. Another form of quietness is on the outside. Jesus used to leave His disciples after hours of labour to have a quiet atmosphere around Him. He used to go off to solitary places before dawn. God manifests in an atmosphere of quietness. The Bible says,
“My reins also instruct me in the night seasons” Ps.16:7
And “Night unto night sheweth knowledge” Ps.19:2.
The night is a most valuable time for spiritual exercises because it is the most quiet part of the day. God’s voice is still and small, you need quietness to hear it. Because it is still, you have to be still to hear it. Take advantage of quietness and meet with God. You need it. It is the quietness you take advantage of that determines how well you can receive.
Study to be quiet. It takes some degree of quietness to receive from the Lord. Thus, when a man of God says he can’t see you at a particular time, it is not pride, it only means that he must see God first before he sees you.
2. Meekness
Another thing that determines how well you receive from God is meekness. Nothing is more destructive than pride- pretending to know what you do not know. God will only teach you what you do not know. He will only teach the meek His ways.
“The meek will He guide in judgment and the meek will He teach His way. Ps. 25:8
Everything God has promised has a way to it. God’s word is the way. You find out from Him and He will show it to you. All you do is to recognize that you don’t know. Recognize that you are learning and that God could use any instrument to teach you.
When you see higher men than you in ministry, sit down at their feet and learn. But first, you have to agree that they know more than you do. This is meekness. This is the way to learn.
Getting hooked to the supernatural is a personal spiritual encounter which you have to position yourself to receive. The word of God is the spiritual fuel you need. It is the carrier of supernatural forces from heaven. Cultivate the spirit of meekness, free yourself from activity, practice quietness, and take a good adventure into the word of life. When the word of God gains entrance into you, you will radiate the glory of God. You are meant to walk in the realm of the supernatural.
Fear Not!
“When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people.
And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faints, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
- Deut. 20:1-4
Fear deflates power! God goes to fight with you against your enemies, to save you, not to experiment with you. Friends, I bring you this heaven-sent assurance that the verdict of the battle has been given in your favour. The victory has been decided.
“And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? Let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in battle, and another man eat of it.
And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? Let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and faint hearted? Let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.”
- Deut. 20:5-8
The things listed here are the things that led to the last statement, “fearful and faint-hearted.” Such people tell themselves. “What if…?”, “Who knows..?”, “Who can tell…?”.
Fear is snare! It brings men into bondage! Until you overcome it, you will not become an overcomer. It is a principal hurdle you must overcome before you can become a winner in life.
When you see horses all around you, and chariots, and the people are perhaps greater in number than you are, God says, “Be not afraid, for I am with thee.”
Shortly before He left this earth, Jesus said:
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”
- Matt.28:20
Paul said in Rom.8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” And the Psalmist said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4)
God is saying to you today, “Stand up and face your challenges. I am going to fight for you and save you.”
Fear will bring defeat your way any day. A fearful man is likely to affect other people around him. The time has come for God to give you an anointing for battle, that will make you unmovable as mount Zion.
“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even forever.
For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.”
Ps. 125:1-3
You must be able to say like Paul, “But none of these things move me.” When a man receives such a new heart, the Bible says he will be surrounded with mountains.
God knows certain things are going to be targeted at you to disturb you, but He says, “Be as immovable as mount Zion.”
All you need is to be steadfast. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” (Gal.5:1). God is committed to ensure that no rod of the wicked rests upon you and your belongings.
The fearful have no future in any battle. So rise up to the challenge around you. We are fighting a battle that has already been won, and the Captain of hosts, the Lord, the Man of war, is He that fights for us!
If you refuse to bow, you will not burn. It is only when you bow that you burn. You need to carry the consciousness that the Lord your God is with you always.
In every Canaan appointed for you, the devil has appointed giants to scare you away from it. You and I are creatures of destiny. You have a Canaan. Any giant that attempts to stand in your way, heaven will rise up to destroy him.
A heartless believer is destined to lose! It is time to show the world that you are a man! Don’t let anybody stop you from reaching your Canaan.
Without a heart you cannot make a mark! In warfare, every fearful person is disqualified. God is arming His Church, and we are privileged to be in the forefront, fully armed. So many things are being unfolded to us that are not common.
You are fully armed! Get on the road! This is your manifestation hour. It’s time to dare the devil. He will surrender to you.
Unparalleled confidence makes a conqueror. The inner strength of conquerors is unbeatable. Their heart is ever-triumphing.
Friends, you must become power-conscious. If not, the wicked forces on this earth won’t let you live! There cannot be any triumph without a display of power. When God comes in His power, He is a consuming fire. Every devil bows to the fire of God. It burns away every chaff in your life, and every stubble on your way.
The time has come for every closed door in your life to open. Every barrier in your life henceforth, will be changed into a wonder!
Jesus said:
“For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
Mark 11:23
It is time to tell the mountains on your way to get lost. They are not part of your inheritance. Business frustrations and failure are not part of your inheritance.
The power to disarm your enemy is in your hand. No Pharoah can torment you. No devil can torture you anymore. Friends, your obstacles have become miracles! Your barriers have been turned to wonders!
The power of God has completed the job, and your testimonies have been delivered to you! Just Pharoah was helpless before Moses, so every opposition has become helpless before you.
From now on, at your appearance, every closed gate shall be lifted up! Every Red Sea shall give way! Every mountain shall skip like rams at your appearance, and every valley shall be filled.
The time for you to wallow in signs and wonders has come. Your eyes shall be as flames of fire, and your hair shall be as white as snow! Your feet shall be as brass formed in a furnace! You shall be impossible to handle by any opposition! The ground under your feet shall bring forth bountifully from now on.
All that see you shall know that you are called by the name of the Lord! The time has come for everything that makes you hide your face in the society and in the neighbourhood to be swallowed up! Your slavery has come to an end. In Jesus precious name!
POWER TO COMPREHENSE 2
POWER OF COMPREHENSION
Depth of comprehension defines height of apprehension.
The comprehension you obtain will naturally determine the apprehension you attain. Depth determines height. Do not ever seek height, rather seek depth to gain height, you can�t miss height if you seek depth.
What you understand is what makes you outstanding. Therefore, seek understanding in the secret to become outstanding in the open. Your height is limited by your depth.
Solomon became outstanding because he obtained understanding by the largeness of heart God gave to him in response to his desperation for it. 1 Kings 3:9-12, 28,
1 Kings 4:29; Ps. 119:34, Eph. 1:18;3:16-19.
Daniel�s access to understanding secured him access to the palace in the reign of 4 kings consecutively.
Paul is still very much relevant today because God gave him comprehension of the things (ages) to come which now have come.
Access to understanding is access to the palace and access to the future. It is access to fame & to the top.
Lack of understanding is man�s limit, you can�t go to where/what you cannot see. If you must go farther, see farther. If you want to reach out first �reach in�.
Extent is usually drawn from intent. Just as an archer will necessarily have to pull the arrow to himself before he will shoot at his target, draw from the unseen to launch to the seen.
Get behind the veil to go beyond the veil. It is what you tap into that launches you to the top. Cry for understanding before God, if you want your voice to be heard among men.
Prov. 2:1-5; 4:7-9.
\CLIMBING TO NEW LEVEL
On the way to your new level are new devils.
Mk. 1:13; I Cor. 16:9.
Every time pressure is mounting up it is because destiny is about to take off into new height.
Pressure is a notice to new height. Hell usually breaks loose when ever heaven is about to open.
-But all it takes to subdue all devils at any level is power � Lk. 10:19 (9:1)
-Therefore, new levels demands new (fresh) empowerment which comes via prayer.
Lk. 4:1-14; Acts 4:23-33.
In prayer we come into union with God and gain power with God � Is. 30:29-31.
In prayer we interact with angels and contact their strength. Mk. 1:13
IN UNION WITH CHRIST
The whole essence of salvation in Christ is to restore the very life of God that created man in the beginning.
By salvation, we�re not just in touch with God but in union with Christ, we do not just have his kind of life but His very life just as God at creation gave His life to man, not just his kind of life.
We have His life, health, success, victory, triumph, intelligence, wisdom and every other thing He possesses, in the same quality that He exhibits.
Christ lives in us, He works in us, and He releases his life into us.
We should either take or settle for nothing less. Jesus paid for it all!
ACCESSING THE COVENANT
The platform for accessing God�s blessing for His people is the covenant.
But this covenant is accessed only by a walk with God � Gen 17:1, 2
A walk with God is made possible only by continuous and consistent obedience to God�s commandments � Deut 28:1-14.
Abraham practically walked with God by continuous obedience to God�s command.
Gen 12:1-4; 17:12; 22:1-18.
You cannot walk with God unless you please him and obedience is the only way to please him.
But obedience is made easy by deep affection for God. Heb.11:6; Jh.14:21, 23.
So, love Him to obey Him and obey Him to please Him. This will lead you ultimately into a walk (friendship) with Him.
By your walk with God you cut a covenant with Him that automatically makes you a beneficiary of His blessings. � Gen 17:1-2, Deut 7:12-15,
John 14:23; 15:14.
HARDSHIP OR HARDNESS
You’ll always be faced with a choice between hardness and hardship.
Go for hardness today to escape hardship tomorrow. Endure hardness today so as not to suffer hardship tomorrow. Endure today and enjoy tomorrow.
Face hardness today to phase out hardship tomorrow.
You can’t be a victim of hardship tomorrow if you pay your due to hardness today. Hardness is your escape route from hardship.
Hardness is discipline while hardship is suffering. Endure the pain of hardness today to escape the pain of hardship tomorrow.
COMPARE & COMPETE
Beware, comparison will always lead to unholy competition and competition is a game of fools. II Cor.12:10.
Comparison is not necessary because it wearies and reduces the �comparer�.
What you should rather do is compliment.
Don�t compete because it will make you incomplete. Many compete today because they feel incomplete.
Instead of competition which tears apart start co-operation with others in your team.
Competition makes you see others as enemies but co-operation embraces them as friends. Competition concentrates on self but co-operation concentrate on others.
Don�t be suspicious but supportive.
Competition limits you to your personal skill but co operation gives you access to skills of others.
Competition offers you small victory and joy but co- operation offers you large victory and joy.
Competition draws the line between a winner and a looser but co operation classifies all as winners.
DEAL WITH THE COVENANT
In relating with people you could sometimes be tempted to act contrary to Christian ethics because of their negative attitudes towards you.
The way to escape this trap is to deal with people on the platform of the covenant.
Look at every issue from the covenant platform and perspective.
Make the covenant your reference point. Always ask, what says the covenant?
Be guided by the covenant and not by circumstances.
You cannot be corrupted having respect for the covenant. Dan 11:32.
LIVE IN TRUTH
Constantly live in truth.
Truth liberates. Truth is fear free and fearless.
Truth is the escape route from traps.
You can never be trapped walking in truth. Deceit always makes people to descend.
Deceit drowns destinies.
Truth is transparent, truth is naked, and truth doesn�t hide; truth is open.
Truth doesn�t decorate. It detests make-ups, truth is never shady that is why darkness will never overtake it.
If you live in the realm of shades you may end in depth of darkness.
Truth must remain your lifestyle, truth must remain your guide, and truth must remain your habitat.
Lie makes people die, truth makes people tall.
Lie decreases, truth increases.
Live in truth to Live in triumph.
Ever truthful is ever triumphant.
GOOD UNDERSTANDING
No marriage thrives on the level of a couple’s educational qualifications, affluence or age; a successful marriage thrives on one’s understanding of the Word of God. It is your understanding of the subject of marriage that makes you stand out as a successful married man or woman. Your wealth of understanding determines your level of rest in the home.
The bible explicitly says: “…With all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4.7).
Good understanding is a fundamental ingredient for successful family relationship. There is no substitute to having a good understanding of your spouse, as this will enable you appreciate every little thing about him/her.
1Peter 3:7 says, “…Dwell with your wife (or husband) according to knowledge…” Why knowledge? Because knowledge is power. That is what keeps the relationship on. When you are empowered with knowledge things begin to go well for you as you always know what to do in every given situation. The reason some couples always have crisis in their relationships is because they don’t know each other.
Remember that every individual is unique in his or her own way. Your spouse is a unique person, you need to study him or her to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it. Don’t assume that what works for Mr. and Mrs. ‘A’ will naturally work in your home. Take time to understand the peculiarities of your spouse in order to relate well. No matter the level of your relationship with your spouse, you
must know what to do in every situation; you must always have a plan of action
that will establish peace in the home at all times.
As a man you need to treat your wife with love and respect if you don’t want your prayers hindered. See what the bible says,
In the same way, you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition, (Of the marriage relation), honoring the woman as
(physically) the weaker, but (realizing that you) are joint heirs of the grace
(God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered
and cut off – otherwise you cannot pray effectively. – 1Peter 3:7 (Amp)
Some spouses are not considerate at all and as such they place uneasy demands on each other. You must be sensitive to the needs and desires of one another. A lot of couples don’t know much about each other’s needs. So they are not committed to one another. When you become sensitive to the needs/desires of your spouse, you make the relationship lively, which results in smooth sailing all through the years. If your husband just returned from a journey, the first thing he needs is a bath, food and rest. Don’t start with, “I need money for housekeep” or other concerns of the home.
On the other hand, there are some men, who when their wives ask for housekeep money, they become very aggressive and wild! That is the time they complain about their car, the structure they are erecting for the family shelter, children’s school fees and so on. It should not be so, because the man has the responsibility to meet the family’s basic needs. That is why he is the head of the family, it is his sole responsibility.
There are some men who give in to peace only when they have some money in their accounts, but once the money finishes, the home would be on fire. He would begin to behave like ‘the lion of the tribe of his family’; putting everybody under pressure.
A major reason for marriage is relationship. We are built for constant fellowship. This is why God’s word says, “It is not good for a man to be alone (or to be without relationship)” (Genesis 2.18-25). Some couples live together but they do not relate, they are not careful to meet the needs of one another. You must relate with your spouse to make your marriage lively. Please be sensitive to each other’s needs and desires.
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says: Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to respect the views, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship in the home.
THE LAW OF TOTAL COMMITMENT PT 1
Your commitment to your spouse determines the beauty of your relationship. Your commitment determines your progress. What you are not committed to remains on the same spot, and as a result of improper care, it rots.
When you are committed to something, you put in all your efforts to bring out the best in it.
When you are wholeheartedly committed to your family as if that is all you are living for, you become a role model for others. An unhappy family will want to learn the secrets behind your happy home. The singles will be eager to get into marriage so they could start a family, because of what they see in your family.
The major way that a couple expresses their commitment to one another is by obeying the scripture in Ephesians 5:22-28. This is the cardinal instruction for maintaining a happy home. It says,
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word.
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
- Ephesians 5:22-29
The wife is to submit to her husband and the husband is to love his wife
. THE POWER OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is the music of marriage. When a relationship is void of communication, it becomes dead. It is best described as a ‘graveyard.’
For instance, when a cell phone is not in use and it is switched off. A caller cannot get through and the owner does not know that someone is trying to reach him. But as soon as the phone is switched on, calls begin to come in. Any relationship void of communication is like a switched-off cell phone.
Keep the line of communication open in your home; don’t let your spouse keep doing the talking.
When you talk don’t attack, avoid part answers. It is a two-way process. When one person becomes incommunicado, the relationship is obviously heading for a collapse! You can see Satan setting in. That is to say, you are living outside the will of God. You are debarring yourselves of God’s blessing. Of what use is a relationship without communication? It is simply useless because communication is a process that is essentially sharing. It is a mutual exchange between two or more persons.
The most important thing in any relationship is communication. Without communication you cannot build a long lasting family life. Most spouses don’t communicate with each other; they merely talk, just to bare their minds on issues bothering the family.
How to Establish Good Understanding
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says:
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to submit to his wife giving her the respect and honour due to her. The husband is the head of the home, he is the head of the home, he is the leader while his wife and other members of the family are his followers. But as a good leader, he must know the importance of team work; each member must be allowed to function effectively in his or her area, so that none is dormant, but rather every one contributes adequately to the well being of the home.
A wife should not attempt to take over the place of the husband in the home, but rather respect him as the head of and always obey his instructions. What most women don’t understand is that they can easily win the respect and love of their husband if they learn to quietly accept their husbands’ decision even when not convenient.
Also, the husband should respect the wives, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship ad the home, especially in children and kitchen affairs. This is the woman’s area so the husband should give her a free hand and allow her to handle it. Even if she does know how to do it, he should give her to opportunity to learn.
For a couple to respect and submit to each other, they need humility. When you refuse to submit to your spouse, whether you are a man or a woman, you are simply exhibiting pride. And the bible says, “God resists the proud.” But when you embrace humility, you receive more grace from Him (James 4:6).
Lastly, relationship is built over time, it does not happen instantly. This is where the issue of patience comes in. To establish good understanding in your marriage relationship, you need patience because you require some time to study your spouse in order to make the necessary adjustments that enhance harmonious coexistence. Patience means appreciating the past while expecting a better future (Heb. 10:35).
UNDERSTANDING FOR MARITAL BLISS
No marriage thrives on the level of a couple’s educational qualifications, affluence or age; a successful marriage thrives on one’s understanding of the Word of God. It is your understanding of the subject of marriage that makes you stand out as a successful married man or woman. Your wealth of understanding determines your level of rest in the home.
The bible explicitly says: “…With all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4.7).
Good understanding is a fundamental ingredient for successful family relationship. There is no substitute to having a good understanding of your spouse, as this will enable you appreciate every little thing about him/her.
1Peter 3:7 says, “…Dwell with your wife (or husband) according to knowledge…” Why knowledge? Because knowledge is power. That is what keeps the relationship on. When you are empowered with knowledge things begin to go well for you as you always know what to do in every given situation. The reason some couples always have crisis in their relationships is because they don’t know each other.
Remember that every individual is unique in his or her own way. Your spouse is a unique person, you need to study him or her to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it. Don’t assume that what works for Mr. and Mrs. ‘A’ will naturally work in your home. Take time to understand the peculiarities of your spouse in order to relate well.
No matter the level of your relationship with your spouse, you must know what to do in every situation; you must always have a plan of action that will establish peace in the home at all times.
As a man you need to treat your wife with love and respect if you don’t want your prayers hindered. See what the bible says,
In the same way, you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition, (Of the marriage relation), honoring the woman as (physically) the weaker, but (realizing that you) are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off – otherwise you cannot pray effectively.
– 1Peter 3:7 (Amp)
Some spouses are not considerate at all and as such they place uneasy demands on each other.
You must be sensitive to the needs and desires of one another. A lot of couples don’t know much about each other’s needs. So they are not committed to one another. When you become sensitive to the needs/desires of your spouse, you make the relationship lively, which results in smooth sailing all through the years. If your husband just returned from a journey, the first thing he needs is a bath, food and rest. Don’t start with, “I need money for housekeep” or other concerns of the home.
On the other hand, there are some men, who when their wives ask for housekeep money, they become very aggressive and wild! That is the time they complain about their car, the structure they are erecting for the family shelter, children’s school fees and so on. It should not be so, because the man has the responsibility to meet the family’s basic needs. That is why he is the head of the family, it is his sole responsibility.
There are some men who give in to peace only when they have some money in their accounts, but once the money finishes, the home would be on fire. He would begin to behave like ‘the lion of the tribe of his family’; putting everybody under pressure.
A major reason for marriage is relationship. We are built for constant fellowship. This is why God’s word says, “It is not good for a man to be alone (or to be without relationship)” (Genesis 2.18-25). Some couples live together but they do not relate, they are not careful to meet the needs of one another. You must relate with your spouse to make your marriage lively. Please be sensitive to each other’s needs and desires.
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says:
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to respect the views, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship in the home.
DEVELOPING INTIMACY WITH GOD PART 2
Any time man turns his back of God, he faces the wilderness. Outside of God, life is full of hardships, dryness and struggles.
But Jesus came to bridge the gap between God and man. The Bible says, He was wounded for our transgressions (Isa.53:5). He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins and today, every man can receive forgiveness of sins ad be reconciled to God. That means every couple that chooses to, ca enjoy the same king union and fellowship that Adam and Eve had with God in the Garden of Eden before they sinned
However, it is a personal choice. You have to consciously invite Jesus into your life and your marriage, because He never goes where He is not invited or needed.
Until you invite Christ into your home, you keep suffering crises, but when you make Him the centre of you relationship, His glory will be seen upon you. And wherever God’s glory is present, shame is absent.
If you have not already done so, this is the time to invite God into your home. Tell Him you are ready to let Him have His way in your marriage. Submit to His authority and let His word become the guiding principle in your family relationships.
To develop intimacy with God, you must also pay attention to your spiritual development, as individuals and as a couple. Embrace earnestly, the Word of God. Let prayer and the study of the Word be your lifestyle. When you draw nearer to God, He will draw nearer to you (James4:8)
Avoid sin, because it was sin that separated Adam and Eve from God in the first place. Make up your mind to hate whatever God hates and love what ever He loves. Be at peace with Him and He will be at peace with you. If you honour Him as the head of your home, He will also honour you among men (1 Sam. 2:30).
2 Chron. 15:2 Says,
….The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
As you seek God with all your heart, you will find Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Developing Intimacy with the Father
Intimacy with God the father is a very vital code for happy marriage, because no one knows the institution more than the one who started it.
He said in John. 15:5,
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without m ye can do nothing.
You need God in your marriage because without His help you can do nothing, but with Him on your side you can so all things. The Bible says in Eccl. 4:9 that two are better than one, but it also says,
…A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc.4:12
As a couple you may enjoy some level of success, but with God on your side, you have no limits because the three make an unbeatable team.
When God is in the centre of your marriage, it remains intact; the home cannot fall apart. So the best way to enhance your marriage relationship is to develop intimacy with God, as a couple and as individuals. The stronger your intimacy with God, the better your relationship with your spouse becomes.
You must give God His rightful place in your life ad your marriage if you desire a happy marriage. Give God and his word the place of priority in your home.
As the first couple on earth, Adam and Eve were made in God’s own image; they were given dominion over the rest of creation. Everything they needed to live a good life was provided in the Garden of Eden. But God specifically commanded them not to eat the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
And the Lord commanded the man, saying of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for I the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen.2:16-17
Tragically, they ate the forbidden fruit, and because of their disobedience, they were cut off from that divine connection. They became limited in all areas of life. Before Adam and Eve sinned, God use to come down in the cool of the day to fellowship with them in the Garden (Gen.3:8). They were covered with the glory of God. But the day they disobeyed God, that intimacy ended. They were driven out of the Garden into the wilderness and that marked the beginning of crises in all areas of their lives, including their marriageE.
HOW TO MAKE MARRIAGE WORK
Marriage is the coming together of a man and woman for harmonious living. It is a covenant relationship between two people of opposite sex, both of them seeking to give and receive satisfaction for their healthy needs and desires.
As a covenant relationship, marriage is a contract agreement between a man and a woman on one side and God on the other side. The covenant has terms of agreement; each party has a part to play. And when this is done, the covenant attracts blessings but when the terms are broken it attracts curses to the defaulters. When a couple enters into this covenant agreement, they are enrolled into the institution of marriage.
It is good at this point to mention that no matter how long you live with someone of opposite sex, you are not married until you take the necessary steps to legalize your relationship, according to the law and customs of the land and the commandment of God.
Just as a pet that has lived long in a home cannot be called a child, so also a man and woman that have lived together, no matter the number of years, cannot automatically be called husband and wife, except they obey the guiding laws of the marriage institution. It is respect for the institution of marriage that makes it work.
Marriage can be likened to a school where you begin to acclimatize yourself to a new environment and receive a completely new orientation to life. In this institution, there are basic rules you must obey.
One thing that is common to all institutions of learning is the writing of examinations at specific periods, with timetables which enables students prepare ahead. So also in the marriage institution; couples undergo examinations from time to time, the only difference in this case is that there are no timetables. So, the best way couples can pass such exams us to live ready for any challenge that might come up at anytime. They must also embrace sincerity as the rule of the game. That means there should be no ‘hide and seek’ because God created the man and his wife to be naked and yet unashamed (Gen.2:25)
Another thing about the institution of marriage is that there is no date of graduation; it is a life-long venture. Unfortunately, in our societies today, we have many cases of divorce; people jumped into marriage and jumped out again. It should not be so! Marriage is for life, once a couple is married, they must remain committed to the covenant and observe all the guiding rules of marriage. None is permitted to ‘break the hedge’ or do anything against the success of the union. Once you get enrolled into the institution of marriage, it requires the involvement of your spirit, soul and body. There Word of God says,
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife and they shall become one flesh. – Ephesians 5:31
Until you live for a cause you remain under a curse. And whatever you live for, you give your life completely to it. Marriage is a good cause and it is worth living for. No matter the bad experiences of other people, marriage is good. It was designed to make life great and complete.
GOD'S NO.1 INSTITUTION
Marriage is the coming together of a man and woman for harmonious living. It is a covenant relationship between two people of opposite sex, both of them seeking to give and receive satisfaction for their healthy needs and desires.
As a covenant relationship, marriage is a contract agreement between a man and a woman on one side and god on the other side. The covenant has terms of agreement; each party has a part to play. And when this is done, the covenant attracts blessings but when the terms are broken it attracts curses to the defaulters. When couples enter into this covenant agreement, they are enrolled into the institution of marriage.
It is good to mention at this point that no matter how long you live with someone of opposite sex, you are not married until you take the necessary steps to legalize your relationship, according to the law and customs of the land and the commandment of God.
Just as a pet that has lived long in a home cannot be called a child so also a man and a woman that have lived together, no matter the number of years, cannot automatically be called husband and wife, except they obey the guiding laws of the marriage institution. It is respect for the institution of marriage that makes it work.
Marriage can be likened to a school where you begin to acclimatize yourself to a new environment and receive a completely new orientation to life. In this institution, there are basic rules you must obey.
One thing that is common to all illustration of learning is the writing of examinations at specific periods, with timetables which enable students prepare ahead. So also in the marriage institution; couples undergo examinations from time to time, the only difference in this case is that there are no timetables. So, the best way couples can pass such exams is to live ready for any challenge that might come up at anytime. They must also embrace sincerity as the rule of the game. That means there should be no �hide and seek� because God created the man and his wife to be naked and yet unashamed. (Gen. 2:25)
HOW TO MAKE MARRIAGE WORK
A happy married life is not a function of luck but a matter of understanding the codes that make it work. When you understand and live by these codes, you command mastery in the area of marriage and you become a positive point for others.
You don't need strength or educational qualifications to make your marriage work; it is neither by might nor by power. You need to look into the perfect law of liberty and continue in it and things will begin to work for you.
I want to encourage you to study the word of God, not as a routine but as necessity for life. By so doing you would locate the solution to the particular challenge you are facing in your marriage.
Whatever is mocking and you and causing you shame in marital relationship shall be dealt with! Nothing will weigh you down again, I Jesus name!
If you are single and you are due for marriage, I congratulate you for reading this book because God will do a new thing in your life very shortly!
Genesis 1:27 says, “…God never created man to be alone. From the beginning, He created them male and female. This means His plan for you is to be married, and He is committed to that plan, so be expectant!
Every devil that has been standing in the way of your marriage is cast out of the way now, in the name of Jesus!
Every satanic veil or covering that is cast over your life is hereby removed by the quickening power of heaven in the name of Jesus!
I decree that there shall be no more disappointments, misfortune or bad luck for you! Expect divine coincidence from now on! You are loosed into favour, in the name of Jesus!
God who knows your end form the beginning shall satisfy your heart desires concerning your marriage. Watch out your miracle is on the way! It shall be delivered shortly.
VITAL KEY TO HAPPY MARRIAGE
Intimacy with God the Father is a very vital code for happy marriage, because no one knows the institution more than one who started it. He said in Jhn.15:5;
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
You need God in your marriage because without His help you can do nothing, but with Him on your side you can do all things. The Bible says in Ecc.4:9 two are better than one and also says,
…… A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc 4:12.
As a couple you may enjoy some level f success, but with God on your side, you have no limits because the three make an unbeatable team.
When God is in the centre of your marriage, it remains intact; the home cannot fall apart. So, the best way to enhance your marriage relationship is to develop intimacy with God, as a couple and as individuals. The stronger your intimacy with God, the better your relationship with your spouse becomes.
When God created Adam and Eve, it was not only for the purpose of relating with one another, He designed them for a unique relationship with Himself. And no other creature enjoys this kind of union with God. That is why it is very important for a married couple to develop intimacy with Him.
You must give God His rightful place in your life and your marriage if you desire a happy marriage. Give God and His word the place of priority in your home.
Causes Of Broken Marriages Pt 2!
Emotional Response to Issues
The way to avoid this is to become mature in understanding by giving a second and third thought to every issue before responding.
Emotion is born when sentiment is allowed to prevail over realities. The Bible says:
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Prov. 25:28
Control yourself! Control your emotions! Do not allow yourself to be provoked to anger. Anger lies in the bosom of fools. Control your tongue! Words spoken in anger cause untold damages in homes.
A wrathful man stirreth up strife; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
- Prov.15:18
The In-Law Factor
Your home should not be governed according to the dictates of your in-laws. Your goal must be to please God. When God is pleased every other person will be pleased. Fight against external interfaces in your home, because it is a subtle way through which the devil comes in.
The interference of in-laws can be cheaply handled with wisdom, especially when there is a good relationship between husband and wife.
The syndrome of in-laws creep in where there is a crack in the relationship between husband and wife. In-laws will naturally respect the couple and their decisions the moment they see harmony in their relationship.
Neglect
Neglect comes in when there is a gulf in the relationship. When the couple begin to ignore each other, they no longer pay attention to one another. At this stage the husband no longer regards the wife as and vice versa. Each goes his or her own way.
Never allow your marital relationship to degenerate to a state of neglect. Neglect gives room to the devil and the Bible warns against it. 1 Tim.4:14 says,
Neglect not the gift…which was given
thee…
Your personal relationship with one another is very important. Your spouse is a gift from God, and you know, the gift that you neglect cannot benefit you. Do not neglect each other! Neglect is a deadly spirit that slowly paralyses the initiative of your spouse towards your wellbeing.
The Cares of This World…
Some factors that can cause cracks in the home are outlined in Mark 4:19. They are,
…The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things…
The pursuit of the pleasurable things of this world, the unquenchable thirst for riches, power, and position, bring untold sorrows to marriages. The first home God instituted crumbled because of all these things.
Adam and Eve were free to eat all the fruits in the garden except one. But that particular one that they were forbidden to eat was the one that Eve wanted. Her desire for the non-essentials of the world brought about the fall of man.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit...
Gen.3:6 (Emphasis mine).
It might be good for food, it might be good to put on your body, it might be pleasant to the eyes, it might enhance your position, but is it good for your destiny?
Stop comparing your home with that of your neighbours! Stop comparing your husband with your friend’s husband! Stop comparing your wife with other women! This is what pushes people into the pursuit of unnecessary things, which eventually lead them to destruction. Paul writing to the Corinthian church said,
…but they measuring themselves by themselves among themselves are not wise.
2 Cor.10:12
It’s time to be wise! The cares of this world lead to destruction, while giving attention to the word exalts.
Rebuilding Broken Marriages!
Some Pharisees came to interview him (Jesus) and tried to trap him into saying something that would ruin him. “Do you permit divorce?” they asked.
“Don’t you read the Scriptures?” he replied. “In them it is written that at the beginning God created man and woman, and that a man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife.
The two shall become one-no longer two, but one! And no man may divorce what God has joined together.”
“Then, why,” they asked, “did Moses say a man may divorce his wife by merely writing her a letter of dismissal?”
Jesus replied, “Moses did that in recognition of your hard and evil hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.
And I tell you this, that anyone who divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commit adultery.”
- Matthew 19:4-9 (TLB)
Divorce and separation is not part of God’s plan for marriage. His original plan is for a man and his wife to live together all through their days on earth. The two are to leave their parents and cleave to one another – when two individuals cleave, they become one and since you cannot separate a man from himself, a married couple should not be separated.
If you have two pieces of paper glued together, what happens when you try to separate them? You may end up tearing them apart. Consequently, both may be destroyed. That is why Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder” because there would be serious damages in the process.
Divorce and separation in marriages is destructive. When a family is torn apart, there is always pain, sorrow of heart and bitterness. But I am glad to let you know that what ever is destroyed can be rebuilt because we serve a God of second chance; He is the God of restorations.
Marriages are not meant to fail. But what happens when they do? There is a way out. Micah 7:8 says, “Rejoice not against me o mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”
When you fall, you can rise again. It is only when you remain on the ground that you are called a failure. Many have torn their families apart through carelessness and laziness because they refuse to take positive steps.
If you are presently divorced or separated from your spouse, I want you to know that your relationship can be built again. Convince yourself that in the beginning it was not designed to be so. Assure yourself again and again that, “there shall be restoration for me, because I’m a covenant child. God is no respecter of persons. He who has done it for others will surely do it for me.”
The Need For Home Management!
The dream of every married man or woman is to have a home where everything is orderly and where there is prosperity and progress. That is also God’s will for your home but one of the things it takes to achieve that goal is creative management. Good management is another code for happy married life, which some couples ignore and they end up in crisis.
What Is Management?
Management can be defined as skilful handling of anything put in your care.
All the resources you have at your disposal come from God, He entrusted them to you and these include your time, finances, gifts, talents, assets, etc. you also have members of your family; the husband, the wife and the children – these are great destinies and potentials that must not be wasted. God’s purpose is to make your home a show piece for all to see. Improper management is the reason some couples end up being demoralized and their homes are in disarray.
Good management of resources qualifies you for more of God’s blessings. To manage your resources properly, you need wisdom. Prov.24:3 says, “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.”
When you operate in the wisdom of God, no matter how little the resources in your hand, it will always be more than enough.
Wisdom demands that you always set your priorities right. It is lack of discipline and integrity to spend beyond your means.
Just as individuals are peculiar, every home is also peculiar, unique and special. So, even though there are general management rules that we can follow, you require the wisdom of God to devise unique ways of managing your home, because the priorities in other homes may not be the same in yours. This is why you need creativity to be able to meet every need of your home without running helter-skelter.
Have a good sense of management. Good managerial principles when adhered to, bring peace and harmony in the home. It will put an end to all your struggles with family finances, relationships, academic performance of your children and other areas of family life.
You need stock-taking; take stock of what comes into your home from time to time and keep record of your expenses. This will help you to block any leakages and arrest wastage where necessary.
What Do You Plan For?
The role of planning in any home cannot be overemphasized. Planning helps you to define your purpose and activities. It helps you to set standards of performance so that results can be compared with the set standards for appraisal.
As a couple, you can plan basically for your wellbeing, your togetherness and your future. Everything about the home must be planned for. Plan for the number of children you want to have for their future, plan your spiritual and social life. For instance, you don’t have to wait until the day your children are set to resume school before you start looking for school fees! When you plan ahead you deliver yourself from anxiety of looking for things at the last minute. It is true that you believe God for divine supplies, but as you believe, make sure you have a plan.
My husband often says that any man who waits till the day his wife is to deliver before he begins to run around for the hospital bill is not a planner. He had a long notice of nine months, but did nothing.
You cannot use another person’s plan to run your life and your home. Be creative and prayerful and God will help you to develop a plan that suits your home and resources per time.Plan, both for now and the future. Just as you plan for what your family will eat on a daily basis, also plan ahead for family projects like building a house, buying a car, etc. Ensure that you plan according to your size per time. Remember that men are in sizes and life is in phases. If you manage and plan your present level well, God will take you speedily to the next phase
The Importance of Planning!
Many families today lack planning and that is why things have been falling apart for them.
What is planning?
Planning can simply be defined as putting issues in the right future perspective. This initiates decisions and guarantees results for every step taken. Planning is one of the secret codes for blissful marriage. Luke 14:28 asks,
…who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills? (The Living Bible)
By application, this scripture is saying, “Who will begin a family without first planning?”
Planning also means mapping out your order of activities and spreading your available resources to meet the relevant needs.God expects you to plan wisely and use the resources He has given you for the successful and smooth running of your home.
There is nothing in your hands that is too small. There is no situation you are facing as a couple that cannot change for the better, if only you will plan.
When there is a plan, management becomes easy. Living without a plan is like traveling through a desert without a compass or a map. That will be a fruitless, endless journey.
Planning for every aspect of family life is very important, it is something that every couple aught to do. For effective take off of the family, there must be adequate planning from the onset. You don’t just get into marriage and begin to have children as they come, you plan for them before they arrive.
Show me a planner, and I will show you a man with a bright future.
Every prudent man (every master planner) dealeth with knowledge: but a fool (a non planner) layeth open his folly. Prov.13:16
Marriage Processes
Many people think that marriage is just when a man and a woman come together and begin to live under the same roof. There is more to it! There are principles that must be followed in order to make it work. Things do not work because of the personalities involved but because of the principles applied. Marriage is a process of adjustment, agreement, appreciation and total commitment to one another for better living.
Let us examine each of these processes closely.
Adjustment
The process of adjustment involves making necessary changes in order to conform or fit into a new way of life or a new environment. In marriage, there is no end to adjustment. If you want your marriage to work, you have to keep adjusting in all ways and all areas of life to make your relationship better daily. You can’t say, “This is the way my parents used to do it or this is the way they do it in our culture.” You must be ready to adjust to your partner, to life as a married manor woman, and to do everything according to the injunction of scriptures.
Adjustment means making little changes where and when necessary in order to correct or improve your relationship. The reason for adjustment is that every individual is unique. No matter the similarities or the level of love between a couple, they still have their differences. It is also possible that they come from different backgrounds, different cultures, with different upbringing, etc. Moreover, God made men and women different. They think differently, react differently to the same situations and their needs are different, so for a couple to fit in as marriage partners and become one, there must be adjustment, especially in their behavioral pattern and way of thinking. For instance, as a married man or woman, you can not continue to think or act like a single person, your perspective and attitude must change. If as a wife, for instance you like to keep your hair long but your husband wants you to keep low cut, you should make up your mind to adjust immediately; you don’t have to fight over it because the Bible makes it clear that your husband is the owner of your body. If as a man you discover that your wife does not like sleeping with lights on, but you like the lights on, you can use a colored bulb so that the light is not too bright for her and at the same time, not too dark for you. By so doing, both of you would be satisfied and there would be peace. That is adjustment.
Agreement
Agreement is a product of adjustment. Where there is no adjustment there can be no agreement and where there is no agreement there would be no peace. Marriage thrives on agreement not arguments. Two people cannot walk or live together except they agree (Amos 3.3). Agreement comes as a result of harmony of opinions between a couple. No one person knows it all. Couples must endeavour to create an atmosphere for productive dialogue rather than remaining silent with so many issues bottled up within. Even God says, “Come let us reason together...produce your strong cause, let us plead together” (Isa. 1:18, 43:26). That is the principle you must adopt to encourage agreement in your home. However, dialogue must never be allowed to degenerate into argument. An argument only confirms people in their own opinions and has never brought solution. The best way to encourage agreement, is to always turn to the word of God for guidance.
Agreement has benefits. The Bible says when you dwell together in unity, you enjoy blessings that you don’t even deserve (Psalm 133). Also, when there is agreement, trust is reinforced and this helps to guard against separation or divorce.
Appreciation
Marriage is all about appreciation. Nothing provokes a man to better performance like appreciation. You cannot appreciate people enough; the more you do it the more appreciated you become. How much do you value or admire your spouse? Your value determines the level of respect that you have for one another. The person you don’t appreciate tends to depreciate; he or she will lack inspiration and aspiration for new things. You must learn to appreciate your spouse. It is God’s nature to always appreciate, that was why after He created the first man and woman, He looked at them and blessed them. That is appreciation. Always appreciate your spouse. Compliment your spouse instead of comparing him or her with others. Remember, comparison is the game of fools while appreciation gives no room to a complaining spirit.
With this understanding, you have the right foundation for a stable family relationship. I decree peace to your marriage this day!
Depth of comprehension defines height of apprehension.
The comprehension you obtain will naturally determine the apprehension you attain. Depth determines height. Do not ever seek height, rather seek depth to gain height, you can�t miss height if you seek depth.
What you understand is what makes you outstanding. Therefore, seek understanding in the secret to become outstanding in the open. Your height is limited by your depth.
Solomon became outstanding because he obtained understanding by the largeness of heart God gave to him in response to his desperation for it. 1 Kings 3:9-12, 28,
1 Kings 4:29; Ps. 119:34, Eph. 1:18;3:16-19.
Daniel�s access to understanding secured him access to the palace in the reign of 4 kings consecutively.
Paul is still very much relevant today because God gave him comprehension of the things (ages) to come which now have come.
Access to understanding is access to the palace and access to the future. It is access to fame & to the top.
Lack of understanding is man�s limit, you can�t go to where/what you cannot see. If you must go farther, see farther. If you want to reach out first �reach in�.
Extent is usually drawn from intent. Just as an archer will necessarily have to pull the arrow to himself before he will shoot at his target, draw from the unseen to launch to the seen.
Get behind the veil to go beyond the veil. It is what you tap into that launches you to the top. Cry for understanding before God, if you want your voice to be heard among men.
Prov. 2:1-5; 4:7-9.
\CLIMBING TO NEW LEVEL
On the way to your new level are new devils.
Mk. 1:13; I Cor. 16:9.
Every time pressure is mounting up it is because destiny is about to take off into new height.
Pressure is a notice to new height. Hell usually breaks loose when ever heaven is about to open.
-But all it takes to subdue all devils at any level is power � Lk. 10:19 (9:1)
-Therefore, new levels demands new (fresh) empowerment which comes via prayer.
Lk. 4:1-14; Acts 4:23-33.
In prayer we come into union with God and gain power with God � Is. 30:29-31.
In prayer we interact with angels and contact their strength. Mk. 1:13
IN UNION WITH CHRIST
The whole essence of salvation in Christ is to restore the very life of God that created man in the beginning.
By salvation, we�re not just in touch with God but in union with Christ, we do not just have his kind of life but His very life just as God at creation gave His life to man, not just his kind of life.
We have His life, health, success, victory, triumph, intelligence, wisdom and every other thing He possesses, in the same quality that He exhibits.
Christ lives in us, He works in us, and He releases his life into us.
We should either take or settle for nothing less. Jesus paid for it all!
ACCESSING THE COVENANT
The platform for accessing God�s blessing for His people is the covenant.
But this covenant is accessed only by a walk with God � Gen 17:1, 2
A walk with God is made possible only by continuous and consistent obedience to God�s commandments � Deut 28:1-14.
Abraham practically walked with God by continuous obedience to God�s command.
Gen 12:1-4; 17:12; 22:1-18.
You cannot walk with God unless you please him and obedience is the only way to please him.
But obedience is made easy by deep affection for God. Heb.11:6; Jh.14:21, 23.
So, love Him to obey Him and obey Him to please Him. This will lead you ultimately into a walk (friendship) with Him.
By your walk with God you cut a covenant with Him that automatically makes you a beneficiary of His blessings. � Gen 17:1-2, Deut 7:12-15,
John 14:23; 15:14.
HARDSHIP OR HARDNESS
You’ll always be faced with a choice between hardness and hardship.
Go for hardness today to escape hardship tomorrow. Endure hardness today so as not to suffer hardship tomorrow. Endure today and enjoy tomorrow.
Face hardness today to phase out hardship tomorrow.
You can’t be a victim of hardship tomorrow if you pay your due to hardness today. Hardness is your escape route from hardship.
Hardness is discipline while hardship is suffering. Endure the pain of hardness today to escape the pain of hardship tomorrow.
COMPARE & COMPETE
Beware, comparison will always lead to unholy competition and competition is a game of fools. II Cor.12:10.
Comparison is not necessary because it wearies and reduces the �comparer�.
What you should rather do is compliment.
Don�t compete because it will make you incomplete. Many compete today because they feel incomplete.
Instead of competition which tears apart start co-operation with others in your team.
Competition makes you see others as enemies but co-operation embraces them as friends. Competition concentrates on self but co-operation concentrate on others.
Don�t be suspicious but supportive.
Competition limits you to your personal skill but co operation gives you access to skills of others.
Competition offers you small victory and joy but co- operation offers you large victory and joy.
Competition draws the line between a winner and a looser but co operation classifies all as winners.
DEAL WITH THE COVENANT
In relating with people you could sometimes be tempted to act contrary to Christian ethics because of their negative attitudes towards you.
The way to escape this trap is to deal with people on the platform of the covenant.
Look at every issue from the covenant platform and perspective.
Make the covenant your reference point. Always ask, what says the covenant?
Be guided by the covenant and not by circumstances.
You cannot be corrupted having respect for the covenant. Dan 11:32.
LIVE IN TRUTH
Constantly live in truth.
Truth liberates. Truth is fear free and fearless.
Truth is the escape route from traps.
You can never be trapped walking in truth. Deceit always makes people to descend.
Deceit drowns destinies.
Truth is transparent, truth is naked, and truth doesn�t hide; truth is open.
Truth doesn�t decorate. It detests make-ups, truth is never shady that is why darkness will never overtake it.
If you live in the realm of shades you may end in depth of darkness.
Truth must remain your lifestyle, truth must remain your guide, and truth must remain your habitat.
Lie makes people die, truth makes people tall.
Lie decreases, truth increases.
Live in truth to Live in triumph.
Ever truthful is ever triumphant.
GOOD UNDERSTANDING
No marriage thrives on the level of a couple’s educational qualifications, affluence or age; a successful marriage thrives on one’s understanding of the Word of God. It is your understanding of the subject of marriage that makes you stand out as a successful married man or woman. Your wealth of understanding determines your level of rest in the home.
The bible explicitly says: “…With all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4.7).
Good understanding is a fundamental ingredient for successful family relationship. There is no substitute to having a good understanding of your spouse, as this will enable you appreciate every little thing about him/her.
1Peter 3:7 says, “…Dwell with your wife (or husband) according to knowledge…” Why knowledge? Because knowledge is power. That is what keeps the relationship on. When you are empowered with knowledge things begin to go well for you as you always know what to do in every given situation. The reason some couples always have crisis in their relationships is because they don’t know each other.
Remember that every individual is unique in his or her own way. Your spouse is a unique person, you need to study him or her to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it. Don’t assume that what works for Mr. and Mrs. ‘A’ will naturally work in your home. Take time to understand the peculiarities of your spouse in order to relate well. No matter the level of your relationship with your spouse, you
must know what to do in every situation; you must always have a plan of action
that will establish peace in the home at all times.
As a man you need to treat your wife with love and respect if you don’t want your prayers hindered. See what the bible says,
In the same way, you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition, (Of the marriage relation), honoring the woman as
(physically) the weaker, but (realizing that you) are joint heirs of the grace
(God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered
and cut off – otherwise you cannot pray effectively. – 1Peter 3:7 (Amp)
Some spouses are not considerate at all and as such they place uneasy demands on each other. You must be sensitive to the needs and desires of one another. A lot of couples don’t know much about each other’s needs. So they are not committed to one another. When you become sensitive to the needs/desires of your spouse, you make the relationship lively, which results in smooth sailing all through the years. If your husband just returned from a journey, the first thing he needs is a bath, food and rest. Don’t start with, “I need money for housekeep” or other concerns of the home.
On the other hand, there are some men, who when their wives ask for housekeep money, they become very aggressive and wild! That is the time they complain about their car, the structure they are erecting for the family shelter, children’s school fees and so on. It should not be so, because the man has the responsibility to meet the family’s basic needs. That is why he is the head of the family, it is his sole responsibility.
There are some men who give in to peace only when they have some money in their accounts, but once the money finishes, the home would be on fire. He would begin to behave like ‘the lion of the tribe of his family’; putting everybody under pressure.
A major reason for marriage is relationship. We are built for constant fellowship. This is why God’s word says, “It is not good for a man to be alone (or to be without relationship)” (Genesis 2.18-25). Some couples live together but they do not relate, they are not careful to meet the needs of one another. You must relate with your spouse to make your marriage lively. Please be sensitive to each other’s needs and desires.
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says: Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to respect the views, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship in the home.
THE LAW OF TOTAL COMMITMENT PT 1
Your commitment to your spouse determines the beauty of your relationship. Your commitment determines your progress. What you are not committed to remains on the same spot, and as a result of improper care, it rots.
When you are committed to something, you put in all your efforts to bring out the best in it.
When you are wholeheartedly committed to your family as if that is all you are living for, you become a role model for others. An unhappy family will want to learn the secrets behind your happy home. The singles will be eager to get into marriage so they could start a family, because of what they see in your family.
The major way that a couple expresses their commitment to one another is by obeying the scripture in Ephesians 5:22-28. This is the cardinal instruction for maintaining a happy home. It says,
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word.
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
- Ephesians 5:22-29
The wife is to submit to her husband and the husband is to love his wife
. THE POWER OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is the music of marriage. When a relationship is void of communication, it becomes dead. It is best described as a ‘graveyard.’
For instance, when a cell phone is not in use and it is switched off. A caller cannot get through and the owner does not know that someone is trying to reach him. But as soon as the phone is switched on, calls begin to come in. Any relationship void of communication is like a switched-off cell phone.
Keep the line of communication open in your home; don’t let your spouse keep doing the talking.
When you talk don’t attack, avoid part answers. It is a two-way process. When one person becomes incommunicado, the relationship is obviously heading for a collapse! You can see Satan setting in. That is to say, you are living outside the will of God. You are debarring yourselves of God’s blessing. Of what use is a relationship without communication? It is simply useless because communication is a process that is essentially sharing. It is a mutual exchange between two or more persons.
The most important thing in any relationship is communication. Without communication you cannot build a long lasting family life. Most spouses don’t communicate with each other; they merely talk, just to bare their minds on issues bothering the family.
How to Establish Good Understanding
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says:
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to submit to his wife giving her the respect and honour due to her. The husband is the head of the home, he is the head of the home, he is the leader while his wife and other members of the family are his followers. But as a good leader, he must know the importance of team work; each member must be allowed to function effectively in his or her area, so that none is dormant, but rather every one contributes adequately to the well being of the home.
A wife should not attempt to take over the place of the husband in the home, but rather respect him as the head of and always obey his instructions. What most women don’t understand is that they can easily win the respect and love of their husband if they learn to quietly accept their husbands’ decision even when not convenient.
Also, the husband should respect the wives, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship ad the home, especially in children and kitchen affairs. This is the woman’s area so the husband should give her a free hand and allow her to handle it. Even if she does know how to do it, he should give her to opportunity to learn.
For a couple to respect and submit to each other, they need humility. When you refuse to submit to your spouse, whether you are a man or a woman, you are simply exhibiting pride. And the bible says, “God resists the proud.” But when you embrace humility, you receive more grace from Him (James 4:6).
Lastly, relationship is built over time, it does not happen instantly. This is where the issue of patience comes in. To establish good understanding in your marriage relationship, you need patience because you require some time to study your spouse in order to make the necessary adjustments that enhance harmonious coexistence. Patience means appreciating the past while expecting a better future (Heb. 10:35).
UNDERSTANDING FOR MARITAL BLISS
No marriage thrives on the level of a couple’s educational qualifications, affluence or age; a successful marriage thrives on one’s understanding of the Word of God. It is your understanding of the subject of marriage that makes you stand out as a successful married man or woman. Your wealth of understanding determines your level of rest in the home.
The bible explicitly says: “…With all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4.7).
Good understanding is a fundamental ingredient for successful family relationship. There is no substitute to having a good understanding of your spouse, as this will enable you appreciate every little thing about him/her.
1Peter 3:7 says, “…Dwell with your wife (or husband) according to knowledge…” Why knowledge? Because knowledge is power. That is what keeps the relationship on. When you are empowered with knowledge things begin to go well for you as you always know what to do in every given situation. The reason some couples always have crisis in their relationships is because they don’t know each other.
Remember that every individual is unique in his or her own way. Your spouse is a unique person, you need to study him or her to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it. Don’t assume that what works for Mr. and Mrs. ‘A’ will naturally work in your home. Take time to understand the peculiarities of your spouse in order to relate well.
No matter the level of your relationship with your spouse, you must know what to do in every situation; you must always have a plan of action that will establish peace in the home at all times.
As a man you need to treat your wife with love and respect if you don’t want your prayers hindered. See what the bible says,
In the same way, you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition, (Of the marriage relation), honoring the woman as (physically) the weaker, but (realizing that you) are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off – otherwise you cannot pray effectively.
– 1Peter 3:7 (Amp)
Some spouses are not considerate at all and as such they place uneasy demands on each other.
You must be sensitive to the needs and desires of one another. A lot of couples don’t know much about each other’s needs. So they are not committed to one another. When you become sensitive to the needs/desires of your spouse, you make the relationship lively, which results in smooth sailing all through the years. If your husband just returned from a journey, the first thing he needs is a bath, food and rest. Don’t start with, “I need money for housekeep” or other concerns of the home.
On the other hand, there are some men, who when their wives ask for housekeep money, they become very aggressive and wild! That is the time they complain about their car, the structure they are erecting for the family shelter, children’s school fees and so on. It should not be so, because the man has the responsibility to meet the family’s basic needs. That is why he is the head of the family, it is his sole responsibility.
There are some men who give in to peace only when they have some money in their accounts, but once the money finishes, the home would be on fire. He would begin to behave like ‘the lion of the tribe of his family’; putting everybody under pressure.
A major reason for marriage is relationship. We are built for constant fellowship. This is why God’s word says, “It is not good for a man to be alone (or to be without relationship)” (Genesis 2.18-25). Some couples live together but they do not relate, they are not careful to meet the needs of one another. You must relate with your spouse to make your marriage lively. Please be sensitive to each other’s needs and desires.
One of the ingredients you need for good understanding in marriage is a right attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude in life. When you have a positive attitude your marriage relationship will work.
You also need cooperation. Always cooperate with your spouse in all matters. Many couples live as if their input in their marriage relationship is not needed. No marriage can last like that; the cooperation of both the man and the woman is needed to make it work. The Bible says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In other words, marriage must be worked out, it is a personal responsibility. You don’t watch a stable marriage happen; you work it out.
As a Christian you must cultivate a good character to be able to win in marriage. You must covet the very nature of Christ and make it your lifestyle. Don’t make lying your way of life, let the fear of God always be in you.
Lastly, one other thing that enhances good understanding between married couples is submission. And the submission is two-way because the Bible says:
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God – Eph 5:21
Just as the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the husband ought also to respect the views, ideas and suggestions of his wife as it has to do with their relationship in the home.
DEVELOPING INTIMACY WITH GOD PART 2
Any time man turns his back of God, he faces the wilderness. Outside of God, life is full of hardships, dryness and struggles.
But Jesus came to bridge the gap between God and man. The Bible says, He was wounded for our transgressions (Isa.53:5). He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins and today, every man can receive forgiveness of sins ad be reconciled to God. That means every couple that chooses to, ca enjoy the same king union and fellowship that Adam and Eve had with God in the Garden of Eden before they sinned
However, it is a personal choice. You have to consciously invite Jesus into your life and your marriage, because He never goes where He is not invited or needed.
Until you invite Christ into your home, you keep suffering crises, but when you make Him the centre of you relationship, His glory will be seen upon you. And wherever God’s glory is present, shame is absent.
If you have not already done so, this is the time to invite God into your home. Tell Him you are ready to let Him have His way in your marriage. Submit to His authority and let His word become the guiding principle in your family relationships.
To develop intimacy with God, you must also pay attention to your spiritual development, as individuals and as a couple. Embrace earnestly, the Word of God. Let prayer and the study of the Word be your lifestyle. When you draw nearer to God, He will draw nearer to you (James4:8)
Avoid sin, because it was sin that separated Adam and Eve from God in the first place. Make up your mind to hate whatever God hates and love what ever He loves. Be at peace with Him and He will be at peace with you. If you honour Him as the head of your home, He will also honour you among men (1 Sam. 2:30).
2 Chron. 15:2 Says,
….The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
As you seek God with all your heart, you will find Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Developing Intimacy with the Father
Intimacy with God the father is a very vital code for happy marriage, because no one knows the institution more than the one who started it.
He said in John. 15:5,
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without m ye can do nothing.
You need God in your marriage because without His help you can do nothing, but with Him on your side you can so all things. The Bible says in Eccl. 4:9 that two are better than one, but it also says,
…A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc.4:12
As a couple you may enjoy some level of success, but with God on your side, you have no limits because the three make an unbeatable team.
When God is in the centre of your marriage, it remains intact; the home cannot fall apart. So the best way to enhance your marriage relationship is to develop intimacy with God, as a couple and as individuals. The stronger your intimacy with God, the better your relationship with your spouse becomes.
You must give God His rightful place in your life ad your marriage if you desire a happy marriage. Give God and his word the place of priority in your home.
As the first couple on earth, Adam and Eve were made in God’s own image; they were given dominion over the rest of creation. Everything they needed to live a good life was provided in the Garden of Eden. But God specifically commanded them not to eat the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
And the Lord commanded the man, saying of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for I the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen.2:16-17
Tragically, they ate the forbidden fruit, and because of their disobedience, they were cut off from that divine connection. They became limited in all areas of life. Before Adam and Eve sinned, God use to come down in the cool of the day to fellowship with them in the Garden (Gen.3:8). They were covered with the glory of God. But the day they disobeyed God, that intimacy ended. They were driven out of the Garden into the wilderness and that marked the beginning of crises in all areas of their lives, including their marriageE.
HOW TO MAKE MARRIAGE WORK
Marriage is the coming together of a man and woman for harmonious living. It is a covenant relationship between two people of opposite sex, both of them seeking to give and receive satisfaction for their healthy needs and desires.
As a covenant relationship, marriage is a contract agreement between a man and a woman on one side and God on the other side. The covenant has terms of agreement; each party has a part to play. And when this is done, the covenant attracts blessings but when the terms are broken it attracts curses to the defaulters. When a couple enters into this covenant agreement, they are enrolled into the institution of marriage.
It is good at this point to mention that no matter how long you live with someone of opposite sex, you are not married until you take the necessary steps to legalize your relationship, according to the law and customs of the land and the commandment of God.
Just as a pet that has lived long in a home cannot be called a child, so also a man and woman that have lived together, no matter the number of years, cannot automatically be called husband and wife, except they obey the guiding laws of the marriage institution. It is respect for the institution of marriage that makes it work.
Marriage can be likened to a school where you begin to acclimatize yourself to a new environment and receive a completely new orientation to life. In this institution, there are basic rules you must obey.
One thing that is common to all institutions of learning is the writing of examinations at specific periods, with timetables which enables students prepare ahead. So also in the marriage institution; couples undergo examinations from time to time, the only difference in this case is that there are no timetables. So, the best way couples can pass such exams us to live ready for any challenge that might come up at anytime. They must also embrace sincerity as the rule of the game. That means there should be no ‘hide and seek’ because God created the man and his wife to be naked and yet unashamed (Gen.2:25)
Another thing about the institution of marriage is that there is no date of graduation; it is a life-long venture. Unfortunately, in our societies today, we have many cases of divorce; people jumped into marriage and jumped out again. It should not be so! Marriage is for life, once a couple is married, they must remain committed to the covenant and observe all the guiding rules of marriage. None is permitted to ‘break the hedge’ or do anything against the success of the union. Once you get enrolled into the institution of marriage, it requires the involvement of your spirit, soul and body. There Word of God says,
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife and they shall become one flesh. – Ephesians 5:31
Until you live for a cause you remain under a curse. And whatever you live for, you give your life completely to it. Marriage is a good cause and it is worth living for. No matter the bad experiences of other people, marriage is good. It was designed to make life great and complete.
GOD'S NO.1 INSTITUTION
Marriage is the coming together of a man and woman for harmonious living. It is a covenant relationship between two people of opposite sex, both of them seeking to give and receive satisfaction for their healthy needs and desires.
As a covenant relationship, marriage is a contract agreement between a man and a woman on one side and god on the other side. The covenant has terms of agreement; each party has a part to play. And when this is done, the covenant attracts blessings but when the terms are broken it attracts curses to the defaulters. When couples enter into this covenant agreement, they are enrolled into the institution of marriage.
It is good to mention at this point that no matter how long you live with someone of opposite sex, you are not married until you take the necessary steps to legalize your relationship, according to the law and customs of the land and the commandment of God.
Just as a pet that has lived long in a home cannot be called a child so also a man and a woman that have lived together, no matter the number of years, cannot automatically be called husband and wife, except they obey the guiding laws of the marriage institution. It is respect for the institution of marriage that makes it work.
Marriage can be likened to a school where you begin to acclimatize yourself to a new environment and receive a completely new orientation to life. In this institution, there are basic rules you must obey.
One thing that is common to all illustration of learning is the writing of examinations at specific periods, with timetables which enable students prepare ahead. So also in the marriage institution; couples undergo examinations from time to time, the only difference in this case is that there are no timetables. So, the best way couples can pass such exams is to live ready for any challenge that might come up at anytime. They must also embrace sincerity as the rule of the game. That means there should be no �hide and seek� because God created the man and his wife to be naked and yet unashamed. (Gen. 2:25)
HOW TO MAKE MARRIAGE WORK
A happy married life is not a function of luck but a matter of understanding the codes that make it work. When you understand and live by these codes, you command mastery in the area of marriage and you become a positive point for others.
You don't need strength or educational qualifications to make your marriage work; it is neither by might nor by power. You need to look into the perfect law of liberty and continue in it and things will begin to work for you.
I want to encourage you to study the word of God, not as a routine but as necessity for life. By so doing you would locate the solution to the particular challenge you are facing in your marriage.
Whatever is mocking and you and causing you shame in marital relationship shall be dealt with! Nothing will weigh you down again, I Jesus name!
If you are single and you are due for marriage, I congratulate you for reading this book because God will do a new thing in your life very shortly!
Genesis 1:27 says, “…God never created man to be alone. From the beginning, He created them male and female. This means His plan for you is to be married, and He is committed to that plan, so be expectant!
Every devil that has been standing in the way of your marriage is cast out of the way now, in the name of Jesus!
Every satanic veil or covering that is cast over your life is hereby removed by the quickening power of heaven in the name of Jesus!
I decree that there shall be no more disappointments, misfortune or bad luck for you! Expect divine coincidence from now on! You are loosed into favour, in the name of Jesus!
God who knows your end form the beginning shall satisfy your heart desires concerning your marriage. Watch out your miracle is on the way! It shall be delivered shortly.
VITAL KEY TO HAPPY MARRIAGE
Intimacy with God the Father is a very vital code for happy marriage, because no one knows the institution more than one who started it. He said in Jhn.15:5;
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
You need God in your marriage because without His help you can do nothing, but with Him on your side you can do all things. The Bible says in Ecc.4:9 two are better than one and also says,
…… A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc 4:12.
As a couple you may enjoy some level f success, but with God on your side, you have no limits because the three make an unbeatable team.
When God is in the centre of your marriage, it remains intact; the home cannot fall apart. So, the best way to enhance your marriage relationship is to develop intimacy with God, as a couple and as individuals. The stronger your intimacy with God, the better your relationship with your spouse becomes.
When God created Adam and Eve, it was not only for the purpose of relating with one another, He designed them for a unique relationship with Himself. And no other creature enjoys this kind of union with God. That is why it is very important for a married couple to develop intimacy with Him.
You must give God His rightful place in your life and your marriage if you desire a happy marriage. Give God and His word the place of priority in your home.
Causes Of Broken Marriages Pt 2!
Emotional Response to Issues
The way to avoid this is to become mature in understanding by giving a second and third thought to every issue before responding.
Emotion is born when sentiment is allowed to prevail over realities. The Bible says:
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Prov. 25:28
Control yourself! Control your emotions! Do not allow yourself to be provoked to anger. Anger lies in the bosom of fools. Control your tongue! Words spoken in anger cause untold damages in homes.
A wrathful man stirreth up strife; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
- Prov.15:18
The In-Law Factor
Your home should not be governed according to the dictates of your in-laws. Your goal must be to please God. When God is pleased every other person will be pleased. Fight against external interfaces in your home, because it is a subtle way through which the devil comes in.
The interference of in-laws can be cheaply handled with wisdom, especially when there is a good relationship between husband and wife.
The syndrome of in-laws creep in where there is a crack in the relationship between husband and wife. In-laws will naturally respect the couple and their decisions the moment they see harmony in their relationship.
Neglect
Neglect comes in when there is a gulf in the relationship. When the couple begin to ignore each other, they no longer pay attention to one another. At this stage the husband no longer regards the wife as and vice versa. Each goes his or her own way.
Never allow your marital relationship to degenerate to a state of neglect. Neglect gives room to the devil and the Bible warns against it. 1 Tim.4:14 says,
Neglect not the gift…which was given
thee…
Your personal relationship with one another is very important. Your spouse is a gift from God, and you know, the gift that you neglect cannot benefit you. Do not neglect each other! Neglect is a deadly spirit that slowly paralyses the initiative of your spouse towards your wellbeing.
The Cares of This World…
Some factors that can cause cracks in the home are outlined in Mark 4:19. They are,
…The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things…
The pursuit of the pleasurable things of this world, the unquenchable thirst for riches, power, and position, bring untold sorrows to marriages. The first home God instituted crumbled because of all these things.
Adam and Eve were free to eat all the fruits in the garden except one. But that particular one that they were forbidden to eat was the one that Eve wanted. Her desire for the non-essentials of the world brought about the fall of man.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit...
Gen.3:6 (Emphasis mine).
It might be good for food, it might be good to put on your body, it might be pleasant to the eyes, it might enhance your position, but is it good for your destiny?
Stop comparing your home with that of your neighbours! Stop comparing your husband with your friend’s husband! Stop comparing your wife with other women! This is what pushes people into the pursuit of unnecessary things, which eventually lead them to destruction. Paul writing to the Corinthian church said,
…but they measuring themselves by themselves among themselves are not wise.
2 Cor.10:12
It’s time to be wise! The cares of this world lead to destruction, while giving attention to the word exalts.
Rebuilding Broken Marriages!
Some Pharisees came to interview him (Jesus) and tried to trap him into saying something that would ruin him. “Do you permit divorce?” they asked.
“Don’t you read the Scriptures?” he replied. “In them it is written that at the beginning God created man and woman, and that a man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife.
The two shall become one-no longer two, but one! And no man may divorce what God has joined together.”
“Then, why,” they asked, “did Moses say a man may divorce his wife by merely writing her a letter of dismissal?”
Jesus replied, “Moses did that in recognition of your hard and evil hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.
And I tell you this, that anyone who divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commit adultery.”
- Matthew 19:4-9 (TLB)
Divorce and separation is not part of God’s plan for marriage. His original plan is for a man and his wife to live together all through their days on earth. The two are to leave their parents and cleave to one another – when two individuals cleave, they become one and since you cannot separate a man from himself, a married couple should not be separated.
If you have two pieces of paper glued together, what happens when you try to separate them? You may end up tearing them apart. Consequently, both may be destroyed. That is why Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder” because there would be serious damages in the process.
Divorce and separation in marriages is destructive. When a family is torn apart, there is always pain, sorrow of heart and bitterness. But I am glad to let you know that what ever is destroyed can be rebuilt because we serve a God of second chance; He is the God of restorations.
Marriages are not meant to fail. But what happens when they do? There is a way out. Micah 7:8 says, “Rejoice not against me o mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”
When you fall, you can rise again. It is only when you remain on the ground that you are called a failure. Many have torn their families apart through carelessness and laziness because they refuse to take positive steps.
If you are presently divorced or separated from your spouse, I want you to know that your relationship can be built again. Convince yourself that in the beginning it was not designed to be so. Assure yourself again and again that, “there shall be restoration for me, because I’m a covenant child. God is no respecter of persons. He who has done it for others will surely do it for me.”
The Need For Home Management!
The dream of every married man or woman is to have a home where everything is orderly and where there is prosperity and progress. That is also God’s will for your home but one of the things it takes to achieve that goal is creative management. Good management is another code for happy married life, which some couples ignore and they end up in crisis.
What Is Management?
Management can be defined as skilful handling of anything put in your care.
All the resources you have at your disposal come from God, He entrusted them to you and these include your time, finances, gifts, talents, assets, etc. you also have members of your family; the husband, the wife and the children – these are great destinies and potentials that must not be wasted. God’s purpose is to make your home a show piece for all to see. Improper management is the reason some couples end up being demoralized and their homes are in disarray.
Good management of resources qualifies you for more of God’s blessings. To manage your resources properly, you need wisdom. Prov.24:3 says, “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.”
When you operate in the wisdom of God, no matter how little the resources in your hand, it will always be more than enough.
Wisdom demands that you always set your priorities right. It is lack of discipline and integrity to spend beyond your means.
Just as individuals are peculiar, every home is also peculiar, unique and special. So, even though there are general management rules that we can follow, you require the wisdom of God to devise unique ways of managing your home, because the priorities in other homes may not be the same in yours. This is why you need creativity to be able to meet every need of your home without running helter-skelter.
Have a good sense of management. Good managerial principles when adhered to, bring peace and harmony in the home. It will put an end to all your struggles with family finances, relationships, academic performance of your children and other areas of family life.
You need stock-taking; take stock of what comes into your home from time to time and keep record of your expenses. This will help you to block any leakages and arrest wastage where necessary.
What Do You Plan For?
The role of planning in any home cannot be overemphasized. Planning helps you to define your purpose and activities. It helps you to set standards of performance so that results can be compared with the set standards for appraisal.
As a couple, you can plan basically for your wellbeing, your togetherness and your future. Everything about the home must be planned for. Plan for the number of children you want to have for their future, plan your spiritual and social life. For instance, you don’t have to wait until the day your children are set to resume school before you start looking for school fees! When you plan ahead you deliver yourself from anxiety of looking for things at the last minute. It is true that you believe God for divine supplies, but as you believe, make sure you have a plan.
My husband often says that any man who waits till the day his wife is to deliver before he begins to run around for the hospital bill is not a planner. He had a long notice of nine months, but did nothing.
You cannot use another person’s plan to run your life and your home. Be creative and prayerful and God will help you to develop a plan that suits your home and resources per time.Plan, both for now and the future. Just as you plan for what your family will eat on a daily basis, also plan ahead for family projects like building a house, buying a car, etc. Ensure that you plan according to your size per time. Remember that men are in sizes and life is in phases. If you manage and plan your present level well, God will take you speedily to the next phase
The Importance of Planning!
Many families today lack planning and that is why things have been falling apart for them.
What is planning?
Planning can simply be defined as putting issues in the right future perspective. This initiates decisions and guarantees results for every step taken. Planning is one of the secret codes for blissful marriage. Luke 14:28 asks,
…who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills? (The Living Bible)
By application, this scripture is saying, “Who will begin a family without first planning?”
Planning also means mapping out your order of activities and spreading your available resources to meet the relevant needs.God expects you to plan wisely and use the resources He has given you for the successful and smooth running of your home.
There is nothing in your hands that is too small. There is no situation you are facing as a couple that cannot change for the better, if only you will plan.
When there is a plan, management becomes easy. Living without a plan is like traveling through a desert without a compass or a map. That will be a fruitless, endless journey.
Planning for every aspect of family life is very important, it is something that every couple aught to do. For effective take off of the family, there must be adequate planning from the onset. You don’t just get into marriage and begin to have children as they come, you plan for them before they arrive.
Show me a planner, and I will show you a man with a bright future.
Every prudent man (every master planner) dealeth with knowledge: but a fool (a non planner) layeth open his folly. Prov.13:16
Marriage Processes
Many people think that marriage is just when a man and a woman come together and begin to live under the same roof. There is more to it! There are principles that must be followed in order to make it work. Things do not work because of the personalities involved but because of the principles applied. Marriage is a process of adjustment, agreement, appreciation and total commitment to one another for better living.
Let us examine each of these processes closely.
Adjustment
The process of adjustment involves making necessary changes in order to conform or fit into a new way of life or a new environment. In marriage, there is no end to adjustment. If you want your marriage to work, you have to keep adjusting in all ways and all areas of life to make your relationship better daily. You can’t say, “This is the way my parents used to do it or this is the way they do it in our culture.” You must be ready to adjust to your partner, to life as a married manor woman, and to do everything according to the injunction of scriptures.
Adjustment means making little changes where and when necessary in order to correct or improve your relationship. The reason for adjustment is that every individual is unique. No matter the similarities or the level of love between a couple, they still have their differences. It is also possible that they come from different backgrounds, different cultures, with different upbringing, etc. Moreover, God made men and women different. They think differently, react differently to the same situations and their needs are different, so for a couple to fit in as marriage partners and become one, there must be adjustment, especially in their behavioral pattern and way of thinking. For instance, as a married man or woman, you can not continue to think or act like a single person, your perspective and attitude must change. If as a wife, for instance you like to keep your hair long but your husband wants you to keep low cut, you should make up your mind to adjust immediately; you don’t have to fight over it because the Bible makes it clear that your husband is the owner of your body. If as a man you discover that your wife does not like sleeping with lights on, but you like the lights on, you can use a colored bulb so that the light is not too bright for her and at the same time, not too dark for you. By so doing, both of you would be satisfied and there would be peace. That is adjustment.
Agreement
Agreement is a product of adjustment. Where there is no adjustment there can be no agreement and where there is no agreement there would be no peace. Marriage thrives on agreement not arguments. Two people cannot walk or live together except they agree (Amos 3.3). Agreement comes as a result of harmony of opinions between a couple. No one person knows it all. Couples must endeavour to create an atmosphere for productive dialogue rather than remaining silent with so many issues bottled up within. Even God says, “Come let us reason together...produce your strong cause, let us plead together” (Isa. 1:18, 43:26). That is the principle you must adopt to encourage agreement in your home. However, dialogue must never be allowed to degenerate into argument. An argument only confirms people in their own opinions and has never brought solution. The best way to encourage agreement, is to always turn to the word of God for guidance.
Agreement has benefits. The Bible says when you dwell together in unity, you enjoy blessings that you don’t even deserve (Psalm 133). Also, when there is agreement, trust is reinforced and this helps to guard against separation or divorce.
Appreciation
Marriage is all about appreciation. Nothing provokes a man to better performance like appreciation. You cannot appreciate people enough; the more you do it the more appreciated you become. How much do you value or admire your spouse? Your value determines the level of respect that you have for one another. The person you don’t appreciate tends to depreciate; he or she will lack inspiration and aspiration for new things. You must learn to appreciate your spouse. It is God’s nature to always appreciate, that was why after He created the first man and woman, He looked at them and blessed them. That is appreciation. Always appreciate your spouse. Compliment your spouse instead of comparing him or her with others. Remember, comparison is the game of fools while appreciation gives no room to a complaining spirit.
With this understanding, you have the right foundation for a stable family relationship. I decree peace to your marriage this day!
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