5 Ways The Devil Destroys Destinies Through Sex

The subject of sex is a vast issue that in itself, it comprises a lot about the human race. Sex can be said of one’s gender and it also determines the behavior of people. Some are sexually loose while some are celibate.

The issue of sex has been the cause of the fall of many great men and women. There’s the sex scandal by top officials, celebrities and minister of the gospel. It has even destroyed the life of many: their families, marriage or career.
Is it a crime for God to have created a sexual instinct in man? Has the sexual organs in them become a weapon of ‘mass’ destruction?

Everything God created were very good. But I found out that right from the garden, the devil perverted God’s purpose for mankind including the use and practice of sex.
He created several means and practice that seem right to man but unknowingly to many, its end is destruction. His perverted means is to make man God’s enemy since he’s one already.

He made perversion acceptable on the grounds of human rights and before you’d ignorantly get caught up in the web of his destructive agenda, here are the likely areas through which he carries out his plot.

1. Enlargement of the sexual organs
Many singles are getting intimidated by the size of their sexual organs because it’s believed that the larger it is, the better the performance or the bigger it is, the sexier you look.

Why would you be bothered with the size of your sexual organs when you’re not married and even if? Why would you be bent on having it big if you haven’t been exposed to it unduly?
Making it bigger is telling God that He didn’t create you well. God has wonderfully made you, whether you have it big or small. When you begin to see the need for enlarging it, you’re exposing your soul to a degrading passion for sex. And you’ll never escape it’s side effect now or in old age.

Nothing artificial looks and works like the original.
To what purpose will it serve when you make it big? Godliness and contentment is of great gain.

2. Premarital sex/Extramarital sex
The only sex that wouldn’t bring you terrible consequences in life is marital sex. The devil thwarted God’s plan for marital sex so that destinies can be destroyed and illegal offspring can be reproduced. This is the bane of the evils in our world.

Premarital and extramarital sex would expose you to sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, unprepared motherhood, spiritually transmitted disease, guilt, condemnation, broken marriages, raising illegitimate children and formation of evil soul ties.

Enlisting in these practices would mortgage your destiny and fragment your soul. No one that has practiced any of these act can live a fulfilled life that God has intended.

3. Sexual immoralities
To believe it’s impossible to be sexually pure is the beginning of destruction. There’s no how you’d tolerate sexual immoralities for too long and you wouldn’t go to the stage of sexual intercourse.

Kissing, petting, touching, caressing and fondling of each other’s sexual organs will destroy you. They’re activities that sparks up the fire of immoralities and it burns.

God gave you sexual organs and at the same time the ability to control it. It is what you do, look, believe or whom you associate with that determines the level of your self-control.

4. Transgender
As the world is coming into an end, there will be a revival of unheard perversion that would be formulated as a result of increased knowledge that doesn’t regard God.

If you’re familiar with recent happenings in the world, the issue of Transgender is fast gain grounds and there are new converts of it.

Why will a man desire to become a woman through hormonal transplant or vice-versa? Don’t be deceived, if Christ delayed His coming, your next neighbor could become one.

When a person changes his or her gender, do they become useful to God, themselves or the society? This is another plot of the devil to destroy lives and get many into hell. Don’t be a victim!
5. Homosexuality
As it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, so it is now and so shall it forever be. Many countries are now legalizing homosexuality and the ones that haven’t legalized it would someday legalize it.

God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of this detestable act and many youths are embracing this culture. Beware folks, the devil is cunning and he’s destroying lives through perversion and he’s capitalizing on human rights and certain opinions.

Any right that contradicts God’s word will destroy you. Remember, there’s a way that seems right to a man but the end is destruction (Proverbs 14:12).

Why should a man desire to pervert the order of sexual intimacy with another man and a woman also? If you’re nursing this kind of feeling, it’s better you prayerfully destroy it before it drags you into a cubicle in hell.

How do you treat the issue of sex?
Are you contented with how God created you? Do you believe in sexual purity or immorality? Your reaction to sex will determine the outcome of your life.
Beware lest the devil steal, kill and destroy you beyond repair!

Topic: Children! Follow the Way [Monday 29, February 2016]

Memorise: My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: – Proverbs 1:8

Read: Ephesians 6:1-3 (KJV)

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Bible in One Year: John 4:30-5:18, Job 30:16-23

MESSAGE:

The Bible teaches that children have mandatory responsibilities to their parents. As a matter of fact, Children owe their parents certain important duties that include the obligation to respect honour and obey them. Children are the heritage of the Lord and God has a special interest in their well-being. Meanwhile God is a disciplinarian as revealed in Revelation 3:19:

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

God has decided to commit the discipline of children to their parents as caretakers for Him; therefore, children must cooperate with their parents to make easy for their own benefit. Obedience in this respect attracts long life and prosperity.

If you invested so much in your children, but have retired and they are gainfully employed, yet they ignore you, will you be happy with them? Some fathers have placed curses on their children for neglecting them. A righteous child will not neglect his parents at any time. He will make sure that those of them that are not saved are led to Jesus. After all, that is the greatest gift he can give them. Besides that, he will ensure that they have a roof over their heads and their needs are met in the area of feeding, clothing, healthcare, etc.

God has joined children to their parents as partners in progress. For two people to work in agreement, they must see and mind the same thing. They must be focused on the same goal.

God’s focus is that children have parents that will be godly examples to them, while making efforts to bring them up in the way of the Lord. God wants parents that will introduce their children to Him at very tender ages, so that they may learn to obey God and become familiar with His commandments, worship and fellowship. Children should be careful not to be a source of sorrow and pain to their parents. Proverbs 17:25 says:

“A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.”

I pray that God in His mercy will visit every Christian home and intervene in the life of every wayward child today in the Name of Jesus.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to always accept correction joyfully in Jesus’ name.

4 Reasons Why You Must Not Awake Love Until The Right Time

flames of loveThere’s time for everything under the heavens, so says the Holy Bible. There’s a time to love and a time to refrain from loving. When you embrace love at the wrong time and with the wrong person, you’ll have a negative story to tell about love.

Love is a nature and it is God’s personality. A shallow understanding of this simple truth has driven lots of people into practicing lust in their relationship which leaves them with regrets.

To those who feel everything about love centers on feelings, I’ll bluntly tell you this, love has more to do than an eruption of feelings or a longing for emotional intimacy. It is a nature that is expressed between two people which would definitely improve their life and relationship.

Why do you need not to awaken the desire to love in you, I mean love between opposite sex which is geared towards marriage or a life long commitment? Before you do so, understand these truth!

1. You need to be mature
Maturity has nothing to do with age, education or exposure, it’s got more to do with experience and wisdom.
Many young chap who entered into a relationship immature are mostly vulnerable to the consequence of relationship issues.
It takes maturity and understanding to handle the challenges of a love relationship. It is lack of emotional maturity that would make you to be a control freak, base your happiness on your partner and become overly jealous.
When there’s lack of emotional maturity, it’ll become easy for you two to cross the boundary and become sexually intimate. Only a mature mind will know that the expression of love has nothing to do with premarital sex.
Are you mature enough to handle the commitment of love? Until you are, I’ll advice you not to do so, so that you won’t expose yourself to bitter consequence.

2. It is demanding
Who says a love relationship is all about fun as depicted in movies or novels? A serious love relationship is demanding and it requires lots of work – emotional, financial, mental, spiritual and material commitment.

An ignorance of this fact usually make lots of people to jump in and out of a relationship where there’s need for commitment. For instance, a man wouldn’t want to be part of the ‘baking process’ in a relationship but would only want to eat the icing on the cake. Likewise a woman too wants the ‘ingredients’ without involving in the making process.
A love relationship demands your time, energies and resources otherwise it wouldn’t work. And if certain areas of your life hasn’t been established, it’ll make no sense to commit your heart to a love relationship.

Remember, purpose comes before the need of a partner.

3. Do the right thing at the right time
A right thing done at the wrong time makes the whole thing wrong. And a wrong thing done at the right time is also wrong. It takes understanding to know when to do the right thing at the right time and ignorance or folly to do the wrong thing at the right time.

A man who’s got no bearing for his life and destiny doesn’t need a love relationship, all he needs is to work to improve the condition of his life before he desire an intimate relationship.

Adam wasn’t busy looking for a soul mate, but he was deeply engrossed in fulfilling God’s purpose for his life. Some people needs to set their career straight, become financially independent and buoyant, sharpen their potentials, master their skill and to intimate themselves with God. But sadly enough, this kind of people neglect the major thing to chase shadows in life. Are you doing the right thing at this time for your life? Discover your identity. Know your purpose before you burden yourself with the demands of a love relationship at the wrong time.

4. You need the right person
Most people, in a bid to find the right partner, usually awaken love in a time they’re not meant to. The likes of dating and all sorts doesn’t help you to know what love is.
When you express love with the wrong person, you’ll have a bitter tale to tell about love. The right person wouldn’t lead you to violate God’s law but the wrong person will encourage you to do so.
Even if you know all you ought to know about love, if you’re not careful, becoming yoked together with an unbeliever who doesn’t believe in your knowledge of love, he will ruin your life.

See, it is normal to feel loved and to desire its expression with the opposite sex but when you rouse it at the wrong time, without being able to handle it’s demands and with the wrong person, you’ll definitely have much to regret. Until you’re ready to pay the price for a successful love relationship and with the right person and at the right time, don’t awaken the desire for love.

Topic: Hell is Real [Thursday 25, February 2016]

Memorise: And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. – Luke 16:23

Read: Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Bible in One Year: Luke 21:25-23:5, Job 28:20-29:6

MESSAGE:

Hell is a term used in the Bible to describe the place of eternal punishment, originally created by God as the final destination for Satan and his angels, which is the second death. It is also used to define the prevailing circumstances of any human environment that is controlled by the devil. The Bible also portrays hell as the home of evil, a place of intense darkness, and an unquenchable fire that is burning with brimstone. Furthermore, hell is a state of final separation from God, and by extension, separation from life, light, love, peace, pleasure and fulfilment. However, some people do not believe in the reality of hell, which brings us to one of the most frequently asked question on earth, is hell real?

Our Bible passage for today tells us the story of two personalities, a certain rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. They both died at different times, as it has been appointed unto all human beings to die some day. At death, they were both faced with the reality of life after death, their status here on earth notwithstanding. Lazarus found himself cooling off at the bosom of father Abraham in heaven, while the rich man was being tormented in the flames of hell. Hell is very real because the Almighty God, who cannot tell lies, confirmed it so. Though hell was originally created for Satan and his angels, it is also for human beings who choose to reject God and follow Satan. May the Lord deliver humanity from the illusion of the devil and open our eyes to the reality of hell in Jesus’ Name.

Matthew 13:40-42 says: “40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Hell is usually presented in the Bible as the consequence of rejecting God, as evident in the above passage, Jesus, in several passage of the Bible, tried in every possible way, to illustrate to all humanity that hell is real, terrible, and something to be feared and avoided. All paths do not lead to God; Jesus is the only Way through which we can get to Heaven. Jesus is the only way that leads to God. A great man of God once said that the fastest road to hell is a pretentious and gradual one; it is like a gentle slope, a soft underfoot, which is without sudden turnings, milestones, or signposts. People on this path are ignorantly and innocently caressed to hell.

Matthew 7:13 says: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:”

Do not be deceived, hell is real and terrible. There is no possibility of amnesty or reprieve. Candidates of hell will suddenly resurrect to eternal condemnation without remedy. I honestly don’t understand why anyone will risk going to hell when the God who never lies has said clearly that it exists and the only contrary opinion is from philosophies of unreliable men. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour today as the only way to escape the horrors of hell.

Prayer Point: Father, let the reality of hell be imposed upon my heart always in Jesus’ name.

BEWARE OF FOOLISH MEN

God created man to act and think like Him and to fulfill His purpose on earth, however, Adam manifested that function before the fall. Nevertheless, there are still some men who pay the price to function in that capacity. These are real men indeed. They are men of purpose, value, dignity and vision. They know how to treat females and would not play with their heart. God created man to be monogamous and real men don’t have the time to “double or multiple date”. They’ve got better things to pursue than to play such a useless game. Do not be deceived to believe that God created man to be polygamous in nature. He said, “a man shall leave…and cleave to his wife”, not wives. Such philosophy is an opportunity to give ignorant men the avenue to disobey God’s command.

A man is a man when he has manners and respect for a lady but he becomes a fool when he thinks with his manhood or dance to the tune of his urge. Who says that sex is an expression of love or that sex keeps a relationship going or perhaps would keep him for you? These two statements are words of foolishness frequently used to bait ignorant ladies so that you can be entangled with him in an ungodly relationship.

Who is a foolish man? They are commonly called, “players”, “giggolos”, “manfriend”, “playboys” or “boyfriends”. A responsible man cannot have these degrading name tags. Dear sisters, you have to be very careful so that you don’t fall into their net. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They will pretend for long so that they can get down on you even sisters-in-the-lord are not spared from their deceit. In fact, they will attend church or fellowship in other to lure innocent ladies.
Be sensitive! Don’t be cajoled by his “empty promises” or “sugar-coated words”. His major aim is to access your sacred parts and include you on his list of useless girls. He is not attracted to you by your innate potentials but by your shape, looks and physical endowments. For the fact that he attends church services does not mean he’s born again or saved. Moreover, must church attendees are “actors” and “actresses”. He can twist the scripture to serve his purpose or pretend to be spirit-filled so that you can fall for his deception.

Check out the company of friends he keeps. Are his friends purpose-driven or pleasure-driven? He that loves pleasure is dead while he lives (1 Tim. 5:6). However, he that walks with the wise shall be wise but the company of fools shall be destroyed. Don’t let him add you to the company of fools that he already has their lives destroyed. Show me his friends and I can tell you his true personality.

Fools will introduce sex into the relationship barely few months or years you met. He does so, so as to gratify himself. A responsible man will not start his relationship with sex but ask for how he can serve you and not service you sexually. Foolish relationships are built on lies, deceit or flattering. A fool will always tell you lies since that is his language. He cuddles, pets, necks, caresses or touch your privies because that is what he wants and not your commitment.

A fool is not committed to you, your life or future; but he is committed to making you fill his sexual appetite every time he wants it. He will buy you expensive gifts occasionally (an investment waiting to be consumed) because he has a purpose driving him. He knows the key that turns women on and once he discovers yours, he uses it at will. Don’t let him get nearer to your heart but bury your heart in God’s word. If he does so, he will break it and tear it apart leaving you to face the daring consequence of emotional trauma.
Dear sisters, a fool will remain a fool no matter how you want to change him. You cannot get him converted, so don’t believe that would happen when you marry him. He has no plan for himself, let alone you. When you walk with a foolish man, you’ll be trapped in his folly. Love is not blind. Only a fool will say this and make you to believe his lies. There are also the married foolish men. Once their wives refuse them sex or there’s a quarrel, they will be on the chase for young ladies. They will shower you with lots of cares and affections. They will treat you better than they do to their wives so that you can fill their urge. They will not be ashamed to make you their second wife if you are foolish enough to get pregnant for them. Some would even give you lots of money to sponsor an abortion so that you can continually give it to them at will. Why waste away with someone else’s husband? Why don’t you be an helper for your own husband rather than to be a sex mistress for another woman’s husband?

A fool is not matured enough to keep his relationship going without sex. His profession of “I love you” is to deceive you. Please ladies, see beyond the phrase and know what his true motives are. Once you cannot satisfy him, he will get someone else to do it. He will tell you that virginity is not a dignity but a lack of opportunity. Fools will make you to believe the myths about sexual purity so that you can dance to their tune. My dear, don’t give your pearls to swines.
Lots of benefits are gotten when you are sexually pure. No evil soul ties, no issue of single motherhood caused by unpreparedness for motherhood, no transfer of Spiritually or Sexually Transmitted Diseases, no exchange of evil blood covenants, no unwanted pregnancies, no delay to your progress in life, no guilt or bitterness, no abortions which is murder and other consequential actions.
In case you are tempted to give him your body, simply ask yourself this question before you do; “what would Jesus do?” Your body does not belong to him but your husband so don’t let him mess up your life.

There are still some Deborahs, Queen Esther, Virgin Mary, Four daughters of Philip and You who would not bow to a foolish man’s sexual dictate. Disagree with his lies that everybody is doing it and endeavor to remain sexually pure. There are lots of benefits in remaining sexually pure. It is better to give a responsible man your God-given gift than to give a fool who would not appreciate it or you.

No amount of revoking would stop him once he has unstrapped your bra. Likewise, no amount of “stop it” would make him stop it once his testosterone is charged. His muscles will become stronger than yours when he’s fully charged.
Flee away from the appearance of evil and be careful of foolish men. If you are friends with a man that does not add value to your life, he will take away something valuable from you. It is better not to be in a relationship than to be in a regrettable, sinful or destructive one.

MY DEAR SISTER, RUN AWAY FROM FOOLISH MEN.

Topic - Heaven: Are You Prepared? [Wednesday 24, February 2016]

Memorise: Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. – Job 14:1

Read: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (KJV)

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Bible in One Year: Luke 19:28-21:24, Job 28:7-19

MESSAGE:

In the Bible, the word ‘Heaven’ is often used in three ways: to described a physical part of the universe which is above the sky, the prevailing condition whenever God reigns in the affairs of men, and the invisible dwelling place of God, also known as paradise. Today’s devotional focuses on the need to prepare for heaven, the dwelling place of God, and what such a preparation entails. First, the Bible presents heaven as the dwelling place of God, where His manifest presence is a permanent feature, as He is the only source of light there. Because of the constant presence of God in heaven, it is a place of extreme joy and peace. Heaven is also a place of recognition, reward, celebration, and total rest from trouble. Holiness is the only acceptable currency in heaven.

Several passages of the Bible stress life’s mystery and brevity using two vivid metaphors of “a fading flower or withering grass” and “a swiftly passing shadow”. That life offers little joy, peace and satisfaction is well known even to children. Also, all human beings are familiar with the progressive labour, pain, insecurity, sorrow, and disappointments that we all have to endure as long as we are alive. Furthermore, the concepts of death and the afterlife presented in the Bible reveals the God had purposely packaged heaven as the final destination for all humans that pass the entrance examination. John 14:2-3 says:

“In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

This is an expression of God’s love and mercy to all human beings. Out of this everlasting love, the Almighty God has convincingly and systematically revealed His eternal plans and purposes to humanity, about how we are created to start our lives here on earth for the singular purpose of doing the perfect will of God. This is to enable us live our lives in ways that honour God in all things, for the ultimate goal of spending eternity with Him in heaven. Therefore, the above passage makes it very clear that heaven is being specially prepared only for those who are prepared to do whatever it takes to enter. I therefore pray that God will help our preparations and graciously admit us into heaven in Jesus’ name.

Now, Matthew 19:23 says that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven, not because riches and wealth are evil, nor because heaven was made only for the poor, but because the typical characteristics of affluent people are contrary to the will of God. Such behaviours include pride and confidence in human wisdom, fame, achievements, money, and power. Another found with these will not enter into heaven. The truth is; Jesus extends the promise of heaven to all who come to Him by faith without classifications such as financial status, gender, age, culture or nationality. Matthew 18:3 says except a person is converted and becomes a little child in faith, total submission and obedience to the will of God, he or she will not enter into heaven. Finally, Matthew 7:21 says, not all churchgoers will be admitted into heaven, but only those that operate in the will of God. The big question is, are you prepared for heaven?

Action Point: Father, please whatever will make me miss heaven; take it out of my life in Jesus’ name.

8 KEYS OF KNOWING GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

I have come to learn that this is not just something that a young person does early in life; it is a lifelong pursuit in order to stay in the exact center of His plan.

So, then, how can we know God’s plan for our lives? Over the past twenty-five years that I have been in ministry, I have discovered eight vital keys to knowing God’s will. Here they are:

1) Walk with God.
For starters, if you are interested in knowing God’s plan for your life, then you must learn to walk with God. You need to develop a relationship with Him. Christianity is all about relationship rather than just religion.

And so you must cultivate your relationship with God. You must seek to know Him and not just seek to know about Him.

You will cultivate that relationship best by spending time in His Word, taking time for prayer, and taking every opportunity you can to be involved in church and small group Bible study opportunities. When you seek these disciplines in your life, God will begin the first steps to revealing His plan to you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

2) Surrender your will to God’s.
Many times when we say we are seeking God’s will, what we are really wanting to say to God is this: “OK, God, here’s what I’m planning to do. Now I need you to rubber stamp this, all right?” I must tell you that this is not really effective in finding His true will.

Before God will begin to reveal His will to you, you must be committed to doing whatever it is that He desires for you to do. God will likely be slow to show you His plan if He knows you will likely not do that plan anyway.

Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Jesus was willing to die for us, so shouldn’t we be willing to live for Him? When we surrender to Him, that is when He really begins to direct our steps.

3) Obey what you already know to be God’s Will.
Many people seem to want to know what God’s plan is for their lives, but they overlook the fact that 98% of His will is already delineated carefully through His Word. God is very clear about many, many aspects of His will. For instance, it is clearly His plan that we abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

If we do not obey the things that God has shown us clearly to be His will, why would we think He would reveal any further information regarding His plan for our lives? Obedience is an important first step.

4) Seek godly input.
One key component to finding God’s will is to seek the input of godly advisors in your life. If you don’t currently have 3-4 godly mentors, then I would highly recommend that you seek them out right away.

Think of it this way: you should understand that you are basically a composite of the five people you spend the most time with. So, then, it is vital that you choose those five people well. If you choose to surround yourself with godly advisors, they will be instrumental in helping you discern God’s plan for your life. But if you surround yourself with people who are far from God, your hope of finding His best for your life will be greatly diminished.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

The church is designed to help you greatly with this. I would encourage you to be in church every single time the doors are opened. The more you involve yourself with a community of believers, the greater your chances will be of finding godly men and women who can help you discern God’s will.

5) Pay attention to how God has wired you.

God has created you to fulfill a specific role in this world. There is no one else who can achieve completely what God has purposely created you to do.

The Apostle Peter gives us this admonition:
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
God has gifted every one of us to perform a special mission for which we alone were created. How amazing is that? Wow!
So, when you seek to discover God’s will for your life, pay attention to how He has gifted you. His plan for you will always be directly related to the gifts that He has bestowed upon you. The great news is that you will automatically be good at whatever it is that He has called you to do!

6) Listen to God’s Spirit.
I experienced a major turning point in my own prayer life when I learned simply to shut up while I was praying. That may sound odd to you, and it seemed odd to me at first.

You see, I used to do all the talking when I prayed to God. But, later changed the way I approached God through prayer. Since reading that book, I have added a significant component to my prayer life: listening. I take time to listen to what God might have to say to me.

Practically, the way I go about this is to bring a notepad with me when I sit down to pray. Then I write at the top of several pages things like the following:

“What is the next step in my career?”

“What is the next step in my ministry?”

“What is the next step for my family?”

“What is the next step for my marriage?”

“What is the next step in my education?”

“What is the next step in my finances?”

During my prayer time, I meditate on questions such as the above. Often, God will start flooding my heart with ideas and information regarding one or more of those questions.

I long for those experiences when He speaks to me like that. Those times are truly life changing.

John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

7) Listen to your heart.
In addition to listening to the Spirit, I also recommend listening to your heart. To understand my point here, consider the following passage:
Psalms 37:4-5 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (NKJV)

I love this passage, because it shows me that, when I am walking with the Lord, He will actually let me do many really cool things that I actually love to do! When you are close to Him, He actually begins to shape your desires so that you desire the things that He has already called you to do.

So then, His plan actually becomes a super-exciting adventure. I always have the most fun in life when I am doing God’s will. And that is because He shapes my “wanter” to want to do the things for which He has actually created me.

8) Take a look at your circumstances.
God often clearly demonstrates His plan for our lives by lining up circumstances in obvious ways. And He also shows us what His will is NOT for us to do in that same way. It is not His will for you to take the job that is not offered to you. If you are 5’ 6” tall and weigh 125 lbs., it is not likely that God has created you to play professional football.

Over the years, I have discovered that God is pretty good at opening and closing doors. He even did that for the Apostle Paul and his enterouge in Acts. Take a look at this passage:

Acts 16:6-10 6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

So, even Paul had to face closed doors in his ministry. God often uses closed doors to show us clearly what He does NOT want us to do. And He also uses open doors at times to show us what He DOES want us to do. Of course, this does not mean that every open door is definitely God’s plan, but it does help to give you some basic direction.

CONCLUSION
The next time you begin to ponder God’s plan for your life, I would encourage you to mull over the above eight keys. Use these principles to help you to hone in on His plan. And when you seek His will earnestly, you will find it!

Open Heavens 10 February 2016: Wednesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Topic: Fulfilling God’s Purpose? I [Wednesday 10, February 2016]

Memorise: See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. – Jeremiah 1:10

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-10 (KJV)

1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Bible in One Year: Mark 9:14-10:45; Job 19:13-29

MESSAGE:

Several passages of the Bible confirm the fact that every human being was originally created by God and born into this world to fulfill God's purpose. Colossians 1:16 says;

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:"

There is nothing like an afterthought with God. Everything He does is purposeful and deliberate. Not only that, He has everything to the minutest detail, precisely tied to time. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says;

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

From Adam and Eve, to Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and all the prophets and Kings in the Bible, they all were precisely programmed to come and go according to God's ultimate plan. There is no randomness with God; all things that have ever happened on earth and in heaven were ordered according to His unsearchable wisdom. Acts 15:18 says;

"Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

For example, John the Baptist was selected by God to prepare the way for the Lord by announcing His arrival, confronting the sinfulness and rebellion of that generation and by preaching repentance of sins. Jeremiah's purpose as a prophet of God was clearly described in Jeremiah 1:1-10. These two prophets were able to fulfill God's purpose; they did not at any time jettison their responsibilities. John the Baptist perfectly prepared the way for the Lord without taking upon Himself any additional responsibility beyond that which was ordained from heaven. Immediately he identified Christ, he made it public, he was ready to decrease and stay in the shadows as Jesus began to increase. Bible scholars have several interpretations about the real cause of his death, but at the end, Jesus declared him as the greatest man that ever lived. His greatness must have been tied to the fulfillment of God's purpose for his life.

Jeremiah on the other hand was deliberately setup by God as the national prophet to the nation of Israel in his generation. It was a period of apostasy and God was determined, after many unheeded warnings, to deal with the children of Israel according to their doings. Jeremiah was set over the kingdom of Israel to root out, pull down, destroy, and throw down. He was also permitted to build and plant. The Bible confirmed that though Jeremiah wept much for his beloved country, he faithfully discharged his duties without fear or favour.

God has also setup each of us for His purpose in this generation. Are you fulfilling God's purpose for your life?

Prayer Point: Father, please give me wisdom, knowledge and boldness to discharge my duties in this world without fear or favour in Jesus' name.

4 Ways You Will Be Engaged In A ‘Necessary’ But Wasted Relationship

by Mayowa Adeniyi

wasted relationship. Do you know that there are many singles, teenagers and adults who are engaged in this kind of relationship? You might be one of them, who knows!
A ‘necessary’ but wasted relationship is one where many people find themselves in whereby they put a lot into it and in the long run, it amount to an effort in futility. How does it happens?

1. Through cohabitation
Whether living couples’ life in school or after school, those who engage in such act only ended up wasting the better part of their life on a relationship that would lead them nowhere.
I have also seen Corp members who go to camp to be engaged in such relationship, only to be disappointed on their passing out parade day.

Cohabiting is never the best way to get a spouse, both culturally and scripturally. You will waste your time, body and resources on a relationship that would take you know where.
If you’re to meet your spouse anywhere, cohabiting doesn’t help you to know them better. Moreover, the truth is that you can’t know all about your partner even fifteen years into the marital journey.

2. When you spend blindly
It is good to spend but it’s worse to spend blindly on someone that’s not your prospective spouse when you’re not fully convince about him or her.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t help the poor or needy, but sponsoring a lady or man through the four walls of the university when God didn’t tell you to do so, with your own expectation to be married to him or her is nothing but a colossal waste. Lots of men and women have been heart broken as a result of this kind of wasted investment. It’s good to make sacrifices but it’s stupid when you make blind sacrifice.

3. Being emotionally engaged
Some men have made life unbearable for some ladies by attaching themselves emotionally to meet all their needs.
You call her often, provide a shoulder for her to lean on, became everything she needs, both legal and illegal; and at the end, she was shocked to hear that you’re ‘just friend’.
Ladies too aren’t spared from this because they act up thinking their emotional investment would make him consider them as an intended spouse. They assume he’s the one and invest all their emotions on him.
Don’t be disappointed when he announce to you that he can’t marry you since he takes you to be his sister or that she sees you as her brother.

4. Through boyfriend and girlfriend relationship
I have seen and known about many relationship of this kind that ended up nowhere.
Back in those days in school when you see young men and ladies spending their pocket money or part of their school fees for their boyfriend or girlfriend and the relationship didn’t last till the next session or semester and you’re amazed about how they ended. Isn’t that a wasted life?

You’ll be surprised to hear about their break ups while they move on in such cycle of wasted relationship. Boyfriend and girlfriend relationship will never help you to know the right partner, it will only increase your worries, heartache, failure and futile investment when it comes to relationship. This kind of relationship only exist based on trial and error basis of seeking the right partner.

How to be free 1. Only through salvation
Recently, I discover that salvation doesn’t only save a man’s soul and spirit in eternity, it has its earthly benefits. Salvation gives you the opportunity to know the truth that comes from God which saves your life – time, money, resources, body and energies from the things that would ruin you.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” – John 3:16.
If you wouldn’t end up perished in your relationship, isn’t it better to believe in Jesus and allow His gift of salvation prevent you from perishing?

If wasted investment and relationship won’t be your fate, buy the truth that comes from God. When you know these truth, you’ll trust and wait on God before you’d venture into any relationship lest you venture into the one that will ruin you. By yourself and with all the experiences you have, you can’t know the right person. Stop wasting your life and destiny on a trial and error relationship! Peter today, Mary tomorrow. When will you stop?

Only the wise ones will have ears to hear the truth. Save your money, time, resources and energies from been wasted in a relationship that would end up frustrating your life.

Conserve your all to seek God’s face, know His will and allow His gift of salvation transform you from within to without so that you can know His perfect will when it comes to choosing a life partner.
Are you in any of these relationship? Share your experience and also quit the relationship.

Topic: Victory through Praise [Tuesday 9, February 2016]

Memorise: And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. – 2 Chronicles 20:22

Read: 2 Chronicles 20:21-24 (KJV)

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.

Bible in One Year: Mark 7:1-9:13; Job 18:20-19:12

MESSAGE:

Victory is generally presented in the Bible as an act of God. From Genesis to Revelation, God is always presented as the source of all victory, which He grants to those who obey His commands and put their trust and confidence in Him. Wherever you turn to in the Scripture, the principle holds true.

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” - Colossians 2:15

In essence, God has destroyed the value and quality of our enemies and has also put their failure, disgrace and shame in open display for all to see. Victory is always presented in the Bible as achieved by God without human intervention. This reality makes it absolutely necessary to praise God whenever we are confronted by the enemy, knowing that victory is assured in Jesus' name.

The Bible also presents praise as a spiritual language that can reach beyond the intellect to touch the heart of God. Whenever God wants to do something really supernatural, He calls for an army of musical warriors, to bombard the stronghold of the enemy. Such was the case in the time of Jehoshaphat King of Judah who deployed divine warriors, an army of worshipers, to march into battle with musical instruments in their hands and songs of praises in their mouths. As they praised and worshipped God, he rose on their behalf and completely destroyed all their enemies. 2 Chronicles 20:22 says:

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten."

What I know for sure is that if you praise God, His enemies cannot stand by. Some 30 years ago, we went to Otukpo town in the middle region of Nigeria for a programme, with some students. I planned to talk on divine healing. Then, we began to praise God so intensely that the glory of God descended and I forgot every other Scripture I had planned for the next sermon except Luke 1:37. Suddenly, there were clusters of students kneeling and praying in tongues though they had never heard of the Holy Ghost baptism before. Others joined them praying in tongues and the end of the day I could not preach. Go ahead now, praise God until you bring down His glory today?

Key Point: As you worship God today, He will arise and scatter all your enemies in the mighty name of Jesus.

Successful Marriage is sure with these Top Secrets “4Cs”

Whether by church wedding or signing at court, parents are giving consent for their children to be tied in holy matrimony hoping that they will procreate and live a happy life afterwards.

After all the lavish ceremonies; cutting of cake, smiles and extravagant wedding dress, posing for selfies that is the imaginary dream of most contemporary women, the executory part of fulfilling the promises made to God in the presence of family, friends, colleagues and invited guest is the hard nut to crack.

How do you maintain your marriage in reality?

How do you become a better spouse for your partner and a good parent to your children?
Arguing is inevitable in a relationship, even twins fight in the womb as superstition says but if you follow these 4 Cs - (Communication, Commitment, Companionship and Care) - there will be peace and love in your relationship.

1. Communication:
Communication is the pivot around which every relationship evolves. Constant interaction with each other, whether phone calls, text or face-to-face erase all doubt and suspicions in a relationship.

Couples must agree to disagree amicably, forecast and plan for the future. Don’t hesitate to say “am sorry” when you offend your partner, if you are not vulnerable in front of your partner then who else?
Words like: “I love you, am sorry, forgive and thank you” should be used daily in a healthy relationship.

Educator and author, Stephen Covey, once said that “the biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply”.
Try to listen to spouse just to understand what he/she is saying without reply. Just acknowledge.

2. Commitment: “In sickness and in health, rain or shine…..” Commitment means dedicating yourself effortlessly to support and provide the needed assistance to your partner to maintain your relationship. And the two shall become one, which means one has to compromise in certain instance without murmuring or nagging.

A writer Joseph Campbell underscores that, “When you sacrifice in a marriage, you are sacrificing not to each other but to unity in a relationship”.

No one person must feel he or she is carrying all the burden in the relationship. Comments like "I’m better off single than married” should be avoided. Couple can no longer think of themselves alone; anything you are thinking, think of your spouse in it. 3. Companionship:
Love and s*x is an important portion in the love realm. The bible establishes that “Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer”.

Constant lovemaking provides the avenue to experience each other’s inner feelings and spiritually and emotionally grow your relationship.
‘Sex is sweet’; one reaches orgasm during makeup s*x, after big announcements or during couple's special occasions. Marriage is the only morally upright way within which the human kind is procreated.

4. Care:
Justice delayed isn’t always justice denied, at least not where marriage is concerned. Show gratitude to your partner for each little thing done. Never underestimate the power of appreciation, which opens doors for greater things.
The kitchen is the woman’s paramount place. Women take care of your husbands from the kitchen to the dinning, so he too can take of you from the dinning to the bedroom.
Wife, adore their husband and shower him with praises, say nice words like ‘I love you’.
Popular author, Julia Child, said “the secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person. You know they’re right if you love to be with them all the time”. Couples must spend quality time in the house.

Issues will come up from time to time, but always smile even when you wife or husband is angry. Bring some fun into the house and plead with your spouse in love. A beautiful marriage is very possible

One Thing No One Would Ever Tell You About Love (Must Read)

Facts about love you dont know ,Have you ever wondered why love seem to be a complex thing in life? Have you ever found an answer to why it’s often misunderstood and wrongly expressed, yet many still ‘fall’ blindly into it? Is love really wicked, doesn’t exist, crazy or doesn’t cost a thing?
If you need an answer to all these questions, patiently read through as you discover the truth no one would ever tell you about love.
I myself didn’t know about this truth despite my ‘great’ knowledge about relationship issues until God revealed it to me. I have been once guilty about it and faced its consequence of a shallow understanding of love. But thank God, the Father of all lights in whom there’s no shadow of variableness who unfolded this truth I’d share with you. Remember, we know in part and you cannot know it all – except God.
The truth I discovered about love is found in Romans eight verse thirteen, “If you live (love) after the flesh, you will die…” I purposely kept love there as revealed.
Do you remembered that God told Adam that if he eats out of the fruit He told him not to eat, he’ll surely die? Did he die a natural death? No, but his eyes were opened and he was exposed to the human nature, corrupted by the serpent. Let me not take you into theology so that I don’t bore you but let’s go straight to the point. There’s a love that is after the flesh and there’s a love that loves like God. The former is motivated by feeling emanating from the flesh but the latter comes from God’s nature, motivated by His spirit (Zech. 4:6).
The love after the flesh brings destruction such as premarital sex, sexually transmitted diseases, single motherhood (baby mama), unwanted pregnancy, abortion and the likes because it emanates from the sinful nature of the flesh. So when you love according to the dictates of your human nature, except destruction because it cannot better your life. truth you dont know about loveThe love after the flesh will waste your life, ruin your destiny and destroy you, while it leaves a scar in your life. This is the kind of love most people practice in their relationship. Loving after the flesh is non-sacrificial but selfish. It wants to be satisfied, it wants to be pleased but not to better the life of the other.
When you love after the flesh, your joy is stolen, because it’s centered on pleasing him or her alone; it kills you softly and destroys your life gradually as time ticks away. There’s always a consequence awaiting you when you love after the flesh. What else would you expect from a lady that proves love to her boyfriend on a platter of premarital sex? No other thing that regrets – heart break, guilt and condemnation! bitter loveWhat is the fate of a relationship where you’re kissing, petting, caressing, fondling each other’s body, engaging in erotic conversations on social media platforms and so on, yet you call it love? It would surely destroy you before you’d realize the truth.
May I tell you this? Christian brothers and sisters are not exempted from loving after the flesh. This is why you can see a brother or sister behave like an unbeliever when it comes to love matters. A professing Christian brother can double date or lure you into sex and a professing Christian sister can cheat on you.
A love that is motivated by the flesh will abuse you verbally, sexually or physically while it believes nothing is wrong with it. Loving after the flesh will cheat on you no matter how you satisfy him or her. A man/woman that is married to you can also love you according to the flesh. This is why many married couples have issues in their marriages – cheating, physical abuse and the likes. Without a love that comes from God which is mutually expressed, issues will abound in your marriage.

Are you ready to enjoy the best form of love? You must become God’s child to love like God, without this, you can’t love like Him even if the best relationship coach tutors you. Unlearn all the forms of love you know and begin to learn the truth about God’s kind of love.

Topic: Deliverance through Prayer [Monday 8, February 2016]

Memorise: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. – James 5:16

Read: Acts 12:1-8 (KJV)

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

Bible in One Year: Mark 5:21-6:56; Job 18:5-19

MESSAGE:

If children of God would take time to study the Word of God and pay great attention to His person, ways, attributes and commandments, the world would be a much better place. Prayers will be answered quickly and Christians will revel in the glory and favour of God. We will partially know the reason(s) behind God’s actions and what to do at any time to move His hands in our favour. By the grace of God, anyone that is conversant with the history and development of the Redeemed Christian Church of God will agree, without any doubt that God has constantly revealed His mind to us in the place of prayer.
May His name be praised forevermore in Jesus’ name.

A careful study of the story of Hezekiah in Isaiah 36-38 reveals two important factors that lead to God’s deliverance through prayer. The first is recorded in Isaiah 37:20, where Hezekiah asks God to deliver Israel for His own sake and not theirs:

“Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.” - Isaiah 37:20.

God responded by saving them for His glory. There is no greater and stronger foundation for our salvation than this. It is by His grace and it is accessible to all human beings without any qualification. It is open to the poor as well as the rich; it is open to men and women of all ages, race and background. Not because we deserve it, but to show that God is a merciful God who delights in showering blessings on His children.

The second factor is found in the same story. Hezekiah first prayed for Jerusalem’s existence that was being threatened and God graciously answered and saved Jerusalem, again he prayed for mercy and elongation of his own life and God answered too. In both cases, God’s deliverance came in direct response to a humble and desperate prayer. God will always respond to the desperate requests of His children because Jesus is our sinless high priest who makes it possible for us to approach the throne of grace with confidence.

The New Testament reveals a similar pattern in the book of Acts 12:1-8;

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” - Acts 12:5

The Lord answered the prayer of the Church with the miraculous deliverance of Peter. Here again, God answers the desperate prayer of His people for the glory of His Name. I therefore decree, as you make your request known to God this day, He will answer you by fire with signs following in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, please don’t let me ever suffer any kind of defeat in Jesus’ name

Topic: Polish & Refine

It’s important that as a husband, you take time to invest in your wife. What do you do to build her up? How do you help her grow spiritually and otherwise? What do you do to challenge her? What do you do to affirm her? How do you help her weaknesses? She is not the only one who should be helping you. Don’t marry her and just leave her to herself; you must pour into her and her progress must be evident for all to see.
It is a sad thing to see a husband making progress spiritually, intellectually, and otherwise while his wife remains on the same spot since the day they met. That is unfair and it shouldn’t be acceptable by any responsible husband. It says a lot about you as her husband! Don’t be the one tearing her down!

The making of your wife is in your hands so do something. When you do, you would have absolutely NO reason to compare her to another woman, and she would have NO reason to compare you to another man who is also building up his own wife. Look, don’t be irritated by her flaws; use it as an opportunity to polish her! Remember that is what Christ continues to do for the church – to refine and to polish! Whatever you do, do it all in love if you want to see the desired results. Don’t do it grudgingly, don’t do it with criticism, and don’t do it in anger. Ask God how you can enhance your wife.

Remember that no man hates himself but nourishes and cherishes it (Ephesians 5:28) and that is how God expects you to handle your wife. Take the time every single day to polish & refine her. If you look after yourself better than you look after your wife, your love is questionable! Most importantly, remember, that everything about your wife is a reflection of you.

I’m In A Relationship: How to Identify ‘Christian’ Unbelievers

by Mayowa Adeniyi

“Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14 (God’s Word Translation)
It is not difficult to know an unbeliever who doesn’t believe in God and in Jesus as the Son of God. You’ll easily identity them through their conduct and lifestyle. But it is usually difficult for many singles who are in a relationship to know ‘Christian’ unbelievers.

There are many Christian sisters who have been into a relationship with a so-called brother who they met in church only for their relationship to end up in immoral acts.

Some brothers too have ended up with ‘holy holy’ sisters in the church but only found out to discover that they’re a Jezebel when they got home.

To those of you who are in a relationship with one brother or sister in the church, I write this to you. Lend me your ears before you end up in a mess you do not pray for.
Do you know that there are Christian unbelievers too in the church? That he or she comes to church, sings in the choir, ushers or appear ‘churchly’ doesn’t make them a child of God. You can only know them by their fruits. How would you know them?

1. They don’t believe in the Bible as the word of God
For every true child of God, the Bible is God’s word to us. In it we find how to live, love, act and conduct ourselves as Christ does.

I'm In A Relationship: How to Identify 'Christian' Unbelievers Christian unbelievers do not believe that the bible is God’s word. They only see it as a piece of literature (letter) written by men. But little do they know that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness so that the man (woman) of God may be perfect and thoroughly furnished to all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). When you yoke yourself with people like this, expect to have heart break or suffer the consequence unbelievers face in their relationship.

Remember, he or she that follows after vain persons or keep the company of fools shall be destroyed and have poverty enough respectively (Prov. 13:20; 28:19)

. 2. They know the truth but would shy away from living by it
Do you know that Christian unbelievers are of the opinion that it’s not possible to be perfect like God? They will misguide you so that you’d be deceived by their sugar-coated lies.

They will even tell you it is grace they need while they embrace immoralities instead of running to God to obtain it. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbids! (Rom. 6:1).

A brother who is a Christian unbeliever knows that sex before marriage is sin but would tell you that ‘everyone is doing it’ so that you can be part of his sin. But if you allow yourself to be deceived, you’re not wise (Prov. 20:1).

He will tell you that holy kissing is not a sin. Holy kiss is a culture in the bible times when sexual immoralities has not upturn moral values. But in his own case, he wants to gratify the lust of his flesh so that you can become a victim someday. When you keep a relationship with people like this, you’ll end up becoming like them or trapped in their folly.

The truth you know without keeping it dear to your heart can NOT set you free from the things that holds many people in bondage.

3. They choose to be defined by the tradition and philosophy of the world
Christian unbelievers are those who became Christians by coercion or luring them to become a church member. They do not have a personal encounter with God.

Because they’re unbelievers, they are neither not in Christ or a new creature in Him. And if you keep a relationship with people like this, ‘I’m sorry for you’.

A Christian unbeliever will bluntly tell you that there’s nothing wrong in premarital or extramarital sex. As a lady, he will you: no pregnancy, no marriage. And as a man, she will convince you to prove your fertility before marriage. This category of people can pray, they can preach or quote the scripture, do not be deceived, the traditions of the world is their driving force.

If you’re unequally yoked together in a relationship with a Christian unbeliever and you do not pull out as quick as possible, you won’t be able to rewrite the scripture when you meet your waterloo.

Dear sisters and brothers, examine that relationship you’re keeping in church, is it drawing you closer to God or dragging you closer to hell pleasurably and steadily? Anyone that doesn’t regard God’s word will not fear God, let alone love you better.
Do not forget that the likes of abortion, unprepared motherhood, unwanted pregnancy, premarital sex and all sorts are not affecting the chairs, church buildings and musical instruments but those who choose to be yoked together with an unbeliever.

God loves you but if you don’t quit that relationship, it will destroy your life beyond repair.

Topic: Commissioned by the Holy Ghost [Sunday 7, February 2016]

Memorise: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. – Acts 13:2

Read: Acts 13:1-4 (KJV)

1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Bible in One Year: Mark 3:13-5:20; Job 17:6-18:4

MESSAGE:

Fasting is a Biblical practice whose interpretation in the Old Testament was slightly different from what it was in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, in addition to being a means of prayer and supplication, fasting is also synonymous with mourning, shame and lamentation. The practice typically took place when a crisis or other significant event became more important than eating. However, the New Testament presents fasting purely as a means of prayer and supplication devoid of mourning, shame or lamentation. As a matter of fact, Jesus taught us to fast without giving neighbours any clues, which means we should look clean and happy as always while fasting.

“16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” - Mathew 6:16-18

The above passage forms the basis and model for fasting in the New Testament Church. Fasting is therefore a means of seeking the face of the Lord for divine intervention in human affairs. It is such a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare that Jesus told His disciples that some level of miracles may not be possible without adding fasting and prayers. That is probably the reason why apostles of Jesus Christ took fasting and prayer seriously after the physical departure of our Lord Jesus Christ. Right from chapter one of the book of Acts, fasting began to feature in the activities of the disciples, and each time, God responded with great miracles, signs and wonders.

Fasting was especially used by the apostles whenever they wanted God to commission them or needed special instruction or direction. Obviously, the apostles old and the church at Antioch spent quality time in worship, fasting and prayer, earnestly seeking the Lords will as they opened themselves to divine direction. Their effort was honoured by God through the power of the Holy Ghost as they as they received answers to their request by physical manifestation of the power of God in their midst. The apostle would not have been able to do much without the commissioning power of the Spirit of God.

Prayer Point: Sweet Holy Spirit, please don't let me do anything without your direction and commission in the name of Jesus. -