Attaining Intimacy in Marriage (Part 4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Attaining Intimacy in Marriage (Part 4)

I welcome you to this exciting moment in God’s presence! Last week, I showed you the hindrances to intimacy. This week, I want to share with you: Spices for Intimacy in Marriage. They are:

Surprise gifts

My precious husband says you can’t love without giving because giving is a way of expressing love. Similarly, it is a way of brightening up the atmosphere at home, when it is dull.

My husband uses this habit to keep the home lively. I remember one day at home, the atmosphere seemed dull and I felt gloomy. My husband sensed this before he left home. He came back home with a little gift, something very small, yet it reassured me that someone cares and loves me. This act stimulated me, and there was a new glow at home. As small as it was, I kept this gift in my room till today.

Also Read: Attaining Intimacy in Marriage (Part 2) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

So, it is not good enough to say you don’t know what your husband likes or what your wife or children need. It is not the volume, but the expression of your care that really counts. The element of surprises, which the gift stirs up, is enough to cause another honeymoon. It is not the amount of money spent that matters, but the kind thought behind it.

Share important dates together

Celebrating important dates together creates excitement and brightens up your home. When speaking of important dates like Christmas and New Year, you should understand however that in a family, we are talking not just of Christmas and New Year. Birthday, anniversaries and so on can be observed, even if the one celebrating it has forgotten. If you give him or her surprise, it will create a well of joy, respect, honour and love.

Jesus gave us an example to follow during Passover. When He was about to be crucified, He called His disciples, the closest people to Him, and had a memorable supper with them. The Bible says… And they made ready the Passover … And he said unto them, with desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you … (Luke 22:13,15).

After supper He then said, …This do in remembrance of me …

The Israelites, too, had this habit of remembering events, especially those special things the Lord did for them; like their deliverance from Egypt. It is one of the things that have kept them together as a nation and people today. You, too, as a Christian can remember the things God has done in your life as an individual and family. You mark such dates as times of celebration of God’s faithfulness in your life and family. You don’t borrow to celebrate. You celebrate in love and joy, which are much more priceless.

Doing things together

This is another spice that adds glamour to your marital life. Jesus said: My Father works hitherto and I work also (John 5:17). The Lord was involved in His Father’s business. They worked together. It showed the Son’s interest and concern in the Father’s business. This speaks of togetherness. Doing things together eradicates every dull moment in your home.

So, make it a point of duty this month to surprise and appreciate your spouse and family members with surprise gifts. Also, make out time to be together to celebrate the Lord’s goodness in your family life.

You will never regret marrying your spouse. Your marriage shall not break in Jesus’ Name!

Give room to praise

Another way of spicing up intimacy in your marriage is by locating the good qualities in your spouse and children, and to praise them for it; rather than focusing on their areas of weakness and mistakes. Praise is the master key to an enviable Christian living, and that is the missing ingredient in most Christian homes.

I remember the story of a woman who went to a Counsellor and said, “My husband is very bad; I want to leave him.” The Counsellor drew a circle and said “Put a dot in the circle for every fault your spouse has committed.” The woman started putting dots in the circle for as many offences as she could remember – “He insulted me; he didn’t give me money, …” She rapped on until she could remember no more. The Counsellor then said, “Madam, the undotted space in the circle is still larger than the dotted part. That means your husband is not as bad as you want me to believe.” The woman was advised to go home and put things right with her husband.

So, no matter what might have happened in the past, there must still be some good qualities in your spouse. Focus on those positive points, and the bad ones will soon fade away.

Also, as a family, find time to praise God together, that will fill your home with God’s presence. Wherever God is, there is fullness of joy and pleasures forever more. No wonder God’s Word says: Thou wilt show me the path of life; In thine presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more (Psalm 16:11).

If you are already born again, rejoice because your case is settled. If you are not yet born again and you desire to do so right now, please pray this prayer with faith in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

“Please click Here to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

Topic: god or GOD? [Teens Open Heaven 3 October 2018]

Memorise: Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Exodus 20:4

Read: Exodus 20:1-6 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 27-28, Ephesians 5

MESSAGE:

If you find yourself in any assembly where they offer sacrifice of goats, rams, birds, or use various fetish things; coloured candles, chalk, incense, bitter kola, holy water, salt, incision, black powder, run for your life! They do not serve the Living God.

In today’s Bible reading, God strictly warns those who follow Him not to frolic with images and idols, even when they are said to represent Him. He wants to be worshipped directly and not through some materials. It is impossible to serve God genuinely when you are following traditions and carnal interpretations of men. If you study your Bible and pray regularly, you will feel closer to Him. You don’t need anything as a medium to feel closer to God. Your connection to Him should be in your spirit, this is why He said we are to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Action Point: Pull down every idol, image or symbol that has replaced the Almighty God in your life.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 7:

1. I am Thine 0 Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

Topic: Prayer Power [DCLM Daily Manna 3 October 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Daniel 6:4-22 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime“ (Daniel 6:10).

MESSAGE:

Sidlow Baxter once said, “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons – but they are helpless against our prayers”. We all pray because we all come to that period in our lives when we realise our helplessness in handling certain matters. Sometimes, the issues at hand are simply beyond us and we are left with no other choice than to pray.

For Daniel, however, prayer was a pleasure. The man loved to pray. It was part of his daily routine to pray three times. His house was a veritable prayer altar. Though he was surrounded by people who did not appreciate his prayerfulness, he was more diligent and efficient and they all knew this. His critics could not find any fault in him, so they attacked his belief in God. They wanted him to stop praying. They made the king to sign a decree that outlawed prayers to God within 30 days. Daniel ignored the law and kept his prayer appointment with God as usual. They promptly got him arrested for breaking the no-prayer law and eventually he was given the stipulated punishment. He was thrown into the lions’ den. But the following day, when the king hurried to the den, he found Daniel safe and unhurt by the hungry carnivores. Surely God answers prayers.

The beauty of prayer is that everyone can pray. To effectively utilise prayer power like Daniel, pray in the name of Jesus and make sure you obey His word. Then, you too will survive in any situation comparable to the lion’s den. However, not every prayer is acceptable; the prayer of the wicked is abomination unto God. It is the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous that avails much. The strength of Daniel was his righteous and holy mien. It takes such comportment and determination to truly enjoy and benefit from the prayer process.

Thought For The Day: Prayer is the voice of Faith.

Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 2; Luke 2:39

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

Topic: The Confrontation of Faith [Seeds of Destiny 3 October 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life… 1 Timothy 6:12a.

Thought For The Day: Anywhere faith is lacking, Christianity becomes a mockery.

Faith has been defined as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen according to Hebrews 11:1.

It is critical to know that the subject of faith cannot be over-emphasized because the journey of Christianity is called, ‘The walk of faith’ (2 Corinthians 5:7). Also, in Romans 1:17, the Scripture makes it clear that the life and survival of a Christian is dependent on his faith – Habakkuk. 2:4.

Thus, faithlessness is an invitation to calamity and casualty in life. Christianity without faith is Christianity without force. The truth is, anywhere faith is lacking, Christianity becomes a mockery.

From our anchor Scripture above, it is clear that for a Christian’s faith to survive, fight is required. Faith is not a feeling; faith is not wishful thinking; faith is a fight, faith is a confrontation. Every genuine faith must be confronted. For instance, the faith of Daniel, Joseph, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were all confronted because they believed or trusted in God. But every one of them overcame the confrontation of their faith. So, the decision to walk in faith should be accompanied by the readiness for confrontations in life; to walk in faith is to be ready for confrontations. But you are destined to overcome in Jesus’ Name.

Beloved, be determined to arm yourself with the mentality of warfare in order to maintain a vibrant faith in God. I prophesy unto you the grace to maintain a vibrant faith that is alive. Receive the power to confront and conquer every confrontation of your faith, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: Anywhere faith is lacking, Christianity becomes a mockery.

Assignments:
1. Fight to maintain your faith in God.
2. Refuse to be timid; confront every confrontation of your faith with brutal declarations and positive actions.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your Word to me today. Grant me the grace to equip my faith with Your Word and the power to conquer every confrontation of my life, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE FIGHT OF FAITH.

Quote: Any faith that dodges responsibility is an irresponsible faith. Culled from 365 WISDOM CAPSULES by Dr Paul Enenche

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 1:1 to 2:30, Philippians 4:1 to 23, Psalm 75:1 to 10, Proverbs 24:17

Amazing Fact: Camels can drink more than 40 gallons of water at once.

Today In History: 03/10/1863 – U.S. President Lincoln declared that the last Thursday of November would be recognized as Thanksgiving Day

Also Read: Click HERE to read Other Inspirational Messages by Pastor Paul Enenche“

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.