Attaining Intimacy in Marriage (Part 3) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Attaining Intimacy in Marriage (Part 3)

Dear Reader,

You are welcome into God’s presence in Jesus’ name! Last week, I showed you the characteristics of intimacy. This week, I want to share with you: Hindrances to developing Intimacy.

It is important to know that everything converse to enhancing and preserving intimacy is an obstacle; including the following:

Pride

This makes you feel you are better than your husband, therefore, you can’t condescend and bring yourself low to do all that is required to foster intimacy. If you are proud your husband will likely want to prove to you that he is the one in charge. The Word of God says:Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom (Proverbs 13:10).

Anger

This can make your husband to fear you and seek either to defend himself or withdraw into an impenetrable shell. If this happens, there can be no intimacy. The Word of God says: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty… (Proverbs 16:32).

Bitterness

When you are not living at peace with someone, bitterness begins to build up in your heart towards that person. Remember, God is not where bitterness is. Why? God is love. Light cannot dwell with darkness. He cannot manifest His power where there is hatred. It doesn’t matter whether the person is a Christian or not, as long as you have bitterness in your heart against anyone, you carry a burden and your prayers are hindered. At times, the person you are angry with is not even aware of it, but you make it impossible for yourself to approach the throne of grace. Bitterness destroys! It is a serious sickness! Give it no room in your life. It is true that the person has offended you. He is wrong and you are right. Forgive him in your heart and tell him so. By so doing, you free yourself from the effects and consequences of bitterness, so they won’t trouble you. Don’t repay evil for evil. Repay bitterness and hatred with the love of God.

Also Read: Dwelling In Understanding (Part 1) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Below is a testimony:

“I joined the Winners’ Chapel in 1997 and became born again that year. When I came for a service that year, the preaching of the Servant of God, Bishop David Oyedepo, really touched my heart. So, when the altar call was made, I came out and surrendered my life to Christ.

Since I became a child of God, I can now forgive people easily. The former spirit of unforgiveness has now been removed and replaced by the spirit of forgiveness.

In fact, people now see the changes in me. I give glory to God for everything happening in my life.”

– Okafor, H.

In case you are reading this article and you are having this kind of spirit, I decree your freedom from it today in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Careless Speech

This is a major obstacle to intimacy. If your husband observes this about you, he would prefer to stay on his own and not open up to you. Also, careless speech would stir up anger in him. If you are the source of your husband’s anger, intimacy will be far-fetched (Proverbs 15:1).

Contention

This means having a tendency towards nagging and quarrels. Also, it is seeking for quarrels even when there is none in sight. A contentious woman is considered and avoided like a plague by her husband and even other people, (Proverbs 19:13, 9:19).

BENEFITS OF INTIMACY

• It brings about unity, which promotes God’s presence and blessings within the marriage, (Psalm 133).
• It brings about free flow of communication (Proverbs 27: 1)9.
• It makes marriage last a lifetime (Proverbs 31: 11, 28 – 31).
• It makes marriage more enjoyable (Proverbs 31: 25; Isaiah 62: 5).
• It brings about greater spiritual strength than ever before (Ecclesiastes 4: 9 –12).
• It negates shame, reproach and confusion because there is openness, (Genesis 2: 25).

To avoid these hindrances to intimacy in marriage, you need God’s grace that averts disgrace upon one’s life. 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.

Develop a Healthy Conscience by David Ibiyeomie

Topic: Develop a Healthy Conscience

Rom.9:1 -I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

The conscience is the moral being within you; it is the police of the heart that controls your life. When your conscience is dead, life has ended. To succeed in life, business and career, you must have a living conscience. Most times, making a mistake is not the issue with God but having a conscience is more important. There are people who don’t even feel it when they make mistake; their conscience is already dead. A dead conscience does not see evil as evil anymore. If you want to last in life, never get to a point where your conscience is dead; where you call evil a weakness.

A man’s treatment of money (how he makes and spends money) is the most decisive test of his character. There were times my wife and I have stayed with no food to eat; and with church money in our custody; yet we never tampered with it. Today, the story is different. A man with a living conscience will feel guilty when he is wrong. Never keep a man with a dead conscience around you; it is not the mistake the person made but having a dead conscience. In the day of your trial, it is your character that will speak for you.

Also Read: The Effectual Fervent Prayer by David Ibiyeomie

If you want to be successful, watch your thoughts because they will become words and your words will become actions; your actions will become habits, your habits will become your character and your character will become your destiny.

Thoughts >Words >Action >Habit >Character >Destiny

Every word and deed of a parent is a fiber woven into the character of a child that will ultimately determine how that child fits into the fabrics of the society. Anything you do, your children imitates you without talking. Every child have traits of their parents’ character. The workshop of character is everyday life – the eventful and the common places; that is where the battle is either won or lost.

Prov. 4:27 – Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Titus 2:6-7 – Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness {NIV}

The discipline of desire is the background of character because when liberty lacks control, it becomes captivity.

Henceforth, everything about your life will speak success! I see you succeed as you make God’s word your guide and keep your conscience alive in Jesus name-Amen!!!

God bless you

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

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: Branded As Wicked? [Teens Open Heaven 25 September 2018]

Memorise: Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me. Matthew 18:32

Read: Matthew 18:23-35 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 4-6, Galatians 3

MESSAGE:

One powerful bait that is destroying the church today and putting many into Satan’s trap is unforgiveness. If you still harbour unforgiveness, bitterness or grudges against anyone, especially fellow believers, you are treading on very dangerous grounds.

The lord called this unforgiving servant a wicked person. That changed everything! If you are wise, you will be very concerned about what your Lord calls you, because the name the Lord calls you is the name Heaven knows you by. Are you branded wicked by Heaven? Repent immediately and change your ways.

Action Point: Ask God to destroy every root of wickedness in your life.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 13:

1. Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is the love of God flowing through you?
Are you telling the lost of the Savior?
Are you ready His service to do?

Chorus:
Make me a channel of blessing today,
Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
My life possessing, my service blessing,
Make me a channel of blessing today.

2. Is your life a channel of blessing?
Are you burdened for those that are lost?
Have you urged upon those who are straying
The Savior who does on the cross

3. Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is it a daily telling for Him?
Have you spoken the word of salvation
To those who are dying in sin?

4. We cannot be channels of blessing
If our lives are not free from sin;
We will barriers be and a hindrance
To those we are trying to win.

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: Many Beautiful Things [Our Daily Bread 25 September 2018 Devotional]

Read: Mark 14:1–9, Bible in a Year: Song of Solomon 6–8; Galatians 4

She has done a beautiful thing to me. Mark 14:6

Just before her death, artist and missionary Lilias Trotter looked out a window and saw a vision of a heavenly chariot. According to her biographer, a friend asked, “Are you seeing many beautiful things?” She answered, “Yes, many, many beautiful things.”

Trotter’s final words reflect God’s work in her life. Not only in death, but throughout her life, He revealed much beauty to her and through her. Although a talented artist, she chose to serve Jesus as a missionary in Algeria. John Ruskin, a famous painter who tutored her, is said to have commented, “What a waste,” when she chose the mission field over a career in art.

Similarly, in the New Testament, when a woman came to Simon the Leper’s house with an alabaster jar and poured perfume on Jesus’s head, those present saw it as a waste. This expensive perfume was worth a year’s common wages, so some of the people present thought it could have been used to help the poor. However, commending this woman’s deep devotion to Him, Jesus said, “She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Mark 14:6).

Every day we can choose to let Christ’s life shine in our lives and display His beauty to the world. To some, it may seem a waste, but let us have willing hearts to serve Him. May Jesus say we have done many beautiful things for Him.

Prayer: Dear Father, help me express my love to You in beautiful ways.

May our lives display the beauty of God.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Keila Ochoa [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Move Closer Every Day [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 25 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

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. – John 15:5

Abiding in Jesus isn’t something that comes automatically to any believer. It’s a lifestyle that involves discipline and effort.

We have to choose to give ourselves to our union with Him, to give Him first place where our attention is concerned. If we want to grow spiritually, if we want to walk in power and in fellowship with the Lord, we’ll have to spend the time it takes to know Him.

That’s not something we can do for a while and then forget about either. We must continue in it every day. For the moment we stop moving closer to Jesus, we always start drifting away.

You see, here in this natural world you’re surrounded by ungodliness. You live in a body that is totally natural. Unless you purposely counter that with daily prayer and time in the Word, your body and your mind will simply give in to the pressures around you and go the way of the world.

Right now, make a decision to give yourself to the things of God. Focus your attention on the Lord. Surround yourself with His Word. Listen to preaching and teaching tapes while you’re getting dressed, driving to work, preparing dinner, working on your car, exercising, cleaning house and when you go to bed. Listen to the Word of God anytime, anywhere!

Abide in Him today.

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-11

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.