Topic — Love: A Principal Ingredient in Marriage (Part 1)

Dear Reader,

When God created Adam, He placed him in the beautiful Garden of Eden. Endowed with superior intelligence, God commissioned him to name all cattle, the fowl of the air and every beast of the field (Genesis 2:20). One thing was lacking, however. Adam had no companion to love and communicate with.

After God created Adam, according to Genesis 2:15, “then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” So, Adam had a responsibility, a job that surely proved to be fascinating for him. Adam explored and learned all about the world—animals, plants, the beautiful and intricate variations of God’s creation. Not only was he learning, God gave him the privilege of naming all the birds and animals and other living creatures (verse 19).

Whether Adam knew it or not, God knew something was not right. The Bible says: And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him (Genesis 2:18). Let’s think for a moment about why it was not good for Adam to be alone. He, of all the physical living creation, was without a helper at his own level (verse 20).

If Adam were by himself for any significant amount of time, imagine how he must have felt when he observed that even animals had their mates. Through Adam’s observations of the animal kingdom, in its masculine and feminine, he would have been constantly reminded that he was the lone human being on the planet. He was a male with no corresponding female.

To provide such a companion, God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he [or, builded] a woman, and brought her; unto the man (Genesis 2:21, 22). Imagine the surprise and joy of waking up to behold a beautiful woman! Adam called her woman because she was taken out of him. It was then that God stated the purpose of marriage – Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24).She was bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. This began the institution of marriage in a relationship of love.

Love is never a magical, mysterious emotion that two people fall into or out of for no apparent reason. The truth is different: Loving relationships must be nurtured. They take work. Love is care and consideration directed toward another person, not just an ethereal emotion.

The work involved in building and preserving the marital bond is well worth the time and effort. Husbands and wives, who are committed to this positive process, often describe their mates as their best friends. This is simply another way of describing the kind of bond God desires for every marriage.

Husband and wife must learn to work together in marriage, showing respect and love to each other. Such an approach follows the biblical principles of wives submitting to their husbands and husbands loving and honouring their wives (Ephesians 5:22, 25; 1 Peter 3:1, 7). Establishing family in an atmosphere of love and respect gives the newly married a foundation upon which to build their life together

Love and marriage begin with having a relationship with God, the one Who instituted marriage. Do you wish to invite Him into your marriage? You need to be born again. This is done by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. 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: You Have Every Reason To Thank God [TREM 6 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136: 1

Often times, we look at the immediate challenge we have but we do not sit down to count the blessings of God on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us; “God will cause all grace to abound towards us that we having all sufficiency in all things, will abound to all good works.” In other words, when the need arises, (not just financial) the all-sufficient God will cause you to have all that you need. There are several needs in our lives which ordinarily money could not have met but here we are. We are not looking at your photograph, we are looking at you.

When the year started, many were wondering how they will survive. But you have not only survived, you are an overcomer. God saw you through. You never went about naked. You wear cloth and you have somewhere to lay your head. You are not suffering from malnutrition. You have not lost your mind. You are not hospitalized. You are not bedridden neither are you in a wheelchair. Even when you took ill, He healed your diseases. The same thing that killed others, you went through them and you are still alive. It is the doing of God. Beloved, you have every reason to thank God.

The fact that you survived is an indication that your need will be met. Don’t even think of how it will happen. I believe God is already at work on your behalf. He’s working behind the scene. You will celebrate. You will definitely have the last laugh in your life. The devil will not steal your joy. We live by the promises of God. That is why the bible says the just shall live by faith. We live by what the bible says and not by what we see. So never stop thanking God for your life that you survived. Thank God that you are here and you are going somewhere to happen.

Further Reading: Psalm 136:1-26

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 70-71; Evening- Romans 8:22-39

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

Topic: The Joy of Giving [Our Daily Bread 6th Monday August, 2018]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24, Bible in a Year: Psalms 70–71; Romans 8:22–39

Encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

It was a dreary week. I had been feeling lethargic and listless, although I couldn’t figure out why.

Near the end of the week, I found out that an aunt had kidney failure. I knew I had to visit her—but to be honest, I felt like postponing the visit. Still, I made my way to her place, where we had dinner, chatted, and prayed together. An hour later, I left her home feeling upbeat for the first time in days. Focusing on someone else rather than myself had somehow improved my mood.

Psychologists have found that the act of giving can produce satisfaction, which comes when the giver sees the recipient’s gratitude. Some experts even believe that humans are wired to be generous!

Perhaps that’s why Paul, when encouraging the church in Thessalonica to build up their faith community, urged them to “help the weak” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Earlier, he had also cited Jesus’s words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). While this was said in the context of giving financially, it applies as well to the giving of time and effort.

When we give, we get an insight into how God feels. We understand why He’s so delighted to give us His love, and we share in His joy and the satisfaction of blessing others. I think I’ll be visiting my aunt again soon.

Prayer: Father, You have made me to give to others just as You have given to me. Teach me to give so that I can truly reflect Your character and be more like You today.

The giver is the greatest recipient.

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

This message was written By Leslie Koh [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Standing Before Kings [Teens Open Heavens 6 August 2018]

Memorise: And David came to Saul, and stood before him; and he loved him greatly; and he became his armour bearer. 1 Samuel 16:21

Read: 1 Samuel 16:21-22 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Psalm 78, Romans 7

MESSAGE:

Divine favour has a lot to do with favour that is unmerited. It is something God gives to His children, who love Him. Divine favour can prevent a downward trend in your life when God decides to shine His face on you. Is failure and disappointment staring you in the face? Call on Jesus to arrest that negative trend by His mercy. You shall not be put to shame in Jesus’ name. Put all of your trust in Jesus and with your whole heart ask for His favour. He will answer you speedily this season.

Another important point to note is that divine favour can bring the poor before kings. Favour can bring the least before the greatest even as the qualified are side-lined. As a child of God, favour can take you places where your parents never even dreamed of. It is important to note that the only way you can get this kind of favour is when you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Work on it today, and you will see the wonderful rewards that come with knowing Him personally.

Key Point: There are uncountable benefits for you when you cultivate a sound and blossoming relationship with Jesus Christ.

Also Read: Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Teens Open Heavens 6 August 2018 Hymn 6:

1. Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:

2. Under the shadow of your throne
Your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is your arm alone,
And our defense is sure

3. Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received its frame,
From everlasting you are God,
To endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in your sight
Are like an evening gone
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream
Does at the opening day.

6. Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Still be our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home!

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: The Lord Our Refuge [DCLM Daily Manna 6th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Psalms 102:12-28 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come” (Psalms 102:13).

MESSAGE:

Hurricanes have devastated many American countries. Various other calamities like mudslides, earthquakes and floods have also affected various lands and communities all over the world, causing destructions with attendant misery, loss and grief. These are part of human experiences on earth and believers are not spared. But where does one look to for help in the midst of all these troubles?

In our text, though the Psalmist had faced challenges in the past, he now directs his attention to the One who has the answer to his predicament. The Lord, who “shall endure forever” will arise and have mercy with favour on Zion. He will look down from heaven “to hear the groaning of the prisoner and loose those appointed to death” (verse 20). All these apply to Jesus Christ, the Burden-Bearer.
God remains the only hope of man in a world infested with evil. His unchangeability and faithfulness give believers ample confidence to face the challenges of life undauntedly.

The Lord assured that the hairs of believers are numbered and that none of them will fall to the ground without His permission. All power in heaven and earth belongs to Him. He has promised to be with His people till the end of the world; so, there is nothing to fear.

While believers do not deliberately scout for troubles, troubles will come because Satan is still in the world. Righteous people will surely face persecutions, but they must be of good cheer because Christ has conquered for them.

Thought For The Day: God is the Refuge of the believer.

Bible Reading In One Year: Zephaniah

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 Necessity Of The Life Of Impact [Seeds of Destiny 6 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12.

Thought For The Day: You can reach anywhere in life if you can help others reach where they are going.

In life, it is crucial to know the things that matter and do them. Identifying the most important things in life and doing them is key to success and greatness in life.

Now, it is important to add that one important thing that matters in life is living a life of impact on others. Living a life of impact on others implies loving and investing in people. I would like you to know that your impact is superior to your income; making a difference is better than making a living.

It takes love to impact people; let people, even strangers, feel the impact of your life. Sometime ago, a young man sent me a recharge card and I was deeply touched by his sacrificial conduct. He just graduated from school and decided to work in a barbershop. They pay him just about Four Thousand Naira in a month and when he was paid, he sent a recharge card to me out of the Four Thousand Naira, and I was touched, so, I sent for him. When I was through seeing him, I told my wife that we should open a well-equipped barbershop for him so he could start from there. The truth is I had never met him before that time.

Beloved, you cannot love without giving. My counsel is, live a life of impact; make life better for others today by loving and helping them.

Remember this: You can reach anywhere in life if you can help others reach where they are going.

Assignments:
1. Show an act of love and kindness to people around you and even strangers.
2. Be interested in lifting people to greater heights in life.

Prayer: O Lord, help me to discover the reason I am alive. I receive the grace to be a person of perpetual impact, relevance and exploits, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE.

Daily Reading: Ezra 3:1 to 4:23, 1 Corinthians 2:6 to 3:4, Psalm 28:1 to 9, Proverbs 20:24 to 25

Amazing Fact: Dogs have wet nose to collect more of the tiny droplets of smelling chemicals in the air; that is why dogs are used as detectives by the police.

Today In History: 06/08/1879 – The first Australian rules football game to be played at night took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game was to promote the introduction of electricity to the city of Melbourne

Quote: When you raise people, they will in turn raise you. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Healing and Deliverance Service tomorrow by 9:00am. Come with your friends and loved ones to experience the yoke-destroying power of God.

Also Read: Seeds of Destiny 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.

Topic: Let Your Life Begin Again [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 6th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Behold, now is the day of salvation. – 2 Corinthians 6:2

Did you know that Jesus has unlocked the prison doors of guilt that have kept you captive? It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve been. I don’t care if you’ve been a prostitute, a murderer, a thief, a drug dealer or a churchgoer who’s never made Jesus Christ Lord of your life. The Bible says that today is the day of salvation.

A new life is only a prayer away.

Gloria and I discovered that for ourselves more than 35 years ago. Actually, it was Gloria who took the first step. She found out that the Bible says not even a sparrow falls without God’s knowledge. Well, she thought, if God knows and cares when the sparrows fall, He must know what terrible shape my life is in right now. And if He cares, maybe He can do something with it.

Gloria didn’t know anything about the Bible. She didn’t even know for sure that God would let her start over. But when she told Him she wanted Him to take over her life, something supernatural happened on the inside of her. She was born again.

“But what about my past?” you may say. “I feel so guilty about it!”

When you’ve been born again and made a new creature in Christ—that past doesn’t belong to you anymore. And it would be ridiculous to walk around feeling guilty about someone else’s past, wouldn’t it?

What would you think if I took a little baby on my lap, a pretty little thing just a few months old, and said, “Oh, isn’t she precious? But just think about her past.”

You’d think I was crazy! “What past?” you’d say. “She doesn’t have any past!”

Well, it’s the same way with you once you’ve been born again. You don’t have any past. Your life begins again the day you make Jesus Lord of your life. Then, when Satan comes around trying to remind you of what a worm you were before, just tell him he’s knocking on the wrong door.

You’ve been kicked around long enough. There’s no need to wait any longer. The prison door is open. Walk through to Jesus and let your life begin again today.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:29-33:

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.

Topic: The Measure of Faith [Andrew Wommack 6th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Luke 17:5 “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”

Text: Luke 17:1-10

There are many scriptures that speak of varying degrees of faith. However, the scriptures also speak of Jesus increasing in wisdom (Lk. 2:52) that certainly refers to His physical intellect drawing more and more on the perfect wisdom of God that was already in Him at birth. It is in this way that we also increase in faith.

At salvation, the believer is given the supernatural faith of God. We had to use the very faith of God (not human faith) to believe the gospel (Eph. 2:8).

That faith came to us through hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), and once we are born again, it becomes an abiding fruit of the Spirit within us.

Every believer is given the same measure of faith at salvation but not all believers use what God has given them. Therefore, it is correct to speak of growing in faith and having great faith or little faith, but it is important to understand that this is speaking of how much faith we use or manifest – not how much faith we were given. All believers were given “the” same measure of faith.

Jesus’ example of the grain of mustard seed underscores the truth that our faith is sufficient if we will just use it without the hindrance of unbelief.

He then continues on into the parable of the servant serving his master to illustrate that our faith is not the problem but rather our use of it. We are using it to serve ourselves instead of our master who is God.

Living by faith is not something special that only the “super-saints” are supposed to do. The Lord expects all of His children to live a supernatural life of faith. He gave you everything you need to do this, just let Him live through you.

Also Read: Andrew Wommack Daily Devotional

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).

Topic: Ills of the Human Race [Billy Graham’s Devotional Monday August 6, 2018]

Set thy house in order . . . — 2 Kings 20:1

Man condemns himself by his refusal of God’s way of salvation. In love and mercy, God is offering to men and women a way of escape, a way of salvation, a hope and anticipation of better things. Man in his blindness, stupidity, stubbornness, egotism, and love of sinful pleasure, refuses God’s simple method of escaping the pangs of eternal banishment. Suppose you were sick and called a doctor who came and gave you a prescription. But after thinking it over you decided to ignore his advice and to refuse the medicine. When he returned a few days later, he might have found your condition much worse. Could you blame the doctor? Could you hold him responsible? He gave you the prescription, he prescribed the remedy. But you refused it!

Just so, God prescribes the remedy for the ills of the human race. That remedy is personal faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. The remedy is to be “born again.” If we deliberately refuse it, then we must suffer the consequence; and we cannot blame God. Is it God’s fault that we refuse the remedy?

Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, as You sat looking over Jerusalem, You wept. Give me the same compassion for those who have not accepted Your remedy and been born again.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.