Topic: Commitment In Marriage (1)

Dear Reader,

Happy New Year! It is a great privilege to write with you in mind. It is my prayer that all that God has in store for you and your family this year will be fully actualised. All through this month, I will be teaching on the topic: Commitment in Marriage.

It is important to know that behind every successful relationship and marriage, is commitment.  It is a vital tool that holds marriage together. The level of your commitment to your relationship with your husband, wife or family members will ultimately determine how heavenly your home will be.

What then, is Commitment?

The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.” In other words, there are some things you cannot do by reason of your commitment. This is why Apostle Paul said: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12). Commitment makes you choose what is important above the norm. Sometimes, privileges that are lawfully yours will be forfeited for the interest of your family.

However, there are two main levels of commitment. They include:

• Commitment to God: Your first commitment must be to God. This is the foundation that makes for the success of all other commitments. We understand from Hebrews 3:4 that, …every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. That means, all your efforts to build a heavenly home will amount to nothing without the help of God. God is really all you need to have all your needs met. Without Him you can do nothing. That is, without commitment to God in your marriage, you cannot be committed to your spouse. The Bible says: 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).

In actual fact, any man or woman who is genuinely committed to God is bound to be committed to the success of his or her home because he or she will endeavour to obey God. Let me say this to single men and women, before you marry any man or woman, ensure that he or she is genuinely committed to God, because if he or she is not, it will affect the success of the home.

I remember on September 12, 1976, my husband (then my fiancé) wrote a paper titled “Sailing Under Sealed Orders.” One thing that struck me most in that vow of commitment to God was the phrase, “Christ is either Lord of all or not Lord at all…” I rejoiced when I read it and even had to sign that I would allow him to serve God completely and unreservedly. That is why I am not surprised at his commitment to our home, because his commitment to God is unquestionable.

• Commitment to Spouse: Your commitment to God will be more practicable when you are committed to your spouse and family members. Commitment to God and to your spouse is like a bicycle. Each wheel represents these two levels of commitments. When one is broken, the other is non-functional. Without commitment on both levels, no matter what else is in place, that family is going nowhere.

Commitment is what drives a man to love his wife despite how he feels or what she has done or failed to do. It is also what drives a woman to be submissive to her husband, under all circumstances. Any man you see who finds it difficult to love his wife or makes excuses for not loving her, is not committed to making that marriage work.

If you are a stubborn and insultive wife, who refuses to submit to her husband, your problem is simply lack of commitment! If you are committed to the success of your marriage, you will not need anyone to advise you; you will willingly and excitedly submit to your husband and your husband will express his love to you.

Commitment is the framework on which a marriage is built. A man and his wife must therefore, be totally committed to each other spiritually, physically, emotionally and otherwise. This in turn brings the required peace, joy and security in the home.

To be committed to God and your family, the first thing you need to do is to give your life to Christ because that is where commitment begins from. If you are not born again you need to do so before it is be too late. Do say this prayer in faith: 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).

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: The Products of Vision [Seeds of Destiny Wednesday January 10th, 2018]

Scripture: And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. Genesis 13:14-15.

Thought For The Day: A life without a meaningful goal is a life that must groan.

It has been established that vision is vital to the journey of life and destiny. There are many benefits of living a life of vision. Apart from being the secret of speed, fuel for enthusiasm and giving a clear focus to life, vision also imparts discipline in the life of a person.

In our study today, we shall look at products of vision:

1. Vision is key to Wisdom

Wisdom travels in the direction of vision. The point is, if you know where you are going in life, how to get there eventually opens up. When David had the vision of killing Goliath, God opened his eyes to see the forehead of Goliath where the stone sank into and brought him down. Where there is no vision, there is bound to be mental paralysis. It is not possible for your mind to work until your eyes are open to vision. When your vision is working, your mind is also working; you begin to identify things to do and how to get them done in order to get to where you are going.

2. Vision is key to possession

From our anchor Scripture, we understand that what a person sees determines what he seizes; what man sees determines what God gives. God told Abraham that He would give him all the land he could see. What you picture is what you can capture. Whatever does not cross your mind can never cross your life. What does not occur to you cannot occur for you. Whatever you cannot visualize you cannot realize. If it is not within your view, it is beyond your reach. So, vision is key to possession.

3. Vision is the compass of destiny.

Just like an aircraft will crash if it does not have the compass, a person’s life will crash if he does not have a clear direction of where he is going. Destiny is never accomplished without vision. The truth is, where you face determines where you end.

4. Vision is the secret of impact

There is no impact without target. Someone who shoots an arrow must aim at it. Your aim determines your end; your target determines your impact. There can be no score until there is a goal. A life without a meaningful goal is a life that must groan. Where there is no goal, there is no gold.

Remember This: A life without a meaningful goal is a life that must groan.

Assignments:

1. Review the vision of your life from time to time.

2. Make effort to actualise your vision for living.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the grace to pursue my vision for living. Help me not to waste my life on earth, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE LIFE OF VISION.

Amazing Fact: Human bone is as strong as granite. A block of bone the size of a matchbox could support nine tonnes of weight.

Today In History: 10/01/1870 – John D. Rockefeller incorporated Standard Oil.

Daily Reading: Genesis 23:1 to 24:51, Matthew 8:1 to 17, Psalm 9:13 to 20, Proverbs 3:1 to 6.

Quote: Inspiration is the light shone into a man’s spirit from the Spirit of God. Culled from 10 PRINCIPAL SECRETS OF PRINCIPAL PEOPLE by 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.

Topic: What Looks Like A Lie, Yet It’s True! [Our Daily Manna ODM Wednesday, January 10th, 2018]

Basic Scripture: 2 Kings 2: 1-15

I got this testimony from our large distributor in Ghana. Let the Holy Ghost use it to carry out a DIVINE EARTHQUAKE in every department of your life, family and ministry.

“Bishop, my family and I are still in state of stock and awe! What looks like a lie, but is TRUE… my elder sister (our first born) and also a major distributor of ODM in Ashanti Region, Kumasi, gave birth to a baby boy after 14 years of marriage! We give God all the glory and we thank God for His vision. God bless you Bishop (form Ronald, Ghana).” When I got this testimony from him, I rolled in the floor for the Lord because we are all dust and He alone deserves the glory.

I do the same for every testimony that I come across because I know I am just a little pencil in His hands. We must decrease and He must increase! I prophesy: In this 21 day prayer and fasting programme, the testimony that looks like a lie, yet it is true shall hit you and your family in Jesus name! That DELAY you are experiencing shall lead to worldwide dancing this year in Jesus name! Any garment that the enemy has put on you shall catch fire! As Elisha tore his garment and put on a new garment by River Jordan, so shall a new garment be put on you and your family this year!

As you tear a garment you don’t want at the World Anointing DECORATION Night of January 26th, shame, disgrace, ridicule, marital delay, financial embarrassment, mysterious stagnation, business battles, demotions, disappointment at the edge of breakthroughs, spirit husband, spirit wife, spirit children, spirit money, poverty, bad odor, bad luck, rise and fall, evil dreams, etc, shall be torn into pieces by the anointing of the Holy Ghost that night and beyond in Jesus name!

What your enemies wish for you shall come upon them 7 times this year! Sow your CHANGE-OF GARMENT seed and come to the World Anointing Night of January 26th with a dress you can afford to tear that night apart from the one you are wearing the programme. Your God is able! This is your year! Men and women shall dance with you this year! Amen!

TODAY IS DAY 5 OF THIS 21-DAY FASTING PROGRAMME. TURN TO “War Against Haman-13” for Today’s Special Prayers! Congratulations!!!

Prayer Points: Take your best worship song to God.

1. Thank God for today’s word and pray as you are led!

2. Lord, I key into every prophetic word of today. Let my decoration shock the world.

3. Pray for the testifier and his family.

4. Pray about today seriously and any other issue(s) affecting your peace.

5. Pray about 2018 again. Also, pray today’s fasting prayer points as directed in “War Against Haman-13”.

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.

Topic: Growing a Servant’s Heart [Our Daily Bread 10th Wednesday January, 2018]

Read: Luke 22:24–30, Bible in a Year: Genesis 25–26; Matthew 8:1–17

I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:27

It was a long day at work. But when I got home, it was time to start my “other” job­: being a good dad. Greetings from my wife and kids soon became, “Dad, what’s for dinner?” “Dad, can you get me some water?” “Dad, can we play soccer?”

I just wanted to sit down. And even though part of me really wanted to be a good dad, I didn’t feel like serving my family’s needs. That’s when I saw it: a thank-you card my wife had received from someone at church. It pictured a bowl of water, a towel, and dirty sandals. Across the bottom were these words from Luke 22:27: “I am among you as one who serves.”

That statement of Jesus’s mission, to serve those He came to seek and save (Luke 19:10), was exactly what I needed. If Jesus was willing to do the dirtiest of jobs for His followers—like scrubbing His followers’ no doubt filthy feet (John 13:1–17)—I could get my son a cup of water without grumbling about it. In that moment, I was reminded that my family’s requests to serve them weren’t merely an obligation, but an opportunity to reflect Jesus’s servant heart and His love to them. When requests are made of us, they are chances to become more like the One who served His followers by laying down His life for us.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes it’s hard to serve others’ needs. Help us to become more like You, willing to express Your love in the many opportunities we have to serve those around us each day.

God’s love for us empowers us to serve others.

Insight:

Not only did Jesus model a servant’s heart, serving was an ongoing theme in His teaching—and one that His disciples consistently forgot. In one of Jesus’s last public discourses He said, “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Then in John 13:1–17 He modeled that attitude by washing the disciples’ feet—embracing a task usually reserved for the lowest servant in the household. However, just hours later, the disciples argued about which of them deserved the highest position! (Luke 22:24). Tragically, this dispute took place as they were walking to Gethsemane, where the events leading up to Jesus’s time of suffering would begin.

How does reflecting on the heart of our Master and His call for us to be servants encourage you when you are called to serve others? Bill Crowder

This message was written By Adam Holz [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Turn Your Kids Around [Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Wednesday January 10th, 2018]

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. – Isaiah 54:13

Too many Christian parents today are wasting time worrying about their children.

Years ago, Gloria and I saw the devil trying to get a foothold in our children’s lives, so one weekend we got our concordance and four or five translations of the Bible. We began to search out scriptures and write out agreement prayers concerning them.

We tore into the devil with the Word of God and started saying, “Thank God, our children are not going to hell. Thank God, they are taught of the Lord and great is their peace!” Instead of walking the floor and worrying about the problem, we walked the floor and praised God for the solution.

Things didn’t change instantly. We still had to go through some tough times, but the Word began to turn things around. Today, our children are serving God with all their hearts.

If your kids are headed for trouble, don’t waste time worrying. Start believing! Get the Word working in their lives. Bind the devil with it and tell him he can’t have them. Then follow the instructions in Matthew 9:38: “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, the he will send forth laborers” into the field who can reach your children. God knows who they’ll listen to, and He knows how to bring those people into your children’s lives at just the right time.

Grab hold of God’s Word, refuse to let go where your children are concerned—and sooner or later, that Word will grab hold of them.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 127

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: Have A Vision For Your Life [TREM’s Daily Wednesday January 10th, 2018]

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18 KJV)

Yesterday we learnt that one thing that enabled the Apostle Paul to accomplish his purpose was that he had a clear vision of what God wanted him to do and he was intentional about it. For too long we have complained about how things are not working, but the time has come for us to become the agents of change. You have a role to play and it begins with you becoming intentional.

Being intentional starts with having a vision for your life. You must have a goal. You must know where you are going to in life and how you intend to get there. A person that does not define his objectives obviously will end nowhere but that will not be your portion in Jesus name. When you look at Acts chapter 26, you will see that Apostle Paul knew who called him and exactly what he was called to do. He kept at it and he defended it. He was a man of purpose and he fulfilled it.

My question is how do you want your business to be like this year? When I say business, I mean everything about your life. Child of God, at what altitude do you want to fly? What relationships do you want to develop and leverage on? Beloved, nothing just happens. All your goals for the year must be clearly defined before you set out. This is the pathway of all achievers. Sit down, think, plan and strategize. Understand that you are a different person. You are a New Species that has never existed before. You are called out to show forth the glory and Excellency of our God. You are called to take charge and lead the way for others to follow. There is no way you can fail!

I declare over your life that your light will no longer grow dim. You will arise and shine. The earth will yield its goodness for you. You will not carry a cup in your hands to beg, neither will you weep nor lament in the name of Jesus. You will surely fulfil purpose.

Further Reading: Acts 26:12-19

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Gen 25, 26 / Evening- Matt. 8:1-17

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: Desert Training [Andrew Wommack’s Daily Wednesday January 10, 2018]

Luke 1:80, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.”

Text: Luke 1:57-80

John the Baptist had the most important job assignment ever given to any mortal in the history of the world. He was to prepare the way for the coming of the long awaited Messiah (v. 76).

How did the Lord prepare John for such an important task? What university could teach him all he needed to know? Who offered a course in becoming the greatest prophet who ever lived? (Mt. 11:11) Of course, no one could prepare John for such an important position, so the Lord taught him personally. John was in the deserts until he was thirty years old. He was tutored directly by the Lord through the Holy Spirit.

The personal touch of the Lord became very obvious. Six months after John began his ministry, the whole nation of Israel was experiencing revival and anticipating the coming of the Christ. When Jesus came, the Jews wondered how he could know things he was never taught (Jn. 7:15).

This special knowledge which comes directly from the Lord through the Holy Spirit is now available to every believer.

It’s a part of the new covenant (Heb. 8:11). The Holy Spirit has been sent to be our teacher, but we have to show up at class and expect to receive (Jn. 14:26). He’ll even show us things to come (Jn. 16:13).

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).