There is something that concerns me about this generation...
Person A will be happily married to or courting Person B (at least in their minds). One day, they will log on to Facebook and somehow scroll till they get to "The Women Stories". They'll see a post that starts with "From my inbox" and something will make them stop and read.
As Person A reads through the post, he/she starts to feel like the story sounds familiar. So, he/she sends a message to the page and after a few questions here and there, they discover that they were not being paranoid. Person B had actually preferred to tell Hephzibah Oyinda the thing wey dey pepper them for body (due credits to Nora Oma Patrick) than to talk to the person they took vows with and share a house with (or are planning to).
Person A is rudely jolted into the reality that the marriage/relationship they thought was a happy one is not so happy after all? Person A now has to make a choice. Should he/she wash their dirty linen in public (and even make up stories to discredit the witness) or should he/she take the high road and initiate counselling?
Personally, my inbox is open to anyone that needs to vent (just go straight to the point after greeting me ONCE abeg. Data don cost). The first question I usually ask when you start complaining about your spouse/intended is usually "Have you discussed this with him/her?" Then ridiculous answers start.
The ones that amuse me the most are the ones from women that don't want to come across to the "Lion King" they are married to as being "unsubmissive". Seriously, are you listening to yourself? Which one is more disrespectful? What you are doing or having a civil conversation with your (soon-to-be) life partner?
Any spouse/intended that you cannot have a civil conversation with is a red flag. If you are married, it is a sign that you probably need to head to marriage clinic (marital counselling). I know at least one counselor that can help you. I'll be happy to make the connection, if you can't reach her yourself. If you are still courting, it is a red flag and a show stopper. Spouse that you can't have a civil conversation with and resolve issues amicably, is that one spouse? Better let the "competition" 'win' him/her and go for Thanksgiving for deliverance from destiny drainers...
If abuse is involved, please take steps to preserve your life. You need to be alive to be married or to be courting. There is no special reward in heaven or punishment in hell for people who were killed by their spouses/intended; those are lies from the pits of hell. Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints. God prefers you to stay alive, well and prosperous. If you are the abuser, get help. Get in touch and let's help you get counselling.
Please let's create a conducive environment for productive conversations in our relationships. Enjoy your day.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Submission Series - The Disciples and Demons
Luke 10:16-18
New International Version (NIV)
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Thank you for staying with me so far. I appreciate every feedback I have received since I started the series. I am equally learning from others.
This is the fourth post in the series. The links to the previous three posts are below.
Today, we're skipping to the account of the seventy disciples Jesus sent out IN HIS NAME. I know a couple of us are uncomfortable with demons. Actually, I'm one of the "couple", lol. I wanted to skip this verse too but I was led to stop and read again. Then, I got the message I am about to share.
We know demons are rebellious and disobedient, right. In Nigerian street language, "dem no dey look Uche's face". In spite of the rebellious and disobedient nature, they submitted to the disciples that had the power of delegation to use the name of Jesus.
They did not necessarily have to like the way the disciples were dressed or how the disciples addressed them. They obviously would not have liked what the disciples were telling them to do. However, they understood authority enough to know that they had to respect the Name of Jesus. For as long as the disciples had the authority to use the name of Jesus, the demons had to submit to the Name.
On the part of the disciples, they had to follow Jesus' instructions to the letter in order to retain the delegated authority. Imagine if one of them had decided to cast out demons in his personal name. Or if someone that Jesus did not send decided to go with the sent ones? Is that not what happened to the Seven Sons of Sceva? They tried to cast out demons in the Name of Jesus without delegated authority. They got the beating of their lives. The people became afraid and those closet magicians masquerading as Christians brought out all their secret weapons. Then, the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed in the city of Ephesus (Acts 19: 14-20)
Women are hopefully not rebellious and disobedient like demons. Our submission is not because of how we feel about the man. Our submission to the husband is because we understand authority. For as long as what the man is asking us to do is consistent with the will of the Almighty, we submit to him. If his requests are ungodly, we are not under any obligation to obey him. You can respectfully disagree and if you are concerned about your personal safety as you disagree, please take the necessary precautions.
Husbands, your wife is only obligated to submit to you when what you are asking her to do is consistent with the will of the Almighty. You can't use submission as a tool of manipulating your wife to do anything you please. Go and sort yourself out with the Almighty if you are experiencing resistance from your wife on the matter you are pushing for. God's response may surprise you. He actually asked Abraham to listen to his wife, Sarah, once when they had a difference of opinion. You are a delegate so your authority is limited to the extent to which you have submitted to the Almighty. You can't be mandating your wife to help you abort the pregnancy you planted in your househelp and be expecting her to "submit". That's a crime and her joining you makes her a criminal too.
I am sure I have not exhausted all that can be learnt in this scripture. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
Enjoy your day.
Previous Posts
Submission Series - Sarah and Hagar
http://adf.ly/1gJPNp
Submission Series - Joseph and the Egyptians
http://adf.ly/1gJPas
Submission Series - The Lord and His people
http://adf.ly/1gLimg
New International Version (NIV)
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Thank you for staying with me so far. I appreciate every feedback I have received since I started the series. I am equally learning from others.
This is the fourth post in the series. The links to the previous three posts are below.
Today, we're skipping to the account of the seventy disciples Jesus sent out IN HIS NAME. I know a couple of us are uncomfortable with demons. Actually, I'm one of the "couple", lol. I wanted to skip this verse too but I was led to stop and read again. Then, I got the message I am about to share.
We know demons are rebellious and disobedient, right. In Nigerian street language, "dem no dey look Uche's face". In spite of the rebellious and disobedient nature, they submitted to the disciples that had the power of delegation to use the name of Jesus.
They did not necessarily have to like the way the disciples were dressed or how the disciples addressed them. They obviously would not have liked what the disciples were telling them to do. However, they understood authority enough to know that they had to respect the Name of Jesus. For as long as the disciples had the authority to use the name of Jesus, the demons had to submit to the Name.
On the part of the disciples, they had to follow Jesus' instructions to the letter in order to retain the delegated authority. Imagine if one of them had decided to cast out demons in his personal name. Or if someone that Jesus did not send decided to go with the sent ones? Is that not what happened to the Seven Sons of Sceva? They tried to cast out demons in the Name of Jesus without delegated authority. They got the beating of their lives. The people became afraid and those closet magicians masquerading as Christians brought out all their secret weapons. Then, the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed in the city of Ephesus (Acts 19: 14-20)
Women are hopefully not rebellious and disobedient like demons. Our submission is not because of how we feel about the man. Our submission to the husband is because we understand authority. For as long as what the man is asking us to do is consistent with the will of the Almighty, we submit to him. If his requests are ungodly, we are not under any obligation to obey him. You can respectfully disagree and if you are concerned about your personal safety as you disagree, please take the necessary precautions.
Husbands, your wife is only obligated to submit to you when what you are asking her to do is consistent with the will of the Almighty. You can't use submission as a tool of manipulating your wife to do anything you please. Go and sort yourself out with the Almighty if you are experiencing resistance from your wife on the matter you are pushing for. God's response may surprise you. He actually asked Abraham to listen to his wife, Sarah, once when they had a difference of opinion. You are a delegate so your authority is limited to the extent to which you have submitted to the Almighty. You can't be mandating your wife to help you abort the pregnancy you planted in your househelp and be expecting her to "submit". That's a crime and her joining you makes her a criminal too.
I am sure I have not exhausted all that can be learnt in this scripture. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
Enjoy your day.
Previous Posts
Submission Series - Sarah and Hagar
http://adf.ly/1gJPNp
Submission Series - Joseph and the Egyptians
http://adf.ly/1gJPas
Submission Series - The Lord and His people
http://adf.ly/1gLimg
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Submission Series - The Lord and His People
Good day. How are you doing? Thanks for staying with me as I attempt to address the controversial "S" word.
This is the third post in the series. The first two posts are on the blog. Today's Scripture is
2 Chronicles 30:7-9
New International Version (NIV)
Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”
The word that stood out to me in that passage is "stiff-necked". Let's study the word a bit; it will help us understand the word "submission" a bit more as they are antonyms.
The synonyms of "stiff-necked" are - obstinate, stubborn, arrogant, haughty, high-handed, pompous.
Who wants an obstinate team mate? How about a stubborn one? Who wants an arrogant partner? What about a pompous one?
Submit to the Lord. Be easily led by Him (or His delegate). Don't be stubborn. There are benefits attached to being submissive to the Lord (and His delegate).
Please feel free to share your thoughts and views on this passage.
Enjoy your day.
This is the third post in the series. The first two posts are on the blog. Today's Scripture is
2 Chronicles 30:7-9
New International Version (NIV)
Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”
The word that stood out to me in that passage is "stiff-necked". Let's study the word a bit; it will help us understand the word "submission" a bit more as they are antonyms.
The synonyms of "stiff-necked" are - obstinate, stubborn, arrogant, haughty, high-handed, pompous.
Who wants an obstinate team mate? How about a stubborn one? Who wants an arrogant partner? What about a pompous one?
Submit to the Lord. Be easily led by Him (or His delegate). Don't be stubborn. There are benefits attached to being submissive to the Lord (and His delegate).
Please feel free to share your thoughts and views on this passage.
Enjoy your day.
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