10 DANGEROUS DISTRACTIONS FOR A PASTOR:

1) NEGLECTING YOUR SOUL :

One of the fathers in the Lord reminded me recently that. “Bikinn, don’t forget to feed your own soul.” It was subtle. Almost given as a sidebar to our discussion. But it was gold. One of the biggest dangers for a pastor is when we begin to operate out of stored up knowledge of an experience with God. We need fresh encounters with truth and His glory.

2) SACRIFICING FAMILY :

Families learn to resent the ministry when it always trumps the family. Ministry families get accustomed to interruptions. They are part of the job as they are part of many vocations. But the family will hopefully be there when no one else is around. Ministry locations change but the family does not—so we must not neglect them. I’ve sat with men who lost the respect of their family. I know countless pastors whose adult children no longer want anything to do with the church. Apparently, there’s not much that hurts any more than that.

3) PLAYING THE NUMBER GAME :

Whenever we put the emphasis on numbers, we are always disappointed. They will never be high enough. God is in charge of the numbers. We are in charge of what He has put us in charge of—but it’s not the numbers. We must be careful to concentrate on making disciples and the numbers will take care of themselves.

4) COMPARING MINISTRIES :

There will always be a “bigger” ministry. Someone will always write a better tweet—or a better book—or a better blog post—preach a better sermon. When we begin to compare, it distracts us from the ministry we’ve been God-appointed to lead.

5) FINDING AFFIRMATION AMONG THE REBELS:

This is the one that gets me in trouble among the rebels when I point it out to pastors. But we must be careful not to get distracted by people who would complain regardless of the decision we make. Yes, it stings the way some people talk to a pastor. And it’s certainly not always godly how some people express themselves in the church. But what if Joshua had listened to the naysayers? What if Nehemiah had? What if Moses had given up every time the complainers were louder than the people who were willing to follow? OK, he probably was willing to give up a couple of times, but he held the course. If you are leading, there will always be someone that is not happy with the decisions you made. People bent on pleasing others—more even than pleasing God—have a very hard time finding peace and joy in ministry.

6) SACRIFICING TRUTH FOR POPULARITY:

It’s easy to preach the easy stuff. Grace messages are pleasant to share and popular to receive. And we need them. Where sin increases—grace should increase all the more. But we need truth. Even when it is unpopular. Making disciples becomes impossible when we sacrifice either one—truth or grace.

7) STEALING GLORY:

My mama used to say “that boy got too big for his britches.” Sadly that can happen in ministry also. Many pastors struggle with ego problems. God is never honoured in that. Pastors are in a God-glorifying position. Actually, everyone is, but it is written into our job description.

8) POOR BOUNDARIES :

In an effort to “minister” to people, I know too many pastors who fell into a trap because they didn’t have proper boundaries in place. The enemy enjoys a door of opportunity.

9) NEGLECTING FRIENDSHIPS

Most pastors struggle knowing who to trust, but because of that, they have few people really get to know them. Therefore, they often have no one who can speak into the dark places of their life. And pastors have them too. So they put on a good front—but inside, they struggle alone. It’s dangerous.

10) ABUSING POWER:

The pastor holds a certain amount of power just because of position. It has been said, “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.” One of the more dangerous things I see churches doing these days is giving a pastor too much power, without enough built-in personal accountability. (That’s coming from a church planter’s heart—and one who is prone to lead strong.)

By the way, I’m not for controlling the pastor or forced relational accountability—and I haven’t discovered the perfect system here—but there needs to be one that balances truth and grace equally. Again, I don’t know how to systematize that, but it is a dangerous distraction. My challenge would be to the pastor or ministry leader to build this system into his or her own life absent a system within the ministry.

Those are some that I have seen. These distractions are displayed in a number of ways—and all of them are not fatal, thankfully—but all of them are real. And all of them are dangerous.

(C). PBM - APRIL 2019.

Douala - Cameroon 🇨🇲

I HAVE THE KEYS

COMING UP SOON
ON THE 18TH MAY 2019
FACEBOOK LIVE BROADCAST
WITH APOSTLE AKWO KUSI BOATENG BIKINN
THEME: I HAVE THE KEYS 

THE BREATH OF JESUS

John 20:22

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

After the Week of Easter, Jesus was killed and 3 days he arose from the grave,(Acts 2:24) Our Lord meets with His disciples and breathe on them asking them to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-9)

This upcoming Sunday 28th April 2019, be part of us as we receive the breath of the Lord Jesus we should as well note that the breath of Jesus is a medium of Healing, Provision, Security, Protection, Yoke Broken, Confirmation and rededication of your call and ministries.

Come let's receive the Breathe of Jesus!!!!!!..............

I KNOW NO MAN

PLEASE MAKE IT AN APPOINTMENT THIS SATURDAY WITH APOSTLE AKWO KUSI BOATENG BIKINN WITH THEME I NOW NOE MAN FROM 2PM CAMEROON TIME 

FAMILY PRAYER ALTAR - 3RD AND 4TH GENERATION

DOES THE LORD VISIT THE SINS OF THE FATHER TO THE CHILDREN TO THE 3RD AND 4TH GENERATIONS. THE ANSWER IS YES BUT HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

Apostle Akwo Kusi Boateng Bikinn 

we had just finished in the month of March 2019 a series of teachings THE SINS OF THE FATHER. by the special grace of God great testimonies are recorded and we still expect to hear more of them. 

this month of April 2019, we are focused on the liberation of the 3rd and the 4th Generations ( Exodus 34:7 ( Genesis 15:16) ( Deuteronomy 5:9).

For many of us, it sounds unfair for God to punish children for the sins committed by their fathers, however child of God there is more to it than we can imagine.  

The effects of sin are naturally passed down from one generation to another. Just like is the case with wealth, some of you are leaving in house build by your fathers, fathers and you are enjoying the blessings of the generational tree, so too is the sin moving from one generation to another.  

when a father has a sinful lifestyle, his children are likely t practice the same sinful lifestyle consider  Exodus 20:5, the children will choose to repeat the sins of the father. this ending up spreading growth of:- 

1. UNGODLY FATHERS 

2. REBELLIOUS CHILDREN   

So it is not unjust for God to punish the sins of the father to the 3rd and 4th generation because the generations are leaving the same lifestyle and committing the same sins. 

that is why I want to call your attention to the fact that you are a 3rd and 4th generation where ever you come from and who so ever you are you represent a generation of your family lineage, so it is a circle that has no end. from this one to another, from one country to another. 

Child of God that is why you as a father today must play a major rule for the information, assert, and lifestyle you choose to pass on to your 3rd and 4th Generation. you need to examine yourself because the decisions you take and make today will determine the blessings that your children will enjoy n the future.  you need to stand in the gap as a father today. when I talk of the father it involves both parents. FATHER AND MOTHER (DADDY AND MUMMY).

THE QUESTION IS HOW CAN I STAND IN THE GAP FOR MY 3RD AND 4TH GENERATION  

JUDGES 3:9, 15 / 1 SAMUEL 12:1-11

Child of God, the lifestyle of the father has a great influence on the children and it becomes an inheritance to generations yet unborn.   

Talking on the sins of the father to the 3rd to the 4th generation are they sins of immorality, sins of theft what are they? under what category are they identified?

1). DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD ( Judges 3:9,15)

2). MISTAKES   ( Genesis 9:25) 

3). TRANSFER

TODAY I WILL WANT US TO FOCUS ON GENESIS 9 BECAUSE IN IT  WE SEE ALL THE 3 CATEGORIES. 

In the story of the family of NOAH, you noticed that the son of Noah saw the father naked, and in the anger of Noah, he transfers the curse to his 4th Generation leaving out HAM who did the Mistake. so the punishment of the 3rd generation was transferred to the 4th generation Canaan. 

Now watch this:- 

HAM was NOAH'S 3rd Generation and CANAAN was Noah's 4th generation so Noah had placed a curse on his grandson his 4th generation through the mistakes of the 2nd and the 3rd generations that is NOAH and HAM. 

Because the whole thing begins when Noah the 2nd generation goes in (1) Disobedience of God, in drinking wine to drunkenness (Proverbs 20:1) moving to the point where HAM makes a (2) Mistake, and of this mistake, Ham's son Canaan receives from his grandfather Noah a (3) Transferred curse.  so for the curse to flow from generation to generation, every word that Noah pronounced will be empowered by the mistakes of both Noah and Ham to all their descendants.   

The first aspect here is Drinking and Drunkness that becomes a lifestyle for all the children of the family. both male and female. 

After which we move to Shame: here we noticed Noah's neckedness was exposed to the public by the son to the other sons and it was shameful, by this shame shall become a lifestyle of the family going down to generations born and unborn ( Isaiah 45:24). 

The third thing here is the Spirit of Guilt and Regret after the act Ham was guilty and had many regrets to had done what he did,  but because Noah released a curse Guilt and Regret also becomes part of the sins and lifestyle of the family from generation to Generation.  

And the fourth point here is Rebellion (Deuteronomy 9:23) 

Let us make a family tree to get from the roots to the branches that are from Noah's first Generation to Noah's 4th Generation. 

The Bible gives the account of Noah's first generation to be sinful, rebellious and evil, until God looking at this generation repented of creating man, but by the mercy and grace of God, Noah was chosen by God to start a new generation ( Genesis 6:8). In this account, Noah's first Generation was under the influence of total disobedience of the Word and ways of God. 

FAMILY TREE 

1). NOAH'S FIRST GENERATION
 ( Genesis 6:1-22) 

- Corrupt 

- Disobedience 

- Liers 

- Anger 

- Violent 

- Murderers 

- Fornicators

- Homosexuals  

- Drunkers 

2). NOAH'S SECOND GENERATION 

Here is Noah himself ( Genesis 9:20-21) 

- Disobedience

- Drinking 

- Drunkenness 

- Anger 

- Exposure 

- Shame 

3). NOAH'S THIRTH GENERATION 

Here is Ham, Noah's Son. (Genesis 9:20-22)

- Mistakes 

- Shame 

- Guilt 

- Rejection 

- Failure 

- Curse 

4). NOAH'S FOURTH GENERATION 

Here is CANAAN, Ham's son and Grand Son of Noah(Genesis 9: 25-26) 

- Cursed 

- Wrong Identity 

- Rejection 

- Slavery 

- Unfruitfulness 

- Barrenness 

- Limitations 

- Confusion 

- Vacaborn 

- Anger 

- Rebellious 

- Poverty 

PLEASE LOOK AT THIS NOW CAREFULLY.

Notice here that from the First to the Fourth generation the is a list of 33 Sins mentioned above. now let us look at what each generation from the 1st generation inherits. 

1st Generation 

- Premature dead from the destruction of the world by water 

2nd Generation 

- Disobedience

- Drinking 

- Drunkenness 

- Anger 

- Exposure 

- Shame 

plus those of 1st Generation 

- Corrupt 

- Disobedience 

- Liers 

- Anger 

- Violent 

- Murderers 

- Fornicators

- Homosexuals  

- Drunkers

Plus Premature dead 

2nd Generations inherits 16 Sins that are passed to the 3rd Generation HAM 

3rd Generation

- Mistakes 

- Shame 

- Guilt 

- Rejection 

- Failure 

- Curse

Plus those of the first Generation 

- Corrupt 

- Disobedience 

- Liers 

- Anger 

- Violent 

- Murderers 

- Fornicators

- Homosexuals  

- Drunkers

Plus Premature dead 

plus those of the 2nd Generation 

- Disobedience

- Drinking 

- Drunkenness 

- Anger 

- Exposure 

- Shame 

The 3rd Generation inherits 24 sins from its 1st and 2nd generation.

4th Generation 

( CANAAN) 

- Cursed 

- Wrong Identity 

- Rejection 

- Slavery 

- Unfruitfulness 

- Barrenness 

- Limitations 

- Confusion 

- Vacaborn 

- Rebellious 

- Poverty 

He inherits from 1st generation 

- Corrupt 

- Disobedience 

- Liers 

- Anger 

- Violent 

- Murderers 

- Fornicators

- Homosexuals  

- Drunkers

Plus Premature dead 

He inherits from the 2nd Generation his grandfather 

(NOAH) plus a curse.

- Disobedience

- Drinking 

- Drunkenness 

- Anger 

- Exposure 

- Shame 

- Curse 

He inherits from the 3rd Generation his Father (HAM) Plus a Transferred curse.

- Mistakes 

- Shame 

- Guilt 

- Rejection 

- Failure 

- Curse

Note this the fourth Generation now has 33 mentioned sins from the 1st to the 3rd Generation so if you are your 2nd generation you know what you carry as well as the 3rd to the 4th generation. I ask you a question today what life to you prepare for your children? your 3rd and 4th Generation.

let's end by putting in place and analysing just the 4th Generation, here we come to the knowledge that the 4th generation now has developed from sins to curses to strongholds as some of the sins from the 1st generation to the 4th generation are doubled so this will need a higher level of deliverance.

I invite you to join us every Saturday on every month for FAMILY PRAYER ALTER, a time of knowledge and total deliverance from the altars of the Father, to the sins and many more affecting the family today. 

You were blessed by this message please drop your comments, help us to reach out to many by sharing the link. God bless you. 

Monthly Prophetic Prayer Power-Points

Apostle Akwo kusi Boateng 

1. Today I pray that I will prevail over every stagnation in my life (Proverbs 4: 18)
2. In the Name of Jesus Christ I declare total progress in every area of my life (Joshua 1: 8-9).
3. Today I declare total advancement against every roadblock of my destiny ((Romans 1: 13)
4. In the name of Jesus Christ I declare total victory over every enemy of my breakthroughs (1 Corinthians 16: 9)
5. Today I declare victory over every satanic and human made delay to my progress in life (Revelation 10: 6)
6. In the name of Jesus Christ I declare my progress begin to accelerate (Isaiah 9: 7)
7. Today I declare the power of the Holy Spirit will cause my progress to become unstoppable (Acts 28: 31)

PRAYER OF UPLIFTING

APRIL YOUR MONTH FOR UPLIFTING

==========CAN WE PRAY==========
Psalms 75:6-7

1. By virtue of this new anointing and uplifting, I received a promotion that is bigger than me!

2. I walk into a promotion that is bigger than anything I have ever experienced! Even when I hide – Lord, fish me out!

3. Father Lord, when men make people great, they may reverse it – Lord, Make me irreversibly great.

4. Free me, Lord! I receive a divine uplifting that frees a man.

Apostle Akwo Kusi Boateng Bikinn 

5. I reject the spirit of slavery. From today I will not be forced to do whatever anyone wants me to do – I WILL DO WHATEVER YOU FEEL IS RIGHT!

6. Every good thing, every great experience – spiritual, physical or emotional that has been the exclusive preserve of other – I declare in Jesus name – It is my turn!

7. Lord, Anything in my life that rejects help – I reject and renounce it in the name of Jesus.

8. By this new anointing of uplifting, Lord Jesus – send me help! Send it now.

9. Lord in whatever way I might have contributed to the challenges I have – Let mercy prevail! I am sorry – Have mercy on me.

10. With the new anointing of divine uplifting in my life, I plead Lord for complete Healing and deliverance – Not Partial Lord – Full restoration and settlement in Jesus' name.

11. By the new anointing of divine uplifting in my life, The stronghold of confusion in my life – I uproot it now in the name of Jesus.

12. By the new anointing of divine uplifting in my life, I declare Confusion is not in my DNA, I am made after your image. Lord! anything in me and about me that tends to birth confusion – remove and alter permanently in Jesus' name.

13. By the new anointing of divine uplifting in my life, Settle me oh Lord into uncommon clarity!

14. From today, I destroy the covenant and stronghold of failure in my life.

15. The power of God that gives understanding and wisdom to guide a man into his destiny – Release it on me, Lord!

16. With the new anointing of divine uplifting in my life, “When I finish these prayers today”, I will find that which is the missing puzzle in my life and destiny. in Jesus' name.

17. With the new anointing of divine uplifting in my life, and as I finish prayers today”, I will meet my divine helpers!

18. “As I finish these prayers today”, without compromising, I will receive the good news that will lift me up and settle me for good. In Jesus' name.

19. With the new anointing of divine uplifting in my life, Lord, I declare MY CORONATION AND MY ANNOUNCEMENT IS HERE!

20. As the Lord lives – Lift and Settle me spiritually and permanently that I will not miss heaven.

======= IN JESUS NAME WE HAVE PRAYED========

www.facebook.com/PastorBIKINN

PRAYING FOR CAMEROON

COVENANT PARTNER

Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail. My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David..-Psalm 89:33-35

Apostle Akwo Kusi Boateng Bikinn 

In 1939, the treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Soviet Union, also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact preceding World War 2, was signed. The treaty, or covenant, pledged both nations to remain neutral in the event that either nation was attacked by a third party. The treaty however contained certain secret agreements that saw both nations dividing Northern and Eastern Europe into German and Soviet Union spheres of influence. Hitler, lacking the integrity to keep his own end of the covenant with the Russians, ordered the invasion of the Soviet Union on the 22nd of June, 1941, leading to the shattering of the treaty.

Hitler’s demonstration of bad faith is not peculiar; covenants break down regularly all around us. Marriage covenants and even international treaties fail as soon as self-interests take preeminence.

His covenant, and He states this clearly in verse 34 of our theme scripture.

Sometimes we appraise God’s fidelity to His covenant by human standards, thinking our unfaithfulness will make Him less faithful to His Word. But God always remains faithful to His covenant. As His children, we must be confident

of this very truth.

Now, God’s faithfulness begets faithfulness. His commitment to keeping His end of the bargain ought to inspire a corresponding commitment from us. We can trust Him to keep His covenant, but He must be able to trust us to keep our end of the deal.

Maybe you have lived contrary to the terms of God’s covenant in the past and, because of that, you think He has forgotten you. Be assured His love remains strong, unchanging and unfailing. As aptly put by Apostle Paul, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-38).

So, don’t you think it is time to let go of the past? You must let go of defeat, disappointments, grudges and failures. Thank God for the gift of a brand new year-a year with new opportunities to make amends and renew your commitment to His covenant. He wants to do something new in your life, and He has given this assurance in Isaiah 43:18-19: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

It was Jack Hayford who said, “There is never a time in human experience that God is not ready to invade the human dilemma with something of a divine visitation of His newness that defies analysis until He does it. God does a ‘new thing’ in order to produce new themes for our praise unto His glory.”

God is shifting things and changing the status quo for your desired breakthrough. Praise Him in advance and get ready to testify. This is your time. Begin to walk in the reality of new things in Jesus name.

If you require counselling or want us to prayerfully agree with you, feel free to send me a mail at adbikinn@gmail.com / www.Facebook.com/PastorBIKINN

God Bless You 

DID YOU KNOW - KINGS WILL MINISTER TO YOU?

Yes the will 
It's a reminder from 

Isaiah 60: 10-11

Apostle Akwo Kusi Boateng Bikinn 

10. “Foreigners will come to rebuild your towns, and their kings will serve you. For though I have destroyed you in my anger, I will now have mercy on you through my grace. 11 Your gates will stay open day and night to receive the wealth of many lands. The kings of the world will be led as captives in a victory procession.

adbikinn@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/PastorBIKINN

YOUR CASE

Your case is not too much for God. In the finished work of God, man had Dominion. That's what God does, He restores, provides, guides. 

You will testify in Jesus name. 

BELIEVING OPENS YOU UP TO A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Scripture Text: Mark 9:23 (NKJV)

We all believe in something. Even the atheist who says there is no God believes that God does not exist. Believing is accepting something as true, genuine or real even when there is no physical evidence to prove the veracity of that thing or claim; this differentiates the believer from the unbeliever. A believer in Christ Jesus believes that He exists and He is who He says He is the incarnate Son of God who came to the earth to give His life for the redemption of mankind. No one has seen God at any point in time, but when we consciously look around us, we see all of nature declaring His glory. Whoever comes to God must believe that God exists.

From a natural standpoint, it makes no sense accepting or believing in a person who you, your parents, grandparents or anyone in your ancestry had never seen. For people who depend largely on logic and are highly analytical, this can be a stumbling block because God cannot be explained, reasoned or analyzed. But we can accept in trust just like a little child that what and who He says He is, is the absolute truth.

Jesus Himself said except a person receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he or she would be unable to enter into it. He said this because He knew men (male and female) love to accept things they can reason out, unlike children who would simply believe whatever you tell them, even when it sounds ridiculous.

I once heard the story of a boy who after school waited at a particular spot different from the area designated as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus stop. While waiting, an elderly man noticed him and asked him what he was doing there. He confidently told the older man that he was waiting for a BRT bus. The elderly man told him it was impossible for those types of buses to stop at that particular point, but the little boy insisted that he would wait and get a bus there. Five minutes later, a BRT bus pulled right beside the boy and picked him up, and the old man was very surprised.

Unknown to the elderly man, the bus driver was the little boy’s father. The boy fully trusted his father and had confidence in his father’s word, though it was an undesignated area (an impossible spot for boarding). What if the boy had not trusted his father but rather listened to the older man because of his age and the supposed impossibility of getting a bus there? He would have missed his father and the ride home.

Likewise, God is our heavenly Father. He has given us His Word to know those things that have been freely given to us. His children, all He requires from us is to simply trust Him in line with what He has said to us through His Word, irrespective of how daunting the situation may be. Just like Jesus said to Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, “If you believe, you would see the glory of God,” He is still saying to each one of us today, “If you can believe, all things are possible and you will see God’s glory.”

Please send us your testimonies; they inspire us to do more. And if you require counselling or want me to prayerfully agree with you, feel free to send me a mail at adbikinn@gmail.com. 

God bless you.

Apostle Akwo kusi Boateng Bikinn  

MIND HOW YOU TREAT PEOPLE

You are one relationship away from what God has destined for you. Mind how you treat people. Imbibe a culture of respect and honour for the people you meet in your daily interactions. Constantly walk in love and joy. You will attract favour from your destiny helpers, in Jesus name.

PARENTING – A TOUGH JOB

There is no doubt that being a single parent is one of the toughest jobs around.

Whether you are a single parent due to divorce, death, or gave birth out of wedlock, you are travelling a tough road. It is equally difficult whether you are the divorced mom or dad, who does or does not have custody. Each single-parent family has its own unique challenges.

There are struggles of balancing work, childcare, housework, children’s activities, and visitation schedules. You’d also like some free time for your own needs.

Certainly, financial struggles are usually among the biggest of concerns, particularly for a custodial parent. Unfortunately, the delinquent child support statistics add to these concerns. All the while, in the midst of each of these struggles, the children and their need for attention, quality time, guidance, and day-to-day care seem overwhelming. It seems every facet of life is a juggling act.

Single Parent – The Stories

The following stories describe some of the difficulties of single parenting from different

viewpoints:

• “Now that my children are raised, I look back and wonder how we survived. I have two children, a low paying job, and an ex-husband who didn’t pay child support — ever. I often worked two, and at times three, jobs just to keep a roof over our heads and a little bit of food on the table.

I still have pangs of guilt. Why? Because I know that my children’s parental attention

and guidance left a lot to be desired. I had no family to count on for help. Since

I had to work many hours just to survive, I was not there for them. But I found that God kept His protective hand on them and gave me the strength to endure.”

• “As a non-custodial single father, I missed my kids tremendously Through their growing up years. I tried to be involved and had them with me when their mother felt generous or needed a babysitter. But it wasn’t the same. One of the most difficult things to deal with was her poisoning their young minds against me. All I could do was to love them and be involved as much as possible. My ex-wife is an unscrupulous woman, but the courts didn’t seem interested in the ‘father’s rights’ for any kind of ‘say.’ In fact, as my son became more difficult and rebellious toward his mom, she had him placed in an orphanage, spitefully refusing to let me have him. After three years, I finally won custody. During that time, I had joined a support group through my church that helped me know

I was not alone. They helped me see that I could not let bitterness rule me. Hebrews 12:15 says, “Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favour of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison.”

These parents had two very difficult situations. Neither gave up and they found strength, hope, and a joy to endure. So can you if you look in the right places.

Can we Pray? 

1. Father Today I thank you for the Gift of Family union 

2. Lord Today I pray that any seed of disunion in my marriage be uprooted from my life, my husband/wife in the name of  Jesus.

3. Father, Please let not my family fall into disunion

4. Lord en- grace me and my husband/Wife to understand the position we each have in our union 

5. Lord Jesus Cover my marriage with your precious blood

6. Lord today I come against every form of satanic re-enforcement planning to scatter my marriage in Jesus' name 

7. Father, I overthrow all forms satanic strongholds promoting divorce, separation and singlehood when people have finally gotten married, I declare it shall never be my portion in the name of Jesus.  

8. Lord, every demon responsible for Divorce and Separation in marriages shall not use me and my husband/Wife as its target in the name of Jesus. 

9. Lord, I cover the lives of my children with the Blood of Jesus.

10. Every agent and arrow of satanic forces, arranging to attack my children's future through a divorce, separation and disunity in my marriage, Lord may they be arrested and destroyed in the name of Jesus. 

11. Father, Lord may my house and marriage be covered in the precious Blood of Jesus.  

12. Thank you, Lord, for preserving my Children, my Huband/Wife and family from all forms of disunity.     

YOUR CHALLENGES DO NOT DEFINE YOU!

We all have problems. It is not peculiar to you, don’t make yourself pitiable. Jesus has delivered us from all the labels. One thing I have learned from my years and experience as a Pastor, and in the corridors of marriage counselling is the fact that those who are married are wishing they were not married, when I ask them why the answers have always been the same; “Those who are not married are free, their time is theirs and unfortunately they don’t appreciate what they have.”

On the other hand, those who are not married are always complaining of being single and just want to get married. For example, at our last Sunday meeting on April 07th, 2019, a man walked up to me in the office and said “Pastor Look at me, I am over forty and not married. It’s becoming ridiculous and embarrassing.” He wants to get married while others want to get out of theirs, so you see the challenges of life are not there because of your status. There will always be challenges and whatever our status we should appreciate God, then the pressure will be eased off and we will be rightly positioned for God’s continuous blessings.

Paul taught explicitly on this issue of marriage and singlehood in 1Cor 7. In 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, Paul advised the single to remain unmarried except where they cannot withstand the pressure of sexual passion so we can see clearly that not all will be married, there will always be single people amongst us. In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, he addressed the married believers; here he stated clearly that in such a setting, divorce is not an option and where it happens the parties must remain unmarried.

While in 1 Cor 7:12-13 he addressed the case of marriage between a believer and unbeliever, he states here that as much as possible you must make the marriage work. The onus here is much more on the believer; as long as the unbeliever is willing to remain in the marriage then the brother/sister must do everything to help the marriage, but where in spite of their best efforts (bringing Christian virtues to bear), the unbeliever chooses to leave the marriage then the brother/ sister is free; in which case they can remarry. Going back to our original scripture, 2 Cor 4:7-8 says “We have this treasure….. not in despair” now we understand that pressures of life will come whether married or not, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Whatever your status know that there is a reason for it and in line with the scripture that says in all things give thanks, start to cultivate the habit of thanking God wherever you are. There is a reason why I am where I am today, God does not make mistakes.

God Bless You.