Today’s Reading:
Luke 14: 28-30
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills.”
(Luke 14:28 TLB)
4. Career Development: as a single, you need to know that money matters to sustain a marriage therefore you need to work. Beyond your certificate as a single lady, what can you do with your hands? As a young man, what do you do for a living? You need at least one source of income, though multiple sources of income are advisable, especially in this dispensation (1 Tim. 5:8, Proverbs 6:6-11; 22:29). Are you a contributor or a consumer? If what you earn can feed at least two mouths as a single brother, don’t delay getting married having put other things into consideration.
5. Read Books on Marriage: treasures are hidden in books. Books help to interact with great minds. Someone said if want to hide anything from an African put it in a book. I’m sure this statement is no longer true because Africans to some extent read now. For any single to go into marriage, some books on marriage are necessary to be read and internalized. Some but not limited to the following are important: Model Marriage by Dag Heward-Mills, Sexual Intimacy in Marriage by Funmi Akingbade, Answers for Your Marriage by Bruce and Carol Britten, and No More Two by Gbile Akanni.
6. Choose in Christ: I have seen three categories of people even in the church; a carnal man/woman, a natural man/woman and a spiritual man/woman. In choosing a life partner, you need to know where you belong and know who you want to marry. It takes God to reveal who a man or woman is (II Corinthians 6:14 – 18). The will of God in marriage is still real. It is never an old school or outdated idea as some posit. Parental and pastoral approval must not be ignored when choosing a life partner. If you choose a child of the devil as a spouse then the devil will be your father-in-law. Choose right and be wise, love is not blind. Don’t ignore the nudge of the Holy Spirit, especially for those who are in courtship. A broken courtship is better than a broken marriage.
7. Stand on the shoulder of a Giant (Proverbs 11:14), in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety. Giants are those who have been married and their marriage is pointing to Christ. One can learn from them, seeking their counsel on how they were able to navigate the hurdles of marital challenges, for every home that stands has stories to tell. Christian homes do not just work on their own, there are prices to be paid to have a home that stands.
JAMES ALADE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
As I move from the basics to maturity, do not let me be trapped by distraction, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, keep me from pride and splintering into personality groups, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, instead, empower me to maintain my unity in You, in Jesus’ name.
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