Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell’ Proverbs 23:13-14

As the children grow, they begin to understand things better, and they will be glad that they were raised well.

Good News Bible says, ‘Don’t hesitate to discipline children. A good spanking won’t kill them. As a matter of fact, it may save their lives’. Many a times you want to show that you are a loving parent – and most fathers are loving, same with most mothers. But the Bible is saying don’t hesitate to discipline them. If you would spank them in love, it would do more good than if you spare the rod, and spoil the child. Our society is in crisis today because there are too many spoiled children roaming around!

There are several youths who are wishing that when they were much younger they were given closer attention and corrected when they were taking the wrong steps. Many of my older friends who were raised in this society through appropriate discipline and are now of good character acknowledge the fact that it helped them to build who they are today. Unfortunately, these same people that are currently parents are shying away from appropriate discipline for their children because of current misguided societal values. Let’s give this a thought and repent.

Have you been faithful to God and your children in this regard? Hesitating to discipline children does not equate to love; rather, a good spanking will not kill them – quite the opposite in fact. May God give you understanding, in Jesus name, amen.

‘Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.’ Proverbs 18:22

It is wrong to go into a marriage with the possibility of failure in mind. In the world we live in today, marriage is seen as a necessary evil; something that must be tolerated, – thinking “well the marriage might not work out in any case”. If we do not see things the Lords way, if we do not agree with the way He planned it, marriage is not likely to work out. If one goes into a marriage relationship with the possibility of divorce at the slightest provocation, the marriage is not likely work. If we have an attitude of fear that it might not work out, or we maintain separate lives within the relationship just in case of a need for divorce, the marriage is not likely to work out. Negative attitudes are one of the reasons marriages do not work.

We should see marriage the way God sees marriage – seeing only the best as we go into it. The man must expect to see his ‘good’ in the woman, and the woman must believe she is the best thing that has happened to the man, and behave ‘good’ to him. This might call for change in attitude and believe system in all of us. This way, we will victoriously go through any challenge that could come. I pray God release fresh wine into your marriage relationship in Jesus name. Amen.

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. ¹¹ Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 (NKJV)

 This is Gods wisdom demonstrated in teamwork and marriage. In system design there is a convention around system failure which states that if a system should fail there should always be a way that things can be corrected. This is what God has beautifully put in place in a marriage relationship. If one person should fall or falter, if you have had a bad day, if you need a person to rely on, the perfect place to go would be home, to your spouse. They would lift you up, encourage you, and be a pillar in the time when your world seems to be crumbling. This was God’s intention. God never intended that one spouse should be a burden to the other, but that marriage should be a support system of cooperation, growth and peace.

As you reflect on these words, you might need to make some necessary decisions that will change the way you relate and respond to your spouse at home. Can she be sure that there is a shoulder on which she can cry when the need arises and she will be comforted? Can he depend on your support in challenging time and he will not feel ashamed? Make up your mind today to do all you can to make your home a haven for your spouse and children, and God will help you. Have a great day.

‘Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour.’ Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NKJV)

Many things in life require the concerted effort of a team in order to achieve good success. In life we are not meant to be alone, no one was intended to be an island unto himself or herself. Indeed in the beginning God declared that it was not good for man to walk alone, and therefore gave onto him woman (Genesis 2:18).

The marriage institution is mean to exemplify perfect teamwork. In marriage, it take both the man and the woman to bring children into this world. The man has his role and the woman her own. When in harmony both roles are performed well, there comes forth a beautiful result. Single parents find it difficult to raise a child alone, this is understandable because that was not the intended plan of God. The bible says ‘two are better than one’ and they shall have a greater reward for their labour. This is the way marriage was intended to work.

I admonish you to think this way – it is better that I am properly married than otherwise. As a single person, believe the best for your marriage. For the married, even if your marriage has some challenges, this truth cannot be negated. Prayerfully do the best in your power to enjoy the benefit of ‘the two’ and patiently and lovingly wait to see God do a new thing in your marriage relationship. God will help you. Have a great day.

‘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 (NKJV)

Marriage is good and its origin is from God. No matter what we personally think about the institution of marriage, or what the statistics on divorce say, these do not negate the fact that marriage between man and woman is good and is ordained by God.

God said it is “not good” for man to be alone. When God concluded creation, after making the animals, the earth, and the skies, He looked at everything and declared it is good. The only thing that was not good in His eyes was the fact that man was alone; he needed someone comparable to him. Proverbs 18:22 says: ‘Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the Lord is good to you.’ (GNB). The NLT of this verse says:   ‘The man who finds a wife finds a treasure’. When a man finds his own wife, he has found treasure from God, he has found the missing good in his singleness! This is God’s view about marriage and this is what I believe. I would like you to believe this too. In that wise, you husband, know and declare always that your wife is ‘good’, and you wife, you need to know and declare to yourself, you are ‘the good’ that came into your husband’s single life. Take time to think about this truth, let it shape your confession and attitude towards your spouse. Encourage your friends with this truth and teach it to your children. May you experience a fresh wine of love and peace in your marriage relationship. Have a very good day.

‘Marriage is honourable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.’ Hebrews 13:4 (NKJV)

‘Marriage must be honored in every respect, with no cheating on the relationship, because God will judge the sexually immoral person and the person who commits adultery’. Hebrews 13:4 (CEB)

From God’s point of view marriage is honourable. In this modern day some people view marriage to be an institution that does not work and is much troubled. However, that is not true. Therefore all who go into marriage should be honoured and supported. Our scripture today clearly state that only people that are married to each other are allowed to have sex together – apparently this is not the view of many people. A single person engaging in sex before marriage commits the sin of fornication, and a married person having sex with another person apart from his or her spouse commits the sin of adultery – this is described as ‘bed being defiled’. God says He will judge such people! Even though this is not the view of many people, God has made this clear in His word. May God give us understanding.

I admonish you to also make this your position. Live by the principle that honours marriage relationships, encourage your friends to do the same and teach it to your children. I pray that your marriage relationship experience refreshing from God, in Jesus’ name. Have a glorious day. Amen.

‘For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.’ Ecclesiastes 5:3

A fool’s voice is known by how much words come out of his mouth. A wise man does not just talk, but his wisdom is measured by his action. Do you have a dream for your life, your business, your home? Talking about it everywhere alone is not going to get anything done. Your corresponding action is what will make a dream come true. Let’s review the plans you have made in recent times; how much action have you taken to make those plans a reality? The amount of actions we see you take in the direction of the dream you have declared, reveals how much faith you have in your dreams. James 2:18 says: ‘…I will show you my faith by my works’.

On the other hand, while your action is needed to back up your words, Ecclesiastes 5:3 in the NLT presents an interesting thought; ‘Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool’.  Jumping here and there, attempting to do too many things at the same time will lure you to pursue unfounded dream that will give you restless life, resulting in all kinds of stress. May God give you wisdom as you review your life today and give you grace to talk much less and move on to take the next level of calculated actions. May the Lord grant you rest round about, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.’ Proverbs 17:28

Proverbs 10:19 KJV says: ‘In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin…’ the likelihood of errors and mistaken statements is very easy when you talk a lot. A person who is given to talking a lot is likened to one that is foolish. Whereas, a fool can be counted as wise if he has learnt to close his mouth and only talk when it is extremely essential. In saying this the opposite is also true. A person with knowledge that speaks without a pause will be counted as a fool. Which will you be? A talkative fool or a prudent wise man?

I believe Proverbs 17:28 is also talking about impressions. The way you carry yourself and contribute during discussions affects the impression you create about you. NLT says ‘even fools, with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent’. While I agree that God’s impression about us is the most important, but as long as we are in this earth suite, your composure and carriage also determines people’s impression of you and to a large extent determine which doors open for you, or are shot against you in the marketplace!

Today carefully take time to think before you speak; you will be counted wise. May God give you wisdom and understanding today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.’ Proverbs 15:5

A person that despises his father’s instruction is a fool. I like the NLT version of today’s scripture; ‘Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise’. The word Prudent is used here as wise; and it describes someone who learns from the correction given by his or her father. In order to be counted as prudent and not foolish you need to heed your parents’ instructions. It is commonly agreed that discipline is not usually pleasant. Yet, someone who is constantly ignoring parental advice and rather speak ill about their parents is a fool. If you believe the words your parents speak are inconsequential, or that the advice they give is not worth listening to, particularly for those parents who you know loves God, you are tending towards foolishness.

One fact to acknowledge is that your parents have lived through the phase of life you are currently passing through, they know what you don’t know. Plus, for the believing parents, they have the benefit of a combination of natural wisdom due to age and experience, and Holy Spirit guidance. Revisit the biblical instruction you have been given by your parents! Take heed to them, and your path in life will surely be lit with divine insight. May God give you wisdom, and bless your day in Jesus’ name. Amen.

‘Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour’ Proverbs 14:9

In life we must relate with different people. People that make brazen sin look commonplace is not wise. The closer you move to such people the more you will imbibe such an attitudes. The person may not necessarily be a bad person however because they make a mock at sin they are foolish. Be careful around such people for the temptation will be to brush off sin yourself.

Proverbs 14:10 KJV says: ‘The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.’ You know what is in your heart, no one can misinterpret it for you. ‘Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour’ walking in righteousness brings favour. Decide today that you will walk in righteousness, and the lord will bless you in Jesus’ name. Amen.