Is it okay for me to swear and take oaths? How can I be sure?

I have been asked several times whether it is okay to take blood oaths during courtship so as to secure the relationship and my answer is always non- affirmative: No! For one, I have had to have to pray with people and help dissolve blood oaths. Some of these people exchanged their blood by making cuts on their hands and then rub against each other while some licked their blood.  Well, blood oath has spiritual significance and it is not what you dabble into as a result of momentary feelings that will soon fizzle away and you'll start regretting. What if we are so sure we will get married? Then you don't need the blood oath! 

However among the Jews, taking an oath is more of a serious issue. I am not talking of ritualistic oaths, but just mentioning

In times like these, it is praise that will raise you up!

In times like these, it is praise that will raise you up! Have you prayed and prayed and yet the answers to your prayers seems elusive? Do you feel God has been answering other people's prayers while yours seems to be bouncing off the wall at you? Have you ever felt jealous when somebody is sharing his testimony while you are wondering when you will share yours? 

You see, you shouldn't feel that way because the answer to your prayers will surely come. One man's testimony is another man's prophecy. That it has happened for someone is all the assurance that yours is the next. Learn to rejoice with those that rejoice because God is not a respecter of persons. Stop envying others. A pregnant woman does not envy a mother with child. Why! Both of them

Part 3 - Pastor, I have a problem with depression. How do I stop it?

God’s word will enrich your mind and give you what to think on to replace those depressive thoughts. The word of God will renew your mind and begin its work from within, and then it will reflect outside, changing the moods, attitudes, feelings and behaviours. The word of God is that powerful!

Mediation in God’s word by the help of the Holy Spirit helps you analyse and process these words in your mind until it begins to change your mind, affect your moods and eventually give you victory.

When you meditate on God’s word, you are able to paint

Part 2 - Pastor, I have a problem with depression. How do I stop it?

The reason why you must let go of depression completely is not far-fetched. You cannot think of two different things at the same time. The moment you are pre-occupied with depressive thoughts, you will not be able to engage yourself in creative and productive thoughts at the same time.

A depressed person finds it difficult to make any meaningful progress in life because the frustration of stagnation sets in and life becomes a misery, simply existing instead of living. The gloom is often so overwhelming that you are unable to keep healthy relationships. A depressed person will be far from reaching the potentials that God has for him.

You see, the battle is in the mind. If you have not read the book 'Battlefield of the Mind' by Joyce Meyer, then you need to lay your hands on that book. The devil knows

Part 1 - Pastor, I have a problem with depression. How do I stop it?

Depression is everywhere in today's world, but interestingly, you don't have to live with it. It has to do with choice. I have seen very rich and comfortable people who are sad and depressed and not very rich people who are happy. Depression is not a function of what you have or what you don't have, it is actually a major tool in the hands of the devil with which he has kept a lot of people under his sway and from enjoying the best that God has for them.

You see, the whole thing is a setup. First, the devil gives you a legitimate reason why you should be sad and unhappy. It could be not having enough money,  not having potential suitors, failed businesses, and so on. The moment you 'buy' his reason, you handicap

Everybody is compromising, I have no choice but to join them!

Before you finish reading this devotional, six people would have been sexually assaulted in US alone. Interestingly, 2/3 of assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.

According to FactFish, out of 171 countries, Nigeria is the second highest as a country with people living with HIV virus, second only to South Africa.

According to World Health organization, between January 2013 and now, over 15 million abortions have taken place across the world. By the time you will be going

In the things of God, sentiments and feelings will not replace principles.

Nancy and George are seeing each other. They became friends some two months back and they looked forward to marriage. However, George was beginning to ask for sex. Nancy said No initially. However, her No got weakened with time as she was overwhelmed with the thought that she might lose him if she did not cooperate. So she told him it would only be once and it was just to cement the relationship. Once soon became twice and then many times and every time. At the end the day, the relationship still got broken.

Andy and Betty on the other have been married for a while. But Andy was always always busy. During the week, he came back late from work. During the weekend, he would still be gone hanging out with friends. Betty became vulnerable with time and

There is a difference between Mr.Right and Mr.Right Now!

There are two categories of men. As you  are contemplating marriage, the man you meet will either be Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now. How do you decipher between the two? What are the differences?

1. As a lady, if you are patiently “waiting” for a man, your candidate is Mr. Right. If you are desperately “looking” or searching for a man, your candidate is Mr. Right Now. This is because women are responders while men are the aggressors. Roles should not be exchanged out of desperation. It's wrong for you as lady to propose to a guy. When you as a lady take the lead in the relationship, you will kill the hunter in him. The thrill of the pursuit will be gone.

2. You can either listen to God or cooperate with your

In order to succeed in your relationship or marriage, you must stay away from depression

Sade is really downcast. She has not found a suitable partner to marry, or more correctly put, she has not been found by anybody yet, her body clock is ticking rapidly away, age is no longer on her side, and she had grown sad, sullen and depressed over the years. Her countenance betrayed her thoughts and she looked older than her age because of the depressive thoughts. What she did not know however is that part of what is keeping suitors away from her is that very depressive state. Angie, on the other hand is married but not fulfilled because of some marital issues. What she had failed to understand is that her joy which has been attacked by the devil has given the

Part 2 - Common lies and deception in relationships and marriage you should not believe

Continued from yesterday

4. We can have sex as long as we will get married
Who told you that you will get married? The moment you use your body to secure a relationship, you have just lost that relationship. Why is that? You see, the moment you compromise and get involved in masturbation, pornography and pre-marital, sex, you have violated the instructions of God. You are legally allowing the devil an access into that relationship. That is what sin does. Since you have taught yourselves not to wait during courtship, there could also be compromise with househelp or any available person if you're not around after marriage. If you are already involved in pre-marital sex, run to God and ask for forgiveness. He will not condemn you. He will embrace you, forgive you and forget all misdemeanors. As in, He will forget, and He will not consult your past to determine your future.

5. I know he/she is not the best for me, but he/she will change after marriage
Nancy is shocked to her marrows. Her new husband, rather than