Living with the knowledge that God is always watching can be a comfort. It's an incentive to live an honest, responsible life, and to stay away from the works of darkness. His watchful eye is tender and protecting for those who obey, and can bring embarrassment and resentment for those who don't. Let God's scrutiny into your life be a source of comfort, and let him guard you with his eye.

10 PEOPLE YOU SHOULD NOT MARRY

Yesterday, I shared some truths about how important the person you marry is. This is because, the beginning of a peaceful and successful marriage begins with marrying the right person.

So, in this article I will be showing you some type of people you should not marry. It's not everyone that's ready for marriage is marriable.

1. Don't marry anyone that is not a child of God

Adam had a relationship with God first before having a relationship with anyone. That's how it's supposed to be. The first relationship man was given was relationship with God before relationship with his wife(Gen. 3:8-9).

I have said this before, the best person to marry is a child of God, someone that fears and loves God and is being led by the Holy Spirit. Someone that fears God will shun evil and will never maltreat you. Anyone that doesn't love or fear God can do anything without minding.

So, anyone that is not a child of God, born again and committed in the service of the kingdom, is not a prayer point. Don't be unequally yoke with unbelievers. If you're a child of God, marry a child of God, If you're an unbeliever, please look for your kind. Let's not be unfortunate. God and Satan cannot be in-laws.

2. Don't marry anyone that doesn't have direction in life.

Adam was busy with something before the issue of marriage came up. He was busy ruling, dominating, working and taking care of the earth. Therefore, before marriage you should know what you want to do with your life(Gen 2:15).

Don't marry anyone that doesn't know where he or she is going in life. Have something meaningful doing with your life before marriage. Don't wait for marriage before you become useful. Be useful to yourself, family and society.

3. Don't marry anyone that beats you

Many ladies are guilty of this. You're in a relationship with a guy that hasn't done anything on your head yet he beats and abuses but you keep believing he will change. Don't worry, when you enter marriage, he's likely to kill you if God doesn't help you.

Don't marry anyone that raises hand on you, inflicts injury on you both physically, psychologically and emotionally. That's a big red flag. Run. A person that beats you before marriage, may kill you after marriage. And if he or she cannot change before marriage, change after marriage maybe difficult.

4. Don't marry anyone that's too proud.

Anyone that's too proud will always think or feel he or she is doing you a favor by getting married to you. You'll be taken for granted. You will not be appreciated and accepted. The person will find it hard to admit his or hand wrong. Nobody is doing anyone favour, even if na dangote son or daughter.

A proud person is an entitled person. They want to be served, worshipped, appreciated, wanted but can not do same for you.

5. Don't marry anyone that manipulates or blackmails you.

Don't marry anyone that always blame you when something goes wrong, even when they're at fault, they will always turn the situation against you. They always make you feel as if you're not enough or worthy to be loved and appreciated. They always talk you down. They will so erode your self esteem that you will begin to think that you deserve what you are getting. That's a toxic person to marry.

6. Don't marry anyone that threatens you

Most of the time, the thing many people are facing in marriage have always been there during their courtship or dating but were too blinded to see it. Don't marry anyone that threatens you with breakup if you should deny him or her sex or if you refuse to get pregnant before marriage. Don't marry anyone that always threatens to beat you.

7. Don't marry anyone that doesn't support you.

People in a relationship suppose to support each other but when you are in a relationship with anyone that doesn't support your legit course, vision, goals, purpose, ministry, ambition etc., that's a wrong person to marry. The person is only after his or her own course. Many woman have sacrificed their ambitions on the alter of marriage due to the kind of man they marry.

8. Don't marry anyone that doesn't have an authority he or she submits to

In the minitary, it's only someone that's under authority that can give command and it will be obeyed. Don't marry a free-ranger, someone that doesn't submit to any authority, listen to anyone, obey anyone, respect anyone. That's a dangerous person to marry. He can do and undone with reckless abandone because nobody to restrict or constrain.

The family, church, a Mentor, a Counselor etc., are example of authorities one should have.

9. Don't marry anyone that doesn't respect you

Someone that doesn't care about your feelings before he or she does something, talks to you the way he or she wants, treats you anyhow, is not the kind of person to marry. I mean someone that doesn't care if what he or she is doing is hurting you, you shouldn't marry that kind of a person.

10. Don't marry anyone that doesn't love you

Love is foundational to the survival of marriage, without love resentment, harshness, unkind words and actions, avoidance, irritation, boredom, etc will be a daily occurrence. Love is a lubricant and moisturiser. It makes things easy.

I often say that, marrying someone that doesn't love or someone you don't love is self imprisonment with hard labour. A lot of people have complained to me that they are facing hell in their marriages because of lack of love.

However, love is not enough to marry anyone, other factors have to be considered. Because you love someone that beats and abuses you doesn't mean you marry the person unless of course you enjoy the beating and the abuse. You people are not normal. All things being equal, don't marry someone that doesn't love you nor someone you don't love.

What other kind of persons you will never marry, share with me in the comment below?

Thanks for reading

Good morning.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY JUNE 18 2025

THEME: WORDS CAN HEAL

MEMORISE: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6

READ: John 8:1-11

1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

MESSAGE
Over the past two days, I discussed the power of words; today, I will focus on how words can heal. As a Christian, you should always be gracious with your words (Ephesians 4:29). You should be generous with giving compliments and telling people encouraging words. Simply saying things like, "I like your haircut," can bring people out of sadness and put a smile on their faces. Your compliments must, however, be genuine because God will punish those who flatter others with their words (Psalm 12:3). In Ruth 2:1, Boaz was described as a mighty man of wealth.

Unlike some wealthy people who look down on their workers and speak rashly to them, Boaz encouraged his workers with his words, and they responded pleasantly (Ruth 2:4). I believe this is partly responsible for Boaz's successful business. If you are a business owner and you curse or talk down on your workers, you are indirectly also cursing the work of your hands because they are the ones managing it for you.

Nabal, unlike Boaz, was a man who spoke negative words. When David sent his men to ask him to give them something, his response was terrible. He spoke harshly to the men and if his wife, Abigail, hadn't intervened by going without his consent to soothe David with her words, everyone in his family would have been destroyed. While Nabal's words stirred up David's anger and made him gather his men to go against the former's household, Abigail's words were seasoned with salt and kept her family from destruction (1 Samuel 25:1-35).

When you speak, what effect do your words have? Do they heal or destroy? Solomon said, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Proverbs 18:21). Apostle Paul, in today's memory verse, tells us to make sure that our speech is always with grace and seasoned with salt. Seasoning makes food more enjoyable. A fellow whose speech is well- seasoned will always attract others to himself or herself because people go to places where they are appreciated and motivated. When the woman caught in the act of adultery in today's Bible reading was brought to Jesus, in the midst of many condemning words from other people, His words, "Go and sin no more," brought her the liberty that she needed (John 8:11).

Beloved, let your words bring unbelievers to Jesus and show them His grace. Do not let your words be the reason people reject the gospel.

ACTION POINT
Consciously give genuine compliments and encourages people with your words every day.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 73-77

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 24: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS*

1. I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one marked an angry word,
That ever heard Him speak.

2. I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there.

3. I want to be like Jesus,
I never, never find
That He, though persecuted was
To any one unkind.

4. I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good;
So that of me it may be said
"He hath done what he could."

5. I want to be like Jesus,
Who sweetly said to all,
"Let little children come to Me;"
I would obey the call.

6. But oh I'm not like Jesus,
As any one may see;
O gentle Saviour, send Thy grace,
And make me like to Thee.

THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS
PART 5
The first time Jessica stepped out of that cold, confined room, her legs trembled—not from fear, but from the sudden rush of freedom.
Mr. Scar stood in the doorway, his massive frame blocking the light from the hall, his expression unreadable. He didn’t speak. Just extended a hand, palm up, waiting.
Jessica hesitated.
"Take it," he growled. *"Or go back inside."
She took it.
His grip was firm, warm, swallowing her slender fingers whole as he led her down the dimly lit corridor.
She expected another prison.
What she got was a paradise.
The new room was nothing like the last.
Large windows draped with silk curtains let in the golden Lagos sunlight. A king-sized bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, a vanity table lined with perfumes and lotions, even a bookshelf stocked with novels—many of them her favorites, though she never told him that.
Jessica turned in slow circles, taking it all in, her heart pounding.
"Why?" she whispered.
Mr. Scar stood by the door, arms crossed, his usual scowl in place. But his eyes—those dark, dangerous eyes—watched her with something close to… satisfaction.
"Because I can," he said simply.
But they both knew it was a lie.
It started with a cough.
A small thing, insignificant. But by nightfall, Jessica was burning up, her skin slick with sweat, her body wracked with shivers.
She barely registered the door bursting open. Barely felt the strong arms lifting her from the bed.
But she would never forget the raw panic in Mr. Scar’s voice when he barked at his men:
"Get a doctor. NOW."
For three days, Jessica drifted in and out of consciousness.
And for three days, Mr. Scar never left her side.
She woke once to find him slumped in a chair beside her bed, his usually immaculate suit wrinkled, his scarred face shadowed with exhaustion. A damp cloth was clutched in his hand, as if he’d been wiping her brow moments before sleep took him.
Another time, she stirred to the feel of strong arms lifting her, holding her against a broad chest as he forced sips of water between her cracked lips.
"Drink," he ordered, his voice rough but oddly gentle.
Jessica obeyed, too weak to argue.
The fever broke on the fourth night.
Jessica woke to the sound of harsh, uneven breathing.
Mr. Scar sat on the edge of her bed, his head bowed, his shoulders trembling. Moonlight spilled through the windows, glinting off the wet tracks on his cheeks.
Tears.
The most feared man in Lagos was crying.
Over her.
Jessica’s breath caught.
He must have heard, because his head snapped up, his expression hardening instantly. But it was too late—she’d seen it. The vulnerability. The fear.
"Don’t," he warned, voice hoarse.
She said nothing. Just reached out, her fingers brushing his.
He didn’t pull away.
As Jessica grew stronger, Mr. Scar’s behavior grew more… confusing.
He allowed her to wander the villa freely, though guards always lingered just out of sight. He had chefs prepare her favorite meals, though she never told him what she liked.
And at night—
At night, he came to her room.
Not to hurt her. Not to demand anything.
Just to be there.
He would sit on the edge of her bed, sometimes reading, sometimes just watching her with those dark, unreadable eyes. And when the nightmares came—because they always did—he was there, pulling her into his arms without a word, holding her until the shaking stopped.
One night, as she drifted off against his chest, she heard him murmur something that made her heart stop:
"Please don’t leave me."
Jessica should have been afraid.
This was the man who’d locked her up, who’d threatened to kill her, who ruled the underworld with an iron fist.
But as the days passed, she found herself watching him too. Noticing the way his stern expression softened when he thought she wasn’t looking. The way his hands, so capable of violence, were endlessly gentle with her.
And one terrifying day, she realized the truth:
She didn’t want to leave.
The household noticed the change.
Hardened mafia men gaped as their boss carried Jessica to the garden when she was too weak to walk. The maids whispered when he personally tasted her food before letting her eat, a habit born from paranoia but now tinged with something else.
Protection.
Possession.
Love.
But no one dared say a word.
Because while Mr. Scar had clearly softened for Jessica, he was still a monster to everyone else.
The most surprising thing?
He never crossed the line.
No inappropriate touches. No demands. Just quiet companionship and a respect that left Jessica breathless.
One evening, as he turned to leave her room, she found herself speaking without thinking:
"Stay."
Mr. Scar froze. When he turned back, his eyes were blazing.
"Do you know what you’re asking?" he growled.
Jessica held his gaze. "Yes."
For a long moment, they just stared at each other. Then, slowly, he shook his head.
"Not like this," he said softly. *"Not until, you’re sure."
And with that, he left.
TO BE CONTINUED...

A PASTOR'S BETRAYAL
FINALE
The morning sun shone brightly as Grace stepped out of the car, smoothing her dress with nervous hands. Michael stood beside her, his warm fingers intertwining with hers—a silent promise of strength.
"Ready?" he murmured.
Grace took a deep breath, looking at their children—Sarah, Daniel, and Joy—standing behind them like soldiers ready for battle.
"More than ready."
Today, the truth would be heard.
The sanctuary was packed.
As Grace and Michael walked down the aisle together, whispers erupted like wildfire. Heads turned. Eyes widened.
Pastor Gideon, mid-prayer at the pulpit, froze when he saw them. His mouth went slack, his hands gripping the podium until his knuckles turned white.
Grace met his gaze—and smiled.
The pastor's face drained of color.
When testimony time came, Grace didn't wait to be called. She stood, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she walked to the microphone.
Michael joined her, his presence steady beside her.
"Good morning, church," Grace began, her voice clear. "Some of you know me. Some of you... have heard lies about me."
She turned to face Pastor Gideon, whose smile had turned sickly.
"But today, you'll hear the truth."
And then, she told them everything.
How Pastor Gideon had preyed on her during her weakest moment.
How he'd twisted scripture to convince her to abandon her marriage.
How he'd taken her money—every last naira—while pretending it was "God's will."
Michael stepped forward then, his voice booming as he revealed the bank statements, the manipulated texts, the other women who'd come forward—widows, single mothers, all victims of the same scheme.
The congregation erupted.
"Sister Ngozi lost her house because of him!" a woman shouted.
"He told me my sick child would die if I didn't give offerings!" another cried.
Pastor Gideon stumbled back, sweat pouring down his face. "T-these are lies—!"
Then Sarah stood, holding up her phone. "No. This is a lie."
And she played the recording—his voice, clear as day, demanding Grace's last millions.
The church exploded.
Pastor Gideon bolted.
He shoved through the crowd, knocking over chairs as he sprinted for the exit. But the ushers—men who'd once obeyed his every word—grabbed him.
"You devil!" one roared.
The mob surged. Fists flew. A deacon's punch sent the pastor crashing into the communion table, wine spilling like blood across his white robes.
Grace didn't flinch.
Police sirens wailed outside.
The trial was swift.
Fifteen years for fraud. For exploitation. For shattering lives under the guise of God.
As the judge pronounced the sentence, Grace exhaled—a weight she hadn't known she carried lifting at last.
Michael squeezed her hand.
It was over.
Months later, the Thompson home was alive with laughter again.
Michael, once a workaholic, now built pillow forts with Joy on Saturdays.
Sarah, no longer sullen, sang as she helped Grace cook Sunday dinner.
Daniel, quiet but content, taught Grace how to use social media—"To help others spot wolves in sheep's clothing," he said wisely.
One evening, as they sat around the firepit, Grace looked at her family—whole again—and felt tears prick her eyes.
Michael kissed her temple. "What is it?"
Grace smiled. "I almost lost this. Lost you."
Joy climbed into her lap. "But you didn't, Mama."
And as the fire crackled, warming them all, Grace knew—
No false shepherd could touch them now.
The new pastor was kind. Real.
Under his leadership, the church became what it was meant to be—a refuge. A family.
And every Sunday, front and center, sat the Thompsons.
Together.
The End.
The wolf was gone. The flock was safe. And the Thompson family?
They thrived.

The Day a Parent $lapp€d a Teacher — And the School Asked Him to Apologize” By Uche

I will never forget that day.

It happened in one of the schools I once worked. A male teacher — calm, humble, and highly disciplined — had a mild issue with a student. The boy had mi$behaved, and as expected, the teacher corrected him firmly.

Later that evening, the boy went home and told his mother.

The next morning, the gates of the school hadn’t even opened fully when the mother stormed in like a w0unded lion. She pushed the gate man aside, barged into the school compound, and went straight for the teacher.

She didn’t ask questions.
She didn’t wait to hear his side.
She raised her hand — and $lapped him. Not once. Twice.

Two hot, di$respectful $lap$… delivered by a mother.
To a man.
To a teacher.
In front of students.

I was there. I saw it. I felt it. And till today, I don’t know how that teacher remained calm.

Because if it were me, I don’t think I would have survived that moment with silence. I don’t think my body would have obeyed the command to stand still. But he stood still — not out of weakness, but out of something even deeper: dignity.

You think that’s the worst part? No.

When the case got to the school owner’s office, we expected justice. We expected the teacher to be defended.

Instead, the owner begged the parent — and then turned to the teacher and said:

“Just apologize… let’s end it here.”

Apologize?
Apologize… for being s$lapped?
Apologize… for doing his job?
Apologize… for being a teacher?

That day, I felt something inside me break.
I saw a man stripped of his dignity and asked to clap for it.
I saw a teacher publicly humiliated — not just by a parent, but by the very system that should have protected him.

We are teachers. And we deserve respect.

If your faith is shaken/broken because of the scandals pastors get themselves into you were not truly a follower of Jesus to begin with. Men and women of God are only meant to point you in the direction of Christ, then you personally walk the road to glory yourself with the Holy Spirit.

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝟏𝟕:𝟏𝟏 "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 to see if what Paul said was true."

𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟐 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 with fear and trembling."

If your faith is shaken/broken because of the scandals pastors get themselves into you were not truly a follower of Jesus to begin with. Men and women of God are only meant to point you in the direction of Christ, then you personally walk the road to glory yourself with the Holy Spirit.

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝟏𝟕:𝟏𝟏 "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲 to see if what Paul said was true."

𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟐 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 with fear and trembling."

*THE RESTORER'S DAILY GUIDE*

DATE: TUESDAY 10TH JUNE 2025

THEME: *MANAGING USEFUL ENEMIES*

MEMORISE
Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

READ
John 6:70
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
*The earth is a fallen place and does not produce perfect people.*

MESSAGE
We must face the fact and reality that the earth we live in is not an innocent earth, but a fallen earth with a perverse and crooked nature like that of the serpent.

As such, we should not expect the earth to produce perfect people, seeing that it is corrupt and polluted through lust.

In life, you will always come across people who don't like you, and who you probably do not like or appreciate. And oftentimes, you realize that such people are needed to facilitate some moves in your life and career. In other words, they are useful but too dangerous to be kept so close to you.
The world is a place of conflict between both good and evil.

Many times, both partner together to balance the chemo-coexistence of the earth. Sometimes, we realize that some things that are otherwise harmful and dangerous to our health are still very useful and needful. We just need to discover their place, purpose, and uses. For instance, the venom of snakes is dangerous and deadly but very essential and useful in medical practice. The consumption of alcohol which is dangerous to human lives, is also useful in maintaining body chemistry balance as the body already contains some percentage of it from the breakdown of what we eat regularly.

Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior also found Himself in a situation where He needed useful enemies. His ministry and assignment on earth required the need for devils to facilitate.

There was no way man would have been redeemed without the ministry of Satan, the thief, and murderer. Jesus needed to die to redeem us, He had to be betrayed, sold, and killed. All of these dirty jobs could only be carried out by Satan because they are his notable trademarks. This was why Judas was chosen. He was an enemy in the camp and a useful one, for that matter.

In your life, you will realize that your assignment in life would require that you sometimes work closely with useful enemies. They are all around us whether we like it or not. But with the wisdom of God, we will get them to help us fulfil our purposes and move on with our lives as overcomers in Jesus name.
David needed Goliath to announce his military prowess in Israel. Later in his life as a king, he needed Joab his defense minister to manage the army of Israel even though Joab was not altogether obeying the King's orders.

Sometimes, those we call our enemies can be more useful and more profitable to us than our "so-called" friends if we can only manage them well.

Receive grace today to manage the useful enemies around you in Jesus name. By all means, keep on gaining grounds irrespective of your adversaries. Shalom, maranatha!

ACTION STEPS
1. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
2. Ask the Lord for wisdom on how to manage difficult but needed people around you.
3. Follow peace with all men.

PRAYERS
Dear heavenly Father, Thank you for today's devotional guide. Oh God of restoration, give me wisdom to manage people that I need around me. Help me not to kill the relationships that I will always need in Jesus' name. Amen.

REMEMBER
*The earth is a fallen place and does not produce perfect people.*

AUTHOR: JEDIDIAH DAVID

DAILY READING: Ezekiel 29-30, Judges 3-4, Acts 3-4.

HYMN
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:
Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell,
Come ye before Him and rejoice.

2
Know that the Lord is God indeed,
Without our aid He did us make :
We are His flock.He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take.

3
Oh, enter then His gates with praise,
Approach with joy His courts unto :
Praise,laud, and bless His name.
For it is seemly so to do. [always,

4
For why ? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is for ever sure ;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.

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FEAR GOD RESPECT MAN AND OBEY THE LAW.