I told Jesus I’d build 1,000 churches before I die — Oyedepo

Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners Chapel, says he made a vow to Jesus that he’d build 1,000 churches before leaving the earth.

There’s No Democracy in Nigeria Under Tinubu – Peter Obi parallelfactsnews.com/democracy-in-n…

*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*DATE: MONDAY 9TH JUNE 2025.*

*TOPIC: CLEAVE AS ONE, PART 1*

*MEMORIZE*
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 (KJV)

*BIBLE READING: PROVERBS 5:15-21*
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.

18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

*MESSAGE:*
We live in a fast-paced world where many people are chasing wealth and riches at all costs. As a result, many marriages are suffering. In some cases, a husband works in a different state or country while the rest of his family lives in another state or country. Long-distance courtships have existed for a long time, but now, we have long-distance marriages. In truth, however, a long-distance marriage isn’t healthy for any family. A couple can have a short-term arrangement for them to be apart for unavoidable reasons, but this should not be for long.

Many cases of infidelity in marriage result from the absence of one spouse. Sometimes, even married couples that live together practice long-distance marriages. This might be because one spouse leaves for work very early in the morning and gets back very late at night. Such couples are living separate lives, and one or both of the spouses are likely to form connections with the people they spend most of their time with in their spouse's absence. Such connections can turn into ungodly affairs.

As a married fellow, if you notice that you prefer talking to other people than talking to your spouse, there is fire on the mountain. When you prefer spending time outside your home rather than with your spouse, there is trouble. When you prefer discussing intimate issues with your 'friends' of the opposite sex instead of your spouse, you should retrace your steps and work on fixing whatever issues that exist in your marriage. Don't deceive yourself by saying, "I'm not doing anything with that fellow; we are just friends." Most extra-marital relationships start from casual friendships, and after a while, the devil introduces temptations that can lead to sinful acts. I pray that you will overcome any temptation that can destroy your marriage, in Jesus' name.

If you're married, spend more time with your spouse and make him or her your confidant. Go out to fun places and take frequent walks together. At least once a month, dress up and go on a date. Book a hotel room or a private lodge for a weekend at least once every year so you can spend quality time with your spouse, away from all distractions. After your relationship with God, your relationship with your spouse is the most important in your life because God has designed you both to become one, as today's memory verse points out. Be intentional about cleaving to your spouse, and God will bless your marriage, in Jesus' name.

*KEY POINT*
Married people should be intentional about spending quality time with their spouses.

*AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE*

*BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:*
*PSALMS 22 - 27*

*HYMNAL 31 - YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION*
1. Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin; Each victory will help you Some other to win; Fight manfully onward, Dark passions subdue; Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
Ask the Saviour to help you
Comfort, strengthen, and keep
you; He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.

2. Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain; God's name hold in reverence, Nor take it in vain; Be thoughtful and earnest, Kindhearted and true; Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.

3. To him that overcometh God giveth a crown; through faith we will conquer, though often cast down; he who is our saviour our strength will renew; look ever to Jesus, he'll carry you through.

Genuine love, also known as real or authentic love, is characterized by sincere feelings and commitment that are not superficial or insincere. It is a love that is not based on fleeting infatuation or manipulation, but rather on deep admiration and care for the other person's well-being.

Genuine love is not a facade or an act. It stems from a deep, heartfelt connection and genuine affection.

Unconditional:
It accepts the other person, flaws and all, and provides support without expectation of something in return.
Respectful and Caring:
It prioritizes the other person's needs, happiness, and well-being, and is always respectful of their boundaries.

Honest and Open: It involves open and honest communication, even when difficult conversations are necessary.

Selfless: It places the needs of the other person above one's own, even when it requires sacrifice.

Trust and Intimacy: It builds a strong foundation of trust and intimacy, allowing for vulnerability and emotional closeness. Distinguishing Features from Other Types of "Love":

Infatuation: Infatuation is a temporary and intense emotional state often driven by physical attraction, while genuine love is based on a deeper connection and understanding.
Convenience or Dependence:
Some relationships may be driven by convenience, dependence, or other external factors rather than genuine love.

Self-Love: While self-love is important, it should not be confused with genuine love for another person.
In essence, genuine love is a deep, heartfelt connection that is built on mutual respect, understanding, and a commitment to each other's well-being. It is a love that lasts through thick and thin, and is a testament to the enduring power of human connection.

*5 WAYS TO COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH YOUR PARTNER*



James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

A lady complained to me about how her husband rarely listens to her.

She said that anytime she wants to talk with her husband, it's either he is watching TV or he is using his phone.

When she requests his full attention, he will say that she should say what she wants to say, that he's hearing her.

This had happened for several years in their marriage, and she was very sad about it.

During my session with both partners, I decided to find out why he was doing that.

I asked him several questions and discovered that he had seen his parents live that way in his growing up years. So he grew up thinking that that's the right way for a husband to live and interact with his wife..

During my counselling session with them, I shared several tips with them on how to communicate better as couples.

I shared with them something that many couples do not pay attention to - the way you communicate with your spouse is frequently a pattern you picked up in your growing up years from your parents and other adults that you lived with. Your spouse probably picked up some other communication pattern in their growing up years.

Communication is the heart of any successful relationship. Whether you're newly dating or have been married for years, the way you communicate can make or break the bond you share with your partner.

Unfortunately, like the couple whose story I shared, many couples struggle with expressing themselves effectively, leading to misunderstandings, resentment, and emotional distance.

The good news is that regardless of the communication pattern you were exposed to in your growing up years, improving your communication skills is possible!

Here are some of the ways you can communicate better with your partner and foster a deeper connection.

1. Listen to Understand, Not to Respond: Often, we listen to our partners with the intent to respond rather than understand. Active listening involves focusing entirely on what your partner is saying without interrupting or thinking of your reply. By doing this, you show empathy, which can strengthen emotional bonds and make your partner feel truly heard.

2. Be Clear and Direct: Beating around the bush or using passive-aggressive language can create confusion and tension in a relationship. Using passive-aggressive language is a pattern of indirectly expressing negative feelings instead of openly addressing them. So learn to be clear and direct about your thoughts, feelings, and needs. Use “I” statements instead of “You…” to avoid placing blame and encourage open dialogue.

3. Practice Patience: Not every conversation will be easy or comfortable. Learning to be patient with your partner, especially during difficult discussions, can make a huge difference. Give them the time and space to express themselves, and resist the urge to react impulsively. Sometimes, it’s best to take a break if things get too heated.

4. Use Non-verbal Communication: Words aren’t the only way to communicate. Non-verbal cues such as body language, eye contact, and touch can convey affection, concern, and attentiveness. A warm hug or holding hands during a conversation can reinforce emotional connection and make your partner feel supported.

5. Check-In Regularly: Life gets busy, and it’s easy for couples to drift apart if they don’t make time to check in with each other. Schedule regular conversations to talk about how you're feeling and what you both need. These check-ins can help prevent issues from piling up and strengthen your relationship over time.

Effective communication is an ongoing effort that requires practice, patience, and intentionality. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. Small shifts in communication habits can lead to a deeper connection and a happier partnership.

By the end of the session with me, this couple recognized where they are not doing well and apologized to each other.

Today, they are living happily and improving their communication skills.

Honesty encompasses being truthful, sincere, and free from deceit in one's words, actions, and overall conduct. It involves not only telling the truth but also having integrity and acting fairly. Honesty is a fundamental aspect of building trust and maintaining healthy relationships.

Key aspects of honesty: Truthfulness:
Honesty means speaking the truth and avoiding lies or deception.

Integrity: It involves maintaining ethical principles and acting with sincerity in all situations.

Fairness: Honesty also implies treating others justly and avoiding bias or prejudice.

Self-awareness: Being honest with oneself is crucial for personal growth and building confidence.

Trust and respect: Honesty is essential for fostering trust and respect in social interactions.

Foundation for progress: Honesty is vital for individual and societal progress, as dishonesty can lead to problems and hinder development.

The Wonders of God..

The Houston International Airport was as crowded as ever with people rushing to catch their flights. And then, in the middle of the crowd, Shadow, an experienced German Shepherd K9 started barking fetociously at a woman waiting in the long queue. It was quite an unprecedented action as she was 7 months pregnant and appeared to be terribly frightened by the dog’s reaction.

Nevertheless, the dogs were rarely wrong and officers asked her to step forward. They conducted a thorough search of her belongings, but found nothing out of the ordinary on her. Yet, Shadow wouldn’t stop sniffing her and barking at her.

The officers were confused and contemplated their next move. Should they let the woman go?

She was heavily pregnant and the entire situation made her upset and uncomfortable.

And then, just as they decided to let her go, Agent Grant remembered that Shadow was also trained as medical alert service dog. Rather than her being a smuggler or carrying a dangerous weapon, could there be something medically wrong with this woman? He wondered.

Just to be sure, he explained to her that Shadow was a special dog and he would like her permission to call the emergency services to check on her. Although she hesitated at first, the woman eventually agreed.

To everyone’s surprise, the medics discovered uterine rupture, which is a serious and rare childbirth complication where the muscle wall of the uterus tears under pressure.

The woman was quickly rushed to the nearby hospital where she was operated and gave birth prematurely.

Her baby was still tiny and placed in an incubator, but luckily, both he and his mother were fine.

That day, Shadow saved two lives. His strong senses allowed him to detect that something wasn’t right with that woman’s child.

Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors and are able to detect chemicals or changes in body odor caused by diseases or other medical emergencies.

A few days after the incident, Shadow and Agent Grant paid the woman a visit at the hospital where she and the staff gave an appreciative “thank you” to Shadow in a brightly lit hospital ward.

Such are the immense wonders of God.
A God who knew in advance and selected an animal to be man's best friend also equipped it with ability to detect when something is wrong medically within a human being.

A God who equipped dogs with up to 300 million scent receptors so that they are able to detect chemicals or changes in body odor caused by diseases or other medical emergencies in a woman it has never seen before..

Something no machine with all its sensors and gadgets can do till date..

What a friend we have in Jesus.. All glory to his name.

The Wonders of God..

The Houston International Airport was as crowded as ever with people rushing to catch their flights. And then, in the middle of the crowd, Shadow, an experienced German Shepherd K9 started barking fetociously at a woman waiting in the long queue. It was quite an unprecedented action as she was 7 months pregnant and appeared to be terribly frightened by the dog’s reaction.

Nevertheless, the dogs were rarely wrong and officers asked her to step forward. They conducted a thorough search of her belongings, but found nothing out of the ordinary on her. Yet, Shadow wouldn’t stop sniffing her and barking at her.

The officers were confused and contemplated their next move. Should they let the woman go?

She was heavily pregnant and the entire situation made her upset and uncomfortable.

And then, just as they decided to let her go, Agent Grant remembered that Shadow was also trained as medical alert service dog. Rather than her being a smuggler or carrying a dangerous weapon, could there be something medically wrong with this woman? He wondered.

Just to be sure, he explained to her that Shadow was a special dog and he would like her permission to call the emergency services to check on her. Although she hesitated at first, the woman eventually agreed.

To everyone’s surprise, the medics discovered uterine rupture, which is a serious and rare childbirth complication where the muscle wall of the uterus tears under pressure.

The woman was quickly rushed to the nearby hospital where she was operated and gave birth prematurely.

Her baby was still tiny and placed in an incubator, but luckily, both he and his mother were fine.

That day, Shadow saved two lives. His strong senses allowed him to detect that something wasn’t right with that woman’s child.

Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors and are able to detect chemicals or changes in body odor caused by diseases or other medical emergencies.

A few days after the incident, Shadow and Agent Grant paid the woman a visit at the hospital where she and the staff gave an appreciative “thank you” to Shadow in a brightly lit hospital ward.

Such are the immense wonders of God.
A God who knew in advance and selected an animal to be man's best friend also equipped it with ability to detect when something is wrong medically within a human being.

A God who equipped dogs with up to 300 million scent receptors so that they are able to detect chemicals or changes in body odor caused by diseases or other medical emergencies in a woman it has never seen before..

Something no machine with all its sensors and gadgets can do till date..

What a friend we have in Jesus.. All glory to his name.