Open Heaven 3 October 2021 – Christian Courtship
Open Heaven 3 October 2021 TOPIC: Christian Courtship
MEMORISE: Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. – Hebrews 13:4
READ: Ephesians 4:14-15 (KJV)
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 5-9
Open Heaven 3 October 2021 MESSAGE:
It is one thing to choose the right partner in marriage and it is another to choose the right approach to courtship. A wrong approach to Christian courtship can still lead to problems or failure even when the right choice has been made. Therefore, believers in courtship must be holy through and through if they would eat the good of the land of marriage (Isaiah 1:19).
Sister, you must know that a man will typically be at his best during courtship. He would call you by different pet names, please you and make you feel secure. However, once the wedding ceremony is over and you begin to live together, his shortcomings will be more exposed to you. The saying that ‘love is blind’ may appear true but the one that also says ‘marriage is an eye opener’ has equally been proven to be true now and again.
Men are however not the only ones guilty of this. Brother, you will also discover a lot more about the personality of your wife after the wedding ceremony. This is why the world recommends that couples should cohabit during courtship but should this be found among children of God? The simple answer is “No!”
Ephesians 4:14 says:
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
The fact that you are in courtship does not give you the license to begin to cohabit. ‘Trial marriage’ has no place in Christianity; it is whoredom. Some so-called sisters also try to seduce naïve brothers to get them pregnant and the result is what the world calls a ‘shotgun marriage’- one not properly prepared for. God abhors this seriously (Hebrews 13:4).
Christian courtship must be characterized with sincerity. You must be able to share your past and present experiences with your would-be spouse. You both should also lay your future bare in the hands of Jesus Christ. While there may be sincere disagreements during courtship, you would have to prayerfully re-evaluated it if the relationship is rift with troubles from the sinful demands of your partners. A broken courtship is better than a broken marriage. Be warned!
Open Heaven 3 October 2021 PRAYER POINT:
Ask the Almighty God to guide our youths such that Christian courtships will culminate in holy wedlock and glorious marriages.
Open Heaven 3 October 2021 HYMN 11: I Need Thee Every Hour
1. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh.
3. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
4. I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
Open Heavens 2021 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
