-By Oba Samuel
LK 2:10-11
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11 KJV
The birth of Jesus brings good news to all people. Don’t convert it to bad news and negative occurrences in your marriage.
One of the major instructions God gave to Couples is the duty to make each other joyful.Eccl.9:9
Many have ceased to be friends and lovers. But we can’t afford to step into the new year hurting each other, unhappy or sorrowful.
So, let’s maximize this yuletide season in our marriages by making our spouses joyful in order to have a truly merry Christmas.
1.Jointly set goals for 2024:
Habakuk 2:2-3
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Couples should discuss, plan and work on how to have a better next year .Let your goals include: business,career ,parenting, spiritual ,marriage and project goals.Pray , take steps and let it be time-bound.This will help you to live a disciplined life and achieve better in 2024.
2.Settle January Bills in December :
Proverbs 30:24-28
There be four things which are little upon the earth, But they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, Yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, Yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, And is in kings’ palaces.
Eccl.”wisdom is profitable to direct”
The yuletide season is full of fun and merriments that consumes lots of money which empty January of adequate funds.
↕Many people waste money in December as if January will not come.
Meanwhile, January is around the corner with it’s unavoidable bills, such as children’s school fees, rents,and several other bills that can put you under pressure if not paid.
↔Children school fees are better paid before Christmas and save some money for ‘lengthy ‘January.
Don’t prove to be Jehovah Jireh to people in Christmas else you will end up becoming JJB (Johnny just broke) in January .
3.Let go of past hurts:
#1 Cor.13:4-5 NLT
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NLT
↕There’s something special about the yuletide season,it’s a season of love. so, let’s make good use of it to pull down the middle wall of partition and rebuild our marriages.
↕Don’t let past hurts accompany you to the new year. Be a bridge builder, make the move towards reconciliation. Apologize to each other and make peace.
Where both of you can’t resolve the issue, see your pastor, mentor or counsellor for assistance.
⤴Healthy marriage requires an atmosphere of forgiveness nurtured by the ability to love and let go of the past.
⤴If you hold on to mistakes &mishaps of your spouse, you will find discontentment and anger growing in your heart,before you know it you will only see your spouse doing wrong things and miss all the moments your spouse is doing right things.
❌Why must you compile all the offences of your spouse from January -December?
Don’t take that matter to the New year ,resolve it now.
⤴Before love can flow ;the heart must be free from offences.
⤴Enter the new year on a good note.
4 Beware of one night stand:that wrecked many marriages and golden destinies.
“But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: He that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; And his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:32–33 KJV
↕During the yuletide season ,immorality is usually rampant as a result of hangouts in parks,resort centres,,eateries,shows and parties.
❌Wives,becareful! Don’t let down your guard as you travel to your hometown or other places as you may likely meet your ex.
⤴Husbands, becareful! whenever you hear compliments of the seasons, there’s also ‘compromise of the season’.
All those ladies you will meet in your friend’s house/eatery/party can make you compromise your marriage vows and Christian standard.
Be cautious. Don’t let any lady lure you into extramarital affairs.
↔There’s nothing any woman has that your wife does not have.
Make it a habit to go out together with your wife during this season .
5.Plan to rekindle Affection :”SOS 2:4-5
He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love. Stay me with flagons, Comfort me with apples: For I am sick of love.
Song of Solomon 2:4-5 KJV.
⤴Affection means ;affect me with loving actions that affect my emotions positively.
⤴ Make it a family and
spousal time:Take ur children out
↕Take time to reconnect .Don’t just stay at home entertaining visitors, cooking or hanging out with friends .
⤴Wives,you’re not Hilda Bacci that will cook for days .Dress up like a lady in vogue with romantic vibes and step out with your husband like a couple in honeymoon.
⤴You can’t build affection without companionship.
⤴Its dangerous to be at home when your husband is at the beach or any fun center .
⤴Don’t just spend the time visiting people, create time to have fun and bond with your spouse.
Create time for fun-filled sex with your spouse.Give no room for sexual denials or unfulfilled libido.If you have any issues concerning sex; jointly look for solution.
⤴Look for fun centres around you and go together
6.Plan for spousal gift;:
Phil.2:3 “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.Rather,in humility value others above yourselves “
John.3:16 “for God so loved the world that He gave”
↕Love without giving is robbery in disguise
↕A wife said “my husband has never bought anything for me since we got married, he will say “are you not working? “,
⤴Many plan to buy clothes, gifts to parents,people but no plan or discussion on the one he/she will give to spouse .
⤴Get something special for your spouse
↔Don’t miss an opportunity to be a blessing to your spouse,it will come back to you.
Get something special for your husband
⤴Ask YOUR wife,what do you want for Christmas ?
↔Be a blessing to people in this yuletide season , it will never be forgotten .
↔Spread out.It’s a giving season no matter how small. Touch lives,make someone happy.
7.Praise Your Spouse:
Prov.27:21″As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; So is a man to his praise.”
❌From January to December,what many did is to complain about what your spouse did wrong and never see a single reason to thank husband/wife.
⤴Praise any action your spouse does that brings joy to you or your family this year.
Thank your wife for cooking and managing the home-front from January -December.
⤴Appreciate your husband for the upkeep and for paying the bills from January -December in this harsh economy.
❌Every time you deposit praise into your spouse account, it gives him energy to do more.But every time you criticise, much-needed energy is withdrawn from the account and this will have adverse effect on your marriage.
Maximize this season by appreciating your spouse’s good deeds and take your mind off his/her flaws.It’s a season of joy,spread joy not bitterness.
On behalf of I and my Wife, merry Christmas and a prosperous 2024
Your Family &Relationship Coach,
Pst Oba Samuel
GET more @www.obasamuel.com
Follow me on Twitter @PastorOba
PRAYER:
#Father,visit my family this month specially in Jesus name.
#O Lord ,fill my marriage with unending joy in Jesus name
#O Lord,give us unusual reason to celebrate this Christmas
