The Nation Newspaper

Category: Family Forum

  • Keys to a lasting marriage

    Dear Reader,

    You are most welcome to another exciting life-changing edition of Family Forum. This month, we shall be looking into the topic, Keys To a Lasting Marriage. It is my prayer that as you open up your heart to God’s Word, your home will experience the glory of a lasting marriage, in Jesus’ name.

    This week, I shall be teaching on what marriage is all about. I will like to start by asking you this question: What is marriage to you? Is it a thing of joy and pleasure, or a ‘necessary evil’, as many would say? Is it a bed of roses or one that is full of thorns and thistles? Is it a thing that you are glad you are in or one that hurts you day by day, and you are trying to get out of? Well, I have good news for you!

    What then is marriage? Marriage is the legal union of a man and a woman coming together as husband and wife. It is the foundation for the family, because until it is in place, there can be no family. A family is a social group in the society, consisting of a man, his wife, and their offspring.

    Marriage is a covenant relationship. It is not just the coming together of a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation. Although having children is one of the blessings of marriage, it means much more than that. Some people think marriage is merely co-habiting with someone of the opposite sex, but, this perception is wrong, as it goes beyond that. Marriage is a covenant.

    When a man and a woman come together as husband and wife, they are expected to have entered a better way of living. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

    Marriage is meant to be exciting, but when it is not founded upon God, the joy, excitement and satisfaction the couple had at the onset is short-lived. It’s like owning a car. With time, new models come out, and what was once new begins to age; the car owner now desires to change the once new car for the latest one. Why? Because the old one does not excite him anymore.

    However, when God is at the centre of your marriage, you find that instead of getting tired of each other, your excitement and satisfaction increase as the years go by, making the relationship go from good to better and from better to best!

    Marriage is good! Don’t think that marriage is for shame and reproach. No, my friend! You don’t have to settle for an average home, you don’t have to put up with continuous quarrelling and fighting; you can make that marriage work! You can have a marriage free of hurt and wounds; you can enjoy fulfilment and God’s goodness, and His lasting peace

    Marriage can be likened to a house. The Architect who drew the master plan is God, while the husband and the wife are the builders, who must diligently follow the design of the Architect, so as to experience success in their marriage and family. This is why the scriptures expressly says in Hebrews 3:4: For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. Also the Bible says in Proverbs 24:3: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.

    The realm of marriage that God wants you to enter is such that you would get to a point where men and even devils are compelled to acknowledge God’s glory that is all over your family. This is your heritage as a child of God!

    I command an end to whatever is bringing unrest in your marriage today. If there is any tumult in your life and family, I command the peace of God to replace it now, in Jesus’ name.

    Nevertheless, all hope is not lost. If you make a decision today to become committed to your marriage and family, God’s grace will be available to you to establish your desire.

    Grace is only available to the redeemed of the Lord. So, if you are not born again, there is no way you can be committed to God or your marriage. You need to give your life to Christ. You do this by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus your Lord and Saviour. Are you set for it? Why not say this prayer of faith from your heart: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins.  Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now I know I am born again!

    Congratulations! Till I come your way again next week, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8; 07026385437, 07094254102

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches, and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, and Building A Successful Family.

  • Understanding your uniqueness (4)

    Dear Reader,

    Glory greetings to you again this week, in Jesus’ name. Three weeks ago, I taught on the creation of the male and female genders. Two weeks ago, I taught on the male gender’s differences and last week, I enlightened you on the female gender’s differences.

    This week, I dare to edify the women reader of this article on Your Uniqueness As A Woman!

    Well, I don’t believe any gender is superior to the other, but definitely unique to each other. Men and women are equal and they complement each other as well. It is important to understand that by nature, genders have different ways of thinking, expression and behaviour and that has to be addressed accordingly by parents, when raising their children.

    Talking about the creature of man in the image of God, it certainly refers to the ability of humans to be creative. It is important for you to also know that the woman is a unique being; her personality is unique. Her uniqueness is a reflection of God’s purposes and design for her. God created her specially to fulfill a divine purpose. God’s Word says: …in the image of God created he him; make and female created he them. For God to create them male and female, He has a purpose for His action. I want you to know as a woman that you are not an afterthought, as others presume, neither are you a nonentity. God did not make mistake in creating you who you are.

    Your creation is not an accidental occurrence! Thus, you have no reason to be ashamed that you are created a woman. Don’t try to be a man, don’t you ever say, “Oh! I wish God created me a man”, and vice versa. Personally, I have no regrets being a woman. I thank God for making me a woman, because I understand His divine purpose for my life.

    God’s Word says: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered (1 Peter 3:7). The Bible admonishes that men are to treat women with sensitivity and consideration. If they don’t, their prayers could be hindered. Some men think that they can just slap and beat up their wives, and then go to church as if nothing had happened. Some men think they can do something to hurt their wives, and go ahead and become a pastor or deacon in the church. God isn’t listening to their prayers.

    Let’s briefly examine two major characteristics of your personality:

    A Crown Of Creation

    God’s Word likens the woman to a crown (Proverbs 12:4). A crown is an ornament of beauty, circular, and worn on the head of royalty. A woman is a crown of God’s creation, and the crown of her husband. The woman is a crown of creation, because it was after God created her that He ended His work. So, she crowned up the creation process. No normal person puts a crown under his feet or wears it on the feet as shoes. Crowns are meant to be on the head. Woman, don’t you ever look down on yourself, because you are a special person.

    A Peculiar Being

    God has not called you common, but peculiar (1 Peter 2:9). Some women see themselves as common. They allow certain physical conditions, such as their educational background, beauty, etc, to determine how they rate themselves. Aren’t you glad God recognizes you? It is time to see yourself as God sees you. He sees you as peculiar, and that is what you are! He also calls you a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and a holy nation.

    God is looking for virtuous women this end time, women of honour, women of dignity, women of noble character and women who can show others the way to go. God’s Word says: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10). Are you a virtuous woman? You are meant to be virtuous, a person that others will see and like to emulate.

    Apart from being a virtuous woman, God expects you as a woman to be a good wife to your husband. Be a help to him, a plus not a minus, an addition not a subtraction. You have to make life more comfortable for your husband and family entirely. Let your husband be able to remember you and say, “I thank God for my wife”. Make your children to always be glad whenever they remember home. Don’t let it be that whenever they remember you, they hiss. Be a good wife.

    God’s Word says: Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord (Proverbs 18:22). Let your husband know that he has found a good thing by marrying you. God’s purpose of making a woman is to make life comfortable for the man (Genesis 2:18).

    The question is, what do you call yourself? No matter how people may perceive you, always call yourself what God has called you. God says you are unique in a class of your own – peculiar. So, you need to agree with Him. It is time to get excited, happy and joyful, because you occupy an enviable position in God’s agenda. You are special, not ordinary, a crown of glory, not a crown of thorns, a vessel of mercy, not of destruction. So, rejoice!

    For you to demonstrate your uniqueness, you need to identify yourself with God. You need to come out of darkness to show forth His marvellous light. In case you have not surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, this is an opportunity to do so. You can say this prayer of faith: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins.  Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now I know I am born again!

    Congratulations! Till I come your way again next week, call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8; 07026385437, 07094254102

     For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches, and other leading Christian bookstores: Single With A Difference, Make Life Count and Marriage Covenant.

  • Understanding your uniqueness (2)

    Dear Reader,
    I bring you God’s peace and blessings in Jesus’ name.  Last week, I taught on the creation of male and female genders.  I remember saying an understanding of your uniqueness will help you to be a greater blessing to others.
    This week, I want to teach on Male And Female Differences!
    Male and female were designed to exercise dominion over the earth.  Even though both of them are equal, God created them to manifest in two different bodies and with two different natures.  God made His products to fulfill their purpose.  The male and female both have dominion; each has to execute its purpose in different manner.  God’s Word says: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory (1 Corinthians 15:41).
    Man and woman are both equal in the sense that they were both created in the image of God and their differences are only functional.  When God made the woman and presented her to Adam, he said, “This is now… bone of my bones”  In other words, Adam was saying, “This person is exactly like me in structure.”  Again, he said, “This is now … flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23).  That is, “She is exactly like me in all her physical qualities and in all of her emotional and psychological ability.”  Adam saw two differences.  “We are the same, we are equal,” he said, adding “but there are differences.”
    Now, the major difference between the man and the woman is that, the woman has a womb and can bear children.  The woman is designed primarily as a receiver, and the man is designed primarily as a giver.  This means that the woman is created to receive love.
    Despite the fact we all know that differences between men and women exist, most people have problems with this fact because they believe that being “different” means being inferior or superior.  You should not equate being different to being less.  I want you to know that a woman is not less than a man because she is a woman, and a man is not less than a woman because he is a man.  Their differences, I believe, are necessary because of their purposes.
    The following are some of male’s mannerisms that make them different from female:
    Respect!
    Without respect, there can be no relationship.  Without respect, I dare not risk sharing my intimate self with you; you are not safe to me and the beliefs and values I hold dear.  Without respect, there can be no true understanding of your uniqueness.  Without respect, there can be no love.  Men hold respect in high esteem and so, for the married, they want to be respected by their wives.  They want to be reverenced and respected to the best of your ability, after all, they are in the position as the head.  This is stated clearly in God’s Word, And the wife see that she reverence her husband (Ephesians 5:33).
    To the wives, your husband may not be refined as you are, but to maintain peace at home, you need to respect him.  Respect allows you to accept your spouse’s point of view wholeheartedly, consider and value his perspectives or suggestions.  Thus, let your partner know that your respect and value for him supersedes the specific issue you are discussing.
    Obedience!
    Men admire obedience, and especially from their wives.  No man gets excited with an argumentative wife.  It is important for you to know as a woman that your arguments can cause more trouble at home than good.  You must learn to obey your husband, because he is the head of the home.  Whatever you want to discuss with your husband, wisdom demands that you communicate and not in arguments.  Arguments must be avoided by all means in your home, in order to enjoy peace; rather than engaging in arguments, make use of spiritual weapons at your disposal.  Never allow any issue to degenerate into arguments, which can build up anger and graduate to physical fight.
    Good Food!
    There is no man who does not like good food, no matter how spiritual he is.  Remember, the way to a man’s heart is his stomach, and a hungry man is an angry man.  Man needs physical food to survive.  As a woman, take out time to study what food your husband really likes, what is good for him, and cook it the way he likes it.  When he is satisfied, his soul blesses you.  If there is any particular meal you don’t know how to cook as a woman, for instance, you should go and learn it and prepare it for him.  God’s Word says: Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things (Psalms 103:5).
    Cleanliness!
    Cleanliness, they say, is next to godliness.  Men adore cleanliness.  No man appreciates a dirty environment.  Therefore, as a woman, you should learn to keep the home and the environment clean and tidy, free of any offensive odour per time.  Your wardrobe and toilet need to be kept clean.  Pay the price of cleanliness and you will enjoy a good atmosphere.
    You need to give your life to Christ to have all it takes to have a sweet home. You can say this prayer: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins.  Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now I know I am born again!
    Congratulations!  Till I come your way again next week, call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8; 07026385437, 07094254102
    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches, and other leading Christian bookstores: Single With A Difference, Make Life Count and Marriage Covenant.