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Tag: stable family

  • Foundation for a stable family (4)

    Dear reader, you are welcome to the last teaching of this month.  The first week, I started this teaching by explaining a solid foundation, the second week I taught on commitment and the third week, I showed you the place of understanding for a stable family.

    Today, we shall be looking at The Benefits of a Stable Family.

    God’s Word is meant to profit us.  It is very important for us to understand that when you live a stable family life, you are the one primarily to benefit from it.  Below are some of the benefits of a stable family.

    Personal and Career Success

    When you live in harmony with your spouse, you will be able to plan with him, you will move forward in your family. Besides, you enjoy personal and career success.  A stable family life is a good place for you to enjoy personal success and career success. God created the family to enjoy fruitfulness in all area. So, living in harmony with your spouse and your family members, is a sure foundation for you to enjoy career success in life.

    Marriage is designed to help you maximize your life, because God does not take His people backwards; He takes them forward.  So, God has designed marriage, among other things, to enable you grow to your maximum.  So, when you live in harmony in your family, you are the primary beneficiary.

    How does this work?  In Genesis, we see how wonderful it is to live in harmony. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do (Genesis 11:6).

    When a man and a woman agree to build a home, both of them are dedicated to each other, they love each other, they support each other, they encourage each other, and because of that, they enhance each other’s performance. They want to please God and they will always want to do what is right.

    There are even some jobs that when someone applies for they ask if he/she is married. Why? It is because of some level of responsibility attached to marriage.  So, because both of them are now dedicated to each other, they agree to build a home and that affects their performance in life. It affects their performance at work, it affect their performance in their career.  That way, they become the primary beneficiary of a harmonious family life.You must have noticed, for instance, that if a man leaves home with trouble and concerns in his heart and goes to work, he carries those problems with him to his work place.  He may not even have to discuss those problems with his colleagues, but you will find out that those problems automatically will affect his performance. That is why if there is harmony in the home, it becomes a foundation, a base, and the good ground on which to enjoy personal and career success.

    Church Building

    We are all aware that the church of Jesus Christ is made up of families.  Every member of the church represents a specific family here on earth.  Individual families make up the church.  When I talk about the church, I am talking about the body of Christ at large. So, when families enjoy harmony and stability in the home, automatically, there will be unity, stability and harmony in the church. When there is harmony and stability in the home, automatically there will be harmony and stability in the church.

    Nation Building

    When the families enjoy unity, it will affect the nation automatically.  There is so much of negativism going on across the nations of the earth today.  Every nation experiences a great deal of this negativism and the root cause of it all is disharmony and instability in the ,home. So, when the families or homes begin to enjoy harmony, it will affect the nations.

    I read sometimes ago the story about this man called John Owen; this man is a British Anthropologist. He conducted some studies over eight different civilizations that have come and gone and in his studies, he found out something outstanding that runs through all these eight civilizations.  He found out that the fall of the family in all the eight civilizations, resulted in the fall of the nation.  If our nation therefore must be built, the responsibility is on us as a church, the body of Christ, and the responsibility is on you as an individual member representing a specific family on the earth. I curse every spirit of disharmony, instability and disagreement in your home today in Jesus’ name!

    If you are not born again, it will be impossible for you to benefit from what has just been discussed.  However, if you want to be born again and become a child of God now, you can say this simple prayer in faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood.  Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

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

  • Foundation for a stable family (3)

    Dear reader, last week, I explained the place of commitment in laying a solid foundation for a stable family.  Today, I shall be looking at the place of understanding in building a stable family.

    If you must enjoy stability in your family, therefore, there is one very important factor, which is understanding.

    You need an understanding of yourself.  You must know who you are and understand why you are here on earth.  You must understand that God sent you here on earth on a purpose.  You must understand that you are not an accidental creature.  You must understand that the family to which you are born is no mistake.  You must understand that God who made you can never mismanage your life. The Word of God says: And with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

    Until you are in harmony with yourself, you can never enjoy stability in your family. How much of yourself do you understand?  If you don’t have a good understanding of yourself, there is no way you can enjoy stability in your family.

    You Must Understand What Marriage is and What Marriage is NotThere are several people who are married, but lack the understanding of what marriage is all about.  There are others who are not married; they want to get married but lack the understanding of what marriage is all about.

    What then is Marriage?

    It is a union of a man and a woman in an exclusive, God-ordained, lifetime relationship. If you have this understanding, no matter the challenge you face in your marriage, you know that you and God are up to it.  Marriage is a perfect union with imperfect practitioners.  If you have an understanding of this, it will help you to enjoy a stable family.

    A wise man once said, “Because God is the Author of marriage, there is nothing you can add to it, all you need is to believe it and practise it”. As you practise it, it will begin to work for you.  It is a perfect union, God makes no mistakes, but the practitioners are imperfect.  This will help you to walk with your spouse in marriage, to enjoy harmony.

    Marriage is not just a means of getting what you desire, it is a means of meeting the needs of your spouse in marriage.  It is God’s mystery for earthly dominion.  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth (Genesis 1:28). One will chase a thousand, and two will not just put thousand to flight, but ten thousand.  That is God’s mystery for earthly dominion.  So, when you get into marriage, you have a potential of minimum being ten times over better in all areas of your life.  That shall become your testimony.

    Marriage is not the source of joy and contentment, God is, and so you walk together with God in your family, He will begin to unfold to you via His Word and begins to manifest Himself in your home.  I see God beginning to manifest Himself in your home much more than ever before.

    Your understanding of your spouse

    For you to have a stable home, you need to understand your wife or your husband.  You must get to know that everything about God is unique.  There are no two people on planet earth that are exactly the same.

    You are unique, you are peculiar, your spouse is, your children are peculiar and everyone God has made.  You are not a carbon-copy of anyone; you are original and so is your spouse.  You must understand your spouse, if you must enjoy a stable family.  Understand his or her background.  Understand his or her likes and dislikes.  Understand what makes him or her happy.  Understand what affects his or her mood.

    For those who are yet to be married, before you say, ‘yes I do’ to any man or lady on the altar, ask yourself, ‘How much of him or her do I really know?’  Someone met me some years back; they were married three months before then. As at that time, both of them were fed up, ready for divorce.  I asked a simple question, “How much of your spouse did you know before you got married?

    To be able to understand your spouse effectively, two things must be in place;

    1.You must be sensitive. Never you walk

    around with your eyes closed.

    Your mind is a sound mind, be sensitive.

    2.Communicate effectively. Communication is the life-blood of any relationship.  Learn to communicate effectively with your spouse. When you know how to do this, it will help you to understand who your spouse is.   You need to ask questions.  The disciples of Jesus were around Him, they didn’t only listen to His teachings, whatever they didn’t understand they always asked and Jesus never told them, ‘shut up’. He always answered their questions.  So, rather than assuming that you understand, ask question. How about this area? How about that area of your life?  Communicate so you can have a better understanding.  When communication is effective, you are laying a solid foundation for a stable family.  Understanding is what is required to have an outstanding marriage.

    Do you want to be born again? Today, Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your heart. Say this prayer of faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood.  Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204. For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (co-authored).

  • Foundation for a stable family (2)

    DEAR reader, you are welcome to another wonderful time in God’s presence. I thank God for the privilege to bring God’s Word your way again on this column with Family Forum. My prayer for you today, is that, God’s purpose and plans for your wonderful family shall be established.

    Last week, I taught on laying a solid foundation. I said, the foundation for securing a stable family is in your personal relationship with God.  You need a personal encounter with God.  God is the Author of marriage.  He is the One who founded the family.

    Today, I shall be exploring on a very vital tool that makes for a successful family.

    God instituted the family. The institution of the family is bigger than the persons in marriage. Therefore, the key to building a successful family is commitment to the institution of marriage, rather than just to the persons in it.  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).

    In essence, God is saying that a man shall leave his father and mother, and be committed to his wife as well as the institution of marriage. Then by virtue of that commitment, they become one flesh. The same goes for the wife. Husband, wife, how committed are you to your marriage and family?  If you must enjoy family success, then commitment is a must!

     

    What is Commitment?

    The Oxford Dictionary defines commitment as “an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.” In other words, there are some things you cannot do by reason of your commitment. The Word of God says: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient (1 Corinthians 6:12).

    Commitment makes you choose the expedient above the lawful. It makes you forgo some things that you like or take pleasure in. Sometimes, rights and privileges that are lawfully yours may have to be forfeited in the interest of the family.

    Commitment is the backbone of any successful relationship, marriage and the family inclusive. It is the adhesive that holds a marriage together. When commitment is lacking in the relationship between a husband and wife, the chances of that family surviving are very slim. What the spinal cord is to the body is what commitment is to marriage and the family. Without it, the body will be limping and paralyzed.

    Families with great success potentials suffer severe setbacks and failure, as a result of lack of commitment. I once read the story of a 25-year-old marriage that ended in separation, due to a lack of commitment of both the husband and wife.

    To enjoy a stable family, you must be committed both to the institution of marriage and to your spouse. The Word of God says: What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Mark 10:9).

    Even though God has joined you together, you must be committed to one another, so that nothing is allowed to put you asunder. The Word of God says: Marriage is honourable; that is, respectable. The individuals in it sometimes may not be. Marriage, as an institution established by God, is perfect, but the individuals in it are not. People change as they grow, but marriage is constant. It is an unchanging institution. To build a stable family, therefore, those in it must learn to honour marriage itself. This is the secret!

    Young lady/man, before you agree to marry anyone, find out how committed he/she is to God and to marriage.  It is the level of his/her commitment to God that will determine how committed he/she will be to your marriage. Perhaps you married a man who was not committed to God, and now you are wondering why he is not committed to your family. He cannot, because the foundation is faulty. He needs to get “sold out” to God first! So, if you are not born again, there is no way you can be committed to God and you can never be committed to your marriage. You need to give your life to Christ.

    Would you want to be born again? Why not say this prayer of faith and mean it and let it be from your heart. “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood.  Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

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

  • Foundation for a stable family

    HELLO Reader, with joy and gladness I welcome you to this edition of Family Forum.  In this third month of the year of Heaven On Earth, I shall be teaching on The Foundation for a Stable Family. In our Christian journey, a call to a constant examination of our foundation is a major prerequisite and cannot be over emphasized.

    Instability is one of the circumstances facing the average family around the world today.  It has ravaged many homes causing separation, infidelity, sorrow and non-fulfillment.  The good news is that there is a solution to this instability in families.  You don’t have to go through any of those heart-shaking experiences; in fact your family can become so stable that you will not be aware that others are collapsing. For you to have a stable family, you need a solid foundation.  That is why today I shall be examining: Laying A Solid Foundation.

    The foundation of a house is what determines how stable and strong the building will be.  The Word of God says: If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3).  There is nothing anyone can do if the foundation of a building be destroyed. So, also, if the foundation of your family life be destroyed, every other part will be faulty.

    The foundation for securing a stable family is in your personal relationship with God.  You need a personal encounter with God.  God is the Author of marriage.  He is the One who founded the family.  So, the starting point is, your relationship with the Almighty Father will affect and determine your relationship in your marriage.  How vital and strong the quality of your relationship with your heavenly Father is, will determine the quality of the relationship in your family.

    God is the only source of true and lasting relationship.  When you allow God to enter into your ship, your ship will never sink.  As singles, I want you to know that it is the will and intention of God for you to enjoy a sweet home but it is very important to know that, your true and lasting satisfaction, joy and fulfillment in life is rooted in your  relationship with the Almighty God.

    A good understanding of this will help you to walk in life with confidence. I want you to know that your spouse is not your source of joy.  God is the only source of joy.  If you understand this, you will be ready to walk by the Word of God, to secure stability in your home.  If you know this, that God is the only source of joy, happiness and contentment in the family, you will know that changing spouse like changing clothes is not the solution to your contentment in the family.  Looking for the latest models in town will never bring you contentment.  God is the source!

    Your problem today may be, ‘Oh! My husband is not good, I will look for another one. My wife is not good, I will get a better one.’ May be you are even contemplating of divorce, as you are reading this material right now, the light of God will come on you and God will restore dignity back to your marriage.  Stop that divorce plan; divorce is not the solution.  It is your relationship with God that makes all the difference and you will make progress in your family life.  Whatever has caused you heartache and tears before, your relationship with God will cause a change and you shall have stability in your family.

    Family stability is a possibility, but it is not a gift, you have a responsibility.  Bishop David Oyedepo, whom I am privileged to be married to, said: “Faith that makes God absolutely responsible for the events of your life is an irresponsible faith”.  You have a part to play!

    You need to be born again to have a relationship with God that Father, Who founded the family. God is the only true source of joy.  Allow God to come into your life so you can have a relationship with God.  You can say this prayer of faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood.  Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

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