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| Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo |
Topic: Developing a Spiritually Strong Family (3)
Dear Reader,
Last week, I taught on prayer as a key to spiritual growth. This week, I will be discussing on the topic: The Requirements for Spiritual Growth. For you to grow spiritually, God requires that you put the following into consideration. The family, we know fully well, makes the church, the nation and networks the entire world.
What does God require of you in order to have a fulfilled life? God’s Word says: And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).
God requires every member of the family to fear, walk in His ways and to love Him. As a man, the head of the home, on whom rests the responsibility of ensuring a godly and a spiritually strong family to God’s glory, are you ready to meet with the requirement that God expects of you?
The Fear of the Lord
Do you have the fear of the Lord? Do you teach your children so? As a wife and mother, as a husband and father, do you have the fear of God? Do you have time to seek out of the book of the law to know God’s requirement for you and those God has put in your care? You must get your priorities right this year that is already midway, if you are to actually see and enjoy the full-scale glory that God has promised His children. It is not for the butter and bread seeking Christians, but rather for those who will care to live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
‘Fear’ in this context is not talking of being afraid. Rather, it connotes respect and reverence to God and His Word. Whatever He says, let it be your guiding principle the remaining part of this year and beyond. As a man, and the head in the home, if you will walk in the understanding that you have a Head, Who watches over you and your doings, you will hold Him in reverence and honour. Whatever He tells you to do, you will do it without questions or grumbling. As the wife, even though you have your husband as the head, you must understand that, ultimately, God is your head and you must hold His commandments in awe.
Rather than seeing yourself as being subjected to your husband only, you should see yourself as obeying the commandment of God through your husband; thereby, reverencing God and His Word. This is the fear of the Lord. As you do these, your children will watch and learn from you. Secretly, they will be proud to have a God-fearing woman as their own mother, and they in turn will learn to obey God and keep His Word.
If you really fear God, it will show in your attitude and character. When He says, turn to the right, you won’t turn to the left. When He commands you to wait, you won’t get impatient and move. God’s Word says: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:1).
Obeying the commandments of God is a proof that you love Him. God’s Word says: If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). If you say you love God, you must keep His commandment. This is the first commandment, and God reiterates it here that He requires your love. Love God in all your doings, towards your spouse, children and everyone around you. God does not only require you to fear, love and walk with Him, He also requires you to serve Him. How? With your heart, means and time. You can’t genuinely serve somebody you don’t love. When your love for God is in place, you will willingly serve Him with your being.
The grace required to fear, serve and love God is only available when you surrender your life to Christ. This is by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: “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”.
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; 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).
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