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Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Building Your Home with The Word of God (3)

Dear Reader,

Marriage is very exciting if biblical injunctions are adhered to, because the knowledge of the truth is what puts a man on top.  In the course of this teaching, we have seen that obedience to the Word of God brings about marital success.  Last week, we examined the state of the heart as regards the Word of God.

This week, I’ll be teaching on Mixing the Word with Faith. I believe that as you do so, things will happen on their own accord, to beautify your family in Jesus’ name.

God’s Word says: Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved (Luke 8:12).

No true farmer goes out to plant seed by the wayside because any seed planted there is subject to being eaten by birds of the air, or trampled by people walking there. Wayside hearers are people who hear God’s Word but lack the faith required to believe and follow God’s instructions. They listen and perhaps hear the same word over and again, but every negative situation and circumstance swallow up the instruction and they do other things.

God’s Word says: For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it (Hebrews 4:2). It is only the Word that is mixed with faith in the heart that produces results. Unbelief destroys the ability of the seed (God’s Word) to produce fruits. For example, as a husband going through marital problems with your wife, the Bible says “husbands love your wives…” Loving your wife is the antidote. However, many husbands hear this Word and then cry out, “She will never change.” That’s unbelief and God’s Word is not being mixed with faith, so it won’t work for them.

The same Word you have received is sustaining others; therefore, you must heed the Word. These stones of life come in diverse forms like unbelief, strife amongst family members or even other people, envy, covetousness, doubt, fear, hatred etc. God’s Word says: Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God… They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away (Luke 8:11-13).

Stony-hearted people hear God’s Word, respond with excitement, but that’s all they do. Their shouting, yelling, and dancing doesn’t go beyond church walls. They have no root, which means their depth in God’s Word is shallow. As the proverb says, “empty vessels make the most noise,” you need to allow the Word to take deep root in your heart, in order to bear fruit.

Stony-hearted people believe God’s Word, but only while the going is good. They believe only when it is convenient, but when contrary situations arise to test their faith, they fall. Part of their characteristic is falling away when temptations and pressures of life come (the sun) (Matthew 13:16). There is no one on the earth today who is not faced with one temptation or the other.  Temptations are part of the earthly programme and as such, they cannot be wished away (John 16:33). However, Jesus has overcome for us and he’s able to sustain us. All you need do is to receive and obey His Word.

Throw those stones out and your life will no longer be full of crisis. For instance, if the stone you are battling with is hatred, throw it out. Remember Joseph! (Genesis 39-42) He had every legitimate reason to hate his brothers who had deliberately sold him into slavery.

How does the devil come to wayside hearers? At times, he comes through the bad company of friends, relatives, town folks etc. A father-in-law or uncle may have the habit of making negative suggestions to one of the couple, which when adhered to causes God’s Word to be discarded in favour of traditional techniques for running the family. God’s Word is the final solution and the only technique for lasting family success.

God wants you to change those negative thoughts concerning your family life. For those going through marital problems, your husband is not a write-off and your wife is not a devil.

If you want to become a child of God say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today as a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. I believe You died and rose on the third day for my sins. 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; 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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