God’s ultimate desire for your marriage (3) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: God’s ultimate desire for your marriage (3)

Dear Reader,

I am grateful to God for the privilege to share God’s Word with you today. Two weeks ago, I taught you how to keep yourself pure.  Last week, I taught on divine favour. Today, I want to examine: How Abundance Is God’s Desire for You.

The first family that ever existed was born into abundance.  The Bible says: …Male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be FRUITFUL …have dominion over fish…, …fowl… and …EVERY living thing… I have given you EVERY herb, EVERY tree to you (Genesis 1:27-29). This, as an example, tells us that abundance implies surplus, more than enough, prosperity, excess, plenty, an increase, etc. The Lord’s desire for your home is abundance. Prosperity is meant to be your portion not only in your office, Church or with friends, but most especially in your home.

God has said concerning your home that it shall be: …A watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not (Isaiah 58:11). ‘Fail not’ means you will not be short of provisions at home both spiritually and physically. Thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens (Proverbs 27:27). Yet, you are wondering: Why is God slow concerning His promises? Has He changed His mind concerning me? Is He angry with me? Maybe He has not forgiven me that sin I confessed to Him the other day?  Or the one committed in my youth?

The Lord is a God of mercy and slow to anger; at the same time, He is a Holy God Whose eyes are too pure to behold sin in your life (Habakkuk 1:13). He wants your home not to only reflect increase, blessing and joy, but also holiness, righteousness, grace and peace. Both sides of the coin are necessary: you can’t have one side without the other. You can’t desire the Lord’s prosperity and increase in your home, and reject His holiness and righteousness. The Word of God says: Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and BLESSED him and INCREASED him (Isaiah 51:2).

Abraham our father of faith enjoyed abundance and: …Was VERY RICH in cattle, in silver and in gold (Genesis 13:2). But how did the Lord bless Abraham? Did he just wake up one day to see riches, cattle, men and maid servants, etc.? No! The Lord blessed Abraham and his household because he fulfilled a major requirement. The Word of God says: …Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do. ….For I know him, that HE WILL COMMAND HIS CHILDREN  AND HIS HOUSEHOLD AFTER HIM, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken to him  (Genesis 18:17&19).

The Lord’s will and desire is to see you and your household swim in abundance but are you willing to fulfill the requirements? That is, will you command your children and household to follow the Lord or will you turn away from God when abundance arrives? God can’t afford to bless some men financially because they will just use the money to acquire more wives and begin to do things that cause their household to turn from God. It was Abraham’s diligence in commanding his children (household) in God’s ways that secured abundance for him and generations after. He was not only an example of what the Lord required, because God was able to say, “I know him; He will make sure everyone follows his example. In your home, can you boldly say others can follow your lifestyle? Can they look at how you live and see God’s glory, holiness and commendation? If you can’t answer this questions positively then something is wrong somewhere. Don’t be too quick to say, “Yes.” Instead, closely examine your lifestyle. Can you tell the little children at home to follow your example and God will be pleased with them?  The Lord knew Abraham was able to do this. From the above passage, the Lord reveals something vital to us. “…That the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Genesis 18:19).

The fervency which Abraham gave to conduct his life and household according to God’s Word, determined how much of God’s abundance and prosperity he enjoyed. It was Abraham’s diligence in applying God’s Word that secured God’s blessings and abundance for him. You need to follow the instructions you have heard God speak concerning your home, your family, your marriage, your parents, etc, before you can see his promises come true in your life. For almost every instruction God gives, there is a reward; and for almost every reward or promise of God, there is a responsibility.

Abundance in your family life is the Lord’s desire for you.  However, it must be accompanied by a God-fearing lifestyle –not only for you, but also everyone under your roof. Note: There is no success without a successor.

Abundance in the home is not just financial wealth. You can have all the money in the world and still not be prosperous. Also, you can have all the children, furniture and possessions you want, but still lack true prosperity.

You may ask: How do I enjoy abundance in my home? The Lord Jesus said: The thief comes only in order that he may steal and may kill and may destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in ABUNDANCE to the full, till it overflows (John10:10 Amp). The Lord’s presence in your heart and home is the first step to abundance. Allow Jesus to come into your heart now and your story will change. 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.”

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).