Foundation for Family Life (1)

by Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Week 2, April, 2008

Dear Reader,

The Bible makes it clear that when a woman joins a man in holy wedlock, they are no more two people, but one in the sight of God (Gen. 2:24). Therefore, the union is expected to be blessed with children as many as may be the desire of the couple. This week, I will be teaching on God’s Heritage.

Children are the heritage of the Lord. The Word of God says: Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate (Psalm 127:3-5).

This scripture says, “Lo” in other words Behold, or in modern day English, it means look here or pay attention because it is very important and crucial. Children are the heritage of the Lord. The word heritage also means inheritance or blessings. Children are a gift from God; they are blessings to the family, and are unique blends of their parents. It is important as a family, to understand this fact that children are given to us as part of our heritage; they are part of our inheritance in Christ Jesus. It is important for parents to see them as part of their heritage from the Almighty God

Reading that scripture again, “Children are heritage of the Lord…,” God gives them to you. He gives them to you to oversee, take care of; and bring them up in His fear all the days of their lives. When you receive them as the heritage and blessings of God, then God’s purpose for sending them to you gets manifested. They are the heritage; they are blessings of the Lord. So, from today, refuse to see them as burdens in your life. They are not burdens; they are blessings: They are not burdens but are your heritage from God.

In case you don’t have them yet, begin to imagine them as part of your blessings in Christ. They are on their way. God has pronounced you fruitful. As long as you are a child of God, you are entitled to the blessings of children. No matter what the doctors have diagnosed as being responsible for the delay or barrenness, God is greater than that report.

The Bible teaches that a fundamental purpose of marriage is to provide a secure family home in which children are to be nurtured as they grow into adulthood. After marriage, children are added to the family (either by birth or adoption). A family is then established.

Little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:13–14).

Jesus knew that marriage is the God-given institution in which the divine command to ‘be fruitful and multiply’ is to be fulfilled. God’s intention is that the marriage relationship should be fruitful and produce children.

Children are a gift from God and those parents who have many children or as the psalmist would say, ‘a quiver full of arrows’ are blessed by God. The birth of children brings with it parental responsibilities as husband and wife become father and mother. Parents have a God-given responsibility to care for their children. The Proverbs of Solomon make it clear that the father and mother must teach and instruct their children, and so children are advised to listen to their father’s instruction and not to forsake their mother’s teaching’ (Proverbs 1:8). Within the family home, children are to be loved, taught, and disciplined by both their mother and father. This is God’s plan. Parents have a duty to train and discipline their children.

Moreover, discipline is for the good of the children, for it teaches them that they cannot always have their own way; they need to develop self-control and self-discipline, and they need to recognize and respect the authority of their parents. The discipline that parents exercise over their children is a sign of their love, for while any discipline seems unpleasant at the time, it produces a harvest of good in the long run. Parents are to teach their children the difference between right and wrong, and, by their behaviour, set an example for their children to follow.

The power to nurture your children is available, if you are born again. If you are not born again and want to be, you have to confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Saviour and your Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please 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 Savious. Now I know I am born again!

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).

Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through:

E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8;

For more insight, these books authored by Pastor Faith Oyedepo are available at the Dominion Book Stores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian book stores.

? Marriage Covenant

? Making Marriage Work

? Building a Successful Family

? Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Bishop David Oyedepo).