Foundation for Family Life (2)

by Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Week 3, April, 2008

Dear Reader,

It’s another exciting time in God’s presence! So far, we have seen marriage as the foundation for the family and children are God’s heritage. This week, I will be sharing with you on Children are not a burden.

There are quite a number of parents who see their children as burden. When the children do something wrong, instead of standing up to their own responsibilities, they look at that child as burdensome and troublesome. Your perspective in life determines your focus and interest. Somebody once said, your perspective in life picks your interest. The Bible says: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Also in Jeremiah 1:11-12 the scripture says: Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou’ And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it (Proverbs 23:7).

When you see a child as a burden in your life, that child will truly be a burden to you. Children are blessings from God. I want you to change your perspective about your children. See them, and look at them with your spiritual eyes as blessings of the Lord. The Word of God says: The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).

Considering this scripture, God does not want to bring sorrow to your life through your children. No, He does not. I want to let you know that God is not a liar. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it’ or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good’” (Numbers 23:19). He will make His Word good in your life. If you have ever experienced sorrow over your children, I believe God that that will be the last you will ever experience in Jesus’ name. Maybe, you have children that are problematic or they are like “thorns” in your flesh. Today I pray that God’s power will reach them. No matter how troublesome they are, God will turn their lives around for good in Jesus’ mighty name. Children are heritage and are blessings of the Lord. You must know that the blessings of the Lord maketh rich and add no sorrow. From now on, this shall be your portion.

Look at verse 4 of the introductory scripture: As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of thy youth. An arrow for the mighty man is an asset not a burden. It’s a blessing to him, not a burden, so also are the children. In other words, children are assets and blessings. Verse 5 also says: 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. God wants you to enjoy your children for they are meant to be blessings indeed; they are to make you happy and not to sorrow.

Well, dear reader, what has been your experience’ Are your children blessings indeed, or, are they a burden to you’. The Bible tells us to constantly examine ourselves, and make amendments. Which of these two categories is operational in your life now’ Is it the positive or the negative one’ Examine your children. If they are a blessing to you, you will not sorrow over them, the spice that they have added to your home will not turn sour. They have been a blessing, and won’t turn to burden for you. Blessings are God’s addition; they will not diminish. Also, if they have been otherwise, it’s my prayer that God’s mighty Hand will come upon them. Every hard-heartedness gives way right now. God, who has purposed them to be blessings, will cause you to rejoice over them. Great shall be their peace! .

To see your children as blessing instead of burden takes the grace of God. To have access to the grace of God you must surrender your life to Christ. You surrender 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, 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).