Topic: How to Have a Successful Courtship (5)
Dear Reader,
To have a successful courtship, I have been able to show you the keys to operate, the length of courtship, the forbidden fruits and how to have a proper marriage. Today, I want to “Show You the Right Purpose for Living.”
Many are living without purpose. But some of those that have purpose are simply living without the right one. The question is: What are you living for? As a youth, single or married, what is your purpose in life? The Bible says: Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding… (Psalm 32:9). What is your essence of living? Why are you on the surface of this earth? 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? Let’s see into the mind of God, the right purpose for living.
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). This is what God requires of every member of the family.
As a youth, single or the head of the home, on who rests the responsibility of ensuring a godly family, what is your focus? Do you have the fear of the Lord? Do you teach your children so? As a wife and mother, are you not living for things? Are you not pre-occupied with what to eat and wear? Do these not take every part of your thought and daily living? Do you have time to seek out of the Book of the law to know God’s requirement for you and those He has put in your care? What are you living for, woman? You must get your priorities right this year, if you are to actually see and enjoy the glory that God has promised His children. It is not for the butter-and-bread seeking Christians, but for those who will care to live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).
WHAT ARE THESE REQUIREMENTS?
Fear The Lord Thy God
‘Fear,’ in this context, is not being afraid. It connotes respect and reverence to God and His Word. Whatever He says, let it be your guiding principle, 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 (God), who watches over you and your doings you will hold Him in reverence and respect. Whatever He tells you to do; you will do without questions or grumbling.
As a wife, even though you have your husband as the head of your home but you know that God is your ultimate head; you will respect His commandments. Rather than seeing yourself as being subjected to your husband alone, see yourself as obeying the commandments of God through your husband. This is the fear of the Lord. The Word of God says: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Walk In All His Ways
You cannot walk in God’s ways, unless you respect and reverence Him. When He says, “Turn to the right,” you don’t turn to the left. When He commands you to wait, you don’t get impatient and move.
Love God
This is the first commandment and God requires your love. Love Him through your actions towards your spouse, children and those around you.
Serve Him
God does not only require you to fear, love and walk with Him, He also requires you to serve Him. How? Serve Him with your heart, means and time. You can’t genuinely serve somebody you don’t love. When your love is in place for God, you will willingly serve Him with your being. Friends, now that you have an idea of God’s requirements, are you living for the right purpose? The Bible says in Lamentation 3:40: Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Living for the right purpose makes for fulfilment. Otherwise, the struggle will continue. God only guides those who obey Him. He hates insults. He says He will only turn to you if you turn to Him. If you don’t want to be a wanderer on the earth, let His requirements be your desires. He wants all your struggles and frustrations to come to an end this year, so He has made His requirements plain to you. If He is truly your Father, then you will obey Him and obtain rest for your soul. See Malachi 1:6; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 9:10. It doesn’t matter how much fame or possession you may have, the Bible says you are as a foolish man, until the fear of God abides in your heart. When you refuse to obey God, you are as well saying He does not matter to you. This is dangerous, because the Bible says in Psalm 53:1 that such a person is corrupt and has done abominably. You can imagine the consequences. This shall not be your portion.
In addition, when you fear God, men fear you, circumstances and mountains bow to you. My husband, Bishop David Oyedepo, once quoted Martin Luther Junior. As saying “If a man has no purpose for living, he is not fit to live.” It is not enough to have a purpose for living, but much more, to have the right purpose. The right purpose is to fear, love, walk with God and serve Him. If you apply yourself to this truth, you will be fit to live.
Without salvation, you cannot perform these requirements. Are you ready to be born again? Say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
Congratulations, you are now born again! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, 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).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 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).