LET GOD BE FIRST! (2)
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the concluding part of this teaching. In the last edition, I unveiled the essence of giving God the first place in all you do. This week, I will be exploring ‘God’s requirement for a fulfilled life’.
You need to ask yourself some important questions, what is your essence of living? Why are you on the surface of this earth? Please understand that the family makes the church, nations and networks. What does God require of you to have a fulfilled life?
The Word says: 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. Firstly, as a man, God has made you the head of the home, on whom rests the responsibility of ensuring a godly family. What is the focus for yourself and for the members of your family? Do you have the fear of the Lord? Do you teach your children so? Also, as a wife and mother, are you not living for things? Are you not preoccupied with what to eat and wear? Does this 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 God has put in your care? What are you living for, woman? You must get your priorities right this new year, if you are to actually see and enjoy the full-scale blessings 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. The following are the requirements to live a fulfilled life:
Fear the Lord thy God
‘Fear’ in this context is not talking of being afraid; rather, 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, who watches over you, your doings and movement, you will hold Him in reverence and respect. Whatever He tells you to do, you will do it without questions or grumbling.
As a wife, even though you have your husband as the head, if you know that ultimately, God is your head, you will hold His commandments in awe. Rather than seeing yourself as being subjected to your husband only, you see yourself as obeying the commandment of God through your husband, thereby reverencing God and His Word. This is the fear of the Lord. As you do these, your children watch and learn from you. Secretly, they are proud to have a God-fearing woman as their own mother, and in turn, they learn to obey God and keep His Word.
Walk in All His Ways
You cannot walk in His ways except you respect and reverence. When He says that you should turn to the right, you do not turn to the left. When He commands you to wait, you do not get impatient and move.
Love God
This is the first commandment, and God reiterates this in Deuteronomy 10:12 that He requires your love. Love God in all your doings, towards your spouse, children and all around you.
Serve Him
God does not only require you to fear, love and walk with Him; He also requires that you serve Him. How? With your heart, resources and time. You cannot genuinely serve somebody you do not 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 requirement for your life, the question is, are you living for God? The Word says: Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord (Lamentation 3:40). Living for the right purpose makes for fulfilment; otherwise, the struggle will continue. God only guides those who obey Him, so if you do not want to be a wanderer on the earth, let His requirements be your desires. If He is truly your Father, then you will obey Him and obtain rest for your soul (Malachi 1:6; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). It does not matter how much fame or possession you have, but until the fear of God abides in your heart, according to the Bible, you are a foolish man.
Live by the requirements of the Lord your God; it is not too late. Examine yourself and change your purpose for living. Accept the Lord as your personal Lord and Saviour. Accept Him as your Guide and Director. Seek to do only those things that are pleasing unto Him. In your family life, desire to obey Him and in your careers and businesses, let Him be the Lord of all, and in so doing, your full-scale blessings shall be established this year. The Word of God is sure, and He said, He will do a new thing for you this year; allow Him to do it! May you not miss your full-scale blessings this year in Jesus’ Name!
However, the grace required to meet Hi requirement begins at new birth. You surrender by accepting and confessing Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are ready for it, 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 Saviour. Now, I know I am born again!
Congratulations, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please, write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com 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, Understanding Motherhood, Building a Successful Family and Raising Godly Children.
