Marriage: Foundation For the Family (2)by Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Week 2, January, 2009

Marriage: Foundation For the Family (2)

Dear Reader,

We naturally honour or place a high value on people, events or things which are important, precious, valuable and bring credit to us. However, approaching the end of the age, one thing appears to stand out: the disdain and disintegration of the marriage unit and subsequently the family.

This week, via the Word of God, I will be teaching on When God Honours A Marriage. When God honours the union of a man and woman as husband and wife, certain things follow. Marriage is the foundation for the family and the family is close to the heart of God. The analogy between the church and the family in Ephesians 5 shows the place of the family in the heart of God. Marriage is very close to the heart of the Father; that is why this end-time before Jesus returns, there will be perfection of the families of believers , which will allow the power of the Word of God to bring them to the place of excellence and honour. I believe your marriage will be a part of it.

Marriage and family life which were things of joy, pleasure, and highly esteemed are now treated by many as necessary evils. They are also looked at by some as a world of contrast where, “those in it want to rush out and those outside want to rush in. However, God’s Word plainly declares: “Marriage is honourable in all … (Hebrews 13:4). Marriage is honourable not only in some things but in all things. It is not instituted by God to bring you into a life of misery but to bring honour to your life - spirit, soul, and body.

Statistics indicate that the decline of marriage and the family unit has been greater and more alarming during the past 25 years than during any other quarter century in our history!

These are pressure-filled times for the world and for the family unit in particular. All these are in line with Biblical prophecy. The prophets of old foresaw that with the close of the age, there will be an ever-increasing breakdown of moral standards, with marriage and the family being the primary target for the arsenals of the enemy. The Bible says:.… In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, … having their conscience seared … forbidding to marry …(I Timothy 4:1-3).

The spirit of rebellion, defiance and subsequently shame has taken hold of young people, causing them to rebel against all recognized authority (2 Timothy 3:1-3).

Your marriage and your family life are meant to bring you honour and to be held in honour by all. But not all couples experience and enjoy the honour conferred on marriage. In fact many are facing constant crisis and shame. Is God unaware of the crisis, discord and disgrace homes face?

The family, we know fully well, makes the church, the nation and networks the entire world. The Word of God says: Marriage is Honourable (Hebrews13:4). It goes to say, therefore, that the agreement of marriage between two people is seen as a good thing in the sight of God, which eventually leads to honour and dignity for the parties involved. I want to let you know, therefore, that it is a good thing that you desire marriage, if you are not yet married, and for those already married, it is a good step you have taken in life. You shall have no cause to regret it.

If you want God to honour your marriage, you need to say yes to Jesus by 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:

 Single With A Difference, Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Family,The Effective Minister’s Wife, Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Bishop David Oyedepo).