The Single Lifeby Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Week 1, November, 2008

The Single Life

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another exciting moment in God’s presence in Jesus’ Mighty Name! In this glorious month, I will be sharing with you an important subject– The Single Life.

No matter the weather condition-raining, cloudy, snowy or sunny-the sun is never static. It keeps moving, whether we can see it or not, until it arrives at its pre-determined course in the West. In the same vein, everyone born of a woman is designed to also live according to seasons of life. Everything on earth is designed to function according to times and seasons, according to the Word of God. To everything there is a season … (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Life is in phases and as long as the earth remains, the different seasons of life shall continually be in force. For you to fulfill destiny, you must have a good understanding of the season that you are in per time and possess a working knowledge of the demands, benefits and privileges of the same.

The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines singles as “unmarried people, people who are not married and do not have a romantic relationship with somebody else. The state of singleness has also been described as a state of someone being unmarried, divorced, separated from the spouse, or widowed.

To be single means to be a whole, distinct and successful individual, capable of initiative and having the capacity to contribute to and enrich another person’s life. Adam and Eve were created as singles before marriage was ever instituted (Genesis 2:7, 20-21). What a beautiful scenario it would have been for them! Imagine it for a moment. Adam was created, given an assignment to keep and dress the garden and name all of the creatures on earth. He was alone but not lonely. Life was beautiful as far as he was concerned. God only decided to create Eve as a help-meet and not because Adam’s life lacked meaning. Eve also was first created as a single individual, before she was brought to Adam.

Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus was a successful single, uniquely different from others in his days. He was so peculiar and positively different that God found him worthy for Jesus to come to the world through his lineage (Matthew 1:18-25). May God find you worthy as well!

Remember the four Hebrew boys: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 1:7). They were youths, singles who demonstrated the beauty of singleness in a grand style. They were so much outstanding that they were ten times better than all the others. Daniel, in particular, was said to be preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him (Daniel 6: 3).

Timothy was Apostle Paul’s son in the faith (1Timothy 1: 1-2; 2 Timothy 1:1-2). As a young man, in his single years, he had an ‘unfeigned faith.’ He was one of Paul’s missionary co-workers. He grew to become one of the greatest church leaders. History has it that he was the first Bishop in the New Testament. What an accomplishment!

Think of the four daughters of Phillip the evangelist, who was one of the first seven Deacons of the church (Acts 21:8-9). These four ladies were in their single years. Interestingly, the Bible specifically recorded that they were virgins and did prophesy. What a gift they were and still are to the body of Christ!

Titus, Lydia, Phoebe, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, among many others demonstrated the beauty of singleness by their outstanding accomplishments while single. You are the next on the line!

Then, consider Jesus our perfect example. Even though He was on a special divine assignment, He fulfilled His mission as a single.

Even when you come to think of it, everyone that is married was once single. Every career fellow, businessman or woman, parent, etc was once or is still single. Little wonder then, that the single years are the foundation for a glorious and secure future.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this stage of life in your quest for an eventual successful future as well as married life. The more auspicious you are as a single person, the better your chances of thriving in your future life and marriage subsequently.

Look at this testimony:

“ I was living a sinful life, chasing after girls and indulging in fornication before I gave my life to Christ in this church. I came to Lagos to visit my sister from Igarra in Edo State. The first time I came here, I came with my sister who incidentally is a member of the Winners Chapel. That was the day I gave my life to Christ.

When I was in the Orthodox Church, I was really a problem to my family. I used to go out in the evenings and late at night to visit my friends. However, now that I am born again, the time that I used in visiting people, I use it to study the Bible. The stories I’ve read and learnt from the Bible, I use to preach the Word of God to my friends who were still in the world, and today many of them have given their lives to Christ.” – Akerele, K.

The power to live a holy life can only be given to you by God when you are born again. You become born again 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).