You Must Be Fruitful (Part 4) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: You Must Be Fruitful (4)

Dear Reader,

Today, we shall be exploring the topic: Having and Raising Godly Children. Every child needs to undergo a process of molding, as he or she is instructed and drilled in preparation for the contests of life. In other words, every child needs training. Why? This is because God is in search of godly seeds, and the only way to have godly seeds is through training.

The Bible speaking to couples says: … Yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth (Malachi 2:14-15). For us to make a difference as parents, we must learn the act of not only having children, but also raising them unto the Lord as godly children, who will live and impact their generation for Christ.

No one comes into the world by chance. For every human creation of God (male or female), there is a purpose for him or her. We must be ready, therefore as caretakers of God’s creature, to discharge our duties with utmost care and according to God’s pattern. I believe, therefore, that this article will be a useful tool for both the singles and the married.

For the singles, you have the additional privilege of having all the aces in your hands before you actually begin the experience. If you are young now, remember that one day it will be your turn to marry and begin to raise a family. So, you need this wisdom of God. If you know these things now and you set yourself to applying them, the Bible says, you will be happy. The Word of God never grows old. For those who are about to marry, as you look forward to a godly man coming your way, also begin to plan and get ready to raise godly children unto the Lord. To the married, having raised or still in the process of raising children, let us seek the ways of God which are higher, better and more result-producing than our ways; that is where we will find rest for our souls. For the grannies, the Bible commands us to ‘teach the younger women‘ (Titus 2:4). Let us learn and pass godly instructions to the future generation, so that our world will be a better place. May the good Lord give us all understanding!

I implore you, therefore, to fasten your seat belt and let your heart be open. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 8:2: And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. Don’t just read and assume that you know it; empty the cup of your mind, and let God fill you. Don’t finish reading this article and throw it away; pick it up again and read it until the light of the Word dawns on your soul and a daystar arises (2 Peter 1:19). The Word of God can never fail. So, if God is ready to speak to us consecutively through this month on this series, we had better pay attention. He doesn’t speak idle words, because our lives and future depend on them. As parents, it is important for us to understand how God sees our children because until we do, we cannot show them the exact direction to go. What is God’s perspective of our children?

Children are His heritage

The Bible says: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward (Psalms127:3). As far as God is concerned, children are His heritage. The word “heritage” means inheritance. Just as divine health is part of your inheritance in redemption, so are children. Just the same way you will react against sickness and disease, knowing that it is the devil trying to rob you of your inheritance, you must react against barrenness.

When the devil tells you through your thoughts that there’s no way you can have children, don’t start weeping. No! You have what it takes to stand your ground and tell him, “Devil, to hell with you! Children are the heritage of the Lord; not you. They are part of my inheritance in redemption. You can’t rob me of my inheritance. Now loose your grip!” I assure you that despite any negative medical report, you will carry your own children in your hands! When you stand your ground, God will honour your faith. In case the devil has made you to shed secret tears because you are yet to have children, I want you to settle in your heart that God has more than enough children for you and He will not deny you the privilege of carrying yours!

Children are in His agenda

God must see children as important; otherwise, they would not have played important roles in His agenda, right from the beginning. Look at Samuel: as a child, he had begun to hear and understand the voice of God. What about David? He was a youth, not an adult, when he killed Goliath. Then, what would you say about Jesus? By the time He was twelve, the Bible says He was already in the temple, reasoning with doctors of the law. So, as a child, He was already in God’s agenda. All through scripture, children have always played important roles in God’s agenda. That is why I know that there is a place in God’s agenda for your children. Please allow them to fit into it.

Jesus Blessed Them

One further proof that God sees our children as very important is found in the life of Jesus. Jesus spent a great part of His ministry blessing children. He helped, healed, raised them from the dead, etc. If Jesus spent time blessing them, why do you see yours as a curse? The Bible records in Matthew 19:13-15: Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them.

Jesus did not only carry the children and bless them, He taught His disciples to respect them. So, children too deserve respect. What is wrong in saying sorry to them when you offend them? That word of apology may look small but those children never forget. But if you keep hurting them and never say “sorry,” you may think that they have forgotten but even after many years, the pain will still be there. If the disciples had to learn to respect children, so must you, because the children of today are the generation of adults tomorrow. Children are therefore not nonentities; they are young human beings. If you have this perspective of them, you will be able to train them more effectively.

It takes being a child of God to truly comprehend and understand the place of a child in God’s agenda. If you are not yet born again and you would like to, please pray this simple prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today acknowledging that I am a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again on the third day. Forgive me of my sins, wash me with Your Blood and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of life. Thank You Lord for saving me.”

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).

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 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).