Topic: THE WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE (1) 25 October 2021 By Pastor Faith Oyedepo Living Faith Church [ Winners Chapel]
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THE WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE (1)
FAITH OYEDEPO Women 0
Dear Reader,
You arewelcome to another glorious month. It is another wonderful time in God’s presence! I give God all the glory for the privilege to bring God’s Word your way. This month, I will be taking you through what I caption, ‘The woman of Substance’.
It is important to know thatlife is a privilege, and it is to influence your environment. Remember, you live life only once, and according to Scripture, you are the light of the world. So, while you are here, never allow every opportunity to add something positive to anyone slip off you. The Word says, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14).Therefore, see each day as another opportunity to add something extra to your world. Your life must always be a plus to your world, so endeavour to leave footprints on the sands of time. That is why this week, I will be sharing with you ‘The Woman as a Plus and not a Minus’.
God designed woman to be man’s suitable helper or literally, ‘a helper agreeing to him’. Eve was created to be Adam’s other half, approximating him in every point and making the marriage union a complete whole. She was not created to be man’s slave but his helper. The word ‘helper’ is also used in the Bible to express God as the helper of the needy (Psalm 33:20; 146:5). Thus, it does not imply that woman is an inferior being. She is equal in nature and worth, reflecting the same divine image (Genesis 1:27). However, she is different in function, serving as a supportive helper.
To be an addition to your world, you must develop yourself in the following ways:
Be Purpose-driven
Until you discover your purpose for living, you are not fit to live. When you discover purpose, it gives you direction and focus, and that focus is power (Hebrews 12:2). Men of sound character are usually men of purpose.
Pant after God
God does not need your money or possessions; all He truly wants is your heart. The Word of God says, My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways (Proverbs 23:26).For you to enhance your worth, your heart is very important. How do you give Him your heart? You do so by consciously spending quality time with the Word in prayer and fellowship with God, and as such, the Word dwell richly in your heart (Colossians 3:16). Just as it is said in the computer world, ‘Garbage in, garbage out’, so what you allow inside your heart is what will manifest in your character. Do not read all those filthy pornographic books; hide the Word in your heart, and it will generate the fear of God in your heart. As such, whatever temptation you are faced with, like Joseph, you will say, There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God (Genesis 39:9)? The Word kept him from sin. As a single person, is your heart panting after God or after things? Where is your heart? What kind of material do you feed your heart with? You need to destroy some of those ungodly books, magazines, tapes etc., that are in your home!
Be Forgiving
Unforgiveness makes a man keep looking backwards rather than forward. If you are looking backwards, you can be sure that your vehicle of life will be going backwards. You must refuse to be offended in God or others because it will affect your character. God is your helper; if you are offended in Him, who will help you? Also, learn to forgive your fellow men. Whatever anyone has done to you is past and gone; you do not need to carry hatred and bitterness around.
Be mindful of your association
The association you keep will always affect your behaviour. If your close friend is a liar, gossip, fornicator etc., you will invariably get involved in the same vices. Such a relationship will not leave you neutral. This proves true the adage that says, ‘Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are’. Who is your friend?
Depend on the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the agent of change. Without Him, your character cannot be moulded because developing a godly character is not by power or might. The Bible says, For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth (Zechariah 4:10). It is not enough to be baptised in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues; you must constantly go to Him for help. At any point you feel you have missed it, return to God and let Him know you are sorry. Then give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to supply the strength you need so that you will not miss it again. The Holy Spirit is always there to help you, so do not grieve Him with sin (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
However, the grace to benefit from these keys is the privilege of those who are born again. If you are not born again but want to enjoy these benefits, you must confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. Please 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. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your kingdom.