 |
| Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo |
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the concluding part of the teaching for this month. I am convinced you have learnt to a certain extent, what will help you ascertain a Godly dream spouse.
As we conclude, this week, I will be teaching on the next important step towards marriage after all said and done, and it’s what I call, A Formal Engagement!
Once a dream spouse is ascertained, it is still not expected of you to just go grab a woman and start living together as man and wife. That is a very wrong step to take, especially as a Christian. In order to fulfil all righteousness, it is wisdom to give honour to the family of your wife/husband-to-be, by involving yourself in a formal engagement.
In the process of this formal engagement, whatever you do must glorify God and not condemn your conscience. Therefore, ensure that whatsoever you do does not violate your Christian principle.
Taking a closer look at Isaac and Rebekah’s wedding, even though it is not a typical wedding, since Isaac did not go in search of Rebekah himself, but we can learn a few lessons from it. God’s Word says in Genesis 24:53: And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiments, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
Rebekah’s people were only given precious and honourable things, not things for rituals! Let me state vividly here that it is very scriptural to pay dowry! This is a good process to follow.
Can I state here that a “U-turn” is permitted? Yes! It’s true you have decided to spend the rest of your lives together, but you must not take things for granted either. My husband often says humorously that, “assumption is the mother of frustration!” That’s why the courtship period is a time to prove all things about your mate, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
A U-turn is permitted if, during courtship, you discover that two of you cannot “walk” together. That is, you are not compatible and, therefore, cannot make it together. A broken courtship is permitted, if necessary. After all, a broken courtship is not the same as a divorce!
Every successful courtship should culminate in marriage. It is true that marriage is a covenant relationship between two people, but a public wedding affords members of your family, community, friends and well wishers from far and near the opportunity to share the joy of the day with you.
A public Christian wedding also makes it impossible for people to claim not to know that you are married. So, it is important for you to have a public Christian wedding ceremony in a Bible-believing church. God’s Word says: And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). When you have your wedding in church, you have formally invited God to be the third party in your union.
What’s more? It is a true assertion that marriages conducted in church stand a greater chance of being successful, than those that are not.
Principally, it is not too late to make wrongs right! Some people get worried when materials like this come their way, probably because they have been living together with their partners without paying the dowry, having a formal engagement or a public Christian wedding. You can make wrongs right!
Take steps right away, go and pay the dowry! If you are not legally married and you are in this category, go and “legalize” your union by going for a court wedding. Then look for a minister of the gospel to bless your union.
Christ is the foundation of any successful home. To accept Him now as your Lord and Saviour please pray this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of 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 Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
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).
b
ReplyDelete