HOME FRONT - GENERATIONAL CONCERN

One of my earliest discoveries in active pastoring is that many evil/bad experiences and challenges people face, especially in marriages and homes can actually be avoided. These experiences and challenges are on the increase because of the times.

“…the days are evil.” Eph.5:16

“And of the children of the sons of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…” 1Chron.12:32a.

In these times and generation, MENTORING, DISCIPLESHIP through genuine and sincere relationship of mutual accountability, openness is a must and has become a necessity. This truth is scripturally founded. However, before I take you into scriptures, I discovered that all professional training such as MEDICINE, ENGINEERING, LAW, ACCOUNTING etc, actually lay emphasis on this though it’s usually called by different names. Genuine impact or impartation is actually done through MENTORING, DISCIPLESHIP, a relationship based training or learning process. Coming to the mandate of our Master, Jesus, it was to make disciples (Mt.28:18-19) (not just to gather or convert people) like He did with the twelve, no wonder they became instruments that turned the world upside down. (Acts 17:6) Christians that are not disciple or mentored usually end up being bad representatives of Christ and His kingdom, so also MEN and WOMEN that are not mentored, DISCIPLED end up messing up the HOME FRONT, dealing with issues almost through their life time that could have been avoided.

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1

Sound doctrine will produce sound homes, lives, men, women, husbands, fathers, wives, mothers and children.

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

That the aged women like wise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. That they teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be nor blasphemed.

Young men like wise exhort to be sober minded

In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:2-8.

This is God’s prescribed pattern to raise the kind of people (men & women) that can raise the kind of homes that will produce godly offsprings to the glory of God. Through this pattern of the matured in God, discipling the upcoming ones in life and home affairs, some of these things happen.

     What is lacking in your faith is added to complete or make you whole. 1 Thess.3:10 and this is done through face to face interaction, and observation. This cannot be done by just reading books, listening to tapes, attending programmes (please they all have their place and are necessary ingredients).

        What needs to be added to what you already have is added. “And besides this, giving diligence, add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge… Wherefore the rather, brethren give all diligence to make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 5:10.

Here is my careful authoritative conclusion. GODLY HOME TRAINING is a must for everyone. Anyone who is able to start a HOME and if you never had one, it’s not too late. This has nothing to do with qualification, status, age, experiences or background but positive, proper attitude to truth that confronts you. 

The ideal aged men and women may be scarce but there are, because God will never leave Himself without a remnant and your willingness to go through the process of being MENTORED or DISCIPLED by an older genuine Christian couple adds to the number that will be available for the next generation. Which actually is a plus for God and a minus for satan. Please note that I have checked carefully. This pattern doesn’t have a substitute or alternative. What I am saying now is more than premarital counseling (which even many take for granted) but a relationship that goes into the early years of marriage.

Once God has spoken, twice I have heard in Jesus’ name.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

Life is a product of the choices we make. You become who you are not by the environment, persons, events and circumstances, but by the choices you make. When you have not learnt to involve God in minor issues, you will never make the right choices. It is the daily choices you make that will either make it easier or difficult for you. If you desire to become somebody, you need to have the right combination that will take you to where you are going. Jesus did just that; He got the right combination to make He who He eventually turned to become.

God does not choose for you because it will only violate your will. However, if you do ask Him, He will guide and present to you His will, still the choice ultimately rests on you. The choices you make are limited to the scope of your vision and vision comes by revelation.

In Habbakkuk 2:1-2, it declares there "...that he may run that readeth it." If there's nothing clear to read, then there's nothing to run with either. This results in many of the troubles and problems we encounter which is usually based on unreliable authorities.

Four Unreliable Authorities

1. Culture: The fact that others are doing it doesn't make it correct. Don't get into anything just because others are doing so. Become a man or woman of conviction.

2. Tradition: Don't make choices based on what has been done in a certain way.

3. Reason: This pertains to logic. There are so many things about your tomorrow that you cannot reason out. Don't depend on sense knowledge.

4. Emotion: It feels just right. Feelings could be deceptive.

Consequently, the only reliable authority is the word of God which comes by revelation and you can never have it if you are not spiritual "...the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." 2 Corinthians 3:6

Meanwhile, there are three major decisions nobody can make for you:

1. Who to live for?

2. What to live for?

3. Who to live with?

Your decisions/choices must go in these order

In Deuteronomy 30:15,19, God presented two options to choose from and then left you with the choice to choose. In other words, it is your lifestyle that will determine your choices and it is your daily lifestyle that will give you a future.

SEEK GOD EARLY

High and lofty dreams are usually birthed at teen-age. No matter how lofty the dream is, for it to come to pass, it must be through seeking God early. If you want early satisfaction, you must apply your heart to wisdom-Ps.90:12-14.

Jesus, our role model was an early seeker. He was found reasoning the scriptures with the scholars at the age of 12. You might say that's mighty too young for a boy his age. Not true! A glorious  future is a product of early seeking. In order to be satisfied early, you must seek God early. You cannot ignore God and get early satisfaction. Go for the word of God.

The first thing the word of God does is to birth a vision in you. At this phase, there are many traps ahead of you but when you have a revelation of your future, you are at an advantaged position because this vision will order and preserve your steps on the path of destiny. It is the word of God that gives you a vision to run with. Never wait or hold out till the events of  life meets you at a junction. At that point, you are helpless. When the angel appeared to Mary, she didn't immediately comprehend all he said, the Bible records that she kept the words in her heart.

Vision comes from no other source but God. The vision of God gives you a picture that will govern your life.

Psalm 8:17 states "I love them that love me; and those who seek me early shall find me." In other words, those who seek late will not find God. Seek God early in fasting, in praying, in studying and in reading the word of God and books that are relevant to your future.

Ultimately, seeking God early means to get the equipment for battles early before the day of battle, and when the day of battle arrives, you will simply be obtaining victory. If you want to find God in your tomorrow, seek Him early today.