CHOICE AND INTENTION

Main Scriptures: Jas.21-25

More Scriptures: Matt.7:21, Rev.3:8, Mk.3:35

While I was meditating on the word of God, the Holy Spirit said these words to me and I want to share them with you and trust that you will be inspired to re-evaluate yourself if you have truly acted as a man, husband and father to your sheep and in your sheepfold. “To become a husband is a choice, but to become a good and godly husband is intentional” It is a choice you made when you decided to marry your wife. You saw something good and attractive in her and it motivated you to seek for her hand in marriage. So, either by commission or omission, the choice to settle down as a husband was a choice you made. And I can assure you, it is the right choice. And God is pleased with your choice because you have obeyed His commandment in Gen.2:18 when He said, it is not good for man, to be alone. Secondly, you have pleased Jesus Christ who is the perfect example of a good and godly husband because you would manifest all the virtues of Christ to your sheep as He did (Eph.5:25-27). That is one leg of the equation. The second leg is to be intentional about becoming a good and godly husband.

Becoming a good and godly husband to your wife, children and the world requires you to be deliberate. I mean, to be intentional. For instance, you do not wish you could forgive your wife and children when they offend you. Rather, you intentionally forgive them, irrespective of who is right or wrong. You do not wish you could be kind to your sheep or provide for their well being. Instead, you deliberately demonstrate kindness and provide for them. You do not wish you could intercede for them in prayers rather, you intentionally pray for them with the love of Jesus Christ shed abroad in your heart (Rom.5:5). You do not wish you could nurture your children in the way and admonition of the Lord but you intentionally train, teach and culture them as the Bible has commanded you to do (Eph.6:4). The reason why your life seems unpleasant as the head of your family is not because of the choice you made to be married or to become a father. It is so because you have not been intentional in the way you carry out your functions as a man, husband and father. Jesus speaking said, he that heareth my words and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man (Matt.7:24).

One of the steps to take to be an active participant in your sheepfold is pray against traditions and cultures of the world that conflict with the plan of God. Tradition is a great hindrance to fulfilling the will of God. Secondly, you must ask Jesus Christ on a daily basis to empower you to do the right thing (Philp.2:13). And as you put your best foot forward for your wife and children, God will reward you abundantly (Rev.2:2-3, Rev.3:8).

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, pour upon me the spirit of grace and supplication.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me to be a doer of Your word at all times.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, bless and reward my obedience to Your will.

FAITH CONFESSION 

I chose to become a husband and father and from now onward I intentionally act as God would want me to because that is what makes me a good and godly husband to my wife and children in Jesus Name. Amen.

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